Chit Chat Showing 701-750 of 2,741

[Cathie]

Glad you're time spent with the family was so nice Joanne :-).

[Cherene]

That's an awesome story Joanne. :)

My baby just discovered her fist! Yay, baby!

[Jojo]

It's the long weekend in Canada, which means I have 4 days off. I didn't much of anything today and don't have any concrete plans for the rest of the weekend, yet. What is everyone else up to this weekend?

Lynn, have you recovered from your trip?

[Kristie, Moderator]

A long weekend with nothing scheduled sounds lovely!

We are celebrating my mother's birthday on Sunday! We are hosting a surprise party for her. :D

[Jojo]

I remember you said you were organising it. Are you all ready for it?

[Kristie, Moderator]

Not at all! lol I'm usually almost an obsessive organizer/planner, but I had that school intensive this week and I'm getting ready to move next weekend, so all I have is a plan. I'm working the overnight tonight, then I need to clean my house, get the groceries and the party supplies tomorrow and set everything up on Sunday. I only have the menu and the guest list done. It will be busy, but it will be worth it. She's going to be so excited when she sees everyone here! :)

[Cathie]

Sounds absolutely wonderful Kristie; I'm sure your Mom will love the surprise :-).

I have nothing planned except fun. The city is so full of activities at this time of the year. There is a pancake breakfast in a park at 10 am on Canada Day (July 1st), that I hope to get to; it's great seeing all the families come out and the intergenerations playing and enjoying each other. At 10 pm at night there will be a huge fireworks display at the beach and a lot of you know how much I adore fireworks and love the beach, so there's two wonderful activities combined that I am hoping to get to be a part of. I'm doing things that make me smile the other 3 days and just being grateful for all that I have and the beauty around me.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Cathie - That sounds wonderful too! Enjoy your day.

[Anima]

Joanne, your plans of no particular plans sounds wonderful.

Kristie, all the best with the party planning and preparations, and of course with the party. The weekend sounds busy but extremely satisfying and full of emotions :)

Cathie, have a great time this weekend. I believe that having little pleasures and being grateful are the extremely important 'ingredients' of a happy life :)

[Lynn, Moderator]

Joanne wrote: "Lynn, have you recovered from your trip? "

Not really! lol
I'm just sorting out my photos before heading over to see my parents.
The day before I went to Italy my dad was taken into hospital and was in there the whole time I was away ... didn't help for the most relaxing time (he's so inconsiderate ;) ).
Turned out he'd had a heart attack and had a stent put in. He's now back home and recovering.

[Savanes]

Lynn wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Lynn, have you recovered from your trip? "

Not really! lol
I'm just sorting out my photos before heading over to see my parents.
The day before I went to Italy my dad was taken int..."

Wow you must have been worried sick! I wish him the best books for his recovery! :)

[Lynn, Moderator]

Yeah, just a bit.

The family (under my Dad's instructions) played it down quite a bit so I would still get on the plane and go .... still didn't stop me worrying though.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Lynn - Sorry to hear that. Wishing your dad a speedy recovery.

Anima - Thank you!

[Anima]

Lynn, I can only try to imagine the worry you've been through. I wish your Dad a quick recovery!

[Cathie]

Best thoughts for your Dad's recovery, and you and your family's peace of mind Lynn.

[Cherene]

We welcomed a new nephew into the world on Friday. Unfortunately, the baby was born with TTN (Transient Tachynpnea of the Newborn - which is a fancy word for excess fluid in the lungs that wasn't removed properly and is causing breathing problems. So, the baby is in NCIU and the Mom is recovering from a C-Section. I probably won't be reading as much as I normally do - which is a crazy amount - because I want to cook for them and help her clean while she focuses on baby. She was so brave and not worried about labor too. Then she is getting airlifted to a bigger hospital. I feel horrid for her.

Canada day is on Monday, at least. Fireworks and free food!

[Lynn, Moderator]

Aw congratulations to your family and sending good vibes your way for a speedy and healthy recovery for the both of them.

[Cathie]

Cherene, prayers for baby and Mom and you and all who love them.

What part of Canada are you in? We have lots of free food breakfasts and bbqs happening here in the Toronto area and fireworks displays all over the city ~ wahoo!!

[Kristie, Moderator]

Cherene - Congrats in the newest family member! I hope he and mom both recover quickly. That is so nice of you to help out while they recuperate.

[Anima]

I want to share the good news. I've just got the info that I passed my entrance exam to American Studies, which means that in two years time I will gain my second MA degree, this time in American Culture, and at the same time, the legal confirmation of an academic level of my English. Wow, I'm so so so so excited and happy.

[Linda]

CONGRATULATIONS!
You should be excited and happy! What a great accomplishment and more to look forward to. Happy for you!

Anima wrote: "I want to share the good news. I've just got the info that I passed my entrance exam to American Studies, which means that in two years time I will gain my second MA degree, this time in American C..."

