2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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Let's Chat! - 2014 to 2017
Caro wrote: "Happy weekend everyone!!! I am slowly going back to my reading life and enjoying it! I am also starting to listen audiobooks, was unsure at the beginning but with non fiction books I am doing good,..."I love audiobooks! I go through them so fast, but I also like print books too, when I have more time.
How does everyone like the new beta homepage? So far, I'm a fan...
I haven't spent too much time on it, but so far I like it!I like the focus on the books I'm currently reading and my challenge, which is what I spend a lot of time on the homepage for. I can't scan the homepage updates quite as well yet, but I think it will actually better when I get used to it.
I didn't realize anything had changed! Is it different on both the app and the desktop version?
Alisia wrote: "How does everyone like the new beta homepage? So far, I'm a fan..."I tried it today, but I didn't like it much, so I switched back to the old version. It somehow seems more organized to me, the new one looks like there are too many things there all at once.
Thanks all for you comments about the audiobooks... Yes I discover which ones I do like. I really like the new homepage, hopefully they manage to make something similar for phones... In my mobile is still difficult to navigate GR
Catherine, right now you need to opt in to see it. Like Imbunche mentioned, you can switch back to the old version (at least for now) if you don't like it.
Okay. I don't know how to do that, so I'll just leave mine as-is. Thanks!
I don't like the new homepage, and I switched back. I don't use currently reading because I'm lazy, so that was a huge gap. Plus, is there a way to view your discussions from the new home page? I'm sure I'm missing something, but in the old version, I show up and it's all front and center.
I hate to appear obtuse but what new home page? I haven't seen anything about one did I miss something (knowing me, probably)
If you're on desktop, there's an option to switch at the top of your homepage. Mobile won't show it because mobile is kind of useless, unfortunately.
Suzanne, I still can't figure it out either and I've tried on the desktop. I don't even see the option to switch it, so I've just left mine as-is.
Wait, sorry, it's not at the top anymore. Scroll all the way down and it's bottom right. Here's mine: 
I found it!! Thanks, Dramapuppy. I'm going to try it for the day and see how I like it. Thanks again!
Yeah, it does. That's probably what they were going for. I'm not sure if I like it or not.
Ok thanks Dramapuppy, will try and see what I think.
I know the rating system is an age old topic here at Goodreads.com but I am really struggling lately... I sort of wish it was just a thumbs up, or down. Anyway, what got me thinking about the rating system is when I look back at books I've read and remember them fondly but I didn't rate it very well. Does that ever happen to you?
Mostly I look back and think why did I give it such a good rating? I have given books a 4 star when a 3 was the highest it deserved and a 2 was more in line.
That happens to me too! I leave my original rating alone, because it's actually interesting for me to see how my opinion of a book changes over time. Sometimes a book is really exciting but fades quickly, or a book can seem tedious at the time but stick with you.
I feel like I "over-rate" things all the time. I think it should be a rating of 1-10. I need more range in my rating system!
I definitely feel like I over-rate books as well. There are books that I look back and wonder what I was thinking rating a book so well, especially when I compare it to books that I feel definitely deserved the five-star rating. It's pretty rare that I feel like I under-rated a book, but it does happen on occasion. I tend to be too generous with my ratings though!
I don't know why but anything under a 4 seems insulting to me. I feel like if an author ever looked at my ratings and saw that I gave their book a 3 they would be hurt or offended. In reality I'm sure they wouldn't care or even be stalking my Goodreads long enough to check that, but for some reason I can't snap out of that mindset. So it's rare for me to give 3 or lower. Most books just fall into that 4-star range for me and a 5 if I REALLY loved it.
I used to feel that way Catherine then I found out authors like a true rating and that helps them improve. My problem is when an author I really like writes a so-so book. I gave a 3 star review and remarked the book was great if the author would have taken out most of the fillers, I mean did I really need to know what the real estate agent wore and everyone jumped down my throat and said I was to picky.
I agree that the ratings are interesting. Very few times I had change them, when after a while the book appreciation change for me. But it had happen. I also think that the rating that we give to a book depends also in which moment of our life we read it, it also create a different impact. I remember when I was in high school and read The Catcher in the Rye. In that moment I love it the book. A couple of years ago I read it again. And it kill all the magic, all that I like it was gone. But I also have books that I re read and they still have their magic for me. No matter what.
Hi everyone, I introduced myself a little while ago then got lost in the threads.... I tend to ignore peers reviews, too personal; experiences, background, beliefs, upbringing affect how we perceive things and live our life. I prefer to read the synopsis and go with my guts, for as far as my taste is concerned I believe to know best LOL. Besides, to be honest with you, some reviews don't make sense to me: extremely high ratings to books I wouldn't give the chance of light. To each its own, right? :))
Funnily enough, I am also attracted by nice covers. Long story, but I not only try to find good reads to enrich my life with: I use books as decorations (!), distributing them on shelves, chest of drawers and any suitable place around the house - that would be anything able to support their weight.
