Play Book Tag discussion

I'm announcing a little early since it is crystal clear already what the tag choice is going to be (and selfishly, I'm leaving for vacation on Friday so trying to clear off my to do list).

The overwhelming favorite was:

debut

Please share your reading plans and recommendations below.

Remember, for the regular monthly reads, the book can be shelved as life on Goodreads, or be a book that is not yet shelved that way but you feel should be.

One way to find books to read for this tag is to please visit:

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

I encourage people to add additional lists if they find them.

I hope that Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi makes it on to a bunch of lists for this month. I really hope that I can get to it as it will be my second potential Booker Prize book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Yay! Very excited about this one...

First I placed a hold on The Labrador Pact at the library because I'm in a phase of raving about Matt Haig to anyone who'll listen, so I thought I'd go back and read his first one.

Then I found this list:

https://bookriot.com/2017/02/21/100-m...

which reminded me that I meant to go back and read The Virgin Suicides after I recently enjoyed Middlesex.

And then I noticed that the library has acted on my request to order The Watermelon Boys which I'd hoped to read for the Iraq Horizons challenge, but hopefully can now get in time to count it as a debut read.

I need to stop now as I think I might be getting carried away...

p.s. Also putting in another recommendation for The Secret History for anyone who hasn't read it yet ;-)

So happy! I think this is the first time since I joined that I am not having a complete break down about the Tag-LOL-I have so many on my TBR shelf and loads of them on my challenge lists!

Now I just gotta cross my fingers that the March "trim" is debut!
That would be an added bonus.

Great category!
So many choices on my tbr.

Going through the list, I found a book that my daughter has been meaning to read, so I think I will check it out for her: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.

As for recommendations, there are so many! I think I will recommend The Golem and the Jinni just to revive interest in it, for those who have not come across it.

Yes! This is what I voted for! I have so many options from my actual-TBR list and a handful of the Trim the TBR books.

I think ones I'm really excited to read include Lady in Waiting, which I bought at a romance con. Author was the lone debut author there and I thought it sounded interesting and wanted to support a new author, so I bought it but haven't read it yet.

A Conspiracy of Truths is also near the top of my books I want to read list; husband is currently reading it and keeps reading witty passages aloud to me, so I'd like to read it.

Trail of Lightning has also been on my radar.

This would be a good time for me to actually tackle some of my ARCs; I know I have some debut stuff in there.

So. Many. Options. There are also quite a few YA debuts I could read, but after a two-month YA and middle grade reading challenge for work, I'll be sticking mostly with the grown-up books for a spell.

I have so many on my TBR ... this will be easy!

Debuts I've read and highly recommend:
To Keep the Sun Alive - fiction set in Iran
The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century - true crime
DIY Rules for a WTF World: How to Speak Up, Get Creative, and Change the World - a life guide from the creator of the Pink Pussy Hat - unabashedly feminist, creative and a terrific read.
The Scribe of Siena - historical fiction/time travel

I'm sure I have a zillion more, just not identified on my GR shelf, which is mostly filled with debuts I have not yet read. I'll of course read one or more of those. But the first will undoubtedly be the one writ by a client of mine Lili Anolik entitled Dark Rooms. I also hope to get to Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises which I became curious about (in spite of loathing Hemingway) after reading The Paris Wife in which the real life story behind the book is told.

Recommendations for others: Witchmark, for unique fantasy worldbuilding (the world is roughly analgous to about WWI, though it's secondary world fantasy), with great characters and a sweet M/M romance.

Sorcerer to the Crown is witty regency fantasy with a strong note of comedy of manners.

Attachments is Rainbow Rowell's debut, and it's a cute rom-com of a story.

The Kiss Quotient was one of my top reads last year, a cute and steamy romance novel with one of the most engaging voices.

Hurrah!

J.W., I loved Freshwater so much. I hope you do too. I definitely recommend it to those who enjoy unconventional writing styles and emotional upheaval.

annapi wrote: "Going through the list, I found a book that my daughter has been meaning to read, so I think I will check it out for her: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.

As ..."

Golem is on my Trim list-I hope it comes up. I started it months ago, but it wasn't fitting any tags or challenges so I set it aside

I can recommend

for fantasy readers:

Children of Blood and Bone
The Name of the Wind
The Queen's Rising
In the Shadow of the Gods
The Shadow of What Was Lost

For Fiction:

The Kept
We Were the Lucky Ones
Cutting for Stone

These are the titles on my trim that fit the tag:
The Cuckoo's Calling (seems like a cheat, but I guess it is a debut as Robert Galbraith)
Strangers on a Train
The Couple Next Door
Tangerine
I Let You Go
My Sister, the Serial Killer
Crazy Rich Asians
The Woman in the Window (problematic, but I already bought it, so gotta read it sometime)
Her Body and Other Parties
My Absolute Darling

I will be thrilled if any of those titles gets picked for trim.

Trim and Horizon have been announced! Check out those threads to see the big reveal and to plan what you might read!

