The 2015 Book Genre Challenge discussion

Hey guys! You're doing an absolutely amazing job so far! I am enjoying our January conversations so much! Let's get started for February now that we are already halfway through January!! Our genre for this month is MYTHOLOGICAL RETELLING! I know there are tons of amazing books out there - popular and underrated!

Suggest some titles that you love or want to read so we can create the February poll and we can get voting for our next group book!

Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner. Kind of a retelling, it's about Helen of Troy before she was HELEN of TROY.
Also,
Atlantis Rising by T.A. Barron

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Their is kind of a retelling. It has its own original story line, but it also includes a lot of Classical Greek myths, incorporating them into modern day society.

Due to school and work, I am still reading Deathless. It is still quite good and I highly recommend it as a mythical retelling!

I'd love to finally read Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout, which a Greek mythology retelling.

I also recommend Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

I am looking to read Twisted Myths: 20 Classic Stories with a Dark and Dangerous Heart and some myth books I have had for years that I never seem to get around to picking up, this will be the perfect motivation!

I'm actually reading a mythological re-telling at the moment - or at least I consider it as one! It's called Ink and it's by Amanda Sun, and it focuses on Japenese mythology, and although it's not exactly a re-telling, I consider it as one as it features traditional mythology heavily!

Annie wrote: "I'm actually reading a mythological re-telling at the moment - or at least I consider it as one! It's called Ink and it's by Amanda Sun, and it focuses on Japenese mythology, and although it's not ..."

I'm obsessed with Japan and am familiar with Japanese culture so I really want to read Ink!!

I'm planning to read Anansi Boys because I loved American Gods.

I have both The Gospel of Loki and Till We Have Faces on my to be read shelf, and I'll be reading them next month. It would be nice if one was group read tho!

I'm planning to read The Return (a spin off series to Half-Blood by Jennifer L Armentrout that is being released next month).
I may additionally read Starcrossed and The Lightning Thief.

Great suggestions guys! Love the variety, talking about that, what are your favorite mythologies? Tell us so we can make a list of recommendations that includes at least one of book of each your favorite mythologies!

One book of each mythology* sorry about that, I'm on my phone at work and I can't edit the comment!

Some of my favourites: Rebel Belle, Touch of Frost, Half-Blood and Smokeless Fire :)

The gospel of Loki sounds interesting.

Silvia wrote: "Great suggestions guys! Love the variety, talking about that, what are your favorite mythologies? Tell us so we can make a list of recommendations that includes at least one of book of each your fa..."

Silvia wrote: "One book of each mythology* sorry about that, I'm on my phone at work and I can't edit the comment!"

I love Japanese mythology.

I'm super excited about next month's genre! Been trying to find books about Mythology (other than Percy Jackson's series) for a while now, so I'm going to be paying careful attention to everyone's suggestions.
Already read the Half-Blood series last month and have to say it was really good (don't forget to read the prequel, Daimon, if you can get your hands on it). Sadly, I'm going to have to wait a long time to read the Titan series.

I would recommend The Song of Achilles. I personally have not read this book, but based on reviews I've seen from other people, it's an amazing book. Basically, it is a retelling of the Iliad, an incredibly famous epic poem that features a lot of Greek Mythology. In a review I read, someone described the book as a fanfiction. LOL I think it'd be a great read for the next month!!

I think I'll be going for The Gospel of Loki for February. :)

Wow yes! There are so many books out there! Has anyone mentioned Tiger's Curse? It's not one of my favorites, but it is on Indian mythology, which adds some diversity! And I saw someone talked about Percy Jackson - but what about the The Red Pyramid? Egyptian mythology? And finally, I read a book Eon: Dragoneye Reborn, which is not really mythology, but more like ancient Zodiac/astrology based on Chinese mythology?

I personally think I'm going to be finally reading Deathless! It's been on my TBR for so LONG and one of my favorite blogs is always recommending it!!

So many great suggestions! I've been meaning to read The Gospel of Loki, The Song of Achilles, Ink and Starcrossed.

Jessica wrote: "Annie wrote: "I'm actually reading a mythological re-telling at the moment - or at least I consider it as one! It's called Ink and it's by Amanda Sun, and it focuses on Japenese mythology, and alth..."

You definitely should read it, I've never visited Japan but the way the setting was written was so beautiful and felt very realistic and convincing!

I was thinking about reading The Song of Achilles for February's mythological retelling. I've heard great things about it and it's been on my list for a while now.

Wen wrote: "I would recommend the book: Song of Achilles. I personally have not read this book, but based on review I've seen from other people, it's an amazing book. Basically it is a retelling of the Iliad..."

