Play Book Tag discussion
April, 2016: Female Author
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Announcing the April Tag: Share Your Reading Plans and Suggestions
Karin wrote: "I have had bouts of no TV (when I was single I wouldn't have one if I was living alone because it's too easy for to start watching it too often). "I have a TV but no cable and I honestly rarely watch it. In the past I have definitely watched too much TV and occasionally give in to binge watching, but in general I would rather read!
Marti wrote: "Red River by Lalita Tademy. She is a wonderful writer of African American historical fiction."I read her first book, Cane River, which was excellent.
A.J., I am so glad I entertain someone other than just myself ;)
I just had a bit of a shock. I went through my library to see if there was any one book I would recommend and realized how few books by women really are on my shelf - and most of those are either romances, mysteries or fantasy. I never really paid attention, but did expect to have less books by women than by men, but it's way more unbalanced than I expected.But here are a couple of nice ones:
Just for the Love of It: The First Woman to Climb Mount Everest from Both Sides
Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx
As for me - there are actually a lot of female authors on top of the tbr - I'll be prioritizing according to other challenges:
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate
The Glass Castle
The Bell Jar
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers or Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
The Virgin of Small Plains
The Bluest Eye - 1001 book
The Treatment - library
Telling Tales - mystery group read
The Dark Forest - audiobook
The Missing Hours - netgalley
Reading Up a Storm - netgalley
Marked - netgalley
Fred Vargas
Camilla Läckberg
Nele Neuhaus
... there's just not enough days in this month...
So, of the trashy romance novels that my boss bought me as a little thank you for my recent long hours, I definitely plan to read Trouble Me first!
Then, if I have time, the more mundane but completely cliche Anything for You
There are so many great books to choose from in this category. My recommendations:The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
I'm hoping to read some that I already own. I'm very bad at organizing my virtual TBR so my plan is to pick out a few of those.
Linda S wrote: "I will recommend a few books I've read recently since the number of books I've read by female authors is huge:West with the Night - Beryl Markham
Beautiful writing that ..."
I read Circling the Sun last year which is the fictionalized story of her life. I liked it, but I've heard that Beryl's portrayal is better. I believe West with the Night is the later part of her life and Circling the Sun is earlier so there isn't really an overlap in story. What an interesting woman she was! Amazon had this book for $1.99 recently and I intended to pick it up and forgot.
I have a feeling this month is going to be a lot of fun. I looking forward to reading reviews over a wide spectrum of genres! To that point, I hope to be getting to a number of award winning, non-fiction selections:
1. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert - 2015 Pulitzer Prize Winner for General Non-Fiction
2. Encounters at the Heart of the World: A History of the Mandan People by Elizabeth A. Fenn - 2015 Pulitzer Prize Winner for History
Then maybe I'll get to Ada Blackjack: A True Story of Survival in the Arctic, which is on our 100 Non Fiction list.
Or course, I also have Mansfield Park sitting on my "reading" shelf since January ... So that may have to come first.
I've been thinking about rereading all the Harry Potter books.
Blueberry, that's never a bad idea! I've had the pleasure of reading them aloud to my seven-year-old son and I'm enjoying re-reading them so much. He is enthralled, however he's finding Prisoner of Azkaban a bit too scary so we are pausing for now. It's hard to stop!
Marti wrote: "Ok, I went through my books and here are a few I'll recommend:[book:A Tree Grows in Brooklyn|14891..."
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my favorites and I second what you said about Flagg and Letts. Personally I'm on break for the year, reading for shear entertainment.
Gee, I can't find anything to read with this category. ;-)I thought people wanted to challenge themselves by picking tags that could stretch their horizons.
Michael wrote: "I thought people wanted to challenge themselves by picking tags that could stretch their horizons. "I participate in a challenge group that does that and I'll happily read books that I've already chosen for that group that apply here. What I like about this group is seeing the variety of reads - and the reviews! - that are posted.
Is it April yet?
Olivermagnus wrote: "There are so many great books to choose from in this category. My recommendations:The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
[book:The Red ..."
I've read all of those except The Red Tent and loved them.
Jennifer wrote: "I read Circling the Sun last year which is the fictionalized story of her life."I also read Circling the Sun, which I loved. This was a great complement to that book. I also plan to read Out of Africa soon too, since both books are on the PBT Nonfiction 100
Michael wrote: "Gee, I can't find anything to read with this category. ;-)I thought people wanted to challenge themselves by picking tags that could stretch their horizons."
We are still traumatized by the move and want an easy one. Truthfully, I would have been happy with any of the choices.
