Play Book Tag discussion
September 2018: Friendship
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Announcing the September tag
Nicole D. wrote: "recommendations Will Grayson, Will Grayson (preferably on audio)
The Overstory Man Booker nominee
My Year of Rest and Relaxation Dark Crazy sh*t
[b..."
So glad you mentioned Overstory as I have it out from the library and it's next on my Man Booker list after I finish Snap.
AJ wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I'm so glad this tag won after a couple of 'duff' tags for me over the last couple of months! The book I'm currently reading (A Death at Fountains Abbey) will work rea..."
Yeah, if you cry easily and/or commute to work, I wouldn't recommend the audio book for this one. You'll need tissues.
Also a lot of triggers:
(view spoiler)
Yeah, if you cry easily and/or commute to work, I wouldn't recommend the audio book for this one. You'll need tissues.
Also a lot of triggers:
(view spoiler)
Wonder, Harry Potter, and The Goldfinch immediately spring to mind for me as recommendations. I also second Will Grayson, Will Grayson. It was such a pleasant surprise for me. Going back to the classics, how about Of Mice and Men? I’m not sure what I’ll read yet. I did notice that I have read a lot on the list.
Oh my gosh! How could I have forgotten A Little Life? Jasper Jones, and The Shepherd’s Hut are great choices if you want to read some Australian literature.
I’ve been eyeing up ‘The Shepherd’s Hut’, Susie - if it fits the tag, that might clinch the deal. I’m most of the way through ‘The Overstory’ and really enjoying it - highly recommended though it gets a little bogged down sometimes.
Meant to add that “Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow” would be a lovely one for the tag if you want a fun and highly imaginative story that’s suitable for both children and playful adults. Can’t wait for book 2 ... coming soon ... (squee!!)
Nicole D. wrote: "recommendations Will Grayson, Will Grayson (preferably on audio)
The Overstory Man Booker nominee
My Year of Rest and Relaxation Dark Crazy sh*t
[b..."
Thanks so much for pointing out that Overstory can fit the bill . . .that's especially helpful to me, lol!
I do have a question. Can I read Souls at Night without having read the two preceding books? Or would that be a bad idea?
Anita wrote: "Nicole D. wrote: "recommendations Will Grayson, Will Grayson (preferably on audio)
The Overstory Man Booker nominee
My Year of Rest and Relaxation ..."
Our Souls at Night is the only one of his books that I've read. ( Need to change that) It worked fine as a stand alone.
Jgrace wrote: "Anita wrote: "Nicole D. wrote: "recommendations Will Grayson, Will Grayson (preferably on audio)
The Overstory Man Booker nominee
[book:My Year of Rest and Relaxat..."
Thank you so much for chiming in! I really want to try Haruf so that is very tempting.
Cheryl wrote: "Oh, I gave The Only Alien on the Planet 4-stars!In my brief review I mention that it's *not* SF:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
Yeah, the title definitely tricked me into picking it up back when I was 12 and hated realistic fiction. It was so good I was glad to be tricked!
Magdalena wrote: "I've heard it's difficult, we'll see if I actually do it. I might read one of his easier books. Have you read any of the others?."Come to think of it, the only Dickens I've read was an abridged version of Oliver Twist when I was younger, Great Expectations when I was a literature major, and Christmas Carol as an adult. He's an author I want to try again, but I have to be in the mood to commit to a massive 19th century novel, which can't really be forced.
‘Magician’ would work really well, Trekker. There’s a solid friendship core there
Glad to hear someone say they liked it Trekker, it's very encouraging. I agree Hebah a 19th century novel is something you have to be in to mood for. So far I've only read is A Christmas Carol which I really enjoyed.
Looking at the list of books tagged friendship by frequency is not a vote for quality, just popular books that seemed to be about friendship in an obvious way. In the Listopia voting, readers vote for the best books about friendship. Looking at the generic list for Best Books on Friendship does end up with a high fraction of YA, and Harry Potter, Hunger Games, or Greene books leading the pack, as well perhaps they should. But if YA is not where you focus now, then consider a Listopia like: Best Adult Female Friendships.Like a lot of you point out, friendship as a theme in "The Help" really shines and these voters made it number one. This is a list I can trust, as shown by already having enjoyed half of the first 25 on the list. Makes me want to consider "Secret Life of Bees", number 2 on the list.
