Into the Forest discussion

Coffee Klatch taken from German "Kaffee Klatch" means a casual social gathering for drinking coffee or tea and engaging in casual conversation.

This is a place to post everything off topic, not related to Fairy/ Folk Tales and Mythology!

I started this thread because my recently going very off topic in our March April Group reads thread!
How many other Goodreads groups are you all in? Have you noticed as I have group participation seems to be down in some if them? Which ones are active?

A lot....more than I can keep up with. Most fantasy, sci/fi or action ones.

The reason I am asking is because I don't only read Fairy Tales, so I am on the look out for other interesting groups that are also active. For example I am currently readingTo Kill a Mockingbird and would like to find a group that reads classics. As I don't have that much time to read, (and should not spend too much time on GR ;), I have off today that's why I have so much time to post), I'm considering leaving some of the ones I'm in, so I'd just have a few select groups on lit that I'm interested in.

I'm in nine groups and dropped a couple others. The more active groups, like this one and All About Books, are great for introducing new-to-me books and sharing book insights. I read about books more than I read books some days!

Jalilah, Are you in All About Books? They have a sub-section that reads lots of classics. It's a very active group.

In general, I think the broader the topic, the more participation the group gets... but then also the ratio of topics I'm interested in drops!

There's a ton of cross members between here and the Endicott Mythic Fictiongroup though it's not very active other than the current group read thread... If anyone hasn't checked it out yet, take a look!

I like lurking in What's The Name of That Book??? just because the rare times I can help someone find a forgotten book makes me happy.

I've been trying to get back into reading classics the last couple of years, so I joined Classics Without All the Class, which talks about classics without making a big deal of the "literary" elements like symbolism, themes, foreshadowing, etc. So it's basically all the fun of classics without the hard work of tearing them apart and analyzing them line by line. It generally has great discussions on the monthly books. I don't always talk, but I try to read along if at all possible.

One of the moderators of that group split off and formed Short and Sweet Treats, which is VERY active - lots of games but good "real" discussion threads too. It focuses on books under 250 pages and does one contemporary and one older classic group read each month.

So that's an average of 5 group reads per month. So if you guys ever wonder why I seem to get behind on group/buddy reads, this is why!

Another classics group I mostly lurk in is Kathy's group Catching up on Classics (and lots more!). I'll stick my nose in there now and again if they're reading something I've already read but I just don't have enough time to keep up with their reading schedule! (3 books a month!)

Let's see... I have three other VERY active SF and Fantasy groups that I don't even try to keep up with. I just look at the recently active topics on my main pages and only click if something looks interesting.
Fantasy Book Club
The Sword and Laser
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club

P.S. Happy belated "Tell a Fairy Tale" day. (it was 2/26)

Cool! Did not know it was "Tell a Fairy Tale" Day!
I also did not know Kathy had a group! I'll check it out as well as the others you've all mentioned! Thanks!
Currently, I'm in 6 groups. My favourite from the start is this one, even before I became one of the co-moderators! Seriously I've discovered such great books through this group!
Endicott Mythic fiction https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... has amazing books, but as we've discussed, very low participation. Melanti I think there have been months when you and I were the only ones who commented!
The most active group I'm on is Historical Fictionistas https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
But I don't go on it often mainly because the books they select usually don't appeal to me.
Same goes for Urban Fantasy https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... The moderator likes the old style Urban fantasy now called Mythic fiction that I prefer, however the books that get chosen for the groups reads are usually the exact kind of PR Fantasy I don't like. However there are sometimes some interesting discussions.
I used to love Fantasy Aficionados https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/..., but unfortunately they stopped their monthly group reads and I said in the other thread it's no longer very active.
I'm also in a Middle East/North African Literature group https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/413. I've also discovered some interesting books there.

Here is the link to All About Books if you are interested. They are a diverse reading group so you can pick the sections you like. Lots of international members, and they have game threads too. https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Into The Forest, Endicott, and Mythic Fiction aren't separate in my brain yet. If I get notified of a discussion I'm interested in, I read it and sometimes reply. Most often it is this group I think.

I know what you mean about group read choices being unappealing to you. I like historical time travel, but not the futuristic stuff that usually gets picked. Besides, I wait to buy books/ebooks on sale, so my timing is off for most group reads anyway.

Happy belated Fairy Tale day!

Jalilah wrote: "Melanti I think there have been months when you and I were the only ones who commented! ..."
Yep... A couple of the recent group reads threads have only gotten 10-15 views, let alone commenters! Kind of sad in comparison to the discussions of a year or two ago.

I've seen you comment in the Urban Fantasy group on my updates feed and have wanted to chime in from time to time, but not many threads in that group would interest me so I just keep my mouth shut and don't join...

