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The Dark Is Rising
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
"WHEN THE DARK COMES RISING, SIX SHALL TURN THEM BACK...." When Will Stanton wakes up on the morning of his birthday, he discovers an unbelievable gift -- he is immortal. Bemused and terrified, he finds he is the last of the Old Ones, magical men and women sworn to protect the world from the source of evil, the Dark. At once Will is plunged into a quest to find six magical Signs to aid the powers of the Light. Six medallions -- iron, bronze, wood, water, fire, and stone -- created and hidden by the Old Ones centuries ago. But the Dark has sent out the Rider: evil cloaked in black, mounted upon a midnight stallion, and on the hunt for this youngest Old One, Will. He must find the six great Signs before the Dark can rise, for an epic battle between good and evil approaches.
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bookishbitch
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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.

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage It‘s part of a five book series that starts with Over Sea, Under Stone. Enjoy! They‘re all very good 3mo
batsy Such a great book! 3mo
16 likes2 comments
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kgriffith
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Episode 2: Midwinter Day.

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

batsy I adore the series and listened to it last year... Such a treat! 3mo
19 likes1 stack add1 comment
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majkia
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper

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.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 12mo
17 likes1 comment
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majkia
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 12mo
kwmg40 I love Susan Cooper's series! 12mo
22 likes2 comments
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AllDebooks
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Pickpick

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

AllDebooks My 1st completed read for #NaturaLitsyBingo2023 for it's wonderful wintery nature depiction 1y
shanaqui Ooh, good to hear from someone who enjoyed it! Some of my friends didn't love the voices and it didn't come together for them as a result, which was disappointing to hear.

I know the version I heard as a child very well -- the BBC adapted it back then in as a four part radioplay, with significant cutting down of the story, but with some amazing voice actors (Merriman and the Rider were particularly apt)... I might be biased against a new version.
1y
AllDebooks @shanaqui that's such a shame. I found the voices engrossing and a perfect match 1y
35 likes3 comments
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jlhammar
Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Pickpick

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.

42 likes2 comments
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Jenofur
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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!

Pogue I love those books I read them to my son when he was little. 1y
Jenofur Me too! My kid is 14 now but still loves this series (as do I)! @Pogue (edited) 1y
4 likes2 comments
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RowReads1
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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AllDebooks I hope you enjoy it as much as I did 1y
Vansa I'm really looking forward to this too! I'm obsessed with BBC radio 😀 1y
34 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Johanna414
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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! 🤣

Clare-Dragonfly That is a lovely tradition! 🥰 I haven‘t read this book in years. Either my husband or I used to have a copy somewhere… 1y
34 likes1 comment
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Aimeesue
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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.

LeahBergen I really need to read this series (one of these days 🙄). 1y
jlhammar Woo-hoo! I‘m reading this one right now (for the first time) and loving it. 1y
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LeahBergen @Chrissyreadit Okay, I will! 😄 1y
batsy Excellent! I always forget 😂 Happy to hear that @jlhammar and @LeahBergen DOUBLE YES! 1y
Aimeesue @jlhammar Yay! This is the first time I've read it in decades, and it's even better than I remember. 1y
Aimeesue @LeahBergen @chrissyreadit This is the perfect time to read it! It starts on December 20th, the day before the Winter Solstice and is almost a chapter per day up until New Year's. It's kinda fun to do it day but day! 1y
Aimeesue @batsy I always forget! Thanks to the BBC production and lots of people posting about it, I was finally able to accomplish the goal of STARTING IN SYNCH with the story 😂 1y
36 likes8 comments
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merelybookish
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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The first episode of this BBC audio play aired today..the dark, the dark is rising. 🌑 ofhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct4lzn

Chrissyreadit What!?!? How was it? I have it on audio- is this more like a production? 1y
merelybookish @Chrissyreadit Yes, more like a play! Adapted by Robert MacFarlane. First episode was good. 👍 1y
Chrissyreadit Ok I‘m going to try and listen ❄️💙❄️💙 1y
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jlhammar I‘m almost done with the book and loving it! Look forward to listening to this once I‘ve finished. 1y
Dragon Giving it a listen 🎧 thanks 🙏 💚🐉 1y
batsy I'm gonna give this a listen! 🙌🏾 1y
48 likes6 comments
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AllDebooks
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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

bnp I'm listening to the first installment tonight. 1y
Aimeesue Reading and then listening - I finally remembered to start TDIR the day before Will's birthday! 1y
AllDebooks @Aimeesue @bnp Yay 👌😍 1y
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jlhammar I‘m almost done with the book. It‘s wonderful! Plan to start listening once I‘ve finished. 1y
batsy I'm going to try to get to it! 1y
AllDebooks @jlhammar @batsy I really enjoyed it, can't wait for the next episode 1y
30 likes6 comments
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bnp
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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

bnp Oh, and I'll be listening to The dark is rising podcast starting December 20. 1y
Eggs Lovely! Thanks for joining in 🎄 1y
10 likes2 comments
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bnp
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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

AllDebooks Thank you for sharing. This sounds amazing 1y
12 likes1 comment
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jlhammar
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Some fun #bookmail today! Look forward to reading these by the fire come December.

