Announcing the July Tag

[annapi]

I am hoping to get to Station Eleven and The Boy on the Bridge, which have been on my TBR for some time. Maybe I'll even finish Cloud Atlas this time?

[Nicole R]

Cindy, is Freedom tagged dystopian? That book is not even the slightest dystopian. It is not even post apocalyptic or sci if. It is strict British contemporary fiction.

If it is tagged dystopian then I guess it obviously would count by our rules, but I just wanted to warn you.

[Nicole R]

Oops! Not British. I am typing while listening to a British book and that slipped out! Lol

[[deleted user]]

Amy wrote: "Just realized I’m actually gonna have to look at that darn list after all. Probably should try to see if there something I’ve read that Rachel might like. So I can maybe even make a suggestion for ..."

I would love any suggestion you can give me. The only dystopian books I have read it the Hunger Games and Divergent. And lets face it, we are on a roll with your suggestions.:)

[[deleted user]]

This group has really broadened my reading horizons, and I love that. I was hoping for dystopian or neurodiversity. I have only read the hunger Games series and Divergent so I'm reading over everyone's list and of course waiting for Amy to give me a suggestion. So far I've loved every book she has suggested.

[JoLene]

I’ve liked a lot of the classics of this genre:
The Handmaid's Tale
The Giver
Brave New World
1984 (although hitting a bit too close to home these days)
A Clockwork Orange - found it easier to listen to audio

Some other recommendations:
- agree Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned series is awesome, especially for someone wanting to try graphic novels
- The Fifth Season, first book in a trilogy. You definitely need to read at least 100 pages and the audio might be a bit hard to follow at first.
- The Knife of Never Letting Go
- Cinder - I’m not sure this qualifies for a strict definition, but it’s on the shelf and I’ve been reading one a month this year.
- The Girl With All the Gifts (I don’t recommend the second book The Boy on the Bridge)

I’m not sure what I will read but if I want to clear out the owned books , I have Uglies and Station Eleven.

[Sharon]

I didn't thought this theme would win since so many people have voted for neurodiversity...

For this theme, I planned to re-read some of my high school readings and explore some classics that I haven't read before.

For re-readings: 1984, Animal Farm, Fahrenheit 451

New readings: Brave New World, The Giver, Lord of the Flies, Never Let Me Go, House of Stairs

I would also finish 1Q84 and may also read Battle Royale. I may start with Fahrenheit 451, Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm firsr since I haven't got hold of the other books from library.

[Idit]

like others, I'm a bit confused about the definitions of 'dystopia', post-apocalyptic, and (a new one I've learnt while looking at lists and books) uchronia
The way I see it a post-apocalyptic society is likely to become a dystopia, and for dystopia to happen usualy something apocalyptic happens... anyways. my brain is starting to fracture here

so - books I read and would recommend (some warmly and some are just ok):

1. Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned
I agree with others: It's a great comics series. it explore the idea (of all the world's males dropping dead) from every angle I can think of and then some. It's also funny at times and a cool adventure with interesting characters.
my only warning is that I was disappointed with the ending - I read the series as a 'who done it' and at the end, it wasn't the focus of the books. there's no neat solution. But I think that had I known to just enjoy the ride and not expect a very clear explanation - I would have loved it even more.

2. Tomorrow, When the War Began. If you like YA books and not so sure about dystopia - I think this one is a smooth enjoyable enough read

3. A Canticle for Leibowitz

4. the classics: Brave new world, Fahrenheit 541

as for what I'm going to read... maybe one of these?
- The Chrysalids
- The Forever War (dozens of people tag it as dystopian. my husband recommends but says it's not dystopian.
- The Drowned World
- The Lathe of Heaven
- We by yevgeny zamyatin
- Alas, Babylon
- Mara and Dann
or ones that were mentioned - station eleven, the road.

[Amy]

Rachel, and for anyone else for whom dystopian might not be your usual fare: I haven’t read much, but I have three titles to offer that I have. I believe at least two of them have been mentioned before. I read the Handmaids Tale over 20-30 years ago, but I remember it being great writing. Plus now there is the Netflix series. I might start there. I also Loved Ready Player One. And that’s says a lot because I neither take to futuristic worlds, dystopia, the internet, or video games. But I found myself rooting for the charming geek. I got very wrapped up in it, and I even made my oldest son read it too. He didn’t like it, but he doesn’t like anything. He’s now disliking the hunger games, which he will finish before Camp next Sunday. The last pick would be Dark Matter, which is another book I and PBT-ers have all loved. I think it hit the groups top 10 last year. I enjoyed that too. I must admit that neither of these three picks are classic dystopia, but then again, neither am I. These might be dystopia edge, or alternative dystopia. So if you want a real classic, I would listen to the others, join the Red Clocks Group, or read The Queen of the Tearling with me. I hear it’s a triquel, so if it goes well, I can get two of them in. Hope that helps.

