Welcome to Litsy!

New winter tradition begun. Reading along in real time. I only learned about this as a thing last year too late to participate. I'm giving myself points for remembering in time this year. Who else does this?

#Naturalitsy #fridaynightshare #MidwinterSolace @alldebooks @thebookhippie
I love the tagged book. Eerie, wintry and gripping. Susan Cooper's books are rather humourless though, but still fun reads!

I really really tried but I just couldn‘t get into this book. I kept at it and read the whole thing, but it was disjointed, obscure, and I never understand really where the story was going.

I think that this book could be beneficial for students to read in a classroom especially if talking about the ideas of themes. This book seems to have a few different themes. One other thing to consider about this book is that it was written in the 1970s, so the language is very different from what we hear today. This could help students begin to understand different language use and the reasons for this.

“Children are not different animals. They are us, not yet wearing our heavy jacket of time“.

Speculative Fiction- The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper, published in 1973 is a children's fantasy novel about a young boy who discovers he is the last of the “Old Ones“, ancient beings who protect the world from the forces of darkness. The story is filled with magical creatures, ancient prophecies, and epic battles, culminating in a climactic confrontation between light and darkness.

This was my favorite book as a tween. Many years ago, I got a tattoo of one of the symbols from the book but the symbol has been co-opted by white nationalists. Today my cover up is getting color!

I just learned about this book and the following of people who read it in real time. Of course I was immediately intrigued and nabbed myself a copy. I'm late to the party but excited about it.

Episode 2: Midwinter Day.

Anyone else listening along with the BBC World Service‘s audio production of The Dark Is Rising? It‘s my first time reading!

April #Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

A bit predictable but not bad. I'm sure I'd have loved it if I'd read this as a kid.

April #Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

An extraordinary production by BBC World Service. I really enjoyed listening to this old childhood favourite, at night by candlelight.
Robert MacFarlane narrates the story beautifully. Cooper's text stands the test of time, still holding me in it's icy grip after all these years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0dgrz83?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Just wonderful! I somehow missed this one back when I was a middle grade reader. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this over the past few days. It feels like the dark is rising around here with all the snow we‘ve been getting and below zero temps so perfect timing!

Now I look forward to listening to the first episodes of the new BBC audio play. I‘ll include a link to that and to Helen Macdonald‘s Bookmarks recommendation of this book in the comments.

Annual rereading of Susan Coopers‘s Dark is Rising, the second book (and my favorite) in this sequence. A perfect little midwinter read, just in time for Will‘s birthday. 🖤
Stay cozy everyone!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0dgrz83?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile Reposting for myself and anyone else interested. @AllDebooks

This seemed like a logical choice to read today, when i don't have much going on at work... it starts on a cold, spooky winter solstice. The old book smell reminds me of reading it as a child - probably this same copy since my mom was the one who introduced me to the series, and she was the librarian here before me! 🤣

BOOM. I finally, finally, FINALLY remembered to start reading The Dark is Rising on December 20th, the day before Will's birthday!

I am counting this as a major accomplishment of 2022.

The first episode of this BBC audio play aired today..the dark, the dark is rising. 🌑 ofhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct4lzn

A wonderful introduction to the BBC'S World Service 12 part adaptation of Susan Coopers masterpiece.

Anyone else listening in?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0dgrz83?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

I don't have a Christmas Eve tradition, but this year a friend has invited some people for dinner on Christmas Eve.

See above, and I'll be celebrating with a meal on Christmas Day with friends.

#WondrousWednesday, @Eggs

This novel, the second in the Dark is Rising series, will be broadcast on BBC starting December 20 for 12 daily episodes (following the structure of the book.) The second in a five-volume series written for children, it was a Newberry Honor Book in 1974.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xtvp7
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct4lzn (Americas and Carribean)

#midwintersolace, @AllDeBooks

Some fun #bookmail today! Look forward to reading these by the fire come December.

Just saw on IG there's going to be a 12 part audioplay/podcast version of this book starting December 20th. I am excited!

I just love this series of vintage children‘s fantasy books. The Midwinter setting is no vivid, and this is our first introduction to Will Stanton.

#thedarkisrising #childrensbooks #vintagechildrensbooks

This whole section, where Will is learning from the Book of Gramarye, is so beautifully written.

