Into the Forest discussion
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2022 Around the World Challenge Progress
1. AfricaMother, Crone, Maiden by Cat Hellisen [South Africa]
[short story, YA, seers, attempt to escape unwanted future]
2. East Asia
Wizard Bakery by Gu Byeong-mo [South Korea]
[translated, YA, fantasy, coming of age, wizard, contemporary Korea, protagonist-stutterer, contemporary fable/fairy tale]
桑歌: Mulberry Song by 九鹭非香 [China]
[fantranslated, webnovel, ghost, historical/fantasy, romance, star crossed lovers]
Zaśpiewam Ci piosenkę. Opowieści z południa Tajwanu by 楊富閔 [Taiwan]
[Taiwanese religious folklore, mediums, short stories, arguably magical realism, setting-contemporary, underworld, short stories, translated, unavailable in English]
록사나 : 여주인공의 오빠를 지키는 방법 1 Roxana: Yeojuingong'eui Obbareul Jikineun Bangbeob 1 [South Korea]
[manhwa, unfinished by author, webcomics, fantasy, romance, dark, disturbing, very loosely kind of inversed Beauty and the Beast?)
[book:신데렐라를 곱게 키웠습니다 1 Cinderellareul Gobge Kiweossseubnida 1 |55516399] by Kiarne [South Korea]
[manhwa, fan translated, fairy tale inspired, Cinderella retelling, isekai, mama bear; mother-daughters relationship, what if stepmother was a good person?; matchmaking mama - of 'let's introduce my daughters to many good men and maybe they will like someone' variety ]
진홍의 카르마 by Lemon Frog
[isekai, fantasy world, trauma; manhwa; fan translated]
Don't Call Javotte an Evil Stepsister, Season 1 (South Korea)
(Manhwa, fantasy, romance, Cinderella retelling, evil witch)
3. South and Southeast Asia
Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap [Philippines]
[short stories, Philippine lore, fantasy, romance-sometimes, kappa, LGBT rep,uneven]
4. Western & Central Asia
The Annotated Arabian Nights: Tales from 1001 Nights[country of origin: it's complicated]
The Golden Maiden and Other Folk Tales and Fairy Stories Told in Armenia by A.G. Seklemian [Armenia]
Judge Dee and the Limits of the Law by Lavie Tidhar [Israel]
[vampires, fantasy, mystery, vampire judge, short story]
Judge Dee and the Three Deaths of Count Werdenfels by Lavie Tidhar [Israel]
[vampires, fantasy, mystery, vampire judge, short story]
Judge Dee and the Poisoner of Montmartre by Lavie Tidhar [Israel]
[vampires, fantasy, LGBTQA side-character, mystery, vampire judge, short story]
Seven Vampires by Lavie Tidhar [Israel]
[vampires, fantasy, mystery, vampire judge, short story]
Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others by Anonymous [Mesopotamia/Iraq]
[poetry, epics, myths, scholarly research, translated, anthology, ancient Mesopotamia]
5. Russian/Eastern Europe
Songs of the Valiant Voivode: And Others Strange Folk-Lore for the First Time Collected from Roumanian Peasants and Set Forth in English BY Elena Văcărescu [Romania]
[poetry and short stories, subversive, fairies, witches, shapeshifters, ghosts, sacrifices, star crossed lovers]
Kroniki Belorskie (Belorian Chronicles) by Olga Gromyko [Belarus]
[translated, humour, short stories, dragons, shapeshifters, vampires, werewolves, part of series; unavailable in English]
Paskuda & Co. by Magdalena Kozak [Poland]
[fantasy, dragons, short stories, princess in the Tower, Princess & her faithful Guardian, humour, unavailable in English]
Fear and His Servant by Mirjana Novaković [Serbia]
[translated, magical realism, unreliable narrators, historical - XVIII century Belgrade, mystery?, vampire hunting, (view spoiler), playing with Christianity, vampires?maybe.]
