Poll

One of the groups I'm in is now also on Discord and have started to move to mainly SS for tracking. And another is doing a trial run on a challenge in Discord as well.

Still, GRs is easier for challenges and book tracking, so I won't be leaving any time soon.

I mainly use DMs the few times I've been a captain or co-captain during a challenge or when I was checking up on someone who I've become book cousins with that I haven't seen around GR in a while.

I've decided to create a reading only related email address to share on my profile in case anyone wants to contact me directly. It would probably get lost in my everyday email, because that thing is not organized in the slightest and sometimes, I just go through and do mass deletions.

Like, I'm upset that this is a road they are taking. But I've been on here since 2014, don't want to leave now. I'm upset by this choice to remove DM, as it will stop the few interactions I have with people. But I like this site as it's my one place that is kinda private from others, while online. And it has helped me log books easily, as well as track the books I read on Kindle without me doing much.

Sorry if my text is all over the place. I tend to write as thoughts pop into my head.

I am already halfway gone. My group has a Discord server set up (that is already being used by members) and we are just waiting to see how these changes affect us. Most of my complicated challenges will be run on the Discord server going forward. I don't trust GR. Their responses to our questions regarding their original announcement were conflicting, at best. We are taking a wait & see approach but we also have an exit strategy set up.

Shan ~A~ wrote: "One of the groups I'm in is now also on Discord and have started to move to mainly SS for tracking. And another is doing a trial run on a challenge in Discord as well.

Still, GRs is easier for ch..."

This is a good idea Shan~A~ about the email. I may do this as well.

Lou wrote: "Like, I'm upset that this is a road they are taking. But I've been on here since 2014, don't want to leave now. I'm upset by this choice to remove DM, as it will stop the few interactions I have wi..."

You are fine, Lou. Your thoughts and points are quite clear to me. Thank you for commenting.

Donna wrote: "I am already halfway gone. My group has a Discord server set up (that is already being used by members) and we are just waiting to see how these changes affect us. Most of my complicated challenges..."

I like this idea. A few of my co-mods have expressed moving group activities to Discord as well. We too are waiting to see how certain things go with groups, before we decide on that move.

I’ve been a member since 2010, and so far I’ve hated every gd change. But I tried Storyville, or whatever, and some other book websites. GR is the easiest to use with the most features, once you learn how to use the features. The other book websites did not have the features GR has, despite that Amazon is crippling one GR feature after another. I did start in 2010 with only the idea of having an online book record of the books I’ve read.

I used to write in a physical journal, and after a few years had several, but it was ridiculously difficult of course if I wanted to look up a specific book, needing to paw through several journals, to see if I was remembering correctly that I had read it, and what it was about. When I found GR before it was an Amazon property, I was so HAPPY at the search mechanism. I guess I could have set up something on my own, using an app, which I had originally planned to do after I realized the physical record system was not a very good idea. But then I wondered if there was something online which would be a good recordkeeping service, and I discovered GR.

Does anyone think Amazon might close the website? It used to be delightfully spicy and idiosyncratic which I loved so much. Amazon has deep pockets, and I knew they ran a higher risk profile for lawsuits, so I knew they would start toning down and policing the site. But with the latest changes, I am beginning to wonder if they want GR on their balance sheet anymore, and are maybe going to sell it or close it down.

You have an interesting profile.

I voted that I am leaving GR as soon as possible.

Goodreads,

I bid you Adieu.

You've become a subpar website anyway.
This latest removal of community features is just another testament to that.

Sincerely,

-Good Riddance

This is the only site I use at the moment. I am going to see how things go before I start looking somewhere else. If my GR friends and groups start migrating, I will go witht them though.

I've already got an account on one other site, trying it out to see how I like it.
I've been on GR since 2012, and it's a shame Amanazi keeps bringing about negative, community-killing changes that are making members consider leaving, me being one of them. I'm in a holding pattern right now.

I voted that I haven't decided one way or another..

I have created a new account on StoryGraph and I am getting into the habit of checking in there daily as I do here with GR.. Posting new and old reviews there etc., But as far as leaving this site, I know that once they begin messing with groups, which I KNOW they will; that is when I will delete my GR account.

I have also set up a Discord account to use in the future if I have to, for some of the groups I moderate here.. But until that is a reality for us I have not done anything with that created server yet..

I have not decided and I also have not created an account with an alternative site. I do not participate in a lot of social media. I deleted my twitter account about 3 years ago and do not login to facebook a lot. I work for a small software company so I'm online all day. I need time away from screens to keep myself sane. Goodreads is a nice diversion to have positive and interesting interactions with people who like to read. Group participation seems to be in a constant decline with only a few "usual suspects" posting regularly.

I have looked at the other book sites and have found them wanting. I'll stay here with my GR Friends, so long as they will. +Perhaps put contact info in my profile username for those who want to get in touch for whatevs reasons.

But this has been and continues to be a source of pleasure and learning for me, because of the people I've met here. And I hope it continues to be, Bezos be damned (and he shall be).

aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "You have an interesting profile."

I do? How so?

Thank you for voting and commenting. Wow. You did journal logs for all of the books you read before coming to Goodreads? I can see how this would be difficult for you to go back and track certain things for your books.


@ Kalinka- I am sorry to see you go.

@ Karen, Debbie, Nya, and Karma Queen- Thank you for your votes and comments. I understand your sentiments.

@ WD- I am leaning towards staying here for the reasons you stated as well. I am still trying to decide.

"Bezos be damned (and he shall be)."

I agree 100%

I'm going to leave, but not immediately. Little by little, and saving my reviews for elsewhere.

I'm heartbroken. 15 years here. End of an era. :'(

I voted for "No. I am staying until the website is shut down", because that was the option that comes closest to my thinking. I've put a lot of time and thought into reviews (though they're mostly backed up in electronic and hard copies!), comments, etc. on the site, and have some very rewarding friendships here; and from what other people say, the alternatives aren't really comparable. But if the Amazon/Goodreads management start censoring my reviews, that's my line in the sand; in that event, I'll be out of here. :-(

i am staying here for the community. but if gr continues like this, i don't know how much longer i'll be able to take it

Marquise wrote: "I'm going to leave, but not immediately. Little by little, and saving my reviews for elsewhere.

I'm heartbroken. 15 years here. End of an era. :'("

:'(

Werner wrote: "I voted for "No. I am staying until the website is shut down", because that was the option that comes closest to my thinking. I've put a lot of time and thought into reviews (though they're mostly ..."

I am leaving once the censorship of reviews begin to land with an iron fist, (as they are already planning to begin this by recently amending certain review guidelines) and they start messing with groups..