Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I'm reading a lot more this year, mainly thanks to listening to audiobooks at work! I've already read 38 books. My typical number by the end of the year is 100. I should exceed that.

Margaret wrote: "I'm reading a lot more this year, mainly thanks to listening to audiobooks at work! I've already read 38 books. My typical number by the end of the year is 100. I should exceed that."

Congrats :) . Audiobooks are life-saving, but the books I pick up thanks to them are even more random than usual. Like listening to BBC adaptation of Makbet. Surreal experience for someone afraid of not being able to understand anything in spoken English.

Asaria wrote: "Surreal experience for someone was afraid of not being able to understand anything in spoken English. ."

Seems like it might be a good way to improve!

Margaret wrote: "Asaria wrote: "Surreal experience for someone was afraid of not being able to understand anything in spoken English. ."

Seems like it might be a good way to improve!"
It is! I knew I easily understand spoken English on day to day basis. On the other hand, movies remain a bit more tricky. But Makbet was fun.

The Mere Wife counts as 8. A retelling of a certain tale type you would NOT normally read for me as Beowulf is NOT the type of tale I'd normally read.

Amanda's placeholder for the 2019 Challenge

I've only just got around to giving this some thought:

1. A book with less than 100 reviews on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. Speak Gigantular and Palafox

2. An Into the Forest group read winner that you did NOT vote for The Mere Wife

3. book inspired by African mythology or folklore Black Leopard, Red Wolf

4. An anthology or a single author collection outside your usual go-to genre or subject. Mouthful of Birds (Genre: Horror)


5. A myth or legend you haven't read yet but always meant to (original or modern retelling) or a novel based or inspired by the myth or tale you've never read The Assembly of the Severed Head inspired by The Mabinogion

6. A book written by a Native American or First Nation or indigenous Australian etc. Monkey Beach

7. A book set in a country you're curious about but never been to Signs Preceding the End of the World(Mexico)

8. A retelling of a certain tale type you would NOT normally read. Little Darlings (loosely based on the Celtic myth A Brewery of Eggshells)

9. An #ownvoices book; e.g., a story inspired by Indigenous beliefs written by an Indigenous author; a story about Chinese myths written by a Chinese author; a story with LGBTQ character written by a trans author, etc. Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl

10. A book with a cover you do NOT like. Possibly re-read Mr. Fox. The cover of the Picador USA edition of this book made me embarrassed to be seen reading it when I was at the hairdressers (I don't really understand how my Bath bookshop was selling the US version anyway). To me, it suggests romantic fiction. I would have been proud to be seen with the Riverhead/Penguin edition!

11. non-fiction book about folk or fairy tales or mythology or a collection that has an analysis or commentary Jane Eyre's Sisters: How Women Live and Write the Heroine's Story and Twice Upon a Time: Women Writers and the History of the Fairy Tale

12. A tale told in verse I listened to Sir Ian McKellen narrate Seamus Heaney's translation of Aeneid Book VI while weeding the area at the front of my house, then to Seamus himself narrate Beowulf while I tackled the back garden.

Amanda wrote: "I've only just got around to giving this some thought:

2. An Into the Forest group read winner that you did NOT vote for - will be group reading Thus Were Their Faces

3. book insp..."

Over in the other thread I got it wrong! He He, I thought it was a book that did Not win, but it's a book I did Not vote for!

I'll get back to you later regarding suggestions!

Jalilah wrote: "Amanda wrote: "I've only just got around to giving this some thought:

2. An Into the Forest group read winner that you did NOT vote for - will be group reading [book:Thus Were Their Faces|22056496..."

Ahh! I didn't vote for it, but neither did it win. No problem, there are quite a few winners that I'll give a go. Also, I will still be reading the Silvina Ocampo.

Amanda wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Amanda wrote: "I've only just got around to giving this some thought:

2. An Into the Forest group read winner that you did NOT vote for - will be group reading Thus Were Thei..."</i>

In my case I voted for [book:Thus Were Their Faces so I can't count it for #8 a book I did not vote for, but of course I am still going to read it. I will count Eva Luna for that category.

