Devon Book Club discussion

I hope you'll forgive me if I stray a little from talking about books and take a moment to reflect on the year as it comes to a close.

It has been quite a year hasn't it? Tragic, frightening, challenging, inspiring and so much more. I feel for everyone who has lost a loved one or been unable to support those dear to them in the way they would wish and I am thankful for everyone who has worked tirelessly to care for vulnerable people and to keep our essential services running.

Of course we want a successful economy and for people to enjoy the freedoms we have, perhaps, all too often taken for granted but I believe that we have also reminded ourselves that what is truly important is our health and well-being and our compassion and support for one another, both locally and as an interdependent global community.

Aside from our enjoying our shared love of books, reading and writing I want to thank you for making Devon Book Club such a unique community. We are building so much more than a book club together. We share a passion, that is certainly true, but I think that we have shown this community to be so much more than that.

We began in a small way in Devon over 6 years ago and now connect all over the world. Not by advertising, but quietly by word of mouth, by invitation and by inspiring people to connect and join in; getting on for 5,000 of us now across Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.

We are people of all ages, backgrounds, nationalities and cultures. Someone, somewhere is always contributing something. Writers, readers, booksellers, publishers, festivals, libraries - exchanging ideas, friendship and positive energy; connecting across communities and across the world. We thrive on mutuality - whether that is by writers sharing their work (often generously as giveaways), readers leaving reviews or the wider book community arranging events for us to delight in, or enthusiastically sharing recommendations and book (and other) news.

We've enjoyed four themed events, exploring romance, crime, non-fiction and historical fiction. We've featured around 100 writers and offered somewhere in the region of 20 books as giveaways. We've held our live #devonbookhour on Twitter on almost every Monday throughout the year. Sadly, due to restrictions, we only managed one face to face event - a fabulous walk on the SW Coast Path in October. We've supported all the Devon festivals, shared news of events in Devon and beyond, we've backed our local libraries and booksellers and celebrated diversity all through the year.

I've been moved by the way many of you have shared the ups and downs of your lives and been delighted when we have been able to support people quietly if they have needed help, whether practically or just through the friendship of our community. With many people spending so much time alone, this sense of connection has never been more important.

We are building something very special together and it is a privilege to be a part of this growing, creative and nurturing community. I have learned that, when we offer positivity into the world, it is repaid in kind many times over.

So, as we say goodbye to 2020 and look to a new year, I wish you everything you hope for. Tomorrow, I'll share with you some of the plans for Devon Book Club in 2021. I look forward with optimism, not just because we will hopefully overcome Covid-19 in the coming months, but because of the energy, creativity, support and friendship that we find all around us. Being part of this community we don't have to go far to find all of that and more.

Happy New Year everyone

A wonderful summary of the growth, unity, sharing, caring, fun and widening that 'is' Devon GdRds!! Thank you Ian, and all possible good wishes for you (and all of us) in 2021. Thanks, in particular, for the way that you make everyone so welcome and involved on the site.
Take Care, to you and all on 'Devon Goodreads'
Carole (aka Grittyreads/writes/research)

DrMama wrote: "A wonderful summary of the growth, unity, sharing, caring, fun and widening that 'is' Devon GdRds!! Thank you Ian, and all possible good wishes for you (and all of us) in 2021. Thanks, in particula..."

Thanks Carol - I've some great plans to get us started in 2021 which I'll post about shortly but if you or anyone has any suggestions please do let me know.

Hello Ian and the marvellous Devon group
For me, and probably many others, books were one of the things that made the lockdowns slightly more bearable and thank goodness for on-line shopping. Of course I missed visiting the local second hand bookshop in Dulverton to chat to the staff and to smell all that booky smell; I also missed treating myself to the books on offer in the charity shops but these are small prices to pay, as you say, to keep the nation well.
I took a dip into the world of Twitter this year for the first time and the best things to come out of it were this group (No.1) and chatting to a couple of others, including the Secret Magistrate author who was lovely and Tracey the photographer from Dartmoor but the book accounts were well worth joining the Twitter thing for. Owl Be Sat Reading made me laugh (thanks to her!).
Ian especially deserves a huge thanks; he has time for us all, answers our comments and challenges us to read books we may not otherwise read. I was challenged to read Anna Karenina but I succeeded.
The highlight of 2020 in the world of books was my winning a book in the giveaway, thanks to Ian picking my name out of the hat.
Thank you to Ian and wishing you all a safe, well and happy 2021 and let's look forward to many more good books.

Happy New Year to Ian and the group. Thanks for your hard work which makes the group the supportive community that it is.

Helene wrote: "Hello Ian and the marvellous Devon group
For me, and probably many others, books were one of the things that made the lockdowns slightly more bearable and thank goodness for on-line shopping. Of co..."

Thank you - that is very kind. I get so much pleasure from the connections with you all. I am looking forward to that drink in the pub garden, once we are allowed and the weather is warmer.

One of the joys of this community is opening ourselves to the possibilities of unfamiliar writers - thanks to you I read Les Miserables - definitely one of my books of he year (possibly decade)

Ley wrote: "Happy New Year to Ian and the group. Thanks for your hard work which makes the group the supportive community that it is."

Thank you Ley. Any suggestions for increasing the participation in that part of our community gratefully received.