why did you join the book forum?

[jenn]

interesting. so far the people who have responded to this thread tend to be the ones who, while enjoying a good laugh and the joking, do tend to take the forum more seriously.

 

[magemanda]

Maybe as a plea to others to take it more seriously, and limit their off-topic stuff to the general chat area??

 

[jenn]

Maybe as a plea to others to take it more seriously, and limit their off-topic stuff to the general chat area??

mmmm but how do we get them to read this thread?

 

[RaVeN]

I first joined with the intent of getting ideas on what books I would like to read and add to my library. Instead of just looking at Top 10 lists I wanted to know about the ones that I never have, or never would hear about unless I searched other avenues. And to a large degree I've done that, thanks to people like you.

Over time though, I've found this to be the equivalent of one stop shopping at the Quickie Mart gas station down at the corner. After a while you see some of the same faces over and over, and learn bits and pieces about their lives. You share a conversation in the dairy section about the revolations of skim milk with a customer of your liking and avoid the bread isle because "you know who" is waiting there to complain about their tasteless muffins (again).

It's an addictive community. No longer do you just stop in when you need to fill up the tank. Sometimes you drop by to see friendly faces and play a few games of chess.

That may not be the best way to run a business, but then again there's always another gas station around the corner.


RaVeN
PS- I know that I've left plenty of ammunition for those that would like to use it. Feel free to fire away.

 

[jenn]

I

Over time though, I've found this to be the equivalent of one stop shopping at the Quickie Mart gas station down at the corner. After a while you see some of the same faces over and over, and learn bits and pieces about their lives. You share a conversation in the dairy section about the revolations of skim milk with a customer of your liking and avoid the bread isle because "you know who" is waiting there to complain about their tasteless muffins (again).

i thought this was great!!! and so true, hahaha ( you know who is waiting....)


oops my quote didn't work

 

[fluffy bunny]

Coming out of lurker mode

Oh this is getting annoying - thebookforum ate my last 2 attempts to post

Anyway...

I was already a member/mod of another forum specialising in books of the Fantasy/SF/Horror genres. At the time (though not anymore) other genres including non-fiction were under-represented, and so I did a google search and found this place.

After a few tentative posts, I found that there was a good balance struck beween serious and non-serious discussion giving an informative yet friendly atmosphere (this changes all the time with the active membership - at the mo it's leaning a little too far on the 'chatty' side for my tastes).

Anyway I was posting away happily and Darren granted me mod status. So I tried that for a bit, then quit around Christmas time as I'd like to spend time reading books rather than tearing my hair out with politics (well that and work considerations). As the official secrets act has been signed, I can't tell you about the Wabbit hole, but I can divulge that I don't envy the mods still hard at work.

 

[Cathy C]

I actually joined as a curiosity to see what others around the world were reading. I tend to get somewhat pigeon-holed into specific genre books that are comfortable, easy reads. But since writing is my full-time career, I don't get a lot of human contact and input as to what books have merit. I've found an amazing level of new authors on this site, probably more than anywhere else I've belonged. But I've also found that tastes vary wildly, and some books that are raved about here were not to my taste. But I tasted them all the same!

Yes, it gets silly from time to time, but that's human contact too and I value it as much as the serious discussions. For those who spend their time basking in the light of human companionship, please allow we sequestered, desk-bound few the pleasant moments of frivolity (penguins, space bats and the like) that this forum allows. Thanks!

 

[Rogue]

Maybe as a plea to others to take it more seriously, and limit their off-topic stuff to the general chat area??

Is something in the air, or is the forum flooded with nonsense threads lately? There seems to be a lot of crap around at the moment.

 

[cajunmama]

I joined the forum because I live way out in the boonies. I work at home and have very little social life . Not many people I know read and the few that do, don't read what I do. I also wanted to get a more varied opinion on books, and I am always very eager to check out people's recommendations. The attraction is one half book talk and one half just having two way interaction with an adult (or near-adult, as the case may be ). I post wherever and whenever I please and have exercised the ability to ignore those whose intent it to simply tick people off.