Tons of options off my TBR- hooray for trimming!
I'll be seriously considering

The Woman in the Window
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
One of Us Is Lying
My Sister, the Serial Killer

I'll keep my recommendations short:
The Secret History- I just LOVE this book
Rules of Civility- I also just LOVE this book
The Silent Patient- hot off the shelves, debuted this month. For anyone who likes a thrill. My review here

annapi wrote: "Going through the list, I found a book that my daughter has been meaning to read, so I think I will check it out for her: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.

As ..."
Golem hit for me!!!!-you are a lucky charm!!!

annapi wrote: "Going through the list, I found a book that my daughter has been meaning to read, so I think I will check it out for her: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.

As ..."

Can you narrow down the time line for me for Golem-I know it begins in 1899-how many years are involved? I Need a book that does not go longer than 1901 for the SRC challenge

Joanne wrote: "Can you narrow down the time line for me for Golem-I know it begins in 1899-how many years are involved? I Need a book that does not go longer than 1901 for the SRC challenge..."

There are no dates except 1899 in the beginning, but all the events in the book happen within one year, if I read it right - so I think you'll be ok.

I have Winter Loon for my trim the TBR, and it is a debut, so I am definitely reading that.

I am excited about some of my other possibilities:
Bangkok Wakes to Rain
American Spy
Such Good Work
The Silent Patient
A Rooster Crows in Lisbon
Where the Forest Meets the Stars

Sigh. Was hoping for college. At least it was my 2nd choice that "won".

LibraryCin wrote: "Sigh. Was hoping for college. At least it was my 2nd choice that "won"."

LibraryCin - what did you want to read for 'college'? I need a book for a Pop Sugar prompt.

I'm thinking
The Hate U Give
There There

I second these recommendations:
Cutting for Stone
My Sister, the Serial Killer

Okay, I have three possibilities:

White Chrysanthemum—this is a definite as it is historical fiction about a South Korean woman. Thanks, Joi, for the recommendation!

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls—I am not convinced this is my kind of book but I keep getting drawn back to it. Susie, I need you to read it then tell me if I would like it! lol

A Woman Is No Man—I only recently stumbled across this book, but I am intrigued. Not winning it points is that the blurb compares it to The Kite Runner. I massively did not like that book.

So, I definitely have some options and I will see what strikes my fancy as we get into the month!

Yes! I won quite a few books from giveaways, and I'm feeling guilty that I've been slow to read and review them. Now is a great time to do that!

I started Rules of Civility, which was Towles debut book and has a life tag. I loved the beginning, but I'm bogged down in the middle. (Suddenly the tone feels very artificial, and each sentence seems overworked.) If I let it be for a week or so, I might love it again when I return to it.

Meli wrote: "These are the titles on my trim that fit the tag:
The Cuckoo's Calling (seems like a cheat, but I guess it is a debut as Robert Galbraith)
Strangers on a Train
[book:..."

Meli, my local bookclub is reading Woman in Window in early March, so I'll definitely be reading it. I listened to a bit of the audio, but I think I'd rather read a print book for this one.

I have so many on my TBR; it will be difficult to narrow it down to a few.
Stay with Me
My Sister, the Serial Killer
Sometimes I Lie
The Couple Next Door
Educated
The Woman in the Window
The Chalk Man

Well, my # 1 recommendation is ...

To Kill a Mockingbird (no surprise, I'm sure)


I love Cutting for Stone ... but it's not his debut. Verghesse had written other books before this one.

Cutting for Stone was his debut novel (according to some list that I read) His previous books were non- fiction. List makers are good at small distinctions.

Shelly wrote: "I'm thinking
The Hate U Give
There There

I second these recommendations:
Cutting for Stone
My Sister, the Serial Killer"

I keep wondering about this one My Sister, the Serial Killer.

Nicole R wrote: "Okay, I have three possibilities:

White Chrysanthemum—this is a definite as it is historical fiction about a South Korean woman. Thanks, Joi, for the recommendation!

[book:The Car..."

This one keeps attracting my attention as well, The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls.

Theresa wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "Sigh. Was hoping for college. At least it was my 2nd choice that "won"."

LibraryCin - what did you want to read for 'college'? I need a book for a Pop Sugar prompt."

I had a few options, but I think my first choice was going to be Love Story, which I've never read! In part, because it's been on my tbr for so long!

ETA: Huh! It looks like it fits for debut, as well. I will take a closer look at what else might work, but it might be what I go with for debut.

If I decide to go with something else, I have other options:

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim Defede

Or, of course:
Love Story by Erich Segal

I found 147 Debut books from various sources. Quite a few classics and lit taught in colleges.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Theresa wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "Sigh. Was hoping for college. At least it was my 2nd choice that "won"."

LibraryCin - what did you want to read for 'college'? I need a book for a Pop Sugar prompt."

