All About Books discussion

Giorgia, I am in awe of all the members for whom English is not their first language. I could probably manage to read comments in Spanish and French, but I would
be very hesitant about writing comments in either language.

Giorgia- That is really interesting to hear. Laura, one if our mods, is Italy based and set the group up. Please feel free to join in even if you're grammar isn't perfect. I'm English and don't always think my comments sound right or particularly well written! I couldn't even read Italian comments!

I too am in awe of readers who comment in a language that is not their mother tongue. I think your points are very well made, Giorgia, and will be useful to the mods (as two of them are second language speakers) so am pleased you commented :)

Personally I love our group's diversity, and an occasional "slip" has provoked much friendly hilarity. And this can be from native English-speakers or others alike, so please don't feel shy about contributing for that reason, anyone.

Giorgia, I believe I repeatedly asked people to 'bare' with me in this group, which I've later learned means I want them to strip with me, which - should there have ever been doubt - was not what I meant!!!! ;)

Heather is right, since Laura set the group up from Italy, she added it as the group origin, and personally I really like that it attracts people who's first language may not be English.

I hope most members will - just like you - soon realize that there's no reason to be shy about the fact that their English may not be spotless. Laura and I have both made a mess of English on more than one occasion and will continue to do so most likely ;)

(plus there's always someone kind enough to jump to your rescue should you involuntarily ask people to get naked ;))

LOL!

Kasey wrote: "(A congrats to whoever can guess the original quote of my quote and what movie it came from!) "

I assume you're adapted from Field of Dreams.

Haha! That's so funny Jenny :) :) :)

Can't add aything to what Jenny said!!!

Self promotion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Sorry mods if I give you some extra work.

Got it. Thanks dely.

And don't worry about giving us extra work. It's great that you let us know.

Jenny wrote: "And don't worry about giving us extra work. It's great that you let us know."

;)

Question: If i can read my own book?

I am not sure I know what you mean Tamara, do you mean whether or not you need to follow the group reads? No absolutely not! We love if you do, but they are merely an offer. Read what you like and tell us about it if you feel like it.

I am looking for one of the book sights that are doing the months of the year with the books and authors for that month. Could this be the sight.

Rhonda, do you mean like an overview of our group reads?

We don't really have one for the entire year, because most things are decided by poll either on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. But if you have a look at our homepage (go to 'group home' on the very top and right hand side of this page) you will find our current group reads and a preview of the ones coming up shortly.

There is a list of our upcoming readalongs for the year though here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Readalongs are usually a smaller group of people coming together to read a book, feel free to join any one of them if you are interested in the book.

Does that answer your question?

Self promotion on 2 threads
this new one
and here

I do quite like a comment someone made in another group where this was promoted, on a "Questions" thread: "That's certainly not a question..."

still at work but will get to it once at home. thanks jean!

deleted. Thank you Jean!

Comment only here: love that our rules say "no foul language". I've seen in other groups and quite a few reviews where all forms of the four-letter words seem to be acceptable.

I hate it when I see these words used here on GR: I don't mind when people asterisk the verb, but the full word on my screen really bothers me as I'm sure it does lots of people.

Bette, I know what you mean. Though i can't really say anything because i swear like a sailor with my family but i do think there are many different ways to review a book without swearing.

@Alannah. Interestingly, I've just been pulled up for using the word 'wank'; which I don't actually rate as a four-letter word. I meant the 's' and 'f' words, lol!

And yes, I do mutter the odd occasional swear word to myself at home when something annoys me but I wouldn't say them here on GR.

LOL Alannah, do you think that's a Northern Irish thing? Because since spending a third of my year there, I believe all lady-likeness in my language has just been flushed out of me (if there ever has been any) However, I think you and I are doing fairly well on here!

And yes Bette, I agree!

OH and the conversation over in fiction just had me laughing tears, since I headed there right after reading this. Clearly four letters Bette!! (though in all honesty, had amber not pointed it out in a joking manner, I would have skipped right over it, that's how desensitized I am) I would make a horrible language cop I am afraid.

We have two threads now re Mystery books, one is in group reads. Anyway Hadel has now moved over to the original thread so it might be worth freezing the one in group reads,

Just saw it, thanks Gill, will do!

Jenny wrote: "LOL Alannah, do you think that's a Northern Irish thing? Because since spending a third of my year there, I believe all lady-likeness in my language has just been flushed out of me (if there ever h..."

I think it is, that being said I know quite a lot of people who don't like to swear so I keep it quiet with them.

I was going through the theme challenges and I was wondering, is this something that will finish at the end of the year or is this something that will keep going on?

Alannah wrote: "I was going through the theme challenges and I was wondering, is this something that will finish at the end of the year or is this something that will keep going on?"