[Amy]

Can’t believe I forgot! Jolene just reminded me on the general feed. Naomi alderman’s book the power, seems to also fit in this category. And all of the members of this group seem to be loving it. I really enjoyed her book disobedience. Jolene is going to read that for this month, and I meant to tell Rachel and others who might fall into my camp, that this would be one I’d recommend even though I’ve never read it. I thought about reading it for this month. But as I said, the queen of the tearling has been on my TBR forever, even in the top ten oldest. If I can get through this magical realism teen book I’m involved in now, I might as well continue the trend and stay with this name and knock that other baby off. That and three other dystopian books are coming for me at the library. In a nice little stack. I made a quick decision as I’m behind and books and went with it. But the power. Not a bad choice for Rachel

[KateNZ]

I’m in the Red Clocks reading group for next month. Went into Barnes and Noble on 5th Avenue NY and what did I see ...

I don’t think of myself as much into dystopian books, but it’s funny how many I seem to have read and enjoyed. ‘The Road’ is upsetting but deeply beautiful. For something totally different ‘Shades of Grey’ (by Jasper Fforde - not the other one!!) is very funny and quirky (and when the heck is he going to write the sequel, grr). ‘The Power’ is amazing. ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ is an all time favourite. And I loved ‘Cloud Atlas’ - beautifully written and so cleverly constructed.

[Jason]

Amy, I was going to ask if The Power fit for dystopia. I found my read.

[JoLene]

I forgot about Shades of Grey. I read it a while ago, but thought the premise was really great!

[[deleted user]]

Amy wrote: "Can’t believe I forgot! Jolene just reminded me on the general feed. Naomi alderman’s book the power, seems to also fit in this category. And all of the members of this group seem to be loving it. ..."
I actually have this one on my TBR. So far nothing has been there so I will read this first. I have not read Disobedience and I did not know it was a book. I saw a preview of the movie and wanted to see it. Now I will make sure to read the book first.

[[deleted user]]

Amy wrote: "Rachel, and for anyone else for whom dystopian might not be your usual fare: I haven’t read much, but I have three titles to offer that I have. I believe at least two of them have been mentioned be..."

I have written down all the books you have suggested and plan to go to the library today. Thank you so much. I'm excited to read some new books.:)

[Jason]

Dystopian books I have enjoyed:
1984
Brave New World (this and 1984 are the most compared pieces of literature)
The Giver
Animal Farm
Waze (just okay)
Divergent (each book decrease in rating)
Wool Omnibus
Among the Hidden (for a younger audience. First in the Shadow Children Series)

[LibraryCin]

Nicole R wrote: "Cindy, is Freedom tagged dystopian? That book is not even the slightest dystopian. It is not even post apocalyptic or sci if. It is strict British contemporary fiction...."

Thank you for that info! I will not consider it, then! Someone must have tagged it "dystopia" over at LT, as that's where/what I had searched.

ETA: Looking a little closer, I see lots of people have it tagged such things as "dysfunctional family", etc. I wonder if someone started typing in "dys", then selected the wrong option!

[Nicole D.]

LibraryCin wrote: "Some options for me include:

- Crossed / Ally Condie
- Ink and Bone / Rachel Caine
- Wool / Hugh Howey
- Pills and Starships / Lydia Millet
- The Road / Cormac McCarthy
- Close Your Eyes, Hold H..."

I wouldn't consider Freedom Dystopia

[LibraryCin]

Nicole D. wrote: "I wouldn't consider Freedom Dystopia ..."

Thank you. Nicole R mentioned that, as well. I will edit it out of my list, as it is no longer in consideration!

[Nicole D.]

I'm in for

Red Clocks
Bird Box

Most the recommendations have been made.

Maddadam Trilogy would be my top rec
I thought American War was really good
The Dog Stars I loved, but I think it's more PA ... don't really remember

My number 1 rec would be:
Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart

[Amy]

Ok - I’m ordering the Power from the library. I’m in with everybody. Rachel, loved Disobedience!

[Amy N.]

Sharon, so glad someone else remembers House of Stairs! That book was so creepy and weird and I loved it as a teenager.

[Jason]

Oh and just to share. Neurodiversity was my pick. :(

[Amy]

And fairy tales was mine.

[Josephine]

Jenny wrote: "I'm surprised no one has mentioned The Handmaid's Tale yet, since Series 2 has just been on tv recently in the UK!"

I was just thinking about this one! I think this is the one I'm going to do. I read it years ago but don't remember much about it, other than I thought it was interesting.

[Booknblues]

Jason wrote: "Oh and just to share. Neurodiversity was my pick. :("

I was hoping it would win.

[annapi]

I voted for neurodiversity too! I don't mind dystopian, but I've read so many of them already.

[Critterbee❇]

I just finished the Hunger Games trilogy, bad timing on my part, haha!

Looking at The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick
or, since her birthday just passed, Adulthood Rites by Octavia E. Butler.

[LibraryCin]

Jason wrote: "Oh and just to share. Neurodiversity was my pick. :("

Aw, sorry, Jason.

ETA: I think it's still good that you chose it to "promote" it, so to speak. There were some of us who didn't know what it was, but, even still, it brought it to our minds.