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage The whole Dark is Rising sequence is so good ❤️ 1y
jlhammar @BookHoarder32 I'm so excited to read it. I had to order it after @merelybookish posted about the BBC audioplay coming this December.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/the-dark-is-rising-bbc-world-service
1y
batsy I adore the Susan Cooper books and The Box of Delights! Those are gems. I don't have the Christie but I love that cover 😍 1y
merelybookish Box of Delights has been on my TBR for ages! And tempted to re-read The Dark is Rising before the audio comes out. 1y
58 likes4 comments
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merelybookish
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Just saw on IG there's going to be a 12 part audioplay/podcast version of this book starting December 20th. I am excited!

batsy Oooh! 1y
jlhammar This sounds great! Thanks for the heads-up! 1y
vivastory That sounds wonderful! 1y
51 likes3 comments
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johncadams
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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

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shanaqui
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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This whole section, where Will is learning from the Book of Gramarye, is so beautifully written.

batsy I just revisited this over Christmas. These passages are so beautiful. 2y
11 likes1 comment
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TK-421
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Had a lovely evening outside with Minerva listening to the tagged book! #catsofLitsy #readingbuddy

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ScientistSam
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Pickpick

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.

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bnp
Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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1. Not visiting family in person.
2. Covid vaccine. My dad got his yesterday.

@Texreader Thanks for the tag Karen.

Texreader Yay vaccines!!! 🎉🎊 3y
9 likes1 comment
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amber_ldsmom
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Panpan

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.

Texreader I hate that feeling when I‘m reading!! Bummer! 3y
cozypunk Awww, stripes and bows!
3y
LibrarianRyan So quick question: Did you read Over Sea Under Stone. The Dark is rising is actually book 2 of a 5 book series which may be why it doesn't fit together. This is one of my favorite series which is why I ask.

1. Over Sear Under Stone
2. The Dark is Rising
3. Greenwitch
4.The Grey king
5.Silver on the Tree
3y
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amber_ldsmom @LibrarianRyan No, I didn‘t read the first one. That may be part of why I didn‘t enjoy it, even though reviews said it could be read as a stand alone novel. (edited) 3y
Booksnchill I listened to the Backlisted podcast on this and bought it to read next midwinter- disappointed you did not like it as they made it sound so intriguing! 3y
amber_ldsmom @Booksnchill Maybe the podcast has some insight I missed. Will have to check it out. I rarely give a book 1 🌟. 3y
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SarahLawton
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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“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...

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Becker
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Pickpick

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.”🌨

Chrissyreadit Yes! One of my favorite books ever! 3y
batsy I love this so much 💙 3y
Cathythoughts Oh I think I‘ll try this ... is it a series, I must look up the first one. 3y
Becker @Cathythoughts -this can be read as a stand alone. I‘ve never read the other books in the series. Although it seems pretty silly that I haven‘t considering how much I like this one. 3y
20 likes4 comments
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CaffeineAndCandy
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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@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.

Andrew65 Think caught us all a bit unawares. Some good reading ahead of you. 3y
42 likes2 comments
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Moray_Reads
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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...

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katy4peas
Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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. 😊

451Degrees Love it!!💙 3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick A cute name origin. ✌ 3y
42 likes2 comments
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AllisonM89
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
Bailedbailed

#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?

TheAromaofBooks I feel like this series definitely makes more sense if they are read in order (although tbh I wasn't a huge fan of the series overall) - did you read the first book? 3y
MsMelissa I also bailed on this one. 3y
katy4peas This one can be read out of order. How far did you get? It takes a little bit, but is worth it I think. I love this one. 3y
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AllisonM89 @TheAromaofBooks Yes, and I didn't care for the first book either. Everyone said to read book two anyway because it's better. Still not my taste....

3y
AllisonM89 @TheAromaofBooks I'm going to swap out books 3, 4 and 6 on my bingo board to something else.... 3y
TheAromaofBooks Sounds good to me!! It's been a long time since I read these, but I remember not really caring for the way that the magic system was basically what made the world operate, i.e. all religions were just things the magic people had made up to keep people busy, but they were the real “gods“ in the sense that they kept the world in order & anyone who was religious was just sad & deluded. The series just wasn't my style. 3y
10 likes6 comments
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katy4peas
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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#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

OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚👍🏻 4y
erzascarletbookgasm I loved I Capture The Castle! 4y
67 likes2 comments
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TracyReadsBooks
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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#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

Andrew65 I really need to read this. 4y
rubyslippersreads @Andrew65 Me too. (I keep saying that. 😂) 4y
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Writeme
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Pickpick

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!

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johncadams
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper

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.

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johncadams
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper

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.

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johncadams
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper

'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.

