Play Book Tag discussion
August 2018: Espionage
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Announcing the August tag
Phew!! As you know, I threw the maximum amount of points at it. I’m looking forward to reading recommendations.
I am not sure I've ever actually read a book, fiction or non-fiction, about espionage before. But as I looked around, it honestly looks as though the non-fiction offerings are quite similar to true crime (a genre I quite enjoy), so I'm actually pretty enthusiastic (even though I would have selected poetry if left to my own devices).I look forward to seeing what people recommend, especially in the non-fiction realm, but I already have from the library:
The Falcon and the Snowman: A True Story of Friendship & Espionage
I think I’ll read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I have only read one Le Carre, The Constant Gardener, and I really enjoyed it.
Susie wrote: "Phew!! As you know, I threw the maximum amount of points at it. I’m looking forward to reading recommendations."You and like fifty other voters . . .poetry and faith had votes and were about equally selected, but voters for espionage gave it everything they had participation points wise.
Not surprising. I wonder how many people will read a Le Carre book. I am not sure what I'll be reading. I've read a bunch of Le Carre books (they are good) but not much else in the genre/tag. So I don't have any helpful recommendations.
I am very happy with that! Just ordered three books from the library. To be honest, this time I’m going more for short period because I have other books to catch up on. We don’t even yet know what the Decathalon is. But I have to get moving on my list. So I took my five options for espionage and narrowed it to the shortest on the list, and I will see what comes in from the library.
I will be chiming in with my selections a bit later today, and will also post the decathlon challenge this afternoon.
I will be reading The Day of the Dolphin by Robert Merle. So happy that my next month book fits the tag. I did not vote. I recommend Reamde. There is more than espionage in the book but it would fit and it is highly entertaining and a fast read for 1042 pages.
Warlight by Michael Ondaatje might be a good choice.
There are a lot of 1001 Books that fit this tag if anyone is interested. Dassell Hammet, Graham Greene. If you’re members at LibraryThing, tagmash 1001, espionage.
Oh yes! The Quiet American was in my mind when the tag was first floated as a possibility. I think I’ll read that, along with Le Carres The Spy Who Came In From the Cold.
Susie wrote: "Warlight by Michael Ondaatje might be a good choice."Thanks for mentioning this one, Susie. I didn't realize it had espionage, but if it is longlisted for the Man Booker, I may go this route.
Kristel wrote: "I will be reading The Day of the Dolphin by Robert Merle. So happy that my next month book fits the tag. I did not vote. I recommend Reamde. There is more than espionag..."Thank you! Now I know what book I will be reading.
Also anyone else who wants to join. We will be discussing this book in our 1001 group — discussion questions and open ended discussion. So join us over there if you want to read it with us.
This might be a month I have to sit out on the tag. I have nothing marked as TBR for the espionage tag in at least the first five pages of books. I would have loved either of the other two tags this month.
I have my father's copy of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Warlight is waiting for me at the library. I haven't previously read much of this genre but there's always
The Alice Network and I thought Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory was interesting (if a bit dry in the telling)
Kristel wrote: "There are a lot of 1001 Books that fit this tag if anyone is interested. Dassell Hammet, Graham Greene. If you’re members at LibraryThing, tagmash 1001, espionage."ooh - tagmash. that's a handy tool. will go explore LibraryThing right now (becasue I need some more time wasted browsing about reading instead of reading lol)
I'm really not familiar with this tag, so I do not have any idea what to read. I might try to read Casino Royale to see whether James Bond clicks with me though...Can anyone recommend some good fictions or nonfiction (better) for me? History or politics would be good. Thanks a lot.
I just went through a few pages of the tag and found Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal which looks interesting so I think it will be my read for next month.Unfortunately the few books I've read with this tag I gave low ratings too so I don't have anything to recommend.
I think CodeName Verity might work here, too. That has been a popular book in the past.
I downloaded Agent Zigzag too Rachel. It looks very interesting.
