2026 Reading Challenge discussion

*Featured Buddy Read*
This buddy read is featured on the homepage and is pinned to the top of the May Buddy Reads folder. Otherwise it works just like every other buddy read!

If you are new to Buddy Reads, check out the sign-up thread for instructions and to sign up for future buddy reads!

You can join in the discussion even if your name isn't on the list!

This thread is to discuss Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

Pages: 491 pages

Length: 1 Month (May)

Participants: Valerie, Shari, Elle, May, Saha, Alicja, Queenie, Rebecca.

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

Oh how I am tempted to read this one again, but my TBR list has taken on epic proportions. To all of you reading this for the first time - I am so envious! Enjoy!

Trisha wrote: "*Featured Buddy Read*
This buddy read is featured on the homepage and is pinned to the top of the May Buddy Reads folder. Otherwise it works just like every other buddy read!."

What determines the featured buddy read?

I happened to read this title this month, with my ears. I'm not at all big on audiobooks but I had a long car trip and tried this one. I'd read it 30 years ago or so but remembered nothing. Didn't like it very much! It's quite dated now, I thought. Many tangents that went on and on. I should have listened to the 4 hour BBC radio play version instead of the full audiobook.

Marc, we have been featuring the buddy read with the most sign-ups at the time of posting. Just to give buddy reads more visibility on the home page!

SarahKat wrote: "Marc, we have been featuring the buddy read with the most sign-ups at the time of posting. Just to give buddy reads more visibility on the home page!"

Thanks. I like the idea, and I noticed the book goes on as ‘currently reading’ on the group page which is also great.

This book is one of my favorites and I just happened to reread it this month. Still loved it. Hope you folks enjoy!

I can't wait to start this one for my buddy read this month :)

I decided to go ahead and start this one today, and I read about 65 pages (all of the "11 Years Ago section), and just found myself grinning and enjoying the whole beginning of this one. I have some familiarity with the story because I watched the Amazon Prime series they made from the book, but I just wanted to pop in and say that I'm already having fun reading this one.

Starting this today. Have read some heavy stuff recently so looking forward to some light relief. Thank you to everyone who is joining, nice to be the featured read.

Rebecca wrote: "I decided to go ahead and start this one today, and I read about 65 pages (all of the "11 Years Ago section), and just found myself grinning and enjoying the whole beginning of this one. I have som..."

At the same place as you Rebecca. Reminded me that writers can make a point (or several) and still be funny. I did wonder if being from the UK and of a certain age helped me understand the humour.

I listened to this audiobook a few years ago. It is irreverent and quite funny at times. Being written by two authors seems to have disrupted the flow of the story for me, especially on audio where the transition is less obvious. (I suspect there may have been a blank line or something indicating a new section in the book.) Still, it was entertaining. If you enjoy the book, you might enjoy the show, which was originally only available on Amazon Prime Video streaming, but has since been made available on DVD and Blu-ray.

I won't be rereading the book at this time, but hope you enjoy it.

Valerie wrote: "I did wonder if being from the UK and of a certain age helped me understand the humour."

I am from the US and still enjoyed the humor. Though, admittedly some of it may have gone over my head. Being of a "certain age" did help. My then teenager also read it and didn't get the Elvis references or some of the other things I found amusing.

About half way through (end of Friday). Struggling a bit to keep track of all the disparate storylines and characters but assume they will all come together in the second half. Agree with Shelley that it’s a bit disjointed probably due to having two authors.

I'm right at the same place as you and it is a lot to keep track of!!

Rebecca wrote: "I'm right at the same place as you and it is a lot to keep track of!!"

Wondering where the MEALS guy fits in. I assume they are all going to converge on the town soon. Next chapter is a long one!

Finished, here’s my review. (view spoiler)[ I found it difficult to decide on a rating for this book. Some parts are witty, insightful and original well deserving 4stars but there are also quite a lot of 2 star moments that are self indulgent and rather tedious so 3 is how it averaged out. I really enjoyed the relationship between the angel and demon, the personality of the witch and the gang of kids (which made me think of a rather twisted famous five ). Some of the humour was a bit dated (although I’m old enough to have got all of it) but the issues raised through it are still very much with us. Overall I enjoyed the second half, where it all comes together, better than the first which I found disjointed and confusing. Glad I finally got round to reading it although I suspect I’d have been more impressed in the 80’s (hide spoiler)]

I came back and finished this one, and really ended up enjoying it. (view spoiler)[ I'd have probably finished it a week ago if it hadn't been for how intimidating the length of that Saturday section/chapter was. I'd give it five stars except I feel like it has a little bit of a pacing problem. (hide spoiler)]

I may be a little late to the party (starting this today) but I sure am excited to join in! Can't wait to finish this, though I am absolutely certain I will be picturing the MCs by who they were played in the TV show!