Play Book Tag discussion
November 2021: First in a Series
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Announcing the November Tag
Theresa wrote: "Jen K wrote: "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 th..."
So many people keep suggesting I read it. Maybe I will manage by early January and join in your discussion. I do like SciFi so hopefully it takes on the first try...
Hmmm... none of my book club books hit this tag. I might have to see if I can find something far away from Antarctica that also hits "first in a series" for Fly.
I am super excited for this tag. I am going to read Slow Horses by Mick Herron. Reading the description reminds me of the movie, Red, which I love.
@ Jen and Theresa - I loved Dune so much!! I read it back in the 1980s, right before the last movie came out.I did see the new movie over the weekend. I'm sure I'm biased, but I preferred the 80s movie over the new one.
Sue wrote: "@ Jen and Theresa - I loved Dune so much!! I read it back in the 1980s, right before the last movie came out.I did see the new movie over the weekend. I'm sure I'm biased, but I preferred the 80s..."
Heard a really negative review of the movie yesterday - a contemporary of mine. Turns out he has never managed to read the book either...always abandons it.
The new Dune movie is getting a lot of positive reviews, including from the fantasy nerd, Stephen Colbert. I barely remember anything about the book, but it seems that themes of ecology and colonialism are if anything more relevant today than when the book came out.
Has anyone read Rabbit, Run? That's another potential first book in a series that I've always meant to try.
Anita wrote: "Has anyone read Rabbit, Run? That's another potential first book in a series that I've always meant to try."I read it years ago, in the early '70s.
It didn't mesh with who I was at the time, not sure how it stands up.
I didn't like Rabbit, but I suppose you don't have to.
Anita wrote: "Has anyone read Rabbit, Run? That's another potential first book in a series that I've always meant to try."Read in 70s or 80s. Hated it. Actually hated all Updike. I once had a conversation with an older woman who was a big reader, same educational background as mine, a New Yorker, who said "Updike writes for middle-aged men. Robertson Davies writes for women." I found a lot of truth to that at the time. Men in their 40s and 50s were huge Updike readers, women of that age read Davies.
I do wonder how Updike work has aged and whether at my age it would have more appeal.
Theresa wrote: "Anita wrote: "Has anyone read Rabbit, Run? That's another potential first book in a series that I've always meant to try."Read in 70s or 80s. Hated it. Actually hated all Updike. ..."
That is what I remember about it. I never read another one. So smug in maleness.
So interesting! One of my very well read friends loved it. Now, I am curious lol.
Anita wrote: "So interesting! One of my very well read friends loved it. Now, I am curious lol."I'd be interested in seeing your reaction.
Hi! Can I ask a question? What is the First in a series genre?
Patricia wrote: "Hi! Can I ask a question? What is the First in a series genre?"When a group of books are written they are called a series, so we are talking about the first one.
Harry Potter is a series of books.
Sometimes there are three books and this is called a trilogy, but the first one would be considered first of a series.
In your list of books you have The Lemonade War and that is the first of a series.
Patricia wrote: "Hi! Can I ask a question? What is the First in a series genre?"Excellent question, it isn't actually a genre. As with all "tags", it is a somewhat random category that a certain number of readers have used to describe that book on GR. Probably in this case, the books actually are the first in a series of some kind, but they could be romance, mystery, literary fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, even nonfiction.
Booknblues wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Hi! Can I ask a question? What is the First in a series genre?"When a group of books are written they are called a series, so we are talking about the first one.
Harry Potter is..."
Oh, right! Thank you so much for telling me:)
Robin P wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Hi! Can I ask a question? What is the First in a series genre?"Excellent question, it isn't actually a genre. As with all "tags", it is a somewhat random category that a certain ..."
Oh, sorry for using a genre and Thank you:)
Patricia wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Hi! Can I ask a question? What is the First in a series genre?"Excellent question, it isn't actually a genre. As with all "tags", it is a somewhat random category..."
No apologies necessary!
Also, here on Goodreads, the tags are actually called "shelves". As Robin explained so well, it's simply a descriptive word that readers use to describe and categorize the books that they read.
Booknblues wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Hi! Can I ask a question? What is the First in a series genre?"When a group of books are written they are called a series, so we are talking about the first one.
Harry Potter is..."
Thank you for writing up that clear explanation!!
Anita wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Robin P wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Hi! Can I ask a question? What is the First in a series genre?"Excellent question, it isn't actually a genre. As with all "tags", it is a somewha..."
Thank you Anita:D
Booknblues wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Anita wrote: "Has anyone read Rabbit, Run? That's another potential first book in a series that I've always meant to try."Read in 70s or 80s. Hated it. Actually ha..."
I felt exactly the same way about his books, but I was very young, and my tastes have changed dramatically, even in the last 5 years. I continued to avoid many male authors from that generation, and lately I've been wondering if there are some that I should try (or try again).
I read Updike's Rabbit at Rest many years ago. At the time, I read it as a character study and liked it. I'm not sure what I'd think about it today. I seem to remember that Rabbit was aging in the book and had mellowed a bit, being better able to see his own failings. (I hope my memory is accurate.)
Theresa wrote: "Anita wrote: "Has anyone read Rabbit, Run? That's another potential first book in a series that I've always meant to try."Read in 70s or 80s. Hated it. Actually hated all Updike. ..."
The only Updike that I've read was The Witches of Eastwick ( might be considered to be a first in a series - there's a follow-up book)
I remember that I was impressed with the quality of the writing and occasionally amused with the satire. But there wasn't a single character that I could like or respect. The sexual aspects of the story were perverse and extremely distasteful. I could easily believe that Updike hated women. I've never been tempted to read any other of his books.
