Play Book Tag discussion

It looks as though we've all decided it's February so I shall too - God knows I may not get to another WWII book any time soon.

This book will be published in May 2016.

I really adore Chris Cleave, but I skipped his book on the Olympics because the topic just doesn't interest me (sorry!) I think about his book Incendiary often because of how powerful it was, and I felt like he'd do well with WWII as a topic. And he did. I really liked it.

The book primarily takes place in London, so it didn't really break any new ground for me with the slight exception of the topic of racism, which was handled well in the book. I always think of racism against black people as a traditionally American thing, but if this book was any indication it was certainly more global than I realized.

Part of the book took place on Malta, and that's certainly quite specific in term of war locale. It was moderately interesting but not an aspect of the war which must be learned about.

Mostly this was a love story; a story of family, a story of friendship, and of principles. Cleave's writing was solid as always, and somehow he even managed to weave in some humor. A fast-paced, worthy read.

I am so scarred by Little Bee that I have never read anything else by him.

I am tempted by this one because of the magic word "Olympics"...

Nicole wrote: "I am so scarred by Little Bee that I have never read anything else by him.

I am tempted by this one because of the magic word "Olympics"..."

Ha! Me too! Maybe we should read it together in July to get ready :-)

Nicole wrote: "It looks as though we've all decided it's February so I shall too - God knows I may not get to another WWII book any time soon.

This book will be published in May 2016.

I really adore Chris Clea..."

I really enjoyed Little Bee and have this one on my TBR. I thought it wasn't being released until May. Was I wrong?

Regina wrote: "Ha! Me too! Maybe we should read it together in July to get ready :-) ..."

REGINA! WE SHOULD MAKE AN ENTIRE OLYMPICS READING LIST!!!

We could include some books on Brazil, some historical fiction on the Olympics, some books like this one by Cleave, etc. Maybe even throw in some general history of Brazil, I am very interested in the culture.

Nicole wrote: "Regina wrote: "Ha! Me too! Maybe we should read it together in July to get ready :-) ..."

REGINA! WE SHOULD MAKE AN ENTIRE OLYMPICS READING LIST!!!

We could include some books on Brazil, some his..."

Sounds like a plan!

This looks like a good read, thanks for the review - clearly, deciding to be more active on PBT this year is going to mean way more books on my TBR than I need! I remember reading Little Bee and being blown away, so hopefully this will live up to the hype :)

Regina and Nicole if you want to read about the Olympics read the book GOLD - this book is about WWII.

Nicole wrote: "Regina and Nicole if you want to read about the Olympics read the book GOLD - this book is about WWII."

Yeah, I've had Gold on my TBR for awhile. Is Everyone Brave out now? I thought it was released in May.

Regina wrote: "Is Everyone Brave out now? I thought it was released in May. ..."

It does come out in May. Looks like Nicole was lucky enough to get an advanced copy!

Can you link to the book Gold? There are a lot of options....

Nevermind, I found it! Didn't realize it was also by Chris Cleave. Shesh, how many books has this man written that I immediately discounted because I hated Little Bee?!?

Was Little Bee his debut? I was thinking it was but it does't seem that long ago that I read it....

Nicole wrote: "Nevermind, I found it! Didn't realize it was also by Chris Cleave. Shesh, how many books has this man written that I immediately discounted because I hated Little Bee?!?

Was Little Bee his debut?..."

I thought Incendiary was the debut.

Lucky, Nicole on both the early snag and for the February tag!

Yes, Incendiary was the debut, and it was brilliant, but I don't know if it's for you Nicole ... it was basically a 9/11 type story. Very sad. The grief was brilliantly done, and by brilliantly done I mean harrowing.

Regina wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Regina wrote: "Ha! Me too! Maybe we should read it together in July to get ready :-) ..."

REGINA! WE SHOULD MAKE AN ENTIRE OLYMPICS READING LIST!!!

We could include some books on B..."

Perhaps our next pbt game could be some sort of Olympic type reading game, too.

Karin wrote: "Perhaps our next pbt game could be some sort of Olympic type reading game, too. ..."

I am considering actual physical violence for your mentioning a big PBT game when we just finished 3 months of baseball and transitioning to a brand new site! lol.

Nicole wrote:
I am considering actual physical violence for your mentioning a big PBT game when we just finishe..."

That got a SNORT

Nicole wrote: "I am so scarred by Little Bee that I have never read anything else by him.

I am tempted by this one because of the magic word "Olympics"..."
For me, Little Bee was one of those books I liked until the end and then wanted to throw across the room for wasting my time, if I hadn't been reading on Kindle.

Nicole wrote: "Karin wrote: "Perhaps our next pbt game could be some sort of Olympic type reading game, too. ..."

I am considering actual physical violence for your mentioning a big PBT game when we just finishe..."

Sorry, but to be honest your comment has me laughing so hard I am working hard to sit up.I was NOT thinking a team sport with complicated rules, but more like a race and simpler or a relay.

Margarette wrote: "For me, Little Bee was one of those books I liked until the end"

l read it recently and honestly am not sure I liked it until the end either. I was disappointed since so many people thought it was terrific, but I think sometimes the hype just ruins books for me. My hopes get too high.

Nicole wrote: "Nevermind, I found it! Didn't realize it was also by Chris Cleave. Shesh, how many books has this man written that I immediately discounted because I hated Little Bee?!?

Was Little Bee his debut?..."

I found Little Bee eye-rollingly bad. No more Cleve for me.

Denizen wrote: "I found Little Bee eye-rollingly bad. No more Cleve for me. .."

there were eyeroll moments in Little Bee for sure, but he's an author who is different in every book. Incendiary was brilliant.

Anita wrote: "Margarette wrote: "For me, Little Bee was one of those books I liked until the end"

l read it recently and honestly am not sure I liked it until the end either. I was disappointed since so many pe..."

I agree Anita, I definitely liked the beginning.