Into the Forest discussion

It's time to nominate books for March and April's group read. Books must be:

(1) a collection of fairy, folk, myth tales or legends.
(2) A retelling of any fairy or folk tale, myth or legend.
(3) A critical study of a tale or an author.
(4) A work influence by fairy, folk, myths, or legends.

Please do not nominate your own books!
You can promote them in our group authors folder but not in this thread. Thanks!

Already? How time flies!

For YA: The Glass Casket by McCormick Templeman. I requested this one from my library based on a few reviews and the cover. One of the reviews, "The titular allusion to “Snow White” is accompanied by several other nods to classic fairy tales, and indeed, this has both the stylish beauty of those tales and the chilling darkness that makes them timeless. -The Bulletin (starred review)

For Adult: The Snow Queen by Joan D. Vinge. Nominated for Jan/Feb by Margaret, and it's also on Endicott's Adult list.

For Adult: Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman. Haven't read any of Hoffman's books yet, and it's also on Endicott's Adult list.

All of yours look good, Leah!

For Adult I'll nominate Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Women Writers Explore Their Favorite Fairy Tales, because it's been a while since I've read a nonfiction piece about fairy tales.

For YA I'll nominate The Brides of Rollrock Island. I think at least a few of us have been wanting to read this one, based on the selkie discussion thread.

What about The Hummingbird's Daughter for an adult read? It has been on my TBR list forever.

by Luis Alberto Urrea

I would also really like to read A Fine and Private Place.

by Peter S. Beagle

Margaret wrote: "All of yours look good, Leah!
For Adult I'll nominate Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Women Writers Explore Their Favorite Fairy Tales, because it's been a while since I've read a nonfic..."

I agree about all Leah's suggestions looking good! I would read any of them!

I second The Brides of Rollrock Island! I ordered it after I asked about Selkies in the other thread!

Kathy wrote: "What about The Hummingbird's Daughter for an adult read? It has been on my TBR list forever.

by [aut..."

The Hummingbird's Daughter is a really excellent book Kathy! I read it last year but if it gets voted I'll definitely join in the discussion.

Are you also in the Endicott Mythic fiction group? A lot of people here are also in that group.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
A Fine and Private Place is this months group read.

Thanks, Jalilah. I mostly just lurk in the Endicott group. This will give me a reason to read along with them.

I really want to read The Snow Queen, so I won't bother nominating any thing else for adult.

How about Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst for YA? It looks like it's based on Mythology in general, but not any particular story or tradition.

I'll leave this thread open for a couple more days and set up the polls on the first.

Melanti wrote: "I really want to read The Snow Queen, so I won't bother nominating any thing else for adult..."

The Snow Queen is a really nice read. It is worth re-reading. And I enjoyed the others in the series just as much. Read them in 2011, so a few years ago.

Honestly I am feeling the same way about The Brides of Rollrock Island! I really want to read it, so I second it as a YA nomination. Both The Snow Queen and Blue Diary are on my to read list. As well, I'd love to reread The Hummingbird's Daughter, so I am not going to add anything! It will be hard enough deciding which Adult book to vote for!

Kathy wrote: "Thanks, Jalilah. I mostly just lurk in the Endicott group. This will give me a reason to read along with them."

That must be a dull group to lurk in since generally the only active thread is the group read thread!

So, yes, please! The more the merrier over there!

World's biggest Alice Hoffman fan chiming in here, ha ha. Blue Diary really grabbed me, but I don't consider it Hoffman's usual novel. It has the magical realism elements, but the story is Alice Hoffman meets Jodi Picoult IMO.

I'm always a bit leery when someone nominates a Hoffman book cause I know that several people around here prefer happy endings, and hers are so rarely happy... Hopeful, yes. Happy, no.

I liked Blue Diary, though. Probably wouldn't re-read it but I wouldn't mind listening to the discussion.

Yes, she's not one for happy endings. She's gotten darker as she's aged. I like that about her, it's one of many things that keeps her out of the chick-lit realm.

