Georgette Heyer Fans discussion

So here is our brand new chat thread. (the previous one got too long)

I'm one of the moderators here - I live in a small town in the North Island of New Zealand. I am married with two adult children. My boy left the nest years ago. My daughter has boomeranged back a couple of times, but she now seems settled in Wellington.

We are Airbnb hosts & I volunteer for one organisation & I am doing training to volunteer for another.

Hello new off topic thread! <3
*edited to add
I am a mod also, and live in mountainous Virginia, USA. I work at the best place ever - the local library.
Reading is my fav thing to do, but I also love cooking, pugs and watching European soccer leagues.

Hi there, I'm a retired editor living in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA. Have been a Heyer fan since the 1970s and love having the opportunity to chat about her books.

Critterbee, at first glance I didn't see the comma between cooking and pugs...

Karlyne wrote: "Critterbee, at first glance I didn't see the comma between cooking and pugs..."

hahahaha!
Karlyne, you know I am a vegetarian!

Please remember--commas save lives! be they human or critter...
I will confess to doing the same double take.

O Brilliant Goodreads Good Friends, I have a problem. When Goodreads updated itself on my phone, I lost the ability to "reply to this comment" and "follow this thread" via instant email, etc. Nowhere can I find a way to do either!

Karlyne wrote: "O Brilliant Goodreads Good Friends, I have a problem. When Goodreads updated itself on my phone, I lost the ability to "reply to this comment" and "follow this thread" via instant email, etc. Nowhe..."

Are you using the website or do you have an app?

If it is the app is it for android or Iphones?

I use the pc computer display of GR on my iPhone via Safari browser.

I use this way so I can reply to comments and make book links etc.

I usually use the app only to look at my home feed.

School is almost out, thank goodness. We have enough people to run the museum tours for the summer. Yesterday's school was great. Cross your fingers the last 3 will be the same way! I have two days off this week to read! (after I clean my room).

I did install the Goodreads app, but I didn't like it, so I got rid of it about a year ago and have just been using the website via my gmail's notifications. I used to be able to follow a thread and reply to a comment on a thread but no longer. I have a Samsung (android, right?).

Karlyne wrote: "I did install the Goodreads app, but I didn't like it, so I got rid of it about a year ago and have just been using the website via my gmail's notifications. I used to be able to follow a thread an..."

That is strange. I also no longer use the GR app (hated it) & have a Samsung. Do you run an anti virus on your phone? If so do a clean. If that doesn't work, try GR's brand new help desk or use the Contact Us link. https://www.goodreads.com/about/conta...

Maybe Staff will have a suggestion.

Ok, thanks, Carol!

I fixed it! Somehow or other when it was updated, the "desktop version" had been turned off. No wonder it just looked like a new, goofy version! Who knew...

Karlyne wrote: "I fixed it! Somehow or other when it was updated, the "desktop version" had been turned off. No wonder it just looked like a new, goofy version! Who knew..."

Sometimes on my phone it does default to the app version - esp if I check the series page.

I have a problem too - never have asked staff about it.
Every discussion I'm in shows me as following with instant email. Fortunately I don't get the emails as I would go mad! I have to change the option to notification only.

Does anyone know how I can change to notification only all the time (if this isn't a bug.)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "I fixed it! Somehow or other when it was updated, the "desktop version" had been turned off. No wonder it just looked like a new, goofy version! Who knew..."

Sometimes on my phone ..."

Go into your account settings and click on the email tab. Under that you can select what you want to get emails or notifications for. I've got everything except for a couple as notifications only because my inbox was being flooded with emails. This governs only those emails directed to your personal email address, so doesn't affect those sent to your GR mail.

All I can see now is an option for notification only is for all topics in the Librarians Group. (for example) Couldn't cope with that. I was able to click on the 76 topics I was following in that group & change the old ones to none, but that is no easier for me than having to change the option to Notification only when I make a post.

If you go to Email settings under your Account Settings and scroll to almost the bottom of the page you come to a section titled "Group Email Preferences". There are these headings

get emails: digest individual all notification only none

Each group you belong to is listed with radio buttons under each of these headings.
example
Georgette Heyer Fans — all discussions

Book Loving Kiwis — all discussions
following 101 group discussions

Victoria Holt, Jean Plaidy, Philippa Carr; Eleanor Burford, Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow, Anne Percival, and Ellalice Tate. — all discussions

By clicking the radio button under the "notification only" heading you will stop all emails for any comments etc. in the entire group, and receive just the notifications as signalled on GR homepage.

It took me a while to find this and I was having to click notification on each individual thread/topic in each group until I did.

Don't forget the save button which is at the very bottom of the page!

