Into the Forest discussion

My copy of People of the Sea just sat on the bookshelf beside my armchair for six weeks until I had to return it to the library last weekend. I think I read the intro and that was it. It wasn't the book's fault though!

In the hopes that something completely and utterly different might get me out of my reading funk (I read a whopping total of about 30 pages last week! Eek! I normally read twice that in an hour.) I started A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson yesterday.

I'm only a couple of chapters in, but it's surprisingly informative and accessible so far. Not nearly as humorous and flippant as his travelogues, which is a good thing, IMO, considering the subject material.

Melanti wrote: "In the hopes that something completely and utterly different might get me out of my reading funk ...."

I can relate to that. That's when I start reading collections of short stories...reset my brain, and need only a short attention span to get thru an entire story. I'm ready for another group read...

Monica wrote: "I can relate to that. That's when I start reading collections of short stories...reset my brain, and need only a short attention span to get thru an entire story. I'm ready for another group read..."

I've been reading lots of shorter books and middle grade/YA stuff lately - anything I can get through in one or two sittings. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time reading the last few months.

But last week was particularly bad. I think I spent an hour just staring at the first couple of pages of Memory and Dream and a couple of days trying to read The Documents in the Case (managed about 20-30 pages worth) and de Lint and Sayers are both among my favorite authors.

Each chapter of A Short History... seems to be about a slightly different subject, so hopefully it'll have some of the advantages of an anthology.


There's still a couple more days left on the polls but it looks like In The Forests of Serre is winning the adult category and McKillip is another favorite author, so I have high hopes for that one. Seven Wild Sisters is winning the YA category, and I've read that one already.

I am really enjoying People of the Seaa lot, but I must admit it is not necessarily a page turner. It's not the type of book I can read straight through.

Melanti, I've gone through phases where I only felt like reading non-fiction.
You can always read Memory and Dream at a later date. This was my second read, the first being sometime ago. I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time around, but the subject matter is heavy.

You might like the book I just read Psyche in a Dress. This was my first time reading Francesca Lia Block and I must say I am impressed and will definitely read more of her!

And I agree even though I voted for Mythago Wood ( it's been on my to read list for ages) I am totally looking forward to In The Forests of Serre! I've read good things about Patricia A. McKillip.

I've also already read Seven Wild Sisters. I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to suggest to people to also read A Circle of Cats it's got the story of the grandmother in 7 Wild Sisters. Both books are middle grade books but Circle of Cats is a picture book.

Jalilah wrote: "I am really enjoying People of the Seaa lot, but I must admit it is not necessarily a page turner. It's not the type of book I can read straight through.

Melanti, I've gone throu..."

I'll have to check that one out. I've heard of Block but haven't read anything by her yet.

I'm voting for Mythago Wood too, but I'm happy with McKillip. I've yet to read anything by her that I haven't liked.

I think Seven Wild Sisters stands well on its own. It was published before A Circle of Cats after all... I haven't read A Circle of Cats but it was recently expanded into a full-length book The Cats of Tanglewood Forest (also YA/Middle Grade and the illustrations are still there).

Reading Psyche in a Dress while I was in the middle of People of the Sea was not a great idea! It made the later seem even slower and harder to get unto. Nevertheless I am glad that I did read it. I've certainly read a lot of interesting books with Selkies in the last few months!
I then tried In the Night Garden but really seem to have a block with Catherynne M. Valente. The same thing happened with The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. I am ashamed to admit I could not get past the first page! And from all I have heard she's supposed to write the kind of books I like so I don't understand it!
Instead I read Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women which was well written but I have mixed feeling about it.
Now I am off to pick up my copy of In The Forests of Serre!

Valente's typical subject matter might be right up your alley, but her writing style is truly an acquired taste especially on the non-fairyland books. The fairyland books are probably her most accessible. So if you've tried one Fairyland book and one non-Fairyland book, she just may not be a taste you want to acquire. I admit, I love her work but I do put them off endlessly because she's so DENSE that I never even want to attempt most of her stuff until I have a day where I can just sit and concentrate. She's not an author that I can read a few pages here and there with.

