The Readers discussion

So sorry to hear that Thomas is leaving the podcast... when do you need me to start?

Seriously, you two make a great team, even if you sometimes sound like you want to punch each other (yeah, that was me).

I hope the podcast will continue and that Thomas will come back to visit from time to time.

I've just started My Ántonia which I'm ashamed to admit is my first Willa Cather. I'll let you know how it goes.

But, seriously, Simon, have your people call my people and set something up.

Really sad to hear you’re leaving the podcast, Thomas!

I would love to see you guys host a series of X-Factor style talent auditions to decide Simon’s next co-host.

I too am sorry to see Thomas go.

As far as a new co-host is concerned, I have an idea. I watch a number of UK Booktubers in addition to Simon that are also friends of his. I think it would be great if he would rotate having them co-host podcasts with him...he's often had them on his Booktube channel and this would seem to be a natural extension of that. It also would probably be a lot easier to co-ordinate with people who are in the same time zone.

There's Lauren and Rob and Kate and Mercy and Jen and Dave from Wilde Reads and a whole bunch more that I can't think of at the moment. I feel like I already know them from watching them on Booktube.

Great idea from Janet 👍🏼

Thomas
I am responding to your request for ideas to keep up with book based banter on Goodreads when you are finished with the podcast.
One idea is to make a separate Goodreads group for group reads. The book will be one you have chosen, announce it 4-6 weeks in advance and whoever would like to participate can post a comment or thought.
Prior to listening to The Readers with you as a cohost, I had never thought about reading older novels. The authors and novels you discuss from the past (i.e. Barbara Pym) always intrigue me. This would be a great opportunity for those of us not familiar with older literature to “dive in” and give it a try without being too afraid!
Just a thought.
I have really enjoyed listening to The Readers with you and Simon as hosts and you will be missed. Also thank you for introducing the idea of not dismissing older literature when looking for a good book.

Great idea

Great idea, I’d also be up for joining in with a Thomas Goodreads regular book club.

Wow.....Now I'm REALLLLY upset that I had miss the Readers Retreat😩 Ok, so I wasn't sure how much I'd like the podcast after Gav left...I was worried...I was wrong...I LOVE Thomas and all he's brought to the podcast. His reading taste is very similar to mine (Jim Crace ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️) and I really enjoy hearing his opinions and thoughts. That said... (why all the ellipses?🤷🏻‍♀️) I get needing to move on from something-consider this your fan letter from me Thomas, and I'll hang with you here if that's where you'll be (or anywhere else). And hopefully they will be a future retreat where I can meet you both and other listeners (the SF weekend looked amazing). Simon, please continue the podcast, either with a steady partner or with guests (I volunteer as Tribute ;)) or whatever combination works best for you. I occasionally watch You Tube book vids, but podcasts fit in better for me so would love for you to continue. You have added so much to to my TBR and reading life, I'd hate to seethe podcast fold. Thanks to you both. It's been a real joy listening to your book-based banter.

I will miss Thomas, too. He was a great compliment to Simon on the podcast!

Marie wrote: "Great idea, I’d also be up for joining in with a Thomas Goodreads regular book club."

I like this idea. He knows so much about books I've never heard of and is pretty much the entire reason I started collecting and reading Anita Brookner and Penelope Fitzgerald (I think this was you Thomas? Who else is to blame?)

So bummed to hear Thomas is leaving :( We will miss you and I hope you find some way for us to keep in touch with you - whether it's a Thomas goodreads group or just on twitter or whatever. I, too, enjoy your book selections - you're always bringing up writers I don't know and I feel like I get an education!!

And Simon, I hope that you do continue on with the podcast in same manner!

Simon
Jane’s idea of having a rotating guest host from the Book tube universe is a great idea.
I think I speak for all the loyal listeners when I say we all enjoy and appreciate listening to your bookish banter. You also post excellent book tube videos and it would be a great way for you to combine your two loves (podcasting and book tube posts)!

I too am very sad that Thomas is leaving. I would love for him to stay on this Goodreads page. Just like Gav, he’ll always be a part of The Readers in my opinion! That being said, I would also join another group if he created one of his own. I follow him on Twitter and love his snarky opinions. I’m just a little older and I think I can relate to him so well since we experienced a lot of the same things growing up.

In terms of The Readers, I’ll be devastated if it goes away! Although it would be great to have another new, amazing host, I’d also be fine if you mix it up and have guest hosts. Or semi-permanent hosts who rotate. Whatever you choose to do, I’ll be sure to follow!

I am so sorry that Thomas is leaving! I love his book recommendations! I will keep following him on Twitter, and I hope he keeps up his blog.
I have missed the regular podcasts. I am training for a marathon, and I look forward to listening to podcasts on my long runs. I hope Simon keeps the show going. I have also missed Adventures with Words, so I am hoping that Rob could join Simon as co-host. Or perhaps Gav would like to return?

