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In regards to the poll the results were as follows (the top 3):

Fall of France 1940 - 18 votes, 18.8%
Stalingrad - 13 votes, 13.5%
Battle of the Bulge - 11 votes, 11.5%

So do we make the battle theme read on France or any of the top three?

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "In regards to the poll the results were as follows (the top 3):

Fall of France 1940 - 18 votes, 18.8%
Stalingrad - 13 votes, 13.5%
Battle of the Bulge - 11 votes, 11.5%

So do we make the battl..."

I vote for any of the top three. Mix it up a bit!

Hey guys, never had a chance to do any of the Buddy reads last year, but would love to do them all in 2018. I love the idea of doing it by year chronologically.

James wrote: "Hey guys, never had a chance to do any of the Buddy reads last year, but would love to do them all in 2018. I love the idea of doing it by year chronologically."

Hi James, it would be great if you can join us in some of the theme reads. I'm looking forward to doing each year of the war chronologically as well.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "In regards to the poll the results were as follows (the top 3):

Fall of France 1940 - 18 votes, 18.8%
Stalingrad - 13 votes, 13.5%
Battle of the Bulge - 11 votes, 11.5%

So do we make the battl..."

Well, I voted the Fall of France 1940 so that's what I'll be reading. But that might not be everyone's cup of tea so if you want to open it up to the top 3, that works for me.

In the Sci-Fi group, I am in, they have a TBR clearing challenge going on. Might be something that could be done here separate from the Group and Buddy reads. Just a thought.

Dj wrote: "In the Sci-Fi group, I am in, they have a TBR clearing challenge going on. Might be something that could be done here separate from the Group and Buddy reads. Just a thought."

How does that work, Dj? My TBR is up to 1,237. At the rate of my recent years of reading, that would take 21 years. I don't think I have that much time left. ;-)

Manray9 wrote: "Dj wrote: "In the Sci-Fi group, I am in, they have a TBR clearing challenge going on. Might be something that could be done here separate from the Group and Buddy reads. Just a thought."

How does ..."

I can relate, I have over 1k in my TBR as well.

So they have two versions of the challenge. One is a TBR clearing and the other is Owned Books acquired before 2018. They would take some tweaking to make work for the group, but here are the way they put it together over there.

TBR
1. The 13th book
2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill.
3. A book with humor or horror
4. 300-350 pages
5. A book that reminds you of home
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover
7. Chosen for the cover
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for
9. Based on the blurb or blerg
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship
13. An author's debut novel
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone
16. A book with a mystery or romance
17. Standalone novel
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill
19. Read a genre-bender
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover


And here is the one for owned books, which would be easier to work in this group, although the one above is more fun in a way.

Length of Ownership (best guess)
1 year - 10 points
3 years - 50 points
5 years - 75 points
10 years - 150 points

Length of Book
300 pages/10 hours - 15 points
500 pages/17 hours - 75 points
750 pages/25 hours - 150 points
1000 pages/33 hours - 300 points

Total Owned Books Read
0-10 - 25 points
11-30 - 50 points
31-50 - 75 points
51-75 - 100 points
76-100 - 150 points
100+ - 200 points

Series
First book in a series - 5 points
Any subsequent book in a series - 10 points
Fifth book in a series - 20 points
Tenth book in a series - 30 points
Finish a series - 15 points

Other
Forced on you by a friend - 20 points
Received as a gift - 10 points
A book that any group you're a member of reads as a monthly selection - 25 points
Embarrassing cover - 20 points (30 if you read some of it in public without hiding the cover)
Won/Nominated for any kind of award - 10 points
An author you've never read - 10 points
A buddy read - 5 points (20 if you both/all own it)
A 2018 release, but pre-ordered in 2017 - 5 points
Turned into a movie - 10 points
A 2017 Holiday gift - 10 points
A self-pub - 5 points
Oops! Bought it twice - 25 points
Read at least one book in each of the three formats: print, ebook, audio - 25 points
A genre/subgenre you usually avoid - 15 points
Read with a cup of tea or coffee - 5 points/book
Read with a cat or dog on your lap - 5 points

BONUS: If you have fewer unread books on your shelves on 1/1/19 - 500 points.

Dj wrote: "They would take some tweaking to make work for the group, but here are the way they put it together over there. ..."

Very scientific!

Chin Joo wrote: "Dj wrote: "They would take some tweaking to make work for the group, but here are the way they put it together over there. ..."

Very scientific!"

I am doing the TBR challenge, have 19 books picked out so far, it is an interesting way to clear up some of the books on my shelf. One of them is even WWII related, my number 13 book is Lost in Shangri-la: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II

So it is a bonus for me in that regard.

Dj wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Dj wrote: "In the Sci-Fi group, I am in, they have a TBR clearing challenge going on. Might be something that could be done here separate from the Group and Buddy reads. Just a thou..."