I read Bradbury Speaks: Too Soon from the Cave, Too Far from the Stars yesterday/today which is a set of essays by Ray Bradbury (of Fahrenheit 451 fame) and am really disappointed. I love his short stories, but in these essays he really comes off as deliberately non-PC. In one of the essays dating from the late 90's, he implies that all women who aren't mothers/teachers/nurses are "macho men clones". In another he's astonished that a fan would like to see more women and minorities in his fiction. It's just frustrating when an author you like turns out to be a bit of a jerk.

My other book is Tris's Book which is the second in Tamora Pierce's "Circle of Magic" series. The series was nominated for a Mythopoeic award, but it's turning out to be a bit too Middle Grade/YA for my tastes. I'll probably finish this book cause it's pretty short and a quick read, but I doubt I'll bother to finish the series.

Yes, I love Valente, but she has a very unique writing style. It always takes me a bit to sink into her prose. But she is one of my all-time favorite writers.

I recently read Doll Bones by Holly Black, which I enjoyed. I really need to read her Faery series. I also finished The Magicians by Lev Grossman, which was okay. I liked the end, but the protagonist often annoyed me. Which isn't really a good reason to give it 3 stars, but I couldn't empathize with him until the end.

I'm picking up Saints at the River by Ron Rash and A Modern Utopia by H.G. Wells, and then will get started on the group reads!

I really liked The Magicians but I made sure I saved it until I was in the mood to be tolerant for the teenage angst. I've had the sequel for quite some time, but haven't been in the tolerant mood yet.

I think Doll Bones was the winner for this year's Children's Mythopoeic award. Her Faerie series was nominated but I don't think it won.

I think Doll Bones deserved the award. Doll Bones reminded me a lot of Coraline, so if you like Coraline, you'll like this one. Kind of a light horror adventure story. Not quite as frightening as Coraline, but still scary, with lots of fun parts.

Margaret wrote: "I think Doll Bones deserved the award. Doll Bones reminded me a lot of Coraline, so if you like Coraline, you'll like this one. Kind of a light horror adventure story. Not quite as fri..."

Well I liked her faerie series so I think I'll try Dolls Bones.

That is too bad about Bradbury Speaks: Too Soon from the Cave, Too Far from the Stars! I had not read him in years, but not to long ago really enjoyed Something Wicked This Way Comes
I make allowances for 19th century writers when they write non PC stuff figuring they are a product of the time in which they were raised, but Bradbury is not that old!

I had the best intentions to start In The Forests of Serre, but had a hard time getting into it because it is a bit too Fantasy for my taste. Another group I am in is reading The Forty Rules of Love and since I loved the other book I read from this author, I just could not resist reading it instead!

Last year I picked up Here Be Monsters!: An Adventure Involving Magic, Trolls, And Other Creatures at Goodwill, not knowing then that it was being adapted into a stop-motion movie. So I figured I better get it read before we see The Boxtrolls this weekend. So far I'm liking it a lot.

Jalilah wrote: "Margaret wrote: "I make allowances for 19th century writers when they write non PC stuff figuring they are a product of the time in which they were raised, but Bradbury is not that old!...."

Well, he was over 90 when he died a couple of years ago, so if you give age exemptions to any living people he's probably old enough to be their contemporaries.

I was wondering if you were going to like In the Forests of Serre. I know you usually prefer books set in the real world...

Melanti wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Margaret wrote: "I make allowances for 19th century writers when they write non PC stuff figuring they are a product of the time in which they were raised, but Bradbury is not that ..."

