The Easy Challenge - 2015

[Michael, Mod Prometheus]

For people doing the easy challenge, to discuss progress and planned books.


Easy Challenge

Classics
Fantasy
Graphic Novels
Historical Fiction
Horror
Literary Fiction
Mystery
Non Fiction
Romance
Science Fiction
Thriller
Young Adult

Bonus points points (can be exchanged for bragging rights) for Translated Fiction and books over 800 pages.

[Sally906]

I'm up for the easy challenge again - here are some titles the rest I will post as I think of them - will struggle with horror again but am sure I will come up with something suitable that leans to the lighter side of creepy :)

Classics - The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
Fantasy - TBA
Graphic Novels - The Opal Deception: The Graphic Novel by Eoin Colfer
Historical Fiction - TBA
Horror - Welcome to Camp Nightmare by R.L. Stine
Literary Fiction - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Mystery - The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith
Non Fiction - Popeye Never Told You: Childhood Memories of the War by Rodney Hall
Romance - An Unexpected Blessing by Unoma Nwankwor
Science Fiction - Mars Evacuees by Sophia McDougall
Thriller – Tell the Truth by Katherine Howell due out in March
Young Adult – Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger


And I am sure I will be able to Ferret out some Translated Fiction as well

[Tawallah]

I'll try the easy for now.Horror isn't my fav genre so I'll see.

✔ Classics:
✔ Fantasy:
Graphic Novels:
✔Historical fiction:
✔ Horror:
✔Literary Fiction:
✔ Mystery:
Non-fiction:
✔ Romance:
✔ Science Fiction:
✔Thriller:
✔Young Adult:

[Laurie]

I did the insane challenge last year, but this year I plan to focus on reading classics instead of trying so many different genres. So I will start with the easy challenge and have made my choices from the classics.


Classics Great Expectations by Charles Dickens ✔ 9/10/15
Fantasy The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum ✔ 5/6/15
Graphic Novels The Hobbit: Graphic Novel by Chuck Dixon ✔ 2/6/15
Historical Fiction War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy ✔ 3/6/15 (translated and over 800 pages)
Horror The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving ✔ 2/14/15
Literary Fiction Middlemarch by George Eliot ✔ 4/25/15 (over 800 pages)
Mystery Double Indemnity by James M. Cain ✔ 2/12/15
Non Fiction A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf ✔ 7/1/15
Romance Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak ✔ 6/26/15 (translated)
Science Fiction The Time Machine by H.G. Wells ✔ 2/28/15
Thriller The Quiet American by Graham Greene ✔ 7/26/15
Young Adult The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger ✔ 3/16/15

[[deleted user]]

I would like to try this. Seeing as it's my first time, I will sign up for the Easy Challenge. :)

Easy Challenge

Classics -Lady Chatterley's Lover
Fantasy -Lord of the Changing Winds
Graphic Novels -The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel
Historical Fiction -The Ghost Bride
Horror -Firestarter
Literary Fiction -Journey
Mystery -Midnight is a Lonely Place
Non Fiction -Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod
Romance -The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount
Science Fiction -The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Thriller -The Surgeon
Young Adult -Crescendo

[Mary, Quiet Observer]

I still haven't completed this years easy challenge. Still a little bit of time but don't think I'll make it. I wonder if I should even try with this challenge next year.

[Liz]

FINISHED THE EASY CHALLENGE
Starting with the easy to get through the rough books first


Classics Tender Is the Night
Fantasy A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow
Graphic Novels The Walking Dead, Vol. 03: Safety Behind Bars
Historical Fiction The Red Tent
Horror The Vision
Literary Fiction Saturday
Mystery Gone Girl
Non Fiction Tudors
Romance A Walk to Remember
Science Fiction The Invisible Man
Thriller Running Blind
Young AdultDreams of Gods & Monsters

[M.L.]

I'll sign up for 2015. Not sure which books yet.
(I'm not quite finished with this year's either but hope to make it.)

