Thursday, February 4, 2016

PSA: #DWJMarch is Becoming #MarchMagics

As I was thinking about what to focus on this year during our month-long celebration of all things Diana Wynne Jones in the month of her passing (sob! five years already?!), I couldn't help thinking about Terry Pratchett. He passed away last March (cruel month!) and I love him and miss him just as much as I do Diana. Naturally, I started thinking about piggy-backing events for each one of them. That thought percolated for a while and, eventually, I decided that DWJ March was just going to have to become ...
March Magics!


March Magics (named like Diana's book Mixed Magics) will be a month to celebrate everything DWJ and Pratchett and, in all likelihood, a bit of Neil Gaiman as well. Their works are similar in many ways and their fanbases certainly intersect. Between the two of them, they also have over 100 books so there is likely to be something to appeal to almost any reader. If you need suggestions for where to start with either author, feel free to ask or consult one of the Discworld Reading Order Guides.

I've decided on two read-alongs for the month: The Dark Lord of Derkholm (DWJ) and Equal Rites (Sir Terry). You should have plenty of time to find, buy, or borrow copies.

Toward the end of February I'll post again with read-along discussion dates and prompt ideas and such. I'm super excited to begin this magical new event and I hope that you all are excited too!

Expanding the celebration,
K

25 comments:

  1. Oh wow! Well, I can't argue with that decision; I've loved Pterry for a long time too. And also that graphic is beautiful!

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    1. I just had to do this. And thank you -- I used an online tool called Canva. I'm going to try and make a new blog header next!

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  2. Great idea! I'll look forward to reading Equal Rites for the first time. I just finished the Tiffany Aching books so it will be a great follow-up / prequel.

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    2. That's part of why I chose Equal Rites. I know a lot of us have just finished Tiffany Aching reads and rereads and so this one will satisfy that need for more Granny Weatherwax time!

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  3. Holy heck. I was thinking about writing something about #DWJMarch for the GeekMom blog I write for now, and when you first said changes I was like "hmm, will that still work?" And then when I saw the tweet, "TWO writers, who on earth could possibly deserve being put in the same category as..." click through to post "...OH. Yep. That works!"

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    1. Yes. I think we're still safe calling this a geek event. ;)

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  4. Don't think I'll join the readalong (I'm reeeally trying to stick to owned-and-unread books) but I do still own Pratchett's Bromeliad Trilogy so I'll try to read it during March so I can still participate, even peripherally!

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    1. I'm hoping everyone reads any Pratchett or Jones they are in the mood to read regardless of the read-alongs so you are all set! I'm going to have to do about half and half. I own all of the DWJ books (although those will obviously be rereads) but will have to go to the library for much of Pratchett (I haven't started collecting the Discworld books quite yet.) It will skew my read my own books count but I knew I would have to make this exception this year already!

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  5. Ooh, I have the third and fourth Tiffany Aching books on loan from my step-mom, waiting to be read. This would be a good time!

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  6. Yes!!! Love the idea of this! And it gives me the push to finally read Mort. :)

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  7. Of course, this is so perfect! And great choices for readalongs. It's about time I reread Dark Lord. And I've only read Wyrd Sisters (of the Witch subseries)(don't know why I started with that one), so Equal Rites will be an excellent next choice. Count me in!

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    1. I wanted to reread Dark Lord too and I think it fits nicely with Pratchett's works too. Equal Rites will be a reread for me but I think it's a great starting place for anyone new to Discworld. I have to decide what else I want to read during the event though and that's a much tougher decision!

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  8. God, is it really five years? That makes me so sad. I want her baaaaaack. Maybe necromancy could be a thing?

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    1. I know, Jenny. I was doing okay until I calculated that and then it broke my heart. Necromancy needs to be a thing.

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  9. This looks like great fun - I have to my shame never read any Diana Wynne Jonese but I am keen to fix that and I really miss Sir Terry! Definitely want to join in :)

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    1. Fantastic! I'm happy to have you join me next month!

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  10. Wow, I am so glad to have stumbled upon this through BBAW! I would love to participate in this. I have A Hat Full of Sky sitting sadly on my shelf since January that I would love to make time for in March and a couple of Diana Wynne Jones rereads, perhaps. Lovely!

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    1. That sounds perfect. I've been getting my books together and trying to decide on my DWJ rereads. So many good books!

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  11. Kailana just alerted me to this event today and I have been thinking about Diana Wynne Jones as well lately. I have never read this author and am eager to start now. Same goes for Terry Pratchett. Never read him and want to. So I may join in too. Let me think about my reading plan!

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    1. I'm a little surprised that you haven't read Pratchett before. This would be a wonderful time to start! :)

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  12. I'll join The Dark Lord of Derkholm readalong (just ordered the book, hopefully it arrives on time!). Thanks for organizing!

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    1. Great! The discussion isn't until March 24 so I'm sure you will make it. :)

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