Play Book Tag discussion

It's hard to believe that the year is half over, but we are kicking off the second half of 2019 with the theme of

London

It was a very popular choice so hopefully everyone can find something great to read.

Please share your reading plans and recommendations below.

Remember, for the regular monthly reads, the book can be shelved as history 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/...

I encourage people to link to additional lists below if they find them.

Oh great! I plan to continue the Rivers of London series. I believe I’m up to book four. I’m looking forward to seeing the recommendations from you all for some inspiration.

Oh man! I just don't know! There are so many ways I could take this. I would like to read a classic, but I happen to know that it won't happen this month with the bar exam upon me.

I would like to read something published in 2019 for my new release challenge, and definitely lighter fare such as contemporary fiction or contemporary romance.

I will be scouring my shelves a bit later this week to see what might fit....

Though, what I want to read FOR SURE is Harry Potter! lol.

The only book I seem to be able to find on my existing tbr is London. I keep saying I will try Rutherford, but it's kinda long.

I'm going to scour the list of potential Man Booker nominees before I commit in hopes of finding one that might fit the bill. Machines Like Me is perfect for the tag, but everyone I know seems to have hated it, so not terribly appealing.

In terms of recommendations, I suggest 84, Charing Cross Road for a nice short, but very sweet read.

I have some books to recommend. I’m plenty on my TBR. Just wanted to say that I thought the retelling the tag for June was really wonderful. And inspired so many different directions and different kinds of reasons. I thought that one was really one of our best because it was so interesting. Really great. London will be an easy breeze. I like that retellings was more specific, less broad and more particular. But you know me. As PBT’s biggest adoring fan and Devotee, I love it all. Plus, I voted for London. I’m all about the TBR this year.

Susie wrote: "Oh great! I plan to continue the Rivers of London series. I believe I’m up to book four. I’m looking forward to seeing the recommendations from you all for some inspiration."

I have the first book on my shelf Susie and plan on starting with that one. Good to see that you deem this series worthwhile, I adore a good series!

A few reccomendations:

Fantasy readers:

A Darker Shade of Magic ( 3 different Londons!)

Historical Fiction

The Clockmaker's Daughter( about 50% set in London)
Fall of Giants ( about 50% set in London)

Medieval Mystery

The Queen's Man

My choices to read:

Rivers of London
The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding
Our House
The Light Over London

Susie wrote: "Oh great! I plan to continue the Rivers of London series. I believe I’m up to book four. I’m looking forward to seeing the recommendations from you all for some inspiration."

I cannot believe it, but inter-library loaning has no copies of The Rivers of London! Have to go hunting at the used book sales!

Like Anita, I’ll be looking at the possible Booker books for an option- the longlist will be announced on the 19th, I think.

For recommendations, anything by Dickens!. And from last year’s Booker longlist In Our Mad and Furious City

Tracy wrote: "Like Anita, I’ll be looking at the possible Booker books for an option- the longlist will be announced on the 19th, I think.

For recommendations, anything by Dickens!. And from last year’s Booke..."

Tracy, I identified two others (beyond the aforementioned Machines Like Me). Annoyingly, neither is available in the U.S. Both can be ordered through Book Depository, but I purchased the one that was on sale. The two are: Saltwater and A Stranger City. Saltwater appeals to me more, but A Stranger City was notably less expensive, so I just ordered that one.

Please let me know if you identify any others.

Anita wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Like Anita, I’ll be looking at the possible Booker books for an option- the longlist will be announced on the 19th, I think.

For recommendations, anything by Dickens!. And from las..."

Although not a heavy reader of LitFic, these both look very good Anita. I look forward to your take on it

I"m thinking I might read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone because I've got a prompt to re-read a favorite book for popsugar.

Although, I've had The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on my TBR for a bit.

I've been wanting to read some Charles Dickens to get more classics under my belt.

Warlight is shelved as London and is on my TBR, maybe I'll read that.

Not sure... may have to think on this and see what strikes my fancy.

Here's my list of possibilities for London - I'm probably going with The Other Boleyn Girl as it fulfills 4 other challenges as well as PBT!

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

Anita wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Like Anita, I’ll be looking at the possible Booker books for an option- the longlist will be announced on the 19th, I think.

For recommendations, anything by Dickens!. And from las..."

There aren’t many, are there? I found Queenie, Gingerbread, and Spring, although it’s a bit of a stretch, since it’s not set just in London.

Joanne wrote: "Susie wrote: "Oh great! I plan to continue the Rivers of London series. I believe I’m up to book four. I’m looking forward to seeing the recommendations from you all for some inspiration."

I canno..."

I was looking at this book too. Apparently the first book is called Midnight Riot in the U.S.

I can't believe it's almost July. I just started my retelling and Greece books so hopefully I'll finish by the end of the month. Another possible read for me for London is Lethal White.

