The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

While I've not heard the best things about the update I am mindful that going into the Fall Challenge the MPGs I can see (including embedded genres) may not be relevant if the mod checking the posts has the new version.

Does anyone know if there's a way to force the update?

Yes, i do. Which is annoying because i was using the beta version and got used to it.

Kathy KS

Mine comes and goes; I thought they kept returning me to the old because I leave irritating feedback (valid feedback; they probably think irritating) constantly.

I prefer the old until they can fix some of the issues with the beta (especially too much white space and clicking), so I'm happy right now. But it's very possible it will be back to new in the morning.

All I can report, actually, is that almost everytime I've gone in today it's been different than the last time!

I have the new version on one computer and the old version on another computer and on my iPad. I hate the new version, but I just wish it was uniform so I could at least get used to it.

Same here Lauren and I feel the same too, I hate the new version...

I have no idea what the difference between the old and the new versions are. I use my phone for managing my book lists and making posts but I can't use it to post links to books when I am reporting a task and there is no MPG info available so I have to go to my computer. I hope it will make using my phone for everything because I live with my phone. I went to get a genre on a book page and the only thing I saw changed were numbers about how many had shelved the book for each. . My genre was there but low on the list. Is it going to somehow disappear with the new format or should I get it approved ASAP?

Kathy wrote: "Kathy KS

Mine comes and goes; I thought they kept returning me to the old because I leave irritating feedback (valid feedback; they probably think irritating) constantly.

I prefer the old until t..."

Well they transitioned me over to the new version and then I left several negative,but valid, reviews so for now, I'm back on the old version LOL But it's ok. I HATE the new version. Too much scrolling and clicking to find what I used to could see without doing all that.

With the new version I feel like they are looking at visual quality(eye candy) instead of user functionality. I also feel like the hidden agenda of the new version is advertising.... to get users to buy from Amazon. The ads on the old version don't bother me. But on the new version, I noticed first thing, the buy button for the book. I'm not here to buy books, I'm here to read,track and participate socially.

Aha! I have seen those ads but like you and otters mention it comes and goes. Their ads are so intrusive. I have lost content because they pop up when I sm in the middle
of something. I don't guess the features I would love to have on the app will ever be added because they make you come to the desktop site so you can be subjected to their ads.
I am becoming less thrilled with Goodreads and I have been here since 2008. I stopped using their book count for the year because it is always wrong and now use the 2200 shelf instead. I am reading more books because they are mire accurately being counted.

Ceelee wrote: "Aha! I have seen those ads but like you and otters mention it comes and goes. Their ads are so intrusive. I have lost content because they pop up when I sm in the middle
of something. I don't guess..."

I'm the opposite of you, I always use the desktop site. I'm not good at texting/typing on that little bitty keyboard on my phone. My fingers and thumbs are just too "fat" for that. I have the GR app on my phone but only use it when I'm at the library and need to look at the books on my TBR shelves. But you are probably right about GR not adding specific features to the app to force you to use the desktop version and get bombarded by the ads. On the new desktop version right under the cover is the link to buy the book through Amazon...that was one of the first things I saw/noticed on the new version book page, which is probably their primary goal. I was like "SERIOUSLY?" Readers will buy books from their favorite sources regardless of that big "BUY NOW" button.

I'm becoming less thrilled with GR myself. I stay because of the groups/challenges/socializing about books that I don't get in real life. I certainly don't buy books through GR...never have and probably never will lol I have been using The Storygraph as I like their many graphs,charts and statistics about my reading habits.

Perhaps I'm missing it, but has anyone figured how to find the Settings of a book in the new version? I can't seem to find it, or maybe I've looked at some books without one listed.

Kathy wrote: "Perhaps I'm missing it, but has anyone figured how to find the Settings of a book in the new version? I can't seem to find it, or maybe I've looked at some books without one listed."

You've probably been looking at books without a specified setting. Check this book: Christmas After All: The Great Depression Diary of Minnie Swift, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1932.

Aprilleigh wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Perhaps I'm missing it, but has anyone figured how to find the Settings of a book in the new version? I can't seem to find it, or maybe I've looked at some books without one listed."
..."

Thanks, that makes me feel a little better.

I'm another one who loathed the Beta and told them so. There was too much wasted space, and the bits that were there weren't the bits that I was interested in.

At the moment, I'm back on the old version, having had a banner show up at the top of the page saying "Thank you for participating in our new book page beta, which has now ended. We have returned you to the current version of the page while we prepare to bring the new book page experience to all of our customers."

