Pick-a-Shelf discussion

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Pick-a-Shelf: Monthly -Archive > Pick-a-Shelf - How to...

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message 51: by Luann (new)

Luann (azbookgal) | 1017 comments Welcome, Natalie! Which part don't you understand? Do you mean GR in general? Or this group?


message 52: by natalie (new)

natalie | 5 comments Thanks! Uh... Basically the groups, and this group specifically. It's a bit confusing with all the separate things going on in this group to grasp what's going on.


message 53: by Susan (new)

Susan | 3753 comments Mod
natalie wrote: "Thanks! Uh... Basically the groups, and this group specifically. It's a bit confusing with all the separate things going on in this group to grasp what's going on."

Natalie, I do know what you mean. I haven't been here that long either. My suggestion is that you just pick one thing that you're interested in (like the shelf of the month) and do that. Then, later, when you're ready, begin to browse some of the other sections. I didn't do the first challenge that came along after I joined.

Before long, you'll love how RICH the group is in the opportunities it gives us all. But there's no need to rush any of it.


message 54: by LynnB (new)

LynnB | 1769 comments natalie wrote: "Thanks! Uh... Basically the groups, and this group specifically. It's a bit confusing with all the separate things going on in this group to grasp what's going on."

Natalie, I've been doing as Susan just suggested to you as I only joined Pick-A-Shelf about 2 months ago. I figure I will join the new challenge in January ... until then I'm just doing the shelf of the month and figuring out how this group works. (And I am speaking as someone who is and has been in other groups on goodreads in the past several years, so if it's any consolation, I think we all have to observe and go lightly when we first join any of the groups to see how they work.)


message 55: by natalie (new)

natalie | 5 comments That's really great advice, thanks guys. :)


message 56: by Erin E (new)

Erin E (elizamc) Got it, this will be fun!


message 57: by Luann (new)

Luann (azbookgal) | 1017 comments Great advice, Susan and LynnB! Starting with the monthly shelf is the best way to get your feet wet - and really the foundation of the group. All the other things are just fun "extras" that help us expand our reading and/or get to know each other better.


message 58: by Liz (last edited Apr 13, 2011 11:24AM) (new)

Liz I'm not sure if I missed this somewhere, but does the book you choose for the monthly shelf count even if only one person labeled it as "medeival" for example? Or does the shelf name have to be listed within the first such-&-such number of pages for that particular book's top shelves (ie: within the first 2 pages like the shelf-a-thon) to count? I don't know why this is so hard to put into words. Does my question even make sense?


message 59: by Lahni (new)

Lahni | 660 comments Liz- The book just needs to be listed at some point as "mideival" even if by only one person.


message 60: by Liz (new)

Liz Okay, thank you!


message 61: by Slayermel (new)

Slayermel | 664 comments and you put it quite well Liz :0)


message 62: by Monica (new)

Monica (nutz4reading) Hi guys. I have to admit that I have been afraid to participate in the Pick-A-Shelf: Monthly. I just seem to be afraid of trying to find a book in the current choice and then not being able to finish it in time. Or being able to find a book that I have in that current shelf. I am still trying to figure out how this whole site works.


message 63: by Dee (new)

Dee (austhokie) | 2695 comments hey monica!! I have to admit, i'm an adventure taker and just jump right into the deep end...but when the new shelf is posted, i browse the books and make a list of ones that look potentially interesting (on my shelf or not) and then I go to the library and check them out and see if i can find one or two to read...when it comes to reading, i set myself a goal (but i'm like OCD that way)...normally for a non-fiction its like a chapter a night, or fiction 5-10% of the book, depending on the length and the size of the font


message 64: by D.G. (last edited Apr 25, 2011 11:18AM) (new)

D.G. | 1370 comments Monica - You don't have to participate every month. If the shelf chosen is completely outside your interests, you can skip it. The point of the group is to venture out and try new things, not make it a chore. :)

Also, don't feel pressured to finish a book if it's not your cup of tea, you don't have the time, etc. Nobody will throw you out of the group if you can't finish a book.

