Play Book Tag discussion

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

https://forms.gle/D1oiFDfqjZmqtcSE6

Here are the lists of books for each tag:

chronic illness: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
regency: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
self help: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Remember, you may cast up to a total of 10 participation points for your choice. Every PBT member 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 noon EST on 6/22.

Voted

I have to say that I love when we get weird combos like this month.

This month's choices really rock because they all will push me outside my usual lane.

There is one however, that I have a particular aversion to, so I'm putting points on the other two against it.

I found choices on the TBR for all of them, but I chose by which one has a book on my TBR, I most want to read.

I hate these!!!! And I rarely say that. But you know me, I will find something to read. Something that has been on my TBR and has been waiting for me to have a reason to pick it up. Unless it's regency. In which case Theresa will pick one out for me.

Voted

I don't know why these lists always surprise me. LoL-some strange books tagged with these. And the tags themselves are an odd lot.
Voted for the one that I have something on the TBR

OK - I am taking it back! All of it. Because I have now done two thirds of the research.

Just sayin - if regency wins, I am reading the Viscount and the Vicar's daughter, which I was saving for Fall Flurries - Christmas. But since Theresa is doing Christmas in July, that would be a fit! The one year I might surprisingly participate. So one of my votes, and it will only be one, is actually going to be for regency - which is such a surprise. The other choices would have to be completely unpalatable for me to do such a thing. I am self-shocked. One thing to add however, is that beach reads - I kind of find that they are less good on the whole. Thats what sort of makes them beachy. Just my thought. Regency following that would be really low key chill reading for two months. So there were two thoughts.

Well, with Bridgerton being popular, Regency might actually have a chance!

That one snaked its way onto my list too, if I am being truthful.

There are actually fantasy & sci-fi books that use Regency tropes, for those who don't want to read actual romance. And of course historical novels and nonfiction set in the era. But Amy has a good point about Regency following Beach Reads, seeming a bit similar.

I am tied up with work so can't post much right now but just want to mention quickly that regency is not just historical romance, not by a long shot. There are tons of mysteries, thrillers, espionage, historical fiction, history, biography, etc. This was time of England's war not just against Napoleon but also the War of 1812 and colonialism in India and Africa. There might be another war in there. Anyone remember the Sharpe series starring Sean Bean? Based on historical fiction by Bernard Cornwell.

During a Zoom call recently someone mentioned The Pink Carnation series of historical fiction by Lauren Willig - a spy in Napolean's court a la The Scarlet Pimpernel. I bet Amy would love it.

Personally this is a no brainer...no way am I 'stretching' my reading for chronic illness or self-help.

Theresa,
I am with you on that! Regency or nothing.

Some ideas for regency that are not romance, which remind us that Jane Austen wrote during and of the Regency period, and that Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is set in those times:

https://www.tor.com/2016/07/20/five-v.... There are other links within the article.

Some non-fiction options: http://lesleyannemcleod.blogspot.com/...

This is for historical romance and mentions a favorite read of mine: Frederica: http://lesleyannemcleod.blogspot.com/...

Some more non-fiction options:
https://cupofteawiththatbookplease.co...

Oh, and Georgette Heyer, the inventor of the Regency Romance, also wrote well researched historical fiction such as The Spanish Bride.

Frankenstein: The 1818 Text is also a product of the regency era. So is Vanity Fair.

Can we just do 'Beach Reads' for July again?
Lol

Interestingly enough, I just started up a self-help book. Voted for the most 'summery' in my opinion.

Thank you to everyone recommending books that are not romances. After Beach Reads, I've had my fill for the year.

Voted. Only one tag I'm really interested in. I love books about England, so there you are. However, whatever the winning tag, I'll find something to read.

Theresa wrote: "Some ideas for regency that are not romance, which remind us that Jane Austen wrote during and of the Regency period, and that Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is set in those times:

ht..."

Those are great lists, thanks for sharing!

voted

Is it just me, or is this year very heavy on "women's fiction?"

My inner teenage feminist is totally turned off by the regency genre. She's gagging at the book covers. My inner 40 year old romantic says, yes, but you liked Jane Austen when you finally gave her a chance. So I don't know. I'm getting through beach reads by not reading too many formulaic romances, and I suppose I would do the same with regency.

I was really hoping for a non-fiction related tag, but chronic illness is not quite what I had in mind. However, looking at the titles, I realize that this is exactly the list I need to see today. (My doctor's visit yesterday was a waste of time.) I saw a term that my PT has mentioned several times, as a probable cause of my chronic pain. I know this tag won't win, but I'll be reading it anyway.

If self-help wins, there are a few books that have been recommended by many people here:
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Thinking, Fast and Slow
I also have Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art.

