Read Along Partners

[Varla Fiona]

No problem. whenever suits you. I have plenty to keep me busy with this month.

[Lu]

Carolien wrote: "I'll join."

Varla Fiona wrote: "Sure. I have read about half of it before so will just skim those parts."

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Carolien]

Lauren wrote: "Does anyone want to read The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente this month?

I'm going to use it for the WoM and it can also be used for the Mis..."

I found a copy at Readers Warehouse this afternoon, so I'll be happy to join you. I can use it for the author challenge as well, she's younger than me!

[Lauren]

Yay!

[Barbara]

I have read that book already and wasn't much impressed. If you read it I will try to contribute to the discussion, but I am not reading it again. Sorry.

[Chrizette]

Lauren, I see you also have Game of Thrones on your reading list. Do you want to do a read-along sometime before the challenge ends in 2014. I have the audio book and was quite intimidated by the first few chapters. I thought maybe a buddy-read would help.

[Lauren]

Chrizette wrote: "Lauren, I see you also have Game of Thrones on your reading list. Do you want to do a read-along sometime before the challenge ends in 2014. I have the audio book and was quite intimidated by the..."

Me? I've already read Game of Thrones. I should have a 5-star rating for it unless I accidentally added two copies. Not keen on reading it again any time soon to be honest; it's so long.

[Chrizette]

Lauren wrote: "Chrizette wrote: "Lauren, I see you also have Game of Thrones on your reading list. Do you want to do a read-along sometime before the challenge ends in 2014. I have the audio book and was quite ..."

Sorry, Lauren - I should have been clearer! LoL I meant the other Lauren (hie-hie)

[Lauren]

I'm hosting a read-along of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (The Inheritance Trilogy #1) by N.K. Jemisin, along with three other bloggers. It will run for four weeks, with the first set of questions sent out this coming Saturday (30th). The first posts will go up on Monday.

If you want to join in with blog posts or just read along and comment, you'll find the details here: http://violininavoid.wordpress.com/20...

[Carolien]

Long Walk to Freedom is one of those books that lurk on just about everybody's TBR list, but very few people ever get around to reading it since it is non-fiction and not exactly short. Does anybody want to do a buddy read next year as a tribute to Madiba?

[Lauren]

I feel guilty now. I never wanted to read that.

[Lauren]

I loved The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms so much, I signed up for read-alongs of the sequels in January and February:


If anyone wants to join in as a blogger or host, you can find the details here: http://dabofdarkness.com/2013/12/19/t...

It doesn't matter if you didn't read the first book. It's a fractured trilogy with each book told from the POV of a different character, and they don't have to read in sequence.

[Lauren]

If you want to do a buddy read for blogging purposes and aren't having any luck here, you can cast your net wider with Book Buddies. Check out this info post: http://www.onstarshipsanddragonwings....

It's basically a site where you add your blog, list what you plan on reading, and then join or set up buddy reads with people who are reading the same thing. It'll make it easier for you to set a schedule that you're comfortable with.

[Lauren]

On second thoughts, I think it's just for general buddy reads, whether or not you want to blog about them. But you may need a blog to sign up.

[Lauren]

Barbara and I were talking about new buddy reads on Facebook, and I'd get the discussion going here, in case anyone else is interested. I'll announce the buddy reads on fb if we decide on any.

This is what I'll be reading for the Deserted Island Challenge, and I'll do buddy reads for any of them. I'm willing to change my choices in some cases:

Lu - Soulless by Gail Carriger
Liezel - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Claudia - Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Jennifer - Narnia novel
Angelique - Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
Carolien - Howl's Moving Castle or Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones
Barbara - Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey or Boudica: Dreaming the Eagle by Manda Scott
Varla Fiona - Tiffany Aching by Terry Pratchett

I'll also be reading a detective novel set in 3000 BC - Talus and the Frozen King by Graham Edwards. Lu, Barbara, I'd be keen to read this with you as your archaeological expertise might be illuminating :)

And I'll be reading Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente as host for the AoM.

[Barbara]

I am also planning on reading The Hunger Games. I have finally ordered the books and this is a good excuse to read them. As if I need an excuse to read a book.

Talus and the Frozen king sounds interesting and I have also ordered that book. So We can do that one too.

My only brush with Catherynne M. Valente left me too confused to want to read another one.

I am also going to read Little Women. So if anyone wants to read that with me, I think it might be a good one to discuss. And I can of course lend my voice and ofer opinions on books I have already read. :)

[Lauren]

OK cool :) Talus is something I'd like to read soon-ish. I'd like to squeeze it in this month, but I know I probably won't make it. Should we schedule it for May? Can also read The Hunger Games in May or after.

I'm not keen on a classic at the moment though, so will not be joining you for Little Women.

[Barbara]

I can usually start any day you want. I just have to wait for the books to arrive. Will let you know when that happens and then you can let me know when you want to start. :)

I figured as much that is why I said anyone. I think it might lead to good discussions and I have always wanted to read it. So now is my chance.

[Lauren]

You should have your copy of Talus by the beginning of May, so should we schedule that for 1 May?

