Play Book Tag discussion

Want to chat about something that doesn't fit in one of the monthly tag threads? This is the place to do it.

General book chatter, recommendations, fun new book websites, movies based on books, articles, award winners. We want all of it!

Please don't reply to this post with your news. Use a new topic to kick off your conversation!

Hooray, we made it. This site looks organized and great right from the start.

Karin wrote: "Hooray, we made it. This site looks organized and great right from the start."

Thank you, Karin!

Nicole wrote: "Karin wrote: "Hooray, we made it. This site looks organized and great right from the start."

Thank you, Karin!"

Thanks Karin, we did a lot of work and I think we are pleased with the way it turned out

Glad to be here. Like Karin says it looks great and so well organized.

Thank you for all the work you put into setting the group up. It's beautifully organized.

Congrats for setting up this groups so well. It looks perfect! And I sheepishly have to admit that GRRR is growing on me. I've discovered a lot of features this last couple of days that make me like it better than I expected.

Everyone is so nice! Thank you so much for your kind words, Bnb, Punxsygal, and Sushicat. It means a lot as I know you weren't all too excited to come to GRRRRR.

Thanks for giving it a chance!!! That's really all we can ask, and I'm gratified to see you all here doing just that!

I agree -- you guys have done a most excellent job of setting everything up. Taking some of what we loved about Shelfari and making it work here.

I look forward to more participation since the only reason I went to Shelfari was for this group --- vs at least checking GR every day.

JoLene wrote: "I look forward to more participation since the onl..."

JoLene, I look forward to being more involved in some other GR groups including your Historical Fictionistas group! I just added the February read to my shelf and hope to get to it soon!

I also may go back and read your January read as well, since The Lake House has been on my TBR since it came out!

Nicole wrote: "JoLene wrote: "I look forward to more participation since the onl..."

JoLene, I look forward to being more involved in some other GR groups including your Historical Fictionistas group! I just add..."

I also want to read The Lake House, but it was on the long side, and I'm doing the winter scavenger hunt !!

I just posted our yearly Historical Fictionista University Challenge. Basically, you can "earn" a BA, Masters and PhD by doing different reading tasks.

JoLene wrote: "I just posted our yearly Historical Fictionista University Challenge. Basically, you can "earn" a BA, Masters and PhD by doing different reading tasks. "

That seems like more than I can realistically commit to, but I will take a look for sure!

I am just excited to expand my historical fiction reading. I realized after this year that about half of my top 10 were historical fiction! I read some really great ones.

I looked at listening to The Lake House on audio but when I downloaded a sample I was not very excited about the narrator :(

That seems like more than I can realistically commit to, but I will take a look for sure"

Yep --- you have a lot on your plate.
If it makes you feel any better ---- we have many members that don't finish in a year. You can pick and chose what you want to do.

I definitely enjoy my historical fiction -- and that groups have members that like all the sub-genres, so if you are looking for a particular subject like Roman or Revolutionary War, you can find recommendations.

You all have done a great job with the group! :) Thank you so much for your time and efforts!

Kudos to the admins for all the effort they put into transferring the group here. I think it's going to be much easier to navigate than I originally thought.

What a magnificent site you have created. I have been on GR for a while and am still finding all kinds of cool stuff.

Thank you so much for your extremely kind words! We wanted to give it our best shot we could, but it's obviously the members who make it what it is! So glad so many of you came here to be with us!!!

Holy cow, I wasn't expecting this group to be so complete yet! First log in and there's already a ton of info, messages, how-tos, great for getting started. Kudos to both the admins for putting in all the work, and for the group for being so active already!

Very well done, getting it set up so nicely! Yes, it's me, JudithAnn - old-time member, AWOL for so long! I'm not keen to switch over to Goodreads but I feel immediately at home here with PBT and the same moderators and a lot of the same members! Wonderful.

I'll try and join in when I can! I'm currently reading books of which the title starts with an S - from my to-read shelves. Will search for a WWII book!

I am so happy that we are able to continue PBT without Shelfari. I'm certainly still on the learning curve but feel certain that it will get comfortable again. I'll be able to breathe easier as soon as I get all my books moved from Shelfari. In the meantime, I'm learning the ropes and completely impressed with the HUGE effort our admins have made in getting this done so quickly!

Joi wrote: "Holy cow, I wasn't expecting this group to be so complete yet! First log in and there's already a ton of info, messages, how-tos, great for getting started. Kudos to both the admins for putting in ..."

I wish there was a Like button! Well said Joi.

JudithAnn, your comments warm my heart!

Joi and Barbara, thank you for your kudos - - they mean a lot! I do really, really wish there were like buttons here for posts.

JudithAnn wrote: "Very well done, getting it set up so nicely! Yes, it's me, JudithAnn - old-time member, AWOL for so long! I'm not keen to switch over to Goodreads but I feel immediately at home here with PBT and t..."

Hello!!!! Often when I see JudithG, I wonder whatever happened to JudithAnn! Nice to see you back!

LibraryCin wrote: "JudithAnn wrote: "Very well done, getting it set up so nicely! Yes, it's me, JudithAnn - old-time member, AWOL for so long! I'm not keen to switch over to Goodreads but I feel immediately at home h..."

