And we've reached the end of another Diana Wynne Jones March. It wasn't any easier this year, knowing that there will be no new books, no sequels to beloved favorites, no new tales in existing worlds. And yet, it was comforting to visit and revisit her stories, knowing they can never be taken from us.
This month I read The Time of the Ghost, Aunt Maria, Conrad's Fate, The Islands of Chaldea, The Pinhoe Egg, The Spellcoats, and Howl's Moving Castle. My favorite was my reread of Conrad's Fate, especially since I had forgotten some of what happened in the story so I had some surprises in store! I also had a great experience by focusing on female characters this month. I thought about relationships and characters in ways I hadn't before.
Which DWJ book(s) did you read this month?
I'm already thinking about next year's event and considering rereading the Wizard Derk books this summer.
Thank you to everyone who participated in any way this year (Jenny, Lori, Anastasia, Memory, Amy, Sabrina, Lauren, Jean, Chris, Teresa, Stephanie, Marisa, Iris, Kim, Kelly, Belle, Tif, and any others I might have missed)! Sharing the love with all of you makes this event extra special.
Never saying goodbye,
K
I know I dropped out of sight fairly early on (first things got crazy and then...well, my MIL passed away last week and we've been doing that--today is my first day back in the world), but I still got to read a bunch of DWJ and I loved seeing your posts. I read:
ReplyDeleteCart and Cwidder
Islands of Chaldea
Black Maria
Conrad's Fate
Reflections
I'll see if I can get a wrap-up post up today...
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I know of some good comfort reads ... ::hugs::
DeleteThank you for hosting! It's always so great to hear from more DWJ fans. I had a lot of other things going on, to my regret, but I managed to reread Year of the Griffin, The Islands of Chaldea, and The Pinhoe Egg. Conrad's Fate would be next on my list, and I think I should give Dark Lord of Derkholm another chance. Looking forward to next year...
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely fun to share the enthusiasm with others! And Dark Lord of Derkholm was one that I didn't entirely connect with the first time but then LOVED the second time. I hope the same happens for you!
DeleteSo...I have never read Diana Wynne Jones. (I KNOW!) I very much wish I'd gotten back into blogging, like, a month ago, because then I would have joined this March party! If this is an annual thing, I'll have to pay better attention next year :)
ReplyDeleteI will definitely make sure you join us next year! It will be our 5th annual event! :)
DeleteThank you for hosting! I talked my podcast partner into reading her first ever DWJ book this month, and she was unimpressed (it was Charmed Life, not my favorite frankly). But I've assured her DWJ is better on a reread, and I've also given her a sheaf of recommendations of where to go next, so I remain hopeful. And by hopeful, I of course mean I remain willing to badger her ceaselessly until she gives in and loves DWJ like I do.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Charmed Life kind of makes you sad and happy in equal parts. But everyone should love DWJ so she needs to move on and read more. :)
DeleteI STILL haven't finished Spellcoats. It doesn't seem to be quite as gripping as her other books I've read, and real life had a much easier time intruding. :P But I did enjoy Islands of Chaldea, and I love reading everyone else's thoughts on these books. So yes, thank you for the lovely month!
ReplyDeleteIt was a tough one for sure. It makes me a bit wary about the other Dalemark books. But I'm so glad you joined anyway!
DeleteI read The Time of the Ghost, but alas, I didn't get around to reviewing it :( March was not a great month blogging-wise. Thank you so much for hosting again, though - it was still great to follow along and see DWJ love all over my corner of the internet.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! And I'm sure next year will be better. :)
DeleteI started Black Maria but didn't finish it! Hope to do so this month.
ReplyDeleteCool! Good luck with that crazy Aunt Maria. :)
DeleteYou know what's super sad? I was just about to tweet about DWJMarch after seeing your posts (oh hello, neglected feed reader)...when I realized that your wrap-up posted 15 days ago.
ReplyDelete*going to crawl back under my rock*
Obviously I missed it this year, but I'll always be able to thank YOU for being the one to introduce me to her! :)
March really flew by this year, didn't it? I'm going to have to make next year's event super fun so that nobody can resist it. ;)
DeleteI was so bad this year and didn't get to participate as much as I had hoped. I did read The Time of the Ghost though!! I enjoyed that one, but Howl's Moving Castle still stands on my favorite! I'm lucky though because I still have so many of her books to discover!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure Time of the Ghost would ever be anyone's favorite but it's a fun read! I think I am down to four books left and it's making me sad. You are lucky to have so many ahead!
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