2021 - Chat about whatever you like: the weather, good stuff, bad stuff, family or pets!

[Krystal]

Deborah wrote: "Hi All! I could use some help.... I am partway through the Amber series by Roger Zelazny and it turns out I don't have have Trumps of Doom (I have a double of another on..."

Tricky! I usually use Book Depository or Booktopia, but there's also Fishpond which I believe does second-hand as well so may have more luck?

[Carolyn]

Abe Books have second hand copies but they seem to be mostly in the US, I saw one copy in the UK. So could take a while to get to you, especially from the US, plus postage can hike the price up.

This is the link for the UK version - you could try looking for other editions on there you might find something more local.
https://www.abebooks.com/products/isb...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brotherhood books might have a copy? I rarely have success with what I want with them, but that's not to say you'll be the same :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I don't know how many of you are on Twitter, and how many have seen this particular author verbally attacking Goodreads reviewers for giving her book 4 stars!! But I've just had it brought to my attention so I thought it'd be good to give you guys the heads up...

Author Lauren Hough - book Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing which has gone down to under 2 stars because of her attacks. A YouTuber has summed it up well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvDHr...

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "I don't know how many of you are on Twitter, and how many have seen this particular author verbally attacking Goodreads reviewers for giving her book 4 stars!! But I've just had it brought to my at..."

Wow! I understand it must be tough for authors publishing their first book when the consumer reviews start coming in and they can take the criticism too personally before they grow a tougher skin. However, most debut authors would be happy to get 4 star reviews on a web site for readers! She's even got some 5 star reviews for top GR reviewers, so had nothing to complain about.

I don't agree with people who haven't read the book giving poor ratings because of her behaviour on twitter, however her behaviour will likely put off a lot of people from reading her book. So stupid!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Absolutely. I wouldn't read it, or her, now because of her actions. A very foolish woman with a doubtful career now!

[Helen]

How stupid to do that

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's it in a nutshell Helen!! Well said :)

[Andrea]

Does she think it’s 4/10 or something? I’m not in favour of the revenge reviews though - I think the best policy is to simply avoid.

[Krystal]

Carolyn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I don't know how many of you are on Twitter, and how many have seen this particular author verbally attacking Goodreads reviewers for giving her book 4 stars!! But I've just had it b..."

I've encountered this enough times that I actually have a shelf for these books/authors so I know to avoid and why.

I'm also not a believer in 'revenge' reviews, but I do like to 'review' for my own benefit, so I remember why I added the book to my 'never gonna happen' shelf haha. I like to remember to avoid these people!

[Marianne]

Thanks, Brenda, the youtuber said it well. I agree revenge reviews are wrong, but why bring that down on yourself for a 4 star review???
And in a later tweet the author says she was high when she tweeted that?

[Dale]

A number of authors would be happy with a 4 star review. Very silly to respond in that manner.

[Carolyn]

Marianne wrote: "Thanks, Brenda, the youtuber said it well. I agree revenge reviews are wrong, but why bring that down on yourself for a 4 star review???
And in a later tweet the author says she was high when she tweeted that? "

I would have thought the number one rule of tweeting is don't do it when high or drunk! I guess she's learnt that the hard way 🥵

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marianne wrote: "Thanks, Brenda, the youtuber said it well. I agree revenge reviews are wrong, but why bring that down on yourself for a 4 star review???
And in a later tweet the author says she was high when she t..."

She was cute wasn't she - a very passionate, bouncy person who certainly got her message across!

[Diana]

We did a fun display at work today - Star Wars inspired fiction for May the Fourth! We did it at the end of the day for tomorrow and we’ll be interested to see how many students respond to it. We were encouraged by our Principal who suggested all staff could have fun with Star Wars Day. May the Fourth be with you!

[Helen]

that sounds awesome Diana have fun

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Has anyone had their Covid vaccinations yet? Hubby had his last week and I had mine this morning.

[Helen]

hubby and I had our first one on 8th April next one July all good no side effects

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's good to hear Helen :) I just feel very tired at the moment.

[Marianne]

Hubby and I had ours in March, he had no side effects, I had one day aching all over then fine.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good news Marianne..

[Helen]

Brenda wrote: "That's good to hear Helen :) I just feel very tired at the moment."

Hopefully it won't last long :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Helen :)

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "That's good to hear Helen :) I just feel very tired at the moment."

Hopefully you'll feel better in a couple of days Brenda :)

I think I'll hold off on the covid shot a bit longer. I had the flu shot two weeks ago and my arm got really hot and red and very swollen. The muscle it was injected into kept twitching in little spasms for a couple of days. Very uncomfortable and my arm is still sore.

[Diana]

I had the flu injection last week so have to wait a few weeks for the COVID jab. My sister’s booked in for her first on Monday.
I just won a double pass to the film, June Again starring Noni Hazelhurst, Claudia Karvan and Stephen Curry. Looking forward to it.