I used to be in the Mythic Fiction group but there was a long stretch there where over half the posts were self-promotions - some on the proper thread, others not, and there's no mod to enforce any sort of rules, so I dropped out.

Used to be in Fantasy Aficionados too, but I quit when their discussions dropped off.

Remember to keep commenting! That rouses more interest.

Some groups I'm in that may interest you:
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy
Urban Fantasy
Flights of Fantasy
Beyond Reality.

I've found in those that adding a comment to even old threads may reawaken them.

A lot of us (me for instance) spend a lot of (too much?) time here as it is. We need "other folks to join in to. I'm in all those groups Mary...and I have trouble staying up with the groups I'm in. LOL

Into the Forest is my main group - the one in which I participate the most. It's also the biggest reason I didn't abandon Goodreads altogether last year.

Below are other groups I'm in. I mostly just lurk in these and use their bookshelves (lots of goodies there). I rarely join in on their Group Read discussions, though, even if I do read the book(s) for that month.

Endicott Mythic Fiction
Once Upon A Fairy Tale

Horror Aficionados
Classic Horror Lovers
Apocalypse Whenever

Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
Banned Books
Classics Without All the Class

This one was the first group I joined. I also joined Endicott, which, while I enjoy the selections, doesn't have the kind of participation to be as fun as this one. I haven't disliked a single book I've read so far in Endicott though.

I love reading with groups, but I also want to make sure I continue to read my own picks, so I've been switching back and forth, one group read, one my pick. That's been working for me so far, but I must say I joined the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club after seeing it on here, and both Apocalypse Whatever and Short and Sweat Treats look wonderful, but I'm worried about feeling like I have to read something! I might just lurk and then if I have time join discussions.

The amount of groups on goodreads is wonderful!

Leann wrote: " Into The Forest, Endicott, and Mythic Fiction aren't separate in my brain yet. ..."
It used to be like that for me as well! In fact there are some book discussions that I can't remember which group they were in like People of the Sea was it here or the Endicott group? I eventually dropped out of the Mythic fiction group for the same reason as Melanti. Also there has not been an active moderator there for some time now.

The main difference however is this group's main focus is Fairytales, Folklore and Myths, literature inspired by, and writings about. Since Endicot Mythic fiction books all fall into that category, there is overlap.

People of the Sea was an Endicott pick, I think. One of the few that I didn't read with the group.


Margaret wrote: "Apocalypse Whatever and Short and Sweat Treats look wonderful, but I'm worried about feeling like I have to read something! I might just lurk and then if I have time join discussions...."

Yep, that's what I do for the groups that aren't my "main" groups... If I've already read something or have it on Mt. TBR and feel like reading it that month, I might join in on the discussions, but I don't generally seek out the group reads.

Jalilah wrote: "Leann wrote: " Into The Forest, Endicott, and Mythic Fiction aren't separate in my brain yet. ..."
It used to be like that for me as well! In fact there are some book discussions that I can't remem..."

Is People of the Sea good, Jalilah?

Margaret wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Leann wrote: " Into The Forest, Endicott, and Mythic Fiction aren't separate in my brain yet. ..."
It used to be like that for me as well! In fact there are some book discussions th..."

I also did not read it. It was suggested when I asked for literature about Selkies. So now after seeing the movie Ondine I would like to.

Rachel wrote: "Hi there,
I was just wondering if anyone in this group has any interest in reading about Mary--not sure if she comes under myth, legend, whatever. I have an interest in this topic and wondered if ..."

Just saw your post now!

This is definitely not off topic Rachel and we could start up a new topic about this in the Myths and legends folder.
I love reading about Mary. I love the shrines and Art work in the Hispanic Catholic culture! In Mexican Folktales The Virgin often appears more like a magical fairy!
Many New Mexican folk tales have similarities with European ones only the Virgin Mary often appears as the Fairy Godmother, for instance in Serafina's Stories by Rudolfo Anaya. Although she does not appear in these books,the Virgin is evoked and referred to a benevolent, magical being in Forests of the Heart and Bless Me, Ultima.

Other more unorthodox ideas are brought up in By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho.

Great suggestion, Rachel! I may join in too. I'm especially interested in gnostic views and haven't ventured too much further.

Rachel, if you're looking for a non-fiction book about Mary, you could try . I heard the author lecture a couple of times and she's terrific.

Jalilah, I love Selkie stories too, so made it a point to see Ondine as well. I haven't been in this group long, but I've been enjoying reading the conversations. (Just a little shy about speaking at first.)

Rachel, I've read a couple of books by Elaine Pagels and I think she does a good job with the history of Gnosticism and how cultural gender politics shaped the position and influence of women in religion.

