Play Book Tag discussion
2025 Activities and Challenges
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Play Harder General Discussion
Anita wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Hayjay315 wrote: "Any recommendations on books that will fulfill the prompt of a book nominated for the Booker Prize that are shorter in length?"Hayjay, here is my Booker shelf. It..."
I think James by Percival Everett was only nominated for the Booker but did not win and it is OUTSTANDING and short at about 300 pages. Not a long, hard read at all. I frequently dislike Booker winners and nominees -- but this one is my #1 read this year and likely will be for the first quarter of the 21st Century.
For those who like me got the 'hip, hippie, hipster' - it's far less daunting than you would think. Think 60s & 70s. I just happen to have 2 biographies to read in my TBR, both about Eve Babitz who was abolutely a hipster icon of the 1960s and 70s. She was a writer and hung with the arts crowd, was friends with Joan Didion and but then they famously had a falling out that led to a feud lasting forever. The 2 books are Hollywood's Eve: Eve Babitz and the Secret History of L.A. and the just published Didion and Babitz, both books by Lili Anolik who is probably the current expert on Babitz. But it reminds me of some of the ways to attack this prompt:
Read a book set during the era or a NF book about the subject.
Read fiction of the era - Valley of the Dolls comes to mind.
Read authors of the era -- I was reading Didion, Cheever, Suzanne, Michener, and others at the time - and haven't read them since.
Read about the social and political movements of the time - Sexual Politics by Kate Millett
I have so many books that will fit in my TBR. But Babitz comes first.
Shelly wrote: "Robin P wrote: "I have one saying main character is an artist. When I looked up shelves for artists on GR, The Covenant of Water was listed. My understanding is that it's a saga wi..."Great, I bought the ebook on sale a while ago because I thought I might not finish it in the time the library would give me for a newer book.
@Lyn - I just had time finally to look at a few other lists being generated and could not but help notices #11 - I assume Buck will be picking out the book you read? I think I actually read a romance a few years back set on a goat farm in CA where the MC made goat cheese and such. It's one of the Fool's Gold series by Susan Mallery. and was fun. I can have Bessie whisper in Buck's ear if you want.
A book with the word “history” in the titleCan history be in the subtitle?
e.g. Brave Companions: Portraits in History
This should be obvious, since there is this General Discussion thread thanks to Robin suggesting it, but don't put comments in player's tracking and planning threads. Put them here. Many probably are still setting up their tracking and planning, and a comment just disrupts it for them. Same goes with Compass - there are now a couple of chat locations for it. If you have already done that, be kind and delete it, reposting here.
My comment to Lyn about Buck and a book he - er - she - might like for one of her prompts had me debating where to put it and I remembered here!
Theresa wrote: "Anita wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Hayjay315 wrote: "Any recommendations on books that will fulfill the prompt of a book nominated for the Booker Prize that are shorter in length?"Hayjay, here is my Bo..."
It’s only 303 pages, which is nothing if you really enjoy the book. There are some short literary books that take a longer time to read, because I have to keep rereading parts to make sense of everything,
@ Hayley I didn’t read James yet, but I think it’s a great choice. You can read nominees or winners (which also count as nominees). It fits one of my prompts too. I think we should have a buddy read next month for James. What do you think ?
Thanks Theresa for mentioning where to leave comments. I followed Joanne’s lead and set aside pages on my tracking thread for my planning and notes. I’m very open to suggestions or comments directly on my thread (I might miss it otherwise), but I recognize that others might not want the clutter.
Linda C did the same thing because she has a prompt that requires input from other members.
In case I forget (early Alzheimer’s), and create clutter on someone’s post, I promise you won’t hurt my feelings if you ask me to delete what I wrote after you read it. I’m sure Theresa and others would do that too. (In extreme cases, some mods have the power to delete posts on your threads. )
Pam wrote: "Will we have any swap/grab bag options this year? I have seen some prompts on other lists that I'm not sure I could complete!"Probably not on the initial list, but I will consider for subsequent lists.
Joanne wrote: "Anita, I have "a book with a title with all the letters of your first name"- Is the subtitle included in this? For some, this would be an easy one-not so much for someone with a J in their first na..."I'm going to be lenient on this. Definitely don't think duplicates are necessary.
Ohhhhh I just had an inspiration for the "re-read the first book you realized was an adult book..." prompt. I still can't remember the name of that book of my mom's that I read, but it wasn't too much longer after that when VC Andrews began making the rounds among all the 11/12 year olds at my school. LOL I think that definitely qualifies...
Linda C wrote: "A book with the word “history” in the titleCan history be in the subtitle?
e.g. Brave Companions: Portraits in History"
I say yes. It was my suggestion, and that was my intention. As long as the subtitle comes up when you search the book, I think it’s legitimate.
I wanted it to work for both fiction- like The History of Sound, History of the Rain or nonfiction history. In other challenges I’ve done, subtitles counted when you needed a lot of letters, or if you needed certain letters. Unless otherwise stated.
