Introductions

[Emily]

Hey, I'm Emily, a 20 year old female living in Germany. I am a book junkie to say the least and books have always been my best friends. I'm really excited to come across this bookclub. I have been trying to find the perfect one for me and this one hit the spot! I love the fact that we are not restricted to a certain book, but rather a theme. And to have the option of "rebelling" is absolutely genius! I don't really have one genre I stick to, but i do prefer horror, psychology, romance, and self help books. I love reading about people overcoming there struggles. I'm so excited to be a part of this bookclub!

[La_mariane]

Hello! I'm la_mariane, and I live in France. English is not my first language and I use goodreads and other internet platforms to keep practicing my English. I love reading, even if I've been very slow reading in the last few months. I hope this group will help me get out of my reading funk. I've already chosen two books for January's theme.

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Emily and la_mariane! I hope the group lives up to your expectations, and it's always great to see new faces around here! :)

[La_mariane]

Amara wrote: "Welcome to the group, Emily and la_mariane! I hope the group lives up to your expectations, and it's always great to see new faces around here! :)"
Thanks! I really like the idea that everybody is reading about the same theme, but we can choose our own books. I'm curious to see what people will select for each month.

[Linda]

My name is Linda, I am from Georgia. I am the proud mother of one and grandmother of 2, who are 5 and almost 2. I am 59 years young and an avid reader, be it physical book, e-book (more of this now, since it is so much easier to carry with me) or audiobook - these I listen to in the car as I go about my day to day running around. I got my first library card at 7 yrs old and have never been without one. I have collected a lot of books over the years and probably will always. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will leave many of these books unread when it my time to move on from this mortal coil. I read anything that catches my fancy and can honestly say that I have only ever not finished one book that I started. That was a book called (I think) "A Secret History," although it took me over a year to finish "Lost Symbols" by Dan Brown. I love reading and always have at least 3 books going at one time - granted one of those is usually an audiobook. I hope I can offer something to the discussions in the club. I love this idea of being in a club where you can read whatever you want as long as it fits the theme.

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Linda! I'm also a book collector (probably hoarder at this point, lol) and got my library card at a very early age (probably four or five). ;)

[Jackie]

Hi! I'm excited to join my first book club! My name is Jackie, I am 24 years old, and live in the Mid-Atlantic area of the US. I just finished my Masters in Public Health and love reading anything from health related nonfiction to fantasy. I'm less inclined to read poetry and short stories, but should expand my interest, maybe?I'm open to recommendations and am excited to get started!

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group Jackie; I hope it lives up to your expectations!

[Tina]

Hi! I am 28 from Texas. Excited to join a group. :)

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Tina; I hope you enjoy it!

For all our newbies, remember that besides the monthly book threads, you can always post any questions or comments you may have about the group here, suggest a future theme here, or start up a conversation here. :)

[Ruth]

Hi everyone, I'm Ruth and I am from Ireland. I have been looking for a book club group for awhile that is going to work for me and I love the simplicity of this one theme wise. I am looking forward to taking part in this years themes.

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Ruth! :)

[Nenia]

Hello, everyone! I am Nenia, and I am twenty-three-years-old and from the United States. I'm an avid reader, reviewer, and a Goodreads author with three books to my name so far. :)

I read pretty much anything and everything as long as it isn't badly written or needlessly graphic. My current challenge is to read 600 books this year. Every day it seems like one person comments on my challenge to "lul" at how masochistic I am.

Nice to meetcha!

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Nenia! Would you believe I actually have the same 600 book goal this year? I'm about a week behind at the moment, so I'm hoping to nip my current procrastination in the bud sometime over the next few weeks and plow through my ARC backlog and my library checkouts. ;)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the group, and it's nice to meet you!

[Nenia]

Amara wrote: "Welcome to the group, Nenia! Would you believe I actually have the same 600 book goal this year? I'm about a week behind at the moment, so I'm hoping to nip my current procrastination in the bud so..."

Oh, I know what you mean. I have like 150 books on netgalley I need to read. Some of them are awful so I know I won't finish them but still--it's a lot of reading! And I can't stop applying for more. ;~;

Then there's big old Mt. Bookmore in the corner of my room.