Cud, miód, Malina. Kronika rodziny Koźlaków by Aneta Jadowska [Poland]
[YA, tight knit family of witches, humor, short stories, unavailable in English]
Głodna Puszcza by Marcin Mortka [Poland]
Harde Baśnie by Ewa Białołęcka [Poland]
[fairy tale inspired, unavailable in English, anthology, short stories, fantasy, urban fantasy]
Viy byNikolai Gogol (Russia?/Ukraine?)
[Old women/witch/crone, classic, translated]
Słomiany świat by Łukasz Malinowski (Poland)
(Not available in English, fantasy, mythology, retelling, slavic pantheon, Veles vs Perun, WHO HAS STOLEN MY BEER!?- Perun)
6. Western Europe
Paradise Lost by John Milton [UK]
[classic, poetry, epic, devil, retelling, messing with Abrahamic faiths]
Bambi by Felix Salten [Austria]
[classic, children lit, animals, coming of age, death of parent]
Folktales for Fearless Girls: The Stories We Were Never Told by Myriam Sayalero [Spain/various countries]
Critias by Plato [Greece]
[classic, philosophy, Atlantis]
Wishful Thinking by Helen Harper [UK]
[urban fantasy, romance, fairy godmothers, corporations; magic]
The Goblin and the Dancer by Allison Tebo [UK]
[retelling, villain's point of view, love triangle, romance, fairy tale, redemption arc, goblin as a protagonist]
Józef i jego bracia. Tom 1 (Joseph and His Brothers) by Thomas Mann [Germany]
[biblical retelling, ancient Egypt, mash up of various folklores, philosophy; classic; translated]
7. North America
The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon [USA]
[lovely prose, namedropped fairy tales, mute heroine, YA, romance, curse, shapeshifting, the power of words, the heroine is "wearing idiot-decision maker badge"]
The Return of the Sorceress by Silvia Moreno-Garcia [Mexico/Canada]
[novella, fantasy, vaguely mesoamerican inspired setting?; revenge-starved ambitious heroine]
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh [USA/Korean diaspora]
[YA, fantasy, romance, retelling, Korean legend]
Seasons of Glass and Iron by Amal El-Mohtar [Canada/Lebanese diaspora]
[short story, LGBT rep, fairy tale retelling, romance, fantasy]
Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie [Canada]
[urban fantasy, romance, ya, pact with devil]
Slaying Monsters for the Feeble by Annette Marie [Canada]
[urban fantasy, romance, ya, pact with devil, slow, very slow character development]
Hunting Fiends for the Ill-Equipped by Annette Marie [Canada]
[urban fantasy, romance, pact with devil]
Delivering Evil for Experts ] by Annette Marie [Canada]
[urban fantasy, romance, pact with devil]
Not Another Vampire Book by Cassandra Gannon [USA]
[fantasy, paranormal romance, parody, humor, portal-fantasy]
The Kingpin of Camelot by Cassandra Gannon [USA]
[fantasy, romance, retelling, mashup, king Arthur mythos mostly in names, flimsy plot]
The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine [USA]
[12 dancing princesses, retelling, no magic, roaring 1920s, oppressive father]
8. Central and South America
Saga o Rubieżach. Tom 2 by Liliana Bodoc [Argentina]
[translated, unavailable in English, Mesamerican setting, fantasy, intelligent, ambitious woman-stutterer among the cast]
Latin American Folktales: Stories from Hispanic and Indian Traditions by John Bierhorst [various countries]
9. Caribbean
When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
Twelve Days of Faery by W.R. Gingell [Australia]
[hero in his 40/50s, retelling. fairy tales, cursed prince, enchantress, fae]
Hawaiian Folk Tales: A Collection of Native Legends (Hawaii)
(Myth/legends collection, vivid language, public domain, unhappy endings, shapeshifters, Hawaiian, short stories fantasy, bad commentaries)
Pūrākau: Māori Myths Retold by Māori Writers [New Zealand]
[own voices, indigenous writers, retellings, fantasy, urban fantasy/magical realism, contemporary, poetry, short stories]
11. Free spot - Native Americans/First People
Mermaids and Medicine Women: Native Myths and Legends by Basil Johnston [Canada/Anishinaabe tribe]
[translated, Native Americans, medicine (wo)men mermaids, spirits, fairy tale collection, fantasy]
American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes [various tribes]
12. Free Spot - Scandinavia+Baltics
Listopadowe porzeczki by Andrus Kivirähk [Estonia]
[translated, Estonian folklore and creatures, village life through a satirical lens, werewolves, devils, Faustian pacts, star-crossed lovers, witches, common folks outwitting devils, fairy tale motifs, unavailable in English]
The Misadventures of the New Satan by A.H. Tammsaare [Estonia]
[translated, Estonian folklore, magical realism, devil, slice of life]
Edit 13.01.2022,
For a time being my choices will be fairly random. No planning, just reading what I want. Apparently, my mind subconsciously has chosen a running theme - vampires, devils, and/or dragons.
