Play Book Tag discussion

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

https://forms.gle/JRHkkXu87SHPZmqu7

Here are the lists of books for each tag:

Archeology: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Gothic: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
World Fantasy: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

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 3/22.

Without looking at the lists, I have a favourite. I may not even have much on my tbr, but I still like it.

ETA: And I'm sure most can guess which one it's not. :-) In fact, the one it's not is the one I'm really really hoping NOT for.

I think the research is the key. The first one I had absolutely no inclination, but there’s a couple of books that are on my very soon list that happen to qualify. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to research the other two. But I have a feeling I’m going to be pleasantly surprised by the third. Maybe even the second. My TPR has gotten to be so diverse because of you guys. I’m looking forward to researching.

There is one I definitely do not want, but I am researching the other two before I vote.

ETA I did not vote for the one where I've read a zillion books already--might as well have a bit of a stretch. In hindsight, however, it might not have been the most strategic thinking for Fly the Skies.

Love all of them!

....And I know which one none of you want, because it is the one I want and nothing close to it ever gets picked🤨-

Joanne - you might be surprised!

Hmm, this is a tough one for me.

Archeology is a good fit for anyone flying to Africa or South America next month. The Lost City of Z is on my TBR (Brazil). Jodie Picoult has a decent archeology book set in Egypt (The Book of Two Ways). And there is always Amelia Peabody.

Unfortunately I'm planning to fly to China (or nearby) next month, and I didn't spot any obvious possibilities.

Cinder has China tags. It has a lot of tags with "world" and "fantasy" but I didn't see an exact match to "world fantasy." If anyone has read this, could you tag it if you think it fits?

There are a lot of Asian horror movies, so maybe I'll find something in Gothic that isn't too horrific.

For those interested, the category of World Fantasy has only nineteen books with at least five tags each. Draw your own conclusion.

Nancy, I am going to China at some point soon, this year. And I plan to read The Library of Legends on the flight. Its number 12 on my next list, and in the back of my car. I'm really looking forward to it.

Joanne, I voted for yours second, with equal power. 5 books on my TBR.

Amy wrote: "Joanne, I voted for yours second, with equal power. 5 books on my TBR."

Love you Amy girl! But it won't win, I probably won't use any points this month and just let it fall where it may. But, I would make a bet with anyone here, that on the list of World Fantasy, I could find you a book that you would like. Now I did not say love, but that could happen-I have gone over that list and there are some mighty good books and extremely talented authors there.

@ Diane-Fantasy readers don't tag books this way. It is either "fantasy" "epic fantasy" "YA fantasy" or "Sci-Fi/Fantasy" This list, to me anyway, is a tag being used for fantasy books set in similar countries in the real world. A lot of far-eastern and nordic and african themes there.

@ Theresa Temeraire is there!

FIVE books on my TBR, one the newest from Melissa Caruso, the Obsidian Tower. Which as you know, I loved and sent you the Tethered Mage, and I adored the whole series. In your honor, I even upped it on my not so secret phone TBR, just because it came up.

Joanne, I'm in the mood for fantasy. I really enjoyed The Deep this month, and it fits the tag (I think). Since the world-fantasy tag isn't heavily used, you could help by tagging the books you think it fits.

Amy - it needs more world-fantasy tags, but it sounds good.

World Fantasy is the same as High Fantasy or Epic Fantasy, isn't it? The kind of Fantasy where the writer invents their own world?

My thought was the World Fantasy tag was mostly used for the World Fantasy Award winners/nominees.

https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/...

I have a few TBR in each category but definitely have a favorite.

Cora wrote: "My thought was the World Fantasy tag was mostly used for the World Fantasy Award winners/nominees.

https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/..."

That makes sense. I didn't even know there was a World Fantasy award. Reading the definition of the award, it includes all types of fantasy. So all type of fantasy would work ... IF they were also World Fantasy Award winners or nominees.

Joanne wrote: "Amy wrote: "Joanne, I voted for yours second, with equal power. 5 books on my TBR."

Love you Amy girl! But it won't win, I probably won't use any points this month and just let it fall where it ma..."


Temeraire - I know! So are some other books on my TBR.... As I said, I love all of them. I could do any with ease, without having to dig deep.

Cora wrote: "My thought was the World Fantasy tag was mostly used for the World Fantasy Award winners/nominees.

https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/..."

