Time to Vote for the May Tag

[Joanne]

Robin P wrote: "But are those the tags from GR?"

Tag does not have to be on Goodreads for the monthly tag-just 5 tags on the challenges

[LibraryCin]

Robin P wrote: "But are those the tags from GR?"

Doesn't matter for the monthly tag. If you want it to fit an official challenge, yes it matters. I tend to do the tagmash first, then check the book on GR to see if it has the tag and how many people have tagged it. But for monthly tag, if someone things it fits, it can fit.

[NancyJ]

Jgrace wrote: "No, I'm not voting for Theology either, although I do have a shelf of books that would apply. However, I did a tagmash on LibraryThing, just to see what turned up. These titles showed up as 'theolo..."

I really liked some of these books. A lot of them have more “religion” tags than theology. Religion has played a big role in history, culture and people’s lives, and that makes it interesting. There are a lot of great novels with religious characters or settings that aren’t really *about* religion or theology. So I would vote for a religion tag some day.

[Jgrace]

NancyJ wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "No, I'm not voting for Theology either, although I do have a shelf of books that would apply. However, I did a tagmash on LibraryThing, just to see what turned up. These titles showe..."

I think some of those books had characters who were theologians or who were students of theology. It's not a tag that I would use. I have these book on a shelf that I call ‘faith/philosophy’.

I don’t think it will matter for next month anyway. I just wanted to see what might work.

[Nicole R]

I have a clear favorite, only because I really want to read the Women’s Prize in Fiction nominee, Stone Blind. But, honestly, that may be happening regardless of the tag. Lol.

I’m sure I can find am something to work for any of them.

And, in a surprise twist, I have finished by “friendship” book before the middle of the month!! Though, I have yet to review it. Lol

[Book Concierge]

Ugh ... but I voted.

[Karin]

LibraryCin wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Also, indigenous can be Australian, Canadian or Scandinavian. I read Stolen and it was excellent. It was set in Sweden about indigenous people. .."

There are a LOT of well regar..."

Yes, I agree.

[Karin]

Jgrace wrote: "No, I'm not voting for Theology either, although I do have a shelf of books that would apply. However, I did a tagmash on LibraryThing, just to see what turned up. These titles showed up as 'theolo..."

Another that fits is the scifi novel The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber

In fact, there are a surprising number of scifi novels, that do, such as MaddAddam

There is quite a list but the names aren't coming to my mind just now.

[Lyn]

This is the first time I thought "eww" when I saw our tag options for May. I voted for the one that most closely fits with my reading interests. (And it's not theology.)

[NancyJ]

Karin wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "No, I'm not voting for Theology either, although I do have a shelf of books that would apply. However, I did a tagmash on LibraryThing, just to see what turned up. These titles showe..."

I loved the “saints” in book two of the Maddaddam series, such as Saint Rachel Carson.

[NancyJ]

Did anyone see David Grann on 60 minutes last night? He has a new book coming out, but one of his previous books fits indigenous. Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. It fits true crime too.

[Meli]

Indigenous could be quite broad. I have Trail of Lightning on my tbr, anything by Stephen Graham Jones will likely fit or Louise Eldrich. That might have the most diverse options.

My gut reaction to "theology" is hell no, but I haven't looked at the tag so I should probably do that.

For greek mythology, I think the retellings, like by Madeline Miller, would be great for this.

[Karin]

NancyJ wrote: "Did anyone see David Grann on 60 minutes last night? He has a new book coming out, but one of his previous books fits indigenous. [book:Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth o..."

I loathed that book for many reasons, one of which is that I tend to loathe religions made up for scifi novels because they tend to be in the worst ilk of religion, but that's not the only reason I didn't like it--I didn't like the first in the trilogy, either and am still amazed I liked the second one. I'm not an Atwood fan ;)

[Meli]

Went through 25 pages of the theology tag and unsurprisingly there is nothing on there I have added as TBR or want-to-read. Hopefully that one doesn't win.

[NancyJ]

Karin wrote: "NancyJ wrote:."

It was Atwood’s book you loathed, not Grann’s right?
In the Atwood series, book two was my favorite by far - The Year of the Flood. I loved it on audio. Book 1 was depressing, and if it wasn’t for reviews, I might not have even read book 2. I do like Atwood, but I don’t jump into her books easily because I know they might wear me down.

Re religion in sci- fi, I wasn’t crazy about the religion in Butler’s Parable of the Sower. I loved the last book I read by Ursula K le Guin. I want to read more by her.

[Nicole R]

Meli wrote: "Went through 25 pages of the theology tag and unsurprisingly there is nothing on there I have added as TBR or want-to-read. Hopefully that one doesn't win."

