Readers & Writers discussion

Hello everyone. I'm Robert your moderator. I have written two novels, but now I write short stories as a hobby. I like to chat about books and everything else that's interesting.I love cats, beer and tacos. I created this group because i prefer to interact with folks around my same age, and things we have more in common with.

Anyone who loves cats is a good person in my book! I'm a librarian who volunteers at a cat shelter weekly. I'm not a writer, unless you count my journal or what I write on Ancestry.com. My husband is a Sergeant at the county sheriff's dept and we have two daughters, 21 and 26.

My favorite genre is mystery, but I've expanded my reading over the past several years to include quite a bit of nonfiction, and general fiction written by authors of color. I try to keep up with youth fiction too, as a youth librarian.

Welcome to my New group Susan your the first to join. Hats off to your husband, I'm a huge fan of law enforcement.

Hi you-guys I guess I'm number 3, lol.
Good will to you both!
I think Librarians are kin to teachers, who I respect wholeheartedly!
I am not a writer but (not to be a jerk) maybe I should try it cause somethings I read, leave me questioning life in general. I do have a cat.
Seriously, I joined a book club a few years back (via Discord) and have really enjoyed it. Prior to that I really wasn't well read. I don't think I am now but I am 'more' read, lol.
Robert I noticed in another post you said this is your 'new' group? What does that bode? Curiosity I learned from my cat....

Welcome to the group Lisa. Everyone is a writer these days, you might as well jump in and write a book. Yes this is my New group. I have had groups in the past, but they were on different subjects like crime and politics. Got bored with it and closed them.

Hi, there, I’m thrilled to be a part of this group. I am both a writer and a reader. I write ‘closed-doors’ contemporary romance and I proudly consider myself a late bloomer in the realm of published authors, with one published book and one in the works. My readers are predominantly older ladies, but I do have some gentlemen among them too. I look forward to connecting to other writers and readers who share a passion for my genre.

Welcome to the group Josephine!

Hi, I'm Kathleen, but I usually go by Kathy. Last year I attended my 50th high school reunion (which had actually been put off a year by Covid) so I guess that qualifies me for this group. I've been reading everything I could get my hands on for as long as I can remember, and always had a secret dream of becoming a writer. And I've just accomplished that dream. First book published in October!
I'm also an animal lover. I live in the country and have had dogs, cats, rabbits, goats, and horses. Sadly, I am currently petless, but am contemplating a new puppy.
This sounds like a group right up my alley, and I'm happy to be here!

Glad you could join us Kathy and welcome!

Hi! Thanks for the invite. I am a reader, not a writer. I read over 500 books every year and have over 6000 books in my personal library. I am obsessed with reading challenges andI am doing 52 different challenges this year. Love sharing my obssession with others.

Wow, you are a reader Mary! Welcome to the group!

Hi My name Gwendolyn, I a lover a good books. I read mostly Historical novels and mysteries. Occasionally biographies. One my favourite authors is Bernard Cornwell. I also have come to enjoy Jean Grainger's series the Queenstown. I also started reading some of her series about Ireland. I love Simon McCleave Snowdonia series.





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Welcome to the group Gwen, glad to have you!

gwen graves wrote: "Hi My name Gwendolyn, I a lover a good books. I read mostly Historical novels and mysteries. Occasionally biographies. One my favourite authors is Bernard Cornwell. I also have come to enjoy Jean G..."

Gwen,
I recently read the Queenstown series and loved it! I really love historical fiction that incorporates real life events and feels true to the time. I actually learned a lot about Ireland's history that I didn't know prior to reading this book. If you haven't already read it, The Robinswood Series by the same author is also very good! I'd love to hear about about other novels of this genre that you have enjoyed. I am always on the lookout for more books to add to my TBR list!
~Thanks,
Donna

Hello everyone, my name is Donna. I am a recently retired Special Ed Teacher. I am also a volunteer librarian on this web site. I am a reader, not a writer. My genre of choice is Historical Fiction (without too much Romance), Some mysteries & an occasional "thriller" from time to time (But not horror! -though there are a couple of Stephen King books that I'd include in my favorites!) In my youth I was into Fantasy & Science Fiction (especially time travel-so I will occasionally throw in something from those genres as well.) I love books, reading them & sharing them & of course talking about them!

