Time to Vote for the June Tag

[NancyJ]

This is what I love about this group: The tag options can stretch us, or expose us to new topics, even if they don't win.

Because of the theology tag, I'm noticing or remembering many books with religion or spirituality as a topic (major or minor). This is not a topic I consciously seek out, but (for good or bad) it affects peoples lives, and is present in a lot of great literature and entertainment.

So, if religion or spirituality comes up as a tag in the future, I would probably vote for it, for the same reasons I want to read about other cultures and countries in the world.

Here are some examples of books with some religious content that might not be obvious. It might be present in the character's lives, thoughts, family, culture, ethnicity, or things that happen to them (e.g. bias, conflict, or hate). I didn't include the more obvious (to me) books about religion.

Examples:
Holocaust related books
CS Lewis books
Dan Brown books

Transcendent Kingdom
The Sympathizer
Secret Lives of Church Ladies
The Master and Margarita
Homefire
Apeirogon
Say Nothing: A True Story.. Northern Ireland
Educated
Autoboyography
Born a Crime
The Red Tent
The Dove Keepers
The World that we Knew
Golem and the Jinni
Handmaid's Tale
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
The End of the Affair
Good Omens ... (Neil Gaiman)
Kite Runner
Thousand Splendid Sun
The Sparrow
The Children of God
The Bear and the Nightingale
East of Eden
A Tale for the Time Being
Diary of a Young Girl
The Handmaid's Tale
The Gilead
Jack
Parable of the Sower
The Badass Librarians of Timbuktu
The Magdalen Girls
The Ardent Swarm
The Bad Muslim Discount
A Large Expanse of Sea
Last Girl
Oranges are not the only fruit
I am Malala
The Book of Joy
Persepolis
Dune

Yikes, once I got started I couldn't stop.

[Karin]

Jen wrote: "I really hope Theology doesn't win. There is not a single book on the first 25 pages I have or have had any interest in. I understand others do, but honestly it would mean I don't complete the chal..."

Those scifi books we mentioned--people who have no interest in theology read them, and they are not on the first 25 pages. But I highly doubt theology will win. That said, you might not like them.

[NancyJ]

Question: If Beach Reads wins, would anyone consider it fair (other than for challenges) to consider a Summer book release a Beach read, even if it has nothing to do with beaches, romance, chick lit, or other things you might associate with beach reads? There are several upcoming releases that I am eager to read on my back deck (since literally going to the beach is not an option for me).

[Joanne]

I never even though of "beach read" being just beaches, etc.-I think is is any book you can get sunburned on the beach with...

[Amy]

I have always considered a beach read, either a summer read, or a guilty pleasure read, or light read. Like nothing too heavy, too political, or anything that has to do with war or oppression. So I think if you think it’s a summer or beach read you’re golden!

Think opposite of constellation of vital phenomena!

[NancyJ]

Amy wrote: "I have always considered a beach read, either a summer read, or a guilty pleasure read, or light read. Like nothing too heavy, too political, or anything that has to do with war or oppression. So I..."

Thanks Amy. It's funny that you mention Constellation of Vital Phenomena as the opposite of a light read. I have picked up this book many times, and never actually read it. It literally FELT heavy in my hands (it didn't help that it was large print). I felt stupid lugging it back to the library unread. And I'm sure I'll do it again. It's one of those books that I know I'll be glad I read... someday.

[Booknblues]

NancyJ wrote: "Question: If Beach Reads wins, would anyone consider it fair (other than for challenges) to consider a Summer book release a Beach read, even if it has nothing to do with beaches, romance, chick li..."

Years ago I read Puzo's The Godfather on the beach at Cape Cod.

[Jen]

NancyJ wrote: "This is what I love about this group: The tag options can stretch us, or expose us to new topics, even if they don't win.

Because of the theology tag, I'm noticing or remembering many books with r..."

Thanks for the suggestions. With the help of people like you it may be doable after all.

[Jason]

Karin wrote: "Jason wrote: "I have read 2 on the first page of theology. Confessions and City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

I DO NOT recommend either. Very boring rea..."

Yes, but he was one of the most influential people in Christianity at the time Christianity became the most popular religion in Rome. So learning about him and reading his writings can help see the path that Christianity took from that point.