2022/2023 - Chat about whatever you like: the weather, good stuff, bad stuff, family or pets! Showing 901-950 of 1,215

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's good! I really don't know why they do that reserve date thing, it happened to me once but I went to the end of the list again :(

[Diana]

Margot wrote: "Cannot understand why this book is so expensive. It's a 384 page mystery novel!

A Killing of Innocents Deborah Crombie

Readings
Paperback $71.99
Hardback $63.99

B..."

Working in a library I'll have a go at answering this.
I have had a look on the Readings website and the two imprints are HarperLuxe (Large Print) and William Morrow and Company (hardback, regular print). As these are both US releases you will be paying for some of the import cost, inflated cost of the item due to a poor exchange rate and postage. This is what I think is the reason for the high prices here.

[Catsalive]

Does anyone have, or know someone who has, an interest in religious history?

I have some books on this topic to give away. I've listed them in Giveaway https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

They're in such good nick that I don't want to dump them.

It would have to be someone in Australia.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I've left you a message in the thread :)

[Suz]

Just thought I'd share this:

The Guardian's 100 Greatest Novels of all time!

https://booksofbrilliance.com/2023/01...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

98% of those books are really old ones and I'd have to say, in my opinion, many of the books I've read are better than some of those listed :) Only my opinion though - thanks Suz!

[Krystal]

Suz wrote: "Just thought I'd share this:

The Guardian's 100 Greatest Novels of all time!

https://booksofbrilliance.com/2023/01..."

I've read about 13 of these. It seems like a very unoriginal list to me, with many famous classics and not much actual consideration of what people are interested in. Like Brenda said, I've read plenty that I feel would be more worthy of being on this list than some others.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well said Krystal :)

[Catsalive]

They all make me feel inadequate so I ignore them. You never know what criteria are being used on any given list. Even meta-data lists that take a 100 '100 best' lists don't appeal to me.

I may not know much about art, but I know what I like 😂

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

And that's why we read isn't it, for enjoyment! It was because we had to at school, and I remember not particularly enjoying what was chosen!

[Diana]

Brenda wrote: "And that's why we read isn't it, for enjoyment! It was because we had to at school, and I remember not particularly enjoying what was chosen!"

The students in our Book Club wanted to write to an author of a prescribed class text to tell them how boring their book was. 😂

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Hahaha!!! No doubt they were stopped ;)

[Dale]

Have to say there are some boring books in that list imho.😊 a lot I have not read or no desire to read. A few great ones anda lot not. Not my idea of enjoyment and great books. We are all different though.

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "98% of those books are really old ones and I'd have to say, in my opinion, many of the books I've read are better than some of those listed :) Only my opinion though - thanks Suz!"

I think the list should be called 'the 100 Greatest Classic Novels' as there is only a smattering of more recent ones and many wouldn't have appeal to modern readers, except for those who love literary fiction.

[Catsalive]

I've read about a quarter of them & mostly they were quite wonderful & brilliant, not very easy to read, though. I read a lot of classics as a teen but I'm much lazier these days.

[Trish]

Definitely a list of classics, rather than contemporary novels. Like most lists, it lead to lots of debate.

[Rowan]

Has anyone else heard about Roald Dahl's books being in the news for receiving edits from sensitivity readers? How do you feel about it?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I haven't heard that Rowan...

[Rowan]

The publisher has apparently edited or removed hundreds of words across his books for a new generation.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That seems strange. People appreciate the older stories - I'm sure they wouldn't remove words from old classics like Persuasion or even Anne of Green Gables

[Rowan]

I agree, Brenda! I don't like it. Roald Dahl was one of the authors that got me into reading as a child.

If the publisher feels they are now offensive, then a little disclaimer in the first few pages would be enough. I don't think it warrants extensive rewrites.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes I'm sure we all remember reading him when we were young. I certainly remember my kids reading him, and now my grandkids. I think they've gone too far!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Rowan wrote: "I agree, Brenda! I don't like it. Roald Dahl was one of the authors that got me into reading as a child.

If the publisher feels they are now offensive, then a little disclaimer in the first few p..."