I forgot to add that I'll also be reading A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz. I plan on nominating it for the next BoM (steampunk theme) but can do a buddy read if it doesn't win.

[Lu]

I'll keep an eye for when buddy reads start. The next couple of months are going to be tough for me.

[Varla Fiona]

I have read everything on your list except those nominated by Angelique and Barbara so will join in on discussions as you read them. I have also obviously read little women, so will happily discuss that. I may even reread one or two of the books but I will see as I'm still not reading lots due to other commitments.

[Lauren]

Cool, will let you know when I plan on starting :)

[Liezel]

On your list I'm reading Howl's Moving Castle and I might read Narnia, haven't decided yet, but I'll probably only start in June.

@Barbara, I plan on reading Little Women, so let me know when you want to start and I'll see if I can join you.

[Barbara]

I am looking for the books. I know I have them as ebooks, but I want them for real too and I can't remember if I have them or have to order them. So it might take me some weeks.

That is the only negative thing about having lots of books: trying to remember if you have that one already or not. :)

[Lauren]

@Liezel: Cool :) Howl will be a re-read for me, so I might go with the second book instead, but it's such a lovely book and it's a quick read so the perfect option for trying to finish the WoM or something.
Not sure which Narnia book I'll go for either, but it's also something I'd use to complete a WoM.

[Carolien]

@lauren I'd be happy to join in with your choices for Claudia and Angelique if we can do them a bit later in the year.

@barbara I recently reread Little Women so would be happy to join the discussion on that one.

[Lauren]

That's fine with me. What's your idea of "later"? I already have a copy of Skullduggery Pleasant, so I'd like to do that one first, out of the two.

[Carolien]

That's fine with me. Can we do that one in July? I have exams coming up.

[Lauren]

@Carolien: Yes, that's perfect. Shall we just schedule it for 1 July in the meantime and then adjust if need be?

@Liezel: Let me know when you'd like to read Howl :)

[Liezel]

Anytime you want to start, doesn't look too hectic so I can use it as a break from studying :)

[Carolien]

Lauren wrote: "@Carolien: Yes, that's perfect. Shall we just schedule it for 1 July in the meantime and then adjust if need be?

@Liezel: Let me know when you'd like to read Howl :)"

Perfect.

[Chrizette]

I am so behind with reading messages and am totally lost here on the buddy reads. Could we have another thread where we just mention the buddy reads as an admin post, and keep this one as a discussion thread? As I said, I am totally lost between all the messages on this group, so just let me know if I missed a thread somewhere.

[Lauren]

That's not a bad idea. I'll make one now, but will close it so that only I can edit it and it doesn't fill up like this one. I've also been meaning to announce the buddy reads on our fb group. I'll try and keep track of the schedule here, but if I miss anything, just let me know.

[Lauren]

@Liezel: it looks like JIKA will be the May WoM, and we can use Howl for J. Would you be ok with starting around 15 May?

[Liezel]

Lauren wrote: "@Liezel: it looks like JIKA will be the May WoM, and we can use Howl for J. Would you be ok with starting around 15 May?"

Can we start the 20th, will have finished my exams by then

[Lauren]

Yeah, that's fine too :) Will add it to the schedule.

[Lu]

I'll try and join :)

[Barbara]

Lauren wrote: "You should have your copy of Talus by the beginning of May, so should we schedule that for 1 May?

I forgot to add that I'll also be reading A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Sc..."

I received my copy of Talus a couple of days ago, so I can start whenever you're ready.

[Lauren]

I'd still like to start on 1 May if that's ok? Have some other books to finish for April.

[Barbara]

That is ok by e. Just letting you know I have the book and am ready, willing and able. :)

[Lauren]

Hehe, ok :) I'll make a thread in the meantime. Would you be ok with reading according to a schedule and setting one up (since you have a print copy)? Something that takes 1 or 2 weeks?

[Barbara]

You know I love making schedules! :) But somehow we always deviate from our schedule. :( As soon as I see the discussion thread I will post a schedule.

[Lauren]

Lol, I know, but I did a couple of blogging read-alongs over the past few months and I was very good about sticking to the schedule, even though I was dying to read ahead :) It also helps with time-management when the book doesn't fit the WoM, which will probably be the case here (JIKA is winning at the poll).

[Barbara]

I tried and voted for a word with an e in it, but JIKA has such a big lead so I don't think it will help.

Having a print copy I can see it doesn't look like a difficult or hard read so we will manage it just fine. :)

[Lauren]

Yeah, I voted for EWE, but I don't think we can beat JIKA.

I don't think it'll be hard either, but of course it could be tedious, which'd make it hard to read too.

[Barbara]

Even then we should be able to manage it in a couple of days. Because if it gets tedious we always have lovely discussions. :)

[Lauren]

Haha, yeah, our Cry to Heaven discussion was so much better than the book!

[Lauren]

This one came up as a potential group read a few times, I think, but it always lost at the polls. I want to read it in May for the WoM - would anyone like to join me? Planning to start in second week, but can start in the third or fourth as well.

[Chrizette]

I will join - found a copy recentely.

[Lauren]

Cool :)