Once Upon a Time...

...I stumbled across a reading challenge that literally changed my life. I know, I know--I sound horribly melodramatic here, don't I? But it's the truth. Back in 2007, when I joined the first Once Upon a Time reading challenge, it was mostly in an effort to enter Annie's world of reading. She was such a huge fantasy fan, and yet fantasy was something I'd never really read. Not out of any disdain, but more because it just never entered my mind to do so. So Annie and I joined together.

Yes, I got a taste of fantasy. But I got so very much more. So very much more.

It was really my introduction to the whole world of book blogging. That alone was a wonderful thing. For many reasons, but most of all for broadening my world. I read so many books these days that never would have even entered my radar screen prior to the spring of 2007. I've fallen in love with fantasy. With fairy tales. With graphic novels--how did I ever live without graphic novels?!! My previous love of horror was reawakened. I've dipped my toes back into the classics. I could go on here. But the point is that my life is so much richer because of book blogs.

But you know what? That's just the tip of the iceberg. Because what made me cry (yes, literally cry) when I read Carl's announcement post for Once Upon a Time V was the reminder of all the wonderful people I have in my life because of Once Upon a Time. I *cannot* imagine my life without the friends I've made by opening that first Once Upon a Time door. So, thank you, Carl...both for providing that door and for being one of those friends I'm talking about.

So, shall I now move away from the sappiness, and onto the challenge? :P

Fantasy. Folklore. Fairy tales. Mythology.

Fiction. Non-fiction.

Books. Short stories. Movies.

Does it get any better than this???

Again, the whole Stevens gang is going to participate. But likely I'll be the only one blogging. (Perhaps I'll just blog for all of us.)

The hard part--deciding which "quest" to embark upon. In that "my eyes are bigger than my stomach" vein, I really want to sign up for all of them. :P Of course, I'll be lucky to actually complete the ones I've narrowed it down to:

Read any five books from the fantasy, folklore, fairy tale, mythology realms.

Fantasy, folklore, fairy tale, mythology--in short story form.

And in the movies.










The even harder part--deciding what to read! And of course, I can't really decide ahead of time. But because I can't resist putting one together, here's a (partial) list of potentials to choose from:

*The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman (Why, why, why have I not read this yet?!!)
*The Love We Share Without Knowing by Christopher Barzak (This works for the challenge, doesn't it, Ana?)
*The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly (So hope I get to this one!)
*more Fables by Bill Willingham
*Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce
*Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
*Small Gods by Terry Pratchett
*The Hunter's Moon by O.R. Melling
*Bayou Volume 2 by Jeremy Love
*Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block
*Cupid by Julius Lester
*The Sisters Grimm: The Unusual Suspects by Michael Buckley (The first one in this series totally enchanted me, and I can't believe I haven't read the rest yet.)
*The Unwritten Volumes 1 and 2 by Mike Carey (These would work, right?)
*The Search for Wondla by Tony DiTerlizzi
*Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
*Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
*Stardust by Neil Gaiman
*The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman
*Green Witch by Alice Hoffman
*Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson
*Eternally Bad: Goddesses with Attitude by Trina Robbins
*Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World by Kathleen Ragan
*Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection by Matt Dembicki
*The Book of Ballads by Charles Vess

And short stories possibles by Neil Gaiman, Charles de Lint, Ray Bradbury, and Francesca Lia Block.

Movies? Well, I really, really, really want to see Pan's Labyrinth again. And if I actually getting around to reading Stardust, then I'd love to watch that movie as well.

Suggestions? Where should I start? Any of these that I need to get to immediately? Or should I read something that's not even on the list?

Happy Once Upon a Time everyone!!! And thank you again, Carl!!!