What does 'Buddy Read' mean to you?

[Cheryl]

Something good I hope!
I've participated, here in YLTO and elsewhere, in some good buddy reads. But I think I could enjoy them even more if I had a bit of a plan going in. Nothing rigid, nothing to make it feel like an assignment or duty, but some sort of structure or goal, perhaps.

Or perhaps not.

What's your experience? Have you participated in any great buddy reads or discussions? Do you have any idea what made them great? Or if not, what do you think would help? Do you like the idea of having a goal, or structure, or would you rather just let things happen as they do? What would make you more interested in participating in more Buddy Reads here on YLTO?

Thanks for any thoughts at all!

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

In another group that Kimberly and I belong to, she and I both participate in the monthly buddy reads. What happens is participants sign up,after sign up closes the mod draws names to put us in buddy pairs then buddies get together via pm,discussing on the thread etc and select a book(s).We then have one month to read our book(s) and discuss them. There is a thread set up for the month for all buddy pairs to report in. I have had a lot of fun with it. In these buddy reads there aren't any guidelines unless the buddies set them. I think pretty much the pairs just roll with the flow, read, make posts as they want and the buddies respond. Sometimes we make comments, even if it isn't our buddy, if we have read the book.

Last month me,Kimberly and another buddy (we had an odd #sign up) chose our book and had a great time discussiing it. Two of us didn't care for the book where the other one said it was ok. Two of us didn't/couldn't finish the book where one of us did. I figured the book out at 100-150 pages in but held my tongue till the buddy who did finish the book got through and then I explained how I knew what was going to happen at the end. Kimberly had it sorta figured it out too. We had lots of fun with it even though it wasn't an enjoyable book for all 3 of us. We didn't set any rules or guidelines. We made posts as each of us felt the need and responded to each other.

I think it is fun to see who your buddy will be and then go snooping through each other's shelves to see what books you have in common. Then reading and discussing. Every buddy I have had so far we just tend to roll with the flow and let things happen naturally. What are your thoughts Kimberly?

I have another BR going on right now too. She and I decided to pair up with Gone with the Wind. We have set it up in sections and discuss it thru PMs. This one is a lot of fun too.

In another one of my groups the BOM is set up with a start date and a finish date. Then the book is broke down in sections/pages to be read per day. Then the mods post questions for each section for participants to answer upon section compeletion. I haven't participated in one yet but looks very interesting as I have lurked lol. I have seen some interesting thoughts and discussions going on in these. I really like the question/answer type discussions.

[Janice, Moderator]

Thanks for the input Robin.

My initial connotation of Buddy Reads was that if you wanted a partner or partners to read a book with you, you would invite people to join in, set a date, read together, and discuss (in the thread) whatever comes to mind. Many books now have discussion questions and they could be used as a guideline.

I sometimes pop into a discussion thread on a book I've read with my two cents. I don't mind if someone was to do that on a buddy read of which I was a part. It only adds to the discussion.

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

YW Janice. I have seen BRs done all sorts of ways and I really think it just depends on the participants. I would like to get in on one of the ones broke down in sections with the questions. Just to see how it goes. I am going to try to get involved in one in May and I will report back here and let you know if I like it or not. : )

The buddy read we had here on Sarah's Key was really fun. We all had interesting thoughts and POVs on it. It sorta had a deadline to it but wasn't stringent.

I have done that too Janice. I don't mind the extra 2 cents because it does add to the discussion and sometimes you learn things you may not have picked up on : )

[Janice, Moderator]

So maybe, we could have a guideline that has the participants of each individual buddy read set up the criteria. I also like a more "guided" discussion because it makes me think more deeply about the book.

[Kimberly]

I've been dong buddy reads since November 2010 in the other group that Robin and I are a part of. I've had really good experiences with it whether both or just one of us likes the book I really enjoy it.
We mostly communicate via PM and then post our messages afterwards (not a requirement) or we just post a quick review.
I like that while the buddy reads are set up by one of the mods we can do it however we like. I like the freedom of having a buddy read that doesn't follow any set idea other than reading and sharing my thoughts on it because for me at least it's more fun that way for me and my partner to discuss it how we want.

[Terri]

I like to read with others and discuss as we go along - putting our thoughts and ideas out there before the plot reveals everything. They key to that is making sure headers in discussing have chapters or pages so we don't read post until we have read through that section of the book

[Janice, Moderator]

Judy wrote: "Maybe BR = up to the individuals re: structure
Monthly Group reads = structured

So every member can find something they are comfortable with on YLTO.."

And so not to blend the Buddy Reads with the Group Reads. I think there is some confusion in YLTO about the role and function of each part - Buddy Reads, Group Reads, Challenges, and TBR Topplers.

[Kimberly]

Umm not sure if I should say this but maybe if an Archive folder was created and older posts were put in it than that may help a bit. People can stll chat in them but they'll be seperated once the month is done or the buddy read has been read.

[Snoozie Suzie]

I like an unstructured Buddy Read where you put down your thoughts and go with the flow. I have only done a few, but have really enjoyed them all. They really open your mind to other views dont they?

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Judy wrote: "Janice wrote: "So maybe, we could have a guideline that has the participants of each individual buddy read set up the criteria. I also like a more "guided" discussion because it makes me think mor..."

That sounds like a good idea Judy.

I think you are right about the confusion Janice because I am one of them especially when it comes to the Monthly Theme Reads. I tried to keep up with the monthly theme reads and got confused on what was going on so I don't try that one any more. The nominating,voting,what got voted in for the month,trying to get the books, and figuring out where I am supposed to post is just a little too chaotic for me I guess : (. I was going to try it for the May theme but have decided to back out of it.

I do like the monthly challenges and the structure they have.I know my rules and can pick my book to fit those rules : )

With the buddy reads who ever starts it and/or participates should set the structure.

The Topplers seem to work out really well : ) I have really enjoyed those!!!! I know what my choices are, the rules to follow and I pick my books. At the end of my reading I know exactly where I have to post. LOVE IT!!!

I agree Kimberly...I think maybe archiving at the end of the month might help.

I am slowly but surely trying to get back involved in the reads here especially since LIFE got a little hectic for me and the Mister in March and April and my reading slowed down a bit but is finally picking back up : )

[jaxnsmom]

I'm participating in one now where A Dog's Journey was mentioned in a post and three of us were currently reading it. We have a simple structure, the time frame is based on length and complexity of the book. The structure is also a good way to avoid spoilers. With a smaller group, it's easy to adjust the schedule if needed. And we get more personal on some of the discussions, and go off on tangents. BR's are great for books that probably wouldn't be picked as a group read, or ones that were nominated but not chosen.

[Cheryl]

Thanks for all the insights, folks! These comments help me. :)