Oh my! I'm on a mission to read books off of my TBR this year, but there are so many books on my TBR tagged London that I could read one a day and not make a dent LOL. Many of those are historic romance, and I am re-reading one of my favorite historic romance series - the Bridgertons by Julia Quinn - in anticipation of the Netflix series based on the series that is being produced by Shonda Rhimes. (They just announced that Julie Andrews will be playing a small but key role - yay!)

As for the other books tagged London, I will only be able to read one or two. So can you all help me choose? Here are my choices:
- By Bread Alone by Sarah-Kate Lynch
- Arthur & George by Julian Barnes
- After You by Julia Buxbaum
- The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
- A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff
- Victoria's Daughters by Jerrold Packard
- The Clothes They Stood Up In & The Lady in the Van by Alan Bennett

Joanne wrote: "The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding..."

Ooo, this is a good option!

Charlotte wrote: "I"m thinking I might read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone because I've got a prompt to re-read a favorite book for popsugar.."

AH! I want to reread these so bad but I am determined to wait until August!

Tracy wrote: "There aren’t many, are there? I found Queenie, Gingerbread, and Spring, although it’s a bit of a stretch, since it’s not set just in London. ."

Queenie is on my list too! And, I think I have access to that one on audio....

Not to mention all the Tudor/English Monarchy, I have like 8-10 extra London titles on my TBR, and they include:

The Secret Keeper - Kate Morton
Radio girls
Secrets of a charmed life
The pursuit of love
Rebecca
My Lady Jane
The secrets she keeps
Vanessa and her sister
Goodnight from London
London calling
Jasmine Nights
The Royal secret - lucinda riley
The Devils Slave - Just came out 6/13

I desperately wanted to read the Devil's Slave, but my library can;t yet find it, and I don't want to pay the money.

Will probably go with Lucinda Riley, the Royal Secret, and Jasmine Nights, possibly the Secret Keeper

I hope you are right Joanne! I will definitely keep you posted. Literary fiction is my favorite, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Especially after ordering it from the UK.

Jenny wrote: "Here's my list of possibilities for London - I'm probably going with The Other Boleyn Girl as it fulfills 4 other challenges as well as PBT!

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

I have always wanted to read that book I must admit. You need to tell me if it works for you!

Tracy wrote: "Anita wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Like Anita, I’ll be looking at the possible Booker books for an option- the longlist will be announced on the 19th, I think.

For recommendations, anything by Dickens!..."

Thanks for pointing those out, Tracy. Do you cross reference against this list?

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Or do you learn about these titles elsewhere. I will definitely check them both out.

I wasn't much into Autumn, so hesitant about Spring even though I think there's a great shot that it's on the longlist. Did you read Winter?

I can recommend a book I recently read and enjoyed. It is historical fiction set in London in Shakespeare's times, and the protagonist is his brother, Richard:
Fools and Mortals

I will probably read:
White Teeth and/or A Far Cry from Kensington

I can't believe it! Over in Christmas in July many were hoping for London as their choice for a Christmas themed read was set in London!

Super easy choices for me. It will be narrowing down the list that will be hard! I will want something where London itself is nearly a character, that it really makes you feel like you are walking the streets. Some that I have read:

Aaronvitch's Rivers of London series - detective with a touch of paranormal
Ashley Gardner's Captain Lacey historical mysteries
Dickens - classics

Charlotte wrote: "I"m thinking I might read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone because I've got a prompt to re-read a favorite book for popsugar.

Although, I've had [book:The Guernsey Literary and Pota..."

Charlotte, I vote For Guernsey-I loved, loved this book! I wanted to go there when I finished with!

I avoid these side challenges unless I can double up with one of the other 4 challenges I'm doing. But I saw The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic - and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson and I wanted to read that for my nonviolent true crime book for another challenge. I've ordered it from my library.

Rachel N. wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Susie wrote: "Oh great! I plan to continue the Rivers of London series. I believe I’m up to book four. I’m looking forward to seeing the recommendations from you all for some inspira..."

THANKS! I put that in on my inter-library site and they have it!

Doughgirl5562 wrote: "Oh my! I'm on a mission to read books off of my TBR this year, but there are so many books on my TBR tagged London that I could read one a day and not make a dent LOL. Many of those are historic ro..."

I vote for Victoria's Daughters-I have had my eye on this one would love your take on it!

Nicole R wrote: "Joanne wrote: "The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding..."

Ooo, this is a good option!"

5 people ahead of me, so no chance I will get it in time-Hope you can find it~

Anita wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Here's my list of possibilities for London - I'm probably going with The Other Boleyn Girl as it fulfills 4 other challenges as well as PBT!

https://www.goodreads.com/re..."

I read it before I joined GR's-I think you would like it.

Theresa wrote: "I can't believe it! Over in Christmas in July many were hoping for London as their choice for a Christmas themed read was set in London!

Super easy choices for me. It will be narrowing down the li..."

Theresa, I just ordered the first Aaronvitch-buddy read?

Well, I think I have a winner. London. Christmas. Regency Romance.

Once Upon a Winter's Eve

Nicole R wrote: "Well, I think I have a winner. London. Christmas. Regency Romance.

