September 2020 Group Read : In Honor of Jon Recluse: KIN

[Char]

Our members have spoken and Kin by Kin is our winner. I remember when Jon and I first read this book and how excited we were. Kealan Patrick Burke was a new discovery for us and from that point on, Jon became one of Kealan's most vocal supporters, here at Goodreads and also on Facebook. At that time Kealan was on Facebook and was gracious and kind enough to chat with us.

I reached out to Kealan and he wrote something about what Jon meant to him. You'll find that below.

Normal group read rules apply. Please use spoiler tags when necessary.

[Char]

Even though Kealan is no longer on Goodreads or Facebook, he responded to my invitation to say something about Jon. Here's what he said. (You might want to have a tissue ready.)


“I haven’t spoken online about Jon’s passing, because I’m still struggling to accept it. For probably a decade Jon has been someone who kept a low profile on my various social networks, only to come on to champion whatever book I was plugging at the time, or to express his love for them whenever someone else brought them up. We may have differed in our politics and social opinions at times, but Jon was old school and didn’t let differences dilute his love for books and the people who wrote them. If I must accept that he’s gone, so suddenly, I must also accept that we have lost a man defined by the kind of patience and understanding seldom seen anymore. I only wish now I’d reached out to him more, because readers like Jon, people like Jon, are so rare that when we lose them, we feel it affects the world they leave behind in profound ways. I know he enjoyed KIN, and said so often. I think he’d have liked that you picked it. He’d also have liked to debate its merits with those who disagreed, and would do so with spirit and without venom. It was something I greatly admired about him, and something we can all learn in his wake. All of us are travelers on a short road. We don’t always get to choose that road or the people we travel with, but love and respect goes a long way toward making it an easier path for us all. Thank you, everyone, and thank you, Jon. I hope your road was a happy one.”

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

Omg 🥺. That was beautiful and I didn’t want to cry today

[Char]

I know.

[Chris]

Char wrote: "Even though Kealan is no longer on Goodreads or Facebook, he responded to my invitation to say something about Jon. Here's what he said. (You might want to have a tissue ready.)


“I haven’t spoken..."

Wonderful tribute, Kealan, and so true. Many of my best memories of Goodreads discussions over these last 9 years involve him.

[REMEMBER UKRAINE NOW ReadingReindeer]

That is so incredibly beautiful, and so inspiring. Jon will never "pass" because he remains so vividly in the memories of all who love and admire him.

I'm inspired to level up as a reader and fan after reading Kealan's tribute.

[Char]

Reading Reindeer wrote: "That is so incredibly beautiful, and so inspiring. Jon will never "pass" because he remains so vividly in the memories of all who love and admire him.

I'm inspired to level up as a reader and fan..."

That's a lovely thing to say.

[Sarah]

Char wrote: "Even though Kealan is no longer on Goodreads or Facebook, he responded to my invitation to say something about Jon. Here's what he said. (You might want to have a tissue ready.)


“I haven’t spoken..."

Wow! This is so emotional and moving. Kealan is a great guy, I don't really know him personally, but he has been a Twitter mutual of mine for about 3 years or so now.
Purchased a copy of Kin ready to read along with you all!

[Char]

We're glad to have you, Sarah!

[Kasia]

This book has been on my radar for years, mostly thanks to Jon, so I will definitely be joining in on this meaningful group read. Thank you for setting up this gut wrenching opening from Kealan Char, someone pass the tissues again!

[Rachel]

Been meaning to read this book for years, probably because of Jon and you, Char. My library system has a copy!

[WendyB]

For me, reading this book this month was meant to be. I've had it moving up on my tbr for the last few months.

[Lisa]

Beautiful words by Mr. Burke. I didn't know Jon, but he was clearly beloved. All of your kind words and the tribute of doing this read remind me what a great group of people are in HA. Looking forward to reading KIN.

[Char]

Thanks, Lisa!

[Kimberly]

That was such a wonderful and moving tribute.

[Latasha]

That is such a beautiful message from Kealan. I will be joining in for this one.

[Anne (w/ an E)]

I didn't know him well, either, but you can include me in this tribute, too. I have wanted to read this book for years.

[S.]

That was amazing and worthy of Jon. Very nice of Kealan and a nice note to go into this read on.

[Duncan]

This seems like a very good reason to do my first group read.

[Marie]

Amazing tribute from Kealan! I read the book last year but in honor of Jon I am doing a reread of the book with all of you, so I will be here as well.

[Krystal]

Such beautiful, warm words. Looking forward to reading this with everyone in Jon's memory.

[Robby]

Superlative tribute Mr. Burke. This news of Jon is quite sad. As a friend of Jon on Goodreads I would always stop down whenever I came across one of his reviews and read them because he had such a skillful way of expressing himself. I would most often as not place his reviewed book on my to read list. Always a great choice. He will be missed. Condolences to the family.

[destiny ♡⚔♡]

I didn't know Jon well, but he sounds like a truly amazing human being. ♥ I loved Kin and even if I don't get the chance to re-read it (though I'm going to try to), I look forward to discussing it and hearing everyone's thoughts.

[Laurie]

A beautiful tribute. I’m looking forward to reading Kin for the first time.

