You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

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Museum 8: Tate Modern in London


1. Location - London, England.
Task: Read a book set in London, England.

2. About - Tate Modern was opened by the Queen on 11 May 2000.
Task: Read a fantasy novel featuring a queen. "Fantasy" must be listed as a genre on the main book page.

3. Collection - Haegue Yang
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]
Task: Read a book that has a main book page genre of science fiction.

4. Interactive item - based on the Tate Modern in London.
Task: Your choice based on your selection from the collection. Required - link to the picture and explain connection.

Does 'featuring' mean 'making an appearance' or 'is a main character' or something in between?

Like Queen Kettricken in the Farseer books, does she make enough of an appearance?

Peggy wrote: "Does 'featuring' mean 'making an appearance' or 'is a main character' or something in between?

Like Queen Kettricken in the Farseer books, does she make enough of an appearance?"

I would say that the character could be a main character or secondary character who has a storyline.

Queen Kettricken would be featured in the Farseer books because she has a storyline.

Let's hope she doesn't disappear in the next book then ;-)

That task was much harder than expected. I have several blurbs with princesses, but no queens are mentioned.

Peggy wrote: "Let's hope she doesn't disappear in the next book then ;-)

That task was much harder than expected. I have several blurbs with princesses, but no queens are mentioned."

She's listed as one of the characters in Fool's Assassin which we'll likely buddy read January or February. Let's keep our fingers crossed. I'm going to plug it into my challenge for that task as well.

Hi Janice - For Task 2: Read a fantasy novel featuring a queen does the queen have to be a "royal" queen? I was thinking about reading this book The Restorer book one of "The Graveyard Queen" series. The MC is known as the graveyard queen.

Jayme wrote: "Hi Janice - For Task 2: Read a fantasy novel featuring a queen does the queen have to be a "royal" queen? I was thinking about reading this book The Restorer book one of "The Graveya..."

I was thinking more along the lines of royalty.

Janice wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Hi Janice - For Task 2: Read a fantasy novel featuring a queen does the queen have to be a "royal" queen? I was thinking about reading this book The Restorer book one o..."

Okey dokey!!

Janice or Kristie - you have both read this book:
Red Queen. I cannot tell from the story line if it really has a "queen" in it. Yes or No?

If NO - does a crown (on the cover) count as a piece of jewelry? I won't cry if you shoot it down twice but I found it on both the fantasy list and the jewelry list. :o)

Cherie wrote: "Janice or Kristie - you have both read this book:
Red Queen. I cannot tell from the story line if it really has a "queen" in it. Yes or No?

If NO - does a crown (on the cover) coun..."

I don't remember. Maybe Kristie does.

I wouldn't call a crown a piece of jewelry, sorry.

Janice wrote: "I wouldn't call a crown a piece of jewelry, sorry..."

No problem, Janice. I understand.

Does Queen Kettreckin make enough of an appearance in the first book of the Farseer series, Assassin's Apprentice to be counted? Think I should read this before Fool's Assassin.

Good question! I read the books but some time ago. I don't remember how present she is in the first book, and when exactly she becomes a queen. Maybe Margo or Janice remembers it better.

Oh, and I think that although you can read all subseries on their own, they are more enjoyable when read in order.

Odette wrote: "Does Queen Kettreckin make enough of an appearance in the first book of the Farseer series, Assassin's Apprentice to be counted? Think I should read this before [book:Fool's Assassin|4..."

She doesn't become Queen until the 2nd book. You need to read the books in order because they continue the story from one to the next.

Peggy wrote: "Oh, and I think that although you can read all subseries on their own, they are more enjoyable when read in order."

I think you could read the series about Fitz separately. (Farseer Trilogy, The Tawny Man Trilogy, and Fitz and the Fool series). The Liveship Traders and Rain Wild Chronicles series do tie in, but it's a rather vague connection. In my opinion, anyway.

@Odette have you read Cinder I read this one as a group read here. Maybe you've already read it. The Queen is a looming character from another planet who threatens Earth and intends to invade. Also, she competes with the main character as a love interest. It might work. Maybe others who have read it might weigh in.

Grainne wrote: "@Odette have you read Cinder I read this one as a group read here. Maybe you've already read it. The Queen is a looming character from another planet who threatens Earth and intends..."

