Comfort Reads discussion
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Daily Chat
Lee, it's so good to hear from you. What a scary experience for you and little Maggie. Hope everything goes smoothly from now on. I'm sure the hardest part now is keeping her entertained, but I'm sure you're up to the task.
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Life is just so full of ups and downs isn't it? These experiences really teach me to appreciate my family and friends as well as live life to the fullest. You just never know when something is going to happen. I wish I could just hop on a plane to fly around the world and give you all hugs in person.
Lee, do you see why I cannot read books about health issues? Is that the first type of book you will now pick when you have a chance to read sometime? I doubt it. You will anyhow be having your hands full. Reading may have to be put on a side-track for awhile, except reading to Maggie!
Good time to read lots of interesting books to Maggie! You might want to get a few audiobooks, to give your voice a break! :D
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And Chrissie, I'm definitely not going to be reading anything medical/hospital related for a while. I'm going to be looking for some good comfort reads. Pure escapism!
Lee wrote: "Great idea, we haven't yet tried audio books. I have been reading her stories but my arms get tired from holding them up high enough for her to see. It would be nice to have a book stand or somet..."Hi Lee and welcome back. Give Maggie lots of hugs from me too. You know one thing that might work for reading books to Maggie a eye level would be a music stand, especially one that can be adjusted.
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Lee wrote: "That's a GREAT idea! I will look around and see what I can find. Thanks Gundula!"You're welcome. I hope you find one (a music store would likely have them).
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Lee wrote: "What do you guys think of the new discussions view that's replaced the groups tab on our home pages?"Yuck, yuck and double yuck. But, you can put the groups back, there is a group filter you can click, but they do not have the expand feature anymore (it's been replaced with a "start a new topic" feature which I am always trying to click on because it's in the same place that the expand feature used to be). If you feel like leaving feedback on this, there is a thread on this topic in the Feedback Group.
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Lee wrote: "I'm not too keen on this change either. I'll go and take a look at the feeback thread."For me, the worst part is that there is no more "expand" feature. And because the new "start a new topic feature" is exactly where the old expand feature used to be, I keep wanting to click on it.
I haven't really looked at the home page yet. I've always left it on friends updates. I accessed the groups from groups and then each group by last activity the threads with unread messages. So, I might not have noticed this without it being mentioned. I don't get these changes when things are already working. At least it's a Thursday and not a Friday.Lee, Hope you get that stand, and maybe you can do more family friendly DVD movies too. It's going to be a challenge given that Maggie is so young and so active and so used to dance classes, etc. etc.
I'm glad you're both home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am loving Moloka'i so much, but it's one book I wouldn't recommend to you at the moment. A girl not much older than Maggie diagnosed with leprosy and forcibly removed from her family. It's heartbreaking. Luckily, there is lots of humor too. But, not what you need. Escape city with lots of comfort if/when you have time to read.
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I do want to read Moloka'i but I'll wait based on your summary.
Lee, Moloka'i is amazingly great. It would have to go so far downhill for me not to end up giving it 5 full stars.
Lee wrote: "It's better now that I've found the filter that Gundula mentioned. I have it set on groups instead of groups AND books which was the default. I do want to read Moloka'i but I'll wait based on..."
And they have also fixed a few of the issues that were a real problem. The "expand" feature is back and so are the folders. I might check on the books feature just to see what it is like, but I think I will be going back to the group filter.
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Lee wrote: "Really? Wow! I know quite a few of my friends have read it and loved it too. I'm glad you've found something to read that's fantastic."I think I have it on my to-read list as well. I might have to read it sooner than later (I seem to be only reading children's books lately, or yeah, and self-help books, lol).
There are 173 new/messages on that thread. When will I have time to read my book if I skim them all?! Goodreads is sometimes a huge time suck black hoe. ;-)
Lee wrote: "Really? Wow! I know quite a few of my friends have read it and loved it too. I'm glad you've found something to read that's fantastic."If only I had/took some time to read.
Lisa wrote: "There are 173 new/messages on that thread. When will I have time to read my book if I skim them all?! Goodreads is sometimes a huge time suck black hoe. ;-)"Actually, I don't think you need to read the entire thread or read it at all. Now that most of the issues have been dealt with, all you have to do is click on whatever default you want. Your book is more important, and I should start reading as well (you are right about GR sometimes being like a huge black hole ...)
I complained early in the Feedback thread about the text size on the home page being too small, and they fixed it. Many other complaints were resolved right away. But, it sure was a shock when I came back from a break, and the new home page was rolled-in, with no explanation. I still don't see the value of the "random" book discussion. I don't think I'll use it or need to.
