Saturday, February 19, 2022

#MarchMagics 2022: Friends Old and New

I was considering whether to just let March Magics go this year since I haven't blogged since the last one when I got a short message from Chris, asking for an event image. Well, I just couldn't let him down so here we are again, celebrating Diana Wynne Jones and Terry Pratchett through their always-wonderful works. I am actually quite happy to host this again for the 11th (!) time.


I chose the theme Friends Old and New this year because we are all at different places in our DWJ and Pratchett journeys. Some of the characters have been old friends for years, others we have yet to meet but are guaranteed to be friends when we do.


This is my stack for the month, minus one book that is still on its way. I'll be reading two more Discworld books in my journey through that series--The Last Continent and Jingo. I have also decided to reread Dodger since I can't even remember how long it has been since I first read and loved it. And I have Marc Burrows' biography, The Magic of Terry Pratchett, that I'm really looking forward to. Then for DWJ, well, I'm picking up the last unread books I have of hers--The Dalemark Quartet. The Spellcoats will be a reread but the other three will be first time reads. It's going to be quite sad to have no more new-to-me DWJs after this. But, this is still a chance to make new fictional friends, right?

I would love to know who is participating this year and what you are planning to read so please leave a comment or find me on instagram or twitter. And if you post about the event during the month, please use hashtag #MarchMagics. I hope to chat with many of you soon! And thank you for becoming my friends over these many years through our shared love of these authors. I appreciate all of you!

13 comments:

  1. That is interesting that you have only read The Spellcoats out of the Dalemark Quartet. I'm curious how you found it as a standalone and how you will feel after reading the other books.

    I have a bunch I could choose from to reread but I'm not sure what yet. I am glad you are running the event again though. It is something to look forward to each year.

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    1. I'm curious, too, how Spellcoats feels as a standalone! It always felt a bit like the odd one out in the series for me. :)

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    2. It was one of the group read books in 2015. I don't remember now how it was chosen but the topic that year was about strong female characters. I think we went with it since it was first chronologically in the series. But yes, then I didn't get to the other three and since it was seven years, I hardly remember my first reading! I just tried to go to the site that hosted the discussion and that post is no longer there. Oh well! Now I have to decide which order to read these in.

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    3. I'd recommend publication order. I think they make most sense that way. You're inspiring me to do a reread as well!

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  2. Aaahh, hurray! I've been thinking about March Magics a lot lately. Thank you for hosting once again! Last year I read my final new-to-me DWJ books so I know that bittersweet feeling, but I adore the Dalemark books so I hope you'll enjoy! I am still finalizing my own Jones and Pratchett TBR so...I'll have to share about it when I do. I suspect it will include another City Watch new read and probably a Magids reread...I'm also thinking of trying an audiobook or two, since I've been enjoying audiobooks in general but haven't tried them for March Magics before! Exciting times.

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    1. The audiobooks are quite fun for both authors. I wish my library system had more of them available! I know that there are all new audiobook recordings of Discworld coming out soon but a)I'm not sure when and b)I don't know if Stephen Briggs is replaceable. He is so fantastic.
      I can't wait to see your final list!

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    2. Here's my list! :) https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/2022/02/28/marchmagics-2022-tbr/

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  3. Yay! I think we can all use some March Magic this year. I also read the Spellcoats long before reading the other Dalemark books, and it remains a favorite. I can't wait to see what you think of the others. I love them all, but especially The Crown of Dalemark.

    Now to choose my own March list!

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    1. I would say that I hope you choose something good but, of course, it's impossible not to!

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  4. I am joining in this year! I am planning to read my first Diana Wynne-Jones book as well as Moving Pictures and a book of essays!


    http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2022/02/this-week_28.html

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  5. Shared my thoughts about Earwig and the Witch and Dragons at Crumbling Castle. Nice to encounter some new friends! https://enterenchanted.com/march-magics-meeting-some-new-friends/

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