Comments, Questions & Suggestions

[Mark]

Where do you buy your books from? Most of mine were bought from charity shops. I have bought some from Waterstones with the most recent being Bond On Bond by Roger Moore.

[Mark]

I've been with Goodreads for over a year and this is my first time with a book club.

[Mark]

Why do so many people kick up a fuss about the differences between films and books. Take Return Of The Jedi for example. In the book five rebel cruisers are destroyed by the Death Star but in the film only two are destroyed. Also, in the book three X - Wing fighters crash into the Death Star's force field, but none in the film. Does that really bother anybody because it certainly doesn't me. Then there's The Running Man which is completely different to the film version. I love the film, but the book has a better storyline than in the film. The differences between the two versions doesn't bother me at all.

[Mark]

I'm going to London for two nights next month. I certainly hope this weather lifts up by then.

[Mark]

It seems that 50,000 High Street stores are to close in the next five years. That's a frightening aspect.

[Em]

Hi Mark, welcome - I hope you enjoy being part of a group on Goodreads.

I thought it might be worth pointing you in the direction of the ongoing discussion threads found under the headings "Random Chit Chat" and "Your Reading Experience" (assuming you haven't happened across them already!) There are long-running chats about some of the points you've raised here so it might be worth re-posting them.

This one is generally used for feedback and suggestions about the group as a whole.

[Vicky]

Is there a historical type of challenge within the UK book group at all? If not is there any interest in one, perhaps along the lines of the genre challenge but where we vote on different events/periods to read about and the choice is yours whether to go for fiction or none fiction?

[Andrew]

Vicky, a great idea I did at one point when we were doing the genre challenge if one could be done century by century , although with genre I now have 4 challenges on the go! It sounds fun though !!

[Ian, Former Moderator]

Sounds interesting.......what do others think?

[Sue]

Yes it does! Can I fit it to the round UK/US and world. Sure it's possible :)

[Vicky]

Ooh! I'm glad others are interested too. Sue, that's what I thought about fitting it in with round the world and uk/us challenges. There are so many periods to read about. I tend to stick to Second World War and slavery in america but would love a shove in a new direction.

[Bill]

Definitely an interesting idea.

[Kathryn]

Hi all I have a couple of books to set free is their any specific thread to put them in please?

[Liz, Your Friendly Moderator]

Sounds like a good idea. Should the books be grouped by century eg 16th, 18th etc or by major historical event eg French Revolution, Second World War? (I recon the first option would allow for greater flexibility and choice). Once decided we can set up a thread....

[Em]

Hmmm centuries or historical events? I guess I like the idea of centuries slightly more because it gives more choice but I'd be interested to try either way.

Historical seems to be a hands down favourite amongst UK Book Group doesn't it? It won first choice for genre challenge both times we've voted!

[Andrew]

To make it challenge maybe by century but uk and foreign in each but I suppose would need a starting date, don't know how easy it would be to access tales by century up to 11th century ?

[Vicky]

I am happy to go with the majority as it is important to be inclusive, that's what it's all about, no fun otherwise.

My only reservation with century by century is that it might make I too broad and then difficult to choose a book or get a discussion going. For example, if you chose modern 20th century you could read anything from, civil rights, the fall of Russia and Germany, fascism, votes for women, women's rights, flower power, the falklands war, Vietnam, Korea, ww1, ww2, Nazism, the holocaust... I could go on forever. Whereas if we picked an event or period it might encourage more discussion. This way we could also find more fiction to include, off the top of my head we could include things like the Roman's, Ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, the Tudors, the American west, slavery, women's rights, and again, I could go on forever with suggestions! Lol

[Andrew]

maybe we could combine both? i.e century by century but add in a couple of events in each century so for each century there are 3 or 4 challenges to achieve although poss bit complicated!But as Vicky mentions 19th century, one general read, second American civil war or something similar and 3rd Tsarist Russia, Or 17th century general read, then poss English civil war or witch burnings e.g Salem.

[CatWrangler]

Andrew wrote: "maybe we could combine both? i.e century by century but add in a couple of events in each century so for each century there are 3 or 4 challenges to achieve although poss bit complicated!But as Vic..."

It does sound complicated, lol, I must admit I don't really see how it works, lol, but once it does I feel it'll be a thrill to take part in discussions.

[Vicky]

Andrew wrote: "maybe we could combine both? i.e century by century but add in a couple of events in each century so for each century there are 3 or 4 challenges to achieve although poss bit complicated!But as Vic..."