Goodreads definitely just throws changes out there, but they are also incredibly responsive to feedback. I think sometimes it's hard to tell how a change will be received, even if they broach it and have a page link to check it out. It doesn't always feel the same when it's actually implemented.
The entire look of the home page changed! There were all of these weird links to book discussions, and no explanations, and the type was "ant-sized". It would have helped to post a link at the top to some sort of explanation. But, like you said, the GR folks via help and/or the Feedback group are very responsive. We'll see how the discussion links pan out.
It was a bit disturbing -- you can see by the huge number of comments. :)
Lisa wrote: "Lee, Moloka'i is amazingly great. It would have to go so far downhill for me not to end up giving it 5 full stars."It won't go downhill, Lisa. I loved this book so much. Learning about the leprosy colony on Molokai was so interesting. I bought a non-fiction book entitled The Colony: The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai about it, but I haven't read it yet. I need to get to it. Lee, I think you would love it Molokai, too. I just had to include my review of it here. Hope that's okay.
Review of Molokai
There's nothing quite like finishing a book and knowing that you now have a favorite to add to your list of favorite reads. While the story was as compelling a one as I've read, it was a learning novel for me, too. The absorption of Hawaii by the United States, the disease of leprosy or Hansen's disease, the leper colony of Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai (heck, the island itself), the island of Maui, early aviation. All of these subjects and more were presented in an amazing story by Brennert. There's nothing quite like finishing a book and knowing that you now have a favorite to add to your list of favorite reads. While the story was as compelling a one as I've read, it was a learning novel for me, too. The absorption of Hawaii by the United States, the disease of leprosy or Hansen's disease, the leper colony of Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai (heck, the island itself), the island of Maui, early aviation. All of these subjects and more were presented in an amazing story by Brennert, whose writing skills were able to capture the history, the emotion, and the humanity of the many years covered. Heartbreaking and uplifting, following the story of Rachel Kalama from when she was sent away to Kalaupapa at the age of 7 into adulthood, was watching a journey of strength and bravery few of us are ever called upon to muster. I am very much looking forward to reading Brennert's Honolulu. A new favorite book and a new favorite author is quite a catch in reading!
Kathy, I've had The Colony on my to-read shelf. I just bumped it up. I wish I had time to read it right after I read Moloka'i but I don't.Kathy, I think when you wrote it I voted for that review. BUT, off to check.
Good morning,
I'm back, and now facing my mounds of laundry. But that's okay, a Disney trip is always worth it. I didn't want to post from Florida because (honest moment here) I felt horrible posting about being on vacation when Lee was going through so much. I'm so happy that you are back, Lee. Much love to your family.
Jeannette, they do not sell Tiki Room shirts or pins...I so wanted to buy you one.
Wonderful vacation, but the flight home was a nightmare with a family of 6 sitting DIRECTLY behind us that were all throwing up. They kept talking about how they hope their virus will pass in time for school this week. So wonderful. We got to breathe in their air for 3 hours. Having a child with serious OCD (truly diagnosed, not just saying it like most people do) made that the worst 3 hours in my recent memory. Her anxiety was heartbreaking. Now I'm just waiting to see if we get this virus.
With that said, the Disney time was really great. We had two majorly rainy days but spent those at MGM and Epcot were the attractions are pretty much all indoors. No day was wasted. I am expecting to see the girl who won the American Idol Experience ticket for the day on the actual show next year. Her talent was mind boggling.
I didn't read. It was too crazy. I was too tired. I missed you guys. I worried about our Lee. I'm happy to be back.
I'm back, and now facing my mounds of laundry. But that's okay, a Disney trip is always worth it. I didn't want to post from Florida because (honest moment here) I felt horrible posting about being on vacation when Lee was going through so much. I'm so happy that you are back, Lee. Much love to your family.
Jeannette, they do not sell Tiki Room shirts or pins...I so wanted to buy you one.
Wonderful vacation, but the flight home was a nightmare with a family of 6 sitting DIRECTLY behind us that were all throwing up. They kept talking about how they hope their virus will pass in time for school this week. So wonderful. We got to breathe in their air for 3 hours. Having a child with serious OCD (truly diagnosed, not just saying it like most people do) made that the worst 3 hours in my recent memory. Her anxiety was heartbreaking. Now I'm just waiting to see if we get this virus.
With that said, the Disney time was really great. We had two majorly rainy days but spent those at MGM and Epcot were the attractions are pretty much all indoors. No day was wasted. I am expecting to see the girl who won the American Idol Experience ticket for the day on the actual show next year. Her talent was mind boggling.
I didn't read. It was too crazy. I was too tired. I missed you guys. I worried about our Lee. I'm happy to be back.
