Apparently it has been a year since I joined my very first challenge and it is now time for another round of Once Upon A Time hosted by Carl V of Stainless Steel Droppings. It lasts from March 21, 2009 to June 20, 2009 and you can choose to participate in many different ways reading fantasy, fairy tale, folklore or mythology. For details please check out the challenge site here. The review site is here.I was originally hesitant about this challenge last year because I didn’t think that I normally read “fantasy” but as I participated I came to realize that I really do read and enjoy fantasy, I just didn’t know it. See my June 12, 2008 post on the subject here. Author Jeff VanderMeer has posted a fascinating Essential Fantasy Reading List on his blog. I loved the list because it included books and authors that I really love that I had never thought of as fantasy such as Kafka, Saramago, Peake, Borges, Calvino, Marquez which of course leads me to believe that I will like the others on his list as well.
I am going to do “The Journey” meaning that I am going to participate but am not committing to reading a certain number of books. Here are some books that I would like to read:
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake
City of Saints and Madmen by Jeff VanderMeer
The Castle by Franz Kafka
Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago
I would also like to read something else by China Meiville because I so enjoyed his Perdido Street Station last year. I would also like to try something by Charles de Lint because he seems to be so popular amongst other participants. If anyone has any suggestions of which would be a good first de Lint book to try let me know.
I also intend to participate in some Short Story Weekends. Borges is one of my favorite authors and would be perfect for that.
Okay, now I am getting really excited about all these great books to read and thinking that I should just sign up for a quest - but no. I am going to be restrained and stick with the journey and if I read five books great.
13 comments:
I'm betting you read more than 5 by the time this ends! lol everyone does!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I read The Book of Lost Things for OUAT last year and LOVED IT! You can see my review here if you'd like: http://thewrittenword.wordpress.com/2008/06/02/the-book-of-lost-things/
Happy reading!
That looks like an ambitious list to me. Enjoy your reading.
That sounds like an impressive list! It'll be interesting to hear how you got on with Jonathan Strange if you decide to pick that up! (I couldn't finish it, see. ^-^; )
Wish I could help you out with the de Lint recommendations, but I've only read a few short stories by him. Moonheart will be my first de Lint novel, though I'm not sure when I'll get around to it.
Happy reading!
It's definitely true that fantasy is much wider than people tend to realize. I've read #1 and #2 on your list and I loved them. I hope you enjoy all your picks!
Very cool list! Congrats on your one year challenge anniversary!!! :)
I'm so glad that you discovered a genre that you didn't think you liked. That makes hosting a challenge like this worthwhile. It is great to have you back.
I've seen the Saramago on a number of lists, and am going to have to check it out. Good list! Enjoy your reading!
Saramago is great, and I'm looking forward to reading so many wonderful reviews and 'fantast'ic booktalk. :)
Very interesting list.
The last de Lint book I read was Spirit in the Wires. A few are reading The Little Country, one of his earlier ones, which is extremely good.
I haven't read Perdido Street Station, but Un Lun Dun by China Mieville is one of my favourites. :)
Dreams Underfoot, which is short stories, is supposed to be a good place to start with De Lint's Newford books, and I must say I adored it.
The Book of Lost Things is very good, but if you like spooky stories Connolly's 'Nocturnes' is even better, imo.
Good list, look forward to your reviews.
One of the great things about fantasy is that it's sneaky. There's tons of stuff mainstream stuff out there that qualifies. You've got some good titles and authors on your list.
I bought Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell the first day I saw it in the stores, which is what 3 or 4 years ago? Still haven't read it!
Moo - (had to pop in to see who had a name I wish I had thought of first) I hope you do Gormenghast. I think I started it at somepoint and would love to see what someone else thought of it. I forgot how much I liked Perdido Street Station until you mentioned it thanks!
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