Mookse discussion on Zoom?

[Stephen]

Hi Hugh. Can you send me a link to tomorrow nights meeting? I'm still not sure if I can manage along. I'm not sure I have any questions for the group but would be happy to come along and listen. I do enjoy this group and find the contributions insightful and helpful to my own reading, which is usually way behind the curve in terms of pace and prize lists. But enjoyable and helpful nevertheless.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Ok Stephen - will do that later next time I use the laptop.

[Stephen]

Thanks Hugh

[Bryn]

Hi Hugh. Will you send me an invite please? I haven’t been too active here but appreciate the group so much. It will be nice to see everyone.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

I am looking forward to this discussion later today.

I agree that a little facilitation would be helpful, and would be willing to do that myself. I think we should start with a round of introductions, nothing too formal but limited to two minutes or so per person. Anyone who doesn't want to talk for that long is free to make their contribution shorter or even just listen. If there is time we can try a less formal discussion afterwards or go round again, but that may depend on the actual numbers.

A few ideas for topics (please don't try to cover all of these in your two minutes!)

(Wendy) How we all found our way to Goodreads
Our earliest memory of reading
Our reading journey, how our taste in books has changed over the years
(Debra) Our involvement with the M&G group (lurker vs active participant, prizes/threads we follow, if/how the group has changed our reading habits, etc.)
(Hugh) Is there anything else you would like the group to do?
What do you like/dislike most about the group?
Any favourite author you would like to see in Book Chat
Any book you are particularly looking forward to?

[Debra]

Sounds like a good plan, Hugh. I also look forward to it.

Earlier in this thread, I posted some links to a few Zoom tutorials, including one explaining Speaker vs. Gallery View. Here is a more detailed overview that includes device-specific instructions:

Gallery View vs Speaker View instructions for PC/Mac, Android, iPhone, etc.

The video also briefly mentions a setting that allows you to maximize the number of participants in Gallery View from 25 to 49. Here's how to do this from the Zoom menu:

Zoom > Preferences > Settings > Video > Maximum participants displayed per screen in Gallery View (check 49)

Note: I don't think this works on all devices, though.

If you have any questions, feel free to private message me before (or during) the meeting. I will also join the meeting 15 minutes early if anyone needs help getting started.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Thanks Debra.

[Stephen]

Debra, that is very helpful. Some CPU on older computers may only support a max. of 25 participants on screen at one time. I know that's the case with mine. Maybe Zoom is telling me its time to upgrade!

[Neil]

Maybe people who go by a different name on here than IRL could put their GR name somewhere in the name field on Zoom so we know who everyone is?

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Good idea Neil. Not sure whether there will be more than 25 but it might just happen.

[WndyJW]

Thank you again, Hugh and Debra!

[Adina ( on a short Hiatus)]

Thank you Debra and Hugh for your support.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Stephen wrote: "Debra, that is very helpful. Some CPU on older computers may only support a max. of 25 participants on screen at one time. I know that's the case with mine. Maybe Zoom is telling me its time to upg..."
I think that will be the case with mine - that option is greyed out.

[Stephen]

Great to see everyone and thanks for the chat. I realised my dinner was ready so had to dash.

[Neil]

Thanks to everyone on the call (sorry I dropped off early). It was lovely to see faces and hear voices.

[Tommi]

Thank you everybody, this was a a lot of fun, and a rare chance to see you people (so, we can thank covid for that, I guess).

[Robert]

Thanks for the chat - hopefully another one on a few weeks’ time?

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Thanks to all of you - nice to see so many of you. Will have to do it again some time.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

And thanks to Debra for hosting the meeting and sharing instructions.

[Debra]

Yes, let's do. I had a great time meeting everyone and look forward to next time.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Likewise sorry for being late due to family dinner but great to see everyone. Would be good to do it again in a few weeks.

[Irene]

I was a bit on and off due to dinner but I really enjoyed to see all of your faces and I added a few books to my TBR pile, thanks for organizing!

