Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

Interesting stats. I did a science degree, back in the day, so I am well aware that a statistic is a useful tool for supporting the story one wishes to tell.

The manufactured books/destroyed books points are depressing... until you look at the sad 'cheap book' tables outside newsagents. I have found some terrific bargains on those tables over the years but most of the novels on them are complete mind mush. It is depressing that they are written in the first place and accepted by publishers, less so that they get destroyed.

If 'everybody' judged a book by its cover the new trend in penguin classic titles would not be going so well.
http://www.penguinclassics.com.au/pen...
What research went into that point and is it based on a high school project? Data collected within one hour at a single city store?

What genres/categories are people buying?
How can that question be answered by three categories? It cant, it is just slanting information to make a point. I also take leave to doubt that the enormous categories that are technical books and textbooks have vanished off the earth since I last walked into a uni store.

One has to look at the source of statistics, but all I did was follow the link to the source 'parapublishing'. It looks very... American in that it tells us how great it is. I am not sure I accept it as the ultimate source of all publishing knowledge though, despite it's own claims, even though CNN interviews the dude who started it.

Reading through this post I sound a bit harsh, forgive my four AM ramblings, I am not having a go at the people who posted; encouraging conversation on the topic is an excellent goal.

Good array of stats. I am like Deborah, though she was up at 4am (and managed to sound completely together), I am up at 6.00am after a big day yesterday and I feel like a zombie and can't collect my thoughts (it is now 6.30).
I have some thoughts though and will work on them after coffee and a zone out. :)

Deborah wrote: "The manufactured books/destroyed books points are depressing... until you look at the sad 'cheap book' tables outside newsagents. I have found some terrific bargains on those tables over the years but most of the novels on them are complete mind mush. It is depressing that they are written in the first place and accepted by publishers, less so that they get destroyed..."

I have to agree here with Deborah. When you see books out front of newsagents, book stores and the like, you really have to find the diamonds in the rough.
There was a time (looonnng time ago) when I bought off these table without caution and I wasted money on a lot of trash that should never have been published.

When they speak of how many books get incinerated, I do wonder now how many of those are books that should never have gotten to print in the first place.

"inverse popularity" is defined as this by Goodreads: Sort by the number of times the book has been added by people on Goodreads in descending order. Seeing the uncommon books you have in common with someone can be revealing!

So I guess that makes sense as 'to kill a mockingbird' has probably been added alot. At the bottom of a compare of our books is a Harry Potter book which is definitely very added.

After much searching I figured out where the stats we're looking for are. :)

So for 'Territory', as an example:

all editions: 3.67 average rating, 692 ratings, 182 reviews, added by 1230 people, 423 to-reads
this edition: 3.67 average rating, 647 ratings, 163 reviews, added by 1141 people, 395 to-reads

To find.......under the title is "rating details". If you click on it, a little pop-up screen shows and at the bottom there are the stats for this edition or all editions.

I had not thought about it before. I had assumed it was relative to bookshelf order. But now I have read Chris' and Dawn's comments and had a look I see it is not.

For the record...I can't think of a better place for To Kill a Mockingbird than at the bottom of a list. :\ It is where it belongs.
(ooohh...I'm sooo controversial!...:)...)

Chris, I will let you in on the secret....when you are on the compare book page, beside the box that says 'inverse popularity' there is a very small grey question mark. If you click on it, you get the description.

(And I love the weather description, I'm gonna use it. It will describe the weather for the last two weeks quite well.)

I have to admit that until the question was asked I hadn't really paid attention to how the books were compared but it has been very interesting to figure out.

And I'm sorry I can't be controversial with you Terri, I haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird.

Dawn wrote: "And I'm sorry I can't be controversial with you Terri, I haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird. ..."

Damn. :|

lol.

Just 'cause I am so excited I have to mention that I bought my train tickets for Europe and they arrive in 2 days. I'm going from Budapest to Bratislava to Vienna to Krakow (including Auschwitz) to Prague.

That's bloody terrific! And what a great way to see these countries. By train. If I could see them and had a choice I too would go by train. Well, actually my first preference would be self drive so I could stop off wherever I wanted and meet the people a bit more, but train travel comes a very close second.
Watching the scenery whizzing passed, reading books and contemplating life, stopping at stations. That type of travel has a certain old fashioned atmosphere to it.

There are a couple new Goodreads features coming.
One is already here, the ability for moderators to post a video in the group.

At the top of the main group page you will see two videos to watch.
A Conversation with Bernard Cornwell and an Interview with Conn Iggulden as he talks about his Ghengis book.

After a while at the top, I will eventually move it to the bottom of the main page (mods can choose to have them at the top of page, or down the bottom below the discussion folders).

Feedback appreciated on this feature. Is it too ungainly looking at the top to stay?
I could rotate different interesting videos up there every week or something. Keep it fresh.