Jgrace wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Anita wrote: "Has anyone read Rabbit, Run? That's another potential first book in a series that I've always meant to try."Read in 70s or 80s. Hated it. Actually ha..."
I'd forgotten that one - I believe I read it -- or it could have been one of my few DNF. It's one of those instances where the movie adaptation improved the book -- it was satirical even campy take on it swith Jack Nicholson, Anjelica Huston and 2 other stars of the day.
Oddly all these comments are making me want to read Updike more . . .just to see how off putting it actually is, lol.
So who might be reading Tattooist of Auschwitz with me? BnB and maybe some others? I’m going to start it early in the month. It’s actually a short read, if on the heavier side.
Theresa wrote: "It's one of those instances where the movie adaptation improved the book -- it was satirical even campy take on it swith Jack Nicholson, Anjelica Huston and 2 other stars of the day. ..."The three witches were played by Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer. Yes, the movie was a good adaptation .... I like your characterization of it as being "satirical even campy."
Zeejane wrote: "This will be my first month participating in the group's tag ... I have a hold on The Shadow of the Wind, but it has a very long wait list so I don't know that I'll get to it in November...."I'm surprised the hold list would be long on this one, as it's an older book. But it is SOOOooo good! Great choice if you can get your hands on it.
Welcome to PBT!
Book Concierge wrote: "Theresa wrote: "It's one of those instances where the movie adaptation improved the book -- it was satirical even campy take on it swith Jack Nicholson, Anjelica Huston and 2 other stars of the day..."Ah, Cher! I thought it was Pfeiffer and Sarandon...but didn't want to state without checking and too lazy to check online.
Amy wrote: "So who might be reading Tattooist of Auschwitz with me? BnB and maybe some others? I’m going to start it early in the month. It’s actually a short read, if on the heavier side."I'm good with starting early.
Zeejane wrote: "After seeing what my library has available I've decided to read-The Yard
-Wicked Appetite
"
I loved the Lizzy & Diesel series. I wish she had done more of them.
Amy wrote: "So who might be reading Tattooist of Auschwitz with me? BnB and maybe some others? I’m going to start it early in the month. It’s actually a short read, if on the heavier side."I'd like to join you! I just joined the group a few days ago and the book popped up on my tablet on the same day (I had the ebook on hold at the library). Looks like it was meant to be!
Jeannette, that’s great! Welcome to our group! I’m going to post a Buddy Read thread on Monday or Tuesday in Footnotes. We look forward to reading with you and getting to know you!
Amy wrote: "Jeannette, that’s great! Welcome to our group! I’m going to post a Buddy Read thread on Monday or Tuesday in Footnotes. We look forward to reading with you and getting to know you!"Thanks Amy! I plan to read it and my library has it. I'll probably read it in the second week.
Anita wrote: "Oddly all these comments are making me want to read Updike more . . .just to see how off putting it actually is, lol."Good for you Anita! The fact that they were written long ago might make it easier to avoid judging his attitudes by today's standards.
Robin P wrote: "The new Dune movie is getting a lot of positive reviews, including from the fantasy nerd, Stephen Colbert. I barely remember anything about the book, but it seems that themes of ecology and colonia..."My son insists that I will like the book if I give it another chance. I don't remember why I rejected it the first time. The ecology theme might help.
Amy wrote: "So who might be reading Tattooist of Auschwitz with me? BnB and maybe some others? I’m going to start it early in the month. It’s actually a short read, if on the heavier side."I'm in for the buddy read!
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 am so late weighing in, but Oryx and Crake is one of my favorite books of all time!
I do not read a lot of series (the pressure to finish!!), but it just so happens that I am embarking on a couple of new trilogies this month:Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick (reading for Fall Flurries)
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Nicole R wrote: "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 Nev..."
Cannot wait to see your review on Bunker Hill-Have been looking forward to reading this and just have not had the time
Nicole R wrote: "I do not read a lot of series (the pressure to finish!!), but it just so happens that I am embarking on a couple of new trilogies this month:[book:Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution|16158..."
I didn't realize that Bunker Hill was part of a trilogy, I've read that but not the others. I don't know how I missed that.
Anita wrote: "Oddly all these comments are making me want to read Updike more . . .just to see how off putting it actually is, lol."I have never read anything by him and haven't really wanted to. It will be interesting to see what you think.
@Anna - what a clever banner! Love it! and absolutely love the rich blue color!
Zee - I have loved Shadow of the Wind. I think you will too. So glad you are jumping in with us!
I am considering these:Still Life
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Ready Player One
Blood Red Road
Theresa wrote: "@Anna - what a clever banner! Love it! and absolutely love the rich blue color!"Thanks - I had to figure out how to put the 1 in the center.
annapi wrote: "Theresa wrote: "@Anna - what a clever banner! Love it! and absolutely love the rich blue color!"Thanks - I had to figure out how to put the 1 in the center."
I wondered....
So it can't say "1st in a series" for the tag, it has to match exactly?
For the monthly tag, it does not have to match exactly. So long as you think it fits the monthly tag then it works for us! BUT, if you are using it for the bonus miles in Fly the PBT Skies, then it much match exactly.
Hope that helps!
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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I may reread Gilead to then read [book:..."
@Jen - My Feminerdy Book Club is looking at reading Dune for our early January discussion, as it is long and we will not meet in December, thus giving 2 months to read. We will make a final decision at our November Zoom. Since my teen years I have tried several time to read it and just never got far. Thus I am not thrilled at the choice...and am not planning on seeing the movie. However, I have decided that if the others are commited to it, I will give reading it another try. I have a lot more SciFi and other reading behind me than the last time I tried it.