Play Book Tag discussion
June 2021: Beach Reads
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Announcing the June Tag
Coincidentally, I went to China to in May. I have a lot of choices to take me back to this section of the world. Right now hayJay and I are reading Exile Music, and that is set in La Paz Bolivia. I just started it and I’m already very taken in by it. I believe a long pedal to the sea is Chile, but I am heading to Mexico from China, with the butterflies Daughter, which just happens to be my number three trim we will have to see if that’s a beach read. The other two certainly are not.
I read The Heirs a few years ago - very NYC, especially a certain segment of its entitled WASP social fabric, and very of its time. I found it witty and fun, gave it 4 stars. I would be curious how it is received by a non-NYCer, and after a pandemic, because my sense is it would not read as well both outside NYC or in a future time.
NancyJ wrote: "They both have the tags! Silver Linings Playbook (4 tags) had some dark humor too. It was a lot of fun to read..."
Good to hear! Thank you.
Meli wrote: "Yes, thrilled for this tag! @Cindy - tagmash? what is this and how do I do it!?"
It's over on LibraryThing. A few of us also use LT and use tagmashes. I have my entire tbr marked with my initials (this is something many of us did on shelfari, where we could also combine tags in a search - with the idea that initials aren't likely to be used much by other people as a tag).
Anyway, it's a way to combine two tags. Both tags do not have to be on your books/shelf. As long as they are assigned by anyone to a book, it will bring back a nice list.
So, my initials are all my tbr books, combined with "beach reads" and LT will look for everything with both tags, so I can quickly get an idea of what I have that would fit.
Obviously, if it's needed for a challenge here, whether there needs to be 1 tag or 5, I would need to double check the tag is also on the book here, but mostly I'm just using tagmashes for the monthly tag (as well as other challenges I do).
(ETA: This is also why my tbr is kept much more up to date over on LT than here. I do put some on my tbr here, but really here has only about half my total.)
Meli wrote: "John wrote: "I will probably read A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. I'm participating in the 2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge for the first time this year and this one could be us..."Anything by Isabel Allende would have plenty of Chile tags, and that's about as far as you can get from China. Some of her books are bound to have beach read tags too.
I think one of the Sister's books was set in Brazil - ask Amy.
Further South in Antarctica, Where Did you go Bernadette has tons of beach tags
Love in the Time of Cholera - Columbia, has 5 beach tags
You'll find more beach read type books in the Caribbean, Cuba, and Mexico.
Added
Bel Canto (Peru) has 7 beach reads tag
@Cindy - ah, I see, thanks! I would love to do tagmash, that would be super convenient, but I have already invested too much time building my library over here on GR. I really wish GR had more intuitive tag matching and filtering. If they do and I just missed it, let me know!
@NancyJ - oh excellent, thanks for the heads up! I was just logging in to research places to go from China.
Theresa wrote: "I read The Heirs a few years ago - very NYC, especially a certain segment of its entitled WASP social fabric, and very of its time. I found it witty and fun, gave it 4 stars. I woul..."Theresa, I must have read The Heirs at the same time that you did. This non-New Yorker liked it very much. I found it to be witty and fun, too.
Yes, the first of the seven sisters series, by Lucinda Riley! The Seven Sisters is the title. That will take you back to Brazil. Beach read? maybe.... Its not dark and dreary..... Double time line, historical fiction that sets you on a series path. Read my review, for anyone who might be interested....
Meli wrote: "@Cindy - ah, I see, thanks! I would love to do tagmash, that would be super convenient, but I have already invested too much time building my library over here on GR. I really wish GR had more intu..."Meli - if you are heading to South America, I also highly recommend Bel Canto set in Peru - a lifetime 5 star read and since it involves hostage taking, tgere is action. I also recommend Ten Women tagged Chile. No beach reads tags but still an excellent fast read.
Holly R W wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I read The Heirs a few years ago - very NYC, especially a certain segment of its entitled WASP social fabric, and very of its time. I found it witty and fun, gave it..."That is great to hear. I really had wondered.
Booknblues wrote: "Yay! Still thinking about what I want to read, but got a list of new beach reads in an email today and thought I would share them here:https://offtheshelf.com/2021/05/summe......"
Thanks for sharing this list!
Shelly wrote: "I am probably gpoing to read Rules of Civility since this will take me to NYC."You mention The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and that's one I would love to read for this tag.
Unfortunately, I'm pretty low on the library waiting list so have a feeling I won't have the chance unless I splurge and buy it.
NancyJ wrote: "Jen K wrote: "Agreed that it is quite broad but excited for some lighter reading. I'm looking at:Beach Read
Malibu Rising
The Little Paris Bookshop..."
I'd be into reading Malibu Rising . . .seems perfect, and I like the author. I'd be willing to buy it since it is a new release.
Anita, I already read beach read, but I’m planning to reach Malibu Rising this month. Maybe Nancy’s as well. It’ll be interesting to see if more than one person signs on for it. I could probably see if I could sway hayJay
I must admit I don't have a lot of five star reads that fit the tag . . .But if I had to make a suggestion, I'd say:
Prep or The Paris Wife. Or if you've never read The Thorn Birds that's about perfect.
