Starting/joining in with buddy reads Showing 351-400 of 1,317

[Judy]

I’ve picked up a copy of Slow Horses in a charity shop. :)

[Susan]

Hurrah! I loved re-reading it - hoping people want to read on.

[Sandy]

Excellent! And my pile of book to be read first is getting smaller.

[Susan]

Mine isn't, but I can always fit in one more... ;)

[Judy]

I've just noticed that our forthcoming buddy read Malice in Wonderland has an alternative title in the US, Murder with Malice - just in case anyone is having difficulties in finding it!

[Susan]

Updated list of Buddy Reads, including a couple of additions - including the Slough House series, suggested by Sandy. All books start mid-month, unless otherwise marked.

Future buddy reads are:

October/November: Malice in Wonderland by Nicholas Blake
Death Among the Sunbathers: E R Punshon
Slow Horses by Mick Herron

November/December: The Case of the Abominable Snowman by Nicholas Blake
The Treasure at Poldarrow Point by Clara Benson

1st December: Dead Lions by Mick Herron
The List by Mick Herron (novella - 2.5 in the series)

December/January: An English Murder by Cecil Hare
Coffin, Scarcely Used by Colin Watson

January/February: The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan
Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham
Real Tigers by Mick Herron

February/March: Black Roses by Jane Thynne
Minute for Murder by Nicholas Blake

March/April: The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey
Stop Press by Michael Innes

April/May: Cover Her Face by P D James
Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson

May/June: Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham

[Graham]

Do let me know how to proceed.

[Susan]

Hi Graham.If you want to join in with the upcoming Buddy Reads, we have The Case of the Abominable Snowman and The Treasure at Poldarrow Point, both starting in mid-November. You can dip in and out of reads, as you wish. Each month, we have a main read, a challenge read and two, or more, Buddy Reads. You can choose all of the books, or none, or one. It is entirely up to you. We hope there is something running, each month, that will appeal to all of our members.

[Sandy]

Graham wrote: "Do let me know how to proceed."

It is quite simple: decide which book(s) you want to read. Two discussion thread, non-spoilers and spoilers, are opened up on the 'due date' (usually mid-month). Then join in the discussion. See some of the old threads for examples. There is no need to sign up ahead of time, and you can read the books whenever you want as the threads remain open.

[Judy]

I have just opened up the threads for our buddy read of The Treasure at Poldarrow Point by Clara Benson - here is a link to the general thread:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

This is quite a summery book despite it being winter for most of us, so a perfect escape from cold weather! It is also a lot of fun, so hoping people will be tempted to join in.

[Susan]

Thanks, Judy. I have also opened the thread for our next Nicholas Blake, The Case of the Abominable Snowman.

[Judy]

Thanks Susan, I'm really looking forward to that one - Nicholas Blake is so good!

[Susan]

Yes, one of my very favourites :)

[Judy]

A couple more buddy reads to add to the mix - the next Bobby Owen book by E.R. Punshon, Crossword Mystery, in February/March.

Then another Campion, Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham, in March/April (we already have the previous Campion book, Death of a Ghost lined up for January/February.

Hope these appeal - adding a bit more choice to our great selection of forthcoming reads. :)

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Judy wrote: "A couple more buddy reads to add to the mix - the next Bobby Owen book by E.R. Punshon, Crossword Mystery, in February/March."

Put it on my list! It's currently $0.99 US, which I think is the regular price.

[Susan]

I have also added another Nicholas Blake to the list, as that seems to be coming a more popular series. So, with the title of the Fourth Mick Herron, below is a fully updated list of Buddy Reads:

Future buddy reads are: (mid-month starts)

December/January:
An English Murder by Cecil Hare
Coffin, Scarcely Used by Colin Watson
Dead Lions by Mick Herron

January/February:
The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan
Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham
The List by Mick Herron (novella - 2.5 in the series)


February/March:
Black Roses by Jane Thynne
Minute for Murder by Nicholas Blake
Real Tigers by Mick Herron
Crossword Mystery by E.R. Punshon

March/April:
The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey
Stop Press by Michael Innes
Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham

April/May:
Cover Her Face by P D James
Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson
Spook Street by Mick Herron

May/June:
Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham
Head of a Traveler by Nicholas Blake

A group member is also organising buddy reads of the Poirot books -

December - Murder on the Orient Express 1934
AND optional reading of Christmas Adventure (short story) 1923

[Judy]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Judy wrote: "A couple more buddy reads to add to the mix - the next Bobby Owen book by E.R. Punshon, Crossword Mystery, in February/March."

