“What if all the myths were true…”
~Liu Kang
Once Upon a Time….
Four small words. Combined together they wield a power unmeasured–the power to take one on a journey, the power to transform a life, the power to inspire and comfort, the power to connect a large group of diverse people over a common theme.
Once Upon a Time…
It is a beginning, but written as such denotes an ending as well. This happened before, in another place, at another time, with people who no longer exist, or may never have existed in the first place.
Once Upon a Time…
For me these four words conjure images of four classifications of story: Fantasy, Folklore, Fairy Tales, and Mythology. These four classifications, or genres, or subgenres of story can exist separately or in various combinations but their one common factor in my mind is that they can all very easily begin:
Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time, March 2007 to be exact, I took inspiration from my fellow bloggers and combined it with my love of Spring and came up with the Once Upon a Time Challenge. Maybe it is just me, but the change of seasons (and I realize this doesn’t necessarily apply for folks living in different areas of the world) this time of year from winter to spring, with the awakening of the world from its slumber and the signs of growth and life all around naturally sparks a desire to read fantastic fiction.
“At its best, fantasy rewards the reader with a sense of wonder about what lies within the heart of the commonplace world. The greatest tales are told over and over, in many ways, through centuries. Fantasy changes with the changing times, and yet it is still the oldest kind of tale in the world, for it began once upon a time, and we haven’t heard the end of it yet.”
~Patricia A. McKillip
The foundations of this type of storytelling go back as far as time itself. It is that sense of time and history that makes these stories, told and retold in countless ways by innumerable storytellers, feel so rich and alive. We connect with these tales in the way that our ancestors connected with them because at their very core they speak to a commonality among us all–a desire to understand and explain the mysteries of the world we live in; a longing for something different, out of the ordinary, magical; a longing to believe, and to dream, and to see those dreams come true.
“We can keep from a child all knowledge of earlier myths, but we cannot take from him the need for mythology.”Â
~Carl Gustav Jung
That all may sound a bit sappy, but the truth of the way we feel about fantastic fiction is there and trying to convey the emotional connection this type of fiction evokes within us is a difficult thing. The best way to explain it to someone else is to simply say, “Here, read this.”
And thus begins:
The Once Upon a Time II Challenge.
I enjoy reading challenges but I also enjoyed the no-pressure aspect of the recent science fiction experience that I hosted. With Once Upon a Time II you will get both! As described further below, there is an experienced based journey that you may undertake or, for those who like a challenge, their are multiple quests which can be completed alone or in any number of combinations.
To coincide with spring (and my wife’s birthday), Once Upon a Time II will begin Friday, March 21st and will run through Friday, June 20th: Midsummer Night’s Eve. This is a pretty long challenge period which offers us the opportunity to share a number of wonderful things fitting within the theme of Once Upon a Time. During the course of the next few months I will be posting about art, essays, music and many other things that have to do with fantasy, folklore, fairy tales and mythology. And along the way we will all be sharing our reading experiences, both good and bad. As I have done for other challenges I have hosted, there is a review site for your Once Upon a Time II reads here:
Once Upon a Time II Review Site
For inspiration on what to read, or not to read, I suggest perusing last year’s review site (you may have to click on the link at the bottom that says ‘click here to see the links for this page) as it has upwards of 300 book review links on it from bloggers who participated in the inaugural Once Upon a Time Challenge.
And now, for the details!
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The Journey
This is really as simple as the name implies and is to Once Upon a Time as the experience was to The Sci~Fi Experience. It means you are participating but not committing yourself to any specific number of books. All reading is a journey, perhaps none more so than reading fantastical fiction. By signing up for The Journey you are agreeing to at least read one book within the four categories during March 21st to June 20th period. Just one book. It has always been of utmost importance to me that the challenges that I host be all about experiencing enjoyable literature and sharing it with others. I want you to participate. Hence, The Journey.
Quest the First
Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time II criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.
Quest the Second
Read at least one book from each of the four categories. In this quest you will be reading 4 books total: one fantasy, one folklore, one fairy tale, and one mythology. This proved to be one of the more difficult quests last year merely because of the need to classify each read and determine which books fit into which category. I am not a stickler, fear not, but I was fascinated watching how folks worked to find books for each category.
Quest the Third
Fulfill the requirements for Quest the First or Quest the Second AND top it off with a June reading of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Love the story, love the films, love the idea of that magical night of the year and so this is my chance to promote the reading of this farcical love story.
Three is a magical number, a number of portent in fantastical tales, and so three quests seems about right.
