Zombies! discussion

If you are looking for a casual, shared reading experience with some of your Zombies! group members, you have found the place to do it.

*Just list the book(s) that you would like to read and wait for a bite.
*After finding a buddy that wants to read the same book, create your own discussion thread, and have at it.
Happy Reading!
Note: Please be sure to read the Buddy Read Guideline Thread

I am looking for buddies to read the book
Group member Randy suggested that since there are 32 short stories in this anthology, it might be fun for reading buddies to read one (short) story a day, then each evening post their thoughts on that short story.
It could also be set up in weekly formats, like once a week post your thoughts on 7 of the short stories,
Or maybe do a "drop everything and read" weekend and complete the read over one weekend?
I am open to any suggestions.
I'd like to have at least three buddies for this read (preferably more) and I am hoping one of my buddies will host the buddy read.
If you are interested reply to this comment telling me the dates that work for you. I am booked up over the weekend of Aug. 16-19 but otherwise I can squeeze a buddy read in at any time.

I'm up for it. I also am booked just the weekend of Aug 16-19 (local fair, kids showing animals), but otherwise should be free each night.
I don't know how hosting works, but may be able to help. I like the idea of either a story a night or maybe bundle them into groups of 4 twice a week? or the weekly, but will that get confusing?
Or if they are all short enough I can 'drop everything', I just have 3 kids (2 start home school at end of month).
I'm usually home all the time, live on working farm, so (usually) easy to squeeze in reading.

Michelle wrote: "I'm up for it. I also am booked just the weekend of Aug 16-19 (local fair, kids showing animals), but otherwise should be free each night.
I don't know how hosting works, but may be able to help...."
Cool, we just need one more and we can set a date.
The Host (aka discussion leader) is the organizer, makes the initial thread, helps remind buddies of the next section to read and when any post is due.. that kind of thing.
It is easy as pie and simpler than corralling cats.

That cartoon looks like my family and I this morning when we were trying to walk to the barn to do the morning feeding. It's amazing how you don't see a one cat until it's chow time, or a child or husband... oops...
Cool hopefully we will get zombodies soon, heehee.

Did you already do this buddy read??

If not I'd love to join. I've never really participated in one but I'm definitely up for it.

I am getting ready to get the thread started. I am new at leading a read and the county fair ended today (my kids had animals showing) so I am a little slow.
We are going to try to start it next week. Please join in 8)

Sounds great!

Cool :-)

Did this buddy read already happen? I have the book and have put off reading it long enough :-)

No, we haven't started.
I'll poke Michelle.

Cool! :-)

Would anyone be interested in readingAlice in Zombieland with me? I'm doing a 'Fall Challenge' running from October 1st-December 31st, 2013, and I had to choose a variation of 'Alice in Wonderland.' I figured one of you guys probably have the book...if so, let's read it together! Having a deadline helps me IMMENSELY!!! I try and read as much as I possibly can, but work, errands, and, well, LIFE get in the way! Anyway, I'd love to do this....any takers???

Hey Teresa, the version of Alice in Zombieland that I have is Gena Showalter's version. I'll look into the Cook version - reminds me of the Pride and Prejudice zombie parodies.

Hey...I have Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, too! LOL...I still haven't gotten around to it because I never really cared for Pride and Prejudice in the 'original.' But maybe I can find something else we can read. I REALLY need to clean up my TBR pile, and there are some pretty sweet reading challenges in this one group I'm in. I'm doing 4 group reads this month (MAYBE 5, if I decide to do First Days with this group), but none of the other groups have chunks separated or reading assignments; no questions, no nothing. So I KNOW I'm gonna have trouble making it through some of these challenges without some help. Anything else you'd wanna do a buddy read on? I'm open to whatever, even if its not zombies. If you want, I can send you the 'requirements' to choose books. Its REALLY pretty cool the way they structure the challenges...

