Greatist Reads discussion

Hello fellow readers of the world! Let’s get to know each other. Please introduce yourself so that our book community can welcome you.

1. Let’s start with the basics (like your first name and where you’re from). Feel free to also share things like your Hogwarts house if you so wish!
2. Why you’re joining this book club and what you hope to achieve.
3. What was the best book you read in 2019?

I'll go first...
1. Hi! My name’s Naomi and I'm from New Hampshire. Hogwarts house: Gryffindor. I like: Bookstagram, decaf green tea, and reading with my cat, Leia. I dislike: Dog-eared pages, spoilers, and smudged eyeglasses.
2. I’m launching Greatist Reads because I LOVE books and I hope we can create an interactive, supportive, and inspiring community here together.
3. The best book I read in 2019 was probably Circe by Madeline Miller... you can check out my other top picks here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B6veRNhgcyt/

Hi! I’m Dayle J from Concord, MA...just joined looking for good reads with the higher goal to just read more in general! Currently reading On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous...beautifully written..

Hello! I’m Breanna from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada🍁. I’m joining because one of my 2020 goals is to read more. A book I really loved reading last year was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Can’t wait to have some exciting discussions! ❤️

Hi! My name is Adrianne, I'm in Melbourne, Australia, and I went from reading a book a day to reading a handful a month. I want to get back into reading and I want to up my self care game xx

Dayle Acquilano wrote: "Hi! I’m Dayle J from Concord, MA...just joined looking for good reads with the higher goal to just read more in general! Currently reading On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous...beautifully written.."

Welcome! So happy to have you here. Will definitely be looking up that book.

Bre wrote: "Hello! I’m Breanna from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada🍁. I’m joining because one of my 2020 goals is to read more. A book I really loved reading last year was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor..."

Welcome! Hello to Alberta, Canada! 👋

Hi, everyone! I'm Amanda in Pittsburgh, PA. I'm a Hufflepuff with some Ravenclaw tendencies. I'm joining this book club to hopefully get inspired to read more this year. Did NOT make as much time for reading as I wanted to in 2019, but the best book I read was 100% Well Met by Jen DeLuca. It's a romance set at a local Ren Faire.

Adrianne wrote: "Hi! My name is Adrianne, I'm in Melbourne, Australia, and I went from reading a book a day to reading a handful a month. I want to get back into reading and I want to up my self care game xx"

Hello to Australia! Welcome :)

Amanda wrote: "Hi, everyone! I'm Amanda in Pittsburgh, PA. I'm a Hufflepuff with some Ravenclaw tendencies. I'm joining this book club to hopefully get inspired to read more this year. Did NOT make as much time f..."

Hello and welcome! Ren faires and romance? I'm definitely putting that on my TBR! :)

Hi! My name is Jordan and I’m from Greenville, SC. I’m a grad school student and social worker. I’m an enneagram 2 for anyone that is familiar.

I’m joining this book club because I want to broaden the type of books I read and want a space to discuss!

My favorite book of 2019 may have been Big Little
Lies. I was very late to the game but I loved it.

Hello! My name is Marisol, I’m from Venezuela but currently living in Boston!

Im jointing this club because I want to get new recommendations and be encouraged to finish as many books as possible through discussions!

Also the best book I read in 2019, it would probably be “The Nightingale,” beautiful story.

Hello! My name is Marilyn. I live across the street from a nice park in Chicago with my cat Babycat Purrmachine.

This group seemed like the perfect way to try new books instead of sticking to the genres I usually go for (historical fiction, mystery). Currently reading A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin. My favorite read in 2019 was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

Hi, I'm Cheryl from Cardston, Alberta, Canada & I'm hoping to get recommendations for some really great books. The book(s) that touched me in some way last year were
Hannah's Dream by Diane Hammond
The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert, all which I will reread in the future.
P.S. I have already added some books to my WTR list, thanks!!!

