Play Book Tag discussion
November 2021: First in a Series
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Announcing the November Tag
Not surprised, actually. I personally have so many series I want to check out on my TBR... and also some where I have read a random book in the series but now need to read the first. I'll probably do almost exclusively mysteries. Some will fit flurries too. One I have actually is one of the last books I need to finish the Popsugar Reading Challenge. So excited!
I feel better about this than I did before. I was afraid I'd have to limit myself to YA Fantasy or mysteries. (I already have several mystery series started.) I saw some more variety when I got past the first several pages.I will probably need some help finding books that can stand alone, without annoying cliff hangers.
For fall flurries and first-in-a-series mysteries I recommend:
Still Life
Iron Lake
Maisie Dobbs
For first-in-a-series books that can stand alone:
Beartown
As I said, I have over 40 choices. But I think I am going with Tattooist of Auschwitz. I think it’s been on my TBR for forever. I have been waiting for a tag to let me read it. And I have its sequel on my TBR as well. I actually ordered like four or five books that fit the bill. Including the star Touched queen, because that is in my top 10 oldest books on my TBR. Accidental Empress. I really had my first choice heart set on the Law of Moses. But my library wasn’t cooperating. They don’t appear to have it in book form. If I can find it in book form, that’s actually my first choice. I believe it’s Sequel as well is also on my upcoming list. But I’m very happy with this!
Amy wrote: "As I said, I have over 40 choices. But I think I am going with Tattooist of Auschwitz. I think it’s been on my TBR for forever. I have been waiting for a tag to let me read it. And I have its seque..."I think you can blame Amazon for Law of Moses, since they don't play well with the library distributors. It's on kindle unlimited right now if that helps.
Tattooist of Auschwitz has been on my tbr for a long time too, but I've been avoiding it. This might be the time.
Nancy, would love to read this one with you! Poland is not my destination for Fly, I am actually heading to South Korea with the Plotters. This is just a tag book for me. But it’s on the shorter side which is a plus!!!
Amy wrote: "Nancy, would love to read this one with you! Poland is not my destination for Fly, I am actually heading to South Korea with the Plotters. This is just a tag book for me. But it’s on the shorter si..."Nancy and Amy, this is on my TBR as well and will join in if you decide to do a buddy read.
That being said I am planning on reading Alfie the Doorstep Cat as I read another one further on down the series and wanted to get back and read the first one.
I will be back with a few favorite first of series, as I have read my share.
Amy wrote: "Nancy, would love to read this one with you! Poland is not my destination for Fly, I am actually heading to South Korea with the Plotters. This is just a tag book for me. But it’s on the shorter si..."I read The Plotters Amy and it was a 5 star for me, I hope you like it. Kinda out of your wheel house, eh?
FYI "First-in-series" has twice as many books as "first-in-a-series.https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
You'll need to use first-in-a-series for the Fly-the-sky bonus, but it might be easier to search for books using the more popular tag.
This isn't the tag I voted for, but I have 98 books on my TBR that qualify, including a choice of three that will take me to my November Fly destination. I'm pretty happy!
Joanne wrote: "Amy wrote: "Nancy, would love to read this one with you! Poland is not my destination for Fly, I am actually heading to South Korea with the Plotters. This is just a tag book for me. But it’s on th..."That is on my TBR ... definitely not a typical Amy read. It is typical for me!
OK, looks like I’m Opening up buddy read thread for the Tattooist of Auschwitz!!!!
There are a ton of cozy mysteries on my list that fit. Some of my possibilities are:Pumpkins in Paradise (also fits fall flurries)
The Crepes of Wrath
Glazed Murder
Dead in the Dining Room
Spell Booked
All the first in a series I really want to read are too long for a person in the midst of a big move (Outlander, Lonesome Dove, Game of Thrones. ..sigh).Trying to decide between Never Mind by Edward St. Aubyn and Oryx and Crake by Atwood. Any other short, but literary, firsts anyone think I might like?
I own Into the Woods by Tana French, but that doesn't seem short either.
Anita wrote: "All the first in a series I really want to read are too long for a person in the midst of a big move (Outlander, Lonesome Dove, Game of Thrones. ..sigh).Trying to decide between Never Mind by Edw..."
Here are a few fist-in-series literary books I enjoyed. These can all be read as standalones and are not terribly lengthy:
The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andrić
Regeneration by Pat Barker
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
Well, crap! LOL! (Sorry, I just don't (usually) like the most broad ones...)