Anita ruled the same way with Joanne’s prompt looking for a title with all the letters in your name. The letters in the subtitle can be used.
Theresa wrote: "For those who like me got the 'hip, hippie, hipster' - it's far less daunting than you would think. Think 60s & 70s. I just happen to have 2 biographies to read in my TBR, both about Eve Babitz who..."I have a lot of links on my tracking thread about the hip, hippie, hipster prompt - it’s my #5. My first thought for hip was Devil in a Blue Dress or something from the jazz era. But I found a lot of hippie books set around 1969, and a list of newer books about hipsters.
Are the 5 tags for a book being waived for this challenge?
I think yes, Linda, unless the prompt on your list specifically says that your book needs to have x number of tag matches.
Theresa wrote: "@Lyn - I just had time finally to look at a few other lists being generated and could not but help notices #11 - I assume Buck will be picking out the book you read? I think I actually read a roman..."That sounds like fun. I would love to read something set on a goat farm. I have a few ideas for that prompt, but will certainly entertain suggestions :)
Lyn wrote: "Theresa wrote: "@Lyn - I just had time finally to look at a few other lists being generated and could not but help notices #11 - I assume Buck will be picking out the book you read? I think I actua..."It's Summer Days by Susan Mallery - 7th in her Fool's Gold series. I read them mostly out of order and it worked out fine. I read this at least 10 years ago and remember it well and liking it. It is a romance but not a smutty one.
Bessie found my old paperback copy in a forgotten box of books on the farm where many of the Steeplechase steeds are hanging out and frolicking together. She is reading it to Buck and others I saw. I suspect the whole series will get read.
I hear Ennaoj donated all her lounge decor and it has taken over the upper level of the red barn.
Linda wrote: "Are the 5 tags for a book being waived for this challenge?"Kate answered correctly. Unless specifically specified, there is no minimum number of tags required for a prompt.
Thanks. That will help with a couple of challenges on my list.
Theresa wrote: "For those who like me got the 'hip, hippie, hipster' - it's far less daunting than you would think. Think 60s & 70s. I just happen to have 2 biographies to read in my TBR, both abou..."The Girls by Emma Cline is the first one I thought of. I didn't particularly like it, but lots of PBTers did.
One of my books to read is, “Read a book that fits a tag that was nominated in 2024 but didn't win the popular vote. The book must be tagged at least 5 times with the tag you pick.” Anyone have a list of the loser tags nominated in ‘24? Thanks in advance.
Charlie wrote: "One of my books to read is, “Read a book that fits a tag that was nominated in 2024 but didn't win the popular vote. The book must be tagged at least 5 times with the tag you pick.” Anyone have a l..."The list of past tags and nominated tags is at:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
2024 us at the bottom.
Hey CharlieHere’s the list:
Jan: personal development; supernatural
Feb: China, social
Mar: adult fiction, mystery
April: Tudor, Star Wars
May: family, strong heroine
June: social justice, time travel
July: love story, short stories
Aug: faith, feminism
Sept: olympics, true crime
Oct: sports, ya-contemporary
Nov: creepy, queens
Dec: holiday, non-fiction
I found three books for set in a national park, which is on my list as well - Take Me With You by Catherine Ryan Hyde (always love her)
Black Hills - Nora Roberts
Stay With Me
I found this one rather difficult and it shouldn't be. I welcome your suggestions. I went through my entire TBR and literally looked at my covers. Read a Book with a Dog on the Cover
Believe me, you's think this would be easy. its not. I also have bird on the cover but I have four good choices for that.
I also have a book published in 2025 and the next Marie Benedict comes out January 7th. Queens of Crime.
Actually I think I meant the Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis. Thats the one that comes out January 7th.
Rachel N. wrote: "Charlie wrote: "One of my books to read is, “Read a book that fits a tag that was nominated in 2024 but didn't win the popular vote. The book must be tagged at least 5 times with the tag you pick.”..."Thank you both Rachel and Kate!
Amy wrote: "I found this one rather difficult and it shouldn't be. I welcome your suggestions. Read a Book with a Dog on the Cover"My best suggestion is A Three Dog Life, and not just because there is a dog on the cover. It’s a wonderful book.
I will look it up. Still open for more suggestions though. I can get super picky.....
Um, nope, although I thank you for the suggestion, Charlie. I am sure it was absolutely beautiful. But I cannot do a tragedy setting like that at this time. Not even for that gorgeous cover dog.
Amy, you might well like The Art of Racing in the Rain. It’s gentle and philosophical and positive, though there are difficulties to be overcome. I think a couple of people have it on their Trim lists too. @Charlie, I’ve added your book to my TBR though. It looks fascinating. And lo, the TBR groweth…
Amy wrote: "I found this one rather difficult and it shouldn't be. I welcome your suggestions. I went through my entire TBR and literally looked at my covers. Read a Book with a Dog on the Cover
Believe me,..."
The whole Chet and Bernie series has dog Chet on the cover - it starts with Dog on It and is delightful, even if, like me, you aren't really a dog person.
