Announcing the March tag

[Jason]

4 people reading Born a Crime. Awesome. I can't wait to start. I recently saw Trevor Noah on "Comedians riding in Cars getting Coffee" and my respect for him grew even more.

I also decided to read Open, Andre Agassi autobiography. My sister was in love with him and she wound up marrying a man 13 years older than her and was bald. Must have still had an Agassi fetish. haha

[Amy]

I just heard about the Comedians in Cars with Coffee while on this trip! Open sounds interesting for you too. My copy of Born hasn’t arrived at the library yet, but that’s okay, I haven’t arrived yet back at the states either. Hopefully, I can start it this week.

[Cynda]

Thanks LC. I will be doing the autobiograghy tag with this group. I always do a women's history month personal challenge. I am quite content :-)

[Cynda]

Nicole R wrote: "I confirm what Cindy said. You should not start your Decathlon book until March 1, however, we are more lenient with the monthly tag though encourage you to wait for the actual month to begin to st..."

Thanks Nicole. It does help.

[Amy]

Cynda, because of the Decathalon, this is the third month in a row we are reading the group members pick.

[Cynda]

I will likely be adding books to my autobiograghy list. I am so excited 🐝

[Cynda]

Amy wrote: "Cynda, because of the Decathalon, this is the third month in a row we are reading the group members pick."

Hi Amy. Thanks. Everyone has been very supportive.

[annapi]

Did the admins ever tell us which tag was contributed by Cynda? I don't remember seeing it...

[Cynda]

Thanks Annapi. I gave it away at message 65. I selected "classics", became interested in the illustrated discussion, and am glad we settled on autobiography. Autobiograghy works best for how I want to read more nonfiction this year and for a personal women's history challenge I am doing this year.

[annapi]

Those who are doing the PBT Decathlon will be reading all 3 tags anyway. If I could only find an illustrated edition of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin I'll be all set! :)

[Elise]

Too bad we're too early for this lol -> https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Franks-Di...

[Karin]

SouthWestZippy wrote: "My Extraordinary Ordinary Life"

I concur--excellent, especially on AUDIO which is read by Spacek who is a brilliant audiobook narrator (eg To Kill a Mockingbird--she was so good that to me her voice IS Scout which made it hard to listen to the excellent audiobook rendition of Go Set a Watchman)

[JoLene]

Ellie wrote: "Too bad we're too early for this lol -> https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Franks-Di..."

Rats...because I was thinking of reading this one.

[LibraryCin]

Cynda wrote: "I will likely be adding books to my autobiograghy list. I am so excited 🐝"

LOL! This is always a danger! :-)

[LibraryCin]

Cynda wrote: "Thanks Annapi. I gave it away at message 65. I selected "classics", became interested in the illustrated discussion, and am glad we settled on autobiography. Autobiograghy works best for how I want..."

I guess you choose before you know the other options, don't you!?

[Cynda]

Hi LC. I don't think I did. Anita sent a list of options, and I selected one: Classics. I have already deleted all personal emails from that time period so I am not 100% sure, but I don't think I did :-) I would have immediately recognized that autobiograghies would fit my purposes for reading for women's history month. It was a nice little honor.

[Cynda]

Hi LC. I don't think I did. Anita sent a list of options, and I selected one: Classics. I have already deleted all personal emails from that time period so I am not 100% sure, but I don't think I did :-) I would have immediately recognized that autobiograghies would fit my purposes for reading for women's history month. It was a nice little honor.

[Christine]

I'm new here. This seems like a fun group! After all the recommendations it's received in this thread, I think I will have to try to read Born a Crime this month. If time allows, I will also try to read Night and Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction. I'm looking forward to participating in the group!

[[deleted user]]

Christine wrote: "I'm new here. This seems like a fun group! After all the recommendations it's received in this thread, I think I will have to try to read Born a Crime this month. If time allows, I ..."

