Goodreads Singapore discussion

Hi there

be kind to me as this is my first topic listing for the group as a noob moderator.

As members of this exclusive group (small is beautiful, yes) what do you look forward to in 2014 in terms of reading/books and of course the group itself?

There are a lot of book events organized by the various publishing companies (well around six to be precise) and readings are getting more and more popular and the library is also getting into the act.

How can we contribute to the group and make it better?

Hello everyone! I think we should have a new topic where everyone can comment what kind of books they are interested in. This way, people with similar interests can add each other as friends on Goodreads to discuss books with each other. :)

Agree. Perhaps we can also have Book Of The Month (BOTM) so that members can read the same book and discuss it on a monthly basis based on the types of books that the members are interested in?

BOTM is an excellent idea! :-)

I was thinking that if we were to have BOTM, we can have BOTM of different genres. Example, some of us like to read mystery, others may like humour, etc. so there can be BOTM in the mystery genre and BOTM in the humour genre so that more readers can participate. Will that be good?

Kay (Darlenella) wrote: "I was thinking that if we were to have BOTM, we can have BOTM of different genres. Example, some of us like to read mystery, others may like humour, etc. so there can be BOTM in the mystery genre a..."

Sounds good, Kay! So, will the BOTM be decided based on new releases for 2014 or some 'cult must-read' titles?

Preeti wrote: "Kay (Darlenella) wrote: "I was thinking that if we were to have BOTM, we can have BOTM of different genres. Example, some of us like to read mystery, others may like humour, etc. so there can be BO..."

Well, we can do polls so that other members can vote for the BOTM. Of course, the highest number of votes would be the BOTM.

The Fantasy Book Club, which I used to be a member of (never once took part though...), did things where they would ask for book nominations every month, and then a BOTM would be chosen with a vote.

@ym: don't forget that you can always start topics yourself! no need to wait for a mod to do it :>

Wen Zhen wrote: "Jess wrote: "The Fantasy Book Club, which I used to be a member of (never once took part though...), did things where they would ask for book nominations every month, and then a BOTM would be chose..."

Well, I mean, it's pretty rough to be kicked out just because you don't post anything. I've always visualized this place as a really laid back and welcoming place, and I think that such a policy would be counterproductive. Like any community, there will be members who are more active, and those who join only to promptly forget about it.

BOTM sounds good! I have been participating in BOTM at other Goodreads groups, but I find it quite hard sometimes to find newly released books in SG where it might be available overseas.

It might not be newly-released books. Perhaps we should gear it towards those books which are available in the library?

Besides that, I hope that in 2014, there would be giveaways.

my wish would be for more activity in this forums :)

botm is great! perhaps mashing in some classics too? :)

Agree with Huey - maybe more activity and more fun topics where we could share our reading quirks (like recently, Book Riot did a "Would you Rather" series for bookish folks.

Also a big classics fan and would love to see a classic title in the BOTM. :)

People, do keep those chatter coming along - it is always good to find out what other people might want and it does give me some ideas as to what we can play.work with for 2014

Regards
Michael

Maybe sharing of the books each of us is reading every month or monthly review of books that is interesting from various categories like thriller, non-fiction, fantasy.

Max wrote: "Maybe sharing of the books each of us is reading every month or monthly review of books that is interesting from various categories like thriller, non-fiction, fantasy."

Just a add-on, you can 'talk' about the books you're reading by choosing to put the cover of the books in your replies by using the 'add book/author' option in your comment boxes - I assume that's goodreads' way of looking out for the instagram/tumblr crowd who don't want to type a title?

Hi, it's been a while since I posted something here so I thought I might start again.

Maybe we can have more discussion on how we would like our local publishing and fiction scene to grow as well? I think quite a few of us write as well and reader feedback will be useful.

~ Joelyn Alexandra

One up for Non-fiction for BOTM!

Actually Michael, i do "talk" about the book, just that not much in this group as most of the genre our group shares are mostly towards the books that is fiction based.

It would great if there's a place in the group that talks more towards Non-fiction for BOTM in addition to other genre.

Love the BOTM idea! :) Also, can anyone please share what are the book events organized by publishers as mentioned by Michael? :)

Priya Kamlesh wrote: "Love the BOTM idea! :) Also, can anyone please share what are the book events organized by publishers as mentioned by Michael? :)"

Hi Priya
BookActually almost have readings/book launches at their book shop every Friday (following them on Facebook is your best bet since they use the 'event' function.

