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Nadine in California wrote: "Tamara wrote: "Carol wrote: "In real-life news, I learned via another group that Jenny Colvin, of ReadingEnvy, died last week at 43. I engaged with her via her food blog and first met her as a co-m..."

Oh, Nadine. I can't imagine. I'm reliving my loss of my then-42 yr old best friend a few years back and it's hard to grasp talking to someone young one day, and ... then they're gone.

Carol wrote: "Nadine in California wrote: "Tamara wrote: "Carol wrote: "In real-life news, I learned via another group that Jenny Colvin, of ReadingEnvy, died last week at 43. I engaged with her via her food blo..."

Thank you, Carol. I'm sorry for the loss of your young friend - I know that there are times when it can feel like it happened yesterday, no matter how many years have passed.

Sad news indeed. She was a very kind, thoughtful presence and a bright light.

I was devastated by the news about Roe vs. Wade, just horrified.

Alwynne wrote: "I was devastated by the news about Roe vs. Wade, just horrified."

So was I. And such synchronicity: this afternoon, I felt wistful reading this paragraph in The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes:

A year later, Jane is raided. Eight women are arrested. Their lawyer keeps delaying the case for months and months, awaiting the outcome of a big trial that she says will change women's rights to be in control of their own bodies, forever. ("Margot - 5 December 1972", p. 205)

and 15 minutes later I heard on the news that the Supreme Court had overturned Roe vs. Wade.

Did you see Jia Tolentino's article made for sobering reading?

Alwynne wrote: "Did you see Jia Tolentino's article made for sobering reading?

"

Thanks for the link. Ugh, that is disgusting. Back to the dark ages. RBG, you died too soon!

I keep thinking about the friends whose lives would have been blighted by this change, the one at uni who became pregnant after she was date raped, is a prime example. And before I came out I had an ectopic pregnancy which my surgeon told me would almost certainly have killed me if it had gone undetected and untreated for just a few days longer. Approx. one in 90 pregnancies is ectopic according to the British National Heath Service, that's a lot of dead women to come in far too many parts of the US.


That's not to mention the many women I know who've had abortions because it was the responsible decision at the time or simply the right decision for them and for their bodies.

Alwynne wrote: "I was devastated by the news about Roe vs. Wade, just horrified."

The Supreme Court went through with it?! 😱😱😱

Yep from tomorrow abortion illegal in approx. 13 States who had 'trigger' laws ready to be immediately enacted, in a few weeks many others will follow. Women who miscarry may well find themselves the subject of criminal investigation - some already have been. In some areas women who have been raped, women whose foetuses have devastatingly severe abnormalities will be forced to go through with a pregnancy, women who've been victims of incest, women who have certain medical issues which make a pregnancy potentially life-threatening. Clinics providing access to safe abortion are being closed as we write. It's barbaric.

Hi friends, if you are able to attend, there are more than likely protests going on in your area! Turnout for protests has an impact on whether or not executive action will be taken to reverse this decision for the rest of Biden's presidency. Look for your local Socialist, women's rights, general activism, and LGBTQ+ party websites for info. Look into protest safety and etiquette if you've never been.

If you're not able to attend, hang wire hangers on trees, poles, fences, etc.

Not in the US, but solidarity.

Thanks Jasper, not in the US either but have put a wire coat hanger on my profile in solidarity. Also realised I didn't mention the transmen, non-binary, GNC and many other people who may also be directly affected by this ruling.

There does seem to be a debate over whether or not the coat hanger symbol should be used btw, not sure what the pro argument is. I used the 'never again' one because it refers to the past horrors that we don't want to resurrect but seems that some groups are concerned this symbol may be interpreted literally and so mask the availability of abortion pills:

Thank you lethe and Alwynne!

Alwynne, thanks for linking that article, I was unaware of this debate. I think it's important to bring attention to the availability of abortion pills, but unfortunately in states that are making abortion a federal crime, accessing these pills will be illegal. Using them becomes unsafe when you risk becoming a felon (and incriminating your doctor) for going to your doctor if there are any complications, can't ask your doctor if it is safe to use with any other medications, and can't get it safely shipped to your home. The use of backalley abortion pills will likely become more prevalent and people will still die. Personally for those reasons I think the coat hanger is still appropriate.