[Helen]

That is not good Carolyn I hope your arm is better now I am having my flue shot tomorrow

[Helen]

Well done and on the win Diana I saw the shorts if June Again it looks really good we plan on going to see it

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "That's good to hear Helen :) I just feel very tired at the moment."

Hopefully you'll feel better in a couple of days Brenda :)

I think I'll hold off on the covid shot a bit longer...."

Our doctors are saying the Covid jab should be done first, then a three week gap before the flu vacc. So that's what hubby and I are doing.

I feel terrible today - like I've been hit by a truck! Headache, dizziness, nausea and seedy (like I'm getting a cold) Achy in different parts of my body but especially behind my eyes :(

So sorry you had a bad reaction to the flu shot Carolyn!

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "I feel terrible today - like I've been hit by a truck! Headache, dizziness, nausea and seedy (like I'm getting a cold) Achy in different parts of my body but especially behind my eyes :(..."

That sounds like a bit more of a reaction than feeling tired Brenda. I hope an early night and a good sleep will help to get over it.

[Helen]

That is not good at all Brenda I hope it doesn't last long

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Hope you feel better soon Brenda!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks everyone - I'm getting ready for bed now. Hopefully a good sleep will fix me!!

[Marianne]

I hope you're feeling a lot better today, Brenda, though one of my Vinnies colleagues reckons she's still feeling after effects...

[Dale]

Hope you are feeling much better today Brenda.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks girls. Yes I am feeling a lot better - still headache and funny feeling in my head but with them saying 1-2 days, I should be on top of the world tomorrow! My injection site is swollen and sore, but I'm not worried about that - don't touch it and try not to bump it :)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Glad you are feeling better Brenda!
I just managed to get an appointment for my first covid jab on 24th May. Our GP has been swamped with applications and is only just receiving enough vaccines.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Glad you have an appointment Phrynne. That's the worst of it - lots of GPs are in the same boat with not getting the supply they need! Hubby get an appointment too?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Glad you have an appointment Phrynne. That's the worst of it - lots of GPs are in the same boat with not getting the supply they need! Hubby get an appointment too?"

Yes he did :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good news!

[Carolyn]

Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better Brenda :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Carolyn - I'll head off to bed early again tonight and will hopefully be back to 100% tomorrow.

I was sorry to hear you guys are back under restrictions again :(

[Leonie]

I had my first one back at the end of March (Astra Zeneca). I had a sore arm (day three I rolled over and promptly rolled back again), felt a little bit tired, and probably had a mild fever the day after. Nothing panadol couldn't take care of.

I do feel rather privileged to have had the first dose. Our local GPs have only been getting very limited numbers of doses per week. They've been prioritising very carefully. Fortunately for those of us who work in health, they prioritised us.

Hope you feel much better very quickly, Brenda!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It seems strange to me that one the one hand they want to get everyone vaccinated quickly, and the other hand GPs aren't getting enough doses! Doesn't make a lot of sense..

Thanks Leonie, I'm pretty good now. And grateful it didn't last as long as others I've heard of.

[Diana]

We’re pretty happy with the super hubs for vaccines. I believe in public health so will go to a super hub before my GP.

[Jeni]

I'm so glad to finally have a moment to catch up with this group. I started a new and exciting job last month. I have had to adjust to the extreme pace and long hours. Ahh- now to sit with my coffee and immerse myself in book related fun.

[Dale]

Jennifer wrote: "I'm so glad to finally have a moment to catch up with this group. I started a new and exciting job last month. I have had to adjust to the extreme pace and long hours. Ahh- now to sit with my coffe..."
Enjoy some relaxing books and chat, Jennifer.

[Sarah]

Sorry to hear about everyone's reactions to the vaccine, but glad to hear they're clearing up after a day or two. My husband had his last week and woke up that night shaking uncontrollably with fever. The rest of the night was basically sleepless for us both and he was really crook the whole next day, too, but back to 100% on day 3. I'm slightly under the age requirement, so am hanging out for Pfizer whenever it becomes available. It seems that there's plenty of vaccine to go around for those who want it, here in Tassie.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sarah wrote: "Sorry to hear about everyone's reactions to the vaccine, but glad to hear they're clearing up after a day or two. My husband had his last week and woke up that night shaking uncontrollably with fev..."

Did you mention his reactions to the GP Sarah? That sounds fairly extreme. Glad he was OK again after day 3 though - a bit scary!!

[Andrea]

Jennifer wrote: "I'm so glad to finally have a moment to catch up with this group. I started a new and exciting job last month. I have had to adjust to the extreme pace and long hours. Ahh- now to sit with my coffe..."

Sounds exciting Jennifer! Enjoy your downtime, too.

[Karren]

Can anyone explain about Goodreads stats for reviews, are they calculated by Goodreads and added automatically to your account? Top 100 Australian reviewers and top 100 Australian popular reviewers, how is this worked out and is it by people liking your reviews? Brenda you might be able to help me with this and you have an impressive display.