Michael wrote: "Looking at the list of books tagged friendship by frequency is not a vote for quality, just popular books that seemed to be about friendship in an obvious way. In the Listopia voting, readers vote ..."That's a really helpful list thank you! Highly recommend The Secret Life of Bees it's one of my favorite books.
I received a book from a friend as a "get better soon" gift and I just picked it up last night-serendipity at it's finest, as it fits the tag-in case anyone is still lookingThe Book of Hidden Things
It's a new author for me and I am liking it!
Michael wrote: "Looking at the list of books tagged friendship by frequency is not a vote for quality, just popular books that seemed to be about friendship in an obvious way. In the Listopia voting, readers vote ..."That is a great list. I'd forgotten about ...And Ladies of the Club. I'd read it many years ago. Terrific book, entirely dedicated to friendship. Also, The Joy Luck Club, about the impact of lifelong relationships. I'm tempted to reread so many books for this tag.
I'm enjoying Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. Many of you have probably already have read it; it seems like a good fit for this community, but if you haven't, check it out. The blurb uses the word 'love' but really it's more about a variety of different kinds of friendship, including two old farmers who are 'frenemies' and a lady forest ranger who has a interesting r'ship with a 'friend w/ benefits.' A rich read.
Going back over some of my reads of the past year or so, I can recommend the following:Days Without End by Sebastian Barry
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
The Mothers By Britt bennett
Allie and Bea by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish
Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck
Digging In by Loretta Nyhan
The Kitchen House By Kathleen Grissom
Tomorrow by Damian Dibben
The Cows of Bangalore: Adventures with My Milk Lady by Shoba Narayan
The Book of M by Peng Shepherd
America for Beginners by Leah Franqui
Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer
I'm not sure what I will read as relationships and friendships are in so many books. Since somebody mentioned the Overstory perhaps I will tackle that.
I'm finally going to get some Harry Potter reading in. I have been wanting to read them for years and just never got around to them. I went to my son's apartment today and grabbed all of them! That may be a little ambitious as I am going to have a buddy read and I see so many other great suggestions on here but I thought I might as well pick them all up.
I've held off seeing the movies because I wanted to read the books first. So I'm hoping to read a few of then this month.
I've held off seeing the movies because I wanted to read the books first. So I'm hoping to read a few of then this month.
Rachel wrote: "I'm finally going to get some Harry Potter reading in. I have been wanting to read them for years and just never got around to them. I went to my son's apartment today and grabbed all of them! That..."I don't think it is too ambitious. I alsowaited for years to read them and once I read the first one, I had to read the others one after the other, just like eating potato chips..
Booknblues wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm finally going to get some Harry Potter reading in. I have been wanting to read them for years and just never got around to them. I went to my son's apartment today and grabbed al..."
I just laughed out loud, literally. Boy do I get the potato chip thing.:) Thank you for not thinking me too ambitious! I'm just excited to finally get around to reading them.
I just laughed out loud, literally. Boy do I get the potato chip thing.:) Thank you for not thinking me too ambitious! I'm just excited to finally get around to reading them.
Putting my recommendation in for Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. I know it has been mentioned here but this really is the epitome of a book about friendship. I think I'll be reading To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Just got made into a Netflix movie which got HUGE RAVES, and I'm all about reading it first.
Also will read something for the decathlon too... not sure which that will be yet.
Rachel wrote: "I'm finally going to get some Harry Potter reading in. I have been wanting to read them for years and just never got around to them. I went to my son's apartment today and grabbed all of them! That..."Enjoy Rachel! The first books came out when my daughter was in 2nd or 3rd grade-they were our "read-a loud books" for years!
~*Kim*~ wrote: "s for what I'll read, these are the ones I'm going to choose from, depending on what's available at the library:Eleanor & Park..."
I really liked "Eleanor & Park". I hope you get a chance to get to it!
Michael wrote: "then consider a Listopia like: Best Adult Female Friendships. ..."Great list! Thanks for finding it, Michael! I took a look through, and noticed a few books that didn't make their way over from shelfari, so I added in that I've already read them, along with reviews. :-)
Magdalena wrote: "Hebah wrote: "Magdalena wrote: "When you said you were going to read books with 'friend' in the title it reminded me of how I've been wanting to read Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens. Maybe thi..."Our Mutual Friend is densely written, and while that it the title I hadn't thought of it as a book about friendship per se. It's one of his best novels and is arguably the only one where a female protagonist shows real character growth.
