Suggestion Box for new ideas, topics, discussions > Likes and Comments
although a jan 1 post says see suggestions above, i could not access any list.
Shelley-Scroll all the way down to 2020 book discussion and click on it.. It had to be that way, because we were not co-moderators and couldn't add books, so we did it through a different thread.
We know its difficult to navigate, as well as out of sequence, and
are working on it- I Promise. :)
xo
Shelley wrote: "although a jan 1 post says see suggestions above, i could not access any list."Thanks, Shelley. Here it is: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... (That's a closed discussion, so that people won't keep adding more suggestions there and instead write here -- as you have done!)
Was it necessary to have that "early impressions" discussion for Button Man? No one using...so far.... I'm probably being impatient!
Hi Jan,you’re doing a great job. Is there a way to read books previously read by the group?
Found what I was looking for. Seek and you shall find.
Alan wrote: "Hi Jan,you’re doing a great job. Is there a way to read books previously read by the group?"Thank you, Alan; that's good to hear! I'm finding my way as I go. With Stacey holding my hand, more often than not!
Alan wrote, "Found what I was looking for. Seek and you shall find."
What were you looking for?
As for reading books the group has read before, the threads are all still open.
Another subject that hasn't come up yet is buddy reads. That's when you and another member here want to read a book that's not a group selection and doesn't look like it's going to be a general group read. I can set up discussion threads and you can still do it, maybe with anybody else who happens to see it joining in -- without the book's being added to the Bookshelf.
thanks Jan for making the switch. "Stir" IS a book worth reading. (It was one of our largest attended book club meetings, as a number of people in our community actually knew the family) As a medical person, I thought her descriptions of what she went through- from the other side of the hospital bed- were beautifully written, as they were chilling... Keep it in mind for another time... Its not as well known as "inheritance" which is likely a better choice for now.
thanks again. :)
debra luger wrote: "thanks Jan for making the switch. "Stir" IS a book worth reading. (It was one of our largest attended book club meetings, as a number of people in our community actually knew the family) As a medi..."
Thanks for your suggestion to sub nominatiions, Debra.
I heard her speak last summer. She's a good speaker, or maybe it was just she had such a galvanizing subject. Hard to believe how artificial insemination was handled in the past -- the belief that no one would want to know where they really came from, or who they came from, and that it would be better all around if they didn't! No one imagined a future of DNA and Ancestry.
I am wondering how the lesser-known books will ever be voted in. Will it always be the "it" book du jour? It could be the role of the "Moderator's Choice" books to bring in other worthy books.
Voted. And it looked like plenty of people did. Like 20.
That was last night. Liklely more by now.
Amy wrote: "Voted. And it looked like plenty of people did. Like 20."Did you get invited to vote, Amy? If so, what form did the "invitation" take? I'm trying to figure out what sending out that invitation to vote does! I did see that people began to vote after I used that option--and before I sent the message, but not sure whether everybody got it! Btw, thanks for voting and commenting here.
seems like a few too many threads!! early impressions AND later impressions AND multiple books seems unnecessary and confusing.--- why do we need "early"
Thanks for your thoughts, Amy. Will answer when I get to the computer. Phone too laborious!
debra luger wrote: "seems like a few too many threads!! early impressions AND later impressions AND multiple books seems unnecessary and confusing.--- why do we need "early""Okay, here I am, Debra. Sorry I addressed interim comment to "Amy!" The early and final threads are something a lot of Goodreads book clubs do so that somebody just starting out won't be confronted with how the book ends. (I was in one group that used three!)
I agree with your point that threads are proliferating, though. Also disconcerting is the way they jump around, so that if somebody places a comment on a January book, it pops up to the front of the line.
I wonder how it would work for books to be put into smaller bundles. Instead of all of them in "2020 Books/Discussions," maybe "2020 Poll Winners" and "2020 Moderators' Choices" -- something along those lines. Would that make them more manageable?
Questions about more than one book per month brought up by somebody else recently, too. Stacey & I think the mod's choice gives us a chance to put forward a book that contrasts with the one voted in or one less likely to win a poll.
In all of this, consider also that we don't really have much of a core of people who are participating in discussions. For 551 members, the talkers are a small percent. The fact that only a small number is participating makes the number of threads/books seem excessive. Could be in part because the group was dormant so long. Could be people waiting and watching to see if they want to jump in. Could be b/c we haven't really evolved how we're going to discuss from just "I liked (or didn't like) it" and "here's my review."