Would Sara Waters or Steam punk books overlap with regency? Or am I thinking of Victorian?

Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley - this is an excellent dual biography that might fit regency. Lord Byron comes across as a real scoundrel.

OH ... just looked at the Temeraire series. Up next for me is book # 3 - Black Powder War - and it's tagged "regency" by 17 people. So I have a non-romance, exciting adventure to rely upon should this be the winning tag.

Book Concierge wrote: "OH ... just looked at the Temeraire series. Up next for me is book # 3 - Black Powder War - and it's tagged "regency" by 17 people. So I have a non-romance, exciting adventure to rely ..."

YEAH! Love Temeraire! Too bad I already read them all

Novik's Temeraire is absolutely regency because it is the Napoleonic War.

Here are some excellent authors with Regency era mystery fiction:

Ashley Gardner - Captain Lacey
Kate Ross - Julien Kestrel
C.S. Harris - St. Cyr
Andrea Penrose - 2 series Wrexford & Sliane is one, Lady Arianna and the world of chocolate is the other.

There are more, including a series where Jane Austen herself is tbe detective. Here are some lists (some jnclude Victorian as well):

https://crimereads.com/why-regency-en...

https://bookpage.com/features/25255-1...

https://www.bookbub.com/blog/regency-...

https://www.nypl.org/blog/2020/04/24/...

NancyJ wrote: "Is it just me, or is this year very heavy on "women's fiction?"

My inner teenage feminist is totally turned off by the regency genre. She's gagging at the book covers. My inner 40 year old romanti..."


Nancy - You need to look at Patrick O'Brian and Bernard Cornwell as well as the various otber options listed because regency is far from just historical romance which seems to be what you are suggesting. Nothing wrong with regency romance of course - I am a big fan - but it is not for all, nor is it the only genre set in that era.

I probably have a order I'd prefer, but overall, I am happy with the more narrow choices this time around. :-)

Robin P wrote: "And of course historical novels and nonfiction set in the era...."

And this is why this would be my first choice.

Actually, many Regency romances are feminist, anachronistically so - the heroines are scientists or artists and the men support them, as well as doting on their children. Plus everyone is much too clean and healthy. And all the servants are well-treated and happy. I still enjoy them - I just pretend that the stories take place on some other planet.

I didn't read romances (except classics like Jane Austen) until I was maybe 40, since I assumed they were all about women being either ravished or rescued by men. That may have been the case at one time, but for the last 30 years or so, the fantasy isn't that there is a man strong enough to rescue the woman but a man strong enough to stand up to her and accept her.

All that being said, if Regency wins, the examples above give some options that aren't romance. Besides O'Brian and Cornwell, there is C.S. Forester, author of the Horatio Hornblower series, and several other seafaring/military writers.

I have no idea what I would read on illness. I never read self-help to become a better person or to deal with emotions, but I do sometimes read practical things like Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff. Also I am interested in educational issues and brain science, so some of them might come under self-help.

Here are some other GR lists for regency

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

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

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

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

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

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

P.D. James set her final book in Regency England, squarely in Austen's world of Pride & Prejudice, with Death Comes to Pemberley. BBC did a terrible TV 2 part adaptation. But the book is fun.

Robin P wrote: "Actually, many Regency romances are feminist, anachronistically so - the heroines are scientists or artists and the men support them, as well as doting on their children. Plus everyone is much too ..."

Thanks Robin. I actually enjoy good romance novels now, especially if there is something more to the story. It helps to view them as fantasy. I've read very few so far this year, so if regency wins, I will happily read a romance or three.

The self-help tag does have a lot of books on neuroscience, learning, leadership, and change management. Many of the neuroscience and change books are very applicable to education. Especially if you want to motivate learners to change behaviors or apply the knowledge in some way.

I tried the Marie Kondo method of reducing clutter. Most of it was too drastic for me, but it made me think twice about what I brought into the house, so in that way it was very helpful. Covid was great for me because I did very little shopping.

Theresa wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Is it just me, or is this year very heavy on "women's fiction?"

My inner teenage feminist is totally turned off by the regency genre. She's gagging at the book covers. My inner 40 y..."

Thanks Theresa. If Regency wins, I'll be fine with a romance. I started a Georgette Heyer book last year but the audio was awful, so I'll try a different one. My library has no Heyer ebooks or eaudios, which seems very strange, but audible has a lot of freebies. I think I'll avoid The Bridgertons.

My husband read the entire Patrick OBrian series, and he grew up on the ocean, so I might look for a Naval book we could read together. Or maybe Temeraire.

I'm not particularly excited by any of them so will let the votes fall where they may. I do have at least one book on my TBR or currently reading (I have a Pile of books I read at the same time depending on mood) for each but would prefer not to read about chronic illness atm. Might need help from others finding something relatively light/short if that wins.

