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Planning for 2027
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Let's get the ball rolling - my personal feedback as a reader (not as a mod):Generally I love the diversity of our monthly group themes, I think Carol has done a great job in tying these to what is going on in the world (awareness months, pride etc). I loved the nature & sci-fi/fantasy quads, and bingo. I would like to see more lighter/genre options, esp in author focus, and an increased focus on LGBTQIA+ year round. Neurodivergence as a theme would be great too.
I'm often more of a lurker here (and other groups), but I wanted to share that I really enjoy reading your monthly theme discussions. Thanks for your efforts with these and I hope they continue :D
Beige wrote: "I'm often more of a lurker here (and other groups), but I wanted to share that I really enjoy reading your monthly theme discussions. Thanks for your efforts with these and I hope they continue :D"Thanks for your feedback Beige, they will definitely continue :)
Hannah wrote: "I would like to see more lighter/genre options, esp in author focus, and an increased focus on LGBTQIA+ year round. Neurodivergence as a theme would be great too"Seconding the theme of neurodivergence!
It's something I've been interested in exploring more but have had trouble finding. Fiction, in particular; non-fiction tends to be easier to find.
I love the Author Focus that we do every year. It always introduces me to an author I either wasn't acquainted with yet, or whose work I haven't explored enough.
If others are interested, I'd love more focus around reading internationally. I see that there was an "Around the World" challenge a few years back, before I joined. Maybe something like that, or incorporating more into the Bingo card - which I also enjoy every year!
Thanks, MODs, for all of the work you put into this group!!
Lin - we used to reserve 6 or more monthly group read themes for reading internationally (our "Read around the world" themes), and then we also made at least 2 of our quarterly group challenges focused on certain regions of the world (not US or UK). We've seen a declining interest in participating in RatW reads and country/region-focused challenges and are struggling a little bit because the Mods also love stretching to read internationally and vary from our comfort zones even with that reading. What would you like to see most - more RatW monthly group reads, or devoting more Bingo card prompts to countries/regions?
Other members who like reading books originating outside of the US and UK - what would you be most likely to participate in and what are the regions you're most interested in us focusing on next year for themes?
There are regions I still seem to not reach easily, so I'd like to make that effort next year. For me, this is Middle East and Australasia. When I look back on this year, I see I really did manage one of my region goals when there was a quadrimester for it (Latin America in the summer). I will feel like I need the space of a year to manage these personal goals in a satisfying way, but maybe that's not so :)I have also wondered about figuring out a challenge that gives more range or flexibility to the region reading. Like a region-prompt challenge? Or a make-your-own, kinda like our read-your-existing-library challenge this year?
I will have those personal goals in any case, but I do like how the read-your-library group challenge went this year. I thought it was fun to hear people's reports there and the different angles they brought to it.
I have always liked the annuals yall come up with. I can totally get with LGBTQIA+ annual and Black Women Authors returning as usual. These are areas where I read a good amount anyway, but easy challenges are nice to balance the harder ones. I imagine that's why Bingo is fun. Love the prompts yall come up with there. I always find ideas for just about all of them, just don't manage clearing the board cuz of time.
What about you, Carol? You're a big nonfiction fan. I could get into challenges relating to this. This is on my mind just at the moment as I just learned of something that I really wanna check out but I have too much on my plate...
Thanks for your feedback Lin and Jen, it's very helpful!Keep it coming guys! It doesn't have to be anything big/new. Even just giving a couple of your favourite themes so far this year (or yet to come) would be great. Here's a list in the spoiler if that helps:
(view spoiler)
Thanks Carol - either would be great!Mainly, I love when others in the group recommend or list their reads (whether it be for Bingo or RATW prompts). It always opens my eyes to authors and titles I wouldn’t have come across on my own.
Hannah wrote: "Thanks for your feedback Lin and Jen, it's very helpful!Keep it coming guys! It doesn't have to be anything big/new. Even just giving a couple of your favourite themes so far this year (or yet to..."
For me it's hard to say, maybe because it's kinda like Bingo- give me a bunch of prompts and I can usually find applicable books that interest me, and if I don't think of one readily, I will enjoy the seeking them out.
