I’ve decided to join the Once Upon a Time IV Challenge. I’ve been fussing over the decision all week, but since I don’t generally read the genres the challenge focuses on (fantasy, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology) despite enjoying them, I think this will be a great opportunity to actually challenge myself to change my normal reading habits.
I’ve signed up for Quest the First, meaning that between March 21st (today) and June 20th I must:
Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time IV 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.
My personal tastes lean more towards folklore and fairy tales, but I really want to try some fantasy as well.
Clearly, I desperately need ideas on what to read! Any recommendations? I think it’s time for me to finally try Neil Gaiman, but where to start? Maybe some Angela Carter too?
The Captive Reader 
Start with Neverwhere! Oh, Neverwhere is so amazing! If you want Neil Gaiman, Neverwhere is totally the place to start. It’s all alternate London and it has fantastic villains and jokes about London Tube stations.
How to resist jokes about the Tube? I’ll add Neverwhere to my hold list at the library immediately. Thanks!
I absolutely agree with Jenny. Neverwhere is absolutely amazing 🙂
Happy to hear another endorsement!
How about Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell? Or American Gods by Neil Gaiman? I loved both of those.
I read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell when it came out though didn’t adore it as much as everyone else seemed to. Might have to check out American Gods!
I have to agree with Jenny and Aarti! And I’m going to be trying Sarah Addison Allen for this challenge. She has been recommended to me so many times.
Neverwhere it is then! I’m not familiar with Sarah Addison Allen, but I’ll look forward to your reviews!
Wonderful to have you in the challenge this year! Thanks so much for joining. Neverwhere is one of my favorite books, so I would certainly recommend it. And though it might not entirely fit for this challenge (though I’m no stickler), I would recommend Gaiman’s Newberry winning book, The Graveyard Book.
Sarah Addison Allen is someone I am really wanting to try out. I’ve heard really good things about both of her first two books and she’s got a third out now.
Thank you so much for hosting the challenge – I’m really looking forward to it!
I’m going to do some Sarah Addison Allen, some Angela Caretr, some Neil Gaiman and some Greek plays…the possibilities are endless – so good luck!
x
Aimee
Good luck to you too! I’m definitely planning some Angela Carter – I’ve never read any of her works before.
I am so glad that you will be reading some Angela Carter, Claire – will it be in April by any chance? I recommend starting with The Bloody Chamber, which is made for this challenge.
Neverwhere is also a very good starting point for Neil Gaiman and one that I enjoyed immensely.
It will definitely be in April! I’m planning to start with Angela Carter’s Book of Fairy Tales, since my library doesn’t have The Bloody Chamber (well, not in English at least – they have it in Polish oddly enough). If this introduction goes well, I might have to search out a copy of The Bloody Chamber!
The Book of Fairy Tales is only a collection of fairy edited by Angela Carter, not written by her. If you don’t mind reading online then you can read all of the stories from The Bloody Chamber by clicking on the link for “The Company of Wolves” on the side-bar on my blog; all of the stories can be found on that site.
Thanks for pointing me to the link!