Errr ... have you ever tried breathing, never mind reading, with a Newfoundland on your lap?

Dj wrote: "BONUS: If you have fewer unread books on your shelves on 1/1/19 - 500 points...."

That would NEVER happen.

Mike wrote: "Dj wrote: "BONUS: If you have fewer unread books on your shelves on 1/1/19 - 500 points...."

That would NEVER happen."

Not in my house either, but hey there are some people in the SF group that think they can pull it off. Of course, they are also talking about not buying anything new until 2019. I don't have that sort of impulse control. LOL.

How many people are interested in trying Dj's challenge idea?

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "How many people are interested in trying Dj's challenge idea?"

I have my own challenge going.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "How many people are interested in trying Dj's challenge idea?"

You say reading challenge and I''m there. Even if it would be my 5th...or maybe 6th. I've lost count. Honestly, these challenges tend to make my TBR explode, but I just can't help myself.
I'm a glutton for punishment.

Amanda wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "How many people are interested in trying Dj's challenge idea?"

You say reading challenge and I''m there. Even if it would be my 5th...or maybe 6th. I've lost count. Honestly,..."

They have a word for that.

If we do it I am in.

The February theme read page is ready and will be opened for comment/discussion a few days prior to the start of the month:

/topic/show/...

The February theme page is now open for comment, which book are you bringing to the discussion?

/topic/show/...

While not properly a WW II book, Maine Colonial's excellence and detailed review of An Officer and a Spy
at /review/show...

has me interested in moving it from my shelves to a place in front of me. I am at least two books before starting this one. Any interest in a buddy read?

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "In regards to the poll the results were as follows (the top 3):

Fall of France 1940 - 18 votes, 18.8%
Stalingrad - 13 votes, 13.5%
Battle of the Bulge - 11 votes, 11.5%

So do we make the battl..."
Because of Nolan's movie make it FOF (Fall of France),

The April theme read page is up and ready for comment/discussion. The theme is on any WW2 battle or campaign that occurred during 1939 to 1940 (inclusive) and can be air, land or sea:

/topic/show/...

Which book are you thinking of reading for the theme?

The June 2018 theme read page is up and open for comment/discussion. The theme is on any WW2 battle or campaign that occurred during 1941 to 1942 (inclusive) and can be air, land or sea:

/topic/show/...

Don't forget that the next theme read will be in August and is on any WW2 biography of your choice. I'm thinking of this book as my theme read:

Panzer Ace: The Memoirs of an Iron Cross Panzer Commander from Barbarossa to Normandy by Richard Freiherr von Rosen

But between now and the start of August that could change :)

Hope to read one or more of the following:
* Classical Spies: American Archaeologists with the OSS in World War II Greece by Susan Heuck Allen;
* Strictly G.I.: The WWII Letters of Cpl.Wanda M. Renn by Patricia Arnold;
* The Sabotage Diaries by Katherine Barnes

Some good titles there Liz V.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Don't forget that the next theme read will be in August and is on any WW2 biography of your choice. I'm thinking of this book as my theme read:

[bookcover:Panzer Ace: The Memoirs of an Iron Cross ..."

Major General Count Richard von Rosen was great guy, awesome intellect, and always a good interview. Rosen, Ernst Barkmann, Otto Carius, Albert Kerscher, Will Fey, Paul Egger, Hans von Luck, Willi Jaehde, Wolfgang Koltermann, and other legendary Tiger commanders (Barkmann commanded a Panther V earning the Knight's Cross in France) commanders and I had a blast at a reunion party many years ago. Rosen. The only strain in the room was that Carius liked the Waffen SS tankers personally, but he was always clear and up front about reminding people that he was Heer, not SS. Kerscher was the same.

I'm hoping that von Rosen's book will be an interesting account, I'm pretty sure it will be.

For those interested in joining the group's August theme read, which is any book or books of your choice that covers a WW2 personality, the thread is now open for discussion:

/topic/show/...

I would throw out my book The Star of Africa, but it is now only available in ebook form. Hardcover sold out. Many people liked it.

Colin wrote: "I would throw out my book The Star of Africa, but it is now only available in ebook form. Hardcover sold out. Many people liked it."

I highly recommend it as well :)

Colin wrote: "I would throw out my book The Star of Africa, but it is now only available in ebook form. Hardcover sold out. Many people liked it."

Have the ebook version but I want hardcopy for history, especially aviation history! Any chance there will be a future reprinting of the hardcover Colin?

Not likely, at least not with Zenith Quarto. The contract period ended, and they changed their contracts to enforce retention of foreign/film rights, to the point that I cannot publish with them anymore. I never relinquish my foreign and film rights. I was thinking about releasing an expanded and revised version as a self published option, cutting out the middle man. problem is I still have other books in progress with my agent with different publishers eating up my time.

