Suggestions for books for book summaries/reviews?

I couldn't find a list, just bits and pieces.  I was wondering if anyone has favorite books that need summaries?

...or reviews that need summaries to go with them?

I have some time on my hands and like doing them and it keeps me out of trouble

Just leave a title and author and I'll give it a go.

The template is fairly straight forward so if anyone would like to try one themselves I would be glad to help.  

Here's a link to an example of what a 'summary' is...
The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist by Michael Phillips

I'm posting a template for summaries in a post by itself below.  If you use 'quote' to open you'll see the 'code' that sets up the categories, etc.  then you can highlight, copy and paste to a 'new topic' in the book forum. The 'book cover' text is just to hold the space, don't paste it on the summary.

Be sure that when you insert text or urls that you do it below the headings.
...except for 'source'...just tuck the link for that within the 'source' quotes so it's small.

The subject line is only the book title and author.

Usually its simple to 'copy image location' for the book jacket once you find it for sale at amazon or other book sellers.  I like to use the authors own site if they have one as the first choice of 'where to get it'.

I remember Cassie L. telling me how simple it was to do a summary...takes about 15 minutes she would say.  I've never gotten that fast but it has become way easier and we can post the bare bones and go back with additions.

Be sure and check to see that there is not already a summary for whatever book is chosen. There are many already done and it's frustrating to do one and then find it listed below in the 'similar threads'.

if anyone's interested ask all the questions you like.

(book jacket)

Source:

Publisher:

Summary


Where to get it?


Related Videos


Related Podcast


Related Threads


Related Websites

Acorn Foraging by Alisha Bayer, introduced here: https://permies.com/t/72556/kitchen/Acorn-Mush-Preparation#605799
Available as digital here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078DV6QX9/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=magiandmayh06-20&linkId=f8eea3d48f52205fd072947dcfcea439

The paperback version will be available soon. From the author in the above thread:

"If you want to look at the acorn book, you can use the "look inside" feature on Amazon and read the first chapters and see the table of contents.  There ended up being over 90 recipes.  Thank goodness we had a friend who kept delivering more and more extra bags of acorns for me to try out recipes.  I was so appreciative of her that I dedicated the book to her.  :)...
...It includes lots of color photos, nutritional information on acorns, step-by-step instructions for cold water processing and hot water processing, the history of acorn foraging around the world and more.  It ended up being over 200 pages because there was so much I wanted to include.  As you know, we love acorns, and I really wanted to help everybody else fall in love with them too.  :)"

Is this related to the book review grid? I'm currently reading Fertility Pastures by Newman Turner, and I did not see it listed in the book review grid. I'll be happy to write a summary when I finish the book, but I'll have to learn how.

Joylynn, I'll do that summary tomorrow ...Acorn Foraging by Alisha Bayer  
thanks for the suggestion.  The price is very low on kindle isn't it?

James, yes the book summary is the first step before the 'book reviews' .  
The book will be listed on the grid once it has a summary and some reviews (maybe just at least one?)
I would be happy to walk you through the summary.

The outline for doing a summary is in the post above and it's more of a fill in the blank with links, etc.
Places to buy, web sites, videos and all pertaining to the book.
You would start it as a 'new topic' in the book forum.

The review is written separately as a reply to the summary, beginning with 'I give this book ? our of 10 acorns and then on into one's own opinion of the book.

Ok. So are the summaries unique thoughts penned by the poster who's read the book or are summaries a verbatim copy of, say, the back cover of a book, or can it be both?

James Freyr wrote:Ok. So are the summaries unique thoughts penned by the poster who's read the book or are summaries a verbatim copy of, say, the back cover of a book, or can it be both?

The 'summary' is usually a cut and paste of a portion of the text taken from where the book is for sale.  That's what I do and what I was shown to do when I learned. I add quotes but I think that's not necessary. I think others have written their own summary. The place for opinions and judgements though is in the actual 'book review' written separate from the 'book summary'

If you look back a few posts I've outlined the standard for Book Summaries here.  
The Book Review has no limits other than starting with 'I give this book ? out of 10 acorns.

