Georgette Heyer Fans discussion

Edit (Dec 2024): Here is what we chose: link to the list.

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Let's try to choose books for twelve months. Because it should take some time, to allow participate as many members as possible I suggest that the first book we choose will be for November or later - we can decide about it.

Now, the rules:

1. Every member can nominate (it also means voting at the same time) 6 titles, keep in mind that the first book you name gets 6 points from you, the second one 5 pts, etc.

2. At the end of the period (see below) I will add points. The twelve novels with the most points win, a title at the first position we will read in the first month, etc.

3. If there is a remis, about the order decide which was read in the group earlier.

4. If you change your mind while nominations still are possible, change your message (do not write another one, I will add your points from the first message about it from you I find in the thread).

5. Non-mandatory rule: Do not nominate the books we read in 2024 (a table below). You can also see the list of books we read the longest time ago.

I suggest I will wait for votes here until the end of October. If you can contact other members of the group - say them about this thread.

I ask you all also about when we will start reading chosen books. November will not give us the time to borrow a novel, etc. But later months give the risk we will have a long gap in group reading. Write what you think - preferably "nominate" a start month.





PS I hope I didn't make an error, if I did - please let me know.

Looks sensible, some of my other groups do this, have a yearlong challenge, with a book a month fitting a theme, curated by the moderators. Gives plenty of time to acquire books, and opt out of any you cannot get, don’t care to read.

As long as I’ve been in the group, since 2016 or so, we’ve taken a “break” in November or December to catch up on other reads, holiday responsibilities, etc. I wouldn’t mind if we wait to start until January 2025 - gives plenty of time for participation by the most members. If there is concern that is too long, I suggest a “reader’s choice” for December, read one of your absolute favorite Heyer’s by December 25, share with the group what it is and what you love about it.

I will copy this thread, send to group members in my friends list to try and direct members here to discuss.

I think I see the problem, I tried to send a copy of this thread to our moderator through message, and it says “not found” so our messages can’t get through!

Edit: Ok, went to group page, was able to send a message to Jenny there, and a few others who were active in the “Civil Contract” discussion thread. Hopefully they will come and discuss!

Well done Mela and Susan in NC for getting this going. I’ll have to think and then nominate my books. I like Susan’s idea for Nov/Dec of reading a favourite and the just telling everyone what we love/hate about it! I’ll try to copy Mela’s suggestions through my friend’s list.

I want to thank Mela and Susan for doing this.

I have been participating much less than in previous years because I have (sadly!) read the regencies just too many times now and I have been taking a break. because of that I might nominate a mystery or I might just hang back and see what everyone else decides.

Don't do this to yourselves, people, pace yourself with reading Heyer!

Jackie wrote: "I want to thank Mela and Susan for doing this.

I have been participating much less than in previous years because I have (sadly!) read the regencies just too many times now and I have been taking..."

Same here, Jackie, but I love mysteries best, and Heyer’s are particularly entertaining to me, so I will definitely include mysteries!

It's a great idea to have twelve titles ready and waiting. This is the way it's done in the Christie group I'm in and I love it. I don't mind too much when we start but waiting until January might not work. We might lose some people along the way and I'd hate to see this group falter. I'll set to thinking about my nominations.

Here are my six:

1. Cotillion
2. Black Sheep
3. The Foundling
4. The Unfinished Clue
5. They Found Him Dead
6. Detection Unlimited

I say make December a reader’s choice - read your favorite Heyer, and report to the group by the end of the month why it’s your favorite. Then start these nominated books in January 2025.

Teresa wrote: "It's a great idea to have twelve titles ready and waiting. This is the way it's done in the Christie group I'm in and I love it. I don't mind too much when we start but waiting until January might ..."

Read the Detectives does a challenge this way, with a theme, along with buddy reads - I appreciate the set list going into the new year! A group dedicated to Christie?! Hello!