Yes, that sounds good so the topic is broad enough to be inclusive but still challenge, yet not so broad you wouldn't have a clue where to start.

[Sue]

Really silly question. On my currently reading list I now have 2 books that won't be finished (rare but they didn't grab me!). Is there any way of deleting them without marking them as read as I don't want them to count towards my challenge number?

[Kiwi Sarah]

Sue wrote: "Really silly question. On my currently reading list I now have 2 books that won't be finished (rare but they didn't grab me!). Is there any way of deleting them without marking them as read as I ..."

Hi Sue - not completely sure but I think you just press the little x at the end of the book entry - I tried it out on one of the current books that I am reading and it said do you wish to permentantly remove this book from your shelf (including notes etc) - I cancelled out because I didn't want to delete but you could try that - let me know if it works...

[Em]

I think you can delete them altogether, from memory a small cross next to the book on your list. I can't double check as on my phone at the moment otherwise, you could shelf them as currently reading and add a shelf for unfinished or abandoned...

I'll have a look when I can get on the computer and post again if I find any different!

[Sue]

Thank you Em and Sarah. Using your info I clicked on the title. That brings you to the page with the book. Click on the tick next to currently reading which changes to a cross and one click and it's deleted. Many thanks! I had visions of the list going onto 2 pages!

[Ian, Former Moderator]

Vicky and Andrew - re poss HF challenge idea. I can't think of a way to make your ideas work....just too complicated.

[Em]

What about a sub-section for members to propose individual challenges? I'm at work (on lunch - no skiving!) but I'll have more of a think about it...

[Vicky]

Ian wrote: "Vicky and Andrew - re poss HF challenge idea. I can't think of a way to make your ideas work....just too complicated."

I will have another think too. No point if its too complicated....

[Ian, Former Moderator]

Maybe just pick one century per month - say 18th, 19th or 20th Century - and have say 4 sub-sections and work through on a monthly basis - 3 centuries per year.......my brain hurts.

[Jennifer]

I agree, it's a difficult one to get your head around! As I see it, it's a case of either agreeing a list of significant events, people or periods across the centuries (with inevitable disagreement and a potentially limitless list!) OR, as Ian says subsections per century but they'd have to be a bit generic to give scope, e.g. "Royalty", "War", "famous people - artists, scientists, etc", I'm stretching here.... and perhaps finish up with a "whatever you like" to catch anything else? Now I'm off to lie down in a darkened room - the more you think the more complicated it seems to get!

[John]

As a new member I'm unsure where to post this. But as a lover of books and writing I want to share with you my delight in an autobiog that is far from new. In 1977 Peter Ustinov completed 'Dear Me' in which he recounts the funny and philosophically fascinating path of his life. It is far from dated and it proves how enduring words on a page can be, how pleasingly they can bring to life emotions and ideas that have as much relevance today as they had at the time of writing. This must surely be the ambition of all of us who attempt to put our thoughts into a shape that will be attractive enough for other minds to enjoy, although few of us will be blessed with the genius of Ustinov. Truly some ideas, some books are forever.

[Vicky]

Jennifer wrote: "I agree, it's a difficult one to get your head around! As I see it, it's a case of either agreeing a list of significant events, people or periods across the centuries (with inevitable disagreement..."

Ha ha! I totally agree. That sounds like a good idea. It's that or a list to vote on like the genre challenge where everyone votes each month for a topic based on a pre selected list that everyone could put ideas forward for. Then I suppose you could have some broad and some narrow topics to include in the main list.

[Em]

Aghhh brain strain!

I'm happy to set up a challenge for reading through the centuries, I like the idea of a century per quarter year, it may be easier to pick a starting point - 16th? 17th? earlier? then work our way forward in time.

I could then set up a discussion for the chosen century and people can make suggestions of key events, themes and potential books of interest.

Let me know your thoughts - if you agree, any further ideas etc and which century you'd like as a starting point and I'll aim to set something up this weekend.

[Andrew]

Sounds good Em, I guess it may be hard to find fiction that deals with periods earlier than 16th century. A dual challenge and discussion element would cover the challenge element and Vicky's idea of individual events.I don't know if it went to 15th century if there is much fiction, I know there are books like Azincourt by Bernard Cornwell and Sarah Dunant writes mediaeval stories, our group read one about Italian nuns in renaissance Italy the other year!Anyway you may need a sit down before you plan any more!!

