Play Book Tag discussion

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

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JPTCGD3

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 1/22.

I am very excited about these options! For me, it is the best combo of tag options we have had in a long time!

In fact, I already know exactly what I am going to read for each tag, and may go ahead and read all three in February!

The randomizer was smiling down on me this month.

Nice. I have many good options for all three. Medical would include a lot of interesting fiction as well as nonfiction. Still Alice is my 2007 pick.

19th century has books written during, or set in, the 1800s. There is a lot of historical fiction that would work. Marriage of opposites is on my read-soon list.

I already read the survival books from last time but I’m sure I can find something.

I’ll be happy no matter what.

Great choices! I voted but I'd be OK with any of these.

Huh. I didn't vote for 19th century because the first page was almost all classics, but I'd be able to fit a lot of my historical romances in that category. Whoops.

So I guess I'm actually pretty OK with most of the options this month.

Hebah wrote: "Huh. I didn't vote for 19th century because the first page was almost all classics, but I'd be able to fit a lot of my historical romances in that category. Whoops."

I am also not a huge fan of the classics. I feel like I should read them, but then it feels like school work. BUT, having said that, I have actually been looking for an excuse to read Far From the Madding Crowd.

If you like historical romances but want to read something that was published in the 19th century (assuming that tag is selected), I highly recommend Anna Karenina. I hemmed and hawed over it for years before finally diving into the audiobook, and it was totally great! Some slow spots regarding Russian agrarian society, especially toward the end, but those can be skimmed leaving what was a wonderfully compelling romance story!

Nicole R wrote: "Hebah wrote: "Huh. I didn't vote for 19th century because the first page was almost all classics, but I'd be able to fit a lot of my historical romances in that category. Whoops."

I am also not a ..."

Thanks for the suggestion, but I actually have my bachelor's and master's in English lit (with way more hours in 19th century British lit than I should have been able to get away with!) and have decided I'm clear of all classic obligation reading unless something crosses my path that I really want to read. So, one of these years, for example, I will read The Picture of Dorian Grey, and I did enjoy reading The Count of Monte Cristo with my husband and may even read it again as well as reading more Dumas in general.

19th century has been a pretty popular tag twice since I joined PBT in 2008. An easy one for me. At least half my reading is in the 19th century.

But, I may vote for something else. They're all such good choices.

Hebah wrote: "Thanks for the suggestion, but I actually have my bachelor's and master's in English lit (with way more hours in 19th century British lit than I should have been able to get away with!) and have decided I'm clear of all classic obligation reading unless something crosses my path that I really want to read. "

Ha! Yes, you certainly have met your obligation! Well, if the urge strikes you to read more, I definitely recommend Anna Karenina.

I read The Count of Monte Cristo years ago and it has been on my reread list. Eventually, I think I will get to it. I think it would be a fun one to listen to on audio.

Jgrace wrote: "They're all such good choices.."

I agree! The books for survival and medical are actually books I am more excited to read, but would be content with any of them.

Nicole R wrote: "Hebah wrote: "Huh. I didn't vote for 19th century because the first page was almost all classics, but I'd be able to fit a lot of my historical romances in that category. Whoops."

I am also not a ..."

I may be slightly biased (as I live in Hardy's Dorset) but Far From the Madding Crowd is my favourite of his! (It also doesn't hurt that I used it in my Literature of Sexuality module and it helped get me a first for that one! - I did a presentation on it in 'Blind Date' format)

I'll let the PBT members and fate decide. Not super excited about any of these.

Jenny - I wish I'd seen your 'blind date' presentation, just the thought of it is making me chuckle...

I agree that this is the best list of choices we've had for a while - there are books I actively want to read on all three, in fact I'm finding it hard to decide! I'm wavering between 19th century (if I take a generous interpretation and read books set then but written later) or medical (since I already have Cutting For Stone queued up and also keep hearing good things about Being Mortal)

Jenny wrote: "I may be slightly biased (as I live in Hardy's Dorset) but Far From the Madding Crowd is my favourite of his! (It also doesn't hurt that I used it in my Literature of Sexuality module and it helped get me a first for that one! - I did a presentation on it in 'Blind Date' format)
..."

This makes me even more excited to read it! And your presentation sounds very creative and entertaining!

If 19th century is selected and I finally get to it, I plan to listen to it on audio because Davina Porter narrates! I have never listened to her narration before but I know that she does all of the Outlander books and people rave about how great she is.

Voted. Only one really works for me. Let's see what happens.

I especially like fiction and nonfiction medical books. Back in the day of young adulthood I read many including Coma, The Andromeda Strain, and And the Band Played On. Enjoyed all three immensely.

So, I voted.
Not so excited about second choice.

Still looking and thinking. Trying to find books that will apply to a monthly tag plus a state book.

Lots of great choices for me in 19th Century and Survival....not sure which I am going to go yet. Like Joni, I want to tie into Polls Challenge.

I love all three options this month!

These are all good options for me and I love that, because I am happy with whatever wins.

I did vote for the one, which I like to read the most.

I feel like this could be a month where a lot of members are reading the same books.

You know I am always surprised! Sometimes I look at these possible tags and I inwardly say "ugh - there is going to be nothing in any of these for me!" But naturally, the second I do research I see that I have plenty, and plenty for all! And things to get really excited about. I agree, its not important to me which one wins. But I am about to vote nonetheless.