It's called Appointment with Agatha Susan. I've been in it for some time but of late it seems to have levelled off a bit which is a pity because I have thoroughly enjoyed the discussions on the books.

Thank you! Hopefully it’s just August holidays, then getting kids back to school - and the group will become more active with the earlier sunsets and colder evenings closing in…

Any time you want a Christie reading buddy, I am here for you!

I'll keep that in mind Susan. Thank you!

You bet!

Jackie wrote:
I have been participating much less than in previous years because I have (sadly!) read the regencies just too many times now and I have been taking..."

Yes, I've learned to read other authors in-between my Heyers. I find her works a "palate cleanser" between other writers.

Susan in NC wrote: "Here are my six:

I like the idea of a free choice December. Looking at Susan NC's list, only as a list, not as votes, it brings to mind the thought that when we schedule the readings, we might wish to intersperse the detectives amidst the historicals. That way, if someone doesn't care for one genre, they aren't left out for months at a time. :)

Here are my six. (I've chosen a couple that GH later disliked.)

1. Pistols for Two (the short story collection)
2. Black Moth
3. These Old Shades
4. Powder and Patch
5. Simon the Coldheart
6. Beauvallet

Sandi wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Here are my six:

I like the idea of a free choice December. Looking at Susan NC's list, only as a list, not as votes, it brings to mind the thought that when we schedule the re..."

Lovely idea, thanks!

My top six:

1. Black Sheep
2. The Convenient Marriage
3. Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle
4. April Lady
5. Cotillion
6. Friday's Child

I haven't read many of the dectective novels, so I haven't nominated them, but I am looking forward to reading them!
So feel free to disregard my votes for my old faves among the regencies, and list me as a +1 for any detectives nominated!

Here are my 6 based solely on what I own but have not read.

1. Cotillion
2. Detection Unlimited
3. These Old Shades
4. Beauvallet
5. No Wind of Blame
6. Powder and Patch

Thanks for doing this.

Sandi wrote: "Here are my six. (I've chosen a couple that GH later disliked.)"

Oooh, which ones did she come to dislike?

Nick wrote:

Oooh, which ones did she come to dislike?"

Simon the Coldheart. Her son reissued it after her death.
Black Moth, she called "a juvenile effort" (her first sale and a best seller!) and she changed names and humanized the characters for These Old Shades.
I recall being a teenage reader and mightily confused why the characters were so similar yet different.

Susan in NC wrote: "Looks sensible, some of my other groups do this, have a yearlong challenge, with a book a month fitting a theme, curated by the moderators. Gives plenty of time to acquire books, and opt out of any..."

I like your suggestion Susan, but I already assumed that October will be "a break" because we don't have anything settled for the month. So a “reader’s choice” would be November?

Oh, gosh, you’re right, I forgot we haven’t chosen October! Good idea, reader’s choice is November.

Sandi wrote: "she changed names and humanized the characters for These Old Shades."
That's so interesting - I'd like to read the original version now.

Here's my 6:
Venetia (my all-time favorite by GH)
These Old Shades (my first GH)
Black Sheep
The Unfinished Clue (my favorite of her mysteries)
Beauvallet
Detection Unlimited

I'm looking forward to seeing the final list!

My 6 are:
Frederica
The Black Sheep
The Talisman Ring
Venetia
The Quiet Gentleman
The Black Moth

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Here's my 6:
Venetia (my all-time favorite by GH)
These Old Shades (my first GH)
Black Sheep
The Unfinished Clue (my favorite of her mysteries)
Beauvallet
Detection Unlimited

I'm looking forward t..."

Aaah! The Unfinished Clue and Lola DaSilva - one of my favorites! Thanks for including! As one character notes, “she gives good value.” 😂😂

That is a good one, for sure!

Black Sheep
Venetia
Frederica
Arabella
The Grand Sophy
They Found Him Dead

Venetia
The unknown Ajax
The Talisman Ring
An Infamous Army
The Grand Sophy
No Wind Of Blame

Great. Seven members have participated so far, and we have 25 titles on the list.