That about covers it. Feel free to get creative with your challenge reading. Feel free to do all the quests! Feel free to combine this challenge with others: for example this would be a great challenge to combine with Annie’s What’s In a Name Challenge or Dewey’s Graphic Novel Challenge.
There will be contests and giveaways in the upcoming months, but the most worth while prize that we all will win is the opportunity to share our passion for reading and the experiences of the books that we will lose ourselves in during Once Upon a Time II.
As always if you want to post a list of books you want to read or a pool of potential reads from which you would like to pull, please do. Those are always fun to read and if you do a post I will link to it here in the body of this post. There is no deadline for signing up. Join in whenever you want and please make sure to post links to your Once Upon a Time II book reviews at the OUT2 Book Review Site.
That being said, there will be a random drawing giveaway (prize to be revealed when the winner is announced) drawn from the names of those who have signed up and posted their lists by 11:59 p.m. CST Tuesday, March 25th. So get signed up! And tell your friends!
I hope you visit Stainless Steel Droppings often throughout the challenge months. There will be plenty of Once Upon a Time II related activities going on over here. And for those of you who prefer science fiction, fear not, I will continue to read and post reviews of science fiction, and other literature outside of the sci fi/fantasy realm during the coming months. Got to get those to-read piles down! 😉
Below are some banners if you want them. And remember, leave me a comment in the comments section when you sign up and post your list and I’ll link to it here. I am so excited, we have some marvelous stories to share.
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In closing, this reading challenge is all about reading books that fall under the heading of Fantasy, Folklore, Fairy Tale, and Mythology. If you are unsure of whether or not something you desire to read fits in a particular category, I strongly suggest visiting this Wiki link. It has a great breakdown of the subgenres of fantasy and includes links to the other categories as well.
There are so many magical and enchanting, dark and disturbing, charming, whimsical, delicious stories in these categories. We are going to have a great time together!
“I haven’t a clue as to how my story will end. But that’s all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, you don’t conclude the road has vanished. And how else could we discover the stars?â€
~Anonymous
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Participants:
1. Rhinoa’s List
2. Sally906’s list
3. Nicola’s list
4. Debi’s list
5. Annie’s list
6. Dark Orpheus’ list
7. Nymeth’s list
8. Jeff’s list
9. Deslily’s list
10. Becky’s list
11. Robin’s list
12. Raidergirl3’s list
13. Renay’s list
14. Melissa’s list
15. Chris’ list
16. Sycorax Pine’s list
17. Chelle’s list
18. Corinne’s list
19. Cath’s list
20. Traci’s list
21. Framed’s list
22. Mel’s list
23. Cafe Shree’s list
24. Kim’s list
25. Orchidus’ list
26. Iliana’s list
27. Rich’s list
28. Stephanie’s list
29. Marg’s list
30. Booklogged’s list
31. Susan’s list
32. Marina’s list
33. Valentina’s list
34. Erin’s list
35. Andi’s list
36. SFP’s list
37. Darcie’s list
38. Callista’s list
39. Sarah’s list
40. Bellezza’s list
41. Poodlerat’s list
42. Tanabata’s list
43. Ashleigh’s list
44. Aichaku’s list
45. Tricia’s list
46. Gaye’s list
47. Kailana’s list/post
48. Megan’s list
49. Susan’s list
50. Amanda’s list
51. Jill’s list
52. Heather’s list
53. Stephanie’s list
54. Somer’s list
55. Bride of the Book God’s list
56. Darla D’s list
57. Tasses’ list
58. JenClair’s list
59. Carrie’s list
60. Ken’s list
61. Nicole’s list
62. Keri’s list
63. Kerry’s list
64. Eva’s list
65. Francesca’s list
66. Danielle’s list
67. Rachael’s list
68. Booksplease’s list
69. Petunia’s list
70. Jlshall’s list
71. Jenn’s list
72. Sprite’s list
73. GeraniumCat’s list
74. Vasilly’s list
75. Joanna’s list
76. 3m’s list
77. Andi’s list
78. Heidi’s list
79. Sarah’s list
80. Lisa’s list
81. Trish’s list
82. Quenby’s list
83. Bookworm’s list
84. Katie’s list
85. Ta’s list
86. Kim L’s list
87. Kelley’s list
88. Quixotical’s list
89. Sassymonkey’s list
90. Moo’s list
91. Heidi’s list
92. Fence’s list
93. Maree’s list
94. Medbie’s list
95. Kamisha’s list
96. Helen’s list
97. Sommer’s list
98. Aria’s list
UPDATE: While it is too late for the first random giveaway for Once Upon a Time II, it is not too late to sign up and join us. There will be many more contests and prize giveaways during the challenge, so sign in, leave me a link to your list here in the comments, and keep coming back to get in on all the giveaway goodness! Prize winner will be announced Thursday a.m., so stay tuned!