Jen wrote: "What about you, Carol? You're a big nonfiction fan. I could get into challenges relating to this. This is on my mind just at the moment as I just learned of something that I really wanna check out ..."I enjoy our discussions of nonfiction, and I end up reading things I would not have gotten to on my own. Because spoilers aren't a thing for NF (for most members), I see more commenting as we read which I find energizing and more fun than when members only comment on a book once they're finished. Just me. I read and learned more about nature and animal topics in 2026 than in any other single year of my life. : )
Considering nonfiction on its own, I'm excited about these themes: history relating to race, feminism, culture, urban development, art and artists, LGBTQAI+ experiences and treatment, animals. I'm a fan of nonfiction in translation, excluding memoirs or anything related to grief.
Around the world, while I'm generally copacetic about reading whatever everyone else wants to read, I'm most interested in the Northern African part of MENA (Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria), Japan, Korea, China, France, Spain, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Germany, the maritime provinces of Canada, Ecuador, Cuba. That's a long list, but it's where I'm finding my reading joy right now. I'd prefer to read #OwnVoices, but I'm not a purist about it so long as the author has some material personal experience in country. I will not finish a mediocre book to tick a country box any more, (I used to, for maybe a decade) but no shade on those who do and take joy from it.
Most appealing non-RatW themes right now? Black and East Asian authors, women in translation, feminism, LGBTQIA+, classics (but I'm selective), rivers/oceans/seas - nature, pirates, seafaring life in the past, creatures living in et al, new-to-me British women LitFic authors.
I'm enjoying stretching into fantasy a toe at a time. I could enjoy giving paranormal more chances to wow me in 2027. I am neutral on stretching into sci-fi. I'm the last through the door to stretch into dystopian or pretty much anything that takes place in the future. I no longer feel guilty about that last. : )
Carol wrote: "Jen wrote: "What about you, Carol? You're a big nonfiction fan. I could get into challenges relating to this. This is on my mind just at the moment as I just learned of something that I really wann..."Cool. My interests overlap in alot of places.
As for regions, I'm into reading from Africa and Scandinavia and Asia in general. From Central Europe, I've definitely been enjoying Italy and France and can easily read more there. I would like to get more into Spain and Germany, and just think it's too rare that I come across reads from the other central countries and I'm not a box-ticker RATW reader to that degree. I'd like to expand my Latin American reading to countries other than Mexico, Argentina, and Caribbean islands. There are some appealing books from Brazil and Colombia in my TBR for that. Another big region I need to get more into is Eastern Europe but I don't want to spread myself thin and was inclined to concentrate on Middle East and Australasia as I mentioned in previous comment.
I'm most into lit fic, nonfiction. As for SFF, I don't find a lot that appeals to me but love when I do ... I like classics, 20th C, 21st C...
Jen wrote: "Carol wrote: "Jen wrote: "What about you, Carol? You're a big nonfiction fan. I could get into challenges relating to this. This is on my mind just at the moment as I just learned of something that..."They do! And I could be lured into joining your Latin American and Middle East reading and, depending on availability, Australasia.
Thanks to everyone for your feedback so far. If you haven't commented yet and have feedback for us, bring it. It's really helpful to get a sense of what works and doesn't work and what you find exciting or enhances your reading. No pressure, of course. People choose to participate in GR groups in a variety of ways and there's no right way.
In the background, your mod team would like to start pulling together a proposed set of monthly and quad themes and annual challenges and if we could hear from anyone who wants to weigh in by next week, it would be a big favor to us.
Enjoy your weekends - I hope you get some time free to read.
It might be fun to add a bingo square with something like (and this is not how it should be worded because this will be long and messy - LOL) - read a book by one of the author focus nominees that you did not nominate. That way it could encompass either one of them that makes it in or one that doesn't, but still stretches us - maybe?
Misty wrote: "It might be fun to add a bingo square with something like (and this is not how it should be worded because this will be long and messy - LOL) - read a book by one of the author focus nominees that ..."Okay, only speaking for me here, but I really like this suggestion!
Misty wrote: "It might be fun to add a bingo square with something like (and this is not how it should be worded because this will be long and messy - LOL) - read a book by one of the author focus nominees that ..."I like this too! I'll figure out a shorter way of saying it though haha
I’m in. this is a great BINGO suggestion. thanks, Misty!
is anyone interested in any one -month challenges? For example, would you enjoy or want to participate in an April challenge around reading poetry? or an October horror challenge that would include short stories or novels?
