Coffee & Books discussion

Here you ca ask, post, write down anything you want. It is just a space for us and "you"!

Okay, new member here and I have a question...I noticed that this is a public group and that's cool but did you know that all the discussions can be read by anyone? group member or not?

I just wanted to make sure that this is how it's suppose to be because I will be selective on what I share due to that. I don't mind sharing with group members if I have chosen to be part of that group but I'm cautious on just anyone seeing what I share.

I don't mean any offense I just like to clarify things so I can be a good member.

Thanks!

Yes. It is meant for anyone and everyone to see.

I was just wondering on whether we /have/ to make sure we read the books set, I don't mind reading them if I own them but if I don't, I don't really have the funds to go out and buy a new book each month, at least not at the moment. I'm more than happy to attempt to get my hands on one of the books if it's one I know I've wanted to read for a while, but otherwise... yeah.

gfwn. I don't even know if this makes sense.

Lauren wrote: "I was just wondering on whether we /have/ to make sure we read the books set, I don't mind reading them if I own them but if I don't, I don't really have the funds to go out and buy a new book each..."

What about reserving them at your local library? That's what I do :) It is free and pretty convenient!

Lauren wrote: "I was just wondering on whether we /have/ to make sure we read the books set, I don't mind reading them if I own them but if I don't, I don't really have the funds to go out and buy a new book each..."

You dont have to join in on monthly readings. No one is forcing you (: Of course we would love to have you join in on them. If not try to do a challenge so you can stay active!

Rachel Skye wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I was just wondering on whether we /have/ to make sure we read the books set, I don't mind reading them if I own them but if I don't, I don't really have the funds to go out and buy ..."

This might sound odd but I don't like borrowing books, if I'm going to read one then I have to own it. I'm such a fussy thing :(

Michelle wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I was just wondering on whether we /have/ to make sure we read the books set, I don't mind reading them if I own them but if I don't, I don't really have the funds to go out and buy ..."
Yes I will do, don't worry. I'll also join in on any discussions of books I've already read. I've only just got back from Rome so I'm still making my way through all off the discussion boards here but I plan to comment on as many as I can :D

Lauren wrote: "Rachel Skye wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I was just wondering on whether we /have/ to make sure we read the books set, I don't mind reading them if I own them but if I don't, I don't really have the fund..."

Of course! I completely understand (:

I'm behind on my reading for August. Is it ok to participate in discussions once the month is out?

Diana wrote: "I'm behind on my reading for August. Is it ok to participate in discussions once the month is out?"

Yes of course. I wont time constrain you! I cant guarantee other people jumping in on the discussion, but I am sure some will!! Happy reading

Is there only one selection for October? I only saw one poll.

Jenny wrote: "Is there only one selection for October? I only saw one poll."

I take the top two most voted for books from the poll

So quite a few of the challenges sound interesting (Finish the Series etc) but a few end in December, will you be doing any of them again next year or? I'd be quite interested in doing one but I know for example with Finish the Series, there are a lot I want to read and just wont be achieved :)

Lauren wrote: "So quite a few of the challenges sound interesting (Finish the Series etc) but a few end in December, will you be doing any of them again next year or? I'd be quite interested in doing one but I kn..."

Sorry I didnt see this before!!!

Yes. I think since most people enjoyed the longer challenges, they will stay annually/yearly. Also since the group started in the middle of 2011, I would say it is fair to have a full year challenge as well :)

I have an idea for a challenge. I have TONS of books that I own but I still haven't read. There are so many great Group Reads, I borrow books from the library, and I'm always buying new books so I don't always get around to the dozens I already own. Maybe we could do a challenge in 2012 to read the books we already own?

Good one, Jenny! I keep thinking about reading the books I own but get drawn away by the group reads and reviews for other books.

Same here! I am doing the A-Z Title challenge and have been doing my best to just put the books I already own on the list. So that's helping me a bit.

I am so glad to know that I'm not alone in this. I'm trying not to succumb to the temptation to get books from the library - which all of you, dear friends have recommended - but, instead, to read some of the hundreds I've stockpiled!

I love the challenge to read books we already own.

Genine wrote: "I love the challenge to read books we already own."