Despite the fact that I am running out of time, those who participated in the last R.I.P. Challenge will be getting an email newsletter soon detailing the contest winners and the Tiny Stories will be posted soon.
I will post my potential reading list soon as well.
I’m up and three of the books picked – just waiting for inspiration for a “Folklore” selection
Count me in. my selection is up here
Wow. Has it really been a year since the first OUAT challenge?
I’m signing up for this, don’t know what I’ll be reading yet, but I’ll get my thinking cap on 🙂
Hmmm, let the think:
Should I do this Challenge??? Hmmmm..
IT’S ABOUT TIME!!! I thought “spring” would never get here and then neither would the Once Upon A Time Challenge!! YeeeeeeHaaawwww!!!!!
I already know my 6 (not 5) books for Quest the First but I have to think on the other challenges here to see what else to put on my list! I will be back to tell you when my list is up !!!
Thank you Carl, for doing this Challenge again this year !!
Thank you, Carl, for once again hosting this much-loved challenge!!! Do you know how many people out here have been on pins and needles waiting for this post?!!
Afraid I had a bit of trouble weeding things down, so I went the “pool” route, as opposed to a strict list. Here it is.
And thanks again!
I will definitely be participating and will be sure to post my book list soon (and will let you know when it is up)!
I’ve been waiting for this since I missed out last year. My tentative list is up here http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii-challenge.html
Ok ok ok. THIS time, surely, I can participate. (Since school will be over in April.)
Alas, this means I will have to start late…but it’s sad watching everyone else have time to read all those lovely lovely books…*wistful glance at own to-read pile*
(Oh, and would meta-books about mythology or folklore count? You know, scholarly works on Themes of This and That and such?)
Incidentally, I feel it’s quite sad about Mr. Clarke…
RB: Those definitely count. In fact I didn’t mention, but should here, that nonfiction certainly counts and there is alot of great nonfiction out there that touch on these categories.
Thanks for hosting this again! I’m so excited!
Here’s my list.
Had the list ready since last year! 🙂
It’s up here:
http://darkorpheus.blogspot.com/2008/03/challenge-once-upon-time-ii.html
*does happy dance*
I think I speak for all of us when I say that this post was being anxiously awaited!
My list is here. I can’t wait to start reading!
PS: I LOVE this year’s icons. I was wondering if matching last year’s gorgeous icon would be possible, and here’s my answer now. It was.
I love this year’s icons as well. I’m going to pick Quest the 1st. I’m going to use the pool method and this list is subject to change at anytime. 🙂
1. Harrowing the Dragon by Patricia A. McKillip
2. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
3. The Wizard by Gene Wolfe
4. Dreamsongs Vol. 1 by George RR Martin
5. Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erickson
6. The Forever King by Molly Cochran and Warren Murphy
7. The upcoming Charles Vess art book
8. The Dark Wraith of Shannara by Terry Brooks
ok my list (so far) is up!!
Here’s my list. So happy to join again this year!!!
I’m so excited that it’s time to start round 2 of the Once Upon a Time Challenge! Here’s my list, and thanks again for hosting it!
http://fondnessforreading.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-2.html
So glad everyone is joining in!
Nymeth: Thanks for the compliments on the banners. I agonized over them yesterday for hours and I’m happy with them. I could do better and see things I would like to have done differently, but in the end I am pleased and am glad you like them.
Not only do I get to pick books, I have to decide on a button? So many choices. I’m planning a fairy tale themed challenge this year and will post some books soon. Thanks Carl.
I have been so good at resisting challenges, but you’ve reeled me in again! I’ll post a list on my blog soon.
argh! I don’t know how the wordpress thing happened Carl ! Sorry for the trouble.. i’ve kept that as a back up for a long time now and that never happened before.. wish I knew how/ why it did so that I make sure it doesn’t happen again. I duplicate my blog there all the time.. any ideas why it happened ??
I haven’t decided if I should join in or not! My life has just been so hectic lately that I am hardly reading. I know, most people don’t believe me, but I am really not! haha. I will have to think about what I want to do. Maybe it will get my reading back on track. 🙂
Deslily: I think there might be a setting where you can turn off trackbacks and that may do it…not sure though.
Susan: Resistance is futile! Sorry 😉 I couldn’t resist that!
Raidergirl: look forward to seeing your list!