Put it on my list! It's currently $0.99 US, which I think is the regular price."

Good to hear you'll be joining in, Elizabeth. It's also 99p in the UK which again I think is the standard price.

[Judy]

Susan, thanks for updating the list of buddy reads again.

[Judy]

Our three latest buddy read discussions are now open for discussion - An English Murder by Cyril Hare, Coffin, Scarcely Used by Colin Watson and Dead Lions by Mick Herron. Please head over and join in the discussions. :)

[Susan]

Updated List:

Buddy reads are: (mid-month starts)

December/January:
An English Murder by Cyril Hare
Coffin, Scarcely Used by Colin Watson
Dead Lions by Mick Herron

January/February:
The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan
Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham
The List by Mick Herron (novella - 2.5 in the series)


February/March:
Black Roses by Jane Thynne
Minute for Murder by Nicholas Blake
Real Tigers by Mick Herron
Crossword Mystery by E.R. Punshon

March/April:
The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey
Stop Press by Michael Innes
Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham

April/May:
Cover Her Face by P D James
Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson
Spook Street by Mick Herron

May/June:
Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham
Head of a Traveler by Nicholas Blake
Bump in the Night by Colin Wilson

A group member is also organising buddy reads of the Poirot books -

December - Murder on the Orient Express 1934
AND optional reading of Christmas Adventure (short story) 1923
January - Three Act Tragedy 1935

[Susan]

As I have more time today, than tomorrow, I hope everyone will forgive me opening the Buddy read threads a day early. Here is a reminder of our current, and upcoming, Buddy reads:

January/February:
The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan
Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham
The List by Mick Herron (novella - 2.5 in the series)


February/March:
Black Roses by Jane Thynne
Minute for Murder by Nicholas Blake
Real Tigers by Mick Herron
Crossword Mystery by E.R. Punshon

March/April:
The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey
Stop Press by Michael Innes
Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham

April/May:
Cover Her Face by P D James
Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson
Spook Street by Mick Herron

May/June:
Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham
Head of a Traveler by Nicholas Blake
Bump in the Night by Colin Wilson

[Susan]

Don't forget that we have four new Buddy Reads opening mid-February (around the 16th). Members are welcome to join in with all, one, or none. Anyone is welcome to join in, whether you have read the books or not:

February/March:
Black Roses by Jane Thynne
Minute for Murder by Nicholas Blake
Real Tigers by Mick Herron
Crossword Mystery by E.R. Punshon

Black Roses is the start of a new series, and this is the first book, so ideal for new members, who may want to start a Buddy Series with the Group. However, if you particularly like the look of one of our, many, Buddy Series currently running, then you can always go back to the beginning, as all threads remain open.

[Frances]

I've just started this months Mick Herron and am enjoying it but.... I realize this series is going to run out soon and wondered if we could spread them out a bit more. I'm finding it hard to keep up with all the series I'm participating in and I'm seeing 2/month in buddy reads that I'm following (Upson, Allingham, Herron, Graham) and the Poirot series and possible monthly reads. I know this is a group decision and if others prefer to go at this pace I understand.

[Sandy]

Frances wrote: "I've just started this months Mick Herron and am enjoying it but.... I realize this series is going to run out soon and wondered if we could spread them out a bit more. I'm finding it hard to keep ..."