LibraryCin wrote: "Well, crap! LOL! (Sorry, I just don't (usually) like the most broad ones...)"And that being said, I'm sure I have plenty to read for this tag, however.
Anita wrote: "All the first in a series I really want to read are too long for a person in the midst of a big move (Outlander, Lonesome Dove, Game of Thrones. ..sigh).Trying to decide between Never Mind by Edw..."
I'd like to read Oryx and Crake soon too. I'm gearing up for a big focus on environmental and climate change books next year. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler is another good option.
My Brilliant Friend has literary fiction tags, 331 pages.
All Systems Red is science fiction but it seems to be popular with all types of readers. At 144 pages, it might be worth your time to give it a try.
In the Woods felt very long to me for a mystery.
Anita, Tattooist of Auschwitz is actually on the shorter side.....
Gilead is only 247 pages. It's literary, very moving, and won some coveted awards. I might even read it again. I read Home and Jack this year, and Gilead might fill in some missing pieces in my memory. It's one of the most rewarding books I ever read (though I can understand why it's not for everyone).
LibraryCin wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "Well, crap! LOL! (Sorry, I just don't (usually) like the most broad ones...)"And that being said, I'm sure I have plenty to read for this tag, however."
It sounds like a genre randomizer might be a handy way to make this one more challenging for you.
NancyJ wrote: "It sounds like a genre randomizer might be a handy way to make this one more challenging for you. ..."I'll probably look up what's on the tbr that fits (there will be plenty!). From there, I will likely choose some that have been on the tbr longest. Combined with what's easily available at the library, of course.
Anita wrote: "Any other short, but literary, firsts anyone think I might like?.."Olive Kitteridge
To Kill a Mockingbird
LibraryCin wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "It sounds like a genre randomizer might be a handy way to make this one more challenging for you. ..."I'll probably look up what's on the tbr that fits (there will be plenty!). Fro..."
I too have a wealth of choices. My reading choices will be dictated by what will fit various challenges as well...such as Popsugar.
Anita wrote: "All the first in a series I really want to read are too long for a person in the midst of a big move (Outlander, Lonesome Dove, Game of Thrones. ..sigh).Trying to decide between Never Mind by Edw..."
I think you would enjoy the first one on the Notebook trilogy ( The Notebook, The Proof, The Third Lie: Three Novels). I was my favourite read last year, and not like anything I’ve read before. The first book (The Notebook) is only about 150 pages, and it flew by.
I'm going to Australia or somewhere in that vicinity for Fly. Any ideas for first in series that are tagged Australia?
Gilead would be a fabulous choice for Anita!
NancyJ wrote: "Gilead is only 247 pages. It's literary, very moving, and won some coveted awards. I might even read it again. I read Home and Jack this year, and Gilead might fill in some missing pie..."Gilead is an excellent suggestions, Nancy! I am going to see if my library has it available. I have not read anything by Robinson, and it is literary. And I really like your description of the reading experience. Thank you.
BC, loved both Olive Kitteridge and To Kill a Mockingbird, but hoping not to re-read this time.
Hilde, I did enjoy The Notebook when I read it, and that's a good, fast suggestion. But unfortunately, have already read it.
Thanks, Amy, for your willingness to include me on the buddy read and for pointing out it is short, but I'm guessing it's a WWII setting, and I'm so so done with WWII fiction that it will take a LOT to get me to read any more of it.
Amy wrote: "Gilead would be a fabulous choice for Anita!"I agree!
@Johanne Jane Harper's Aaron Falk detective series is set in Australia if you haven't read them yet.
Johanne wrote: "I'm going to Australia or somewhere in that vicinity for Fly. Any ideas for first in series that are tagged Australia?"For Australia, a lighter option is Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood. First in a fun mystery series about an adventurous heiress in 1920's jazz era. It's a bit trashy, but refreshing and interesting.
New Zealand has some non-mystery series: Once Were Warriors is historical fiction. An Angel at my Table is an interesting autobiography/series (I liked the movie). A few other possibilities too. https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Tasmania doesn't have anything that is obviously a series, but the Richard Flanagan books look really interesting.
Johanne wrote: "I'm going to Australia or somewhere in that vicinity for Fly. Any ideas for first in series that are tagged Australia?"Moonlight Downs is the first of the series. I haven't read it but read the second by mistake and liked it.
Anita wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Gilead is only 247 pages. It's literary, very moving, and won some coveted awards. I might even read it again. I read Home and Jack this year, and Gilead might fill in s..."Ah, ok! So few people seems to have read any by Ágota Kristóf, but she really needs more praise - excellent writer. Glad you enjoyed it, hope you’ll like Gilead as well.