[Ian, Former Moderator]

John wrote: "As a new member I'm unsure where to post this. But as a lover of books and writing I want to share with you my delight in an autobiog that is far from new. In 1977 Peter Ustinov completed 'Dear Me'..."

Best place in future would be in the All Time Favourites discussion thread John - you'll find it in the Favourites section of our discussions.

[Ian, Former Moderator]

There's loads of 15th century - particularly around Wars of the Roses, the 100 years war.....Agincourt, Henry V, Joan of Arc etc, the unification of Spain and Columbus discovering South America.

14th Century looks more difficult - Scottish wars of Independence, the Black Death, start of Renaissance, 100 Years War again.

[Deanne]

Could look at the 1001 lists for 2006 and 2008 for ideas, plus the lists are compiled in order of the date of publication. The lists include books from around the world from the greeks to the modern age.
eg The Conquest of New Spain, , written by a conquistador.
The tale of Genji, a fairytale from the 11th century, and the oldest surviving japanese work of fiction.

[Vicky]

Em wrote: "Aghhh brain strain!

I'm happy to set up a challenge for reading through the centuries, I like the idea of a century per quarter year, it may be easier to pick a starting point - 16th? 17th? earli..."

That's a great place to start :-)

[Liz, Your Friendly Moderator]

Andrew wrote: "Sounds good Em, I guess it may be hard to find fiction that deals with periods earlier than 16th century. A dual challenge and discussion element would cover the challenge element and Vicky's idea ..."

Perhaps if we go earlier than 15thC we can have a few slightly more general categories, such as 'mediaeval' and 'ancient worlds' (ie Greek, Roman, Egyptian etc)?

[Em]

So the list would look like this:

Ancient Worlds (April - June 2013)
Medieval Times (July -September 2013)
16th Century (October - December 2013)
17th Century (January - March 2014)
18th Century (April - June 2014)
19th Century (July - September 2014)
20th Century (October - December 2014)

Is there a historically knowledgeable person who can tell me whether 15th century is in fact still medieval times? I think it is (just about) which means we can neatly complete this challenge in December 2014!

Would members be happy to begin with Ancient Worlds and work forwards through history, with a new discussion each quarter to include historical events of that period, key historical figures and relevant book suggestions?

[Andrew]

That sounds great format Em, the 2 month element also means it doesn't become to overwhelming with other challenges on the go and as historical seems really popular allows some members to go bonkers! I'm no expert but as Tudor period began at beginning of 16th century pre 16th would be medieval , there are loads of options including plenty of crime nowadays set in all these eras. Thanks for the effort.

[Susan]

It sounds good, Em......I'll definatly join in...
It seems totally logical to work forward through history....looking forward to it.

[Liz, Your Friendly Moderator]

Andrew wrote: "I'm no expert, but as the Tudor period began at the beginning of 16thC, pre 16thC would be Medieval..."

Yes, I agree. (Although anything pre-1066, could be classed as 'The Dark Ages' - a chance to include Arthurian legend....).

I just found this handy link including all the major events of the Medieval period:
http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/middle-...

[Vicky]

Em, thank you so much for translating all the ideas into something workable, that looks great!

[Ian, Former Moderator]

This wiki link lists all centuries - click on the one you want and it will give you general info plus main events and major people from 40th century BC to current 21st century and then even up to predicted events as far forward as 40th century AD......quite addictive so watch out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...

[Susan]

I came across a good site, which lists lots of books set in different time periods.....it's called historicalnovels.info

[Vicky]

Susan wrote: "I came across a good site, which lists lots of books set in different time periods.....it's called historicalnovels.info"

Wow! That site has so many suggestions I don't even know where to start! Excellent reference, thank you

[Em]

Thanks for all feedback/comments etc I'm about to set this up - I think if I substitute Middle Ages for Medieval Times that would include Dark Ages as popular definition says this period begins with fall of Roman Empire and takes us through to the Renaissance. Then we can break down into centuries from 16th onward.

Ancient Times (April - June 2013)
Middle Ages (July -September 2013)
16th Century (October - December 2013)
17th Century (January - March 2014)
18th Century (April - June 2014)
19th Century (July - September 2014)
20th Century (October - December 2014)

[Em]

The Time Traveller Challenge is live and dangerous! Actually, it's just ready for your comments.

[Sue]

Looks really good Em - thank you! Also really interesting site Susan. We'll be spoilt for choice!

[Helen]

Good work Em.