That’s a wrap!

The Read A Myth Challenge is officially over, I can’t believe it’s been a year!

Thanks everyone who participated, it’s been a pleasure to see what myth books you chose and to read your reviews. My tbr list is enormous from all the great suggestions I got from this challenge. I hope you all had lots of fun reading retellings of myths!

Now on to the announcement of the winners of our draw. There are three prizes and that unfailing old-school method of pieces of paper in a hat chose for

3rd prize– a set of magnetic bookmarks: ColReads

2nd prize– a little book holder clip: JessicaBookworm

and prize number one (a copy of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods) goes to TheParrishLantern

Congrats to the winners, I hope you’ll enjoy these little gifts! I have contacted you and please reply within a week and your package will be posted.

I think what this challenge has shown is that myths are still an integral part of our cultures and the literary canon and they are very much alive and flourishing in new versions and contexts.

Have a great 2012 and thanks again for participating in  our challenge!

Long Overdue Wrap-Up Post

I’m so sorry for taking so long with this wrap-up post! You’ve all been so enthusiastic myth readers, my tbr list is getting enormous 🙂

Jessica from The Bookworm Chronicles has read and reviewed the last two books in the Percy Jackson series, The Battle of the Labyrinth and The Last Olympian. She has the following to say about this series: “All in all I would highly recommend this whole series to all those lovers of mythology and adventure. A perfect and easy way back into Greek Mythology if you are also taking part in the Read-A-Myth Challenge.“

Jessica also read more about myths and reviewed Norse Tales of Legends, Gods and Heroes and Native American Myth and Legend. That means she has now only one more myth book to read for the challenge!

Beachreader has read and reviewed two books in the Canongate Myth series, Girl Meets Boy and Dream Angus. She rated Girl Meets Boy 5/5 so I really think I need to give it a try.

Shellie of Layers of Thought has also been a busy bee and read and reviewed “AMemory of Wind”, The Penelopiad and Beyond the movie: Troy, Galore and  Possession. I’m happy to hear that she enjoyed her first Atwood! Shellie recommends Galore to “historical fiction lovers, those who enjoy a mythic theme, and those who love complex colorful characters in their reads.” Doesn’t that sounds great?

Rachel of Jacob’s Beloved’s Books read and reviewed the following works: The Penelopiad, A Short History of Myth and A Midnight Dance. Rachel cannot recommend A Short History of Myth, as “The book struck me as highly opinionated, vague, and too general for the topic being addressed. I have no doubt that there are better and more thorough books available on the topic of myth.“

Books and Sunhi read and reviewed The Goddess Test. Her verdict: “I really had a fight with myself over a four or a five, but ultimately went with a four  because while I did enjoy it on my first time through my second read through made me so damned angry.  I warn you to never read this carefully.“

The Books of my Life read and reviewed The White Queen and has also done her wrap-up post for the myth challenge as she has completed her level 2 Erlang Chen. Her favorite myth read was Graceling. Well done, you!

Thanks everyone for participating and reading and reviewing up a storm! I’ll do my best to post a timely wrap-up post for October and hopefully read more myth books myself. Happy myth reading everyone!

May 2011 Wrap-up Post

After a quiet March and April, May saw a surge in mythology books reviews. I’m excited by this and hope that everyone, including myself, will ourselves to read more books on myths and do some catch-up before the end of the year!

In May we see the following reviews published:

• Jessicabookworm (Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters – Rick Riordan)
• The Books of My Life (Graceling by Kristin Cashore)
• Jessicabookworm (Percy Jackson and the Titan’s Curse – Rick Riordan)
• The Books of My Life (The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff)
• Col Connolly- Ahern (The Penelopiad)
• Bellezza (The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood)
• Bina (The Penelopiad)
• The Story Girl (Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie)
• JoV (The Lion’s Honey By David Grossman)

Jessica @ Bookworm Chronicle read a few more books in Percy Jackson series and Bellezza and Colleen organised The Penelopiad read-along. The read-along ignites the fire to pursue the Canongate Myth series project that I did last year but have been left cold for awhile, until I picked up The Lion’s Honey. The Lion’s Honey is an analysis of Samson’s psyche and of his action leading to Delilah’s deception at the end of it. I would like to read a few more books from the series, what came to my mind next is Baba Yaga lay an Egg and Binu and the Great Wall by Su Tong. I am also intrigued with Haroun and the Sea of Stories as I couldn’t recall Rushdie wrote a book of this title!

Don’t forget to hop over to two of Kah Woei @ The Books of my life reviews on her blog!

Although I said it’s a May wrap-up post, let me introduce you to a few more reviews since Bina last did her wrap-up in February 2011….