Hannah wrote: "I like this too! I'll figure out a shorter way of saying it though haha"I absolutely suck at naming things. LOL.
Carol wrote: "is anyone interested in any one -month challenges? For example, would you enjoy or want to participate in an April challenge around reading poetry? or an October horror challenge that would include..."Possibly. (Awesome commitment from me, right?) It's a good idea. For me, I often have a list of things I'm getting through, so shorter challenges are hit or miss for me.
Carol wrote: "is anyone interested in any one -month challenges? For example, would you enjoy or want to participate in an April challenge around reading poetry? or an October horror challenge that would include..."As a reader I say a tentative yes! I'd have to focus on shorts, being such a slow reader, but it could be fun. Very interesting idea
Hannah wrote: "Carol wrote: "is anyone interested in any one -month challenges? For example, would you enjoy or want to participate in an April challenge around reading poetry? or an October horror challenge that..."I think that's the opportunity - short stories or essays, and not collections, unless someone's an overachiever : )
I'm getting excited about this idea. This year, I've discovered that I can get tor.com publications and fantasy magazines for free/low cost on my kobo and there are sooo many collections of short stories that I've started dipping into. I can't read on a non e-ink screen so I've been limited before now. It's great for exploring LGBTQIA+ authors and authors of colour, in particular. This would pair so well with this short challenge idea :)
Hannah wrote: "I'm getting excited about this idea. This year, I've discovered that I can get tor.com publications and fantasy magazines for free/low cost on my kobo and there are sooo many collections of short s..."Oh, wow - how cool is that?
Carol wrote: "Oh, wow - how cool is that?..."It's awesome! Really great for anyone wanting to explore speculative fiction. I have Beige to thank for pointing me in that direction :)
I've been reflecting on recent reads and would like to add a couple more thoughts for my personal reading plans for 2027.I've really loved exploring East Asian mythology and would like to read more from this area next year -mythology and otherwise.
I also really love reading indigenous women authors but want to broaden it a bit more. We Will Not Be Saved was one of my best reads of the year. I'd like to read more indigenous women from outside (as well as inside) North America - such as Samí, Maori, Aboriginal Australians, Pacific Islanders - there's loads more.
Hannah wrote: "I've been reflecting on recent reads and would like to add a couple more thoughts for my personal reading plans for 2027.I've really loved exploring East Asian mythology and would like to read mor..."
For group reads, our challenge with indigenous writing outside of North America is typically accessibility to the same works for multiple members, but for BINGO and challenges where we can each pick our own selection to meet a theme, we can solve for that easily.
I'm with you on East Asian mythology, personally, as well - it would be a fun theme to explore. I've got several folk tales books for Korea and Japan that I don't seem to pick up but would like to read, and would like to find something similar for Hong Kong and Taiwan. I know folk tales are not the same but I think there is a lot of crossover in the terms when it comes to, for example, creation stories.
Author Focus 2027 ScheduleA proposed calendar will be fleshed out soon, but meanwhile, here are our Author Focus plans for next year. Thank to everyone who weighed in and participated in developing this slate. It's a varied and fun line-up.
Jan 10 Toni Morrison
Mar 10 Grazia Deledda
May 10 bell hooks
July 10 - Annie Ernaux
September 10 Octavia E. Butler
November 10 - Eden Robinson
We start these on the 10th of the month to allow members who want to participate in or lead monthly group read discussions to also be able to participate in Author Focus threads without feeling like there's a pile-up of opportunities, even though they're all fun and optional.
Carol wrote: "For group reads, our challenge with indigenous writing outside of North America is typically accessibility to the same works for multiple members, but for BINGO and challenges where we can each pick our own selection to meet a theme, we can solve for that easily..."Agreed
Something to do with Jane Austin, please! Also, maybe something to do with Native American women, and/or feminist literature, and/or poetry/short story collections by women.
Lyn wrote: "Something to do with Jane Austin, please! Also, maybe something to do with Native American women, and/or feminist literature, and/or poetry/short story collections by women."Great suggestions, Lyn. We hit indigenous women at least once each November in our group reads, and Eden Robinson will be the subject of an Author Focus next year, but it's always a good reminder to consider buddy reads, BINGO slots and open choice months as opportunities for reading Native American women as well as poetry and short story collections. Talking poetry only in April doesn't seem like enough and there are so many good, new, young authors writing it.
