You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Monthly
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January 2013 Challenge - Let me tell you a story...
Gaeta1 wrote: "I am reading all about Rusalkas! I knew they were probably unpleasant, and possibly dead--but now I know all! "Dammit! All my secrets will be out now! As long as they don't tell you how to kill one, I think I'll be able to manage.
Pragya wrote: "Reading Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version."Really hope you enjoy it.
Rusalka wrote: "April wrote: "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 ..."Thanks, Rus!!! Yes, I did like it! It is a short read so if you ever want to read something quick, then this is it. I love Atwood and I felt this was another testament to her brilliant mind.
Lara wrote: "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 ..."
Yup. That no cross over is a pain. Hopefully Beastly is good as well for you. I will have to check out the Healer's Apprentice.
Gaeta1 wrote: "Is there an official challenge marker for this challenge, yet? I want to feel the pressure of being behind."I'm only halfway through my first coffee, so bear with me. But not sure I understand...
Rusalka, Beastly was very good. It was extremely well updated to modern day NYC in a YA setting. It is written from the perspective of the beast, and is a really fast read.
Lori wrote: "Would this book count for this challenge?Ireland"
Ooo Lori. It seems that half the stories in their are made up, and half are Irish myths. See http://frankdelaney.com/work.php?id=1...
Let me know if this is your only option as I am very much on the fence and can be pushed.
Lara wrote: "Rusalka, Beastly was very good. It was extremely well updated to modern day NYC in a YA setting. It is written from the perspective of the beast, and is a really fast read."Excellent to hear!
Rusalka wrote: "Gaeta1 wrote: "I am reading all about Rusalkas! I knew they were probably unpleasant, and possibly dead--but now I know all! "Dammit! All my secrets will be out now! As long as they don't tell yo..."
I believe I have found your final secret. And reading about rusalki has explained a lot :~)
Rusalka wrote: "Ooo Lori. It seems...if this is your only option as I am very much on the fence and can be pushed."Dou you really mean pushed?? Maybe bribed with treats would be more fun.
Yes! Bribes work best. But which one will work best for Rusalka?
Not really a huge sugar fan as Mr Rus is a diabetic and over 9 years, it's changed my tastebuds some what. Also am a *huge* pastry/baked goods snob as Mr Rus' sister owns one of the best bakeries in town, which we both worked in, so my tastes are snobby and not very sugary. So I confess, while you guys post all these pictures of livid coloured cakes, I kinda go "urgh". Sorry.Seems fence pushing is the way to go. Unless the treats involve delicious other, non-sugary food or yummy drinks.
Salt on the other hand...
Sugar and salty together. Mmmmmmm. Godiva has come out with a dark chocolate bar that has sea salt in it. It's out of the world yummy.
Hotel Chocolat do salted caramel chocolate puddles that are simply divine. That hint of salt stops the caramel being overly sweet.
Just what I need to be thinking about on day 6 of the new no chocolate/no snacks diet...
Just what I need to be thinking about on day 6 of the new no chocolate/no snacks diet...
Oh dear, Helen. Good luck with that. I have a hard time completely giving up chocolate. At least dark chocolate is more healthy... (I know, that doesn't help you, does it?)
Green & Black's has a new sea salt bar. They also have a chili chocolate bar. You can never go wrong with Green & Black's! I am not a big sweet eater, but I like the combination of salty or spicy with chocolate. Just a tiny bit does me for days.
We might be able to tempt Rus with something like this.
Of course, I am eating fish, oatmeal, fruit, and boiled eggs, so Green & Blacks sounds devine right now! Helen, you and I must be in the same boat...after holiday slimming. Ugh!
We need to change the subject. LOL
Haven't seen Green and Blacks here. I will keep my eye out!
It is a UK product. I believe a great deal of the manufacturing is done in Canada. I get it in a gourmet food shop. You can also get it online. I use it for cooking, too. It is recommended in my cooking classes and in my cooking magazines. They have the best dark chocolate...I keep it in the fridge and break a tiny bit off when I need something sweet, and it satisfies. Not too sweet. Doesn't ruin your diet because you only need a small amount.