Welcome to the group, Christine.

[Nicole R]

Welcome to PBT, Christine! And I am glad you are diving right in with on of my favorite books from last year! Several members are reading Born a Crime this month and I am looking forward to the great reviews and discussion — including yours!

[Susie]

Hi Christine!

[Amy]

Welcome Christine! You join four of us planning to read Born a Crime this month. Myself, Jason, Sushicat, and Jenny Elyse. This is a great group, and I know you will enjoy it. I look forward to reading your reviews and getting to know you!

[annapi]

Welcome Christine! Looking forward to your reviews!

[Amy]

And the pink flower Nicole too. I knew there were six...

[Joi]

Alright you guys convinced me. I put a hold at the library, there is 1 person ahead of me for Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood. We will see if I get it in time for March!

[Amy]

Seven! Joi, I’m so pleased!

[KateNZ]

I’m going to finish Born a Crime too, Amy, even though I won’t count it for March because I’m already halfway through. So that’s 8 of us :)

[Amy]

Kate! You’re number 8. I’m going to lose track! This is going to be a great month for reviews on this one book. My suggestion and plan is not to read your reviews until I finish. The first one done gets to start the discussion going on March Autobiography Tag. As they come in, it might get a little interesting. Plus, many PBT folks have read and loved this recently.

[Christine]

Thanks for the welcome, everyone! :-)

[Becky]

So glad the tag I voted for won! I'm trying to read from my physical tbr shelf at home, so I'll be reading Wait for Me! by Deborah Mitford.

As far as recommendations go, I loved Craig Ferguson's American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot.

I also really liked The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom by Corrie Ten Boom.

[Anita]

Welcome Christine! I am travelling right now so forgive me for the slow response, but wanted to say a quick hello and also say A Beautiful Boy was a really great book too! I loved it and Born a Crime.

[JoLene]

Welcome Christine...... I will be reading Night. Enjoy Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood (and everyone else!!), it was one of the last books I read last year and it bumped something off the Top 10.

[Cynda]

Dlyn wrote: "Hello. I am new to this group. It looks like so much fun. I just started reading an autobiography called The Seeing Glass. I don't think it's on the list shown in the original post b..."

Hi Dlyn. Welcome. You might want to read Message 1 where Anita says you can include books that you believe should be added. I jave just added tjis book to my tbr list. Looks like a great read :-)

[KateNZ]

Dlyn wrote: "Hello. I am new to this group. It looks like so much fun. I just started reading an autobiography called The Seeing Glass. I don't think it's on the list shown in the original post b..."

Welcome, Dlyn - fantastic to have you here! You can read anything that fits the tag. It doesn't have to be something that's already on the list. Your book looks really interesting - I'll look forward to the review.

[Ellen]

Hi Dlyn! Welcome to the group. We have a lot of fun here and I hope you will join right in.

[Amy]

Welcome Dyln. Can’t wait to hear how you liked it and to read your review!

[[deleted user]]

Welcome to the group, Dyln. I see you had your question answered by Nicole R. in the Frequently Asked Questions topic. Looking forward to your thoughts about The Seeing Glass, especially since the book only has a few written reviews.

[Charlie]

I was surprised to see I have already read many great autobiographies and memoirs. I recommend any of the following:

Delancey: A Man, a Woman, a Restaurant, a Marriage
The End of Your Life Book Club
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
A Walk in the Woods
Zeitoun
Iacocca: An Autobiography
West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life
Drive: The Story of My Life
Fortunate Son: The Healing of a Vietnam Vet
A Drinking Life
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History
A Three Dog Life

I think I will try to read Eat the Apple and/or Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor.

[JoLene]

Welcome Dyln!

[annapi]

Welcome, Dyln, jump right in and have fun!

[Sue]

I've had audio versions of Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!: Adventures of a Curious Character and Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail for ages, so this is the kick I need to finally listen to them!

