Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

This post contains some very basic tips to help you quickly launch into participating on our board. There are dozens, maybe even hundreds of posts, and deciding where to begin can seem daunting. Scan the following steps to orient yourself and then dive in!

PICK A TOPIC. Pick a discussion folder that interests you and just start reading. Behind the scenes, Goodreads keeps track of the posts you have “read” and the posts that remain “unread.”

USE THE “UNREAD” BUTTON. We have learned through trial and error that the easiest way to read messages is to learn how to use the "unread" button. At the top of the page, over to the right under the "search" field you will see the "unread" link. If you click on that, you will get a list of all the posts you haven't read yet. They are listed under their appropriate folder and topic, with a total in red that represents unread posts. Click on that and it takes you right to those posts.

This is an important device to master since Goodreads allows groups to keep all their posts, and we have elected to do that. GR’s default organization is to present folders with all the posts in them, which can seem daunting.

MARK ALL POSTS READ. I have been instructed by our membership to say the following: IT IS OKAY TO MARK ALL POSTS “READ.” {shudder} If you do not want to wade through old posts, and want to start fresh from the day you join the M/T group, it may be less daunting to mark all posts as read, and to then use the method identified in #2 above to read posts newly created going forward. Unfortunately, it is not possible to mark individual folders read, which might be one’s preference. This is an all-or-nothing proposition, so make sure this is what you want to do before hitting that button! The nice thing about the organization is that one you have MAR’d, the posts are still there. You can always go back and read them in order, or search by keyword to find particular posts of interest.
To Mark All Read, your first need to click on that “unread posts” link mentioned above. On the resulting screen look to the bottom and you will see a “mark all posts read” link.

COMMENT ON TOPICS. If you want to make a comment under a topic, just enter your comment into the box at the bottom of the topic and hit “send.”

REPLY TO COMMENTS. If you want to reply to a particular post and include text to which you’re responding in the reply, click on the teeny tiny "reply" link under the post. This will automatically cause the beginning text of the original post to be “quoted.” Most of us have discovered that the quote feature is inadequate (has a character limit). and if you want to control what appears in that sections do the following: (a) copy the exact phrase in the original post that you want to quote, (b) hit reply, (c) paste the text into the appropriate space, overwriting what's there.

There are dozens of other features to love about GR, including bookshelves, rating books, viewing and comparing others’ book choices, etc. You will find more about them in the various folders mentioned above, and also among the discussion topics here.

Now, go to it!

Carol, I think we should also mention that once you've got the number of posts under control by using the Mark All Read feature, you can go back and pick and choose among folders that sound interesting.

First of all, if you're used to the AOL message boards, "topics" is what Goodreads calls posts.

To see all folders and the topics within them, click on the Discussions link in the list above the search field on the right. That takes you to a screen from which you can cherry-pick any topics in which you're particularly interested. It's a good way to get to know the board, the posters, and our particular interests and style of conversation.

Okay I am finally reading again after a long period of not reading. I know many of you just shocked that I havent read more than 2-3 books a year in about 5 yrs, LOL and some I couldnt stomach during this period i just finished as a must read. I am getting the hang of this site, but I need help in doing my bookshelves. I want to list each series I am reading on a seperate shelf, I got the hang of the that, I even posted a comment about the lisa black book i just read. NOW is there an easy way of doing this instead of EXAMPLE searching Nevada barr and adding each book one at a time, Can I mass click at once and then they all pop up? teresa

Teresa wrote: "Okay I am finally reading again after a long period of not reading. I know many of you just shocked that I havent read more than 2-3 books a year in about 5 yrs, LOL and some I couldnt stomach..."

Teresa, I hated when the aol boards stopped, but if coming to GoodReads means hearing from you again, I guess it's worth it! Great to "see" you again.
Julie in SB

glad to be here, and I love all the goodies this site ofeers

Teresa:
From your My Books page on the left side frame under Tools there is a link to import. You can import multiple books at once to your bookshelves from spreadsheet programs with file types csv xls or txt.
I did that early on here from an Excel spreadsheet before I had established many different bookshelves and I didn't import all the fields that I now wish I had such as date read. I brought over a list of about a hundred books to my read shelf and about 15 of them didn't come in cleanly, but I found them and cleaned them up and am adding the date read as I come to them. The import link also takes you to a sample view of a spreadsheet to import. I might do it again someday, but lately have been adding books one author at a time, and book by book.
Good Luck!!
Teresa wrote: " I need help in doing my bookshelves. I want to list each series I am reading on a seperate shelf, I got the hang of the that, I even posted a comment about the lisa black book i just read. NOW is there an easy way of doing this instead of EXAMPLE searching Nevada barr and adding each book one at a time, Can I mass click at once and then they all pop up? teresa
"

JULIE!!!!!
We have missed you and I am so glad to see you posting here on Goodreads! I am glad you made it through Tax season and are not in the fire zone; I wish that the fires would clear up for all of you on the CA coast
Julie wrote: " Teresa, I hated when the aol boards stopped, but if coming to GoodReads means hearing from you again, I guess it's worth it! Great to "see" you again.
Julie in SB "

That sounds good, it is getting easier for me, I am working on loading all series, I have read, or are reading and then I have to stop and then go to the library site and request a book LOL

I think I am going to start this now for Jake since he WANTS the whole series at once from a library in casehe missed a book, teresa

Ann wrote: "Teresa:
From your My Books page on the left side frame under Tools there is a link to import. You can import multiple books at once to your bookshelves from spreadsheet programs with file types cs..."