I bet Helen can tell us all about it. : ) She probably buys it at the corner market. lol
I used to buy it, yes. They were a small, ethical manufacturer, and it was, as Connnie says, marvellous. but they've since been taken over by Kraft foods there has been some doubt about how ethical, organic and specialist they truly are. It used to be you had to go to the specialist food shop to find them, now they're in every supermarket - I'm not alone in doubting that you can really keep the quality at the volume of production. That and I can't seem to find my favourite flavour - the dark chocolate & ginger. grrr.
But the Maya Gold (a dark chocolate spiced with orange, cinnamon & nutmeg) does make the best chocolate cornflake cakes in the history of the world!
But the Maya Gold (a dark chocolate spiced with orange, cinnamon & nutmeg) does make the best chocolate cornflake cakes in the history of the world!
I think that was their first bar, wasn't it? The Maya Gold...any way I know they are famous for it.In America, H&B are recognized in culinary circles as superior chocolates.
The dark chocolate & ginger sounds fabulous. I love the spicy tasteful of ginger. I can imagine that paired with dark chocolate it is to die for. : ) I know we don't have it here in the US if you can't find it in the UK.
I hate it when small wonderful companies sell out to the the big corporations, and the consumer loses. My favorite gym clothing store had been selling wonderful work out clothes online, and they sold out to the company that owns GAP. The quality hasn't been the same since and now the sizing is all messed up as well. I haven't ordered anything new in a year because of the quality.
It is a shame when things like this happen. Sorry, let me get off my soapbox.
oh Green and Blacks. I loved them as they were fantastic because they were 100% fairtrade. As fair as I know (although all big brand blend together) they were bought buy Cadbury, so their fairtrade status could half by almost 50% (and still keep the same logo/label!!). Ie they could sell the *same* produce for less price as they sourced their product from less reputable places (ie child labour/slavery). Therefore more profit for them, and stuff the children.Therefore I stopped buying them. I'm not a huge believer in causes but fairtrade is one of my few. Them and Lindt. Both are delicious... and very, very hard to avoid.
Can we please stop talking chocolate? My sister's going to get married soon and I need to look good (read slim) for the wedding. Back to books, people! :-p
LOL! Looks like the thread was derailed.
Okay, after all of the chocolate talk, back to the books. I started
early this morning. I did not sleep well but could not go on with
any longer. I want to finish it, but I need a break. I had no real idea what Cinder was about, but it is fantastic so far. I cannot believe I had not gotten around to reading it before now. I am so glad it fits into this challenge.
Cherie, I have seen copies of
just about everywhere I go. I must say, I'm intrigued! I just might have to add myself to the hold list at the library.
Cherie, I'm glad you like
. I thought it was great and am eagerly awaiting the sequel this year.
I have never heard of this book, but it does sound very interesting...I may have to add it to my ever growing (bulging) tbr.
I started
last night, but had to stop reading so I could get some sleep. Love it so far.
Rusalka wrote: "Lori wrote: "Would this book count for this challenge?Ireland"
Ooo Lori. It seems that half the stories in their are made up, and half are Irish myths. See http://frankdelaney.com/work.php?id=10..."
Hmmmm...to push or not to push? How high is the fence you are sitting on??
I started the book on Jan 1st and finished it yesterday. It's really up to you. I knew it was going to be questionable--that's why I asked!! If it's within the pushing perimeter of retelling--great!! If not, that's okay, too! :) Just let me know.
You do see the delightful basket of pastries at the edge of fence, don't you??
An enticing dark woven handled basket with an elegant creamy white lace edged bow. The basket is lined with a vintage linen damask napkin adorned with jubiliant roses.
Inside you will find pastry perfection. Mouthwatering Flaky Croissants!!! And Rich, Buttery, Brioche!!!
Are you still on that fence?
lol Lori. The effort there is astounding!Well if you have read it, then you are in the best position to tell me whether you think it fitted the theme or not. Was it retelling Irish myths and legends? Or was the majority of the book a new story?
Rusalka wrote: "lol Lori. The effort there is astounding!Well if you have read it, then you are in the best position to tell me whether you think it fitted the theme or not. Was it retelling Irish myths and lege..."
Hi, Rusalka,
It was both. A retelling (with fictional additions) and a new story. Until you asked the question, I hadn't considered how much of the book was about the storyteller and the people he encountered. The "new story" was probably half, perhaps as much as two-thirds, of the book.
