Retro Reads discussion

Hi

This is for discussion of what we would like to do with this group next year.

I'm about to send a block message, so I'll close the thread until that has been sent. :)

Edit: I've just received my copy of the message, so I'll open this thread up now. :)

Susan in NC has messaged me & given me permission to post this. She would like to up it to 10 books per person & extend the time period to either 1990 or 2000.

I could easily list 10 books for next Book Pool. I vote for extending the retro years to 2000 (25 years ago is a long time!).

CindySR wrote: "I could easily list 10 books for next Book Pool. I vote for extending the retro years to 2000 (25 years ago is a long time!)."

I liked your idea of increasing the amount to 10 books each, CindySR, I could easily list that many too! And I told Carol the same - 2000 is already considered Retro…😉I’m old!

When I read the message Carol sent, I quite liked the idea of selecting a specific author. Then on reading these comments, I wonder if we couldn't combine several of the aspects.

Certainly increasing the time span to 2000
Definitely increasing the number of books to 10
Choosing one specific author for 5 of the 10
The remaining 5 being specific titles of any other author

I shall just go away and see if I can conjour up any further permutations to assist in addling us.

Before I do I shall just be an old hag and say number - used for countable objects; amount used for volume. Just one of my pet peeves :(

I am for more titles, but I would prefer the rule of nominating from 5 to 10 books, not the obligatory 10. The challenge can be to read 10.

As for choosing one author, I would see it as something optional, or perhaps like "try to read at least three titles of one author".

About other ideas, I have no opinion.

PS I admit, I have neglected a bit the challenge this year. I have been taking part in another challenge this year in a different group (I am not going to do it next year, I am not happy with it). I hope to be able to participate more in the next year in Retro Reads.

I like the idea of up to 10 books (make the minimum 7 and the max 10, maybe?) and I love the idea of 2000 being the cut-off year.

Even though I bombed out this year (the slump from Hell), I really like the Pool and the variety of authors. I've been following all year, even if my participation was on the pathetic side!

As for 5 by an author--No, to the idea of making that a requirement, yes, if it just a suggestion.

Lesley wrote: "When I read the message Carol sent, I quite liked the idea of selecting a specific author. Then on reading these comments, I wonder if we couldn't combine several of the aspects.

Certainly increas..."

Great ideas, Lesley! And you are hardly a hag - peeve away! Fight on for proper usage, I say!

Doesn't matter to me if people put more books in the pool: 10, more if you like. Why limit the number?

The dates seem odd to me since the essence of retro in my head is no internet/no cell phones because they haven't been invented yet, but I won't bother me if others want to expand the years.

I honestly prefer monthly reads so I am reminded/keep track better and people are mostly reading at the same time so then we can discuss, but will continue to try using the book pool if that's what you want.

Carrying on with Barb's idea, maybe we could make it up to 10 books. I would like a limit of 10 though, since I have to enter them. I'll carry on entering them two ways just because I like book covers!

I take your point Jackie about the internet/cellphones as they have changed the world so much. It looks like what we think of as the internet has been around since 1983 (thanks AI overview) widespread use of cell phones from the 1990's, they became pervasive in NZ anyway from 1998.

& people can choose to add 5 books from one author to the pool. I may set up a separate folder for people who want to read a retro author as a personal challenge. If we change the time period I can add Isabel Allende to my list. Other than The House of Spirits all of her books are outside our time period.

& no worries Mela! If something becomes obligatory, then it is no longer fun.

Sounds good to me - up to 10 and no more makes sense, as you’re the one entering it all!

Susan in NC wrote: "Lesley wrote: "When I read the message Carol sent, I quite liked the idea of selecting a specific author. Then on reading these comments, I wonder if we couldn't combine several of the aspects.

Ce..."

I hoped you'd take it in good spirit, Susan. It is as irritating to me as youse for the plural of you (they don't teach them much these days), and gunna for going as used by our current Prime Minister all the time - gunna do this; gunna do that; we'll gunna have to see to that! Grrrr. :)

Barb in Maryland wrote: "I like the idea of up to 10 books (make the minimum 7 and the max 10, maybe?) and I love the idea of 2000 being the cut-off year.

Even though I bombed out this year (the slump from Hell), I really..."

