Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Post any suggestions you would like to see as a group read. Depending on the number of suggestions, we may poll the group or simply add some discussion folders and set a time for group discussion to begin.

I would be honoured if we read my book The Hawk and the Wolf. The sequel, The Hawk and the Cup, will be out in March.

Mark wrote: "I would be honoured if we read my book The Hawk and the Wolf. The sequel, The Hawk and the Cup, will be out in March."

I notice it's only available in hardcover. Is a paperback edition forthcoming?

Alas, it's only in hardback right now. I'm trying to negotiate a paperback, but it probably won't happen for a while.

Cheers,
Mark.

The Mabinogion?
Tristan With the Surviving Fragments of the 'Tristan of Thomas'?

I've just picked up a book at the library called "Here Lies Arthur" by Philip Reeves. I think its under YA and I don't know if you've looked at it before. I was intrigued by the angle it was taking from the blurb: the arthur legend from a young girl taken in as servant by Myrddin.

Sorry - I don't know how to flag up the book title! No doubt its very simple and I'll feel very silly not knowing!

That's ok, I don't know how to link the title myself. (Anyone be able to tell us how?) I appreciate your adding the suggestion.

In the next little while, I will give an update on my thoughts on starting discussions. I will propose beginning a few from different categories.

I think The Mabinogion would be an excellent choice. If I might suggest the recent translation by Sioned Davies is far more readable than the others available.

Cheers,
Mark Adderley,
Author, The Hawk and the Wolf

Annette wrote: "Sorry - I don't know how to flag up the book title! No doubt its very simple and I'll feel very silly not knowing!"

Just click on the "add book/author" above the comment box you type in, then search for it and click "add".

I would like to read The Road to Avalon which got a good review at Publisher's Weekly. I am new to this group so I do not know if you have already read this.

Barbarossa wrote: "Annette wrote: "Sorry - I don't know how to flag up the book title! No doubt its very simple and I'll feel very silly not knowing!"

Just click on the "add book/author" above the comment box you..."

Thanks - I guessed it would be something obvious and easy!!!

Chrissie wrote: "I would like to read The Road to Avalon which got a good review at Publisher's Weekly. I am new to this group so I do not know if you have already read this."

Yes, I expect lots of people have read this but it is one I started but didn't finish in my teens and would be happy to try again.

Hawk and the Wolf - Mark Adderley
The Mabinogion
Tristan
Here Lies Arthur - Philip Reeves
The Road to Avalon - Joan Wolf

These are our reading suggestions so far. I wanted to hear views of group members on reading. We can do a poll as many groups do, but we are a smaller group, so I wanted to get more specific opinions.

The Mabinogion and Tristan are early texts and will be heavier reading. The other three are novels from modern day. I would suggest posting discussion for a modern read and a early classic simultaneously or overlapping at least. I thought that might bring more interest into the group.

Do any of you who suggested the books have a preference on discussion schedules? Do you want to leave it up to a poll and do the group reads in order of the votes they get -- top two, next two, etc.?

Could anyone volunteer for leading the early classics? I certainly don't have the background knowledge of many group members, so I know I could not lead an indepth discussion, but could certainly moderate, add the folders and keep track of the timeframes, etc.

It is really hard to judge interest. Sometimes members are just are too busy, aren't into the particular choices, or just aren't into them right now.

If you choose The Mabinogion, I can lead that discussion--I teach medieval literature, so it won't be difficult.

If you choose The Hawk and the Wolf, I should point out that it's an expensive book. $26, and it's not available in paperback yet. So the best thing would be to have your local library buy it. The other thing about it is that the sequel, The Hawk and the Cup, will be out in March, and that WILL be a paperback.

Cheers,
Mark Adderley,
Author, The Hawk and the Wolf.

Would be keen to go for the Sioned Davies version of The Mabinogion in November if you're up for it Mark. If you lead it I'll happily rant away with you.

I'm happy to go with other people's suggestions but I like the idea of one old/one new. I'm not sure if I could lead on an early classic but I can participate as I studied early literature at Uni.

If Mabinogion is chosen as the classic read, I will definitely follow the discussion, even if I cannot read the book myself. Thank you Mark for offering to lead the discussion. I am totally new to this field!

I am new to the group, but I would suggest Idylls of the King by Tennyson. (If this has already been discussed I would further suggest Faerie Queen by Spenser.)

Great suggestions everyone.

Gavin, there is a posted discussion of Idylls currently within the folders -- join in if you have read it. Also, since we have Mark available to lead Mabinogion, we'll go with that choice for first pick. Would you be able to lead Faerie Queen in the near future?

Mark, do you have any preference on a start time for Mab.?

Also, I would delay a group dicussion of The Hawk, Mark's novel, since it may be harder to obtain. Thanks Mark, for suggesting that we ask our libraries to purchase it -- very reasonable request. We'll approach reading it upcoming, if more members have access to it then.

