Challenge Post: Once Upon a Time V

I've never participated in Carl's Once Upon a Time challenge before but I just have the feeling that it's something I need to do this year -- to take a break from the books I have been choosing and escape for a while into fantasy. The challenge runs from now until June 20th.

I've chosen to pursue Quest the Third by reading five fantasy, folklore, fairy tale or mythology books and then finishing with a June reading of A Midsummer Night's Dream. These are the books I have pulled from my shelves.

I was already planning on re-reading Dogsbody for Tif's Tales to Tomes read-along (discussion will be on March 31 so there's still time for a quick read if you would like to join in!) so I've put that at the top of the stack. I also pulled the two other unread Diana Wynne Jones books I had on my shelves (The Tough Guide to Fantasyland and Unexpected Magic) because I'm not going to be able to resist them right now. I'm certain that there is no more fitting way to celebrate the life of a beloved author than to escape once again into the wonderful worlds she has created.

This is my chance to crack open Jasper Fforde's first YA novel, The Last Dragonslayer. I'm so curious about this one! I also have ARCs of Kat, Incorrigible and The Emerald Atlas (both children's novels that are out next month) so the timing couldn't be better to include these as well. And also in the YA set, I have had Michael Gruber's The Witch's Boy on my shelves for a while so I hope to get to it now.

Finally, I've included Walter Moers' A Wild Ride Through the Night, based on drawings from Gustave Doré, and Neil Gaiman's American Gods. These are heavier reads than the others but they definitely have their place in this challenge.

As you can see, I've chosen nine books from my shelves. I seem to have a problem with self-control when it comes to Carl's challenges! I will get through as many of these as I can, though, both to clear some books from my TBR and to spend this spring in as many exotic and fantastical places as possible. I also can't wait to finally read from my beautiful Shakespeare volume!

Signing up for a fantastic adventure,
K