Robin P wrote: "Actually, many Regency romances are feminist, anachronistically so - the heroines are scientists or artists and the men support them, as well as doting on their children. Plus everyone is much too ..."

I forgot all about Horatio! I started that series during Poll Talley and I loved it-

You are not going to like me, but I need to avoid England (& therefore regency) until December, so have thrown a load of points towards self-help.

Amy wrote: "I hate these!!!! And I rarely say that. But you know me, I will find something to read. Something that has been on my TBR and has been waiting for me to have a reason to pick it up. Unless it's reg..."

SAME!
Glad you said it first.
I was thinking I didn't want to shit on these tags, but they are outta my wheel house, so I will sit this one out 😁

I have to say... voting for July!? Already!?
Good lord 😱

Jenny wrote: "You are not going to like me, but I need to avoid England (& therefore regency) until December, so have thrown a load of points towards self-help."

We will cancel each other out I think. :) Self-help is my least favorite.

Jenny wrote: "You are not going to like me, but I need to avoid England (& therefore regency) until December, so have thrown a load of points towards self-help."

I'm avoiding my country/state too until December. But in case it matters, you are allowed to revisit a country as long as you pick a different location. So you could visit London for Regency, and come home to England in December.

Amy wrote: "I hate these!!!! And I rarely say that. But you know me, I will find something to read. Something that has been on my TBR and has been waiting for me to have a reason to pick it up. Unless it's reg..."

You and me both! I just got here a day late and will check these out before I decide what to vote on. I know where I want to go in July, so that will be my deciding factor, and ideally I have something on my to read shelf here already.

Y’all, I always try to stay pretty neutral…but….REGENCY!!!

The bonus for having your book tagged with the monthly tag is 500 miles, which doesn't seem like a lot to me. I think my PBT Skies book only worked for the monthly tag once and I am fine with that.

Nicole R wrote: "Y’all, I always try to stay pretty neutral…but….REGENCY!!!"

Come on Nicole, you love Romance and Hot (well semi hot) SEX! We need a sizzling review from you soon!

Nicole R wrote: "Y’all, I always try to stay pretty neutral…but….REGENCY!!!"

I knew you'd be with me!

Robin P wrote: "The bonus for having your book tagged with the monthly tag is 500 miles, which doesn't seem like a lot to me. I think my PBT Skies book only worked for the monthly tag once and I am fine with that."

I too have only been able to claim the extra 500 miles a couple of times. I basically ignore FtS when voting on tag because so rarely will any of them work, especially as I am plotting to hit the mini-challenges AND read from my massive and diverse existing TBR, not have to buy or borrow a book for it.

Nicole R wrote: "Y’all, I always try to stay pretty neutral…but….REGENCY!!!"

LOL!

They used to say that the sun never sets on the British Empire. So, are there any regency books that are set in distant or exotic locales?

I've been able to match the tag every month by adjusting my itinerary (which was never set to begin with). Robin, I know it's only 500 miles, but it's gotten me to explore new locations which is fun.

Perhaps characters visit the orient, or India, or southern locales for a holiday, mystery, spy trip or war? Perhaps Napolean or the Royal Navy travel someplace far away?

Ooh, I just remembered the movie Master and Commander - they visited Galapagos Island. Theresa and Robin mentioned Patrick OBrian, who wrote a series of books about their adventures.

Any other possibilities?

I voted.

Regency isn't my go-to, but I do love a good romance!

And I read a ton of self-help books. But...some of those topics are very personal and I don't always post them on Good Reads. Just saying....

Book Concierge wrote: ""

😂

NancyJ wrote: "They used to say that the sun never sets on the British Empire. So, are there any regency books that are set in distant or exotic locales?

I've been able to match the tag every month by adjusting..."

Mr. Impossible is a Regency where the main English characters are in Egypt doing archaeology.

Sue wrote: "I voted.

Regency isn't my go-to, but I do love a good romance!

And I read a ton of self-help books. But...some of those topics are very personal and I don't always post them on Good Reads. Just ..."
That is a good point, Sue, people may not want to publicize that they read a book titled "Dealing with your xxx problem", even in a friendly forum like this one. However, there are plenty of self-help books that are less personal. I keep reading ones on organizing and decluttering, even though they have had little effect. I will never do Marie Kondo since she advises you to get rid of books!

Robin P wrote: "Sue wrote: "I voted.

Regency isn't my go-to, but I do love a good romance!

And I read a ton of self-help books. But...some of those topics are very personal and I don't always post them on Good ..."

My daughter tried Kondo-I was laughing so hard at her when she was trying to get rid of old bras-"but I love this bra" so funny to hear-who the hell loves a bra?