I got sick of seeing the videos at the top of the main page, so they are now down at the bottom of the discusion folders.
If you'd like to watch them please scroll down. :-)

The Bernard cornwell video is especially cool. He has my dream library in his house.

I like them better at the bottom, they're not so in your face.

I agree.

With the new Goodreads main group page layout changes, if anyone is finding that it looks odd...eg...group image in a weird place, things weird and not in the right place....then you may have to clear your temporary internet files and cache.

If anyone doesn't know how to do this let us know and someone or myself can help you work it out...
Although I can't help you clear you temp internet files and browsing history from a kindle or nook.

Hahaha. You should always be worried. :-)

I know it's tongue-in-cheek, but there have been stranger Indian names than that. There was a warrior named Penis at Little Big Horn.

Chris wrote: "Jim wrote: "I know it's tongue-in-cheek, but there have been stranger Indian names than that. There was a warrior named Penis at Little Big Horn."

Hmm, was that name the result of dream from fasti..."

I noticed the name in
I don't recall that any totem animals were mentioned. The political correctness police wouldn't let you call yourself that these days.

Jim wrote: "I know it's tongue-in-cheek, but there have been stranger Indian names than that. There was a warrior named Penis at Little Big Horn."

And then there's Two Dogs F#$@%#$??

That sounds like a whacked out book you got yourself there, Chris.
Maybe if you go out an forage up some Pajote (spelling??) it will all make sense.

Terri wrote: "Jim wrote: "I know it's tongue-in-cheek, but there have been stranger Indian names than that. There was a warrior named Penis at Little Big Horn."

And then there's Two Dogs F#$@%#$??"

I've heard of that fellow as well.

Seems the whole world knows about Two Dogs. :)

Chris...um..that was me that mentioned the peyote. :D Just sayin'.

Judging from Terri's comment, I thought pajote was the Australian word for spelling.

No, it is the Australian word for Canadian smart arse. Sorry about the translation mix up there...

Unless you weren't being a smart arse...and you were having an Alberta moment????

Terri wrote: "Unless you weren't being a smart arse...and you were having an Alberta moment????"

You know me...I'm a smart Arse.

Haven't heard the word arse since my Granny passed on...

Was it the last thing she said to you?

Terri wrote: "Was it the last thing she said to you?"

Oh, you are a quick one! I'm dying here....

hahaha! :D
I couldn't help myself!

Too funny!!

Well, I guess all this palaver isn't getting my tiger book read. Catch ya later. If I can stop laughing.

Enjoy your book and your chuckles. :)
I better go make myself some lunch anyway. I'm Starvin' Marvin.

Don't tell me you watch South Park!?!

I used to. But I overdosed and got jaded by it.
For the last couple years I only watch it if there is nothing else on as it still makes me laugh.

The new fancy group image (on the main group page) is a painting of the Battle of Grunwald.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_o...

Terri wrote: "The new fancy group image (on the main group page) is a painting of the Battle of Grunwald.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_o..."
Wow! Color and action! Though it does make me think of the opening moments of various Wal-mart stores here in the states on 'black Friday' morning. ('black friday' is the informal first day of the Christmas shopping season and wal-mart sees all sorts of mayhem at that time. If I wish to experience mayhem, watching parents at a junior soccer game works very well and I don't get hurt...)

Black Friday sales hey. We don't have those over here. Our biggest sales of the year are Boxing Day.

Terri wrote: "The new fancy group image (on the main group page) is a painting of the Battle of Grunwald.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_o..."

An excellent choice! ... but I am a little biased >8)

ib.

Good lord. Who dat there? It's Ireney. HE LIVES!

In regards to le picture though. I love it. I keep staring at it seeing something new each time.

Terri wrote: "Good lord. Who dat there? It's Ireney. HE LIVES!"

Hah hah ... yes ... I've returned from the self-imposed exile. Well, I blame my corporate overlords ...

Looks like I have a ton of catching up to do!

ib.

Tons & tons. :-)

Terri wrote: "In regards to le picture though. I love it. I keep staring at it seeing something new each time."

This is done by Jan Matejko, a master of historical paintings. Polish school children are familiarized with his works from a very early age. "Battle of Grunwald" is certainly one of his more famous epics. I was lucky to see it at the National Museum in Warsaw ... it's huge ... 10 meters wide and over 4 meters high!

ib.

Yep, I know who it is done by. Lol. That's why I searched for it to put it up. It is a favourite painting of mine.

That is AMAZING that you have seen it in the flesh. It must take the breath away to see it in the flesh.

Looks like we're going to be famous for a month. :)
Our group banner display made it into the Goodreads May newsletter (with 3 other groups).
http://www.goodreads.com/newsletter/s...

Huh! I'll have to go to the hairdresser!

Yes, every body, no wild haircuts and get those fingernails clean and cut short! Mind your manners. And keep your ribald comments to yourselves...*preens* we have new people to impress. :D