Edit 18.02.2022
Now short stories?
Edit 1.03.22
Fairy tale collections and short stories still going strong.
Edit 12.04.22. yay, first australian entry to date. No idea Why most of recent new entries on the list are romances. Mystery 🙂
Edit:30.07.22 Lots of South Korean [fan]translated comics added, and a first Caribbean entry. At last I'm free from the challenge! :)
Edit:05/8/22 - back to the game, and unexpected Maori Entry.
My placeholder:✓1. Africa
Who Fears Death
Vagabonds!
She Would Be King
✓2. East Asia
Daughter of the Moon Goddess
✓3. South and Southeast Asia
✓4. Western & Central Asia
✓5. Russian/Eastern Europe
✓6. Western Europe
Elektra
Stone Blind: Medusa's Story
✓7. North America
✓8. Central and South America
Popol Vuh: A Retelling
Maria, Maria: Other Stories
Black Sun
✓9. Caribbean
Land of Love and Drowning
✓10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
✓11. Free Spot - Wings! (angels, fairies etc.)
The Gifts
✓12. Free Spot - Everyman archetype
Lapvona
Here is my placeholder:Done! 2022 Around the World Challenge -- Read an original tale, collection of tales, retelling or novel inspired by the myths and fairy tales of each region below.
✔ 1. Africa: A Master of Djinn
✔ 2. East Asia A Thousand Steps into Night
✔ 3. South and Southeast Asia Why the Pineapple Has a Thousand Eyes read online -- could not find it without buying. one version is here: https://legendandfolktales.blogspot.c... I also read Filipino Children's Favorite Stories.
✔ 4. Western & Central Asia The Three Princes of Serendip: New Tellings of Old Tales for Everyone This bookk has lovely cut-paper pictures.
✔ 5. Russian/Eastern Europe: Polish Fairy Tales by Antoni Józef Gliński but I only had/read what appears to be the first volume.
✔ 6. Western Europe: The Moomins and the Great Flood by Tove Jansson
✔ 7. North America: Salmon Boy, a Haida Story
✔ 8. Central and South America: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina
✔ 9. Caribbean: Zebo Nooloo Chinoo: A Caribbean Folk Tale and Mind Me Good Now!: A Caribbean Folktale
✔10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania: The Whale Rider
✔ 11. Free Spot: The Door in the Wall And Other Stories By H. G. Wells
✔ 12. Free Spot: The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs
1. Africa: Last Another Day2. East Asia: Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
3. South and Southeast Asia: Black Water Sister
4. Western & Central Asia: The Candle and the Flame
5. Russian/Eastern Europe: Ask Baba Yaga: Otherworldly Advice for Everyday Troubles
6. Western Europe: Carmilla
7. North America: Cloaked in Red
8. Central and South America: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina
9. Caribbean: Redemption in Indigo
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania: The Whale Rider
11. Free Spot: Icelandic Folk Tales
12. Free Spot: Nettle & Bone
Mod
✓1. Africa
The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai
The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi
✓2. East Asia
The Way Spring Arrives and Other Stories: A Collection of Chinese Science Fiction and Fantasy in Translation from a Visionary Team of Female and Nonbinary Creators
Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American by Laura Gao
The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night by Marjorie M. Liu
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao
✓ 3. South and Southeast Asia
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
The Dream Runners by Shveta Thakrar
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
Marshmallow & Jordan by Alina Chau
✓ 4. Western & Central Asia
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim
✓ 5. Russian/Eastern Europe
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott
From Dust, a Flame by Rebecca Podos
The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero
✓6. Western Europe
Spear by Nicola Griffith
Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez
Fairy Tale Comics: Classic Tales Told by Extraordinary Cartoonists by Chris Duffy
Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire
The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne
The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Lute by Jennifer Marie Thorne
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
✓ 7. North America
The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag
A Game of Fox & Squirrels by Jenn Reese
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne
Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland
Bindle Punk Bruja by Desideria Mesa
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings
Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin
Shutter by Ramona Emerson
Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison
The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
White Horse by Erika T. Wurth
The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings
Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
✓8. Central and South America
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta
Amazona by Canizales
✓ 9. Caribbean
The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey
✓ 10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
The Yield by Tara June Winch
✓ 11. Free Spot: Northern Europe
Strega by Johanne Lykke Holm
The Witch in the Well by Camilla Bruce
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
✓ 12. Free Spot: Greek Mythology:
Gaia: Goddess of Earth by Isabel Greenberg and Imogen Greenberg
Ithaca by Claire North
I haven't been active in the group recently and I have never participated in a challenge here... but I really like this year's theme. I will give it a try ;)Placeholder:
1. Africa
2. East Asia
3. South and Southeast Asia
4. Western & Central Asia
5. Russian/Eastern Europe
6. Western Europe
7. North America
8. Central and South America
9. Caribbean
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
11. Free Spot
12. Free Spot
Julia wrote: "I haven't been active in the group recently and I have never participated in a challenge here... but I really like this year's theme. I will give it a try ;)Placeholder:
1. Africa
2. East Asia
3...."
It ties in nicely with your personal challenge, isn't it?
Placeholder:1. Africa
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin
2. East Asia
Spin the Dawn
Daughter of the Moon Goddess
3. South and Southeast Asia
The Night Tiger
Star Daughter
4. Western & Central Asia
Girl, Serpent, Thorn
5. Russian/Eastern Europe
The Master and Margarita
6. Western Europe
Neverwhere
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
✔7. North America
Tigana
8. Central and South America
Island Beneath the Sea
9. Caribbean
Gods of Jade and Shadow
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
The Autumn Castle
Sabriel
✔11. Free Spot:
12. Free Spot: West Asia 2
The Island of Missing Trees
Mod
Placeholder:
1. Africa
2. East Asia
3...."
Yay! Happy to have you join us!
Mod
I enjoyed this one! I may read the second book in the series for my Africa spot.
Amanda wrote: "My placeholder:
1. Africa - Moon Witch, Spider King
2. East Asia
3. South and Southeast Asia
4. Western & Central Asia
5. Russian/Eastern Europe
6. Western Europe
7. North Ameri..."
I started reading Moon Witch, Spider King and I was enjoying reading it more than the first.
Amanda wrote: "My placeholder:1. Africa - Moon Witch, Spider King
2. East Asia
3. South and Southeast Asia
4. Western & Central Asia
5. Russian/Eastern Europe - Laurus
6. Western Europe - Elektra
7. North Ameri..."
My Placeholder -Finished the Challenge. 1.
2
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Mod
1. Africa - African Mythology: Gods, Heroes, Legends and Myths of Ancient Africa
2. East Asia
3. South and Southeast Asia
4. Western & Central Asia
5. Russian/Easter..."
I'm going to be reading Fevered Star as well.