 

[Ashlea]

I did a quick google search for a book forum when I realized that my entire social life was scheduled around a car forum, which just wasn't an exact fit, so it dawned on me one day that if there were people online who could discuss turbos for hours, surely I could find someone to discuss whatever I was reading. And look, here it is. It fills the void that remained when I left college and my bookstore job, where I talked about books all day long. It's a much bigger place than it used to be, and I get even more suggestions for books I don't have time to read! I'll never catch up now . . .

And Novella, you may have a good idea for Mike's forum. He makes everything sound so fascinating.

 

[StillILearn]

I think you guys are great.

I belong to a couple of other forums, and it always seems to me that the less structure they have, the better they are. We humans are quite capable of running our own shows... (Well -- with some glaringly obvious exceptions.)

The format is good here, and you're all really bright people who love reading and talking about books. What's more to ask?

(A little bit of intermittent funnin' never hurt nobody, neither.)

 

[Stewart]

why an online bookforum?

To comment upon The Da Vinci Code, if I remember correctly. I was about 60 posts into my stay here (in about an hour) before I decided to say hello in the introductions forum.

 

[Geenh]

Been addicting

I must say that I thought there would be more chatting about books here than there has been. I've been hanging around, trying out my own threads and answering some, but it seems that I spend lots of time reading 'in jokes' and one-liners. This is the first book forum site I've tried.

Is it a portent of things to come?

 

[Michigan]

I came to the book forum because I love books they are my entertaining, witty, thoughtful, educational and culturally diverse friends

My friend said it was cool, so I joined. And I love it here - apologies that I haven't been posting a lot lately.

Today I am sixteen!! And in my newfound maturity I hope to be more committed. So I will try to post more

 

[jenn]

I came to the book forum because I love books they are my entertaining, witty, thoughtful, educational and culturally diverse friends

My friend said it was cool, so I joined. And I love it here - apologies that I haven't been posting a lot lately.

Today I am sixteen!! And in my newfound maturity I hope to be more committed. So I will try to post more

happy birthday!!!!!!!!

 

[jenn]

I must say that I thought there would be more chatting about books here than there has been. I've been hanging around, trying out my own threads and answering some, but it seems that I spend lots of time reading 'in jokes' and one-liners. This is the first book forum site I've tried.

Is it a portent of things to come?

i've only been a member for a month but reading some of the other posts on this thread i think that it goes back and forth. sometimes there is loads of stuff to talk about and other times it's more joking around. for me lately it is just due to the fact that i am not really reading anything and things i've read recently have already been discussed and so while i have read the threads(ie; mikes review of alias grace) i didn't add anything.
for me personally i have liked the general chat part of the forum. it has given me a chance to get to know other members so that when i do post i have an idea of who will answer seriously, who will make snide remarks, who will be funny etc.

 

[cajunmama]

Jenn's got it, the tide sways somewhat here. Sometimes we're all reading good stuff and there's lots of discussion about books and sometimes we all just want to just goof around. As for myself, right now I have been pretty busy with my business so reading time has been limited.

 

[harishankar]

Very interesting discussion.

I see it from a somewhat different perspective. You know, I have recently started my own online literary forum and I want it to be much more serious than thebookforum. Sure, this site is quite interesting, but with such a broad category as "books" you're going to have a lot of different kinds of people.

I can understand that it would be tough to moderate a book forum. For one thing, books are much more subjective than many other topics like say "computers" where things are easily delineated and indentifiable. With books, the choices are often subjective and the forum will tend to be a little more chaotic and disorganized. You have got to target a particular audience to get more clarity.

I suppose the only way to achieve more focus in a book forum is to moderate very heavily and move the off-topic stuff ruthlessly into "General Discussion" or to get very seriously involved members who understand the nature of your site and won't indulge in joking and fun most of the time.

 

[Billy Oblivion]

Ooooh! Get Mr Snippy Britches!

 

[bobbyburns]

I suppose the only way to achieve more focus in a book forum is to moderate very heavily and move the off-topic stuff ruthlessly into "General Discussion" or to get very seriously involved members who understand the nature of your site and won't indulge in joking and fun most of the time.

well, golly, it looks we got ourselves a reader. hey buddy, come here. <shoves him> come here. we're morons and we don't like you said.