I supportive of you on bringing your novels to the forefront. You are a steady member of this group and I will post an Arthuriana Authors folder if you would like to tell us more of your own thoughts on your book -- what inspired you to write, thoughts on Arthurian lit today, thoughts on Arthurian readers (!), anything you like.

Annette and Chrissie, I say we read both your suggestions -- I can co-lead if you would like to pitch in some discussion along the way also. Do either of you have preference on which book goes first?

After we wrap up the details, I will send out a message to all the group noting that we have chosen some reads, invite all to discuss, and invite more suggestions for future reads.

That is great with a classic and a more nodern one. Take Annette's first since I am totally new to the field, am currently reading a book entitled Eleni and have my hands full raising a 6 month old curly coated retriever..... Time is limited!

So Annette, would you be ok with Here Lies Arthur going first? Start early to mid Nov?

What's your dog's name, Chrissie?

It is Oscar. I have a picture of him at 5 months on my profile. I really had forgotten what it was like to train a puppy! Our 13 year old curly, Skye, died in March. He was so calm! I love Oscar but boy there is so much training and he is growing so fast. These are big, intelligent dogs that simply must be well trained stating from puppyhood. When they are bigger you have absolutely no chance since they are so strong. Dogs and books, my two favorite things in life!

Yes, I'm OK with starting the discussion on Here Lies Arthur. Watch this space!

I currently have a small kitten but I suspect she's a bit easier than a puppy and happy to just curl up beside me (with the occasional attempt to catch the cursor!)

I can post a list of what we are reading and send of a message also. We can give a couple of weeks for people to locate and begin reading. Can we set a date of Nov 7 maybe? How about the Mabinogion - any opinions of start date from the rest of the committee here?

Oh, and to make it easier to find -- I will post a folder with the name of each book -- I didn't know if that is what you meant by "watch this space."

One development -

I just saw that Here Lies Arthur has not been released to paperback yet. There are used copies available online, but for those who would like to pick it up locally that will mean a more expensive purchase.

Sorry to backtrack on our plans, but I suggest holding off a while to see if it does go to paperback soon.

So, are there any suggestions for a recent novel to read in its place? Chrissie isn't ready for discussion of Road to Avalon, so let's try to come up with other suggestions of a newer novel but trying for a paperback edition.

Sarah, here is my idea. IF we could put off the start date to November 15, I could probably finish the current book I am reading and purchase Road to Avalon. English libraries are practically non-existant in Belgium, but one thing is very important to me. You cannot read this book if it is only me who is interested in reading it! Don't read it just for me!

Chrissie, Road to Avalon received a 5-star rating on Amazon. Not that I always use that as a test, but shows it is pretty popular. Let's move the discussion to begin Nov. 22. Don't worry if you aren't through with it by then -- I will get the first part of it started.

I will send out a group message about it and encourage nominations for future reads. I think that will generate some interest -- maybe Road to Ava. will appeal to more readers and fans of romantic elements moreso than our recent reads.

Mark, I will put in the message to check our group page for other upcoming reads and then we can set the Mabinogion date when you are ready.

Sarah wrote: "One development -

I just saw that Here Lies Arthur has not been released to paperback yet. There are used copies available online, but for those who would like to pick it up locally that will mea..."

That's fine - I hadn't realised.

Annette, I think it may go to paperback soon, then we'll put it on for discussion. Let me know if you wanted to try anything else that is in paperback.

Sounds like we can put up a pet gallery on the Arthuriana group-- that would be cool, wouldn't it? That photos section is just sitting there unused. I have a cat too.

Sarah wonderful. I have already ordered Road to Avalon and putting off the start date to November 22 will give me a bit more time to get into it! Thank you. I mentioned at the group All Things Medieval that we would be reading this book with start date November 22. It was Misfit there that brought your group, this book and other Arthuriana books to my attention.

I do not know how to add photos in the gallery but I love your idea of starting a pet photo gallery. I will check it out later today. So what is the name and age of your cat?

I went to the photos of the group and there are three book covers. Nothing else, and no instructions! Somebody knew how to add the book covers! Maybe you want the pet photos in a subfile?

Here Lies Arthur has a UK paperback edition - you can find it on amazon.uk. It's the weakest Philip Reeve novel I've read, though.

Annette, will you be reading Road to Avalon? I am hoping you will find this interesting too! Sarah, I wasn't aware that this was "romance". I saw that it had high ratings here at GR also. I hope I haven't suggested a silly book, although I knew it wasn't in the same league as Mabinogian. Over at All Things Medieval it was praised. Gulp!

