2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE: Mod Stuff
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How do I do things on Goodreads?
Hi everybody, can someone help out with Sue’s question? I hardly ever make notes myself (just scribble something on paper) so I’m afraid I can’t help:Sue wrote: "I'm not sure where best to ask this question, but I'd like some advice about making notes on the books I'm currently reading. I tried using the notes field for the book, but it seems to cut off after just a few sentences. I didn't want to use the review field because this is not my final review - it's just notes and quotes as I'm going along, which I'll write up properly later.
Am I missing something? How do other people make their notes? I could do them on my laptop perhaps and then copy them over later..."
I write in an old-fashioned journal. They take up some space though, so I have stopped doing that. I have about 25 of them.
I have a Google Drive folder for my notes and lists. I like it because if I want to create a link to my review, Google will give me a shareable link to the document, and I have unlimited space to type as much as I would like.
Susy wrote: "Hi everybody, can someone help out with Sue’s question? I hardly ever make notes myself (just scribble something on paper) so I’m afraid I can’t help:Sue wrote: "I'm not sure where best to ask th..."
Sue if you want to add notes to a book that you are reading the only suggestion I have is adding an update. In order to do that click on Update Progress and add notes in the space below your total number of pages. Here is a screenshot to illustrate what I mean!
http://prntscr.com/hzb5te
Hope this helps
Blagica wrote: "Susy wrote: "Hi everybody, can someone help out with Sue’s question? I hardly ever make notes myself (just scribble something on paper) so I’m afraid I can’t help:Sue wrote: "I'm not sure where b..."
Thank you Blagica, Kadijah Michelle and Beverly. I think I'll give all of these ideas a go and see how I get on. I'm so pleased that, by getting active on GR in the last few weeks, I've begun to think a lot more about the books I'm reading. Previously I would have forgotten most books after reading them!
Susy wrote: "Hi everybody, can someone help out with Sue’s question? I hardly ever make notes myself (just scribble something on paper) so I’m afraid I can’t help:Sue wrote: "I'm not sure where best to ask th..."
Hi Sue,
I've always been an avid book-annotator so I started 2017 having every intention of taking notes and making summaries of everything I read. The problem I found with that, was that it was pretty disruptive on my reading flow and overall too time-consuming.
Luckily, I'm fortunate enough to have a pretty good memory, so I don't generally feel the need to take notes whilst reading unless it's a convoluted plotline. Plus, I don't read a large enough magnitude of books in a year that it really becomes an issue for me.
That being said, I do still take notes because I rather enjoy the process of recording my impressions, thoughts and reviews for future reference. But, the when, how I go about it, and how extensive my note taking actually is, mostly depends on the book itself and what my end goal is.
For instance, if it's a lighter-read, as YA generally is, I very rarely take any notes as I read. Those notes tend to occur whenever I take a natural break from reading and are usually more focused on world-building or character development. Whereas, books with a little more meat to them, such as classics or non-fiction, I prefer to read critically and analytically, in which case I'll have a notebook nearby and jot any thoughts on them in a very stream-of-consciousness type of way.
Also, it depends on where I'm reading. If I'm on the train or reading before bed, I don't take notes until the next time I have an opportunity to either reach for a piece of paper or sit in front on my laptop. But because I do exclusively read e-books, I will use the highlighting and bookmaking feature if there's anything that stands out along the way (both negative & positive), which again helps me maintain the "active-reading" aspect of reading and helps me remember :)
And ultimately, I use OneNote, to type everything up in a more organized manner depending as I mentioned before what my end goal is (a review for Netgalley or Goodreads, personal use, discussion with other people, etc.).
Lisa wrote: "Susy wrote: "Hi everybody, can someone help out with Sue’s question? I hardly ever make notes myself (just scribble something on paper) so I’m afraid I can’t help:Sue wrote: "I'm not sure where b..."
That's interesting Lisa, thanks. A friend has just suggested that I write my notes in the margins of the book as I'm reading. Made me shiver just thinking about it!
