Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion

I found goodreads.com by serendipity while surfing the net looking for something else. How did you find Goodreads?

I saw the Glens Falls group mentioned in The Chronicle.

You know, Joy? I really don't even remember. I think I must have been surfing like you. I do know that I had been interested in cataloging the books I've read, and had never been able to do it because I forget so many books, so this was a great way to accomplish that task. And the groups are an extra special bonus. Did you get an article in a newspaper about the Glens Falls group? That's terrific!

Don, you've brought me good news! I didn't know that the Chronicle had published my article about this Glens Falls (NY) Book Discussion Group! I searched every issue and never found it. Do you know what issue it was in? I'll have to go to their office and get a copy.

Don, you've made my day! Thank you so much!

[P.S. I don't know why I haven't seen your post here until now. Sometimes I think the red "New" flagger doesn't always show up.:]

Well, I'm glad you found Goodreads, Andy, because you're an excellent addition to its membership list.

From what Don has told me, there was an article in the Glens Falls "Chronicle" newpaper about this group. I had sent it in back in October, but I never spotted it in the newspaper.

Also, the Glens Falls "Post-Star" newspaper told me that they will be publishing an article about this group next Saturday, 11/29/08. I was interviewed last week at my home by a reporter. Her supervisor had met me at a meeting of the Mavens of Mayhem mystery authors in Albany and asked if they could interview me. Of course I was thrilled!

I'm very impressed, Joy. It sounds like you're doing a great job on the public relations side.

On another note, I was thinking of going to a meeting of the Mystery Writers of America here in Chicago. Are you familiar with that group?

Andy, thank you for your kind words. I'm hoping that the publicity will help this group grow. I've been told that if the circulation department of a magazine gets a one percent return on its advertising, they're ahead of the game. I suppose it depends on how much advertising they do.

I haven't really done much. I was thinking of putting fliers around town or giving out business cards. I'm eager to "hear" folks tell how they feel about the books they've read.

I tend to stay indoors much of the winter and the online groups help me to stay in touch and feel connected. Above all, they help to stimulate my interest in reading.

To answer your question, I'm not familiar with the Mystery Writers of America. The only group I know of are the Mavens of Mayhem which are part of Sisters in Crime. See the topic about them here at the following link:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

I found Goodreads in June through my colleague, Cheryl Kaye Tardif. I'd just published FATAL ENCRYPTION in April, and I asked her what are promotion "musts" when you only have a limited amount of time. One of her answers was to join Goodreads. I don't know if it's done much for promoting my mystery - that's a hard thing to measure - but I do know that I love reading all the discussions and meeting new people, so it's been well worth the time.

Hi Debra - It's good to hear from you. I've just put your book on our group's bookshelf.

I agree with you that goodreads.com is an interesting place. I like the fact that it gives us opportunity for interaction with others. Reading is essentially a solitary activity. I like the mix of the solitary with the interactive.

Also, it's nice having books as a common bond. With the interaction comes an increase in our knowledge about books.

Another aspect is the fact that our common interest gives our conversations a jumping-off topic. Who knows where our conversations will lead once we start discussing books. Sometimes the tangents are more interesting than the original subjects. I've found this to be true on the newsgroups.

Good luck with your book, Debra.

I found Goodreads from the recent article in The Post Star.

Thanks for your kind comments, Joy. It is lovely to be surrounded by book people, even if it is in cyberworld. I've worked a couple of day jobs populated with people who never read, ever. It's kind of disheartening sometimes because it's the thing I like to talk about most.

Becky - I'm glad that the article in The Post-Star brought you to us. I think we're going to have a good group here. I'm hoping everyone will feel free to contribute to the conversations.

Debra and all - Isn't it great the way books can expand our horizons in so many ways. They not only bring us knowledge and entertainment, but they lead to stimulating conversation on a variety of subjects. I love a good conversation.

Below are some quotes I have on the subject of conversation:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh

“For let me tell you, that the more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm of conversation”
-Plato

"Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or friendship, is conversation."
-Oscar Wilde

"There are many people to whom one has nothing to say, and that's what makes social life so tiring, because you do not dare remain speechless with social acquaintances; you must, in fact, talk a great deal without saying anything.
-Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, "The Men in Your Life"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In other words, it's nice to have something substantial to talk about. :)

Hi Joy, I found Goodreads from an e-newsletter by Loretta LaRoche. Years back I saw her on PBS, The Joy of Stress, and have been a fan of hers ever since. This past summer she had a newsletter mostly about books and reading during the summer months. One of her topics was community reading groups in which she suggested checking out the Goodreads website. What a great idea and glad I did!