I squirmed a little when someone in a group that prefers myths and fairy tales wants to read Blue Diary as her first A.H. Don't want someone turned off to A.H., but who knows! I'm taking this way too personally, ha ha!

Maybe I need to brush up on why this one is mythic, it's been a while since I read it and I wasn't critiquing it at the time, just enjoying it.

It's sorta-kinda a retelling of Bluebeard.

Well, more like a "inspired by" and "if you squint you can see it" sort of retelling.

Leann wrote: "I squirmed a little when someone in a group that prefers myths and fairy tales wants to read Blue Diary as her first A.H."

That'd be me ;) and I always give an author 2-3 books before I put them on my personal "do not read" list. So I'll give A.H. a fair chance, I promise.

Kathy wrote: "I would also really like to read A Fine and Private Place.

I would like to un-nominate this one, as I am going to read it with the Endicott group.

Leah wrote: "Leann wrote: "I squirmed a little when someone in a group that prefers myths and fairy tales wants to read Blue Diary as her first A.H."

That'd be me ;) and I always give an author 2-3 books befor..."

Lol! And I thought they were talking about me!

Up to now we have 3 books nominated for YA and 4 for Adult:
YA:
1. The Glass Casket
2. The Brides of Rollrock Island
3. Vessel
Adult:
1. The Snow Queen
2. Blue Diary
3. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Women Writers Explore Their Favorite Fairy Tales
4. The Hummingbird's Daughter

I see everyone's points about people's expectations for Fairy Tales re-tellings. After all, this is a Fairy Tale group! How about I nominate another YA book that has a more traditional Fairy Tale like feeling it?

Like Zel?

As for me, many of my favourite reads last year were not necessarily happy books. I am thinking about The Child Thief, The Snow Child, Waking the Moon.....so I guess it is how the books are written, not whether they are happy or sad that determines how I like them. As for Alice Hoffman, I have only read Practical Magicwhich I liked, but did not love. If Blue Diary wins I'll read it and if don't like it I promise not to complain too much!

Melanti wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Thanks, Jalilah. I mostly just lurk in the Endicott group. This will give me a reason to read along with them."

That must be a dull group to lurk in since generally the only active t..."

That is very true about the Endicott group! The number of participants in the discussions have really dwindled down. For that reason I would feel bad choosing a book for a discussion here that is being discussed at the same time over there! I saw that at one time before I joined Terri Wendling participated in some of the discussions. From what I have noticed participation in group discussions seems to be down in many of the groups that used to be very active. I wonder if is the change in the Goodreads policy that happened earlier?

Well, to be fair, I think the Endicott group hasn't ever been very active other than the monthly group reads...

But it doesn't help that Odette hasn't been online for months (ever since last summer) and only logs on to post the monthly book and run... And even then, the thread isn't always formatted properly, so there aren't always links to reviews. I think it's harder for the casual group member to know what's the next book since she doesn't add them to the bookshelf in advance anymore - just sends out a mass email on the first. Which means none of the "The endicott group is about to read XXXX in 2 weeks." emails ever get sent by goodreads.

The group read participation has really dropped... and since the timing is similar, I'm not sure if it's the Goodreads changes, or the lack of a real mod, or the change in how we're picking the books, or the disorganization of the monthly reads in general.... it all changed at around the same time, so there's no real way to know.

Maybe I should offer to help mod again so I can at least help set up the next few group reads on the calendar.

Melanti wrote: "Well, to be fair, I think the Endicott group hasn't ever been very active other than the monthly group reads...

But it doesn't help that Odette hasn't been online for months (ever since last summe..."

I missed out on several discussions because the books were hard to find and did not have enough advance notice.

I have noticed in other groups that once the mods stop participating the group participation tends to drop. Even a very large Fantasy group I was in that used to be super active now hardly gets any posts and has stopped all group reads.
I am just wondering if there is a new site everyone's going to.

Yes, Leah and Jalilah, I'm talking about you! :) Just wanted to give a little heads-up on the A.H. book. I gave it 4 stars, just would recommend a different book for the first.

