Play Harder General Discussion

[Theresa]

@Nancy - I answered the collection at length where you first posted it. Short answer: Not a collection of stories by a single author.

[NancyJ]

Theresa wrote: "@Nancy - I answered the collection at length where you first posted it. Short answer: Not a collection of stories by a single author."

Thanks Theresa! I just found this in my audible library. It fits July’s tag too.

The Far Reaches: Stories to Take You Out of This World edited by James S.A. Corey.
It includes stories from Nnedi Okorafor, and John Scalzi among others.

[Theresa]

NancyJ wrote: "Theresa wrote: "@Nancy - I answered the collection at length where you first posted it. Short answer: Not a collection of stories by a single author."

Thanks Theresa! I just found this in my audib..."

Actually that doesn't fit. It's a collection put together by a publisher, NOT edited by Corey. I could not find anywhere indicating he edited it.

It has to be edited by a favorite author, not just be a publisher's collection with a story in it by a favorite author. Quite often the author does not even have a story included.

It also has to be a collection from writings from a specific year. Best American Short Fiction series fits the bill. There are others.

[Booknblues]

I had hoped to participate in the challenge swap, but after receiving my new list, I find that I have books I would like to read for all of them. My worry is that if I did participate, I would end up with one which I didn't like as well.

I'm quite unwilling to read something that doesn't appeal at the moment.

How do others decide if they will participate or not?

[Joy D]

My decision boils down to whether or not I can find something on my TBR to read for the prompts. I participated last time due to a specific prompt (read the bestselling book from the year you were born or a family member was born) where I had already read all the books that would qualify.

[Theresa]

So far for me:

1st swap - hard to do prompt for me personally

2nd swap - it was a prompt that was a little tricky, one from either PS or ATY challenges this year, that I had just completed and I had no desire to go through the exercise of again finding a book in my TBR for it.

This 3rd - I won't know until I get my next list. Just one more book to finish in 2nd....

You do have to be willing to take a bit of a risk, but that is part of the fun. It is most fun if people steal - not just open a new # when it is their turn. Stealing gives you some control too. I don't read horror as a general rule. But I stole the opened Bram Stoker prompt because when I saw it on KateNZ's 1st list, I looked it up and realized there were winners that also won Edgars so were mysteries, including 2 I had in my TBR.

I am a risk taker and I also enjoy stirring these types of games by stealing when it is my turn. Plus if you steal you are less likely to end up with the one you submitted.

[NancyJ]

Is it time for a swap?
Found it - the deadline is August 10 for Aug 11 swap. 2 weeks

I only participated once so far, when I only had a few left. I didn’t need to join the swap but I wanted to play. I gave up one that wasn’t hard, but none of the options appealed to me at the time. I liked my new prompt better, but the game took a lot more time than I expected.

My list is still new, and I’m finding good options for most of them. I have one prompt that is still giving me trouble. Most of the books on the listopia seem to be in a genre I don’t enjoy.

[Lyn]

I didn't participate in the first swap because I had books I wanted to read for each of my prompts. I did participate the in the second swap because I wasn't thrilled with a few of my prompts. I ended up with another that I wasn't super excited about (thanks Joy!), but it was still better than the one I had swapped for it. Like Theresa says, you have to be willing to take a chance. But it's still fun! I hope I have finished my current list in time for the next swap.

[Booknblues]

The first time, there was one I really didn't want and I received the same one on my second list so swapped it out once again. I was happy with what I ended with each time and ended up with a challenge I was quite happy with both times.

I think the swap is great fun, but this time I am happy with all. Even so, I have decided on one I could swap out and will participate with fingers crossed.

[Amy]

Well, I am finishing my 12th book right now. I’m actually hoping to finish it today but I have about 200 pages left in a bunch of other things to do today….. so I have to get a new list! And then figure out what might fit on it and which one to swap. But I figure I have a good amount of time to make all that happen….. I am indeed excited to be finishing my second list up. My only problem and it’s such a minor one, is that this book the olive tree, is the quintessential family drama! You could not find a book that’s more fitting. But I’m gonna go ahead and review it now. Or when I’m done.

[Theresa]

@Amy - you and I are at the exact same point! I am not going to push to finish my last today because I am savouring the read, delighting in it so much!

