Goodreads has changed everyone's privacy settings to "friends only" without any notice to members.
This means you cannot receive private message (including general announcements from group moderators) UNLESS you are already friends.
If you want to rest those settings ... (below instructions are for desktop)
CLICK on your AVATAR ... at top right of your web page Go into your profile ACCOUNT SETTINGS You'll see Profile Settings Emails Feeds ....(etc) at the top Click on the SETTINGS. Scroll down to Who Can Send Me Private Messages click on "ANYONE" Go to the bottom of the page and click SAVE
This means you cannot receive private message (including general announcements from group moderators) UNLESS you are already friends.
If you want to rest those settings ... (below instructions are for desktop)
CLICK on your AVATAR ... at top right of your web page
Go into your profile ACCOUNT SETTINGS
You'll see Profile Settings Emails Feeds ....(etc) at the top
Click on the SETTINGS.
Scroll down to Who Can Send Me Private Messages
click on "ANYONE"
Go to the bottom of the page and click SAVE