It’s Sunday morning. I’ve been awake since 6 am. A mite too early for my taste.
:: My current stack of reading matter:
The Prime Suspect mysteries – these were the inspiration for the British television series starring Helen Mirren and the current series starring Maria Bello (both of which are excellent, I might add.) I’m reviewing these in March and April.
A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cossé – A wonderful read by a French author that has been translated into English. My friend who owns a bookstore in Spring Green, Wisconsin recommended it to me last summer. I’m just now getting to it and I really love it.
Starting an Etsy Business for Dummies – If I can, I will always consult a book for ‘how-to’ knowledge. I need to see all the information on the page. And I like being able to go back to the reference book again and again.
Country Gardens magazine – Because when I am in the midst of Winter, I desperately need to see green things growing.
:: Someone recently asked me about compiling blog posts in book form. I’m sorry but I can’t remember who it was! There are several programs available. The one I use is Blurb. It’s very simple. All you have to do is download the software – then you can have fun editing and designing your book. I have another one ready to print, but I’ve been lazy about pushing the publish button. I like the idea of having a book for each year of my blog. My 4 year blogiversary is around the corner, so that means I’m about 2 books behind!
:: I’m going to try something out. My friend at Olive Out recently wrote a post about how to add threaded comments to a post. That means that the blogger has the ability to respond directly to a question or a comment within the comments section. I get a lot of questions and, as you know, there are still many bloggers out there who have a “No Reply-Comment” address which makes it impossible to respond via email.
I’m a little hesitant because I know that I rarely go back to a post I’ve commented on to see if there is an answer to my question. This means there will no longer be a pop-up window when you comment, which I’ve always liked. But, let’s experiment! I’m willing to give it a go – who knows? It may be the perfect way to respond to your questions.
Let the thread begin!
It’s absolutely frigid here. Is it cold in your neck of the woods?
Update: I did some googling and it looks like bloggers who use IE are having problems commenting on posts with embedded comments. I don’t want anyone left out, so I’ve reverted back to my pop-up window until the issue gets fixed. So…I’ll definitely do this in the future, but let’s hold off until everyone can comment.
I would love to make a book from my blog! I just made one at Christmas for my new grand baby and love how it turned out. I used the program on my Mac computer and the book was made by Apple. It was very high quality but NOT cheap.
I agree with you on the threaded comments…I never go back to a comment thread to see what others have said.
Hi Sister, we had another frost last night so it is cold for here. I am in jeans and a sweater so at least I feel cozy. Love you,
Mere
Claudia, I often go back to see what others have said. I will be interested to see how this works for you.
threaded comments were turned on automagically for me. What a thrill and just as I was considering a move to WordPress. (Hey, if you’re using blogger how did you get rid of the blogspot bit?)
I registered for my own domain name. I think I got it through GoDaddy and then I followed their steps to change the URL on Blogger. Blogger still hosts my blog, but the URL is much simpler this way.
xo
Claudia
I’m often told my comments are more interesting than my posts (Nice, right?) so I try to add comments and answer questions that might provide answers that other people are interested in. I agree the no-reply thing is frustrating and I think the people just aren’t aware of how to fix it. I wasn’t aware that threaded comments were even an option but I’m wondering if having the comments box embedded at the bottom of the post will recreate the problem of some people not being able to comment. If you don’t allow Anonymous or Name/URL comments, there are some people who are excluded from comments because the embedded comments box creates some kind of security issue that stringent virus protection software don’t like. It’s a possible downside to this approach.
We’ll have to see. If it ends up being a problem, I’ll just revert back to what I had.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hi Claudia – very cold here in southern Ontario, Canada – we finally got snow about a week or so ago but only a few inches. They say there will be a warming trend next week so we may lose our snow again.
I often go back and read comments and especially like the blogs where the author answers the comments.
Very intersted to hear about your blog book. My sister told me she was making one for my food blog and I know it was taking a lot of work. I found the Blog2Print site which basically does all the work for you and costs about $45 for a 100 page book. I can’t wait to get mine. I’ve only started blogging in 2011 but I think I’ll get a book made each year – especially for my food blog.
So much to keep learning~I think making a blog book by the year is a great idea too. I changed my comments section from imbedded to a pop up window like you have after someone told me they were having trouble leaving me a comment.
