Aussie Readers discussion

I just realised I have had no notifications this morning - just likes.

Em__Jay wrote: "Is anyone else not getting notifications? I am talking about the notifications under the bell icon on the website, and not the emails, which I know are gone.

It's been a month now, and nothing, ev..."

Yeah, my notifications are all over the place too. It doesn't matter what I check, or uncheck, emails or not, they're sporadic at best, nonexistent at worst.

Mine seem to be OK, at the moment anyway.

Rowan wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "I guess the announcement by Text Publishing that they're being acquired by Penguin Random House explains why they're not on Netgalley any longer."

Just read that too Carolyn. Their..."

Thanks for the link Rowan. It worries me that there won't be many small Aussie publishers left and they've been so important for publishing and nurturing new authors.

Rowan wrote: "Em__Jay wrote: "Is anyone else not getting notifications? I am talking about the notifications under the bell icon on the website, and not the emails, which I know are gone.

It's been a month now,..."

Thanks,
It's good to read I am not alone but it really is frustrating.

As some of you know, I like to crochet in my spare time, when I'm not reading. Decided this year, why not combine them? I'm making granny squares inspired by the covers of books I read this year, and eventually stitching them all together to make a blanket. Just got home from Spotlight were I spent $42 on 14 balls of yarn of various colours. Will maybe start a new thread in the Personal Challenges folder and post updates there when I remember.

Niamh wrote: "As some of you know, I like to crochet in my spare time, when I'm not reading. Decided this year, why not combine them? I'm making granny squares inspired by the covers of books I read this year, a..."

That's an awesome idea Niamh!! I would love to see photos of how you progress. I'm envious of creative people, as I don't have a creative bone in my body, so watching you as you go will be great! A great idea to do a thread in your Personal Challenges section.

Our next get together for our Sydney members is coming up in a few weeks. If you are interested find out more at this link:-

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

Phrynne wrote: "Our next get together for our Sydney members is coming up in a few weeks. If you are interested find out more at this link:-

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"

Thanks, Phrynne, I was getting to it, eventually...

Hehe!!

Here's some news for those of you who are fans. "British Crime Writer Mick Herron wins Crime Writers' Association lifetime achievements award."

Well deserved!!!

Niamh wrote: "As some of you know, I like to crochet in my spare time, when I'm not reading. Decided this year, why not combine them? I'm making granny squares inspired by the covers of books I read this year, a..."

I've been noticing a trend for these online. Great idea!

Brenda wrote: "Here's some news for those of you who are fans. "British Crime Writer Mick Herron wins Crime Writers' Association lifetime achievements award.""

WOOHOO! Great news!

Niamh wrote: "As some of you know, I like to crochet in my spare time, when I'm not reading. Decided this year, why not combine them? I'm making granny squares inspired by the covers of books I read this year, a..."

What a cool idea!

I don’t know about you but I hadn’t heard about this before now, re Neil Gaiman and Tanith Lee Tanith Lee stories.

https://astrapublishinghouse.com/2025...

Tanith Lee has some wonderful work in here.

Jülie ☼♄  wrote: "I don’t know about you but I hadn’t heard about this before now, re Neil Gaiman and Tanith Lee Tanith Lee stories.

https://astrapublishinghouse.com/2025......"

I hadn't heard that before either Jools, re the similarities between Gaiman's Sandman series and Tanith Lee novels. It's really sad if it's true, because he's such a good writer and should have had no reason to plagiarise. It's certainly a shocker if its true on top of the other allegations re his treatment of women.

I went to a Dymocks lunch in the city today to see David Baldacci. He was such an excellent speaker! Made everyone laugh and held the interest of more than 300 people for over half an hour. An excellent day out!

Sounds like a talented speaker as well as author.

Definitely!

Sounds wonderful Phrynne!

Carolyn wrote: "Sounds wonderful Phrynne!"

It was one of the best I have been to. Second only to Alexander McCall Smith.

Sounds fun Phrynne.