Lisa wrote: "Kathy, I've had The Colony on my to-read shelf. I just bumped it up. I wish I had time to read it right after I read Moloka'i but I don't.
Kathy, I think when you wrote it I voted for that review...."
I loved Moloka'i. I have had The Colony on my wishlist forever.
Kathy, I think when you wrote it I voted for that review...."
I loved Moloka'i. I have had The Colony on my wishlist forever.
Welcome back! Get everybody to bed early tonight to fight off those germs! Yuck! I'm a bit auto-suggestive when it comes to throwing-up, so I would have been miserable!
But, I'm glad you all had a good time. No Tiki shirt - *sigh*
But, I'm glad you all had a good time. No Tiki shirt - *sigh*
Here is a question : Why oh why would someone BUY tickets to Charlie Sheen's Violent Torpedo of Truth show, and then demand their money back because he rambled on and didn't make sense? Really? What exactly were they thinking when they bought those tickets?
Christine, glad to hear you had a great vacation and hoping the virus skips your family. I really want to read The Colony, but I take so long when I read non-fiction. I'm not a fast reader anyway, and when I read non-fiction, I want to remember every fascination tidbit, so I drive myself a little crazy. Oh, and I thought it was rather ridiculous too that people wanted their money back from the Charlie Sheen show. Like you said, what did they think they were getting when they bought the tickets?
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Hi comfies! I'm sorry that I haven't posted much since I've been back. I've been trying to catch up on things that I need to do, plus I took three days on for babysitting this week. I think we have avoided the airplane virus (Quick! Knock on wood!). My reading has suffered due to everything these past few weeks. I have read one book in the last two weeks! One!
I hope that everyone is doing well. Oh, and as a sidenote if you are a twitterer, I just signed up and I'd be happy to follow you if you like to tweet. :)
I hope that everyone is doing well. Oh, and as a sidenote if you are a twitterer, I just signed up and I'd be happy to follow you if you like to tweet. :)
I was just getting ready to ask if you were all sick, Christine. I'm glad everyone is well. Did you notice my pathetic attempt at Cupcake Haiku while you were gone? I've got to get my mojo back.
I don't tweet -- I waste enough time on GR. ;)
I don't tweet -- I waste enough time on GR. ;)
I just saw it! You are a sweetie! I just signed up so that I could follow book reviews and some authors.
Jeannette,
I'm waiting for you to get a droid so that we can play word games! Come on already!
I'm waiting for you to get a droid so that we can play word games! Come on already!
Too bad that you don't tweet, I think you'd be a funny tweeter. :)
My daughter is waiting for the day we all get real phones! lol I'd have to get one with the "senior" keyboard. I still haven't figured out how to text from the phone I've got! *pathetic*
My kids burst into laughter anytime I start to text...it is rather embarrassing. I guess it's just practice.
I enjoy texting from my gmail account to my daughter's phone -- it works like chatting. But, I can't bring myself to learn how my phone works.
Jeannette wrote: "I enjoy texting from my gmail account to my daughter's phone -- it works like chatting. But, I can't bring myself to learn how my phone works."I refuse to text. I'm a clumsy enough typist and if I tried to text, it would drive me bananas (and give me seriously arthritic fingers, I already get a sore right wrist from writing).
I have one of those slide out keyboards so it is easy. It's great for talking to my daughter when she isn't home.
I'm off to face the challenge of producing a zambonie-based haiku.
I'm off to face the challenge of producing a zambonie-based haiku.
Off to babysit! I'll check in via phone as per nap. Have a great start comfies!
Have a nice nap, Christine! :)
We're actually seeing spring weather here, and I am able to walk outside again! Is everyone else getting out into the fresh air? It really makes me feel good to be outdoors, with the birds and fresh smells.
We're actually seeing spring weather here, and I am able to walk outside again! Is everyone else getting out into the fresh air? It really makes me feel good to be outdoors, with the birds and fresh smells.
Jeannette wrote: "Have a nice nap, Christine! :)We're actually seeing spring weather here, and I am able to walk outside again! Is everyone else getting out into the fresh air? It really makes me feel good to be..."
Fresh smells are nice, but there is also the other smell of spring, the smell of skunk. Ha, ha, I actually had a friend at university who thought that the smell of skunk was sexy. It's pretty foggy around Hamilton this morning; I wish the sun would peak out (but maybe he/she is afraid of the skunks).
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Comfort Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
No Angel (other topics)The False Prince (other topics)
Para Handy Tales (other topics)
Para Handy Tales (other topics)
Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Austen (other topics)Rebecca Stead (other topics)
Ken Jennings (other topics)
Neal D. Barnard (other topics)
Nigel Tranter (other topics)
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And thank you Lisa, for starting this thread and filling in info as time went along.