Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Mods, do you think it possible to have multiple spoiler threads for The Mysteries of Udolpho. I got a gentle reminder from a friend I often read with--so just a friendly nudge--that I am reading ahead of the curve and not to spoil too far in advance. Thanks for considering.

Cynda wrote: "Mods, do you think it possible to have multiple spoiler threads for The Mysteries of Udolpho. I got a gentle reminder from a friend I often read with--so just a friendly nudge--that I ..."

I read through the thread and I think you and your friend were both fine. Still I understand your concern. You have been heard and a decision is on its way.

A question from a newbie . . . are there any opportunities to meet via Zoom to discuss books in GoodReads? I have been shocked, during the shutdown, how difficult it is to find an online book club that meets via Zoom. Any thoughts would be welcomed.

Mark wrote: "A question from a newbie . . . are there any opportunities to meet via Zoom to discuss books in GoodReads? I have been shocked, during the shutdown, how difficult it is to find an online book club ..."

As a group, we do not meet on Zoom.

Moderators, do we have an agreed upon definition of a “classic?” How old does it have to be? Does it have to have attained some kind of recognition? How inclusive or exclusive is it? Are the nominations policed to see if they qualify? Just curious and If I have missed this somewhere, let me know or refer me. Thanks.

Terry, years ago we had some discussion about setting up age as being the determining factor for a book being a classic. The resulting poll had several cutoff dates, the winner was 1999. So for our group any book published before the year 2000 is a classic. I was disappointed with the result, but the majority at that time made the call.

So a very loose definition of a classic. But we have worked with it and it seems to be working okay for the group.

Thanks for clarifying, Bob and Katy. In my mind, I was thinking it. Ishtar mean a book that is 50 years old, but I guess that leaves some very good books written since then on the shelf. And I support democracy, so I say fair enough.

Terry wrote: "Thanks for clarifying, Bob and Katy. In my mind, I was thinking it. Ishtar mean a book that is 50 years old, but I guess that leaves some very good books written since then on the shelf. And I supp..."

I personally adhere to the 50+ years of age rule, but only if a category title explicitly mentions 'classic' :P

Although, no one made a fuss when 'Lonesome Dove' became a lot of people's 'Classic Western' read, so...I guess it depends.

I know I'm really late here on the "classic" discussion. Age is a factor, but also that indefinable "quality of writing" seems to be at work when we vote. So some more recent books where readers appreciate the author's craftsmanship also show up. I am thinking of The Secret History here or Snow Falling on Cedars.

So, for my Bingo challenge, I changed my pick for classic tragedy to The Road by Cormac McCarthy. When I got my copy, I realized the book is only 14 years old.
I am going to say that it qualifies, though — if The Secret History qualifies, by the same literary quality measure.

But I could be wrong... Maybe I should pick another tragedy.

I can't see anyone objecting to The Road being used for your Bingo challenge. I personally think the challenges are more about fun and as a motivator, helping us to read more. It doesn't qualify for nomination as a group read, but based on how I felt about the book, I see it still being read in 2056.

McCarthy has produced one, IMHO, undoubted classic which is Blood Meridien. So if an author produces one classic doesn’t it allow other books the title whether they are earlier or later works?

I think the question of what is a classic is an active argument that shouldn’t be considered to be ever resolved. Kind of a push me pull you always worth the discussion.

Bob wrote: "I can't see anyone objecting to The Road being used for your Bingo challenge. I personally think the challenges are more about fun and as a motivator, helping us to read more. It doesn't qualify fo..."

Agreed :)

How do I reply to a specific comment?

Luís wrote: "How do I reply to a specific comment?"

Click on the "reply" at the bottom right of the comment you wish to reply to.

Yes, Bingo choices are determined by you, the reader. It all sounds good.

Katy thanks for replying, but There is no button to reply.
Iam using the application.

Luís wrote: "Katy thanks for replying, but There is no button to reply.
Iam using the application."

Oh, yes. So many things are missing on the app.

Katy wrote: "Luís wrote: "Katy thanks for replying, but There is no button to reply.
Iam using the application."

Oh, yes. So many things are missing on the app."

I hate the app. I only use it at the bookstore, to make sure I don't already have a book.

Kirsten wrote: "I hate the app. I only use it at the bookstore, to make sure I don't already have a book. ..."

