Time for a Change

[boswellbaxter]

As some have noted, the monthly BOTM reads have become less active over the past few months. As a result, the mods have decided to try something different for 2012.

Instead of having books of the month, we're going to have monthly discussion themes--a particular genre, a particular era, a particular historical figure, a particular author. Members can sign up to choose the theme for a given month. For example, in January, a member might pick Ancient Rome as the theme; in February, a member might pick gay historical fiction as the theme; in March, a member might pick Sir Walter Scott's novels as the theme; in April, a member might pick Catherine the Great as the theme. These are just examples; the theme will be the individual member's choice.

If you sign up for a month, try to avoid a theme that's too broad (Historical Fiction set in England) or so narrow that only one or two books fall into that theme. To avoid redundancy, if you choose an author as your theme, don't choose one of the eight authors to whom we've already devoted entire subforums (http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10), such as Jean Plaidy. Authors should not choose themselves for the monthly theme.

You can sign up for a month in 2012 in this thread on a first-come, first-served basis. If there are more than 12 members who sign up, we'll double up on some months as needed. If there are fewer than 12 who sign up, we'll just go without a theme for some months. Please pick your theme at the same time you sign up, and don't choose a theme that's been chosen before.

If you want to discuss a particular book, you can start a buddy read thread here (http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=77).

Questions? Just ask below!

So far we have:

January 2010: Marie Antoinette (Miss Moppet)

February 2012: Viking Month (The Czar)

March 2012: Trojan War Month (Laura Gill)

April 2012: Classic Fiction (lovehistory)

May 2012: Spain Month (Books set in Spain from 1300 to 1700) (MLE)

June 2012: Historical Thrillers (Vanessa)

July 2012: Family Saga Month (Madeline)

August 2012: Movie/TV Adaptation Month

September 2012: Open

October 2012: Colonial and Revolutionary America (Matt)

November 2012: Open

December 2012: Feasts & Celebrations in Literature (Ludmilla)

[MLE]

Okay, how about 'books set in Spain?' Or is that too broad?

[boswellbaxter]

Okay, how about 'books set in Spain?' Or is that too broad?

It could probably stand to be narrowed a little. I know there's a lot more English-language historical fiction set in England than in Spain, but it would probably make for a better topic if you narrowed the time frame at least.

[MLE]

Books set in Spain from 1300 to 1700. Any narrower and there probably wont be enough to discuss.

[boswellbaxter]

Books set in Spain from 1300 to 1700. Any narrower and there probably wont be enough to discuss.

OK, just indicate what month you want.

[MLE]

May would work.

[Divia]

I agree that something different needs to be done.:)

[The Czar]

How about Viking month? This would cover Scandinavian fiction, Ango-Saxon England fiction, and a small subset of Byzantine Fiction that deals with the Varangians.

Sounds like a good winter theme to me, so I'll take February.

[boswellbaxter]

How about Viking month? This would cover Scandinavian fiction, Ango-Saxon England fiction, and a small subset of Byzantine Fiction that deals with the Varangians.

Sounds like a good winter theme to me, so I'll take February.

Sounds fun! I've updated the first post with your month and MLE's.

[lauragill]

What about Trojan War month? There are so many books set in the period.

[boswellbaxter]

What about Trojan War month? There are so many books set in the period.

Cool--just pick a month except for February and May, which are taken.

[Ash]

I like this idea very much! Can't think of a theme offhand, but I'll think of something.

[lauragill]

Cool--just pick a month except for February and May, which are taken.

Would March be okay?

[boswellbaxter]

Would March be okay?


That's fine!

[Misfit]

I'm still trying to work up a do-able theme. I'm guessing Alan Savage month wouldn't go over very well :D;):p:rolleyes:

[boswellbaxter]

I'm still trying to work up a do-able theme. I'm guessing Alan Savage month wouldn't go over very well :D;):p:rolleyes:

But it would be entertaining!

[Misfit]

But it would be entertaining!

A buddy read of the two Eleanor books with Sharon and EC. Priceless :p

[LoveHistory]

I'd like to have a classic fiction month, for books that weren't historical when they were written but are historical to us. Is April still available?

[Vanessa]

Would historical thrillers be a good one to discuss?

[boswellbaxter]

I'd like to have a classic fiction month, for books that weren't historical when they were written but are historical to us. Is April still available?

Yup--I've got you signed up for April.

[boswellbaxter]

Would historical thrillers be a good one to discuss?

That's fine--just pick a month. January's open, as is everything after May.

[Vanessa]

I'll choose June, then.

[Madeleine]

Family saga?

[Ludmilla]

Is there an interest in discussing celebrations and feasts in literature for December?

[boswellbaxter]

Madeline and Ludmilla, those both sound good. Madeline, just pick a month (January and July through November are open; I'll save December for Ludmilla).

[Madeleine]

I'll go for July then, thank you.

[Matt Phillips]

How about, for August and summer blockbuster season, historical fiction in Hollywood? Comparing/contrasting movie adaptations of historical novels or treatments of a given historical figure in novels and movies. Or is that too broad?

What does proposing one of these entail? Kicking-off and guiding discussion, or just participating?

[rebecca]

How about, for August and summer blockbuster season, historical fiction in Hollywood? Comparing/contrasting movie adaptations of historical novels or treatments of a given historical figure in novels and movies. Or is that too broad?

What does proposing one of these entail? Kicking-off and guiding discussion, or just participating?

I think that's a good idea but does it have to be Hollywood? Can it also incorporate TV adaptations based in England?

As an example I watched North and South and loved it and so went and read the book by E. Gaskell.

Bec:)

[Ash]

In another online forum Im on, we have a thread for nothing but movie adaptations of novels. Its wonderful - I can see spending a month comparing books and movies, and perhaps comparing adaptations. For example, reading Jane Eyre and watching all the adaptations, or more recent, reading Girl with Dragon Tatoo, and comparing the Swedish and American adaptations.

[boswellbaxter]

Sorry, Matt and others, I missed these posts. We'll make August Adaptation month.

Ideally, whoever chose the theme for the month would sort of get the thread rolling--listing some suggested reads, talking about some of their own favorites, throwing out questions for discussion, putting up polls, etc.--and then keep participating in it.

That leaves us with January and September-November open.

[Matt Phillips]

I think that's a good idea but does it have to be Hollywood? Can it also incorporate TV adaptations based in England?

As an example I watched North and South and loved it and so went and read the book by E. Gaskell.

Bec:)

Sure, great idea, especially since historicals often tend to cover such an epic sweep that a TV miniseries can sometimes do them more justice than a 2- or 3-hour movie.

Funny you should mention North and South: The John Jakes novel by the same name was the first historical I ever read, and the ABC miniseries in the 1980s was what inspired me to find it at the library.

[Miss Moppet]

May I suggest Marie Antoinette for January?

[boswellbaxter]

May I suggest Marie Antoinette for January?

Sure thing!

[Miss Moppet]

May I start my MA thread in this section? I can wait for the mods to start it but I'm happy to start it myself as long as I know how it should be titled.

[boswellbaxter]

Thanks for the reminder, Miss Moppet! I see Misfit has it taken care of. Sorry--been deconstructing my Christmas decorations.

[boswellbaxter]

I hope everyone is enjoying the new features. We still have openings for September and November, so if you'd like to suggest something, please feel free to. Also, would someone like to take over TV and Movie Adaptations for August?