My feeling is that they will finish at the end of this year & we will try something different next year. Do you think there would be interest in continuing them?

I think I would like new theme challenges although I think the monthly format but open all year was good

Let's start thinking of new themes then!

I'm actually lying in my Riad in Marrakech thinking about it (last day today so had to mention it one last time!)

Heather wrote: "I'm actually lying in my Riad in Marrakech thinking about it (last day today so had to mention it one last time!)"oh dear, hard life isn't it, Heather?!

OH I am green with envy Heather!!! Enjoy your last day! ;)

Is it possible to either keep the vision impairments theme going, or start a new thread with a similar title, please? I think several of us are finding it a useful thread to discuss vision/reading issues. And whilst I don't want to marginalize us as a group, I can see that our discussions may eventually get a bit boring for others on a main thread.

Actually, they don't get boring at all, but I agree we should have a thread for that. Maybe by the end of the year we can either re-name it, so it turns into a general thread and your discussions don't get lost, or if you like, we can just keep it running as a theme. Preferences anyone?

Jenny wrote: "Actually, they don't get boring at all, but I agree we should have a thread for that. Maybe by the end of the year we can either re-name it, so it turns into a general thread and your discussions d..."

I'd prefer it to keep running as a theme, Jenny, but either is fine with me.

Lucky you Heather!!!!

Gill wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Actually, they don't get boring at all, but I agree we should have a thread for that. Maybe by the end of the year we can either re-name it, so it turns into a general thread and your..."

Let's keep it as a theme. I'd also like to keep the translators theme but think the others could be archived.

Yes I endorse Gill's wish to keep the visual impairment theme going, but I too have a slight residual concern about marginalising VI members.

I also think that the thread may be useful to others if it is broadened out a little. So instead of concentrating on the disadvantages, how about turning it around (this is actually my life's motto LOL!) and calling it something like "Alternative formats", but snappier. (Shirley's great at thinking up jazzy titles!)

Then it could include all the different mediums. Perhaps not ebooks as they could be covered elsewhere, but certainly details of audio books and talking books, comparing the presentation/readers of these, sharing information about the providers for these in different countries (so both commercial and also societies for the visually impaired). Lots of readers take advantage of these, whether VI or not.

Then there's another category for some, braille books at different levels. There's also a different tactile alphabet which is slightly easier, called "Moon", and perhaps there are some books available in this. I know this will be a smaller section, but it may be useful to some; even if they are not VI themselves, they may need the information for relatives, and like a place to share it.

Jean, I agree with your points. Especially; we probably do need to be aware of AAB members who might have vision impaired parents. These members could benefit from reading the nominated thread and sourcing book availability in LP, audio, talking books, braille and moon.

@Laura Before I forget, I will be missing in action for the end of October's read-a-thon. Can you please take care of it again for me? Ta:)

Leslie wrote: "Gill wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Actually, they don't get boring at all, but I agree we should have a thread for that. Maybe by the end of the year we can either re-name it, so it turns into a general th..."

Yes, good idea to keep those two, but not all of them. After all, there's no reason why members can't incorporate them into their own personal challenges for next year, if they hold particular interest.

Jean wrote: "Yes I endorse Gill's wish to keep the visual impairment theme going, but I too have a slight residual concern about marginalising VI members.

I also think that the thread may be useful to others ..."

Thanks Jean, I'll get my thinking cap on! Oh no, now I sound really old, who says that, nowadays!!

LOL! One for the "thread of words" perhaps...

@Gill I think all types of book formats could be/are utilised by non-VI readers so the thread is most helpful. I'm not VI but sometimes read so much that my eyes get really tired. That's when I use the Large Print editions from my library although I try not to loan too many because I worry about people who really require that format.

Can I ask that we go back to linking the title of the book instead of the cover in our posts? I am only on an iPad and so covers show up as blurry little rectangles. If I enlarge them, then they are blurry enlarged rectangles and quite impossible to know what the book is.

Evelyn wrote: "Can I ask that we go back to linking the title of the book instead of the cover in our posts? I am only on an iPad and so covers show up as blurry little rectangles. If I enlarge them, then they ..."

Yes, that's still the rule here, Evelyn. Hopefully some will read your post and realise why we have this rule!

Absolutely Evelyn, it still states just that in the group rules but a lot of people seem to be missing it.
We usually try to remind people if they forget, but we might have missed it on a few occasions recently. If you feel comfortable enough to ask someone to link the title if he or she missed it and we didn't see it in time, absolutely do!

Bette BookAddict wrote: "@Laura Before I forget, I will be missing in action for the end of October's read-a-thon. Can you please take care of it again for me? Ta:)"

In charge!!!!