Later in the weekend I might fiddle with breaking down the threads into smaller bundles (folders, to use the language!). But what's more important and interesting: where can we go with our discussions? Stuff like what it made me think of that's new, what I learned, what's so bad about this (whichever) book? how can we see it so differently? what did I want in this book that was missing? what was so wonderful about it? etc etc.
debra luger wrote: "seems like a few too many threads!! early impressions AND later impressions AND multiple books seems unnecessary and confusing.--- why do we need "early""As proposed, I've gone ahead and separated "moderator's choices" and "poll winners," but not much of a remedy so far since only recently did we have poll winners.... so most everything still in one of the folders. But, hey, look at it this way, Debra: not that long ago there was nowhere to write. Now, too many places. An embarrassment of riches! 💝
I'm wondering if someone could help me locate a book that was written within the past year to year and one half. It takes place during the Holocaust and a mother, in order to save her daughter, sends her to a Catholic School that seems to have some guardian statue (similar to a golem). It is not Alice Hoffman's book about a column. Sound familiar to anyone?
Judith wrote: "I'm wondering if someone could help me locate a book that was written within the past year to year and one half. It takes place during the Holocaust and a mother, in order to save her daughter, sen..."I will look - it sounds familiar to me.
Hi Judith. Could it be The Yellow Bird Sings?
Stacey wrote: "Judith wrote: "I'm wondering if someone could help me locate a book that was written within the past year to year and one half. It takes place during the Holocaust and a mother, in order to save he..."Do you remember if it had a red cover with a blonde girl on the front?
Stacy -- Hope you can help me out. Someone last month announced that "The Last Kings of Shanghai" was selected as the March/April book. I checked it out and bought it. But apparently it was selected by another group. I wrote back to the person who posted the announcement, to find out which group is reading it, but have not received a reply. Mel
Im back-I believe... it was us, and that it was one of the nominations for
for last month read.
Check it out to see if that's where you saw it.
Go to Polls, scroll down and the dates are there per month.
Stacey wrote: "Im back-I believe... it was us, and that it was one of the nominations for
for last month read.
Check it out to see if that's where you saw it.
Go to Polls, scroll down and the dates are there per..."
Stacey and Mel,
Right, it was one of our prior nominations that got beat out by Genius & Anxiety. Then Brina commented on the Related Book Clubs discussion that her Non Fiction Book Club would be reading and invited anybody who wants to read along. Search "groups" (under "Community") for that book club.
Stacey wrote: "Im back-I believe... it was us, and that it was one of the nominations for
for last month read.
Check it out to see if that's where you saw it.
Go to Polls, scroll down and the dates are there per..."
Mel, the group you are looking for re the book is "The Non-Fiction Book Group".. I'm sorry, I didn't see that earlier.
The book is filled with incredible history that went way deeper than what I knew, which only was the surface.
I haven't rated or written a review yet.
Have you read Ten Green Bottles?
Stacy, re: Ten Green Bottles, no, but I'll look into it. I will search again for the Non-Fiction Book Group, though I thought I had...
Best,
Mel
A discussion thread (and background reading) on Jews and Ukraine would be super fantastic! Contemporary (in the context of the current Invasion of Ukraine 🇺🇦) and History (history of Jews ✡ in Ukraine, Antisemitism, Jewish emigration out of Ukraine, etc.)
Ok...Give us a few days to work it. It's a lot of topics under one umbrella that may go all over the place.
Thank you for the suggestion.
Thank you so much for taking my "ramblings" into consideration! I truly appreciate it.
REMEMBER UKRAINE NOW ReadingReindeer wrote: "Thank you so much for taking my "ramblings" into consideration! I truly appreciate it."Haha. You aren't rambling-
You happen to be right. :)
I do believe Jan sent out a blast regarding November's nominations and included the subject of the Ukraine.
Your suggestions are well noted!!!
You can ramble to us all you want.
It was this week 's group message that inspired me.:)
REMEMBER UKRAINE NOW ReadingReindeer wrote: "It was this week 's group message that inspired me.:)"Inspiration creates wonderful ideas. :)
I can make that thread. The name that Remember Ukraine Now ReadingReindeer has suggested for it seems fine. Says it all. Thanks for the suggestion, RUNRR!
REMEMBER UKRAINE NOW ReadingReindeer wrote: "It was this week 's group message that inspired me.:)"Remember Ukraine Now ReadingReindeer -
I found a book for you JIC.
The Memory Keeper of Kyiv: The most powerful, important historical novel of 2022 Kindle Edition
by Erin Litteken (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,290 ratings
"A powerfully moving debut . . . Ukraine’s tragic history painfully echoes its current crisis, and on every page the Ukrainian spirit shines out, unbowed, unbent and unbroken.” Kate Quinn
Absolutely wonderful!! Thanks so much!!
REMEMBER UKRAINE NOW ReadingReindeer wrote: "Absolutely wonderful!! Thanks so much!!":)
Cobwebby Reading Reindeer Remember Ukraine 🇺🇦 wrote: "An intriguing article in JTA:https://www.jta.org/2022/11/08/global..."
Thanks, Reading Reindeer. I read it fast tonight, but the language part is important to me.