[Marina]

Since it's my first time joining this challenge, I will start small. Here's a rough list, subject to change over the year.

✔Classics: Tender Is the Night
✔Fantasy: The Colour of Magic
✔Graphic Novels: Persepolis
✔Historical Fiction: Ali und Nino
✔Horror: The Stand
✔Literary Fiction: Un cuore così bianco
✔Mystery: Maschere
✔Non-Fiction: My Alien Self: My Journey Back to Me
✔Romance: Can You Keep a Secret?
✔Science-Fiction: Ready Player One
✔Thriller: Il profumo
✔Young Adult: The Giver

[Hayley]

classic: Lady Chatterley' s Lover
fantasy: Frey
Graphic novel: Suicide Squad vol 1
historical fiction : Scandal by Carolyn Jewel
Horror: Silence by Natasha Preston
literary fiction: US by David Nicholls
mystery: Because she loves me by Mark Edwards
Non fiction: The 40s story of a decade
romance: bared to you by Sylvia Day
Science thriller: planet urth
thriller: a time to kill by John Grisham
young adult: Airel the awakening

[Kelsey]

Mary wrote: "I still haven't completed this years easy challenge. Still a little bit of time but don't think I'll make it. I wonder if I should even try with this challenge next year."

Same here. I got to 10/12. Frankly, some genres just don't really do it for me. Life is short - there are so many books that DO interest me, I'd rather focus on them. That's how I feel right now - for all I know this time next year I'll be up for the 2016 Insane challenge.

[Pam]

Guess I will try the Easy Challenge for 2015.
CLASSICS: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith - 2/25/2015
FANTASY: Ice Land - Betsy Tobin - 3/22/2015
GRAPHIC NOVELS: Hirschfeld's Hollywood: the Film Art of Al Hirschfeld - David Leopold - 2/14/2015
HISTORICAL FICTION: The Miracle at St. Bruno's (Daughters of England #1) - Philippa Carr - 1/2/2015
HORROR: The Vanishing - Wendy Webb - 3/20/2015
LITERARY FICTION: For Whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemmingway
MYSTERY: Turtle Baby (Bo Bradley Mystery Series#3) - Amanda Padgett - 2/01/2015
NON-FICTION - 12 Years a Slave - Solomon Northrup 4/15/2015
ROMANCE:Secrets of the Lighthouse - Santa Montefiore - 1/25/15
SCIENCE FICTION: Departure - A. J. Riddle - 5/15/2015
THRILLER: The Alphabet House - Jussi Adler-Olsen - 4/09/2015
YOUNG ADULT: Elixir - Ted Galdi - 4/26/2015

[Tina]

Great choice! I loved that book. Just starting my first challenge (easy). Going to read "Tender Is the Night" for the general group. thinking of counting it as my "classics" choice for the challenge. Is that allowed?

[Kelsey]

I don't see why not Tina and I've not seen any indication otherwise.

I'm thinking I might just note down the genres for all challenges and if I happen to read a book that counts towards them I'll keep track and see how I've gone at the end of 2015. My issue is with genres like Thriller, that I am not really interested in, which leads me to seek out quick easy reads to tick off that box, and then I think I'm just cheating and it doesn't really count as "exploration" of a genre if you're trying to get out of it by choosing an easy example anyway? Aargh. Dilemmas.

ETA: Ahhh what the hell. And my list.

Classics The Complete Maus May 23 2015
Fantasy Clockwork Princess 4 June 2015
Graphic Novels Pride and Prejudice: The Graphic Novel 12 Jan 2015
Historical Fiction Cloudstreet 4 October 2015
Horror Authority 7 September 2015
Literary Fiction
Mystery - Currawong Manor 05 Jan 2015
Non Fiction A Concise History of Australia 26 Jan 2015
Romance
Science Fiction Annihilation 01 September 2015
Thriller Acceptance 20 September 2015
Young Adult The 100 18 July 2015

I have included the Southern Reach trilogy as three books covering the three genres those books are as a whole... yes that's cheesing it a bit.

