What is a "Buddy Read"?? Request a Buddy Read?

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Martin, I can add The Day of the Triffids to the War of the Worlds title and continue on that thread so the discussion will flow. We often compare books that we are reading.
Where in Germany are you? I have cousins there, in the southern part of Germany.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

My copy of They Were Divided arrived at my local library branch. I can set up the Buddy Read thread anytime. Which is better Friday the 13th or the Ides of March (Sunday)?

[Brian E]

Rosemarie wrote: "My copy of They Were Divided arrived at my local library branch. I can set up the Buddy Read thread anytime. Which is better Friday the 13th or the Ides of March (Sunday)?"

Ides of March Sunday sounds good, more the month midpoint, and I should finish Room at the Top on Saturday. But I'm fine with a Friday start if Kathy is interested and prefers it. It really doesn't matter though.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Okay, Brian. We will see which Kathy prefers. Sunday would be better for me as well.

[Kathy]

I’m fine with a Sunday start. I’m almost finished with House of Mirth and hopefully will be home to start They We’re Divided. Sitting in the Tampa airport waiting for our flight home.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Sounds good, Kathy. Have a safe flight home!

[Kathy]

Thanks, Rosemarie!

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Hope your home safe Kathy.

[Kathy]

Yes, we made it home. Whew! If we were scheduled to travel now, I’d cancel. As it is, we were very cautious- extra hand washing, wiping down surfaces with alcohol wipes, etc.

Thanks for the good wishes!

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

I am sure your relieved to be home!

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Keshav, we read The Fountainhead as a Buddy Read three years ago. You can find the discussion in the Buddy Read Archives Folder. It is still open for discussion and new comments, but be careful to look out for spoilers.

[Melissa]

Is anyone interested in reading Confessions of a Mask by Yukio Mishima?

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Our member Melissa would like to know if there are other members who are interested in a buddy read of Confessions of a Mask by Yukio Mishima.
If you are interested, just let us know in this thread.

[Jazzy]

Perhaps, I do love a bit of Yukio Mishima. I will see if i can find the book.

[Jazzy]

I would like to have a Buddy Read starting on Saturday the 6th of March for
The Good Companions (1929) by J.B. Priestley



Priestley's story about a travelling theatrical group. The novel follows the motley crew as they sing, squabble, drink and dance their way from theatre to theatre in the English provincial world of seaside boarding houses, market fairs and catchpenny shows of the 1920s.

Around 650pp depending on the edition.

[Tr1sha]

Jazzy wrote: "I would like to have a Buddy Read starting on Saturday the 6th of March for
The Good Companions (1929) by J.B. Priestley

Priestley's story about a travelling t..."

Thanks, Jazzy, this should be an interesting read.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I'll set that up for you, Jazzy.

[Jazzy]

Yes it looks cracking Trisha! I suppose it will take a couple of months or so, we'll see!

[Jazzy]

Thank you muchly Rosemarie! xx

[John]

Would it be possible to set up a 2022 Buddy Read for me please?

The aim is to read two books per month by Scottish authors.

One book must be a book of Scottish poetry. The other book can be any genre whatsoever, including plays, poetry, non-fiction, etc.

Its up to any participants to decide what books they will read each month - we don't have to be reading the same books.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

More than happy to do that John.
Once I get it set up. You put your thoughts you stated above in the second comment than I will delete the first comment.

Sounds like intriguing reads.

[Nora]

I would like to “Buddy Read” The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien if anyone is interested?

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Nora wrote: "I would like to “Buddy Read” The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien if anyone is interested?"

Nora I will open a Buddy Read thread for you under the Topic: Futuristic, Magical & Disturbing:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I am positive you will have Buddies joining in!

[Nidhi]

I didn’t know, sorry. You could shift these non relevant comments to buddy read requests, just a suggestion, very sorry for messing this up. ( Fundamentals of NT L T R C)

[Nidhi]

Good to know that you are also interested in the series Sandy, I was planning to start next year because I was alone, do you want to start early? Other wise you can finish Barchester Series in remaining three months.