I think you may well be right Jasper, I was thinking too there will also be people who don't live alone - either very young with parent/s - or with abusive partners or others they may not be able to trust who might also have access to their mail or be curious about what's in it. And it might not be easy to make sure that those people won't report something. Also wondering how easy it is to get pills through the post without things being scanned at the post office? I think the scanners are quite sophisticated now. Although I suppose the activists supplying pills may already have systems in place to get round this? I just know if I was in that kind of position I'd just be worried I might get caught, although as far as I know any complications are supposed to be indistinguishable from the complications involved in a spontaneous miscarriage.

Also, think if play down the many potential dangers, easy for those not in these areas to think 'O, they'll be okay they can just get pills,' when I think it's unlikely to be that easy for a lot of people. The whole thing is just so bizarre and weird, it's depressing enough hearing about countries where this kind of restriction has always been there but for a country that prides itself on being progressive etc not only to go backwards but make things worse than they were over 50 years ago!

This article points out some of those issues and it's also pointing towards positive changes elsewhere!

Alwynne wrote: "Did you see Jia Tolentino's article made for sobering reading?

"

Thank you for sharing this! I had no idea that things were this grave in US - as someone from EU I was more concerned about what's happening in Poland these days. This is just so terrible...

Jassmine I agree about Poland some horrifying stories coming out, also a lot of problems still for women in Northern Ireland, I worry too that these kinds of shifts will make anti-choice, anti-abortion activists in other parts of the world bolder and more likely to step up their campaigning. What something like this demonstrates is that we can't take anything for granted. Already a lot of anti-abortion activity on UK social media sites, for example. Along with the usual misinformation. A lot seems to be coming from America as posters don't even understand our abortion laws or their own for that matter!

CNN article with a thorough analysis of disproportionate consequences to restricted / lost access in post-Roe US

I've only not commented here because it's such a hot topic elsewhere in my online life that I had other outlets for the screaming in my head.

For those who have an interest in other legal implications, a state-by-state approach will put severe pressure on the Full Faith and Credit Clause, to an extent even our pre-Civil War runaway slave and related laws didn't see. As ever, when a state acts in a way that aligns with one's beliefs and consciences, she tends to applaud ignoring the Full Faith and Credit Clause, but our Constitution won't survive its demise if it occurs, so... light a candle for our path through this darkness to a place that not only preserves and protects womens reproductive rights but sustains rule of law and the union of 50 states.

FYI:

and


I'm hearing today that women in Tennessee are having their birth control prescriptions denied at pharmacies. No way to verify, but the folks I'm reading don't have the appearance of bots. Scary stuff for all genders, especially those individuals without means to travel, take time off from work, and pursue their rights via the Internet or otherwise.

What is everyone up to today? Yes, it's a long weekend in the US (for those whose employers offer paid holidays or are closed) and not the UK, but so many folks in the US take the rest of this week off that corporate email volume drops like a stone and group meetings are few(er), so everyone on both sides of the pond in my experience benefits from some breathing room.

I've got no plans and nothing special going on, but am very much looking forward to a more peaceful work week and perhaps some time to do household tasks that have slid and/or piled up, e.g., to have the perception of being less behind.

You all?

For those who like conversation-starter questions, I found this today and loved it: what fictional (book) character would you be best friends with? I'm still thinking but intrigued.

Carol wrote: "I've only not commented here because it's such a hot topic elsewhere in my online life that I had other outlets for the screaming in my head.

For those who have an interest in other legal implica..."

Thanks for that, the case of the ten-year-old rape victim who had to travel out of state for an abortion's been widely reported here. It's something happening elsewhere as in the Phillippines. But incredible that a child in this position wouldn't automatically be granted an abortion on medical grounds, given the risks/health implications of what a pregnancy would do to a body that's still developing.

Alwynne wrote: "Carol wrote: "I've only not commented here because it's such a hot topic elsewhere in my online life that I had other outlets for the screaming in my head.

For those who have an interest in other..."

All of this is really, truly horrifying. I can't even put it into words....

Carol wrote: "What is everyone up to today? Yes, it's a long weekend in the US (for those whose employers offer paid holidays or are closed) and not the UK, but so many folks in the US take the rest of this week..."

