1baswood
What a great reading year 2012 has been: reading threads on club read I mean, which eats into my own reading time, but hey I don’t regret a minute of it, fabulous entertainment. Lets hope we have another great year next year. Happy Christmas to all those Christians out there and happy holidays to everybody else.
I love all the threads but these are my favourites:
Rebeccanyc
A tremendous year of book reviews, she is rarely absent from the hot review section. If you want to find out exactly what a book is about, her no-nonsense review will put you straight. A wide range of reading ensures that there will be something for everybody on her thread.
I see her as a supremely well organised person, after all who else could manage to review everything she reads, administer club read and carry on with her busy life in NYC. She probably never has a hair out of place.
Dchaikin continues
What can one say about a guy that spends all year reading the bible - for its literary merit. Dan has put a lot of work into his project this year leading a group read over at the salon. His thread has done much to keep that groups head above water, Who would have thought that he would get them all to read the bible.
If I am thinking of Rebecca with hardly a hair out of place then I think of Dan with his hair permanently tousled
Steven03tx
This is a guy who packs a tremendous amount of information in his brilliant concise reviews. An incredible wide range of reading that takes on probably as many literary challenges as Librarything can throw at him. This year he has unearthed some classics that I am sure has sent many of us scurrying to find out more.
If anyone can read those million books “you must read before you die” it will be steven. And all this while the combined service industries of Texas have been building a massive underground nuclear shelter in his backyard.
Mr Durrick
From a mystery city somewhere in the USA Robert posts his wonderfully pithy film reviews for the delight of all his readers. I can hardly keep up with his hectic schedule around town, as two or three cinema visits are shoehorned between opera screenings and a visit to his favourite Barny Noble bookstore. Most of his reading must be done in bed, it’s far too dark in the cinema, but I love his idiosyncratic posts on books and sometimes on life.
I just hope those parking issues don’t curtail another fun year at the movies. Rock on Robert, but drive safely.
Linda92007
She is our link to the world of the literary talk show. Wonderful insightful reviews of events staged by the NYS writers institute come alive for us all on her thread. Her excellent reviews will often feature books by writers who have appeared at the NYS, I loved her recent posting of poems by Ghassan Zaqtan and Fady Joudah
How to spot Linda in the audience? She must be the one surreptitiously record the events on her i-phone or she is the person writing furiously at the back of the hall.
Bragan’s eclectic mishmash
The title of this thread says it all. You never know what you are going to find on this thread, but you will find well written reviews with some thoughts on how bragan relates to the books she reads. Always fascinating and every comment on her thread will get a thoughtful reply.
I can picture bragan rummaging through those used book stalls or library sales, picking up anything that takes her fancy, then getting home throwing them all up in the air and then reading them in the order in which she picks them up. I hope she keeps choosing those 20th century science fiction oddities
Rise
Whenever I see that Rise has posted a review I allow myself plenty of time to read it through. I know it is going to be intellectually stimulating and full of intelligent writing. Rise presents us with classics from world literature with enough background to make us feel we could follow in his footsteps. His thread is an education to us all. Great stuff
Somebody ought to employ Rise as a book reviewer, perhaps they already have?
Diefledermaus
As the moniker suggests this guy is into classical music and there have been some great reviews of biographies and criticism from the world of music. A passion that comes across in everything that is written and there is a lot written. Diefs reviews are lengthy, but always well written and readable as he takes his readers by the hand on a journey through what the book has to offer.
Labsf39
Lisa to her friends and she has plenty of those if her thread is anything to go by. Lively and entertaining, but also full of interesting thoughts on books and book lists. However when she gets round to posting a review you know it is going to be a good one. Lisa is perhaps one of those people who will find time for everybody she comes across, which is reflected in the way that she answers all those that post on her thread.
The chattiest thread on club read perhaps, just draw up a chair make a cup of tea and join in.
Edwinbcn
The most challenging reviewer on club read, challenging to the authors of the books he reads that is. No one else is so tightfisted with those star ratings. Boy you have got to be good to get four stars from Edwin. He tends to review his books in batches and so when Edwin posts, be prepared to spend a little time with him. You will find plenty of obscurities as well as classics on this thread, but edwins reviews will always offer good advice to prospective readers.
