Play Book Tag discussion

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

https://forms.gle/tag9XuniaJHJrVmr6

Here are the lists of books for each tag:

Greek mythology: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
indigenous: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
theology: 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 4/21.

A rather serious bunch this month. I am trying to read through Louise Erdrich so I prefer indigenous, but I imagine Greek mythology will be popular with books like Circe and Stone Blind.

Ugh!

Oh my! How very, very specific these are. I think I’ll have to go with indigenous, too. I do want to get to Song of Achilles this year, but I think that’s the only mythology I’ve got on the tbr. And theology is a big fat nope for me 😬

2 of the worst options ever in the same month. No way in hell I can face theology or indigenous after the last year and a half. So much trauma. Think I'll have a month off.

Glad to hear someone else is frowning at Theology. Jen, I took my first month off, ever, for Japan, The world kept right on spinning, lol.
Although I have a few books for the other two I think I will skip the vote and see where it lands then decide if I want to read either of them.

Robin P wrote: "A rather serious bunch this month. I am trying to read through Louise Erdrich so I prefer indigenous, but I imagine Greek mythology will be popular with books like Circe and

I’m with you on Louise Erdrich. There are so many I haven’t read yet. Some of her books have made my top ten lists in recent years. I also want to read more books from “Tookie’s list” from The Sentence.

For less serious options, I really loved Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. She has a new book coming out on May 2nd too. I’m on a waitlist, but I think it’s worth an audible credit.

Shutter by Ramona Emerson is also an entertaining mystery.

I have The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian on my Subdue list. It’s on a lot of Banned Book lists, which makes it more appealing to my inner teenager. I doesn’t sound too serious though, idk.

Indigenous could fit books from many other parts of the world too - Malaysia, India, New Zealand, Africa, South America, plus just about any colonized location.

Pam wrote: "Oh my! How very, very specific these are. I think I’ll have to go with indigenous, too. I do want to get to Song of Achilles this year, but I think that’s the only mythology I’ve got on the tbr. An..."

I know. I don’t think we’ll hear any complaints that they’re too broad.

I love the resurgence on interest in Greek mythology and have several on my TBR shelf.

Wow! What a selection! I have something I can read for each one, but the question remains Do I want to?

I voted.

O.M.G. So not what I am in a mood to read!

If anyone read my recent review of The Wedding Dress, you know 'theology' is NOT in play for me!

Love Greek mythology, have a ton on my TBR between retellings and translations, but as DianeMP says do I want to read them now?

Indigenous also heavily present on my TBR, mostly through mysteries. Again, do I want to read those now?

I think I know where to vote but will give some thought.

I ask those considering not voting to reconsider as that could stick us with theology. 🤯

Theresa wrote: "O.M.G. So not what I am in a mood to read!

If anyone read my recent review of The Wedding Dress, you know 'theology' is NOT in play for me!

Love Greek mythology, have a ton on m..."

What mysteries do you have for indigenous? I could go for one romance too.

Theresa wrote: "I ask those considering not voting to reconsider as that could stick us with theology. 🤯..."

I literally will be SHOCKED if theology wins . . .like completely shocked. But I guess anything is possible.

Sorry it's a tough one this month! Luck of the randomizer . . .though I personally like Greek mythology as a tag and am sure I have stuff for indigenous as well.

Actually, after looking, I have quite a bit of indigenous titles - - like 5 or 6 of interest.

I have absolutely nothing tagged theology on my tbr. I went for indigenous solely because I still need to read for the fall flurries candle and figured this would encourage me to get that one done.

"I ask those considering not voting to reconsider as that could stick us with theology. 🤯"

@Theresa, that gave me a good belly laugh!

I join everyone here for feeling at a loss with these tags.

I don't vote, but I am actually quite happy with the tags. While one of those I would struggle a bit to read anything, the others have a few which I'd love to have an excuse to read and perhaps even buy.