Meli wrote: "If they do and I just missed it, let me know! ..."I don't think so. I think the only way you can search for more than one tag on one book is if both tags are from your own shelf.
I tend not to tag mine until after I read them; then I'm more confident in my tags.
@Cindy - ah, I see, thanks! I would love to do tagmash, that would be super convenient, but I have already invested too much time building my library over here on GR.
And yeah, it would take time to set everything up with your own initials over there. But there is a way to import your GR library.
And with the way GR seems to be going with tags on book pages (see the beta pages), I would say tags are NOT a GR priority. :-(
It's one of those things where if the PBT group moved, then I would definitely get more serious about moving to another platform. But I hate having superfluous apps to use :P
I think I will have trouble fitting this tag in.
Looks like if I read Tender Is the Flesh I can get to Argentina which gets me some serious mileage from China! And it is a nasty horror book which I love *^_^*
I have a very specific destination in mind for our Fly the Skies challenge... I want to go to FL so that I can get the mini-challenge of where me or my family are from. Since I'm a 6th generation Floridian on my maternal side, that's where I'm going. To do it I'm going to read:Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews
If able I'll also read:
Beach Read by Emily Henry
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Meli wrote: "It's one of those things where if the PBT group moved, then I would definitely get more serious about moving to another platform. But I hate having superfluous apps to use :P
I think I will have..."
We'll cross each other in the air. I'm in South America now and I'll be heading to Asia next month. Crazy Rich Asians gives me lots of options.
Tender is the Flesh scared me, so I'm glad you're tougher than I am. If that sounds good to you, check out Samanta Scwebeblin. Mouthful of Birds is full of nasty horror stories, and she has other novels that might fit your idea of a beach read. Marianna Enriquez is more my speed. She's dark too, but her characters have boring diets in comparison to the other two Argentina books.
Charlotte, I am reading the guest list! Like relatively soon, too!
NancyJ wrote: "Meli wrote: "It's one of those things where if the PBT group moved, then I would definitely get more serious about moving to another platform. But I hate having superfluous apps to use :P
I thin..."
Oh cool, I will be sure to wave "hello!" 😊
The synopsis of Tender Is The Flesh sounds pretty gruesome, so if that isn't your thing I would stay away. Even veteran horror fans said it was a tough read.
I didn't realize Mouthful of Birds was a horror collection! I remember when it came out I just loved that cover.
Added it to my want-to-read!
Yay! Just what I was hoping for for June :)Ironically, just finished The Perfect Couple, which would be perfect for the tag. Actually anything by Elin Hilderbrand is perfect for this tag.
Would also highly recommend Beach Read. Perfect for the tag, and I thought it was really great beach read, that had more character growth and insight than initially expected.
I'm Looking At...
Dial A for Aunties
The Kiss Quotient
People We Meet on Vacation
The Flatshare
Love Your Life
Joi wrote: "Yay! Just what I was hoping for for June :)Ironically, just finished The Perfect Couple, which would be perfect for the tag. Actually anything by Elin Hilderbrand is..."
The Kiss Quotient popped up as my unofficial trim, so I might try to get to that one finally!
Beach reads wasn't broad for me based on how many books I had on my want to read shelf there. I am sticking to books on that shelf I wanted to read anyway but haven't got around to yet or something that might fit for my next destination. I do not yet know where I am flying in June; I am not necessarily going for most miles in Fly the Skies, but have a few things I am mulling over right now. It has to be fun for me, and no more slogging through books like I did for my last two (but, of course, I wanted to read some nonfiction and didn't dislike the books!)
Just got THIS LIST: Glamorous vacation reads in my daily email feed. Should be some good beach reads on it. In addition to Massachusetts (three are set on Cape Cod) locations include Rio de Janeiro, the Isle of Capri, Venice, and Ireland.
I liked this one on that site too:8 Vivid Novels for Fans of Where the Crawdads Sing
https://offtheshelf.com/2021/05/where...
I enjoy a podcast, What should i read next. Every year, she releases a summer reading guide. They are all new releases, so here is a link to summer reading guides from years past, which will make the books much easier to find. https://modernmrsdarcy.com/2020-summe...
https://modernmrsdarcy.com/2019-summe...
https://modernmrsdarcy.com/summer-rea...
Shelly wrote: "I enjoy a podcast, What should i read next. Every year, she releases a summer reading guide. They are all new releases, so here is a link to summer reading guides from years past, which will make t..."The 2020 list requires a download that didn't complete for some reason.
From the older lists, I really enjoyed:
The Widows of Malabar Hill Mystery, India
Convenience Store Woman Short novel, Japan
Daisy Jones and the Six - Audio is recommended
Evie Drake Starts Over - Romance
Recursion - Thriller
Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love, Dani Shapiro
From the BACKLIST , I really liked
Euphoria
Rules of Civility
Vanishing Half
Prodigal Summer
This one really intrigues me because I like Inheritance (which is not a typical beach read).
Hourglass: Time, Memory, Marriage, by Dani Shapiro
I just realized that I'll be on vacation next week. And while I'm not heading to the beach, I'll definitely be reading by the pool. I have over 50 books tagged Beach Read on my TBR and I finally stopped including on my "potential for June" list. I may have to have my own random number generator thing going on this month to help me pick.
