Read Scotland 2017 discussion

I've really struggled with this challenge this year. Doesn't look like I'll make it for sure. My reading seems to have taken a different turn lately. I've been thinking about next year whether I want to do this challenge or not. I've hosted it for four years now. I think I want to take a break and see if I can reduce my online life.

If one of you want to take it on just let me know and I'll make you moderator and you can continue it next year. Who knows I might sign on just as a participant in a much smaller category!

Hi Peggy, I'll be sorry to see you go but 4 years is a long time and I can't imagine how many Scottish books you must have read! Please do join in next year - even if you read just one Scottish poem! ;)

I think I would enjoy being a moderator - especially as this is by far my favourite group on Goodreads! I've been considering starting my own book club (for people with chronic illness, not Scottish reads!) so this could give me an idea without starting from scratch. And everyone's really friendly, so it would be a nice group to commit to. :)

Does anyone else fancy it?

Ellen wrote: "Hi Peggy, I'll be sorry to see you go but 4 years is a long time and I can't imagine how many Scottish books you must have read! Please do join in next year - even if you read just one Scottish poe..."

Ellen, I think you would be perfect for continuing this group! I always started a whole new one each year and had the year in the title, but you could just change this one up and keep it going how ever you want instead of starting from scratch. Just remove the year from the title or something. It needs fresh blood😉

I will join in at a smaller challenge. Thanks!

Very excited :) I better start plotting what Scottish books to read next year. Really, this is an excuse to buy more books!!

Peggy,

Like Ellen, I'll be really sorry to see you go. Your enthusiasm and comments have always kept me committed and added to my enjoyment of the group. I hope you'll stay on as a member.

Ellen - best wishes on the role of moderator, I'm confident you can count on all our support.

Ellen wrote: "Hi Peggy, I'll be sorry to see you go but 4 years is a long time and I can't imagine how many Scottish books you must have read! Please do join in next year - even if you read just one Scottish poe..."

I would love to join you in this!

Peggy wrote: "I've really struggled with this challenge this year. Doesn't look like I'll make it for sure. My reading seems to have taken a different turn lately. I've been thinking about next year whether I wa..."

I totally get this, sometimes it's just time for new horizons. It has been lovely "meeting" you in here. Hope you pop in occassionally

John wrote: "Peggy,

Like Ellen, I'll be really sorry to see you go. Your enthusiasm and comments have always kept me committed and added to my enjoyment of the group. I hope you'll stay on as a member.

Ellen..."

Thanks, John. That means a lot. I was afraid I wasn't a good moderator and thought I should somehow be more imaginative at getting people to engage more. I look forward to reading with you guys next year as just another member!

Melanie wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I've really struggled with this challenge this year. Doesn't look like I'll make it for sure. My reading seems to have taken a different turn lately. I've been thinking about next yea..."

Enjoyed meeting you too Melanie and I'll be around for sure next year! I have to keep up with what everyone is reading!

This is great to hear, Melanie and John! :)

Hi everyone, just wanted to post this so we can share ideas for next year’s group. I’ll be taking over from Peggy and will create a new group in January... I love Scottish literature so I’m excited to try out new ideas for 2018. I’ve already heard one or two ideas, and I’m always open to more... (I’ll also create an ideas thread in the new group.)

1. Group reads - discussing more books together. I was thinking of grouping two months at a time e.g: Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr etc. My thinking is that this may be more achievable with people doing the main Read Scotland challenge.

2. Book Themes: Have a focus each month if you don’t want to join in a specific book and need some inspiration. E.g: Crime, Biography, Classics etc... The group read will also come under the current theme.

3. Reading Buddy’s: (I’ve never done this, so apologies if I get the idea wrong.) Choose a buddy and challenge them to read a book of your choice. And/or agree on a book to both read and to discuss it together.

Question:
Are we happy for this to be a part of Read Scotland 2018? Or would you enjoy a separate sister group (say ‘Read-Along Scotland’) for all the above?

Comments, ideas, opinions welcomed....

Ellen :)

1. I like the group reads suggestion, and one every two months (for those who want to participate in them all) sounds OK. It might be good to have a process along the lines of (a) members suggest one group read each and (b) we then vote on the suggestions.
2. I really like the themes suggestion.
3. The only slight difference I'd suggest here is the "buddying up"; it might be better that you call for volunteers, then you assign the pairs.

Personally, I'd be happy for all the suggestions to be part of Read Scotland 2018- it adds a bit of variety and should help keep interest going.

Roll on 2018.......

Thanks John, I’ll do that with the buddy reads :) And I agree with the suggestions and voting, we should get a big variety of books that way. Like you say, bring on 2018!

Like these ideas and it should give us all a chance to possibly try something a bit different from our usual reads as well.

I agree Susan - it’s easy to stick to authors you know, but different folks suggestions should push us out of our comfort reads :)

Love all the ideas :)

This all sounds good to me! I'm looking forward to next year.

Happy to join in next year (tomorrow!)

Looking forward to 2018 and thank you Peggy for your enthusiasm to keep us going.

Good luck Ellen as new moderator

Fiona wrote: "Happy to join in next year (tomorrow!)

Looking forward to 2018 and thank you Peggy for your enthusiasm to keep us going.

Good luck Ellen as new moderator"

Thank you Fiona! Read Scotland 2018 is up and running as a new group, looking forward to seeing you there. PS: Happy New Year!

Here's the link to the new group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Have you already got books lined up? Enjoy the New Year celebrations :)