Mystery authors who write series that fit indigenous - that does NOT mean they have been tagged 'indigenous'. You all know I do not rely in GR random tagging to pick my PBT monthly tag reads, but make my own judgement:

Tony Hillerman
Anne Hillerman
Dana Stabenow
M.J. McGrath
Christopher A. Lane - an old series before he switched to Christian Lit.
Michael Ridpath - nordic noir - Iceland

There are also authors where one or two books fit due to setting or theme - not just American.

Theresa wrote: "Mystery authors who write series that fit indigenous - that does NOT mean they have been tagged 'indigenous'. You all know I do not rely in GR random tagging to pick my PBT monthly tag reads, but m..."

Also, indigenous can be Australian, Canadian or Scandinavian. I read Stolen and it was excellent. It was set in Sweden about indigenous people.

I voted but sincerely hope it's not theology. If it is I'l re-read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal.

I have not yet had an opportunity to research indigenous Nor theology. But in the unlikely event that theology wins, I actually probably do have a whole ton of stuff. Nonfiction Jewish inspired teaching is a very easy category for me. I could pick up some thing no problem. I could read the Jewish take on almost anything.

Rachel N. wrote: "I have absolutely nothing tagged theology on my tbr. I went for indigenous solely because I still need to read for the fall flurries candle and figured this would encourage me to get that one done."

As for the Fall Flurries candle - Christmas in July is coming!

Booknblues wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Mystery authors who write series that fit indigenous - that does NOT mean they have been tagged 'indigenous'. You all know I do not rely in GR random tagging to pick my PBT monthly ..."

Add Central and South America, Africa, pretty much anywhere, any book featuring colonialism.

Easy choices for me - I have a ton of both indigenous and mythology (retellings) on my TBR. Theology not so much, but I could find something to work if that wins.

Olivermagnus wrote: "I voted but sincerely hope it's not theology. If it is I'l re-read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal."

This title always catches my eye. Do you recommend it for someone who isn't religious? I think my son liked another book by this author.

My book club is reading The Book of Longings, featuring the fictional wife of Jesus. I've read a lot of books that have religious settings or characters, but I'm not sure they would qualify as theology.

Voted while smiling from ear to ear.

Are you kidding me? How does this sort of combination even happen???? I know what I'll vote for first and second and the one I don't want because I've been inundated with it.

None of these are genres where I haven't read anything and there is no point wasting votes in theology because even though it's a broad topic that has things for atheists and others, it's just not something most people are interested in, and it's divisive.

Theresa wrote: "Mystery authors who write series that fit indigenous - that does NOT mean they have been tagged 'indigenous'. You all know I do not rely .."

Thanks Theresa. I really liked the Anne Hillerman mystery I read. I think most of the William Kent Krueger books would fit as well.

Thanks for the Iceland rec. too!

I have a couple westerns with indigenous tags, including a South American indigenous western - The Adventures of China Iron. I still need a South American book this year for "6 centuries/6 continents."

For New Zealand - The Bone People by Keri Hume

Booknblues wrote: "I don't vote, but I am actually quite happy with the tags. While one of those I would struggle a bit to read anything, the others have a few which I'd love to have an excuse to read and perhaps eve..."

There are two I would have trouble with (although I know I often hope for the narrowest!). The third one, I feel is quite broad (it's not really, but certainly here in Canada, the recent Truth and Reconciliation from a few years back there are a TON of books out there for indigenous).

Booknblues wrote: "Also, indigenous can be Australian, Canadian or Scandinavian. I read Stolen and it was excellent. It was set in Sweden about indigenous people. .."

There are a LOT of well regarded Canadian indigenous books, for sure!

NancyJ wrote: "This title always catches my eye. Do you recommend it for someone who isn't religious? I think my son liked another book by this author.
...."

I would say absolutely! It's hilarious! And really well-researched historical fiction.

(This is in regards to "Lamb" by Christopher Moore.)

Voted. I’d be happy with either Greek mythology or Indigenous. Theology can take a big hike up a mountain (sacred or otherwise) and stay there

LibraryCin wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "I don't vote, but I am actually quite happy with the tags. While one of those I would struggle a bit to read anything, the others have a few which I'd love to have an excuse to r..."

I'll need to look up Truth and Reconciliation - I assume it's a law or government initiative?

