Play Book Tag discussion

Please vote for the tag you would most like to read for December at the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GZW55ZF

You may click on the answer choices in the survey to see a listing of books that fit each tag.

Remember, you may cast up to a total of 10 participation points for your choice. Everyone gets one vote for free so please vote even if you don't have any participation points!

You can see how many participation points you currently have in the spreadsheet below.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Happy voting! Please cast your votes by 12 pm EST on 11/22.

It is always interesting what the randomizer monkey will churn out. I think this could have been October's choice instead of December's.

I'm not loving it on one level, but getting a kick out of it on another.

I voted and what I'll read for either matches.

I agree, these might have fit better for October than December, but October and November were nice in terms of seasonal matches.

Here is a fit: A Christmas Carol by Dickens. It could conceivably show up on all three lists - IF someone tagged it as 2005 (because they read it in 2005). It has ghosts, a Gothic feel, and it's from a classic Gothic time period.

The books on the first page of most tag lists are usually familiar titles, but I never even heard of the #1 book on the Ghost tag list. The gothic list has a lot of overlap, but it also includes many well known classics, such as Rebecca, Picture of Dorian Gray, Jane Eyre, etc.

If one of these wins, I could go for a beautiful, dreamy, romantic gothic ghost story (not too scary).


Anita, I noticed that you linked a Listopia list for the best books of 2005 (published in 2005), rather than the tag list (which also includes books that were read in 2005). That makes a lot of sense. However, would books on either list be OK?

I remember discussions of "year" tags last year around this time. I didn't get it then (since it's not a genre), but I can see the advantages. If someone was too busy to read for pleasure 10-15 years ago, the 2005 tag might be a goldmine of great books. It also offers more flexibility in a month when the other two options are very similar.

After getting over the ‘noooooo!’ reaction and actually opening the links, there are quite a lot of interesting options. I’ve never read any Meg Cabot, for instance, and some of her ghost related books look a lot of fun.

Nancy, if 2005 should win, you can read from either the listopia list or the GR 2005 shelf. Anita linked to listopia for the year because, after looking at both lists, she thought the listopia list was a bit more useful on this one in terms of giving people a quick idea of options before they vote.

Voted for ghosts, as that stretches me a bit, but if Gothic wins I can give PLENTY of recommendations (my MA dissertation is on this genre!)

It's that time again! Yikes!

Well the good thing is-I have finished my book for Tag, Fall Flurries and HORIZONS (LoL only because one book fit all three tags)-and I am 3/4 done with my TRIM(which also fits the tag!)....that has not happened in months!

The bad thing is, the one I was leaning towards is the one I have the least books for on my shelf.

Going to let it stew a bit and see where the wind blows in this thread before I vote.

Voted - and not how any of you would think I would! I have something for everything...

I feel like I should be neutral because I am an admin, but....

I truly am not a fan of any of these. *sigh* I am sure that I will find something that will fit, but bleh on all of them.

NancyJ wrote: "I agree, these might have fit better for October than December, but October and November were nice in terms of seasonal matches.

Here is a fit: A Christmas Carol by Dickens. It could..."

Yes! Exactly what I was going to say... ghosts is actually PERFECT for December so vote for it. There really is not other appropriate option >:-)

I have wanted a lot of tags to win, but not as much as I want ghosts in December! (please take that into consideration, friends, when you cast your vote)

Meli wrote: "I have wanted a lot of tags to win, but not as much as I want ghosts in December! (please take that into consideration, friends, when you cast your vote)."

Sorry for "blehing" on your contribution! lol.

Meli wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I agree, these might have fit better for October than December, but October and November were nice in terms of seasonal matches.

Here is a fit: A Christmas Carol by Di..."

Oh Meli....just knew you were going to pipe in with "Ghosts"-and funny as it sounds, that is the one I have the most books for. Ninth House and Strange the Dreamer are both on the List and are 2 I was toying with reading next month!

Nicole R wrote: "Meli wrote: "I have wanted a lot of tags to win, but not as much as I want ghosts in December! (please take that into consideration, friends, when you cast your vote)."

Sorry for "blehing" on your..."

Hey, to each their own. I appreciate honest opinions...

BUT, seriously, look into this. Ghosts is really diverse and crosses all genres.

YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH GHOSTS!

http://www.valancourtbooks.com/the-va...

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2...

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-...

https://www.bustle.com/p/5-holiday-gh...

