Into the Forest discussion

Norse Mythology & Legends won as the theme for the March 15-May 14 Group Read!
Now it's time to nominate the books related to the theme!
Each group member can nominate 3 books,
one book for each category;
a long original tale or shorter collection of original tales,
one young adult novel or short story collection
and one adult novel or short story collection.
So please nominate away!

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Original Tales: The Elder Edda: A Book of Viking Lore.
YA Novel: Runemarks.

Adult: The Wolf and the Raven by Diana Paxson

For YA, I'll nominate The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer.

For adult, I nominate The Unbroken Line of the Moon.

I'd like to nominate a children's book if that is okay? It is an introduction to Norse Mythology for children.

D'Aulaires' Book of Norse MythsIngri d'Aulaire

Although I was not initially that keen on Norse Mythology, I've been looking around and there are some interesting books!
For adult I nominate:
Ice Land by Betsy Tobin

For YA I nominate Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

Original Tales: I'll second the book Kathy nominated,
D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire

I'll second the book Robyn nominated, The Prose Edda.

I'll nominate Rhinegold for adult.

Lila wrote: "Although I was not initially that keen on Norse Mythology, I've been looking around and there are some interesting books!"

Yeah, I'm not feelin' Norse Mythology this time around, so I'm not going to nominate anything. But I'll see what all the books noms turn up... might be something to pique my interest.

Lila wrote: "Although I was not initially that keen on Norse Mythology, I've been looking around and there are some interesting books!
For adult I nominate:
Ice Land by [author:Betsy Tobin|91714..."

Lila, you've nominated the 2 I was thinking about ;-) Kathy's is also very good...I bought it for my nephew a few years ago.

Kevin Crossley Holland's use of language is so rich.The Norse Myths

Lila,
I initially seconded Robyn's nomination of the Prose Edda. But if it's not too late l would like to change and nominate Eirik the Red and Other Icelandic Sagas. I read about it and it looks interesting. If it's too late to change nomination, no worries. I'm happy with Robyn's nomination.
thanks.

Tamara wrote: "Lila,
I initially seconded Robyn's nomination of the Prose Edda. But if it's not too late l would like to change and nominate Eirik the Red and Other Icelandic Sagas. I read about it ..."

It's not too late Tamara! The book nomination thread stays open one week, so until Wednesday March 8 I think.

Lila wrote: "It's not too late Tamara!..."

Great! thank you.

Okay, can someone else double check this list for me? I wasn't sure whether to put the new Gaiman book in Original or Adult. From what i've heard it's the original stories but completely in Gaiman's words & rearranged to be more novel-ish with a plot arc. Thoughts?

Original:
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman **
The Elder Edda: A Book of Viking Lore
The Prose Edda
D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire
The Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley Holland
Eirik the Red and Other Icelandic Sagas.


YA Novel
Runemarks by Joanne Harris
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
Black Helicopters by Blythe Woolston
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

Adult:
Ragnarok by A.S. Byatt
The Unbroken Line of the Moon
The Wolf and the Raven by Diana Paxson
Ice Land by Betsy Tobin
Rhinegold by Stephan Grundy

Melanti wrote: " From what i've heard it's the original stories but completely in Gaiman's words & rearranged to be more novel-ish with a plot arc."

This is also what I heard from the 2 people I know who've read it. It's the original tales from Edda, with his tone and a more contemporary voice.

Melanti wrote: "Okay, can someone else double check this list for me? I wasn't sure whether to put the new Gaiman book in Original or Adult. From what i've heard it's the original stories but completely in Gaiman'..."

I would have counted the New Gaiman book as Adult retellings, but I am fine with whatever everyone else decides.

I just remembered the last time a new Gaiman book was nominated, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. All of the group regulars had already read it, but all these people who normally never participate in the group voted for it so it won. However once there was a group read they did not join in...that was strange!

That was part of the reason we changed how we announced group reads & voting, wasn't it? So that, at least, the people who vote are the ones who at least lurk regularly, even if they don't say much.


Since the newest one JUST came out and hasn't been discussed to death yet, I think we'll get more participation - at least, for those who can afford to buy it. Lines at my library are obscenely long for the ebook (2 year long wait list!) and moderately long (~2 months) for the paper version.

Anyone else want to weigh in on the adult vs original debate?

I would count it as Adult. It just somehow seems more like a Neil Gaiman book than a book of original myths. But I guess it could be either.

I've read it, and would say that although it is based on original stories to my mind they were "loose re-tellings". So either category is probably fine. (I would agree with Portia.)

Melanti, I also was on my library waitlist and thought it would take months, but they purchased 4 copies, the book is short and a quick read, so I got my copy in a few weeks. It all depends on if people return it to the library after they've finished or hold it for the duration of their allowed loan.

I'll hold my review/rating until others have read it...if it is selected for the group read.

Okay then.
3 votes for adult - so I'll put it there!

Polls are up!
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/3...