Time for a Change

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Fri September 23rd, 2011, 4:54 pm

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, 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.

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 (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Fri September 23rd, 2011, 5:36 pm

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

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Fri September 23rd, 2011, 6:10 pm

[quote=""MLE""]Okay, how about 'books set in Spain?' Or is that too broad?[/quote]

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 (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Fri September 23rd, 2011, 10:04 pm

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

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Fri September 23rd, 2011, 11:03 pm

[quote=""MLE""]Books set in Spain from 1300 to 1700. Any narrower and there probably wont be enough to discuss.[/quote]

OK, just indicate what month you want.

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Sat September 24th, 2011, 12:05 am

May would work.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Sat September 24th, 2011, 12:08 am

I agree that something different needs to be done.

The Czar · Post by **The Czar** » Mon September 26th, 2011, 9:58 pm

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 · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Mon September 26th, 2011, 10:52 pm

[quote=""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.[/quote]

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

lauragill · Post by **lauragill** » Mon September 26th, 2011, 11:05 pm

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