I think that Nicholas Nickleby could be read for friendship. I'm not sure if this one seemed a bit easier for me because I saw the movie first or not, but it's one of his earlier ones so is simpler in the point he is making. While there are some dark things he's exposing, there is humour as well.
Another Dickens novel that definitely has a large friendship element is Bleak House, but it is not one of his simpler ones and I am only reading it for the first time in a five month group read where each week we read exactly one original serial installment's worth (3-4 chapters).
Over my life I have read 9 Dickens' novels and am on my 10th. I am no expert and can't remember a lot about the few I read when I was quite young.
Joi, I think that may be my Friday night movie this week!!!
Karin wrote: "Magdalena wrote: "Hebah wrote: "Magdalena wrote: "When you said you were going to read books with 'friend' in the title it reminded me of how I've been wanting to read Our Mutual Friend by Charles ..."Ten Dickens' novels is very impressive and makes you almost an expert! Thank you for telling me Our Mutual Friend doesn't focus on friendship and giving me other options. I did see the miniseries but it was a while ago and I don't really remember it. I'll have to do some research and see which one fits the tag best.
Magdalena wrote: "Karin wrote: "Magdalena wrote: "Hebah wrote: "Magdalena wrote: "When you said you were going to read books with 'friend' in the title it reminded me of how I've been wanting to read Our Mutual Frie..."My personal favorite is David Copperfield because I can't resist Mr. Micawber. There's plenty of friendship, good and bad, David and Little Emily, David and Steerforth, David and Traddles. ( And it's a more cheerful read than Bleak House which is exactly what the title says, very bleak. )
For a little something different, I may also give Kings of the Wyld a try since it's got friendship at its rollicking core. And I might pick up where I left off with Tamora Pierce since friendship is a huge component of her stories.Also, since it looks like my husband and I are nowhere near finishing our current read-aloud book, Kat and Meg Conquer the World would also count when we finish it.
NEVERMIND .... the book's been mentioned previously.
I'm going with To Kill a Mockingbird it's been on my TBR for ages and unlike many people I didn't read it in school.
Michael wrote: "Looking at the list of books tagged friendship by frequency is not a vote for quality, just popular books that seemed to be about friendship in an obvious way. In the Listopia voting, readers vote ..."Michael's comments helped clarify my thinking, which admittedly was a bit muddled on what books I would fit into this category [dark fantasy was my vote, not because I am a huge fan, but I have a couple long DF reads in my TBR). I had an epiphany of sorts:
Most fiction centered on women, from bodice rippers to chicklit to award winners has some core theme of frisndship, usually friendship amongst women. Think about it for a minute, and look at a random list of books.
What seems rarer to me are books of friendship between men, or friendship sans romance or sex between men and women. Or is that just because I personally am drawn more to books where women's friendships are celebrated? Possibly. Or perhaps male friendships are mostly portrayed against backdrops of sports or war, 2 themes that I rarely read?
Love to hear some thoughts on that.
I actually received a gift last week that fits the tag of friendship, and revolves around 4 men(from early teen-to mid 30's). I just started it last night, and am enjoying it. The Book of Hidden Things. Actually was thrilled it fit as am not a fan of chicklit or bodice rippers-lol! And was having a hard time finding one (actually 2-one for the decathlon). that I might enjoy.
Joanne wrote: "I actually received a gift last week that fits the tag of friendship, and revolves around 4 men(from early teen-to mid 30's). I just started it last night, and am enjoying it. [book:The Book of Hid..."That sounds really interesting! I have put a hold on the ebook from the library.
Theresa wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I actually received a gift last week that fits the tag of friendship, and revolves around 4 men(from early teen-to mid 30's). I just started it last night, and am enjoying it. [book:..."great-hope you enjoy and I look forward to your thoughts!
Hi all! It’s been a hectic summer. Sick (bad stomach problems) and then vacation stuff. Been busy. I found out I might have Diverticulitis. Broken arm at the beginning of this year and now my stomach. Well at least I’ve been catching up on my reading.I’ve been re-reading the Harry Potter series and am currently on Order of the Phoenix so that fits perfectly for this month. Ya.
Also my 8 year old niece has been reading to me. She’s just started Freckle Juice. Does that count? 😄 Well happy reading.
