#WWWednesday No. XIII | #Mythothon Reading List for Round V – a wicked lovely readathon hosted by Louise @foxesfairytale

Posted Wednesday, 8 September, 2021 by jorielov 2 Comments

#WWWednesdays graphic created by Jorie in Canva.

I ♥ the premise of this meme {WWW Wednesdays} due to the dexterity it gives the reader! Smiles. Clearly subject to change on a weekly rotation, which may or may not lead to your ‘next’ read providing a bit of a paradoxical mystery to your readers!! Smiles. ♥ the brilliance of it’s concept!

This weekly meme was originally hosted by Should Be Reading who became A Daily Rhythm. Lovingly restored and continued by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. Each week you participate, your keen to answer the following questions:

  • What are you currently reading!?
  • What did you recently finish reading!?
  • What do you think you’ll read next!?

After which, your meant to click over to THIS WEEK’s WWWWednesday to share your post’s link so that the rest of the bloggers who are participating can check out your lovely answers! Score! Perhaps even, find other bloggers who dig the same books as you do! I thought it would serve as a great self-check to know where I am and the progress I am hoping to have over the next week!

Join the Convo via: #WWWWednesday

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Guess who hasn’t revisited THE ODYSSEY since seventh grade!?

Any guesses!? Anyone!? Laughs.

Wait to you find out what changed my mind about a book I refused to ever re-read!

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#Mythothon banner created by Jorie in Canva.

During Round One in [2018], I had the joy of discovering this lovely & beautiful readathon #Mythothon hosted by a bookish mate of mine, Louise @ Foxes Fairy Tale – wherein she encouraged all of us to seek out re-inspired tales straight out of Greek Mythology and to take ourselves visually to a hidden sub-niche of Speculative Fiction – across genres and stories of interest, as there are many Gods & Goddess within Greek Mythos to be explored. You can re-visit the Reading List I composed for #Mythothon Year One – whilst you might want to re-visit the reading list I compiled for the second year.

Remember why I wanted to dig into #Mythothon originally in [2018]?

In truth, I’ve been toying with the idea of adding Classical Mythos & Mythos retellings to my Classics Club List – as much as the fact, there are rare moments where I have ventured into Mythos whilst reading as a book blogger. Some were misses for me – one rather became an #epicfail of EPIC proportions whilst the other one let me down for the potential I saw inside it.

And, now I shall reveal – what motivated me to revisit a book I had such a strong aversion towards reading. It was all due to the extra offerings & free audiobooks via Audible which swayed the scales in favour of re-visiting THE ODYSSEY this September for me! You see, there was an adverted new release wherein *Claire Danes* narrated a new adaptation of the Classic text and story; it took on a more direct impression of the story itself *and!* took out a lot of what I never liked about it, too! In fact, this particular version of the story felt more authentic to me even before the interview vlogs with Ms Danes mentioned the same observation!

THE ODYSSEY originally entered my life as a 7th Grader whose English Lit teacher was so enthused by the original story and the original translations of it, he couldn’t understand why ANY of us could not get just as excited as he was  about it and for the same reasons. I tried to explain it to him, about what turnt me off the text, what wasn’t working for me as a reader and why the whole project of going into Greek Mythology at that junction in my life just wasn’t the right time to pursue it. Somehow I made it through that class with a passing grade but I was at odds with him the entire year and it was exhausting. Sadly, I was the only one in my class who refuted his lesson plans and tried to get us to change course.

I knew then it would be a very hard sell for me to find my way back into reading or listening to any variant of THE ODYSSEY as he just spoilt any chance of me liking it at all. Blessedly, all these years forward now into my fourth decade, I do not remember the specifics of what I disliked and can re-attach myself back into this story with fresh eyes and a fresh perspective. However, I do believe it has a lot to do with Claire Danes and the new translator of the piece itself. Sometimes you can get a bad vibe off a book without delving too far afield into it and that’s okay. Not every book is going to be a huggable book and its okay to admit sometimes the best loved books are just not the ones for us personally. In this regard, I’m hoping I can overcome that 7th Grade reaction and find both peace and resolution in re-discovering this version of THE ODYSSEY.

And, for that – I am in full gratitude to Lou. As without #Mythothon, I might never had even chanced listening to those vlog interviews by Danes or considered purchasing a copy of the audiobook. Lou planted the seed of interest and allowed me to gain such a fierce curiosity about Mythology that I must admit, its been one heck of a journey these past few years!

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Now without further delay,
let’s dig into what #JorieReads during the fifth cycle of #Mythothon!

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#Mythothon Reading Prompts
& Categories of Interest

List compiled by Louise @ Foxes Fairy Tale

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Troy.

