90 Comments

NB: I think the video might be quieter than my usual voice overs. I recorded it quickly on my laptop instead of my phone. Sorry about that, I hope it was OK!

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OK, uploaded a new version of the video. Yes, I am a perfectionist. Yes, I am working on it.

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Happy, happy birthday, Simon. I so appreciate the the gift you have given us this year with the slow reads and Footnotes and Tangents🎉🎊🎶

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Thank you, Elisabeth! It has been extraordinary sharing this journey with everyone.

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A very happy birthday to you, Simon! Wishing you many blessings for your next trip around the sun! Thank you, God, for making Simon and his generous heart.

What a delightful community you have created and I am grateful that you bring us together every day.

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Thank you Joanne! It is a daily delight being able to discuss books with this wonderful group of readers!

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Happy Birthday, Simon. Your Substack has been a highlight this year. I'm glad that your side project has grown into something wonderful for you (and for us).

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Thank you, Patricia! It is a daily delight to be able to share these books with everyone.

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So grateful for you Simon and your style of “ book club” as I had been looking for so long- it’s perfect for so many of us!

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That's excellent. I've never been in a book club so really have no idea what they are normally like. I just do my thing, and I'm so glad it is what people are also looking for!

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Ah - nearly missed it. Happy birthday to you dear Simon and thanks for heading up F&T - it's become my favourite pastime. I love it vewy vewy much. X

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That's weally wonderful!

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Happy birthday! I am so grateful for the War and Peace readalong, which brightens my days and makes me think. The community you have created is lovely, supportive, funny, and always ready with fascinating information and perspectives.

I can’t wait for next year! My young-adult son is a historian, and he did his high school research paper on Louis XVI. I hope I can persuade him to join me in the readalong!

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Thanks Mari! I hope you can convince him… we need some young blood! 😬

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Happy birthday to you! You are the best thing on Substack.

Enjoy your family and your day!

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Thanks Susan! Too kind.

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Happy birthday, Simon! You're 3 days ahead of me (and a few decades behind 🙂). Doing both slow reads with you and the rest of the Wolf Crawlers and W&P-ers is one of the significant experiences of the last year. Thank you for accompanying and guiding us through these landscapes with such open-hearted, warm, and thoughtful care. I look forward enormously to next year's adventures!

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Happy birthday! And thank you so much!

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Happy Birthday, Simon. All the best to you and your family in the year to come. Your work has been such an eye-opening gift. 👀 Thank you!

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Thank you, Barbara, I'm very glad!

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Happy birthday!

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Thanks Melissa!

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Thank you in olelo is…..Mahalo!

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Mahalo!

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Happy birthday, Simon! You bring joy and insight and connection to so many people. Thank you for deciding to offer a slow read of the Cromwell trilogy again next year. I was very torn between your two offerings when you began the year. W & P won out, but I occasionally sneak into the Cromwell discussions and lurk a bit. Looking forward to continuing this year and into the next.

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Fabulous. Yes, I tried to dissuade people from doing both this year, but wasn't always successful! Pouring my heart and soul into Wolf Crawl this year, so hopefully you'll really enjoy the journey next year!

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HB SH!

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THX

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Happy Birthday, Simon! Reading along with your wonderful posts and insights has been such a joy! I hadn't realized that W&P could be both therapeutic and community-building. I hope you celebrate like a Rostov!

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Back still hurting from the Daniel Cooper last night! War and Peace is definitely therapy although most people don't realise this when they start!

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Happiest of birthdays! Your journey here has been nothing short of incredible to watch, Simon. I'm SO PROUD!! Thank you for creating this wonderful community of readers, bringing classic works to life. It's truly a privilege to be a part of.

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Thanks Tiffany! Wishing you all the best with your creative and literary endeavours this coming year too!

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