[Tina]

Oh that's a good idea! I think I'll try it. On the other hand I did choose this challenge to "expand" my reading horizon . . . dilemmas, indeed! Maybe people here will suggest really good exemplars of each genre as they come across them--that way at least I'm reading a quality piece of literature in a genre I wouldn't ordinarily choose. I'll watch this space. Thanks!

[Marina]

Hi Kelsey, I can understand your dilemma. I'm not into thrillers at all, but a couple of years ago a friend introduced me to Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy and I simply fell in love with it! Thriller is still a genre I don't like, but at least I can make an exception now :-)

[Franky]

I'll go with the easy challenge again. I think I'll just pick the books as I go.

[Minna]

I'm trying to do the Insane Challenge this year and I'm going to read the genres I'm not used to reading earlier in the year this time.

Classics - 
Fantasy - 
Graphic Novels - 
Historical Fiction - Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind
Horror -
Literary Fiction - 
Mystery - 
Non Fiction – Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty
Romance - 
Science Fiction -
Thriller - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 15/01/08 *****
Young Adult - The Art of Being Normal – Lisa Williamson 15/01/01 ****

[Irmak]

Completed - 09.12.2015

Classics - Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev 4 stars (18.01.2015)
Fantasy - Rise of Empire by Michael J. Sullivan 4 stars (06.03.2015)
Graphic Novels - Y: The Last Man, Vol. 3: One Small Step 4 stars (30.03.2015)
Historical Fiction - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 5 stars (21.06.2015)
Horror - A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness 5 stars (31.05.2015)
Literary Fiction - The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 4 stars (06.06.2015)
Mystery - A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle 4 stars (31.01.2015)
Non Fiction – Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud 4 stars (25.11.2015)
Romance - Persuasion by Jane Austen 4 stars (09.12.2015)
Science Fiction - The Martian by Andy Weir 4 stars (22.06.2015)
Thriller - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie 5 stars (07.04.2015)
Young Adult - I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith 3 stars (7.01.2015)

[Adrianne]

I'll be doing the easy challenge but will be choosing the books as I go.

[Mary, Quiet Observer]

I've read my YA Novel. My favorite book from when I was 15. My sister managed to find one of the few remaining copies of it for my Christmas gift this year. Alison by Margaret watts.

[Brenda]

I have decided to do the Easy challenge this year...

Classics - Sydney Bridge Upside Down by David Ballantyne 2.5★s
Fantasy - Across the Bridge of Ice by Ruth Fox 4★s
Graphic - Unforgotten by Tohby Riddle 4★s
Historical - The Turning Tide by C.M. Lance 4.5★s
Horror - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving 3★s
Literary - After Darkness by Christine Piper 4★s
Mystery - Tell the Truth by Katherine Howell 4.5★s
Non Fiction - The Fall by Amy Dale 4★s
Romance - Storm Clouds by Bronwyn Parry 5★s
SciFi - The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly 4★s
Thriller - Fear the Darkness: A Thriller by Becky Masterman 5★s
Young Adult - Chasing the Valley by Skye Melki-Wegner 5★s

[M.L.]

I've read 3 so far:
- Fantasy - The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
- Mystery - Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie
- Thriller - A Gun for Sale by Graham Greene
I thought they were all great, all favorite authors.

[Kelli]

Easy Challenge

1/12



Classics
Fantasy
Graphic Novels
Historical Fiction
Horror
Literary Fiction
Mystery
Non Fiction
Romance
Science Fiction
Thriller
Young Adult: Shatter Me

[Rakisha]

Easy Challenge...again!!

Classics
Fantasy
Graphic Novels
Historical Fiction
Horror
Literary Fiction
Mystery
Non Fiction
Romance
Science Fiction
Thriller
Young Adult

[M.L.]