Good point, Cora! I think you may be right, just like all those STEPHEN KING tags we saw during polls that were books he recommended on his blog and in reading lists.

I'm not particularly excited by any of these, but I can find something to read for any of them. I've voted.

Doughgirl5562 wrote: "World Fantasy is the same as High Fantasy or Epic Fantasy, isn't it? The kind of Fantasy where the writer invents their own world?"

Nope-world fantasy takes place in "our world" or a similar world.
All the Asian, African themed fantasy books that have recently been published are usually tagged this way. Epic Fantasy is (or should be tagged that way) if it is a long story or a large series. High Fantasy usually involves extreme magic systems, dragons and other un-wordly creatures. This is not written in stone, but it is how the people I "fantasy" with judge a book

I am going to have to think seriously about this. None of these jumps at me, but sometimes that is a good thing. Any of these will force me outside of my box.

I have a question about the World Fantasy category. Would a book like Klara and the Sun fit? This is on my TBR.

I adored Spoonbenders, which was set in the U.S. It is about a family with paranormal abilities. This was a fantasy, but probably doesn't fit this category - am I right?

I found something good on the first page of each option.

However one option has quite a few that I intended to read soon because I own them. I have such a weakness for long fantasy books that never seem to fit in challenges.

Joanne wrote: "But, I would make a bet with anyone here, that on the list of World Fantasy, I could find you a book that you would like. ..."

If it wins I might need some help! I'm lost on that one. Looks like primarily what I consider traditional or epic fantasy. :-( Not sure I'll have anything on the tbr.

Cora wrote: "My thought was the World Fantasy tag was mostly used for the World Fantasy Award winners/nominees."

That seems trickier to make it fit. :-( Unless we can define it as something else so it doesn't need the tag.

Joanne wrote: "Nope-world fantasy takes place in "our world" or a similar world...."

You mean like urban fantasy? That, I could find something for. But not necessarily an epic fantasy one. Based on the first page of what's listed, I have read a few, but nothing on the tbr.

NancyJ wrote: "Hmm, this is a tough one for me.

Archeology is a good fit for anyone flying to Africa or South America next month. The Lost City of Z is on my TBR (Brazil). Jodie Picoult has a decent archeology ..."

If World Fantasy wins and you are interested, I can give The Poppy War a fifth tag. It's good but brutal. The author is a scholar of military history and based part of it on the rape of Nanking.

Cora wrote: "My thought was the World Fantasy tag was mostly used for the World Fantasy Award winners/nominees.

https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/..."

Thanks, that's helpful. It helps explain why it's a relatively short list. It's like the Great American Read list from PBS.

For our purposes for the monthly tag, I think we're free to consider any fantasy books. The exact tag only matters for the Fly-the-Skies bonus miles.

Based on the books on the lists, I'm interpreting it as any of the following:
Books that won the World Fantasy award
Books from around the world, or books set in locations based on real places on earth (e.g. "New Beijing")
Books by authors from any country (including translated books)
Books that have great world building (e.g. Game of Thrones)

I only need to find one book for Fly the skies with enough tags. I would like to try a new short story collection from the list too. I'll pick some other fantasy books for additional reading.

After careful consideration, I've placed my vote.

Jen K wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Hmm, this is a tough one for me.

If World Fantasy wins and you are interested, I can give The Poppy War a fifth tag. It's good but brutal. The author is a scholar of military history and based part of it on the rape of Nanking.

.."

Thanks Jen, it sounds interesting. I like war strategy and espionage, but not brutal battles. Thanks for the warning. I would get the kindle not an audio, so I could skim through the gory parts.

I do agree that fantasy related tags have lost the votes many times - not counting witches and halloween type books, so maybe it's time.

I found a couple others that sound great to me.
Bridge of Birds won the World Fantasy Award in 1985.

The Ghost Bride is also a possibility

Holly R W wrote: "I have a question about the World Fantasy category. Would a book like Klara and the Sun fit? This is on my TBR.

I adored Spoonbenders, which was set in the U.S. It ..."
Holly R W wrote: "I have a question about the World Fantasy category. Would a book like Klara and the Sun fit? This is on my TBR.

I adored Spoonbenders, which was set in the U.S. It ..."

Spoonbenders was nominated for the World Fantasy award, so it should definitely fit, however you define it. I had it on my tbr as a possibility for family drama, so it might be a softer choice than some of the war-like books.