But I will get my 3rd list in time to participate in the swap, and will. I like risk and the unknown - it's like buying a book from a table of Blind Date With a Book options. I always indulge in those.

[Joanne]

I am hoping to finish my first list (Reading the last two books, presently) and have a new list and have something to swap out.

[Book Concierge]

I have only one prompt left in my original list and it's one I want, so I won't be participating in the swap. The entire list is a gamble in any case, and that's part of the challenge.

Real life has interfered with my reading this year, and I'm only at about half my normal pace, but that's okay.

[Amy]

My list is fun. I am in the research stage now and don't even have a clear idea about what I would swap out...

[Robin P]

There is a mystery series set in 1910 Singapore, starting with Singapore Sapphire and continuing with Revenge in Rubies and other gems,

[Amy]

I’m actually really excited for the swap. Because I have the perfect one to offer up. I easily found books for 11 of the 12. Even one that surprised me and that I was absolutely sure, I said to myself where there you go that’s gonna be the one I swap out. But no, I’m reading something right now that I just started. that’s perfect! But the one I’m swapping out is really fun. Whoever gets it is going to love it. And the truth is is that I didn’t have an immediate book for it because how would you know until you start reading…: it would be the kind of thing that I would ask you guys and within a day I would have my answer…. But for one of you guys, I think you’ll be very excited.

[Joanne]

Book Concierge wrote: "I have only one prompt left in my original list and it's one I want, so I won't be participating in the swap. The entire list is a gamble in any case, and that's part of the challenge.

Real life ..."

I am way behind myself, Tessa, about 15 books off my Gr's goal. I am not worrying about it. There is a chance I will catch up, if I don't the world will not end.

[Joanne]

The deadline is August 10, right?

[NancyJ]

Theresa’s new list has many that I really like, and I think she may like two that are giving me trouble.

[NancyJ]

Joanne wrote: "The deadline is August 10, right?"

Yes that’s the most recent date I saw mentioned. For an Aug 11 swap.

[Robin P]

I can't remember if I submitted one or not. I didn't have my new list when the announcement first happened, but I have one now I want to swap. Is there a way I can tell, or should I message Anita?

[Theresa]

Just had a chance to see my new list - first list I've seen where one of my submitted prompts isn't on it, 🤣.

It's a decent list though far too many award prompts and I already had to deal with the Tournament of Books thing more than once this year. It along with the NPR list prompt seem particularly favored in challenges -- and since I don't really plan out my reading, I find them a PITA and dislike them. I also am not fond of award prompts -- again far too many of them across the array of challenges I'm doing this year. It's clearly my year of award reads and list reads.

Of course, I know they are likely some of Nancy's favorites 😁- everyone to her own.

There's one that immediately pops up to me to be exchanged, but since we do have until August 10th to submit, I'll think on it a bit, see what I have to read in the next couple of months and what fits where.

[Booknblues]

Theresa wrote: "Just had a chance to see my new list - first list I've seen where one of my submitted prompts isn't on it, 🤣.

It's a decent list though far too many award prompts and I already had to deal with t..."

I looked at your list and thought it was interesting. There is one I would swap out without hesitation,

Your free to use Rosie and Roxie, if they work for you.

All the lists require a certain amount of research which is great fun, but yours looks like it will take more than what mine did.

[Theresa]

Booknblues wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Just had a chance to see my new list - first list I've seen where one of my submitted prompts isn't on it, 🤣.

It's a decent list though far too many award prompts and I already ha..."

Ooh, thanks for Rosie and Roxie! I am the only family member without a pet. One sister has Chloe a cat, my other sister a cat but Tailor died recently and I don't think she has brought a new cat home yet. She's been doing some traveling. Brother Ed has a dog and my niece has 3 or 4. All have real names - no Fluffy or Suivant currently. But they are not necessarily names that will be easy - likecTailor - created as she had a really long tail.

One of my other problems with prize winners, I more often than not dislike them and/or other works by the author, so it is a chore to read them, even when my favorite go to genres. But something will pop up, probably in the earlier award years.

[Theresa]

I just texted Chloe's mom, who makes and sells catnip pillows - and supplies entire family cats. Asked for list and correct spellings of family pets. If she fails, a text will go out asking for photos .... labeled.