Sharon wrote: "I'm really not familiar with this tag, so I do not have any idea what to read. I might try to read Casino Royale to see whether James Bond clicks with me though...Can anyone recommend some good f..."
If you have never read it The Hunt for Red October or any of the earlier books by Tom Clancy- but this by far was my favorite of his
I will be reading the new one by Daniel Silva The Other Woman I was on the wait list at the Library and it just came in and there is only one person ahead of me--Yipeee-he is one of my favorite for this genre.
Hrm. This was my middle choice, but still not a genre I really read. I think this is the right time to try the YA Gallagher Girls books, beginning with I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. I also could finish up another YA series, Gail Carriger's Finishing School series last book, Manners & Mutiny.Which reminds me... I should read a dystopian book for July before it's over!
OH! And I forgot about the fun Librarian and the Spy romance trilogy. I've got An Uncommon Honeymoon checked out right now, I think.Aaaand a friend recommended The Spymaster's Lady for more romance. OK, I've got a couple angles on an otherwise not-my-cuppa category.
I ordered from the library; George Washington and the secret 6; The ex-pats; And the tudor secret, (spymasters #1).
I'm so excited that espionage won! I have a TON on my TBR for this tag and nothing for the others.I'm going to start with:
Without Remorse by Tom Clancy
Patriot Games by Tom Clancy
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva
Joanne wrote: "I will be reading the new one by Daniel Silva The Other Woman I was on the wait list at the Library and it just came in and there is only one person ahead of me--Yipe..."
I got this book the day it came out but have been holding back for August just in case espionage won. I'm looking forward to reading it.
I got this book the day it came out but have been holding back for August just in case espionage won. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Joanne wrote: "I will be reading the new one by Daniel Silva The Other Woman I was on the wait list at the Library and it just came in and there is only one person ahead of me--Yipe..."I'm with you Joanne. I pre-ordered the audio to take on my vacation. Perfect poolside listening. Gabriel Allon is my favorite character.
I personally love Ally Carters books if anyone is looking for espionage. I may actually read one for this month.
This is the push I needed to finally read Casino Royale by Ian Fleming.
:) I also threw my points towards this! Tom Clancy is always good, and I need to get back to the adventures of Jack Ryan, which I somehow stopped reading. I may try another Le Carre, but when I first read him in my teens I was not impressed.
For those who want lighter fare, I suggest Gail Carriger's Finishing School series, starting with Etiquette & Espionage, which is steampunk urban fantasy.
Ah, shoot! Surprisingly, in the end, I was really hoping for poetry! But, I know I have stuff that fits. Just need to see what that is, exactly.
Susie wrote: "I think I’ll read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I have only read one Le Carre, The Constant Gardener, and I really enjoyed it."That's who I think of when I think of spies, but I didn't like the one by Le Carre I've read, so I have to find something else.
Idit wrote: "ooh - tagmash. that's a handy tool. will go explore LibraryThing right now (becasue I need some more time wasted browsing about reading instead of reading lol).."If you need help on how to do that tagmash, I can talk you through it! Let me know!
I have three that I think also all fit other challenges, so the more likely options for me are: - The Alice Network / Kate Quinn
- In the Garden of Beasts / Eric Larson
- The Woman in White / Wilkie Collins
Came up with another espionage-themed historical romance - An Extraordinary Union, which I've been meaning to read.I'm feeling better about this theme already!
Hebah wrote: "Came up with another espionage-themed historical romance - An Extraordinary Union, which I've been meaning to read.I'm feeling better about this theme already!"
That sounds interesting! I might read that too!
Not a genre I read a lot, so I’m short on recommendations. But for non fiction, there’s the fascinating story of Nancy Wake, a Kiwi/Aussie girl who ended up as a very successful spy in France in WWII. The Germans called her ‘The White Mouse’, which is the title of her autobiography, and Peter Fitzsimons did a good bio of her which I read and enjoyed a couple of years back.