That is where I was. There doesn't seem to be an option to change this
You are following this discussion (instant email). Edit

This is above the comment box I'm typing in. Because it says I'm following the discussion, when I'm in the Librarian Group I often forget I have to click on edit to change to notification only. I'm just assuming it is something jammed in the system now.

Mmm, I see on my post I have "you are following all discussions for this group (no emails - only notifications). Edit

So I wonder if you have to change the email settings and then re-boot to get it to take effect? It is so long ago since I've changed my email settings I can't remember if I had to do that or log back in or not.

Otherwise, maybe it is something to test the new help desk out with :)

I just found a workaround for another problem. I'm in a very busy group where I can't do the group reads (lack of time) Due to a bug I have I can't change the notification to none for just that one group. Down the bottom there is a notification to turn off email notification for all reads, so I have done that. :)

Lesley wrote: "Mmm, I see on my post I have "you are following all discussions for this group (no emails - only notifications). Edit

So I wonder if you have to change the email settings and then re-boot to get i..."

I'm not keen on using the new Help Desk as the block option doesn't work there. But next time I have to email Support I'll tack this on to my question. My profile is full of bugs. I assume it is because I'm a heavy user, so I'm more likely to pick things up.

Whoooo - I am on a train coming home from the American Library Association Conference, what have I missed in the past few days? How is everybody? It feels so strange not be on goodreads very much.

Critterbee❇ wrote: "Whoooo - I am on a train coming home from the American Library Association Conference, what have I missed in the past few days? How is everybody? It feels so strange not be on goodreads very much."

A break is always a good thing - you come back refreshed. :)

How was the conference?

Welcome back! Hope it was an enjoyable conference.

I wish I would’ve known you were going, I would have asked you to put this question to the group for me: when will librarians start hushing people again, and as a follow-up, when did it become okay to be loud and/or use a cellphone or let your kids run around and whoop it up in libraries?

Asking for a friend...a concerned middle-aged lady who fondly remembers the peaceful libraries of her youth...

Critterbee❇ wrote: "Whoooo - I am on a train coming home from the American Library Association Conference, what have I missed in the past few days? How is everybody? It feels so strange not be on goodreads very much."

ooh lucky! membership is too expensive for me. I went to the exhibition hall at Midwinter once in Boston.

The conference was a lot. So many people, so many sessions and meetings and exhibitors. I had previously only gone to state-wide library conferences that lasted two days - this was five days of dawn to dusk conferencing!

I learned so much, and met amazing librarians from all over the world, from NASA, the US patent office, the supreme court library, from the National American Indian Library Association and public libraries everywhere.

Susan in NC wrote: "...I wish I would’ve known you were going, I would have asked you to put this question to the group for me: when will librarians start hushing people again, and as a follow-up, when did it become okay to be loud and/or use a cellphone or let your kids run around and whoop it up in libraries?

Asking for a friend...a concerned middle-aged lady who fondly remembers the peaceful libraries of her youth..."

Alas, I fear that the days of hushing in public libraries are finished. Our policy allows for conversations on phones, so long as they are not disturbing others - the same as if one were having a conversation without a phone. If an adult or teen is being loud, we do address it, whether they have a phone or not.

As for children, we want to provide a welcoming environment that children remember fondly, so that they grow to love the library experience and are life long library lovers. During our story times, it does get pretty chaotic, so our quiet-loving regulars have learned not to show up on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. During the school year, we do have a rush of activity for about two hours after school. In summer, it is pretty crazy as we have programs almost every day.

If there is a young child making an excessive amount of noise, we generally ask the caregiver how we can help them, especially if it is due to injury or unhappiness. Parents sometimes are really put-upon, so we want to help them and avoid alienating them.

Different libraries have different policies and serve different demographics - I work at a smaller, community branch, so we have a lot of families, with several generations of patrons. People who were regulars as children are now bringing in their children or grandchildren.

In larger, more urban libraries, policies are probably very different. We also now allow covered beverages and snacks(!) so long as they do not make a mess.

I would recommend your lovely friend to find a time during the week when it is more peaceful, and to try to make that her regular time. Ask at the desk - when is the most peaceful time to visit? Just please do not stop visiting!

Generally our local library is still pretty quiet- people are glued to computers!

& we have good news!

Marty had a phone call from our local hospital & he is booked in for surgery for a skin cancer on his forehead. Such a relief as it (the cancer) is changing in appearance!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "& we have good news!

Marty had a phone call from our local hospital & he is booked in for surgery for a skin cancer on his forehead. Such a relief as it (the cancer) is changing in appearance!"

I’m sending healing vibes to NZ!

I hope both surgery and recovery goes well for Marty!

Good to see you, Andrea!

& thanks!

Marty has huge problems with skin cancers. Approximately every 8 weeks he goes in for what he calls "a burn off."