I can excuse HC Anderson for going to brothels or Charlotte Bronte for describing West Indians as savages, but Bradbury is still young enough to have experienced the civil rights movement and the women's liberation first hand, so he gets no exemptions from me! It is disappointing however! I would have thought he'd be liberal minded!
Forests of Serre started out nicely and very fairy tale like, so I thought I would like it. But it lost me with all the wizards,sorcery and different countries....
I don't know why I am this way. I would actually like to like this kind of fantasy but I just can't get in to it. Beauty by Robin McKinley takes place in an unnamed place but it did not bother me, so I can't really explain it.

Jalilah wrote: "Forests of Serre started out nicely and very fairy tale like, so I thought I would like it. But it lost me with all the wizards,sorcery and different countries...."

Early on I thought there was just too much going on in In The Forests of Serre and I wasn't sure where the main story was. But as I got deeper into it, it became easier to accept the "ensemble cast" with their myriad of side stories. Overall I did enjoy the tale.

This book looked interesting so I picked it up at my local library today. The Secret History of Fantasy. The "carrot" in the desription: Tired of the same old fantasy? Here are the stories you've never imagined possible. Nineteen extraordinary writers offer much-needed antidotes to clichéd tales of sword and sorcery.

A collection of short stories penned by a variety of authors...many we've discussed in this group, (Gaiman, McKillip, Holdstock). Also contains stories by Stephen King (not my usual read) and Gregory Maguire (I've read several of his works).

I'm looking forward to this.

I couldn't get into In The Forests of Serre at all.

I'm now reading Bitter Greens which contains a Rapunzel retelling within a historical narrative about the woman who wrote what we know as Rapunzel. I'm actually enjoying it very much. I got it from Net Galley.

I started in on the last book in Christopher Healy's League of Princes trilogy The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw. It's a humorous mash-up staring the princes and princesses of four different fairy tales. Middle-Grade level but still funny and entertaining. The first was The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom if anyone is interested.

I also swung by the library and tried to pick up Seven Wild Sisters for the group read, but they only had the older version of it ready for me, not the new version, so I'm putting that off until I can get both versions.

Shomeret wrote: "I couldn't get into In The Forests of Serre at all.

I'm now reading Bitter Greens which contains a Rapunzel retelling within a historical narrative about the woman who..."

Good to know I am not the only one! I plan on trying Something Rich and Strange by the same author.
Bitter Greens looks really good!

Bitter Greens is really good, Jalilah. I gave it five stars. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Shomeret wrote: "Bitter Greens is really good, Jalilah. I gave it five stars. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Oh Shomeret, your reviews both the Goodreads and the Blog, make me feel like going out and getting a copy Bitter Greens right now!

I just finished the new edition of Seven Wild Sisters. Perhaps because of all the new illustrations, I enjoyed it a lot more this time. Or it could be that it was just so different from the book I'd just finished before, The Forty Rules of Love, which was quite deep and thought provoking, that I appreciated the lightness this time around. However I still think De Lint's adult novels are way better.
Last night I quickly read The Dryad by Hans Christian Andersen

Now I've read all my books but all the library books I've ordered The Facts Of Life, Something Rich and Strange, The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold have been "in transit" for several days now! It's so annoying when that happens. I know as soon as I go out an buy a new book , they will all arrive at the same time!

Shomeret wrote: "Bitter Greens is really good, Jalilah. I gave it five stars. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."


Good to know. I picked it up earlier and just did not get into the book. I'll try again.

Melanti wrote: "I started in on the last book in Christopher Healy's League of Princes trilogy The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw. It's a humorous mash-up staring the princes and princesses of fo..."

Oh looks fun!

Kathy wrote: "Oh looks fun! ..."

The whole series is, I promise!


So I've been reading some Nabokov this week (Pale Fire and Despair) and I've come to the realization that I haven't read enough Russian lit. I was browsing through my library's selection of Pushkin poetry and I found that he's written some fairy tales. Has any one around here read them? Are they any good?
Pushkin's Fairy Tales is the one I'm considering.

