The Quasi-Official July Book Reading Game

[Geoffrey]

Happy July - Hot enough for you?   Here is a refresher list of all selectors and selectees.   Now let's see what genius books everyone came up with:

Selector	Selectee	Genres	Dealbreakers
Annalog	djgross	Mystery, suspense, romantic suspense	No Deal Breakers
Basilius	pawsplus	contemporary and literary fiction; classic fiction (esp. 19th/20th c); some science fiction (the more literary kind, some harder stuff) See my Goodreads	overtly Christian stuff (religion as a part of the plot is fine--just not as the whole point of the book)
Berrytastic	Margaret	Mysteries; Historical Fiction; Chick Lit  This is the link to my Goodreads Account	No Deal Breakers
djgross	fadedrainbows	Paranormal Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Chick Lit My Goodreads	I am a college student, so less than 1000 pages would be lovely!  And if it stays under the $10 limit, that would be amazing.
drenfrow	imallbs	Mystery/Detective; American and Western European History	No Deal Breakers
Emily King	Berrytastic	crime book reader and have recently discovered historical fiction such as pillars of the earth.	apart from a barbara cartland style romantic novel i am prepared to try most things .
fadedrainbows	MissStar	Paranormal Romance and Suspense (i.e. Dean Koontz)  GoodReads Profile	I'm going with none this time�
Geemont	Tripp	historical fiction; chick lit; family saga; drama; suspense; thrillers; religion is OK if it is presented culturally, not to convert.	Horror  and any creature that is typically associated with horror (vampires, zombies, werewolves, etc.).
Geoffrey	Leslie	I'll be honest, I'm the most high-maintenance player in this game. I love being a picker (and I think I do pretty well in that department) but I have a harder time as a pickee. Ready to take me on? Okay, here's a few parameters	No Deal Breakers
hsuthard	luvmy4brats	No Usual genre  Here's my   Goodreads Link so you can see what I've read: www.goodreads.com	Graphic Violence; Horror; Religion/politics
imallbs	Emily King	Urban Fantasy; Paranormal; Horror; Mystery here is my Goodreads	Non-Fiction; Religious / political with the intent of change; Harlequin-style romance.  Chick Lit. I would prefer an indie or something less expensive, if possible.
kaotickitten	Geemont	My 12 Kindleboard Game Books	Young Adult, Media tie-in, Romance, Religious, Series with more than four or five titles; extreme length
KingAl	vg	I'll try anything - And I'm loving the 'just give me one book and I'm good to go' way I've been playing the last few months..	as long as it doesn't have gratuitous graphic sex and/or violence.
Leslie	RavenclawPrefect	Science Fiction; Thriller/Mystery; Contemporary Fiction	Non-fiction; Bodice Rippers; Graphic Violence/ Gore (over the top, pages describing dismemberment type things); Religious
luvmy4brats	Solace	Fantasy, Adventure, Thriller	No Deal Breakers   I need something light length and story-wise
Margaret	SongbirdVB	Fiction - crime, suspense, mystery, romance, comedy, vampire	overly gory (which would include most zombie books I've tried), political (including war/spy stuff), Stephen King, religious with the intent to convert me.
MissStar	Basilius	Science Fiction;  Military History	Romance (Paranormal or otherwise), Horror, and Religion (with intent to convert).
pawsplus	KingAl	Sci-fi/fantasy, Mystery/thrillers.  Here's my Goodreads	Romance
RavenclawPrefect	Tuttle	Fantasy, Science Fiction	I'm going to have to set some sort of monetary limit. This may be edited but for now lets say $5.   Nothing extremely depressing.
samanthawarren	kaotickitten	Christian Romances, YA fantasy	No Deal Breakers
Solace	drenfrow	Mystery, Fantasy/Sci Fi, Science/History of Science	extreme violence/gore, extreme sadness, horror/scary stuff, You can check out my books on Goodreads: Donna's Books
SongbirdVB	Geoffrey	Science Fiction; Fantasy; Alternate History; gay themed books.  You can find me on goodreads here.	No Deal Breakers
Tripp	Annalog	Science Fiction; Mystery; Fantasy, I have an account on Goodreads	No Deal Breakers
Tuttle	samanthawarren	Fantasy (epic, urban, etc), Sci-fi	Can't be over 4.99, Indie author so I can use it for the ABC Indie challenge, nothing over 100k words, nothing overly political or religious, no non-fiction, no graphic sex scenesentertained. Wow, I seem really picky compared to a lot of people here.
vg	hsuthard	Urban fantasy, female sleuths, bestsellers and mysteries.  Here is my Goodreads	overly long books.

