NetGalley

[Susan]

Hamnet has appeared on NetGalley for request. I know RC didn't like it, but I would like to give it a try, if I'm approved.

[Roman Clodia]

Go for it, Susan: I should have known from the blurb that it wasn't my type of book (motherhood, child...)

I'm currently reading Red Pill by Hari Kunzru from NetGalley and enjoying it hugely. I've also just been approved for The Eighth Life which has been buzzy - a whopper of a book perfect for 'social-distancing'!

[Susan]

Well, I was approved, so I will read it. Working from home now, so Audible can keep me company.

Schools to be closed now and GCSE exams cancelled - my son is currently having a nervous breakdown...

[Nigeyb]

My kids (poised to do GCSE and A Levels) are totally ecstatic having done minimal work (though both with healthy enough predicted grades). Though slightly worried this might be just a stay of execution.

[Roman Clodia]

Most people love Hamnet - I'm clearly an outlier!

I've only just seen that about schools. Presumably all exams are cancelled, A levels as well? We're also working from home from today but I have to go in tomorrow to pick up some stuff - it will be eerie if central London is deserted.

[Susan]

My son is devastated. I am trying to tell him his predicted grades are fine and he will be able to do his A Levels, but it is cutting no ice at the moment.

[Nigeyb]

Funny how kids react so differently.


Like my kids, I never liked exams and have always believed they are an unfair way of assessing ability.

[Roman Clodia]

Oh, that's hard Susan. Of course, it affects everyone in your son's year across the country - but it must feel devastating to him, all the same.

[Judy]

Amazing how fast everything is moving - I keep feeling as if I am having a nightmare and will wake up in a minute. Sorry that your son is upset about exams, Susan.

I'm also working at home now but am on holiday now for the next 10 days - won't go out much though.

[Susan]

My son has told me he is 'emotionally distraught' and has been huddled on group chat with his friends for the entire evening! Meanwhile, his poor Headmaster, who must be having a breakdown, has sent about five letters and double the amount of texts.

My daughter, at first, was delighted that she would be off school, but now reality has set in that she doesn't know when she will go back and it isn't so amusing...

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I was wondering at the activity on the NetGalley thread, so had to take my first peek. Now I see.

[Susan]

Yes, sorry, Eliazabeth. This week has seen me have to put a stop on the course that I have been doing for two years, as I am currently doing teaching hours, which I have been forced to halt. Then, this. It has NOT been a good week and I can't even bring myself to read at the moment, to be honest.

[Roman Clodia]

Oh, Susan, I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this has all been for you. We will, I think, start to adjust to current conditions. And reading, when you can concentrate again, may be a good therapy. Take care x

[Nigeyb]

Yes indeed, these are strange and worrying days. Roman Clodia is right though, we will all adapt and adjust. Here's hoping there will be relative normality again before too long.

[Susan]

Obviously, everyone is affected by this. I am sure I will feel more positive at some point. Am sitting here working from home - my husband is teaching his class online and it is nice to see our students, if only on a screen!

[Roman Clodia]

I'm in central London, just collecting work to take home - still plenty of people around and all the shops are open for the moment. Once I get home in a while, though, I'm planning to stay there. At least we have email and social media so that we have some connection with colleagues and friends.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Susan wrote: "Yes, sorry, Eliazabeth. This week has seen me have to put a stop on the course that I have been doing for two years, as I am currently doing teaching hours, which I have been forced to halt. Then, ..."

I was just surprised this conversation broke out in this thread rather than the pub thread.

[Nigeyb]

We're being encouraged not to go to pubs Elizabeth

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Nigeyb wrote: "We're being encouraged not to go to pubs Elizabeth"

So you talk in the NetGalley thread instead of The Midnight Bell? I don't get it.

[Nigeyb]

Sorry Elizabeth. That was a bit of humour on my part.


We really have been encouraged not to go to pubs, so I thought I'd respond to your comment with that humorous aside

The real reason we talked about it over here, and not in the Midnight Bell, was because the subject came up here and others empathised with Susan's situation, and more generally how we're all coming to terms with the unusual and unprecedented circumstances caused by the outbreak of the Corona virus.

