Play Book Tag discussion
February 2022: Thought Provoking
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Announcing the February Tag
Well there are certainly plenty of choices on that list. Something for every mood I would think.
The other two choices were somewhat overlapping and probably split some votes.
Yes!! Surely anything I am reading for book club will fit this tag. I'm reading A Little Devil In America by Hanif Abdurraqib and I expect that will be thought-provoking.
I think I might read Can We Talk About Israel, for one. And for beloved fiction, I might just go with the book Holly has been encouraging. The Unseen World.
I think of all the books I've ever read, I would put them down as thought-provoking. I'll have to be careful to look for things that really fit the intent for this tag!
My top read of last year that I'm recommending to everyone is definitely thought-provoking: The Wahhabi Code: How the Saudis Spread Extremism Globally
I can recommend:Non-Fiction:
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
Fiction:
Bel Canto (WPF author)
City of Thieves
Women Talking
Recommend:Becoming
Homegoing
The Grapes of Wrath
Kindred
May read:
The Fault in Our Stars*
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine*
Between Shades of Gray*
Invisible Man
A Woman Is No Man
Also, February is Black History Month and many books in thought provoking would also work for a read for this month.
I would certainly add as excellent for this tag - and of a reasonable length:The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Circe
The Weight of Ink
The Last Watchman of Old Cairo
Call Me Zebra
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text
Speak No Evil - which also fits Black History Month.
Any James Baldwin
I just got The Invisible Life of Addie Larue out of the library. I also goe Hail Mary Project and When We Were Beautiful
Robin P wrote: "The other two choices were somewhat overlapping and probably split some votes."This is a good thought.
Off the top of my head, I was planning to read a Jodi Picoult next month (not sure yet which), but I bet that would fit. I'm sure I have plenty of other options, a well.
I'm currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. Beautiful writing and thought provoking in almost every sentence.
Jgrace wrote: "I'm currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. Beautiful writing and thought provoking in almost every sentence."That has been on my radar for a while.
I'm going to read BROKEN because it corresponds with my Trim pick. I'm really excited. I loved FURIOUSLY HAPPY.
I have at least 100 books on my tbr that fit. Maybe I should start here:
The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less
Many of my science books also fit the February tag. Which is good because at the rate I'm going, I might still be reading Overstory in February. (One chapter is 8-9 hours long, which is ridiculous on audio.)
LibraryCin wrote: "Off the top of my head, I was planning to read a Jodi Picoult next month (not sure yet which), but I bet that would fit. I'm sure I have plenty of other options, a well."Jodi Picoult seems to work hard to find thought provoking topics. I just wish it wasn't always so evident. Leaving Time (about elephants) seemed to have a lighter touch than the others.
I'm considering Nineteen Minutes. Have you read it?
Joanne wrote: "I can recommend:Non-Fiction:
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
Fiction:
Bel Canto (WPF aut..."
I wholeheartedly recommend Bel Canto, a book which is included in my top lifetime reads. I just saw the movie and found it as moving and thought-provoking.
I'm reading one, which I believe would also fall into this category: The Maid by Nita Prose. It reminds me of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Hadden, which also be one for this tag.
Anita wrote: "The voting was not even a tiny bit close. Next month, we will be reading:
thought provoking
Please share your reading plans and recommendations below.
Remember, for the regular monthly reads, ..."
So many of us thought alike this time :). I'm very happy since this is what I wanted.
Many of my science books also fit the February tag. Which is good because at the rate I'm going, I might still be reading Overstory in February. (One chapter is 8-9 hours long, which is ridiculous on audio.)You know, I'm an audiobook addict. But, Overstory was a book that I read from beginning to end with only the text. I tried the audio at first but it was too slow and the content just didn't stick. With the text in front of me it was a 5 star book.
John wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I can recommend:Non-Fiction:
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
Fiction:
[book:Bel Canto..."
Agree with you 100% John. Forgot about the movie! Must stream it at some point. An opera was also created from it - for Renee Fleming who inspired the opera singer in the book. I believe it was produced by Chicago Lyric - there may be a streaming option available for it.
Jgrace wrote: "Many of my science books also fit the February tag. Which is good because at the rate I'm going, I might still be reading Overstory in February. (One chapter is 8-9 hours long, which is ridiculous ..."You were smart to do that. I really should have waited for the kindle. I can usually get ebooks faster than e-audios, but not this time.
