After a brief discussion on my Facebook author page, we’ve decided to do a buddy read of Seeing Red in Gretna Green in a private Facebook group.
You can join it here.
I’ve enjoyed buddy reads on Goodreads for years. You know where we all read the same book in the same month (or the same several days in most of our cases). So much more fun than most book clubs—but sadly, less cake.
They can be a lot of fun. Sometimes it’s nice to discuss a book, especially when someone else notices something you didn’t. Or when you’re all outraged 👿 or laughing hysterically 🤣 at the same point of the book.
How does it work?
I believe the origins of the concept came from American schools? My USA readers would probably know that better than I do.
But the modern online version, rather than you being assigned a reading buddy at school, takes place in a private internet group. In there, everyone is your reading buddy.
Several readers asked me for a private Facebook group to do a buddy read for Ties that Bond in Gretna Green. Sadly, I was at a key point with my writing then and if we’d done it then, none of you would be reading Red now 😀 So I had to say no. But I promised I’d get my act together for Seeing Red. So now, we’re going to do it … because a lot of people have already said it sounds fun.
Here’s the plan
I’ll put up a post for each PART of the book. By ‘staying in your lane’ and only visiting the posts that cover the parts of the book you’ve already read, you can avoid most spoilers.
Some people enjoy sharing their thoughts/reactions/chuckles with other readers as they read. I have to be honest, those people are my tribe.
But we’re all allowed to be different. Others much prefer to read the book first on their own and then come in and chat about it with like-minded fellow readers. My plan is to keep the group open for about a month until about Halloween-ish if it’s still being used.
I’ve made some fabulous book friends over the years through buddy read groups. Let’s face it as we get older, it can be harder to find new friends who share our interests, can’t it?
I know my readers are fantastic because they email me and add hilarious Amazon reviews and lovely messages on Facebook. They’re all smart, fun, imaginative and very human. Now you could meet some of them yourself, if you wish.
Buddy Read FAQs
What do I have to do?
Nothing. There are NO requirements. It’s entirely up to you how involved or how distant you prefer to be.
How much time does it take?
As much or as little as you want it to. Just pop into the group whenever you’re in the mood to talk about the book. It’s open now and I plan to keep it open for about a month.
I am totally spoiler averse. Even the teeniest, tiniest spoiler totally ruins a book or a movie for me. What do I do?
Join the group before 28th September so you can bookmark it.
i.e. so it shows in your Facebook Groups while I’m properly focused and remembering to let members in every few hours.
Then pop back once you’ve completed your first read through of Red and are ready to read or participate in the discussions.
Can I join it and just observe?
Sure, honestly, nobody cares (I mean that in the nicest way.)
You know the thing your gran always said about ‘no-one is looking at you. Just go and have fun?’ Well, maybe your gran didn’t say it, maybe you weren’t a shy, bookish child, but mine did.
A buddy read group might be the one place it’s completely true – because everyone is focused on the book and who thought what, about which bit. No-one knows you’re cuddled up with your cats and your pups in your jammies eating toast 🍞
Just me then, on the toast and jammies? Ah well.
How do I get in?
If you love books and want to dip your toes into the warm, friendly water of a buddy read. We’re doing Seeing Red. The group is open already. Click here.
Anything Else?
Yes, there are a couple of questions you have to answer to apply to join the group. No-one is judging your answers, but we made it a private group so your FB friends and family can’t see what you post in there. (To avoid spoilers).
The questions also help to weed out the spammers.
You know those fake, handsome, retired army generals/surgeons/airline captains who just want to be everybody’s new best ‘friend’?
I hope I see you in the Buddy Read group, but if I don’t, I really hope you enjoy the book.