Into the Forest discussion

Would anyone be interested in an extra Samhain themed Group Read, Oct 15-Nov 15?
It was Monica who suggested it the theme nomination thread. I think it's a great idea!
If so, please nominate one Samhain book! The book could be a YA or Adult novel or collection.

Yes, I'd be interested, but have no idea what to nominate.

I found these lists on Goodreads that we could look through as a start:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Monica wrote: "I found these lists on Goodreads that we could look through as a start:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/..."

My searches on this topic have led to either romances or horror--neither of which interest me. I haven't seen the sort of thing this group generally reads-- contemporary fiction or fantasy based on folklore.

Shomeret wrote: "Monica wrote: "I found these lists on Goodreads that we could look through as a start:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/..."

My search..."


What I also don't know is if the Samhain subject or theme is already in the books we'll be reading. It's definitely not in The Darkest Part of the Forest, ( I think not at least, I read it a few months ago. It's great btw) , but I don't know about Roses and Rot or Except the Queen.
I am hoping someone else who has read them will chime in.

Yes, there is Samhain as a significant event in Roses and Rot.

As far as I can remember, Samhain is also of importance in Pamela Dean's Tam Lin (which makes sense considering the original tale).

Shomeret wrote: "Yes, there is Samhain as a significant event in Roses and Rot."

Good to know!

Psycheinhell wrote: "As far as I can remember, Samhain is also of importance in Pamela Dean's Tam Lin (which makes sense considering the original tale)."

I loved Pamela Dean' Tam Lin!

The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury was the first book that came to mind for the Samhain themed read. I've already read it and probably a lot of others have too, but the boys in the story get to see Halloween through several cultures during their journey.

Leah wrote: "The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury was the first book that came to mind for the Samhain themed read. I've already read it and probably a lot of others have too, but the ..."

Haven't read this one -- on my list. Bradbury is a classic.

Shomeret wrote: "My searches on this topic have led to either romances or horror--neither of which interest me. I haven't seen the sort of thing this group generally reads-- contemporary fiction or fantasy based on folklore."

I spent about two hours this afternoon and my searches turned up pretty much the same as you, but also tons of children's books.

What about Haunted Legends?
It's a Datlow anthology where each story is retelling of an urban legend.

(Yes, this only Halloween themed by being possibly spooky, and has nothing to do with Samhain at all but.. Tis the season? )

I'll see if I can think of something better...
It feels like someone like Alice Hoffman or Sarah Addison Allen or Joanne Harris should have written something perfect for this, but I'm coming up blank.

I may join up with this in October. I know very little about Samhain, so I'd enjoying learning more about it!

Margaret wrote: "I may join up with this in October. I know very little about Samhain, so I'd enjoying learning more about it!"

The Halloween Tree is perfect for learning about Samhain.

I'll give that one a try in October!

Psycheinhell wrote: "As far as I can remember, Samhain is also of importance in Pamela Dean's Tam Lin (which makes sense considering the original tale)."

Psycheinhell, are you nominating Tam Lin?
Do we have any more nominations?
Haunted Legends
The Halloween Tree

I just realised its been exactly a week since I posted this thread.

If no one is really interested, I am fine just reading all our current group read books. I would be willing to read The Halloween Tree though. I've already read Pamela Dean's Tam Lin twice and I have not much liked the Datlow collections I read up to now.

I think it's from a lack of books to nominate, rather than a lack of interest in a read in general.

Even my Datlow nomination doesn't really fit, I admit.

The Datlow/Windling fairy tale anthologies are good, though I haven't liked her others nearly as much. I'm not sure whether Haunted Legends will be more like the fairy tale anthologies or like her others.

Try The Hidden Parchement. it has a lot to do with Samhain.

Melanti wrote: "I think it's from a lack of books to nominate, rather than a lack of interest in a read in general."

Exactly! I thought there would be an abundance of books to select from, I was sure I'd missed out on tons, but sadly, I'm finding very little in Young Adult or Adult categories for either Samhain or Halloween.

Why do you think that is??

I'm not sure.

Maybe it's that so many people think of Halloween as just "spooky" so any horror/supernatural thriller qualifies as a "Halloween" read even if it has nothing to do with the actual holiday?

And few people celebrate Halloween or Samhain as they were originally intended. Most just think of parties, costumes and candy when they think of the end of October.

I mean, I"ve jotted down a list of spooky books to read next month myself, and I don't think a single one has anything to do with Halloween - it's just a list of books that I think will be creepy or eerie.

I can think of a number of books where Samhain (rather than Halloween) has a roll in the story, but not where it's where it is the theme, or where the entire story takes place around that time period.
Off hand in our current group read Roses and Rot Samhain has a part in the plot as it does in Tam Lin and The Mystery of Grace.

Up to now The Halloween Tree seems to be the best fit. How many of you have already read it and who would be interested in reading it?

Jalilah wrote: "Up to now The Halloween Tree seems to be the best fit. How many of you have already read it and who would be interested in reading it?
"

I have not read it before, and would be interested in a group read of it, probably later in October.

Melanti wrote: "I mean, I"ve jotted down a list of spooky books to read next month myself, and I don't think a single one has anything to do with Halloween - it's just a list of books that I think will be creepy or eerie."

Me, too. Almost my entire reading list for next month consists of books meant to set the mood for Halloween.

Jalilah wrote: "Up to now The Halloween Tree seems to be the best fit. How many of you have already read it and who would be interested in reading it?"

I read it in 2012 but I'd re-read it if there's a group read here.

Non-fiction wise, I did borrow Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life by Jack Santino and Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween by Lisa Morton from the library.

And I may possibly read A Hallowe'en Anthology: Literary and Historical Writings Over the Centuries also by Lisa Morton. Here's a summary of the anthology: "Works on the history of Halloween, from pre-Christian Celtic myths to early 20th century articles, entries include poems, short stories, sections from 19th and 20th century folklore books, a one-act play, Irish and Scottish folk tales, and the first book on Halloween ever published. Annotations make the original source materials more palatable for modern readers."

It's a quick read, so I wouldn't be opposed to joining in on a group read in late October.

Psycheinhell wrote: "As far as I can remember, Samhain is also of importance in Pamela Dean's Tam Lin (which makes sense considering the original tale)."

Here is the link to the discussion we had for Tam Lin over 3 years ago! https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I had completely forgotten that the first time I read it I felt like abandoning it half way though! By the time I finished I loved it and went on to reread it!

Leah wrote: "I read it in 2012 but I'd re-read it if there's a group read here ""

Melanti wrote: "It's a quick read, so I wouldn't be opposed to joining in on a group read in late October."

Margaret wrote: "I have not read it before, and would be interested in a group read of it, probably later in October .."

Okay, end of October is good for me too, so everyone okay with The Halloween Tree?

Do I need to set up a poll?

Thanks for the link to the discussion about Tam Lin, Lila!

I haven't read The Halloween Tree yet, so I'm totally okay with that choice. There are some authors I love to read in the fall season, and Bradbury is among them.

I will set up a separate thread for the The Halloween Tree closer to October 15!