It's a new year, and time for change!

[Aprilleigh]

This is great news. Thanks for updating us, Sandy, and a big thank you to the new mods for taking on this responsibility.

[Heather(Gibby)]

Wow, what an emotional roller coaster, complete devastation that the group might end, soul searching as to whether or not I could take this on-and then joy as I discovered some people had stepped up to do it!
I love this group, and even though I have never finished a challenge I absolutely love it.

Thanks so much for the mods who have laboured over this group in the past, and to the new ones who will be takign on the challenge.

[♞ Pat]

Awesome news. Thanks to the volunteer new mods and many many many heartfelt thanks to the outgoing ones.

[Brooke]

Thank you to the new mods for taking on the responsibility of keeping all of us in line!! I love this challenge and am so grateful to all past & future mods for organizing it.

[Dee]

Sandy, DLMRose (and Kristi - because you’ll always be Kristi not Kristina - yes I might have a problem with change) - my first season in the group was the same season you guys picked up mid-way through when the old mod ghosted us…so I’ve never known the group either out you. You’re break is well earned and you’ll be missed!

To our new mods - enjoy guys! (And I’ll try to not be too annoying) ;)

[Julia]

Thank you to all the moderators: past, present and future!

[Lucy-Bookworm, Moderator]

Thanks so much for the warm welcomes & support!
You won't see/hear much from the 3 new moderators until the Spring challenge - but rest assured that we are currently working behind the scenes to learn from Dlmrose & Sandy what needs doing at various points in the challenge (and trying not to be overwhelmed by it all!).

Whilst it is inevitable that the challenge will evolve over time, as it has done over the last 10 years, there will be nothing new or different immediately, so please don't think we are coming in to change everything you love about the challenge!

[Charlston]

I (List _addict) dabble on the edge of pathetic in my attempts to participate but I adore this challenge.

To the outgoers: Amazing, thank you so much!!!! You did an epic job and it was greatly appreciated. Good luck with what all that extra time brings to your lives.

To the incomers: Yay!!! Thank you for stepping up. Let us know what we can do to be as low maintenance as we can for you. I look forward to seeing where your fresh blood takes it.

Thanks guys!!!!!

<3

[Beth F]

Thank you, thank you, thank you to our retiring mods and our rising mods!

I’m an old timer since this challenge was part of TNBBC although I’ve been absent from the SRC since summer 2018 to manage a few personal struggles and just last week started to poke around to see if this group was still around. I honestly cried when I thought it might be ending so to say I’m pleased with the adoption is a massive understatement!

Much love and gratitude to all six of you. <3

[Kathy KS]

Heather(Gibby) wrote: "Wow, what an emotional roller coaster, complete devastation that the group might end, soul searching as to whether or not I could take this on-and then joy as I discovered some people had stepped u..."

You express my feelings here, Heather(Gibby)! The challenge, with the current mods, has been my retirement "game" for quite a few years now. Instead of playing games, I strategize what to read that is also on my 40+ page TBR!

I also struggled with whether to speak up, but am happy we have three volunteers ready to make the commitment!

Thanks to all concerned, present and future.

[Book Concierge]

Jayne, JennRenee, and Lucy-Bookworm: Thank you for stepping up.

Sandy, Dlmrose and Kristina: You have done such a fabulous job of shepherding this group through the years. I moderate a couple of groups and am in awe of the dedication you have all shown to keep SRC so vibrant and interesting.

[Barbara ★]

@ Dlmrose, Sandy and Kristi
You've done a wonderful job with this immense challenge season after season. I thank you for all your hard work keeping this challenge going. I will miss all of you.

@Jayne, JennRenee, and Lucy-Bookworm
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for stepping up and taking over this huge challenge. I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavor. Looking forward to seeing what you keep and what you change about the group.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I am glad to see the SRC is being adopted. I am sad to see you go Bea. I have been in this group for 14 years. I would be sad to see it go. Congrats to the new mods.

[Dlmrose, Moderator Emeritus]

Our new incoming moderators, Jayne, JennRenee, and Lucy-Bookworm, are beginning to learn and assume SRC duties. Please be patient while we all work through the process.

[Trish]

Many thanks to all the outgoing and incoming mods for the work you've done/will do to keep the SRC running. It's the only way I ever work my way through my TBR list!

[Mai]

Ahhhh! I've only now seen this announcement. This group has been one of the few constants in my life in the last 10 years, and I can't express how much I appreciate Dlmrose, Sandy, and Kristina's work in moderating and making the challenges run as smoothly as they do. Hope you all will keep participating and creating tasks moving forward!