For the new year we can try a challenge that has to do with that. Like a Read books you already own, or re read them.

Would love to introduce my debut novel Dream's Sake to you all. So here it is.
*******************************************************

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
(From 'Dreams,' by Langston Hughes)

Watch the video trailer of Dream's Sake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6eN049hb...

Dreams give life to hope, breath to ambition and a meaning and purpose to existence, making it what can be called 'Life.' We all dream, and we all do what we can to make our dreams come true. But how far can a person go to fulfil the dreams of someone else? That's the question that the two closely inter-linked love stories in Dream's Sake seek to answer.
Dream's Sake is an intense and gripping novel telling the story of dreams, of friendship and of love, all of these gasping and struggling under a heavy burden of past traumas, personal doubts, fears and insecurities, and social prejudices.

Back Cover

“He can be as good as he wants to be and I’ll be as bad as I need to be! We’ll see where it all ends up,” says Aashi.

She believes she has a right to fight for her dreams. She believes a little bit of selfishness is necessary to survive in this world. Abhi, however, has not learnt that lesson. And he can’t accept the fulfilment of his hopes when they seem to rise from the ruins of Aashi’s dreams.

His sister Priyam and friend Sid are made from much the same mould. And in the path of their love too lies a dream – the dream of a dead and betrayed mother.

Feelings rise, and are suppressed. Past grips the present and threatens the future. Memories refuse to wane their shadows from the heart. Hope and despair fight a battle. Guilt rises up and resents the forgiveness. Revenge weaves a web. Friendship is tested. And love demands a sacrifice. A tumultuous battle wages on...

What lies at the end of this battle?

How far can a person go to fulfill the dreams of someone else?

Lose yourself in the pages of this gripping saga of love and friendship to find out.

Visit http://www.jyotiarora.com/dream-s-sake for preview and reviews of the book.

Available at:

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Amazon.com
Dream's Sake

Just wondering, there is no chat? If not there should be one.

A chat for what?

Just to spam

Okay, we will think about that. :)

Cool. Thanks.

A socializing folder would be a great idea, I agree. This is one of tebetter groups I hve found on Goodreads, but there seems to be no clear-cut way for group members to socialize, which I find helpful in breaking the ice and creating lasting 'friendships' with other members. Maybe if everyone was comfortable with the majority of other members (through socializing with them in a designated place) everyone would be able to expand on their posts to other topics elsewhere in the group. I see all over the place, and not just in this group, where people simply post a reply to the original topic post. This is fine in some settings, I suppose, but these are 'discussions', but don't read that way because not many people actually take the time to really discuss the topic.

Let me know if anyone needs clarification or examples of what I trying to say here. I would type some out here now if I weren't typing this from my Nook (the keyboard isn't the greatest and there's no auto-correct and my thumbs type faster than my Nook can keep up with).

I do agree with you that some socializing topics would be nice.
Though with the way this site is set up the discussion board might get really messy, and the nice overview in the discussion board is on of the reasons I decided to join this specific group.
But I do agree that getting to know each other might take care of the discussion thing a bit :)

So would you guys like a "Socializing Folder" or just a topic opened?

maybe start with one topic and see how that goes, if one or more topics come by regular and are in need of an own topic we can always start a new folder or?

Okay, thank you!

If you were taking a vote on what to do, I'd vote for separating the random/off-topic/hey-hows-it-going type socializing from the rest of what the group already has by placing it in its own folder. This way, the socializing part of the group is easy to find and doesn't crowd its way in with the rest of the group's folders/discussions. Neat and orderly and in a folder all by its lonesome. That's how I'd do it.

As a moderator, does Goodreads allow you to move topics around if needed?

Matt wrote: "If you were taking a vote on what to do, I'd vote for separating the random/off-topic/hey-hows-it-going type socializing from the rest of what the group already has by placing it in its own folder...."

Yes, we can move them around when need be. Its how we move the older discussions to the Archives folder.

Hey Rachel, do you have a link to the FB page? I tried searching for it but a lot of pages came up.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cof...

that should be it. let me know if it doesn't get you there.