I agree Rowan, it’s like rewriting the history books because you don’t like the way things turned out 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Catsalive]

It's a form of censorship as far as I'm concerned. Definitely rewriting history. Let's make everything as bland & banal as we possibly can. Heaven forfend, someone might be offended. 🤢

[Krystal]

Rowan wrote: "I agree, Brenda! I don't like it. Roald Dahl was one of the authors that got me into reading as a child.

If the publisher feels they are now offensive, then a little disclaimer in the first few p..."

Totally agree; rewriting seems quite excessive!

[Andrea]

My eyes almost rolled out of my head when I heard about this.

Anyway, who gets to decide which adjectives are good, and which ones are bad??!! Surely it’s all about context?

[Alex]

I had a glimpse at the article Rowan referred to, and it seems to spring from the adjective/adverb 'queer' being hijacked by sexual politics. The Merriam-Webster dictionary differentiates it as 1) 'differing in some way' = as odd, strange, unconventional and quotes from 'Alice in Wonderland'. Aside from 2) 'gender non-binary' there are 3) historic meanings from the UK as 'questionable, suspicious' - relating to possible fraud, and to ill-health. I remember my grandfather saying he felt 'queer in the stomach'.

So yes, political correctness, woke-ism, whatever. It's still censorship IMO.

[Marianne]

Anyone else addicted to Wordle and other word games? I currently start my morning with WorLdle (countries), Quordle and Wordle, then a bit later do 3 versions of Octordle (regular, Rescue and Sequence) and later in the day I do Nerdle (numbers) and have just discovered Waffle, which I'm finding very challenging.
I rationalise that, together, with reading, I am keeping my brain active :)

[Rowan]

I agree with you all! I still use the word 'queer' in regards to something that is strange or odd and respect its usage in regards to sexuality too. I think that's the beauty of words, they can have different meanings and be used in different contexts.

I caught a glimpse at some of the hundreds of changes made to Roald Dahl's books. The lists are extensive. It's a lot more than just a word here or there.

A reference to "Rudyard Kipling in India" has been replaced with "John Steinbeck in California". All references to "fat" in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have been removed. Many references to "men" or "women" have been removed and made gender-neutral.

Each book has an extensive list of changes like this:

https://old.reddit.com/r/books/commen...

I can't wrap my head around it.

[Marianne]

Alex wrote: "I had a glimpse at the article Rowan referred to, and it seems to spring from the adjective/adverb 'queer' being hijacked by sexual politics. The Merriam-Webster dictionary differentiates it as 1) ..."

I agree, right over the top!!
But I just dropped in all my Roald Dahl books to Lifeline and now DH says, they would be worth something to someone who wanted the original versions, too late!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rowan wrote: "I agree with you all! I still use the word 'queer' in regards to something that is strange or odd and respect its usage in regards to sexuality too. I think that's the beauty of words, they can hav..."

Madness! They certainly are strange - or queer (Alex's grandfather) - as I'm sure us oldies used to say...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Marianne wrote: "Anyone else addicted to Wordle and other word games? I currently start my morning with WorLdle (countries), Quordle and Wordle, then a bit later do 3 versions of Octordle (regular, Rescue and Seque..."

I am addicted to Wordle and Spelling Bee Marianne but I am trying not to add any more to my daily addiction. It impinges on reading time!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

And as for the Roald Dahl issue I think the world has gone crazy!

[Sharon Louise]

Marianne wrote: "Anyone else addicted to Wordle and other word games? I currently start my morning with WorLdle (countries), Quordle and Wordle, then a bit later do 3 versions of Octordle (regular, Rescue and Seque..."

Yes I am addicted to Wordle - used to make sure I was still awake at midnight just so I could do the new one, lol. This was while it was all new to me (which is not that long ago actually). The first time I got it wrong I was devastated to ruin my perfect record!!! Then I do the Spelling Bee.
Do you know there is also a music one - Heardle?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I rather like the spelling bee especially when I manage to use all the letters in one word!

[Niamh]

Good morning all! I come seeking some advice on regards to setting boundaries at work. For context, I usually work the standard 9-5, Mon-Fri. We have an audit at work today, and my supervisor wants me to do 8-4 so I can spend some time cleaning the office area I'm in before the auditors arrive. However, he texted me at 10:30pm last night to organise that change. I was almost asleep! I usually have my phone on do not disturb between 10pm and 6am, but forgot to turn it on last night.