Thanks Cin! I see you're still around too! It feels a bit like a high school reunion. :-)

It is great to see some faces from longer ago popping up over here. The admins have done a phenomenal job setting this group up. I'm not the biggest fan of GR as a whole but this group is great. I just finished moving all my books from shelfari to GR so I have more time to explore over here now.

Rachel wrote: "I just finished moving all my books from shelfari to GR so I have more time to explore over here now."

Thank you so much, Rachel, for your kind and supportive comments. It really is very awesome to see some of our long lost members rejoining us to say hello as well as our current, active members who constitute the heart of our group.

I'm just now trying to move all my reviews to GR. Yikes. I'm up to the letter "D". This project could take awhile.

JudithAnn wrote: "Thanks Cin! I see you're still around too! It feels a bit like a high school reunion. :-) ..."

haha! Yes, I suppose! :-)

Just want to thank Anita and Nicole and Linda for helping me learn how to link and post using some of the html hints. I am linking all over the place now and feel so proud (hahaha). I hope to be more active in your group in the future.

Paige wrote: "Just want to thank Anita and Nicole and Linda for helping me learn how to link and post using some of the html hints. I am linking all over the place now and feel so proud (hahaha). I hope to be mo..."

That's awesome, Paige! Happy you are part of PBT . . .and that we were able to help you get more out of Goodreads.

Victorian Reader wrote: "Do the admins also want us to post reviews of books that we did not finish and the reason why in the appropriate tag?

I don't normally abandoned books however, I just abandoned one and I'm wonderi..."

As long as you make a substantial effort then we welcome the reviews of abandoned books! I know that I find them some of the most entertaining reviews :)

If you just start a book, read a couple chapters, then decide it is not for you right now, then those reviews are probably less appropriate to post.

Hello, I really loved this group!... You have Footnotes, Beach reads, Activities and Challenges, Short stories, Gothic books, family drama, historical fiction, and many many more...I really thank you so much for moderators and I really loved this group...Thank you😊😊😊😊

Not sure where to put this but for all the Historical Mystery fans, here is a link about upcoming releases:

https://www.bookbub.com/blog/historic...

Robin P wrote: "Not sure where to put this but for all the Historical Mystery fans, here is a link about upcoming releases:

https://www.bookbub.com/blog/historic......"

Robin, I found it so it will work. I want to come back and look at that list more closely.

Perfect for this month, but it looks like they will be released throughout the year.

We had snow today when I'm home alone with my mending ankle. I'm well enough to be left alone and my poor sister-in-law was alone and sick through Christmas so my husband and eldest daughter are finally able to help her celebrare. The person at church who ploughs in the winter couldn't get his truck started and the only neighbour whose cell number I have is at work and hasn't answered (I asked if I could hire her son) so after a while I was feeling trapped (it's one thing to choose to stay home, it's another to have no choice!)

Finally I saw the people across the street re-clearing the area where the plough re-added stuff and asked them (calling from my front door since it was too snowy to use my crutches which I still need outside) if they could please clear from the nose of my van to the street (they are happy to help and we've helped each other over the years but we aren't friends and don't have each others' numbers) but they went above and beyond and even cleared both vehicles in the driveway (my son now has my daughter's former car but he can't take it to school where it would cost him an arm and a leg and his school ID gives him access to all public transportation--one of the fees each semester.)

I am planning to get them a gift card but have no idea if and where they might like to go out to eat. Husband, wife and their son were all in my driveway working on things. It was too late to get to the bank when they were done, but for sure I'll go tomorrow to take care of some important business I can't do online.

Karin wrote: "I am planning to get them a gift card but have no idea if and where they might like to go out to eat. ...."

That would be a wonderful thank you. An American Express or Visa giftcard can be used anywhere.

You can also give an Open Table gift card which can be used at any restaurant using that reservation system.

A gift card is an excellent idea and always appreciated. I have been given Visa, MC, and Amex giftcards from clients and colleagues and they have been easy to use.

Book Concierge wrote: "Karin wrote: "I am planning to get them a gift card but have no idea if and where they might like to go out to eat. ...."

That would be a wonderful thank you. An American Express or Visa giftcard ..."

Yes, but I don't think they would respond as well to that, knowing this family. I'd love to see one of their adult kids outside and ask them, but am not going to wait too long. If I can find a gift card good for more than one restaurant I'll get that one if I don't see anyone in time.

When I used to take them produce from our garden we couldn't use, they always gave us fresh salmon, so I stopped since I was giving them stuff we'd otherwise have to put in the compost pile, so you can see the lovely, generous sort of people they are and I don't want it to seem like I'm paying them.

Theresa wrote: "You can also give an Open Table gift card which can be used at any restaurant using that reservation system.

A gift card is an excellent idea and always appreciated. I have been given Visa, MC, an..."

Yes, this could work if I can find one. I don't even know if they eat in restaurants or not.

Whoops - Now Empty Entry.....