Okay got a question, is there someway on the bookshelves to have a book in 2 places at once? I am loading all my shelves by author/series, and marking current, BUT I have 2 now that are in progress, can i put it on the in Bowen, RHys in progress shelf and on the to read shelf? teresa

Teresa:
Yes, Books may be on more than one book shelf. Just edit the bookshelves and add more.

Teresa wrote: "Okay got a question, is there someway on the bookshelves to have a book in 2 places at once? I am loading all my shelves by author/series, and marking current, BUT I have 2 now that are in p..."

I dont get it : ( do i need to have them exclusive or not exclusive, what about sorting and disabling soritng? teresa

Teresa wrote: "Okay got a question, is there someway on the bookshelves to have a book in 2 places at once? I am loading all my shelves by author/series, and marking current, BUT I have 2 now that are in p..."

YOu can setup as many shelves as you want and have the same book on as many shelves as you want. That's why I like this place so much!! I'd never keep track of this stuff otherwise! I also like the sorting availability. You can sort all kinds of ways or not sort at all.

okay I am not seeing this, how do i get them on more than one shelf, when I choose a different shelf and it goes there,

What I want is to have the to read book, that is part of series to sit on both shelves? teresa

Teresa wrote: "okay I am not seeing this, how do i get them on more than one shelf, when I choose a different shelf and it goes there,

What I want is to have the to read book, that is part of series to si..."

Once you setup your new shelves, when you click on a book status it should open up a list for you with all the standard shelves listed and then all the shelves that you've setup. Then you can click all the shelves you wanted it added to. It should save it for you and then all the shelves you have it on should show by the book.

okay I need the dummies veriosn for goodreads,

I went to bookshelf, click edit, chose to read shelf, changed Play dead to Harlan coben stand alone d and it moved there, not both shelves

what should disable sorting and make exclusive be set too? thanks for the help teresa

Teresa wrote: "okay I need the dummies veriosn for goodreads,

I went to bookshelf, click edit, chose to read shelf, changed Play dead to Harlan coben stand alone d and it moved there, not both shelves

..."

exclusive means it will only be on one shelf- at least i think that's what it means, so if you want a book to appear on more than one shelf, make it not exclusive.
exclusive means the book will only appear o

I'm not new to Goodreads but I am to M/T. I like James Patterson. I just got introduced to Joy Fielding is she is in the category.

Suzanne wrote: "I'm not new to Goodreads but I am to M/T. I like James Patterson. I just got introduced to Joy Fielding is she is in the category. "

welcome to the board, suzanne! i'm a fan of joy fielding, also.

The first book that I read by Joy Fielding was Whispers & Lies. I just finished Don't Cry Now. My 12yo son is reading that now.

Hello!

I am new to Goodreads (opened my account in July, but this is my first post).

My name is Patrick. I am 22 years old, almost 23 and I live in Argentina. You can see more about me on my profile.

Mystery is one of my favourite genres. I have read about 30 mystery books in my life (not much, I know... I'm a slow reader), but most of them are by Agatha Christie, so I'm trying to find new books to read by other writers.

These boards look like a nice place to read opinions and look for recommendations, and I'm looking forward to that.

:)

welcome to the board, patrick! i am confident you will find lots of great recommendations here! plus, the end of the year is coming up and we all post our top 10 mystery/thriller reads for the year. it's a fun time!

I think we should make that either 9 or 11 and throw off the chains of regimentation.

Barry wrote: "I think we should make that either 9 or 11 and throw off the chains of regimentation."

i bet there's someone who thinks it should be a list of 17 ;)

17. Why didn't I think of that? It would match my shelves.

Welcome Patrick, you will find lots of great recommendations here and lots of opinions on some really great reads. We also love to discover new authors we can try out.

Welcome, Patrick!
We are voracious readers and like to discusss all kinds of books here with a special fondness for Mysteries! Nice to have you "play" with us!

Patrick wrote: "Hello! I am new to Goodreads (opened my account in July, but this is my first post).
My name is Patrick. I am 22 years old, almost 23 and I live in Argentina. You can see more about me on my prof..."

Thank you very much, Sherry, Gail and Ann :-)

Barry wrote: "17. Why didn't I think of that? It would match my shelves."

you have 17 shelves?
the cat would be so proud!

I have read my tbr below 17 shelves, but the shelves I do have are 17 books each.

Patrick wrote: "Hello!