[Geoffrey]

Leslie,

I have two options for you.  The first I’ve been waiting a month to share.  It’s I Am Not Myself These Days by Josh Kilmer-Purcell – a memoir of his years as a drag queen in New York in the 90’s.  I laughed out loud in places, I wanted to cry in others – I think it’s different from your usual reads but I think you may love it like I did.



The second choice is Sellevision: A Novel by Augusten Burroughs.  This is also extremely funny and perfect for a light, holiday read.



And if neither of those float your boat (and I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t), Don’t worry, I have more….. 

[Margaret]

Hi SongbirdVG!  I have three ideas for you.  The first is a book that I have suggested before in this game, because it is one of my favorites, and I think that everyone should read it. 


Choice number two is a satire of reality TV shows.  I really enjoyed it, but if you are bothered by the language in books, it may not be right for you.


Finally, I noticed from your GoodReads page that you were a fan ofLittle Women.  This book is a sweet tribute to that classic. It is light and fluffy - a good vacation read.



If none of these appeal to you, let me know.  I do have some other ideas.

[SongbirdVB]

Geoffrey,  I'm going to give you three options.  If you don't like any of them please let me know so I can try again!



I loved this book.  I had not known about Guernsey, the only part of Britain to be occupied by the Nazis.  The book is written in the epistolary style, and the characters are fabulous.




One of my favorite books of all time.



This book was chosen for me a couple of months ago, now I'm passing it along!

Margaret,

I've never done this before... can I see what your other ideas are?  I've read Splendid Suns (and will need to update my GoodReads if it's not on there, sorry), don't like reality TV, and it's been eons since I read the Little Women books.  Maybe I should reread them, then read the Letters book, but that would take too long! 

[Margaret]

SongbirdVB, not a problem.  Here are two more choices:

This is a YA book about a library where the artifacts from fairy tales are stored.


This one is a bargain at a price of .99.  I know that murder mysteries are not really out of your comfort range, but this may be a new detective for you and I thought it was well done.

[Emily King]

Berrytastic

Hey Peter, I thought I'd mention that I am still reading Pillars of the Earth, but in small pieces at a time... it's a really heavy read, but I am enjoying it!   Anyway, here are my selections for you:

First, something that would probably be in your normal genre and I'm enjoying this series a LOT!  I'm reading ahead of the series on HBO and love the books!  Here's the first book in the series:



Second, something that will push your normal reading genre a little bit, but a very enjoyable read by KB's David McAfee:



Last, this one is probably as far outside your "norm" as possible.  This was a selection for me from a past book klub and I absolutely loved it!



** Side note, it appears that the UK Linkmaker isn't working for me... I had to manually put together all the links. I hope they all work for you **

[SongbirdVB]

SongbirdVB, not a problem.  Here are two more choices:

This is a YA book about a library where the artifacts from fairy tales are stored.


This one is a bargain at a price of .99.  I know that murder mysteries are not really out of your comfort range, but this may be a new detective for you and I thought it was well done.

Both of these sound AWESOME!!  I would go for the first one, but can't pay $3 more for the K version than they are charging for the paperback... =(   Too bad, it sounds kind of like the TV show Warehouse 13, which I LOVE.

So I'm going to read Caribbean Moon and am very excited about it!  YAY!

[MissStar]

Basilius, I've got three recommendations for you.  Of cousre, if none look appealing, please feel free to ask for more! 


A pretty funny book.  If you've ever seen the TV show....it's nothing like that.  lol


One of my favorite books.  I've read it a number of times, and loaned the DTB version to many people.  However, it can be a bit long and I know you only have until July 12th before A Dance With Dragons comes out. 


This was the first book suggested to me in this game, and I just adored it.  Not exactly a "happy" book, but very interesting.

I would have suggested A Thousand Splendid Suns, but Margaret already beat me to it.   

[Geemont]

Tripp,

Your Goodreads account is set to private so I couldn't review your books.  Here are three very different selections to choose from.  Let me know if none work.


1.  An easy, humorous novel about an OCD housebreaker.


2.  An Irish crime novel.  No real thrills or action, but good characterizations and psychology.


3.  A contemporary novel about a woman accused of her child's second degree murder.

[fadedrainbows]

MissStar,

Your genres are very close to mine. It always makes it more difficult when that happens >.<
Anways, here are two choices for you. If you like neither, let me know if you need some different choices


This is one of my all-time favorite series. It is a little dark, a little gruesome, and definitely comments on our society today. It is a dystopian series, set in the future, and is similar to Battle Royale.


This is the first book in one of my all-time favorite fantasy trilogies. It is set in medievalish times, and the view of magic in the books is very interesting. There is a little bit of torture, in the form of cock rings  and it is a little dark. But I have re-read it at least once and it is very touching.