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Moray_Reads
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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!

batsy Fantastic 💜 4y
saresmoore May your traveling be uneventful and your holidays be magical. ♥️🎄 4y
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johncadams
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper

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.

Chrissyreadit Yes!!! I need to reread this for Christmas! 4y
johncadams Me too! 4y
23 likes2 comments
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Mogoeg
Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Pickpick

#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.

batsy One of my favourites ❤️ 4y
StayCurious +20 for holidayread, + 20 for shared tradition! + 1 for participation = +41 4y
Nute Fantastic series! 4y
24 likes3 comments
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batsy
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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.

Kalalalatja I have never heard of the series, but the covers make me want to preorder them immediately! 😍 5y
batsy @Kalalalatja It's a brilliant series; mythic, atmospheric and dark ❤️ 5y
saresmoore So pretty! 5y
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DGRachel Those are stunning covers! 5y
llwheeler Omg! I might need these. 😍 love this series 5y
twohectobooks I have never heard of this before but these covers have my attention for sure! 5y
batsy @saresmoore @DGRachel @twohectobooks lovely to look at aren't they 😍 5y
batsy @llwheeler Me too! I think I'm going to be bad 😆 5y
llwheeler @batsy 😆👍 5y
JazzFeathers Such stunning covers! 5y
batsy @JazzFeathers Aren't they just! 5y
BiblioLitten They are gorgeous 😍 5y
UrsulaMonarch Neat!!! I was just talking about these books with a friend today - after not having thought of them for years! 😁 5y
Moray_Reads Oh! Must. Have! 5y
batsy @BiblioLitten @Moray_Reads Feel like a kid in a candy store the more I look at them! 5y
batsy @UrsulaMonarch Cool! Book serendipity :) 5y
Tonton Love this series💝 5y
batsy @Tonton Me toooo 💕 5y
readordierachel So so lovely! 5y
Beholderess There is a song by Julie Ecklar that I love, and I‘ve only just realized that it is based on this book series 5y
101 likes3 stack adds20 comments
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MissHel
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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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.

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merelybookish
Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Squeaked in one last read in May. I loved this! Do kids still read it? Did they ever? There is action, but the writing is so descriptive, atmospheric, wise, and almost elegiac. It feels mature.
This makes a grand total of 7 books for May. Not a ton but I still have Woolf's diary and Monte Cristo on the go. Onward to June!
(Couldn't resist an Obie photo bomb. 😺)

LeahBergen I‘ve been meaning to read this series for so long. 🙄 5y
batsy I only discovered it as an adult! I feel bad that young-me missed out on this 😆 5y
merelybookish @LeahBergen I highly recommend so far! This would be an excellent Xmas time read! 5y
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merelybookish @batsy The writing seemed pretty dense and sophisticated. Makes me wonder how it fares with kids today. I (thought I) didn't like fantasy when I was kid, so I missed out on a lot. 5y
LibrarianRyan I live this book. I read it as a child. It‘s my reread for one of the challenges I just haven‘t gotten to it yet. Just do your self a favor and don‘t watch the movie. 5y
merelybookish @LibrarianRyan Good to know!! 5y
65 likes6 comments
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merelybookish
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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I'm an hour short of my goal of 12 hours for #24b4monday. But I managed to read a bit of each of these books. Plus I listened to a chunk of The Count of Monte Cristo. So overall a productive weekend of reading!
@TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

BeansPage Yah!!! I'm so glad things were productive! And you made a great time 👍😃👍 5y
Andrew65 A great time, well done. 🙌🙌 5y
ephemeralwaltz A Midsummer Night's Dream💜💜 5y
See All 7 Comments
merelybookish @TheReadingMermaid @andrew65 Thanks for hosting and for the moral support! 🙂 5y
merelybookish @ephemeralwaltz Yes! It's our current #shakespearerradalong pick and it's SUCH a delight! 🧚 5y
BeansPage You are most welcome sweetheart 😘 5y
Andrew65 It‘s always a pleasure, and great to see the variety of books people read. 😊 5y
88 likes7 comments
review
Darklunarose
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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Pickpick

"When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back, three from the circle, three from the track; wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone; five will return, and one go alone.”

Here we meet Will, and 11 year old boy who discovers he is the last of the ancient ones. Really good writing from cooper again and much faster paced then the first book, this one is a must read.

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BrittanyLewis
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
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“ And in a great blaze of yellow-white light, the sun rose over Hunter‘s Combe and the valley of the Thames” (pg. 296).

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BrittanyLewis
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
This post contains spoilers
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I think this would be a good book to read if some of the kids in a class were struggling to find where they belong. It seems to be a book where the main character really finds himself amongst all of the danger.

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BrittanyLewis
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper
This post contains spoilers
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Mehso-so

The main character Will finds out he is one of the old ones and is sent on a journey to find the six great signs. He is to aid in the battle between the light and the dark but the light is already behind. His journey will decide the fate of everything.

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vnneff6000
The Dark Is Rising | Susan Cooper

“He heard the farmers voice again: this night will be bad. And tomorrow will be beyond imagining.”