Kailana: Would love to see you participate, if even for the one-book-only The Journey option. Just wouldn’t be the same without you, but I understand about the hectic life. No pressure, just wanted you to know you are missed.
Here’s the list: http://raidergirl3-anadventureinreading.blogspot.com/2008/03/challenge-once-upon-time-2008.html
Well, I’m excited since I missed last year’s challenge. Here’s my list!
Yay! I can’t wait to get started. My list is here here
hooray!
thats all i want to say.
oh, and is your wife’s birthday on friday, then? or is it just in the spring?
oh, and another thing, every year i’ve tried to use these button things and i haven’t gotten it right to work 🙁
i’ve tried pasting the html into a text widget, which works for normal pictures, but that hasn’t worked for these button things… ?
Not sure what your more updated WordPress behind the scenes looks like JP, but I go to Add Link and paste the html in the place where it asks for the site’s URI and then if you scroll down a bit it says “Image URI” and you just have to type the address where your image is located. For me it points to the folder where I’ve uploaded said image.
Not sure this helps at all.
And yes, my wife’s birthday is this Friday.
I’m reading for it! Here is my list:
http://sycoraxpine.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-second.html
Thanks so much for hosting this challenge again, Carl!
yay! I’m so excited, Carl! I’ve been waiting for this post 🙂 Here’s my link: http://stuffasdreamsaremadeon.com/2008/03/19/once-upon-a-time-ii-is-here/ Sorry, one of these days I’ll learn how to do the html code for that :/
I am so totally in! And, I must say, I’m glad the wait is over. 🙂
My list is here:
http://persephonereads.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/once-upon-a-time-ii/
I’m excited to join this year!! Such a great idea – thanks for hosting 🙂
Here’s my list:
http://corinneedwards.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii.html
Just wanted to add that Jeff’s list is a great one, and I wanted to tell Chris how to do the hmtl for links – do this without the spaces:
Chris’ list
Hey, how come that worked even with spaces? Nevermind, I’ll just e-mail you the code
LOL! Thanks for trying to show me Nymeth. I’m html challenged…I’m sure it’s really not that difficult. You can shoot me an email to show me (chrisa511 @ gmail.com)
Really looking forward to taking part in this challenge. My list is here:
http://read-warbler.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-challenge.html
I’m very excited to join another challenge and thank you for hosting! My list is below:
http://acceptabletime.blogspot.com/2008/03/reading-challenge-once-upon-time.html
-Traci
I’m so glad you’re doing this again. Here’s my list:
http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii.html
Fantastic challenge! I am looking forward to this as a newcomer. :]
My list: http://orchidus.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/once-upon-a-time-ii-challenge/
This is my first year for this challenge and I am looking forward to it. Here is my list:
http://pageafterpage-kim.blogspot.com/2008/03/carl-is-hosting-2nd-annual-once-upon.html
i’ll give that a try, thanks!
your wife’s an aries! whoohoo!
some serious passion between scorpio and aries, i can tell you that!
I’m joining in as well, one can never have too many challenges apparently.
My list: http://cafeshree.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/yet-again-once-upon-a-time/
I can’t wait to get started on this so you can certainly count me in, too! I discovered this blog about a week before this challenge ended last year so I was hoping there would be another. A few authors I have in mind are Susanna Clark, Charles De Lint, P.C. Cast and Libba Bray. Since nonfiction books also count I’m considering Hanging out with the Dream King: Conversations with Neil Gaimen as well. I may spend this evening poring over my back issues of Faerie magazine for more inspiration.
I’m SO IN. You’re the challenge master, Carl, and I’m so excited I get to participate this time around. I’ll be going on “The Journey,” and overlapping quite a few titles with the Year of Reading Dangerously and Dewey’s Graphic Novels challenge. I’ll post some potentials soon.
I’m in! here’s my list. http://tigermel.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-2.html
I’ve a list of great possibilities and will be picking and choosing from suggestions by other participants!
Yea! I love this challenge!
Count me in! I don’t have a list yet, but I’ll put some thought into it this weekend.
OK, here’s my challenge post. SO EXCITTTEEDD!!
http://estellasrevenge.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-do-i-know.html
this is my first book challenge! i’m way excited. it is also my birthday today. 🙂
http://erinsheely.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii-book-challenge.html
I want to join too!
here’s my list : http://valentinasroom.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-challenge.html
So glad I can start this one at the beginning (instead of a desperate catching-up effort, as I did last year)! Here’s my list:
http://texasbookwoman.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii.html
Looking forward to keeping up with y’all again!