[Kimber]

I have a lot to choose from for this tag.

I'm going to read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

And I've got these two on deck to read if I get through my first one:
On Such a Full Sea
Santa Olivia

Top recommendation:
Snow Crash

Other recommendations:
The Scorpio Races
The Postmortal
Ship Breaker

[Hayjay315]

This genre is definitely way outside of what I normally read but I am going to give it a try! After reading through the suggestions I have decided to go with Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde as recommended by Rachel N, Book Concierge and KateNZ- thanks to all of you for including it on your rec lists!

[KateNZ]

I voted for neurodiversity too, Jason! (And fairy tales the month before, Amy!) I just didn’t throw enough points at either, obviously...

But I am totally fine with whatever tag people choose - sometimes I think I’ll find nothing interesting, but there are always such great recommendations round here. I could even have done Christmas in July 😛

[Sharon]

Amy.N, but I don't know why I cannot find the book in any library or bookstores...maybe I can only get it from Amazon?

[Susie]

I voted neurodiversity too, but I’m happy to read dystopia. Thank your higher power that Christmas didn’t win! 😜

My number one recommendation is The Road. It is one of the most spectacular books I’ve ever read.

Other recommendations are The Handmaid’s Tale, The Power, American War, Illuminae, Station Eleven, and Ready Player One.

I’ll be reading Red Clocks, as mentioned above, and I think I’ll read Bird Box too. Other possibilities are The Girl With All the Gifts, Red Queen, and Cinder.

[Sushicat]

I voted for neurodiversity as well. Not a term I’d heard before, but interesting choices. Dystopia doesn’t really stretch my reading.

[Anita]

Yes, the number of voters who wanted neurodiversity was not far behind those who wanted dystopian, but the dystopian voters cast many more points toward their choice.

[Anita]

Susie and Nicole,

Love how we are going to read the same books lol!!

[Critterbee❇]

Perhaps we will have neurodiversity as a future reading tag?

[Hilde]

I think my choices will be between The Handmaid's Tale, Metro 2033 or Slaughterhouse-Five. The latter is maybe more science fiction than dystopian?

I highly recommend The Wall by Marlen Haushofer for those who want a different dystopian novel. It is a beautiful, quiet book, different from all other dystopian novels I have read. But it is not much action, so don't read it if you don't like quiet books. I loved it! The movie is also wonderful.

Another one I quite enjoyed was War with the Newts, it was fascinating!

[Jamie]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I work for a nonprofit so every day I learn about the sad state of the world and I think I don't like dystopia because it hits too hard for me right now and I wanna relax my brain after work!

That being said, I love me some Scooby Doo and I realized that Scooby Apocalypse, Volume 1 sort of counts so I'm going to do that!

[Anita]

Jamie wrote: "Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I work for a nonprofit so every day I learn about the sad state of the world and I think I don't like dystopia because it hits too hard for me right now and..."

That sounds awesome! I hear what you are saying completely . . .no pressure really, but I will admit to getting attached to our active members and miss them when they aren't reading with us . . .

[annapi]

Magdalena wrote: "I didn't realize Game of Thrones would be considered dystopian. I'm on the second book now."

I don't see how GoT could be dystopian, since it is set in a fantasy world...

[Jamie]

I did read this dystopian novel called The Spider in the Laurel not that long ago because I won a copy on the Goodreads giveaway and it was pretty good! It's a world where religion is outlawed. Def worth reading if you're into that stuff.

[Joi]

Oh man, so many options and ways to go for dystopian.

What I should read:1984, Brave New World, or Animal Farm

What I want to read: Red Clocks, The Year of the Flood, or Battle Royale.

What I will probably end up reading: The Belles, The Heir, or whatever #2 in the Cinder series is.

Everyone has given awesome rec's already. I'll throw a few cents in there.
YA Dystopian Series that I guilty pleasure read and enjoyed for face value:
Matched series
Uglies series
Bumped series
Wither series
The Selection series

Dystopia for people who "don't like dystopia"
-Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters
-The Handmaid's Tale

[Book Concierge]

Here's a dystopian read that hasn't been mentioned:

HIllary Jordan's When She Woke - it's a retelling of The Scarlet Letter set in a not-so-distant-future USA. You can read My Review HERE


(Jordan also wrote Mudbound, which many PBTers have loved.)

[Susie]

That sounds really interesting BC. I will try and fit it in too. Thanks for a new suggestion!

[Joi]

Book Concierge wrote: "Here's a dystopian read that hasn't been mentioned:
HIllary Jordan's When She Woke ."

This looks super interesting!! Thanks, BC!
Added to my TBR and might be a contender for July!

[JoLene]

I forgot about that one.... I might do this one. I bought it after reading Mudbound.

[Jason]

I'm anxious to see the decathlon for July

[Amy N.]

Sharon, it probably depends on your library. I found it at the big library in the next town from me, but it's so old I doubt it would be in any bookstore besides Amazon. There's always inter-library loan if you don't want to buy it.