Where has the year gone? it seems like New Year was only yesterday and here we are at the end of March, nearly Easter, and it’s time for Carl’s annual Once Upon a Time challenge, now in its seventh year. My record in recent years has been a bit poor but it’s such an interesting area of reading to be diving into that I always want to have a try even though I might not read as much as I would like.
So I’m aiming to take part in the general reading category which doesn’t commit me to any specific number of books. But I have still pulled together a bit of a reading list to help, accessing the Book God’s collection of Fantasy Masterworks:
- The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip – I actually started this for last year’s challenge and found the writing rather to ethereal for my taste, but I’ve decided to have another attempt at finishing the book
- Fevre Dream by George RR Martin – the Book God pushed this in my direction partly because, despite my love for the TV adaptation of Game of Thrones, I’ve never read any of his work and this comes highly recommended
- Peace by Gene Wolfe – shamefully I have also never read (as far as I’m aware) any of Wolfe’s work so really looking forward to this one
- The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson – I had good fun with another of Anderson’s books in an earlier OUAT challenge and this sounds lovely and Norse
- The Land of Laughs by Jonathan Carroll – another author I’ve wanted to read for ages
I’ll also be taking part in the Stardust read-along which I talk about here. So let’s see how I get on. It will be fun, I’m sure.
Bride of the Book God 
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March 24, 2013 at 8:58 pm
cherylmahoney
I’ve heard good things about McKillip, though I’ve never read her myself. I’ll be curious to hear what you think about that one–and about Stardust! 🙂
March 25, 2013 at 2:15 am
Susan
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld was the first book I read by McKillip, long ago. I remember being amazed by it – it was one of the early books I read in fantasy, in my late teens (after Tolkien and Lewis, of course). i remember giving it to everyone to read, and no one being as thrilled as I was. You’ve read Riddle of Stars (her trilogy under one name) by her, haven’t you? It’s very good fantasy.
I have the Broken Sword on my shelf too. One day! I’m just doing my post now for the challenge. Oh- Land of Laughs is wonderful. I hope you enjoy it!
March 25, 2013 at 7:25 am
brideofthebookgod
This is my first McKillip which is why I think it’s important to try to finish it if I can as I know how highly regarded she is. I’m hoping it was just one of those timing things that sometimes happens when you’re not in the right frame of mind for a particular book.
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March 26, 2013 at 6:57 pm
Biblibio
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld was my first McKillip as well, but I’m not convinced that it’s the best one to start with (this might be because I happen to really like Alphabet of Thorn). Regardless, I really enjoy McKillip’s trademark lyrical (and indeed ethereal) style – it’s quite unique. I’m curious to see what you think of it this time around.
April 3, 2013 at 5:14 pm
wherethereisjoy
I read Land of Laughs… it is very bizarre, but I loved it. Great list!
April 11, 2013 at 8:06 am
Revisiting challenges | Bride of the Book God
[…] some good news; I have already read one book for Carl’s Once Upon a Time Challenge and have a couple of others on my TBR pile so that at least seems to be on […]