Yes the one posted by Jennifer is it. It is also on the top of the C&B home page

Oops, I'm sorry I missed it on the home page! Thanks Jennifer & Rachel :)

Jenny wrote: "Oops, I'm sorry I missed it on the home page! Thanks Jennifer & Rachel :)"

No worries Jenny!

Hi Rachel could you change your title to "big boss", I find the "founder and head moderator" thing making the board a bit unreadable ;)

Vicky wrote: "Do you have to participate in the yearly challenges to remain a member of the group? I am very bad at keeping to a yearly challenge. I was going to try the A-Z challenge but just can't seem to fi..."

No of course not. We of course are always encouraging you to read the books that are up and try and join in on the challenges! You definitely are not forced into any book/challenge :)


Ciska wrote: "Hi Rachel could you change your title to "big boss", I find the "founder and head moderator" thing making the board a bit unreadable ;)"

Yeah sure. Ill make it smaller so the title doesnt drag on in the posts.

Ciska wrote: "Hi Rachel could you change your title to "big boss", I find the "founder and head moderator" thing making the board a bit unreadable ;)"

I like "boss lady" haha.

Rachel Skye wrote: "Yeah sure. Ill make it smaller so the title doesnt drag on in the posts.
"

Thanks :)

Nicolette wrote: "I like "boss lady" haha. "

That would do too hehehehe, but its ok how it is now too

Hi,

I joined a little while ago but haven't really participated that much because frankly I don't know where to start! Monthly challenges, long-range challenges, series challenges, debates, discussions, polls -- there is so much going on here, which is great, but sort of overwhelming. I saw a reference somewhere to an FAQ but didn't find it. Is there one? I'm wondering if there is a section somewhere that outlines everything going on here and provides a road map to the "main" challenge, the "main" discussion, or whatever. Like, it is recommended that you start "here," or, if you only have time to participate in one challenge/discussion/debate it should "this one." Appreciate any guidance to get started.

Thank you! Michele

MicheleinNJ wrote: "Hi,

I joined a little while ago but haven't really participated that much because frankly I don't know where to start! Monthly challenges, long-range challenges, series challenges, debates, discus..."

Hi & welcome!!!! No there isn't a FAQ section yet. We have been a bit busy setting other things up but there will be one. I haven't updated it a while, I will do it this after noon but there is a a folder that sorta has an overview.

The challenges are mainly if you want to do them and challenge yourself to read more. There are monthly challenges, which I suggest you try first and if you like it, then join in more often. The longer challenges/ yearly challenges are just one more thing to get your to read books out of the way.

The discussions really are only the group read books we read each month. Which are the four books highlighted on the groups main page. The sign ups are located in each folder for what ever it may be, that you want to sign up for. There really isn't a main anything here.. only because we try to create an environment on C&B where you are in charge. :) Hope that helps!

Oh here is the link to the map type thing... Ill update it later though, so it may be askew since the clean up has been going on!

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

I'm kinda new here. The Group Reading Challenges > Monthly Challenge, a new topic is chosen every month? Like Jan was a biography or autobiography. Is there a poll we vote on like when we nominate books for the month or is the topic something the mods choose? Just didn't want to miss out , I'm still finding my way around the site a bit.

Kel wrote: "I'm kinda new here. The Group Reading Challenges > Monthly Challenge, a new topic is chosen every month? Like Jan was a biography or autobiography. Is there a poll we vote on like when we nominate ..."

There is a discussion topic called "Nomination Station" where the monthly group reads nomination forums are held. Those nominations are then voted on via poll (the febraury and march polls are currently open now) and that is how we determine which 4 books we read as group reads and discussion books for the month.

The Nomination station is located kind of further down on the discussion board,but they are sorted by month.

The monthly challenges are smaller challenges chosen by the mods that anyone is welcome to join in that is in addition to the monthly group reads book.

The long-term challenges take place throughout the whole year and can be joined at any time. Just look at each of them, pick the ones you want, and comment on that discussion board that you want to participate and list the books for that challenge.

Does that help at all? lol.

Did I see an autobiography/memoir challenge?

Thanks Jennifer , yes that helped :)

Meagan wrote: "Did I see an autobiography/memoir challenge?"

Here > http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...