Kindle me this - LunaticDruid 2019

*A dark figure appears in the doorway of the Green Dragon Pub. He hasn’t been seen in the pub for over a year. A hand raises to brush of the thin layer of snow that cover the broad shoulders of his dark brown, ragged coat. After scanning the room for hidden roombas and spitting cobras he slowly moves to the bar. “One ginger ale. On rocks” he says, trying to make his voice deeper than it really is. The bartender, a bit confused adds a couple of pebbles to a glass and pours up the ordered drink and slides it over the counter. The stranger takes a sip and sighs, and before the bartender manages to sneak away start to talk…*

So... 2018 was not a good year for me. I took a break from posting on social media and forums just to get some peace of mind. 2019 seems to follow in much the same tracks, but I am determined to derail this, adding more fun and enjoyment to my life. To achieve this, I have boosted my hobby budget to be able expand on my existing hobbies and try some new stuff. I still shy away from social media, but I have missed the Green Dragon.

I did not have a personal journal last year so let’s start of this thread with a quick recap of what I ended up reading last year:

The "Discworld" series by Terry Pratchett
- The Light Fantastic
- Equal Rites
- Mort

Boy, this series suits me perfectly. The humor, the characters and most of all the kicks Pratchett sends towards modern society. Every book has at least one character I love spending time with (yes, even Rincewind) and however bleak my look on life is, Pratchett will always find a way to make me chuckle!

The "Marius' Mules" series by S.J.A. Turney
- Marius' Mules IX: Pax Gallica
- Marius' Mules X: Fields of Mars
- Marius' Mules XI: Tides of War

This series continue to follow Marcus Falerius Fronto as they finish up the war with the rebellious Gauls and continue into the civil war between Caesar and Pompey. The series is a brutal display of Roman military life and shows both the glorious and the horrendous parts of roman politics and warfare. The books are of an average quality (, but I find them entertaining to read for the most part. Tides of War is the last published book in the series, so the series has been removed from my reading cycle until the next book is published.

The "Wars of Light and Shadow" series by Janny Wurts
- Grand Conspiracy
- Peril's Gate
- Traitor's Knot

A wonderfully written epic fantasy series. As I have mentioned before, this series has a lot more advanced language than I am used to. I keep bumping into new words I need to look up, and the sentences are written a whole lot more poetic and elegant from what I am used to. This makes this series a slow read for me, and I am sure I am missing a lot of the hints and layers planted throughout the series. But it is soooo gooood! Each book keeps on building, slowly gathering momentum, adding more layers and introducing new factions. It is a story of hope, pain and sacrifice, and the future of Athera. I have already made a mental note of rereading this series a couple of years from now.

The " The Dresden Files" series by Jim Butcher
- Storm Front
- Fool moon
- Grave Peril

A series recommended to me several times. I find it is a bit hitt or miss with this. I love Harry Dresden as a character, and I love how things usually start out bad only to get worse. The first book was a great introduction to Harry, Murphy and the tone and setting of the series. Book two, well… not as good. Still liked the characters, but the story felt very weak in comparison. Fortunately, things are back on track in the third book. I am sure I will enjoy this series even if some of the books might miss their mark. I have never been to fond of urban fantasy and the super natural, but this might be the series to change some of my reservations.

12 books read in 2018. Other than Fool moon they were great, so not a bad year for reading.

I have completed a couple of books this year as well, but that will have to wait for another day. Now I need to start catching up on all the topics I missed in 2018…

*LunaticDruid sinks down in a dark corner of the Green Dragon with his ginger ale and Druidepad and starts reading. It is good to be home.*

Edited for spelling.

>1 LunaticDruid: I’m glad to see you back! :)

Those Discworld books are a lot of fun, especially when you need to add some humor to your day. I liked Rincewind too. Sometimes I wish I had read that series a little slower so that I could still have a new Discworld book to pick up whenever I was in the mood for that certain kind of silliness. I could always re-read some of my favorites, and I may do that someday, but I’m not much of a re-reader.

That corner was getting a bit dusty!

Welcome back! :o)

Welcome back! I hope the year improves for you.

Welcome home!

Welcome back!

I also took a social media hiatus in 2018, and missed a year in the pub. At the moment, the Green Dragon is the only group that I'm following on LibraryThing, and I haven't started my own thread because I'm still trying to spend my time reading books instead of being online.

I hope this is a better year for you, and I'm looking forward to whatever Druidic Lunacy you can share with us.