Nickellini
I love the way that Joyce sets out her reviews, I particularly like the “Recommended for” paragraph and I have fun in trying to match myself up to the person that Joyce believes will enjoy the book she is reviewing. Just get a load of these recommendations for:
“Readers of literary fiction set in jazz clubs” - that one spoke to me
“People who like quiet novels” - I think I know exactly what Joyce means
“Geology geeks, armchair geologists” - definitely not for me
“fans of sci-fi, apparently this book was influential” - a lovely put-down.
Joyce is also into book covers, she doesn’t like many of them.
Kidzdocs assault on mount TBR
A hopeless prospect of course, I think Darryl’s policy of not buying so many books lasted for the first three months of the year and then things began to slide…… Darryl specialises in reviewing modern fiction and is particularly interested in writers from outside of the USA/UK pool. Great reviews reveal a passion for literature and an interest in current trends. If you want to know who is short listed for the various literary prizes then tune into Darryl, who will no doubt have read or is planning to read those novels. Darryl’s capacity for reading is enormous (as is his appetite for good food) how he manages to do all that reading and hold down such an important and worthwhile job is beyond me.
The rumour that he is currently writing a “good food and lots of it guide” to restaurants in New Orleans is just that - a rumour.
Lilbrattyteen
Wow - Jonathan’s reading schedule is mindblowing. If theology is your thing then tune in here. A firmly held Christian viewpoint is backed up by a formidable intelligence, that is wide ranging and perceptive.
A young man reading up a storm.
Zenomax: On the doubling of the moon
Hmm….. well, esoteric
Stretch
Kevin’s thread is full of delights with a wide range of reading that takes in world literature, history, nature, geology, plays and some graphic novels. He says he labours over his reviews which seem to take forever and I am glad that he does because the finished articles are concise and informative with Kevin giving vent to his opinions usually in a final killer paragraph.
Keep reaching for the sky Kevin
Sassylassy still meandering through 2012
It doesn’t sound much like meandering to me with an excellent selection of book reviews. When the mood takes her, Sassy is not afraid to write in depth reviews and political history seems to be what stirs her up. Great reviews on Mao’s great Famine: The history of China’s most devastating catastrophe and The cage: The fight for Sri Lanka and the Last days of the Tamil Tigers..
Avidmom reads avidly
She really does read avidly and when she gets hooked into a project she really goes for it I am thinking of the Steinbeck reading earlier this year and then there was the time she got stuck into Eva Peron. Avidmom will take you to places where you might not have thought you wanted to go, but go along anyway and share the enthusiasm
Hope you have enjoyed your first year on club read avidmom and hope to see you back next year.
Dmsteyn the only reading boy on my street
Dewald does enough reading for all the boys on his street. Another of the younger contributors to club read, who writes such damn good reviews Anyone who reads through D H Lawrence’s collected poems with enjoyment has got to have something going for him.
Wandering tiger or wandering_star
Yet another club reader obsessing about the number of unread books about the house although wandering star solves that problem by giving away many of the books she has read. Her reviews tend to let the books speak for themselves as she usually includes a paragraph or two directly copied from the book, which I really like. . .
Detailmuse
I wondered where we were going with detailmuse in the early part of the year, when her books under review included “How to Sharpen Pencils” and “The Stray shopping carts of Eastern North America: A guide to field identification., Hey I thought this is getting even weirder than bragan’s thread. These are the sort of books that you puzzle over and think ‘who would want to write about that’ A great thread full of magnificent surprises, that has still got me wondering whether I think fast or slow
Deebee and rebecki’s threads
Don’t miss these two threads which both contain excellent reviews.
Cariola
The thread to visit if you are interested in historical fiction and she always has a great picture at the start of her thread.
TonyH
Just does not post enough reviews for my liking. I find everything he writes about extremely interesting and his exploration of poetry this year has produced some fascinating posts
Jargoneer occupies LT
Great name for a thread, but what happened to the occupy movement in 2012, it just sort of fizzled out. Excellent theatre reviews, live music reviews and book reviews all from the fringes of society, as you would expect from Turner.
I love all the threads but these are my favourites:
Rebeccanyc
A tremendous year of book reviews, she is rarely absent from the hot review section. If you want to find out exactly what a book is about, her no-nonsense review will put you straight. A wide range of reading ensures that there will be something for everybody on her thread.