This is a good recommendation for this task.

Janice wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Oh, and I think that although you can read all subseries on their own, they are more enjoyable when read in order."

I think you could read the series about Fitz separately. (Farseer ..."

Thanks very much for the advice and suggestions.

The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner the 2nd in the Queen's Thief series should also fit. It seems to have reasonable reviews, but maybe need to read the first book.

So now have 3 options:
1. Cinder looks good to me.
2. Fool's Assassin the first book in the Fitz and Fool series.
3. The Queen of Attolia

Enjoyed looking through the online Tate Modern collection. There are some fantastic works of art and second best to visiting in person!

Grainne wrote: "@Odette have you read Cinder I read this one as a group read here. Maybe you've already read it. The Queen is a looming character from another planet who threatens Earth and intends..."

Thanks for the recommendation. I've had this book on my TBR forever - so glad it fits the task!!

Hi, for the queen one I'm thinking of reading Prince of Fools (The Red Queen's War #1), Can't say if it does have a queen storyline, I will guess it does by the name of the series.

Question, "Read a book that has a main book page genre of science fiction"
Does this mean the cover of the book?

Ricardo wrote: "Hi, for the queen one I'm thinking of reading Prince of Fools (The Red Queen's War #1), Can't say if it does have a queen storyline, I will guess it does by the name of the series...."

The main book page is the goodreads page for the book. It lists top user tagged genres on the right. Sci Fi would have to be there to qualify.

Vicki wrote: The main book page is the goodreads page for the book. It lists top user tagged genres on the right. Sci Fi would have to be there to qualify. ..."

Thank's for the info.

Ricardo wrote: "Hi, for the queen one I'm thinking of reading Prince of Fools (The Red Queen's War #1), Can't say if it does have a queen storyline, I will guess it does by the name of the series...."

Thanks, Ricardo. I have added the book to my list. It has Fantasy in the genre list on the Main Book page and the story summary mentions "The Red Queen". It gives me an option anyway.

3. Collection - Haegue Yang
Task: Read a book that has a main book page genre of science fiction.

I completed Dead Beat
The MPG mentions Science Fiction Fantasy as one of the genres for this book. Would this work for the above task? If not, could anyone pl. sugest some other task where this would fit?

Thanks.

Viji wrote: "3. Collection - Haegue Yang
Task: Read a book that has a main book page genre of science fiction.

I completed Dead Beat
The MPG mentions Science Fiction Fa..."

It does show on the mpg as "science fiction fantasy", so it's approved for that.

Janice wrote: "Viji wrote: "3. Collection - Haegue Yang
Task: Read a book that has a main book page genre of science fiction.

I completed Dead Beat
The MPG mentions Scien..."

Thanks, Janice.

Odette wrote: "Janice wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Oh, and I think that although you can read all subseries on their own, they are more enjoyable when read in order."

I think you could read the series about Fitz separa..."

I finished Fool's Assassin and unfortunately it doesn't work for the task. Just so you know :)

I have a really hard time finding a book. I found a GR list with queens in fantasy, but often when I read the blurb there's not even a mention of a queen.

I checked the recommendations in this thread. Cinder doesn't appeal to me and I don't want to read a book in the middle of a series. But I just realized that I have Prince of Fools on my wishlist, and I found an ebook for only €3.60. It sounds like it will work :)

Ugh, I just read it's better to read his Broken Empire series first, and I haven't read those.

Any recommendations for preferably not-too-chunky epic fantasy with a queen are welcome! Other fantasy is welcome too, but not too dark or violent.

Peggy wrote: "Ugh, I just read it's better to read his Broken Empire series first, and I haven't read those.

Any recommendations for preferably not-too-chunky epic fantasy with a queen are welcome! Other fantas..."

True, but because I did read the Broken Empire, and wanted to read the rest of the series, for me, it's a win-win :) Two in One :).

Peggy wrote: "I finished Fool's Assassin and unfortunately it doesn't work for the task. Just so you know :).."

Actually, I think Queen Kettriken made enough appearances and was referenced enough through the book to use for this task. If we were focusing on Dutiful's wife, she was just mentioned in the story and wouldn't be enough.