Hook it up, and I'm game. I've been looking for something different. Let me see if I can't find Cook's Alice relatively cheap...

Do ya have a Kindle? Do you like Bizarro? I've never lent anyone a Kindle book, but I have TONS of them on my Kindle if you'd wanna read a Bizarro title. I'll private message you the parameters of choosing the books...

Okay, Netanella and I have decided to readKraken over the next two weeks starting October 7th thru the 21st (or thereabouts). I know, I know...not zombies, but hey, it may be sitting on your TBR list, and this would be a great way to knock it off there! The more the merrier! We are reading 6 chapters a day, with a 'check-in every 2 days to keep our progression going smooth. Jump in, if you're game! ;-)

I'm looking for a couple of reading buddies to read the book Desolation by goodreads author Travis Simmons with me sometime during the month of November. (Exact reading dates to be decided together)
I got this book last August on one of it's free days on Amazon. I've been meaning to read it but can't seem to get to it.
If you have it on your to read list and are wanting to join me
Reply back here.
I'd like to have two or more buddies as I feel that buddy reads are more lively when 3 or more people there are sharing their thoughts.
However I will take just one buddy if that's all who are willing/able.
Thanks

I picked up the book last August as well. I'm not sure how I feel about the necromancers.

I just sent it to my PaperWhite. But it would be nice if we could get a couple of others.

None of the November nominations interest me, although I have already read a few of them, so my month should be fairly open.

But I'm still trying to finish up that short story you asked me to read a few days ago. :(

I'll read it with you guys. It looks good, and it isn't that pricey. It woulda been nice to get it free, but I can spare $4, seeing as how books are the only thing I 'treat' myself to...and that's IF you'll have me in your buddy read! ;-) I'm telling you guys, though, 'Brains' by Robin Decker is one of the strangest zombie books I've ever read (and not in a gratuitous violence sort of way or Bizarro way like Tankbread). It resonated VERY strongly with me for some reason. Its been a while since I've read it, but it had such unique, interesting characters, all with different 'abilities.' It was excellent. Y'all would be doing yourselves a favor by reading it! I promise!

Teresa wrote: "'Brains' by Robin Decker"

I don't see any book like that...

Sorry, its actually Brains: A Zombie Memoir & its Robin BECKER, not Decker. I told ya its been a looong time since I read it! LOL...I don't think it matters anyway...I'm the only one that's voted for it anyways! It just seems to me as though most of the group reads are pretty similar 'hero' missions. This book, however, has you rooting for the zombies. Its REALLY good and its a COMPLETELY different book than ANY I've read before. Same thing with Breathers: A Zombie's Lament, but its kinda like a 'Warm Bodies' type deal. I haven't actually seen the movie Warm Bodies, but the zoms in Breathers go to zombie support groups and such, making you sympathize with them as well. Its got a sequel I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus: A Breathers Christmas Carol that I thought would be great for the holidays. Anyway, I guess I'd just like to go the COMPLETELY opposite route and read a book where your heart aches for the plight of the zombies...Becker's book does that flawlessly.

I'm game for a new book and would like to join.

Great so there are currently Four of us (Randy Teresa Netanella and myself) right?

Ok toss out the dates you are open in November.
As for the BOTM, the current top two nominees are not ones that I feel I would enjoy

Savage Dead looks to bloody and gory for my taste

Undead LA 1 looks KINDA interesting but I am not really committed to it. And I do not own it and do not see myself making another purchase in the next few weeks.
I kinda went crazy grabbing titles off my wish list with my birthday money :-0
I did grab some goodies that I had been waiting for though. :)

Day by Day Armageddon: Shattered Hourglass is book three in the series. I will not start a series on the third book. (BY the way, did anyone else notice the spelling typos on the poll for that title? )

Brains: A Zombie Memoir
I have no feelings one way or the other on that one, but I do not own it and we are back to no more purchases at this time.

So it looks like I am out of next month's book of the month reads.

