Introduction to the genre challenge 2013 -15

[Bill]

I know everyone is very busy with Xmas activities, but will there be a poll for the Jan genre challenge? Not that I'm anxious for another year to pass.. ;0)

[Helen]

I was thinking the same.

[Em]

Now, don't say I never do anything for you - the poll is ready! Happy voting!

[Emma]

sorry being new to this....where do I find the poll....I am eager to get involved

[Helen]

Top of page, on right, list of words. Click poll.

[Bill]

Thanks, Em. You are the best. :0)

[Susan]

It's great to be starting the new challenge.....I'm looking forward to it.

[Angela]

I think this will be the only new challenge I'll take on next year, apart from setting a total number to read and finishing a couple of A-Zs left over from this year. Actually listing books I want to read at the start of the year just isn't working for me!

[Dave]

Looking forward to trying to keep up with this this time!!

[Em]

Emma wrote: "sorry being new to this....where do I find the poll....I am eager to get involved"

I've fiddled about with the poll again and it should be at the bottom of the group homepage and hopefully, eaier to find!

[Ian, Moderator]

or easier Em lol

[Em]

That is, in fact, what I meant... easier!

[Theweebarrell]

i am going to take part too :)

[Lindy]

I qwould like to do it. If the folder location isnt' above (will read it when i get home). Can ;you tell me where to find it?

[Ian, Moderator]

Lindy wrote: "I qwould like to do it. If the folder location isnt' above (will read it when i get home). Can ;you tell me where to find it?

You'll find it Lindy......as Helen said.....top right of this page, under the Union Jack deckchair.....click on polls.

[Emma]

I have no poll or unionjack deckchair......any ideas?..I have tried on different devices as well

[Ian, Moderator]

Don't know Emma.....when I go to the top right of this page (and it's the same on all our discussion pages), there's our UK Book Club name next to a photo of the deckchair. Underneath that are 10 clickable choices including Polls.

[Em]

Hi Emma, which devices do you use?

I'm no IT whizz so it could be others can shed further light on this question but I find I can only see the polls heading when I sign on through the PC ie. not when I log on through iphone.

[Emma]

confession time........may have been a little IT stunted....did not realise you have to click on the book club title to reveal the picture etc.....sorry

[Bill]

Not a lot of votes yet, would it be worthwhile for one of the moderators to send a broadcast message to the members at large? Just to remind them they have three days remaining?

[Ian, Moderator]

Good idea Bill, I'll do it........and done.

[Chris]

Thanks from me too Ian my vote is cast, but being new to eBooks, Goodreads and this group,I was grateful to Emma above for being the Patsy regarding asking where to find the poll :)

[Liz, Moderator]

Sorry to have been out of touch for a while - thanks for posting poll etc Em. I've been in Thailand for Christmas and a much needed wi-fi free rest.....
Just got back and everything is charging (the kindle just lasted the trip, I really should have charged it before I left)! Nearly finished Shantaram, so should be ready for the challenge come 1st Jan :)

[Andrew]

Thanks for e mail I had voted couple of days ago and am looking forward to announcement.

[Danielle]

Thanks for the mail and the wishes. I guess I was one of the first to vote and I will try to keep up with the challenge. Can't promise anything as I am a slow reader. But it would be good for me to try out a few other genres.

[Ian, Moderator]

Historical winning at the mo.

[Liz, Moderator]

Ian wrote: "Historical winning at the mo."

That's exactly what topped the first poll last time around ;)

[Ian, Moderator]

Just like history repeating.....that's a song lyric I think.

[Sue]

I'm saving one of my Welsh novels for this! Must admit this is one of my favourite genres.

[Helen]

I missed the beginning last time, exciting.

[Bill]

It'll be nice to get the challenges on the road and see which novels everybody is picking.. :0)

[Jennifer]

My first time - getting quite excited about it, although I may have overdone the challenges, as I have ongoing A to Z and around the world to squeeze in too. My personal extra effort will be to see how many times I can hit all three challenges with a single book!!

[Chris]

If History is chosen I will dust off The Greenlanders by Jane Smiley as a change from my usual reads.

[Sue]

Jennifer wrote: " My personal extra effort will be to see..."
LOL that's mine too!!

[Angela]

Jennifer wrote: "My first time - getting quite excited about it, although I may have overdone the challenges, as I have ongoing A to Z and around the world to squeeze in to. My personal extra effort will be to see..."

That's what I'll be trying to do as well!

[Bill]

Is that history or historical fiction? I'm still not sure what to read.. Maybe I'll finally read The Beekeeper's Apprentice.

[Dave]

Go for it Bill, its a brilliant book, would also work if we get crime/detective.

If History is chosen - I'll go with Drood, as that's historical fiction and I'm planning on reading that next.

Hmm Ian (oh law keeper of challenges) would a Spider-Man novel count if Crime is chosen? He is after all a crime fighter!!

[Ian, Moderator]

Don't see why not Dave.

[Em]

Only a couple of votes between historical and crime! Historical fiction is a favourite genre of mine but I didn't vote for this time (I've read lots of it lately!) However, if historical wins out, I picked up A Dragon to Agincourt by J. Malcolm Pryce at the charity bookstore which looks interesting to me (Welsh father!) Owain Glyndwr and war of independence against the English.

Makes a changed from The Tudors!

[Angela]

Em wrote: "Only a couple of votes between historical and crime! Historical fiction is a favourite genre of mine but I didn't vote for this time (I've read lots of it lately!) However, if historical wins ou..."

Have you read by Sharon Kay Penman? There are several in the series and they're all about Welsh history. I really loved them - good, meaty reads!

[Sue]

Oh well, I have The Bat to collect at the library. As long as it isn't magical realism to start I don't mind!!

[Em]

I'll keep an eye out for it Angela, I already had it in my to-read list but had forgotten it was there!

[Sandra "Jeanz"]

Hello , I think I would like to join in on this group, though you may have to bear with me as I am new to these "challenges" I have joined two challenges on different blogs one is Witches and Witchcraft, and the other is Dystopia, and then my daughter and I have come up with a Zombie Reading challenge could these genres be added to your list too. I would think I could read a book form your monthly genre.

[Sarah]

I'm looking forward to starting this challenge. It will be my first challenge on here :)

[Mandy]

If historical wins, I am wondering fiction or non fiction? Will either be ok ?

[Nikks]

Can't wait to start and looking forward the genre for January being formerly announced :-)

[Em]

Either fiction or non fiction is fine... or one of each?!

[Em]

Hi Sandra, we have a 24 genre list to fit two complete years but I think zombies would be included with "horror", witches etc would suit for "fantasy/folklore" and dystopian is already there.

It amazing how many novels cross-over genres so you may be able to shoehorn more of your fave genres into other genres eg. young adult, , award winners, cult, short stories, romance and magical realism can include a pretty broad range!

I hope you'll join in with the challenge, it's really good fun and usually promotes a lot if chat!!

[Laura]

Em wrote: "Either fiction or non fiction is fine... or one of each?!"

Would you get any special mentions if you read two books for the challenge in one month? :D

[Em]

Many people do! Entirely personal choice, Laura. You can read one book, two or nothing but that genre for the entire month - up to you.

The plan is to have a discussion each month relevant to the chosen genre so no one should be short of ideas or suggestons!