Time to Vote for the August Tag

[KateNZ]

So much fits politics! I certainly don’t want to read political commentary or biographies (understanding politics is part of the day job so can do without it intruding into my fun time as well!). But most of the fantasy books I read have very strong political themes. That’s probably where I’ll head if it wins.

Moral dilemma ditto. It’s really broad. Almost too broad really so I’d never think about using that as a tag. But it would be easy to find something.

Art history … not so much. But I read a great book as part of Subdue, called ‘A Right Royal Face-Off’ by Simon Edge - a novel about the feud between Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds. It was fabulous and very funny. There must be other options like it.

[Jen]

Book Concierge wrote: "Jen wrote: "Nicole R wrote: "I don't know what I am voting for yet, but for the first time in a LONG time I have finished my book for the current month before voting for next month! lol

Now....jus..."

I've read everything he's written.....so good choice but....

[Joy D]

There are so many historical fictions featuring great art and artists - I think it would be pretty easy to find (just saying). I find "moral dilemma" to be a bit too "wishy-washy" a tag for my taste, but many of my books end up having moral dilemmas in them - though not always apparent beforehand. I am not adverse to reading biographies of politicians (especially past American presidents, which is an ongoing goal). Personally, I prefer the art tag, just because it's my main hobby (aside from reading) and I love it, but I could work with any of them.

[Jgrace]

I'm voting with Joy. I can see that Art History might be a problem for game players trying to find a book with at least 5 tags, but there are many great titles that would fit the tag. I'm probably duplicating some of Joy's list but I have read these and enjoyed them.
Fiction
Leonora in the Morning Light
The Museum of Modern Love
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos
My Name Is Red
Luncheon of the Boating Party

Nonfiction:
Leonardo da Vinci
Renoir, My Father
The Paper Garden: Mrs. Delany Begins Her Life's Work at 72
Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

This list is getting too long. I could go on. But I'll mention again, the excellent The Flight Portfolio fits all of the tags we are voting on this month.

[Holly R W]

I voted for art history too! I'm not sure what I would read, but I'd find something to enjoy.

[Jen K]

María Gainza writes quirky stories about art/ art history set in Argentina. I've read both Optic Nerve and Portrait of an Unknown Lady.

[Karin]

Amy wrote: "Nancy, you are saying that you and a few others are the largest populated us of a very small tag that most of us are voting for? Lol. I actually think it’s kind of funny. You’re giving us a disclai..."

Just because a tag isn't used by many people doesn't mean it's not a great tag! I use that tag as well and only when I feel there is a real moral dilemma. I am sure I have other books that fit but don't always think of it. It might be one that came over from Shelfari.

Between the two of us we have about 210 books shelved like that (not sure how many overlap, but at least one) moral dilemmas and there are over 1300. I would hazard a guess that there are a number of people who use it, just not a multitude, but that doesn't mean it's not a valid or good shelf. Interestingly, we both shelved Harlem Shuffle this way and that one most definitely fits. I didn't go through your entire list, just thought I'd check.

Some of my best reads have been found on seldom-used shelves of others.

[Karin]

NancyJ wrote: "Amy wrote: "Nancy, you are saying that you and a few others are the largest populated us of a very small tag that most of us are voting for? Lol. I actually think it’s kind of funny. You’re giving ..."

I don't think there is a true moral dilemma in every book which is why I use it sparingly. In order to fit someone has to deliberate over it in a way I don't see that often in books.

However, it's not unusual for me to like a less popular tag, sometimes because it's off the beaten path of the same-old same-old, which politics most certainly is!

[NancyJ]

Karin wrote: "Amy wrote: "Nancy, you are saying that you and a few others are the largest populated us of a very small tag that most of us are voting for? Lol. I actually think it’s kind of funny. You’re giving ..."

We have quite a few in common, You have some sci-fi books that sound intriguing. Some books are very subtle, while others hit you over the head with the moral dilemmas. In When We Cease to Understand the World. at least one real life scientist went crazy when he realized the implications of his work. I’m not sure if he was the one who came up with a way to make a better fertilizer. It helped reduce world hunger but also helped to deplete the earth’s ozone layer.

It would be nice if there were a few more books with as much consensus as The Light Between Oceans. I thought I would hate it when I read the description, but it was beautifully done. If this one wins, I’ll be reading all the suggestions carefully. I love that people are tagging more books on the list.

I’d be really happy to find a couple more books this year that impacted me as much as Small Things Like These, Beartown, The Golem and the Jinni, Silver Sparrow, The Nightingale. Small Great Things, or When We Cease to Understand the World.

I’ll put this decision off another day. I haven’t even selected my nominee for the Top 100 list. It hurts to try to make decisions on migraine days.

[Jen]

Joy D wrote: "There are so many historical fictions featuring great art and artists - I think it would be pretty easy to find (just saying). I find "moral dilemma" to be a bit too "wishy-washy" a tag for my tast..."

I'm the opposite....I have zero artistic skill and zero interest in it or historical fiction....doubt Pride, Prejudice and Zombies has any art in it. But all good I'll just miss yet another month and continue with adventure (the 1 tag I've liked this year) until/unless a tag I have some interest in comes up later in the year. Reading is for enjoyment, not to torture myself reading things I have no interest in....that is marking.

[NancyJ]

I plan to read Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bergman in August. It has politics tags and I suspect it might fit moral dilemmas too. I want to read it regardless of which tag wins. I saw the author on TV and it was very compelling, The intro (on audio) or the kindle sample can give you a good idea what it’s about.

Would anyone like to join me in a buddy read?