Ha! I don't even look through the pages of tags anymore but wait for the tag to be announced and see what people recommend. This group has great recommendations.

I know if it wins I will be recommending People of the Book and The Secret Chord. They may not fit the EXACT tag of theology, but I think that many of us may have more liberal interpretations than we typically do -- I know I will.

Hmmmm, would reading Stone Blind for that even work as mythology was a kind of religion...?

It sounds like theology isn't really in the mix though, so sounds like we won't have to worry about it.

[Meli]

Yes, good point. The recommendations are better than the tag list. Although I can't imagine getting any compelling recommendations for theology.

Stone Blind definitely fits Greek Mythology! Since it's a retelling of Medusa...
I would love to read that one!

[Theresa]

The mention of theology in SFF fiction reminded me that at my Feminerdy Book Club yesterday we included a discussion of religion and theology because it is a prominent theme in Harrow the Ninth, which I had just read and they had all read and discussed last year. It certainly is common for it to be part of the world building, and not really a surprise. The question is whether it is 'good' and needed in the world and plot, or is it bad where it is compelling followers to act against best interests.

However, I don't think most readers of SFF include tagging for theology or religion. But certainly for our monthly tags, Harrow the Ninth would absolutely be an option for you, Meli!

[Karin]

Theresa wrote: "However, I don't think most readers of SFF include tagging for theology or religion.."

Yes, I was going to say this if no one else had. I don't shelve them theology, either, and am not sure how often I've shelved them religion but I'm more likely to tag them religion than theology because not all scifi books that have religions in them actually include much about the theology. It does come up in the Faber novel because the missionary has to work hard to learn how to explain it in the language and culture of the beings on that planet and it's one of the big parts of the book (not the only one).

[Meli]

@Theresa - that's a great point, and idea for a read, if theology gets picked.

@Karin - that was precisely my dilemma.
I have books with religious themes, or religion is a primary factor, but theology doesn't tend to be the tag. I think it strikes me, and clearly other readers, more as academic or analytical of religion.

[Barbara M]

That is an amazing list! Theology and Greek Mythology!

I do like what Nancy said - Indigenous doesn't have to be Native Americans - it could be the indigenous of other nations as well. Well, the subject is not very broad this month!

I'm off to vote.

[LibraryCin]

Meli wrote: "I think it strikes me, and clearly other readers, more as academic or analytical of religion. ..."

This is exactly what I was just thinking. I feel like "Theology" is more academic.

[Robin P]

Kind of like the difference between "thought-provoking" and "philosophy"!

[Amy]

It’s funny, because I didn’t even think about thought-provoking as philosophy. I actually picked thought-provoking as my favorite tag. I think I really love that category best. Anything that makes you really think deeply and spin around in your mind in a totally different way. I would’ve never considered that philosophy, although I suppose philosophy is a kind of thought-provoking. I sort of see that parallel is all Great Danes are dogs, but not all dogs are great Danes. All apples are fruit but not all fruits are apples. I guess in that realm theology can be so many things. If it winds, I’m sure we will all find something that works.

[LibraryCin]

Amy wrote: "It’s funny, because I didn’t even think about thought-provoking as philosophy. ..."

I also wouldn't have equated these two!

[Karin]

Meli wrote: "@Karin - I think it strikes me, and clearly other readers, more as academic or analytical of religion."

I think I know what you mean even though there is a great deal of academic and analytical thought and writing in theology as a study (not in most religious people's purview, but in mine--as in I read beyond even many pastors because even if I don't agree I like the intellectual stimulation as well as the deep thinking and requestioning,) when it comes to fiction it tends to be more academic or analytical about religion. Not the same thing!

[NancyJ]

Has anyone here read Braiding Sweetgrass? The ratings are extremely high, but the description doesn’t sound like it would have such broad appeal. Would this be a good book club choice? I’m just a little hesitant to suggest it.

FYI it’s on the Audible plus list now, so it’s free to members. I didn’t like her voice in the sample but maybe I’ll get used to it, or i can speed it up.

Audible Plus and Hoopla both have a lot of good indigenous choices and no wait lists. Hoopla has books by Louise Erdrich, Richard Wagamese, Thomas King and others on the tag list.

[Lyn]

NancyJ wrote: "Has anyone here read Braiding Sweetgrass? The ratings are extremely high, but the description doesn’t sound like it would have such broad appeal. Would this be a good book club choi..."

My book group read it a few years ago. It was a great book for us. It generated a wonderful conversation.
I personally loved the book!

[NancyJ]

Lyn wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Has anyone here read Braiding Sweetgrass? The ratings are extremely high, but the description doesn’t sound like it would have such broad appeal. Would this be a good..."