I see her as a supremely well organised person, after all who else could manage to review everything she reads, administer club read and carry on with her busy life in NYC. She probably never has a hair out of place.
Dchaikin continues
What can one say about a guy that spends all year reading the bible - for its literary merit. Dan has put a lot of work into his project this year leading a group read over at the salon. His thread has done much to keep that groups head above water, Who would have thought that he would get them all to read the bible.
If I am thinking of Rebecca with hardly a hair out of place then I think of Dan with his hair permanently tousled
Steven03tx
This is a guy who packs a tremendous amount of information in his brilliant concise reviews. An incredible wide range of reading that takes on probably as many literary challenges as Librarything can throw at him. This year he has unearthed some classics that I am sure has sent many of us scurrying to find out more.
If anyone can read those million books “you must read before you die” it will be steven. And all this while the combined service industries of Texas have been building a massive underground nuclear shelter in his backyard.
Mr Durrick
From a mystery city somewhere in the USA Robert posts his wonderfully pithy film reviews for the delight of all his readers. I can hardly keep up with his hectic schedule around town, as two or three cinema visits are shoehorned between opera screenings and a visit to his favourite Barny Noble bookstore. Most of his reading must be done in bed, it’s far too dark in the cinema, but I love his idiosyncratic posts on books and sometimes on life.
I just hope those parking issues don’t curtail another fun year at the movies. Rock on Robert, but drive safely.
Linda92007
She is our link to the world of the literary talk show. Wonderful insightful reviews of events staged by the NYS writers institute come alive for us all on her thread. Her excellent reviews will often feature books by writers who have appeared at the NYS, I loved her recent posting of poems by Ghassan Zaqtan and Fady Joudah
How to spot Linda in the audience? She must be the one surreptitiously record the events on her i-phone or she is the person writing furiously at the back of the hall.
Bragan’s eclectic mishmash
The title of this thread says it all. You never know what you are going to find on this thread, but you will find well written reviews with some thoughts on how bragan relates to the books she reads. Always fascinating and every comment on her thread will get a thoughtful reply.
I can picture bragan rummaging through those used book stalls or library sales, picking up anything that takes her fancy, then getting home throwing them all up in the air and then reading them in the order in which she picks them up. I hope she keeps choosing those 20th century science fiction oddities
Rise
Whenever I see that Rise has posted a review I allow myself plenty of time to read it through. I know it is going to be intellectually stimulating and full of intelligent writing. Rise presents us with classics from world literature with enough background to make us feel we could follow in his footsteps. His thread is an education to us all. Great stuff
Somebody ought to employ Rise as a book reviewer, perhaps they already have?
Diefledermaus
As the moniker suggests this guy is into classical music and there have been some great reviews of biographies and criticism from the world of music. A passion that comes across in everything that is written and there is a lot written. Diefs reviews are lengthy, but always well written and readable as he takes his readers by the hand on a journey through what the book has to offer.
Labsf39
Lisa to her friends and she has plenty of those if her thread is anything to go by. Lively and entertaining, but also full of interesting thoughts on books and book lists. However when she gets round to posting a review you know it is going to be a good one. Lisa is perhaps one of those people who will find time for everybody she comes across, which is reflected in the way that she answers all those that post on her thread.
The chattiest thread on club read perhaps, just draw up a chair make a cup of tea and join in.
Edwinbcn
The most challenging reviewer on club read, challenging to the authors of the books he reads that is. No one else is so tightfisted with those star ratings. Boy you have got to be good to get four stars from Edwin. He tends to review his books in batches and so when Edwin posts, be prepared to spend a little time with him. You will find plenty of obscurities as well as classics on this thread, but edwins reviews will always offer good advice to prospective readers.
Nickellini
I love the way that Joyce sets out her reviews, I particularly like the “Recommended for” paragraph and I have fun in trying to match myself up to the person that Joyce believes will enjoy the book she is reviewing. Just get a load of these recommendations for:
“Readers of literary fiction set in jazz clubs” - that one spoke to me
“People who like quiet novels” - I think I know exactly what Joyce means
“Geology geeks, armchair geologists” - definitely not for me
“fans of sci-fi, apparently this book was influential” - a lovely put-down.