How do I word myself to tell my supervisor that (a) non-emergency shift changes like this should be organised while I'm still at work, and (b) in the future I will not respond to work-related messages after a certain time (and what should that time be)? Or should I go directly to our boss about this issue?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'd go to the boss, or HR Niamh! That is totally unacceptable, and not at all respectful of you. Good luck with a response, but definitely don't let it go. Your supervisor should know better, and needs to be pulled into line for what he did!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I was just thinking that the supervisor must be very ineffective at his/her job to not realise until 10.30 at night what was needed!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Niamh wrote: "Good morning all! I come seeking some advice on regards to setting boundaries at work. For context, I usually work the standard 9-5, Mon-Fri. We have an audit at work today, and my supervisor wants..."

Depending how you get along with your supervisor generally, I'd suggest saying that you were startled to hear a message come in on your phone so late, because you assumed it was going to be a serious emergency. Nobody you know would text at that hour unless something was terribly wrong. At least that opens the conversation and gives him a heads-up that it was inappropriate.

Then you can say you plan to speak to HR to see if there are some guidelines about that in the policies and procedures, and if not, there should be. That way, you can let him know you aren't making a complaint but that you don't expect it to happen again.

[Niamh]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I ended up going to the boss about this, and his reaction was an exasperated sigh, paired with the news that my supervisor had known about this audit since last week and texting me that late is unacceptable.
I've turned on "bedtime mode" on my phone now, so any messages that late will not disturb me in the future.

[Marianne]

9pm is the latest I would call anyone unless it's an emergency

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Niamh wrote: "Thanks for the advice everyone. I ended up going to the boss about this, and his reaction was an exasperated sigh, paired with the news that my supervisor had known about this audit since last week..."

I'm glad you spoke to the boss Niamh. I hope the supervisor gets the message :)

[Alex]

Re: the Roald Dahl issue, good to see Penguin backpedal after a week of criticism of censorship, led by Salman Rushdie and supported by Camilla, Queen Consort. The 'classic' and 'updated' versions will be published in tandem.

[Rowan]

Alex wrote: "Re: the Roald Dahl issue, good to see Penguin backpedal after a week of criticism of censorship, led by Salman Rushdie and supported by Camilla, Queen Consort. The 'classic' and 'updated' versions ..."

I saw that too Alex! Sanity seems to have prevailed. The criticism has been (rightfully) intense. And the UK was left by themselves on it - with North America, France, Netherlands and others refusing to publish the new edited versions.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I read that too Alex and I like Camilla much more for it:) A modicum of sense prevails!

[Marianne]

I'm have an entertaining day.
Many of you are aware we're selling out house and downsizing. In the past weeks I've managed to empty the top floor (library, Suz will understand the enormity of that task as she has seen it) all except for chair, settee & coffee table the removalists will take.
Today, managed to finish emptying the lounge room of stuff we aren't using, ornamental and music/movie stuff. Opened the linen cupboard for something soft and light to pack into a box as stuffing, and spotted, at the bottom, several cassette and CD boxes, the type with drawers. Dissolved into laughter: when was the last time we played a cassette???
Then one of the cupboards under the stairs, (three levels, so two of those): found lots and lots of light globes, wondering if DH went out and bought more every time one blew???? Clearly we had too much space! You have to laugh

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sounds entertaining Marianne!!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I have cupboards in my kitchen that go right up to the ceiling Marianne. I can't even see what is on the top shelf without steps. I have a terrible fear of what is exactly up there.

[Marianne]

I've been going through those boxes of globes, some loose, many purchased long ago, but I spotted one bag of 4 with a docket 20/7/2020. A never used smoke alarm. And FIVE timer switches, of which THREE are unopened, still in their original packaging. I'm sobbing with laughter upstairs so DH has to come see what now :)

[Marianne]

Phrynne wrote: "I have cupboards in my kitchen that go right up to the ceiling Marianne. I can't even see what is on the top shelf without steps. I have a terrible fear of what is exactly up there."

Be afraid, be very afraid! I speak from experience