Retro Reads discussion
Book Pool
>
Discussion for this group in 2026
date
newest »
newest »
message 2:
by
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ , She's a mod, yeah, yeah, yeah!
(last edited Oct 04, 2025 06:41PM)
(new)
Mod
Mod
CindySR wrote: "I could easily list 10 books for next Book Pool. I vote for extending the retro years to 2000 (25 years ago is a long time!)."I liked your idea of increasing the amount to 10 books each, CindySR, I could easily list that many too! And I told Carol the same - 2000 is already considered Retro…😉I’m old!
When I read the message Carol sent, I quite liked the idea of selecting a specific author. Then on reading these comments, I wonder if we couldn't combine several of the aspects.Certainly increasing the time span to 2000
Definitely increasing the number of books to 10
Choosing one specific author for 5 of the 10
The remaining 5 being specific titles of any other author
I shall just go away and see if I can conjour up any further permutations to assist in addling us.
Before I do I shall just be an old hag and say number - used for countable objects; amount used for volume. Just one of my pet peeves :(
I am for more titles, but I would prefer the rule of nominating from 5 to 10 books, not the obligatory 10. The challenge can be to read 10.As for choosing one author, I would see it as something optional, or perhaps like "try to read at least three titles of one author".
About other ideas, I have no opinion.
PS I admit, I have neglected a bit the challenge this year. I have been taking part in another challenge this year in a different group (I am not going to do it next year, I am not happy with it). I hope to be able to participate more in the next year in Retro Reads.
I like the idea of up to 10 books (make the minimum 7 and the max 10, maybe?) and I love the idea of 2000 being the cut-off year.Even though I bombed out this year (the slump from Hell), I really like the Pool and the variety of authors. I've been following all year, even if my participation was on the pathetic side!
As for 5 by an author--No, to the idea of making that a requirement, yes, if it just a suggestion.
Lesley wrote: "When I read the message Carol sent, I quite liked the idea of selecting a specific author. Then on reading these comments, I wonder if we couldn't combine several of the aspects.Certainly increas..."
Great ideas, Lesley! And you are hardly a hag - peeve away! Fight on for proper usage, I say!
Doesn't matter to me if people put more books in the pool: 10, more if you like. Why limit the number?The dates seem odd to me since the essence of retro in my head is no internet/no cell phones because they haven't been invented yet, but I won't bother me if others want to expand the years.
I honestly prefer monthly reads so I am reminded/keep track better and people are mostly reading at the same time so then we can discuss, but will continue to try using the book pool if that's what you want.
Mod
I take your point Jackie about the internet/cellphones as they have changed the world so much. It looks like what we think of as the internet has been around since 1983 (thanks AI overview) widespread use of cell phones from the 1990's, they became pervasive in NZ anyway from 1998.
& people can choose to add 5 books from one author to the pool. I may set up a separate folder for people who want to read a retro author as a personal challenge. If we change the time period I can add Isabel Allende to my list. Other than The House of Spirits all of her books are outside our time period.
& no worries Mela! If something becomes obligatory, then it is no longer fun.
Sounds good to me - up to 10 and no more makes sense, as you’re the one entering it all!
Susan in NC wrote: "Lesley wrote: "When I read the message Carol sent, I quite liked the idea of selecting a specific author. Then on reading these comments, I wonder if we couldn't combine several of the aspects.Ce..."
I hoped you'd take it in good spirit, Susan. It is as irritating to me as youse for the plural of you (they don't teach them much these days), and gunna for going as used by our current Prime Minister all the time - gunna do this; gunna do that; we'll gunna have to see to that! Grrrr. :)
Barb in Maryland wrote: "I like the idea of up to 10 books (make the minimum 7 and the max 10, maybe?) and I love the idea of 2000 being the cut-off year.Even though I bombed out this year (the slump from Hell), I really..."
Ditto from me re the reading slump, but been watching on too. My GR Challenge is getting so far behind :(
When I suggested - Choosing one specific author for 5 of the 10
The remaining 5 being specific titles of any other author
was because like Carol said in her message, she has a number of books by various authors, but the titles she has are not the ones nominated and she's reluctant to buy any more until those owned are read.
I often find that the, say D.E. Stevenson, title nominated is not one I have, but there are several others I own not getting read.
Rather than having a specific number of books by a named author, perhaps we could just enter the author as part of our up to 10.
Does that make sense? I'm not sure I'm explaining it that well - lol
Mod
Also I watch a lot of You Tube & I'm working my way through the Poldark TV series which is taking up a bit of time.
Mod
Choosing one specific author for 5 of the 10
The remaining 5 being specific titles of any other author
was because like Carol said in her message, she has a number of books by v..."
I think you are clear. I guess we could look at making the pool an author pool rather than a Book Pool. Or like Lesley says, 5 authors 5 specific books.