Ditto from me re the reading slump, but been watching on too. My GR Challenge is getting so far behind :(

When I suggested -
Choosing one specific author for 5 of the 10
The remaining 5 being specific titles of any other author
was because like Carol said in her message, she has a number of books by various authors, but the titles she has are not the ones nominated and she's reluctant to buy any more until those owned are read.
I often find that the, say D.E. Stevenson, title nominated is not one I have, but there are several others I own not getting read.

Rather than having a specific number of books by a named author, perhaps we could just enter the author as part of our up to 10.
Does that make sense? I'm not sure I'm explaining it that well - lol

I haven't had a slump but my reading speed has really slowed down. one of the reasons I wanted to change the dates, so I can read more Kiwi fiction (including some in the pool) I will try not to make my choices too obscure!

Also I watch a lot of You Tube & I'm working my way through the Poldark TV series which is taking up a bit of time.

Lesley wrote: "When I suggested -
Choosing one specific author for 5 of the 10
The remaining 5 being specific titles of any other author
was because like Carol said in her message, she has a number of books by v..."

I think you are clear. I guess we could look at making the pool an author pool rather than a Book Pool. Or like Lesley says, 5 authors 5 specific books.

Lesley wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Lesley wrote: "When I read the message Carol sent, I quite liked the idea of selecting a specific author. Then on reading these comments, I wonder if we couldn't combine several..."

Hey, I’ll bet your PM sounds like a Royal Shakespeare Company-trained orator compared to what we’ve got…;)

Lesley wrote: "When I suggested -
Choosing one specific author for 5 of the 10
The remaining 5 being specific titles of any other author
was because like Carol said in her message, she has a number of books by v..."

I think I get what you’re suggesting - say I have 4 Barbara Pym’s I want to include in my 10, I go ahead and include them, then I can add 6 more titles by any other author - maybe a Wodehouse, a couple Christie’s, a nonfiction, a Stephenson, a Le Carre, for example. Have I got it?

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I haven't had a slump but my reading speed has really slowed down. one of the reasons I wanted to change the dates, so I can read more Kiwi fiction (including some in the pool) I will try not to ma..."

I say we recalibrate, and say instead of a “reading slump”, we’re having a “visual feast” (sounds more hopeful), on all the wonderful tv/movie/streaming gems out there?! Old and new! Now that Dame Patricia Routledge has passed, I’ll probably spend a few evenings binging on Hyacinth Bucket on BritBox!

If I'm understanding Lesley correctly, we would just list 5 authors

For example Barbara Pym
Isabel Allende, etc etc
then list 5 books (not books by these authors though)

If I'm right it could get a bit unwieldy though.
Maybe we could list two authors, then 5 books not by these authors.

Whatever you ladies decide on, I'm in. So many options!

Slumps are to be expected, the world situation can be depressing which affects every part of our lives. New ideas and things to look forward to can only help us Keep Calm and Read On. 🙂

I'm also working on a side "non-challenge" that I hope to connect to the Book Pool somehow, more on that later. 😉

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I haven't had a slump but my reading speed has really slowed down. one of the reasons I wanted to change the dates, so I can read more Kiwi fiction (including some in the pool) I will try not to ma..."

After I read Under the Mountain / Maurice Gee I found I could watch the original series through NZ On Screen. It was just as I remembered. Wonderful nostalgia!
I have come across a few TV programmes and old movies that I've earmarked to watch.

Thanks for the tip Lesley as I did quite enjoy this book.

Marty (who hasn't read the books) powered through the Poldark series. I still haven't finished series 2. I need to speed up a bit as Netflix has acquired the rights & I'm worried that TVNZ+ might lose the rights soon.

However, you configure the Book Pool for 2026 I will be content.

I think from a mods point of view the Book Pool is probably easiest to manage time wise which always must be a consideration.

While it isn't an "everyone reading the same at one time" scenario, many participants pick the same books to read through the year and discussion ensues between those readers. Often from browsing those discussions my interest has been piqued for me to read the book too. In this way the Book Pool format is maybe better than having just monthly selection/discussion.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Thanks for the tip Lesley as I did quite enjoy this book.

Marty (who hasn't read the books) powered through the Poldark series. I still haven't finished series 2. I need to speed up a bit as Netfl..."

Is it the original series or the remake, Carol?
When the remake was on TV I found it hard to watch as I had these fixed images in my head of Demelza, Ross and co. that I couldn't mentally move from!

& we will still have the Thirkell reads, a Christmas read (or Christmas short stories) & will read the Swallows & Amazon books as long as they remain engrossing.

CindySR wrote: "Whatever you ladies decide on, I'm in. So many options!