What is called a Book Summary here, has the summary, where to get it, related web sites, videos, etc.

Ok got it! Thanks Judith!

James Freyr wrote:Ok got it! Thanks Judith!

one more thought....we can do a book summary without having read the book.  Then it is ready for anyone to do a book review and get it on the grid.  I have not read all of the books that I've done summaries of.  The summaries are fun for me because it's just collecting information.

Joylynn Hardesty wrote:Acorn Foraging by Alisha Bayer, introduced here: https://permies.com/t/72556/kitchen/Acorn-Mush-Preparation#605799
Available as digital here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078DV6QX9/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=magiandmayh06-20&linkId=f8eea3d48f52205fd072947dcfcea439

The paperback version will be available soon. From the author in the above thread:

"If you want to look at the acorn book, you can use the "look inside" feature on Amazon and read the first chapters and see the table of contents.  There ended up being over 90 recipes.  Thank goodness we had a friend who kept delivering more and more extra bags of acorns for me to try out recipes.  I was so appreciative of her that I dedicated the book to her.  ...
...It includes lots of color photos, nutritional information on acorns, step-by-step instructions for cold water processing and hot water processing, the history of acorn foraging around the world and more.  It ended up being over 200 pages because there was so much I wanted to include.  As you know, we love acorns, and I really wanted to help everybody else fall in love with them too.  "

Joylynn, I've begun a book summary for the acorn book HERE
It's a wiki so if you like, you can add information...or just suggest here and I can add to the thread.  

I tried making a book summary, but it didn't quite turn out like the others.

James Freyr wrote:I tried making a book summary, but it didn't quite turn out like the others.

It just needs a little tweaking...you're almost there

When you add something to the headings do that below the heading and outside of the 'quotes' that make the heading a larger text size.  That way the text you add  will be normal size.  If you go back in to edit, just move the 'summary' text to below that heading.
The 'source' text is exactly right as it is small and pasted within the quotes.

I think you've added the book jacket pic as an attachment.  For this we want it first, so you can do one of two things.  Since the pic is already there right click on it and select 'copy image location'.  Then open to edit and put your cursor at the top of the post (above 'source') and then select 'img' that is above the text box in between 'list' and 'URL'.  use ctrl V to paste the image link there and then click OK.  It should put the book image link at the top of the post.

If you would like to change the thread to a 'wiki' I could help with some of that...I think you'll be able to do it.  This was all like another language when I did my first few...it does get easier and there's really nothing you can do wrong that can't be corrected.

Try just those changes first and see how it goes.

The other way to add a book jacket image is to right click on the image at amazon or where ever you've found the book.  Then select 'copy image location' and go to edit your post, put your cursor where you want the image, click on 'img', paste in the link and then click OK.  

If you select wiki, then be sure to also select the option that says it can have comments.

ok. I got the summary text below the heading and the right size and the image at the top.

James Freyr wrote:ok. I got the summary text below the heading and the right size and the image at the top.

You got it!

Now you can delete the attachment pic at the bottom.....no need for it.

This is just fussy, but when you add an URL to any of the headings, if you go to the URL box above, in between Img and Google...click on it and paste the url there, click OK, and then you can use the title of the page you are linking to or any thing you would like to call it.  When you click that final OK it will put the code where ever you've left the cursor and when posted just the title will show, not all the code.

Same with video links.  If they are youtube, use the 'youtube' button above and paste your url link to the video there then click OK and then the video will be embedded not just a link.

you caught on so much quicker than I ever did...great job!

Thanks Judith!

I got the attached image removed and changed the link. I think it turned out alright.

and since you have pie, you can add it to two more forums...whatever you think appropriate...if you think it should be in more than two more, use 'report' and ask a mod to add them.  With pie we can add forums to a total of three.

James Freyr wrote:Thanks Judith!

I got the attached image removed and changed the link. I think it turned out alright.

