tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post3344293160290481764..comments2023-11-03T03:07:25.408-07:00Comments on The Lyon's Tale: So SubjectiveAnnette Lyonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493583432919249814noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-64161436602366561162010-01-26T23:30:11.494-07:002010-01-26T23:30:11.494-07:00Which is why, I believe, English classes across th...Which is why, I believe, English classes across the world will never really be just about English or writing or reading. They will be about what the teacher wants you to get because of how they view the world. Interesting. Can't wait to hear about the winners.Cranberryfrieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04384164423414892482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-86982949898585495512010-01-15T21:26:58.682-07:002010-01-15T21:26:58.682-07:00One thing to consider, though, is that there ARE e...One thing to consider, though, is that there ARE elements that can be clearly drawn as sloppy and bad writing and some that are drop-dead excellent, and you can't quibble on them. <br /><br />That's one reason why, to some extent anyway, the biggest conflicts I see in the judges' opinions tend to be the middle books--the ones that aren't FANTASTIC and the ones that aren't terrible. The middle-ground books end up being argued over far more than ones that are obviously stellar or obviously just horrid.Annette Lyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12493583432919249814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-72481508207077306012010-01-15T20:35:07.665-07:002010-01-15T20:35:07.665-07:00That sounds like a big undertaking --to judge a bo...That sounds like a big undertaking --to judge a book. and your last paragraph I think sums it up pretty well.<br />One like one kind<br />One like the other<br />and they are both good, just different<br /><br />but I guess there is that whole side of usage of words, and all that other "literary" stuff I know nothing about.<br />I just read to be entertained, uplifted, moved, or made to thinkwendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13619293936418976914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-75435261346293118642010-01-15T20:05:54.901-07:002010-01-15T20:05:54.901-07:00My sister hates Harry Potter and all sci fi, dysto...My sister hates Harry Potter and all sci fi, dystopian, and most fantasy lit. Period. I don't like mystery or suspense lit, much. So it surprises me when we agree on one single book between us we like.<br /><br />Here's to hoping you're a finalist.*https://www.blogger.com/profile/06484208765656281917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-91749383520653466702010-01-15T13:25:06.071-07:002010-01-15T13:25:06.071-07:00Well said Annette!
And I'll be shocked if you...Well said Annette!<br /><br />And I'll be shocked if you aren't a finalist (and I really hope you will be because I'm only going to the Gala if someone I know is up for an award).Kimberly Vanderhorsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01653757517652257445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-73038573858483901562010-01-14T16:27:03.098-07:002010-01-14T16:27:03.098-07:00People still can't believe I hated "A Tho...People still can't believe I hated "A Thousand Splendid Suns" and "Tuesdays With Morrie."<br />This is why I never trust people when they say they like my writing...<br />And I totally envy your position!Jessica G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10641255166732692924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-36162057723147394412010-01-14T14:10:06.715-07:002010-01-14T14:10:06.715-07:00In the end the cream does rise to the top. Regardl...In the end the cream does rise to the top. Regardless of how books are voted on, I think good literature shines through. Realizing that people have their own likes and biases, my contention is that good writing (an author who can put all the elements of a great story together)will usually supersede people's biases and their books will be liked by many.<br /><br />Good luck to everyone chosen in this years Whitney pool for 2009 releases. I have my favorites and it will be interesting to see if others like what I like. That probably won't be difficult since I've enjoyed almost all the LDS genre books I've read.<br /><br />CharlieCharlie Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09650519124948533925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-52955886776381691522010-01-14T13:19:17.282-07:002010-01-14T13:19:17.282-07:00Perhaps, there ought to be ten judges for each pan...Perhaps, there ought to be ten judges for each panel just to broaden the pool a bit. But, then, I'm sure it was difficult enough to find five!<br /><br />My hat's off to you for your diligence. Thanks for the post.Tanya Parker Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14604769216009443552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-66819497795963454652010-01-13T21:25:20.435-07:002010-01-13T21:25:20.435-07:00Huh. I wish we could just copy and paste this post...Huh. I wish we could just copy and paste this post whenever blogging "book-wars" start. (You like Twilight?! Ick! Pride and Prejudice? You've gotta be kidding me!) <br /><br />We like what we like, end of story.<br /><br />I am sooooo glad I'm not a judge.That Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15006763952612909570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-82930528306085439882010-01-13T20:59:13.709-07:002010-01-13T20:59:13.709-07:00How could Tower of Strength NOT be a finalist? It ...How could Tower of Strength NOT be a finalist? It totally will be.Melanie Jacobsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02489615939726209573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-36000052908661150962010-01-13T10:49:51.126-07:002010-01-13T10:49:51.126-07:00Ohhh! Fingers crossed on the Tower of Strength. Yo...Ohhh! Fingers crossed on the Tower of Strength. Your insights are very interesting. It's true, I've liked one piece of work and my friends haven't (and vice versa). =)Carolyn V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456210036213016603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-23761219047879949922010-01-12T22:29:33.602-07:002010-01-12T22:29:33.602-07:00Annette, thanks for the explanation. That's a ...Annette, thanks for the explanation. That's a really cool judging system!Stephanie Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08848784501386694887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-14981824659658315422010-01-12T21:11:06.536-07:002010-01-12T21:11:06.536-07:00It is funny how we all come out the reading experi...It is funny how we all come out the reading experience with different views.Amber Lynaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16890268873178010212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-25170814632408282702010-01-12T19:02:13.534-07:002010-01-12T19:02:13.534-07:00Good question Stephanie!