I've gotten to the point of rating books as how I like them, not on how well-written or thought through a book is. My ratings are completely opinions. If I didn't like a book due to what was in it, nevermind how well written it was, I will rate it low.I suppose that is unfair to the author since the only reason why I gave it a bad rating was because it "wasn't my kind of book." But on the other hand, I do try to compensate by rating higher than I normally would if I felt like it was a well-put-together story.
On the other end of the scale, it can also help out a book's rating. If I loved the book, nevermind that there were plot holes and bad characterization, then I'd rate it high.....how high depends on how little the faults bothered me.
Jade wrote: "Hi everyone, I introduced myself a little while ago then got lost in the threads.... I tend to ignore peers reviews, too personal; experiences, background, beliefs, upbringing affect how we perce..."
I do sometimes also "judge a book by its cover". I would probably use books as decorations too, if I had the room.
I've gotten better about this bad habit, but mine is what I like to call "trigger words". I swear, if a book has the word "attic", "mystery" or "mysterious", "secret", or, for some reason, "island", I'm instantly attracted to it. I could probably walk around my house right now and pick out 100 books that fit this description!
Hi, I do rate a book on how I like it and I try to write my review the next day. For the covers well, I'm like a little kid bright colors do it for me. Lillian Jackson Braun's covers are my favorite. I like happy covers for my cozy mysteries. For other covers I agree with Catherine there are buzzwords. secret, mystery, death of, dying to, I have a house full and now I'm getting a Kindle full.
I'm glad it's not just me. Sometimes when I walk in a bookstore, I feel like a dog who sees a squirrel in the yard. :)
I'm gonna drop in on this chat.....I personally like anything that's wildly bizarre, or twisted. I usually try to read the first paragraph of a book to see if I'm really interested, but I'm a sucker for an artsy cover. I'm an aspiring artist so that's my thing....kind of superficial of me but I think it's the some for mostly everyone.
Artsy covers are the best. If done right they just grab the imagination. I think you are so lucky to be talented Kayla. Artists in any medium just amaze me.
That's because islands are mysterious in and of themselves. I always feel attracted to books about islands too. Especially if it has a cook cover picture of one. Lol
Catherine wrote: "Jade wrote: "Hi everyone, I introduced myself a little while ago then got lost in the threads.... I tend to ignore peers reviews, too personal; experiences, background, beliefs, upbringing affect..."
I so understand the "word trigger", can relate to that. There are some that immediately incense my curiosity and I normally end up buying the book.
On ratings I tend to give a higher one to orginal, well constructed and written plots; a top score if I also enjoyed the reading. I'm getting better at rating books though: recently rated one 2 stars because of the effort and use of syntax (lol)... had it been for the plot a zero was more appropriate in my humble view.
Thanks Suzanne....even tho I'd consider myself an "artist in training". I also agree with Jade, but I usually end up rating a book solely on opinion. Of course this is less than an accurate representation of an objective view, I feel like your own personal feelings translate the text the best. Instead of strictly analyzing a book, I like to ask myself at the end "would I ever want to read this again". Then I rate the book according to how interested I would be to read it again.
Right... today I went to the most unsettling interview, ever!I rang the doorbell to be given access to a five storey Victorian building right on Piccadilly, facing Green Park. Upon entering I was welcomed by the gloomiest of atmospheres! Thick, closed curtains fell from ceiling to the ground, covered by a dusty pink carpet; no sun light inside, just the artificial coming from a tiny lamp placed on the reception desk.
On my right were 2 era sofas, chuncky embroidery combo with that of the cushions. Wax mannequins in real size, fully dressed in 50s style were at the window, sat on one sofa, sat on the stool of a piano which faced the imposing staircase (marble, cream marble), even one standing at the reception! I reached the reception only to notice the two men were both Russians and one had a funny eye, making him look more alike some evil character of God knows what movie!
Everywhere these wax figures, fully dressed in style, showed. Near the lift, along the corridor, in a corner at the turn of the staircase (which I had to climb in order to reach the interview room).
These mannequins made noises: coughing mainly, startling me every time. The interview room displayed era paraphernalia of all sort, from every day objects (glasses, trays, table and chair) to flags and blasons up on the wall with swords. I was sat at an antique table in what resembled a posh, otherworldy (and times) dining room, facing a series of old monitors, some of which switched on. To be honest, I cannot recall what they were showing.
The interviewess gave me the neat impression of being mentally disturbed! She was polite and smiled often, but in that kinda fake, forced way required by politeness. She said nothing about the role and asked only if I "had any other question" (!!)....