[Anima]

Thank you, Linda :)

[Lynn, Moderator]

Congratulations Anima, super exciting :)

[Anima]

Thank you, Lynn :)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Congratulations Anima!! I'm so happy for you. That is very exciting news. :)

[ElvenRaven]

Congratulations Anima! That's great news! :)
By the way, I wish a happy Canada Day to Cathie, Joanne, Cherene and all canadians here on Goodreads! :D

[Jojo]

Congrats Anima!!! That is super news!!! Way to go!!! :)

Thanks Cin!! Although, I'm not Canadian...yet!!

[ElvenRaven]

Oops, sorry Joanne! Where are you from? :)

[Jojo]

I'm from the UK but live in Canada. :)

[Anima]

Kristie, Cin and Joanne, thank you :)

Now, I can go and have a nice, relaxed holidays at the seaside :)

[Savanes]

Congrats Anima, that's great news!!!

[Cathie]

Anima wrote: "I want to share the good news. I've just got the info that I passed my entrance exam to American Studies, which means that in two years time I will gain my second MA degree, this time in American C..."

Woohoo!! Big awesome congratulations!! :-)

[Cathie]

Cin wrote: By the way, I wish a happy Canada Day to Cathie, Joanne, Cherene and all canadians here on Goodreads! :D"

Thanks Cin! The day was wonderful!

[Anima]

Vanessa and Cathie, thank you :)

[Anima]

All the best to those who celebrate the 4th of July :). Have a great time!

[Kristie, Moderator]

Thank you, Anima!

[Felina]

Happy 4th! Hopefully everybody is still sleeping. :)

[Cathie]

Happy 4th of July to all my American Friends :-)

[Cherene]

So, I'm a bit of an impasse and need some advice. I am reviewing a book soon enough for a tour. As some of you may or may not know, if you wish to review a book 1 or 2 star during a tour, they ask that you just post promo material or opt out of the tour and post your review after the tour is over. Fair enough, since this service is paid for.

A nameless author sent me a book for the tour and requested a 4-star review or above. Except, on top of that, the email asked that no-negative remarks would be made that may keep people from buying the book. This, to me, felt like she was dictating no criticism nothing but positivity. I am chocked that she would dictate a review like that. Am I over reacting? What would you do? Should I opt out of the tour completely? Or, just post the promotional material? Normally, I have no issue with adding the promo if I don't like a book because someone might still like it even if I didn't, but her demanding nothing but complete positivity seems dishonest to me.

What do you guys think?

[Kristie, Moderator]

I don't normally review book tours, so I'm not the best to give advice, but could you respond saying that you will give an honest review and that if you feel the book is below a four-star rating, then you will only post the promo material and no review? Explain how you normally do your reviews and that if you posted a positive review for a book that you felt didn't deserve it you wouldn't really be reviewing the book.

I agree that you should not give a positive review if you do not actually like the book. That is not the purpose of a review.

[Cathie]

I wouldn't do a review on your blog at all and do your honest review here on Goodreads.

I don't hold much thought or weight on books on a book tour because the reviews generally are not honest; people are doing it to improve their blog traffic, and someone is making money telling people how to review a book ~ that's not a review. I was involved in one, for one time only; that was enough for me.

We sort of had this conversation in another thread ~ there are certain authors who try and dictate how and what someone can say about their book. I have no time for these authors. They do not want honest opinions and they are not willing to learn from constructive criticism, something most writers usually very much value.

[Anima]

I definitely second Cathie, although I am not a pro reviewer, I cannot imagine writing a positive review if I did not like the book.

On a different topic, I am on holiday at the seaside, so I will write less often as my access to the internet is limited here. I will try visit as often as possible :)

[Cherene]

I guess that's the point, I refuse to write dishonest opinions. I have no issue opting out to promote, but I won't "just jump up 1 star" for a review. Yeah, I guess we all want traffic, but, honestly, I mostly do it for the free books. ;)

I haven't even read this book. I'm just annoyed at their demand to have no negativity what-so-ever. I've had other authors post on my blog asking for more critique.

I think, in this case, I will probably opt out to promote without even reading the book. I'd rather not know if she's a good author or not because her self-promotion tactics annoy me too much.

And Anima, I am extremely jealous of your seaside holiday. I hope it's awesome!

[Savanes]

@Cherene: This author isn't that smart. Just because of her email you don't even want to read her book anymore. NOT a good promotion technique!

Enjoy your holidays Anima!!

[Savanes]

51 days left before my vacations!!!! :(

[Kristie, Moderator]

Anima - Have a wonderful time! A seaside vacation sounds lovely. :)

Cherene - I agree. I would opt out. Even if you do read it, your opinion of her work may be swayed by your opinion of her tactics. You should probably drop it now and save yourself from being annoyed further.

Vanessa - The time will go by so fast! Where are you going on your vacations?

[Savanes]

Kristie wrote: "Anima - Have a wonderful time! A seaside vacation sounds lovely. :)

Cherene - I agree. I would opt out. Even if you do read it, your opinion of her work may be swayed by your opinion of her tactic..."

I'm going to Albufeira - South of Portugal. :D

[Kristie, Moderator]

Oh! Have a great time!!

[Cathie]

Enjoy your holidays Anima!! Lucky you! :-)

[Cathie]

Ooooohhhh Vanessa, sounds wonderful! What made you choose that destination; that particular spot?