Carl V. has announced the Once Upon a Time Challenge and I’m excited to say, “Count me in!” I don’t typically read books in this genre so I think this will be a great way to break out of my reading comfort zone. Granted, with my track record in previous challenges I don’t know if I’ll complete it but I’ll try. Can’t wait to see who all joins in. Here is my list:
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. This is science-fiction fantasy in the guise of an old-fashioned Victorian novel. Well you know how much I love Victorian settings so this should be good for me right. I’ve been meaning to read Connie Willis forever so now would be a good time.
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. This is another book that has been sitting on the shelf for a while and if I remember correctly Stefanie recommended this to me a long time ago.
Storm Front by Jim Butcher. SciFiChick has convinced me that I need to read this book. This is the first in the series of a private detective who also happens to be wizard. I love mysteries so a bit of magic can’t hurt.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. According to the reviews, this book combines folklore, fantasy, and a fistful of high-tech funk in an outrageously devilish book that could well do for fairies what Harry Potter has done for wizardry. My husband recommended this one so it better be good. heh.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. This is a hopeful tale set in a dystopian future United States of walled cities, disease, fires, and madness. Okay that sounds a bit scary but I’m hanging on that “hopeful” mentioned.
There you have it. And, in case you are wondering all of the books come from my shelves so this should help me in my personal quest to somehow make the stacks more manageable. Yeah, right. Anyway, thank you Carl V. for giving us a new reading challenge. I look forward to it!
The Eyre Affair is good fun. I love his Thursday Next series!
That is a wonderful list! Eyre Affair is a fun book. I have yet to read further in the series than that one, but someday! Haha I say that a lot . . . I am a huge Dresden Files fan (books–haven’t seen but one episode of the TV show, I’m afraid). I hope you will enjoy Storm Front as much as I did.
I pulled all of my fantasy books from my shelves too. Makes my husband happy to see spaces appear on the shelves!
That challenge sounds like fun! Fantasy is one of my favorite genres, although I haven’t read any in a little while.
I must admit, I haven’t entered any challenges yet. I’m afraid I am way too undisciplined for them…
(Just so you know, I have changed my username; I used to be Geneviève, but someone else was using almost the same name (with an e instead of the è) and I didn’t like the confusion.)
Ooooh, I have Artemis Fowl on my bookshelf too. That’s certainly a possibility, but I’m going to wait to see what everyone is reading before I make up my mind 🙂
To say nothing of the dog is fun, a little long-winded in parts, but overall a good read (and even better if you’ve already read Three men in a boat).
These look like a lot of good reads. I’m getting into more challenges myself. Maybe I’ll even create a summer time challenge this year. Hmm… we’ll see.
‘The Eyre Affair’ and ‘Artemis Fowl’ are wonderful and often laugh aloud books. (I always think books like that should have a health warning on them. It can be very embarrassing laughing out loud in the middle of a crowded bus or train. Especially if you get a fit of the giggles afterwards!) But there are others on your list that I haven’t come across and sound just as interesting. I’m off to our library site right away.
Yeah!! You’re finally goiing to read Jasper Fforde. I really hope you like his books. He’s one of my favourite authors. I keep seeing Artemis Fowl all over the place…tell me what you think of it, please when you’re done.
What a great list! I think Jasper Fforde is a really fun author. Octavia Butler is also a good choice, the world was sad to lose her last year… or was it the year before? I can’t remember. I also really want to read the first book in the Dresden files. I think I am slowly moving back in science fiction where I used to read all the time.
It’s probably not a good thing when two cats are in attack position looking underneath a chair… is it. Hopefully there is not something alive down there! (I know, off topic, but it was happening as I was writing this.)
I wasn’t impressed with Artemis Fowl. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts.
And of course, I hope you love Storm Front!
Tanabata – Yay, glad to hear you liked it!
Literary Feline – Oh good another vote for Eyre Affair. I have a feeling I’ll like Storm Front. I downloaded an episode of it off of iTunes and it was fun.
Grominou2 – Hi no confusion now 🙂 I’m terribly undisciplined as well but that doesn’t stop me. hee,hee. I think you should join in on the fun!
Lazy Cow – I haven’t read Three Men in a Boat. Hmm, I may need to get that. I wouldn’t want to miss out on anything.
aka Nik – Aren’t they fun? I know there are several others going around and I’m tempted but I am trying to join only a few in hopes of actually completing one.
Ann – Oh good to know. I feel like I never find enough funny books to read so this is great.
Kisane – I know, finally! And, you bet, I’ll keep you posted.