I was updating my challenge list, and I'm curious--how are you going about defining: 4. An anthology or a single author collection outside your usual go-to genre or subject?

I'm not sure I have a go-to genre or subject. I guess for me I rarely read straight contemporary realism with no magical realism or fantasy elements, and no historical fiction. Does anyone know of 100% realistic fairytale or myth retelling?

Maybe I'll go with a contemporary romance fairytale retelling! Some of my fellow book riot contributors love Alyssa Cole, and I think she has some.

I’m on my phone so there are words missing fro
your post (you’d think they’d have that fixed by now) but I define #4 by looking at genre or subject I read the most or gravitate towards. So #4 I picked poetry because that’s what I read the least often. I also don’t read much romance so that was my second option for that challenge item.

I’ve heard good things about Alyssa Cole too.

I hate the phone app!
If it had more mythic or fairy tale content Mouthful of Birds would count as my #4 because
1.I don't usually read books classified as horror ( although as I said in the buddy read thread it's not really horror like Steven King type, more creepy and unsettling)
2. I am generally not a short story fan, tales and myths yes, but not short stories.
I have only read two stories, but if I discover they do have mythic or fairy tale content I will count it.
Otherwise, my plan is to use Thus Were Their Faces for #4 as it's also a short story collection but according to descriptions fits the criteria more for this group.

Margaret wrote: "I was updating my challenge list, and I'm curious--how are you going about defining: 4. An anthology or a single author collection outside your usual go-to genre or subject?

I'm not sure I have a ..."

Re: 100% realistic re-telling. I've not read Country, but it is a re-imaging of The Iliad, set during the time of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It came out at the same time as Everything Under which is a re-working of Oedipus Rex, which I have read (and got a bit lost during the middle third).

Amanda wrote: "Re: 100% realistic re-telling. I've not read Country, but it is a re-imaging of The Iliad, set during the time of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It came out at the same time as Everything Under which is a re-working of Oedipus Rex, which I have read (and got a bit lost during the middle third). "

Interesting, I haven't heard of either! Based on cover alone I would read Everything Under over Country. I'll keep these on my backburner. I'm leaning towards going for Alyssa Cole right now.

I really dislike the phone app for Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.

Margaret wrote: "I'm not sure I have a go-to genre or subject. I guess for me I rarely read straight contemporary realism with no magical realism or fantasy elements, and no historical fiction. Does anyone know of 100% realistic fairytale or myth retelling? "

I forget if you were in this group when we read Margaret Atwood's The Robber Bride. If not, that would definitely count as a realistic retelling.

Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck is a retelling of the Camelot legend.

I have heard the novel Jane Eyre described as a kind of Beauty and Beast retelling.

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel as far as remember does not have any supernatural elements in it and it follows the original tale fairly closely. I highly recommend it!

The historical novel Equal of the Sun might be outside of your usual genre. It's based on the life of a real life 15th century princess who became the ruler of Iran. It has Persian mythology in it, but nothing supernatural.

Margaret wrote: "Does anyone know of 100% realistic fairytale or myth retelling?"

I see you haven't yet read The Witch And Other Tales Re-Told. If memory serves (and it's fickle nowadays lol) this collection is "retellings" in realistic modern day with no actual magic or supernatural or anything.

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly was solid YA and it was inspired by Armless Maiden tales.

I read A Fair Maiden based on hearing it was influenced/ inspired by Bluebeard tales. It has some dark layers, though.

From the Endicott lists there's Indigo which is shelved as historical fiction inspired by The Tempest.

And if you haven't checked 'em out yet, and if you're in the mood for a cozy mystery, there's the Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery Series.

Another one I have shelved on my LibraryThing as realistic fairy-tale inspired historical fiction Gretel and the Dark.

Jalilah wrote: "The historical novel Equal of the Sun might be outside of your usual genre. It's based on the life of a real life 15th century princess who became the ruler of Iran. It has Persian mythology in it, but nothing supernatural."

Ooo, that one looks good!