John, what do you suggest about beginning the series A Dance to the Music of Time?

[Luís]

Nora wrote: "I would like to “Buddy Read” The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien if anyone is interested?"

I would like much, but I'm very busy at work.

[Nora]

Luís wrote: "Nora wrote: "I would like to “Buddy Read” The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien if anyone is interested?"

I would like much, but I'm very busy at work."

That’s totally okay, Luis. Thanks so much for letting me know.

[Nidhi]

That suits my planning Sandy. I have never read Mrs. Olliphant, how is it?

[Subhasree]

Would like to buddy read Anna Karenina or Babel. I am currently reading both the books. Anybody there to read with me??

[Mike]

I'd be interested in joining next year too. I have the six volume Penguin Modern Classics "In Search of Lost Time" which I was already thinking of reading next year. It was either Proust or Les Miserables as my main "big" read. I think having a cohort to encourage reading such a long work will be a great experience.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

No worries Nidhi, it was my fault.

It seems we have a need for some Buddy Reads next year! I will log A Dance to the Music of Time: 1st Movement and In Search of Lost Time under the 2023 Buddy Reads.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

When the time comes just let us know you would like it opened.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Subhasree wrote: "Would like to buddy read Anna Karenina or Babel. I am currently reading both the books. Anybody there to read with me??"

Subhasree is looking for support with a choice of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy or Babel?

Subhasree, who is the Author for Babel?
When did you want to have a thread opened?

[John]

Nidhi wrote: "Good to know that you are also interested in the series Sandy, I was planning to start next year because I was alone, do you want to start early? Other wise you can finish Barchester Series in rema..."

2023 is perfect for a buddy read of Dance to the Music of time - one volume per month throughout the year.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

John wrote: "2023 is perfect for a buddy read of Dance to the Music of time - one volume per month throughout the year. ..."

Duh! Thanks for the obvious reminder that I totally missed John! I will make a note of it :)

[Brian E]

Nidhi wrote: "That suits my planning Sandy. I have never read Mrs. Olliphant, how is it?"

Yes, how is the Chronicles of Carlingford series going so far. Out of the 6 books I have read 2 so far:
#1 The Rector, GR -3.48, which is just a short story, and
#5 Miss Marjoribanks, GR - 3.77, which I enjoyed.

My plan was to next read the Kindle I already own of
#4 The Perpetual Curate GR - 3.93, and then someday read
#6 Phoebe Junior GR - 3.95. which I heard good things about.

However, I haven't read good things about either
#2 The Doctor's Family GR - 3.52
#3 Salem Chapel GR - 3.44
and didn't plan to read them. Reviews seem to find them more tedious than the others. Judging by their GR ratings, which I note above, I suspected they were right. I am very curious as to your opinion about these books.

[Brian E]

I have also read the 12 book series of A Dance to the Music of Time and have read Trollope's 6 book Chronicles of Barsetshire and Palliser Novels twice each. All three series are well worth the time to read.
I first read the two Trollope series in the 1990s and then again in a Goodreads group from about 2016 to 2019. The first time as a male in my 40s who was a government employee, I enjoyed both series immensely and slighly preferred the Pallisers. This slight preference was reinforced by watching the wonderful 1974 miniseries which I own and have rewatched.
On reread of the two series as a male in my 60s, I definitely preferred the Barsetshire series, largely for the reasons expressed by Chrissie.
While I agree with Chrissie's recommendation of that series to read first, I think the Pallisers is a valuable read also. This second time around I especially valued experiencing the arc of the 30+ year marriage of Glencora and Plantagenet, which culminates while reading the last two books of the series. The Barsetshire series doesn't have such a relationship explored throughout the series.
So even with the Pallisers it's the dynamics of a marriage rather than the dynamics of politics that I most value. I think I am just getting more sentimental as I age and political maneuvering holds less interest for me.

