Change to Group Reads in 2017 - Please Read!

[Beth]

Good morning, everyone!

After a good bit of deliberation and discussion, the moderators have decided to go back to only one group read per month. We originally decided to do two group reads because members voted that they wanted more options for reads within the group. However, this was before we started Buddy Reads and Hidden Gems. In the last year, participation has gone down, especially for the read that got the second most votes. However, participation has been strong for Hidden Gems and the Buddy Reads. The challenges also keep members busy in the group, and we know how much everyone enjoys doing those.

Instead of an official second Group Read, the book with the second most votes will be posted under the Buddy Reads section and will be a "Group Buddy Read." We will start doing this in January 2017.

Feel free to ask any of us moderators for clarification, and thanks so much for your understanding!

[Susan]

I plan on participating in those in 2017......I decided I've been lurking too long!!

[Beth]

That's awesome, Susan! :D

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Sounds good! Appreciate all our moderators.

[Christine]

That makes a lot of sense. Yes, thanks to the moderators, you all make CFD a great group:)!

[Patricia]

I didn't do so well this year at all. I hope to do better for 2017.

[Carolyn]

sounds like a plan to me, also. thanks to moderators for all their work to make the site enjoyable and challenging to read more

[Loraine]

Glad to see the positive comments regarding the change. I am the only retired moderator, but I am a full time caregiver for my disabled husband. The rest of our wonderful ladies work full time jobs (and one is also going to college as well) and do an awesome job of giving of their free time to make this a wonderful group. Thanks to all our great followers for your support.

[Kate, Challenge Fun Distributor]

I think this new format will work well for me, and hopefully for others as well. I know I felt like I was scrambling to finish both reads by the end of the month, let alone the middle so I could participate in the discussions. :)
For January, would "The Ringmaster's Wife" be the main read, and "A Twist of Faith" the 'buddy read'?

[Marion]

Sounds good. Thanks, mods, for all you do!

[Beth]

Thank you, everyone, for the upbeat, positive comments! I think this is a good direction to go for the new year. :)

[Loraine]

Beth - Kate asked which book for January would be the main read? I don't remember the vote count so could you clarify that.

[Beth]

Oh, sorry, I missed that! Yes, The Ringmaster's Wife will be the main Group Read. :)

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

The new change works well for me. I only join in when I either have read the book recently enough to recall details or own the book and may get to it in time to participate. Sometimes my work schedules get busier than I expect, not allowing me to join in even when I have the book.

[Sarah]

That sounds like a good plan to me also. Thanks to all the mods for your hard work. This is a great group & you all do a great job.

[Chantel]

Sounds good! I so appreciate all the moderators to make cfd so fun, you ladies are rockstars!

[Olivia]

Sounds great! :))

[Chris]

This sounds good but how does the buddy reads work?

[Loraine]

Chris - If you look on the home page, there is a thread titled "Group Buddy Reads." The book of the month for that buddy read will be listed and everybody who is interested is welcome to join. There is no "official moderator" with questions so it is open for discussion on anything about the book or author. Much more informal format. Hope this answers your question.