Gem ’s Comments (group member since Sep 12, 2022)

Gem ’s comments from the Once Upon a Time... group.

The live-action movie of The Little Mermaid is being released in May. Would we like to read The Little Mermaid and a retelling?

The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen

I found a list of retellings we can choose from:
The Little Mermaid retellings . We can select one from this list provided we can all get a copy from our library.

I can't vouch for any of these books and if they are part of a series, I don't know if they are stand-alone or not.

Hello fellow Fairy Tale readers,


Welcome to our discussion about The Hobbit (The Lord of the Rings #0) by J.R.R. Tolkien, your discussion leader will be Gem.

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about spoilers

Please note: If you have not finished reading the book spoilers are permitted in this discussion from the start. If you would like to use the spoiler formatting it can be found on the top right of the comment box in the "(some html is ok)" menu.
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A Crown of Snow and Ice A Retelling of The Snow Queen (Beyond the Four Kingdoms, #3) by Melanie Cellier

Summary

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon.

Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

I should be finished with this book tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Snow Queen is portrayed.

I've finished Parts 1 and 2.

I knew (view spoiler)[there was something more going on in that village than it appeared on the surface. The final sentence is - we serve the Snow Queen. Enter the Snow Queen stage right. /spoiler>

This is getting exciting. (hide spoiler)]

I could only get my hands on an audiobook, I've completed listening to the first nine chapters.

So far... please use spoiler alerts so we don't ruin the book for the others...

What do you think the gift will be that the fairy godmother gave to Celine? Celine's only information is "fire."

Do you have any guess or idea about what is going on in Eldon?

I can't determine who translated the edition I read... I have a feeling it's from Project Gutenberg.

Kyle wrote: "In mine it was a "wicked sprite" who was the most mischievous of sprites and also had his own school for other sprites who collectively took the mirror high into the sky before losing hold of it an..."

This was the background in the version I read as well.

In reference to the spoiler Cheryl mentioned above, it's the same in my translation as well.

I agree with Lisa that the theme is how powerful love it and the length one will go to in order to rescue a loved one.

I enjoyed the story more than I did the first time, although I didn't have a clear recollection of the story from my first read.

Unfortunately of all the fairy tale writers, Andersen is my least favorite. I'm not sure if it's the translation or what, but I always find Andersen's writing to be a bit disjointed.

Cheryl wrote: "Oh dear; feel better soon!"

Thanks, doing a lot of sleep, so hopefully. It's been two weeks.

Peeking in, sorry I haven't been involved. I got my books but took a turn for the worst. I've haven't had the concentration to read.

Lisa wrote: "Hope you get to feeling better, Gem!"

Thank you, me too.

Hi friends, I have my book and hope to start & maybe finish reading this today. I'm sick and haven't been sleeping well so the boss has ordered me "to bed." Isn't he sweet?

I want to read this one before I start on the novel.

Lisa wrote: "I am curious as to if there will be differences in the versions as there was in The Nutcracker."

That never even crossed my mind, that will interesting to see.

I have not read any of the comments yet, I started this book yesterday on the train. I read the introduction to the 30 Anniversary edition and the introduction to the 25th Anniversary edition and now am almost done with the first chapter.

My goodness, this book is spectacular, so much better than the movie. I keep finding myself literally laughing out loud. I love it.

I am going to join in the discussion later in the month when I'm on vacation. I decided not to take physical books but rather to download everything onto my tablet. This is one I know I can get from hoopla. We've got two plane rides and almost two days on the train plus any downtime in the evenings, so while I'll be around I won't be commenting on this discussion until then.

Lisa wrote: "Thank you! I will get it after actually doing it a few times, just had no idea how. I am a moderator of a large Facebook group, but naturally there are different ways of doing things here, so just ..."

Feel free to practice here, we can always delete the replies.

Cheryl wrote: "I'd love to read it with you, even better if we can get more folks on board. Take care and have fun on your trip!"

Thanks! We have April open, would you like to read a discussion on that book?

Lisa wrote: "I hope you have a wonderful vacation, Gem!"

Thanks! Most of us (children and grandchild) will be gathering for my mother's birthday. Then we're going to spend some time at Disney World... my favorite place in the world.

Lisa wrote: "Well, now I am tempted to get the copy from the library and compare the two. The one I got on Hoopla will be started today on my iPad, since I don't read on my phone (audiobooks, yes, but no readin..."

Lol, I do the same thing. E-books on my tablet and audiobooks on my phone so I can listen while I do chores.

Lisa wrote: "I adore The Hobbit and will gladly read it again as it has been a few years since I have read it. I have a companion book to The Hobbit that I have never read yet, so will add that to my reading if..."

I don't mind leading a discussion on back-to-back months. What is the companion book?

I'll make you a mod today. I can walk you though just about anything.

As for spoilers...
look at the top of a blank comment box. On the far right is "(some html is ok)."
Click on that and you'll see a hand full of code.
Down toward the bottom you'll find: "spoiler: <*spoiler>..." (without the *, I had to edit so you can see the code.)
What I do is copy the code and paste the code then type the spoiler in between the first > and the second <.
Or you can simply type <*spoiler> (without the *) type what I want to hide, then type <*/spoiler> (again without the *).
I try to remember to preview (next to the post button) so I know I've done it correctly.
I find my biggest mistake is failing to ad the / to the second part of the code or putting the / in the first part.

Bold, underline, and strike through work the same way.
Just use a b for bold (replacing the work spoiler)
and i for underline
and an s for the strike-through.

Let me know if this makes sense and I'll try again. It takes actually doing it a couple of times to get it, or it did for me.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope this year brings us all prosperity, health, and peace.

Two things I wanted to put out to the group.

1) First, for March, what does everyone think about The Hobbit? It's been on my tbr list for so long. I'll gladly lead the discussion.

2) Second, I'm on vacation from January 19 through February 2. I should have internet access the majority of the time but we'll be on a train for some of that time. I'll like to add a moderator who can be on hand in the event I can't get online.

Modding isn't a big deal, mostly just check in with the group, answering questions if they arise. If you are all computer literate things are pretty self-explanatory. Of course, I'd want someone who is active in the group. Please let me know if you'd feel comfortable with this by pm. It can be temporary if you aren't comfortable committing in the long term. I didn't want to leave the group unattended for over two weeks now that we are breathing some life back into it.

Adriel wrote: "Gem you are amazing, thank you! I was pretty sure that was the case. I believe it's all very tounge in cheek.
I also have not read it but am very much looking forward to to leading the discussion..."

Thanks, I try. 🤣