Mod
1. Africa
Noor
Akata Woman both by Nnedi Okorafor
2. East Asia
The Miracles of the Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
3. South and Southeast Asia
Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar
4. Western & Central Asia
The Annotated Arabian Nights: Tales from 1001 Nights
The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker
5. Russian/Eastern Europe
Night Watch
The Tower of Foolsby Andrzej Sapkowski
6. Western Europe
Italian Folktales Italo Calvino
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
7. North America
Black Sun
Fevered Star both by Rebecca Roanhorse
Shutter by Ramona Emerson
8. Central and South America
Pierced by the Sun by Laura Esquivel
Like Water for Chocolate byLaura Esquivel
9. Caribbean When We Were Birds Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
Who Slashed Celanire's Throat? by Maryse Condé
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
Chappy by Patricia Grace
Free Spots:
11. Akata Woman Africa
12. The Tower of Fools Eastern Europe
14. The Hidden Palace ( West Asia)
15. Black Sun ( Indigenous North America)
16. Who Slashed Celanire's Throat? ( Caribbean)
17. Wicked Fox ( East Asia )
18. Like Water for Chocolate ( Latin America)
19. Shutter ( ( Indigenous North America)
20. Before the Coffee Gets Cold ( East Asia )
. Before the Coffee Gets Cold ( East Asia)
I just joined the group and have never done a challenge like this before, but I'm excited to try it! Placeholder:
1. Africa - The Icarus Girl
2. East Asia - Six Crimson Cranes ✓
3. South and Southeast Asia - Lalani of the Distant Sea
4. Western & Central Asia - The Golem and the Jinni
5. Russian/Eastern Europe - The House with Chicken Legs ✓
6. Western Europe - The Gracekeepers ✓
7. North America - Elatsoe
8. Central and South America - Gods of Jade and Shadow
9. Caribbean - When We Were Birds ✓
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania -
11. Free Spot - Greek mythology - Medusa ✓
12. Free Spot - Celtic mythology - The Daughters of Ys ✓
Mod
Alright, let's do this lolPlaceholder:
1. Africa: Redemption in Indigo
2. East Asia: The Woman Warrior (4.5 Stars) ✓
3. South and Southeast Asia: Pashmina (4.5 Stars) ✓
4. Western & Central Asia: The Sigh (5 stars) ✓
5. Russian/Eastern Europe: Viy (4 stars) ✓
6. Western Europe: Faust
7. North America: The Gilda Stories (5 stars) ✓
8. Central and South America: Mexican Gothic (3.5 stars) ✓
9. Caribbean: Hurricane Child
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania: The Bone People
11. Free: The Monster Theory Reader
12. Free: Maiden, Mother, Crone: The Myth & Reality of the Triple Goddess (4 stars) ✓
Annette wrote: "Here is my placeholder:2022 Around the World Challenge -- Read an original tale, collection of tales, retelling or novel inspired by the myths and fairy tales of each region below.
1. Africa
2. ..."
(...)
✔ 5. Russian/Eastern Europe: Polish Fairy Tales by Antoni Józef Gliński but I only read what appears to be the first volume.
Unfortunately, out of 4 volumes of Gliński's fairy tales, only this short selection is available.
1. Africa2. East Asia
3.
4. Western & Central Asia
5.
6.
7. North America
8. Central and South America
9. Caribbean
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
11. Free Spot
12. Free Spot
3/12
Mod
An informal read would be niceJust let me know what you plan to read in March and I will try to join you. I'm just stuck on choices right now.
Margaret wrote: "Is anyone interested in doing a group read of one of the regions and, if so, which region?"I wouldn't mind. I'll have a problem with Central/Southern America :)
Mod
Hi everyone!I joined the group recently, and have never done a challenge, so I thought to write my placeholder to keep track of things :)
This challenge sounds very interesting by the way!
Placeholder:
1. Africa - A Song of Wraiths and Ruin ✓
2. East Asia - Daughter of the Moon Goddess ✓
3. South and Southeast Asia - Kaikeyi ✓
4. Western & Central Asia - The Golem and the Jinni ✓
5. Russian/Eastern Europe - The Bear and the Nightingale ✓
6. Western Europe - Once Upon a River ✓
7. North / Central America - Gods of Jade and Shadow ✓
8. Central and South America - The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina ✓
9. Caribbean - Dreaming in Cuban ✓
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania - Chappy ✓
11. Free Spot - East Asia 2 - The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea ✓
12. Free Spot - Eastern Europe 2 - Uprooted ✓
Mod
I joined the group recently, and have never done a challenge, so I thought to write my placeholder to keep track of things :)
This challenge sounds very interesting by the way!