Theresa, here are a few with college settings or professors:

World According to Garp
Moo
Still Alice
Educated
Secret History
Dear Committee Members
The Marriage Plot
Possession
The Devil and Webster

Does anyone want to do a buddy read of The Woman in the Window? I see quite a few people mentioned it. I'm reading it for a f2f bookclub in March also. Granted, mysteries aren't the best for online discussions.

I'm definitely going to read The House on Mango Street for this, but will probably try to get to others as well.

I think Nancy should go with Devil and Webster. I think I am going with Map of Salt and Stars. I have twenty or so to choose from, seven or do that are Trim 36 books. But they weren’t picked.

NancyJ wrote: "Does anyone want to do a buddy read of The Woman in the Window? I see quite a few people mentioned it. I'm reading it for a f2f bookclub in March also. Granted, mysteries aren't the..."

I would love too, but unfortunately it is on my trim list and wasn't #34 :(

NancyJ wrote: "Theresa wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "Sigh. Was hoping for college. At least it was my 2nd choice that "won"."

LibraryCin - what did you want to read for 'college'? I need a book for a Pop Sugar prom..."

Thanks! There is actually a couple there I have NOT read already, and one on my TBR. I forgot Educated's setting.

By the way, I recommend the debut novel One Day in December - just finished it and it will get a high rating and strong review from me. It is so much more than a romance...the friendship between Sarah and Laurie may just be the soul of the story. Friendship is a huge theme, and so is coming of age if you count the transition from college to full adulthood (one's 20s basically).

Book Concierge wrote: "Well, my # 1 recommendation is ...

To Kill a Mockingbird (no surprise, I'm sure)


I love Cutting for Stone ... but it's not his debut. Verghesse had written other books..."

No it is listed as debut, on the list-Perhaps it was his first Fiction book? When I go to GR page on him there are Non-fiction listed as published before this

LibraryCin wrote: "Theresa wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "Sigh. Was hoping for college. At least it was my 2nd choice that "won"."

LibraryCin - what did you want to read for 'college'? I need a book for a Pop Sugar prom..."

Keep some tissue near by

Theresa wrote: "By the way, I recommend the debut novel One Day in December - just finished it and it will get a high rating and strong review from me. It is so much more than a romance...the frien..."

Hahahaha! And I just ripped this one apart in my review! lol

I decided not to do the TBR challenge, but I am trying to make my monthly tag choices from books that I already own. I've found these debut novels ( or first novels, they aren't all tagged debut) lingering on my kindle:

Everything Is Illuminated
The Monsters of Templeton
The Pearl That Broke Its Shell
A Land More Kind Than Home
All That Is Solid Melts into Air
An Ember in the Ashes
Girl at War
The Grass is Singing

Obviously, I can't read all of them. So, I'd appreciate any thoughts or recommendations!

Amy wrote: "I think Nancy should go with Devil and Webster. I think I am going with Map of Salt and Stars. I have twenty or so to choose from, seven or do that are Trim 36 books. But they weren’t picked."

Amy - Why do you think I'd like it? Send me a PM if it's too involved or has spoilers (I'm OK with spoilers). Leadership? Race issues? Liberal vs conservative issues on campus?

I was teaching Leadership to MBA students during the 2016 presidential election. I tried to be objective, but I could tell that one student in particular was mad anytime I referred to characteristics that could derail a leader. (I didn't even mention any names, I didn't have to because they fit so well.) It could have been worse.

I think Teresa would enjoy devil in Webster to. You know I actually had a hard time writing the review. Not that I wouldn’t mind running to you personally, it’s just that I was very careful because you know how I hate spoilers of any kind, but the book was charged and interesting because it was charged. I’m happy to talk to you more about it but I think you would probably learn more from my review than you would learn from my belated thoughts now. I thought the book was complicated and interesting and great. Brings up questions and not a lot of people want to look at these days. I thought of it as one of the two choices for college that I would offer but it sounds like it’s also a debut. By the way the other choice for college I would’ve given is the three daughters of Eve, a book that I absolutely loved and put in my top 10, but I thought I got very little notice. Tracy read it and liked it too I think. Somebody else read it. I think Tracy. But that would’ve been my other college recommendation.

I am excited for this tag! SO many brilliant debut works

NancyJ wrote: "Does anyone want to do a buddy read of The Woman in the Window? "

I would join this! My mom just read it for her F2F book club in January, so she has a copy I can borrow :)

Some of my fav debut works:
Homegoing Brilliant story of two sisters and six generations of their descendants, a masterpiece.
Sense and Sensibility Classic, irresistible Austen

Outstanding YA debut books:
The Hate U Give This one has gotten a lot of recognition
Everything, Everything Adorable story about living the best life you can
The Astonishing Color of After Beautiful and heartbreaking story of Leigh dealing with her Mother's depression and suicide

Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Shards of Honour Classic beginning to the lovely Vorkosigan Saga
The Time Traveler's Wife Realistic Sci-Fi, unique and powerful
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet Warm hug of a space opera
Trail of Lightning Dark, gritty, violent yet great storytelling, with an epic heroine