So no, it doesn't surprise me at all. Hi, my name is Nenia, and I'm a book-a-holic. Seems you are, too! ♥

[Amara, Group Creator]

Nenia wrote: "And I can't stop applying for more."

I totally sympathize. I'm more than a bit compulsive about getting new books--whether it's eARCs, used books, library books, or just kindle freebies I'll probably never get around to reading.

Always nice to meet a fellow book-a-holic! :)

[Cari]

Hi - I enjoy reading romances, sci-fi, self-discovery, biographies and autobiographies.

[Terri]

Hi All! Glad to be part of this group. I enjoy reading almost everything except romance novels, so this group is perfect for me. This month I'm reading "Bite Me" by Christopher Moore...kinda fits the food theme anyway. ;)

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Cari and Terri! :)

[Eris]

a quick hi to everyone! :) in the group as well new members so time for me to continue reading now

[Lesley]

Hello all. I live in rural/outback Queensland, Australia and enjoy reading most genres except romance and sci-fi. Currently I'm reading Tinkers.

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Lesley! :)

[Elizabeth]

My name is Elizabeth and I'm 24 years old. I live in Kentucky (Louisville, to be precise). I have a BA in psychology and did two minors in English with a concentration in literature and Medieval Studies. I studied French for 5 years and have experience with Japanese, German, and Latin. One of my dreams is to translate Medieval Latin and French manuscripts. The other is to eventually become an archaeologist.

Currently, I work with toddlers as a teacher in a daycare. It's not exactly my dream job, or the best use of my degree, but it works for now. I am going back to school in August to work towards a degree in education so that I can become a third grade teacher. I also plan on doing another major in either microbiology or anthropology. I do enjoy some aspects of my job such as being able to teach my children and the joy that I receive when they finally catch on to what I've taught them. I also enjoy the smiles, hugs, and kisses that I get from my kids when I come to work in the mornings.

I am an avid reader and have been since I was a child. I generally read anything except westerns, romance, and inspirational/Christian books. I quite enjoy horror, fantasy, historical fiction, and mysteries. I have also gotten into the Quirk classics recently. Right now, I am reading Android Karenina. Classic literature is another favorite of mine with Edgar Allan Poe, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, HP Lovecraft, Victor Hugo, and Gaston LeRoux being among my favorites.

I look forward to making new friends and taking part in book discussions.

-Elizabeth

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Elizabeth. I have to say, both of your dream jobs sound absolutely fascinating, and it sounds like we have similar reading tastes. ;)

I hope the group lives up to your expectations!

[Callathump]

Hello! I'm Kim and I've been lurking for a while, but have finally decided to join the fun!
I'm 43, married and have two daughters. My reading is all over the place, which is why I thought this group seemed so perfect for me--a chance to stretch and try out books I might never have otherwise.

[Amara, Group Creator]

Great to meet you, Kim, and welcome; always happy to see a lurker become a poster! ;)

[Nikki]

Hi there, I'm Ana and am so pleased to have found a group with so much flexibility of reading choice! I'm from Hampshire in England and look forward to making some new friends here whilst also enjoying some new literary challenges along the way.

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Ana! :)

[╟ ♫ Tima ♪ ╣ ♥]

You came to the right place, Ana! Everyone is very friendly here :)

[Chris]

Hi everyone,

My name is Chris and I am from the Midlands area of the Uk. I have not long found this website and may I say, it looks very interesting.

I thought it was only for rating books that you are currently reading, want to read and already have read, but I was wrong. There is a lot more to it then that.

I have only just got back into reading again, so please bare with me, as I am a little unsure of what to read. Also, with the groups side of things I don't know where to start there either. Suggestions welcome.

Themes I enjoy reading are: Thriller, Crime, Biography & Adventure.

[Marty]

Hi. I'm Marty, a Native Vermonter transplanted to California. Both feel like home. I'm 68, retired and happy about that. My favorite reading genres are: Contemporary literature, historical fiction, 20th century history, young adult (sometimes), dystopian fiction (when it's exceptional), memoir, biography, and history.

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Marty! :)

And to Chris, welcome to the group and to Goodreads! If you have any questions about either, you can ask here. For now, you can start with our January 2013 "What We're Reading" thread, and tell us what you're reading this month and if it fits our current theme, "food and drink".