>1 LunaticDruid: Very glad to see you again! You have been missed.

You are reading two series that I heartily endorse for intelligent fun. The Discworld series and the Harry Dresden series. Discworld is wonderful funny satire of modern civilization, and Dresden gets much better after the first three novels. I love his take on the supernatural and all its denizens in the modern world. He knows his fae, that's for sure. Plus they make you laugh. Always a bonus.

HI!
>1I believe Janny is writing/ close to finishing the final book in the series an accumulation of 20 years work all set for the final crescendo. (no pressure Janny!). ( I haven't decided if I'm going to do a full re-read it's a lot of living in the same book world).

Wheres JB seems to be perpetually putting off the ever expanding Dresden world. Even though it seems like it should have a conclusion soon.

Welcome back!

Thank you for the warm welcome everyone!

>2 YouKneeK: I will probably be reading “new” (to me at least) Discworld books for years to come. Reading the Wheel of Time series made me realize my enjoyment of books became greater if I visited other books in between each installment.

>3 suitable1: My apologies. I should have taught the roombas better before wandering off. For some reason they do a poor job of cleaning above floor level…

>9 reading_fox: Looking forward to the finale. I will definitely have a re-read of the series in a couple of years time, but I don’t think I can read such a “tomefull” series back-to-back (need to come up for a breath in between books, hehe).

In the first post I mentioned that I follow a reading cycle, so I made a little graphic to explain it:



I got four slots for series/books I cycle through. Once I have finished a series as far as I intend (normally to the end) the slot is filled by the next book/series in the list to the right. This list contains a combination of my own choices and randomized picks from my extensive wishlist (a list of books from more than 240 different authors). Random.org helps me pick the random choices.

In addition I got a separate list for “read but unfinished series” where I’m waiting for the next release. These will have priority over the normal book queue and highly anticipated books might add a temporary fifth slot in the reading cycle.

Following such a structured system let me get more variation in my reading and protecting me from the dreaded epic fantasy fatigue from spending too much time in one world (looking at you again Wheel of time). The only downside I can think of is that longer series takes ages to finish.

I’m wondering how the other denizens of the Green Dragon organizes their reading schedule. Are there others out there planning their future reads in lists or following a similar system that I do? Or do you let your current mood dictate what book you grab next?

>11 LunaticDruid: I like your system. And a diagram too! :) It seems like a great way to combat series fatigue, and I always enjoy reading about an organized process.

I’m the opposite with series; I prefer to read them pretty closely together. I don't have too much trouble with series fatigue, but I do tend to get frustrated with a series if I feel like some of the details are starting to get too fuzzy, even if it’s fairly small plot points. I like catching all those little payoffs and recognizing small connections that might have gone over my head otherwise. If it’s a long series, say more than 5 or 6 books, I’ll take a break every few books by reading an unrelated standalone just so I can have a brief change of pace. I read Wheel of Time in its entirety from Nov 2017 through March 2018.

I do make a tentative schedule of the books I plan to read over the next several months, and I mostly schedule around my series choices. I like to read one big series a year, usually starting around Fall or Winter and finishing it up the following year. For the rest of the year, I usually schedule shorter series that I’ve been wanting to read. Between each series, and between every 3-4 books in a long series, I schedule one standalone book.

I'm pretty free about switching things in and out of the schedule if the mood strikes. My chosen standalones in particular tend to get switched around a lot. Besides, it’s fun to rearrange the schedule periodically. :) I also like glancing at my schedule and reminding myself of the interesting books I have to look forward to.

My next read is usually whatever's new on my shelf. I try (reasonably successfully) not to buy books until I've finished my last haul, and I'll usually by something in a couple of different genres. I'll usually re-start a series about 2 or three books back from the latest point, and hence re-read a whole trilogy to get to the finale, but excuse myself from having to read 8 books back to back in longer series. I'll have read the start point at least twice by that time, and so be somewhat familiar with it.

It's good to see you back here! I hope this is a better year for you in every way.

I usually have 3 or 4 books on the go, chosen based on the mood I'm in. However, I am trying to read one non-fiction book a month this year, and I'm participating in themed monthly group reads with the Virago group, which guides a couple of my choices each month. I tend to need a break after reading a couple of volumes in the same series close together; it's very rare that I read even a trilogy back-to-back.