After the Nabokov books, I need something really light again, so I think next up is William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back which I picked up from the library last night. I'll hopefully get my copy of Seven Wild Sisters: A Modern Fairy Tale in the next couple of days too.

Melanti wrote: "I need something really light again, so I think next up is William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back"

This is quite cleverly done. The audio book just adds to the experience. You can listen to a free sample here: http://www.amazon.com/William-Shakesp...

I loved the first one, but I'm not quite getting into this one as much. I'm really missing all the banter between Leia and Han. It's there, but it's been changed.

So, "Why, you stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder" is now (in the shakespeare version):
"O! Thou arrogant half-wit,
Thou oversized child, thou friend of slime,
Thou man of scruffy looks, thou who herd'st nerfs,
Thou foul-born wimpled roughhewn waste of flesh!"

It's just not the same. I think I'm just too attached to the original versions of the banter since so much of what made it great was timing, inflection and expressions and once you make that drastic of changes to the insults it gets harder to transfer the timing/tone etc to the new lines. My library does have the e-audiobook available, but for whatever reason my phone can't download it. No clue why not.

I've started my Kindle Unlimited free trial so I'm frantically reading as much as I can from my KU wishlist before my time is up. So if you notice me reading lots of short stories and old, obscure backlist books this month, that's why!

One of the things I'm reading is The Cyberiad by Stanisław Lem. It's an anthology of short stories about two robots who construct other robots. The stories are very humorous and fable-like in nature. In fact, the ones I've read so far remind me a lot of the coyote trickster tales. So, if any of you like Coyote and sci fi, I recommend giving it a try!

My other book at the moment is The Facts of Life by Graham Joyce. It seems to be Latin American style magical realism so far, though I'm only a couple of chapters in.

Oh, yes, and The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins which is really good but it's turning out to be more of a mystery rather than the Halloweenish story that I'd assumed it would be from the title... I don't know why I thought it was going to be spooky. I've read Wilkie before so I knew he was primarily a mystery writer.

Melanti wrote: "I've started my Kindle Unlimited free trial so I'm frantically reading as much as I can from my KU wishlist before my time is up. So if you notice me reading lots of short stories and old, obscure..."

I am reading The Facts of Life as well. I wrote in the Endicot group that I am used to reading this style more in a Latin American literature, so it seemed strange at first finding this type of novel taking place in post WW2 England. I am really wanting to love this book because one of my favourite all time authors, Isabel Allende gave it a great review. However up to now I am only liking it, not loving it. It's not like a page turner that I can't put down.

Before that I read Something Rich and Strange. The beginning was fantastic, I felt it lost some steam about 3/4 of the way. Nevertheless my over all impression was good. I certainly liked it more than In The Forests of Serre

Before that, I read a few stories from The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia Block I was blown away by her Psyche in a Dress, but did not like these stories nearly as much. I think it was because Psyche in a Dress was a complete novel and the author really did a fantastic job of transporting the Greek myth to modern day Los Angeles. The 3 stories I read in The Rose and the Beast were more or less retellings and could have taken place anywhere.

Jalilah wrote: However up to now I am only liking it, not loving it. It's not like a page turner that I can't put down. ..."

I was liking but haven't had a chance to get really into it yet. The pigeon on the utility wires overhead took great exception to it for some reason - either that or it has the same regard for e-readers as you do. I had to put my Kindle away until I was able to get home and disinfect it. I'm hoping to be able to read some more of it this weekend though.

I'm just glad I was reading my Kindle and not a paperback! And I'm glad that cows don't fly!

And I need to read In the Forests of Serre soon too. So many books, so little time...

I just finished Daughter of the Forest which - wow. Seriously. That was an amazing book, I still feel so wrapped up in the world and have trouble moving on.