No one thought to suggest shifting the discussion.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Nigeyb wrote: "Sorry Elizabeth. That was a bit of humour on my part. "

So you see why I didn't find any humor in Riceyman Steps? ;-)

[Nigeyb]

All becomes clear :-)

[Sue]

Nigeyb wrote: "We're being encouraged not to go to pubs Elizabeth"

Very good Nigeyb! :-)

Susan I'm sorry it's so difficult for your children at the moment. My daughter is doing a conversion course to get into uni as a mature student in September. She's very worried but then she has inherited the worry gene from me and then amplified it 1000%! I feel really sorry for her. If they go on predicted grades she should be ok because she has had nearly all distinctions so far. But that's logic talking. Her head isn't accepting logic at the moment.

Anyway, I've only just seen this thread and I'll move to the pub for the rest of the conversation. ;-)

[Nigeyb]

My daughter has been distraught all day. She was due to take A levels this year. She hasn't done much work and was expecting to, in her words, "pull it out of the bag" when the exams came round. Like daughter, like father. Now she's worried that they'll use predicted grades which are lower than she requires to do the University course she has set her heart on.

[Susan]

Yes, all of this has an impact. I picked my son up from school yesterday, as I was at home, and most of the girls, in particular, were in tears. Of course, the boys couldn't cry, but they are feeling it too. My son, like me, is a bit of a worrier, but we'll be there to pick them up and try to sort it out.

[Susan]

Death in her Hands
by Ottessa Moshfegh
Random House UK, Vintage Publishing
is available for request on NetGalley. I knw she has fans in the group.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "Death in her Hands
by Ottessa Moshfegh
Random House UK, Vintage Publishing
is available for request on NetGalley. I knw she has fans in the group."

Yes, yes, yes! I'm so excited about this one.

[Susan]

Good to hear, RC. Not sure about you, but I've had loads of books sent to me by publishers/widgets on NetGalley lately - including the new Sarah Moss (very exciting!).

[Susan]

The new Ann Tyler is also available for request - I think it is Judy who likes her?

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "Good to hear, RC. Not sure about you, but I've had loads of books sent to me by publishers/widgets on NetGalley lately - including the new Sarah Moss (very exciting!)."

Yes, I've got the new Sarah Moss too. I've been fairly good this year about keeping my NetGalley list down but there are some tempting books around and with this extra reading time it seems almost rude to refuse!

[Susan]

Many books I haven't even asked for - they have been gifted straight to my inbox. I suppose publishers want reviews and think we have time on our hands. I have quite a backlog at the moment and haven't quite got to grips with my changed days. I seem to be more, rather than less, busy, but I expect that's a good thing and the books will wait.

[Roman Clodia]

Oh, that's interesting Susan - just checked my NG email and nothing for me. But I've been auto-approved by so many of my favourite publishers that I rarely request these days - it's more a case of trying to resist the books that are available to me!

How are your kids now?

[Susan]

My eldest is working from home (he's in his twenties). My middle boy is OK, but at a bit of a loss now his exams are cancelled - one teacher has recommended some pre-reading for A Levels, as he likes structure. My daughter is home schooling, which is complicated when I'm working from home too. It's fine, but busy, and I feel we are constantly feeding everyone :)

[Susan]

How are you, and yours?

[Judy]

I didn't know there was a new Anne Tyler! Thanks, Susan - I don't do NetGalley (never seem to get round to writing reviews!) but will look forward eagerly to when it comes out. :)

[Judy]

I've just checked and Anne Tyler's new one, Redhead by the Side of the Road, is coming out on April 9 in the UK, so not long to wait. Thanks again, Susan.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "How are you, and yours?"

Mr RC works for an overseas aid charity and so is currently stuck abroad - he's trying to get a lift home on a military flight so I don't know when he'll be back, hopefully in the next few days. Apart from worrying about ageing parents things are ok: work colleagues are in good spirits and I'm not missing the commute.

My brother is very grateful for that Audible link, btw, now that my nephew (7) is not at school and bored already!