I've found it useful to highlight snippets in ebooks too, even if I don't add a note at the time. It reminds me of the memorable bits at least, so that I can catch up later.
I think it's audiobooks I have the most trouble with, largely because I tend to listen to them whilst I'm doing something else!
Sue wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Susy wrote: "Hi everybody, can someone help out with Sue’s question? I hardly ever make notes myself (just scribble something on paper) so I’m afraid I can’t help:Sue wrote: "I'm not..."
Haha! I'll probably never understand why some readers view it as such a sacrilege to annotate in books. Obviously, don't do it to books you don't own, but you don't have to do it with a sharpie or anything like that. But to each their own, ofcourse!
Personally, I find it so cool to go back to books I read when I was younger and see my reactions to passages, or to note whatever I thought was important back in the day but don't now, and vice versa :)
I know Audible allows you to bookmark and make notes as you listen. But ofcourse if you're multitasking that can be a challenging feat. But I've definitely found that jotting down notes, no matter how extensive helps retaining information in the long run.
Lisa wrote: "Haha! I'll probably never understand why some readers view it as such a sacrilege to annotate in books. ..."Actually I don't understand it myself. Especially with "well loved" books I've bought from a charity shop for a pound! What harm would it do really? It must be something that was drilled into me as a child. Pity a love of exercise and hatred of chocolate weren't drilled in at the same time.... ;-)
Sue wrote: "Pity a love of exercise and hatred of chocolate weren't drilled in at the same time.... ;-) lol, indeed!
Lisa wrote: "Sue wrote: "Pity a love of exercise and hatred of chocolate weren't drilled in at the same time.... ;-) lol, indeed!"
LOL
is everyone experience the "stats" link on your profile page not working? Mine hasn't worked for several days.
I believe a lot isn’t working. The reading challenge tracker apparently doesn’t add new books read...
Goodreads is aware of the issue and working on it. I now get the following notification when opening the reading challenge: Note: some of our members have reported that some recently finished books are not appearing in their Reading Challenge. While we work to fix this issue, you can still view your read dates on your review or on the book page.
For updates, you can check this topic in the Goodreads Feedback group: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Hello everyone,I found a book on my list with lots of data missing which I could easily add. I tried to add it, but I can only give "metadata" (?) for an existing book, and I can't add it as a new edition of the incomplete one that exists in the Goodreads database.
Is there a way to make the book less annoyingly lacking in data?
Auntie Terror wrote: "Hello everyone,I found a book on my list with lots of data missing which I could easily add. I tried to add it, but I can only give "metadata" (?) for an existing book, and I can't add it as a ne..."
Data can only be added or changed by Goodreads staff and librarians. You can ask them for help in the Goodreads Librarians group
Thanks for pointing me the right way :-)
Stephanie (Chinchillita) wrote: "is everyone experience the "stats" link on your profile page not working? Mine hasn't worked for several days."https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_i...
If you use that link you should be able to get your stats
Sue wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Haha! I'll probably never understand why some readers view it as such a sacrilege to annotate in books. ..."Actually I don't understand it myself. Especially with "well loved" books ..."
I am a highlighter. I don't like to write notes in my books because if I go back to reread them, I don't want my previous opinions shadowing my current opinion. This is probably because a lot of the books I have been rereading are from when I was in my early 20s and I am now in my late 30s. I am such a different person now. With the pile of books I have on my to read list, I will probably be in my 50s before I reread some of my books again. I will keep the notes tucked safely in a folder and look at them after I have reread the books. Maybe, I don't know. I just know that books I hated and couldn't get through 15 years ago, I can devour in 2 days.
Kadijah Michelle wrote: "I am such a different person now. ..."Yes I agree - our reaction to a book is dependent on so many things isn't it, some of which change over time. It's interesting that you would try to go back to books you didn't enjoy before - you're more generous than I am - if I didn't like it the first time I'm unlikely to give it a second chance! But I have gone back to books and enjoyed them less the second time. I'm in my 50s now and am re-reading some of the books I enjoyed many years ago. Some have certainly stood the test of time but others, not so much.