Marie wrote: "Great idea, I’d also be up for joining in with a Thomas Goodreads regular book club."

I also like this idea. Thank you Thomas for helping me discover Anita Brookner! I hope you launch a Thomas Goodreads discussion page.

Thomas was a great co-host. Please try to team up with someone from the US.

Thomas you will be missed ☹️we understand, it's a labor of love for all us bibliophiles. Thank you for your astute observations, excellent recommendations and entertaining banter with Simon.

I'd like to chime in and say that I'll miss Thomas. I was sad when Gavin left, but then Thomas won me over and I was so happy that someone else liked Trollope. Thomas is smart and articulate and he has very specific likes and dislikes. I felt like I knew him after awhile. That's the best, where you feel like you're in the room listening to two of your good friends talking. I enjoyed listening to Simon and Thomas' friendship grow, and there were many times I laughed at their...yes, book-based banter. It's the end of an era, for sure, but I would like The Readers to continue and hope you, Simon, can find another co-host. How about a woman this time? :)

Also, I thought you said something about a questionnaire or survey, but I don't see it anywhere, possibly because you haven't written it yet. Will it be posted here somewhere?

I’m sure that this has occurred to other Thomas fans, but I want to heartedly recommend listening to The Readers archive beginning with Episode 84-Thomas’s first episode as cohost. Episode 84 was recorded in October 2013: I’ve listened up to Episode 88 and need to pace myself to stay ‘on calendar’ with them. Love hearing them chat about Halloween and Thanksgiving amidst all the bookish banter. Now I have a second chance to pick up their recommendations!

Dear Thomas,
I am so sorry you are leaving the podcast. It's been a pleasure listening to the banter between you and Simon. But, I totally understand. My sister, Jane, and I loved meeting both of you at the Readers' Retreat, and so appreciate all the effort you put into organizing. Maybe you'll join us again next year?
Best in your next life chapter,
Mary

Thomas, I hope you meet many real life friends who will visit you in your twilight years. I recommend pursuing people younger than you.

I'm sorry to hear Thomas is leaving The Readers. I have really enjoyed the bookish banter between Thomas and Simon. I do hope the podcast continues.

The subject for this topic sounds so bleak. Perhaps this is not the end of Thomas but a new beginning. Of course everyone will miss him but this gal is wishing him new adventures, new experiences, new paths to explore, a world of happiness and dreams pursued. I know we won't forget him and neither will he forget us.

There are three really amazing episodes that we recorded with an audience in SF that are still to come as well as two more that Simon and I recorded after The Readers Retreat.

I really look forward to those. Yours is my favorite podcast.

I have loved all the incarnations of this podcast and hope it will continue to delight me long into the future.
But I will miss Thomas greatly. I love the timbre of his voice and the way Simon and he interact.
I wish him much success in all his future endeavours and hope he will continue to tweet about them so he doesn't disappear completely from my social media.

Late to the discussion .... yes, when I listened to the podcast, no surprises -- I was always looking forward to hearing your voices and you never showed up, so not a shock that you're ending. However, I'll miss you two soooo much! Your podcasts were great! Loved you and all your guests and variations. I do understand--life moves on. I used to read 70-100 books a year and was active on book social media (LibraryThng had the best people), but now I work outside of the home, full time, and so my reading has dropped to about 30 books a year. (Also social media is taking its toll to see what foolishness Donald Trump is inflicting on the world next).
Really hate to see you go, but I get it.

Wasn't Simon going to post a survey for us to complete on future plans?

I"m going to miss you Thomas for all of the reasons mentioned above. I'd like some read alongs of Anita Brookner, Penelope Fitzgerald and whatever other finds you suggest too. Some of us are local and would be willing to meet you in person at Kramer Books Afterwords or wherever to discuss.

Carol wrote: I"m going to miss you Thomas for all of the reasons mentioned above. I'd like some read alongs of Anita Brookner, Penelope ..."

Hi Carol, so nice to hear from you. I know Simon has a lot of things going on right now, so hopefully when he comes up for air he will post the five episodes that are recorded but not aired.

Intriguing idea about a doing a local meet-up. That could be very fun. I will ponder that. Without the ability to podcast the announcement though I am not sure how many locals we would reach just on Goodreads or Twitter. But I will have a think.

As far as Brookner goes, one of my few reading resolutions for the year is to finish up my re-reading of Brookner. I have 12 to go so I am going to do one a month. I'm currently reading A Private View. If you look at the right column on this blog page, you will see her novels in chron order and you can see where I am right now with APV. One a month, in order. Maybe choose one you fancy and let me know which one.