Play Book Tag discussion
Footnotes 2017-2018
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Sunday Conversation Topic 3/4
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p.s. 4 notifications in the time it took me to type this post.
I'm in 20 groups and I've been playing around with the notification options (email, digest, on-site notifications) in order to manage all the posts: this is for all my groups, not just this one. It's tricky. I joined the groups in order to contribute to them, but the volume of posts is overwhelming to some degree. One thing that helps is to unfollow certain discussions which generate a lot of posts but don't particularly appeal to me personally.
For one or two groups I've requested just a daily digest. Those are the bigger groups where I'm unlikely to want to contribute to many of the posts. I'm just a lurker in those groups I suppose!
But in the smaller groups? Well I joined them in order to meet like-minded readers and to chat about books and more. So for those I want to keep up with the conversation as it develops during the day.
Perhaps I've joined too many - is 20 typical?
Sue, I would definitely say 20 is too much. I have trouble keeping up with all the posts and replies in just one group. In regards to seeing a review with no comments. I feel bad. All the time and energy into reading the book and then typing the review. I feel a need to give something back, but sometimes I just don't have anything to say. That may be a result of the social media generation. The constant need for feedback. That is one reason I quit Facebook. I had become midly obsessed with notifications and feedback. Likes and comments. There are some really good essays, articles and studies done on the phenomenon. Some of the psychologists might be able to weigh in. I think a term had been created for this obsession.
Jason wrote: "Sue, I would definitely say 20 is too much. I have trouble keeping up with all the posts and replies in just one group. ..."
Yes I probably went overboard a bit!
I'm interested in your point of view about reviews with no comments. Speaking just for myself, it never really occurred to me that anyone would comment on my reviews. I do them to help me articulate my thoughts about each book, and to remember why I liked it if I look back later. There are many books which I've read in the past and I can't remember the first thing about them; even the plot! So I wanted to record that, but it's for my own use rather than with any expectation of what other people might think of them. It's just an added bonus if people like them.
People use GR for different purposes I suppose. Also, I'm way too old to ever have been part of the social media generation, so perhaps that explains my different approach to it all! ;-) By the way, I know a couple of people who have quit FB in the last year or so - is it beginning to lose popularity do you think?
I've turned off most notfifications, both for GR and FB, with the exception of very small groups and replies to my posts. Otherwise I would be inundated. As for replies to reviews..... Well, I put a fair amount of thought into my reviews, and I would guess that others do also. So I always make an effort to read the reviews. I can see how many people have view my review, and get pleasure simply out of knowing that they have (probably) read it. I'll comment only if I have something to say. I do wish that GR had a similar function to FB that allowed us to like a post.
I try to keep Goodreads simple. That's what I tell myself. I have one group I stay with year to year. I have a second group that I visit with/learn from one year at a time. Then I have my own personal challenges. I like at least make a nod to heritage history months, and I like to chose something I will commit to during the year--last year it was 40 books about hispanic experience/history/culture/arts. This year I am reading at least 50 nonfiction books. So this month's autobiography tag works well for me. Then I keep a reading journal at the other group on top of the book reviews I write and tje bookmreviews I comment on. On top of all this, I also post to chat topics here and several at the other group. I thought I was keeping it simple. Truly.
I don't feel compelled to comment on everything, and will do so only if I feel like it or have something to say. This is the only group I am active with, because it's the only one that has stuff that engages me. I've tried other groups but find them boring. But then I'm not a people person, and am pretty introverted, hence my obsession with books.
Sue wrote: "People use GR for different purposes I suppose."This. Even on this group, I rarely read reviews for books I don't know. I usually check those for books I've read before, sometimes for books already on my TBR (knowing that this group is civilized and normally doesn't throw about spoilers ;). When I add books to my TBR, usually it's books that are talked about in other topics here, more general discussions for the tag of the month or in the footnotes, and not often directly from the reviews themselves.
Doughgirl5562 wrote: "I've turned off most notfifications, both for GiR and FB, with the exception of very small groups and replies to my posts. Otherwise I would be inundated. ..."This is me, as well.
Sadly, I do not take time to read them all. Maybe if I was retired, and had more free time!? I am here, on facebook, and on LibraryThing, so it's just too much to keep up with everything.
I am so glad I brought up this topic. Such a diverse use of our group. I do not post reviews on goodreads for the book. I only post reviews to share in the group. Before this group I think I posted a total of 9 reviews. I only post here. I try to read every review though I am a week behind right now. I would love a like button on goodreads. Ellie, your comment about the books you add to TBR coming from a general discs sion and not review I'd interesting. 4 or 5 people are reading Born a Crime this month and I was hoping to start a general discussion for it. A more in depth and detailed conversation for the book. This might be a good regular thing for books that several members choose to read.