Joyce is also into book covers, she doesn’t like many of them.
Kidzdocs assault on mount TBR
A hopeless prospect of course, I think Darryl’s policy of not buying so many books lasted for the first three months of the year and then things began to slide…… Darryl specialises in reviewing modern fiction and is particularly interested in writers from outside of the USA/UK pool. Great reviews reveal a passion for literature and an interest in current trends. If you want to know who is short listed for the various literary prizes then tune into Darryl, who will no doubt have read or is planning to read those novels. Darryl’s capacity for reading is enormous (as is his appetite for good food) how he manages to do all that reading and hold down such an important and worthwhile job is beyond me.
The rumour that he is currently writing a “good food and lots of it guide” to restaurants in New Orleans is just that - a rumour.
Lilbrattyteen
Wow - Jonathan’s reading schedule is mindblowing. If theology is your thing then tune in here. A firmly held Christian viewpoint is backed up by a formidable intelligence, that is wide ranging and perceptive.
A young man reading up a storm.
Zenomax: On the doubling of the moon
Hmm….. well, esoteric
Stretch
Kevin’s thread is full of delights with a wide range of reading that takes in world literature, history, nature, geology, plays and some graphic novels. He says he labours over his reviews which seem to take forever and I am glad that he does because the finished articles are concise and informative with Kevin giving vent to his opinions usually in a final killer paragraph.
Keep reaching for the sky Kevin
Sassylassy still meandering through 2012
It doesn’t sound much like meandering to me with an excellent selection of book reviews. When the mood takes her, Sassy is not afraid to write in depth reviews and political history seems to be what stirs her up. Great reviews on Mao’s great Famine: The history of China’s most devastating catastrophe and The cage: The fight for Sri Lanka and the Last days of the Tamil Tigers..
Avidmom reads avidly
She really does read avidly and when she gets hooked into a project she really goes for it I am thinking of the Steinbeck reading earlier this year and then there was the time she got stuck into Eva Peron. Avidmom will take you to places where you might not have thought you wanted to go, but go along anyway and share the enthusiasm
Hope you have enjoyed your first year on club read avidmom and hope to see you back next year.
Dmsteyn the only reading boy on my street
Dewald does enough reading for all the boys on his street. Another of the younger contributors to club read, who writes such damn good reviews Anyone who reads through D H Lawrence’s collected poems with enjoyment has got to have something going for him.
Wandering tiger or wandering_star
Yet another club reader obsessing about the number of unread books about the house although wandering star solves that problem by giving away many of the books she has read. Her reviews tend to let the books speak for themselves as she usually includes a paragraph or two directly copied from the book, which I really like. . .
Detailmuse
I wondered where we were going with detailmuse in the early part of the year, when her books under review included “How to Sharpen Pencils” and “The Stray shopping carts of Eastern North America: A guide to field identification., Hey I thought this is getting even weirder than bragan’s thread. These are the sort of books that you puzzle over and think ‘who would want to write about that’ A great thread full of magnificent surprises, that has still got me wondering whether I think fast or slow
Deebee and rebecki’s threads
Don’t miss these two threads which both contain excellent reviews.
Cariola
The thread to visit if you are interested in historical fiction and she always has a great picture at the start of her thread.
TonyH
Just does not post enough reviews for my liking. I find everything he writes about extremely interesting and his exploration of poetry this year has produced some fascinating posts
Jargoneer occupies LT
Great name for a thread, but what happened to the occupy movement in 2012, it just sort of fizzled out. Excellent theatre reviews, live music reviews and book reviews all from the fringes of society, as you would expect from Turner.
2zenomax
Nicely done bas. Of course your own thread is one which many of us look forward to as well.
3bragan
Hee, your picture of me is probably not very far from the truth! And don't worry, there are still lots of those 20th century science fiction oddities still on the TBR Pile. :)
Thanks for the kind words! And thanks to everybody for posting all these fascinating threads. Whether or not I have been a regular commenter, I look at and appreciate them all.
Thanks for the kind words! And thanks to everybody for posting all these fascinating threads. Whether or not I have been a regular commenter, I look at and appreciate them all.
4rebeccanyc
I appreciate everything you said, Barry, and am, in fact, blushing, but you have my hair all wrong! And yours is one of the threads that I make sure I have time to read carefully.
