Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Magical March Announcement Post.

I can't resist a great event, especially when it is hosted by a friend! Adam, from Roof Beam Reader, is hosting Magical March: A Magical Realism and Fantasy Event during the month of March.

It turns out that quite a few books on my project list qualify, and since I was going to read them anyway, this is the perfect excuse and opportunity.

Here are the rules, copied directly from Adam's post:

  1. You must register with the Mister Linky below prior to March 5th in order to be eligible to participate.
  2. You must read only “new” books – meaning, no re-reads are allowed.  Books for other challenges can be cross-used for this one, but you must read the book and review it in the month of March (previously completed books for other challenges do not qualify).
  3. You must link up each book review to a separate Mister Linky, which will be available on March 5th (once registrations close).
  4. Challengers must post on their blog an “Announcement” post, indicating they are participating in this challenge and which level they hope to attain. One completer from each “Class” will be randomly selected to win the corresponding prize for that level. 
    1. You do not need to meet your level in order to win a prize.  If you aim for “Grand Merlin Class” but only achieve “Magician’s Class,” you will still be entered into the Magician’s Prize Pool!
    2. You do not need to list your books in advance, but I plan on doing so (to keep me motivated and to help me stay organized). 
  5. Any Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Magical Realism books will qualify.  This means you can read Young Adult, Dystopian, Steampunk, or Alternative Histories.
Sounds like fun, right?

There are different levels for participation, so I chose my level based on the amount of books on my project list that qualify. :)

I am aiming for the second level, Wizard's Class, which requires me to read and review 3-5 books during the month. Here are the books I am planning on reading:
  • The Once and Future King by T.H. White (Fantasy)
  • Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne (Science-fiction)
  • A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (Dystopian)
  • The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (Science-fiction)
  • Free choice. :) When I finish those four, I am going to read a random fantasy or science-fiction novel NOT from my list. I just don't know what yet. *EDIT* When I told my husband about this challenge, he told me what to read to fill in this last spot-the first two books in Martin's series (The Game of Thrones). He wants me to read at least the first two so I can enjoy the series with him, and since I have the books, I might as well. :)
There you have it, my reading for March planned out. :) Anyone have any suggestions for that last book?

10 comments:

  1. Fun fun fun! I've been debating participating in this event, but I'm definitely leaning toward saying "yes." Good luck with all your books. The only one I've read was The Once and Future King.

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    1. Andi - what did you think of The Once and Future King? It's a "favorite" for so many people, and I'm a huge fan of Arthurian Legend (this being the "King" of contemporary mythology for that particulary storyline) ...but I just didn't like it much.

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  2. I'm strongly considering this one even though I'm not technically doing challenges anymore. Since it's a monthly event and more like RIP, though, it might be okay. Especially since I've been so into DWJ lately!! I would recommend Howl to you, but I think you said you've already read that one. :D

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    1. Hope you'll join us, Amanda! If you do, maybe I'll add that Castle in the Air book to my list. ;)

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  3. Woo hoo! Glad you're joining us! And I'm glad the event will allow you to knock out books from your primary classics challenge as well - I should do the same, but I really need an excuse to read Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy, which I didn't put on any other challenges for the year...

    I didn't particularly like Journey to the Center of the Earth or The Once and Future King, but there are certainly things to appreciate in both. I haven't read The Time Machine yet (possibly because I hated War of the Worlds?) but I do want to.

    I LOVE A Clockwork Orange. I've read it twice - own two copies - and I have the t-shirt from Out of Print Clothing: http://shop.outofprintclothing.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=b-1035

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  4. Oh, as for the fourth choice - I really loved The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein. I highly recommend it - at least something to consider. :)

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  5. I've been considering joining this, but as I only have one new-to-me fantasy/SF book planned for this year I'm uncertain...but then again, I was planning on starting it in March.

    It sounds like you have a good list planned. I'm pretty sure I read Journey to the Center of the Earth in middle school, but it's been so long that I barely remember it. Enjoy!

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  7. Ooooooh, I didn't know about this! As for suggestions (don't know if you read before, but here goes nothin'), Brave New World by Huxley or One by David Karp (a much underratred sci-fi classic!)

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  8. I guess if we could do rereads, many of us would go back to our favourites (since we all have them). I guess reading the Hobbit might get you in the mood for fantasy, especially if it's one you like already.

    I recently read A Clockwork Orange, and it's really great for the most part. I'm also hoping to read some of GRRM but that's quite a commitment considering the size of the books.

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