Random Chats

[Ana]

Thanks, Aaron same to you!
I have only been near a fireplace once, it's really comfy but hard to let go, it's even colder once you have to get away from it :(

[Leigh]

It's not too bad in Switzerland, there is even a little bit of sun and blue sky for a change! I could curl up in front of a fireplace with a book, too, if I had one at home and didn't have so much house-work to catch up on.....

[Melaslithos]

I'd love a fireplace too...
Here, it even snowed yesterday. But not nice snow, it was a half melted snow. Hate it. It's cold, humid, and you can't even enjoy the snow.

Anyway, I just came back from the hairdresser. It has been 3-4 years I think since I last went to one. I'm quite happy with the cut.

[Leigh]

I agree, slushy snow is much worse than no snow.

[Ana]

We never get snow here in Lisbon, just the cold :(
It must be around 10ºC but it's a nasty, moist cold, more difficult to endure then drier cold. Meh, I miss summer. And longer days. I love the sunlight.

[Kandice]

Hi guys! It's surreal to read all about the cold where you are and then know that it is supposed to be about 70 degrees here today. >_<

[Melaslithos]

I'm jealous.

[Kandice]

But I would really like some snow (or rain) and to be able to wear a coat!

[Kandice]

I've noticed less activity on here as well. There are a few groups where I participate not only in the book and game threads, but chat threads and there are days when we have hundreds of posts, but lately there have been far fewer. I thought it was me because I've been stuck on a crummy book, but I guess not.

[Ana]

Yeah, I wish people would post more in our discussion forums, games or otherwise.

I play the games whenever I can think of a book but lately there have been so many wrong posts in the games that I have to admit I have not bothered looking at the last correct one, my online time has been pretty limited lately. But most of the time I just can't think of a book that fits...

If you know more games please feel free to open new topics!

[Melaslithos]

Why would it be?

[Ana]

Different people like different things, so although a lot of us read fantasy/horror I made the group open to all genres, so you're more than welcome to start a Poetry topic. General folder would probably be better suited for it.

[Ana]

Not a problem Aaron, sounds interesting!

[Kandice]

I have not finished a single book so far this year. I've been listening to one in my car, but I don't drive for long stretches, so can only listen so quickly.

I got bogged down by The Bear and finally set it aside.

I started one of my go to favorites, but have been home so little in the last few days that I've been able to read almost nothing. Even reading on my phone, which I try to avoid, isn't helping because I only got 4 pages in at half-time of my daughter's game tonight.

Reading Funk 101. Aaaaaaargh.........!

[Ana]

Aww sorry to hear that Kandice, hope things settle down!
I am not enjoying my current one either, keep putting it off. But I am stubborn and shall finish it!

[Kandice]

I've almost finished S&S, and when I get off work this afternoon I think I will have finally finished my 2015 book funk!

Happy Sunday to you guys.

[Melaslithos]

Happy Sunday everyone (although it's already past midnight, and therefore already Monday here).

[Ana]

Time is passing way too fast. Did some shopping and went to the movies, watched Into the Woods. Not a fan. I had no idea it was a musical :( Stretched on forever!

[Kandice]

Ana, do you think you didn't enjoy it because it wasn't what you were expecting? I am supposed to take a gaggle of teenagers to see it after work today and if it is going to be horrid I want to be prepared. O_o

[Derek]

Is there a way to change the amount of books in the 2015 Reading Challenge?

Thanks!

[Melaslithos]

Yes.

Go into your challenge ("view your challenge on home page").
On the top, above the bar, next to the "you have read X of Y books", there is a "view books" than "edit" link. Click on "edit" and there you go!

[Ana]

I don't think it's a horror movie at all, it's fantasy. But maaaan there's a lot of singing. I suppose it gets more realistic towards the end, as in the way things are irl. The idea is that when the characters go into the woods strange things happen, I suppose. I just yawned a lot with all the singing, it got so repetitive... I also couldn't tell if kids would enjoy such a movie. Odd, since it is a Disney movie...

[Ana]

Hmm haven't heard of that one... Sounds interesting. I am not usually a fan of musicals, especially if they get repetitive which, to me, was the case.

[Melaslithos]

I've noticed ^^.

For myself, I'd say 2.

[Melaslithos]

A compliment! It's nice to have a little randomness in a perfectly ordered world.

And I've always loved sarcasm. Big amateur of that too (but I think all French are).

[Melaslithos]

Problem is I find it very hard to convey on the internet.

[Kandice]

I don't think I am at all sarcastic, but random...often!

My husband is the King of sarcasm, though.

In the Stephen King group we were discussing random cursing in novels and how fun it can be to read it, especially if you aren't a "salty" speaker in life.

[Derek]

Do any of you know good places to submit short stories? Not necessarily contests, maybe just websites or magazines?

Thanks!

[Kandice]

I love that so many of you are writers! When I was younger I loved to write, but never showed any of it to anyone and when I started having children I quit. I don't think I could even pick it up again, but I applaud those that do.

[Kandice]

Thanks, but other than the journalistic writing I do for work, I think I would rather read (of which I have been doing little lately!).

Has anyone read 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami? In the story these "beings" build an air chrysalis by "pulling strings from thin air" and that's what I've thought good writing was like. Building people and worlds from fairy dust or some such. Lovely, lovely thing to do.