The Magical Realism group is dead (was it ever alive?) with an inactive mod too. Sad.

Thank you, Melanti, for the Bluebeard association. I know so little about Bluebeard that it went completely over my head.

Leann wrote: "Thank you, Melanti, for the Bluebeard association. I know so little about Bluebeard that it went completely over my head."

I'm not entirely sure I would have picked it up as much as I did if I hadn't seen it on a list of Bluebeard retellings!

Well, I shall add two more nominations:

For adult: Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

For YA: Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen

Jalilah wrote: "I missed out on several discussions because the books were hard to find and did not have enough advance notice.

I have noticed in other groups that once the mods stop participating the group participation tends to drop. Even a very large Fantasy group I was in that used to be super active now hardly gets any posts and has stopped all group reads.
I am just wondering if there is a new site everyone's going to. ..."

Well, I just PM'ed her and asked her if she could add reading dates to the next few months worth of books and offered to help out if she didn't have time to do it. We'll see what happens, I guess!
One drawback to just running down the Endicott list in order is some of the books are hard to find copies of at the drop of a hat.

Are you referring to Fantasy Aficionados? I think Mrs. Joseph created an account on Booklikes. She was extremely vocal over in the feedback group during all the hoopla. I can tell you that the Aficionados group now needs mod approval to join now so you probably won't get many/any new members.

Booklikes and LibraryThing were the two most common sites mentioned but neither seemed to do everything I love Goodreads for, so I hope most of us in this group at least stays put!


I think we've gotten REALLY off topic, though. Sorry, Chris! (How big of a faux pas is it to be gossiping about other groups like this? )

Thanks for getting us back on topic, Mary!

Jalilah wrote: "Leah wrote: "Leann wrote: "I squirmed a little when someone in a group that prefers myths and fairy tales wants to read Blue Diary as her first A.H."

That'd be me ;) and I always give an author 2-..."

That sounds good, Leah and Jalilah. If it wins, I may re-read it with you since I missed the fairy tale aspect the first time around.

Melanti wrote: "Leann wrote: "Thank you, Melanti, for the Bluebeard association. I know so little about Bluebeard that it went completely over my head."

I'm not entirely sure I would have picked it up as much as ..."

Glad it wasn't too obvious, even to someone well versed in fairy tales.

Melanti wrote: Are you referring to Fantasy Aficionados? I think Mrs. Joseph created an account on Booklikes. She was extremely vocal over in the feedback group during all the hoopla. I can tell you that the Aficionados group now needs mod approval to join now so you probably won't get many/any new members..."

Yes, thats the group! Yes, sorry Chris when I brought up low participation in groups, I did not mean it in a gossipy way!

I was just curious, how many of you are on other groups that are active?
For me the reason I am good reads is to discover new books and widen my reading tastes. This is why I like the groups, but I am trying to limit the number of them I am in, so I've dropped out of many. I am freelance so it is too easy just to go online when I really have something else to do!
This is a great group! I have read amazing books, all the members are polite and civil, so I am definitely staying put here! Thanks Chris for starting it, Melanti and everyone who comes here!
Okay had to say that, but I promise no more going off topic!

I'm in around a dozen groups that are all rather active. I dropped the less active ones a couple months ago. Out of those dozen, I just lurk in about half of them. Four have group reads that I do my best to participate in and one more (Kathy's Classics group) I stick my nose in every now and again but I just don't have the time to keep up with any more group reads.

Perhaps creating a new topic for the discussion of other groups would be wise.

Mary wrote: "Well, I shall add two more nominations:

For adult: Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

For YA: Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen"

Great choices Mary!

Noor wrote: "Islam teaches that human beings have a moral obligation to live in harmony with one another.
http://www.chatislamonline.org/en/"

Yes, that is correct Nour, but this thread is for suggestions for group reads of books that are Fairy Tale, Folk Tale, for Mythology either in original form or inspired by. Do you gave any suggestions?

Jalilah,

I deleted Noor's comment.

