Goodreads Ireland discussion

Declan wrote: "Autilian wrote: "I've been wanting to read the dark tower series for ages, I've kept reading smaller fantasy series instead of it though I think I'm afraid to start something of its length. Is it r..."

Thanks for your feedback Declan. The fact that you say the big appeal is the main characther is a very good sign for me as a lot of the books I like most are for strong characters that I grow attached to rather than the stories themselves.

That why the current book I'm reading is becoming one of my favourite series, I love all the characthers in the book especially the main characther. I also can't recommend The Kingkiller Chronicles enough to anyone that likes fantasy.

I have haven't read any fantasy for quite a while, but I'll look into the The Kingkiller Chronicles. The name alone is very eye-catching and intriguing.

Allan wrote: "Would anyone know why the book I'm reading, The Effect of Her by Gerard Stembridge, isn't included on Goodreads? Is it the publisher's responsibility to put the book onto the database, or can anyon..."

Most publishers won't bother adding stuff to Goodreads, just Amazon, etc.

Most stuff added to GR is done by members with librarian status. I'll add it later, when I'm on my laptop.

Declan wrote: "I'm so glad you had such a good time, Susan. It really shouldn't have been a surprise that so many people were turned away. Whenever a writer of Hosseini's calibre reads in Dublin it usually by boo..."
Not dragging up an old comment but re Derek Landy event I hope it wasn't just a signing can't wait to meet him in two weeks :)

Declan wrote: "Allan wrote: "Would anyone know why the book I'm reading, The Effect of Her by Gerard Stembridge, isn't included on Goodreads? Is it the publisher's responsibility to put the book onto the database..."
Won't this this change now if amazon start linking the database systems ?

Autilian wrote: "Declan wrote: "Autilian wrote: "I've been wanting to read the dark tower series for ages, I've kept reading smaller fantasy series instead of it though I think I'm afraid to start something of its ..."

The Kingkiller Chronicles has now been mentioned by both you Autilian and my brother he has even given me the first book but never got to it may try again. Re the Dark Tower series I've read the first two and most of the third but ended up leaving it down for another set of books and haven't gone back yet may do so. Same with the wheel of time series have read the first two books and greatly enjoyed them so may go grab the rest when I get a chance . What I'm reading at the moment is the fault in our stars , but have a few others lined up and waiting . So going to be quite busy in that front my to read list is endless . I don't think ill be reading as much once I head back to college . The end of the summer my reading new books goal went and slacked beacause I started a reread and was on holidays . Hope in the next three weeks to speed up again

@Allan. That book is added, if you want to mark as currently-reading. If you try to add it soon after a add this message, it might not show. They can remain invisible for a short while after being added.

@Gavin. The great thing about books is that they're always ready for you whenever you get the chance to read them. Take your time. There seems to be plenty for you sink your teeth into.

Re: Amazon. No, there still primarily added manually by GR librarians. I'd imagine it would be standard practice to enter both simultaneously, and that there would be some means of doing this more easily, but it's still the long-slog.

Enjoy Landy, btw. It's been a while since I attended one of his events with my brother, but they're usually quite fun.

Allan, I just looked it up on Goodreads and it showed up on mine. Maybe it's a Irish thing. Tee hee. How does it feel to be home?

Oh, I know you are looking forward to seeing your little kiddies. You are probably their favorite teacher. I am glad you had a great vacation.
Declan, you have proven again that you're quite the master. Hats off to you.

Welcome back to Ireland, Allan. I hope that your job isn't being too taxing at the moment?

Adding the book doesn't take too long, if you're used to it. Because of the size and the geographical focus of our group, every now and then some nominates a book without a Goodreads page, or more commonly it will have a page but no blurb or or cover. I want to give every book a fair shout so I asked for librarian status to fix this. After adding Stembridge's book last night (and fixing his other entries) I'm now the eighth top librarian in Ireland. :)

It may seem sad, but that gave me a lot of satisfaction.

It may have another title in the US. I have had this problem at times on Goodreads. Sometimes a book is in there but I only find it after I put in the ISBN number.
I have another book by Gerard Stembridge on my shelves - forget the title, but want to read it. I am reading so much Irish stuff, I am not getting to other books on my shelves. So much to read!

