January 2013 Challenge - Let me tell you a story...

[Shirley]

I want to select books from these libraries

15 super unique libraries around the world
Read more at http://matadornetwork.com/trips/15-su...

[Pragya]

Love those libraries. I think I'm shifting to Ireland, somehow I have been fascinated by that country ever since I watched P.S. I love you and now the library is beckoning me.

Those staircase libraries are amazing, such a clever way to utilize those spaces, love them.

[Pragya]

Gaeta1 wrote: "Pragya wrote: "Love those libraries. I think I'm shifting to Ireland, somehow I have been fascinated by that country ever since I watched P.S. I love you and now the library is beckoning me.

Thos..."

You've been to Ireland. Wow! What did you think of it? Hopefully some day...

[Janice, Moderator]

Jenny wrote: "Whoop!! The Goose Girl arrived!! Good old amazon. Only ordered it a few days ago! We read the true story of Hansel and grettel in this group a long while back. I never did get hold of a copy :("

This group was reading The True Story of Hansel and Gretel when I first joined, and it was one of the main reasons I joined. I still haven't read it. LOL!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Gaeta1 wrote: "Non-bookish postings about fast-talking Irish men moved off the thread..."

No no, please feel *free* to carry on. I'll be in my happy place.

[Debra]

I'd so love to have a library with roaring fire and a window nook. Dream, dream, dream...

[jaxnsmom]

Here's my dream personal library. The windows, the candles, the atmosphere...

[Janice, Moderator]

That is gorgeous, J'mom. I'd love e reading room like that too.

[Roz]

Love all the pictures of libraries. Maybe I can convert a room. Lots of bookshelves, a comfy chair/chaisse, pillows, afghan, tea. Heaven.

[Roz]

I'm almost ready for this challenge to begin. I requested 2 books from my library and they're in transit. Can't wait. Is it January yet?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Heh In preparation myself, I went to get my copy of The Mists of Avalon off my shelf. I looked at the back and realised it was 1009pp long.

...

I picked up Hood and it's 413pp long. I will go with that this time. Soon Mists, soon. Just not when we have a month time frame!!

[Janice, Moderator]

Audible has The Song of Achilles on sale for $7.95 till Jan 2/13. I'm so tempted!! But, I've had The Red Tent for a few years and my goal this year is to fit the books I already have into the challenges as much as possible.

Hmmm, for someone who doesn't set new year's resolutions, looks like one found me.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

But if you buy it now, new years resolutions don't apply yet.

Sorry, shutting up now ;)

[Anna]

The Song of Achilles? I've it on my TBR list! And I just nominated it for February read!

[Janice, Moderator]

Rusalka and Anna have twisted my arm. :)

[Pragya]

Poor Janice. ;)

[Roz]

Still waiting for my books to arrive at my library. I took a look at The Once and Future King. My goodness, that's a thick one. Years ago I read The Sword in the Stone. If I get time I'll tackle it.....maybe.

[Roz]

Just checked with my library. My books are in!! I'll start with Grendel and move on to Till We Have Faces. I'm so excited.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Yay! For books coming in and your excitement!

[Lara]

I have two Mercedes Lackey books that I haven't read yet: and . Then I went and bought the discounted ebook for . Now I'm not sure which I want to read. Although Beastly sounds quick and fun.

[Janice, Moderator]

Lara wrote: "I have two Mercedes Lackey books that I haven't read yet: and . Then I went and bought the discounted ebook for [bookcover:Beastl..."

Which will give you the most points?

[Lara]

Hmm, I hadn't thought about the points. Usually I'll read the one that is most interesting at the time. But, I should practice being more strategic :-)

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Or choose the shortest one so you can get on with your alphabet or the group read (that's what I did heh).

[Roz]

One last question. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister? It's listed as a retelling. Good?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Yup!

[Lara]

Sigh, I wish I had the time to plan to read more than one. If it weren't for all those other challenges that I'm also part of, and real life too! Wish I didn't need to work and could just stay home and read, or travel and read, or knit and listen to audiobooks, or...

[Anna]

Lara wrote: "Now I'm not sure which I want to read."

Lara, Lara *shakes head*


PS And no excuses!

[Janice, Moderator]

LOL! Great cartoon, Anna. :)

[Lara]

ROTFL!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I love Hyperbole and a Half. I have the tshirt of that actual cartoon (she has a mop in her hand and is cleaning ALL the things. I clean like that too. It was my bday present from Mr Rus this year).