These are all great! I do read a lot of historical fiction, so I'm leaving that off. I've already read a few: Jane Eyre, The Robber Bride, The True Story of Hansel and Gretel. I love these three.

Now, that cozy mystery series is definitely outside my normal reading, so that's a possibility.

Lots of these look really good! Even if I don't use them for the challenge, I may nominate some for group reads.

Jalilah wrote: "I've read my first book

6. A book written by a Native American or First Nation or indigenous Australian etc.
Trickster Drift, the 2nd book in the trilogy by [auth..."


I attended a writers' workshop a few weeks ago and the tutor, a Canadian now living in Wales, was waxing lyrical about Eden Robinson. I'd never heard of her before, but your post reminded me to check her out. I'm now part-way through [book:Monkey Beach]. What a great storyteller!

I have added Eva Luna for #2 a book I did not vote for. I have 6 so far.

Woo-hoo!

I've just realised the book I'm having trouble with (see What Are You Reading Now?) qualifies for the Reading Challenge - 1. A book with less than 100 reviews on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.

Speak Gigantular

For more on Irenosen Okojie (a member of the Royal Society of Literature) see

Amanda wrote: "Woo-hoo!

I've just realised the book I'm having trouble with (see What Are You Reading Now?) qualifies for the Reading Challenge - 1. A book with less than 100 reviews on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.

[book:Speak G..."

Someone posted a list of books that had less than 100 reviews but I can't find it now!
Leah? Margaret? I think it might have been one of you!

Found them! It was both me and Annette:

Best Fantasy on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ with less than 100 ratings: /list/show/7...





So not all on the book riot lists qualify as fairy tale/myth, but some do!

Thanks, Margaret! I’m away from a computer and couldn’t search for my old post.

Annette wrote: "Thanks, Margaret! I’m away from a computer and couldn’t search for my old post."

Thanks Annette and Margaret!

I initially read Pearls on a Branch: Arab Stories Told by Women in Lebanon Today for a challenge in another group, but actually realise it fits for #12 because several of the tales are told in verse. SonI am going to use it for this group's challenge instead!

I now have:

2. An Into the Forest group read winner that you did NOT vote for.
Eva Luna

3. book inspired by African mythology or folklore
The Shadow Speaker

6. A book written by a Native American or First Nation or indigenous Australian etc. Trickster Drift

7. A book set in a country you're curious about but never been to
The Little Book of the Hidden People: Stories of elves from Icelandic folklore

8. A retelling of a certain tale type you would NOT normally read.
The Mere Wife

9. An #ownvoices book; e.g., a story inspired by Indigenous beliefs written by an Indigenous author; a story about Chinese myths written by a Chinese author; a story with LGBTQ character written by a trans author, etc.
Summer of the Mariposas

12. A tale told in verse Pearls on a Branch: Arab Stories Told by Women in Lebanon Today

Margaret wrote: "Found them! It was both me and Annette:

Best Fantasy on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ with less than 100 ratings: /list/show/7...

..."


I am just getting around to checking out these lists now.
Are you sure you The Killing Moon and The Drowning Girl have less than 100 reviews?
These are both books I have read mentioned a lot here. If they really having less than 100 reviews I'd love to use either of them for the challenge!

Jalilah wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Found them! It was both me and Annette:

Best Fantasy on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ with less than 100 ratings: /list/show/7...

..."

Those both have more than 100! Maybe when the list was made they didn't? If you look by the stars you'll find how many reviews they have.

Margaret wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Found them! It was both me and Annette:

Best Fantasy on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ with less than 100 ratings: /list/show/7...

..."


Yeah, that seemed to good to be true! I see what I did wrong. When I clicked on the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ link you posted I didn't scroll down and therefore missed the actual list that has the books with under 100 reviews and instead clicked on the other lists. Silly me.
I had a look at the list and have no idea where to start!
Are there any on the list you've read and could recommend?

Another idea for "under 100 reviews" . Eden Robinson has a third Trickster book. It just came out and as far as I know is not even on goodreads yet, so couldn't have 100 reviews yet.
Would that count or be cheating?