Sue, my feeling of reviews without comments. I feel bad for the person who posted it. When it's mine I think my review was horrible. I have to remind myself, maybe people weren't interested in the book i read, like with the century challenge or didnt have anything to say about my review one way or the other. This is not a major problem for me, but this issue does become major problems for some to where it can be clinical. With facebook, I just noticed I would constantly check for notifications and have a sense of euphoria when a comment was liked or replied to. Enough to where I thought it was a problem that could progress. It's the new age sense of approval. How many likes or comments. Crazy how the mind works.
Facebook has reached it peak it's seems. Twitter seems to be the industry leader.
And I’m just joining Facebook this month!This is my only real group. I think I’m active in the way that most people use Facebook because it’s my only social media. I also think because it comes up on my phone I’m more apt to respond. I do go to the general fed once a day. I think I would have more time for reading and my life if this group weren’t so active. But I find both the books and you guys very compelling.
When I write a review that is rushed, or simply because I have to review to get points in, I don't particularly care if anyone comments on it. Sometimes, if I carefully craft a review, or if a book moved me, then I get disappointed if I get no responses. I enjoy it when something I post sparks an extended conversation, even if it veers from the original topic. But I'm old enough that I don't have a need or craving for approval or "likes". I have a presence on FB but rarely post, as I'm only there to be found by old friends or to keep in touch with family. I haven't quite decided whether I like the fact that GR posts my reviews on FB automatically but so far I've left it alone.
Interesting topic. I do sometimes feel a bit bad when I scroll through and see lots of reviews with no comments, although if no one comments on my reviews, it doesn’t bother me at all.I don’t have time to read every review. I tend to read reviews for highly rated or very low rated books —- because who doesn’t love some snarkiness every once in a while. I will also check out books that I’m mildly interested in, but if I’ve already decided to read something soon — I may skip it because I want to form my own opinions.
I don’t write the reviews specifically for this group — I write them as a tickler for me and as an exercise in critical thinking. Sometimes if I don’t have time, it’s less critical :-o. There were a couple years that I didn’t do reviews and I’m often frustrated to look back to a blank review so I forget why rated what I did
Would love to have a like button on posts like FB. I am much more active here and on Ravelry ( site for knitters/crocheters) than on FB, which I do visit but rarely comment.
I feel badly if people post a review and there aren't any comments made. Having said that, I cannot keep up with all the reviews posted on PBT now. I sometimes think PBT would make a good private group, especially given the format. Although I understand why we are asked to create different topics, I sometimes wish all reviews were posted under a common topic (such as this conversation). Also, if am unfamiliar with the book, that makes it hard for me to think of something to write in response to a review.
I am most active on Goodreads but GR seems to have become more like FB since I initially joined. As others have mentioned, I also have stopped subscribing to email and digest updates. Now I only receive a notification if someone comments one of my reviews or sends a message.
Sorry, I probably got a bit off topic in my comment.....
I am most active on Goodreads but GR seems to have become more like FB since I initially joined. As others have mentioned, I also have stopped subscribing to email and digest updates. Now I only receive a notification if someone comments one of my reviews or sends a message.
Sorry, I probably got a bit off topic in my comment.....
Sue wrote: "and to remember why I liked it if I look back later. There are many books which I've read in the past and I can't remember the first thing about them; even the plot! So I wanted to record that, ..."That is why I do it also, Sue. It doesn't bother me if people don't comment on my reviews, although I enjoy their opinions if they do.
I do feel bad when I see no comments or "likes" on someone's social media posts (any sites). A lot of times I don't have anything to say but that's why I like the option on Facebook to just click "like".
Jason wrote: "PBT is growing. I don't know if my observation had to do with the time of year I joined (October or November I think) but total daily comments seemed.....manageable. A handful of posts and a handfu..."As long as I've been in pbt there have been review with no comments, although often you can see that people have looked at it. Sure, sometimes I get disappointed if no one comments on a number of my reviews in a row, but not if I've been busy and barely here, if they are 3 stars (so many times people pass those) or books not popular.
I don't see how anyone can read every single review now that this group has grown so much. While it's great to see this group so active, I wonder what will happen if it gets too large because it's easy to get lost if you can't be on all the time.