I loved that one too, Ruby Rose Scarlett! I had thought I would read the second in the series, Son of the Shadows, but haven't had the chance yet. There are so many books I've planned to read this year, and now the end of the year is approaching, and there's still dozens of books I want to read! Right now, I'm working through The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, which is good, but not as 'amazing' as I'd thought it would be. It won so many awards that maybe my expectations were too high. But it is good. I'm also reading some of Che Guavara's speeches and writings. I'm looking forward to the next group read. I think I've been reading a lot of heavy, dark stuff lately, and I'd like something a little more fun!

Ruby Rose Scarlett wrote: "I just finished Daughter of the Forest which - wow. Seriously. That was an amazing book, I still feel so wrapped up in the world and have trouble moving on."

I felt the same way. Juliet Marillier has a way of getting you involved in her characters! I am definitely up for reading the second book.

I am currently reading The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk and am liking parts and struggling with other parts. I think it's not meant to be an enjoyable read as it deals with obsessive love and the consequences of it.

Greetings, I gave read all of Juliet Marillier's books with the exception of Dreamer's Pool, her latest, which is on hold at the library. I am working through Some of Mercedes Lackeys books. The last on the list is Intrigues. also Shining Circle , book two of Rhiannon's Ride by Kate Forsyth, a very large book.

Greetings, I gave read all of Juliet Marillier's books with the exception of Dreamer's Pool, her latest, which is on hold at the library. I am working through Some of Mercedes Lackeys books. The last on the list is Intrigues. also Shining Circle , book two of Rhiannon's Ride by Kate Forsyth, a very large book to get through.

Agreed on the Sevenwaters series! I loved Daughter of the Forest, and maybe loved Son of the Shadows even just a tiny bit more. (Because I have weird tastes when it comes to love stories, perhaps.) Right now I'm reading another by Marillier: Heart's Blood, sort of a medieval Irish version of Beauty and the Beast. So far it's spooky to the degree of making me feel just a little unsettled when reading it after dark, but I can see how it might end up really cool.

Recently I've read:

*The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, Loved it!
*Frankenstein The Graphic Novel: Original Text, great way to reread it
*Touch Magic: Fantasy, Faerie & Folklore in the Literature of Childhood, a pleasure to reread,
*Thousand Words, important subject,
*The Painterliked the concept more thsn the novel, didn't finish it.

and I'm starting The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter, and the People Who Raised Them

Julia wrote: "Recently I've read: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, Loved it! "

Julia, that one's been in my library's "new" section for months, and every time I pass by, it catches my attention. What made you love it?

I liked Daughter of the Forest too, but I haven't read anything else by her (yet).

Yesterday I finished off Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor which is in the lower end of the YA spectrum. Pretty standard quest type fantasy, but it pulls in a lot of elements from African mythology, which is a lot of fun.

I started Damiano this morning which seems to be an alternate history set in the Italian Renaissance with angels and a bit of magic thrown in.

I read Thorn by Intisar Khanani, which is a retelling of Goose Girl, and it's simply one of the most beautifully written books I've ever come across. I loved Shannon Hale's version, but Intisar puts a new spin on the story that surprised me. I've bought all her other books and really hope she'll produce more fairy tale retellings.

I love Goose Girl. Thanks, Aya,

Kathy wrote: "I love Goose Girl. Thanks, Aya,"

You're welcome. Goose girl is one of my favorites as well--it's fun to see how the princess goes from riches to rags, and then rags to riches :)

The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman -- excellent so far.

I'm going to try to catch up on some old group/buddy reads this weekend.

I just finished In The Forests of Serre for this group, and am currently attempting to finish Endicott's August book The Off Season and it's not really working for me which is why it's been on my "currently reading" shelf for three months. But it's a good weekend to try to finish it since it's about ghosts and it is Halloween, after all!

Now if only I can keep up the motivation and finish up the last 200 pages of The Arabian Nights!

Jalilah, I did finally find a copy of So Far from God at the bookstore last weekend, so if I manage to get the other books read, I'll give that one a try. Maybe we can get a discussion going. Possibly. Probably not, knowing how quiet the Endicott group is.