[Theresa]

As I know you are all breathlessly awaiting my family's pet names:
Lindy
Chloe
Daisy
Leo
Archie
Zoe
Bowie - this sister lives in CO - no more need be said.
Khloe

Adding Rosie and Roxie. Might as well add Lola for JoAnne's Miss Lola.

I will start with my ebook library, which is easy to search, to see if I own any books with author's with those names.

[Robin P]

I don't like list prompts either -they are a pain to look up, and often I have already read them or don't want to.

[Theresa]

I have 2 National Book Award winners on my ebook TBR. An upcoming IRL Feminerdy Book Club read may be on Tournament of Books list, and anorher likely won an award of some kind.

BNB - you are so right that this list will require more research.

[Theresa]

Robin P wrote: "I can't remember if I submitted one or not. I didn't have my new list when the announcement first happened, but I have one now I want to swap. Is there a way I can tell, or should I message Anita?"

Just message Anita with prompt want to submit.

[NancyJ]

Anita posted a link for the swap.
See message 607 on page 13 of this topic.

[NancyJ]

Back at ya Theresa. LOL. I’d gladly trade you for a couple of mine.

At least there are mystery awards you can use for one of those award prompts.

I am reading a TOB book now and I’m loving it. You might like the older lists better, there were mysteries most years.

[Joy D]

Let's see if this works:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

This is a spreadsheet of all the Tournament of Books listed since 2005. There are loads of books. I didn't submit the prompt but I'm sure anyone can find something. These are not all "award winners" (only some). They are just books that ended up in the ToB each year.

[Amy]

Nancy, thanks for the heads up. I’ll know to look for it when I get on my computer tonight. I’m just on my trusty little phone.

[NancyJ]

I have a prompt to read something on the PBT Subdue shelf, which has over a thousand books. It was tedious to look at all those pages, so I gave up and started looking up books I was considering for compass. The first one I tried was a hit, On the Beach.

[MelanieJoy]

I'm curious what was subdue the shelf?

[Robin P]

MelanieJoy wrote: "I'm curious what was subdue the shelf?"

A couple years ago, we each created lists of books we wanted to read but hadn't gotten to (our shelf.) We assigned them numbers such as 1-100, or you could put the same 20 books in 5 times to get 100. There was a spinner (or dice?) that told us how many spaces to move. The Mod told us that number, as is done for Compass today, except they did it every day if someone had finished a book. Then some of our members (ahem, Theresa) began to think of it as a train, with some of us up front in the engine, others back in the caboose, and so on. Somehow cabana boys figured in as well!

So there are a ton of different and totally unrelated books under Subdue the Shelf.

[Joanne]

The Cabana Boys are my friends Robin, I had them with me in another challenge, and Theresa knew about them and invited them aboard the train.

[Robin P]

Joanne wrote: "The Cabana Boys are my friends Robin, I had them with me in another challenge, and Theresa knew about them and invited them aboard the train."

I knew you were another force behind the train takeover, Joanne, sorry I missed giving you credit!

[Theresa]

NancyJ wrote: "Anita posted a link for the swap.
See message 607 on page 13 of this topic."

Thanks for that! I couldn't find it and did not have time really to look.

[Theresa]

NancyJ wrote: "Back at ya Theresa. LOL. I’d gladly trade you for a couple of mine.

At least there are mystery awards you can use for one of those award prompts.

I am reading a TOB book now and I’m loving it. ..."

My typical startegy is to look up a book I'm reading that I think would be a popular read, using the year it was published and the following year. I use that with Tournament of Books and with the NPR favorites list. My Feminerdy Book Club picks have served me best for this. August read is Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse and that was on the NPR list in 2020 or 2021 I think. I'm thinking that our September read, The Goblin Emperor, will be on the 2014/2015 TOB.

I see from your posts that I'm only now catching up with (busy work day) that you ultimately took that approach on a big list prompt. It really is the easiest way to deal with those particular kinds of lists.

Oh, and I have 2 at least and probably more of the National Book Award winners from fairly recent years. One of them, Three Junes, has been in my ebook library for a long time!

[Theresa]

Robin P wrote: "Joanne wrote: "The Cabana Boys are my friends Robin, I had them with me in another challenge, and Theresa knew about them and invited them aboard the train."

I knew you were another force behind t..."