Not sure where to put this but this could be the thing that pushes us off GR altogether. Just got this message, I assume everyone did

This means we can no longer send info to each other, like suggestions to BnB for Rabbit Hole categories. We can no longer build connections between members, unless we want to publish our personal email on GR, which is a terrible idea. Also no more posting pictures or linking to anything outside. (Last time there was a workaround but this time who knows?)

There might be understandable reasons about spam and inappropriate messages but this might drive some of us totally off GR.


In the coming weeks, we will be making some updates to how messaging works on Goodreads.

What's Changing?
• Direct messages between individual members will no longer be available
• Images and external links will no longer be supported in messages

While direct messages between individual members are no longer available, you can still access your past messages from your inbox, Group moderators can still send broadcast messages to their group members, and you can still send group invitations to your Goodreads friends. All other public interactions, such as writing and responding to book reviews, remains unchanged.

I just saw this as well....booo Goodreads.

I am looking into the feasibility of creating, with approval of course, a PBT community exclusive website

There is some question on the Mod Support thread about whether this is real - though to me it sounds very much like what GR would do.

If it's definitely happening, a FB site would be ok with me.

It is GR's loss if dozens, or hundreds of us, quit the site.
It will be even worse for some other groups, like Seasonal Reading Challenge, where tasks are submitted by message to the Mods, and many of the challenges have links to outside information.

Now that is an interesting solution, Jason. Because some people may want to share personal information, like FB names or phone numbers or be able to talk together more privately. I wonder if a site created would have the ability for some more private messaging. FB would be a great avenue for this I think.

I just texted Joanne a picture of two books (of three) she has recommended, even from the past, and have been enjoying hearing Jason's progress through the book I recommended. I agree its a sad loss. This community has supported each other so much beyond books. Its really been an incredible community support.

I also received this message and am not thrilled.

I will say this please send me your ideas for Down the Rabbit Hole ASAP.

I've only received one person's suggestions and need more.

I don't think a FB group would be a good idea. I have deleted my account and switched to Signal years ago.
We need to be able to communicate directly with each other, but I would prefer to do it without a need to provide my real ID and phone number. I don't have anything to hide, but I disagree on principle with the mass surveillance that is imposed on us from above.

This is nutty - it's like GR doesn't even know how their own users interact with their own site. I've made so many connections through GR using direct messaging, what on earth could have possessed them to make this change?

It's sad to say, but if they go through with this change, I'm likely leaving this platform, which is sad because I've made some really good connections and it's also helped me refocus my reading goals.

It's only in MESSAGING that the limits on posting pictures and sharing URLs is limited.

I've highlighted the relevant parts of the message:

In the coming weeks, we will be making some updates to how messaging works on Goodreads.

What's Changing?
• Direct messages between individual members will no longer be available
• Images and external links will no longer be supported in messages

While direct messages between individual members are no longer available, you can still access your past messages from your inbox, Group moderators can still send broadcast messages to their group members, and you can still send group invitations to your Goodreads friends. All other public interactions, such as writing and responding to book reviews, remains unchanged.

There is no mention of restricting image or URL in the Group itself.

The inability to share direct primate messages is a serious issue. Ironically, I saw the GR message as I was reading and responding to a message asking for Tessa's contact information. I would not post my email to the full group - unless I set up a specific gmail for GR, and GR only but that would mean having yet another email to monitor (I have work, personal, and one for the estate I'm settling. That's one too many to manage daily.)

Facebook is not an option for many in this group who have chosen for many reasons not to be a member. I do administer a couple of private groups on FB - one of which switched over from YahooGroups when it was clear it was about to end forever. We lost about half our membership in that transition, most because they did not want to have a FB account or participate in anything on FB. That was about 100 members we lost all those years ago and only a couple of them eventually found us again when they decided to join FB.

My IRL book club, which has about 20 members of which about 8 are truly participants, has a leader who becomes entranced with new 'homes' and moves us to them. We have a FB group which is inactive but can't be shut down or updated because the original book club admins have ghosted everyone - there's no admin and while we can post comments and such, there are serious changes and updates needed. We have a GR Group which is used solely to maintain our library of read and to read books. She set us up on Discord - which is where we are most active and have our virtual meetings but those with Apple devices have chronic problems joining the discussions or even posting. It's also very youth based --- you open it and all kinds of ads or features geared for college age assault you. Drives me batty (for some reason our leader won't agree to using Zoom for virtual meetings). She has also tried to switch us to Storygraph - none of the members, including me, like it except our leader, and none are active on it. Some didn't even sign on.

Having explored and experienced all 4 with my IRL book club - GR, FB, Discord, Storygraph - GR is still the best fit for book groups.

Booknblues wrote: "I also received this message and am not thrilled.

I will say this please send me your ideas for Down the Rabbit Hole ASAP.

I've only received one person's suggestions and need more."

Fran - you could set up a Google submission form just as Anita did for Play Harder - and it can be used all year.

Theresa wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "I also received this message and am not thrilled.

I will say this please send me your ideas for Down the Rabbit Hole ASAP.

I've only received one person's suggestions and need ..."

I will most likely do that, but I would like to have a good number of suggestions to start with.