Yesterday I was at my market stall where I've been selling aromatherapy products for years. I've just expanded into selling books, mostly on mindfulness, wellness and some select calming fiction. They did quite well yesterday so that left me feeling quite excited!

I've been thinking about your question Carol and I feel like my fictional friends are more likely to be the non human characters from books such as The Dog Who Dared to Dream and The Travelling Cat Chronicles!!

Hannah wrote: "Carol wrote: "What is everyone up to today? Yes, it's a long weekend in the US (for those whose employers offer paid holidays or are closed) and not the UK, but so many folks in the US take the res..."

That must be a really good feeling, sharing books of the sort that can really help someone live better.

Your response made me laugh. Non-humans IRL are easier, too. I think I've been overthinking the extent to which we get to know characters, and the extent to which they continue to change after the story ends. On a straightforward level, these characters think and act in ways that would appeal to me and I like who I think I'd be when they're around: Jackson Brodie (Kate Atkinson's protagonist), Jane from Susan Isaacs's Almost Paradise, Mildred Lathbury of Barbara Pym's Excellent Women, Hank Devereaux from Richard Russo's Straight Man, and Janice Longbright of Christopher Fowler's Bryant and May series.

Carol wrote: "For those who like conversation-starter questions, I found this today and loved it: what fictional (book) character would you be best friends with? I'm still thinking but intrigued..."

I would love to be friends with Eleanor, AKA The Wife of Bath, as she is written in the book I'm reading now, The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks. Not that Eleanor herself is always having fun, but she is often a hoot!

Interesting article by Sarah Churchwell in today's Guardian on anti-abortion groups and the link to white supremacy:

question of the week
Do you read different types of books in summer or winter, e.g., does the season or weather change what you select? Why or why not?

I might choose different reading material for a vacation, because I expect to be reading more pages but with a lot of background noise and interruptions. But I don’t read heavier or more demanding reads im the winter or consign lighter reading to summer months. Many readers do, though, almost have a liturgical-calendar- (I’m Episcopal by choice) approach to their reading selections. I find it a fascinating approach when I observe it.

For about ten years, I used to take part in the R.I.P. (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril) challenge hosted by a blogger in September/October. The last couple of years it has moved to Twitter and Instagram and I haven't joined anymore, but I still like to save my horror/supernatural/thriller reads for that time of year.

Fairy tales are strictly winter fare for me. Also, 19th-century tomes feel more appropriate in winter.

I like reading with the seasons, that is to say in the winter I don't want to read books taking place in the summer, and I certainly don't want to read about snow and ice in summer (I hate snow and ice).

I am a seasonal reader. For most of my reading life I wasn't, or only slightly, but since this year I'm really paying attention to the atmosphere of the book and try to match it to the atmosphere around me. Now that I think about it, it probably started last spring when was staying in countryside with my grandmother and read and re-read a big chunk of Anne of Green Gables' books - and it was incredibly immersive and wonderful reading experience, because even though these books take place all over the year there is something very spring-y about them.
I was also never able to read heavier literature in the hotter months, my brain is just not functioning so well. Russian literature is simply supposed to be read in winter and no one can persuade me otherwise 😂
And I feel pretty strongly about autumnal reads too... it just feels so much more natural to pick up Wuthering Heights on a cold rainy day than on the sunny beach.
But it's true that with most of my readings it simply doesn't matter or even if I think that I could have picked it up at a better time I can finish it - I read Letters from Father Christmas in summer, no problem 😂

I tend to read spooky stories during Autumn. I love the season. In the summer, winter stories here and there help me escape the extremely hot and humid weather where I live.

I am not a seasonal reader at all other than I usually try to read at least one Christmasy book or short story during December. I also choose something a bit lighter during vacation because of all the distractions, but I don't worry about the season of the book.

I'm not a seasonal reader but there are certain times of the year that I will read certain types of books. I try to read at least one classic by an African American author in February. In October I will generally opt for one horror (not necessarily fiction) and in November I try to read one military book - Veterans Day (not necessarily nonfiction). These last few years my gift to myself has been one murderbot book around Christmas time 😊

I'm a total mood reader. I do like to read spooky books in autumn, though. I sometimes like to read Halloween books in October. Other than that, I don't particularly like holiday books.