Once I got into the story, I really enjoyed it, but I wasted so-o-o-o much time. My phone has narrow margins so it's easy to hit the wrong spot when I pick it up or put it down, and it jumps to the next chapter. That's not normally a big deal, except when the chapter is 9 hours long. (argh!) After making the same mistake several times, I learned to set a new bookmark anytime anyone started to talk to me.
I heard several sections more than once, which might be helpful to make sense of what's going on with the computer game plotline. I'm almost done with the book, and I'm waiting for it to all come together, but right now it's just getting weirder.
NancyJ wrote: "I'm considering Nineteen Minutes. Have you read it? ..."I have, but it's been a while, so I need to check back on my review. I'm sure (like most of her others), it was very good. On memory, I'm thinking 4 stars from me, but am double checking... Oh - a little more than that - 4.25 from me!
This is the end of my review: "This is another page-turner by Picoult. I wanted to keep reading. It would have been 4 stars, but I added in the extra ¼ star for the twist at the end."
I have maybe 4 (officially) on the tbr by her. I'm planning to read one of the two I have here at home. Either Songs of the Humpback Whale or Perfect Match.
I haven't decided yet which one.
I just went through the first 25 pages of the shelf ... there is exactly ONE book by Louise Erdrich on there. I'm surprised. Of course, GR doesn't let you look past page 25 any longer.
Wow... This is a bit ambiguous... a lot of things could fit. I've read most of the books on the first page of list. If I'm sticking to my goal of not buying any new books this year then my options are:
The Stranger by Albert Camus
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
... quite a diverse group of books :)
Charlotte wrote: "Wow... This is a bit ambiguous... a lot of things could fit. I've read most of the books on the first page of list. If I'm sticking to my goal of not buying any new books this year then my option..."
I have a similar goal for this year (which I will probably not make), but what I have to consider, just within the first few pages are:
Dark Matter
Between Shades of Gray
Things Fall Apart
Anxious People
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Becoming
11/22/63
Book Concierge wrote: "I just went through the first 25 pages of the shelf ... there is exactly ONE book by Louise Erdrich on there. I'm surprised. Of course, GR doesn't let you look past page 25 any longer."Which one was it? Which books have you read of hers that you found thought provoking?
I found The Sentence thought provoking, but I haven't read her earlier books yet.
Linda C wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "Wow... This is a bit ambiguous... a lot of things could fit. I've read most of the books on the first page of list. If I'm sticking to my goal of not buying any new books this y..."
Me. too. I 💖 my Library
That's a great list. I haven't read Stephen King in ages, but I keep looking at that one. The size is intimidating though.
Booknblues wrote: "Recommend:Becoming
Homegoing
The Grapes of Wrath
Kindred
May read:
The Fault in Our Stars*
[book:Eleanor Oliphant Is C..."
I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I wouldn't mind rereading some (though I still haven't read Ellison). I think Eleanor Oliphant is best if you don't try to judge or diagnose her right away. Speaking of judging, I should probably give Ruth Sepetys another shot.
NancyJ wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Recommend:Becoming
May read:
The Fault in Our Stars*
Speaking of judging, I should probably give Ruth Sepetys another shot. "
What have you read by her and what were your thought? You sound like you had some hesitation in the past. I also have Salt to the Sea on my shelves.
I am going to read The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. It has been on my TBR list for a while so this will be a good time to read it.
Linda C wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Recommend:Becoming
May read:
The Fault in Our Stars*
Speaking of judging, I should probably give Ruth Sepetys another shot. "
W..."
I didn't like the stereotyping in Salt to the Sea, but most people really liked the book. I thought the author was very heavy handed when creating the German characters. It probably occurs in most WWII books (without me noticing) but for some reason it really bothered me then.
Linda C wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "Wow... This is a bit ambiguous... a lot of things could fit. I've read most of the books on the first page of list. If I'm sticking to my goal of not buying any new books this y..."
Charlotte wrote: "Wow... This is a bit ambiguous... a lot of things could fit. I've read most of the books on the first page of list.
If I'm sticking to my goal of not buying any new books this year then my option..."
I liked Dark Matter, but, and I realize this isn't on your shelves so it's out, I liked his book Recursion better. Either way, he writes well.
NancyJ wrote: "Linda C wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Recommend:Becoming
May read:
The Fault in Our Stars*
Speaking of judging, I should probably give Ruth Sepetys an..."