Slumps are to be expected, the world situation can be depressing which affects every part of our lives. New ideas and things to look forward..."

I like your attitude, and agree 100%!

Lesley wrote: "However, you configure the Book Pool for 2026 I will be content.

I think from a mods point of view the Book Pool is probably easiest to manage time wise which always must be a consideration.

Wh..."

Good point, Lesley - I know my TBR list has grown much richer through our book pools! And we do hit “trending” titles that several read and enjoy. I’ve chosen several must reads from the pool after seeing a fellow pooler rate and comment favorably on a title (if I can get it, of course!)

Lesley wrote:

While it isn't an "everyone reading the same at one time" scenario, many participants pick the same books to read through the year and discussion ensues between those readers. Often from browsing those discussions my interest has been piqued for me to read the book too. In this way the Book Pool format is maybe better than having just monthly selection/discussion.

very good points, I agree with your entire post. I am very happy with whatever folks decide and if a book pool is best for moderators I'm glad for their time and grateful to have it.

That is such a sweet thing to say Jackie! 🥰

I've discovered so many good reads through many of the groups I have belonged to - not just the ones I moderate.

I see I've missed some discussion points earlier in the discussion which I'm going to circle back to.

As far as the main discussion goes I'm going to leave it open for a few more days & then summarise. Any member is welcome to offer an opinion!

& I archived a couple of threads a couple of days ago - & discovered that we had talked about having a Trading Post folder, so I'll set that up now.

Cindy SR & Valerie I'm really sorry for forgetting all about this!

I haven’t looked at this group in awhile. I see many names from the Mary Stewart group. That makes me happy as I miss it. I’d like to join you all on some reads. I just retired and am eager to get back to reading.

I am missing buddy reads most of all. I love to chat books. I’ll look to see what you all are reading this month and next.

debbicat *made of stardust* wrote: "I am missing buddy reads most of all. I love to chat books. I’ll look to see what you all are reading this month and next."
I wish I could but I can't do buddy reads. ☹️ The SR in my name means Slow Reader and I can't keep up.

This is the first time I've been on GR for a while, so I've missed this entire discussion (among other things)! But I will just echo pretty much what others have said. I love the Book Pool and am glad the consensus seems to be to keep it around, even though I haven't been as active or read as much as I'd like this year.

I do think that being able to add more than five and expanding the eligible years into the 80s and 90s would be very helpful. I will be happy to play along with whatever form it ultimately takes. Certainly it should be something that is easy and manageable!

Good to see you Debbi & Jenn!

I just moved the Buddy Reads folder down in the group as it hasn't been used since 2021. I can always move it back up again if there is a need for it.

I've been thinking about how we could work both challenges & I think it might work best if we have one where members select one of two authors & the existing Book Pool where the only change is that members can select up to 10 books.

I’m sorry, I’m confused-is it buddy reads where we choose 1 or 2 authors? And how do we choose which of their titles to read? Or does each member choose 1 or 2 authors to read, and read whichever of that author’s titles they can get hold of? Sorry, just trying to understand!

I get that Book Pool will stay the same, just with each of us able to put in up to 10 titles, and expanding the time covered from 1900-2000. That sounds delightful!

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m sorry, I’m confused-is it buddy reads where we choose 1 or 2 authors? And how do we choose which of their titles to read? Or does each member choose 1 or 2 authors to read, and read whichever o..."

Oh dear, I'm hoping this won't be too complicated for everyone. 🥴

1 The way I see it (which is not set in concrete yet) The Book Pool will remain the same except that participants in 2026 will now be able to choose up to 10 books.

2 An author challenge where participants name one or two authors. For me it will be authors where I own or have access to a lot of their books, but I'm not getting them read. Whether we each consider this a personal challenge or whether we read each others books is up to the group.

Ah, I see, sorry! I love the book pool idea, and very intrigued by the personal author challenge-I imagine we all have authors we’ve wanted to get to, or have sitting on a shelf, but life gets in the way and they just sit there collecting dust!

I’d be happy to do #2 as a personal challenge or read each other’s books, whichever the group wants! I guess a lot will depend on whether we can get hold of the titles - of course, the book pool has often depended on availability of titles, too.

Thanks for clarifying, dearest Carol, appreciate all the thought you two mods have put into this. Just let us know how you’d like to proceed!

