The Borrowed Rose: Beauty and the Beast Book Recommendations and Retellings

Everything has to have a first, including happily ever afters (HEAs).  The love story of Cupid & Psyche is noted to be literature's first fairy-tale.  Elements within the story influence tales such as Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast.   Shakespeare also drew on elements from the tale for his M idsummer Night's Dream . The story of Cupid & Psyche itself is cleverly embedded within a larger story, called Metamorphoses (which was also called The Golden Ass ), written by Roman author Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis in 2nd century AD.  Cupid & Psyche's story is one of overcoming obstacles with a heavy dose of soap-opera drama.  You know those fickle, attention-greedy mythological gods. Cupid & Psyche's Story:  The First Happily Ever After Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss by Antonio Canova (my own photo) The general plot goes something like this:  Psyche is gorgeous and Venus is jelly.  She sends her son Cupid to make Psyche fal...

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 Lor...

A great resource for those with a passion for fairy tale retellings?  Kindle Unlimited .  I found I was spending $3-5 for many of the quick reads I enjoy and most of them were Kindle Unlimited offerings.  The $10/month investment in Kindle Unlimited has been a savvy savings for us, as the hubs has made great use of it, too.  We both consume books at a fast clip, and most of the Unlimited books are self-published, affordable, quick reads, making it a good value for us.  A majority of the books I read for book club or catching up on my ever-growing wish list are not included on Unlimited, but that's ok.  When perusing a quick weekend paranormal mind-melt, it's a good bet. Currently, two of the books on the list below are included with  Kindle Unlimited . New Beauty and the Beast discoveries   Hunting the Beast:  A Beauty and the Beast Fairy Tale Retelling (Fairy Tales with a Bite Book 1)  by Anna Santos & May Freighter - ...

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fantasy (sci fi + fantasy - I see what they did there) inspired by the Victorian era and steam-powered technologies.  It features alternative futures and innovations.  I enjoy poking around in the steampunk world, and quickly get sucked into the steampunk vortex, with it's rich culture in fashion, literature, movies, music and more.  Wikipedia has a thorough article here on all things steampunk if you, too, desire to travel the vortex. Art by nahp75 on Deviant Art Beauty & the Beast has not escaped the steampunk filter.  Here are three to add to your TBR list today: Firelight (Darkest London Book 1) by Kristen Callihan - loosely inspired by  Beauty and the Beast where Beauty hides a supernatural secret and the masked Beast character, who hides a mysterious past, has been trolling her for some time Beauty & Beastly: Steampunk Beauty and the Beast (Steampunk Fairytales Book 3) by Melanie Karsak - a sweet sto...

I've realized that I have a tendency to read in themed phases.  Do you do that, too? Sometimes I'm all about finding a fun, modern fantasy.  Sometimes I'm eager for the classics.  Sometimes it's one Beauty and the Beast fan fiction pick after another.  Other times, I'm looking for a quick and dirty read with good character development.  And I always have a business or non-fiction book, I'm working through.  I find that I'm discerning about solid writing, but I don't have a go-to genre.  And variety is good, right?   Have you noticed a trend in your book choices?   Beauty and the Beast will always be a feature in my reading list, and I have a TBR list when Beauty and her Beast call. Three Beauty and the Beast Tales to Add to Your TBR List To Love a Monster   by Marina Simcoe -  Contemporary, adult romance set in Canada.  Beauty gets friendly with Beast while he's a beast, which is... interesting. Hea...

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 Witche...

After reading the fully loaded original version of Beauty and the Beast by Madame Barbot de Villeneuve , the shortened version by Madame LePrince de Beaumont is lack luster.  Sorry, fellow fans, but it just kinda is.  It establishes the important basics that make up the elements of consistent BATB tales, but there's not much drama, conflict or interest to draw you in. Let me restate that I am not a literary critic, reviewer or smart in literary analysis in any way.  Just to be clear.  The comments that follow are those of a girl who loves to read and who loves to read  Beauty & the Beast  tales. Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont, 1711 - 1780 Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont was a French author, living in the 1700s.  She wrote her version of  La Belle et La Bête as a magasin - an instructional handbook for parents and teachers.  It appeared in Le Magasin des Enfants in 1756.  She was quite the writer, producing upwards ...