That is what I use if for too!

Katy wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I hate the app. I only use it at the bookstore, to make sure I don't already have a book. ..."

That is what I use if for too!"

Same, although I also use it to update my reading status on books. I also read my messages on the apps since I don't have to sign in again like I do on the website. But it's not much good for navigating through groups.

Thank you all for the replying.
I use Good Reads in the APP, is there another way?
Use it to track my readings and to find more about Foreigne literature, I AM portuguese.

I use Goodreads on my laptop computer from the website.

Thanks Katy.

Although I use Goodreads primarily from my iPad app, I think the website has more functionality.

Yep the app is still so bad. I use the browser on my phone

Pink wrote: "Yep the app is still so bad. I use the browser on my phone"

Same, although even that isn't enough the ward off the mobile nonsense sometimes.

I use laptops. Although if you have an IPAD the app can work alright on that. I have a nice large IPAD screen and can do a few things on there. Still computer access is better.

Solved:
It is here
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
****
Where do I find the discussion tread for The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank? Searching for "Frank" or "Diary" in topic gave me nothing.

But it seems like the search function has a bug

I'm currently reading To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf and as it was the June 2020 re-read poll winner I guess there is a discussion about it but I can't manage to find it... Could somebody help me?

Irphen wrote: "I'm currently reading To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf and as it was the June 2020 re-read poll winner I guess there is a discussion about it but I can't manage to fin..."

Woolf has her own board of discussions of her works here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Combine that with the fact that the message search function is on the fritz, I'm not surprised you had trouble. You can also check the group's bookshelf near the top right and either use the search box or scroll through the list. Each logged book entry will contain links to relevant discussions.

Much to my surprise I am a few pages into The Guermantes Way.
I keep making it a point of public posting as a way to force me to keep on , keeping on.
Or would you rather hear about some over priced text book assigned reading?

Aubrey wrote: "Irphen wrote: "I'm currently reading To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf and as it was the June 2020 re-read poll winner I guess there is a discussion about it but I can'..."

Thank you!^^

Just finished *Don't Say We Didn't Know* by Amos Gvirtz, which explains the truth about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 4/5 stars.

I just finished A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court but I can't find the discussion on it. It's listed as being an old-school read in January 2020. Can someone direct me to the link?
Thanks!

Annette wrote: "I just finished A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court but I can't find the discussion on it. It's listed as being an old-school read in January 2020. Can someone direct me to th..."

Here you go: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

And here are the links for those of you wishing to discuss:

What you are reading now or just finished?
September Reading Plans

Katy wrote: "Annette wrote: "I just finished A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court but I can't find the discussion on it. It's listed as being an old-school read in January 2020. Can someone..."

Thanks, Katy! The discussion doesn't seem to be linked to the group's bookshelf.

Annette wrote: "...Thanks, Katy! The discussion doesn't seem to be linked to the group's bookshelf..."

Hopefully that is fixed now too.

Did everyone else find the link to vote for this month’s nominations? I did, finally, by looking at old GR mail from Pink.

And, I was asked to login again. This was even though I was obviously already in my account (with my mail and my books).

Anyone else having difficulties? Is there a standard place to find the voting link that I may have overlooked?

Terry wrote: "Did everyone else find the link to vote for this month’s nominations? I did, finally, by looking at old GR mail from Pink.

And, I was asked to login again. This was even though I was obviously "

Terry, I usually receive an email from Pink with a link to the poll and other information. I haven't recieved that yet so I was wondering about the same. I just used GR on my laptop and voted.

Yes, I was asked to log in again this month also and the page of poll is not coming right (on app).

Terry wrote: "Did everyone else find the link to vote for this month’s nominations? I did, finally, by looking at old GR mail from Pink.

And, I was asked to login again. This was even though I was obviously al..."

The polls show up on the group homepage on Goodreads at the bottom. There is also a link button near the top of the group's page that says polls.

And here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/4...

Thanks Katy.😀

I’m late sending out the group email with a link to vote, but will get this done soon. Otherwise you should be able to vote by clinking on polls, as Katy said :)

Thank you, Pink! I thought it is a GR issue.

Thanks, Katy and Pink. FYI, that link doesn’t show up on the GR app.