I quite like the amount of notifications I get from this group! I do agree that it is hard to read and comment on every review. I tend to read the reviews for the books I have read or want to read, and if a book I am unaware of has been given five stars I will have a read too, and more often than not add it to my groaning list! I suppose I understand that most people do the same and so I am not offended if a review I have posted doesn't get any comments as I just assume that people haven't read it and don't want to!
Sue wrote: "I'm in 20 groups and I've been playing around with the notification options (email, digest, on-site notifications) in order to manage all the posts: this is for all my groups, not just this one. It..."I've been here for 9 years. I belong to three groups. I once belonged to 8 groups, but over the years I've scaled back to those groups I really enjoy.
Lisa A wrote: "Although I understand why we are asked to create different topics, I sometimes wish all reviews were posted under a common topic (such as this conversation). ..."That's what we did at shelfari and it worked well with the nested threads/replies we were able to do there (and most of us preferred it that way!). But, without nested replies (as we see here), it would just be too difficult to follow a conversation related to one book/review.
As for being disappointed if people don't comment on my reviews... mostly it doesn't bother me, but sometimes, especially for books that I want people to know about!, it would be nice to know that people have paid attention! Of course, I can always check the number of views (if/when I remember to go back and look). And, I can't fault people for not taking the time to read a review of a book they've not heard of (even if I think it's a worthwhile book!) because I also know that I, myself, unfortunately, don't have time to do that, either.
Ladyslott wrote: "Sue wrote: "I'm in 20 groups and I've been playing around with the notification options (email, digest, on-site notifications) in order to manage all the posts: this is for all my groups, not just ..."I may need to weed a few out! Although this is a social one: some of the others are purely about the books so they don't take up much time, especially if I'm not joining in with that month's book.
Since the beginning of 2017 I have read every review posted on PBT. I realized I was skipping most of the reviews and missing out on a lot of good books. I miss shelfari and the nested replies where it was much easier to read every review for a month. I have added a lot of great books to my tbr pile thanks to reading all of the reviews. I definitely don't have time to comment on every review. It doesn't bother me if no one comments on my reviews though it's nice when I do get comments.
Rachel wrote: "I miss shelfari and the nested replies where it was much easier to read every review for a month. "
Ditto that thought. I feel badly that I am missing out on reading reviews now because it is much more difficult and time consuming to keep up with. So the ultimate answer to Jason's question is ..... I don't keep up with posts now .... : /
That is really nice that you make the extra effort to read all reviews, Rachel. :-)
Ditto that thought. I feel badly that I am missing out on reading reviews now because it is much more difficult and time consuming to keep up with. So the ultimate answer to Jason's question is ..... I don't keep up with posts now .... : /
That is really nice that you make the extra effort to read all reviews, Rachel. :-)
I find that a lot of my reviews don't get any comments, but it doesn't bother me. I know that the books I usually read aren't the genre that most of the members that comment enjoy and I am not one of the better review writers. I do try to keep posting anyway, just in case there are quiet members out there that enjoy science fiction/fantasy that might find the review even if they don't comment. Also, it lets others that read less literary works know they are not alone :). I don't write a lot of comments, but I am more likely too if there are few comments to begin with. Often with the discussions that are longer, I feel that everything I have to say has already been said. I do read every review. I don't get email notifications, but I do go to the website once or twice a day and read all the new messages.
Cora wrote: "I find that a lot of my reviews don't get any comments, but it doesn't bother me. I know that the books I usually read aren't the genre that most of the members that comment enjoy and I am not one ..."One thing I love about this group is the diversity of the reading tastes of the members. I do also read fantasy/sf and graphic novels — so appreciate seeing reviews of those books too.
Wow, Rachel, that’s amazing that you read all the reviews!
I breeze through some of the reviews, especially if I know off the bat a book isn’t for me, or certainly if I haven’t read it yet and I want to avoid any kind of spoiler of experience. I often look for the general rating. I try to read fully and deeply every review of a book I have already read so I can participate in the discussion. I sometimes try to say something to someone who hasn’t had a post responded to. Sometimes those books I just simply so unique that no one has much to offer. But I also find that this group is about the reviews but also has become quite social. So I enjoy that. I admit it. I’m far more likely to jump into a conversation that beers into something interesting than necessarily refer her back to the book itself. I’m aware that makes me a distractor. But I would dare say I’m not the only one.
