UK Book Club discussion

Well it's fantasy or folklore for March. What to read?

Although I'm not a big fantasy fan, I do have a few volumes lurking on my to-read list. Most prominent is A Dance with Dragons, which I've been needing a good excuse to read, so now's probably the time. It's so loooooong, at least I have it on kindle!

Oh, I have so much to choose from here! But I have been meaning to re-read American Gods before the TV-series airs. And just the other day I received the illustrated, "author's preferred text" version, so I think I'll start there.

I also have sitting on the bookshelf, singing a siren song to get me to read it and revel in it's illustrations, but I'm fairly sure that's a long term commitment and not something to read in just one month.

I am reading Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman at the moment. It is a fine retelling of the old tales, told in a suitably northern, light, direct, blunt way. He is a popular writer so I am sure many people will buy his new book. It may inspire some of them to learn more about Norse mythology, which would be a good thing.

Norse Mythology

Philip wrote: "I am reading Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman at the moment. It is a fine retelling of the old tales, told in a suitably northern, light, direct, blunt way. He is a popular writer so I am sure many p..."

I am torn about that book. I love the Norse myths and I love reading Neil Gaiman's work, but it just seems wrong to me to read Norse myths in English. From an objective point of view though, I think it's great that the myths will likely reach a wider audience. So many people only know the Norse gods through Marvel. And as much as I enjoy all the Avengers etc movies, they are not exactly doing justice to the Norse mythology.

Philip wrote: "I am reading Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman at the moment. It is a fine retelling of the old tales, told in a suitably northern, light, direct, blunt way. He is a popular writer so I am sure many p..."

When I saw the genre for this month, this is the first book that came to mind! I'm already a fan so I think it's a guaranteed winner for me! Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman.

I have 'Morte d'Arthur' on my kindle, but as I'm currently deep in 'Bleak House', I realise another doorstop may not be the answer!

I loved this genre, growing up, but was put off in my twenties (too much 'swords and sorcery'), but I can see I've been growing back into it on the sly....

After all, a good story is a good story, no matter what the genre.

I think I've decided what I might do: Kazuo Ishiguro's 'The Buried Giant'. Although I'm tempted by quite a few...

Hi
New to this group
Currently reading This Census-Taker China Miéville would this count ?

I've read This Census Taker. I would call dystopian magical realism more than fantasy. But I guess look at how people have shelved it?
Edit: I see it's been shelved as Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Science-Fiction, Novella, and New Weird. lol!

Ha ha, now what on earth is 'new weird'?

Rachel, I'm not entirely sure where the line between fantasy and magical realism is exactly. I think it's up to you.

I think "new weird" is a genre they had to invent so they could classify China Mieville's work. lol I googled a bit, and it seems there is no agreed upon and established definition, but it appears to be a sort of "genre fiction can be literary fiction too" stance that mixes fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and various punk, usually in an urban setting.

I suppose I will read: Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version by Philip Pullman.

I haven't been on here in a while, but this is as good a month as any to jump back in. I've just got the audiobook of Norse Mythology ny Neil Gaiman, so like a few others on here I think I'm going to pick that one. I've also got Darkspell by Katherine Kerr which I might read too, depending when I finish my current book (Anna Karenina - only a quarter of the way through 950 pages so will keep me busy a while yet!)

I went for folklore for this month as I already read quite a lot of fantasy. I first read Vampires, Burial, and Death: Folklore and Reality which was a little disappointing, The folklore itself was quite interesting but the author tried to come up with explanations as to why people believed in vampires and these were all pretty flimsy. I've also just finished Nine Lives: Cats in Folklore which was a lot more fun, especially for a cat lover.

Have just read Water Bound for fantasy, its about Rikki, an Autistic sea urchin diver in Sea Haven. She has always felt an affinity for the ocean, and is able to control water.

Am now going onto folklore with Tales of liechtenstein Then and Now

I've been to the library and picked up . I'm sure I read last time this category came up and loved it.

Read The Magical Household: Spells & Rituals for the Home and The Little Book Of Pocket Spells both of which contain folklore and are very good!

I'm back with Terry Pratchett for Fantasy this month.
I'm about to start Reaper Man

I really enjoyed 'Snake Ropes' too, Andrew. I hope 'Cooking with Bones' is as good, it's on my to read list.

I have got 'The Buried Giant' on order from the library. I hope it comes soon...

I'm also readingChronicle of Celtic Folk Customs: A Day-To-Day Guide to Celtic Folk Traditions

I'm currently reading Juliet which might count as folk lore as it's a 1980s/ 14th century novel about the truth behind the folk lore behind Romeo and Juliet. If I finish it by the end of March (doubtful given my workload) I'll report back on whether it qualified. I'm also watched the extended editions of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings with a friend recovering from surgery and watched bits of The Colour of Magic with her.

I'm reading a children's rendition of the Odyssey to my daughter. It's from 1951, has no ISBN-number, and can't be found in the Goodreads database. I'd post a photo as proof of the book's existence, but getting photos into these posts is such a hassle you'll just have to take my word for it. ;)

I've just picked up my reserved copy of The Buried Giant and having had a quick peak (I'm still finishing Bleak House for the time traveller challenge) I think it's probably Magical Realism rather than Fantasy... I know some of you have read it - how would you classify it?

Liz, I think it definitely could've categorised as fantasy.

Thanks Em. Good news :)

Liz wrote: "I've just picked up my reserved copy of The Buried Giant and having had a quick peak (I'm still finishing Bleak House for the time traveller challenge) I think it's pro..."
Oh yes this could definitely be fantasy. I had mixed feelings about this book - I loved the concept and thought it was beautiful written in parts but felt quite detached. Interested to see what you think!

I'm reading Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, YA fantasy and based on little red riding hood so I think it ticks the box!

This book covers folklaw and history of Liechtenstein Then and Now. We hear about the wars that happen and the history of its people.

I have read which is a fantasy/horror graphic novel with some slight steampunk elements. Quite good! Looking forward to vol. 2.

I've also listened to
I love the podcast, and really enjoyed the novel too. Imagine is Douglas Adams and David Lynch got together and decided to do a humorous radio show loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft. That's the podcast.

Leni wrote: "I have read which is a fantasy/horror graphic novel with some slight steampunk elements. Quite good! Looking forward to vol. 2.

I've also listened..."
I also really enjoyed the welcome to night vale book. I compared it to someone who asked what it was like as a cross between Twin Peaks, the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and the Twilight Zone.

Yes, absolutely! Twin Peaks, the Twilight Zone, and I'll add Eerie Indiana, done in the style of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Lol. I've also heard it described as "The Prairie Home Companion on drugs", but I have no idea what the Prairie Home Companion is.

Definitely. Never heard of the Prairie Home Companion either.

I did read some Terry Pratchett it was ok. (jumble sale find).
The China Mieville book so wanted to like but was a bit disappointed. I might give another of his books a go as have heard good things.

I listen the 'Welcome to Nightvale' podcast too. Very strange and darkly funny!

I have just finished A Monster Calls

Am going to go withDark Curse by Christine Feehan for fantasy as its got dragonseekers and dragons, ghost shaddow warriors, mage complete with long white beard, immortals and vampires.