It was 3 stars for me--I didn't think it was that great.
I have read so many, I'm only going to recommend ones I see on the list that I gave 5 stars too, but there are others I really liked as well.Not true, I'm adding this book Deacon King Kong which is very thought provoking historical fiction that would fit into black history month. FYI for the first 50 pages I did not like this book, but it got better and better for me until I rounded it up to 5 stars.
ETA My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
All the Light We Cannot See
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Help
Les Miserables--even the abridged is really good and you don't have to wade through so many pages about sewers, BUT you do miss out on some important character bits.
Big Little Lies
Beartown
Pride and Prejudice
The Martian
The Old Man and the Sea
Little Women
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Gilead
NONFICTION
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption
The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom
I am stopping here since I don't have time to keep going through pages.
Not yet sure what I'll read, but am thinking about a few books from my want to read that I saw on there.
Recommendations - abridged because I don't want to repeat some above. Many are older ones that shouldn't be missed for any who did miss them.The Language of Flowers
The Help
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood
Educated
Me Before You
A Man Called Ove
Flowers for Algernon
As for me - these are a few I hope to get to that I found on the list that were also on my TBR. Still trying to pare down that virtual tower (they are all at the library - not in my house!)
Have a Little Faith: a True Story
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry OR Anxious People
The Storyteller
Linda C wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "Wow... This is a bit ambiguous... a lot of things could fit. I've read most of the books on the first page of list. If I'm sticking to my goal of not buying any new books this y..."
Just read Becoming and highly recommend for February's tag. It's slower reading than I expected -- not difficult just a lot bigger book and slower read than I expected. Just reviewed it over the weekend.
For what it is worth, I loved The Help - thought it was both entertaining and hard hitting - definitely thought provoking. I read it before I was tracking my reads on GR so no review or rating to share but I still own the hardcover I read and I have zero intentions of passing it on yet. That says something.
Barbara, Have a Little Faith is one of the best books I ever read! Top Ten for life, plus he is a 64 Author.
I can recommend a few:Older books:
Life of Pi
A Thousand Splendid Suns
The Remains of the Day
Middlesex
The Immortalists
Norwegian Wood
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
The Round House
Newer books:
Piranesi
Cloud Cuckoo Land
Klara and the Sun
SciFi:
The Lathe of Heaven
A Canticle for Leibowitz
The Book of Strange New Things
The Humans
Non-Fiction:
Tuesdays with Morrie
Man's Search for Meaning
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior
I have read so many of these, and am going to have to dig deep to find a book that is actually tagged thought provoking (that's on my TBR). Two faves that I would definitely recommend (and that are on the list) are:
East of Eden
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End (I literally think everyone should read this one).
I am probably going to read one of the following:
The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure
or
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
If Cloud Cuckoo Land or Anxious People are actually tagged "thought provoking" at least 5 times, I may go with one of them, but I didn't see them in my initial review.
Anita, I think you’d adore ‘On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous’ - it’s a gem of a book
Anita, they are both pretty darn thought provoking!
Joy D wrote: "I can recommend a few:I am still too far back in line to get Cloud Cuckoo Land in time, but I would read that one if it came!
Cloud Cuckoo Land is tagged 5 times as "thought provoking" (it was 4 but I just tagged it to get to 5 - not sure how long it takes to register).
Barbara M wrote: "Recommendations - abridged because I don't want to repeat some above. Many are older ones that shouldn't be missed for any who did miss them.The Language of Flowers
[book:The Help|..."
Barbara I like all your recommendations. Language of Flowers has been a longtime favorite, and I thought Educated was brilliant and thought provoking.
I'm really interested in Have a Little Faith too. (I think Interfaith cooperation is sorely needed in this world.)
I'm hoping Backman will stay in the game until Winners (Beartown 3) comes out (in Sept), but I might read My Grandmother sooner
I didn't really enjoy Anxious people though.
Anxious People is tagged "thought provoking" by 30 people (soon to be 31):https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Joy D wrote: "Anxious People is tagged "thought provoking" by 30 people (soon to be 31):https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve..."
Thank you, Joy!!! I must have missed it . . .
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Next month, we will be reading:
thought provoking
Please share your reading plans and recommendations below.
Remember, for the regular monthly reads, the book can be shelved as "thought provoking" 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!!!