November is a full one though, with Bazaars, bake sales and of course ThanksGiving.

But my reading schedule is open. (no R4R's or BOTM)

It's a 228 page read.
It needs to have the kindle format added to goodreads.

And if anyone else is interested in joining and wants to check out its Amazon page
http://www.amazon.com/Desolation-Infe...

I forgot to ask

How long does it take each of you to "comfortably" read a 228 Page book? I'm not wanting to go too fast or too slow for anyone.
Also I'll lead this one If no one else wants to, but I'm pretty laid back in the buddy reads, expect no prepared questions rather my famous shoot from the hip commentary :-)
If you'd like to lead the buddy read for this title, please speak up and say so. I'm more than willing to be a buddy rather than a leader. :-)

"Desolation" Kindle edition is up on GR. Let me know if we're a go, and I'll grab it for my ereader.

I like the "shoot from the hip" approach on the buddy reads.

Netanella wrote: ""Desolation" Kindle edition is up on GR. Let me know if we're a go, and I'll grab it for my ereader.

I like the "shoot from the hip" approach on the buddy reads."

We are a Go, just wanting to get everyone view on the best start date.
And
Thank you for getting the kindle edition up.
I do appreciate your helpfulness.

Elizabeth wrote: "Oh goodness. I got Desolation as a R4R just before it came out, and I had to decline to review after several chapters.
Although, perhaps it's gone through some refinements.

I'm only speaking for ..."

Hm, I do hope that it has been updated since your experience.
I've got my kindle set to automatically update my kindle books when a newer edition is available.
In my experience many of the R4R copies are rough drafts.
Authors tend to use the R4Rs as a beta reader test.
Yet this information gives me the opportunity to say this up front, i make zero promises as to the books readability... OK Randy?!

Whoops - I just deleted my comment, I guess right as you posted. I hadn't realized that you'd already decided to read it, or I wouldn't have said anything! Sorry guys...

No worries Elizabeth.
Goodness knows that in most every group read there are some that the book doesn't click with. (Usually me LOL)
Your opinion is valuable. It gives us all a heads up.

And on an off topic, I'm love to know why you gave First Days 3 stars, I hope you chime in during it's BOTM discussion.

Ah, well... perhaps. I've found a copy, but now I'm stuck trying to squeeze it onto my Kindle. First world problems...

Okay, well this is tricky for me. The only book I'm totally committed to reading for a group read is 'John Dies at the End' and its for another group. A group that has become pitifully inactive. So, in other words, if it even gets a thread in the BOTM, it'll probably just be me & one other guy reading it, making it (for all intents and purposes) a buddy read. So November is pretty wide open for me, other than whatever gets chosen here in this group. I'm REALLY trying to do all the BOTMs, but usually I am chomping at the bit to read further than the assignment, so I don't think the 2 BOTM books here will tie me down that much. HOWEVER....we are woefully shorthanded at work. We FINALLY got a guy hired, but he missed his first day of training yesterday. (!!!) Something about that makes me feel as though his employment may not bode well for our company. Soooo, what I'm getting at is that I have NO STINKING CLUE what my schedule is for next week, let alone next month. If I get stuck working 4 12 hr. shifts in a row, I KNOW I will fall behind (unless we are D-E-A-D at work). As for how long it takes to read a 228 pg. book...well...I could do it in one sitting if its good, or I could trudge through it for WEEKS if it sucks. But with you guys there to motivate me, I would say no more than a week. Is that typical for a buddy read? I'm really game for whatever you guys want...we can start whenever and make it as short or long as y'all want. Your wish is my command! Just tell me when, and I'll do it! How's that for a long, rambling answer for your question? ;-)

Teresa
I'm not sure if you said it quite like this, but from what I gathered you can do it between BOTMs?
As for speed, buddy reads are usually quicker than BOTMs.
And, if the book sucks you're, not obligated to finish it. :-)
We dropped a buddy read once because of that huh Randy?