KateNZ wrote: "Amy, you might well like The Art of Racing in the Rain. It’s gentle and philosophical and positive, though there are difficulties to be overcome. I think a couple of people have it o..."The dog in the Art of Racing in the Rain is wonderful, but there is a lot of suffering in the book, you need plenty of Kleenex for it.
Amy you could try Dog on It. No pets die and though it's a mystery no major trauma. The book is told from the dogs perspective and I know a lot of people here love Chet, the dog
Amy wrote: "I found this one rather difficult and it shouldn't be. I welcome your suggestions. I went through my entire TBR and literally looked at my covers. Read a Book with a Dog on the Cover
Believe me,..."
Not sure how you feel about non-fiction, but offering this as a suggestion:
Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin.
I haven't read it yet myself but it's on my TBR
I will be reading the 3rd Chet book for "the narrator is not human" prompt.
Amy wrote: "I found this one rather difficult and it shouldn't be. I welcome your suggestions. I went through my entire TBR and literally looked at my covers. Read a Book with a Dog on the Cover
Believe me,..."
Amy, The cover pics in this listopia might help. You might recognize a familiar title.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Other lists.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag?ut...
I have a prompt to read a book with an animal main character or pov.
Joanne wrote: "I will be reading the 3rd Chet book for "the narrator is not human" prompt."I have the same prompt and I plan on reading the 6th Chet book for it :-)
Amy wrote: "I found this one rather difficult and it shouldn't be. I welcome your suggestions. I went through my entire TBR and literally looked at my covers. Read a Book with a Dog on the Cover,..."
(middle-school book; fast read)
(YA, historical)
(rom com)
(5-star middle-school book)
And any of the Chet & Bernie mystery series ... starts with:
Also the Books By the Bay cozy mystery series features a group of author/writers. First book is
Amy wrote: "I found this one rather difficult and it shouldn't be. I welcome your suggestions. I went through my entire TBR and literally looked at my covers. Read a Book with a Dog on the Cover
Believe me,..."
Amy - I think this NF book will interest you - Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know. Alexandra, the author is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Barnard and a neighbor, her husband a musician and they are dog owners. I found this fascinating and I don't even have a dog!
@Joanne and @Anita - I think both of you would like this too.
@Amy - for National Park I think you would like - Letters from Yellowstone by Diane Smith - HF - strong woman MC on a botanical study just after Yellowstone made a National Park.
I have “Read a book with an animal as a main character”
Pod by Laline Paull
Can anyone confirm that this works for the prompt? I really liked The Bees which definitely would work.
Also do you know if there is any description of where it is set? I want to read a couple ocean books for Compass, if I can attach them to a location.
Amy wrote: "Black Hills - Nora Roberts"Of the few books I've read by NR, "Black Hills" is one of my favourites. Probably because it also involved animals. (Ok, I don't think there is any "probably" about it!)
NancyJ wrote: "I have “Read a book with an animal as a main character”
Pod by Laline Paull
Can anyone confirm that this works for the prompt? I really ..."
Yes, Pod is told from multiple animal POVs. Here's my review if you're interested:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amy wrote: "I found this one rather difficult and it shouldn't be. I welcome your suggestions. I went through my entire TBR and literally looked at my covers. Read a Book with a Dog on the Cover..."
Here are my books with dogs on the cover (also that I tagged "dogs") that I've rated 4.5 or 5 stars). I think a couple of these may be self-published? So may be harder to find...
- Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog / John Grogan
- The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption / Jim Gorant
- A Dog's Purpose / W. Bruce Cameron
- Shelter: Lost & Found / R.A. Conroy
- Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon / Bronwen Dickey
- The Search / Nora Roberts (my other favourite by NR... also involving animals!)
- Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale / Mark Beckloff
ETA: I left off one I think is self- published because the cover is only part of the dog's face and eye.
-
Jen wrote: "Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin...."
This one's good. I love Temple Grandin.
This is an awesome list, thank you guys!!!
Joy D wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I have “Read a book with an animal as a main character”
Pod by Laline Paull
Can anyone confirm that this works for the pr..."
Thanks! I think your review is what caused me to bump up this book. The Bees is still fairly vivid in my memory, so I have high hopes for this one too. I’ve been attracted to ocean books for several years now, but I think I’ll get a different perspective in 2025. I might have more books set deep “in” the water, rather than just on boats or beaches.
I think I can search the kindle for location notes.
Amy wrote: "This is an awesome list, thank you guys!!!"
Amy, I remember that you liked Mad Honey which was coauthored by Jennifer Finney Boylan
She also wrote Good Boy: My Life in Seven Dogs
which describes the trans changes in her life as well as the way her dogs influenced her.
I’m going to get it for a dog lover I know. If anything can improve his trans sensitivity it would be a mutual love of dogs.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
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Memoirs of a Polar Bear (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Elizabeth Marie Pope (other topics)Patricia Van Tighem (other topics)
Marie Benedict (other topics)
Marge Piercy (other topics)
Pete Dexter (other topics)
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I loved it (and Robert, the Librarian)!