Critterbee❇ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "...I wish I would’ve known you were going, I would have asked you to put this question to the group for me: when will librarians start hushing people again, and as a follow-up, ..."

You are a dear, I wish you were one of my librarians! We have a wonderful crew at my local branch, they are tirelessly helpful, professional and welcoming - I’ll never give up on my library! I hope you have appreciative patrons, and I’m so glad you got to have this opportunity- sounds exciting and satisfying!

And I really appreciate your serious and kind response to my (semi) serious question- I bet you’re very good at your job, whether dealing with a young, overwhelmed parent with screaming kiddies, or an old coot complaining about same!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Generally our local library is still pretty quiet- people are glued to computers!"

Same here - I live near a relatively new branch, built within the last 20 years, and they built a beautiful space taking the community needs into consideration. There’s a beautiful, fun space for kids, which my son got to enjoy when he was younger, a separate adult space with a sitting area, fireplace, plenty of tables, meeting rooms and computers! We are very fortunate, and the place is always hopping - especially the computers!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "& we have good news!

Marty had a phone call from our local hospital & he is booked in for surgery for a skin cancer on his forehead. Such a relief as it (the cancer) is changing in appearance!"

Sending hugs and hoping everything goes well for Marty!

Susan in NC wrote: "You are a dear, I wish you were one of my librarians! We have a wonderful crew at my local branch, they are tirelessly helpful, professional and welcoming - I’ll never give up on my library! I hope you have appreciative patrons, and I’m so glad you got to have this opportunity- sounds exciting and satisfying!

And I really appreciate your serious and kind response to my (semi) serious question- I bet you’re very good at your job, whether dealing with a young, overwhelmed parent with screaming kiddies, or an old coot complaining about same! "

Thank you for your kind thoughts and for being a supporter of the library!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Good to see you, Andrea!

& thanks!

Marty has huge problems with skin cancers. Approximately every 8 weeks he goes in for what he calls "a burn off.""

Oh, no! Tell him to take care, sending healing energy your way from NC! Be well, and take of yourself, too - caregiving takes it out of you.

Critterbee❇ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "You are a dear, I wish you were one of my librarians! We have a wonderful crew at my local branch, they are tirelessly helpful, professional and welcoming - I’ll never give up o..."

You are very welcome- and libraries have always been some of my favorite places.

Susan in NC wrote: "
Oh, no! Tell ..."

No caregiving involved yet - although he is apprehensive. If it is being done under local I think they will have to sedate him.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "
Oh, no! Tell ..."

No caregiving involved yet - although he is apprehensive. If it is being done under local I think they will have to sedate him."

Well, he’ll probably feel rather *blech* afterwards - the surgeries I had weren’t so much the problem, it’s the darn drugs they give you that made me feel queasy...

Marty normally my idea of a good patient. Usually all he wants is a jug of water & to be left alone. (I'm not a natural nurse)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Marty normally my idea of a good patient. Usually all he wants is a jug of water & to be left alone. (I'm not a natural nurse)"

What a great and unusual guy!

Susan in NC wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Marty normally my idea of a good patient. Usually all he wants is a jug of water & to be left alone. (I'm not a natural nurse)"

What a great and unusual guy!"

Yes my best friend is married to a raging hypochondriac.* I know that I'm lucky.

*& now that he really has health problems, no ones very sympathetic! 😂

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Marty normally my idea of a good patient. Usually all he wants is a jug of water & to be left alone. (I'm not a natural nurse)"

What a great and ..."

See, that’s how that goes, when you’re the boy who cried wolf!

This reminds me of the famous epitaph on a tombstone: "See? I told you I was sick." 😁

And good luck and speedy recovery to Marty!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "& we have good news!

Marty had a phone call from our local hospital & he is booked in for surgery for a skin cancer on his forehead. Such a relief as it (the cancer) is changing in appearance!"

Best wishes to both of you.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "
Oh, no! Tell ..."

No caregiving involved yet - although he is apprehensive. If it is being done under local I think they will have to sedate him."

I have total empathy, Marty! All the best for the surgery - both of you.

For Marty: My dad has those pre-cancerous things on his head from his forehead to his bald spot and he has some kind of chemo cream to put on his head. He's already had growths removed from his nose, so you are not alone. Sun is bad. I turn into a lobster even thinking about going outside without my highest SPF I can get sunscreen. I use the baby kind! I have not inherited the Italian genes from my dad, clearly.

My husband George has the same thing. He’s had one particularly nasty one removed but now he keeps them under control with the cream. He’s a proper Celtic Scot with white skin and blue eyes and he got the sun damage back in the 80s when we holidayed in Greece and didn’t understand the dangers. He now wears factor 50 and always wears a hat. Best wishes to Marty!