Announcing the March Tag

[Holly R W]

I've been reading all of the comments with a lot of interest. For those of you who want to read a great book about college, I too (like Amy) would recommend, "The Devil and Webster". I loved the book. It is a gentle satire of a modern day campus and is very timely. Since I am from Ohio, it reminded me a bit of Oberlin College.

[Kiki]

I think I'm going to go with Frankenstein as it will check off multiple challenges for me!

[Nicole R]

Kiki wrote: "I think I'm going to go with Frankenstein as it will check off multiple challenges for me!"

Excellent selection! I really liked that one. Also, if you are in to audiobooks, I listened to it and it was excellently done.

[Idit]

JGrace - I only read ‘the grass is singing’ from your list but it is an excellent book

[Meli]

I might try to fit in Girls Burn Brighter for debut since I have a f2f book club reading it in March.

[Theresa]

Nicole R wrote: "Theresa wrote: "By the way, I recommend the debut novel One Day in December - just finished it and it will get a high rating and strong review from me. It is so much more than a rom..."


HAHAHA - I just saw actually! What's funny is that when I was initially reading it - after the first chapter - I was all set to hate it. But it got sidelined when I had a lot of library ebooks coming due (ones with huge wait lists), and a couple of really heavy slow reads. When I picked it up again, I was so not expecting to get sucked in. At all. I fully expected to be annoyed. Nope, loved it.

I do believe what my reading these last 6 weeks had an influence. Great stuff mostly but serious, slow and heavy (and the fluff was mostly not very good). In fact, the book right before this was heavy on the philosophy interspersed with story.

[Theresa]

Amy wrote: "I think Teresa would enjoy devil in Webster to. You know I actually had a hard time writing the review. Not that I wouldn’t mind running to you personally, it’s just that I was very careful because..."

Amy - I think you might be right about my liking it. I went to college from 1973 - 1977 - just after the years of protests but the energy lingered -- we were withdrawing from Vietnam, Nixon had been re-elected but the pincers of impeachment and Watergate were tightening (he resigned the beginning of my sophomore year - just short of 2 years into his 2nd term - and yes, there are parallels to today), 18 year olds had the vote, abortion was legalized, the draft was abolished, and we were withdrawing from Vietnam. There were protests from time to time, but not to the level that had preceded us, leading to campuses cancelling year end finals etc.

Good thing that I am trying hard to read from my TBR this year given how I keep adding.

[Nicole R]

Theresa, I do totally agree that the friendship between Laurie and Sarah was a highlight of the book except that one time when Sarah bailed on Laurie (trying to be subtle here). I thought it was a gross overreaction.

[Amy]

Again, I am on a strict TBR mission. I’m even fooling myself by simply adding the books to my phone and not my actual good reads list which might as well be the same. But I just can’t face it. So I will be reading A Map of Salt and Stars for debut. I have like 15 other choices although a good seven of them are on my list of 36 so I can’t use them. I have a few others. But I’m going for If You Leave me too for South Korea, also a debut. And also on my TBR. Also if I don’t finish Michelle Obamas becoming, for life, it’s also her first debut book. So it will work regardless of when I actually finish it. I’m pleased. College would have given me very little to work with.

[Idit]

I have The Snow Child for a rl book club early march, so that would be my first one to read.

might also read an Israeli book by Yirmi Pinkus (it's called 'Professor fabrikant's historical cabaret' but have not been translated to English as far as I know)

[Cora]

Here are some of my "debut" recommendations.

If you like dark fairy tales, I recommend The Bone Mother. It is interconnected short stories about strange things around a village on the Romanian/Ukrainian border.

The Gray House was an excellent story about children that live together at a home for children with disabilities. It turns out that the house is not what it seems.

Elantris - Standalone fantasy, debut of Sanderson

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - fantasy debut of Jemisin

The Summer Tree - first in a fantasy series inspired by Arthurian legends by Guy Gavriel Kay

Some that I am considering reading are...

The Golem and the Jinni (this one is definite since it is my pick for the Trim the TBR challenge)
The Warded Man
Throne of the Crescent Moon
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Looking for Alaska
Mudbound
The Traitor Baru Cormorant

[Theresa]

Nicole R wrote: "Theresa, I do totally agree that the friendship between Laurie and Sarah was a highlight of the book except that one time when Sarah bailed on Laurie (trying to be subtle here). I thought it was a ..."

Hmmm, except I have seen versions of it in real life. More than once. I think it was the author's effort to show that Sarah too could screw up very seriously. Create some balance amongst the characters. All were victims and all were villains.

[Theresa]

Cora wrote: "Here are some of my "debut" recommendations.

If you like dark fairy tales, I recommend The Bone Mother. It is interconnected short stories about strange things around a village on ..."

I echo the recommendation of the Guy Gavriel Kay. Read it years ago, but remember it well. Love so many of his books.