>12 YouKneeK: It was book four of The wheel of Time series that first hit me hard over the head with series fatigue. It almost made me stop reading altogether for a periode. I'm a bit envious of how you are able breaze through such a big series with little or no fatigue!

>13 reading_fox: I might follow your example when the next A Song of Ice and Fire is released. Not sure if I am patient enough to re-read the whole series (even though I kinda want to).

>14 Sakerfalcon: Thank you, it is good to be back. I tried to read a couple of books simultaniously when I got back into reading, but had to stop when my brain mushed everything together in my dreams. I had Ceasar and his legions facing of hoards of Zerg in a specifically vivid dream. I was reading the Emperor series by Conn Iggulden and a Starcraft novel at the time.

I really should add some Non-fiction to my plan as there are plenty of topics I want to learn more about (Ancient history, Greek, Egyptian and Norse mythology etc.).

Oh boy. Life got a bit hectic there for a couple of weeks. Had to fly to Oslo for a couple of days for work. Stayed at a nice hotel with (mostly) amazing food. They put me in a tiny room with a “fairytale princess” bed (purple bedding and all) that was sooo soft and comfortable. Got back home just in time to the annual stocktaking (is this the right word?) at our shop. But enough about work and comfy beds, lets get to books.

Book 1 2019

Stormed Fortress by Janny Wurts
Book 8 of the "Wars of Light and Shadow" series.



Lysear is marching his war host towards the ancient Paravian citadel of Alestron. Arithon is forced to travel to the same city when he learns that Jeynsa, who is under his protection has entered the city knowing this must trigger the Mistwraiths curse. Meanwhile Davien the Betrayer ask for assistance from the entity he made a deal with centuries ago, an ancient dragon.

This book was Solid (capital S on purpose). Even though a lot of the story was contained to Alestron and the surrounding area we learn a lot about Athera. My favorite part was to learn what happened when Davian parted ways with the Fellowship of Seven. Oh, and I really felt for Lysear when he was temporarily freed from the control of the Mistwraiths curse. The despair of knowing the curse has full control over you and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Really looking forward to the next book in the series.

>16 LunaticDruid: I haven't got that far into the series yet (I'm only 4 books in) but it's good to see that you're still enjoying them. Bodes well for my future reads.

>16 LunaticDruid: Sweet cheeses, there are 10 books in this series? I've only read the first book. I am glad to hear you enjoyed this one.

>18 clamairy:. There's one more to come I believe. Janny's currently writing the last episode of a story 20 years in the making.

Book 2 2019

Summer Knight by Jim Butcher
Book 4 of the "The Dresden Files" series.



Harry Dresden is fond of his head, but several people and creatures are constantly trying to remove it from his body (even people in the White Council who should be on his side). If that wasn’t enough, it has started to rain frogs…

Another great and entertaining book, but I can’t see how Dresden can survive many more books. The stakes are so high, and Dresden is already stretched so thin, both physically and mentally. Then he gets dragged in the middle of a civil war between the two main factions of Fey (Winter and Summer). I love how Butcher portray the Fey. Manipulative and savage. I am not too familiar with Fey lore, but from what I gather, this is much how the fey was portrayed in old European folklore. I need to learn more about this at some point.

Edit: Fixed a minor grammatical error in the graphics.

Welcome back! Hope all is well.

You know I really loved listening to the first Dresden book, but I just keep forgetting about this series.

>21 clamairy: Thank you clamairy. Things are OK-ish. Still trying to find a new place to work (the new boss who started in August turned out to be worse than the one who quit…). Fortunately, the economy has allowed me to boost my hobby budget significantly making a better balance between crappy work, and happy spare time.

Harry Dresden had a bit shaky start for me. The first book was great, but for me the second was really bad. The quality just felt several levels off from the first book. I kinda knew this because of earlier mentions in the Green Dragon and was happy to continue the series, and watch it improve vastly again.

I mentioned in my last post that I needed to look more into Fey lore, and today this video “How would I run the Feywild? || D&D w/ Dael Kingsmill” series. popped up on my youtube subscriptions. I always love to hear her train of thoughts when it comes to this sort of themes. At the end of the video (about 24:24) she drops a few suggestions of books that is worth to check out. I just love how the universe align sometimes.

>22 LunaticDruid: When I was having that same feeling while reading Dresden, Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology came to me through the ER program here. Is it the universe aligning, or is there some other fey force at work pulling us in? ;)

>23 MrsLee: Ugh... Hadn't thought of that.