Yes, most of my reading about Gnosticism is by Elaine Pagels, particularly The Gnostic Gospels and Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas. I also read The Gospel of Mary Magdalene. All of them refer to Mary, mother of Jesus, though I don't remember which ones address her story more heavily.

The suggestions in this thread look great and worth checking out. The Secret Magdalene is high on my to-read list too.

Leann, have you read Margaret Starbird's The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalen and the Holy Grail? It's been years since I read it, but I believe that's the one that describes how the image and stories of M Magdalene was distorted, often deliberately, over the centuries to contrast with that of Mary of Galilee (J's mother, who is often presented as far more passive and certainly more sexually neutered than she was likely to be).

Despite the strong roles that both played in their lives, to be acceptable in cultures and hierarchies then and afterward, roles of women had to seen in one of two ways, rather like a good cop/bad cop scheme.

I haven't read Starbird's book, P.J., but I've read Holy Blood, Holy Grail which covers some of the same material. Wouldn't it be great to know the real stories? Women sure have been harmed by the church, for centuries.

Jalilah wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Hi there,
I was just wondering if anyone in this group has any interest in reading about Mary--not sure if she comes under myth, legend, whatever. I have an interest in this topic a..."

I've started a new thread for discussions about legends regarding Mary, Mother of Jesus: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

BBC Believes You Only Read 6 of These Books...
http://www.listchallenges.com/kaunism...
How did you score? I got 38, but I must confess there were a few others I never was able to finish like Lolita, Middlemarch, On the Road or Midnights Children. There are a few others on the list that IMO are not classics at all and should not be there at all.

66. And I have a few on my TBR stack.

I got 49. There were a few I've started and never finished as well, like Ulysses, and there's several that I keep meaning to read. I wonder where they get their statistics?

Only 6? Really? You should have had to read at least six of those to graduate high school!

45 full books for me. Very embarrassing compared to Chris's number!

Then His Dark Materials - I've read just the first of the trilogy. Shakespeare - I've read at least a dozen of the plays, if not more, but not the whole collected works. I've read a good portion of Grapes of Wrath but not all. Couldn't stand Time Traveler's Wife and quit pretty early. I tried The Bell Jar a couple of months ago but wasn't in the mood.

Melanti wrote: "Only 6? Really? You should have had to read at least six of those to graduate high school!

45 full books for me. Very embarrassing compared to Chris's number!

Then His Dark Materials - I've re..."

I understood that BBC estimates most people have only read 6. By " most people" I don't know if they mean most people in Britain, most people in the English speaking world, or most people in the World?

While I agree that many of the books on the list are classics, there are some I have my doubts about. Does one really have to have read Bridget Jones's Diary and The Da Vinci Code to be well read?
I would definitely like to read more of the books on the list, but I also wonder if the people who compiled the list have read books from First Nation/ Native American authors like Louise Erdrich or Susan Power, the Latin American Magical realism writers (besides Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez) or Middle Eastern writers like Nobel peace prize winner Naguib Mahfouz.

I've 32 of them. Mostly because I didn't read a lot of Dickens (a couple) Austin etc.

Jalilah wrote: "Melanti wrote: "Only 6? Really? You should have had to read at least six of those to graduate high school!

45 full books for me. Very embarrassing compared to Chris's number!

Then His Dark Mat..."

Most of the "classics" lists do a poor job of recognizing non-white or non-western writers. It's pretty sad. I see a lot of recognition about how people need to read more women writers, and I think that's wonderful, but I think there's far more publishing and marketing discrimination for non-white writers. I'm not sure why. Last year, just on a whim, I decided to see how male vs. female writers I'd read over the course of the year, and how many POC vs. white writers I'd read. It was almost exactly half male to female ratio, but I'd only read somewhere around 10 books by POC, out of 76. It's a resolution of mine to change that.

Jalilah wrote: "I understood that BBC estimates most people have only read 6. By " most people" I don't know if they mean most people in Britain, most people in the English speaking world, or most people in the World?..."

I sincerely HOPE that this is meant as a British list. In the first fifty, I estimate about 5 translated works, 15 American works, and the rest are by British authors! There's a bigger ratio of non-British works in the second half, but it's still a very white and UK centric list... It doesn't even include Huck Finn which would normally be taken for granted on a list like this.

Margaret wrote: " It was almost exactly half male to female ratio, but I'd only read somewhere around 10 books by POC, out of 76. It's a resolution of mine to change that.
..."

A couple of years ago, a SF reading challenge had a category for a book by a POC. I thought it would be a breeze until I started looking through my TBR and realized that nearly everything was by a white author! Once you get into the fantasy/sci-fi genres, the ratio of POC authors drops dramatically. I've been actively trying to get a more varied set of authors the last year or two, but it's hard!

Melanti wrote: "Only 6? Really? You should have had to read at least six of those to graduate high school!