[[on hiatus] The rockabilly werewolf from Mars]

I've got this one on hold from the library, but I can't guarantee that I'll be able to get it in time.

[Sharon/ LFrog1386]

Kealan, that was a beautiful tribute to Jon. I know he would have had an Aww Shucks look on his face if he was here to read it himself.

Both he and Char convinced me to buy Kin when it came out. I am not sorry I did. It was quite the ride! Everyone that's picking it up for the first time, you will not be disappointed.

As someone else pointed out, Jon was an avid reader who wrote excellent reviews on books and could always be trusted for an honest opinion before buying a novel. I'm going to miss getting his recommendations as well as sparring over politics. I wish he knew how much he's missed by his online community.

[Alan]

Lovely message from Kealan. <3

[Erin]

That was a beautiful tribute.

[Char]

Bark wrote: "A beautiful tribute. I’m looking forward to reading Kin for the first time."

What?!?!!!! You haven't read it yet?

[Char]

I shared everyone's comments here with Kealan and he wanted me to say thanks to you all for your kind words.

[Feli]

I am also going to join this group read. I wanted to read KIN for a while but are doing any group reads at the moment. But I will make an exception for this one. I didn't know Jon but he clearly meant a lot to many people here on GR. Also, Kealan just found the right words here. It was beautiful to read and I am glad that I finally will be reading my first book by him. This is just the perfect opportunity. Thank you Char and all other Mods for organising this and for making HA a home to many of us here on GR!

[Jason]

Didn't know Jon, but I can see how much he was loved. Have checked out his reviews and opinions on books and can see he knew his stuff. I will definitely be joining in to honour his memory, also because you lot loved him so much, and this book sounds like it will rock.

[Holly]

Really love the sense of community. I am brand new to this group, but I am looking forward to honoring Jon by reading and discussing a favorite of his!

[Allan]

Been meaning to read Kin for awhile as well and only fitting to read it with this wonderful group and in honor of Jon!

[Char]

Holly wrote: "Really love the sense of community. I am brand new to this group, but I am looking forward to honoring Jon by reading and discussing a favorite of his!"

We really are a little family here, we have great mods and great members and we all love books! Beats my real family by a mile, to be honest. I'm the only reader among them.

[Feli]

Char wrote: "Holly wrote: "Really love the sense of community. I am brand new to this group, but I am looking forward to honoring Jon by reading and discussing a favorite of his!"

We really are a little family..."

I hear ya, Char. It's the same here. No books and unfortunately also no understanding for my love of reading (my hubby is an exception, he understands and gifts books to me regularly, haha. He wouldn't be my husband otherwise 😂😂).

That's the reason why I am so glad I found Goodreads and especially this group here. To be honest, I am only here on GR for the HA group because I love the community

[Rachel]

i've heard a lot about burke's work lately so i'd love to join this group read. i put a hold on a copy of this at the library. hopefully it'll come through in time. :)

[Kimberly]

Char wrote: "Holly wrote: "Really love the sense of community. I am brand new to this group, but I am looking forward to honoring Jon by reading and discussing a favorite of his!"

We really are a little family..."

Agree! This is a great "family". :D

[Char]

Rachel wrote: "i've heard a lot about burke's work lately so i'd love to join this group read. i put a hold on a copy of this at the library. hopefully it'll come through in time. :)"

We're happy to have you, Rachel!

[Ginger]

I only talked to Jon a few times over the years but he really seemed like a great guy. I'm glad the HA community is doing this for him. You all are a great group and I love Kealan's books.

I'm excited to finally read this one!

[WendyB]

Just getting started and this is one twisted tale.
To be honest, I'm already feeling a little squeamish about this one.

[Latasha]

Uh oh, how so Wendy?

[Kimberly]

WendyB wrote: "Just getting started and this is one twisted tale.
To be honest, I'm already feeling a little squeamish about this one."

It gets ... bad...

[Chris]

You might want to watch some Disney after you are finished.....

[Marie]

WendyB wrote: "Just getting started and this is one twisted tale.
To be honest, I'm already feeling a little squeamish about this one."


This book crosses over into the extreme and like Kimberly said - it does get bad.

[Holly]

Marie wrote: "WendyB wrote: "Just getting started and this is one twisted tale.
To be honest, I'm already feeling a little squeamish about this one."


This book crosses over into the extreme and like Kimberly s..."

Chris wrote: "You might want to watch some Disney after you are finished....."

Yahhhhhh. This author wastes no time in the beginning getting graphic. Just wait till you meet Mama-in-Bed....

[Jason]

Blimey how good is this book if Disney is the antidote.

[WendyB]

Based on reviews and comments, I might just skim this one. I can deal with violence in a novel but I don't like torture porn. If/when it gets too much I'll stop. There are some things I don't like to have rattle around in my head.

[Latasha]

I think I’ll skip it too Wendy. I had no idea it was so extreme. I do not do torture of any kind, human or animal. Let’s go watch Aladdin!

[WendyB]

Latasha wrote: "I think I’ll skip it too Wendy. I had no idea it was so extreme. I do not do torture of any kind, human or animal. Let’s go watch Aladdin!"

Or Monsters Inc! Or Ratatouille!

LOL