Jane Austen has gotten scant attention from us, even in our personal reads, and I'd love to tackle a group read somehow if folks are in the mood. Is there a particular novel that's on your radar for 2027?
Lyn wrote: "Something to do with Jane Austin, please! Also, maybe something to do with Native American women, and/or feminist literature, and/or poetry/short story collections by women."Thanks for the feedback Lyn!
In case you haven't spotted it we are already planning a buddy read of The Berry Pickers for early next year :)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
We've had some concern in another thread over the tendency for it to be the same few people nominating and voting on our monthly group reads.This is a valid concern. It is often the mods and sometimes a few other members who take the lead in the nominations and voting.
Does anyone have any suggestions for ways in which we can encourage other members to take a more active role in the monthly reads? If you're a lurker or tend to stick to the challenges or other threads, is there something that is holding you back on participating in the monthly reads?
Hannah wrote: "We've had some concern in another thread over the tendency for it to be the same few people nominating and voting on our monthly group reads.This is a valid concern. It is often the mods and some..."
I don't participate in (or vote on) the monthly reads. This is not because they don't sound interesting, but because I like to plan a long way ahead and also because I am trying to read and reduce what I already own.
This why I love the author focuses. I know what has been picked for next year and can fit them into my plans. I also have plenty of time to browse for secondhand copies or keep my eye out for publisher sales. Plus, of course, I get everyone's valuable comments to enhance my reading.
So, for me, this group is working perfectly. Sorry if that gives you no suggestions.
Hi Sonia - I also like the author focus - it's what I'm leaning towards also - as it allows freedom in planning and doesn't spot on particular books. Like everyone else I also want to reduce my pile of what I've already bought and not add to the pile. I don't have access to any English libraries here in Central Portugal - so every book I read must be bought.
However, I find discussion, partiularly stimulating - readers who contrast my take on a book and explain why they have reacted in such a way - I find very interesting - and I want to know more. It enhances my own reading. That is the purpose of discussion. I am always looking for informed discussion - and few groups deliver.
Hey Laura,I understand what you're saying. I don't, however, understand why you're calling the active participants here a "clique". We do align on some of our book preferences, but not all. Literally anyone in this group is welcome to join in the discussion, and I've never seen a member not being welcoming in any way.
I've nominated tons of books that haven't been chosen (TONS). But my feelings don't get hurt because my books don't get chosen, and TBH - if I'm the only one who wants the book I chose, then what kind of discussion would that be?
What has happened is that I've been able to stretch my reading into new genres and experienced new authors as a result of other books "winning" the votes. I've read so many books I would never have picked up as a result.
To me, that's the beauty of this group.
We do need more voices and more diversity, and I believe the mods have welcomed this with open arms.
Hannah and Ninnisha have introduced me to fantasy and horror options (genres I would never have read before).
Jen, Antonia and Gail have introduced me to women authors from around the world that I'd never heard of before.
Carol and Misty have expanded my reading into genres and authors I wouldn't have picked up if they hadn't "won" the votes.
And our Moderators have created BINGO and monthly reading challenges that have stretched me out of my comfort zones.
Please don't feel discouraged if your nomination hasn't been chosen. Lots haven't, and often those turn into Buddy Reads if others are interested.
Is there a particular genre or book or author you'd like to introduce or read with the group?
Agree, Jen.Several of my nominations that "didn't make the cut" ended up being buddy reads :)
Jen wrote: "Re: voting, I also think it's too bad that we have a few people who make the effort, nominate something sometimes, and I think their book never or rarely wins- like, Lyn, if I remember right, who h..."I agree. I rarely vote, and sometimes I do last minute as a tie breaker, because I'm bad at committing. I also don't usually nominate, both cause I'm lazy and because I like seeing what others brings to the table. I honestly can't even say who wins more because I rarely see or remember who nominated what, in fact I didn't notice Lin's books being voted less and I'm sorry about that! I know my tastes tend to match Carol's a lot, but that's it.
To me never nominating and/or voting and complaining it's always the same people doing it, and blaming them for it, is like complaining your mom is the only one doing the cooking and blaming her for it, while not wanting to cook yourself even though you'we very welcome to do so and would probably bring joy and relief to your mother.
I agree about Buddy Reads!