Off topic, first days BOTM is going too slow for my personal preferences. I'm done with the second assignment and we don't get questions again until Sunday.

As I noted before, my month is pretty much wide open.

I did finish that Western short story, by Elizabeth Bear. I wasn't impressed. The story didn't really have an ending.

To tell the truth, I found her writing somewhat pretentious (I had to look up a few words). :)

I still have Darlings of Decay on my Kindle. I may give it another try. Some. Day. But excerpts in such a book are NOT the way to go.

I feel ya, Tammy! Do you think i should try and speed it up? Looonnngg ago, back when we were squabbling about whether comments between assignment end dates were appropriate (what...that's been all of...oh...a month and a half ago? :-P ), I remember you saying that usually the second assignment date was when more people piped up. Do you think that'll be the case here? I am kinda getting the impression that its more or less just me and you. If no one pipes up in the next day or so, I'm going to make an executive decision, and speed it up.

And you KINDA read my ramble right, but KINDA not. Good god, WHY do I go on and on about NOTHING??? What I was trying to say is that I will read it at any time. It doesn't matter whether its between BOTM reads or not. I'm actually perfectly good with starting it on the first and reading, say, 114 pages over 2-3 days and then the second half in another 2-3 days? Or maybe 57 pages every 2 days? My ONLY request is that we don't have only one day to read the assignment, because as I mentioned about my work, if its a busy day, I know I'd fall behind. Let me know what you think about that...

Randy wrote: "... To tell the truth, I found her writing somewhat pretentious (I had to look up a few words). :) ..."

Welcome to my world.

Elizabeth? Are you joining us in the bubby read of Desolation?
If so how does your reading schedule look next month?

Teresa, I'll send you a direct message (email via goodreads) regarding First Days in about an hour.
It will take me that long to gather up my thoughts and type it. :-)

Oh, I don't schedule reading. I mostly try to cram it in between kids, cats, home schooling, an Army guy coming in and out of the house and running a small business :)

So, uh, that's a firm maybe.

If I manage to talk myself into picking up the book again. I may not be able to contain my intense snark.

Snark? I've heard that word before. But... Where?
Oh I know!
The best way to avoid snark is to stay out of deep waters!!

And yet you've got snarky down just fine...

Man I wish there was a 'like' feature on Goodreads!!! You guys are cracking me the hell up! Great entertainment between custys (customers)!!!

Tammy...if you feel comfortable, friend me and that way I can message you back. I just clicked your name to try and send you a PM, but your profile is like Fort Knox!!! LEMME IN!!! I want a peak at some of that gold! ;-)

Randy, Don't make me tell Elizabeth on you. ;-)

Teresa,
I'll add you to my friends, sorry my bad.
I know I keep my profile pretty tight but it has helped me keep out the spam that I was once getting. :)
Also Goodreads has greatly improved their "ignore" feature. (Thank you, Goodreads) so I probably do not need it set so high? but I've grown comfortable leaving it up.
You know someone else who is difficult to view ... Netanella.

Netanella is a good girl, Tammy! I'm friends with her, so I can see her stuff! :-P BUT, since we ARE all four planning a buddy read, I do suppose we should all be buddies on here, too, right? If that's okay with the rest of you, we'll start sending out friend requests to each other. Any decisions as to when we will start and what the time frame will be?

Teresa wrote: "... Any decisions as to when we will start and what the time frame will be? ..."

I think we have narrowed it down to................
November

You snark, you!!! :-P

Elizabeth! Do you see the comments they say to me?

I'm exactly like Rodney Dangerfield.
No, not the short, fat, thinning hair, aged comedian part! (well, maybe a little bit but that's not my point. )
but this part
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So02TB...

Tsk tsk tsk. You guys obviously need maximum supervision.

Be careful, or I'll task Randy with that. Uh oh...

*the world trembles*