I wish I had enough time to read every review and comment on it, but that’s just not the case and I think that’s okay. I check this group probably 2-3 times a day and see what new conversations have popped up and read the reviews that catch my eye, usually books I’ve read or are interested in reading. If I’ve also read a book that’s being reviewed I try to see if there’s anything I can contribute to the conversation. This group is really active which I enjoy because I’m able to hear so many more opinions on the books everyone reads. As for the point about not having comments on reviews, it doesn’t really bother me personally. I’ve never written any reviews for books before joining this group and it’s been really beneficial for helping me think more critically about what I’m reading and the affects a story had on me and how I personally felt about it. So it doesn’t feel like I’m not posting to get notifications, I’m posting for my own sake but I love to hear what other people have thought if they have something to say! I don’t really comment on reviews as much as I’d like simply because I don’t think I have anything interesting to say, so I understand why people might not comment on mine and it’s chill. This post ended up being longer than I’d thought it be, hope I didn’t veer too off topic lol
This is the only GR group I participate in, and I have always have notifications turned off- with the exception of threads I start. I try and keep myself on top of reading the Footnote threads of this group firstly because that's were a lot of discussion is. Obviously we can't all read every review- I find myself reading ones with really high or low ratings- often times the negative reviews are the best ones! Or reading reviews that already have a lot of comments, because I am intrigued by the discussion aspect. (which may be counter intuitive if no one comments, how will a discussion ever come to be). Plus pretty much always reading reviews for books I've read or are on my TBR. I try and read other reviews to "branch out"- but there are just too many here.
As far as comments on reviews, I never "expect" comments on my reviews. If it's a highly popular or highly discussed book I do hope that those who have been in the conversation will chime in based on my comments. But I mainly use the reviews to remember what the book was, and how I felt about it later.
On facebook- I'm totally different. I expect likes on facebook. If I have a picture post, if 20 people haven't 'liked' it, I consider it to be a dud post. If I'm traveling, I would expect at least 40-50 likes plus. On facebook I'm sharing things to "tell" other people what I've been up to. Versus here where I'm sharing my thoughts, but it's mainly for personal record. What irks me on facebook is more the onslaught of unnecessary posts. I post maybe once a month or twice a month unless I'm traveling. It's to share with my extended friends what I've been up to, fun things I've been doing- personal things. I HATE the trend of posting memes, viral things, political crap, whatnot on facebook. I've actually found myself using facebook WAY less now that it's being used more for these reasons.
Jason wrote: "I would love a like button on goodreads. ..."There is the option to LIKE any review or comment.
For example check out THIS BOOK: The Bell Jar
As you scroll down you'll see your friends' reviews and ratings first, followed by community reviews ... and each one has a LIKE button.
But you don't have a like button for discussions ...
Right now I'm in 30 groups. Some are active, some have barely had any activity in months. Some are carryovers from Shelfari. Some focus on challenges (and I tend to be very active in those). A few are genre-specific (Southern literature, classics, historical, etc). A couple are private groups ... so that fellow moderators of a group can communicate "off line" so to speak. I do NOT use the notifications, except for those groups I moderate, and then, only for the challenges I'm creating and need to keep close tabs on. But I'm on Goodreads every day, often several times a day.
Still, I can't read every single review or every single post on every single group. Some posts are not at all interesting (Ann E Member's personal challenge tracking thread, for example). But I visit PBT a couple of times per day and use the UNREAD button just above the discussions to look at everything that's "new" since the last time I visited. I may or may not open each thread, and I'll comment only if I have something pertinent to say.
I don't feel badly if no one comments on one of my reviews, because I know I can't possibly comment on everyone's posts either.
Rachel wrote: "Since the beginning of 2017 I have read every review posted on PBT. I realized I was skipping most of the reviews and missing out on a lot of good books. I miss shelfari and the nested replies wher..."I agree--it was much easier to read every review the other way.
I try to read every review on PBT - I don't do it every day, but will catch up once a week or so. I love hearing what everyone here thinks, and it gives me good ideas for new books (and things to avoid!) I don't often comment unless I've also read something or particularly want to, though. It would be great to have a like button for threads in groups. I do sometimes 'like' reviews on the individual book pages - usually when I spot something on my home page or in the email update. I don't go hunting for them as often as I should though.
I try only to follow threads that I'm keen to keep up with. Otherwise I unsubscribe from notifications on that thread and just check in periodically. There are quite a few threads on PBT that I follow and I like the notifications. But almost never on other groups.
Tied into this...ignored reviews. Reviews or posts with no comments. I know they are no 100% ignored as you can see how many have opened and read the post, but I see post regularly without comment. As TBR grows, it gets harder to give each post attention. What about a post or review leads to conversation and comments and what turns you away? Does commentless posts bother you? What about if it's your review or post?
These questions are not intended for question and answer. They are wheel turners to engender conversation. I look forward to all of your thoughts and feelings.