For fiction, because I like quirky books, I’m going to read the second in Gail Carriger’s ‘Etiquette and Espionage’ series. It’s YA, steampunk and funny - if you want a smile and don’t mind a twist on the old girls’ boarding school story format, it’s really worth a go.
I’m also thinking Le Carre for something serious, but I have a webinar paper plus a text book chapter to write during August so I think my reading will suffer...
Cindy, I think you would love the Alice Network!
This is my first year of attempting multiple reading challenges and happily enough both The Alice Network and An Extraordinary Union are already on my reading list so I will be tackling both of those.Those two books will be my first foray in to this genre.
I'm fifth on the list for the The Alice Network at the library. I know I'll enjoy it, I recommended it to my mother who's already read it. I have Agent 6 on my MP3 so I can start with that.
Otherwise, I've put some other things on reserve on the library too but I'm not on the top of the list for most of them!
The Kill Artist
American Assassin
Without Remorse
For Non-Fiction I'm hoping to get one of these in on time to read in August!
Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory
Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal
I remember reading The 39 Steps ages ago and finding it to be very good. I don't reread - there are too many books out there on my TBR (all of the above were on it!)
Charlotte wrote: "I'm so excited that espionage won! I have a TON on my TBR for this tag and nothing for the others.Me Too! I've got two from your list on mine. Without Remorse and The Kill Artist. Two of my friends are big Flynn and Silva readers so I have their recommendations to help.
James Bond is my go to espionage. Doctor No is probably my favorite.The Bourne trilogy is another good one. The Bourne Identity
For non-fiction
Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House and Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures (not sure if this last one is espionage)
I will probably read the next James Bond book. The Spy Who Loved Me
J.W. wrote: "This might be a month I have to sit out on the tag. I have nothing marked as TBR for the espionage tag in at least the first five pages of books. I would have loved either of the other two tags thi..."Don't sit out! This is your chance to stretch your reading like I did in 2008 with dragons. Watch what others are recommending and plunge in. (my nickname is the cheerleader! :-))
I was one of the people who wanted poetry. Espionage is not a genre that I've ever read, or particularly wanted to, so I feel pretty unprepared, although it's helping seeing all the suggestions!I'm probably going to read Flame in the Mist since it's the only book on my tbr that's marked as Espionage.
Barbara wrote: "J.W. wrote: "This might be a month I have to sit out on the tag. I have nothing marked as TBR for the espionage tag in at least the first five pages of books. I would have loved either of the other..."Oh I know the benefits of reading the tag even without having any prior books. After ten years in this group I have read many books that I never would have before because of the recommendations given here. I just need to also move my listopia challenge along as well and it doesn't fit well with this month's tag. My goal for the year is to read books that fit five of the tags. I have done three so far, and even two books for some of them. I'll get the last two before the year is over. Keep cheerleading!
Barbara wrote: "For Non-Fiction I'm hoping to get one of these in on time to read in August!Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory
Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal"
Those were the ones I was going to recomment, I enjoyed them immensely! Maybe Zigzag a tad more than Mincemeat, if you're hesitating ;)
I'm going to be reading Dominion, that's been on my list ever since Stephen King talked about it ages ago. I bought it a few years ago on sale, so I have it in my bookcase whenever I'm ready for it, no need for the library this month :)
Ellie wrote: "Barbara wrote: "For Non-Fiction I'm hoping to get one of these in on time to read in August!Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory
Ag..."
Oh great to hear from someone who has actually read ZigZag - - that makes me lean toward it.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Cryptonomicon (other topics)Shibumi (other topics)
The Quiet American (other topics)
Doctor No (other topics)
The Woman in White (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Robert Harris (other topics)Tom Clancy (other topics)
Robert Ludlum (other topics)
Lois McMaster Bujold (other topics)
Daniel Silva (other topics)
More...
espionage
Please share your reading plans and recommendations below!
Remember, for the regular monthly reads, the book can be shelved as espionage on Goodreads, or be a book that is not yet shelved that way but you feel should be.
One way to find books to read for this tag is to please visit:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Just a reminder, espionage can be fiction or non-fiction!