[Shelly]

The Golem and the Jinni is wonderful, one of my 5 star books.

And My Sister, the Serial Killer is sharp and provocative. It takes place in Nigeria so could be used for other cultures. And it is a quick read so you will be able to get through other books if this one doesn't feel satisfying!

[LibraryCin]

Joanne wrote: "Keep some tissue near by ..."

Ha! Yeah. I think I've seen the movie (years ago), or at least parts of it. I might have to plan to read this one at home (and not on public transit, where I also do a lot of reading!).

[KateNZ]

I hope you like ‘A Map of Salt and Stars’, Amy. I enjoyed it - she’ll get more assured as she progresses, I think (it’s a little uneven) but it’s a very good debut. I loved the historical sections - I learned a lot about al Idrisi.

[Nicole R]

Theresa, just not how I roll. It was way too much played up drama, which I have very little patience for in real life so I do not tolerate in well in books either. Which is why it irked me.

Plenty of people loved One Day in December, so I am definitely in the minority!

[Joanne]

Cora wrote: "Here are some of my "debut" recommendations.

If you like dark fairy tales, I recommend The Bone Mother. It is interconnected short stories about strange things around a village on ..."

I have Elantris and Throne of CofM up for another challenge-I knew Elantris was a debut, but not CofM-thanks for posting! Golem and the Jinni is my 36 too! I think Amy pushed away my bad juju from the last few months, it looks like I will have a stellar month of reading!

[Amy]

I do that for a lot of people. I am quite the bad juju pusher away person... Seriously, it’s even my profession in a way. I consider it one of my superpowers.

[Joanne]

Amy wrote: "I do that for a lot of people. I am quite the bad juju pusher away person... Seriously, it’s even my profession in a way. I consider it one of my superpowers."

Many, many thanks Grand Ju-Ju Master!😊

[Hebah]

A new book just crossed my path by way of one of my newsletters: The Familiars - an atmospheric novel set against the backdrop of 17th century witch trials. Debut novel. Sign me up; I've got it on hold at the library and hope it comes in on time.

[Hayjay315]

I'm 5th in line at my library to receive Bangkok Wakes to Rain when it comes in but am seriously considering tackling The Time in Between as my reserve option.

[[deleted user]]

I have a few books on my TBR that fit the Debut category.

The Nix
The Kite Runner
The Time Travelers Wife
A Constellation of Vital Performance
The Silent Patient - I'm #6 at my library on this on so I'm not holding my breath.

[Amy]

Rachel, my suggestion for you would be the mix, or constellation. Warning that constellation is incredible, but as often is the case there’s a lot of graphic brutality. Both books made my top ten the year I read them. 2017?

[Sushicat]

It seems that my TBR book fits the tag: Tailchaser's Song

[Joanne]

Hebah wrote: "A new book just crossed my path by way of one of my newsletters: The Familiars - an atmospheric novel set against the backdrop of 17th century witch trials. Debut novel. Sign me up;..."

This looks like my cup of tea...I am going to let you go first😊

[Joanne]

Sushicat wrote: "It seems that my TBR book fits the tag: Tailchaser's Song"

I have this one on my shelf , good to know

[Elaine]

A great debut novel I loved was Blood and Bone

[Shelly]

Just received notification from my library that Educated is being held for me!


Will that work for debut? it is a memoir.

[[deleted user]]

Amy wrote: "Rachel, my suggestion for you would be the mix, or constellation. Warning that constellation is incredible, but as often is the case there’s a lot of graphic brutality. Both books made my top ten t..."

Thanks for the warning Amy. I'm not against that type but I do like to prepare myself and plan my books with some breaks after that.

[Anita]

Shelly, I still think that works as it is her first published book.

[Elaine]

Terra Nullias showed up in a message/email I received and it was available at my library- does that work for this theme?

[Joanne]

AJ wrote: "There are some really great debuts. I would recommend:
The Time Traveler's Wife
Caraval

I really need to get moving this week to finish both my Trim book and the Life ..."

I highly recommend Children of Blood .It was mentioned in a couple newsletters I get and it is making the short list for a lot of awards. That makes me very happy, the author deserves the recognition.

I love fantasy, but it is tiresome picking up a book and then having it be "the same old story." This book is new and exciting. Right now I am readingBlack Leopard, Red Wolf. It has some pretty rough language in it, but the story has me hooked.

Marlon James is Jamaican andTomi Adeyemi is Nigerian. I think their cultural
upbringing is what makes their stories so new and fascinating to me.

[NancyJ]

I just listened to the first 10 minutes of 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and it sounds exciting for Debut month.

[LibraryCin]

AJ wrote: "Outlander (the question is... will I ever actually get to this book or will I just keep putting it on my list every time it is applicable knowing that I will love it but intimidated by it's size) ..."