Allan wrote: "Would anyone know why the book I'm reading, The Effect of Her by Gerard Stembridge, isn't included on Goodreads? Is it the publisher's responsibility to put the book onto the database, or can anyon..."

Found it with the ISBN
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...

@Barbara. That's the one I added last night. :)

Declan wrote: "@Barbara. That's the one I added last night. :)"

Yes, for some reason I only saw your post after I posted mine:)

I think I'll have to add both of those, Allan. My to-read list really is getting out of hand.

I added the author info, too. The whole lot took about 20 minutes. Most if that time is just sourcing the info.

OMG - now I really have to move Unspoken to the top of my "to read" list. It's the Stembridge book that I couldn't think of.

It may have only taken you 20 minutes but it would have taken me a lifetime. I would vote you number 1 Librarian.

@Declan ah ok , time will tell if Amazon allow it then there's those authors not on amazon, I nearly missed his event lol

@Alan. If the book is pn Amazon, (which it usually would be) that will give me at least the ISBN and publisher's name, and almost always a cover photo. If it doesn't have a blurb; or if it isn't very good, Ill ger one from the publisher's website.

The publisher's will usually have a bio on the author, or will link the their official website. This can be the slowest part, as some writer's, like Stembridge, seem to have little interest in ab internet profile. Luckilly he's famous enough to have loads of admirers.

@Gavin. I used to hear about most of his signing and readings through Facebook; especiall Easons' page. That might be a good place to track of him.

Can I ask about author the book - Unspoken of which you speak? There are a lot of books with the same title.

Allan- my friend in Dublin knew all the players in the early women's movement in Dublin - Mairin de Burca, Margaret Gaj etc. She and her husband were more involved in fighting local corruption, saving Georgian Dublin from being paved over, and international politcal causes. I am eager to read this book. It looks like I can get it from Kennys. For about $2-3 more I can get it from Alibris from closer sources. Oh the carbon footprint issue. But I am going to put it on my list at Kenny's because I know there was something else I wanted there - just have to remember what it was.

Declan wrote: "I'll be interested to know what you finally make of LAL [Life after Life].

Hi Declan

I really enjoyed it. I gave it four stars and then noticed every one else I know on Goodreads gave it 4 stars as well.

It seems like such an obvious idea for a book in hindsight, yet it's surprisingly original and an amusing take on Deja vu, and what-ifs. And I really like Kate Atkinson's writing. I must check out some of her other stuff.

(view spoiler)[
I wasn't sure what to make of the end. Her lives seemed to just go on and on and on, as opposed to stopping on the one where she killed Hitler.
(hide spoiler)]

I'm currently reading Dark Places which I'm really enjoying. It's more real than Gone Girl which was fairly cartoonish in comparison.

I thought the ending suited the story. So much had happened in the the build-up that it would have needee one hell of a climax to out-do most of it... and we'd always have the sneaking suspicion about the end.

With all the pleasure I got from Goodreads, It's also given me an insurmountable reading.

I say insurnountable because it grows much faster than I can read. If I live to a ripe old age I'll around 5 or 6 thousand unread books.

That's another book I took off my list because I saw the film.

I really should get over that

I did. I delayed seeing the film until we had read the book, though. There was quite a lot I preferred about the film, but it was quite different from the book. If the film had carried a different name I could have quite easily believed that they were different stories.

There was still a lot I preferred about the book, too. Especially in the last third of the film. The schmaltz factor went through the roof. Ugh! I'm surprised the cast didn't get diabetes from filming that.

The book would be a romantic comedy, too. They both had there moments, but (the book especially) they weren't typical rom-coms.

If you watch and read both, it might be worth throwing your two cents worth into the discussions.

I always find arguments to be far more interesting.

If people like the book for different reasons you can still have a good discussion. I everyone agrees it peters out pretty quickly.

The only vindication I've ever needed for my own opinion was the opinion itself. I have a feeling that you wouldn't need a lot of vindication for yours either.

I like picking people's brains, though. If I didn't at least try to do that I'd be one of the most socially awkward people in the world. It's fun seeing how people tick. Taste is so subjective it sometimes feels impossible to gauge a person's response to something, but the more you know, the easier it gets. Knowing what people like and dislike can tell you a lot: Knowing why they like and dislike things can tell you.a whole lot more.

@ John

I highly recommend Case Histories

Declan wrote: "That's another book I took off my list because I saw the film.