If anyone has a dog, you need to read her post about moving her two dogs a couple of states http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com...

Thanks Anna. Made me go and read it all again.

[Betty T]

I'm almost going through my list to see what I can get @ the library. But I am going to use the title for my alphabet challenge

[AmyK]

Rusalka wrote: "I love Hyperbole and a Half. I have the tshirt of that actual cartoon (she has a mop in her hand and is cleaning ALL the things. I clean like that too. It was my bday present from Mr Rus this year).

I think i might have found my new favorite blog Rusalka

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oop Bette, before you go investigating further. Unfortunately the Monthly challenges don't count for the Yearly one. Ie. no double dipping.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But with this in mind, remember this challenge doesn't have a word limit.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

AmyK wrote: "I think i might have found my new favorite blog Rusalka."

Yay! The problem is she's not updating often (I think the last post was a year ago). But I find there is so much hidden on there to find, and they are incredibly re-readable.

[AmyK]

yeah, I did notice that. The great thing about finding a new blog to read though is that for a little while I have all of the previous posts to read!!!

[Roz]

Happy New Year Rusalka!! Have a wonderful year.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Thanks Roz and same to you! Now to find my book and get a head start on you all! Mwahaha

[April]

Hey Rus! Love the new challenge! Thank you for all the work you go through in order to do this for us! Just wondering if you decided yet if by Margaret Atwood would count for this challenge. There have been so many interesting books mentioned that I know I wouldn't have a problem finding something great to read, but I do have on my shelf, within an arms reach.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

It is indeed able to be counted. Was the first example in the first post (depends if you read the spoilers or not. Very well restrained if not). Go off and conquer!

Me, I'm 6 chapters into Robin Hood's adventures. Any one else started?

[Roz]

Just started Grendel.

[April]

Also, if I read all the posts correctly, it is my understanding that this is a "challenge" and that there are NO crossovers between "challenges". In other words, we can't use books from this challenge as books for the alphabet challenge.

Just wanting a confirmation on this. :)

[Janice, Moderator]

Correct. You may not cross-over over double dip and read the same books for the monthly challenge and the alphabet challenge.

[Debra]

I read Briar Rose. The first book I started and finished this new year! A sad, yet sadly triumphant, telling of the Sleeping Beauty story based on the survival of one woman from a Nazi death camp.

Theme
4 - Quest
2 - Happily ever after…
1 - Love

Origin of the *original* story
10 – Brothers Grimm story

Title
5 - Is the name of the main character (eg. Hood)

Cover (the version *you* read. If audio book, go by Goodreads' most popular cover)
3 - Has a rose

25 points

[Anna]

Debra wrote: "I read Briar Rose. The first book I started and finished this new year! A sad, yet sadly triumphant, telling of the Sleeping Beauty story based on the survival of one woman from a Nazi death camp..."

I'm reading
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel and there is Nazi too.

[Janice, Moderator]

Debra wrote: "I read Briar Rose. The first book I started and finished this new year! A sad, yet sadly triumphant, telling of the Sleeping Beauty story based on the survival of one woman from a Nazi death camp..."

I think you need to put this in the reporting thread for the challenge, Debra.

[Debra]

Ooops! Thanks, Janice!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Thanks Janice and Debra. Makes it slightly easier at the end of the month.

Nice try Gaeta ;)

[April]

Hey, Rus! I confess that I'm ignorant on the topic of ancient storytelling. I just finished reading The Penelopiad and want to report it but, first, I have some questions on how to score it. So sorry to do this to you but I feel so darned lost!
Here is a pic of the cover of the book that I read
Does the cover illustration count as a "long, flowing haired female"?
Since the title is "Penelopiad" vs "Penelope" do I still get points for "name of the main character" in the title?
The theme is really a retelling from the female's perspective. I'm assuming I don't get points for theme?
The Origin, of course, would be Greek. I did figure that one out correctly, didn't I?

[Pragya]

Reading Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version.

[Lara]

Last night I finished a book for my alphabet challenge that turns out to be a take on Sleeping Beauty, The Healer's Apprentice. It's a nice, clean young adult story set in Medieval Germany.

And I decided to read for this challenge, since it is quick. It's hard for me to remember that I can't double count books for this challenge with my alphabet.