Place..."
Welcome to the group! I've read 8 of your book picks and loved them all!
Margaret wrote: "Welcome to the group! I've read 8 of your book picks and loved them all!"Thank you! I'm looking forward to reading them!
Most of these books were on my TBR already, so it's just a matter of prioritising them.
I'm particularly looking forward to the Asian ones now, but they are quite new, and I need to wait for the paperback to come out, so I'll probably have to wait to the end of the year to get to them, unfortunately!
Mod
Thank you! I'm looking forward to reading them!
Most of these books were on my TBR already, so it's just ..."
Daughter of the Moon Goddess is one of my favorite books releasing this year. It's amazing!
Mod
Thank you! I'm looking forward to reading them!
Most of these books were on my TBR already, ..."
Andy wrote: "Hi everyone!
I joined the group recently, and have never done a challenge, so I thought to write my placeholder to keep track of things :)
This challenge sounds very interesting by the way!
Place..."
Welcome Andy!
I’m going to see about reading Daughter of the Moon Godess as well!
Mod
I’m going to see about reading Daughter of the Moon Godess as well!"
I think you'll love it! It's definitely fantasy but I don't think it's too fantasy for you.
Mod
I’m going to see about reading Daughter of the Moon Godess as well!"
I think you'll love it! It's definitely fantasy but I don't think it's too fantasy for you."
I’m getting a little better about fantasy. Both The Dispossessed and Black Sun took place in made up worlds but I really enjoyed both!
Mod
Yay! The Dispossessed is one of my all-time favorites. It expanded my thinking on how communities could work. :)
Hi everyone! I am new-ish to this group. I am not quite sure of the rules, but this seems like a fun challenge. Below is my placeholder for this challenge, showing my progress so far, as well as some books on my tbr that I hope to read.1. Africa
The Unbroken
The Rage of Dragons
✔ 2. East Asia
Daughter of the Moon Goddess
3. South and Southeast Asia
The Jasmine Throne
Kaikeyi
4. Western & Central Asia
The Stardust Thief
The City of Brass
We Hunt the Flame
This Woven Kingdom
✔5. Russian/Eastern Europe
The Wolf and the Woodsman
✔6. Western Europe
The Witch's Heart (I think this counts?)
7. North America
The Ballad of Perilous Graves
8. Central and South America
Black Sun
Gods of Jade and Shadow
9. Caribbean
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
11. Free Spot
12. Free Spot
Mod
Excellent book picks! I've read most (but not all) and loved them. I would count The Witch's Heart as Western Europe.
Margaret wrote: "Bethany wrote: "Hi everyone! I am new-ish to this group. I am not quite sure of the rules, but this seems like a fun challenge. Below is my placeholder for this challenge, showing my progress so fa..."Thank you, I'm so glad to hear that! I am really looking forward to them! I still need picks for Australia and the Caribbean, but I am sure I will find some good ideas in this group :)
Mod
I just finished When We Were Birds for Caribbean and really like it. If you prefer more fantasy Nalo Hopkinson’s book are always fun
I also still don’t know what I’m going to read for Australia-Oceania
I just realized I included Gods of Jade and Shadow under Central/South America, but I believe Mexico is actually part of North America, so maybe I should put it there instead? Either way I am very keen to read the author's works. I have a few on my tbr list.
Jalilah wrote: "Bethany wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Bethany wrote: "Hi everyone! I am new-ish to this group. I am not quite sure of the rules, but this seems like a fun challenge. Below is my placeholder for this cha..."Thank you so much for the suggestions! :)
Mod
We kind of leave it up to the individual to decide. :).