Jalilah wrote: "Another idea for "under 100 reviews" . Eden Robinson has a third Trickster book. It just came out and as far as I know is not even on goodreads yet, so couldn't have 100 reviews yet..."

I have a couple I've already read like that and decided to wait until the end of the year to see how many reviews they had.

Another way of finding books is to go to your TBR, add "number of ratings" under settings, and then sort by number of ratings. While the challenge is for reviews, books with a low number of ratings will have a low number of reviews too.

Margaret wrote: "Another way of finding books is to go to your TBR, add "number of ratings" under settings, and then sort by number of ratings. While the challenge is for reviews, books with a low number of ratings..."
Hmmm....not sure if I understand yet how this works. I'll have to figure this out!

Margaret wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Another idea for "under 100 reviews" . Eden Robinson has a third Trickster book. It just came out and as far as I know is not even on goodreads yet, so couldn't have..."

I am pretty sure the new Trickster will get more than 100 reviews especially now that the novels are going to be made into a TV series. ( which I am anticipating, both looking forward to and dreading knowing how novels can be ruined on screen)

So it is not really good for the challenge since I take it the idea to read a book with under 100 reviews is to both discover and support good books that are not well known.

This week I'm reading a couple books for #8 A retelling of a certain tale type you would NOT normally read... I selected Cinderella because Cinderella tales are among my least favorite.

I'm going to read Geekerella, recommended by Margaret, and A Princess in Theory because I've been wanting to read something by Alyssa Cole for a couple years now.

Leah wrote: "I'm going to read Geekerella, recommended by Margaret, and A Princess in Theory because I've been wanting to read something by Alyssa Cole for a couple years now. "

Oooh, I'm looking forward to hearing what you think about both! I recently finished listening to A Princess in Theory for the same reason. I thought it was good (especially the first half) but not really my thing. I would definitely be willing to read more by her.

So I went down a rabbit hole. Here are a bunch of books I've read with less than 100 reviews, that I rated 4 or 5 stars. I'm sure y'all have read quite a few of them. But it may give you some ideas.

5 stars
Beauty and the Beast Tales from Around the World by Heidi Anne Heiner (I bet all of hers are less than 100 reviews)
Sacred Wilderness by Susan Power
Songs for Ophelia by Theodora Goss
The Song of Robin Hood by Anne Malcolmson
The Girl Who Married the Moon: Tales from Native North America by Joseph Bruchac
A Guide to Folktales in Fragile Dialects by Catherynne M. Valente

4 stars
Mermaids and Medicine Women: Native Myths and Legends by Basil Johnston
Rumpled by Lacey Louwagie
Tales of Wonder by Jane Yolen
Wolves and Witches by Amanda C. Davis
The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans
Under in the Mere by Catherynne M. Valente
The Fox's Tower and Other Tales by Yoon Ha Lee
Merlin's Booke by Jane Yolen
Roofwalker by Susan Power
Myths of Origin by Catherynne M. Valente

I'm sure I missed some! But these are all books I'd recommend.

Margaret wrote: "I recently finished listening to A Princess in Theory for the same reason. I thought it was good (especially the first half) but not really my thing. I would definitely be willing to read more by her."

Yeah, definitely not my thing either, but I'm sticking with it. I'm really liking Ledi, though. She's a different heroine/ protagonist than I've encountered in my limited reading experience in the Romance genre. And I like the little allusions to (Disney's) Cinderella, like the rescued lab mice.

So here's what I think my issue has always been with traditional or contemporary Romance: I know how it's going to end. I think that then makes the reading journey less... exciting, maybe? I dunno.

Margaret wrote: "So I went down a rabbit hole. Here are a bunch of books I've read with less than 100 reviews, that I rated 4 or 5 stars. I'm sure y'all have read quite a few of them. But it may give you some ideas..."

Thanks so much! I have only read the two Susan Power books, the Girl who Married the Moon and Mermaids and Medicine Woman!
I wanted to read Rumpled as Lacey used to be active in this group, but I could never get a copy.