Okay, my list is up at: http://up4achallenge.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii-challenge.html
I have my list posted, Carl. It’s at A Reader’s Journal. I’m excitedly looking forward to this contest.
My post is up here
My list is up – you can find it here: http://thewrittenword.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/once-upon-a-time/
My wife and daughter love this challenge, and I’m pretty sure that they love you, too! I’m happy to join. Here’s my post. Thanks!
Woo-hoo, I’ve been waiting for this announcement! Thank you for hosting! I just posted my list and can’t wait to get started 🙂
Please count me in! I missed this one last year, but not this year! I’ll post again when my list of choices is up – decisions, decisions…. Thanks!
Rich: Thanks! I love your family too, they are all great!
Erin: Happy Birthday!!!
I’m in!
Here’s my list:
http://pagesturned.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-second.html
Please add me to the list of participants! I have my list up at http://readingderby.blogspot.com/2008/03/another-dayanother-challenge.html
Although I loved Harry Potter I am not a big fantasy reader so I am looking forward to seeing if I like this genre too! 🙂 Thanks for hosting the challenge!
Hi, please add me to the list! I LOVE this challenge! I have my list up at
http://susanflynn.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-2-challenge.html
I love this genre, as my blog explains. What a wonderful challenge to hold.
Sign me up! My list is here:
http://leabhran.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii-reading-challenge.html
I would like to try this one. I have never read this kind of book, so it will be a stretch. I will read at least one, maybe more. I have to leave for the holiday in an hour, so when I get back on Tuesday I will pick some books. I use the lists space for my books. I update the privious month at the beginning of the next month since my posting is large Lindy
I am joining in. I am going to try and do Quest the First… So, I just posted that I was joining in on my blog, no list. I am going to just see what strikes me. 🙂 This not reading thing is so weird for me!
This is my first ever challenge!! “I think I can…”
Here’s a lits of my books for Quest 1:
Keturah and Lord Death by Matine Leavitt
A String in the Harp By Nancy Bond
Blood and Memory, The Quickening Book Two by Fiona McIntosh
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
The Uses of Enchantment by Bruno Bettelheim (I know it’s non-fiction but it’s the handbook for educators on the meaning and importance of fairy tales – can I make that work?!)
Thanks for the prod to stretch!
Gaye
I just found out about this Challenge on the A Novel Challenge site. I don’t really care about prizes. The journey is more important than the goal. The Quest is its own reward! Besides, I live in Japan and wouldn’t want you to have to pay overseas shipping! I’ll attempt Quest One and who knows, may end up achieving Quest 2 while I’m at it. I’m already doing the A to Z Challenge so I will probably choose my books from that list. I’ll post it later.
Cheers, and Talley-Ho!
Quenby/ hikaruthedragon
I’m going to take baby steps and join in The Journey. I might make it further, but I can’t live with the stress! 🙂 I posted my book possibilities on my blog. Thanks!
I’m in again this year! Very fitting that I started on Vellum by Hal Duncan, then chanced upon Chris’ blog entry about this challenge. Coincidentally, Chris’ blog was where I first read about the challenge last year!
My list for Quest the First shall be:
Vellum, Hal Duncan
Ink, Hal Duncan
His Dark Materials Trilogy & Lyra’s Oxford, Philip Pulman
Serendipitously, 3 of the above are books that I’d chosen from the library just this morning!
Yay I want to join in again! My list is available here. Thanks Carl for hosting!
I missed out last year so I couldn’t resist this year. I just posted my list of possibles here.
This challenge looked like so much fun last year, so this year I had to participate.
Here’s my list.
Okay, Carl, count me in. I will undertake Quest the First by reading these five books:
At The Back of The North Wind by George MacDonald; Inkheart by Cornelia Funke; and Til We Have Faces, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle all by C.S. Lewis.
A post will be soon forthcoming on my blog. Thank you for sponsoring this fun Challenge, which definitely gets me out of ‘my box’.
Do I need to start a blog in order to participate?
Carl–I’m having problems posting comments to your blog.
Carl, I have my list of books for your challenge posted.
Hi Carl– sorry about all the comments. I have been having a lot of problems posting comments here (this has been going on for a while now, and I finally emailed you a couple of times this week, but I don’t think you ever got the messages). I think WordPress doesn’t like Typepad (where I blog from). If I fill in my URL I get an error message and it won’t allow me to comment. If I leave it blank it seems to accept the comment. Also my link in my blogroll here doesn’t work (I get a 403 message saying I can’t have access or something like that), and my links in my post and on my picture for this challenge–none of them work. I have no problems on other wordpress blogs. Do you know how I can fix this? I’m just glad I firgured out a way to leave a message! In any case, I’ve posted my list of books to read and I’m looking forward to your challenge. Danielle (A Work in Progress).