Welcome to the group Donna!

Hi everyone and thanks for inviting me to join. I'm an avid reader of historical books--romance, mystery, true historical in England (a variety of periods (Regency, Victorian, etc.) and France during the revolution. I became an avid reader the summer when I was a high school nerd and read 22 books in 8 weeks. I haven't stopped reading since. I sometimes read contemporary, but much less frequently. I'm working full-time, currently publishing a business book on my sabbatical, and have two other books (historical fiction and mystery) I plan to publish when I have a bit more time. I'm looking forward to hearing what others enjoy.

Glad you could join Lori!

Hello everyone. Thank you for the invitation to the group. I enjoy reading for fun and do have to read some for my profession. I tend to read everything but seem more drawn towards horror, fantasy and mystery. I enjoy creative writing for fun where I've written a few short stories and I have been toying with a book for a couple years.

Welcome to the group BLynne!

I go by Geri… I get a lot out of reading….am not a writer and have no desire to be one . I love being older. ..lucky to be able to say I’m having the best time of my life now. Was in Robert’s previous group and I must say he is a great moderator! Looking forward to participating in this new group.

Welcome to my new group Geraldine. We go back aways and we’re glad to have you.

Hello, thank you for the invitation to join the group.
My name is Jane Wood and I enjoy reading and writing animal fiction stories for children and young adults.
To date I have written three books, and although the prime genre of the books is animal fiction, they also incorporate, mystery, fantasy, coming of age and family drama, and of course, nature.
I love all animals and so love to feature them in my writing but there are humans too in both my first and second published novels.
I look forward to chatting with you all.
Please feel free to check out my books. Have a great day.

Welcome to the group Jane!

Thanks for the invite! I'm actually a few months away from 60, but not by much. I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (I know, quite a mouthful), Canada. I haven't read as much as usual over the past couple of years, but retiring soon and hope to increase those numbers. Although I'll still need to work a couple days a week. My preferred genres are post-apocalyptic and folk horror, science fiction sometimes, mysteries/thrillers (a bit burnt out on that one), non-fiction, history, historical fiction.

Welcome to our group Anne! I've been to Saskatoon. If i remember right lots of sunflowers like our Kansas.

Robert wrote: "Welcome to our group Anne! I've been to Saskatoon. If i remember right lots of sunflowers like our Kansas."

Lots of bridges, a river, and surrounded by wheat/canola/oat fields. Sometimes sunflowers or corn.

Hi I live in Cheshire, England originally from Liverpool home of the Beatles. I’m a reader, although I write for pleasure. I beta test novels for a couple of authors and I’m toying with doing a proofreading course next year. I’ve just qualified to join this group as I turned 60 the end of October ☺️. My favourite genre is crime and supernatural. If they’re in the same book even better. I enjoy biographies and historical fiction or fact, however I’ll read anything that sounds interesting. I’m a founder member of our reading club which has been running for 12 years now. I look forward to some interesting discussions

Welcome Jeanette! Love the Beatles and my favorite song is Rocky Raccoon.

Hello Everyone. My name is Ginette but I prefer GG. I love to read a good book as long as it is fiction. Sorry but biographies and such are not really my kind. I love to get lost in a book, a world, in a character and find myself lost when I am done reading. I wrote four books but I am pretty much retired. When I was diagnosed with cancer, all I wanted to do is finish my series. Now I am relaxing and reading instead.

Welcome G.G.!

Hello everyone. I'm MaryJo Dawson, and I've written a female sleuth series, 8 books. Now I seem to have writer's block so I'll join this group and see if the creative juices can get flowing again.
My husband and I live in a small town at the foot of the Rocky Mts. in southern Colorado.
Unlike G.G. my own reading taste also runs to inspirational biographies and history, as well as a good mystery or the fiction of a few select other gifted authors.

Glad you could join us Mary Jo welcome!

Anne wrote: "Thanks for the invite! I'm actually a few months away from 60, but not by much. I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (I know, quite a mouthful), Canada. I haven't read as much as usual over the past c..."

