Festivus!

[delphipsmith]

sshg_giftfest, hoggywartyxmas, and snapecase are all posting right now, and I am as happy as a very happy thing that is happy! Everyone has outdone themselves this year -- hoggywarty has some fabulous stories about Garrick Ollivander in particular, while over on the giftfest someone actually wrote original music to go with their story -- ye gods

Comments

[too_dle_oo]

I'm so far behind on reading in these three fests, but you are 100% right on the fabulousness of entries in all of them. I just finished that sweet story of Irma and Garrick over on Hoggywarty, and it's now completely become part of my head canon. (Although, to be fair, the stories at Hoggywarty have entirely reshaped my head canon on the Potterverse!)

[delphipsmith]

hoggywartyxmas had a lot of excellent Garrick-centric stories this year. I particularly liked The Touch and The Weighing of the Wands, both of which -- yes -- are now my head canon for Ollivander.

[too_dle_oo]

Say, could I ask your recommendations on how to step a toe into Discworld for the first time? Your gift (and the oodles of people who tell me I'd love it) make me want to start, and I feel like I'm getting a few different responses on which book to start with, which order to read them in, et cetera. I'd love your thoughts on the subject!

[delphipsmith]

Oh yes!!! This site offers several different ways to approach it - chronologically, thematically, etc. If you want a standalone novel that will give you a sense of the DiscWorld 'verse, Mort (in which we meet Death [WHO TALKS LIKE THIS] and his horse Binky, as well as the Death of Rats [who only says SQUEAK]) or Small Gods would be terrific.

Personally, though, I would start with the witches as they are my absolute favorite :) The first three in the witches' sequence are Equal Rites, Wyrd Sisters, and Witches Abroad. Closely related to these are the books in the Tiffany Aching sequence: The Wee Free Men (which introduces Horace, a sentient kilt-wearing cheese), A Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith, I Shall Wear Midnight, and The Shepherd’s Crown. Three of those are among the last few that Pratchett wrote before he died, and they're...deeper, I guess you'd say? than some of the earlier ones.

I'm delighted you want to visit Discworld and think you will enjoy it immensely. Come back and tell me what you think!

[q_drew]

It is indeed a wonderful time to be in fandom. I have finally caught up with Gift Fest. 🙌🏼

I’m going to try to catch up on Hoggywarty and then slide over to Snape Case. It is my first year reading Hoggywarty and I am gobsmacked at how impressively clever everyone is... the fics are so mature I feel a bit out of my depth! Loving it regardless, of course.

And off I go (after some housework which has been neglected in this after holiday rush/cool down). 🌈❤️

[too_dle_oo]

Oh, I know that feeling! I feel totally out of my depth at Hoggywarty even though it's my second year, and also feel riddled with nerves with every SSHG Gift Fest, too. Thankfully, people are kind and gifts are appreciated.

[therealsnape]

So glad to see you're enjoying hoggywartyxmas, and there's no need at all to feel out of your depth. With all the lovely comments you've left (so generous!) you're more than worthy to call yourself a Hoggywartian

[delphipsmith]

It's a terrific fest, and always brings out the best in participants :) So glad that you've fallen in with us -- I've enjoyed your stories this year immensely!!

[therealsnape]

Obviously, my joining the comment fun means your rec is noted, my dear!

[kellychambliss]

It's an embarrassment of riches, all these wonderful fests. I'm woefully behind on Snapecase (wish it happened in February or March, when I'd have time to write for it; one of my favorites). I'm looking forward to some good reading next weekend.

[delphipsmith]

snapecase has been excellent this year as well -- I feel like everyone has outdone themselves in all three fests.

[haruhi_fan]

May I leave you the gift of peace and love this year and I'll post some day again!

[delphipsmith]

Same to you :)