Jalilah’s Comments (group member since Aug 30, 2011)

Jalilah’s comments from the Into the Forest group.

I read an excellent book in the magical realism style for a challenge in a different group. It would also work for this one. The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree takes place is a town right next to a large forest

Clytemnestra was very good! I felt like Costanza Casati was more in her element as I know she studied Ancient Greek literature.
I’m now reading an interesting book in the magic realism tradition, The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree by the Persian author Shokoofeh Azar

I recently read The Annual Migration of Clouds and liked it so, so. I’m not really a fan of dystopian literature and this book is very dystopian, but it was definitely intriguing
Now I’m reading Clytemnestra, which is historical fiction based on Greek mythology.

I’m currently reading Clytemnestra, assuming that because it takes place in Ancient Greece it would take place near the sea, but it doesn’t! It’s still a good book though!

Jamie wrote: "I read The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn and give it 4 stars. Takes place in the mountains of Colorado.

A solid winter creature feature that features likeable charact..."

Looks interesting

Erin wrote: "I've seen quite a few books set in the Appalachians recently. I wonder if its trending? Maybe I will read one of those for this one. Having lived in the Appalachians for a few years, it might be ex..."

Please let us know which ones you read! I’m still looking for prompts
The two books I read, Witch of Wild Things and The Bewitchingonly have a few pages that actually take place in the mountains, so I kind of feel like I’m cheating even though they are great books, in particular the Bewitching

Margaret wrote: "I'm almost done with Malinalli and it's really good! Thanks for the rec, Jalilah! ..."

I am glad you liked it!

I am currently reading The Bewitching
and it’s soooooo good!

There are some scenes that take place in the mountains in Witch of Wild Things
I wasn’t originally reading this book for this prompt but now I’m counting it

I just finished Witch of Wild Things. It’s a romance and I don’t usually like romances, but I actually quite enjoyed it. I think it was the magic and the characters that saved it

I just finished Babylonia which is based partly on history and partly on mythology about the real life woman ( or demi -goddess going by the mythology) Semiramis. I actually really enjoyed it, but gave it less stars just because of a few issues I had.
Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read Babylonia as my second dessert themed book for this prompt

I’m still in a Mesopotamian mood so now reading Babylonia

A few days ago I finished Elif Shafak’s latest novel
There Are Rivers in the Sky. It’s so good!
Even though it’s historical fiction I think people here would appreciate it because there is so much Mesopotamian mythology in it, in particular the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I loved it so much I haven’t felt like starting anything else yet, so instead I am rereading Gilgamesh: A New English Version

I read There Are Rivers in the Sky for my second book for this prompt. It’s historical fiction, but heavily influenced by the Epic of Gilgamesh. And lots of water and rivers!

Erin wrote: "I read Emily Rath's North is the Night for this one. very wintry and polar with aurora in the sky!

Not quite polar or tundra, but I just read Upon a Frosted Star by MA Kuzniar, a mash up of Swan L..."

The Snow Child is a lovely book! I haven’t heard of the others you mentioned, but they look interesting!

I ended up reading When the Whales Leave for this prompt. I really enjoyed it!
I am trying for 2 books for each prompt and haven’t decided on my 2nd read yet

Erin wrote: "For the Sarah Beth Durst lovers, she has another wonderful desert-setting fantasy book - Vessel in which a girl is chosen to be the physical vessel embodying a god.

I read Chelsea Abdullah's The A..."

Thanks for these recs! I’ve only read The Stardust Thief, but hadn’t heard about the others

I’m am currently reading by There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafakand loving every page. It’s more realistic historical fiction, but incorporates Mesopotamian mythology, specifically the epic of Gilgamesh in it.

Margaret wrote: "Ozsaur wrote: "The Grace of Wild Things - Anne of Green Gables but with magic! Okay, that's a bit simplistic. AoGG is the framework, but the story is very much its own thing. I'm en..."

Ozsaur wrote: "The Grace of Wild Things - Anne of Green Gables but with magic! Okay, that's a bit simplistic. AoGG is the framework, but the story is very much its own thing. I'm enjoying the magi..."

That’s too bad! I’m tempted to read this book as I like the Emily Wilde books and as a fan of Anne of the Green Gables. However now that my son is grown I no longer feel like reading middle grade novels. It’s not really logical. When he was in middle grade I used to enjoy reading whatever he was reading so we could talk about them, but as soon as he was older I didn’t enjoy them anymore. Now he’s 27 and I rarely even read YA nowadays except when it’s certain authors.

Rose wrote: "I've enjoyed it so far- favourite book has been The Wood Wife by Terri Windling, for the desert challenge. Its been on my tbr for a while, glad I got round to it- really evocative of ..."

I also very much enjoyed that one!

Margaret wrote: "Now that the year is halfway over, how's everyone doing on the challenge? Any challenge especially difficult, or especially fun? What's been your favorite books read for it so far .."

I decided to read 2 books for each prompt this year. I’m on schedule and have been able to find something to read for every prompt except mountains.