>20 LunaticDruid: I am glad that modern writers are now generally treating the Fey "correctly" i.e. in the traditional manner. The Victorian influence was pernicious! The "fair folk" were not so-called because people believed they were nice; like the name the Eumenides ("Kindly Ones") for the Furies, it was a euphemism for beings that you really did not want to give offence to.

I always rather liked the description by Pratchett in Lords and Ladies:

Elves are awesome; they inspire awe;
Elves are terrific; they inspire terror.

(Living near some famous "fairy mounds" made me rather familiar with the lore!)

>25 -pilgrim-: That Pratchett description perfectly illustrate how I like to think about fey, both wonderful and dangerous. In our folklore, we don’t have the classic fey, but we have some fey-like creatures like the “Huldra” (a kind of wood nymph). Our elves are more like the Icelandic ones, small dangerous creatures who tries to lure people underground. Again, this is also something I need to do more research on.

Book 3 2019

Sourcery by Terry Pratchett
Book 5 of the "Discworld" series.



Slowly catching up on books read this year.

Sourcery is making a comeback and not in a good way. Will Rincewind find a way to save the Discworld from this ancient power?

An enjoyable read, but not as good as some of the previous books. For some reason the overall story did not hook me as some of the earlier Diskworld books have done. It does have some good quality sections that I liked very much. Favorite parts: The intro with DEATH getting annoyed about people always trying to cheat death, Rookie bookish Barbarian, Savage hairdresser Conina (every fight she is in) and grumpy luggage tearing through all the dangers surrounding Al-Khali.

>26 LunaticDruid: I would like to l earn more about your elves and the Hulda. Can you recommend anything?

For a fictional take that gets traditional British beliefs pretty accurately, I recommend Moon of Gomrath by Alan Garner. (It is the sequel to The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, but the latter is more obviously a children's book, and misuses names from Norse mythology!)

Unfortunately, I haven’t read any books of the subject that I can recommend. I’m too unfamiliar with the subject to know how often they make an appearance in books about Norse mythology. I will post it if, and when I read anything of interest. I did however find a "website" that gave a great overview about the Huldra.

Thank you for that; it seems to include some fascinating links!

After reading that page I was wondering: are the"underground elves" that you referred to the same creatures as that webpage referred to as "trolls"? (I remember the latter from Peer Gynt.)

Do you have anything directly analogous to our kelpies and selkies? The tail-losing propensities of the Huldra made me think of the skin-shedding selkie...

This is where things get a bit complicated for me. In a lot of stories/legends, they talk about “de underjordiske” (roughly translated to “the underground dwellers”). This seems to be the term used for many different kinds of mysterious creatures from norse mythology, but also from Norwegian national romanticism (from around year 1840-1870). In Peer Gynt the “Mountain King” rules over a community of small trolls which is one kind. Local legends from the area I grew up in talks about a different kind of “de underjordiske”. Ones who lures people with music, dancing and tasty mead/ale, these are more like the “underground elves” I’m thinking about. People who fall into their thrall is taken underground never to be seen again or are being used as their slaves. There is also “vetter” (wights), nisser (gnomelike helpful, but easy to anger creatures) and tusser (small trolls or dwarflike creatures) that often goes under the same category of “de underjordiske”.

The closest thing we got to your kelpies and selkies I think is “Nøkken”. This is a male vette (wight) who lives in lakes or rivers. It can take on different forms, like a human, a horse or a tree log. It is said to be dangerous (more so after nightfall) and try to lure its victims into the water to drown them.


Classic depiction of “Nøkken” by Theodor Kittelsen, painted in 1892.

Other than that we got some stories of “Havfruer”/mermaids/sirens, but these do not alter their form.

In the Celtic tradition, our elves are also underground dwellers, of sorts. They live IN hills - the "fairy mounds". If you are enticed in, you find that time passes differently there. Typically, the guests who are permitted to leave are musicians (the ones who know better than to eat or drink anything while inside). They play for an all-night party, but in the morning, when they leave, they find that many years have passed.

Selkies are not shape-changers exactly. They simply sometimes take off their (seal) skin, revealing a human form. If you them manage to steal the skin, you can keep them stuck as humans, and even marry and raise a family with them (until they find where their cloak is hidden). Baptism is risky. They may be much older than they appear to be, and as baptism washes away their enchantment, they may suddenly expire of old age.

Kelpies are more hostile. Encountering a friendly one is possible, but their default behaviour is luring the unwary into the sea and trying to drown them.