Cafe Libri discussion

For members to post miscellaneous topics they would like to discuss that is not about a specific book.

I can't believe it, but the library got back up and running already! The engineers confirmed that there were no foundation problems after the quake. I've posted an article that updates the public on the damages as well as pictures of the mess.

Article: http://co.humboldt.ca.us/library/branches/eureka/default.asp

Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/humboldt_county_library/

I'm glad it's back up, it always seems like something is missing when the library is closed, even if I wasn't going anyway!

Indeed. Borders has been closed all week. The mall in our area had extensive damages, and their store needed parts of the roof fixed!

Goodness! Glad things are getting back to normal.

Wow, that is horrible, Cari!

Yes, I think they had a lot of community volunteers come in and assist. The library is relied upon by a variety of economically-low income groups. While it was closed, I saw so many people stopping by to go and use the library. It was sad. I think a lot of the people ended up helping with the restoration.

I posted this message at our Yahoo Cafe Libri Group, and I figured I should ask the input of club members from here as well (especially since you might only be a member here).

I wanted to ask for some feedback about hosting a community for our group at Lunch.com. It will be similar to our group here at Goodreads because it would be a place where we can share our reviews of books. Membership at Lunch would be optional just like membership at Goodreads. It's just another way to advertise about our original book group at Yahoo, and get more potential members to join.

For those wanting to know more about Lunch, here is the simple answer: It's a place to review ANYTHING! It's similar to Amazon.com, but there are no pressures to buy anything (at least I feel that way when I'm on Amazon). It's also a place where you also can connect with like-minded people. I've been having fun sharing book, food, movie, and television reviews at the site. Feel free to check out their website if you have more questions.

Originally, I was going to create a generic book community where anyone could post book reviews. However since we've already branched out with our group on Goodreads (and since I really want to use the same name, Cafe Libri), I thought it would be prudent to ask members for their take on the idea. All types of book reviews would be encouraged in our community on Lunch, but I would feature the reviews about books we read here.

Basically the main questions I am asking members are:

1. Would you like a community created at Lunch that is connected with our Yahoo Cafe Libri Group.
2. If not, would you mind if I used the "Cafe Libri" name?

I don't have to reference our Yahoo or Goodreads' groups, but I think the advertising might be helpful.

Thanks for the feedback!

Adrianna

I received enough feedback at our Yahoo Cafe Libri Group to make a decision in regards to this matter. The Cafe Libri Lunch Community has been created! I hope some of you consider joining us in reviewing things there as well. You have more freedoms as far as WHAT you can review, such as authors, illustrations, book versus movie comparisons. You can even review concepts, such as books, reading, writing, words, etc. I'm also looking for people who can review e-readers, such as Kindle, Sony, etc. Let me know if you have any questions either here or via an e-mail!

Does anyone want to volunteer to average the members' ratings of the books we have read since creating the Goodreads Cafe Libri Group? It might be a fun addition to include on the bookshelf. I just tested this with A Long Fatal Love Chase and added the following line to the book listing on the shelf: Average rating by three members of Cafe Libri: 3.7. If someone wants to do this, just follow this example and reply to this message with the data. I will edit the self once the information is posted.

Thanks a lot!

I created a Shelfari account because I was curious to compare it with Goodreads.
It's actually really **really** easy to add books to their sites and/or copy
reviews over. I like how they have set themselves apart from Goodreads. It's
interesting to have a different perspective as far as book reviews go.

If you would like to add me as a buddy, here is my profile info:
http://www.shelfari.com/adriannas

If there are enough Cafe Libri members there, should I create a group for us on
the Shelfari site as well? I haven't checked out the groups yet just because it
took me a bit of time to add all my current reads, reviews, and future reads
over to the site. I had a lot of fun playing around with their website! Does
anyone have experience with the groups there?

I posted all the averages of the ratings that members listed on their Goodreads' accounts for the monthly books we've read in Cafe Libri. Just view the book our our group's shelf to read the description for why we read said book and how many members rated it (including the average score). I hope you find this information helpful!

What does everyone think of the newest logo for Cafe Libri? The text logo, minus the open book, is viewable on our website: http://sites.google.com/site/cafelibri

(laughs) I know what you mean. I was fighting the Lunch people about it, and I think I at least won this battle. Doesn't look like I won the battle about changing the generic badges, which disappoints me because of all the time I put into it. :(

Adrianna wrote: "(laughs) I know what you mean. I was fighting the Lunch people about it, and I think I at least won this battle. Doesn't look like I won the battle about changing the generic badges, which disappoi..."

