Into the Forest discussion

After Moses by Michael F. Kane

After reading a rather heavy history/politics book I wanted something light and fun. I’m reading Vicious Spirits, the sequel to Wicked Fox.
The author is Korean American and there is lots of Korean folklore and mythology in it.

Sorry Margaret, but I had to drop Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil. Turns out, it's not horror. It's more literary fiction, and doesn't seem to go anywhere. The writing is beautiful, though.

Ozsaur wrote: "Sorry Margaret, but I had to drop Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil. Turns out, it's not horror. It's more literary fiction, and doesn't seem to go anywhere. The writing is beau..."

Thanks for letting me know! Literary fiction is hit or miss with me.

I just finished the second book in the Nell of Gumbling series: My Extremely Tiny Forest Adventure by Emma Steinkellner. I love this middle grade graphic novel series. Really charming and magical, full of fairytale references.

I'm also reading Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth and Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell, for Halloween reads. I'm not very far through either but enjoying them! They're both fairytale-influenced.

Plain Bad Heroines is a gothic taking place at a girl's school. I don't know quite how to explain it, but the writing style reminds me of one of my all-time favorite horror novels: Into the Drowning Deep. I think because of the rotating cast of characters. I'm about 15% through and it's got me under its spell. A slow read, but I don't mean that in a bad sense. It's eerie without it being something that's going to give me nightmares.

I'm only one chapter into Someone You Can Build a Nest In; just started it this morning. Delightfully weird so far, which is what I expected! It's about a very bizarre monster. Not scary at all.

Last night, I finished The Push by Ashley Audrain.
I am now reading Dear Hanna by Zoje Stage.
:)

I just finished a reread of The Girl in the Tower. I enjoyed it so,so much more this time around because I also recently reread The Bear and the Nightingale. A reminder to myself not to ever wait years between reading books in series! I just don’t appreciate them when I wait years in between!
Now I look forward to reading The Winter of the Witch.

A Sorceress Comes to Call - listening on audio. Loving it!

Jalilah wrote: "I just finished a reread of The Girl in the Tower. I enjoyed it so,so much more this time around because I also recently reread The Bear and the Nightingale. A remin..."

I so enjoyed all 3 books in that trilogy.

Ozsaur wrote: "A Sorceress Comes to Call - listening on audio. Loving it!"

That one is so fun! I also listened to it on audio.

I finished Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell and really enjoyed it. The blurb says it's creepy, but it's not scary in the least. It's super weird fantasy with a good dose of romance. There is a lot of gore.

I’m reading The Painted Boy by Charles de Lint. I read it years ago and am not rereading for the challenge. I’m glad I decided to do this! De Lint was one of the first authors I started reading when I first discovered this type of fantasy. Some authors I don’t like as much anymore but his works I still enjoy every bit as much.

If anyone wants to come up with ideas for our 2025 reading challenge, give them here! https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I finished Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan last night, and really enjoyed it. It's a lovely middle grade novel about a Cree girl who dreams of another girl in a residential school.

I've just finished the wonderful Tim Burton-esque Edith Holler by Edward Carey, a macabre and funny historical novel that would do well for our unalive creatures and creatures animated by magic in the challenge. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Tower of Silence by Larry Correia

I just finished The Winter of the Witch, the 3rd and final book of the Winternight Trilogy which starts The Bear and the Nightingale.
For anyone who still needs to read more books for the challenge, these books could be used for the creatures of ice and snow, forest creatures, bloodsuckers, Unalive creatures and shapeshifters prompts. I enjoyed it immensely, but I’d be curious to know how Russian readers would react to it.

Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen 5 by Hiromi Satō

I've read several books with fairytale themes since I last updated my reading. I didn't realize it had been so long! I've had a rather stressful month.

-Taxi Ghost: A Graphic Novel by Sophie Escabasse, a charming middle grade graphic novel set on Montreal about a young medium helping a ghost who wants to save his home from developers.

-House of Frank by Kay Synclaire, a lovely cozy queer fantasy with sentient creatures from various folklore about processing grief.

-The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong, another cozy fantasy, this one about a wandering fortune teller.

-Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune, a lovely follow up to The House in the Cerulean Sea. Not quite as good as the first.

-The Firelight Apprentice by Bree Paulsen, another fantasy middle grade graphic novel, this one is high fantasy, about wizards and magic.

The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo, a novel that moves back and forth in time, really interesting premise, if not quite believable.

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth, a queer gothic horror that I really enjoyed. It also switches back and forth in time.

Margaret wrote: "I've read several books with fairytale themes since I last updated my reading. I didn't realize it had been so long! I've had a rather stressful month.

-[book:Taxi Ghost: A Graphic Novel|20518102..."

Did you like The Teller of Small Fortunes? :)

I started A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser today. Loving it so far!

For the challenge for the prompt hybrid creatures I decided to reread The Wind in His Heart. It had been awhile and because they are so rich and detailed, I often re read Charles de Lint novels. I’m so glad I did even those I did drop it down to 4 stars from being 5 before. This was only because I was annoyed by one of the characters not believing the magic that was thrown in their face. It wasn’t believable but otherwise an enjoyable read!

I'm trying to overcome my reading block with not so great success so far :), but I'm listening to The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. When I reread it years ago, I absolutely loved it and it touched me deeply. I still think it's a beautiful, wise book, but either translation or audiobook format isn't working for me this time. I can't wait to be able to read it in French someday :)

Vaguely Greek myth adjacent but Glorious Exploits...is a titan. Heart rending, brutal, beautiful.

