I kind of like this idea too, though it's got problems. There are people that might want to discuss a book, but not lead the discussion. On the flip though, there's an appealing element of the structure we have here for voting: you propose it, you write it up for the vote.

I am unclear on the purpose of "discussion leader" and how we'll make a led discussion work for Buffistas. What functions would this person perform (admittedly, I am thinking "professor" and turning a little cold)?

Also? Even though this has kind of been smoothed over, I still really, strongly need to urge that we don't push any specific lit agenda. Now, please don't take that as criticism. I just think the thread will work better, if everyone feels that their tastes, and their kind of analysis and discussion is welcome in the thread. I am actually excited to read all kinds of books, with all kinds of Buffistas. My education is sorely lacking, and I need more exposure to the Western canon, but also to everything else, as well.

As a non-academic adult book lover, I am equally interested in reading classics with a classics-lover; horror with a horror-lover; westerns with a western-lover; farce with a farce-lover; romance with a romance-lover; historical novels with a history buffy (Ha! You thought I was gonna say "lover" again, but I didn't because I am so very flexible), y-a and/or children's classics with a y-a or children's classics book lover (and wouldn't be opposed to reading non-fiction sometimes, and a graphic novel or two, with a graphic novel lover). I am not demanding all these things mind you, but there is so much out there that is so great to read, that I hate to shut the door on anyone's tastes at the outset. I'd rather we were neither high brow, nor anti-high brow, if that makes sense.

ITA Cindy. I think I mentioned in Literary my love for a little trash book called Princess Daisy? You know what- I think that would be a good book for a discussion (probably not the first I'd pick though). It's almost a hodgepodge of all the cliches. Incest, royalty, secret siblings, so on and etc. It'd be interesting to explore those, and why they make such good romance fodder.

I am unclear on the purpose of "discussion leader" and how we'll make a led discussion work for Buffistas. What functions would this person perform (admittedly, I am thinking "professor" and turning a little cold)?

I don't think a discussion leader would be a requisite for the book club. It could be an occasional thing. But my favorite classes in college were the ones where the professor had a passion for their subject and a deep knowledge of it. I think we've got Buffistas with spicy brains like that -- folks that haven't just read the work in question but are intimately familiar with the era, the author's biography, related works, influences and followers, critical thought and more. It would be like leading a discussion, not giving a lecture.

It seems horribly complex to me. I still don't understand how the voting works

I wish I could offer NSYNC examples. I think it'll seem unwieldy until we get a good system, maybe. But I think that'll take tweaking in-thread, if there is one.

Which is why I'm trying to hammer out a How, a simple, easy to apply How, so that I can enjoy the thing, too. I'm looking for the eureka of it, because otherwise I'd vote no just to avoid the mess. Is where I'm coming from on it. From a completely selfish standpoint, that.

Totally get that. I share your dislike of how freakin' long and drawn out things that should be simple can get. Hence, I'm a fan of the random draw in this case. Where we differ on this is just that I'm interested enough that I'll vote yes without the eureka moment. Also from a completely selfish standpoint.

So we'd cancel each other out, then, right? Want to just not vote? Because my head is starting to hurt.

I have an idea!

I WILL CHOOSE THE BOOKS!

And you will all bend to my will

You will read Louisa May Alcott's The Old fashioned Girl NOW

MWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!

goes out to buy LMA's book because I am bent to Sophia's will

See, I knew I shouldn't let Sophia hang out with Rio and Bon Bon.

that I hate to shut the door on anyone's tastes at the outset

Oh, sure. But do you metion sci-fi lovers? No. No, you don't. (Couldn't be more kidding, by the way, in case that's not completely obvious. About the door shutting. Not about loving sci-fi, because I do).

I'm with you on the all kinds of material thing. Just not very articulate about it.

Or we could just go Sophia's way.

It would be like leading a discussion, not giving a lecture.

Requisite or not, how would one lead Buffistas in a discussion, though? What would this leading entail? If it's difficult to explain, can you give an example, instead. I'm not trying to play obtuse or give you a hard time, Hec. I truly do not understand.

After making a quick detour to pick up Heather's recommended trashy goodness, follows Sophia, as if in a trance

See, I still think (1) bullshit consensus, (2) winnow the list and (3) Mr. Poll works pretty well. It's loose and it's simple and it's flexible.

Winnowing could just include throwing out books difficult to find at the library or in paperback, or eliminating a few possibilities by the same writer. Stuff like that.