I am new to Goodreads (opened my account in July, but this is my first post).

My name is Patrick. I am 22 years old, almost 23 and I live in Argentina. You can see more about me on my prof..."

Hi Patrick, and welcome to the M/T Reading Friends group!

Which of the Agatha Christie characters have you read? Hercule Poirot? Miss Marple? Who is your favorite? Who we recommend for you will depend on which types of mysteries you refer.

Hi Patrick, and welcome to the M/T Reading Friends group!
Which of the Agatha Christie characters have you read? Hercule Poirot? Miss Marple? Who is your favorite? Who we recommend for you will depend on which types of mysteries you refer.

Hi Carol, thank you for the welcome :)

I have read Christie books with both Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, but if I have to pick a favourite, that would be Miss Marple. I love mysteries featuring old ladies!.

Hi, Carol, thank you for the welcome...
I love mysteries featuring old ladies!.

Then you'll like Carol a lot; she's been a mystery to all of us for years. Welcome, and let us know if you read any Argentinian authors. We're always looking to broaden our horizons.

Welcome, and let us know if you read any Argentinian authors. We're always looking to broaden our horizons.

In mystery/thriller, I've read a book called The Oxford Murders by Guillermo Martinez (he's a very popular argentinean writer). His book was made into a movie in 2008, directed by Alex de la Iglesia starring John Hurt and Elijah Wood. I recommend both the book and the movie.

I've also read some short stories by J.L. Borges but those are not mysteries.

>>In mystery/thriller, I've read a book called The Oxford Murders by Guillermo Martinez (he's a very popular argentinean writer). His book was made into a movie in 2008, directed by Alex de la Iglesia starring John Hurt and Elijah Wood. I recommend both the book and the movie.<<

Hi Patrick and welcome. I read The Oxford Murders a few years ago and enjoyed it. Did not realize there was a movie version.

Daniel wrote: "I love mysteries featuring old ladies!.

Then you'll like Carol a lot; she's been a mystery to all of us for years. ...."

Patrick, you can ignore 98% of what Dan says about me. He just craves attention, and is practicing his craft as a fiction writer. You're better off checking out his books The Code and On The Edge.

BTW Patrick, Carol and Daniel (we call him Dan) actually are quite fond of each other! We are a group full of kidders and have a lot of fun together!

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Patrick, you can ignore 98% of what Dan says about me. He just craves attention, and is practicing his craft as a fiction writer. You're better off checking out his books The Code and On The Edge. ."

Thanks for making that clear Ann, I thought they were fighting!

Sandi, you should see the movie! =)

Thanks for the suggestion on The Oxford Murders. I'll give it a try. And since Carol brought it up (Thank you, Honey), you can read one of my books here on Goodreads. Go to my profile, then down to my writing and click on The Last Cactus. Chapter One will be highlighted, so just scroll down to start reading.

Hi Patrick, we never fight. Sometimes we do agree to disagree but it's mostly over who likes Shutter Island, or Patricia Cornwell or Boston Teran's God is a Bullet. These are among the many issues we have discussed in the past. To solve these disagreements we have benches and everyone picks their side of the bench

The issue of 17 mentioned above comes from our resident Cat. Ms. Jan o'Cat always stacks her books in stacks of 17. This is her magic number and we are all extolled to follow suit. (we always pretend to, it keeps her happy) Again, Welcome!

...Patrick, you can ignore 98% of what Dan says about me. He just craves attention, and is practicing his craft as a fiction writer. You're better off checking out his books The Code and On The Edge.
And don't forget " A Cactus Named Desire" (AKA The Last Cactus)

Barry wrote: "...
And don't forget " A Cactus Named Desire" (AKA The Last Cactus) ..."

Snort!! Now whose sarcasm filter is broken?

Barry wrote: "...
And don't forget " A Cactus Named Desire" (AKA The Last Cactus) ..."

Snort!! Now whose sarcasm filter is broken? Carol


I'd rather get run over by a cactus than a streetcar any day; and moreover, Barry's filter has always been suspect.

Hey!! I designed it myself.

Glad to be a part of the group. I write noir thrillers. I hope some of you will check them out. Thanks
Vin
www.vincentzandri.com

Vincent wrote: "Glad to be a part of the group. I write noir thrillers. I hope some of you will check them out. Thanks

I just read Vincent's thriller - As Catch Can - and really enjoyed it! Great sense of place and very fast-paced.

Welcome Jeanne you have alot of great favorites.

Welcome, Jeanne.

Welcome, Jeanne! We're looking forward to hearing from you on how you like the Patterson book.

Jeanne wrote: "Hi, I am a retired school librarian with 32 years of service. I am mystery/thriller fan from way back. Just found goodreads this Feb. Some of my favorites are Elizabeth Peters, J. D. Robb, Cathe..."

Welcome, Jeanne.

You will find a lot of people with the same favorite authors.

We will be listing our monthly reads soon and you can watch for people with similar reading DNA.

welcome, jeanne!