I have 2 recommendations: The Help and The Handmaid's Tale
As for what I'll read, I have tons that have female authors, but a few that sound appealing now are:
Definitely Dead
The Haunting of Maddy Clare
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Twenty Wishes
Nicole wrote: "Karin wrote: "I have had bouts of no TV (when I was single I wouldn't have one if I was living alone because it's too easy for to start watching it too often). "I have a TV but no cable and I hon..."
I'd rather read, too, but then I have teens I watch with and a brother who was in a series for about 5 years so I followed that. My husband has cable for sports, anyway.
I have 3 possibilities for this month, all from 1001 BOTM; Nancy Mitford, Love in a Cold Climate Bharati Mukherjee The Holder of the World, and Toni Morrison The Bluest Eye.My top recommendations: because female author is so broad I decided to choose from our Nonfiction 100 authors in case someone wants to combine their challenges;
Joan Didion The Year of Magical Thinking
Love the theme! Loved loved Circling the Sun, and the Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman. Just read All the Singke Ladies by Dorothea Benton Frank and that was a hoot! Still haven't read the mystery thriller. Now reading Mistress of the Sun, a historical fiction recommendation from Shelfari, and I love it! Have fun all, Amy
I will recommend Shannon Hale. I have been enjoying her writing the last couple of years, and she does both YA and adult fiction. I particularly liked Austenland, and the fact that they turned it into a very cheesy, though likeable, movie.I'll edit this post and add more later, but I'll be starting next month by reading Testament of Youth by Vera Britain. Update: I've decided to add The Lake House andLanterns: A Memoir of Mentors by Marian Edelman Wright.
Sarah wrote: "I'll edit this post and add more later, but I'll be starting next month by reading Testament of Youth by Vera Britain. ."I'll look forward to your review! I had that on my list recently, but didn't get to it. Encourage me!
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I'll edit this post and add more later, but I'll be starting next month by reading Testament of Youth by Vera Britain. ."I'll look forward to your review! I had that on my list rece..."
The movie with Alicia Vikander motivated me, maybe that will help too.
Michael wrote: "Gee, I can't find anything to read with this category. ;-)I thought people wanted to challenge themselves by picking tags that could stretch their horizons."
Well, Michael, here's your chance to challenge yourself! I'll bet you could find something written by a woman that you would enjoy. :-)
Susie wrote: "Blueberry, that's never a bad idea! I've had the pleasure of reading them aloud to my seven-year-old son and I'm enjoying re-reading them so much. He is enthralled, however he's finding Prisoner of..."Prisoner of Azkaban was book 3, right? I remember that was where it began to get darker. I think the later books toward the end are not quite so dark however (view spoiler)
Catherine Ryan Hyde. I love her books.
Or try an Australian author. I read this last year When the Night Comes about an Antarctic research supply vessel. Based on a real vessel. I loved it.
Sarah wrote: "I will recommend Shannon Hale. I have been enjoying her writing the last couple of years, and she does both YA and adult fiction. I particularly liked Austenland, and the fact that th..."I loved Austenland! So much fun!
The Goose Girl is really good, too, for those who like fairy tale retelings.
Well, this shouldn't be too hard. I will see what I need for some of my other challenges/groups.I have A Little Life on hold at the library. Would be nice if the timing works.
I started The Luminaries late last year, but got side-tracked. Maybe I'll pick it up again.
I've still never read The Help.
Recommendations -- trying for things not already mentioned.
Light fun mysteries series: Her Royal Spyness- Rhys Bowenand Sex, Murder And A Double Latte - Kyra Davis
fantasy series: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - N.K. Jemisin
Historical Fiction: anything by Sharon Kay Penman
Historical fiction with strong romance/time travel vibe: Susanna Kearsley
And for those interested in A Gathering of Shadows, read it!!! I'm flying through it right now. Best first chapter I've read in a long time!!
The cover of A Gathering of Shadows is fabulous!
JoLene wrote: "And for those interested in A Gathering of Shadows, read it!!! I'm flying through it right now. Best first chapter I've read in a long time!!"I'm pretty sure A Gathering of Shadows is the one I'm going to do for this challenge, so I'm pretty excited about it. I'm just reading a couple other things I checked out from the library first so they don't expire, and I also like to place a bit of space between the books I read in a series.
I am going to try an new Author in April. Curiosity Thrilled The Cat by Sofie Kelly
Not only is she a female Author but book is going to fulfill my Shelfagories,#6.A book based entirely on its cover. It has two cats and a shelves filled with books on the cover. I was drawn like a moth to flame.
I am also going to read
JoLene wrote: Recommendations -- trying for things not already mentioned.Light fun mysteries series: Her Royal Spyness- Rhys Bowenand Sex, Murder And A Double Latte - Kyra Davis
fantasy series: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - N.K. Jemisin"
I hadn't heard of Jemisin until The Fifth Seasonwas released. It's good to know her other books are also good and that N.K. is a female - I didn't know that.