I need help help help - I cannot figure out how to add the image of the book cover so when you click on the image it takes you to the book - I have followed the directions and nothing seems to be working. The book I have been trying to do this with is Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. I've tried right clicking and copying the link of the image, I've played around with the [] and <> and nothing seems to work. I would really appreciate a bit more help. :(
Kristin wrote: "Hi Jill, As far as I know, you can only add a cover or title link from the webpage, not the app. I tested typing in the html manually from the app and it did not work, unfortunately. I passed your ..."UGH!!! Thanks!! I knew I could only do it from the webpage and not app. I was adding link, but didn't even look for the option to use link or cover! DOH!!! :)
Morning all! :-)Is there a way of seeing which group reads or buddy reads are going on for a specific book? For example I've just got Fahrenheit 451. It's obviously a well known book, so there must be a little group of people somewhere reading it? But how do I find them? I've searched the book's own page here on GR but can't see a handy link to "come and join this chat about this book" or similar. Can anyone help please?
Sue wrote: "Morning all! :-)Is there a way of seeing which group reads or buddy reads are going on for a specific book? For example I've just got Fahrenheit 451. It's obviously a well known book, so there mu..."
Hi Sue,
I don't think there is a way to see other groups that are currently reading a certain book per say, but you can see all discussions ever created on a book in GR at the bottom of said book's page. For instance, for Farenheit 451, you can see topics about the book here
In regards to our particular group, you can see the running list for books that are planned as buddy reads in 2018, here.
Also, if you are interested in discussing it with other people who might be reading it as well, you can ask in the Buddy Reads Sign-Up thread.
I hope this answers your question, otherwise let me know :)
Lisa wrote: "you can see all discussions ever created on a book in GR at the bottom of said book's page..."Lisa that's great - thank you! That's exactly the sort of thing I was looking for and had searched all over the top of that page but hadn't thought to look at the bottom there.
Also the running list of buddy reads is great - there are one or two organised for later this year for books I was planing on reading anyway, so I'll do it in those months. Brilliant!
Sue wrote: "Lisa wrote: "you can see all discussions ever created on a book in GR at the bottom of said book's page..."Lisa that's great - thank you! That's exactly the sort of thing I was looking for and ha..."
That's great, Sue! Happy to help :)
Ok I guess Goodreads had changed how things work but I can't seem to edit any of challenges. Please help
I can no longer edit my challenges e.g. az challenge. I'm using an Android phone. Help
Ras Tazie wrote: "I can no longer edit my challenges e.g. az challenge. I'm using an Android phone. Help"As far as I know, it has never been possible to edit comments in the app. Have you tried editing your challenges using a browser?
How do I copy and paste on my IPAD?
According to Google Find a source of text on iPad, perhaps your phone number in Contacts. Tap and hold your finger on the number, let go when the magnifying glass appears and choose Copy from the pop-up button.
Next, close Contacts and open the Notes app. Create a new note by tapping the plus icon, then tap and hold on the empty note and choose Paste. Your phone number will appear in the new note.
3. Select and copy text
What if you want to copy a line of text from an email? It’s easy on iPad. Open an email or any other source of lengthy text, then tap and hold your finger on a line of text. When the magnifying glass appears, release your finger and you’ll see a highlighted area appear on the text. Use the small blue circular icons to select a range of text, then tap the Copy button. You can then paste this text into another app or text field.
Select text on iPad
4. Cut text
If you tap and hold on an editable piece of text such as a note or email, then you can cut it, as well as copy. What does cut mean? If means the highlighted text is deleted and copied with just one tap. This is an efficient way to move text around apps.
5. Copy images
It’s also possible to copy images with iPad. Simply tap and hold on an image and choose Copy from the pop-up button. You can now paste this image into a new email, SMS or iMessage.
hope this helps
How do you get a TBR twin? Where do I have to enroll myself? I finally got back to reading and would love to read a book with someone!!!!