Had a lovely evening outside with Minerva listening to the tagged book! #catsofLitsy #readingbuddy

Such a wonderful reread! This is definitely a children's classic fantasy for a reason. I read it around Christmas/New Year's (yes, still catching up on reviews!) and it's perfectly atmospheric for the season.

1. Not visiting family in person.
2. Covid vaccine. My dad got his yesterday.

@Texreader Thanks for the tag Karen.

1/5🌟
I had a really hard time getting through this without my mind wandering every few paragraphs. A lot of it just didn‘t seem to make sense. It was like whatever came out of the author‘s imagination was fine, not needing any reason for it being there. Or like trying to fit puzzle pieces together from different puzzles. Did not enjoy this one at all.

“this night will be bad, and tomorrow will be beyond imagining.”

I have made a resolution to read The Dark Is Rising sequence every December. It's pure joy, though it makes me wonder why I bother writing myself because Susan Cooper is a master...

This is my third reading of this book and I continue to love it.

“The Walker is abroad,” he said again. “This night will be bad, and tomorrow will be beyond imagining.”🌨

@Andrew65 thanks for hosting! I completely forgot this was the last weekend of the month and even of the year. I'm hoping to read the full 24 hours and my TBR for this #24B4Monday consists of The Dark is Rising, In the Night Room, and Dragons of Summer Flame. Of course I'm liable to switch it up, though.

I'm almost finished with my annual festive read of this form favourite. I know it so well I don't really need the book anymore but this Folio edition is lovely...

Thanks for the tag @451Degrees
@Cosmos_Moon #thankfulthursday

Picked my Litsy name off an image I saw that had some kind of caption that used “4 peas” in place of “for peace” so I added my name into it.

I‘m thankful for healthcare access.

Tagging anyone who hasn‘t played yet. 😊

#doublespin @thearomaofbooks

Maybe it's me.... This is my second DNF of the day. The book isn't bad, but, again, i just am not invested in the story or the characters. I want to be. I'm totally into the book's Christmas vibe. But the plot and the characters aren't holding my interest. I know this book is well-loved - maybe i expected too much?

#3books that make me want to travel

The Dark is Rising series- England, Scotland, Ireland, oh, my!

Harry Potter- to Hogwarts we go!

I Capture the Castle- the countryside!

@OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

#20Series20Days Day 17

Another series from my childhood on my #Top20Series list. This series makes the list on the strength of its first chapter. That‘s it, that‘s the reason. While I remember enjoying the entire series, it‘s the first chapter of this book that I‘ve never forgotten. Even now I can visualize the time of year, the tension, the danger, & the realization that everything is changing. (The third book won the Newbery.)

@Andrew65

This has been on my list forever. So glad I finally got a chance to read it. Now I need to find a copy of the second book!

He watched in utter despair. There was nothing he could so. All his effort and questing was coming to an end before it had even properly begun, and there was nothing he could do. He wanted both to shout with rage and to weep.

Then, suddenly, in a dreadful blur of unreality, a hoarse, shrieking flurry was rushing dark down out of the sky, and two huge rooks swooped at the man. He staggered back, shouting, his hands thrust up to protect his face.

'The Walker is abroad,' he said again. 'And this night will be bad, and tomorrow will be beyond imagining.' He looked at Will, and Will looked back in growing alarm into the weathered face.

It's the morning of the Longest Night which means it's time for the Dark is Rising once again. I'm working this morning and travelling home for christmas this afternoon, I hope my journey is less fraught than Will's!

Quickly past the churchyard, its great dark yew trees leaning out over the crumbling wall; more slowly by Rooks' Wood, on the corner of the Church Lane. The tall spinney of horse-chestnut trees, raucous with the calling of the rooks and rubbish-roofed with the clutter of their sprawling nests, was one of their familiar places.

#WinterGames #ReadNosedReindeer #HolidayRead

On his 11th birthday- Midwinters Day - Will wakes up to discover he is an Old One. So begins Susan Cooper‘s Arthurian re-imagining & one of my favorite series as a child.

Every few years I reread the series during the holidays - I started today on the bus.

Want!!! Robert Macfarlane tweeted about these stunning new Puffin editions of Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising Sequence for which he wrote the introduction. Supposed to be out in November https://twitter.com/RobGMacfarlane/status/1163125363314167808?s=19

They're so lovely 😍 The covers on the ones I own are pretty dull.

Job number 2 is a receptionist gig, so I get to knit and listen to audio books between customers. I‘m revisiting one of my favorites from my preteen years.