NancyJ wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "I don't vote, but I am actually quite happy with the tags. While one of those I would struggle a bit to read anything, the others have a few which I'd love to ..."

Yes, here's more information on it:
https://nctr.ca/about/history-of-the-...

"The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was created through a legal settlement between Residential Schools Survivors, the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit representatives and the parties responsible for creation and operation of the schools: the federal government and the church bodies.

The TRC’s mandate was to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools. The TRC documented the truth of Survivors, their families, communities and anyone personally affected by the residential school experience. This included First Nations, Inuit and Métis former residential school students, their families, communities, the churches, former school employees, government officials and other Canadians."

This is probably the quickest I’ve ever voted! I’ve got a couple of options for two of them, but theology wins, it will probably be the first tag I don’t read for in the last couple of years.

KateNZ wrote: "Voted. I’d be happy with either Greek mythology or Indigenous. Theology can take a big hike up a mountain (sacred or otherwise) and stay there"

😂😜 without a bottle of water!

Anita, do hear the message? Theology wins, no one is reading😂😂 If you need to juggle figures let this accountant know!

NancyJ wrote: " Olivermagnus wrote: "I voted but sincerely hope it's not theology. If it is I'l re-read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal."

This title always catches my eye...."

I think it's hilarious. I like the way Moore writes and Biff's take on things, like the fishes and loaves, is entertaining. If you like your religion, with a side of humor you will like this. Not that I think theology will win.............hopefully.

Voted!

Joanne wrote: "Anita, do hear the message? Theology wins, no one is reading😂😂 "

That sounds like an empty threat to me . . .but somehow I'm just not worried about the outcome this time.

KateNZ wrote: "Voted. I’d be happy with either Greek mythology or Indigenous. Theology can take a big hike up a mountain (sacred or otherwise) and stay there"

😂

Well put, KateNZ!

I voted!

I'm reading if Theology wins! Something like Book of Longings or some Jewishy influence or teaching or influence on something based on text/scripture..... Jewish parenting or something. But as Anita said, not too worried about it.,

I actually have read some things that go under Theology, though they are in the realm of freethinkers, humanists, etc. And I found religion classes in college interesting. But that's not really what I want to read right now. I doubt that will prevail.

There has been discussion of how many literary fiction books from Black authors understandably portray injustice and oppression. Some authors say they want to show Black joy. For indigenous authors, I also feel that many of the books are rightly focused on oppression and social issues, but if that wins, it would be interesting to see if someone has options that are a bit lighter. The mysteries are a good idea.

Sherman Alexie's books do have humor, though rather dark.

For indigenous mysteries with humor try Joseph Bruchac who is best known for his juv and YA books. He also has two adult books featuring an Abenaki private detective. The mysteries are intertwined with the history and folklore of the native peoples.
Chenoo: A Novel is set in the mc’s ancestral land in Maine. The other, Padoskoks: A Jacob Neptune Murder Mystery takes him to the Pacific Northwest. I’m hoping Bruchac continues the series.

Anita wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Anita, do hear the message? Theology wins, no one is reading😂😂 "

That sounds like an empty threat to me . . .but somehow I'm just not worried about the outcome this time."

😂

Just to say that theology wouldn't be the worst, especially if you are interested in history, there is American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation.

I read it years ago, but I think it is quite relevant currently.

No, I'm not voting for Theology either, although I do have a shelf of books that would apply. However, I did a tagmash on LibraryThing, just to see what turned up. These titles showed up as 'theology,fiction.' I've read all of them and enjoyed them.

The Sparrow -Mary Doria Russell
Children of God - Mary Doria Russell
The Brothers Karamazov - Dostoyevsky
Life of Pi - Martel
Inferno - Dante
Gilead - Robinson
Silence - Endo
A Letter of Mary - L.R. King
A Monstrous Regiment of Women - L.R.King
To Play the Fool - L.R. King
Sophie's World - Gaardner

But are those the tags from GR?

Robin P wrote: "But are those the tags from GR?"

I didn't check, Robin. I went to LibraryThing because I wasn't seeing titles that I thought applied on the first three pages of the GR shelf.