I'm torn between thinking, does changing the terms really serve the benefit of honoring historical trauma, or is it an Orwellian propaganda attempt (as in "oh it really wasn't that bad!"). A lot to ponder here.
Cobwebby Reading Reindeer Remember Ukraine 🇺🇦 wrote: "I'm torn between thinking, does changing the terms really serve the benefit of honoring historical trauma, or is it an Orwellian propaganda attempt (as in "oh it really wasn't that bad!"). A lot to..."Hi CRRRU,
Please correct me if I'm wrong; are you referring to the name "November Pogrom" vs "Kristallnacht" ?
If so, in my opinion -yes. We know there were many pogroms- not just one, but Night of Glass was not just "another" pogrom. Documented history and history books in schools print the name "Kristallnacht". Simplifying it down to a Pogrom that happened to be in the month o November certainly alludes to your point.
Stacey B wrote: "Cobwebby Reading Reindeer Remember Ukraine 🇺🇦 wrote: "I'm torn between thinking, does changing the terms really serve the benefit of honoring historical trauma, or is it an Orwellian propaganda att..."As far as I know, the name is used like that in the German language. The reason is not to reduce or minimise from the importance of the event, but rather, to avoid a Nazi-laden term (which is, indeed, used in all other languages).
The term "Kristallnacht" is today considered in the German speaking countries a cynical trivialisation (which was used by the Nazis to discuss the event)
The term Novemberpogrom also stresses the role of the state in the event, which the Nazis of course tried to present as a popular riot, not something meticulously organised and planned by the state.
Tg wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Cobwebby Reading Reindeer Remember Ukraine 🇺🇦 wrote: "I'm torn between thinking, does changing the terms really serve the benefit of honoring historical trauma, or is it an Orwelli..."How new is this??
Interesting explanation- I don't have the
edu knowledge re this particular subject but reread the second paragraph a few times to get my arms around it and failed.
It "was"...the organized Night of Broken glass- Kristallnacht, so call it what it is.
"November Pogrom" is not a synonym. Im skeptical of those reasons; aren't you?
Can documented history be rewritten?
Hopefully another member schooled in this arena can give
more information.
Choice of language a humongous topic. In the case of Germany's choice of language re Kristallnacht, hard to second guess b/c it's another culture. Given the steps Germany has taken to face up to their history I would think they have chosen the alternative wording for good reasons.Talking about Germany and Kristallnacht, I read about the misstep by KFC Germany this AM. In their apology they said it had happened automatically -- maybe because, like the German officials are saying, "Kristallnacht" sounds too pretty in that language and isn't associated w/the Holocaust by young people or others who don't know.
Hi moderators,Jan and Stacey?-in case it hasn’t been discussed yet all of the Harry Kemelman Rabbi detective series have been reissued and are available as ebooks or paper. This series which I think began with Saturday the rabbi slept late-were hugely popular when I was growing up. There are at least seven in the series and maybe one more. They’re sweet and fun stories. Anyways if it hasn’t been in consideration before it might make a good future book of the month choice. Also I’ve never read them but Tillie Olsen,Marge Piercy and Grace Paley are all of an older generation of very beloved writers. And of course Jan you’ll get my interest in this-more Yiddish language books have been translated into English in the past three years than the entire history of the modern movement. Unfortunately none of them would be available as e- or audio-translations from any language is extremely expensive and appeals to a very small audience,but it might make a good book of the month choice. Sorry I’m on a roll-Canadian Jewish fiction of which there is a very long distinguished history-Mordecai Richler,Leonard Cohen,etc. might make an interesting choice one month. I’m sure all of Richler’s novels are available in cheap editions.
Sorry, I see a Rabbi book has already been read.
Alan wrote: "Hi moderators,Jan and Stacey?-in case it hasn’t been discussed yet all of the Harry Kemelman Rabbi detective series have been reissued and are available as ebooks or paper. This series which I thin..."LOVE that series. No worries. :)
Alan wrote: "Hi moderators,Jan and Stacey?-in case it hasn’t been discussed yet all of the Harry Kemelman Rabbi detective series have been reissued and are available as ebooks or paper. This series which I thin..."And thanks for the suggestions, Alan! :)
I read a Tillie Olsen short story with a local group.
Maybe we could do "old classics that need a read" or something like that, one time!
The first book for 2020 has been added. We'll have two discussions, one for early impressions (no spoilers) and one for final conclusions (spoilers okay). If you don't see them, look for a message/email later this weekend.
The site is a little more organized. Needs more work along those lines, maybe corralling previously read books into bundles.
Consider the 2020 book suggestions we arrived at in November (with some group input) to be moderators' choices. Button Man, the book for January, came from that list. Later in the winter I hope we can do group nominations of a book to read and then vote in a winner: a true group choice.
There's more to come, but time to unplug for now!