[Lisa]

Many thanks to Sandy, Dlmrose, and Kristina for the time and effort they have put into making this challenge group successful and fun! I appreciate all you have done.

To the new, incoming mods. Thanks for stepping up to the plate to keep this group going.

[Janice]

Thanks so much Dlmose, Sandy, and Kristina for bringing me years of comfort with the SRC. I have been able to lull myself to sleep on many restless nights while mentally choosing books. The practice drives away any anxiety I feel. Of course, I also adore the exposure to new-to-me books and the joy of reading them. I am so happy the group will continue, thanks to our new moderators. Take care.

[Val]

I've been gone for a bit and just now seeing this. Thank you so much to Dlmose, Sandy, and Kristina for all of your hard work and dedication to the SRC. We are so grateful to you.

To the new mods, thank you so much for taking over and can't wait to continue being in this group!

[Michele]

Beth F wrote: "Thank you, thank you, thank you to our retiring mods and our rising mods!

I’m an old timer since this challenge was part of TNBBC although I’ve been absent from the SRC since summer 2018 to manag..."

Same for me Beth. I haven't participated in a while but have retired and thought I am going to start back with the Summer Challenge and then I read there might not be one. Thankful that three stepped up. Am looking forward to the challenge.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

I wanted to say goodbye to everyone and tell you how much I've loved being a part of the SRC! Unfortunately, I had to stop rather precipitously -- an adventure in medicine put me down and I was in the the hospital for the last three weeks. I'm slowly recovering, but fortunately Dlmrose and our terrific new mods picked up the slack, so all is well. I don't expect to be doing much on the src for awhile - rehab and such is complicated - but in a few months I hope to be active here again.

Have a great summer challenge!

[Lisa]

Sandy wrote: "I wanted to say goodbye to everyone and tell you how much I've loved being a part of the SRC! Unfortunately, I had to stop rather precipitously -- an adventure in medicine put me down and I was in ..."

Sorry to hear you have been laid up. I hope you are on the road to recovery. I appreciate everything you have done for the group. Take care and hope to see you active in the SRC soon.

[Joanne]

Thank you Sandy for all you have done, Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery

[Kathy KS]

Sandy wrote: "I wanted to say goodbye to everyone and tell you how much I've loved being a part of the SRC! Unfortunately, I had to stop rather precipitously -- an adventure in medicine put me down and I was in ..."

You've definitely been a staple around the SRC and will be missed. It's a shame that you couldn't participate for your full "term". But I know we'll all be looking forward to seeing your participate in any way in the future!

Let the healing begin, and continue...

[Lauren]

Thank you so much, Sandy, for everything you have done to make this group so special.

I wish you a very speedy recovery and hope you will be back to participate in and enjoy the challenge soon!

Take care :)

[Meg]

Hope everything is OK Sandy.
Thanks to you all for everything you have done for the group and I feel confident you are leaving us in good hands.

[Jayne, Moderator Emeritus]

Sandy wrote: "I wanted to say goodbye to everyone and tell you how much I've loved being a part of the SRC! Unfortunately, I had to stop rather precipitously -- an adventure in medicine put me down and I was in ..."

Sorry to see you go, Sandy, and best wishes for a speedy recovery! With any luck this definitely is just "ta-ra for now" and not a full on "goodbye". Thank you so much for all your hard work over the years, and for your patience in helping us new mods getting set up.

Take care!

[Marie (UK)]

Sandy wrote: "I wanted to say goodbye to everyone and tell you how much I've loved being a part of the SRC! Unfortunately, I had to stop rather precipitously -- an adventure in medicine put me down and I was in ..."

Take care of yourself hope you recover well

[Nick]

Sandy, you have been a wonderful mod in the group — keeping me in line with all the confusion I bring to this multi-faceted challenge!!

Please take care and get well soon.

[Julia]

So sorry to hear this Sandy. Hope you're feeling better soon!

[Andy]

Good luck with your recovery program, Sandy. There are some great therapists out there and listening to books while you are working on those exercises makes it easier to tolerate.

[Book Concierge]

Sandy ... sending you healing thoughts for a speedy and uneventful recovery. You will be missed as a moderator, but I know you and the other "experienced" mods have given our new moderator team great advice and mentoring. I look forward to seeing you participate as "just" another player.

[Sara]

Thank you so much, Sandy, for everything you have done here! Hope you fully recover and feel better very soon 🤍

And of course thanks to all the mods, retiring and rising, for the incredible work and effort 🙏🏻