the importance of wednesday readig

[landofnowhere]

(so important that I'm writing this post on Thursday, but I had a bad sinus headache yesterday).

Unconquerable Sun, Kate Elliott. I finished this! It was fun but not super-grabby, maybe too many viewpoint characters? I do want to read more Elliott (I liked the Court of Fives series), but not sure I'll try the sequels to this one when they come out.

Where Oaken Hearts do Gather. Recommended by mrissa: English ballad-y horror, told in the form of comment threads on a song lyrics website. Long and a slow read because of the format, but worth it. If you like Susanna Clarke, you might like this. Story includes a link to the author performing a version of the song the story is about, which I have not listened to yet, but mean to. I kind of want fanfic of this now, to resolve some of what's left open.

The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde. Readaloud, as we're taking a break from Shakespeare. Still a very silly play, fun to read. Cecily is still the best, as pointed out in chat she's the original fanfic writer. I hope she ditches Algernon sooner rather than later and goes off to hang out with Gwendolen and have an exciting life. Also I'd read Miss Prism's misplaced three-volume novel, though maybe I'd regret this.

Comments

[ursula]

I'd recommend Cold Magic as your next Elliott (comes with bonus Shakespeare references!)

[landofnowhere]

Cool, that was on my list, but I didn't know about the Shakespeare!

[ursula]

They aren't maintained, but the first book is definitely riffing on Taming of the Shrew.

[landofnowhere]

I assume in a less problematic way!

[ursula]

Definitely, though the hero still has to learn some lessons about the error of his ways!

ballad-based

[lauradi7dw]

Have you read any of Sharyn McCrumb's books based on Child ballads? I don't know that I'd highly recommend them, but enjoyed them as they went past.
http://sharynmccrumb.com/