Asaria wrote: "I'm trying to overcome my reading block with not so great success so far :), but I'm listening to The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. When I reread it year..."

I hope you find something to get you out of the reading block! I loved The Little Prince when I first read it, but suspect it wouldn't hit quite as poignantly as it did that first time. Could be wrong. :)

Wini wrote: "I started A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser today. Loving it so far!"

Yay! Karina and I used to work together, and she's such a wonderful person!

Margaret, thanks :) . It was my third time and…once I started, I knew I wasn’t feeling it.

Currently reading Seagrass Maggie by Charles Allen...

I’ve been rereading some of the books I loved in the past to see if I’ll enjoy them just as much a second time around. I’m now rereading Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

This morning I finished the challenge with Gods of Jade and Shadow and started Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles. It looks promising!

Jalilah wrote: "I’ve been rereading some of the books I loved in the past to see if I’ll enjoy them just as much a second time around. I’m now rereading Gods of Jade and Shadow by [author:Silvia Mo..."

Oh, good! What did you think of it? I forgot you had read it already! :)

I am reading The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love - the premise is fun, the execution full of cliches, but it is still a fun time...

Andy wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "I’ve been rereading some of the books I loved in the past to see if I’ll enjoy them just as much a second time around. I’m now rereading Gods of Jade and Shadow by [..."


I loved it just as much the second time around! I ended up rereading several books because they fit the prompts for the challenge.
I gave [book:Gods of Jade and Shadow|36510722] 5 stars both times, The Painted Boy 4 stars both times and The Wind in His Heart was originally 5 starts but went down to 4 after the second read.

Andy wrote: "I am reading The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love - the premise is fun, the execution full of cliches, but it is still a fun time..."

I started that and was really enjoying it but had to stop for a book review assignment when I was only a chapter or two in. Worth finishing, do you think?

I read the middle grade fantasy Splinter & Ash by Marieke Nijkamp and loved it! If you're looking for Tamora Pierce vibes, this is the book.

Abbey Lubbers, Banshees, & Boggarts: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies by Katharine M. Briggs

Mary wrote: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees, & Boggarts: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies by Katharine M. Briggs"

Ah I love Katharine Briggs 😍 shame her books now seem to be very pricey secondhand

Rose wrote: "Mary wrote: "Abbey Lubbers, Banshees, & Boggarts: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies by Katharine M. Briggs"

Ah I love Katharine Briggs 😍 shame her books now se..."

That is a pity

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr.

Margaret wrote: "Andy wrote: "I am reading The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love - the premise is fun, the execution full of cliches, but it is still a fun time..."

I started that and was really..."

Ah, not sure! Definitely fun, but the cliches were not subtle AT ALL and the worldbuilding left something to be desired. Good for a fun time, but I wouldn't say it is the most necessary read! ;)

Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires by David Chaffetz

Andy wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Andy wrote: "I am reading The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love - the premise is fun, the execution full of cliches, but it is still a fun time..."

I started th..."

I might skip it then! Thanks!

I finished Galatea by Madeline Miller yesterday and it was a gorgeous retelling of Ovid's myth. It's a short story, so very brief!

I also finished Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo, and it was my favorite in the series so far! A lovely novella about grief and storytelling. It's the fourth book in the Singing Hills Cycle of novellas.

I just finished Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles and loved it!
Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished the audiobook of The Spellshop, savoring it over a long time. It was lovely - hopeful, adventurous, and fun. Before having finished it, I even got my own spider plant to have near my desk (which was fitting because the main character has a sidekick spider plant). I'm not sure we're doing the buddy read, but wanted to share here at least :)

Listening to Someone You Can Build a Nest In. It's from the monsters POV, and it's excellent!

Ozsaur wrote: "Listening to Someone You Can Build a Nest In. It's from the monsters POV, and it's excellent!"

Oh that one was fun!

Melanie wrote: "I just finished the audiobook of The Spellshop, savoring it over a long time. It was lovely - hopeful, adventurous, and fun. Before having finished it, I even got my own spider pla..."

Yes, we have a buddy read for it! Here it is: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Yesterday I finished The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden and really enjoyed it. It's a lovely historical fiction with fantasy elements set during WWI.

I also finished When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore, which was a pretty YA magical realism novel.

Both have folkloric elements.

Bowl of Red and Lights Out and Cry by Sarah A. Hoyt

Margaret, I recommend it to anyone who likes a little tasty horror...

Ozsaur wrote: "Margaret, I recommend it to anyone who likes a little tasty horror..."

It was such a unique story.

I just finished The Raven and the Reindeer by T. Kingfisher and loved it! It's a retelling of "The Snow Queen."

Finished, but still writing updates on, The Modern Fairies (somewhat speculative but largely fact-based fiction about famous 17c French fairy tale authors. Recommended!

Holiday re-read: Great Maria by Cecilia Holland

Listen-while-I-work: The Enigma of Garlic

I started "Letters Back to Ancient China". An ancient Chinese scholar arrives in... contemporary Germany. Poor guy, cultural differences are going to kill him 😂. It's an an epistolary novel written by German author :)

I finished A Song for You and I by K. O'Neill this morning, and really enjoyed it. It's a sweet middle grade fantasy graphic novel set in a world that reminded me of A Wizard of Earthsea.

I also finished The Curse of Eelgrass Bog by Mary Averling, an inventive middle grade light horror with folkloric elements, set in a bog.