You can still have the pastry basket!!!
Ooo I was prepared to sit with half, but two thirds may be pushing it a bit I'm afraid. So Close!
Rusalka wrote: "Ooo I was prepared to sit with half, but two thirds may be pushing it a bit I'm afraid. So Close!"No problem :) I still have plenty of time to read something else. Thanks for the consideration!!!
Would Splintered
work for this challenge, oh wise one moderator :-)? It's a retelling of the Peter Pan legend/myth.
Ooops, just read the clarification and spoilers...nope Splintered doesn't cut it...pout :-(
ok...I'm back :-). How about The Lost Hero
. It's listed on http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/43... a link from the fairy tale list you have in the rules posting (http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/96... )
Hi Cathie. Sorry for the delay. On bushfire watch today. Sorry about the Alice book. Looks interesting.
The Lost Hero looks that it's a bit mash of Greek and Roman mythology. I can't see that it is a retelling of a story or two or more. More they've used characters and smooshed them into a new story. Happy to be shown otherwise. I like the idea, and the giant storyline may cut it if I had more info. But of course, don't spoil the book for yourself.
Rusalka wrote: "Hi Cathie. Sorry for the delay. On bushfire watch today. "
The bush fires are on the main news here tonight - I do hope you and yours are all OK. Looks utterly terrifying. All the best.
The bush fires are on the main news here tonight - I do hope you and yours are all OK. Looks utterly terrifying. All the best.
I would like to join in this challenge if possible and want to know if this book is ok:Ice a retelling of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" a Norwegian folk tale.
I read East in 2006 or 2007 and would like to see how they compare.
Naomi wrote: "I would like to join in this challenge if possible and want to know if this book is ok:Ice a retelling of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" a Norwegian folk tale.
I read East in 2006 or 20..."
Sounds good. Look forward to your review!
Helen wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "Hi Cathie. Sorry for the delay. On bushfire watch today. "The bush fires are on the main news here tonight - I do hope you and yours are all OK. Looks utterly terrifying. All the ..."
Thanks Helen. We're all good here. We actually weren't "that bad", but the conditions were the same as the fire storm we had in 2003 here in Canberra that destroyed some of the area I live in now, and grew up in then. So while there is now a higher level on the bushfire warning system (Catastropic) and we weren't it, all the other areas around Canberra where, and it made all of us very twitchy. All good, only 28 degrees today but back up to 40 by the end of the week for the same situations.
Kat however, is someone I want to know if hers are okay down in Tassie. So sad, love those parts of Tassie. So I hope you're lot are all okay Kat! My father-in-law is on the other side of Hobart facing the smaller fires, and just complains that it keeps interrupting him being able to make a cup of tea to cool down in the 40 degree heat... I don't understand...
Did you hear though they have had to add colours to our weather maps after 90 years as it is so hot? It was black at 50 degrees. Due to the heat next week that have had to add purple and fluro pink past black for Central Aus that looks like it's going to reach 54 on the weekend!
That's some intense heat! I hope Kat's family are all okay. Stay cool Rusalka.
I don't see anything in the rules that says it can't be a children's book. Are books that I've read to the kids acceptable for this challenge?Snow White: The Untold Story
Shanna_redwind wrote: "I don't see anything in the rules that says it can't be a children's book. Are books that I've read to the kids acceptable for this challenge?Snow White: The Untold Story"
Where would be the fun in banning kids books? If you're happy with that as your selection, then go for it. But if you would like to read something for you, that's fine too.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Scarlet (other topics)The Outlaws of Sherwood (other topics)
The Snow Child (other topics)
Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses (other topics)
Cinder (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Robin McKinley (other topics)Robin McKinley (other topics)
Margaret Atwood (other topics)
Margaret Atwood (other topics)
Mercedes Lackey (other topics)
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Cover - yes.
Title - pretty damn close, yes.
Theme - now knowing The Odyssey back to front you could possibly have Love, Quest, and/or Happily Ever After. HOWEVER that's the original, and this was written by Margaret Atwood, so none of these could apply. Think about it and let me know, as you're the one who read the book ;)
Origin - is very much Ancient Greece.
Did you like it? It's been on my TBR for years, as I always felt sorry for Penelope.