I'm glad you checked out Goodreads too, Dianne.

I'm going to check out Loretta LaRoche's books. Just now I added one of her books to my "to-read" bookshelf. Below is the link to it:

The title is: _Life Is Short, Wear Your Party Pants_

BTW, I didn't know there was "Joy in Stress". :) Although very often I AM "Joy in stress" or "Joy stressed out". (g)

But by strange coincidence, I was just saying to my husband, even though the Internet sometimes puts me in "overload" mode, I still enjoy it. I guess that's what "Joy in Stress" may mean.

Can you tell us more about what LaRoche might have meant by that title of her PBS show, "Joy in Stress"?

I found goodreads from friends who emailed me an invite to join. I'm very fortunate to be part of this group of people who love books. I'm learning a lot. I've also been starting to write. It has always been my passion to write. Which reminds me... Please check out my poem:

http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2...

Please comment. I'd like to improve in writing. Thanks & God bless y'all :D

Hi Lucille. Yes, I agree that goodreads.com is a great website. I'll check out your poem after I come home from my doctor's app't today. Thanks for telling us about it.

Lucille, I haven't forgotten about your poem. Please give me a bit more time. I have company coming for New Year's Eve. After all the excitement dies down, I'll be back to comment. Happy New Year!

I also found Goodreads in the Chronicle, it's a great way to find books that I might not have read before.

Joy, no problem :)

I first came across Goodreads when the site had a booth at the Los Angeles Times Book fair, and I joined up in April 2007. The site was interesting, but it was pretty sleepy and inactive back then. There didn't seem to be a lot of activity. I revisited the site earlier this year, and in the intervening months it has become a very lively place.

Hi Susan - Welcome to our group!

Did the Chronicle article mention this Glens Falls Online Book Discussion Group?

They told me that they had put an article in their paper about this Glens Falls group, but I could never find it.

Yes, Robert, GR is sure a lively place these days! It's interesting to read personal reports about the history of Goodreads and how people found it.

Lucille - I've commented on your clever poem.
Below is the link: ====>
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2...

I don't think I'll forget that poem soon. It makes a certain impression, especially because the idea behind it teaches such a good lesson, a lesson I am always trying to remember.

Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Hi Susan - Welcome to our group!

Did the Chronicle article mention this Glens Falls Online Book Discussion Group?

They told me that they had put an article in their paper about this Glens Falls g..."

Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Hi Susan - Welcome to our group!

Did the Chronicle article mention this Glens Falls Online Book Discussion Group?

They told me that they had put an article in their paper about this Glens Falls g..."



Hi Joy, I saw the goodreads article in the chronicle, but I don't remember if they mentioned the Glens Falls group. I ran across you while I was looking in the groups. I noticed you were from my area, so I thought I would join.

Thanks for the reply, Susan. In any case, I'm glad you found us. I like having a "core" group of locals in the group. I'm meeting some nice folks this way. I'm also meeting some nice folks from other locations. They are all welcome to the group, no matter where they're from. It adds to the diversity.

Hi, Joy! Thanks. I read your comment :D

You're welcome, Lucille.

I like your quote from Confucius.

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail."
-Confucius

Very inspiring! I think I'm going to write that on a post it and paste it on my mirror :D

If you liked that quote, you'll like these:
==============================================
"Pick yourself up, Dust yourself off, Start all over again."
-Dorothy Fields (1905-1974) American lyricist. "Pick Yourself Up" [1936 song:]

"I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
-John D. Rockefeller

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Tide

When you get into a tight place
and everything goes against you,
till it seems as though
you could not hold on a minute longer,
never give up then,
for that is just the place and time
that the tide will turn.

-Harriet Beecher Stowe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[NOTE: The layout above is mine. Normal quote is below.]:
"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."
-Harriet Beecher Stowe

"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity"
-Louis Pasteur (French Chemist and Microbiologist, 1822-1895)

Fall down 8 times; get up 9. -Chinese Saying
=====================================================

Hope you have a big mirror, Lucille! LOL