[Susan]

Glad the book is out soon, Judy :)

I really hope that Mr RC is home soon. Glad your brother liked the link. Tassomai, a phone app, is offering lots of courses for children at cheap rates. Or to all secondary schools free - most of their courses are for older children, but they do have some for 7-11.

"As a trusted learning and revision support for hundreds of families, Tassomai is committed to helping as many students as we can to stay occupied and mentally active during school closures.

The coming weeks will be extremely difficult for everyone - but we hope that we can provide some day-to-day academic structure and support for those who need it.
What we are doing to help
First, we are offering all secondary schools across the country free access to the program, for all year groups, for the duration of any closure. Hundreds of schools have already taken us up on this offer.

For families who need help for younger children (aged 7-11), we have courses in English, maths and sciences. We have significantly reduced the price, by 75% for most of these courses.

We hope that in doing so, we will be able to remain operational while also helping as many families as possible.

If you’re currently signed up to one of these courses, your subscription price will not automatically change. Those of you who want to help support our efforts by continuing with your current subscription, we thank you; you need take no further action. If you wish to have your access at the same reduced price, please contact us and we can make that change.

Please note that our team are now working remotely and all enquiries should be made via email. We are a small team managing huge demand, but we will do what we can to get back to you ASAP.

How you can help us
If you have friends and family who might benefit from using Tassomai, please let them know so that we can help as many families as we can through this challenging time. Sharing our social media posts with your network is also incredibly helpful.

Click here to view a shareable post on Twitter
Click here to view a shareable post on Facebook
Click here to view a shareable post on Instagram
Please follow us on social media where we will be sharing further updates and advice for home learners - and please keep in touch on these channels and let us know how you and your children are getting on.

Murray

Murray Morrison
Tassomai Founder and CEO

P.S. Feel free to get in touch with me directly if you'd like any support, advice or help on making the most out of Tassomai while you're helping your children learn at home."

Other sites your brother might find useful are:

Seneca
Quizlet
Memrise

All are free, although you can upgrade, but they are all reasonably priced. For older children:

My GCSE Science is wonderful and very cheap.

[Roman Clodia]

Thanks Susan.

Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life by Laura Thompson is on NetGalley - seems like a reissue. Those of us who overlap with the Detectives group might be interested.

[Susan]

Yes, definitely a reissue.

[Roman Clodia]

Is anyone else finding themselves requesting more books from NetGalley than normal? After being very restrained at the start of this year, I'm now up to 23 books on my shelf and seem to be in a NG frenzy!

[Nigeyb]

I'm the opposite. Not requested anything except Moshfegh.


I've got far too many other books I have to read - what with this group and real world book group commitments

What have you requested/been authorised for that you are especially excited about RC?

[Susan]

I had loads of requests approved and have now found myself struggling, with all the buddy reads, etc. So, yes, I think I need to stay away from NetGalley for a while!

[Roman Clodia]

Nigeyb wrote: "What have you requested/been authorised for that you are especially excited about RC?"

I'm especially excited about The Island , Afterlives , and Valentine
.

I also have the new Rose Tremain, Islands of Mercy - I haven't read her yet but remember how much you've enjoyed some of her books.

Susan, bet you won't! - it's too tempting ;)

[Nigeyb]

Thanks RC. I look at each of those and agree they all look mightily enticing.


Looking forward to discovering your reaction to the wonderful Rose Tremain

[Susan]

I am also getting lots of publishers sending me books - I just had The Winter Agent appear in my inbox today.

With NetGalley, I am excited about:
The Music Box Enigma (a series I love)

Summerwater (love Sarah Moss)

The Quickening and also a review copy of

The Disappearance of Stephanie Mailer by Joël Dicker
I have enjoyed all his books so far and this looks promising.

[Susan]

Moonflower Murders has appeared for request on NetGalley, for those interested in the wonderful Anthony Horowitz

[Roman Clodia]

The Great Fortune: The Balkan Trilogy 1 by Olivia Manning is on NetGalley if anyone is interested.

I've heard good things about this -has anyone read it?

[Nigeyb]

Susan is a big fan RC

[Roman Clodia]

Ha, yes, I should have guessed - it sounds just the sort of thing that Susan (and I) like. I'm looking forward to it.