Thanks Lyn!

[Jgrace]

I was very impressed with Braiding Sweetgrass. Looking back, I should have given it 5 stars because I still think about it.

Link to my review

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[LibraryCin]

NancyJ wrote: "Has anyone here read Braiding Sweetgrass? The ratings are extremely high, but the description doesn’t sound like it would have such broad appeal. Would this be a good book club choi..."

I think it would be a really good book club choice. I think I rated it "good" (3.5 stars), but everyone here knows I (usually) rate lower than most. I do suspect I might have liked it more if I'd read it rather than listened to it.

[NancyJ]

LibraryCin wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Has anyone here read Braiding Sweetgrass? The ratings are extremely high, but the description doesn’t sound like it would have such broad appeal. Would this be a good..."

I appreciate your book v audio note. I'll make sure to have both on hand when I read it. I'm not sure I could handle 16 hours of a sweet spacy voice.

[NancyJ]

Jgrace wrote: "I was very impressed with Braiding Sweetgrass. Looking back, I should have given it 5 stars because I still think about it.

Link to my review

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Your review is awesome. I think I'll add it when submit my suggestion to the group. Thanks!

[Jgrace]

NancyJ wrote: "Jgrace wrote: "I was very impressed with Braiding Sweetgrass. Looking back, I should have given it 5 stars because I still think about it.

Link to my review

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thank you. I do think it would be a great book for discussion. Any one of the essays could open up a lot of comment.

[Robin P]

NancyJ wrote: "Has anyone here read Braiding Sweetgrass? The ratings are extremely high, but the description doesn’t sound like it would have such broad appeal. Would this be a good book club choi..."

I felt the same before reading it, Ho-hum, some book about nature that I am supposed to read from an underrepresented group. But it's nothing like that. It combines the author's personal story with Native American lore and how it relates to the earth. Also beautifully written. I ended up giving it 5 stars, and I think there is plenty to discuss.

[Theresa]

Thanks for the reminder about Braiding Sweetgrass. It's been lurking near the top of the primary TBR Tower and 'almost' been read for any number of monthly tags and challenges but I never quite get to it. It would work well for indigenous if it wins.

I've been plotting my future Subdue gameboards recently -- which is pretty funny as I'm still quite rooted in Clerk! But, I decided that I'd plug into my Porter board all the other challenge books I need to finish those challenges - Popsugar and ATY both of which I am over half way finished (and even futher in ATY). And I plan to make my first Engineer board to include books from a couple of TBR Towers that have books I never quite seem to get to but always sit right at the top of the TBR. But first, I need to get out of CLERK!

[Amy]

Theresa! I did the same thing! Sitting with you at number 77 I already made up my porter board! Like some kind of wild manifestation or intentionalization! I felt like it was a sign. I was going to get there! I can’t believe you did that too.

[Theresa]

Amy wrote: "Theresa! I did the same thing! Sitting with you at number 77 I already made up my porter board! Like some kind of wild manifestation or intentionalization! I felt like it was a sign. I was going to..."

I think that's the result of:

1. having looked at this Clerk board for months and being tired of seeing it.
2. Having a better sense of books to put on it to assist with other challenges
3. Because game evolved to being multiple boards, so now understanding better how to use the board effectively
4. Being organized

[Amy]

We will have to compare! I love how only us Goodreads and PBT nerds understand the joy of such our activities and planning.

[Joanne]

Amy wrote: "We will have to compare! I love how only us Goodreads and PBT nerds understand the joy of such our activities and planning."

Nerd here-have my Porter board planned out 3/4 of the way . I have that special move of 34 spaces coming up, so I want to be ready to keep moving when I use it. I am at #54, a 12 next roll will (which is not bound to happen) takes me to 66, 34 then takes to hundred from there!! Whatever I roll next turn, the 34 will be used and I will be very near the end of Clerk!

[Theresa]

Woot! So cool and so deserving, JoAnne!

Another reason my future boards are mostly done - not to lose time due to crazy work obligations when the moment eventually arrives.

[Pam]

I'm having a lot of fun setting up my next board, too. Some days I get just as much joy out of organizing my virtual shelves as I do reading. And yes, I also like to tell myself I'm just getting prepared so as not to lose time when the opportunity comes :):)

[Amy]

Pam has pretty quickly become a regular PBT nerd like the rest of us, who spends just as much time deciding what to read and in what order as actually reading!

[LibraryCin]

I am unlikely to finish my Clerk board, sadly. But if I do, I'm just going to replace the ones I read with new ones. I still want to get to the ones I've skipped over at some point!