The Great American Read discussion
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Old Posts 2018
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Get to Know You! 2018
Hi! My name is Janet Johnson. I was born in Pullman, Washington but when young moved to New Hampshire. I stayed there for almost 50 years but 8 years ago my husband and I moved back to Pasco, Washington. I'm 65 and retired. I do quite a bit of reading but have never been a fast reader. I have been working away at the BBC's Top 200 Books list and am involved in several other Goodreads Group challenges.

Oh no problem! If you want to help moderate, please let me know! This is my first!





I read mostly fiction with a couple of non fictions thrown in that come highly rated. I prefer current reads, but try to pick up at least one "classic" a year.
My husband retired last year and we joined a library book club that meets once a month in a bar. We pick and choose according to the book, but really enjoy the night out.
I'm always looking for friends on goodreads here's my info:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2...
Hi I'm Nancy. I'm married (37 years) with two grown kids. I'm a former professor taking time off to take care of my mother. Being "stuck" at home has had many unexpected benefits. I'm getting to know my mom better after living 1600 miles apart for 40 years, I have more time to read for fun, and I have no papers to grade. I'm enjoying the time before I have to start working again. I probably read more books (for fun) in the last 12 months than I did in the previous 5 years. I'm in several local book clubs and groups on goodreads, and I'm excited about this initiative. For fun, I read mostly fiction - historical fiction, literature, mystery/thrillers, and classics, plus some non-fiction to mix things up.
Edit - I'm also a moderator for the group now. Marnie started it, but she has an emergency so won't be here as much. If anyone wants to help out, please let me know. I haven't moderated before so I'm still learning.
Edit - I'm also a moderator for the group now. Marnie started it, but she has an emergency so won't be here as much. If anyone wants to help out, please let me know. I haven't moderated before so I'm still learning.
Renee wrote: "Hi. My name is Renee. I am 60 years old and been married 26 years. ...
My husband retired last year and we joined a library book club that meets once a month in a bar."
I've been wondering how to get my husband to come to more book club meetings. Now I see - hold the meetings in a bar!
My husband retired last year and we joined a library book club that meets once a month in a bar."
I've been wondering how to get my husband to come to more book club meetings. Now I see - hold the meetings in a bar!


I'm a homeschool mom to a tween and a teen...we love it and it works well for us. I've lived in PA all my life, originally in Phila but now in the suburbs for over 40 years. I am an avid reader so I hope to get through some of these books with you all. :)

I just found this group this morning and I'm so excited to see that there are others who are following the list, too.

I will read nearly anything (within reason) and love challenges like the Great American Read which reminds me there are other genres than mystery, historical fiction, and romance.
I live with my mother and my 19-year-old Australian Shepherd mix.
Welcome everyone! I'm so excited about this project. Marnie is in the middle of an emergency right now, so I'm trying to set things up to ease the way. There is so much we can do, other than read books on the list, and I welcome ideas, help, suggestions, etc.

Kirsten, a 19yo pup! That's amazing. I thought my shepherd that lived to be just around 15-16 was a long time. That's wonderful!

Admittedly, like many of the books on the list, I am not American. I am a northerly neighbour who loves books and talking about them too.