It is very easy to be intimidated by its size! I generally only pick up each next book in the series, when I know I'm on holidays from work for a month!

[Amy]

Personally I disliked the Time Travelers Wife - but I was an anomaly in that regard.

[Amy]

I found it really jumpy - like too much scattered jumping around in time- which of course was the entire point of the book, lol. I don’t mind dual timelines, or triple, but I like them to be somewhat linear. Clockmakers Daughter was a little jumpy too that way, but I loved it anyway. I think also the TTW was supposed to be this big whooping love story, and I just wasn’t feeling it. The whole concept annoyed and bugged me. It just didn’t grab. Not my cup of tea. I know a lot of people lived it, and they even turned the thing into a movie. But that was another one where people lived it, and I was the outlier. I read that author again for her next book something about sisters and ghosts. I think I hated that one even more. Not the author for me. What did you like about it? Did you feel pulled in?

[Book Concierge]

Amy wrote: "Personally I disliked the Time Travelers Wife - but I was an anomaly in that regard."

I didn't like it either, Amy ... only 2**
Link to my review

[Booknblues]

Amy wrote: "I found it really jumpy - like too much scattered jumping around in time- which of course was the entire point of the book, lol. I don’t mind dual timelines, or triple, but I like them to be somewh..."

I was not a great fan of Time Travelers Wife, for the same reasons you listed. It joined Water for Elephants and The Art of Racing in the Rain for books that everyone loved, but me.

[Meli]

Joanne wrote: "Right now I am readingBlack Leopard, Red Wolf. It has some pretty rough language in it, but the story has me hooked."

Bought it when it came out but haven't started yet.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts.
Of course, many great accolades from professional reviewers and writers, so I am awaiting "general public" reviews.

[Joanne]

Meli wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Right now I am readingBlack Leopard, Red Wolf. It has some pretty rough language in it, but the story has me hooked."

Bought it when it came out but haven't started yet.
Can't wait..."

I was ready to give up again last night-but the story took a turn that reeled me back in. The spoken word of the characters is in a broken English, and it get's difficult to read at certain points. But the story has got me/ I know i will continue , it has the bones to be a great book.
5 star.

[Critterbee❇]

I absolutely loved the Time Traveler's Wife, and think it one of the best books, but I do not want to re-read it.

[Amy]

I sort of got out a few extra books, like five or seven extra, from the library that are either debuts or star South Korea. I don’t know if I’ll get any of them but I have them all in addition to the ones I picked to read, just in case something is really compelling. For Horizons, I ordered the island of the sea women, the plotters, and white chrysanthemums, even though I figured I would read if you leave me. It’s South Korea, debut, and on my TBR. For tag, I also ordered Map of Salt and Stars, and the flood girls. Because they are both debuts, and flood girls is actually in my top ten of my TBR. Maybe I’d even try it out and ditch it if it doesn’t fly. I think it’s another opportunity to move things off the TBR with a quick flick

[Joanne]

Amy wrote: "I sort of got out a few extra books, like five or seven extra, from the library that are either debuts or star South Korea. I don’t know if I’ll get any of them but I have them all in addition to t..."

If you get to The Plotters let me. I am next in line for it at the library(but you know how that goes with me)-and plan on reading it if it comes in.

[Karin]

Ah, I did not vote for this one, only because I have so few marked "want to read" on it! That said, I am planning to read Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty.

Recommendations (based only on the first page)
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Martian
The Help

[Critterbee❇]

I am going with There There by Tommy Orange - hopefully my hold will be in at the library in time, I have been waiting a while.

[Karin]

Aha, I just discovered that I also haven't read Julia Stuart's debut novel, The Matchmaker of Périgord, so I may well read this one--hopefully I like it as much as the other two novels of hers that I have read!

[[deleted user]]

Amy wrote: "I sort of got out a few extra books, like five or seven extra, from the library that are either debuts or star South Korea. I don’t know if I’ll get any of them but I have them all in addition to t..."

Amy, you sound like me. When I went to the library to pick up my holds I had more books than I realized. I have to figure out my March book life today. I think I got 4 for the debut category and that may be a little too much with the other books I need to read.:) I can go a little crazy holding books!

[Joanne]

Rachel wrote: "Amy wrote: "I sort of got out a few extra books, like five or seven extra, from the library that are either debuts or star South Korea. I don’t know if I’ll get any of them but I have them all in a..."

You are not alone on that front Rachel. It seems, at times, that all the books I put on hold come in at once! It's a bit embarrassing when I go to pick them up-I feel like a hoarder 😊

[Book Concierge]

Karin wrote: "Aha, I just discovered that I also haven't read Julia Stuart's debut novel, The Matchmaker of Périgord, so I may well read this one--hopefully I like it as much as t..."

Oh, I really enjoyed this one! Hope you like it.