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Ok, I figured since there are off-topic threads for shows, for crafts, and for just about everything else, maybe we could start a thread on what everyone’s currently reading and how it does (and doesn’t) relate to OUAT.
I’ve seen book recommendations pop up in different threads, so perhaps this can be a more or less centralized place for that sort of thing.
Since I’ve proposed it, I’ll start. I’m currently finishing something called A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Scwab. While it’s not technically a YA, it does have a bit of a YA flavor — although it’s pretty dark at times — and it has some striking similarities to OUAT. Like OUAT, the premise is that there are multiple co-existent realms, with different levels of magic, and some convoluted requirements for traveling between them. Here’s the beginning of the plot summary from Goodreads.
“Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now.”
Has anyone read this book? If so, what did you think? And anyway, what are YOU reading?
[adrotate group="5"]Has anyone read this book?
I haven’t read that particular book, though it does sound very interesting. The book you described strongly reminds me of another book on which a very good BBC adaptation just came out last summer. If you like the book you’re currently reading, either read (and/or watch) Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. It is not children’s literature. It is excellently written, and the TV mini-series is very well adapted. (It took the author 10 years to write her first novel). It is an alternative history set during the Napoleonic Wars, and it deals heavily with the “Englishness” of magic and the consequences of using various tactics of magic. The book summary can be found on Amazon.
"That’s how you know you’ve really got a home. When you leave it, there’s this feeling that you can’t shake. You just miss it." Neal Cassidy
f you like the book you’re currently reading, either read (and/or watch) Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
This has been sitting in my queue–both TV and book queue–for awhile. I might have to finally pick it up if you’re recommending it.
As for me: not a whole heck of a lot, which saddens me. The London book sounds fascinating.
I really need to pick up “The Mime Order” by Samantha Shannon. It’s the second book in her 7 part series; the first book was “The Bone Season” which was a very good read once you managed to figure out the world (took me about 3 chapters to fully grasp her world building). It’s been lauded as the next HP series, but it’s wholly different (7 books in a series does not mean it’s the next HP, reviewers!). It’s more alien, more science-fiction, than straight up fantasy but it’s got a lot of fantasy elements embeded within.
I continue to essentially stalk Neil Gaiman for news of American Gods 2 (write faster, Neil) as well as The Winds of Winter by GRRM (but that’s a 13 year struggle, so I’m used to waiting. But still, write faster George).
I recently did a re-read of some of the earliest Elric of Melnibone material (Michael Morcock) largely because I thought OUAT was going to take that route with Emma Swan and wanted a refresher.
I love recommendations so anyone got anything?
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"I just finished reading “Library of Souls” by Ransom Riggs. It’s the third book in his trilogy, the first is “Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children.” It is a wonderful series and is a mix of fantasy/sci-fi and history. I highly recommend it and it is YA so a pretty quick read. If you do read or have read it I started a thread a little while back about it and RG wrote a really nice and short description of the first book. The only other thing I am reading at the moment is the outlander series (definitely more adult.) I read the first book ages ago, but just watched the TV series and decided to finally get the other books.
"To leave an enemy without an answer, say these words to him: Aglaria Pidhol garia Ananus Qepta" and blow in his direction; then he will not know which way he is headed and cannot answer you." - Swedish Trollproverb
Also, the same friend who recommended Miss Peregrine to me just recommended “The Magicians.” I may have to give that book a try and it seems like it has good reviews. Has anyone here read it?
"To leave an enemy without an answer, say these words to him: Aglaria Pidhol garia Ananus Qepta" and blow in his direction; then he will not know which way he is headed and cannot answer you." - Swedish Trollproverb
Another great novella is A Knight in the Seven Kingdoms (The Tales of Dunk and Egg) by G.R.R. Martin. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s well worth reading, especially while you’re waiting on The Winds of Winter.
"That’s how you know you’ve really got a home. When you leave it, there’s this feeling that you can’t shake. You just miss it." Neal Cassidy
Also, the same friend who recommended Miss Peregrine to me just recommended “The Magicians.” I may have to give that book a try and it seems like it has good reviews. Has anyone here read it?
By Lev Grossman or something like that? I heard of it, it’s been on my list for AGES (school takes up time so I haven’t had a lot of reading time 🙁 ) But I heard its incredible, and I think there is an adaption coming to television, so I’m going to have to make time to read it. I like being the person to say “Well I was a fan before it was adapted v_v” 😛
"I could have the giant duck as my steed!" --Daniel Radcliffe
Keeper Of Tamara's Taser , Jafar's Staff, Kitsis’s Glasses , Ariel’s Tail, Dopey's Hat , Peter Pan’s Shadow, Outfit, & Pied Cloak,Red Queen's Castle, White Rabbit's Power To World Hop, Zelena's BroomStick, & ALL MAGICHa! So, most of the books you folks are mentioning have been either sitting in my queue, or popping up in my recommendations. This helps weed through things!
I continue to essentially stalk Neil Gaiman for news of American Gods 2 (write faster, Neil) as well as The Winds of Winter by GRRM (but that’s a 13 year struggle, so I’m used to waiting. But still, write faster George).
RG, I got just the thing for you. The first time I saw this, I was cackling for a good five minutes straight. ^-^
Also, there might be a sequel to AG??? When??? (Also, if you like Gaiman, have you read anything by China Mieville?)
On YA — it’s not a genre I normally gravitate to, but one series that I cannot recommend enough is Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It’s the first of a trilogy (and all three are excellent). It’s one of those things that will keep you reading in the wee hours of the morning. It’s phenomenally written, the world is fascinating and just the right kind of haunted/haunting, and the characters are very odd but they sort of stay with you even after the books are over. Like many YAs, there’s a love story at the center, but it’s done in a very unusual way, and it plugs right into the cosmology of the world, so it doesn’t feel artificial. Seriously amazing.
Also, the same friend who recommended Miss Peregrine to me just recommended “The Magicians.” I may have to give that book a try and it seems like it has good reviews. Has anyone here read it?
I have! It’s quite good. It’s darker than other “kids going to wizarding school.” Very Chronicles of Narnia meets HP meets modern day hedonism.
Also, there might be a sequel to AG??? When??? (Also, if you like Gaiman, have you read anything by China Mieville?)
Gaiman says he ‘s working on it! And no I haven’t…*adds to list*
it’s not a genre I normally gravitate to, but one series that I cannot recommend enough is Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Oh I’ve heard of this. It’s on my list 🙂
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Speaking of recommendations: I cannot recommend Patrick Rothfuss “Kingkiller Chronicles” enough. The first two books are out: The Name of the Wind; the Wise Man’s Fear. I have some issues with book two, but I think I read book one in like..48 hours nonstop. It’s very high fantasy with a lot of recognizable tropes and storylines but what absolutely sold me on the series was the way Rothfuss presents mythology. He *gets* the way stories are told over 10000000 of years and how people change stories to reflect their own world instead of changing themselves to adhere to the stories. His myth background to the series and protagonist and the larger light vs dark/good vs good he’s going for…are good. Very good. It’s very Tolkien meets Martin meets Morcock meets Gaiman meets classic myth meets Christian philosophy meets bildungsroman.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"
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