(Art by Kimberly Kincaid)

Spring is here at last – and so is the start of this year’s Once Upon a Time reading challenge, hosted by Carl of Stainless Steel Droppings. The challenge is in its ninth year but this is the first time I’ve decided to take part.

The event runs from 21st March (today) to 21st June and involves reading books (or watching films or playing games) that encompass four categories: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy and Mythology. There are different levels of participation and as this is my first year – and these are not genres I read very often – I’m signing up for The Journey level. This is perfect for me because it means I don’t need to commit to any specific number of books, as long as I read at least one.

I already own several books that would count towards this challenge, including these:

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay
Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Have you read any of these books?

Will you be taking part in Once Upon a Time?