Hey, there;

I was curious if things have changed for you since Lunch has instituted creating our own badges. I'm experimenting on my Silver Screen community with the creation of a Silver Star badge for those writing five classic film reviews. How does the computer know it's five though? Little puzzled about that. You have me intrigued with the Shelfari site, I may check this after all. Gosh, I could not finish that Mystery book of modern American mystery stories. I just guess the genre is not for me, although I immensely enjoyed the Agatha Christie story, Murder on the Orient Express, which I posted on Cafe Libri Lunch site. I'll copy it here too. Since I've met you I've been more into reading than I had in years so thanks again for that!

James wrote: "Adrianna wrote: "(laughs) I know what you mean. I was fighting the Lunch people about it, and I think I at least won this battle. Doesn't look like I won the battle about changing the generic badge..."

Hey James!

Yeah, things are changing on Lunch, and I'm not sure if they are going all in the right direction. Perhaps the changes are moving too fast for me. I'm waiting to post the next newsletter until they fix some of the bugs.

I haven't started working on any new badges other than the ones that Lunch started me off with. I know the badges won't change the way/reason I write reviews.

As far as how the badges work...I have no idea!

I'm SUPER HAPPY that you joined Shelfari! It's quite different from any of the other review sites I've been on because there is no rating or ranking system, which I Love. I'm so tired of competitions. Plus, it's great having you as a member in the Shelfari Cafe Libri Group. It's the newest incarnation, so feel free to post some comments to get people discussing. :)

Sorry you couldn't finish the mystery anthology book you were reading. I've had a couple of books myself that I've stopped reading for a while because I wasn't excited about them. No sense wasting time for a book you are not enjoying.

Glad you liked Murder on the Orient Express! It's a classic. :)

Finally, I'm so happy that I've helped inspire you to read more. I'm sooooo happy that Cafe Libri is serving its purpose. It's been a lot of fun, and I'm learning well-worth the time. :)

Thanks a lot. And I do appreciate our virtual friendship. Even though I do admit at times I'm an acquired taste, it's good to chat. Will write more later! - jjm

(laughs) An acquired taste...cute.

Sounds good. Take care!

There is now a featured group list on Goodreads group main page: http://www.goodreads.com/group. If people want to nominate Cafe Libri to appear on that list, go here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

I hope everyone is out celebrating with their mothers today or keeping their moms in their thoughts. Have a lovely Mother's Day to all reading group members!

Aerin wrote: "Lovely message, Adrianna! You're so thoughtful! :)"

Glad you liked it, Aerin!

I know this is soooo advertising, but when there is free food involved, I get excited! Luckily, we have off topic discussion threads! ;)

For those members living in the United States (or anyplace where there is an IHOP), today is National Pancake Day! IHOP is giving away a free stack of pancakes (3 pancakes) to every customer that comes in today before 10pm, no purchase necessary! They do suggest a donation to a children's cause; I can't remember the specific charity. I'm planning to go with my spouse. I hope others try it out too because it sounds like fun!

On February 29th, Leap Day, Subway is giving away free cookies with every purchase. Too bad we can't just come in for the cookie!

Every quarter, about four months, the owner and co-owner of Yahoo Cafe Libri Reading Group host a live chat for readers from all web versions of Cafe Libri. The live chat is hosted on Yahoo because that is where our group chat room is located. No download is necessary to chat with other members. However, you must have a Yahoo email account and be a member of the Yahoo Cafe Libri Reading Group to participate.

During the live chat, discussions are open-ended. Members are encouraged to introduce themselves at the beginning of the conversation. Then, members can talk about the monthly selected read or other reading materials. Members must be civil in all live discussions and follow the group rules in order to continue in future live chat events. Not following the group rules can lead to removal/banning from future live chats and from Cafe Libri. Members should also note that a portion of the live chat is saved in a chat history for future perusing by Yahoo Cafe Libri Reading Group members.

I'm asking for members to list their days and times that they might be able to attend a live chat. Also indicate what time zone you are in!

Many thanks and look forward to the live chat!

Nannie posted this article in Yahoo Cafe Libri, and I thought members here would enjoy it. It's titled Your Brain on Fiction.

A friend is doing similar research. He is fairly close to proving that the more inteligent the person the more willing they are to read speculative books.

It may sound like a strange study. It has been proven that people who can set aside reality for a speculative world are more likely to solve problems in a unique manner. Thus make greater discoveries.

