The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland: Maybe Next Time

Commentary: Well, let’s try this feature out! I usually never ever put a book down as DNF. Sometimes, very early on in a book I know the timing is just not right and I won’t be able to sit through reading it. I give it the first 30 or so pages (like a manuscript, HAH!) before I decide that I need to put it down. Maybe next time, I’ll enjoy it more than I do now. This is not a review. This is just a note to self – and fellow readers.

Maybe Next Time

Sometimes, books have to be placed back on the shelf.

THE GIRL WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED FAIRYLAND IN A SHIP OF HER OWN MAKING by Catherynne M. Valente
Publication Date: May 10th 2011 by Feiwel & Friends

I just couldn’t read this one right now because:

  1. It’s a little high fantasy. Come on: A girl. In fairyland. I need to have a little more tolerance and a little more imagination to be able to really enjoy this book.
  2. Victorian-style writing gives me bad, bad memories – The wound is still fresh from the end of the semester. Let’s just say that after taking a children’s literature class in the fall, I want a break from anything that resembles Alice in Wonderland or Peter Pan stylistically.
    (Even the illustrations were reminiscent of the illustrations in Lewis Carroll’s book.)
  3. I have high expectations – The book has awesome blurbs from people I trust. This book was also pretty hyped up. I want to like this book. And I know right now, I won’t be able to do that.

Chances of Me Picking Up This Book (Again): Likely

  1. I bought this book – I feel a strong obligation to just get my money’s worth by reading it cover to cover.
  2. The book is pretty and it deserves to be read. Look at that cover!
  3. September seems like such a sweet main character. September and I did start out pretty well. I like her – and I like her name. She seems like a sweet little girl so she deserves a second chance.

6 Comments

  1. I know exactly how you feel. I started this one a while back and had to put it down. As yet I haven’t gone back to it. I know I will, eventually, I want to find out what happens. But you really have to be in the right mood to read it. I also think its probably best read in small doses. I liked it a lot, but it also gave a headache while reading. Which sounds completely contradictory and makes no sense lol.

    1. LOL. Makes sense. Thanks for the tips though. I’ll keep it in mind when I pick this up again! I think it will definitely help just to read a bit at a time.

  2. I love how you’ve set up this post! This is a perfect example of how DNF books aren’t necessarily BAD books. It’s all a matter of finding the right time for each book. Hope you enjoy this one when you pick it up again :)

    1. Thanks! Well, I have to say that your DNF really inspired me. :) It just so happened that I had just put down this book around the time I read your post.

  3. Oh wow, I’ve been on the fence about this book since I don’t really read MG. I think I might still pick it up since I love high fantasy, but thanks for the heads-up!

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