The Greeks have conquered Troy and now they are going back home.

Read a book set in a country not your own.

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes : GROUP READ / RAL

UPDATE: BORROWED BOOK VIA LOCAL LIBRARY | AUDIOBOOK

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Cicones.

Odysseus and his men land on the island of the Cicones to raid it,
taking all the food, water, and gold. Not his proudest moment.

Read a book about a villain.

The King Must Die by Mary Renault

UPDATE: BORROWED BOOK VIA LOCAL LIBRARY

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Cyclops.

Odysseus and his men dock on the island of the cyclops Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon. Polyphemus eats some of Odysseus’ men but Odysseus tricks the cyclops into blinding himself so they can escape. He tells Polyphemus his name is Nobody, so when Poseidon asks who is to blame, the cyclops tells him, “Nobody”.

Read a book you know nothing (or very little) about.

The Odyssey by Homer (audiobook)
: narrated by Claire Danes, re-adapted by Emily Wilson

UPDATE: SELF PURCHASE VIA AUDIBLE, 2020

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Island of Aeolia.

The Wind God, Aeolus, gave Odysseus a bag of west winds, not to be opened until they returned to Ithaca. Impatient, Odysseus’ men opened it before they reached Ithaca and threw themselves massively off-course, making the journey even longer.

Read a book that is not the first in a series.

Weight: The Myth of Atlas and Heracles by Jeanette Winterson

UPDATE: BORROWED BOOK VIA LOCAL LIBRARY | AUDIOBOOK VIA SCRIBD

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Laestrygonians.

The Laestrygonians were cannibals. Odysseus and his men flee the island,
back towards their ships but the giants throw boulders at the ships.
Only Odysseus’ ship gets away.

Read a book with food in the title or on the cover.

Big Fish by Daniel Wallace

UPDATE: BORROWED BOOK VIA LOCAL LIBRARY | AUDIOBOOK

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Circe.

They sailed to Aeaea, an island inhabited by the witch, Circe.
Circe turns Odysseus’ men into pigs and keeps them there for a year.

Read a book that has a protagonist with a skill.

The Once and Future Queen by Nicole Evelina
*technically this is about Guinevere in Arthurian Legend and since she was such a wicked fascinating character for me to read in the trilogy by this author, I wanted to carve out space to read this Non-Fiction selection during #Mythothon as I’ve had this book on my shelf for awhile now waiting for my eyes to disappear inside it!

UPDATE: READING FOR REVIEW

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Teiresias and the Land of the Dead.

Odysseus follows Circe’s directions to the Underworld in search of the prophet
Tiresias. Tiresias tells him how to get home.

Read a book you think you’ll learn something from.

Everything Under by Daisy Johnson
*rec’d by Emily Wilson who re-adapted THE ODYSSEY

UPDATE: BORROWED BOOK VIA LOCAL LIBRARY | AUDIOBOOK VIA SCRIBD

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Circe.

Odysseus returns to the island of Circe to retrieve his men and bury their dead.

Return to a book and reread it.

Cycles of Norse Mythology by Glenn Searfoss (*800+)

UPDATE: READING FOR REVIEW | (SEE ALSO CYCLE ONE REVIEW)

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Sirens.

The Sirens are creatures that lure men towards them with their singing, causing ships to break on the rocks. Odysseus puts beeswax into the ears of his men to keep them from hearing the Sirens’ dangerous song.

Read any book that calls to you.

Daphne by Will Boast 

UPDATE: BORROWED BOOK VIA LOCAL LIBRARY | AUDIOBOOK

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 Charybdis and Scylla.

The Scylla is a six headed creature that would take six men from each ship that passed by. Charybdis was a whirlpool that might destroy the whole ship. Odysseus had to choose between the two, which one to pass closer to. He loses six more men.

Pick two books. Flip a coin (or some other type of chance) to pick between them.
I rolled my dice! Smirks.

Here, the World Entire by Anwen Kya Hayward
The Wisdom of the Middle Ages by Michael K. Kellogg

UPDATE: DIFFICULT TO SOURCE A COPY | READING FOR REVIEW

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Thrinakia.

The crew are hungry and slaughter the cattle of Helios, the sun god. When Helios finds out, he has Zeus destroy their ship.

Read a book with an animal on the cover.

The Dragons of Kellynch by Maria Grace, narrated by Benjamin Fife
Book Five of the Jane Austen Dragons series

UPDATE: LISTENING FOR REVIEW VIA AUDIBLE

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Calypso.

Odysseus washes up on Ogygia where the goddess Calypso lives. He stays there for seven years. Athena eventually steps in and asks Zeus to let Odysseus go.

Read a book that has been recommended by a friend.

