Introduction to the genre challenge 2013 -15

[Kate, Moderator]

I've chosen The Hobbit for my Modern British Classic. Although Tolkien was born abroad he is classed as British and an English writer according to Wiki. Waterstones has The Hobbit as number 19 on their Top 100 books of the Century list and it says on the blurb on the back of my copy that its a "Children's Classic". I doubt The Hobbit will be my only book for the monthly genre challenge so if it is considered questionable I'll have a back up!

[Em]

I think To Kill a Mockingbird is an American classic rather than a British one but I should think An Inspector Calls would fit the bill though...

[Em]

By the way, I've set up a thread for March.

[Angela]

Em wrote: "By the way, I've set up a thread for March."

Thanks, Em:)

[Ellie]

Claire wrote: "Would To Kill A Mockingbird and/or An Inspector Calls count?"

To Kill a Mockingbird is American unfortunately. Fits in to the right era otherwise and it's a great read. Not sure on An Inspector Calls...

[Helen]

Hmmm, I was planning on reading another Collins but is he 'modern'?

[Ian, Moderator]

Poll time Em??

[Liz, Moderator]

Ian wrote: "Poll time Em??"

Hi Ian, you must have read my mind! I've just posted the poll for April's genre. So time to cast your vote.

(I still haven't finished my first 'Modern British' yet and I thought I'd get several titles under my belt this month. Still two weeks to go, plenty of time....)

[Sue]

(I still haven't finished my first 'Modern British' yet and..."
I haven't started yet! Still waiting for Cold Comfort Farm and my Margaret Drabble turned out to be a very recent one, not a classic. Have ordered a Vita Sackville West instead. Think I could be playing catch up!

[Ian, Moderator]

Just voted Liz.

[Nicola]

What the heck is magical realism?

[Ian, Moderator]

GR definition below Nicola.

http://www.goodreads.com/genres/magic...

[Dave]

Helen wrote: "Hmmm, I was planning on reading another Collins but is he 'modern'?"

He was writing in the late 19th Century wan't he so I think he's out for this month.

[[deleted user]]

I decided on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Not overly impressed. But one to cross of my to- read list

[Vicky]

I'm excited to start this months challenge, it's probably my favourite genre. I've been looking through amazon and found Nicholas and Alexandra for 99p, it's got a 4.24 average and sounds promising so thought I would share :-)

[Liz, Moderator]

Yep, It's war and revolution for April! I've just posted the new thread ;)

[Vicky]

I'll copy my post over I think. Thanks liz

[Liz, Moderator]

Vicky wrote: "I'm excited to start this months challenge, it's probably my favourite genre. I've been looking through amazon and found Nicholas and Alexandra for 99p, it's got a 4.24 average and sounds promising..."

Sounds good, I've just downloaded it too.....

[Liz, Moderator]

Kande wrote: "I'd like to participate but I'm probably gonna need some suggestions if it needs to be a British book. Thanks!"

No it doesn't have to be a British book - that was just last month: Modern Britsh classics (20thC).

There are plenty of suggestions on the war/revolution thread. Enjoy! (oops, that's not quite the right expression given the subject matter... ;)

[Liz, Moderator]

Hello all. I've just posted the poll to vote for next month's genre. Happy voting!

[Bill]

Wow! Is it that time already.. How fast April is going by.

[Liz, Moderator]

I know, scary how fast we're getting through 2013!

[Bill]

There haven't been a great many votes on next months genre challenge yet. Maybe an email to the members?

[Liz, Moderator]

Bill wrote: "There haven't been a great many votes on next months genre challenge yet. Maybe an email to the members?"

Thanks Bill, I've just sent out a message...

[Lewis]

Sorry to come to this late - I'm still trying to finish The Radetzky March for the 'War and Rev" challenge!!
Where's the poll of May choices?

[Liz, Moderator]

Lewis wrote: "Sorry to come to this late - I'm still trying to finish The Radetzky March for the 'War and Rev" challenge!!
Where's the poll of May choices?"

The poll should be at the bottom of our home page.

[Sarah]

I got an email come through to vote, just done so. So we wait now.. and then chose a book form the genre with the most votes? Yar?

[Ian, Moderator]

Yep that's it Sarah.

[Sarah]

Okie dokie =]

[Liz, Moderator]

So will it be award-winning books or fantasy/folklore for May? Drum-roll please.....

[Sarah]

*fingers crossed for fantasy*

[Jennifer]

I'm holding out for award-winning, have been saving Life of Pi with this challenge in mind and it is starting to get dusty sitting there on the tottering pile beside my bed!

[Nicola]

Me too, I have Life of Pi ready on audio....

[Ian, Moderator]

Award winners won.....have just set the new thread up for you Liz.

[Liz, Moderator]

Thanks Ian. I've just got in, having spent an exhausting day in Malaysia (as you do.....) ;)

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Thanks Ian. I've just got in, having spent an exhausting day in Malaysia (as you do.....) ;)"

What was the reason for your trip to Malaysia?

[Ian, Moderator]

Liz wrote: "Thanks Ian. I've just got in, having spent an exhausting day in Malaysia (as you do.....) ;)"

No probs Liz.

[Liz, Moderator]

Bill wrote: "Liz wrote: "Thanks Ian. I've just got in, having spent an exhausting day in Malaysia (as you do.....) ;)"

What was the reason for your trip to Malaysia?"

Well, it was a public holiday in Singapore on Wednesday, so we drove over to Malaysia to visit a 'Kampong' - a traditional-style village. It was great (my son Max got to chase chickens, row a boat, make a kite and climb a wonderful treehouse) but very basic (squat toilets, no drinking water) and very very hot.

Just like a typical Bank Holiday in the UK, Max then fell asleep in the car on the way back and we had to carry him up to bed. :)

[Bill]

Sounds like quite an experience. :0)

[Angela]

Still reading - what a great book!

[Liz, Moderator]

Well it might be time to set up next month's poll to give everyone time to vote and search for suitable book ideas.......

I'm still lingering over Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides and loving it!

[Liz, Moderator]

Poll should go live later today. You'll be able to find it at the bottom of the home page.

[Andrew]

Great liz , just seen post, how was Middlesex ?

[Liz, Moderator]

Fantasy is just in the lead for next month's genre (short stories a little behind). There's still time to cast your vote, if you haven't yet done so...... ;)

[Liz, Moderator]

Only two days left to vote. Fantasy is still in the lead with comedy/humour a little way behind.....

[Liz, Moderator]

Well, it's fantasy/folklore for June! I will go ahead and set up the new thread.....

[Liz, Moderator]

Liz wrote: "Well, it's fantasy/folklore for June! I will go ahead and set up the new thread....."

I've just noticed how often I end my posts: ......
(is it annoying? I find myself doing it to avoid going: !!!!) ;0)

[Angela]

Thank you, Liz:)

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Liz wrote: "Well, it's fantasy/folklore for June! I will go ahead and set up the new thread....."

I've just noticed how often I end my posts: ......
(is it annoying? I find myself doing it to avoi..."

lol.. I do too, Liz. (there, forced myself to avoid it there...).. doh

[Ian, Moderator]

It's your open personality Liz......