[Hugh, Active moderator]

I didn't take extensive notes, but I did make a list of "attendees": Debra, me, Karen Michele, Robert, Adina, Declan (sorry you had connection problems), Neil, Stephen, Linda, Wendy, Irene, Tommi, Bryn, Cynthia/Cindy, Tracy, Areeb, Stuart, Emily, Jen, Gumble's Yard.

I think many of us came out with a few more books on the to read list, and I like the idea of devoting a space to exploring the work of an older writer from time to time, either within Book Chat or in a separate folder.

[Emmeline]

Great to see everyone! My cat enjoyed meeting you all as well.

[Debra]

Thanks for pulling this together and moderating a great discussion, Hugh.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

I liked the Virginia Woolf idea.

[WndyJW]

It was very nice and almost two hours flew by! I look forward to doing it again.

[Areeb]

It was really great and I completely forgot that I had to revise a whole novel before my exams, hahaha. Definitely looking forward to more of these.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

So when shall we do it again? Same time next month (21 March) might work, if that isn't too soon.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Given the groups focus on prize lists that might allow a brief discussion of any women’s prize longlist books people recommend and some Booker international speculation.

[Declan]

Sorry about my disappearance. My wifi is usually poor but was particularly so tonight. It was very disappointing and frustrating not to be able to join in. Next time, I hope I'll be able to participate.

[Karen Michele]

I enjoyed meeting everyone and I would love to have another Zoom with you.

[Adina ( on a short Hiatus)]

It was very nice seeing you all and I hope we will do it again soon. It was good I could not see your bookshelves too well or I wouldn't have paid much attention to the conversation.

[Paul]

Sorry I couldn't join - sounds as if it was great. Started a new job that has significantly curtailed time for any book activities, including reading them. Hopefully will ease in a few months time but I'll likely sit out these catch-ups for a while, and the International Booker and Women's Prize discussions as well.

[Jen]

Thanks everyone for accommodating my late arrival and early exit - I'm just glad I had some time to stop in and 'meet' some of you. I also came away with a few new titles for my TBR. I hope this happens again and will aim to join if so.

[Margaret]

I'm sorry, too, that I couldn't join you all, and hope we can do this again. I'd love to meet everyone face to face!

[Debra]

Hugh wrote: "So when shall we do it again? Same time next month (21 March) might work, if that isn't too soon."

March 21st works for me. Was 6:00 UK time too early (given dinner hour)?

[Tracy]

This was the best Zoom call I’ve been on in a long time. Thank you all- it was fun to see everyone.

[WndyJW]

I’m sorry you won’t be around for awhile, Paul.

March 21 works for me and 1pm EST which is 6 GMT I think was perfect for me.

I was sorry we couldn’t hear from you, Declan.

[Irene]

March 21st should work, same time or maybe 1 hour later?

[Neil]

21 March works for me. This time, I will organise dinner better rather than assuming the call will last for an hour. 6pm GMT is good for me if I do that.

[Robert]

March 21st is good. Time was perfect

[Emmeline]

March 21st should be fine. An hour later would be better for me but I'll try to join anyway. If Covid restrictions ever ease it probably won't matter either way. Not that they ever will.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

An hour or even 30 minutes later would be better for me also but I will try to be earlier to join if not

[Stephen]

An hour later would also be my preference. But I too will try to join earlier if 6pm GMT suits most folks better.

[Margaret]

March 21, perfect. Any time that day works.

[Karen Michele]

I am fine with March 21st and I am ok with the same time or an hour later.

[Adina ( on a short Hiatus)]

Same, I am fine with March 21 and with 1 hour later.

[Stuart]

It was such a nice hour and it would be enjoyable to meet again. The hour was perfect but my kids are grown so I can be a bit flexible as needed here on Pacific time. Also, I subscribed to 8 Fitzcarraldo Edition new books for 2021. Going to be a busy year of reading!

[Cindy]

March 21st works fine for me as well. I really enjoyed our time together and would love to reconnect around the Women's Prize longlist. I'm quite flexible on time.