I don't necessarily believe it will be "romance" as the genre is thought of today. From what I read, there may be more romantic elements than our Bernard Cornwell books earlier in the year. So maybe romantic won't equate to silly -- it probably wouldn't have been rated so well. I'll try to get a message out today--

Robert wrote: "Here Lies Arthur has a UK paperback edition - you can find it on amazon.uk. It's the weakest Philip Reeve novel I've read, though."

Robert, thanks for pointing that out -- I was hoping to wait for a paperback and folks could just pick it up in America more easily -- I know many like to shop locally at independent bookstores, so we'll wait it out a little longer.

Mark wrote: "Alas, it's only in hardback right now. I'm trying to negotiate a paperback, but it probably won't happen for a while.

Cheers,
Mark."

Mark - is an ebook version available? I'd prefer non-Kindle personally mostly because I'm boycotting Amazon at the moment and don't own a Kindle or an iPhone. I do, however, have a BlackBerry with two ereaders installed (MobiPocket and B&N's ereader).

Thanks,

Jon

I am sorry to say I don't beleive I have the skills to lead a discussion on Faerie Queen. I would love to help whomever leads the discussion in any way possible, though.

Hi Sawyer, nice to see you over in this group too! Are you also going to read Road to Avalon? Isn't Sarah's pet gallery a fun idea?

Chrissie wrote: "Annette, will you be reading Road to Avalon? I am hoping you will find this interesting too! Sarah, I wasn't aware that this was "romance". I saw that it had high ratings here at GR also. I hope I ..."

I'm very happy going with The Road to Avalon and The Mabinogian. I used to own a copy of the former but I'm not sure what's happened to it. I will have to go on a book hunt!

Sarah, it was simple now to add a photo - simply by clicking on those words up in the right hand corner! Oscars says woof to you all! He is hoping to be met by others there. Annette, do you have a pet too? I am so glad that both you and Swayer also want to read Road to Avalon. I ordered mine from Book Depository. Sarah, add your photo! Fun idea Sarah. I will be following the discussion on Mabinogain too, although I have not read this..... One at a time!

Sarah, I was so worried that I wouldn't receive the Road to Avalon in time - and now I already have it! Should we think about certain questions as we read the book? If so, it would be nice to know them so that each reader can consider them as they read, even though the discussion will not start until November 22. Or maybe the readers just talk about their own feelings about the book, whatever they may be. Could you tell us how this discussion will be done?

Good thinking -- I don't have the book yet, however, I could look at some online reviews and see what the comments refer to. usually the discussions cover things like

comparison to other Arthurian novels similar to it or similar authors
what traditional Arthurian elements appear in the story
what the author has created that is unique to the novel - like changing who is related to who, for example
looking at the novel's leaning toward myth and magic or is it a more historical-type retelling? or a balance of both?

The Arthurian literature is so open to many views and areas of discussion. The scholars of early Arthurian lit here in our group are helpful in bringing out connections to the early writings that I don't even know about, so lots of interesting elements can be brought to discussion.

I will browse the internet for comments on the book and see what I find.

This is my first book on the subject, so I will just read it and see what I think. It will be very interesting to hear the comments of the true Arthurians!

Mark wrote: "If you choose The Mabinogion, I can lead that discussion--I teach medieval literature, so it won't be difficult.

If you choose The Hawk and the Wolf, I should point out that it's an expensive bo..."

Seriously? Bliss! I am so interested in medieval literature and actually want to apply to be able to take it for my MA, but my BA was in studio art. Drawing and painting. So, I don't know how that would work out. Where do you teach?

I just purchased my copy of the Mabinogion on borders online yesterday. I should be getting it soon.

Chrissie wrote: "This is my first book on the subject, so I will just read it and see what I think. It will be very interesting to hear the comments of the true Arthurians!"

True Arthurians? If you're here you're on the grail quest with us all, we just quest in different directions...some in burnished mail, some over eldritch tomes, some following the fewmets of the beast...the last path does smell a bit.
You are one of us...pass the mead horn!

Barbarossa - that is very generous of you. Curiosity pulls me in many directions.

Chrissie wrote: "Curiosity pulls me in many directions."

As a wise man once said:
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
� Robert A. Heinlein

Exactly! I knew I had a book by this author on my TBR shelf.... I guess I should move it, Stranger in a Strange Land, forward, but even the very best science fiction books usually doe not appeal to me! Abnormal - that I have known for a long time! I did add his quote "Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." to my quotes. Thanks.

Sarah wrote: "One development -

I just saw that Here Lies Arthur has not been released to paperback yet. There are used copies available online, but for those who would like to pick it up locally that will mea..."

I have finally come up with an alternative for "Here Lies Arthur" from my daughter's book shelf and this I know is available from Amazon in paperback and is a lighter read. I don't know if many of you have come across it before. The book is calledSword of the Rightful King A Novel of King Arthur and is by Jane Yolen.