It's great.  You should be able to add and edit when ever you like...if you run across appropriate videos, web sites, etc.  I try to do a search here for threads that relate for 'related threads' and search Paul's podcasts for 'related podcasts'.

Now have you got your review written

Judith Browning wrote:and since you have pie, you can add it to two more forums...whatever you think appropriate...if you think it should be in more than two more, use 'report' and ask a mod to add them.  With pie we can add forums to a total of three.

Ok cool! I didn't know that.

One more note, I noticed some book reviews are in the wiki and some are in the book forum. Is one more appropriate than the other?

James Freyr wrote:

Judith Browning wrote:and since you have pie, you can add it to two more forums...whatever you think appropriate...if you think it should be in more than two more, use 'report' and ask a mod to add them.  With pie we can add forums to a total of three.

Ok cool! I didn't know that.

One more note, I noticed some book reviews are in the wiki and some are in the book forum. Is one more appropriate than the other?

I've been making mine a 'wiki' lately so that if others want to add something they can.  I think most are not and I used to do them just as you have and then go back and edit myself.  It's really up to you I think.  When it's a wiki I noticed that every time I edit it appears at the top of the recent topics list.  I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.

Do you see the spot for adding forums at the top of your post? on the right above....

Yup I found it. I added it to the pasture forum. Thanks for all your help Judith!!

I noticed some book reviews are in the wiki and some are in the book forum. Is one more appropriate than the other?

The wiki form of post is still in whatever forum you begin it in...in this case the book forum.  We can go back and change from a wiki to just a regular post at any time.  I've just been using it lately in order to allow for other members to add info.  Staff can add to any review wiki or not.

Maybe a moderator would like to say if I'm looking at this correctly?  I might just be making it all up

Book reviews are alright as wiki? Does that mess up the algorithms in anyway for getting a book on the grid?
Did I understand that that happens automatically now or does it still take button pushing?

There's no hard and fast rule, but I think it's best for book summaries to be written as wikkis so that it's easier, and more acceptable, to edit them as needs be.  

No, being a wiki won't mess up a thread's chances of being on the grid.  Staff members manually add suitable threads to the grid, and then the algorithm picks up the title and author, which is why we like the format to be exactly 'title of book by author' so that the software can pick it up easily.  The software also scans through any post in a thread that's on the grid and looks for 'x out of 10 acorns' and puts the relevant score in the grid, in a column with the poster's name on the top.  Not all reviews show on the grid, only the ones by the posters who have written the most reviews as the grid was getting a bit too big an unwieldy and difficult to navigate.

And yes, editing a wiki post will bump it up and make it show in the recent topics page.  

And then just when you think you understand it all we tweak it to do something different, but I think what I've written here is correct at the time of writing.

I like very much that list. But why it is in a chaotic order rather than by topics or alphabetical is a bit funny. Sometimes books are hard to get and I would include people who are selling.

Angelika Maier wrote:I like very much that list. But why it is in a chaotic order rather than by topics or alphabetical is a bit funny.

The books in the review grid are listed according to how many reviews they have received, so that the ones that are most popular with our members appear at the top.  

Burra Maluca wrote:

Angelika Maier wrote:I like very much that list. But why it is in a chaotic order rather than by topics or alphabetical is a bit funny.

The books in the review grid are listed according to how many reviews they have received, so that the ones that are most popular with our members appear at the top.  

I wonder if there would be a way to make it easier to find books by subject?  I've tried doing a search in the woodworking forum for 'books' and in other forums for the same and it would be helpful if the list of books for that subject would pop up without the word having to be in the title.  Maybe I need to search differently?

If I know the title it's usually easy to find but if I'm just looking for a book on a certain subject I can't get a list of books to show without them being mixed with every thread that has the word 'woodworking' and if I look just in the 'book' forum with just the subject I have no luck either.

Maybe the book list could have options for appearance like the 'recent topics' page does?  Like choices of alphabetical, or by subject, etc?  

...maybe this is a whole separate topic from this thread?