I’ve only seen this on one other blog–Witty and Sarcastic Book Club–which is also where it originated. Like Jodie said, these games aren’t my go-tos, but it was fun to revisit them. Just for fun, I tried to find images from the editions of the games that I used to play from.
Clue: A Book Featuring a Mystery
The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowall
Anyone who’s even glanced at this site knows I could go on and on and on here. But I limited myself to one–this is a fun mystery in a SF world. It’s basically The Thin Man in Space–classic mystery characters, classic mystery tropes, unclassic mystery setting–but you couldn’t tell from teh way that Kowall deals with it.
Monopoly: A Book Focused on Treasure or Money
Tower of Babel by Michael Sears
This is all about New York Real Estate–doesn’t get more focused on Money/Treasure than that. Not that Sears limits himself to that, but the other parts of the book featured on money don’t seem as intense.
Ticket to Ride: A Book Featuring Travel
Paradox Bound by Peter Clines
Paradox Bound jumped to mind when I thought of this category. It’s all about travel–both geographically and chronologically. Why stick to something as mundane as roaming the highways and byways of the world, when you can throw in history as well?
The Settlers of Catan: A Book with a Lot Going On
The Cartel by Don Winslow
There are so many plotlines, layers in plotlines, betrayals, set-ups, twists, suprises…saying there’s “a lot” going on feels like an understatement. Winslow’s a pro at this kind of thing–you don’t even notice how much happens until you stop and think about it afterwards.
Risk: A Book in Which an Attempt at Domination is Key to the Story
Kitty Saves the World by Carrie Vaughn
Many, many books led up to this one–it’s for all the marbles, Kitty and her pack (of friends and wolves) vs. Roman. And if they lose, well, he wins everyething. Yet even in the midst of all that, Vaughn makes room for character moments, resolving arcs, and a satisfying series conclusion.
Apples to Apples: A Book that Makes You Laugh
Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi
I could’ve put all sorts of things here, but I’d just had a conversation with someone about this book when I sat down to start working on this tag. So…
There’s some humor here about the entertainment industry (on both sides of the camera), about interpersonal relationships, Alien life, Aliens trying to blend in on Earth, the relationship between people and dogs, and…just generally funny stuff. I’ve read it multiple times, and listened to the audiobook once. Found it funny every time.
(my post about it)
Scrabble: A Book with Beautiful Writing
Seraphina’s Lament by Sarah Chorn
It’s been 5+ years since I read this, and it still haunts me–not becuase the images and characters are haunting, but because Chorn’s writing is beautiful. I think of it frequently. I’ve read a number of her books, and they all have that teeth-achingly tragic-yet-beautiful/tragic-while-beautiful prose, but this is the one that stands tallest in my mind.
Indie Board Game: An Indie or Self-published Book that Everyone Should Read
Wistful Ascending by JCM Berne
I can name any number of Indie Books that more people should read. Several that many people should read. But everyone??? That’s a tall, tall, order.
I don’t know that Wistful Asending something that everyone should read. But most people should. Most people (everyone?) will find something in its pages they’ll enjoy, it’s got it all: Superheroes. Sentient space bears. Dinosaur-y/kaiju-y aliens. Talking spaceships. Fantastic Dialogue. Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True Love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest Ladies. Snakes. Spiders… Pain. Death. Brave men. Cowardly men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles. Er, wait. I think I started talking about a different book there. Eh, close enough.
As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.
Image by OTH Amberg-Weiden from Pixabay
Jo Linsdell
This is the first time I’m seeing this tag and I love it. Will have to give it a try myself.
HCNewton
look forward to seeing it!
wittysarcasticbookclub
I love your answers!
HCNewton
Thanks!
I think you’ve inspired me to do a sequel, too…we’ll see how that works