Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Once Upon a Time....Again

Every once in a while you stumble across something out there in the great big blogosphere that changes you. Sometimes this something is little, like a new book that will take your breath away. Sometimes, it's less tangible, like a feeling that you get when you read a post that fires up your sensibilities. And sometimes, it's meeting a new person that you have so much in common with, it's like you've known them all your life. For me, when I stumbled across The First Once Upon a Time Reading Challenge, all of these things happened. This challenge literally changed my life. I had just begun blogging, and Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings hosted the first challenge. The month before I had read American Gods by Neil Gaiman....a book that literally did take my breath away. A few people had commented on my review, Carl being one of them. He told me about this challenge and suggested some more books that I might like. In that moment, one little comment literally changed the way I read forever. A relatively new reader of fantasy, I had little experience with authors in the genre. Hell, I had little experience with the genre as a whole. But once I joined the challenge, I found a whole new world out there. And in that world were people that definitely knew their way around. Those people acted as guides to me, showing me books and authors that I would grow to love. Short stories that excited me. And graphic novels that would rock my world. For this I am forever in your debt. Carl, Chris, Nymeth, Debi, and Kailana....you guys have led me down a path that has taken me to worlds and places I will never forget. And for that I thank all of you!! Your friendship and reading guideance has meant the world to me.




So....with my blogging "break" (if you can call it that) officially over, I find it incredibly ironic that it coincides with the Once Upon a Time Reading Challenge V! There is NO WAY I would miss this challenge, even though I will be finishing up my first semester back! I can't guarantee that I will be able to complete the challenge. But that doesn't matter to me. What matters is that I do read some books, write some reviews, and follow along with everyone else. I definitely plan on trying to do the Short Story Challenge. And the movie Challenge. When the dust clears and the challenge is over, we will just see how far I make this year. I'm just happy to be back and be able to add my name to the little Mr. Linky....and hopefully transport myself to a few new worlds this year.

I don't have an exact list. And since money is EXTREMELY tight, I probably won't be able to buy anything new. But I have some books on my shelf that will definitely fit the bill....and maybe I'll even take a few out of the library to fill in the gaps. My reading list, while not complete, may include a few of the following:

  • Stories: All New Tales Edited by Neil Gaiman
  • The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
  • A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett
  • Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
  • The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson Book 3) by Rick Riordan
  • The Maze Runner by James Dashner
  • Matched by Ally Condie
  • The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
  • The Eternal Ones by Kristin Miller
  • Graveminder by Melissa Marr
  • Bone Doll's Twin by Lynn Flewelling
  • A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
  • Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop
  • The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
  • Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
  • His Magesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
  • The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
  • Snow White and Rose Red by Patricia Wrede
  • Beauty by Robin McKinley
  • The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
  • Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint
  • From a Whisper to a Scream by Charles de Lint

And these are just the books I have on my shelves. I will do my best to pick a few good ones. Any suggestions??

Once again, I just want to thank Carl. You might not realize how important you are to the blogging community. But you are. And I, for one, appreciate all the effort you put into your challenges. You are a good friend and I just want to say thank you!

18 comments:

Melody said...

I totally share your sentiments, Stephanie!

You've a great list there! Happy reading and I look forward to your reviews. :)

Ana S. said...

*hugs* This post put the biggest smile on my face. OUaT will always be special to me, for reasons very similar to yours. Can't wait to put my list together!

DesLily said...

I'd say you have a "more than enough" books to choose from... but that's just a guess on my part! lol..

Debi said...

Oh Stephanie, it's only proper that you're coming back just in time for OUaT! It will make it an even happier experience for me, having you around again! You've been so missed!!!

Carl V. Anderson said...

Aww, you are going to make me cry. I feel the same way about you, about the people you listed, and about how fortunate we all are that this moment occurred and we came into each other's lives. It is such a pleasure. I certainly don't take any credit for it. It was one of those serendipitous things that happen sometimes and I'm just thrilled to be a part of it.

I think your list is fantastic. No need to spend any money, you've got great choices there.

Loving it that you are coming back in time for this.

Kailana said...

Yay, you are joining in!! I am so excited! I think I enjoy this challenge as much for the people as for the books... I didn't post a pool this year, just a list of the books that I have read previous years. I have no idea what I am going to read!
It's going to be fun, though. :)

And, really, the challenge wouldn't be the same without you and actually, the people that you listed, too. :)

Stephanie said...

Great post! Carl is the challenge King for sure, and without him I would never have read some wonderful books!! I hope you make time to read The Goose Girl. I read that for OUaT a few years back and loved it!

Chrisbookarama said...

Wahoo, that's a big list! Hope you enjoy The Eyre Affair. I really did.

Susan said...

Welcome back and I'm so glad you are, Stephanie! You've been missed :-) Lovely words to the bloggers who are the true support in this community, too.

As for your lovely list....I can recommend some! The Eyre Affair is so much fun :-) Dreams Underfoot is marvelous. I want to read His Majesty's Dragon too. Oh, and the Bone-Doll's Twin - you have got to read that one. It's so cool and dark and a tiny bit spooky. I have book three of the series to read, which I forgot to add to the mega-list I did yesterday.....I hope you enjoy this dip into fantasy, and welcome back, Stephanie.

Cath said...

I have The Eyre Affair and The Lies of Locke Lamora on my list too. And am currently reading Beauty by Robin McKinley and can thoroughly recommend it as a delightful read. And His Majesty's Dragon is fantastic. Happy reading!

samantha.1020 said...

I'm SOOO excited about this challenge. And I feel like I keep saying this but I'm glad that you are back and participating as well. Good luck!

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Caroline said...

For a while I read a lot of fantasy and one day I discovered Charles de Lint's Dreams Underfoot. Such a magical reading experience and it made me discover Natalie Merchant.

Vasilly said...

Carl, Nymeth, and Dewey are the people who turned me on to fantasy. It's such an amazing genre.

You have a wonderful list. I have Stories and A Hat Full of Sky on my tbr list. Right now I'm listening to A Game of Thrones on audio and it is amazing. I think you'll enjoy it. Happy reading!

Rebecca Reid said...

I enjoyed The Goose Girl and The Eyre Affair! Enjoy your reads! And isn't it great how the blogosphere changes us?!

Marg said...

Pratchett, Fforde, Novik, Bishop! Can't go wrong with any of those! Enjoy your challenge.

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