Of course Freckle Juice counts. I hope you feel better soon. Best, Amy
Theresa wrote: "Michael wrote: "Looking at the list of books tagged friendship by frequency is not a vote for quality, just popular books that seemed to be about friendship in an obvious way. In the Listopia votin..."Good books that involve friendships between men and men and women sans sex do seem harder to find but they are out there. The best ones I've read fall into a several different categories: relationships between men that involve some dramatic event (The Yellow Birds, Deliverance, Netherland and I'll even throw in The Great Gatsby), relationships between older men and children (Tigerman, The Book Thief, and Snow in August), relationships between adult men and women (A Man Called Ove, Insomnia and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand) and then a handful of "buddy" relationships (Suspect, A Walk in the Woods, Faithful (baseball book), The Body from Different Seasons, Lonesome Dove and Plainsong).
They are out there but they are hard to find and almost never is the book just about the friendship but more so the message told thru the friendship. Of all the types, the platonic man / woman friendship book seems to be the most elusive. Maybe Harry was right when he told Sally, "...men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way."
You are
Charlie wrote: "Maybe Harry was right when he told Sally, "...men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way."..."Well, at least in books, tv, and movies, anyway.
I think that's a great point about it being easier to find a theme of friendship in certain genres, especially 'women's' books. So those of us who want to tweak this month's theme to be a bit more challenging could also consider reading books with a less cliched friendship. Good examples already above, but also: Books written for middle school kids often have intriguing takes on friendships. For example, pen pals, or a child learning to be friends with a grandparent. Y'all might want to consider the beautifully written classic After the Rain. It's not your typical teen novel!
Also, just for something different, consider the memoirs and novels that explore the r'ship between a person and a domestic animal or pet.
Or consider stories about toxic friendships, or about people who have trouble making friends, or about ppl who choose not to have friendships but spend the book being curmudgeonly....
There's a lot of ways to look at this that wouldn't be all sappy or girly or whatever... ;)
Thanks Amy. My niece is just starting to like these chapter books. We’re reading Freckle Juice because it’s about the 3rd grade, which my niece just started.She’s liking Freckle Juice so far and even said that she wants to make that juice so that she can get freckles too 😂
Charlie wrote: "Good books that involve friendships.. do seem harder to find but they are out there..."Great exampkes for different categories of friendship. Your "buddy" type reminded me of the frenemy type. The bonds that blend love and hate. Like "The Odd Couple" of Neil Simon creation (RIP). Which is related to stories where enemies become friends. Like the wonderful sci fi tale Enemy Mine of a human and an alien pair of combatants become stranded on a harsh empty planet and end up like a married couple (without sex, so friendship or love without sex).
The lack of many books of male-female friends likely to be tagged friendship is partly attributable our tendency to exclude family relations. If friendship is close to a definition loving relationships without sex, we miss out on all the stories which truly focus on the friendship aspect among married couples. Biographies I've read about FDR and Eleanor and of John and Abigail Adams impress me as great potraits of true partners and friends. Also, books on the very formative bonds between siblings I tend to think of as about siblinghood instead of the broader category of friendhip.
Michael wrote: "Charlie wrote: "Good books that involve friendships.. do seem harder to find but they are out there..."Great exampkes for different categories of friendship. Your "buddy" type reminded me of the ..."
I guess Lab Girl would fit the bill as well. And it’s also a valid candidate for this month’s decathlon.
Men friendships book: Shotgun Lovesongs! Like my fourth or 5th plug!
Three great suggestions in a row! Lab Girl is fresh for me and can second it for sure.And then there is The Epic of Gilgamesh from 1,700 BC, where the king so loved his tamed wild-man Enkidu he was absolutely mad with grief when he died. (Free audio from Librivox)
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Our Souls at Night (other topics)Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage: Stories (other topics)
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine (other topics)
Theft of Swords (other topics)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Tamora Pierce (other topics)Barbara Kingsolver (other topics)
My recommendations would be:
Wonder
Highly Illogical Behavior
A Great and Terrible Beauty
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons
As for what I'll read, these are the ones I'm going to choose from, depending on what's available at the library:
Eleanor & Park
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Love, Hate & Other Filters
These are possibilities from ones I already own:
Thursdays at Eight
I Had a Ball: My Friendship with Lucille Ball
Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes
Ladies' Night