This month (which is my first in this group) I'm having issues finishing the book I chose. It's a second in a series I love and I'm really enjoying this one...but I know bad things will happen to a character I really like so it's going really slow! I hope to finish it by the end of the month although I don't know if I'll make it. ;)


message 65: by Crystal (new)

Crystal Monica wrote: "Hi guys. I have to admit that I have been afraid to participate in the Pick-A-Shelf: Monthly. I just seem to be afraid of trying to find a book in the current choice and then not being able to fi..."

Sometimes I finish the book after the month is over. No biggie. The point for me is to just go beyond my comfort zone and do it more than worrying about the time limit.


message 66: by Lynne (new)

Lynne (lmsindel) Crystal wrote: "Monica wrote: "Hi guys. I have to admit that I have been afraid to participate in the Pick-A-Shelf: Monthly. I just seem to be afraid of trying to find a book in the current choice and then not b..."

Monica...this is the friendliest group you could possibly join. Just find a book from the shelf that you want to read (I either pick one I already own or one the library has) and jump in. If you hate it...quit and choose another. And don't forget to share your opinion. we LOVE to hear from our members! :)


message 67: by Book Concierge (new)

Book Concierge (tessabookconcierge) Okay ... I participate in a similar group over on Shelfari. My main question for THIS group is ...

Does the book HAVE to already be on the shelf? Or can I read it and count it if I think it fits even if no one else has used that shelf before.

Example: let's say the shelf is "suspense" and I read Suspense! - a brand new book that just came out and doesn't have any reviews yet on Good Reads. (BTW this is a made-up title I'm using for illustration purposes - even if there may be a book with this title ...) If I think it fits the chosen shelf can I read it and count it?


message 68: by Book Concierge (new)

Book Concierge (tessabookconcierge) Another question ... I've looked but haven't found ... is there a master list of all the shelves the group has used?


message 69: by LynnB (new)

LynnB | 1769 comments Book Concierge wrote: "Another question ... I've looked but haven't found ... is there a master list of all the shelves the group has used?"

Yes, it's the thread called "Shelf List" and it's next to this thread on the group's home page.


message 70: by Tien (new)

Tien (tiensblurb) | 9032 comments Mod
Hey BC, lovely to see you here :)
In response to your query, we're really not that fussed as long as it fits the shelf, especially since new release books would not be 'shelved' yet. Some books are being shelved where they don't belong anyway but in the spirit of the 'game', we'd try to read those that actually belong on that shelf.

However, the above may differ if we are playing a challenge but that will be stated in the challenge rufes.

Here's the link to Shelf List


message 71: by LynnB (new)

LynnB | 1769 comments I was trying to see who had been picked by looking at the Shelf List, but it's several months behind. Could it be updated? It helps when trying to pick a shelf and a shelf-picker! Thanks.


message 72: by Bea (last edited Sep 14, 2013 12:03AM) (new)

Bea | 5296 comments Mod
LynnB wrote: "I was trying to see who had been picked by looking at the Shelf List, but it's several months behind. Could it be updated? It helps when trying to pick a shelf and a shelf-picker! Thanks."

LynnB, there is an updated spreadsheet. Click on the link in message 70 above and go to message 48 in that thread. There is a link in that message to the spreadsheet, and it is updated through August 2013.


message 73: by LynnB (new)

LynnB | 1769 comments Bea wrote: "LynnB, there is an updated spreadsheet. Click on the link in message 70 above and go to message 48 in that thread. There is a link in that message to the spreadsheet, and it is updated through August 2013. "

Thanks! I missed that somehow.


message 74: by sonya (new)

sonya marie madden  | 15 comments I'm Sonya VE. I'm reading fantasy right now, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.
3 from future-romance/mystery (jd robb)


message 75: by Robert (new)

