The Borrowed Rose's 2020 Reading List

Happy New Year, 2020!

Last year I decided to track what I read each month. As I review the list, I realize that I don't have quite as much diversity in my genre selections as I'd like. So this year, I'm taking a new approach to grow the variety of genres that I ingest. Sure, I'll still throw in random picks, because, you know, you get an itch for a particular something every once in a while.

I have a monthly list of books I'll be tackling for general fiction and a few "business" selections. I also have 12 Beauty and the Beast choices, that I'd love to share with you. I typically lean towards retellings that are fantasy in nature. This year, I'd like to read a few retellings that are yes, fantastical, because the fairy tale is that, but in a different setting--contemporary, for example.

So, in no particular order:
updated 6/28/20

Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay - read
Masque by W.R. Gringell - read
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Beauty & the Billionaire by Lauren Landish - read
Beauty & the Dragon - Melody Rose
The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews - read
If you Deceive by Kresley Cole - read
Vixen and the Vet by Katy Regnery
Beau & the Beast by Kay Simons
Heart's Blood by Juliette Marillier - read
Belle: An Amish Retelling by Sarah Price - read
The Bloody Chamber by Angel Carter (a dark retelling to read in October)

I'll let you know if there are any in particular that really catch my fancy. I've also been taking light notes about how retellings incorporate, reflect or use the core elements that make it a Beauty and the Beast tale, such as the beast transforming, father's situation, roses, etc. After a year of paying attention to Beauty and the Beast retellings, I'm more sensitive to how a story reflects those elements.

Have you put thought into your book selections this year? If so, I'd love to hear about it.

Read on!

Comments

Symbolism of the Rose in Beauty and the Beast

Roses play a significant role in many Beauty and the Beast tales. Have you ever wondered about the symbolism of the rose in Beauty and the Beast ? Me too. Image by Tama66 on Pixabay The rose played a key role in the original tale by Madame Barbot de Villeneuve and in Madame LePrince de Beaumont's shortened version . While I'm not a literary expert, I can wield a keyboard like a fiend. Some research and voila, a few interesting tidbits. We'll explore the setting at the time of the original tale and the importance of the rose in 18th century France when Mesdames Barbot de Villeneuve and LePrince de Beaumont penned their tales. We'll also look into the symbolism of the rose and what it's hinting at for the leading characters. Beauty's Setting in the 1700s in France Decadence was happening in 18th century France. Louis XV was king for most of the century. Lush and lovely things were all the rage. The French Court was headquartered at Versailles, an opulen

Beauty & the Beast Meets The Witcher. Who Knew?

I made an interesting discovery the other day. I was making the acquaintance of Geralt of Rivia, the Witcher, in The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski . A delightful, tough, magical kinda dude. I enjoyed the format of the book and getting to know the characters as the short stories unfolded into a broader tale. About three shorts in I was delightfully surprised to discover that Mr. Sapkowski enjoys fairy tales, and wove my fave into the story. The Witcher Meets Beauty and the Beast in "Grain of Truth" In one of Geralts' adventures, "Grain of Truth," he is meandering through a forest and encounters the remains of two unfortunate souls. One is a woman with a rose pinned to her dress. He meanders further down the path and encounters a dilapidated castle. Upon entering the courtyard he is accosted by the Beast, also called Nivellen. Nivellen is a jovial fellow, and after a ferocious display where he fails to frighten the Witcher, he instead invites him

Madame Barbot de Villeneuve's La Belle et La Bete: Reflections on the Original Beauty & the Beast Tale

I am not a literary critic, reviewer or smart in literary analysis in any such way. Just to be clear. I love to read, and I love to read Beauty and the Beast tales - in the case you haven't read previous posts. While this project has increased my interest in literary analysis and I'm learning it can be a bottomless hole on the interwebs, for now, I'm keeping posts simple for us plain folk. However, I have found a few analyses and reviews that I respect and will reference them for your edification. The OG Beauty and the Beast Reflections on the original - La Belle et La Bête by Madame Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve , written 1740: Barbot de Villeneuve, author of the original Beauty and the Beast Did you know that Beauty is the daughter of a fairy!?! And the Prince's cousin!! /ewww Monkeys, parrots and birds attend Beauty while at the enchanted castle. The Beast woos Beauty in her dreams, as her "Beloved Unknown." She doesn't fall in