The voting process is an...Good question Stephanie!<br /><br />The voting process is an online Condorcet-type ballot, where we're asked to put every single book in the category against every single other book. So: Does #1 or #2 more deserve the award? Does #1 or #3 more deserve it? and so on, until you get through every possible combination.<br /><br />It's a really cool system, and it factors more than just a plain old favorites list would.Annette Lyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12493583432919249814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-62546390655587529832010-01-12T18:26:10.583-07:002010-01-12T18:26:10.583-07:00Good luck with the judging! That's a tough job...Good luck with the judging! That's a tough job. Do you fill out an evaluation form for the books, or do you just list your top choices for a category?Stephanie Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08848784501386694887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-20504104881353207552010-01-12T17:13:45.664-07:002010-01-12T17:13:45.664-07:00This is one reason I love being in a book club. C...This is one reason I love being in a book club. Come discussion time it always fascinates me how different our reading experiences were. It does open my mind to why someone would like or dislike a book, but I usually don't change my own opinion, because my own life experience is what made me like/dislike it in the first place.<br /><br />Crossing my fingers for Tower of Strength!Lara Neveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08351324888724799014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-27712244450134524472010-01-12T16:29:05.413-07:002010-01-12T16:29:05.413-07:00It is subjective... I guess. Except even when I kn...It is subjective... I guess. Except even when I know that in my head, in my heart I think all my favorites are right. <br /><br />I'm excited to see the list of finalists. And I wish I could be a fly on the wall for the finalist selection process.Emily M.http://segullah.org/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-44428779819343886072010-01-12T14:46:50.689-07:002010-01-12T14:46:50.689-07:00I really don't think I could do this job. I h...I really don't think I could do this job. I have a little editing job for a blogging aggregate, and I have to decide what is published and what is not. It is so HARD to be objective about the submissions if they are either poorly written or put forward an opinion I strongly disagree with!<br /><br />I usually end up cleaning it up (which is my other job) and then sending it back to the managing editor with the note "I didn't like this at all, which probably means you should publish it!"Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07532225334730948057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-79606303192547528092010-01-12T14:45:39.033-07:002010-01-12T14:45:39.033-07:00It must be a fascinating process. I look forward ...It must be a fascinating process. I look forward to reading the list of finalists!Luisa Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15310698422276446909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-90676908696901361162010-01-12T14:40:57.186-07:002010-01-12T14:40:57.186-07:00I'm experiencing this on a very small scale ri...I'm experiencing this on a very small scale right now. A woman in my book club has raved about a book for two years. We're reading it this month and it's pitiful. Inconsisten, not believable, contrived, you name it. I tend to be gullible and accepting of a plot unless the flaws are glaring. But time after time I find myself saying, "Huh? That doesn't make any sense" <br /><br />I wonder what she sees in it and then wonder what she's thought of the books I've recommended. Most of all, I'm not sure how to discuss this book without sending the messge that anyone who likes it is a moron!<br /><br />Can't wait for the finalists!Happy Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09182347717846006673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-28859536423238637352010-01-12T14:26:44.176-07:002010-01-12T14:26:44.176-07:00I completely agree with everything you say here. ...I completely agree with everything you say here. I have pretty picky tastes in terms of what I like to read (and I tend to put a book down if I'm not fully interested by the end of chapter 1). Everyone's feelings about books are so subjective.<br /><br />P.S. I hope Tower of Strength ends up on the list too!Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16913479841360204974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-51403654208704352622010-01-12T14:16:12.499-07:002010-01-12T14:16:12.499-07:00I think that is EXACTLY why one agent and/or publi...I think that is EXACTLY why one agent and/or publisher will pass on a book, while another agent and/or publisher will pick it up. And yet neither group can guarantee a book will be a successful best-seller.<br /><br />A good product, well-timed introductions to the right contacts in publishing, sufficient exposure to the right kind of readers who will spread the word, and a little bit of luck all seem to contribute. At least in my opinion...Daron D. Fraleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14753629830336214161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-15299629145349884762010-01-12T14:12:32.116-07:002010-01-12T14:12:32.116-07:00It would be hard to be a judge, I think. In the en...It would be hard to be a judge, I think. In the end, we just have to be honest about our reading experiences and allow that there's a good variety for a reason, right? Well, it's that I'd be doomed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-42249784337914056892010-01-12T14:00:09.179-07:002010-01-12T14:00:09.179-07:00I think it would be great to be a judge, but it wo...I think it would be great to be a judge, but it would be so hard at the same time. <br /><br />Different people definitely have different tastes. I know if my sister doesn't like a movie, then I will for sure. :)<br /><br />Can't wait to hear the finalists. Good luck!Amanda Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04662814069840360787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29222764.post-85118007877239518822010-01-12T13:43:57.773-07:002010-01-12T13:43:57.773-07:00Kudos to you for being willing to be a judge. I&#...Kudos to you for being willing to be a judge. I'm too much of a coward. I prefer letting y'all do the hard work and make the tough calls while I just show up at the banquet, enjoy the dinner and not worry about a thing.Sarah M Edenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08496833468568204150noreply@blogger.com