5dmsteyn
Thanks so much for your kind words, Barry! Echoing everyone else in saying that your thread is one of the most enjoyable to read, and looking forward to another year of reading with everyone else in the Club.
6dchaikin
What a awesome post Bas. Club Read is collectively the best experience on LT for all various and sometimes odd focuses of people like myself.
7Nickelini
Love your thread. Who knew you were paying so much attention. I'll have to be careful what I say next year.
8alphaorder
Thanks so much for this great review of threads to follow. Many are already starred, but I have some new ones to go check out.
Hope others add to your list!
Hope others add to your list!
9StevenTX
After your comments about Rebecca's and Dan's hair I was expecting to be envisioned as the one without a hair left on his head--and it wouldn't be far from the truth.
Your message was a wonderful Christmas present to us all. Thanks, Barry, and Merry Christmas to everyone!
Your message was a wonderful Christmas present to us all. Thanks, Barry, and Merry Christmas to everyone!
10Rise
You made us smile on Christmas day, barry. Thank you. It's been a year of great books, reviews, and conversations in the club.
11kidzdoc
Thank you for the flattering compliment, Barry! I did accrue fewer books in 2012 than I've done in past years, and I should achieve my goal of reading more books this year than I purchased, so there were some minor successes this year. I may not write a foodie guide to New Orleans as has widely been rumored (unless Jane & I decide to jointly publish one), but I'll go back there at least twice next year and I'll post reviews of any new restaurants I go to on my threads.
I'd agree with most of your choices, and your thread is easily one of my favorites on LT. Keep up the outstanding reading and fabulous reviews (books and music), and I look forward to following you closely in the New Year.
I'd agree with most of your choices, and your thread is easily one of my favorites on LT. Keep up the outstanding reading and fabulous reviews (books and music), and I look forward to following you closely in the New Year.
12rebeccanyc
I was remiss in not mentioning other Club Read threads I follow (in addition to many of the ones Barry listed in his original post). Although they are not such frequent posters as the ones listed above, I also follow the threads arubabookwoman (who is responsible for several of the books on my favorites of the year list), torontoc, lilisin, avaland, pamelad, janepriceestrada, and probably some others that don't spring to mind.
15detailmuse
Back at you, bas!! And a wonderful prompt to follow more threads next year.
16SassyLassy
bas, what a wonderful windup to my first Club Read year. You certainly discovered my passion!
Every time I read your thread with its wonderful books, music and art, I think that is what I would like to be reading, listening to and watching if I had a parallel life.
Looking forward to following along next year.
Every time I read your thread with its wonderful books, music and art, I think that is what I would like to be reading, listening to and watching if I had a parallel life.
Looking forward to following along next year.
17lilisin
Yes, I've been following all of these threads and more. Although I don't always post, I really enjoy reading over and seeing what everyone is reading. It's really a great escape. Thanks for posting and let's look forward to another good year in 2013.
rebecca, I'll try to post more! ;)
rebecca, I'll try to post more! ;)
18deebee1
What a lovely gesture, barry.
Hope club read continues to be what it is well into 2013 and beyond -- a wonderful place to talk about books (and music and music lessons, and theater, and films, and travels, and food, and lectures...what have i missed?).
Hope club read continues to be what it is well into 2013 and beyond -- a wonderful place to talk about books (and music and music lessons, and theater, and films, and travels, and food, and lectures...what have i missed?).
19tonikat
Wonderful, generous post Barry, a reminder why it is so good to be here, to read other's reactions - to connect to other's connecting to poetry and prose, and we all have our favourites I am sure and surprises too from time to time.
Thanks for getting mine.
Thanks for getting mine.
20avidmom
Thank you baswood! I have found Club Read to be quite the addiction; I think it should come with a warning!
21wandering_star
Thank you so much Barry - both for your kind words about my thread and even more for the new recommendations of threads to follow in the next exciting year of Club Read. I'm looking forward to it.
22stretch
Wow Barry Thank you so much for your kind words. Your own thread is delight of historical reading and jazz, and has added so much new information I wouldn't have come across otherwise. The diversity of the members of this forum is amazing all things considered. I look forward to your thread for next year as well as the threads of all the club readers that have influenced my own reading for the last few years.