Oh, looks like both of my options are darker reads. But, I couldn't put them down, if that helps. If you need/want lighter choices, let me know
-Meagan

[Leslie]

RavenclawPrefect,

This choice isn't all that far out of your comfort zone--it's a mystery and contemporary. However it's also a m/m story and maybe that will make it a little bit different for you. There's a little bit of sex but not very much. Another fun thing for me: the story takes place here in Maine. Although Josh does take some liberties with geography, it's a very nice portrait of my state.



At $3.44, it's a bargain, too!

I hope this works for you. If not, I have other ideas!

L

[Leslie]

Leslie,

I have two options for you.  The first I’ve been waiting a month to share.  It’s I Am Not Myself These Days by Josh Kilmer-Purcell – a memoir of his years as a drag queen in New York in the 90’s.  I laughed out loud in places, I wanted to cry in others – I think it’s different from your usual reads but I think you may love it like I did.

I am going to give this one a go. I've actually had the sample on my Kindle for awhile but haven't gotten around to reading it. Now I have a reason to. Thanks, Geoffrey, I am looking forward to this!

L

[drenfrow]

Imallbs, I have two very different choices for you.  My first choice is:



I read this recently and absolutely loved it. I used the word "mesmerizing" in my review.  (I just noticed this is $12.99, curse you, big publishing companies!)

My second choice is:



A fun, somewhat silly vampire detective novel.  And it's only $.0.99!

Let me know if neither strikes your fancy.

[Basilius]

Basilius, I've got three recommendations for you.  Of cousre, if none look appealing, please feel free to ask for more! 


A pretty funny book.  If you've ever seen the TV show....it's nothing like that.  lol


One of my favorite books.  I've read it a number of times, and loaned the DTB version to many people.  However, it can be a bit long and I know you only have until July 12th before A Dance With Dragons comes out. 


This was the first book suggested to me in this game, and I just adored it.  Not exactly a "happy" book, but very interesting.

I would have suggested A Thousand Splendid Suns, but Margaret already beat me to it.   

MissStar, I'm going to go with Sh*t My Dad Says. The others look interesting, Moloka'i in particular, but probably not the right month for them.

[KingAl]

vg:

My first recommendation is a YA fantasy book (it's the first in a 6 book series -- I've only finished the first two.) It's about teenage twins who get caught up in a war between ancient beings, but find out that they are the subject of a prophecy which states that they will either save or destroy the world. (It is lendable, and if you want to borrow it, I can lend it to you.)



My second recommendation is non-fiction. It discusses the genocidal policies of Hitler and Stalin iin much greater detail than American schools get into.



This 2010 biography of George Washington is a blatant violation of the $9.99 rule ($19.99, but the print version is over 900 pages), but I just finished it and loved it, so I am throwing it out here.


Let me know if none of these work for you.

[Basilius]

Pawsplus, I've got a couple recommendations for you. One fiction, one non-fiction.

First, the fiction:



This is a unique fantasy. While reading it, I got the sense I was in the middle of a myth while it was being created. This is not your typical sword-and-sorcery stuff by a long shot.

Now, the non-fiction:



You may have heard of this one. Professor Randy Pausch was dying of pancreatic cancer, and this book contains the stories around the Last Lecture he delivered at Carnegie Mellon. (The lecture itself is on youtube.) This is a very motivational and uplifting book.

Finally, a non-reading-game recommendation as its in your wheelhouse. You should read The Dervish House by Ian McDonald. Beautiful bit of literary sci-fi.

Hope you find something you like! If not, let me know and I'll come up with a couple more.

[Geoffrey]

I am going to give this one a go. I've actually had the sample on my Kindle for awhile but haven't gotten around to reading it. Now I have a reason to. Thanks, Geoffrey, I am looking forward to this!

L

Goodie!!

Story: I picked this up in a bookstore in the Hong Kong Airport - this was pre-kindle in 07 or 08 or something. On the flight to LA, this this older Japanese guy started out the flight by passing things through my line of vision to the guy on the other side of the aisle from me - like his coat, an open newspaper, his arm.  When I asked him to stop getting in front of my book, he got all indignant.  He then started an elbow war for the armrest.  So, I loved this guy.

after dinner, as he was falling asleep, I finished my first book and picked up this one and just started laughing randomly - which he took as a personal insult or something.  I (mostly) accidentally kept waking him up all through his nap - and I read straight to LA instead of doing my usual whiskey and ambien cocktail for transcontinental flights.   

So, I got to read a book I loved - and that occasionally shocked me - AND I got to get revenge on an annoying business traveller too.