I'd second this recommendation - I have read it, and loved the book. It's lyrical storytelling.

The only mythological retellings I can think of are: Antigoddess, anything by Rick Riordan really, The Chaos of Stars and Loki's Wolves.
Song of Achilles would be good too.

I read The Gospel of Loki recently, it was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed it :)

I'm hoping to perhaps read Stormdancer. I've looked at this list and found some pretty awesome books. http://www.epicreads.com/blog/an-epic...

WOW AMAZING LIST! Epic-reads is so great. And I loved Stormdancer! It's so intricate and the setting is WOW. The characters are adorable and STEAMPUNK. Japanese steampunk. I hope you enjoy it!!

Renuka wrote: "WOW AMAZING LIST! Epic-reads is so great. And I loved Stormdancer! It's so intricate and the setting is WOW. The characters are adorable and STEAMPUNK. Japanese steampunk. I hope you enjoy it!!"

DID SOMEONE SAY JAPENESE STEAMPUNK? I LOVE LOVE LOVE STEAMPUNK!!!!!!

I'm going to read The Song of Achilles as well. I've been meaning to for a while now and I've heard such amazing things.

Renuka wrote: "WOW AMAZING LIST! Epic-reads is so great. And I loved Stormdancer! It's so intricate and the setting is WOW. The characters are adorable and STEAMPUNK. Japanese steampunk. I hope you enjoy it!!"

I had checked it out a few months ago, but I never got around to reading it because I was in a big reading slump, now, however, I'm ready for it!

I'm thinking of reading Cruel Beauty. It looks like it's more of a fairy tale retelling (Beauty and the Beast), but also has some Cupid/Psyche mythology in in.

I have a doubt now, what are we considering mythological retelling then?

Soledad wrote: "I have a doubt now, what are we considering mythological retelling then?"

Mythological retelling is usually considered a retelling of the myths and legends of a particular country or nationality. However, the challenge is open to interpretation, and you can be as flexible as you want. Cruel Beauty is something I would have read for a fairy-tale retelling, but clearly it can also be interpreted to have some mythological aspects too. Basically, it's all good here haha.

Do the Percy Jackson books work for this theme? I know they involve mythology, but what exactly are we considering a retelling? I don't think I've ever read any mythological retellings so I'm racking my brain trying to think of something. I'm on a book buying ban so I'm trying to work with what I already own. I do have Ink by Amanda Sun as well. I know someone mentioned that above too.

Amber wrote: "Do the Percy Jackson books work for this theme? I know they involve mythology, but what exactly are we considering a retelling? I don't think I've ever read any mythological retellings so I'm rack..."

I would say absolutely! The series is all about Greek mythology. It doesn't really "retell" any particular story, but I would definitely consider it as a viable option for February!! (Plus, it's one of my favorite series haha). I'm haven't read Ink, but a lot of people shelved it as mythology, so again, I say go ahead! <3

Renuka wrote: "Amber wrote: "Do the Percy Jackson books work for this theme? I know they involve mythology, but what exactly are we considering a retelling? I don't think I've ever read any mythological retellin..."

Perfect, thanks!!

Percy jackson series and the tiger saga by colleen houck

Oh The Song of Achilles has been on my to-read list for ages! This would be a great time to read it. And Stormdancer sounds amazing, I'll have to check it out!

would fairy tale retelling stories work in this subject?

Hi Samantha. We'll be doing fairytale retelling on October.

Percy Jackson series. I have wanted to read these for a while now.

Are we going to have a poll / group read for this month?

Tamara wrote: "Are we going to have a poll / group read for this month?"

Hi Tamara. Yes, we'll be puting up the poll today or tomorrow!

Silvia wrote:
Hi Tamara. Yes, we'll be puting up the poll today or tomorrow!"

Awesome! I'm excited.

I'm trying to decide if I should read Percy Jackson or Song of Achilles for this month's theme ... I haven't read either. Any thoughts which would be best?

Hey guys! In case you haven't already, go vote on the poll HERE! We loved your suggestions so much, and hope you enjoy the next book!

Definitely recommend The Song of Achilles - about Achilles growing up with Patroklos and their maturing relationship until the Trojan War. It's fantastic.

Also The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly is an all time favourite and one of the best books I've ever read. It's a retelling of old fairytale classics, often with a darker twist. Great as a YA and adult read.

Edit - Oopsie looks like I was a little too late! Maybe next time. You guys should check these out anyway (just noticed that the Song of Achilles is up on the poll! Yesssssss).

Thanks for recommending anyway! This is a great place for everyone to find suggestions and books! Not all of them make it into the poll, but this is an awesome place to find more books to read!