To say I was unsettled by the whole of it does not befit my feelings. At some point I felt as if I was being filmed myself!
Couldn't wait to get out of there!! Upon returning home I read about the company "project" and the more I read, the more I cringed. I'm accustomed to eccentricities and oddities, since I more or less always worked as a PA to wealthy executives/people... but this... this was way out of my comfort zone. Had to vent it out, am still trying to shake off that horrible feeling of discomfort that permeated my being.
The project is linked to a book called 100 Piccadilly. Mysterious project with an even more mysterious crew behind it... makes certainly an interesting reading... on what to look out for! Brrrrrrrr!
I'm completely befuddled by this. Were you interviewing for a job? How did you not know what it would be like before you got there?
Catherine wrote: "I'm completely befuddled by this. Were you interviewing for a job? How did you not know what it would be like before you got there?"They didn't tell. The vacancy read ordinary, in line with the professionalism required by employers and the interview given to me at short notice. There are no pictures of the interiors of the building online, or website.
The company and its project are kind of kept under wrap; it took me a while before finding a couple of articles about them, whilst waiting to be received. I was about to leave when the woman came to take me to the interview room....
Weirdest of all, after having said basically nothing specific about the role, she asked me to "write to her about my considerations" over it. Which I did! I gave them a piece of my mind about the whole thing. And told them I don't intend to join the production team. Ever, for no sum.
Okay. I just can't imagine even answering an ad like that. You could have been murdered.
Catherine wrote: "Okay. I just can't imagine even answering an ad like that. You could have been murdered."The ad was not the issue, everything would have led anyone to think it as a normal one. It was posted on a serious job board. The place, inside, and the woman were not. That you cannot get to know via an ad. Surely next time I won't attend interviews at places of which I cannot find pictures of.
I just thought nothing of it; being a production company involved with such a kept under wrap project, made sense they didn't want to reveal interiors. They are part of the filming set.
As for being murdered, I don't know. But I know two people knew I was attending the interview and had the address and time of my visit.
Good for you for finishing up the interview process. I think I would have taken one look at that place and just walked out! It sounds incredibly creepy to me!
Catherine wrote: "Good for you for finishing up the interview process. I think I would have taken one look at that place and just walked out! It sounds incredibly creepy to me!"God, yeah. I'll never accept again interviews at places of which I cannot see interiors, that is for sure. I'm still in disbelief about it.
Creepy to say the least, thanks for caring :)
I would have cried and peed my pants. It sounds like a haunted house.
Catherine wrote: "I would have cried and peed my pants. It sounds like a haunted house."Lol... it looked like it. I'm a brave person, very logical and resourceful. Should have come to fight for my life am not sure who'd have perished! However, I was taken aback by the whole thing; took all my strength to keep composure whilst thinking if to run for the door.... I don't wish anyone to go through similar occurrence, honestly.
What the heck, there's some crazy people out there, in the professional world too....
I thought you were writing a quick scene for a book, like a daily challenge or something because it seemed so unreal! That's a crazy experience! I'm glad you made it out alive
Keri wrote: "I thought you were writing a quick scene for a book, like a daily challenge or something because it seemed so unreal! That's a crazy experience! I'm glad you made it out alive "Thank you! I know... felt surreal and this is what caught me unprepared. But I am very conscious about reality, not prone to fall for appearances and neither to conform to what's expected of myself: I found quickly my way out of the situation. Should have come to a fight, I'd have given my uttermost best, trust me. This taught me to never assume (as I did of the lack of pictures of the interiors) and follow my instinct.
Glad it didn't come to have to fight for my life. There're mad people out there, also in working - so to speak - environments: be wary people, I hope what happened to me might help others avoid similar situations.
Alisia wrote: "I know the rating system is an age old topic here at Goodreads.com but I am really struggling lately... I sort of wish it was just a thumbs up, or down. Anyway, what got me thinking about the ratin..."Sometimes I wait a day to decide how to rate a book. Once in a great while I change a rating. I would like half stars!
Karin wrote: "Alisia wrote: "I know the rating system is an age old topic here at Goodreads.com but I am really struggling lately... I sort of wish it was just a thumbs up, or down. Anyway, what got me thinking ..."Yeah, I am a huge procrastinator when it comes to book reviews. Sometimes my opinion changes by two stars!
2025 Reading Challenge
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Caro, I listen to audiobooks, both fiction and non-fiction and I do count them. If I have only the audio I pick the default version that GR comes up with for the page count, but I often eyeball read and listen at the same time, I prefer it that way.
I know of people who add two version in GR, the audio and the paper/e-version, so that they can review the book and the audio separately because the reading experience can be enhanced by a good narrator, other times bad narration can ruin a book.