Once Upon a Time time that is. Of course, I knew Carl's announcement was coming, but still seeing his post this morning, well it just filled me to the brim with happiness. There is no other reading challenge/experience/what-have-you that makes me feel quite like Once Upon a Time does. Oh, I get over-the-top goosebumpy excited about RIP, without question. But Once Upon a Time...it's just special. For so many reasons... It is not exaggeration to say that it changed my life. That first Once Upon a Time challenge was really my introduction to book blogs. My very best friends (of the non-husband variety) in all the whole world...yeah, I met them because of Once Upon a Time. My heart is a much fuller, happier place because of the people I met and have come to love because of Once Upon a Time. Honestly, what on earth could possibly be more important than that. And yet, there's still some icing to slap on that cake. The whole new worlds of reading that were opened up to me. Before that first Once Upon a Time, the only place in this house you would have found books of UOaT variety would have been on Annie's shelves. It was not that I looked down on fantasy or anything...it honestly had just never occurred to me to give it a try. I'd been in an enormous mystery/thriller/suspense rut for many a year at that point. But because Annie loved fantasy, when I stumbled upon OUaT, I thought it would be a really fun way to enter her worlds for a while. Little did I know how vast and varied and wonderful and eerie and heartbreaking and enlightening those worlds would be. These days fantasy and fairy tales and folktales and mythology reside not only on Annie's shelves, but on the bookshelves of every member of this family. I now own literally hundreds of books that fit the categories...and I love them dearly.
Yep, my life is richer in so many ways because of Carl and his Once Upon a Time challenge. Words aren't big enough to thank my dear friend for that...but thank you all the same, Carl.
When I chose my themes for my year of themed reading, I made sure to save the month of April for OUaT reads. You know, right now I'm wishing I'd saved May and June for them as well. (And if that feeling persists this strongly, I may just amend things. :p ) But April, ahhhh, April...you are going to be filled with fairy tales.
I'm not saying that I will solely read fairy tale related books (I may well sneak in some fantasy and folktales and mythology), but fairy tales are going to be my focus. So I'm aiming to complete Quest the First. And Short Story Quest (though I have a ridiculously hard time writing about short stories). And Quest on Screen (ditto what I said about short stories). Precisely what books though...that shall be guided by whim.
Happy Spring, everyone. And Happy Once Upon a Time.
And thanks yet again, Carl!
11 comments:
hooray for whim! :o) lol..my whole dang year goes so fast because of Carl's challenges! argh! lol But like you, OUaT is how I met many friends and even an "adopted son"!!
SO exciting to see you so excited! I've never participated in this one... Don't know why, really.
Thanks again for another pie quote card! And its got lots of orange, too. :D
YAY! I love reading by whim! Even though I made a list, just like I always do, I never go by it. I may read some from it or not. Whatever. I'll be reading and that's what makes me happy! Yay!! :D
ALSO! Thank you for the lovely lovely LOVELY Fox card! I LOVE FOXES! I think it's safe to say, I love all animals and nature. I wish I was a cavegirl. *sigh* ... Anyhoo. Loved the card, loved the quote, and love you!!! Mwah!
What a beautiful tribute! I loved reading about your love for fantasy and this "challenge," and I look forward to reading your fairy tale reviews. I usually mix it up a bit during the challenge, but I try to get in plenty of fairy tales!
debi: where's your list! We need to get ideas! and drool, and dream....lol I love your post, I had no idea that you didn't read fantasy until OUaT and blogs! Wow! Now look at you, reading so much fantasy and graphic novels and fairy tales.....I really enjoyed how you talk about how it's spread to your family, too.
You know The Hobbit counts for the Quest the Film, just saying...lol I'm using it for mine, this weekend my daughter and I are unwrapping our new copy we just bought, and watching it for the second time (first time was in the theatres). Next is to get her to read The Hobbit :-D
Have fun, Debi, I know you will! I've been waiting for this challenge, and love it too.
You know... I was at book club yesterday and we were voting on which book to read next and I SWEAR I THOUGHT OF YOU when I realized that Snow Child just might count for your OUAT Challenge. I could be wrong about that but I THOUGHT OF YOU! :D
You know... I was at book club yesterday and we were voting on which book to read next and I SWEAR I THOUGHT OF YOU when I realized that Snow Child just might count for your OUAT Challenge. I could be wrong about that but I THOUGHT OF YOU! :D
It's fun to have something to look forward to, especially when friends are as well. And snowy areas definitely need some spring to look forward to.
Enjoy your books and reading!
I'm so excited about this too :) Looking forward to next month!!!
Reading by whim! I plan to do so although I do have a list of already owned books from which to choose. I might cave and declare this the most excellent time of year to order some new books to line the shelves though :) Like you, I really want to do the short story and screen quest, but I do find it hard to write about them!
Anyway, enjoy <3
I totally browsed my library's fantasy section yesterday thanks to your post! :D
Also, I had no idea you didn't read fantasy much pre-OUaT!!! How lovely that you were drawn to it because of Annie: you're such a wonderful mom. Carl runs the most beautiful challenges: I love his careful inclusion of artwork.
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