Introduction to the genre challenge 2013 -15

[Theweebarrell]

when will it be decided which genre is read and where will i find it

[Helen]

Under poll, top right of group home page. Voting finishes today.

[Dave]

So voting has finished now - looks like its Historical based on the poll.

Ian/Em can you confirm - getting excited now :)

[Em]

Yes, I can confirm historical has won the poll for January, earlier today I started a discussion thread for the month - should be just below this one (with any luck!)

[Dave]

Em - your far to efficient, I hadn't got that far up my unread posts!!

[Olga]

I've come to this quite late but hope to be able to join now...I'm finishing a book that's nor particularly historical at the moment but hopefully will be able to read one that fits in the genre during the month...

[Helen]

You're not late, we're only 6 days in.

[Liz, Moderator]

Ok, the poll to choose the genre for February is now live, so please go ahead and cast your vote. (The poll can be found at the bottom of the home page).

[Em]

Cheers, I already spotted it! I'm going romance - it's Valentines isn't it and someone on another thread just reminded me that I've got J R Ward books waiting on my Kindle!

[Jennifer]

I was just scrolling through the polls from the previous genre challenge and history seems to be repeating itself ... Started with Historical and Crime leading the way for month 2! Not looking so good for your Valentines read, Em.

[Dave]

Off to vote for crime now lots of those to read in my TBR piles

[Sue]

I'm with you Em! As long as it isn't magical realism I don't mind!

[Andrew]

I haven't looked yet and I'm usually last in line to get on computer at home . I'm always reading crime so maybe I should vote for something different to stretch myself ! Am looking forward to it.

[Vicky]

I went for Romance, purely because it's February and it seemed to fit with Valentine's Day...not sure what I will read though!

[Bill]

I've got a small row of books ready of the top-rated genres, just waiting for the final result. I keep adjusting as one moves to the top.. 'What fun', as Miranda's mother would say!.. :0)

[Helen]

Bill, that programme makes me laugh.

[Liz, Moderator]

Jennifer wrote: "I was just scrolling through the polls from the previous genre challenge and history seems to be repeating itself ... Started with Historical and Crime leading the way for month 2! Not looking so ..."

Yes, It does look like we might end up repeating ourselves..... I'm usually happy with whatever the outcome is (last year the only genre I struggled with was poetry) - we'll get around to all of them eventually!

[Ellie]

I've voted for Romance as well mainly for same reasons as others - it's Valentine's Day in Feb - but also cos there's a few books which will fit into the category sat on my Kindle and I need the motivation to read them :)

[Laura]

Oh dear... romance is definitely a genre I will struggle with.

[Angela]

I voted for Romance, although, like Laura, I'll struggle I think. Didn't get very far with it last year - gave up on page 40 of ! Shall have to be careful with my choice this year:)

[Nicola]

I havent got a clue what to read for romance as it isnt something I ever read. Got enough problems in my own love life without reading about someone else's.
Fingers crossed that crime wins instead.

[Aleka]

Hi Nicola, Have you read The Night Circus ( I own a copy although I have not read it yet)In light of your comment may I suggest Wall of Days by Alastair Bruce?

[Vicky]

I think I might try 'the notebook' and the Kashmir shawl' I'm not a 'mills and boon' or '50 shades of grey' fan so am looking for something else that hopefully has a good story. A friend of mine suggested 'Jane Eyre' which I know is a classic but could be romance too?

[✿Claire✿]

Alexandra wrote: "Hi Nicola, Have you read The Night Circus ..."

I can thoroughly reccommend the Night Circus, it's a great read, really lovely descriptions and the romance is there but isn't too 'in your face' like it is in some books.

[Bill]

If romance wins, I may this time get around to reading Lady Chatterly's Lover. I had it ready for the last time we chose Romance/ Erotica, but I ended up reading a couple of other books..

[Aleka]

Can I suggest the genre 'New Weird'.. Despite the title it's actually not that weird or new. Overlaps with SF /fantasy.

[Aleka]

Claire wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "Hi Nicola, Have you read The Night Circus ..."

I can thoroughly reccommend the Night Circus, it's a great read, really lovely descriptions and the romance is there but isn't too ..."

Great, based on the back cover it looks interesting and atmospheric.I'll get round t reading it eventually.

[Sue]

Might try Fanny Hill, or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure! Not going to get too excited though in case crime wins. Some great suggestions for Romance so far though.

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Alexandra wrote: "Hi Nicola, Have you read The Night Circus ( I own a copy although I have not read it yet)In light of your comment may I suggest Wall of Days by Alastair Bruce?"

The Night Circus is lovely, I have read it twice now.

[Nicola]

Alexandra wrote: "Hi Nicola, Have you read The Night Circus ( I own a copy although I have not read it yet)In light of your comment may I suggest Wall of Days by Alastair Bruce?"

No, I haven't. I'll look at that and the other one, thanks for the suggestions everyone.