I guess the word causing grief is "featuring". When I think of movies featuring a new actor, that person doesn't necessarily have a main role.

Maybe I'm wrong. What do you think?

It would really help me out, so I'm inclined to agree ;-)

Featuring is indeed a bit of a gray area. To me it sounds like not a MC, but a significant character. I didn't think making a few appearances would be enough. You're right though that she did make actual appearances and was not only mentioned. As English is not my native language, I may be too strict in my interpretation of the word :)

The other reason I wasn't sure is that Kettricken was not officially queen anymore, although the Mountain Kingdom still sees her as queen.

But, if you think it qualifies, I'll happily accept your ruling. If not, no worries!

Because I was thinking of this as a possibility, I was hyper aware of any mention of her. She's also listed as a character on the main book page.

Thanks Janice, I'm going to make some changes to my challenge :)

Question, for the science fiction prompt. How about a book that doesn't have any main page genres? It's really new / small pub. But it's clearly SciFi.

The Reality Exchange

Hobbit_Marco wrote: "Question, for the science fiction prompt. How about a book that doesn't have any main page genres? It's really new / small pub. But it's clearly SciFi.

The Reality Exchange"

The book blurb starts, "James Vigor's debut science-fiction, The Reality Exchange is a fast-moving space adventure." And that is from the publisher, so I will make an exception in this case.

Does Fool's Errand apply to the queen task?

Barelyspicy (Bash) wrote: "Does Fool's Errand apply to the queen task?"

If I remember, Queen Kettriken is in several scenes, so you should be good.

I finished Prince of Fools for the Queen featuring fantasy task and it doesn't work. Just in case anyone else was planning on using it. The Queen has a tiny part (a few pages really) and is definitely not featured.

Also, at least in the first book, there is nothing tying it to the Broken Empire series. I assume it is the same world but nothing obvious yet.

Has anyone come up with other books for this task?? I am not at the right place in the Robin Hobb series for it to be helpful. And I am not a fan of the YA fantasy genre. Which is making this hard to find a book for.

Dawn - thanks for saving me from trying out Prince of Fools. I had it "penciled in" for the task.

The two other books I have marked down are:
Three Dark Crowns and
The White Queen

I do not know anything about either one. I found them on a list.
I think the first is more YA but they both sound interesting.

I am disappointed it didn't work myself, it was the only book on my TBR that looked like it would fit!!

Thanks for the suggestions, though The White Queen is not fantasy, so don't read it for this task! :)

I read the 3rd book of the Need series for the About task (fantasy novel featuring a queen). Saturdays at Sea would also work.

These are the books that have already been used for the task.

Winter First book in series is Cinder
Summer Knight
A Dream So Dark
Entice
A Vow So Bold and Deadly
The Queen of the Tearling
The Queen of the Tearling
The Queen of Nothing
Two Dark Reigns

I left out all the Robin Hobb books.

Dawn wrote: "I am disappointed it didn't work myself, it was the only book on my TBR that looked like it would fit!!

Thanks for the suggestions, though The White Queen is not fantasy, so don't read it for thi..."

Well, darn! I really was more interested in that one. I do not think I caught the Fantasy in the MBP. I was focusing more on the Queen.

That was one that I wanted to read also ( Prince of Fools) :(.

Does the Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1) or the The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5) are suitable?

If so, Should I start with the Assassin's blade or the Throne of Glass, Was trying to start reading this series for a long time now, probably a nice opportunity to see what it's all about.

Awesome, thank you all for the suggestions and ideas. I will check them out and see if any of them look interesting.

The Graceling Realm series by Kristin Cashore, if anyone is reading it, definitely has a queen in the fourth book. Winterkeep
Bitterblue becomes the Queen in the third book, Bitterblue. They could be read out of order, but some things may not make sense. On that note, only a few characters are carried over from one story to the next. I really love the first book the best, but they all got my 5 stars.

Cherie wrote: "Well, darn! I really was more interested in that one. I do not think I caught the Fantasy in the MBP. I was focusing more on the Queen...."

I also had a few historical fiction books picked out before I realized I needed fantasy. :)

(I tried to send this earlier today but couldn't make it work! Thanks to Janice for the work around.)