Klara and the Sun sounds interesting. It reminds me both of a children's book my kids liked, and a couple of short stories by Ted Chiang.

If Gothic wins, I can give plenty of recommendations as my MA was on the novels of Ann Radcliffe (the mother of the female gothic), and have subsequently read a variety from the classics to more modern.

All three of the tags appeal to me. My heart belongs to gothic, and I've read many from the world fantasy list. I'd have to dig a little deeper for archaeology but I'm interested in the topic. I'll be happy with whichever is chosen.

Well, I was a bit confused about World Fantasy as well, but I am inclined to agree with Joanne's definition. Looking at the books on the shelf it seems users use all three definitions, that have been in play in this thread, though :D
Lots of good fantasy on there.

Oooh. I'm really excited about most of these options this month.

Holly R W wrote: "I have a question about the World Fantasy category. Would a book like Klara and the Sun fit? This is on my TBR.

I adored Spoonbenders, which was set in the U.S. It ..."

I would say yes Holly-it appears to take place in a world familiar. Also, although it is tagged Sci-Fi, it is also tagged Fantasy. I cannot see any reason why it would not fit.

Thanks Joanne and Nancy for clarifying this for me. I may be voting for this tag.

And yet I see no one talking about archeology! Lol! I won't be unhappy with world fantasy. But if archeology wins I will be reading the Book of Ways by Jodi Piccoult.

Amy wrote: "And yet I see no one talking about archeology! Lol! I won't be unhappy with world fantasy. But if archeology wins I will be reading the Book of Ways by Jodi Piccoult."

I will be trilled if Archeology wins! I have multiple archeology themed mystery series on my TBR that need some attention.

And I think that Archeology would help those playing Fly the PBT Skies more than the other tags (although not me personally).

I Voted, interesting choices.
I can feel my TBR mountain growing already. LOL

Doughgirl5562 wrote: "Amy wrote: "And yet I see no one talking about archeology! Lol! I won't be unhappy with world fantasy. But if archeology wins I will be reading the Book of Ways by Jodi Piccoult."

I will be trille..."

Doughgirl - Not for me either. I only have two that I really want to read, and they don't fit my travel plans.

Amy - I think you'll like The Book of Two Ways. I didn't love it as much as I expected to, but it's a great fiction choice for archeology.

Amy wrote: "And yet I see no one talking about archeology! Lol! I won't be unhappy with world fantasy. But if archeology wins I will be reading the Book of Ways by Jodi Piccoult."

I find archeology the most interesting and have at least 3 on my tbr and one on my wishlist, so I would be delighted if it won. I'm pretty sure it won't but what do I know?

I always can find something in gothic, although I am less inclined to read them these days.

I do have one on world fantasy on my wishlist that I am pretty excited about, The Witch's Heart>

To sum it up, I would be happy with whatever wins.

Amy wrote: "And yet I see no one talking about archeology! Lol! I won't be unhappy with world fantasy. But if archeology wins I will be reading the Book of Ways by Jodi Piccoult."

This is the one I'm most hoping for!

DianeMP wrote: "For those interested, the category of World Fantasy has only nineteen books with at least five tags each. Draw your own conclusion."

Precisely!

But even though I know that in the US Archeology is an acceptable alternative spelling, every time I see that tag here I want to add the second A. Too bad that it's this spelling, simply because there are far more books with five or more shelvings there for that tag plus various countries.

But of course, what turns up, turns up, and that's part of the fun :)

I asked Anita to consider this issue.

Archeology
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... - 2661 books

Archaeology
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... - 11906 books

For our regular monthly tag reading, I think we can safely consider books on either list (or others that we think fit), but for the game it matters.

I think both archaeology and world fantasy are a lot broader than we might have originally thought.

NancyJ wrote: "I asked Anita to consider this issue.

Archeology
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... - 2661 books

Archaeology
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... - 11906 books

For our ..."

Yes, if this tag wins you may use either spelling.

Anita wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I asked Anita to consider this issue.

Archeology
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... - 2661 books

Archaeology
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... - 11906 ..."

Yay! 11,906 books is a lot more than 2,661 books!

Karin wrote: "But even though I know that in the US Archeology is an acceptable alternative spelling, ..."

Oh, I didn't even notice the odd spelling! Is that an acceptable spelling? I don't think I've ever seen it (or at least noticed it before)!?