Originally the category was supposed to be only South America, ( with Mexico yes, being in North America), but there were so few choices from South America that we changed it to Latin America in which case. You can count Gods of Jade and Shadows
Mod
I have 4 categories remaining:
1. (North) Africa (I changed it to North but it's Africa in general)
4. Western & Central Asia
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
12. Free spot: South Africa
A challenge for me is that I read by assignment, and while I have a loose assignment of reading SFF published between certain time frames, it can still be hard to find books that meet certain themes. Sadly, it doesn't seem like there are many African folklore retellings being published this year! Hopefully I can find something for my remaining 4 categories, and if not, I'll have to make some room for backlist reading.
Mod
For some of the categories, 1. Africa, 5. Russian/Eastern Europe, 7. North America I read 2 books for each category. I plan to do that for
4. Western & Central Asia As well.
1. Africa Noor Akata Woman
2. East Asia
3. South and Southeast Asia
4. Western & Central Asia The Hidden Palace and I am currently reading The Annotated Arabian Nights: Tales from 1001 Nights too add to it
5. Russian/Eastern Europe Night Watch The Tower of Fools
6. Western Europe am currently reading Italian Folktales
7. North America Black Sun Fevered Star
8. Central and South America I read Violeta but agree with doesn’t contain any myths or fairy tales so might read something else instead
9. Caribbean When We Were Birds
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
11. Free Spot
12. Free Spot
I have two categories that need some love. Caribbean (in progress, maybe) and a longer book for Africa. Recently I've been reading voraciously manga and manhwa and I can't motivate myself to read anything else.
I think there's some gray areas around some of these, but here's what I've read this year that might fit the categories. Just missing something for the Caribbean...✓ 1. Africa
The Deep, Rivers Solomon
Shallow Waters, Anita Kopacz
✓ 2. East Asia
Rebel Skie, Ann Sei Lin
A Thousand Steps Into Night, Traci Chee
Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Sue Lynn Tan
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Axie Oh
✓ 3. South and Southeast Asia
Spirits Abroad, Zen Cho
Black Water Sister, Zen Cho
✓ 4. Western & Central Asia
The Wrath and the Dawn, Renée Ahdieh
The Stardust Thief, Chelsea Abdullah
All the Horses of Iceland, Sarah Tolmie
✓ 5. Russian/Eastern Europe
The Wolf and the Woodsman, Ava Reid
✓ 6. Western Europe
Oksi, Mari Ahokoivu
The Drowned Woods, Emily Lloyd-Jones
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, Shauna Lawless
Snow and Rose, Emily Winfield Martin
Thorn, Anna Burke
The Gloaming, Kirsty Logan
The Girl in Red, Christina Henry
✓ 7. North America
The Monsters We Defy, Leslye Penelope
Trail of Lightning, Rebecca Roanhorse
✓ 8. Central and South America
Daytripper, Fábio Moon
Fevered Star, Rebecca Roanhorse
Black Sun, Rebecca Roanhorse
9. Caribbean
I haven't found or read anything for this one yet...
✓ 10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
Kurangaituku, Whiti Hereaka
Pūrākau: Māori Myths Retold by Māori Writers, Witi Ihimaera and Whiti Hereaka (editors)
✓ 11. Free Spot
any of the books above can be subbed in here
✓ 12. Free Spot
any of the books above can be subbed in here
Mod
Margaret wrote: "Did everyone complete this challenge? Favorite books you read? New authors you discovered?"I did :)
The funniest book: "Paskuda & Co" from Poland which was parody of cliche "imprisoned princess in the tower is guarded by a dragon"
Honorary mention: Not Another Vampire Book by Cassandra Gannon - is poking fun at paranormal romance and isekai genre
The best fairy tale collection: The Annotated Arabian Nights: Tales from 1001 Nights
Fave: Israeli Lavie Tidhar's vampiric crime short stories
Intriguing world building: The Return of the Sorceress
Honorary mention: Saga o Rubieżach. Tom 2
Both above books are drawing from Mesoamerican cultures
Discovery of year to the point of becoming an addict: manga, manhwa and manhua in general
Margaret wrote: "Did everyone complete this challenge? Favorite books you read? New authors you discovered?"I really loved this challenge, and I'm very proud to have finished it!