Robert Jones | 19 comments Hi Sonya, I'm Red and I plan to begin reading Harry Potter book 2 on Monday.


message 76: by Marie (UK) (new)

Marie (UK) (mazza1) | 601 comments HI My name is Marie and i too am fairly new to the group. I have been looking at the pick a shelf for March and have thought of what i would like to read. Do i have to wait till March 1st or can i get started now


message 77: by Tien (new)

Tien (tiensblurb) | 9032 comments Mod
Marie wrote: "HI My name is Marie and i too am fairly new to the group. I have been looking at the pick a shelf for March and have thought of what i would like to read. Do i have to wait till March 1st or can i..."

lol, Marie, kudos for being an eager beaver!
I guess most of us is still trying to finish off Feb but as you'd just join us,I think you'd like to jump in for March... it's really only 2 days away but you're welcome to start first, if you like :)


message 78: by Marie (UK) (new)

Marie (UK) (mazza1) | 601 comments Tien wrote: "Marie wrote: "HI My name is Marie and i too am fairly new to the group. I have been looking at the pick a shelf for March and have thought of what i would like to read. Do i have to wait till Marc..."

thanks Tien


message 79: by Marie (UK) (new)

Marie (UK) (mazza1) | 601 comments I know i have asked this before but my brain refuses to hold the info. I find that sometimes the link to a shelf (and then trawling through its contents) is a long winded way of finding a book. How do i check which shelves a book i have on my "to read list* is on.
Also this months challenge is short stories so do i have to go through the shelf to find a book i might be interested in reading or because most collections state they are short stories can we just accept that they will be listed on there.


message 80: by Marie (UK) (new)

Marie (UK) (mazza1) | 601 comments Slayermel wrote: "you can always check the shelf list under the actual book, that's what I do sometimes.
Click on the link to the book your reading
then on the right hand side there should be a list of popular shelv..."


i have tried that and not all books show the shelves try
The Schoolmistress and Other Stories: Short Story Collection i cannot find a link to shelves on its page


message 81: by Tien (new)

Tien (tiensblurb) | 9032 comments Mod
Marie wrote: "i have tried that and not all books show the shelves try
The Schoolmistress and Other Stories: Short Story Collection i cannot find a link to shelves on its page"


Unfortunately, Marie, no one seems to have read or want to read this book... and therefore, it's not 'shelved' on any shelf.

Each GR user has the capability of creating their own shelves and this is the data compiled by GR which we are basing our monthly activity on. So, if a book isn't on any user's shelf then, there is no 'popular shelves' list on the book page.

I hope this is making sense...

Also, with our monthly shelf, we are quite lenient on whether it's on the picked shelf or not as long as it's within the spirit of it... no one is actually going to check whether it's on that particular shelf. So, feel free to read this collection of short story (and shelf it on that shelf yourself) ;)

It's only for formal challenges that we require books to be already shelved on a particularly named shelf.
I hope this helps :)


message 82: by Jammin Jenny (new)

Jammin Jenny (jamminjenny) | 4 comments Hey I noticed that all 100 pages have more than 1,000 books on them. Is there a new limit to the # of books each shelf must have in order to nominate that shelf? Also do we nominate a book on that shelf too, or let members pick any book tagged on that shelf?


message 83: by Tien (new)

Tien (tiensblurb) | 9032 comments Mod
Jammin Jenny wrote: "Hey I noticed that all 100 pages have more than 1,000 books on them. Is there a new limit to the # of books each shelf must have in order to nominate that shelf? Also do we nominate a book on that ..."

Hi Jammin,

Firstly, welcome to the group!

This how-to thread is old and will be archived at the end of Dec but we're still keeping the 1,000 books min for a shelf to be nominated. When it's been picked for the monthly shelf, members are free to pick any book on that shelf.


message 84: by Jammin Jenny (new)

Jammin Jenny (jamminjenny) | 4 comments Okay that makes a lot more sense. Thank you Tien.


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