It's Friday linkup time! I'm linking up with the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer, Book Beginnings of Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, and the Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice
This Week's Book Blogger Hop Question:
Do you enjoy retellings of or "sequels" to classic novels? Why or why not?
My Answer:
While I do like fairy tale retellings I haven't had good luck with retellings or sequels of actual classic novels. I am open for recommendations though!
This week's book is Dead Cold Brew by Cleo Coyle. This is a long running cozy mystery series set around a coffee shop. I read the first one years and years ago and then I read one of the newer ones a year or two ago and enjoyed both. Today I'm reading the newest paperback release and am really enjoying it.
The Beginning:
He was red-faced again, too much wine at dinner.
My Thoughts:
This sounds like a reoccurring thing with this character!
The 56:
"I'm sorry, Godfather..." he said, shifting uneasily. "I know you don't like to talk about the shipwreck, but - "
My Thoughts:
If you know about a shipwreck you should talk about a shipwreck! I think that should be a rule somewhere.
So what do you think? Keep reading?
I don't think I've read too many sequels to classic novels, although I've seen a few takes on Jane Austen books out there. I always thought Carrie Bebris' series sounded fun, but haven't tried 'em.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read many retellings that I can remember, other than a few fairy tales. but that's been years ago. I like that rule.(lol) Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteI think I like movies that retell classic novels better than the books - Clueless is one that comes to mind. I love Cleo Coyle's coffeehouse series. I've missed a few books, but read all of them in the beginning. Enjoy this one!
ReplyDeleteI read New Boy, a retelling of Othello, from the Hogarth series and I loved it. 💜
ReplyDeleteI've read some books in this series and enjoyed them. I do love my cozies:)
ReplyDeleteI'm not much on retellings or sequels classics. I might watch movies though.
My 56 from Alice In Murderland
I don't think I've read any of the books in this series. It sounds like one I'd like to try though. This week I am featuring Under the Shadows by Gwen Florio - a mystery from my review stack. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of this one! I've also read a few of the books in the series...fun! Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog. Glad you enjoyed The French Girl.
ReplyDeleteI must confess, I've had the first one for years, but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I keep meaning to since I know what a popular series this is.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun series. I love cozies!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
Sandy @ Writing With a Texas Twang
A retelling of a fairy tale or of a classic can be very good. Ones I've enjoyed: Jane Steele, Bitter Greens, Cinder, and Jane of Austin.
ReplyDeleteI read the first few books in this series, and then got distracted by other books. The author went ahead and wrote so many more installments that I don't know if I could find the time now to catch up. Glad you're enjoying the series.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this series before. I haven't read any of the books, but years ago, I joined Coyle's newsletter for the recipes.
ReplyDeleteThis series sounds so good! Hope you have a great weekend! Happy reading! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL I think that's a good rule, too.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the Wendy Darling series, which is a Peter Pan retelling.
ReplyDeleteThis must be a theme today...mysteries. Hope you are enjoying the book. My Friday Quotes
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you didn't have any luck on reading any great retellings or sequels of classics. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog hop and sharing your awesome post.
ReplyDeleteA series centered around a coffee shop?? Keep reading!
ReplyDeleteSounds fun! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteYes, classic novel retellings can be somewhat hit and miss. If you don't know it, I can recommend Wide Sargasso Sea (inspired by Jane Eyre).
ReplyDeleteI don't usually care for classics or retellings. Although, I can do a fairy tale retelling without a lot of trouble. Looks like a good book...keep reading!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy fairy tale retellings too, sometimes more than the originals, haha. When it comes to classics, I usually go for Shakespeare retellings, they are more often good than not. The cover art of this cozy mystery is stunning. I've worked in coffee shops before and I appreciate stories that involve cafés. I think I'd like this series.
ReplyDeleteRonnie @ Paradise Found
After shipwreck I think I need to know more!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read many retellings yet, but I'm really interested in them. The reviews on Goodreads suggest that it's a bit of a mixed bag with some being amazing and others quite terrible.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple I can recommend - both based on The Tempest - Margaret Atwood's Hag-Seed is clever and interesting, but the more poignant and beautiful version is Jacqueline Carey's Miranda and Caliban. Curtis Sittenfeld's Eligible is loosely based on Pride and Prejudice and that is also quite enjoyable, but lacks the sharply observed wit that Austin brings to her books.
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE fairy tale retellings, too!! I've read a couple of these, in the YA genre. As for classic novels, I've only read two so far -- "Wide Sargasso Sea", which is a 'prequel' to "Jane Eyre", and "A Study in Charlotte", which is actually a spinoff of the original Sherlock Holmes adventures.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely look up the two writers of Sherlock Holmes retellings you've recommended to me, in your comment on my blog post for this week's Book Blogger Hop. And thanks for those recs!!
You know, the cover of "Dead Cold Brew" must have been done by the same artist who did the Sookie Stackhouse series covers. The style is exactly the same. I might pick this one up. Nice choice!
Thanks for commenting on my own BBH post!! <3 :)
I have never read a retelling of anything. Actually didn't know about them. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not all that into retellings of classics, either. I am about to start a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, though. It sounds really fun - two competing chocolatier families. Unmasking Juliet.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have read a sequel to a classic. Hope you enjoy your book!
ReplyDelete