The next theme read is due to start on the 1st of October. For those interested in joining in the theme will be on any book or books of your choice that covers any battle, campaign of event that occurred during 1943-1944 (inclusive). So start thinking about which title you would be keen to read that covers this theme.

Anyone have a suggestion as to The Ghetto Fights by Marek Edelman versus Flags Over the Warsaw Ghetto: The Untold Story of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising by Moshe Arens or another book on the 1943 uprising?

Liz V. wrote: "Anyone have a suggestion as to The Ghetto Fights by Marek Edelman versus Flags Over the Warsaw Ghetto: The Untold Story of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising ..."

One of my favourite books on the subject was this older title:

The Bravest Battle: The Twenty-eight Days of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising by Dan Kurzman

I'm with AR, Kurzman's book is outstanding.

Liz V. wrote: "Anyone have a suggestion as to The Ghetto Fights by Marek Edelman versus Flags Over the Warsaw Ghetto: The Untold Story of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising ..."

There's also The Jews of Warsaw, 1939-1943: Ghetto, Underground, Revolt, but for somebody who lived through it, Yisral Gutman is a very plain writer (see review)

P.S. Alexandra Richie's is indeed awesome in a gruesome way.

Mike wrote: "I'm with AR, Kurzman's book is outstanding."

I agree, it's very good. Sticking with Warsaw but moving on from the ghetto uprising, this is also a good read: Warsaw 1944: Hitler, Himmler, and the Warsaw Uprising by Alexandra Richie.

Going to try and read Last Man Standing: The 1st Marine Regiment on Peleliu, September 15-21, 1944

Browsing the TBR at home pile for ...no, not chickening out with Normandy or the Ardennes 1943...1943...oldest unread would be
Utmost Savagery: The Three Days of Tarawa.

I have a couple of centennial reads to get through before I cast my eyes over the shelves, so I might just sit this one out, unless I come across any period appropriate passages in Hitler's Empire: Nazi Rule in Occupied Europe

Thank you all. The library is ordering Dan Kurzman's The Bravest Battle: The Twenty-eight Days of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising for me.

Most people do not realize that there were two uprisings, the Jewish revolt in 1943, and the general uprising in 1944. I interviewed three persons involved, one was Waffen SS Standartenfuehrer Johannes Rudolf Muehlenkamp, who took command of the 5th SS Division during the 1944 uprising. Interesting indeed. It was Muhlenkamp who convinced SS Obergrueppenfuhrer Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski to allow the soldiers captured to be sent to legitimate POW camps, and not Auschwits, in defiance of Himmler's direct orders. He also pleaded for leniency for General Tadeusz Bor Komorowski. Luckily he was listened to, because a friend of mine, TV journalist and author Rita Cosby's father was captured in uniform afterward, and he lived as a result. Otherwise she would not be here.

In case anyone is almost finished their current book and felt like getting stuck into their October theme book, which is any battle or campaign that occurred between 1943-44 (inclusive), I've opened up the theme page early:

/topic/show/...

We have one theme read left for 2018 (December - covering the year 1945). Do folks have any suggestions for some themes for 2019?

I am going to have another year long theme that members can drop in and out of when they feel like reading a book that fits in with the theme.

The theme will be any book/s covering events in 1919, the Russian Civil War and/or the British and American intervention in that conflict. For example this Feb. 2019 release fits perfectly:

The Polar Bear Expedition: The Heroes of America’s Forgotten Invasion of Russia, 1918-1919 by James Carl Nelson

Group member Marc has put forward these suggestions for themes in 2019:

"With next year being the 75th anniversary of several key battles during 1944, I thought a group read (or more than one) could be devoted to a battle or two. I was thinking of these just off the top of my head: Anzio, D-Day, The Bulge, Invasion of the Marianas, Invasion of the Philippines, Kohima, Monte Cassino, Operation Bagration, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Cherkassy Pocket, Falaise Gap.

The other idea I had was a group read of a specific author. Since there are several authors with a pretty good catalog (as well as several highly-recommended books), this might be just the excuse some people need to finally read one of those books "everyone has been talking about". Authors which came to mind are Antony Beevor, Max Hastings, James Hornfischer, James Holland, David Glantz, Martin Middlebrook, Jay Stout and Rick Atkinson."

Any other ideas or suggestions?

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "We have one theme read left for 2018 (December - covering the year 1945). Do folks have any suggestions for some themes for 2019?
I am going to have another year long theme that members can drop ..."

I like the idea of a group read centered around a group of authors, perhaps with a mix of genre.

1919, 75th anniversary battle and specific author are all good ideas (I would finally have to get one of my Glantz books off the shelf). Some other ideas:

The Balkans

Paratrooper employment

Behind the lines (guerilla, partisan, sabotage)

China, Burma, India Theater

Naval battle/campaign (on or under the sea)

More good suggestions, thanks Mike.