Mnemoyne wrote: "How do you get a TBR twin? Where do I have to enroll myself? I finally got back to reading and would love to read a book with someone!!!!"I am glad that you have found your way back to reading again Mnemoyne! You can sign up for July's TBR twins here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I always wondered how people do those tricks in their reviews! Thank you for the information!
Does anyone now how I tag a book on a thread? I’m using the apple app...
Lauren wrote: "Does anyone now how I tag a book on a thread? I’m using the apple app..."Lauren, this is not (yet) possible in the apps as far as I know. When using your phone you could visit Goodreads using a browser, add book/author will then show up above the comment box.
Thanks so much llona... also how do you have the quote of what I wrote above your reply?... I also can’t seem to do that? Sorry for all the questions I’m new to goodreads and don’t really know what I’m doing to be honest.
Hi! I thought I could answer your question. I don’t think people on the app are able to reply to the messages. To reply you can go on the website.
Lauren wrote: "Thanks so much llona... also how do you have the quote of what I wrote above your reply?... I also can’t seem to do that? Sorry for all the questions I’m new to goodreads and don’t really know what..."Satin wrote: "Hi! I thought I could answer your question. I don’t think people on the app are able to reply to the messages. To reply you can go on the website."
You're welcome, Lauren. Don't worry about your questions, we are happy to help :)
Satin is right regarding your second question, it is also not possible to quote a comment in the app. On the website there is a reply button in the bottom right corner of every comment.
I use goodreads mostly on my phone, but i always open it via browser. That way, it works exactly like on a laptop or pc. The app is missing a lot of features that i regularly use, so that's the better option for me!
Angela Jr. wrote: "I use goodreads mostly on my phone, but i always open it via browser. That way, it works exactly like on a laptop or pc. The app is missing a lot of features that i regularly use, so that's the bet..."I personally use the (Android) app to read new comments while commuting, and while it definitely still lacks a lot of features, it also gets better with every update!
Thank you so much guys you’ve really helped me out
I have a question. I started a book but after about 100 pages, I stopped reading it. I marked it for my "not finished" shelf, but it was counted as a book I read this year! How do I get it off my "have read" shelf? Thank you.
Penny wrote: "I have a question. I started a book but after about 100 pages, I stopped reading it. I marked it for my "not finished" shelf, but it was counted as a book I read this year! How do I get it off my "..."Hi Penny, my apologies for this belated reply. To get your book of your "read" shelf, you have to place it on another exclusive shelf. By default you have three exclusive shelves, "want to read", "currently reading" or "read", but you can add others here: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/edit. If you make your "not finished" shelf exclusive, you should be able to mark your books as dnf instead of read.
Does this please? Please let me know if you have any further questions :)
Everytime I want to check my messages on Goodreads I have to enter my password. (I assume everyone else has to do this too?) I am SO glad that Goodreads is protective of our privacy! Now I will never again have to fear that someone might break into my home, access my computer, and find out what my book clubs are reading next month. Thanks Goodreads!
Randy wrote: "Everytime I want to check my messages on Goodreads I have to enter my password. (I assume everyone else has to do this too?) I am SO glad that Goodreads is protective of our privacy! Now I will nev..."It is annoying I know but people may share mailing addresses and such through goodreads messages, so it makes sense
I created a poll but was wondering how to invite you all to vote on it. I mean, I've been selecting "All" for each individual page of group members but there are so many pages! There has to be an easier way right?
Susy wrote: "I created a poll but was wondering how to invite you all to vote on it. I mean, I've been selecting "All" for each individual page of group members but there are so many pages! There has to be an e..."I don't have any experience with polls, but I'll forward your question to the other mods.
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Corrections (other topics)Rogues (other topics)
Les Misérables (other topics)
Killer (other topics)
I'll add to Ilona's comment above. You cannot edit comments from the mobile app at this..."
And not on iPhone either.
You can also just add a new comment to the thread with your update, mentioning it’s an update to your original comment (including original message number).