This made me smile!
Hi! I'm Kristin. I have lived in Fall River, MA since I was born. I'm married with one rugrat and two obnoxious cats. I love to read and I'm probably in too many book clubs. But I do my best. I even created a club for lesser known books here on Goodreads.
I have a BS in Natural Resource Studies that I don't use, but I loved learning about it. I am a Supervisor in a Call Center for an international hotel company.
My favorite genre is fantasy, but I've been working on branching out from that.
I'm excited about this group! Even if I can't get to all the books on the list.
Tasha wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Tasha and I love reading lists and when I saw this group (from Nancy) I just knew I had to join. I'm going to try my best to read along but we'll see how things go. I will try thou..."
I'm glad you're here Tasha. Maybe you can give me some pointers!
I'm glad you're here Tasha. Maybe you can give me some pointers!
Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Allison and I just love reading lists. It is disappointing that the official book club for The Great American Read is only on Facebook. I'm a member, but it's not a great pl..."
Hi Allison! If by northerly, you mean Canada, then we might be neighbors. I'm not too far from Niagara Falls. Goodreads is the best place for books discussions online imo, and there are many groups to choose from. There is something for everyone here.
Hi Allison! If by northerly, you mean Canada, then we might be neighbors. I'm not too far from Niagara Falls. Goodreads is the best place for books discussions online imo, and there are many groups to choose from. There is something for everyone here.
Kristin B. wrote: "Erin wrote: "and fostering/adopting tripod cats. ..."
This made me smile!
Hi! I'm Kristin. I have lived in Fall River, MA since I was born. I'm married with one rugrat and two obnoxious cats. I..."
Hi Kristin. A few of the books on the GAR seem to be lesser known, so we might have some cross-over reads. Though maybe they are unknown to me because I don't read those genres. The list is encouraging me to branch out to read things I would otherwise never consider.
This made me smile!
Hi! I'm Kristin. I have lived in Fall River, MA since I was born. I'm married with one rugrat and two obnoxious cats. I..."
Hi Kristin. A few of the books on the GAR seem to be lesser known, so we might have some cross-over reads. Though maybe they are unknown to me because I don't read those genres. The list is encouraging me to branch out to read things I would otherwise never consider.
Kirsten wrote: "Hi, my name is Kirsten ...
I live with my mother and my 19-year-old Australian Shepherd mix
.."
Hi Kirsten, I didn't know we had that in common. I thought our dog was a border collie mix (with golden retriever), but my husband says she's an Aussie mix.
I live with my mother and my 19-year-old Australian Shepherd mix
.."
Hi Kirsten, I didn't know we had that in common. I thought our dog was a border collie mix (with golden retriever), but my husband says she's an Aussie mix.


I plan to moderate a Great American Reads 'Workshop' at our next book club (June 25). The participants will come with a list of what they have read and a little talk on which book is their favorite. I plan to re-read Rebecca for my book.

Owen Meany and Watership Down.

Lately I've been trying to infuse my reads with American books and history (great courses) as I feel like I'm not as well read in these areas from being an English lit major.

Loretta wrote: "A big hello to everyone! My name is Loretta and I'm from New Jersey. I'm beyond thrilled that Nancy has asked me to moderator with her.
I read mostly classics, books on religion, thrillers and my..."
I'm so glad you said yes!! Welcome!
I read mostly classics, books on religion, thrillers and my..."
I'm so glad you said yes!! Welcome!
Cat wrote: "hi everyone! I'm looking forward to reading some of the books on the list! I haven't even heard of some of them. i'm from Virginia and used to be a high school English teacher."
Great! If you haven't already, jump over to the nomination thread and identify some books. We'll choose tomorrow (later today), so it makes sense to pick at least one or two that already have a lot of nominations.
Great! If you haven't already, jump over to the nomination thread and identify some books. We'll choose tomorrow (later today), so it makes sense to pick at least one or two that already have a lot of nominations.







I'm from the mountains of NC, and I love to read.
Celia wrote: "I am so happy to find this group. The topic and voting is something I am following. I found the group through Retro Chapter Chicks. Thank you Nancy.
I plan to moderate a Great American Reads 'Works..."
That's an excellent idea. I'm going to talk about it at my local bookclub next week during the break. It would be great to have a separate meeting for it!.
I plan to moderate a Great American Reads 'Works..."
That's an excellent idea. I'm going to talk about it at my local bookclub next week during the break. It would be great to have a separate meeting for it!.
Sheila wrote: "Hello everyone. I'm glad to find your group and hope to participate in some of the reads. I do a lot of reading since retirement but was shocked at how many on the list I have NOT read. I hope to r..."
Great. Welcome. I was surprised too that I hadn't read more. I only cracked 50% if I cheated and counted movies!
Great. Welcome. I was surprised too that I hadn't read more. I only cracked 50% if I cheated and counted movies!






I am a retired teacher with two grandkids, one from each daughter.
I love reading, learning new languages and travelling.
I read just about everything except the gory stuff.
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May name is Marnie Evans, I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. I currently live in Twin Falls, Idaho. I have also lived in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah! I am 25, went to college in Phoenix and Majored in both Baking & Pastry and Culinary Arts. I am finally in a point in my life where I can read more and not work so much! I am married with no children, but hoping to start a family in the near future! I am excited to Read away at TGAR list!