Post-apocalyptic and folk horror. A kindred spirit!

Hi all. I'm Valerie and I used to write for the fun of it, but haven't written anything for years. I love cats; have two of them right now. Actually, I love all animals. For a while when I was much younger, I had cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, and birds. It was quite the menagerie! I love to read; have since I was a small child. I've gone through stages where I read certain genres. For the last 10 years or so, it's been horror and apocalyptic fiction. I live in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Thanks for the invite, Robert!

Hey, welcome to the group Valerie!

Thank you, Robert!

hello, my name is Debra. I am deaf and addicted to reading all the books. I am not a writer but I want to be a writer later. I am 59 and will be 60 next year. I have one son. I am a single mom. I am from Colorado.

Welcome to our group Debra!

Hi, I'm also from Colorado, have a hearing problem, not deaf, but hard of hearing. I'm A really big reader, read 232 books so far this year.

Welcome Gwen, glad you could join us!

Hi everyone! My name is Terri and I will read just about ANYthing, though my favorites tend toward futuristic fiction; one of my favorite authors is JD Robb/Nora Roberts. I recently found my forever home in Michigan and I absolutely LOVE living here :) I was born in Florida 63 years ago and I hated it from the time I was 2 but it took me almost 50 years to *finally* get out of that state for good. I always have to have at least one book going so I frequently re-read books if necessary....my new local library isn't as extensive as I'd like. I prefer "real" books but I'm happy to read on my Kindle whenever necessary.
Thank you for the invite to join this group but I'm not sure how often I'll post....but I'll likely read all posts :)

Welcome to our group Terri! Post when you can, we love to talk books.

Thanks, Robert!

Terri wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Terri and I will read just about ANYthing, though my favorites tend toward futuristic fiction; one of my favorite authors is JD Robb/Nora Roberts. I recently found my foreve..."

Why did you dislike Florida so much?

thank you for inviting me to your group of senior writers and readers. I'm retired and began my writing career in 2012 following my retirement - love to read and enjoy the challenge of writing an exciting story. I participate in a local writers group and have written and self-published 9 novels to date. I am currently writing a new story in my Meadowood Mystery cozies that I will call Deathly Wedding Woes. I look forward to book discussions with this group and would love to connect with anyone willing to be a beta reader for new manuscripts.

Welcome to the group Nancy! Our western reader's will probably be interested in your books.

Thanks Robert. I look forward to connecting with other authors and readers.

Terri wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Terri and I will read just about ANYthing, though my favorites tend toward futuristic fiction; one of my favorite authors is JD Robb/Nora Roberts. I recently found my foreve..."

Welcome! I'm over here in West Michigan!

Geraldine wrote: "Terri wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Terri and I will read just about ANYthing, though my favorites tend toward futuristic fiction; one of my favorite authors is JD Robb/Nora Roberts. I recently f..."

Geraldine, I suppose the most concise answer (though there are MANY reasons for me) is that the weather in Florida is intolerable to me. Something about my body....I cannot handle the extreme humidity. You take a shower and you literally never dry off! Added to the sweltering heat, and I was miserable 24/7/358
There was about 7 days I enjoyed being in Florida, and this was literally from the time I was 2. I'd have to have my air conditioning on from the middle of February until December. I literally never used my heat. Granted, I am aware that I am on the extreme side of things but there are other factors as well. I understand a whole lot of people enjoy heat and being able to swim in the Gulf on Christmas day. Because of that, traffic is impossibly insane! If I were on vacation, traffic wouldn't be that much of an ordeal but when you live 5 miles from the beach and it takes you literally over an hour to get to the beach, you just don't go.
Added to that is what I've had to live through with hurricanes, but that is another too long of a story.
In one sense, it makes me sad to feel about Florida the way that I do because I absolutely LOVE Walt Disney World. In fact, I worked there for a time and that was one of the very best things I ever did. But I don't see me ever going back to Florida, even on vacation, and that makes me sad because I truly miss WDW.

Susan, are you really in West Michigan?? I'm in Muskegon :)