Oh I lOVE that show and I need to see if I can’t find the ones with Helen Mirren as well. I love her work.
I will have to read the books now too.The book are usually better than the shows and movies.
Love the blog book idea too.
Stay warm and have a nap with those wonderful books!
I have the threaded comments, just got them the other day, so I don’t have any feed back. Thought I would give them a try for a few weeks.
Being a kind of private personality, [I know, and I am a blogger?] I prefer to email comments back to the reader. That way I can respond in a way that suits the comment, and not worry about everyone else reading it. The threaded comments are OK, but I have the feeling that I will revert to my old ways soon.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
It would be great to have a year of blog posts in book form! You must love it. I like your cover.
Claudia, thanks for the mention and so far no has told me of problems with commenting on my site. I like the reply feature. I just finished “The Keeper Of Lost Causes” by Jussi Adler-Olsen and he is very like Steig Larson. I also enjoyed “Prime suspect” on PBS and might get those books if money allows. I get most of my books second hand at GooodBooks our very nice Goodwill bookstore.
Hi Claudia- It looks like you have some good reading material at hand…and a gardening magazine!
I think I finally got my blog fixed so that people can comment. I am having a love/hate relationship with blogger~
I hope that you are having a good day and can get a bit of reading done. We are ALMOST up to 20º today! xo Diana
I love both Prime Suspect TV series (I guess the latest one didn’t make the cut) so it’s great to know about the books. The one about the bookstore sound like one I need to find.
Have you joined Goodreads.com yet? I find it invaluable to keep track of what I’ve read since remembering titles isn’t one of my best skills.
I´m so glad you reverted it back, otherwise I couldn´t comment. I´m having those problems with IE. Hope they get it solved. At the moment I have to write down which blogs I want to comment on and then use my Ipad.
Didn´t knew someone did a Etsy for Dummies book – awesome
Looks like you’ve got a lot of reading material to go through! Are you up for a phone call with your hot chocolate this afternoon?
Brenda
Looks like reading! And you inspired me to actually order the book I started of my first blogging year…now I’ll have to finish books for the rest!
Claudia, it’s cold here in Ottawa. It’s -24 Celcius with the windshield. I have to go out there for some groceries. Oh, well, I’ll make a big pot of soup when I come back. You might like to check this site for recipes. It’s called The Frugal Chef. She has nice vegetarian recipes. I thought of you this morning as I was checking out her site. It’s one of my favourites for recipes. She also has videos of her cooking.
Happy reading and good luck with your blog adjustments. Have a nice day!
I noticed on my new blog where you can reply to a comment. Having to start over is really helping me find my way around the new stuff on blogger. They changed me to no-reply and I didn’t know it so I think it may have been done to others. It is good to find these things out! I will look into the thread. I want to read A Novel Bookstore. I have been looking at it for a long time but haven’t bought it yet. I will put it on my list for sure now. Enjoy your Sunday!
Hugs, Lisa
Hi Claudia,
Popping in to wish you a wonderful week ahead. I like the idea of putting together a book of blog posts. I’ve thought about it but it goes to the bottom of my “to do” list. One day…
Hugs,
Steph ♥
I thought the trouble was on my end! I seem to always have trouble commenting everywhere; either I’m not signed in to Blogger, or something.
Anyway, just wanted to say how much I admire Helen Mirren! It’s so great to see a “mature” woman get good parts! I think she’s so talented and so attractive; she really proves that you can still be sexy after 50! Helen rocks!!!
I am a huge English mystery reader, so I will definitely check out the Prime Suspect series.
Laura
Some good reads there Claudia – I loved Prime Suspect series on TV so would be interested in what you think of the books later.
BLURB sounds fun – and hopefully cheaper than Apple books. I may try doing a travel book of the places I’ve visited…..if I can stay home longer enough to design one, ha! ha!
Mary X
When I leave a comment, I click on the “email follow-up comments to” link. That way, if you answer my post in the comments I will get it via my e-mail. :)
Does anyone else do that?
Oh and PS–I really like Prime Suspect. I can’t wait to see if the books are similar to the show.
I like your blog book you have put together. Great idea!