Okay, I will admit my crime. I promised myself a book review a day this week, but this is not a book review. It was worth breaking the promise, however, if you check out this site and this reading challenge. (Please be aware, links do not show up as blue, they are underlined.)
My favorite blog is Stainless Steel Droppings. It is enchanting to look at and captivating to read. There is invariably something interesting going on. I always come away with a book I want to read or a movie I want to see, and I am never disappointed after reading Carl’s opinion or review. What is happening right now is the Once Upon a Time II Challenge. Go to the site and check it out, you may want to join in. If nothing else, you will be hooked on Stainless Steel Droppings, I guarantee.
These are the three quests offered, but please don’t feel that there is any pressure here. It is just for fun, the pleasure of reading and sharing something you have really enjoyed.
Quest the First
Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time II criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.
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 proved to be one of the more difficult quests last 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 was fascinated watching how folks worked to find books for each category.
Quest the Third
Fulfill the requirements for Quest the First or Quest the Second AND top it off with a June reading of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Love the story, love the films, love the idea of that magical night of the year and so this is my chance to promote the reading of this farcical love story.
My list so far for this challenge is:
The King’s Peace, by Jo Walton
Ha’ Penny, by Jo Walton (a borderline fit, might be considered Science Fiction, but what the heck!)
The Sword in the Stone, by T.H. White (which I actually just finished a few days ago)
Stardust, by Neil Gaimon
The Book of Flying, by Keith Miller
The Secret History of Moscow, by Ekaterina Sedia
So please check out Stainless Steel Droppings, you will be pleased, I am sure.
P.S. If you can afford to buy books, please try to buy from an independent bookseller. We need the little guys! If all else fails, please give Borders some business, so they can stay in business.
Awww, shucks!
I’m so glad you are joining in. I’m thrilled with your list of books and look forward to the reviews. I’m doubly thrilled you are taking part in reading The Book of Flying. I so look forward to rereading that and discussing it.
I read The Secret History of Moscow recently and enjoyed it a lot. I hope you do too. I look forward to reading your thoughts!
Moscow! You don’t find Moscow as a setting for very many books today, especially in the fantasy realm, so I was quite intriqued by the sound of it. I am looking forward to discussing and reading all the reviews for this Challenge on Stainless Steel Droppings. I hope you have fun, too. Thanks, Nymeth