Voted

These options are all fantastic.

For those who are unsure of medical, Being Mortal should be required reading. It's a very important topic and written in a very approachable manner.

Nicole R wrote: "Hebah wrote: "Huh. I didn't vote for 19th century because the first page was almost all classics, but I'd be able to fit a lot of my historical romances in that category. Whoops."

I am also not a ..."

Nicole, if 19th century wins, I will definitely read/listen to Far From the Madding Crowd with you. I started it once and was loving it, but got distracted and never finished. I've been wanting to get back to it for years.

Nicole R wrote: "I am very excited about these options! For me, it is the best combo of tag options we have had in a long time!..."

Agreed! I'd be happy with any of those! I do have a favourite (and a least favourite, but even the least favourite should be easy enough for me.)

Hebah wrote: "Huh. I didn't vote for 19th century because the first page was almost all classics, ..."

Yeah, this is my least favourite for exactly this reason. However, I'm sure I have plenty of historical fiction that could work.

Sara wrote: "These options are all fantastic.

For those who are unsure of medical, Being Mortal should be required reading. It's a very important topic and written in a very approachable manner."

I was thinking of suggesting that one for "medical"!

Sara wrote: "Nicole, if 19th century wins, I will definitely read/listen to Far From the Madding Crowd with you. I started it once and was loving it, but got distracted and never finished. I've been wanting to get back to it for years...."

It's a deal, Sara!

Voted, and we'll see what happens...

LibraryCin wrote: "Hebah wrote: "Huh. I didn't vote for 19th century because the first page was almost all classics, ..."

Yeah, this is my least favourite for exactly this reason. However, I'm sure I have plenty of ..."

Sure you do Cindy, I was surprised how many I found on the list

If you look farther down the list, you’ll see a lot of historical fiction books that are set in the 19th century.

I was surprised too at the number of books on my list. i am fine if 19th century wins. But I suspect it won't.

I agree on the favorable tag options. I use the tags "survival" and "medicine" and find an equal 42 books for each on my shelves. 19th century not a tag I use, but it turns out that for free audiobooks, the copyrite law has had me in that century (19 last year). After touring a lot of Hardy and Dickens the last few years I went to town with long neglected French authors like Zola and Flaubert and Russians like Doestoevsky, Gogol, and Turgenev.

Like many of you any tag chosen will be fine.

Sara wrote: "These options are all fantastic.

For those who are unsure of medical, Being Mortal should be required reading. It's a very important topic and written in a very approachable manner."
100% Concur!

Voted I will be happy with any of them.

Michael wrote: "I agree on the favorable tag options. I use the tags "survival" and "medicine" and find an equal 42 books for each on my shelves. 19th century not a tag I use, but it turns out that for free audiob..."

I don't think I considered how broad 19th century would be which is dumb because it is an entire century! But I think I could knock out some long overdue classics on my tbr.

We'll see what happens.

I'd be happy with any of these, but have a clear favorite as well as a clear second choice. Thank you, Randomizer, for your sagacious picks this month!

Anita wrote: "I love all three options this month!"

Let’s see: you LOVE survival books, and your hubby’s a doctor. Plus, you read a lot of classics. You could make a big dent in your TBR this month!

I’m good with any of these. Lots of good choices!

Mel said "which is dumb because it is an entire century!

Rotfl....

Tracy wrote: "Anita wrote: "I love all three options this month!"

Let’s see: you LOVE survival books, and your hubby’s a doctor. Plus, you read a lot of classics. You could make a big dent in your TBR this month!"

Wow! I'm impressed/flattered that you've observed these things about me. So so so true on all fronts. I'm going to be very happy next month.

Sara wrote: "Nicole R wrote: "Hebah wrote: "Huh. I didn't vote for 19th century because the first page was almost all classics, but I'd be able to fit a lot of my historical romances in that category. Whoops."
..."

I'll join you. Same situation, started but didn't finish.

LibraryCin wrote: "Sara wrote: "These options are all fantastic.

For those who are unsure of medical, Being Mortal should be required reading. It's a very important topic and written in a very approachable manner."
..."

I would recommend Being Mortal to everyone! What a great book.

Voted. I have quite a few books on my TBR for all three tags so I'm good with whatever is chosen.

I agree that Being Mortal should be required reading for everyone, especially those in the medical field!

I’m eager for the new tag. Thrillers are like potato chips for me. I can go six months without touching them, but once I start I can’t stop.

NancyJ wrote: "I’m eager for the new tag. Thrillers are like potato chips for me. I can go six months without touching them, but once I start I can’t stop."

ROTFL Nancy...

NancyJ wrote: "I’m eager for the new tag. Thrillers are like potato chips for me. I can go six months without touching them, but once I start I can’t stop."

🤣

Truth is that even though I feel the same, I also am thoroughly enjoying the indulgence as it has been a very long time since I have wallowed in thrillers. I plan to wallow a bit more before launching into the next round of Proust.

Of course now I also want a bag of chips and some dip!

NancyJ wrote: "I’m eager for the new tag. Thrillers are like potato chips for me. I can go six months without touching them, but once I start I can’t stop."

Oh .. I haven't had potato chips in so long .... Now I'm craving them! (But unlike Theresa, I like my chips "naked.")