I do get creative and add color to challenges....sometimes. JoAnne is my partner in crime. The randomizer was dice and named Ursula and Ursula was NOT nice to some of us and got the boot by Anita the last couple of cays.

The followiing year we ahd the Steeplechase, and we each had mounts - mine was Bessie the cow (I grew up on a dairy farm), and the Cabana Boys came over to assist.

In fact, the Cabana Boys are off enjoying a long vacation with occasional part time work at my family's farm where a number of our mounts have 'retired' to frolic etc. TThey will be pressed into duty once again, without a doubt.

You can read all about this in the threads in archives for each challenge. There are photos, celebrations, more. You find time on your hands, take a look.

[Theresa]

Now that I have had a moment to really read my new list, I have 2 requests:

1st - this is for Doughgirl/Lynn primarily but anyone can suggest a book - Can you suggest a light fiction read set in Minnesota (with a good setting that reflects Minnesota if possible) for my prompt: Read a book set in Minnesota

2nd - whoever posted this prompt -- 8. Read a fiction or non-fiction book featuring the history of Europe - does the book have to encompass the entire or a significant swath of history of Europe or can it be a history of a specific time and location. For example, a book set during the Napoleonic Wars sufficient or need it be more like Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck which tells the history of a plot of land in Germany from 19th Century to present day, and all the history that occurred there. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue which covers 300 years would fit but I've read that. Any thoughts or ideas on that one I'd appreciate.

[Robin P]

A very light book set in MN is Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words. I know you aren’t an audiobook fan, but for anyone that is, the accent is delightful.

Also books by Lorna Landvik and of course Garrison Keillor. There is a cozy mystery series starting with Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

[Theresa]

Robin P wrote: "A very light book set in MN is Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words. I know you aren’t an audiobook fan, but for anyone that is, the accent is delightful.

Also books by [author:Lorna..."

Duh, I forgot about Keillor. Like all the suggestions. I will be traveling at the end of August so the audiobook might be considered .😅

[NancyJ]

Robin P wrote: "A very light book set in MN is Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words. I know you aren’t an audiobook fan, but for anyone that is, the accent is delightful.

Also books by

I loved Heidi’s Guide. I remember it as a quick funny romance. It was laugh out loud funny, and the accents were great. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren is partly set there. They might have set another book there too.

I was born in Minnesota and visited a lot, and always enjoyed books set there. One of my favorites was The Lager Queen of Minnesota. It’s longer and heavier than Heidi, but it felt very worthwhile. (I liked the MC’s late life career change, the details of the old and new beer industries, and the relationships between women.

Theresa have you tried anything by William Kent Krueger? Iron Lake is the first book in his mystery series set up north. If you read it for compass, use Ely Minnesota as a reference point. Many PBTers like his stand alone books even more. My favorite was This Tender Land. It’s a river odyssey of a group of kids through Minnesota (and to St Louis). There are a few subtle references to Homer’s Odyssey that I really enjoyed. I think you might appreciate them too. (Not the main story but some of the distractions along the way. ) The depression era history is really interesting too.

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens is a really good mystery thriller.

[Booknblues]

I loved Wintering . It isn't light but exciting coming of age. Part of a trilogy but i read it as a stand alone.

I was on my Kindle when I first posted this and I'm not really good at it.

[Theresa]

This Tender Land is a really good suggestion for me since I read a new translation this year and I like to pick up on classic lit influences and references as I read. A current read reminds me of Beckett's Waiting for Godot. I doubt most readers make that connection, LOL. I might have to write the author and ask.

That's my nerd side coming out.

Some good and varied suggestions. Keep them coming as I like options.

[Joy D]

Theresa, any part of European history is fine, and all of your examples would work. It doesn't have to be a huge swath of time. I am sure you are surprised that I suggested it. :-)

[Theresa]

Joy D wrote: "Theresa, any part of European history is fine, and all of your examples would work. It doesn't have to be a huge swath of time. I am sure you are surprised that I suggested it. :-)"

Not really - I also thought JoAnne - it was the NF option...

[Theresa]

Here's a link to post with form for Prompt Swap submission. Deadline Aug 10th.

I figured out which one on my list to submit. It was the one I was avoiding reading and looking through the reads on my nightstand. Some of you would love it.