This is embarrassing to admit, but I just saw the feature that says how many reviews a book has! Right under my nose literally all this time!
So now that I can see it I see Black Light by Elizabeth Hand, the prequel to Waking the Moon, which I loved only has 62 reviews! Yay!

Leah wrote: "So here's what I think my issue has always been with traditional or contemporary Romance: I know how it's going to end. I think that then makes the reading journey less... exciting, maybe? I dunno. "

I get that. I don't think that's why I'm not into romance, but I can see why that's a problem. I often know how things are going to end and for some reason that never bothers me, though I'm always excited when I'm actually surprised by an ending.

Ledi is great. I used to read romance a lot (as a teenager), and I never came across any character as well developed and real as her. I wish I knew her!

My problem with romance is...I'm not very romantic. I never go awww when a love interest kisses for the first time. Maybe this is a byproduct of being with the same person for 19 years. I know as a teenager I loved romance.

Jalilah wrote: "This is embarrassing to admit, but I just saw the feature that says how many reviews a book has! Right under my nose literally all this time!
So now that I can see it I see [book:Black Light|102887..."

:)

Margaret wrote: "Leah wrote: "So here's what I think my issue has always been with traditional or contemporary Romance: I know how it's going to end. I think that then makes the reading journey less... exciting, ma..."

I have the same issue with Romantic Fiction, but I do enjoy a bit of romance when it doesn't all go to plan.

Because of this discussion, I'm beginning to think my #4 challenge (outside my usual go-to genre) is a bit of a cheat. I went for Horror, but when Leah defined the Horror genre, I realised that I do read pockets of it, and Samanta Schweblin certainly fits into my usual reading (although Fever Dream was more satisfying than Mouthful of Birds). Soooo, I'm going to force myself to try a Romance or a YA, or both together!

Margaret wrote: "My problem with romance is...I'm not very romantic. I never go awww when a love interest kisses for the first time."

Well that's my problem too then. LOL

I can't ever remember being into Romance novels. My stepmom had them all over the place - the kind with the blonde hunk and a large-bosomed woman in a long flowy dress - but I just never felt the urge to pick one up and read it. The only romance I remember enjoying in my tweens/teens was in series like The Vampire Diaries or in classics like Wuthering Heights.

Amanda wrote: "I went for Horror, but when Leah defined the Horror genre, I realised that I do read pockets of it...Soooo, I'm going to force myself to try a Romance or a YA, or both together!"

Your comment has me wondering, is there such a thing as horror romance? I don't mean gothics or paranormal romance. I'm thinking, like, a full-on contemporary horror novel that centers romance. I wonder what that would look like? Hmm, probably shelved more as "thriller" nowadays...

I was very romantic as a teenager. I planned out my wedding, I thought Mr. Rochester was dreamy (sooo problematic), I read all the Nora Roberts and Amanda Quick I could find. I don't know what happened to kill my romantic heart, ha.

Horror romance -- it's got to exist! I can ask my horror reading Book Riot contributors if you want?

Leah wrote: "Margaret wrote: "My problem with romance is...I'm not very romantic. I never go awww when a love interest kisses for the first time."

Well that's my problem too then. LOL

I can't ever remember be..."

Now, I'm interested. A quick search came up with:
Of which, Watchers has a dog who brings the two love interests together!

Margaret wrote: "I was very romantic as a teenager. I planned out my wedding, I thought Mr. Rochester was dreamy (sooo problematic), I read all the Nora Roberts and Amanda Quick I could find. I don't know what happ..."

Please do enquire. I'd be interested to know.

I'm inquiring!

This is what they have so far:
White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig
Maybe While You Sleep by Stephanie Merritt
His Final Girl by Brooklyn Ann
Closer Than You Think by Karen Rose

Coming out in October:
The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen

Amanda, thank you for the list!

Margaret, thank you for inquiring! If you they suggest or you find any others, please do share.

Leah wrote: "Amanda, thank you for the list!

Margaret, thank you for inquiring! If you they suggest or you find any others, please do share."

I'll let you know! Looks like this may be it.

For 1. A book with less than 100 reviews on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ I am reading Black Light by Elizabeth Hand.
It is soooo good!