For example, scrolling through the folder to make my own thread I found out Carol had proposed one in September and got no replies (and that was the last post there) and only after I replied others noticed it and also replied. I think it went unseen just because the thread is not used much.
But I did notice that, whenever a nominated book doesn't make the cut, if somebody asks there to do a buddy read for it, it happens.
But for sure people could propose more of them even outside the voting, and absolutely propose to do a read of their "loser" if they feel like it.
I also feel that everybody should feel welcome to always partecipate, but nobody should feel forced. Thnking that just because someone is in a group they have to be active in group reads sounds wild to me. People should do whatever they're comfortable with. Especially what Sonia said, most people have huge to be read lists (I'm one of them) and just want to get through them, instead of joining group reads. The group can still serve as a friendly place to discuss a certain theme, find more authors or whatever.
I know I rarely nominate or vote exactly because I'd prefer not to join group reads and go throgh my neverending list instead, but I love the discussions here so much that I end up doing it regardless, on and off.
But I'm also looking forward to reading more on what's stopping others from partecipating and if they'd like anything to change to be able to partecipate more.
But I'm also nobody here.
Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "Jen wrote: "Re: voting, I also think it's too bad that we have a few people who make the effort, nominate something sometimes, and I think their book never or rarely wins- like, Lyn, if I remember ..."Big disagree on that last sentence.
Btw, if anyone is ever interested in looking at past monthly group nomination threads, they are all in the Archive folder, going back to at least 2020.
Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "But I'm also nobody here..."You are not nobody here Ninnisha, you're a very valued member of our group and we all appreciate you and what you bring to the table
Sonia wrote: "Sorry if that gives you no suggestions..." Thank you Sonia, this kind of feedback is very helpful, in a different kind of way :)
Not that yall need my two cents but I feel compelled to add as someone newer to this group. I like how it is structured. I don’t feel that there’s any cliquey-ness or pressure at all to do a certain thing or vote a certain way. I’m not normally one that participates in group reads, mostly due to my lack of resources (I’m limited to what my small local library has available or what I already own- no funds to buy new books at the moment) but also because if it’s a book that doesn’t interest me I don’t bother wasting my time. We have such a short life and I think it’s great that everyone has diverse interests. Sometimes those interests don’t align with mine and that’s fine. I’d rather spend my time on something I know I’ll get enjoyment out of. I don’t feel that I’m missing out on anything.
However, I feel this group has been very welcoming in terms of discussions even when I don’t have the book- see my comments on the My Life With Sea Turtles thread. That’s one book I absolutely would read but wasn’t available but I still felt welcomed to comment and contribute my thoughts on the topic.
I nominated 2 books for December of books I already have/want to read on the off chance that anyone else was interested I thought it could make for some good discussions but people weren’t interested and that’s fine. I didn’t change my vote to one of the winning votes because realistically I won’t read them and I don’t want to vote for something or make promises I know I won’t keep. To me that doesn’t mean the winner is bad or the votes aren’t valid. Like I said before we all have different interests and that’s great. And sometimes my interests and resources align elsewhere.
Overall I think the mods are doing a fantastic job and I’ve felt very welcomed since I started commenting in this group. It’s the only one I’m active in and I’m happy to have found a community that I can share book thoughts with!
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MiMi wrote: "Not that yall need my two cents but I feel compelled to add as someone newer to this group. I like how it is structured. I don’t feel that there’s any cliquey-ness or pressure at all to do a certai..."We do need your two cents, MiMi.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and approach. We really appreciate it. I'm so glad you joined us.
MiMi wrote: "Not that yall need my two cents but I feel compelled to add as someone newer to this group. I like how it is structured. I don’t feel that there’s any cliquey-ness or pressure at all to do a certai..."Mimi, after a day like today, your 2 cents are like music to my ears! And just to say, if you hadn't already read your nom I'd be after a buddy read with you :)
Read Women
Books mentioned in this topic
The Berry Pickers (other topics)We Will Not Be Saved (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Toni Morrison (other topics)Grazia Deledda (other topics)
bell hooks (other topics)
Annie Ernaux (other topics)
Octavia E. Butler (other topics)
More...
What were your favourites in monthly themes, quad and annual challenges, bingo and author focus? What do you want to see more of or less of in 2027? Is there something you'd like to change or something entirely new you'd like to bring to the table? Now's your time :)