And don't worry about the gossip off topic bit. A little bit off topic is fine. But something like a non sequitor is a bit too much.

However, if anyone wants to dicuss Islam or religion in general and its relationship with folklore, feel free to start a thread.

And while I'm here, I would like to give a big thank you to both Jalilah and Melanti for picking up my slack. Things in the RW are finally looking up, so hopefully I should be here more. Both of you have no idea how much your working with this group has meant to me.

Could The Resistance: Carter: Book 1 be one acceptable for YA? Number four (A work influence by fairy, folk, myths, or legends.) applies to this book, because it has fairies, dragons, mermaids, etc. in it.

Number 2 of what the books must be


A kiss in time

Beastly

Both by the same author
Have a grat day :)

Gina wrote: "Number 2 of what the books must be


A kiss in time

Beastly

Both by the same author
Have a grat day :)"

Hi Gina, we did Beastly a few months ago, but the other one is fine!

I am new here, but thanks for telling me.

Hopefully we´ll read the other book :)

Greetings.

Jalilah wrote: "Gina wrote: "Number 2 of what the books must be


A kiss in time

Beastly

Both by the same author
Have a grat day :)"

Hi Gina, we did B..."

Oh Gina and everyone and everyone new here, please feel free to comment on all the threads, even the older ones, for example previous group reads. We keep these threads open and the discussions will often resume!

Tristen, feel free to discuss your book in our section for Goodreads authors but we won't take group read nominations for your own work.
Here's the proper folder: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...


Gina, we'll accept A Kiss in Time for a nomination, but I'm going to unilaterally say you can't re-nominate Beastly out of sheer terror that it might win. We JUST read it as a group in November/December and I think only two of us managed to finish it!
Here are the discussions if you'd like to chime in.
No spoilers: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Spoilers: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

And Chris - anytime! We all get busy in our personal lives! Real lives are definitely more important than online lives any day!

I'm new in Goodreads and this group, but thank you for the links I will check them out.

If I nominate a book that is already read, it's because I don't know how to use this website, but I'll learn in time :)

Greetings bibliophile.



Melanti wrote: "Tristen, feel free to discuss your book in our section for Goodreads authors but we won't take group read nominations for your own work.
Here's the proper folder: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/g..."

I will try to read them all, I just need some time to learn how this website works, I'm also need to Goodreads :)

Greetings bibliophile.


Jalilah wrote: "Oh Gina and everyone and everyone new here, please feel free to comment on all the threads, even the older ones, for example previous group reads. We keep these threads open and the discussions wi..."

Oh, no worries. I didn't mean to double post. Jalilah just types faster than I do and she beat me to it!

And we do occasionally re-read books that have been previous group reads - I've accidentally nominated things myself that were read before I joined the group - but in this case since it's just been two months, I think we're better off just bumping the recent thread.

Tristen wrote: "Could The Resistance: Carter: Book 1 be one acceptable for YA? Number four (A work influence by fairy, folk, myths, or legends.) applies to this book, because it has fairies, dragon..."

Sorry Tristan, when you PMed me I did not realize it was your own book!
I should have looked more carefully!
Yes, Melanti is correct, we have a Goodreads author folder for authors to post their own works!

It's okay Melanti.

By reading the comments I guess you guys won't re-read that book lol, but we can read another book of the same author, expecting it will be better ;-)

Greetings bibliophile.

Melanti wrote: "Oh, no worries. I didn't mean to double post. Jalilah just types faster than I do and she beat me to it!

And we do occasionally re-read books that have been previous group reads - I've accidenta..."

For YA, what about Cruel Beauty? It's a recent release and retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Leah wrote: "For YA: The Glass Casket by McCormick Templeman. I requested this one from my library based on a few reviews and the cover. One of the reviews, "The titular allusion to “Snow White”..."

I'm reading one of Alice Hoffman's books right now called The Museum of Extraordinary Things. It's the first book I've read by her and so far it is so fascinating. Definitely a book to check out :)