It has been a rather long silence, hasn’t it? A silence during which I haven’t been doing anything worthy of writing about here. A silence filled with the noise of decorating, debating approaches to dogproofing gardens and, being irritated by British Telecom. Tragic.
I haven’t been reading much since I last posted here, which doesn’t bode too well for my 2007 personal reading challenge. Still, there’s time enough remaining.
Carl V. has announced the new Stainless Steel Droppings reading challenge – Once Upon A Time. Running from 22nd March 2007 to 21st June 2007, the challenge encompasses Mythology, Folklore, Fairytale, and Fantasy. Perfectly suited for getting me back into the swing of things, since Fantasy is what I read for the most part. Eeexcellent, Smithers.
Carl is linking to participant’s lists in this post, and I’d encourage you to visit as many as possible. I know I will be, despite the knowledge that such an activity will almost certainly lead to more bad things for my bank balance.
As for my list, well, this is a tricky one. So much to choose from. So many worthy books I’m aching to revisit, and so many yet to be read. I think I will be going for the third quest:
Quest Three: Read at least one book from each of the four genres of story, and finish up the challenge with a June reading of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
I’m going to start with a basic selection of books from my current “to read/revisit” stack, since so many of them fit this challenge perfectly. The Poppets helped me choose.
In no particular order:
- Fragile Things - Neil Gaiman
- The Ladies of Grace Adieu – Susanna Clarke
- Shadowmancer – GP Taylor
- Peter Pan in Scarlet - Geraldine McCaughrean
- Strange Happenings – Avi
- Lud in the Mist – Hope Mirrlees
- The Land of Laughs – Jonathan Carroll
- The Princess Bride - William Goldman
- Peter Pan – J.M. Barrie
- The Earthsea Quartet - Ursula Le Guin
- A Game of Thrones – George R.R. Martin
- Assassin’s Apprentice – Robin Hobb
- The Last Elf – Silvana De Mari
- The Amulet of Samarkand – Jonathan Stroud
A fairly big list, I know, but not an impossible one. Plus, I don’t feel restricted by this list, as I know I can add and swap out books as I please.
Both Fragile Things and The Ladies of Grace Adieu have been waiting for me to get to them for a long while now. Finally the time seems right, somehow. George RR Martin is an author I have been meaning to try for quite some time, and again, the time feels right. Same goes for Robin Hobb. Other books on the pile are a mixture of revisits and inviting acquisitions.
Oh, and in case you didn’t notice – I made a bookmark for the challenge. I’m silly like that. The Poppets seem to like it, anyway.
Enjoy the challenge, folks, and I promise I will endeavour to post regular updates on my progress.
Have you ever looked at the daily blog Jonathan carroll keeps on his website http://www.jonathancarroll.com?
I am soooo glad you’re participating and sooo glad to see a post up here! I know you’ve been busy, but since I’ve been a bit of a bad blogger lately too I have to give you a hard time.
As always, you have a great list and your pix of books, with all the other little things added in, make me feel warm and comfortable and tell me that you are indeed a kindred spirit.
Your Game of Thrones book looks cooler than mine. And I really want to get the Brom book…I hadn’t seen a slipcased version, is that what that is? I am so jealous.
Hey Carl! It’s good to be blogging again.
It is indeed a slipcased edition – signed and numbered. You can still get it from Bud Plant. Tis truly gorgeous! Brom is one of my favourite artists – in fact I have a post in draft about him and one of my other favourites. The post has been in draft for about two months…ahem…but maybe it will see the light of day soon!
Roma – hello! I do indeed visit Jonathan Carroll’s blog from time to time – not as often as I should, mind you.
Hey Quix!
Awesome selection of books. So many of us reading A Game of Thrones. I’m looking forward to it, it’s been on my shelf forever!
Loved Peter Pan…Peter Pan in Scarlet is on my TBR list as well. I have Fragile Things and for some reason didn’t put it down for this challenge. Maybe it’ll be another bonus if I can fit it in before the end.
So good to hear from you again, hope all is well. Nice poppet pics. I’ve been wanting to take pictures of poppets eating beignets at Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter here in new orleans for the poppets on tour section of poppet planet. I’ll remember one day.
-Chris
Hello! Thanks for visiting my blog! I am fairly new to the fantasy genre. My son is an avid fan though and keeps recommending titles to me. He has heartily recommended the following from your list: The Amulet of the Samarkand, Shadowmancer, and The Earthsea books.
I hope you enjoy them as much as he has. I will look forward to your thoughts so that I can build my list in this genre.
Thanks Elaine, that is indeed tempting. Great slipcase.
Oh, and I really enjoy Brom’s work as well. Occasionally I find a piece that I don’t love, but most of his images are fantastic. I prefer the kind that are featured in Pucker. I look forward to your post on him.
And, because I haven’t posted enough on here, I just noticed that Land of Laughs is in your stack. LOVED that book!!!
That is an impressive list! Several on your list are ones I would like to read one of these days, especially Robin Hobb. I don’t know why I keep putting her books off. George R.R. Martin is another I really want to try. The Princess Bride is one of my favorites. I look forward to following your progress!
I like George R.R. Martin and need to get on to the 4th in the series, but it is so long between each book that I probably need to reread first–and his books are long. I’ve read (and loved) Hobb’s Assassin, Live Ship, and Tawny Man trilogies. They are all connected and great reads.
There are several on your list I want to read…when I get through with my current stack!
Hey everyone, thanks for dropping in!
Literary Feline – I don’t really know why I kept putting her books off either. One of those things I guess! Same with George R.R. Martin.
Carl – I was first introduced to Brom through the cover art on R.A. Salvatore’s Drizzt novels. I think that the art in the Plucker is some of his most appealing though, for me at least.
Amy – great that you’re delving into the genre, I’m sure you will find lots of enjoyment within!
Chris – that sounds like a lovely idea for a POT pic. Do it!
Hey,
Amazingly, I’ve never read anything on your list, either. Oh, I take that back — I’ve read Wizard of Earthsea and was underwhelemed, so I never read any of the other ones.
So many people are reading the Amulet of Samarkand, I think I’ll have to give it a try.
Back to mention how much I like your bookmark!
Thanks jenclair!
Hey Melissa – thanks for dropping in!
I’ve read Fragile Things, Ladies of G. A. and The Earthsea Quartet, which I have just re-read, and adore. You have some treats ahead.
I really SHOULDN’T do this challenge, because I’m only just beginning to make progress with my “read more stuff that isn’t fantasy” resolution, but it’s very tempting.
Have you read Temeraire by Naomi Novik? I rececntly finished it, and thought it was wonderful.
Oh, and ordered two poppets…
Hi Quix,
I loved Peter Pan in Scarlet, but come to think of it, I’ve never read the original Peter Pan. I’m going to have to put that on my list.
I loved the bookmark.
Do it K, do it!!!!
Hey K! Do it, join the challenge, you know you want to!
Earthsea is a revisit I’m very much looking forward to – it has been a very long time.
I haven’t read Temeraire, no, but now you’ve told me about it I’ve added it to my “to acquire” list. *grin*
Yay poppets! I very much look forward to the arrival of my poppet puppet. *hops up and down excitedly*
Hey Carrie – thanks for stopping by!
What a great long list to choose from. I started with too many, dropped a few and recently added another. I love anythin by Jonathon Carroll.