21st Century Literature discussion

In the nomination thread for the Wild Card, a question of whether or not to allow nominations that are recently published, or maybe not widely available for other reasons, should be allowed. I'm moving this question to a wider venue to get more input. The original question was regarding a book only available in hardcover and ebook, but the question expanded to include books not widely available in libraries due to either long hold lists or because they are from smaller presses.

In the past, we've had nominations of recently published books and let things sort themselves out in the polls - i.e. please note availability before voting for a certain title. I'd like to hear what other people think about the question. Thanks.

Oh, how I envy those of you with local libraries!!! Free 21st Century novels?? You lucky, lucky .... so-and-so's!

I think we need to bear in mind the international nature of the group. Although I have never had a problem because I have an ebook and am also able to buy print books online easily, that might not be the case for everybody.

I think common sense dictates that, when nominating a book, the nominator keeps half an eye on general availability, but again I don't think that's ever been a problem here, has it?

It hasn't been. I so think people pay attention to availability for the most part, and the rest gets sorted in the polls. Presumably, people don't vote for books they can't get at the library and are unwilling to pay for.

Since the matter came up in another thread, I thought I'd put it out there for the group. Especially as regards newly published, only available in hardcover, books.

The nature of the group is fluid. People come and go, participate for a while, disappear for a while (probably reading other things) and then return. I'm interested in knowing from the people interested at the moment what constraints affect them.

I'm not bothered by books that have just come out to end up in a poll. I vote for the book that I most want to read and that I can get my hands on, but there are always many books in the polls that are interesting. If the winner turns out to be a book that I can't get in time, or that costs more than I am willing to pay, I'll just read something else that month and go back to that particular book some other time. After all the discussion threads are always there when I want to see what other people think or when I want to comment on something.

I think I'd shy away from nominating a book that hasn't yet been published but has been reviewed. And, I think as the publishing date gets closer to the beginning of the century, it may also be somewhat difficult to get a library copy, as books do not seem to have a very long library shelf live. But, I agree that the voting should weed out a book that is really hard to obtain, as those wanting to participate would seem unlikely to vote for a book they cannot obtain, for whatever reason that may be - library availability, cost, etc.

Linda wrote: "...as the publishing date gets closer to the beginning of the century, it may also be somewhat difficult to get a library copy, as books do not seem to have a very long library shelf live...."

Since I have access to an area wide inter-library lending system, I am more likely to have trouble obtaining a really popular very new book than anything else published since 2000. If the book has any holding power whatsoever (and I would think such would be likely in order to be nominated here), one or several of the libraries in the system are likely to have a copy of a book published post-2000. On the other hand, a popular new book may have a waiting list across the system. I will acknowledge, however, that among 37 libraries, only five copies of Teju Cole's Open City (2011) are available.

Availability is seldom a determining factor for me, however, if I really want to read a book with the group. On the other hand, if my interest is borderline, I am unlikely to invest in a copy just to read with the group.

I suspect more and more of us are buying either ebooks or used copies as the market availability has been shifting so drastically the past few years. Very new books seldom have much inventory available of second hand books. (Yes, I understand all this starts to be an issue for authors, too.)

I'm the same way - if I really want to read it, I'll shell out for a copy. If I'm borderline and it's not at my library, I won't read it with the group. I am blessed with a library system that has a great selection while rarely having a large wait list, so usually not an issue for me.

So far, I'm getting the idea that letting the voting sort out these issues is fine, especially if others point out that a book may have limited availability.

Everyone gets books in different ways:-

some library only
some ebook only
some audio book only

New books can be sometimes difficult to get hold of in libraries, audio and can sometimes be pricy new. Equally they can be the books with the most buzz and be the ones that people are keenest to read.

Quite often with this group the approach has been to give a book a month or two after its release before picking it and I think this works quite well to get richer discussions as it is still fresh enough in people's minds who read it when new out and there is a greater chance other people will be able to get it in libraries, ebook at cheaper prices etc. I think that this approach works well. Its a bit different with the wild card picks as there are fewer opportunities to get balance. I am happy to allow any books and leave it up to the voting to sort itself out with them.

I think with a admin pick that can go a long way to creating balance. One challenge I have spotted is that post-buzz (a book is released, passed through best of year discussions and awards it is much less likely to be picked than something with recent buzz.

I think these answers amount to what we've been doing informally anyway. Essentially, let the buyer beware. If a book is recent or not widely available, people will vote with their mice if they'd rather not go to the extra trouble or expense of obtaining it.