Hi! I’m very excited to be joinging. My list of potential books can be found on my blog. Thanks for the fun challenges!
Sorry! I must have mis-typed my blog address. Should work now.
I’m in! Here’s my list: http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-challenge.html
Nicole: you certainly do not have to start a blog to participate. You can even post your list here if you want to and I’ll link to your comment. I’m glad you’re joining in. I have a few non-blog owners who participate and I’m always thrilled.
Here is my list! http://blogjar.blogspot.com/2008/03/challenge.html
I’m joining! I’m joining! But I’m out of town right now I need to raid my bookshelves before creating my list.
This will be my very first reading challenge! I recently moved my book reviews away from my personal blog. My list is up at my new book digs: http://manyaquaintandcuriousvolume.blogspot.com/
Here is
my list. Thanks!
My first challenge, and here’s my list for Quest the First:
http://brideofthebookgod.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/once-upon-a-time-ii/
I’m in! My list is here.
Sheesh. I seem to be late to the party this year. But you didn’t think I’d miss it completely, did you?? Never!!
My reading list is here:
http://stephaniesbooks.blogspot.com/2008/03/finally.html
Thanks for hosting again this year!!
Oh my goodness, I adore the banners this year!
Here is my list:
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/once-upon-a-time-ii/
I hope this jerks me out of this reading funk I’ve been in the last two months!
And Carl. You are just too awesome!
My list (as it tentatively stands) is accessible here:
http://individualtake.blogspot.com/2008/03/wahoo-woot-and-other-joyful-noises.html
My list is a bit late, but I’m in!
http://csheeley.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii-challenge.html
I just stumbled on your website – wow! I love what you’re doing here!
This is my first challenge, and I’m really looking forward to it.
My list for Quest the First is here –
http://robot-jitters.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-if-all-myths-were-true.html
Okay, I’m in.
I’m not sure yet which quest to take on (I may end up completing all of them if time permits). Here is the list I’ll be reading from, which I’ve hopefully managed to sort into appropriate categories for the second quest just in case. I gave myself a few choices in each category because I don’t like making firm decisions ahead of time.
Fantasy: Small Gods (Terry Pratchett), The Thirteen and a Half Lives of Captain Bluebear (Walter Moers), or re-read Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman).
Folklore: The Outlaws of Sherwood (Robin McKinley), or Anansi Boys (Neil Gaiman).
Fairy Tale: The Princess Bride (William Goldman), or The Faery Reel: Tales from the Twilight Realm (ed. Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling).
Mythology: The Labyrinth (Catherynne M. Valente), or re-read The Crystal Cave (Mary Stewart).
I have to admit that I loathed A Midsummer Night’s Dream when I read it in high school, but maybe it’s time to give it another chance.
I’ve read about this challenge on Melissa’s Book Nut and I just could not resist, so I’m in, too. Great idea, Carl, and I’m sure it will be fun. My list is not set yet, so if anybody wants to come over and comment on it, I would be glad. You can find the “working” list here: http://scribacchina.freehostia.com/Blog/archives/80
Glad you posted your list here, Nicole. The only sad thing about you not having a blog is that we won’t be able to read your reviews, however if you find other challenge participants reviewing the same books you read I hope you let your thoughts be known there. I am planning on checking out The Labyrinth from the library if they have it, just stumbled across that one moments ago on Amazon.com. You’ve picked out some great books!
Hi Carl! I’m super-excited about this one. 🙂 My list is up here: http://astripedarmchair.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/another-plan-thwarted/
I was a fantasy/science fiction fan many years ago, and then drifted away from the fold. I have been enjoying your site for some months, and have been inspired often to pick up the books mentioned here. I am definitely on for this challenge! So far, my list includes:
Jo Walton, Ha’Penny
Jo Walton, The King’s Peace
Neil Gaiman, Stardust
T.H. White, The Sword in the Stone
Keith Miller, The Book of Flying
and who knows what might get added.
Thanks for having such a great site, Carl. You are on my list of “Daily Read at the Coffee Shop for Writer” and thanks for hosting ‘Once Upon a Time.’
I will take on the Quest the Second. Here is my list.
