Books with parentheses in the title

[Carola]

I have a question regarding books with parentheses in the title, specifically ( and ). What do we do with it? Goodreads removes everything between brackets in most views.

The question popped up because I saw Het achtste leven, which has (voor Brilka) in the title. The edition I'm reading used [ and ] instead, probably to circumvent this problem (all other editions used regular parentheses), but that's not the proper title... I corrected it, then realised why [ and ] were used in the first place.

Before I change it back, I'd like to hear your opinions and the proper policy on this :)

[Sandra]

It is assumed that ( ) is series text, so when it is a series it is hidden, when its not a series its there for all to see.

Of those editions that have (voor Brilka) or equivalent translations, I can see them all as this work is not part of a series, so I would just use the parentheses like normal.

The [ ] is used by some publishers and I don't think they do this to circumvent anything on GR.

[Renske]

Square brackets are used for transliterations, so that could be confusing. Perhaps we could use a period after the title in these cases.

[Carola]

Thank you for the input!

Sandra wrote: "Of those editions that have (voor Brilka) or equivalent translations, I can see them all as this work is not part of a series, so I would just use the parentheses like normal. "

Yes, in the editions list the title shows up just fine. But as you can see, when I link the book here, the (voor Brilka) is hidden: Het achtste leven. Same goes for the book on my shelves - it doesn't show the part between ( and ).

[Sandra]

Nope, I see it just fine. How are you looking at it?

I'm on a desktop computer, and I don't have any fancy add-ons except for adbock plus.

[Sandra]

I just copied it from your link, so you can see what I see:

Het achtste leven (voor Brilka)

[Michael]

I don't see (voor Brilka) in the book linked to the topic above, which I assume is what Carola is referring to :-)

Also, I added the book to one of my shelves and navigated to corresponding shelf through My Books. I don't see (voor Brilka) listed for the book when viewed it from my shelves as well.

Same when I view it in Carola's shelves -
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Carola]

Michael wrote: "I don't see (voor Brilka) in the book linked to the topic above, which I assume is what Carola is referring to :-)

Also, I added the book to one of my shelves and navigated to corresponding shelf through My Books. I don't see (voor Brilka) listed for the book when viewed it from my shelves as well. "

That's what I mean indeed :)

I'm also looking at it from a desktop computer.

[Sandra]

I just added it to one of my shelves, and I don't see (voor Brilka) either. I don't think you see any parentheses there, and I don't think we ever did see them (at least for quite some years), just the links for the series.

However, I've no idea why you don't see it on the book page???

[Michael]

Carola,

Since this seems to be a GR feature, you're better off posting in GR Feedback Group under Suggestions folder. Librarians cannot help you with site functionality :)

[Melanti]

It's been years since I asked about this, but I believe I was told to treat what was in parentheses as a subtitle and add it after a :.

[Renske]

Melanti wrote: "It's been years since I asked about this, but I believe I was told to treat what was in parentheses as a subtitle and add it after a :."

In some case you would loose the meaning of the part between the brackets if you add it as regular subtitle. I know more than one book where it is used as funny addition/comment on the title. Something like 'John is a hero (sometimes...)' would be strange as a subtitle.

[Emy]

In that last example, I'd make it into "John is a hero, sometimes...", but that's still a bit messy.

[Carola]

Sandra wrote: "However, I've no idea why you don't see it on the book page??? "
I see it on the book page. I never said I didn't ;-)

I don't know about putting it in as a subtitle. Het achtste leven, voor Brilka is just not the same title. It doesn't feel right.

I'll ask about this in the GR Feedback group. I know Librarians can't help with site functionality, which is why I was asking what the policy is for handling cases like this (working with the functionality we do have).

[Emy]

Policy-wise we have a few options

1. Put title as on cover, and accept that it might not show the bracketed section on some pages.
2. Use a colon to separate instead of brackets (Melanti's example)
3. Use a comma to separate instead of brackets (my example)
4. Don't use any punctuation separation (e.g. Het achtste leven voor Brilka)
5. Don't add the bit in the brackets

I'd say 1 is preferred because it's mostly neutral.
2 & 3 can work in some cases, depending on the phrasing that was intended with the brackets
4 often loses sense, as in the above example.
5 is rubbish, but works in a pinch, I guess.

There's probably other options I'm not thinking of though!

[Sandra]

Carola wrote: "Sandra wrote: "However, I've no idea why you don't see it on the book page??? "
I see it on the book page. I never said I didn't ;-)

I don't know about putting it in as a subtitle. Het achtste lev..."


You linked to the book page so naturally that's what I thought you meant.

[Carola]

Sandra wrote: "You linked to the book page so naturally that's what I thought you meant. "
Ah, I see. No, I meant the link itself, not the book page :) The link itself (which is automated) shows the title without the part in parentheses.

Thank you Emy, I'll stick with 1 for now (since all editions use that).

[Scott]

I'd rather leave it as is, and accept it as a glitch. I don't like the idea of fiddling with what's printed on the cover as a workaround.

Also, colons work the same way in some views. When I share The Year's Best Horror Stories: Series XIII to Facebook, only the first part is shared.

[Sandra]

Carola wrote: "Sandra wrote: "You linked to the book page so naturally that's what I thought you meant. "
Ah, I see. No, I meant the link itself, not the book page :) The link itself (which is automated) shows th..."

OK, Carola :)

[lethe]

I have used square brackets in the past in order to have that part of the title show up everywhere. Guess I'll use normal brackets from now on.

I agree, adding it as a subtitle or after a comma does not hold the same meaning.