[Brian E]

Oops. Sorry I had missed seeing your response to Nidhi's question in Message 82 or I wouldn't have posted my inquiry. But I do appreciate this more thorough reply. Thanks, Sandy.
II will let you know if I find time to fit in The Perpetual Cleric during October. I know I'll be reading No Name during the end part of the year too.

[Nidhi]

So many comments have been posted, I was sleeping lol .

Thanks Sandy and Brian for elaborate responses, I will definitely read Mrs. Oliphant.

Next year is already getting all booked up.

When is Anna Karenina buddy read is scheduled? I am interested in a reread.

[Brian E]

Nidhi wrote: "Thanks Sandy and Brian for elaborate responses, I will definitely read Mrs. Oliphant..."

Some Oliphant readers also like to read the stand-alone novel Hester, its her second most popular on Goodreads after Miss Marjoribanks.

[Nidhi]

I discovered Trollope only after joining GR and now Mrs. Oliphant , its so satisfying to be part of groups for reading.

[Subhasree]

Lesle wrote: "Subhasree wrote: "Would like to buddy read Anna Karenina or Babel. I am currently reading both the books. Anybody there to read with me??"

Subhasree is looking for support with a choice of [book:A..."

Babel written by R. F. Kuang.
I am reading both the book now, So you can just open discussion threads now...

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Subhasree wrote: "Babel written by R. F. Kuang...."

That is what I thought but was hoping for a different author. Babel does not qualify for our reading the Classics. Classics for our group is published 50 years ago at the minimum. I am so sorry :(

I will open your Buddy Read for Anna Karenina!

[Chad]

Does anyone have any interest in reading Democracy in America in 2023? Spread out over three or four months.

[Blanca]

Are we still doing Buddy Reads?
If so.. can you please set up one for one of Charles Dickens Christmas stories "The Chimes" to be read during the month of Dec. Number of pages 80.

Thank you.
--Blanca.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Blanca would like to know if anyone is interested in reading The Chimes by Charles Dickens in December?

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Blanca wrote: "Are we still doing Buddy Reads?
If so.. can you please set up one for one of Charles Dickens Christmas stories "The Chimes" to be read during the month of Dec. Number of pages 80.

Thank you.
--Bla..."

We will be reading Christms stories in our Children's Classics December Buddy Read in the Children's Classics folder. Feel free to discuss The Chimes there, Blanca.
I've read that story twice and highly recommend it.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Blanca wrote: "Are we still doing Buddy Reads?
If so.. can you please set up one for one of Charles Dickens Christmas stories "The Chimes" to be read during the month of Dec. Number of pages 80.Thank you.--Bla..."

Here is a link to the Buddy Read for the Christmas Stories that Rosemarie was talking about:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Pam, Southwest Enchanter]

Sandy wrote: "Rosemarie, as you know from the discussion in the “What Classic are you Reading Now?” thread, Pam, Chrissie, Melanie and I are planning to buddy-read some of the works of Aldous Huxley. We haven’t ..."

I suggest we start it on Jan 1 and keep it open for the year. What do you think? He has plenty of books to choose from.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I'll set it up now, otherwise I might forget.

[John]

I'm not suggesting this as a buddy read (as its probable too niche, and I'd be "buddy less"), but over the next couple of years I'm planning an extensive - but probably leisurely - study of the early years of the Communist Party of Britain. So probably from about 1900, taking in its foundations, up to its formation in 1920, and probably no later than just after the 1926 General Strike.

If anybody is interested in taking part, even if only sharing thoughts and comments on any individual books, I'd definitely welcome the company! I'm hoping that my pace will be one or two books per month.

I've just finished Victor Grayson: In Search of Britain's Lost Revolutionary, and I'm just about to start The Legend of Red Clydeside by Iain McLean.