If ghosts wins, Lynn Kurland has a handful of fun medieval ghost romances!

Joanne wrote: "Meli wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I agree, these might have fit better for October than December, but October and November were nice in terms of seasonal matches.

Here is a fit: [book:A Christmas Caro..."

Not strange at all, like I said ghosts are freaking everywhere in literature. I hope to pick up The Ninth House, but not sure I could get to it in December.

NancyJ wrote: "..Anita, I noticed that you linked a Listopia list for the best books of 2005 (published in 2005), rather than the tag list (which also includes books that were read in 2005). That makes a lot of sense. However, would books on either list be OK?
."

You are observant, Nancy!

So, in my mind, a book that fits the tag is either a) published in 2005 or b) set in 2005. Unfortunately, most GR members use the tag to mean they READ the book in 2005. I don't get why they do this since when you mark a book as read it is date stamped, but maybe when they initially start their account, they are moving books from other sources. At any rate, for the monthly tag, you are welcome to read from the tag list . . .but the spirit of the tag would be more as I described above.

Jenny wrote: "Voted for ghosts, as that stretches me a bit, but if Gothic wins I can give PLENTY of recommendations (my MA dissertation is on this genre!)"

Ha! This is good to know because I have read a lot of the classics so will need to look further afield if this is the winner.

IMPORTANT NOTE

I'm not sure what is going on, but the first five voters skipped question #1 which is your Goodreads name.

Unfortunately, your vote will NOT be counted if your GR name is not included.

I took a look, and the survey appears to be fine. Other people are completing it successfully.

I believe I voted it correctly. I remember putting my name in. Let me know if there was a problem

Amy wrote: "I believe I voted it correctly. I remember putting my name in. Let me know if there was a problem"

Yes, I see your vote, Amy.

I voted this morning. Did it show up with my name?

People who have successfully voted thus far are: Karin, Jamie Z, Meli, Tracy, Amy, Cora, Jenny, forsanolim, AJ, and Holly.

If you think you voted, and your name isn't on this list (as of 10:15 on 11/15), the you didn't write in your GR name for Question #1 (or perhaps a bug resulted in your name not being saved somehow). You should send me a PM with your choices . . .as I don't think Survey Monkey will allow you to re-vote unless you can use a different device.

Wow, lost my post! Perhaps I hadn't finished it.

I can't say that I am crushed that ghost or ghosts didn't appear until now, since it's not my thing. I have read books on all three shelves, so cast my votes (main one and alternate in the case of a neck and neck--love that addition to the polls).

For those who missed their name, I suspect that that's because the post is now at the very top whereas there used to be some writing above it--I nearly missed it but after seeing your comment, made sure to look. We'll adjust :) !

I'm sure I'm one of the lost votes. I know I forgot to enter my username.

I was super distracted by the fact the entire page was flickering crazily and I think I was just trying to get voting over with and get away from the epileptic's nightmare as soon as possible.

Anita wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "..Anita, I noticed that you linked a Listopia list for the best books of 2005 (published in 2005), rather than the tag list (which also includes books that were read in 2005). That m..."

As someone who tags her books with years read, I can tell you why--Goodreads didn't always have re-reads, and I didn't want to "lose" a book from one year if I decided to re-read it.

Oh. Huh. I think I forgot my user name.

Oh so maybe there was a technical issue that interfered. Crazy flickering sounds bad.

Just wanted to pipe in about strange the dreamer. Which is indeed listed under ghosts. It also happens to be one of the buddy reads on the trim list. I know this, because I am one of the ones who had it on my list and other people moved theirs to match my number. I know this because my list is fairly alphabetical. I mention this because for two of the tags, I have things on my Personal trim list that match and it would be fun for the tag to miraculously match the Trim number. I also say this, because for those who are going to form a new trim list, I think strange the dreamer is a great buddy read to hop onto. Or if ghosts win, and those folks who wanted to read it anyway and we’re involved in the buddy read, we could all choose to read it together in December. Absolute shocker to all, I picked ghosts as my second ranked choice. And actually picked something else first.

I really, really, REALLLY dislike the year tags (sorry to anyone who likes them). They are too broad for me in general and the way they are used on goodreads is even worse, I do tag my books "read in (year)" so I can easily find something I read in a given year. Neither of the other choices really fits December but I'll be fine if either one wins (and very grudgingly read a year book if that tag wins :-) )

It will be interesting, because of that tag wins, we will have to rely on each other suggestions. I have something for that tag, but I wonder if a number of people read it in that year or was indeed published in that year. But if a number of people read it in that year, then hopefully the date is close enough.

