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

(updated for the 2026 school year) Are you like me?  Do you like to weave a little fairytale magic into your daily routine? Yes! It's back to school season - for kids... and adults. I feel the pull of the back-to-school aisles, too!  Freshly sharpened pencils and a crisp new backpack.  I'm in.  New lunch box, backpack and cute shoes.  I'm in! And of course we want to share our love of Beauty and the Beast with the school and work crew.  Here are a few options to stay organized and ready for the year with understated fairytale style .   Side note:  The sheer amount of fairycore themed school supplies now available is staggering and this post was notably delayed because I was distracted. Second side note:  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Thank you for your support! Cheerful and Understated School & Office Supplies to Carry Beauty and the Beast with You Throughout the Day 2026-2027 Academic Year Planner by blo...

Heads up: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It’s no cost to you and I appreciate your support! Like many young girls in the 1980s, my love for fairy tales began with the Disney classics.  They are great, after all. My first favorite was Sleeping Beauty ... until Disney released Beauty and the Beast in November 1991, and I was hooked.  I loved Belle and the different kind of princess she brought to the classic mix.  She loved books and independence and deftly navigated those around her that didn't agree with her perspectives. I collected posters, the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack CD to memorize all song lyrics, figurines, dolls, you name it, I probably had it.  I really loved this movie… and I was a senior in high school.  We were not too cool for Beauty and the Beast . My high-school sweetheart liked to draw, and was a good artist.  For my birthday he drew a frame-worthy masterpiece of one of the ballroom scenes.  I loved...

Warwick Goble's Beauty & the Beast, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Do you wonder what classifies a story as a fairy tale?   I 've been wondering that lately, as I read a wider variety of  Beauty and the Beast tales.   Plus, h ow can I discern if a retelling is a true fairy tale or a fun rendition using the Beauty and the Beast  premise of girl falls for beastly guy?   The General Make-up of a Fairytale So I did a bit of light research (resources at the end), and here's what I found about the general make-up of a fairytale: There's a moral lesson to be learned There's a heroine or hero There's an obstacle, task that needs to be accomplished or ordeal to be endured There's magic involved There are friends or other characters supporting the protagonist There's a happily ever after - the ordeal is overcome! and...   I'm not sure of the reliability of this source , but it sure sounds legit and rings true with what I know of th...

There's one thing that Beauty & the Beast fan fiction doesn't skimp on - racy retellings of this beloved fairy tale.  courtesy of StockSnap I've found, especially via Kindle Unlimited and with the relative ease that authors can self publish, there's a plethora of racy versions no matter the genre you're seeking.   Looking for a fun browse through stories that push the boundaries into light erotica?   Check out alien abductions, shape shifters or other paranormal topics.   I've seen equally racy selections in contemporary romance and have read my share of racy historical picks.   We love racy.   It's ok to own it.   It's safe here.   And what better time of the year to enjoy a racy retelling of a favorite fairy tale?   Summer, of course!   Beach time, pool time, sofa time, before bed time.   Anytime is a great time for a racy rendition in the summer.   Though I might posit that anytime in the year is great for a racy r...

I've mentioned in my  reading list for 2020  that I'm changing up my go-to genres for reading this year, adding varieties that are outside of my usual picks.  In fact, this year, I made a TBR book list.  I've not done that before, and so far I'm digging it.  I often veer away from the list or pause and fit in a few other selections, but so far, it's been helpful when I've just finished a book and am aimless in moving to the next one.  I have a few long ones on the list this year, and find that I tend to pause for a day to finish taking in the characters and story before launching into a new world.  The list gets me picking up the next book faster, spending less time browsing on the Kindle . Courtesy of Pixabay This approach has also worked well for Beauty & the Beast retellings this year.  However, I need to pick up the pace - I'm five of 12 and only have three new ones (not even on the list!) to share with you for this report.  But I di...

Sooooo… that vacation. Yep, off the books due to Covid. I hate that. We love to travel and like to get away and see something new every few moths or so. In the meantime, I'm discovering some cool ways to explore the world. Phantom phans, this one is for you. BATB fans, the Phantom is a creepy cousin to the Beauty & the Beast tale. Well, both are rather creepy. Beauties and beasts, in their own fashion, so we're going with it. The Palais Garnier in Paris and Google Arts & Culture partnered to bring us a virtual tour of the Palais Garnier . Woot! There are views of the lake under the Palais, views of lovely Paris from the rooftop, the Library-Museum and the theater itself where you can see the fresco ceiling and famed chandelier. They also include pictures of the artwork and statues that adorn the Palais, inside and out. Every nook and cranny has a sculpture or painting to discover. The Wikipedia site on Palais Garnier includes a fun illustration indicating ...

As I mentioned in the  reading list for 2020 post , I'm endeavoring to change up my go-to genres for reading in general.  I've taken that to heart and added a bit of variety for the retellings read over the 2020 winter months.  A contemporary romance, sci-fi rendition, and an Amish retelling made the list this season. Of Beast & Beauty  by Stacey Jay - A dystopian, sci-fi-esque, young-adult retelling with a moral undertone encouraging acceptance of differences. Belle:  An Amish Retelling of Beauty and the Beast (An Amish Fairytale Book 1)  by Sarah Price - A sweet, clean romance between a disfigured recluse and a heart-strong Belle. Beauty & the Billionaire:  A Dirty Fairy Tale (Dirty Fairy Tales Book 1)  by Lauren Landish - A racy BATB-esque story. Masque (Two Monarchies Sequence Book 5)  by W.R. Gingell - A delightful read about a smart, savvy protagonist set in an environment evoking the Victorian era. 💖 Beauty and the Phanto...