I did "Readers Imbibing Peril" a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. I usually follow Victober as it's based on GR and I enjoy reading Victorian novels. And I usually read something supernatural around Halloween and again at Christmas which is the traditional time for ghost stories in England. But other than that I don't think I'm particularly attuned to seasons in terms of what I do/don't decide to read.

Has anyone else's "Home" feed stopped working? Haven't had any updates for hours, and I did some random checks and friends have definitely updated/circulated things since but they're not coming through at my end.

Really interesting responses, of course.

@Alwynne, my feed is 9 hours old, e.g., that's the time-stamp on the most recent item. The notifications have been a little worse the last month or so, too, e.g., I'll see that my most recent notification is 3 hours old, but I know there's been activity on the many threads I've set up to notify me. I'm a little confused as to why since both of these feeds are 100% automated and even with the algorithm prioritizing updates from frequent flyers/higher engagement posts, it doesn't make sense to me. Anyhoo.

I checked in other groups seems the same for everyone, I s'pose at least we're still getting notifications! It happened before I seem to remember after some kind of spam attack. As a mod would you mind reporting the issue?

Alwynne wrote: "I checked in other groups seems the same for everyone, I s'pose at least we're still getting notifications! It happened before I seem to remember after some kind of spam attack. As a mod would you ..."

Alwynne - report it to whom? (as an aside, I'm generally not one that invests a lot of energy in bitching about the platform and how A**zon is a money-grubbing, etc. etc. perhaps because i'm in the software space; but I have no special status or voice as a mod, and it's generally understood that A**zon doesn't prioritize groups or group happiness.)

I didn't know that, had a stupid thought there might be a mods forum or some such, remembered in another group the mods reported that they'd had feedback from GR on glitches etc but come to think of it that was quite a while back!

I'll go back to ordering fluffy blankets and base layers as energy here set to go up by triple/quadruple the usual price! So GR not working properly seems to fit with general sense of chaos surrounding me!

Alwynne wrote: "I didn't know that, had a stupid thought there might be a mods forum or some such, remembered in another group the mods reported that they'd had feedback from GR on glitches etc but come to think o..."

There is a mod forum (you can join it, e.g., there's no actual criteria or vetting), but it's just a place mods can hang out and share, like outpatient group therapy. It's not a place to communicate with a product manager. sadly.

Is anyone else having problems with their widgets (is that what they are called)? My widget for my women's reading challenge isn't picking up all my novels (and it is not like there are heaps this year. Ha! Ha!).

Update: I've now gone from having 2 books missing from my list to having read 0 books for this challenge. Does anyone know anything about this widget? Is there are tecnical gliche with the page?

Yikes. I'm not having problems with my widgets, but, tbh, usually I'm the problem in that I forget which shelf I'm using for which challenge and then I set up duplicate shelves inadvertently. I'm sorry I didn't see this last week. Are you still haven't issues?

I have a question about the new book page. I can no longer find my library link. It's possible that I'm distracted by how much I hate the page, and I've been known to miss things right in front of me, so I'm hopeful that one of you can tell me where it is. Imma be truly pissed if I can no longer go directly from goodreads to my library search page, so I'm ignoring that possibility at this time.

Carol wrote: "I have a question about the new book page. I can no longer find my library link."

Underneath the huge cover there are two buttons. One says "Want to Read" or whatever, and the other says "Buy on Amazon". Click on the downward pointing arrow next to that, and a menu should open with several links, the last one of which is More options. Clicking on that should show your personally chosen links.

lethe wrote: "Carol wrote: "I have a question about the new book page. I can no longer find my library link."

Underneath the huge cover there are two buttons. One says "Want to Read" or whatever, and the other ..."

Got it, and thank you. I didn't see my library in the list of booksellers the first time and it's #2, second behind Amazon. They clearly didn't know what to do with the library link but thank goodness it's at least still there.

Carol wrote: "They clearly didn't know what to do with the library link but thank goodness it's at least still there."

Yes, I heard from a friend that sometimes Worldcat and a couple of others do appear in her list, and other times they don't. *sigh*

lethe wrote: "Carol wrote: "They clearly didn't know what to do with the library link but thank goodness it's at least still there."

Yes, I heard from a friend that sometimes Worldcat and a couple of others do ..."

Look for i --- too slow!