I really should get over that"

That's almost a defacto rule for me. I never read a book where I've already seen the movie. I only go the other way.

I-like-to-read wrote: "@ John

I highly recommend Case Histories"

Added to list thanks!

I think I'll add that. I don't often read popular psych, but the ones I have read were very enlightening. Scarily so, in places.

I can well believe that we all engage in games, in one form or another. The minefield of human courtship must be the greatest example of it.

In terms of people pairing, it's the most interesting part. Some (most) people are so incredibly bad at dealing with potential partners that I'm surprised the human race has survived so long.

I know people who wait for an entire day before replying to texts. I can't understand it either.

It is, I agree. I don't why people put up with the whole ordeal.

Just had to say I've recently begun reading 'Star of the Sea' by Joseph O'Connor. I know I'm totally behind the curve on this one - I just didn't think it would be my cup of tea. How wrong I was, I'm really enjoying it :) Anyone else?

It's one if my all-time favourites, Evie. I loved every page of it, from cover to cover.

Let me know what you think.

I also liked this book a lot. I tried to read Redemption Road but in general I am not interested in books, fiction or otherwise, with US Civil War themes. It may come of growing up in New England and being more geared to the American Revolution history.

A famous quote I remember relates to the movie Gone with the Wind: "No Civil War picture ever made a nickel." Could it be a sore topic for Americans?

Declan wrote: "A famous quote I remember relates to the movie Gone with the Wind: "No Civil War picture ever made a nickel." Could it be a sore topic for Americans?"

Many (though of course not all) Southerners remain somewhat obsessed with this war. My Dad was career military (Army) and he considered the Confederates to be traitors against the nation, period. His predecessors fought on the Union side. I know there are good movies and books about the Civil War but for me, life's too short:) We have Civil War reinactors around here. People who dress in heavy hot clothing and reinact battles in hot weather. That seems pretty nuts to me. I have more patience with the people who dress in medieval dress or as Hobbits. It's just one of those biases I have that I usually keep my mouth shut about.

I love the idea if those re-enactments and fairs, Barbara. I'd include comic book and sci-fi conventions with those. I could only ever be a spectator, though. I couldn't go through the effort of making or buying decent costume or uniform.

I'm surprised by your father's attitude towards the confederates. Was that a typical attitude of his generation?

Declan wrote: "A famous quote I remember relates to the movie Gone with the Wind: "No Civil War picture ever made a nickel." Could it be a sore topic for Americans?"

That's an interesting question, Declan. I think for some, it is. I worked for a few summers in South Carolina, and although the Civil War didn't come up, enough of the white people made numerous references to me being a "Yankee." Everyone was very nice, but the distinction was made enough times that it gave me pause. The country is so big that when I travel around, it's always interesting to see/feel how many different cultures there are.

From this side of the pond it's easy to forget how different one State can be from another.

I can't believe you were actually called Yankee. Was it intended playfully?

When I was in college I knew a girl from South or North Carolina. Her high school (or possibly middle school) history teacher refereed to the Civil War as "War of Northern Aggression." (note Declan that you and I are roughly the same age I believe, so she was being taught this in the late 90s).

I've also been referred to as a Yankee before by friends from the South (but in their case it was mostly in playful jest).

Wow! I've got to say, that teacher has me pretty gob-smacked. It sounds like a bad comedy sketch.

I was discussing in another thread the use of the Jackeen. It wasva formally derogatory expression for Dubliners. It comes from the Union Jack. I been called this lots of times, but alwaysvin good spirits. Because of County Football and Hurling, most Dubliners have embraced it. Or at least wouldn't care about it.

Declan wrote: "From this side of the pond it's easy to forget how different one State can be from another.

I can't believe you were actually called Yankee. Was it intended playfully?"
Hmm. I think (?) so, but we had several evenings when we were invited to suppers at people's houses, and several of the women remarked about how as Southern women, they do this or that to take care of their husbands, families, etc., and they were contrasting it with "Northern" women. It was said in a light-hearted way, but I did sense some subtext there. I thought it was just me being sensitive, but then a colleague of mine mentioned it, too. Granted this was just one small group of people and one incident. It was only about 6 or so years ago, so it wasn't all that long ago. One of those incidents where you walk away and wonder about it.