[MissStar]

MissStar,

Your genres are very close to mine. It always makes it more difficult when that happens >.<
Anways, here are two choices for you. If you like neither, let me know if you need some different choices


This is one of my all-time favorite series. It is a little dark, a little gruesome, and definitely comments on our society today. It is a dystopian series, set in the future, and is similar to Battle Royale.


This is the first book in one of my all-time favorite fantasy trilogies. It is set in medievalish times, and the view of magic in the books is very interesting. There is a little bit of torture, in the form of cock rings  and it is a little dark. But I have re-read it at least once and it is very touching.

Oh, looks like both of my options are darker reads. But, I couldn't put them down, if that helps. If you need/want lighter choices, let me know
-Meagan

Meagan,  dark is OK with me!  You should see some of the cards I make.    Anyway, since I read the Hunger Games trilogy a few months ago, I'm going with Daughter of the Blood.  I must admit...I'm a little apprehensive  (cock rings??  ) but it sounds very interesting, and the reviews are almost all 5 stars.  Thanks for the recommendation!

MissStar, I'm going to go with Sh*t My Dad Says. The others look interesting, Moloka'i in particular, but probably not the right month for them.

Basilius, I figured the others might be a little dark for July.  I really hope you like Sh*t My Dad Says!  I haven't read it in a while...might have to reread it this month, too. 

[fadedrainbows]

Yay, MissStar! The cock rings aren't that daunting, I promise

And cards? You make cards? What kind?

[vg]

hsuthard - here we go!

Something Missing: A Novel


Someone already beat me to this this month.  My nephew had me read it while on vaca last month and I thought it was great!  An OCD burglar who cares about his "clients" - what could happen?

A Thousand Splendid Suns: 1


Another already recommended book, but is so good I had to toss it out too.  This was my assignment a few months ago and was a very gripping read.  Not really a light beach read, but well worth the time spent.

Hope one pulls you!

[Geoffrey]

You all are talking about rooster jewelry, right?  I don't need to put on my mod hat do I?  

[fadedrainbows]

You all are talking about rooster jewelry, right?  I don't need to put on my mod hat do it?   

Yes, of course. What else would we be talking about?

[Leslie]

Goodie!!

Story: I picked this up in a bookstore in the Hong Kong Airport - this was pre-kindle in 07 or 08 or something. On the flight to LA, this this older Japanese guy started out the flight by passing things through my line of vision to the guy on the other side of the aisle from me - like his coat, an open newspaper, his arm.  When I asked him to stop getting in front of my book, he got all indignant.  He then started an elbow war for the armrest.  So, I loved this guy.

after dinner, as he was falling asleep, I finished my first book and picked up this one and just started laughing randomly - which he took as a personal insult or something.  I (mostly) accidentally kept waking him up all through his nap - and I read straight to LA instead of doing my usual whiskey and ambien cocktail for transcontinental flights.   

So, I got to read a book I loved - and that occasionally shocked me - AND I got to get revenge on an annoying business traveller too.

Hahaha, great story!

K.Z. Snow (author I like) was chatting about this book a few months ago...either on Goodreads or Jessewave's site. That's when I downloaded the sample. There's a sequel about the author's present life on a farm in upstate NY that he runs with his husband (I think that's what the story is...) that sounded good, too, so I downloaded the sample for that. But then I forgot about them both. This nudge/game is a good reminder to go digging through the homepage.

L

[Tripp]

Hi Annalog,
Here are my pics for you.  They couldn't be more diverse...

The first one is kind of expensive, but if I remember correctly, you sometimes get books from the library.

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry  This is on my list of top favorites.  A western but so much more with a large "cast" of interesting characters.


A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore  This was a book that was chosen for me in this reading game and I really got a kick out of it.  Christopher Moore is witty and I found myself laughing out loud while reading this.


The Silence of Trees by Valya Dudycz Lupescu  This author was a semifinalist in the 2008 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award with this book.  Not a lot of action, but it is a story about one woman and how her war experiences and feelings of guilt shaped her life.  

[Tripp]

Tripp,

Your Goodreads account is set to private so I couldn't review your books.  Here are three very different selections to choose from.  Let me know if none work.


1.  An easy, humorous novel about an OCD housebreaker.


2.  An Irish crime novel.  No real thrills or action, but good characterizations and psychology.


3.  A contemporary novel about a woman accused of her child's second degree murder.

Sorry about that Geemont.  I didn't realize I had my security set so high.  I have now changed it.  But that is ok, you have made good selections without it.  I will be looking at the first two and will let you know my choice.  I am kind of leaning towards the first.  As a mother, I think I would have a hard time with the last one, so I am going to eliminate it from the running.  I will get back to you and let you know which one I pick.
Thanks,