Buddy Read Requests

[Kathleen]

Thanks, Terry! I could possibly do February, but would prefer anytime after April. Looking forward to this one!

[Connie]

Terry and Kathleen, I would love to join you reading Stegner's The Spectator Bird. February or after April would be fine with me too.

[Terris]

Terry wrote: "Kathleen and I want to do a Buddy Read of The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner (1976) 214 pages. It is a National Book Club Award-winning novel about a retired literar..."

Oh my -- you are really tempting me! I already have four buddy reads set up for next year, but I really like Wallace Stegner and would like to read more of him (Sara, you started this!!! haha!).
I agree with "not" January or April, but other than that I'm probably OK :)

[Sara, New School Classics]

Don't blame me! I am thinking how much I would love to read this again and discuss it with you guys. I might have to do that...it is so good and I remember wanting to talk about it and not having anyone to talk to.

[Terry]

Sara, what month would work for your schedule?

[Cynda]

Gosh I am wanting to read The Spectator Bird too. March or later for me

[Kimberly]

Terry wrote: "Kathleen and I want to do a Buddy Read of The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner (1976) 214 pages. It is a National Book Club Award-winning novel about a retired literar..."

I am interested in reading this, also.

[Shawn]

Depending on scheduling I may join The Spectator Bird. Looks interesting and I’ve never read Stegner.

[Kathleen]

So excited about all of this interest--thanks for suggesting it, Terry!

And Terris, I'm in the same boat with next year's plans, but we both know how good these buddy reads can be, so I hope you give into temptation. 😊

[Terry]

Does May work for everyone?

[Connie]

May works well, Terry. Thanks for organizing the Stegner read.

[Kathleen]

May is perfect for me, Terry--thanks!

[Terris]

May is good for me!!! :)

[Terris]

Sara wrote: "Don't blame me! I am thinking how much I would love to read this again and discuss it with you guys. I might have to do that...it is so good and I remember wanting to talk about it and not having a..."

Ok, Sara, I will reword my statement: I give Sara all the credit for recommending Wallace Stegner to me! I have now read Crossing to Safety and Angle of Repose. I loved them both and am looking forward to more!

Do you like that better, Sara?! ;)
I hope you decide to re-read and join us in the discussion!

[Sara, New School Classics]

I absolutely adore that, Terris! I am putting this on the schedule for May and on my personal calendar as well. Very excited. Shawn--you are in a for a treat.

[Lori]

Count me in for Stegner!!!!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Oh well, my first was Angle of Repose. Last year I read The Spectator Bird and last month I read Crossing to Safety. I will be following the discussion.

[Terry]

Sara, so glad you will join us! This is turning into a great assembly! Please put this on the Schedule for May.

[Shawn]

May works for me. Looking forward to it.

[Cynda]

Sara would you please add buddy read of Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. Klowey and I will be reading both in March. Anyone is welcome to join in one or both buddy reads.a

[Klowey]

Cynda wrote: "Sara would you please add buddy read of Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. Klowey and I will ..."

Thank you Cynda!
I'm using this for a Fiction/Non-Fiction pairing if that challenge buffet is offered in 2026.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Done, Cynda.

[Cynda]

Thanks, Sara.

[Daryl]

Hi could I get the buddy read thread for The Nun by Denis Diderot set up please?

[Sara, New School Classics]

I have set up your thread, Daryl.

[Terry]

Cynda and I are planning to read Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion in 2026. We haven’t settled on a month for the book yet. Is anyone else interested in joining us?

[Connie]

Terry wrote: "Cynda and I are planning to read Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion in 2026. We haven’t settled on a month for the book yet. Is anyone else interested in joining us?"

I would like to join in this read, Terry. I was still in high school when she wrote the book, but the Haight-Ashbury scene seemed to influence the culture of the 1960s and 1970s.

[Terry]

Connie, it certainly did for me! In 1967 (Summer of Love), while still in high school, I was down there as much as possible and in January of 1968, I lived on Page between Ashbury and Clayton! Page is one block away from and parallel to Haight.

Are there others who would like to join in?

[Connie]

I'm really looking forward to your comments on the book, Terry. I was just in a small conservative New England town, but I loved the music that came out of that time.

[April]

Terry wrote: "Connie, it certainly did for me! In 1967 (Summer of Love), while still in high school, I was down there as much as possible and in January of 1968, I lived on Page between Ashbury and Clayton! Page..."

Can you put me down for a maybe?

[Cynda]

Yes. For me, anytime not March for Slouching to Bethlehem.

[Terry]

Absolutely, April!

[Terry]

Not March or April for me. The start of this year is crazy full! How about July?

[Connie]

June or July are good for me, Terry.

[Cynda]

June or July is good for me for Slouching to Bethlehem

[Terry]

Sara, Please set up a Buddy Read on the schedule for Slouching Towards Bethlehem, by zJoan Didion, in July. Cynda, Connie, maybe April and I will be reading it then. Thanks!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Done, Terry.

[Savita]

Terry wrote: "Sara, Please set up a Buddy Read on the schedule for Slouching Towards Bethlehem, by zJoan Didion, in July. Cynda, Connie, maybe April and I will be reading it then. Thanks!"

Terry , though I, too , was considering joining this book's Buddy Read ( Slouching towards Bethlehem) , especially since July has been chosen ( by July the Charles Dickens ' read will be over - that's a very big book , so I don't think I'll be anyway able to finish it before the end of June ) , but quite unfortunately, on Amazon , Slouching towards Bethlehem is not available in a kindle edition. [ I onĺy read books available on Amazon , Terry . I don't go to any other site even if a book is available free there ] . Slouching towards Bethlehem is a non fiction book , and it would have been interesting / helpful to read it with members who are familiar / knowledgeable about the places and events described in this book . Anyway... ☹

[Savita]

Terry wrote: "I got my hard copy of Our Mutual Friend today, and it is indeed a long doorstopper and with small print. Here is some information that may help you plan.

Book One. 209 pages in 17 chapters
Book Tw..."

Thanks for the info , Terry !

[Terry]

Thanks, Sara!

[Terry]

Savita, I understand about Slouching, but glad you are joining for Our Mutual Friend.

[Shawn]

Based on the timing of Slouching, I think I will join the Buddy read. I’ve never read Didion, so I can’t think of reason why I shouldn’t.

[Terry]

I’m so glad you will join us, Shawn.

[Cynda]

Yes so good to have others join us for Slouching to Bethlehem!

[Cynda]

Sara,

Kathleen and I have changed our buddy read of Dancing Girls and Other Stories from January to April 2026. Would you please update the buddy read schedule?

[Sara, New School Classics]

Done, Cynda.

[Cynda]

Thanks Sara :)

[April]

Dont want to derail anyone's enthusiasm, because its a good thing, but im wondering if it was this active last December? Seems more active. It is very possible i wasnt paying attention at the time though, and maybe I am overcounting because of replies. Just curious if this is how it usually is or if this year is extra exciting. 😅😁

[Sara, New School Classics]

I think this is our normal end of the year scramble, April. Glad it is exciting for you.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Terry, Lori and I are reading Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation in August. If anyone wants to join, just mark your calendars.