I'm still trying to get to Schwab's first book.
I hadn't heard of Jemisin until The Fifth Seasonwas released. It's good to know her other books are also good and that N.K. is a female - I didn't know that.I'm still trying to get to Schwab's first book.
I haven't read The Fifth Season, but it's on my radar.
I saw Victoria Schwab at a local bookstore a couple weeks ago. She's super funny. I loved the concept of A Darker Shade of Magic, but I only rated it 3 stars. I like the second one much better.
Denizen wrote: "I hadn't heard of Jemisin until The Fifth Season was released. It's good to know her other books are also good and that N.K. is a female"Yes, she is very good. I haven't read Fifth Season yet, but I read her trilogy and reviewed it here.
I am thrilled with this month’s tag! I usually do not have a preference for a female or male author. I have a few recommendations: #1 is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.
#2 is Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris
#3 is The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
I hope to read a few of the following: the namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri (gorgeous writing); The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman; Death Comes to Pemberly by P.D. James; and possibly Into the Woods by Tana French.
LibraryCin wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I will recommend Shannon Hale. I have been enjoying her writing the last couple of years, and she does both YA and adult fiction. I particularly liked Austenland, and th..."I haven't gotten to Goose Girl yet because she wrote the Princess Academy series back to back, so I had been devouring those first.
Sarah wrote: "I haven't gotten to Goose Girl yet because she wrote the Princess Academy series back to back, so I had been devouring those first. ..."I think I've read all the Goose Girl books, but only the first Princess Academy. I do plan to read the next Princess Academy one, as well. Is there more than just the one sequel?
LibraryCin wrote: "I do plan to read the next Princess Academy one, as well. Is there more than just the one sequel?"Thanks for asking, because I checked, and there is a new one (#3) that I had not heard about, The Forgotten Sisters. It was published last year.
LibraryCin wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I haven't gotten to Goose Girl yet because she wrote the Princess Academy series back to back, so I had been devouring those first. ..."I think I've read all the Goose Girl books, b..."
Yep there are 3. I feel like the way The Forgotten Sisters ended, there will be more. Oh and I looked it up, I read them back to back, she had a few years in between each, so maybe it will be awhile before the next one.
As we all know that Nicole R would recommend/read Nora Roberts ... you must all know that I will recommend
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeOther books by female authors I would recommend:
Doc - Mary Doria Russell
Not Becoming My Mother: and Other Things She Taught Me Along the Way - Ruth Reichl
Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie
The House of Mirth - Edith Wharton
Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
And about a bijillion others ....
Book Concierge wrote: "And about a bijillion others .... ."or two
Michael wrote: "Gee, I can't find anything to read with this category. ;-)I thought people wanted to challenge themselves by picking tags that could stretch their horizons."
Hahaha! It sounds like the best horizon to stretch here is the "how many books I can read off the pile on my bedside table" horizon ...
Seriously, though, a chance to pick up some of those feminist classics?
Book Concierge wrote: "As we all know that Nicole R would recommend/read Nora Roberts ... you must all know that I will recommend To Kill a Mockingbird by [author:Harper..."I'm nearly done relistening to this, so won't be able to do this for April, but it is a great choice!
Karen, is it read by Reese Witherspoon?
Recommendations seems somewhat fruitless, but some of my favorite female authors include: Jeannette Walls, Laura Hillenbrand, and Lahiri Jhumpa.An author I'd really like to read more of is Yōko Ogawa.
But what I'm actually going to read is Fates and Furies and maybe maybe My Brilliant Friend or My Name Is Lucy Barton. I have some other reading commitments so my guess is I'll only get in the former.
Susie wrote: "I have cast my mind back over the last few years, and the most notable recommendations I have are - A Girl Is a Half-formed Thing - a outstanding read for me, but I don't think it..."
Oh yes, this one I want to get to as well . . .argh . . .we need a YEAR for female authors.
Anita wrote: "But what I'm actually going to read is Fates and Furies and maybe maybe My Brilliant Friend or My Name Is Lucy Barton. ..."I have been on the fence about Fates and Furies since it came out. Does anyone who knows my tastes have insight as to whether I would like it?
My Brilliant Friend may actually happen this month. I have several friends in DC who all read it and rave about it so it is time for me to see what the hype is all about.
No, just no to My Name Is Lucy Barton. I just cannot get on the Elizabeth Strout bandwagon.
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I have only read one of White's books and none of Willig, but I think Williams is wrote Kate (1944). What do you think?