[Aleka]

Has anyone read anything by John Burnside?

[Andrew]

Inspired by this thread of posts despite my better judgement I've voted Romance. I've gotBrooklynin a pile which I think will come in the category. I'd also reccomend Nial Williams'sFour Letters of Loveand As It Is In Heaventhe latter i've just read as part of my world trip.I like the sound of Night circus which everyone seems to be raving about.

[Liz, Moderator]

Vicky wrote: "I think I might try 'the notebook' and the Kashmir shawl' I'm not a 'mills and boon' or '50 shades of grey' fan so am looking for something else that hopefully has a good story. A friend of mine suggested Jane Eyre..."

Yes, I'd say Jane Eyre is both a classic and a romance (it might even count for gothic too....)

[Liz, Moderator]

Laura wrote: "Oh dear... romance is definitely a genre I will struggle with."

Somehow, I usually manage to twist the genre to suit my own tastes.

I've been wanting to read The English Patient for years, I think it could be classed as romance (as well as historical, war, mystery, literary fiction...)

Last year, I read Henry Miller (not recommended!), this time I might read another 'classic' of erotica, and try his sometime-other-half, Anais Nin....

[Sue]

Liz wrote:

I've been wanting to read The English Patient fo..."

I read that for my book group a couple of months ago and was one of the very few who actually finished it. I thought the film was hard going and thought that the book certainly was too. Unfortunately another of his books has come up this month. Hope you enjoyed it. Will be interested to hear what you think.

[Louise]

Thinking I might stray a little into erotica and pick up Venus in Furs. It's a damn sexy Velvet Underground track and have been meaning to read the book for ages.

[Aleka]

I thought this was apt,I liked the article& thought I'd share. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobilew...

[Ian, Moderator]

I went for Anais Nin erotica last time.....garbage. May go for .

[Susan]

Bill wrote: "I've got a small row of books ready of the top-rated genres, just waiting for the final result. I keep adjusting as one moves to the top.. 'What fun', as Miranda's mother would say!.. :0)"

That's a good idea....I think I'll do the same, I sometimes forget that I have certain books and buy new, when I have the perfect thing already.

[Susan]

If it's Romance I'm planning to read The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye....it's very long, but something I've wanted to read for a long time.

[Angela]

Ian wrote: "I went for Anais Nin erotica last time.....garbage. May go for ."

Utter garbage!!!! - the Anais Nin, I mean:)

[Bill]

Susan wrote: "Bill wrote: "I've got a small row of books ready of the top-rated genres, just waiting for the final result. I keep adjusting as one moves to the top.. 'What fun', as Miranda's mother would say!.. ..."

It just helps my satisfy my love of making lists, one way or another, Susan. :0)

[Em]

Ian wrote: "I went for Anais Nin erotica last time.....garbage. May go for ."

Interesting choice!

[Em]

Susan wrote: "If it's Romance I'm planning to read The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye....it's very long, but something I've wanted to read for a long time."

I really enjoyed it! Epic, romantic, I hope you like it too...

I think romance can be found in almost every genre, it doesn't have to be a Mills and Boon does it? One of my historical books could be deemed as romance.

What about Jane Austen - I wouldn't mind re-reading some Jane if romance wins out.

[Susan]

Em....your right, there can often be a love story running through books in many genres.

A couple of years ago I bought a boxed set of Jane Austen's books and re- read them. It was lovely to discover how wonderful they are all over again.

[Ian, Moderator]

Em wrote: "Ian wrote: "I went for Anais Nin erotica last time.....garbage. May go for ."

Interesting choice!"

Be good to know what you girls are thinking lol but prob more likely to go for Paris Wife.

[Aleka]

' .... there can often be a love story running through dif genres'
The Lord of The Rings is actually a love story.

[Vicky]

I see modern British classics are not far behind romance now.... Tied with crime. What books would fall into modern British classics? I'm not familiar with this one. It's so exciting waiting to see what it will be and thinking about the next genre though! I've read two great books this month and am really looking forward to what's coming next.

[Andrew]

Vicky wrote: "I see modern British classics are not far behind romance now.... Tied with crime. What books would fall into modern British classics? I'm not familiar with this one. It's so exciting waiting to see..."
I think I suggested kitchen sink dramas when it was suggested what we do and I was thinking of books like Room at the top, A kind of loving, The L shaped room,etc but as moder Broish classics it could cover anything as I suppose books like Money , Atonement, Remains of the day also fall into that. I've got Billy Liar ready to go if that comes up as our reading group did a 50's and 60's month a while ago and I did This Sporting life and A kind of loving led me to reading the trilogy! Loneliness of long distance lover is also a fave of mine!! Sorry bit of long response!!

[Vicky]

Andrew wrote: "Vicky wrote: "I see modern British classics are not far behind romance now.... Tied with crime. What books would fall into modern British classics? I'm not familiar with this one. It's so exciting ..."

Thanks Andrew, lots to choose from then!