Thanks, everyone, for including books I also love but overlooked! I think this will be fun!

Here are my sis:
These Old Shades
Talisman Ring
Black sheep
Convenient marriage
Frederica
Sylvester

I will nominate

1. The Unfinished Clue
2. Detection Unlimited
3. No Wind of Blame
4. Envious Casca (the perfect Christmas read!)
5. Cotillion
6. Beauvallet

Okay, my six are:-

These Old Shades
Venetia
Black Sheep
Frederica
The Reluctant Widow
Sylvester.

Here are my six, and I know no one else will nominate the first one, but I'll give it a try anyway!
The Conqueror
Arabella
These Old Shades
The Convenient Marriage
Sylvester
April Lady

I have noted down next four votes.

OK, here's my vote. this was tough! Thanks for organizing this.

Frederica
Simon the Coldheart
Unknown Ajax
Unfinished Clue
Envious Casca
The Talisman Ring

ETA - Fixed my line up!

Teri-K wrote: "OK, here's my vote. this was tough! Thanks for organizing this.

Frederica
Simon the Coldheart
Unknown Ajax
Envious Casca
Duplicate Death
The Talisman Ring"


Gentle reminder - Duplicate Death was read in August 2024.

This is fascinating - I couldn't resist doing a quick tally and discovering which were the leading 12 favourites!
I'm wondering how many additional nominations will follow the trends!!

Thanks, Mela for posting the books we read in 2024.

I'm with Susan in NC's suggestion - reader's choice in December and start the nominated books in January 2025.

But I am also happy to be persuaded to start earlier if that's the consensus.

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Teri-K wrote: "OK, here's my vote. this was tough! Thanks for organizing this.

Frederica
Simon the Coldheart
Unknown Ajax
Envious Casca
Duplicate Death
The Talisman Ring"


Gentle reminder - ..."

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Teri-K wrote: "OK, here's my vote. this was tough! Thanks for organizing this.

Frederica
Simon the Coldheart
Unknown Ajax
Envious Casca
Duplicate Death
The Talisman Ring"


Gentle reminder - ..."

Oh, shoot. I double checked the list and still missed it! I'll fix that. Thanks.

1. Devil’s Cub
2. The Reluctant Widow
3. Sylvester
4. Faros Daughter
5. No Wind of Blame
6. Arabella

1. Frederica
2. Venetia
3. Arabella
4. The Quiet Gentleman
5. Black Sheep
6. The Nonesuch

Here are mine:

1. These Old Shades
2. Devil's Cub
3. Bath Tangle
4. The Grand Sophy
5. Faro's Daughter
6. The Corinthian

1.The Private World of Georgette Heyer Jane Aiken Hodge
2.Lady of Quality
3,The Nonesuch
4. The Unknown Ajax
5. Venetia
6. Georgette Heyer's Regency World Jennifer Kloester

I've had the biography by Jane Aiken Hodge sitting on the shelf for awhile thought a group read might motivate me.

Happy to see all the nominations for 2025, but what are we reading next week?

Sandi wrote: "Happy to see all the nominations for 2025, but what are we reading next week?"

I'm a bit lost too Sandi. Not sure what's happening!

We haven’t got a book for October, I suggested since we’ve had no poll, that October will be our “break” month to catch up on reads, then November or December could be a reader’s choice , where we reread our favorite Heyer and explain to the group why it is our favorite.

Beyond that, I’m not sure - Mela requested everyone give their ranked favorites, and she would figure out which would be our choices for 2025. Then she said she needs Jenny to set up a poll, because she is the moderator. Beyond that, I’m lost, as well.

Mela, perhaps you could tell Jenny what you need her to poll us on? Sorry if I’ve bungled this!

Thanks Susan. I get it now. So October is a break month.

Yes, as far as I know.