I don't mind a bigger gap between the Herron books as we will be done the series before the next entry appears. There are only two more novels, so how about Spook Street in mid-June or July, London Rules before year's end and then we have the novella The Drop: A Slough House Novella to tide us over until the next book arrives.

I have been rather overwhelmed this month myself. I will start the Nigel Strangeways tonight, I'm skipping Black Roses (not readily available to me), and then waiting patiently is Poirot and other books due back at the library.

[Jill]

I would rather not spread them out any further .I want to know what happens . There is Nobody Walks which apparently is connected to Slough House as well. The discussions will stay open anyway

[Susan]

Actually, the new book, Joe Country is out in June (13th). I have it on pre-order and await it eagerly.

I do agree that our buddy read is growing fast. With some of the series, only a few people join in, with others, they are more popular.

We need to think about this, so I will contact my follow mods and get back to you. With the Slough House series, in particular, reading the series as buddies was Sandy's idea, so, ultimately, this one is really up to her. However, give us your thoughts and we will try to come up with something that pleases, if not everyone, most of our members.

[Sandy]

Susan wrote: "Actually, the new book, Joe Country is out in June (13th). I have it on pre-order and await it eagerly.

I do agree that our buddy read is growing ..."

My mistake. When I looked up the due date I was thinking 2019 was a year away. Oops. Will ponder, with moderators, the reading speed. As I use a library for most books its hard to schedule popular new releases.

[Sandy]

P.S. Comments from anyone reading along, please!

[Susan]

This is the Slough House series so far:

Slough House
1. Slow Horses (2010)
2. Dead Lions (2013)
2.5. The List (2015)
3. Real Tigers (2016)
4. Spook Street (2017)
5. London Rules (2018)
5.5. The Drop (2018)
6. Joe Country (2019)

I am happy to run discussions if people want to finish before Joe Country appears, or to space them - in which case I will just go backwards. All discussions stay open anyway, so people can read at their own pace.

As Jill says, there is also Nobody Walks, which is not precisely a Slow Horses book, but gives background on Ingrid Tierney, in particular, and supposedly fits between Dead Lions and Real Tigers. Plus, the novellas, which also exist on the periphery of the series, but are excellent.

However, whatever is decided about Slow Horses, once we are up to date, I think we need to reduce the number of monthly Buddy Reads, as Frances mentioned.

[Pamela]

I'm happy with whatever suits the majority - this month is proving a bit tough to keep up but it just happens that there are 4 buddy reads (not counting the Poirot) and I want to read them all! Most months I read 2 out of 3 which is more manageable.

Although the threads stay open, I personally do find buddy reads work best if I can read at roughly the same time as everyone else. It can be tricky joining a conversation when all the discussions have moved on or even finished (although the mods in this group are very good for responding and encouraging further discussion).

[Susan]

I agree that lots of choice is a good thing, Pamela, but less useful (although, in many ways a good thing), if you want to join in with all the books :)

[Jill]

We do seem to have started quite a few in the last couple of months. I think Susan said it was so new members could start some, rather than catch up. I do realise our members overseas rely a lot on libraries, which is difficult. I haven't been reading the Graham ones as I had already read the first 4, I also don't do the Blake ones, so I suppose that cuts them down for me.

[Susan]

At least one mod tries to read every book we have going, so it does mean that we need to pace things. Not that there is any problem with members setting up and running their own buddies, as with the Poirot books.

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "We do seem to have started quite a few in the last couple of months. I think Susan said it was so new members could start some, rather than catch up. I do realise our members overseas rely a lot on..."

Yes, I rely on my own books, public library, Scribd, Kindle or Audible as a last resort (I have some hearing loss, so only do audiobooks when I’m home alone- no earbuds for me!)

If I think a book has reread potential, I might try and get a used copy, but many come from Britain. I’ve always found them reliable, but sometimes it takes a few weeks, so timing is an issue.

I just joined the group last November and was struggling to keep up - I want to read all the books! Some, though, like the Nicholas Blake, I can’t find and would have to order a used copy. Should these be read in order? As for the Herron books, I was just starting the second book, as they clearly should be read in order.