Fantasy: Confessor by Terry Goodkind
Folklore: Balyn and Balan by Roger Lancelyn Green
Fairy Tale: The Runes of Elfland by Ari Berk
Mythology: Gods, Heros and Legends of the Greeks and Romans by Eric Flaum
I would love to play! My list is here…
http://fuzzycricket.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/once-upon-a-time-ii-the-challenge/
I love the title of this challenge and the banner. My list is here …
http://booksplease.blogspot.com/2008/03/oh-no-not-another-challenge.html
Count me in.
http://educatingpetunia.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time.html
Absolutely can’t resist this challenge – here is my list:
http://geraniumcatsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time.html
I wished I’d signed up last year and shall not miss this challenge again. My list is here.
This is a really great challenge! I am in! My list is here:
http://rolypolypony.livejournal.com/1647609.html
Thanks so much for hosting this again! My post is here:
http://jlshall.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-there-was-another.html
I’m sorry, Carl. I signed up on the wrong post. Here’s my list:http://1330v.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-2.html
Nothing to apologize for, I’m glad that you’re in! 🙂
I’m reading the final 5 HP’s and Prince Caspian. The HP’s are for the first time, but Prince Caspian is a re-read.
Thanks for hosting, and here’s my link:
http://1morechapter.com/2008/03/26/once-upon-a-time-ii/
Well darn, I’m too late for the giveaway, but I’ll be jiggered if I miss out on the challenge this year. I’m a bit distracted from reading myself, but I do at least have one book that I can read! My mom gave me “Masters of Fantasy” for Easter (she’s getting better at picking things I like), a book of short stories. I will bring that over to work and read it on my break. Link will just have to hang on to his Phantom Hourglass until I get home every day!
If I manage to pick out more books for the quests, I’ll post ’em on my blog and get you the link ASAP. Thanks!!!
I’d love to join too! My list is here:
http://lostinagoodstory.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii.html
Thanks Carl!
Here’s my list – http://www.andilit.com/?p=87. Happy Reading All.
Awww, too late for the prize draw (didn’t get pointed in this direction until too late!) but would love to participate.
I don’t have a list yet but will post it in my journal and let you know once I’ve chosen!
I was too late last year to participate in the first challenge, so I’m excited about signing up for this year’s challenge. My list can be found at:
http://pfeifferbooknotes.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii.html
Here’s my (rather endless) list: http://habsgirl.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time.html This should be really interesting!
I’m in, sorry I didn’t sign up earlier, but see my “catch up” post today for an explanation!
Will post my list over the weekend. 🙂
Very cool, Quix. I’m glad you’ll be joining in!
I’m late, but here’s my list!
http://trishsbooks.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time-ii-challenge.html
Finally, here is my list!
http://hikaruthedragon.livejournal.com/4876.html
I’m attempting the Second Quest but may find a copy of Midsummer Night’s Dream at the last minute.
Talley-ho and away we go! This is going to be fun!
Quenby (hikaruthedragon)
Okay I know I’m late but I have to join. My list is here
How exciting. Wow – the list is getting long. Can I still join? Here’s
my list
oups, bad link, trying again my list
I’d love to join, my list is here 🙂
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/2008/03/once-upon-time.html
My list can be found here:
http://thebentogirl.blogspot.com/2008/04/reading-challenge.html
Thanks for your comments on my review of Lye Street, Carl. I will check out your suggestions, especially the movie.
This is fun!
You’re welcome Kerry, I’m glad you’re enjoying everything.
Ok. I give up. Everybody seems to be having such fun that I decided to join in as well. My book selections are at http://moosplace.blogspot.com/2008/04/once-upon-time-ii-challenge.html
That is fantastic Moo, I’ll add yours to the list!
Fashionably late, and this is my first reading challenge ever.
My list is here:
http://justaddbooks.blogspot.com/2008/04/wheeeeeeeee-or-sound-of-me-losing-my.html
What a great challenge!! Here is my list!
I am so excited to finally get the chance to do this! I plan to do Quest the Third, with Quest the Second. Thank you so much for doing this.
I know I’m a little late, but I would love to join this challenge. I have posted my intended list for Quest the Third at http://hhg1216.blogspot.com/2008/05/late-to-party-once-upon-time-ii-book.html
Great Helen, I’ll get your stuff added to the list!!! 🙂
Yessssss.
So, I’m completely late for this, not to mention this is the first “reading challenge” I’ve ever heard of, much less done, but I’m up for it and extremely excited!
I don’t have a blog. I should get one, but I’m slack on the posting side of things.
Do I have to have a blog to participate?
Not at all Kamisha. You can post a list of books you want to read or are reading here in the comments and you can participate in the contests and giveaways. I’ll add your email to my Once Upon a Time email list so that you’ll know all that is going on. Welcome!