Or you can head on over to our February "What We're Reading" thread to tell us if you'll be complying with next month's theme, the earliest book on your to-read list, or not.

And of course, please read the FAQ & rules. ;)

[Chris]

thanks Amara, I will do that. Does the theamed catagory bave to be the most recently added title. what if it does not fit the theme? plus, are there any other uk members here as tbe majority seem to be American?

[╟ ♫ Tima ♪ ╣ ♥]

Chris, the membership is very widespread but doesn't come up in a lot of the conversations about the books. :) I know that I've talked to people from many places around the world here.

If your book doesn't fit this month's theme, there's a folder called "Theme Rebels" you can post about your book in. It's for any books we read that don't fit the chosen theme, it's quite fun either way!

[Amara, Group Creator]

Chris wrote: "thanks Amara, I will do that. Does the theamed catagory bave to be the most recently added title. what if it does not fit the theme? plus, are there any other uk members here as tbe majority seem t..."

As Tiffani said, we have at least a few different countries represented by our active members and more by our lurking members. But Goodreads is US-based, so the US members tend to dominate. ;) If you want to set up a thread in the Off Topic folder to try to connect with any other UK members, feel free to do so.

For the next couple of days, our theme is still "Food/Drink". On the first day of February, the "Earliest Book Added to Your To-Read Shelf" theme will start; if you want to comply, you can hang out in the February theme folder and talk about themed books, and if you don't want to read the book that's the earliest addition to your to-read shelf, you can head on over to the Theme Rebels folder, as Tiffani said.

[Amy Mc]

Hello! I am Amy, and I am new to this groups thing. After looking around for a group that would "fit" me, I decided on this one. I look forward to getting to know some of you and discussing our reads!

[Candace]

Welcome, Amy!

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Amy, and I hope it does indeed turn out to be a good fit for you. ;)

[Caroline]

Hello, everyone. I'm Caroline, age 35. I live in Baltimore, Maryland and right now am an at-home mom to two daughters. I read a variety of books and genres, and each year I read an even number--more or less--of non-fiction and fiction; I like the balance and have read many non-fiction books that are just as exciting as fiction books. I am open to reading anything as long as it's written well and tells an intriguing, quality story.

Thank you to Amara for creating this group. I love the idea!

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Caroline! :)

[Brandi]

Hello! I'm an American living overseas, raising / chauffeuring two kids, teaching ESL and Kindle-ing like crazy in my "spare time". I've been looking for an on-line book club that appealed to me but wouldn't create too many obligations. I love the idea of reading on a theme. It's a bit late, but I think I can still work the February book in and I will be looking forward to seeing what March's theme will be!

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Brandi, and I hope you enjoy it! If you don't already know, you can vote on the March and April themes--here and here, respectively--if you'd like. :)

[Anne]

Hi I'm Anne. I live in England and have always loved reading. I like the idea of just reading to a theme, which gives lots of scope, but it will also be nice to be part of a group. I have recently finished work so now have even more time for reading!

[Caroline]

Welcome, Anne. :)

[Amara, Group Creator]

Anne wrote: "Hi I'm Anne. I live in England and have always loved reading. I like the idea of just reading to a theme, which gives lots of scope, but it will also be nice to be part of a group. I have recent..."

Welcome to the group, Anne! :)

[Joanna Marie]

Hi everyone! I'm Joanna from Philippines and I work from home as a project manager in internet marketing. I discovered Goodreads since working online but I only became active recently. It's good to be here! :)

Some random facts about me: started being addicted in reading (almost any type except Cosmopolitan magazines) when I was around 7y.o and now I'm enjoying chic-lits, paranormal and dystopian YA and suspense-thriller books.

[Caroline]

Welcome, Joanna!

[Joanna Marie]

Thanks Caroline! :)

[Amara, Group Creator]

Welcome to the group, Joanna!

For all our newbie members, remember that you can always vote for upcoming themes over here, discuss your themed reads over here (and your non-themed reads here!), or start a thread--about books or anything else you want to talk about--over here.

And if anyone has any questions, we have a Help/Feedback thread especially for 'em. ;)

[Joanna Marie]

Sure thanks! :)