But I agree, I don’t want to run out of books - Herron looks young, I hope he’s healthy and writing fast! I will just keep reading them to catch up with the group, but if you decide to space them out, I’m fine with that, too - I’ll read the, either way!

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "This is the Slough House series so far:

Slough House
1. Slow Horses (2010)
2. Dead Lions (2013)
2.5. The List (2015)
3. Real Tigers (2016)
4. Spook Street (2017)
5. London Rules (2018)
5.5. The Dr..."

Agreed - even though I’m a newbie, I want to try all the books but can’t always get them or get to them.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Susan wrote: "Actually, the new book, Joe Country is out in June (13th). I have it on pre-order and await it eagerly.

I do agree that our buddy re..."

I just looked, and release date is June, 2019 here, too; sometimes we in the U.S. wait a year for release of books by British authors (if it’s a favorite author, I get it from England!) It costs more, but if it’s a favorite series, I think it’s worth it.

I did notice when I looked at the profile of the author that he’s got another series going with a female detective set in Oxford. I’m sure that’s good, too, but I hope he’s working on the Slough House series!

[Susan]

Well, your moderators have been considering all your thoughts on Buddy Reads. In general, we agree with the thought that there are too many Buddy Reads each month and, once we have read all the upcoming books, we will cap them at two buddies each month.

We also appreciate that some of you want to be up to date with the Jackson Lamb books before the new book is released in June. As such, we have pushed one of the books into the next month, to accommodate the main books in the Slough House series. This doesn't count the novella, but that is short and, if you really want to read it, then you can do so yourself and then come back to the discussion later.

As such, the buddy read list now looks like this:

February/March:
Black Roses by Jane Thynne
Minute for Murder by Nicholas Blake
Real Tigers by Mick Herron
Crossword Mystery by E.R. Punshon

March/April:
The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey
Stop Press by Michael Innes
Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham

April/May:
Cover Her Face by P D James
Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson
Spook Street by Mick Herron

May/June:
Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham
Head of a Traveler by Nicholas Blake
London Rules by Mick Herron

June/July
Bump in the Night by Colin Wilson
Dancers in Mourning by Margery Allingham
aka Who Killed Chloe?

I am sure that won't make everyone happy, but I hope it makes most of you happy....

Thank you again for all your thoughts and for telling us what you want, so we can respond to it.

[Sandy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Susan wrote: "This is the Slough House series so far:

Slough House
1. Slow Horses (2010)
2. Dead Lions (2013)
2.5. The List (2015)
3. Real Tigers (2016)
4. Spook Street (2017)
5. London Rules (201..."

Just to complicate things a bit, evidently a stand alone novel, Nobody Walks gives background information on one of Real Tigers major characters. I hope to read that one soon.

[Susan in NC]

I’ll get there, slowly but surely! (I guess I’m a slow horse, too...)

[Susan]

As we know, Susan, Slow Horses are the best kind :)

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "As we know, Susan, Slow Horses are the best kind :)"

So true - but I promise, I’m better-behaved than Jackson Lamb in public!

[Susan]

Jackson Lamb can't even behave in private, but he does have his team's backs :)

[Susan in NC]

Very true!

[Judy]

The buddy reads of Black Roses by Jane Thynne, Crossword Mystery by E.R. Punshon and Minute for Murder by Nicholas Blake are all now open - please head on over and have your say, if you are reading any of these or would just like to join in the discussions!

[Susan]

Also Real Tigers as I thought we may as well open them all.

[Judy]

Thanks Susan! I've also just created a new folder for the Mick Herron buddy reads - and am about to do the same for Campion! :)

[Judy]

PS here is the link for the Mick Herron buddy reads folder: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

[Susan]

OK, good idea, Judy. Did we decide which was the next book in the Campion series yesterday?

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "OK, good idea, Judy. Did we decide which was the next book in the Campion series yesterday?"

We didn't. I will aim to get a definitive answer on this asap!

[Susan]

I leave it in your capable hands :)