Kailana – Are you okay over there?! 🙂
SciFiChick – I may even start off with Storm Front. I don’t know which episode we saw (I think it was the first one) and I really enjoyed it so I’m looking forward to the book.
This one is going to be a lot of fun! The Eyre Affair was wonderful – as were several of the titles that followed in that series. Sitting on my shelf at home are signed British editions of the first three. (If you’re ever looking to order something from the UK, I can’t recommend Ralph at Post Mortem Books highly enough! He’s super friendly, very nice, and he sends little pamphlets out every so often in which he writes funny bookish anecdotes.
And, of course, I love Jim Butcher’s books! His latest one made it onto my list for the challenge. 🙂
Love, love, love Eyre Affair. So imaginative.
Oh I love Jasper Fforde!! I seem to remember liking the first Artemis Fowl book. Not so much the second. Can’t wait to see your thoughts on these!
I’m currently reading To Say Nothing of the Dog and loving it. You will definitely enjoy The Eyre Affair and if you make it to Parable of the Sower you will like that one too. Such good books on your list!
I’m a Jasper Fforde fan too–enjoy!
To Say Nothing of the Dog is a fabulous book. (Get past the confusion of the first couple of chapters; it’s worth it!) Read Doomsday Book by her, too.
I’ll have to look up the Eyre Affair. It sounds interesting.
What a fun list. I wasn’t able to narrow it down to just five, so I have a longer list that I will choose my books off of. I know otherwise I will just end up substituting anyway. I am looking forward to branching out a bit in my reading! The Eyre Affair was fun, though I have not read any other books in the series.
Chelle – Post Mortem Books? Ooh, a new seller to check out. Thank you!
Jennie – I can’t wait to read it!
Heather – I’m curious about the Artemis Fowl as it seems it’s an either you like it or not kind of book.
Stefanie – Oh good to hear another good thing about Parable of the Sower. I know you recently read Three Men in a Boat too right? I will try to look for that one as well.
Mindy – Wow, another Jasper Fforde fan 🙂
Melissa – Thanks for that tip. I’ll keep that in mind definitely.
Danielle – Believe it or not it wasn’t that hard to come up with these simply because I knew it had to be something from my bookshelves already so I had these 🙂 can’t wait to see your list!
I liked Artemis Fowl, a lot. Just lots of fun. I have to read the Dresdan File books. What is taking me so long?!?!? All the other books that keep calling my name. LOL!
Yup, Three Men in a Boat is a hoot and complimentary to To Say Nothing of the Dog
Nancy – Indeed all the other books won’t keep quiet will they? 🙂
Stefanie – That’s it, I’m going to look for that book. Half Price here I come!
Good ideas, I may have to snag one.
I really enjoyed To Say Nothing of the Dog and need to finally go ahead and read Three Men in a Boat. I think I’m the only one in the world who did not care for The Eyre Affaire which I found tiresome, but I’ve never heard another negative comment about it. Octavia Butler’s Wild Seed was excellent!
Interesting list! I keep meaning to read Artemis Fowl, and never seem to get round to it.
To Say Nothing of the Dog intrigues me from your description. Will have to look into that one!
All your books sound great. Look forward to your reviews. I can tell that I’ll be adding several more to my list.
I recently read To Say Nothing of the Dog. It was a lot of fun, but not as good as the Doomsday Book. I would definitely read that first. You don’t have to read it first, but I think you have a better idea of some of the technical things. Of course, a friend of mine suggested easing into the Doomsday book. First you read Bellweather, then, Lincoln’s Dreams and then The Doomsday Book. And, this is the friend who reads mostly Victorian novels. I did that and it was very satisfying. Well, you just want to read To Say Nothing of the Dog, so I’ll stop!
I sooo wish I could join this challenge!! I need to read The Eyre Affair. Is that the first one in the series? And, of course, you can’t go wrong with a recommendation from SciFiChick. 🙂
LK – Snag away! 🙂
Jenclair – Isn’t it funny how that is sometimes. I’ll let you know how I like it.
Quixotic – I remember getting that book just because I kept hearing how good it was. Once I read the description I knew I’d want to read it too.
Booklogged – Our lists just keep getting longer don’t they!
ta – Oh no… I have a thing about reading things in order! ha,ha.. That’s okay I think I’ll just stick with this one for now as I do have it and if I like it I’ll definitely look for the others.
Nancy – The Eyre Affair is the first one. I know, SciFiChick is the person to count on for these isnt’ she! And, um, why aren’t you joining?!
I’m enjoying checking out everyone’s lists. I enjoyed The Eyre Affair and Artemis Fowl; he has so many cool creatures.