After a protracted debate via email, we're going to start selecting titles by drawing from the Jar of Doom. Not Doom as in Mount or Doctor, but as in "fate".

As the current Jar is a simple plastic container with a flip-top, we need something more suitable. Laura has begun construction of a new one which should be unveiled at this Thursday's meeting so all may revel in its Doominess. Meanwhile, I am painting 100 balls black and numbering them for the book lotto. One hundred titles currently in the JoD (and available) as well as suggestions and Out of the Box posts will go on a list alphabetized by author. A ball is drawn from the JoD. The book on the list with the matching number is our selection. Another from the pile of suggestions/OotB replaces it on the list. Rinse and repeat monthly. To keep things fresh, the list will be recycled at least annually with older titles going back into the reserve pile. I'm also thinking about making two lists, one for even numbered months, the other, oddly enough, for the odd, provided there are enough titles. Also, there will be one white ball in the Jar, a wild card to allow

However, so we could have copies on hand for this week, I took the liberty of drawing from the old skool JoD to determine January's book. What we got is Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds . All future drawings will be done at the meetings, starting with February's choice this week.

Please feed the beast with suggestions for titles. I want folks to have input into the process. If something shows up on an Out of the Box we feel isn't worth putting in the Jar, please bring it up. Some of the current explosion of paranormal/SF/fantasy romances show up there, books I personally don't think are worth wasting our time on. The same will be true for the broader lists. Those will be up on the site once I go through the Jar to cull the deadwood and blend the survivors with the OotB titles and any suggestions. Let me know if there's a stinker on the lists and we'll put it to a vote, on the blog preferably.

Please offer your suggestions here and for certain, this will be a topic for Thursday as well.