Has any one here ever used the website 'Book Notification' https://www.booknotification.com ?

A friend told me about it today and I haven't explored it fully yet, but it does seem to have some nice features. It seems similar to Goodreads in many ways, you can list your books, ratings and reviews, but it can also tell you what's being published in the next few weeks and when books by your favourite authors are coming out.

You can import your Goodreads books and reviews as a .csv file (see how to generate a .csv file here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...), although I'm guessing you would have to manually add new books and reviews yourself afterwards so duplicating GR could be a pain.

It's free to join, can link to Amazon, Kobo etc so you can buy books that way, which is how the site is funded.

Looks interesting I will have a better look soon

Carolyn wrote: "Has any one here ever used the website 'Book Notification' https://www.booknotification.com ?

A friend told me about it today and I haven't explored it fully yet, but it does seem to have some ni..."

I have seen this before, thanks Carolyn. I don't want to even think about changing to another site!!! Oh my gosh!!!

Carolyn wrote: "Has any one here ever used the website 'Book Notification' https://www.booknotification.com ?

A friend told me about it today and I haven't explored it fully yet, but it does seem to have some ni..."

It sounds really interesting, but yeah not sure if I can manage two book sites at once!

Brenda wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Has any one here ever used the website 'Book Notification' https://www.booknotification.com ?

A friend told me about it today and I haven't explored it fully yet, but it does seem..."

Just wondered if anyone here had tried it and had some feedback. I don't know that I'll use it to replicate Goodreads since I have so much on there now (and one site is quite enough to manage!), but I'd be interested to get notifications of upcoming publications by my favourite authors as I sometimes miss these. I thought I'd try uploading my library and see what happens!

We have that here too Carolyn. https://www.goodreads.com/new_release...

Browse, click on New Releases in the drop down.

Brenda wrote: "We have that here too Carolyn. https://www.goodreads.com/new_release...

Browse, click on New Releases in the drop down."

I didn't know this - thanks Brenda!

You're welcome Krystal!

Brenda wrote: "We have that here too Carolyn. https://www.goodreads.com/new_release...

Browse, click on New Releases in the drop down."

I didn't know that either Brenda, so that's really useful to know!

I'm glad I've helped a few discover a good feature 🤗

Does anyone have a suggestion of a great series (preferably crime/mystery/thriller) with either an author or main character whose first or last initial is "I"? I seem to be running short of "I"s for a few upcoming challenges and thought a new series might be a good way to address this! (I've already read the full Rizzoli & Isles series by Tess Gerritsen) Thanks for any suggestions!

I usually use Ian Rankin Sarah

Oooh.. good idea, Phrynne! I’ve read a couple of his in the past - now might be a good time to read them in series order. Thank you!

You're welcome:)

Very sad to see in a Facebook post that Kerry Greenwood has died. Apparently she wasn't well. Her books gave so many of us pleasure. She will be sorely missed.

Very sad to hear that. Vale and thank you Kerry for your wonderful, charming and fun books. We will miss them.

Very sad 😔

OMG!!! That's shocking news :( So sad to hear - thanks Marianne for passing it on.

That's very sad. She was sharing updates of her upcoming book as recently as March 18th.

Rowan wrote: "That's very sad. She was sharing updates of her upcoming book as recently as March 18th."

I hope it can still be released Rowan. It's so sad when we lose these special people. Susan Duncan recently, and now Kerry :(

Very sad news indeed.

Very sad to hear. I've enjoyed many of her books over the years...

Such sad news. She has brought so much pleasure and fun to her readers. I am currently enjoying her stories for the annual series challenge.

Perfect Trish!

Brenda wrote: "Perfect Trish!"

Brenda, I will now savour each of her books and Phryne's adventures more closely.

Yes, I know what you mean. I went through those I've not read yet, and will read them through the year :)

Has anyone else lost their notifications?

I haven’t had any for 3 days now.

I have just sent a contact to Goodreads asking them why - but I fear its just me goodreads hates 😀