Forum for Books?

[Anonymous]

I know, I know, everyone wants a different forum. But one on books might be great fun.

[jsteele]

I'm actually thinking about a forum for Books and Television. Anyone have any feedback?

[Anonymous]

What's the problem with keeping these subjects in Off Topic? Again, too many extraneous forums weakens the main focus of the website-which centers around issues related to parenting in the DC Metro area. Am I wrong about this? And even if you add a new forum, questions that relate directly to that forum will still be posted in other forums (mainly Off Topic). Why not just cut to the chase and leave things as they are? Frankly I think you jumped the shark a little when you established the Beauty, Fashion and Fitness forum. The queries are superficial, most have nothing to do with parenting, people still post in OT about where to get a good haircut and now everyone wants a forum for everything-books, baby names, financial issues, gardening questions-where does it stop? You were on the right track when you attempted to consolidate. Now if you are attempting to become the poor man's Google for a specific demographic like you joked about previously, well, that's a different story.

[jsteele]

Not every topic works as a standalone forum, I'll grant you that. So, there is always some experimentation involved. But, I have been, and continued to be, interested in moving beyond a strict concentration on parenting. Of course, we should always have parenting as an aspect of our focus, but there are a ton of parenting sites. DCUM is not necessarily structured to be the best one of them. Our strength is a user base of thoughtful, witty, and interesting posters. Rather than trying to be the best parenting site on the web -- something we will never be -- I'd rather be a place where you can always find interesting and entertaining conversation.

One advantage of separate forums is that they can develop somewhat unique personalities. The Expectant Moms and TTC forums here, are by and large supportive places where people get along. Nobody would say that about General Parenting or the Nanny forum. So, rather than expecting book lovers to swim with the sharks in off-topic, maybe we can give them a bit nicer environment.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I'm actually thinking about a forum for Books and Television. Anyone have any feedback?

I think it's a great, great idea!

[Anonymous]

How about just books alone without television?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about just books alone without television?

This!

[Anonymous]

Actually, I'd prefer books, television and film. As Jeff mentioned, fora can develop their own personalities. I would love a place to discuss TV shows and movies with more attention to character, etc., the way literature is discussed, and a dedicated forum might achieve this. I guess I'm imagining a thoughtful discussion of Dexter's psychology as opposed to events on Jersey Shore.

I think if people are interested in threads like "Recommend your favorite book or TV show" then the Off Topic forum is adequate, but I'd like to see a forum that acts more like a book group.

[Anonymous]

YES! Film, too. Let's go pop culture crazy.

[Anonymous]

Oh, I was hoping that a books forum would NOT be about pop culture. I vote for separating out the books from the other media.

[Anonymous]

I would LOVE a book forum.

[Anonymous]

I would also like a book/tv/film forum I would not mind them in the same forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I was hoping that a books forum would NOT be about pop culture. I vote for separating out the books from the other media.

OP of DCUM book club here. A books forum would be nice, but I fear it would get a lot less traffic away from the Off Topic. At this point, even folks who aren't part of our little book club actually happened to read some of the books and commented. I don't know if folks would seek this out in its own forum.

[Anonymous]

Is anyone out there still interested in a book forum? I just finished an absolutely hysterical gem... AT THE CORNER OF WALL AND SESAME by Wendy Levitt. It tackles SAHM vs WM decisions, inter-office relationships, family relationships (the mother in law makes my own monster in law look like Mary Poppins!), etc. Would love to talk about it!