Hello everyone! I'm Marina, I live in Birmingham UK with my Frenchie and I hope that I will get some nice recommendations and the opportunity to talk to you about what we're all reading.

I used to waffle about the books that I'm reading to my boyfriend and dog but I need more interaction, so I joined this group.

Right now I'm reading Ozzy Osbourne's biography 'I am Ozzy' (he's a Brummie) and next on my list is 'The Binding'. Has anyone read it?

Marilyn wrote: "Hello! My name is Marilyn. I live across the street from a nice park in Chicago with my cat Babycat Purrmachine.

This group seemed like the perfect way to try new books instead of sticking to the..."

Welcome to Greatist Reads! BTW, your cat's name is amazing.

Hi there! Karen in Daytona Beach, FL... a 100% muggle, married to a Slytherin. Never read a single page of HP, just not my thing. (But as a destination marketing professional, I think that the attention to detail in the HP attractions at Universal Orlando is a genius money machine!)

I've yet to find an IRL book club that fits with my busy schedule, so I this might be a good option.

I think the book that resonated with me most this year was "When Life Gives You Pears" by Jeannie Gaffigan. (Jim Gaffigan's wife). Anyone who can take the seriousness of a brain tumor, combine it with humor, and teach us all a lesson or two about ourselves and our families deserves a gold star.

Hi everyone! I'm Olivia, a die-hard Hufflepuff living in San Francisco. I'm excited to read and chat about wellness-related books! And the best book I read during 2019 was Know My Name by Chanel Miller.

Olivia wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Olivia, a die-hard Hufflepuff living in San Francisco. I'm excited to read and chat about wellness-related books! And the best book I read during 2019 was Know My Name by Chanel Mi..."

Hello and welcome! Happy to have you here :)

1. Hello, I'm James originally from RI but now living across the border in CT. I would definitely be a member of Gryffindor.
2. I've always been interested in reading and have been looking at new ways to discover new books!
3. I've been on a huge Audiobook kick lately so it's a toss-up between Left of Bang (something I read for work) and Unf*ck Yourself.

James wrote: "1. Hello, I'm James originally from RI but now living across the border in CT. I would definitely be a member of Gryffindor.
2. I've always been interested in reading and have been looking at new w..."

Welcome, James! Happy to have you here.

Hi! I’m Melissa, I’m from Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺. My Hogwarts house is Ravenclaw. I’m joining this book club because I’ve never been apart of a book club and I feel like it’d be cool to finally be able to finish a book and then have someone to discuss it with. And finally, the best book I read in 2019 would probably be ‘This mortal coil’ by Emily Suvada

Hi, Emily! Welcome to Greatist Reads! I'll be announcing our next book very soon :)

Maria wrote: "Hi Everyone! My name is Maria and I'm from Long Island, New York. I found this group based upon it's current reading, I'm also reading "Untamed" right now as well!

I'm pretty open minded and I love learning new thing, words, ways of thinking...and hearing what other people have to say! Most importantly I'd like to keep my head in the books and not on my phone!

The best book I read in 2019 is "Feel the Fear and do it Anyway" By Susan Jeffers"

Hello and welcome, Maria! And eeep, it looks like I somehow accidentally deleted your original comment. SO sorry! I've re-added above.

Hi! I’m Brooke and I live in California, although originally from the east coast.

I’ve never been in a book club so I though I would give this a shot.

I think my favorite book from 2019 was either Nickel Boys or Fleishman is in Trouble. Both made you think and weren’t what they seemed to be. I also really enjoy following the national book award lists and try to read a few of the nominees each year. (Both of the above were on the long list).

I just started reading the July selection and I like it so far!

Brooke Safran wrote: "Hi! I’m Brooke and I live in California, although originally from the east coast.

I’ve never been in a book club so I though I would give this a shot.

I think my favorite book from 2019 was eit..."

Hi Brooke! So nice to have you here. Thanks for saying hello and for reading along for our summer read :)