Once Upon a Winter's Eve
"

There's the Nicole I know and love😉❤😂

I'm happy with this! I have a few Ripper books on my tbr, and I've put an audio on hold:
- Dust and Shadow / Lyndsay Faye

Another I've been wanting to read for a while:
- The Cuckoo's Calling / Robert Galbraith

And another that appeals to me now, though it hasn't been on my tbr as long:
- Blackout / Connie Willis

Turns out I had a few "London" tagged books on my trim but none were picked. My IRL book club is reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine for July and it was tagged 5x as "London," so we'll see if it truly fits after I read it. If it is set in London I say it is a slam dunk... maybe tagged only a few times because London isn't the main focus of the story?

Meli, I read it and I do believe it takes place in London, but you are correct in that the place is not really the focus of the story. But, fits for PBT and I enjoyed it!

Joy D wrote: "I will probably read:
White Teeth and/or A Far Cry from Kensington."

I enjoyed White Teeth by Zadie Smith.

@Joanne - read first one a year ago...have second on my 'next in series' list. Happy to join in chat about Midnight Riot.

Some favorites I can recommend for the London tag:

The Rook by Daniel O'Malley
Possession by A.S. Byatt
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber
White Teeth by Zadie Smith

I've got a lot of contenders to choose from for this tag:

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Drood by Dan Simmons
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman (re-read)
Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue
A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

Or something by China Mieville, who I've been wanting to read, but haven't managed yet: Kraken and Un Lun Dun are both described as being set in London.

Also, I found this link to 100 books set in London compiled by Book Riot:
https://bookriot.com/2017/06/06/100-m...

I highly recommend The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

Not only is it set in London, England, the tower in question is the tower of London. It would make a good summer read. Well written, humorous and I don't want to spoil it with too much praise. I liked it a good deal better than her first novel which is set in France. It is fiction, but some of the premise comes from the former menagerie that was housed at the tower (they were later moved into the start of the London Zoo).

She has another good novel that is also set in a fairly well known place in London, is The Pigeon Pie Mystery. It is also humorous, but a different type of story in that it has a mystery in it (which the other doesn't) and at least one person in it become an amateur detective.

Another 5 star read that is shelved this is The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling--more humour, but this is a classic.

PS, author Jack London is also shelved this way by some, and his books are set in Canada and the States!

How exciting. I am going to read ‘Leaving Everything Most Loved’ by Jacqueline Winspear. This is one in a series of Masie Dobbs novels about a woman who was a nurse during WWI who became a detective after the war. Masie is a strong female during a time when that was not so popular. You get a great lead character set in early 20th century London. In this book, racial bias is also a theme. It is a favorite series of mine.

Karin wrote: "I highly recommend The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

Not only is it set in London, England, the tower in question is the tower of London. It woul..."

That may be the oldest book on my GR Want to Read list! Just pulled up for monthly read!

Meli wrote: "Turns out I had a few "London" tagged books on my trim but none were picked. My IRL book club is reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine for July and it was tagged 5x as "London," so we'll see ..."

Book takes place entirely in Glasgow, Scotland. (Eleanor is FROM London, however, and there are some flashbacks to events that happened there when she was a child.)

Anita wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Anita wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Like Anita, I’ll be looking at the possible Booker books for an option- the longlist will be announced on the 19th, I think.

For recommendations, anythi..."

I loved all three of the Ali Smith books so far. And that’s the list I referenced, too. I’ve knocked off about ten of the possibles so far.

I think I'll read
Blind Justice by Bruce Alexander

and for the "christmas in july" challenge ... one of the Mrs Jeffries cozy mysteries set during the holiday season....
Mrs. Jeffries and the Silent Knight -or -
Mrs. Jeffries and the Feast of St. Stephen -or-
Mrs. Jeffries and the Yuletide Weddings

There are endless possibilities for this tag. It may be my most frequently visited fictional setting. I think there really must be something for everyone. There are titles that we will all know; Dickens and Conan Doyle. But, there are some that I've enjoyed that might not pop up on every list

Fantasy London:
Neverwhere and The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
Mary Poppins - Travers


Retelling Dickens and Doyle:
The Whole Art of Detection: Lost Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes and Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson by Lindsey Faye
Dodger - Terry Pratchett
Mr. Timothy -Louis Bayard

Historical London:
The Crimson Petal and the White
The Weight of Ink
The Tea Rose


I have a copy of Fingersmith that's been gathering dust for several years since I bought it at a library sale. I hope I can get the first book in the Rivers of London from the library before the month is out.

My recommendations for London tagged books are:

Life After Life
Neverwhere
Whose Body?
The Complete Sherlock Holmes

Some that I might read:

The Cuckoo's Calling
London Falling
The Bone Season
This House is Haunted
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows
Wishes and Wellingtons
The Darkwater Bride

Cora wrote: "Some that I might read..."

Ooooh, "This House is Haunted" made my favourites the year I read it!

I just received The Clockmaker's Daughter as a Mother's Day present, so I'm going to go with that.