Who knows in the future those applying for jobs as scientific inventors may have to take a test on thier knowledge of fiction.

Renee wrote: "A friend is doing similar research. He is fairly close to proving that the more inteligent the person the more willing they are to read speculative books.

It may sound like a strange study. It h..."

Wow! This sounds like a fascinating study, Renee! Do you know when your friend will be done with her or his research? I wish them lots of luck!

Nannie just posted another article link in Yahoo Cafe Libri that I thought members would enjoy. This one is called 10 Fantastic Novels with Disappointing Endings! Let us know what you think and whether or not you agree with the author's choices!

Hi members,

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be out of the country starting this Sunday, May 20, until Monday, May 28th; I'll be going to Spain! I won't look into my missed messages until later in June as I will need to play catch-up with homework.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Shelli during my absence. Her information is posted under the moderators list in the group.

Speak with you all again soon!

Have fun in Spain! I will be available to answer any questions member may have.

Adrianna wrote: "Hi members,

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be out of the country starting this Sunday, May 20, until Monday, May 28th; I'll be going to Spain! I won't look into my missed messages un..."

Shelli wrote: "Have fun in Spain! I will be available to answer any questions member may have..."

Just wanted to say thank you for being such an awesome co-owner, Shelli! We love ya! xoxo

Hi members!

I know it has been ages since I got to check-in with the members, and I do want to stress that I have not forgotten about my favorite on-line reading group. Life has just kept me really busy, and I am grateful that fellow owner Shelli has been able to keep things afloat while I was so busy! I love you tons, mi amiga!

Just a few updates about what has been going on in my life for those of you who are not friends with me on FB--

1. I completed my MA portion of my degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies! I had tons of exams this past year, and I passed them all! I will not move into the ABD (all but dissertation) status for my Ph.D. right away, have a prospectus to write and a defense, but I hope to do that within the next year.

2. EVEN BIGGER NEWS--- I am pregnant with my first child! In fact, I'm due any day now!! We went past our due date of July 26. Part of me hopes the new baby will be born on my birthday-- August 9. I do not want baby coming later than that as that is two weeks past my due date. I shall either have Shelli announce the new baby, or I will get my booty in here in between my busy time with baby to post a beautiful picture. We do not know if it is a girl or a boy.

I'm sure I have other news to update members on, but these are my big announcements. I'm hoping to slowly but surely integrate myself back into group life and help Shelli with the owner duties in between school and baby. Plus, I miss all my friends in here! I have checked out the Side Read, which is a book that I have been dying to re-read. It's actually packed in my hospital bag as something to read to baby while breastfeeding! ;) I'm not sure about "Matched" yet, but Shelli is convincing me to look at the local library for it...so who knows?

I hope to add to the discussions because I hear it's been rather quiet! Please invite friends, family, even book loving strangers! It would be great to get Cafe Libri into its lively chat routine!

Thank you everyone for your patience, and I look forward to the months to come. Thank you for being a member!!!

Sending much love,

~Adrianna~

Adrianna wrote: "I posted this message at our Yahoo Cafe Libri Group, and I figured I should ask the input of club members from here as well (especially since you might only be a member here).

I wanted to ask for ..."

I'm pretty much off Lunch.com now and no longer contribute, but I am curious how things have been going for you on that site since you posted this. :)

Adrianna wrote: "Hi members!

I know it has been ages since I got to check-in with the members, and I do want to stress that I have not forgotten about my favorite on-line reading group. Life has just kept me reall..."

Has the kid made his appearance yet? I just had my birthday and it was pretty good. - jjm

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to to let you all know that Adrianna had a healthy and beautiful baby girl, Elianna, on August 7, 2013 at 12:51pm. She was 9lbs 9oz. 20.5 inches.

Shelli

SAVE THE DATE-- Michele Serros Memorial Celebration at the University of California, Santa Barbara hosted by the UCSB Chicano Studies Department. Tuesday, January 20th, from 6pm-8pm at the UCSB Multicultural CenterTheater. We will have live readings of Michele's works from 6pm-7pm and then a small reception afterwards at the MCC lounge from 7pm-8pm. Please sign up for a reading ASAP. Melinda Palacio has already signed up to read two amazing pieces by Michele! We look forward to your attendance to celebrate an amazing Chicana writer. More details and a flyer to come. Please email me with any questions: adrianna(at)umail.ucsb.edu — with Michele Serros.