Retro Reads discussion

I'm sure for some TBR still means a literal pile of books, maybe on your bedside table.

I have marked books on this site as "want to read" but goodreads has added tons of books just because I bought them on amazon years ago (I think) and it's full of books I don't even remember.

I need a better system, on goodreads or whatever. so far I haven't joined Scribd although considering a free trial for the winter/holiday "dark days" but I'm hoping others have good suggestions.

for the last few years I have been using lists on two separate library websites with very different options.

I think I still have a big, long list on paper in my files that I've never updated for ...years.

That’s bizarre, Jackie! Goodreads has never added books to my TBR from the list of books I bought on Amazon. I wonder if they’re testing a new feature? I use my TBR on Goodreads simply to keep track of books that catch my eye but I’m not sure whether I want to buy them.

That said, Goodreads does a lot that annoys me; in my case the most annoying is that the site stopped sending me my daily digest of reviews and activity from my friends. I call it my anti-social network! If you find a better alternative, I’d definitely migrate. Please keep us posted on your quest.

Goodreads has never added books to my TBR from the list of books I bought on Amazon.

this was a long time ago and it includes a ton of books I downloaded on my kindle simply because they were free. I really need to clean it up!

Jackie wrote: "Goodreads has never added books to my TBR from the list of books I bought on Amazon.

this was a long time ago and it includes a ton of books I downloaded on my kindle simply because they were fre..."

I occasionally try cleaning up my “Want to Read” list, I joined in 2008 and tend to do as Abigail does, adding any appealing book that a friend reviews, or if I’m watching PBS NewsHour and they interview an author, and I think I might want to check out their work. So, I’ve tried reversing the list, going oldest to newest, since many books added over the years have been read, but if I read a different edition than the one I added as “to read”, I’ve got duplicates, which is very annoying. Especially as some of my group moderators are overseas, and put up an edition different from what’s available here. If I click “currently reading”, that’s often not the American edition I’m actually reading. I’ve got to get better at choosing and reviewing the book actually on my TBR list!

I’ve tried paring down by creating a nonfiction list, and moving a book there, and deleting it from the “want to read” list. Also simply deleting books not at all familiar - chances are I thought I might read it, never found it, or lost interest, so let it go. Still, it is so slow deleting books, I wish I could click and delete several at a time, but I don’t think I can.

Sorry, Jackie, don’t think I’m helping! But I feel your pain, it’s frustrating.

Jackie wrote: "Goodreads has never added books to my TBR from the list of books I bought on Amazon.

this was a long time ago and it includes a ton of books I downloaded on my kindle simply because they were fre..."

It's not just you. GR used to add books to my TBR as well.
But for me, the most annoying GR "feature" has to do with editions. I can't stand that I'll be reading a book (ie, Currently Reading and I'll try to make a change, and if I'm not paying attention, GR makes the change in the top edition on the list, NOT the edition I'm currently reading. As a result, it is continuously adding "new books" to my lists. UGH! Makes me nuts

Allegra wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Goodreads has never added books to my TBR from the list of books I bought on Amazon.

this was a long time ago and it includes a ton of books I downloaded on my kindle simply becaus..."

Yes, that’s what’s happening for me (the editions thing).

I’ve never linked my GR account with my Amazon account, so that may be why I don’t see books show up that I haven’t added. I do get the multiple editions thing, though. 😏

I don't have my kindle linked to Goodreads either. I'm not sure what I'm doing differently from you guys that I don't get multiple editions. I'll try to pay attention next time I do something.

I don't use the app but when I use the desktop version of GR on my android phone, my fat fingers sometimes add books - sometimes even ratings!

* * *
I have my books organised in a couple of ways.

I do have two physical to-read shelves above my computer desk & they are in the order I'm intending to read the book. Since I get distracted or am taking part in so many group reads, this shelf only moves very slowly! Most of these books I haven't added to Goodreads. I add them just before I start reading them.

I have made more exclusive shelves & divided the books up according to where I'm going to get the books from. (my 'own' shelf is mostly books that were on other exclusive shelves, but I have since acquired.) I use the Goodreads to-read shelves for books I'm planning to read in the current month.

I do prune my shelves quite regularly - mainly because I have lost interest or the book is going to be too hard to get hold of.

Edit: & of course my beloved Georgette Heyer's have their own bookcase!