I hadn't realised until yesterday, when Robin mentioned it in the 5.1 task thread, that there was a mix of old and new in place now.

I am in multiple GR groups and I don't know anyone who liked Beta. Many people submitted negative feedback and none of it was addressed.

The bottom line is that GR doesn't care about groups, they don't realize that is what brings many of us to the site on a regular basis. They just want to sell us stuff. But although there are other sites to record and track your own books, I don't know of any that would allow the type of games and challenges many groups do on GR.

Well it's 2:30 am and in the middle of me working on my TBR shelves and planning books for challenges, GR has put me back on the new version....BOO HISS!!!! And because I still can't find things that I am used to seeing I started giving the negative feedback again : (

Aprilleigh wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Perhaps I'm missing it, but has anyone figured how to find the Settings of a book in the new version? I can't seem to find it, or maybe I've looked at some books without one listed."
..."
Thank you so much for helping all of us. You are better at helping than the GR help pages and support : ) Apparently I can't see the metadata because even with the book you gave as an example...it's not there for me. and the MORE button for the MPGs isn't there either. I did searches for books that I know have several just to check.

Trish wrote: "I'm another one who loathed the Beta and told them so. There was too much wasted space, and the bits that were there weren't the bits that I was interested in.

At the moment, I'm back on the old v..."

I agree with you 100%. I'm back on the new version and those bits that we are interested are still not there : ( And I'm still getting some old and some new book pages. This is an absolute crap show lol

Robin P wrote: "I am in multiple GR groups and I don't know anyone who liked Beta. Many people submitted negative feedback and none of it was addressed.

The bottom line is that GR doesn't care about groups, they..."

You are absolutely right. GR doesn't care about the groups and the users. What they are failing to remember is this-- the users are what make GR exist. When Amazon took it over, we knew this would happen. I am in multiple groups as well and EVERYONE is complaining about this new version. I haven't seen a single good comment about it yet. I do use other sites to track books and one I absolutely love, but it isn't developed enough to have the groups for interaction like here. It's still a work in progress. Keeping fingers crossed that it will eventually get there.

I finally have the new page on my iPad.

I have given up on GR implementing any of the many feedback comments I have left about the numerous missing features on the new page. This is what GR wants so the user's needs are apparently irrelevant.

I knew the minute they removed the GR Feedback group that this was the direction. The hew help system is worse than useless and is merely there to pay lip service.

Lauren wrote: "I finally have the new page on my iPad.

I have given up on GR implementing any of the many feedback comments I have left about the numerous missing features on the new page. This is what GR wants ..."

HMMM that's interesting!! I didn't even realize the GR feedback group was removed.

Robin (Saturndoo) wrote: "HMMM that's interesting!! I didn't even realize the GR feedback group was removed.."

Yes. It was an open forum where users could ask questions, put in feature requests, and give feedback on changes. Most of the group members were also beta testers for these changes. There was often significant and useful debate, but after Amazon bought GR, they weren't interested in anyone else's input. They closed it down a couple of years ago.

I really appreciate this thread and all the responses. It is good to know I am not the only one struggling with GR'S "updating" to give us such a great book discovery and reading experience. If it's not Google it's Amazon intruding in our lives.

I have not had any updates yet (phone, tablet, computer) so will reserve judgement!!

Lauren wrote: "Robin (Saturndoo) wrote: "HMMM that's interesting!! I didn't even realize the GR feedback group was removed.."

Yes. It was an open forum where users could ask questions, put in feature requests, a..."

I remember seeing it, but never used it or even did any exploring in that group. I'm glad you informed me about what the group was, as that explains "which" members GR is referring to in their statements regarding feedback from members.

Ceelee wrote: "I really appreciate this thread and all the responses. It is good to know I am not the only one struggling with GR'S "updating" to give us such a great book discovery and reading experience. If it'..."

Amen to the intrusion from Google and Amazon. Yes, the struggle right now is real. Much more complicated in finding the stats/info you want/need.

On my desktop ...
If I use browser A (my preferred browser) I've been switched to the new version. HATE it ... but have finding SOME of the info I use regularly (many more clicks to get there, though).

BUT .. if I use browser B ... I'm still on the old format.

I've checked a few books using both the old and the new ... and a couple of times I've found a book showing a different # of tags/genres on the main page (5 visible on the NEW page; 6 visible on the old page). This will definitely be an issue for the moderators of this group!

Some days I have the new version, other days I have the old. I never know which it will be when I log in to goodreads.