Yes! Thank you very much, I’m excited.
It kind of reminds me of elementary school when we had reading contests and such. I’ve always missed those things, they were so much fun.
Any how, I think I’m going to go with Quest the Third and use Quest the Second for my first four books.
For mythology I have Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch (the Barne’s & Noble classics edition).
Folklore: The Supernatural Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls by Alex Irvine. (I know it probably sounds cheesey, but I really think that Eric Kripke is genuinally presenting real folktales on this show, just let me know if you don’t agree with this choice.)
Fantasy: Best American Fantasy edited by Ann & Jeff Vandermeer
For the fairy tale, I was wondering if I could get any suggestions? While I’m sure I have something that fits fairy tale description, I was wondering what you would consider a fairy tale to be? I’m just not sure if it should be a retelling of a known fairy tale or if it could simply be something that “seems like a fairy tale” to me.
And then finally, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Which is my favorite play of his, so I’ll be rereading it. I love that you choose this one, by the way.
Thanks to another blog (<a href=”http://tanabata.blogspot.com/2008/05/sunday-salon-april-in-review-book-binge.html”In Spring it is the Dawn) I just discovered this! I’m late in joining, but I’m so excited to do so! 😀
I am so glad you’re joining in Medbie. As long as there is time left then there is no ‘late’. 🙂
Wow. Ran across this while looking for additional info for my Squidoo lens on the Inkheart series. Unfortunately, my to-read stack right now is taking me to Ancient Rome, but I’ll be culling everyone’s lists for some good fantasy options! And of course, participating next year. 🙂
Glad to hear it Susan!
I would like to sign up for this challange. I’ll work on quest 1. I enjoy reading all the categories, but I don’t know what will be the easiest to genres to find.
I finished yet another great book for the challenge!! Keturah and Lord Death and now The Goose Girl. Both were outstanding and have left me thinking about them and wanting more! Three more to go and I’m excited to find something else that tickles my fancy! Thanks for the encouragement.
Keturah and Lord Death reviewed here:
http://insideabook.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html
and The Goose Girl write up here:
http://insideabook.blogspot.com/2008/06/number-two.html
Thanks Gaye, I’ll pop over to read your reviews.
Karen, that’s great! I think your basic fantasy and fairy tales retellings will be the easiest to find, but that’s just my opinion. Glad you are on board!
I have finished and am leaving town early for a long weekend,. Don’t have a blog, but will repost them next week on the group pages. Here is what I read. Skipped out on Shakespeare
Mythology 1. Sutcliff, Rosemary The Light Beyond the Forest
A retelling of the adventures of King Arthur’s knights, Sir Lancelot, Sir
Galahad, Sir Bors, and Sir Percival, as they search for the Holy Grail.
Mythology 2. Lewis, C. S. Till We Have Faces
It is a retelling of the Greek myth of Eros/Cupid and Psyche, based on a chapter
of The Golden Ass of Apuleius.
Fantsy 1. Carroll, Lewis Alice in Wonderland
The story of a young girl nemed Alice who falls down a rabbit-hole into a
wonderful adventure.
Folklore 1. Kunstler, Howard James Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
Aladdin is a Middle-Eastern folk tale, about a poor and vry lazy young man
recruited by a sorcerer to to retrieve a wonderful oil lamp from a booby-trapped
magic cave.
Great list, Lindy. I hope you have a wonderful long weekend and I’ll be putting your name in the drawing Sunday! Thank you so much for participating.
The Jim Henson Company, Dave Mckean and Neil Gaiman are binge stealing unique images and ideas from talented artist around the world, making “their big names” out of it.
In 1998 I worked for the Jim Henson Creature Shop in London.
In 2004 Jim Henson Creature Shop in London (digital department Karen Halliwell), Dave Mckean and Neil Gaiman used my imagery without a permission as a blueprint for the Mirrormask.
I won six awards for illustration in Canada and they are published in the Creative Source of Canada in 1996 and 1997.
My imagery and more info and documents on my website:
http://www.fineartoncanvas.com/gallery/lithography/L02.html
http://www.fineartoncanvas.com/gallery.htm
Artist and writers LET’S STOP THIS!
Tanya Doskova
Tanya, your imagery is really nice and I appreciate your frustrations but both Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean had been creating images and stories long before your images were created. And Mirrormask, while extremely interesting, is not a unique story. In many ways it is a re-imaging of Labyrinth and has story items in common with many, many other films and books that went before it…on purpose. Feel free to be bitter but neither of these talented, successful creators stole your work.