If you’re struggling to think of a recommendation,
choose anything from any of the Mythothon recommendation posts.

And the book choice? Technically I need someone to rec me a book!

UPDATE: TBA

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Phaecia.

Odysseus drifts to the island of the Phaeacians and is found by the daughter of Alcinous and Arete, Nausicaa. Odysseus convinces Alcinous to help him get home.

Read a book with royalty.

The Lost Queen by Signe Pike

UPDATE: READING FOR REVIEW | BORROWED AUDIOBOOK VIA LOCAL LIBRARY

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Ithaca.

After 10 years at war, and 10 years of traveling,
Odysseus is finally home at Ithaca! But, before he can officially return to his family,
he must kick out the suitors squatting in his house and trying to marry his wife.
Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus kills all the suitors.

Read a story you got for free
(e.g.: library book, borrowed, tor.com for short stories or Gutenberg for classics etc.).

Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block
(see also this blogger’s reaction to the story)

UPDATE: AUDIOBOOK VIA SCRIBD

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How I’m approaching #Mythothon Round 5:

I’ve decided to take a rather interesting approach to this year’s #Mythothon, on the level, I am letting my muse guide my reads & letting myself move through the stories at a pace which suits me best rather than a full outlined approach. In the past, I’ve attempted to read certain stories by certain days/dates and the whole process became quite disheartening if I couldn’t make those self-defined deadlines. Thereby, I’m quite happy to report, this year will be a much more relaxing journey into Mythological stories and their storytellers, as on any given week, I could be reading a singular story or in the throes of a handful of them!!

I’ll be updating my journey into the event every Wednesday, letting you know how I’ve got on with the readathon each week and if perhaps I was able to finish a story as well. Those of course will find their way onto my blog either as full reviews or they could be a hybrid post wherein it is part review & part discussion. I haven’t quite decided yet which way I’ll approach that side of it either – which is quite freeing!

I also have some FREE spaces on the readathon itself. I may or may not re-select a book to replace a story already selected to be read on the off-chance I come across something that just isn’t my cuppa. All in all, it looks to be quite an exciting month! And, I’m so thankful to Lou for hosting another round to inspire us further into the depths of Mythology & modern writers curating their own worlds of Mythos.

Be sure to watch my #booktwt feeds via @joriestory wherein I’ve already begun a *thread for updating about #Mythothon! If your there, follow me and let me know your participating too. Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Before you leave —

If you are participating this *September!* kindly leave me a comment & a link to where you’ve put your bookish list of lovelies to explore during #Mythothon – whilst I’ll love to know which of the prompts I wasn’t able to source a story you’ve filled yourself as I am intrigued by Mythological re-tellings and/or original stories or works of Non-Fiction! All recommendations are encouraged and I will be spending another year seeking them out!

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{Sources: #Mythothon Five Prompts & Category Interests provided by @FoxesFairyTale and are used with permission. Post dividers badge by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: #Mythothon Round 5 banner and the Comment Box banner.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2021.

I’m a social reader | I tweet my reading life:

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • #Mythothon 2021

About jorielov

I am self-educated through local libraries and alternative education opportunities. I am a writer by trade and I cured a ten-year writer’s block by the discovery of Nanowrimo in November 2008. The event changed my life by re-establishing my muse and solidifying my path. Five years later whilst exploring the bookish blogosphere I decided to become a book blogger. I am a champion of wordsmiths who evoke a visceral experience in narrative. I write comprehensive book showcases electing to get into the heart of my reading observations. I dance through genres seeking literary enlightenment and enchantment. Starting in Autumn 2013 I became a blog book tour hostess featuring books and authors. I joined The Classics Club in January 2014 to seek out appreciators of the timeless works of literature whose breadth of scope and voice resonate with us all.

"I write my heart out and own my writing after it has spilt out of the pen." - self quote (Jorie of Jorie Loves A Story)

read more >> | Visit my Story Vault of Book Reviews | Policies & Review Requests | Contact Jorie

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Posted Wednesday, 8 September, 2021 by jorielov in #Mythothon, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Bookish Memes, JLAS Update Post, Jorie Loves A Story, Jorie Loves A Story Features, Twitterland & Twitterverse Event, WWW Wednesdays




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2 responses to “#WWWednesday No. XIII | #Mythothon Reading List for Round V – a wicked lovely readathon hosted by Louise @foxesfairytale

  1. OMG Jorie, there so many books here that intrigue me and that you’ve brought my attention to! Great post!

    I’ve always meant to read anything by Mary Renault myself to see what her retellings are like. You’ve also compelled me to see where I can find copies of both Everything Under and The Once and Future Queen. The latter I’d especially impressive given how rare it is for me to pick up Nonfiction!

    I hope you have a great readathon!

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