I hate to do it because I like the old style way better, but does anyone know how I can manually switch to the new way. I used to have a place to click to change it but now I don't. I feel like heading into a new SRC season I should just get the new style to make it easier to check genres

I am in no way sure of this Katrisa, but it appears they are switching users randomly. I know from my other groups that some people have new, some are still stuck on the old with no way out. They removed the option to switch manually. Some people are flipping back and forth each them they log in. It's all a hot mess if you ask me!

I still don't have the new version either, no matter what computer or device I use. I was hoping to just get it over with as well for the new season.

Well I guess the genre verification thread will be hopping this season until GR figures itself out!

I am still on the old version. Currently I am just checking MPG and hoping that they will continue in the new version. If not, guess I will be juggling books.

I found that if you want to switch over to the new version, you need to clear your browser cache and cookies. This will log you out of GR, and when you log back in, you will have the new page.

This may or may not work as with everything GR these days.

Book Concierge wrote: "On my desktop ...
If I use browser A (my preferred browser) I've been switched to the new version... BUT .. if I use browser B ... I'm still on the old format. "

I've had a similar thing, it changes for me depending on which device I'm on. When I borrowed my friend's laptop to log in, I was on the new version. Switch back to my own PC and it's still the old version.

The whole thing's incredibly frustrating. I don't particularly like the new layout, but if GR is going to force me to change to it eventually anyway, I'd rather just get it over with and start adapting to it!

It could be that some older devices don't switch over as quickly, but I'm sure we are all doomed to it eventually.

For those of us that have been on the new version, have you been defaulted back to the older version? I have been back on the older version for almost a week now, which I'm happy about lol . I wish GR would make up there mind : (

Robin (Saturndoo) wrote: "For those of us that have been on the new version, have you been defaulted back to the older version? I have been back on the older version for almost a week now, which I'm happy about lol . I wish..."

yes i've been on the older one the last couple of days

Still on the new and un-improved version

I've been bounced around alot, but the last two days have been old version. Yea!

Two weeks out and I'm still primarily on the old version. Every once in a while I will be on the new version for just a few short mins and then back to the older version. I'm loving being back on the older version LOL

I was switched to the new version, and have never been changed back. I'm just as happy with that, since if it's going to happen, I prefer to go ahead and get used to it.

But, what's driving me nuts is that yesterday I started getting that message that I got right at the beginning, about "welcome to the new book page." EVERY SINGLE TIME I go to a book page, even if it's just to look at a different edition. And since I've been on that new book page since they suddenly switched many of us, it's pretty ridiculous.

I still have the old version with no sign of a new version.

Sandy wrote: "But, what's driving me nuts is that yesterday I started getting that message that I got right at the beginning, about "welcome to the new book page." EVERY SINGLE TIME I go to a book page, even if it's just to look at a different edition. "

That’s happening to me, too. Extremely annoying!

Sandy wrote: "I was switched to the new version, and have never been changed back. I'm just as happy with that, since if it's going to happen, I prefer to go ahead and get used to it.

But, what's driving me nut..."

That happened to me starting yesterday also! I was ready to throw my laptop across the room!

Yup ... getting that annoying "welcome to the new book page" and requesting feedback. # 1 feedback STOP SENDING ME THAT STUPID MESSAGE! I've given you feedback numerous times, which you've completely ignored, so why bother asking?

I'm still being switched daily from the new back to the old page. Sometimes, I'm on the new page, look at a different edition and switched back to the old page. When I'm on the new page, I'm also getting that "welcome" pop up. Thankfully, I'm not on the new page as much as I'm on the old page : )

Sandy wrote: "I was switched to the new version, and have never been changed back. I'm just as happy with that, since if it's going to happen, I prefer to go ahead and get used to it.

But, what's driving me nut..."

I get that too for the last few days, the welcome every time! I am tempted to put in negative feedback every time but I doubt anyone even reads them.

Robin P wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I was switched to the new version, and have never been changed back. I'm just as happy with that, since if it's going to happen, I prefer to go ahead and get used to it.

But, what's ..."

Every time I get the pop-up on the new page (I go back and forth between versions), I leave feedback. Sometimes one line; sometimes I'm wound up and write more. It's often the same basic points, but maybe worded slightly differently. I often add that I find the old version easier to use.

Yes, I'm not too sure how many of these are read, but I feel if they give me irritation with the pop-ups I might as well leave continual feedback (they ask for it!)

I think I will join you in replying every time, Kathy-I am so annoyed by it

still on the old version - on 2 different computers, tablet & phone!