In April, Kristin reviewed the second book from the Seven Kingdoms trilogy. The book question if it is possible to love someone and be beloved by that person, though the person we love can be unkind or even cruel to others? Read this and find out!

• The Books of My Life (Graceling by Kristin Cashore)

In March, Jessica @Bookworm Chronicle read her first Percy Jackson debut and Jessica highly recommend this book as a quick, easy and fun way to get back into greek mythology, she even wrote a film review about it!

• Jessicabookworm (Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief – Rick Riordan)
• Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief movie review

In February, coincide with Valentine’s day, Shellie @ Layers of thought wrote a review on Delirium, a young adult novel on insightful thoughts and grounding ideas about love and human nature. Look out for more books from the Delirium series to come!

• Layers of Thought (Delirium by Lauren Oliver)

Thank you so much for participating and hope to see more of your reviews coming in!

My past year’s read on Mythology

It is encouraging to see so many participants reading mythology this year. Although I have just finished my first mythology book this year, I reviewed a few more books from the Canongate myth series last year.

My personal project was to read all the books in the series, so far I have read this:

1. The Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood
2. Dream Angus, Alexander McCall Smith
3. Where Three Roads Meet, Salley Vickers
4. Girl Meets Boy by Ali Smith
5. Weight by Jeanette Winterson
6. Lion’s Honey by David Grossman
   

As soon as I finished The Penelopiad I attacked the Canongate Myth series with rigour. My favourites are Ali Smith’s Girl meets boy and then comes The Penelopiad. The individual books in the series is easy to read and can be finished in one sitting.

I have two more books on mythology that I hope to finish this year.

They are bit more chunky and I hope I’ll read them soon.
All the very best of luck everyone! and have a great summer! 😉

JoV (Bibliojunkie)

Readalong of The Penelopiad

I’m a bit late with this post, but I just wanted to give everyone the heads up that Bellezza and Col are hosting a readalong of Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad. This would be the ideal opportunity to read a book that counts toward this challenge with others. Readalongs often help motivate me to start a book or keep going.

Bellezza says that “We’ll be reading it the week of May 23 through May 28, 2011, with a review to be posted on Monday, May 30. Of course, if anything strikes our fancy before the 30th, we may post on that as well.”

Need more convincing? Read Bellezza’s post here. Col already wrote about her initial thoughts here.

I got The Penelopiad from my library and am very excited about it. Thanks Bellezza and Col for hosting!

February Wrap-Up Post

I’m feeling ancient saying this, but time really does seem to fly. Can’t believe it’s March already. Let’s see what you all read and reviewed in February!

“Come, O ye Bacchae, come!” The Reading Life read The Bacchae, Euripides’ great tragedy. She considers how much her experience of it was influenced by Murray’s translation and made the play sound more contemporary than ancient. Are there recommendations for the best translation of this work? You can read her review here.

Col Reads read and reviewed the non-fiction work, The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony. According to Col, “Calasso explores the Greek world’s uneasy relationship with their gods, and thereby tries to explain their relationship to the world”. Doesn’t that sound fascinating? She also warns that this is not a light read and requires some knowledge of Greek philosophy. I have to say I’m intrigued rather than scared-off! 🙂

The Parrish Lantern read Italo Calvino’s Italian Folktales, of which she says that “the reader is lured into a world of flux, of metamorphoses, where kings and peasants, tricksters and saints, and a whole zoology of extraordinary animals, plants and fish wend their way through the landscape and the history of the Italian nation”. Calvino started this collection in 1954, intending to emulate The Brothers Grimm. Want to know more? Read the review.

JacobsBeloved has been busy in February and read and reviewed two myth books. Rachel read Beastly by Alex Flinn, a YA retelling of the beauty and the beast, and she enjoyed the combination of original elements of the fairy tale as well as new additions.

JacobsBeloved also read American Gods, of which she says that Gaiman “developed this over-the-hill world of gods and goddesses that better resembled America’s middle and poor classes’ struggles for survival, money, and influence”. This makes me curious about Gaiman’s use of mythological figures! Read Rachel’s complete review here.

What a great collection of myth reads, thanks everyone who read and reviewed in February. Hope you’re having a blast with our challenge!

January wrap-up post

The first month of the Read-A-Myth Reading Challenge is over, thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing myths, you’ve given us a great start into this challenge!

The Parrish Lantern has read The Epic of Gilgamesh, epic poetry from Mesopotamia. The Gilgamesh stories revolve around the king of Uruk and the quest for fame and immortality. And did you know that some of the tablets with Gilgamesh stories were written in the Sumerian language, people! And this epic is actually one of the oldest pieces of literature! So if you’d like to explore the parallels between The Odyssey and Gilgamesh or The Genesis and Gilgamesh, stop by The Parrish Lantern for a very informative post.