Epigram usually have their books launches at Kinokuniya Orchard and now over at Jurong as well. They do announce it on their newsfeed on FB.

Select Books organises readings/discussion with the authors on Saturdays (but not every month - you need to check their FB newsfeed)

Ethos Book have a reading/discussion of a particular book called "AfterWords" at Marine Parade every last Friday of the month.

http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/Programme...

Of course the other publishers such as Marshall Cavandish and Monsoon also have book launches as well over the year.

HarperCollins International also have a presence on Goodreads as a group, but so far it seems to be focused on YA (Young Adult)

If anyone finds/knows more, just add on to this thread.

Hi! I'm new to Goodreads Singapore! Looking forward to discussions and reading new genre of books this year.

Hi. I was just wondering if these suggestions would be put into effect soon?

Kay (Darlenella) wrote: "Hi. I was just wondering if these suggestions would be put into effect soon?"

Hopefully by next year (I meant after Chinese New Year) or next month.

I am still scouting around the other book groups as well as publishers' websites to glean more insights/ideas.

Warm regards
Michael

Max wrote: "Actually Michael, i do "talk" about the book, just that not much in this group as most of the genre our group shares are mostly towards the books that is fiction based.

It would great if there's ..."

Oddly enough, I find that there seems to be many esoteric readers and I wonder if anyone actually reads adult fiction in here at all!?

Michael wrote: "Max wrote: "Actually Michael, i do "talk" about the book, just that not much in this group as most of the genre our group shares are mostly towards the books that is fiction based.

It would great..."

Adult fiction, of course. But that covers a very broad spectrum of genres...

Hmm let me see. These are genres that i'm interested into are actually from self-help, business, economics, finance, political science, psychology, abit of philosophy mostly Stoicism from Seneca or Cato the Younger, autobiography or biography of famous people in history, military/intelligence/strategy/history example like "Outlaw Platoon", "Class 11", "Book of 5 Rings", "Art Of War", health & nutrition like "Optimum Nutrition Bible", "Food Revolution" and last but not least IT books.

Ps: Michael, i highly doubt so as despite the low number of books reader that i had came across. Most of my friends, platoon mates are fiction readers

Ps: ilovemybrain, it is a wide range of genres that i like to read, it's just that i did not go into reading about arts, architecture, cooking, law maybe ppl in the group could recommend some good books from those genres

Max wrote: "Hmm let me see. These are genres that i'm interested into are actually from self-help, business, economics, finance, political science, psychology, abit of philosophy mostly Stoicism from Seneca ..."

Devil's advocate here but don't you find those genres a little 'heavy'?

Michael wrote: "Max wrote: "Hmm let me see. These are genres that i'm interested into are actually from self-help, business, economics, finance, political science, psychology, abit of philosophy mostly Stoicism ..."

Hi Michael, don't think it matters whether it's "heavy" or not. It's about personal preference. It may seem heavy or dry to some people, but to others it may be fascinating.

It's like comparing mathematicians and musicians or artists. They are interested in very different things but doesn't mean the brains don't get similarly stimulated.

“Don't just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it.”

― Jim Rohn

ilovemybrain: Yes, you illustrated it in the best way possible that i can explain in. To add on to it. It also builds upon a person's thinking to become a person that is receptive to ideas and think in various angles from various perception.

In terms of a engineer, lawyer, economist, psychologist, businessman, accountant, designer, marketer and the list goes on.

PS: It also helps alot in talking with ppl from those profession. Some of my friends thought that i was a insurance agent or nutritionist despite i am a IT professional.

Max wrote: "“Don't just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it.”

― Jim Rohn

ilovemybrain: Yes, you illustrated it in the best way possible that i can explain in. T..."

That's cool - it's just that much harder trying to find giveaways for non-fiction books!

Michael wrote: "Max wrote: "“Don't just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it.”

― Jim Rohn

ilovemybrain: Yes, you illustrated it in the best way possible that i can e..."

I think you're doing a great job, Michael! This group is getting more reads and responses as compared to last year. ^^

Hi I am new here. Just wanna say that BOTM sounds like a very good idea. Looking forward to participate! :)

Happy reading everybody!