Then I happened to come across You're Never Weird on the Internet when I was looking for something else, so I'll be reading that one too..

I also saw The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession. It's a biography rather than autobiography, so I'm not sure if it will count for this challenge? Sounds fascinating though, so I've ordered it from the library.

[Hayjay315]

I just discovered Andrew Lloyd Webber released an autobiography entitled Unmasked: A Memoir. I added it immediately to my TBR and if I can get it from my library in time plan to read and review it for this month's tag.

[Magdalena]

So I'm new and still a little bit confused so I have a quick question. I picked The Dairy Of Anne Frank for my book because it was a autobiography but I think it fits the other two tags as well? I'm almost positive it's considered a classic and my copy is illustrated so I think it covers it.

[Hilde]

Magdalena wrote: "So I'm new and still a little bit confused so I have a quick question. I picked The Dairy Of Anne Frank for my book because it was a autobiography but I think it fits the other two tags as well? I'..."

This is the case for the book I chose as well (The Complete Persepolis). Does that count for both of the challenges, or should you choose it for one of them?

[Anita]

Magdalena wrote: "So I'm new and still a little bit confused so I have a quick question. I picked The Dairy Of Anne Frank for my book because it was a autobiography but I think it fits the other two tags as well? I'..."

Hi Magdalena! Great question. We definitely encourage the use of a single book to meet multiple challenges around here.

So, Anne Frank may be used as your book that fits the tag.

And if you are participating in the decathlon, and it fits all three tags for that challenge, you are golden! Lucky you because I have to read three separate books (argh).

[Anita]

Hilde wrote: "This is the case for the book I chose as well (The Complete Persepolis). Does that count for both of the challenges, or should you choose it for one of them? "

Funny because this is the book I'm going to choose for my illustrated read! I had no idea it was considered autobiography, but it is certainly tagged that way. I'd really like to ditch The Crying of Lot 49 as my classic and just read this book, but I always finish so I will continue to trudge on with it.

So you may use Persepolis for both as a read for this month AND for the Decathlon!

[Hilde]

Perfect, thank you!:)
I wasn't able to get a copy of The Crying of Lot 49 at the library, and since it wasn't that tempting I skipped it. Seems there is not that much love for it, so I don't regret not reading it. Maybe one day. But I do have high hopes for The Complete Persepolis, and it's been dusting on my shelf for quite some time. Hope I will be able to get to it!

[Magdalena]

Wonderful thank you for clearing that up!

[Joanne]

Two questions-if a book is shown on the main page of GR as genre autobio(even if it's number 3 or 4)then it would be ok to use?

Also is there a page # minimum?

[JoLene]

Welcome Joanne — for reading the monthly tag, we are not strict. We actually use the GR shelves, so it is broader than just a main page genre. Even then, we are not super strict, so if you think it meets the definition of the tag, then you can use it.

Also, we do not have any page limits or limitations like no graphic novels for our monthly reads. Every once in a while, we do games or stricter challenges, and any restrictions will be called out in the instructions.

Some of the tags are pretty specific with a stricter definition like this month, where an autobiography has a generally accepted definition. However, if you look through past tags, something’s they are things like ‘quirky’ or ‘2003’ which are more open to interpretation.

If you are new to GoodReads, our tags are shelves on GR — this group/concept started on another site called Shelfari that used tags , so we kept the name. Shelves are a GR concept where users can define shelves to categorize their books; it is completely user defined and some users are quite creative with their shelf organization. I. The above example, some users may create a shelf called 2003 and put the books they read in 2003, while another user may put books published in 2003 on their own 2003 shelf.

The first post in the monthly tag announcement thread will have a link that you can click which will tag you a list of books that people have put on the shelf that was chosen that month. You can look at that list for ideas, but if you already know of something, you don’t have to look through the entire shelf list. If you look under the members tips and tricks, there is a post on how to find out if a specific book is on a particular shelf as well.