Introducing the Challenge

[Liz, Moderator]

Oh no, Bill! Why does that always seem to happen? I aim to get my challenge books from the library and it works most of the time (although I've been waiting the whole month for 'The House of Leaves'). Saves me £$€¥¢

[Lawrence]

Bill, do you have any recommendations for graphic novels I've read very few but loved V for Vendetta, Watchmen and Maus

[Bill]

Lawrence wrote: "Bill, do you have any recommendations for graphic novels I've read very few but loved V for Vendetta, Watchmen and Maus"

You could check out Sin City, Vol. 1: The Hard Goodbye by Frank Miller. (I've read the 1st two and they were interesting.

Or Rising Stars, Vol. 1: Born in Fire by J. Michael Straczynski (I've read three volumes)

I particularly liked Alan Moore's Top 10, Vol. 1 (1 and 2)

[Liz, Moderator]

It's October next week. So, I spun the virtual wheel and next month's genre is....
Romance and / or Erotica.
I will go ahead and set up the new thread...

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "It's October next week. So, I spun the virtual wheel and next month's genre is....
Romance and / or Erotica.
I will go ahead and set up the new thread..."

*blush*

[Liz, Moderator]

What will we be reading for November???
Fantasy/folklore will be the genres. I have something in mind already... Let me get that thread running...

[Liz, Moderator]

With December just around the corner, what do you think about doing the usual Winter / Christmas themed books for next month?

[Kate, Moderator]

Liz wrote: "With December just around the corner, what do you think about doing the usual Winter / Christmas themed books for next month?"

Oh yes please Liz! Great suggestion. I've got a few festive books I need to get through and this will give me just the incentive I need!

[Em]

Definitely on board with that!

[Liz, Moderator]

I've just posted February's new genre: Award-winning books....

[Liz, Moderator]

Oops! March is upon us tomorrow and I haven't set up the new thread. I will have to do it tomorrow. In the meantime the genre is: Horror/ gothic/ghost stories....

[Liz, Moderator]

And enjoy the extra day - it's a leap year!

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "And enjoy the extra day - it's a leap year!"

You too!

[Kate, Moderator]

Out of interest how many genres are left to go Liz? I'm guessing we must be nearing the end soon.

[Liz, Moderator]

You guess correctly, Kate. April will be the final month of the challenge and the last genre will be: LGBTQ.

Looking ahead, I was going to ask if anyone wanted to go around again, once we complete?

Finally, I had a thought for May: we could share and read our own favourite genres. How do you like the sound of that?

[Kate, Moderator]

Closer than I thought then! Thanks, I'll start looking for an April book.
Loving the sound of May's challenge too.

The only one I haven't finished is Poetry which we tackled back in March 2018. So its just dawned on me that I've been two years reading The Iliad and haven't finished yet! lol

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "You guess correctly, Kate. April will be the final month of the challenge and the last genre will be: LGBTQ.

Looking ahead, I was going to ask if anyone wanted to go around again, once we complet..."

I like the idea of going around again, Liz. I also like your idea for May.. I should have read The Girls in 3-B in April.. lol.. mind you, I've got two books coming that will fit that bill... Return to Lesbos and Women's Barracks.

[Em]

I’m on board with that plan! I’d really miss the genre challenge if we stopped!

[Liz, Moderator]

I would too, Em. It keeps my reading full of variety. Do you realise, we started the first round in 2011? and we've been around 4 times! I think we all deserve a pat on the back and drinks all round :)

[Liz, Moderator]

Ok, we will do favourite genres for May!.

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "I would too, Em. It keeps my reading full of variety. Do you realise, we started the first round in 2011? and we've been around 4 times! I think we all deserve a pat on the back and drinks all roun..."

Wow! 4 times. Thanks for coming up with the idea and keeping it going.

[Kate, Moderator]

Amazing 4 times! I joined you in 2013 so I guess I've done it 3 times!

I just had an idea which may or may not work.
I know there are a couple of genres which are outside my comfort zone and I struggle to find something to fit, and then generally hate it when I do find something. I suspect others may be in the same boat. (I know the point is that we are stretched but there is stretching too far sometimes!)

Anyway, I wondered about having some kind of "get out of jail free card" which you could play in a month when the genre really doesn't suit you.

Not sure how it would work but maybe we could read a book related in someway to the monopoly board e.g. a picture on the front of one of the counters e.g. dog, top hat, or maybe set in London or linked in someway to one of the places on the board e.g. Sharpe's Trafalgar for Trafalgar Square or Mall in the title for Pall Mall etc.

It may be too complicated but I thought it worth a mention. If its agreed on I could open a thread in the new genre challenge with some ideas for prompts and if you chose to use your Get out of Jail free card you could explain how your book fits there.

Just an idea. :)

[Liz, Moderator]

Kate, I like that idea. But it can only be used once, so you have to choose wisely...

[Em]

I like the idea of choosing our favourite genre for May - I have a couple of faves but historical fiction is probably top and I’ve just treated myself to the The Mirror and the Light by Hillary Mantel however, might need to start it soon - it’s a lot of pages! Could take a while!

[Liz, Moderator]

Hello, bad news I’m afraid. I tested positive for Covid-19 and I am currently in hospital, being monitored. I currently have a mild case, but I am very tired.

Next month it’s LGBTQ books. So put your thinking caps on. I have ‘A Little Life’ by Hanya Yanagihara and ‘The Strangers Child’ by Alan Hollinghurst on my Kindle, if I can get them to download...

I will try to set up the thread when I can connect to better wifi...

[Em]

Hope you feel better soon Liz and good to hear that symptoms mild. We’re all in lock down and I’m having to shelter at home for 12 weeks as having chemo and at risk. It’s all a bit nerve wracking. Sending best wishes.... xxx

[Kate, Moderator]

Liz, so sorry to hear that, get well soon.
Em, very sensible to stay home if you're at risk.
Thinking of you both during this uncertain time.

[Em]

Liz, I’ve started a discussion for April, you don’t need to worry about WiFi etc. just look after yourself! Xx

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Hello, bad news I’m afraid. I tested positive for Covid-19 and I am currently in hospital, being monitored. I currently have a mild case, but I am very tired.

Next month it’s LGBTQ books. So put ..."

I'll be thinking of you Liz. Please keep us posted. Best to you and your family.

[Liz, Moderator]

We have come to end of this run through the genre challenge. It's been a fun two years. (Yes - two years!) So to celebrate (and to allow ourselves a break before, once more, entering the fray ), we have decided to read from our favourite genres for May.

I will set up the thread and please join us in a comfort read :)

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "We have come to end of this run through the genre challenge. It's been a fun two years. (Yes - two years!) So to celebrate (and to allow ourselves a break before, once more, entering the fray ), we..."

Comfort is good.. :0) My favorite genre is mystery these days so I'm sure I'll read a few in May. This has been a great challenge.