Lesley wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Lesley wrote: "When I read the message Carol sent, I quite liked the idea of selecting a specific author. Then on reading these comments, I wonder if we couldn't combine several..."Hey, I’ll bet your PM sounds like a Royal Shakespeare Company-trained orator compared to what we’ve got…;)
Lesley wrote: "When I suggested - Choosing one specific author for 5 of the 10
The remaining 5 being specific titles of any other author
was because like Carol said in her message, she has a number of books by v..."
I think I get what you’re suggesting - say I have 4 Barbara Pym’s I want to include in my 10, I go ahead and include them, then I can add 6 more titles by any other author - maybe a Wodehouse, a couple Christie’s, a nonfiction, a Stephenson, a Le Carre, for example. Have I got it?
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I haven't had a slump but my reading speed has really slowed down. one of the reasons I wanted to change the dates, so I can read more Kiwi fiction (including some in the pool) I will try not to ma..."I say we recalibrate, and say instead of a “reading slump”, we’re having a “visual feast” (sounds more hopeful), on all the wonderful tv/movie/streaming gems out there?! Old and new! Now that Dame Patricia Routledge has passed, I’ll probably spend a few evenings binging on Hyacinth Bucket on BritBox!
Mod
For example Barbara Pym
Isabel Allende, etc etc
then list 5 books (not books by these authors though)
If I'm right it could get a bit unwieldy though.
Maybe we could list two authors, then 5 books not by these authors.
Mod
Slumps are to be expected, the world situation can be depressing which affects every part of our lives. New ideas and things to look forward to can only help us Keep Calm and Read On. 🙂
I'm also working on a side "non-challenge" that I hope to connect to the Book Pool somehow, more on that later. 😉
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I haven't had a slump but my reading speed has really slowed down. one of the reasons I wanted to change the dates, so I can read more Kiwi fiction (including some in the pool) I will try not to ma..."After I read Under the Mountain / Maurice Gee I found I could watch the original series through NZ On Screen. It was just as I remembered. Wonderful nostalgia!
I have come across a few TV programmes and old movies that I've earmarked to watch.
message 23:
by
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ , She's a mod, yeah, yeah, yeah!
(last edited Oct 05, 2025 05:16PM)
(new)
Mod
Marty (who hasn't read the books) powered through the Poldark series. I still haven't finished series 2. I need to speed up a bit as Netflix has acquired the rights & I'm worried that TVNZ+ might lose the rights soon.
However, you configure the Book Pool for 2026 I will be content. I think from a mods point of view the Book Pool is probably easiest to manage time wise which always must be a consideration.
While it isn't an "everyone reading the same at one time" scenario, many participants pick the same books to read through the year and discussion ensues between those readers. Often from browsing those discussions my interest has been piqued for me to read the book too. In this way the Book Pool format is maybe better than having just monthly selection/discussion.
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Thanks for the tip Lesley as I did quite enjoy this book.Marty (who hasn't read the books) powered through the Poldark series. I still haven't finished series 2. I need to speed up a bit as Netfl..."
Is it the original series or the remake, Carol?
When the remake was on TV I found it hard to watch as I had these fixed images in my head of Demelza, Ross and co. that I couldn't mentally move from!
Mod
CindySR wrote: "Whatever you ladies decide on, I'm in. So many options!Slumps are to be expected, the world situation can be depressing which affects every part of our lives. New ideas and things to look forward..."
I like your attitude, and agree 100%!
Lesley wrote: "However, you configure the Book Pool for 2026 I will be content. I think from a mods point of view the Book Pool is probably easiest to manage time wise which always must be a consideration.
Wh..."
Good point, Lesley - I know my TBR list has grown much richer through our book pools! And we do hit “trending” titles that several read and enjoy. I’ve chosen several must reads from the pool after seeing a fellow pooler rate and comment favorably on a title (if I can get it, of course!)
Lesley wrote:While it isn't an "everyone reading the same at one time" scenario, many participants pick the same books to read through the year and discussion ensues between those readers. Often from browsing those discussions my interest has been piqued for me to read the book too. In this way the Book Pool format is maybe better than having just monthly selection/discussion.
very good points, I agree with your entire post. I am very happy with whatever folks decide and if a book pool is best for moderators I'm glad for their time and grateful to have it.
Mod
I've discovered so many good reads through many of the groups I have belonged to - not just the ones I moderate.
I see I've missed some discussion points earlier in the discussion which I'm going to circle back to.
As far as the main discussion goes I'm going to leave it open for a few more days & then summarise. Any member is welcome to offer an opinion!
& I archived a couple of threads a couple of days ago - & discovered that we had talked about having a Trading Post folder, so I'll set that up now.
Cindy SR & Valerie I'm really sorry for forgetting all about this!
This is for discussion of what we would like to do with this group next year.
I'm about to send a block message, so I'll close the thread until that has been sent. :)
Edit: I've just received my copy of the message, so I'll open this thread up now. :)