Julia wrote: "Recently I've read: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, Loved it! "

Julia, that one's been in my library's "new" section for months, and every time I pass by, it catches my attention. What made you love it?

Leah,

It's all about reading, people coming together over good books, the love of reading and making a community out of a love of reading and a particular book store owned by a cantankerous bibliophile.

It may be off your new shelf at the library now, it is at mine. My RL book group is reading it next.

P.S. Though the author mostly writes YA, this is not YA, but it's a fast read.

Melanti wrote: Jalilah, I did finally find a copy of So Far from God at the bookstore last weekend, so if I manage to get the other books read, I'll give that one a try. Maybe we can get a discussion going. Possibly. Probably not, knowing how quiet the Endicott group is.


We can always start up a conversation here. I've read it twice, once when it first came out and the second time this summer. It takes place in New Mexico and as we were going there on vacation I wanted to get in the mood.
However I ended up liking it a lot less this time around. I'll explain why if a conversation gets started up either here or in the Endicott group!

I have trouble keeping up with the Endicott group. Sometimes I look to see what book's next, get in the waiting list at the library for it, and then it's a different book that Endicott is reading. But I already have the book by then so I feel like I have to read it. Or, the book is difficult to find and by the time I do, the month is over (or I can't find it at all). I think the 2 months to read 2 books here at Into the Forest works well because then I have time to find the books, and if there's a wait at the library I can still get them before the 2 months is up.

I think part of that is Odette is only able to get online a couple of times per month and is only on for a few minutes each time so when she decides things (like this month moving up the Graham Joyce book due to him passing away recently) she can't pass it along until the next time she's in the library.

But I've been having trouble finding the last few months books too - they've been rather obscure lately. The last book that my library had was April's book! I've been having to buy copies online which didn't work last month since it got lost in the mail.


I like this group's method too! It makes it easier to fit the books in somewhere between all my other books and also makes it more reasonable to read longer selections like the Red Fairy Book nominated this month.

Julia wrote: "It may be off your new shelf at the library now, it is at mine. My RL book group is reading it next."

Nope, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry was still on our "New" shelf as of Thursday. I go once a week, and like I mentioned before, it's been there for awhile. Not complaining, though, since it's kinda like the book pokes me every time I walk by. I went ahead and added it to my (way too big to ever get through) TBR list for 2014. For some reason I like to read books about books in fall/winter. Probably because those books make me feel all warm and cozy when it's flippin' freezing outside.

Melanti wrote: "I think part of that is Odette is only able to get online a couple of times per month and is only on for a few minutes each time so when she decides things (like this month moving up the Graham Joy..."

I did not know that Odette is only able to go online a few times a month for a few minutes at a time!
I am surprised she's never asked anyone else to be a co-moderator. I know from being in groups that run well that it's important for the moderator(s) to participate in the discussions from the time to time.

Margaret wrote: "I have trouble keeping up with the Endicott group. Sometimes I look to see what book's next, get in the waiting list at the library for it, and then it's a different book that Endicott is reading. ..."
I was going to suggest looking at the original Endicott list: http://endicottstudio.typepad.com/jom... but I see now that the Endicott group is not following the order exactly.

I have not felt like posting much in the Endicott group lately. I've said this before, but I feel strange being the only one posting in a thread and looking like I'm having a conversation with myself.

I am very much enjoying bring a co moderator in this group with the two of you Chris and Melanti. Between the three of us we always manage!

I need to read something light and fun after The Museum of Innocence so I just started The Cats of Tanglewood Forest. With the extra illustrations from Charles Vess this book is absolutely a delight. A must read for everyone who enjoyed Seven Wild Sisters!

Yeah... after that conversation we had early this year I sent her a message asking if she would at least set up a few of the upcoming reads on the group shelf and offered to help out with it if she was willing to give me mod rights...

She replied a couple of weeks later and explained the internet situation. No mention of my offer which I interpreted as a polite 'no, thanks' but at least she did set up the bookshelf dates.