For the record, I already consider this to be a very successful Book Club discussion.

Having been involved in the planning and facilitation of on-line book club discussions for 7 years now, I can tell you that a process that is completely democratic always results in the most well-known and popular choice... usually one that most people voting have already read (or have experienced other popular media ties like movies or TV shows). In theory, those books are the easiest to prepare to discuss. Sadly, it is also true that a vast majority of those who vote don't tend to participate.

I always feel that it is important to let people, on occasion, pick the book to discuss. It builds a sense of ownership and membership in the activities and direction of the online community. The results might be bland/easy selections, but they generally have the widest appeal. And in cases like this one, they can also lead to very interesting conversations.

It has also always been my position that it is very important to have discussions where the choices are either pre-selected, or the choice is simply made for everyone. These are discussions that are intended to introduce a book/topic/style that people should read. It is a means to get people to try books that they wouldn't maybe otherwise pick up for whatever reason (perceived difficulty, style, content, etc. ).

I fully intend that the next book club books will fall into that second process. I'm thinking Doctor Zhivago and a sci-fi novel that I haven't picked yet (probably do a pre-selected set for people to vote on).

Personally, I found Count to be an entertaining read, but not a book that in itself deserves to be considered "L"iterature or even comprised of enough depth to really discuss the actual elements of the novel.