45 full books for me. Very embarrassing compared to Chris's number!

Then His Dark Materials - I've re..."

Hardly. The benefits of having an English degree from a Liberal Arts college run by nuns.

What I didn't understand was why Lion, Witch, and Warderobe was one and the Chronicles of Narina another? And couldn't you simply combine the Hobbit with LOTR?

And there should have been more minority - Things Fall Apart, for instance.

45 for me and a toppling TBR stack:)

And both "Hamlet" (which it totally reasonable to expect someone to have read) and Shakespeare's complete works (which is NOT reasonable to expect someone to read... that's what, about three dozen plays and over a hundred sonnets?

It's not as nonsensical as the Narnia books, since I'm sure the number of people having read Hamlet is much higher than the complete works.

Has anyone played around with the book list from 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die? It's a fun list to use to try to broaden your reading horizons. And because it's ten times bigger than this list, it has a lot more variety in authors. It's still a bit Western-world centric and certain authors are over-represented, but they added a ton of non-English works in their second edition.

http://www.listchallenges.com/1001-bo...
or
https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

I got 57, but I think the original list, assumed to be from BBC, is something that was taken out of context, which is why it comes across illogically. (The same message and list has been going around on other social media sites and even email chain letters for the past few years.) You'll notice that this one has no citation or link listing its BBC source; I suspect that's because it doesn't exist as such.

I'm betting it's being used to market books to shame people into reading what they think they ought to, which may be why the little Amazon link flutters around it when hovering the mouse over each book.

I'll have to find something I read years ago about the original BBC source that this is supposed to allude to. As I recall, it was a survey of BBC staff members about books that had made an impression on them. The ones mentioned were combined into a list and it was never meant to reflect the reading list of a single person. But through the magic of the internet message mill, it morphed into a standard of literary education that the BBC thought everyone should have.

Personally, I don't think there's much justification to ever assert that everyone should read everything from a particular list, though shared reading among groups is a great thing. And I do agree that many books we read tend to come from a particular point of view in terms of gender and ethnicity, so I'll have to check through my reading lists periodically so that I keep an open range and an open mind. After all, if books are portals into new worlds, it seems silly to go only into those that lead back into my own. :-)

Melanti wrote: "And both "Hamlet" (which it totally reasonable to expect someone to have read) and Shakespeare's complete works (which is NOT reasonable to expect someone to read... that's what, about three dozen ..."

My sister is reading the list of 1001 books to read before you die. Some of the books are apparently horrible. After I graduate from college, I'm going to try and start reading all of them.

34.

Chris wrote: "And couldn't you simply combine the Hobbit with LOTR?"

Absolutely not! No, it doesn't make sense to have books that are part of a set, and the set, but The Hobbit is not part of The Lord of the Rings.

Jalilah wrote: "Does one really have to have read Bridget Jones's Diary and The Da Vinci Code to be well read? "

No, but I'd go so far as to say that you should at least have tried to read ONE of them if you want to be "widely read" (I hate the term "well read", because it's always someone else's definition of "well").

I'd have to agree with the comments about diversity. I've been making a concerted effort to read more women authors in the last year or two, and I managed about 1/3 last year, but it's definitely a white man's world.

Actually, since we have a Mary thread, and I've read the book, I suggest The DaVinci Code. I KNOW it is fiction, but it made me wonder, "What if..." Which, I admit, I enjoy doing.

Ashley wrote: "My sister is reading the list of 1001 books to read before you die. Some of the books are apparently horrible. After I graduate from college, I'm going to try and start reading all of them. ..."

Some of the books on there are there for historical significance rather than because they're fantastic books. I think it's a bit pointless to read all the listed books, but I've found some really obscure but good books on it.

Portia wrote: "Actually, since we have a Mary thread, and I've read the book, I suggest The DaVinci Code. I KNOW it is fiction, but it made me wonder, "What if..." Which, I admit, I enjoy doing."

Actually many of the ideas in The Da Vinci Code were taken from a non fiction book called Holy Blood, Holy Grail. There was a lawsuit but I don't know all the details. I read the Holy Blood book years ago, but only saw the Da Vinci code movie. However it did not make me feel like going out and getting the book!

Actually (:-) I like Dan Brown. I swallowed Inferno. Purely personal taste :-)

The author of Holy Blood lost the lawsuit. I'm pretty sure I have the article in my files. I can find it and give a summary if anyone wants.

Ewww.....

Chris wrote: "The author of Holy Blood lost the lawsuit. I'm pretty sure I have the article in my files. I can find it and give a summary if anyone wants."

I heard that too Chris, but I can't understand how considering Holy Blood was written in the 80s. All I can imagine is Da Vinci code side had good lawyers!