Book Review Forum

PeterDF · Freshman Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 214 Gender:

Who thinks that it would be a good idea to have a book review forum?

We could write book reviews of books we have read so that others could comment and discuss them, although obviously not current or past booktalk book choices.

It might help for all of us to get an idea what books are out there and roughly what they say to help us choose which books to read next.

Chris OConnor · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: Book Review Forum

Peter

I love the idea, but I'm not sure it would get much activity. Have you ever checked out our Books page? For almost two years now I have been asking and waiting on members "reviews" of the books we have read, and to date, not a single review has been sent my way. So while I like your idea, I am left assuming that type of forum would see so little activity that it might be smarter to hold off on it till we grow a bit larger.

Another forum we have all discussed is a "MovieTalk" forum. What do you think of this? Imagine once per month we vote on a new movie and then discuss it in this new forum? It might lighten things up around here. And there would be no need to make the movie-watching period a full two months like our books. Heck, this would be simply for fun. Any comments?

Chris

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,for there you have been, and there you will always want to be." -- Leonardo da Vinci

ecstian · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 10:57 pm Post subject: Re: Book Review Forum

Peter and Chris,

I like the idea of both the book reviews and movie forum. You are correct though Chris, that unless people participate, it won't happen. I know that I currently frequent Amazon to read the reviews on books. Perhaps other people go there too and wouldn't necessarily find reviews here all that beneficial.

Regarding movies, I would be interested in having discussions on movies that are pertinent to freethought, humanism, atheism, science, etc. Perhaps documentaries would be on topic as well. In regards to movies for just entertainment, there are enough other places to go for info on those. Most of the movies out there aren't worth my time to discuss anyway.

I am willing to write reviews for books if it will help. I guess I need to read some books first though.

Eric

Chris OConnor · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 12:48 pm Post subject: Re: Book Review Forum

I'm wondering how many movies fall into the category of "freethinker." It sure would be nice to stick with academic movies.

Movies that come to mind...

Mindwalk - one of my favorites of all time

Inherit The Wind - about the Scopes Trial

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,for there you have been, and there you will always want to be." -- Leonardo da Vinci

ecstian · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: Book Review Forum

I saw Inherit The Wind a few years ago. I couldn't remember the name of that movie, but I would like to see it again.

I have not seen Mind Walk. I will have to check that one out.

One of the videos I really enjoyed was Chocolat. It has a really good soundtrack as well.

Eric

Chris OConnor · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 2:05 pm Post subject: Re: Book Review Forum

Chocolat was excellent!

We would need to come up with some guidelines for what types of movies are acceptable. Limiting them to movies about faith vs. reason would be rather constrictive. Perhaps we say, "movies with a message."

I wonder how many members would actively participate in the MovieTalk forum. Maybe I'll create a poll.

Chris

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,for there you have been, and there you will always want to be." -- Leonardo da Vinci

LanDroid · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 11:24 am Post subject: Book reviews

Perhaps you could place a "book review" thread in the section for each book we read. Members could add Amazon.com style reviews of the work as a whole.

A forum for reviews of other books might be interesting and worth a try, but I agree it might not take off...

ZachSylvanus · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 5:04 pm Post subject: Book Review

If you did that, couldn't you then embed the thread in a page for the book, so that people could see the book, read a synopsis from amazon.com, and then read what reviews were written for it?

tarav · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: Book Review Forum

Peter, I think that it would be a good idea to have a book review forum, or as LanDroid suggested, a thread for each book. I noticed that a lot of people responded with discussions of posting Amazon reviews. I prefer the idea that booktalk members would do the reviewing. In this way, I am considering the opinion of someone I know(sort of). I would be a lot more inclined to read a fellow booktalkers' review than an Amazon review.

kiki101 · Newbie Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 1 Gender:

i think have a book review page is a great idea that way people in search of a good book can find one. i know i always have that problem.


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