gringorn wrote:I know that there has definitely been more talk on the boards than in the past. Although this has been an enjoyable book, I think the readers' response has been so active also because before the ARC's were even distributed there was the announcement that nonparticipating readers aren't getting books. Because of that, there was much talk about what causes people to not comment (don't want to be repetitive, nervous, not sure HOW to post).
I know that there were probably a lot of people in the past who just got the books without an intention to post or review. That totally wasn't in the spirit of the authors and Barnes and Noble sharing these books with us. I think we readers are being much more conscientious and less nervous about posting.
Everyman (thank you so much by the way) explained to me how to make new posts and change the subject because it seemed it was hit or miss before for whether or not I could get it to post. On top of that, I then discovered that you have to sign in in order to post. While I know that sounds obvious, I didn't realize that when you get a notice in your email that there are new messages and you click on the message, that doesn't sign you in. Many times I would directly pull up the website and sign in. Then I could post. Sometimes I would enter thru email and I couldn't post. I suppose you could say that I am not computer savvy because it took me this long to figure that out!! LOL The point I was trying to make is that in the past, if I couldn't post I just gave up. But having the warning from the moderator that if we don't post we won't get to participate gave me much more incentive to figure out how to do it.
Sorry this is so long guys. But if anyone out there still doesn't know how to add their comments just ask for help. There are a lot of very helpful readers in this group. Good luck!!
Good points gringorn! I hardly posted with Sag Harbor because I was new and overwhelmed and intimidated. 
This time around with TPBODD I am a posting maniac, nut, fool, <ahem> participant. 
Sorry, it took me a minute there to find the right word!!! 
I now over use emoticons and should be charged with exclamation abuse as well!!!!!! See!!!!!! 
But I am having a great time posting and interacting. The PM option is nice, too.
I think you are right about "the announcement" regarding nonparticipating readers not getting ARCs in the future. Tho that is not me this time, I recently told an interested friend of mine who wants to sign up for the next FL that unless she's going to have the time or make the time to participate that it would be her last First Look!!! I, too, love that all you have to do if you don't get how to do somerhing is put it out there and so many people are willing to help and encourage. I even got a crystal ball reading early on from VermontCozy correctly predicting the arrival of my copy of TPBODD!!!
I also think TPBODD is a better book - at least for me. No offense to Colson Whitehead. I read and even liked Sag Harbor but the type of book it was and the content (as well as it being my first FL) was just different and didn't "brew up" as much as this one.
And no worry about long posts. I have been known to go on and on myself sometimes...
and there are others...we are not the only 2!!!!!!!
The PM option is nice, too.