Meli wrote: "Not strange at all, like I said ghosts are freaking everywhere in literature. I hope to pick up The Ninth House, but not sure I could get to it in December."

Okay, I am backpedaling....Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is tagged ghosts?!? I have been wanting to get to that one....if ghosts wins then I will totally go with that!

I think, ultimately, I am just bitter about anything in December that takes me away from reading cheesy Christmas romance books! lol. And, I only read ones published this year, so I am super picky about it.

Rachel N. wrote: "I really, really, REALLLY dislike the year tags (sorry to anyone who likes them). They are too broad for me in general and the way they are used on goodreads is even worse, I do tag my books "read ..."

Year tags are fine but I totally disregard how they are used here on GR and try to find something that was actually published that year. I typically look at Best of 2005 lists, awards from that year, etc.

I only contribute to the problem though, because I tag the books I read with the year. Honestly, I have no real idea why when you can sort by the date read. I guess just habit....

Thanks, Hebah, for explaining how you used the year tags. Makes sense!!!

Lol, add me to the Ninth House readers if ghosts wins. Looks interesting.

Nicole R wrote: "Meli wrote: "Not strange at all, like I said ghosts are freaking everywhere in literature. I hope to pick up The Ninth House, but not sure I could get to it in December."

Okay, I am backpedaling....."

According to Joanne, it was tagged as ghosts, so if ghosts is picked we should all totally buddy read that one! Seems like a lot of pbt readers are interested in it.

Anita wrote: "Lol, add me to the Ninth House readers if ghosts wins. Looks interesting."

The only downfall (at least to me) is that it is not a standalone novel. It seems to be the first in a series/trilogy/something.

Anita wrote: "Lol, add me to the Ninth House readers if ghosts wins. Looks interesting."

Oh Anita! That makes me so happy! I think you really like Leigh Bardugo

Just to clarify-it is also tagged as Gothic-which no one is talking about......that usually means it will win LOL

Nicole R wrote: "Anita wrote: "Lol, add me to the Ninth House readers if ghosts wins. Looks interesting."

The only downfall (at least to me) is that it is not a standalone novel. It seems to be the first in a seri..."

It is Bardugo's first time writing an Adult Novel, and yes I believe it is the first of 2 books-however, Amazon has just optioned the rights to make it into a TV series-so who knows if there will be more than 2 books

Oh yay, Joanne!!! Thanks for the encouragement!

I'll join in on reading Ninth House!

I just checked and I am # 1 on the wait list my library! Happy Dance Time💃

I’d be in for Ninth House too - it sounds great! And The Clockmaker’s Daughter is sitting on the shelf already if ghosts wins.

I do love this time of year with the Best Of lists - my TBR always explodes! And shortlist for prizes lists are just as dangerous. So the year category would make it easy to find something great. I just prefer thematic tags on the whole - it’s nice to have a common groove and to learn more about a genre or a topic.

I didn't realize The Ninth House would be a series / anthology...

Glad to see so many people interested in reading it!

I hope it wins for December >:-)

So the ninth house needs to go on my secret phone TBR list? I wonder if it’s already there. Maybe I’ll read it with you guys if it wins. Although reading something that’s already on my TBR is so tempting.

I could use some incentive to finish reading Ninth House. I started it on a vacation and liked it well enough, but it's pretty dark and I haven't been falling over myself to finish it since I got home.

Hebah wrote: "I could use some incentive to finish reading Ninth House. I started it on a vacation and liked it well enough, but it's pretty dark and I haven't been falling over myself to finish it since I got h..."

I wondered if you ever continued it-hopefully one of the G's will win!

Amy wrote: "So the ninth house needs to go on my secret phone TBR list? I wonder if it’s already there. Maybe I’ll read it with you guys if it wins. Although reading something that’s already on my TBR is so te..."

One of your secret lists should have it.............

Didn’t love the description. Off it goes!

Anita wrote: "People who have successfully voted thus far are: Karin, Jamie Z, Meli, Tracy, Amy, Cora, Jenny, forsanolim, AJ, and Holly.

If you think you voted, and your name isn't on this list (as of 10:15 on ..."

Anita, I voted and it won't let me vote again. I don't remember if I wrote my name or not.

I don't know if you can count me in as one of the first 5 voters or let me vote again.

Let me know.