I only counted one book per prompt, but I definitely read more that would have easily fit, I might count differently next year, but counting only one helped me keep track of the categories to finish!
This year I read a lot of books, coming back into reading, and I discovered a love for Eastern European folklore inspired fantasy and for Eastern Asia fantasy inspired by mythology/history. Very excited to continue reading! :)
There were a lot of books I liked a lot and four to which I gave 5 stars from my list: Kaikeyi, The Golem and the Jinni, The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea.
Really happy of my year in books, I want fo continue trying to read fantasy books inspired from different cultures! :)
Mod
I enjoyed everything I read! I definitely discovered authors I did not know about before.
In particular The Miracles of the Namiya General Store and The Shadow of the Wind both left me with that 5 star “book hangover” feeling where I had a hard time getting into anything else right after I finished them.
I probably would not have discovered them had it not been for this challenge in this group.
So I have Asaria I think to thank for The Miracles of Namiya General store and Andy for The Shadow in the Wind! Thank you!
I am glad that I actually read both Italian Folktales and the The Annotated Arabian Nights: Tales from 1001 Nights from beginning to end. I love them both, but they are both very long. In different circumstances I might have just read a tale here and there.
I am also glad I reread Like Water for Chocolate after so many years.I liked it so much more the second time!
I originally intended to read three for each category. In some, I over-achieved, for others I only managed the one. I also managed to lose a book for most of the year which was ideal for the Africa category, but found it again just in time.I love doing the challenge. It is a great way of nudging me to discover books I may not otherwise come across.
Some very interesting reading. I was captivated by The Actual Star, although I'm not sure I can recommend it as it has quite a few potential triggers, as far as I can remember.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess was engaging.
Looking forward to getting started on the new challenge.
Finally finished. Phew! I think my favorite was The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina but I enjoyed The Three Princes of Serendip: New Tellings of Old Tales for Everyone quite a bit too.
Mod
Annette wrote: "Finally finished. Phew! I think my favorite was The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina but I enjoyed [book:The Three Princes of Serendip: New Tellings of Old Tales for Everyone|57184779..."
Yay! I loved Inheritance, I haven't read 3 Princes but I do have a copy.
Amanda wrote: "I originally intended to read three for each category. In some, I over-achieved, for others I only managed the one. I also managed to lose a book for most of the year which was ideal for the Africa..."
I really enjoyed Daughter of the Moon Goddess, couldn't get into The Actual Star for some reason. Probably bad timing.
Jalilah wrote: "I am glad that I actually read both Italian Folktales and the The Annotated Arabian Nights: Tales from 1001 Nights from beginning to end...."
That's really hefty reading! I loved Italian Folktales and will someday read Annotated AN, since I have a copy.
Andy wrote: "I really loved this challenge, and I'm very proud to have finished it!..."
So glad you loved the challenge!
I enjoyed all of your 5 star reads. :)
Asaria wrote: "Discovery of year to the point of becoming an addict: manga, manhwa and manhua in general..."
That's quite the discovery!
Into the Forest
Books mentioned in this topic
The Whale Rider (other topics)Nettle & Bone (other topics)
The Daughters of Izdihar (other topics)
Kaikeyi (other topics)
Spear (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Hadeer Elsbai (other topics)Vaishnavi Patel (other topics)
Nicola Griffith (other topics)
Kelly Barnhill (other topics)
N.K. Jemisin (other topics)
More...
Read an original tale, collection of tales, retelling or novel inspired by the myths and fairy tales of each region:
Here is the placeholder:
1. Africa
2. East Asia
3. South and Southeast Asia
4. Western & Central Asia
5. Russian/Eastern Europe
6. Western Europe
7. North America
8. Central and South America
9. Caribbean
10. Australia/New Zealand/Oceania
11. Free Spot
12. Free Spot