Introduction to the genre challenge 2013 -15

[Danielle]

Would it be an idea to give the December pick a Christmas feeling?

In this way people don't really need to find a book set at Christmas - they can if they want to - but it can be nice to find books with for example a red or green cover (the colours associated with Christmas) or to do a sort of spelling game. For exemple some associate Christmas with 'turkey' and they could read books that spell out the word 'turkey' or they can read a book set in Turkey. Or they can read a book with a word in the title that can be associated with Christmas.

[Liz, Moderator]

Ok then, it seems we'll be going festive for the genre challenge in December - anything featuring significant Christmas references and/or setting can be included. I'll set up the thread when we hit December, but in the meantime,post your thoughts here....

[Ian, Moderator]

Bah humbug lol xx

[Helen]

Ian, I can feel your happy little Christmas mood from here.

[Jayne]

Ian wrote: "Bah humbug lol xx"

I've found a list of books just for you https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8...

ENJOY :-)

[Ian, Moderator]

Thanks Jayne.....very kind of you......but see the Happy UK thread....I have been compromised.

[Liz, Moderator]

A Christmas novel is going to be difficult (I did the obvious, A Christmas Carol, last year)
There are quite a few out there, but none seem to be my cup of tea (so far...)

I could do The Snow Child as that's very wintery (although not specifically Christmas...)

I have just come across Christmas Holiday by Somerset Maugham, which might do, but I'm still looking.

[Bill]

Unless I specifically go out and buy a Xmas-themed book, I'll probably bypass this read, but it will allow me to catch up on other books. :0)

[Jayne]

Liz wrote: "A Christmas novel is going to be difficult (I did the obvious, A Christmas Carol, last year)
There are quite a few out there, but none seem to be my cup of tea (so far...)

I could do ..."

I loved The Snow Child. It's a beautiful story that I will probably reread over the Christmas holiday.

[Helen]

I bought one by the writer I read last year, can't remember what it is only that it a cheap kindle.

[Robyn]

I think I might reread Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising -- she captures Christmas and winter so well, without being too mawkish for my tastes!

[Helen]

I've never got round to reading my copy but I love the film. There is a book on kindle's daily deal with Christmas in the title.

[Liz, Moderator]

Bill wrote: "Unless I specifically go out and buy a Xmas-themed book, I'll probably bypass this read, but it will allow me to catch up on other books. :0)"

I couldn't do any of these challenges without my local library - I'd be penniless without it! ;)

[Nicola]

Can I just check that this challenge is running over 2 years so from january we will work our way through the remaining 12 categories?

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Bill wrote: "Unless I specifically go out and buy a Xmas-themed book, I'll probably bypass this read, but it will allow me to catch up on other books. :0)"

I couldn't do any of these challenges wi..."

I hate to say, but I haven't been to a library since my school days; I don't like the time pressure, plus if I like the book, I'm going to buy it anyway. Penniless is us..

[Em]

Hi Nicola, yes we will be reading the rest from January.

[Helen]

Bill wrote: "Liz wrote: "Bill wrote: "Unless I specifically go out and buy a Xmas-themed book, I'll probably bypass this read, but it will allow me to catch up on other books. :0)"

I couldn't do any of these c..."

I was put off after reading a book that a heavy snooker had read before me.

[Ian, Moderator]

A heavy snooker H? That'll be Big Bill Werbeniuk you're thinking of. Pride of Canada back in the day.

[Helen]

Aaaaahhhhh! It should've said smoker. A child in my class smells so strongly of her mum's cigarettes that I can't listen to her read as I start gagging.

[Laura]

Are we soon getting a new poll for what to read next month?

[Liz, Moderator]

I'll have to do it tomorrow Laura, I've just got to the end of a baking marathon: Christmas cake, mince pies & marzipan fruit with my 7 year old. The house smells wonderful. ...

[Helen]

Just came on to ask. My cake is baking and tomorrow I'm making peanut butter fudge and pistachio & cranberry snow bites.

[Liz, Moderator]

Laura wrote: "Are we soon getting a new poll for what to read next month?"

It's Christmas Eve and I've finally got around to posting the poll to choose January's genre.

We're halfway through the list, so the most obvious genres have already gone. Take a look and try something a little different...

Have a great Christmas, I'm off to decorate that Christmas cake...

[Laura]

Excellent!

I'm off to bake too, though not quite the traditional Christmas cake (that's been done by my MiL).

[Liz, Moderator]

Magical Realism is currently leading the poll for January's genre (closely followed by YA). There's still time to cast your vote, before the end of the year... (To find the poll: either click on the 'polls' link top right, or scroll down to the bottom of the UK Book Club home page)

[Maenad]

Could someone clarify if it is okay for me to join the challenge from January 2014 onwards, if I didn't participate in the previous months? Thanks!

[Jayne]

Maenad wrote: "Could someone clarify if it is okay for me to join the challenge from January 2014 onwards, if I didn't participate in the previous months? Thanks!"

You can join anytime. Each month is like a separate challenge and you can join in on any you like the sound of.

[Maenad]

Great to hear! Thanks :)

[Liz, Moderator]

I realise the end of the month is in sight, so I will go ahead and set up the poll to choose next month's genre.

[Liz, Moderator]

Ok, poll is up and running. I've already cast my vote and with Valentine's Day coming up, I've chosen Romance/Erotica this time.

[Helen]

Me too.

[Jayne]

Me too.

[Helen]

Looks like we'll be romantic for February, unless there's a flurry of votes. I love the way we choose horror for Halloween and romance for Valentine's.

[Ian, Moderator]

And there was me thinking you were all getting all erotic.

[Jayne]

Who says you can't be erotic and romantic at the same time? :-)

[Liz, Moderator]

So erotic AND romantic then for February. I'd better set up the new thread....

[Ian, Moderator]

Down girls lol.

[Andrew]

I was wondering whether it might be interesting to put a World War One month in for this year. My physical group are doing and in April but I've just seen the thread mentioning Sebastian Barry book which I fancy. Anyway just wondering what everyone thinks!

[Ian, Moderator]

I'm all in favour 100 years on from 1914. I've been sort of having that all by myself - or not so it seems - since the start of 2014. Will be reading sometime this month.

[Liz, Moderator]

Andrew wrote: "I was wondering whether it might be interesting to put a World War One month in for this year. My physical group are doing and [bookcover:The Return of the Soldie..."

That sounds like a good idea. Britain entered the war in August 1914, so we could do it in August? Although if you have books itching to be read, we could bring it forward - thoughts?

[Andrew]

Perhaps we should see what the general view is Liz, i would prob prefer September as august is hol season and i tend to go for something long and silly, like last year 'the passage' however if everyone liked the idea i would go with whatever, it would be interesting though to have a focussed discussion in one month, anyway back to 12 year olds birthday!

[Andrew]

Although august makes sense as well and appropriate.

[Ian, Moderator]

Or we could just set up a separate thread for the 100th Anniversary of WW1 starting, where we can exchange ideas/read books - bit like the ancient history thread, but lasting all year?

[Andrew]

Ian wrote: "Or we could just set up a separate thread for the 100th Anniversary of WW1 starting, where we can exchange ideas/read books - bit like the ancient history thread, but lasting all year?"

Sounds goo Ian

[Ian, Moderator]

Messy huh??

[Helen]

Lol

[Em]

Ian, you never let a typo go!!

[Andrew]

At least it was 'good' rather than 'poor' otherwise fat finger syndrome would have been even more embarrassing lol!

[Ian, Moderator]

lo Andre

[Ian, Moderator]

Just about to set up a WW1 thread.