Friday, March 20, 2009

Didn't I just say, One More Challenge???



Yes, I did. But damn it....I lied!! Carl just announced it's time for the Once Upon a Time III challenge, and there is NO WAY I'm missing this one!! Not a chance!! If the picture at the top of my blog is any indication, fantasy is most definitely my favorite genre (next to creepy crawly, horror books which will just have to wait for the RIP challenge!)


I know I've said it before, but Carl is the best host challenge ever!! He has a way of bringing the community together for fun and a shared love of fantasy like no one else.


As always, there are many "Quests" you can follow if you decide to join in the fun. Last year, I ended with a reading of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. This year, I think I'm going to go for Quest the Second:


Read at least one book from each of the four categories. In this quest you will be reading 4 books total: one fantasy, one folklore, one fairy tale, and one mythology. This proves to be one of the more difficult quests each year merely because of the need to classify each read and determine which books fit into which category. I am not a stickler, fear not, but I am endlessly fascinated watching how folks work to find books for each category.

Last year, I think I finished 7 books. I'm shooting for a total higher than that this year!!

Fairytale Fantasy:

  • East by Edith Pattou (this could fall in the folklore category as well!) - East is a deftly woven tapestry that melds traditional fairy tale motifs of both Beauty and the Beast and East of the Sun and West of the Moon, with the haunting icy lore of medieval northern lands.
  • Briar Rose by Jane Yolen - a retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
  • Snow White and Rose Red by Patricia Wrede

Mythic Fantasy:

  • Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint
  • The Ivory and the Horn by Charles de Lint
  • The Wood Wife by Terri Windling

Folklore Fantasy:

  • The Presence: A Ghost Story by Eve Bunting
  • The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and their Meanings by Jan Harold Brunvand
  • Will Storr Vs. The Supernatural by Will Storr

Fantasy:

  • Grave Peril by Jim Butcher
  • Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
  • Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
  • The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
  • Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
  • A Fine and Private Place by Peter S. Beagle
  • The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
  • A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Now, I KNOW I won't get all of these books finished for the challenge. But they are definitely the ones I am using to complete my categories!!!

Thanks for hosting again, Carl. You've made my week!!!

23 comments:

Susan said...

I just did my post too, and I'm so thrilled! you and I have some of the same books on to read - Patricia Briggs, Jane Yolen, I have different Charles de Lint than you but still reading him.....isn't it fun? I'm so happy it's finally here!!! I love your lists, and how you divided them up, too. I did that last year, I haven't this year.

DesLily said...

fabulous list! I'm already groaning about the future of my wish list!

Carl V. Anderson said...

Great to have you in, I'm glad you are adding Once Upon a Time to your challenge list even though you are trying to exercise some self control. I would hate to not have you as part of this event! Thanks so much for taking the plunge.

Stephanie said...

Susan - I just looked at your list and it was fabulous!! We are going to have so much fun!!

DesLily - I know. I'm afraid my TBR always grows by leaps and bounds from this challenge! I can't wait to see what you are reading too!

Carl - Are you kidding?? I wouldn't miss it!! Sheesh, I feel like a kid in a candy story right now!

Debi said...

This is such a glorious time of year, isn't it?!! You're gonna love The Graveyard Book...but they I don't need to tell you that, do I?

Robin said...

Excellent list! I read Briar Rose and The Wood Wife for last year's challenge and really enjoyed them both. I'm looking forward to your reviews!

chrisa511 said...

Fantastic list Steph!! Enjoy :D

Kailana said...

Lots of good books there! I have read several of them.

Now, I am going to be the voice in the back of your mind throughout the challenge telling you to read 'Iron Kissed', okay? :)

Anonymous said...

Great list. Happy reading

Ana S. said...

You didn't like; OuAT doesn't count! It's like the Christmas of reading challenges, and you can't miss Christmas now, can you? :P

Robin M said...

You have a great list and some of the same authors I will be reading- De Lint and Briggs. Look forward to hearing what you have to say about them. I love your header by the way, always have. My post is up
here

Ladytink_534 said...

Oh you have no idea how tempted I am! I can vouch for the Patricia Briggs book, The Graveyard Book, and Wicked Lovely. They're all wonderful.

Iliana said...

Good luck with your Quest!
The only book I've read from your pool is the Libba Bray book which I thought was fun. I can't wait to go put my list together :)

Kerry said...

Fantastic list. This is such a great challenge. You're going to have so much fun reading from that selection.

Marg said...

I don't think that Carl's challenges really count as challenges - they are more like events!

I am hoping to read some Charles de Lint, some Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, and if my library ever gets it in...Libba Bray!

Vasilly said...

Your list is great! I can't wait to read your reviews!

Maree said...

Great list! I'm still pondering mine :)

Anonymous said...

OOoh, what a lovely list! I've already read four of those and a couple more are on my list of potential choices too.

I hope you'll enjoy what you pick! (Though keep tissues ready if you decide to read Briar Rose.)

Happy reading!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Oh what's one more, huh? :) I've heard great things about Briar Rose--hope you enjoy. I'll probably join this one as well. Who am I kidding--of course I will!

Marg said...

I have read a few books on your list! I loved Briar Rose and The Graveyard Book, and A Great and Terrible Beauty. I have Grave Peril on my list, and a Patricia Briggs as well, although I think it is Blood Bound!

I also have Marked on my list as well, which I think will make you happy!

I read on a comment somewhere that The Little Country started you reading fantasy. Did you read that with us at Genre Stew? It was one of my earliest fantasy books as well!

Bellezza said...

I'm intrigued by The Wood Wife. There's so much of this genre that is largely unexplored by me! So, this is a good challenge to participate in. I'll be looking forward to your reviews and thoughts, Stephanie, and it's good to hear from you again! Your photo icon looks great!

Jason Pratt said...

Heh--with the unicorns coming out of the surf in your title-art, The Last Unicorn makes a LOT of sense!

(um... spoiler, if you haven't actually read TLU yet. {g})


Anyway, great listing! I'm terribly envious of people who have the time and energy to read that much. sigh...

JRP

Jason Pratt said...

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