The Parrish Lantern also read and reviewed Jorge Luis Borges’ The Book of Imaginary Beings, which functions as a handbook on beasts and creatures from myths and folklore around the world. And intriguingly, this “could be the only book you ever need”.

The Beach Reader read and reviewed The Penelopiad. The Penelopiad is a reworking of The Odyssey, specifically Penelope’s story. She has this to say about her first Atwood: “I really enjoyed the voice of Penelope and her witty, nonsense opinions.  Penelope is an interesting observer of the people and the myth of The Odyssey. The novel left me rethinking the story of The Odyssey and wondering about the power of myth and how myths change over time.”

Col Reads chose Marion Zimmer Bradley’s The Firebrand, which she reviewed here. The Firebrand reworks a Greek myth, namely that of Kassandra. Zimmer’s written a revisionist feminist work and Col tells us that the books is long and the historical detail somewhat sketchy, but “it is the relationships among the women that are most satisfying, as Bradley allows us to see not only Kassandra but Helen and Hecuba in far greater detail – and sympathy – than any previous treatment of the classic tales I’ve read”.

I love how diverse everyone’s choices are, from the very ancient The Epic of Gilgamesh to feminist reworkings to Borges’ handbook. Thanks everyone for your fantastic reviews and I hope you’re all enjoying yourselves with this challenge!

Welcome to The Read-A-Myth Challenge

Welcome to The Read-a-Myth Reading Challenge 2011!

The Read-a-Myth Reading Challenge is hosted by JoV of Bibliojunkie and Bina of If You Can Read This. We want you to come join us and share any stories about a mythology figure that you love or are interested in.

The names of mythological figures (especially Greek ones) are an essential part of our contemporary life. Ajax – Greek warrior in the Trojan War, who “cleaned up” in battle, is the name of a popular household cleanser. Hermes – Olympian Herald and Messenger god, is a luxury brand goods, specialise in scarf. Hyperion – Titan whose name means “he who goes before the sun”, is the name of a company that specializes in “business analytical software.” And do you know Nike – Winged goddess of Victory, who can run and fly at great speed, is a name from mythology? Olympus – Home of the Olympian gods, name of popular camera and photographic technology company. Orion – A giant hunter slain by Artemis in Greek mythology, is the name of a motion picture production company, Orion Pictures, and the list goes on and on and on…

These tales and folklores have been passed down for many generations, and we hope to bring you into the exciting world of myths and (re-)discover them in a fun way.

**Choose Your Level

Level 1 Athena: That’s a Myth!
Read any two (2) books about myths.

Level 2 Erlang Chen: Demystify the Myth!
Read any four (4) books about myths.

Level 3 Mimir: World Myth!
Read any six (6) books from the myth series must covers 2 different countries, including any one from the following list:

• non-fiction book on the study of mythology (figure), or
• Karen Armstrong’s A short history of myth, or
• The original text of myth (many to choose from the Greek Mythology)

Level 4 Ogma: The God of all Myths!
Mix and match of any eight (8) books from the myth series or any mythology books, with the following conditions:

• Must cover more than 3 countries.
• Must contain at least 1 non-fiction book on mythology study.

Rules/Guidelines
1. Cross-posting with other challenges is allowed (and encouraged!)
2. Audiobooks are fine
3. Re-reads are acceptable but books must be finished after January 1st 2011 to count for the challenge
4. Come back here to share your views and discuss. Have Fun!!
5. You do NOT need a blog to participate.

Buttons

You have no idea what to read?? Well, not to worry, don’t forget to check out the tabs above:

Suggested Reading List and other resources – The page contains some suggested lists of books on mythology. You are most welcome to suggest a few more which are not included in the list. Don’t forget to check out the Complete Family Tree and online dictionary on Greek Mythology too!

Just tell me what I need to do!
1. Sign up below using Mr. Linky. Preferably link to your list for the challenge. If you don’t have a blog, just enter your name.
2. Give a (one) suggestion what you plan to read or
3. Recommended a (one) myth book for “beginners” in the comments below

Happy Reading!

Share your Reviews

Welcome to the Read A Myth Reading Challenge blog!

Share your Reviews in the Mister Linky below using the following format:

Your name: JoV (The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood)
Your URL: http://bibliojunkie.wordpress.com/2010/04/11/the-penelopiad-by-margaret-atwood/

If you are posting a wrap-up to the challenge, enter in “Your Name” and “Wrap-up” for example: Bina (Wrap-Up)