tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5383119466961870537.post3748578123941636845..comments2024-02-27T13:22:06.787-05:00Comments on Literature Frenzy!: Once Upon a Time IXJason Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334917645691982404noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5383119466961870537.post-23733380621820511982015-03-27T10:32:53.741-04:002015-03-27T10:32:53.741-04:00Hello Priya! I am still trying to narrow down my l...Hello Priya! I am still trying to narrow down my list to five but you might be happy to know that Discworld #1 made the cut. Good Omens is still in the trial period. <br /><br />Oh my goodness, you just made my day. I really sincerely hope you enjoy Lions of Al-Rassan but hopefully I didn't hype it up too much. <br /><br />Yeah, so many great titles to choose from for this reading event, which makes it so difficult to choose which ones to read.<br /><br />I finished my first Le Guin novel a few weeks ago and it was pretty good. Nothing mind-blowing but I can see the appeal and there is no denying her writing talent. The story just didn't register with me as much as I had initially hoped. Dispossessed will likely be the next novel I read by her.<br />Jason Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08334917645691982404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5383119466961870537.post-16196849306739672652015-03-27T10:27:49.127-04:002015-03-27T10:27:49.127-04:00Think I'm done with reading challenges for the...Think I'm done with reading challenges for the next little while though. We'll see in 3 months...muhahahaha<br /><br />Awesome, I'd be down to read something together. Or perhaps co-host some kind of read-a-long? I'll have to think about some titles that might interest you.<br /><br />True. I read Beowulf about ten years ago when in school, so yeah, it clearly went over my head. Perhaps a second attempt would prove different. If anyone can convince me of its greatness, it would be you.<br /><br />CS Lewis was a great literary scholar and wrote so many critical essays. His analysis of Paradise Lost is a brilliant piece of of literary criticism. <br /><br />It's been rainy the last few days here but it doesn't compare to the amount of precipitation you get. There is something really comforting about curling up with a good book when its raining. Jason Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08334917645691982404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5383119466961870537.post-32845371998618965552015-03-26T12:36:12.693-04:002015-03-26T12:36:12.693-04:00I see Terry Pratchett! Good Omens is a cool book, ...I see Terry Pratchett! Good Omens is a cool book, I'll watch out for your review. Once Upon a Time is easily one of my favourite events of the year. In fact, only yesterday I ordered The Lions of Al-Rassan for this, after your wonderful commentary on the book. I love your other choices too, Angela Carter, Dan Simmons, Mieville, John Connolly, Valente! Looks like you're going to have a great time... All I'm sure about for my challenge is the Guy Gavriel Kay book and I must finally read something by Ursula K. Le Guin. :)Priyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09671631876416310280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5383119466961870537.post-89336264967018559672015-03-25T16:12:15.703-04:002015-03-25T16:12:15.703-04:00Well, to make you feel better, I think I have some...Well, to make you feel better, I think I have some screws loose too. ;-) But less this year, than last.<br /><br />You're welcome! I was thinking that we should read a book together at some point and compare notes. I know that we're reading The Voyage Out, but I mean another one. If you let me know what you've decided on this front, I may pick one of them up.<br /><br />Yes, but did you really READ Beowulf? There's alot going on in it. <br /><br />I have C.S. Lewis' thoughts for you on A Voyage To Arcturus, as I haven't read it myself yet. It inspired his Space Trilogy and he loved "the idea that 'scientification' appeal could be combined with 'supernatural' appeal" and Lewis said that his debt to Lindsay "was very great". However, he highly disliked the theme of the book, calling it "on the borderline of the diabolical .... (and) so manichean as to be almost satanic." One of the things I love about Lewis is his abilities to segregate the various aspects of books and love some while disliking others. <br /><br />I know what you mean about reading time. I've spent most of mine on the computer today. The weather here is atrocious --- I am reminded that I live in a rain forest climate ---- so tonight I hope to get some good reading time in.<br /><br />Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5383119466961870537.post-89636102078931059902015-03-25T13:37:49.729-04:002015-03-25T13:37:49.729-04:00I tried reading American Gods years ago but couldn...I tried reading American Gods years ago but couldn't finish it. Still not sure if I will be up for giving it another try considering there are so many other titles that have priority. <br /><br />What are some of the titles that aren't on my list that you would recommend? Jason Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08334917645691982404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5383119466961870537.post-68995905216213356682015-03-25T13:34:38.215-04:002015-03-25T13:34:38.215-04:00I have American Gods on my to read list. I also h...I have American Gods on my to read list. I also have Kay on my to read list but I've already read some of what you have listed and what I have isn't there. Darn. Oh well. Curious to see which five you choose.Satiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03227625739706115993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5383119466961870537.post-28072963698625924212015-03-25T13:02:08.421-04:002015-03-25T13:02:08.421-04:00Yep, there's more than a few loose screws. But...Yep, there's more than a few loose screws. But this wouldn't be literature frenzy if I didn't go a little, you know, Craaaaaaaazy! I don't plan on reading all of these for the event because that would qualify as pure insanity. I just have to read 5. Anymore than that would be a bonus but like you said, there are already so many other reading challenges/reviews that I am working on too! <br /><br />Thank you so much for the recommendations, Cleo! This is great. You are obviously well-read when it comes to mythology so this seems like the perfect reading challenge for you...care to join me? :P<br /><br />I have read a few on your list: 'Mythology' by Edith Hamilton, Beowulf, Lord of the Rings. Didn't care much for Beowulf, sowwy. I loved move 'The Neverending Story' but haven't read the book. I read Shelley's version of Prometheus so it would be interesting to see where he got his ideas from. <br /><br />I will have to add "Till We Have Faces" and should read Metamorphosis but its too loooooooooooong. Woah, 'A Voyage to Arcturus' sounds pretty darn cool. Got any brief thoughts on this one? I love Sci-fi so this would play right into my wheelhouse. 'At the Back of the North Wind' also sounds fantastic. I'll have to look into that one.<br /><br />AHHHHHHHH so much to read, so little time!Jason Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08334917645691982404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5383119466961870537.post-90337089258512400602015-03-25T12:02:42.700-04:002015-03-25T12:02:42.700-04:00You're crazy, you know! How many challenges? ...You're crazy, you know! How many challenges? How many reviews? How much reading? ....... before you self combust? ;-)<br /><br />Actually I will deign to admit that this challenge proved an almost insurmountable temptation, but I resisted for this year. We'll see about next.<br /><br />Okay, as for recommendations:<br /><br />Phantastes by George MacDonald<br />The Well at the World's End by William Morris<br />Mythology by Edith Hamilton<br />The Golden Bough by James Frazer (on my TBR list)<br />The Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne<br />The Wonder Book by Nathaniel Hawthorne<br />Metamorphosis by Ovid (I'm going to be reading this soon)<br />Beowulf (I'm thinking of having a Beowulf read-along in May if you'd like to join)<br />The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien<br />The Neverending Story by Michael Ende<br />The Gormenghast Novels (I can't wait to read these!)<br />Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (a great one!)<br />The Worm Ouroboros by E.R. Eddison<br />A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay<br />The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper<br />At The Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald (lovely!)<br />A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain<br />Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus<br />The Five Children and It by Enid Blyton (hilarious)<br /><br />I can't wait to see how long this comment is going to be!Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.com