Johanne wrote: "I'm going to Australia or somewhere in that vicinity for Fly. Any ideas for first in series that are tagged Australia?"Yes. In addition to Cocaine Blues, I really liked The Agatha Christie Book Club which is set in today's Sydney and feels like I could walk those streets.
Friends really loved The Dry by Jane Harper, which is on my TBR. She has at least one with same agent.
In fact, if you google australian crime fiction, you will find some good non-GR lists .... I added a lot to my TBR when I did that a few months ago.
@Anita - My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin is literary fiction/memoir and first in a series. It is a classic...originally published in 1901 and was made into a really good movie around the 80s.
I’m also thinking about starting the Obsidian Tower! I’ve been looking for a reason to start this series!!!
Wow, I made a post here while Amy was typing and it has vanished into cyberspace!While I didn't vote for this because I feel like I have read a gazillion first in a series books, this will be easy to do.
Johanne wrote: "I'm going to Australia or somewhere in that vicinity for Fly. Any ideas for first in series that are tagged Australia?"I've been enjoying this mystery series, 1920's wealthy Australian artist as amateur detective; A Few Right Thinking Men
sadly, it's tagged first-in-series. not first-in-a-series
Theresa wrote: "@Anita - My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin is literary fiction/memoir and first in a series. It is a classic...originally published in 1901 and was made into a real..."Thanks for the suggestion! That does sound interesting . . .
Johanne wrote: "I'm going to Australia or somewhere in that vicinity for Fly. Any ideas for first in series that are tagged Australia?"I just finished the series called The City Between, set in Hobart, Tasmania - book 1 is Between Jobs. Thoroughly enjoyed it, had to read it straight through with no pause between books, since she is quite the master of the cliffhanger. It's urban fantasy and very easy to read. Waiting for the last book (#10).
Thanks everyone for your recommendations, there are some great choices :)The only one I've read is the first in the Aaron Falk series.
Well, it looks like I was already planning to read one next month that will fit this: - Murphy's Law / Rhys Bowen
This one, I've been trying to get to for a few months:
'- Ruby Red / Kerstin Gier
Another option I like:
- Murder with Peacocks / Donna Andrews
LibraryCin wrote: "Another option I like:- Murder with Peacocks / Donna Andrews..."
I love this series! It's a lot of fun.
annapi wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "Another option I like:- Murder with Peacocks / Donna Andrews..."
I love this series! It's a lot of fun."
One of my absolute favorite entries in the series!
Psst, did you know The Dry has also been made into a movie?Out last year, I think, I remember thinking I'm not sure if I wanted to go into the cinema yet... esp. if I have to sit there with a mask for hours.
Crimson Lake (Crimson Lake #1) is currently being filmed too.
If you're after a more contemporary urban setting: Sticks and Stones (Detective Emmett Corban #1)
NancyJ wrote: "FYI "First-in-series" has twice as many books as "first-in-a-series.https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
You'll need to use first-in-a-series for the Fly-the-sky bonus, but it mi..."
Thank you for mentioning that. I started looking for country shelves since "#1" is so prominent in the titles and realized several potential books were only "first-in-series".
I wanted to hit another large county in Asia so started with Russia but wound up with a few India options.
I enjoyed Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko, set in Russia, both "first" tags.
I may try Metro 2033 just for the dystopian fun of it since it didn't include the "a".
I think The Widows of Malabar Hill set in India will complement the Russian dystopia, it has both "first" tags.
I looked at the shelf Nancy, thank you. So many fun choices for this one!
Honestly I had hoped to finish some series this month rather than starting new ones but I also think I voted this one. I have tons of choices. I may reread Gilead to then read Jack in December.
Also looking at book I already own or have on hold:
My Brilliant Friend
Black Sun
The Library of the Dead
The First Sister
I'm not sure they will work with with Fly the Sky but that's okay. I like too many books set in space or fantasy worlds. :)
I really would love finally read Dune as well with the movie coming out but not sure if I will manage.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Seafire (other topics)Blood Red Road (other topics)
Still Life (other topics)
Ready Player One (other topics)
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Nathaniel Philbrick (other topics)Jonathan Franzen (other topics)
Robertson Davies (other topics)
Miles Franklin (other topics)
Miles Franklin (other topics)
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first in a series
Please share your reading plans and recommendations below.
Remember, for the regular monthly reads, the book can be shelved as "first in a series" 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/...
We encourage people to link to additional lists below if they find them.
Happy Reading!!!
p.s. How is it possibly November???