[Kandice]

Have you ever read anything by Haruki Murakami? His stuff is very, very abstract, but his writing is simply gorgeous. I can never describe any of his plots in a way that sounds appealing, but I get completely lost in his stories when I read them. There's

Norwegian Wood
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
Kafka on the Shore
1Q84

and then a variety of others I have not read.

[Ana]

Greetings, ladies and gents! How are you doing this fine day? Hopefully less cold than me!

[Ana]

Ok you're definitely colder than me then, but not by much!!
I dread having to go out because not only is it cold but also very windy, which makes the cold bite into your flesh >.<

Not much expected for today other than work. Wish I could read...

[Kandice]

Well, can't say I'm cold (supposed to be 76), but I do have work today. There is a school where I work that is closed today for the holiday and my office mate will be in almost 4 hours late so I expect to get A LOT of work done with no interruptions.

[Kandice]

Aaron(Reblast) wrote: "I feel like a snowman. BRRR!"

You need to borrow some of my weather!

[Karen M]

8-1/2 inches of very wet snow early this morning but since it warmed up it's all compacted down so it doesn't look like much. So glad I don't have to shovel any more. Another plus for condo life.

[Melaslithos]

It's very smoggy here today...

[Kandice]

It's 71 here now, but is supposed to hit 83 by 1 p.m. before it starts to cool off again. I'm wearing a light sweater. ;)

[Ana]

I think I am about to burst into tears. My Kindle Paperwhite is broken. I am chatting with Amazon support and they say the only option is to replace it. But since it is out of the 1 year warranty I can imagine it won't be for free. Not to mention all the time I have to wait for it to arrive.

I think I am too much in shock to even cry. This feels unreal. I had just dragged a comfy chair from the living room to the room I usually read in and this happens. *sigh*

[Ana]

I just discovered they won't replace it at all because I live in Portugal. So if I want to read on a Kindle again, I have to buy a new one.

A world without a Kindle.. Not worth living.

*dramatically faints*

Work tomorrow.
I'm going to bed.
Kindleless.

*cries self to sleep*

[Melaslithos]

I can't believe they take country into account when they make replacement. I thought Amazon was supposed to be an international group?
What if you suggest you'll pay the freight cost? That's usually how it works.

Anyway, courage, and I hope you'll find a solution quickly!

[Joey]

What? Nooo.

[Kandice]

If the country you live in is really the reason they won't replace it, that may be the worst retail story I've ever heard! That is so completely ridiculous.

I know it doesn't seem you had this option, but one of the HUGE deciding factors in my purchasing Nooks as opposed to Kindle was the ability to walk into a store and get face to face support from a human being. I think I've mentioned that between the different types and the number of us we have seven Nooks in our house. We got the first 6 years ago, and despite being a great product in my opinion we have had two exchanged for technical problems, no hassles, no questions, and one past the actual warranty.

I am so, so, so sorry Ana. Can you use a Kindle app to access your kindle books? Like on a phone, laptop or desk top? Not ideal, but better than having no access for a month.

[Joey]

Kandice, it has to do with licencing deals based on country. Sadly.

[Melaslithos]

If the country is really an issue, it might be completely stupid, but what if Ana sends it to one of you in the US, that person gets it replaces, then sends it back to Ana?
Would it be worth it in terms of shipping, time, etc? Is it even feasible?

[Kandice]

Joey wrote: "Kandice, it has to do with licencing deals based on country. Sadly."

I just don't think they should sell a product in a country where they are unable to stand behind it.

[Leigh]

Ana wrote: "I just discovered they won't replace it at all because I live in Portugal. So if I want to read on a Kindle again, I have to buy a new one.

A world without a Kindle.. Not worth living.

*dramatic..."

I can feel your pain. Hang in there and take comfort in your paper books! Will you still be able to do The Last Sanctuary?

[Ana]

I started by asking Amazon.com for help. They said that since my device was registered on .co.uk those guys needed to help me. But since the device was bought in Spain they can't help me. The only option would be to give them the address of someone living in the UK and have them redirect the device to me. No option to pay for the costs was offered. I don't even know if, if I decide to buy a new one, they will help me if I need. Like it's my fault that they don't sell Kindles in Portugal and that there is no amazon.pt. Worst part is I have read several complaints about their devices breaking after warranty and that it is all a scheme to get people to buy new ones at a discount. This is unbelievable, I slept horribly because of this and am beyond sad. I almost wish I had never bought this, so I wouldn't miss it so much.

A Nook at this point doesn't make much sense, since I already have thousands of books on my amazon account, and it's usually so much easier to find .mobi files when getting free copies from books.

Yes, I have the Kindle app on my phone, but as you can imagine it's not quite the same, less text at a time means I don't manage to concentrate as well and it tires my eyes a lot more and gives me a headache, so it will take me longer to read. I am halfway through my current book and will join in the buddy read whenever I can. I really appreciate that you have waited for me, by the way.

Thanks for the support, everyone. It means a lot!

[Leigh]

What exactly is wrong with it? My husband has had problems several times with his and was able to find do-it-yourself solutions by searching for help on youtube.

[Melaslithos]

Yeah, heard a lot about this planned obsolescence, not only for Kindles but lots of electronic products (cellphones, etc.).

My Sony reader is now almost 5 years old, and except for the battery not lasting as long as before (I have to recharge it every two weeks instead of every month...), it's as good as new!

I hope you can find a solution quickly.