Once Upon A Time IX - a reading challenge

It's been a weird day. Fab morning and eclipse, and I thought I'd take a drive through the gorgeous spring day to the supermarket to clear my headache, and that was nice, but after that it all went downhill, cos my headache got worse not better, and I'm going to have to finish work tomorrow now, which is just what I didn't want, and... and you know what? My headache's mostly gone now... *headdesk* And I napped earlier (which also didn't get rid of my headache) so I'm quite awake... which means reading in bed. *g* And it's after midnight on the 21st March, so that also means it's time for the Once Upon A Time IX reading challenge... *g*
I had a go at this last year and rather enjoyed it, so I thought I might join in the 2015 reading challenge too. It's hosted over at Stainless Steel Droppings: Saturday, March 21st marks the official start date of the ninth annual Once Upon a Time Challenge. This is a reading and viewing and gaming event that encompasses four broad categories: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy and Mythology, including the seemingly countless sub-genres and blending of genres that fall within this spectrum. The challenge continues through June 21st .

I'm going to have a go (as last year) at:In this quest you will be reading 4 books total: one fantasy, one folklore, one fairy tale, and one mythology.

There's a short story quest, and a screen quest too, which I might also join in - we'll see how organised I can be - I tend to struggle a bit with short stories, but I'm feeling quite optimistic about them right now, so... I thought I was all forward-planning too, because I have books on my shelf that I thought would fit the challenge nicely - except that I haven't matched up the categories yet, so I rather think I'm going to be off hunting bookshops and library shelves at some point after all. Yeay. *g* And it feels like ages since I watched a decent fantasy film, so I shall look out for one of those, too.

Books 2015 - The Street Philosopher by Matthew Plampin

I picked this off the library shelves because it was a) set in Victorian time, b) set partly in Manchester, c) set partly in the Crimean War, which I've not read much about, and d) looked pretty good. *g* It's the story of Thomas Kitson, an enthusiastic junior reporter for the London Courier who has travelled to the battlefields of the Crimea to make his mark. The senior reporter is a flamboyant Irishman called Richard Cracknell, and they are joined by a young illustrator called Robert Styles - and the beautiful wife of one of the officers at the front. They are all gradually pulled into the horrors of the time and place, which are perhaps neither better nor worse than for any of the soldiers there fighting, but they're certainly different. The three men witness an act that can't be countenanced, and instead of being able to fix things, the situation deteriorates in almost every way possible.

( Once the story has been set up... )

Saturday stuff...

Woke up without a headache today, thank goodness, and was a good girl and finished my work, and then I was freeee to enjoy the afternoon! ( Saturday rambling... )