Sue wrote: "I just realized that I'll be on vacation next week. And while I'm not heading to the beach, I'll definitely be reading by the pool. I have over 50 books tagged Beach Read on my TBR and I finally ..."
Love that.
Sue wrote: "I just realized that I'll be on vacation next week. And while I'm not heading to the beach, I'll definitely be reading by the pool. I have over 50 books tagged Beach Read on my TBR and I finally ..."
I have the same problem. My shelf has many more than I could read all summer.
With only a week left, availability, format or size might help you to narrow it down. Though in my case, it makes packing harder - I need to cover all formats (kindle, audio on my phone, CDs for the car, and of course print books. They don't require batteries, chargers, or wifi, and you can read them in the sun.
I sometimes make my shelves sortable and put the priority books at the top of the list. This month I forgot two kindles -out of sight out of mind.
Sue wrote: "I just realized that I'll be on vacation next week. And while I'm not heading to the beach, I'll definitely be reading by the pool. I have over 50 books tagged Beach Read on my TBR and I finally ..."
Wonderful Sue! You have been working so hard, you truly deserve the break! Enjoy
Sue wrote: "I just realized that I'll be on vacation next week. And while I'm not heading to the beach, I'll definitely be reading by the pool. I have over 50 books tagged Beach Read on my TBR and I finally ..."
Take me with you! 😭
I need a vacation!
Book Concierge wrote: "OH, and Here's: 13 Oceanfront Books to Tide You Over Until Your Next Beach Vacation"Well, you now sucked me into one of the few book newsletters I don't already get! They have some interesting lists.
Robin P wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "OH, and Here's: 13 Oceanfront Books to Tide You Over Until Your Next Beach Vacation"Well, you now sucked me into one of the few book newsletters I don't already get! They h..."
Glad I was your enabler in this! I love Off the Shelf.
Thanks for all the vacation well-wishes. I'm clearly in the right group here since planning what books to bring on vacation are my top priority.It'll be kindle and audio only for this trip. But in the pre-digital age it was fit a couple books in my suitcase and scope out the local book store to re-stock along the way.
Going to a "new to me" bookstore was always part of the vacation fun. Less so now that it's primarily the exact same Barnes & Noble as I have here at home - but finding a great used book store is always a treat.
Sue wrote: "Thanks for all the vacation well-wishes. I'm clearly in the right group here since planning what books to bring on vacation are my top priority.It'll be kindle and audio only for this trip. But i..."
I too like scoping out bookstores in my travels. I stumbled across a lovely used one in Alexandria VA in 2019 when there for a family reunion.
Theresa wrote: "Sue wrote: "Thanks for all the vacation well-wishes. I'm clearly in the right group here since planning what books to bring on vacation are my top priority.It'll be kindle and audio only for this..."
Sue, enjoy your trip!
My husband is taking a trip tomorrow so I just loaded up his phone with audio books for the long drive. I need to stay home with mom, but he agreed to stay home when I go to NY City in a few months.
AJ wrote: "Honestly, if I am going to get anything read before the wedding it is going to be a beach read so I am glad for this tag"I'll be amazed if you have time to read before then, but if you do, then a light beach read would be perfect, even if it is winter (but based on the temperatures I just saw, it's more like spring here, but I am guessing that 17 C would mean warm clothes for people not used to it.)
AJ wrote: "17 C is pretty cold for us although really nice in the sun (not so nice inside our houses which just aren'..."Add in the sun, and it's too hot for me (but that's unusual for someone, even in Canada! I'm weird...)
AJ wrote: "Karin wrote: "I am guessing that 17 C would mean warm clothes for people not used to it."17 C is pretty cold for us although really nice in the sun (not so nice inside our houses which just aren'..."
Yes, a winter afternoon is perfect where you live! Actually, the 17 C I saw was only on one place in my very superficial search and I opted for the coldest average winter temp I saw for South Africa. I knew you weren't that far south as compared to the pole, but obviously really far south for Africa and Eurasia.
Theresa wrote: "AWESOME BANNER, ANNA!"These people in this banner... these are my people 😈
Only thing missing are the umbrella drinks.
Theresa wrote: "AWESOME BANNER, ANNA!"Absolutely!
Thank you! This month the vote was evenly split, so I will post the other banner in the second half of the month.
annapi wrote: "Thank you! This month the vote was evenly split, so I will post the other banner in the second half of the month."Wow! Anna, you are so good at this. Ywo for the price of one!
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Malibu Rising (other topics)Malibu Rising (other topics)
Before I Go to Sleep (other topics)
Sooley (other topics)
Mother May I (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Elin Hilderbrand (other topics)Elin Hilderbrand (other topics)
Emily Henry (other topics)
Lucy Foley (other topics)
Mary Kay Andrews (other topics)
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I have this one on my tbr too, but I also have The Kiss Quotient that I've been meaning to read for a couple years.
I'll have to think about it.
I also need to figure out if any of my beach-reads can take me far away from China since fly the skies has taken over my reading life this year 😂