Thanks for all your input Susan. I'm going to give it till the weekend, hopefully talk to Cindy SR, then we will let everyone know what 2026 will look like! :)

Sounds great, I didn’t want all of it to be dumped on you two, you both do a great job and i appreciate it! ;)

Totally unrelated, but just let my pup out in the yard, and brrrr! It’s sunny and breezy, but chilly, low 50s (Fahrenheit) right now - lovely to finally feel the crispy weather of autumn in the air!

& I have heard from a couple more people privately.

I have just messaged Cindy SR. We'll talk & then let everyone know what we think will work. :)

Lesley wrote: "Is it the original series or the remake, Carol?
When the remake was on TV I found it hard to watch as I had these fixed images in my head of Demelza, Ross and co. that I couldn't mentally move from!"

The second, although I had seen a couple of episodes from the first series many years ago.

Second series Ross was exactly how I envisioned him. The most different was George who was more faux refined than I envisioned him! But Jack Farthing (the actor) has won me over!

I watched the final episode from Series 2 last night - from memory a bit more OTT than the books. I'm taking a break then will watch Series 3.

I've read up to book 6. After I finish Thalia I'm going to request The Angry Tide from another library in our area. I've been told that is the last totally engrossing book in the series, but I will go on to read the 8th book at least. I'm lucky that there is a library in my area that has a complete collection of the Poldark novels.

As I recall, The Angry Tide was the last I read in the series. I'm not sure if I read further or just don't remember, so I'd probably agree it was the last engrossing.

I'm pleased you have a library nearby that has the complete collection. My library has only Demelza and Warleggan!! Where have all the others gone, and why just keep those two? You might well ask. They have a very haphazard collection development programme in my local library, and sadly, the calibre of personnel doesn't inspire me to try and get into their heads to work out why.

Each library in our area is run differently. My local doesn't seem to have the same 'brisk' deletion policy they had before COVID.

The library with the collection most in tune with my reading tastes is run by the local community.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "& I have heard from a couple more people privately.

I have just messaged Cindy SR. We'll talk & then let everyone know what we think will work. :)"

Thanks Carol,and Cindy SR!

Hi

So Cindy & I have talked things over.

What we are looking at for next year.

1. Time period changed to 1900-2000

2 Book Pool the same as now but everyone can choose up to 10 books. If you don't want to choose that many, 5 is still fine.

3 The Author Pool. I think we will be winging it a bit for the first year. I'm thinking everyone chooses one or two authors where they own or have access to quite a few of their books. In the
thread report back when you get the books read & how you feel about the author (this I think will be interesting, especially if your views on the author have changed) If other members read this author they can post comments too. Could get some lively discussion!

4 The Trading Post folder is already there, so enjoy!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Hi

So Cindy & I have talked things over.

What we are looking at for next year.

1. Time period changed to 1900-2000

2 Book Pool the same as now but everyone can choose up to 10 books. If you don..."

Sounds terrific, thanks mods! Looking forward to an interesting and entertaining year of reading and discussion-and, as always, getting many more titles and authors for my TBR pile than I could ever read! Great problem to have!

Two thumbs up! It's nice to have something to look forward to.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Hi

So Cindy & I have talked things over.

What we are looking at for next year.

1. Time period changed to 1900-2000

2 Book Pool the same as now but everyone can choose up to 10 books. If you don..."


Hello. I joined this group recently, so have little idea about the book and author pools. Do we select 10 books and a couple of authors that we intend to read in 2026? If yes, where do we post our selections? Could somebody help, please? Sorry, if this has already been explained.

Neer wrote: "Hello. I joined this group recently, so have little idea about the book and author pools. Do we select 10 books and a couple of authors that we intend to read in 2026? If yes, where do we post our selections? Could somebody help, please? Sorry, if this has already been explained."

Hi Neer & welcome. I'm Carol, one of the moderators.

We have done the Book Pool for a few years now, but this year was quieter, so we have discussed changing things a little next year.

So, the end of this month or the beginning of next month I'll start two threads. The one for authors - this is a new idea for us, so I can't add much to what I wrote in message #46. It will run from the 1st of Jan - 30th of November 2026.

The Book Pool - if you look at this thread https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... You can see how it was run. Again it will go from the 1st of January till the 30th of November. This time everyone will choose 5-10 books. If someone else in the pool has chosen a book please don't choose it again. You don't just read your own selection - you can read other peoples selections too - & you read as many or as few books as you like. We try to keep things as low key as possible.

Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask (but I'm in NZ, so I'll be going to bed soon) 😊