I've read 5 now:
- Thriller - Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett (I'm moving this to Thriller because it was so darn exciting!)
- Classic - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - it was great and definitely a classic
- Literary Fiction - A Gun for Sale by Graham Greene - I moved this to Literary from Thriller - anything by Graham Greene is top literature
- Fantasy - The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami - this is the same
- Mystery - Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie - same for this one

[Franky]

Flash Beagle wrote: "I've read 5 now:
- Thriller - Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett (I'm moving this to Thriller because it was so darn exciting!)
- Classic - Fahrenheit 451 ..."

Wow, a lot of classics in there! I'm currently reading Murakami's Kafka on the Shore for fantasy.

[M.L.]

Franky wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "I've read 5 now:
- Thriller - Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett (I'm moving this to Thriller because it was so darn exciting!)
- Classic - [book:Fahr..."

Wow, a lot of classics in there! I'm currently reading Murakami's Kafka on the Shore for fantasy.

Hm, I guess there are! I've been wanting to read some of these for a while. Be sure and post your thoughts on Kafka on the Shore; it's on my to reads!

[Brenda]

I've finished my 7th now with the Graphic Novel - Unforgotten by Tohby Riddle which I gave 4★s to:)

[Tina]

Here is my updated list:

Classics
Fantasy
Graphic Novels
Historical Fiction – All the Light We Cannot See ~Anthony Doerr
Horror
Literary Fiction – Remains of the Day ~ Kazuo Ishiguro
Mystery – A King of Infinite Space – Tyler Dilts
Non Fiction – How to be a Woman ~ Caitlin Moran
Romance
Science Fiction
Thriller
Young Adult

[Casseroll]

Easy Challenge----FINISHED December 2015

Classics----Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll---READ
Fantasy----Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb---READ
Graphic Novels----Through the Woods by Emily Carroll---READ
Historical Fiction-----Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen---READ
Horror-----The Last Apprentice:Revenge of the Witch by Joseph---READ
Literary Fiction----The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins---READ
Mystery----Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie---READ
Non Fiction ----It's Not You: 27 (Wrong) Reasons You're Single by Sara Eckel----READ
Romance ----Cinder by Marie Sexton---READ
Science Fiction----Storm Front by Jim Butcher---READ
Thriller----Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham---READ
Young Adult----Invincible by Sherrilyn Kenyon---READ

[Brenda]

Finished my 11th - YA - Chasing the Valley by Skye Melki-Wegner

One to go:)

[Mary, Quiet Observer]

I better post what i'm reading just so i can keep track of it myself.
Classics: Tender Is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fantasy
Graphic Novels
Historical Fiction: Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett
Horror
Literary Fiction
Mystery
Non Fiction
Romance
Science Fiction
Thriller
Young Adult: Alison by Margaret Watts

[Franky]

Wow, looks like people are doing great on this challenge. It has been a slow year for me reading so far.

[Mary, Quiet Observer]

Yeah, I can't believe there are people nearly finished. Makes me feel a bit slack

[M.L.]

I've read 3 more,

YA - Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick. Mind-boggling, gripping, hard to believe how people survive - it's based on a true story about the Khmer Rouge killing fields, Pol Pot's genocide on his own people. (It could also be bio or nonfiction but it's shelved mostly as YA, and I guess that is because it's so direct and readable.) An NBA finalist.

SF - Isaac Asimov's classic Foundation. Asimov is one of my favorite authors. I'm glad this is a series and plan to read the rest.

Graphic Novel - Andre the Giant: Life and Legend by Box Brown. This was interesting and fun, a bio about the legendary wrestler, world champion, until he basically passed the baton to Hulk Hogan. I really enjoyed it - there is commentary from figures in wrestling and seeing Hulk Hogan speaking as a small cartoon drawing, thought bubble, etc., was, well, cool. It begins with Andre as a youngster in France. At 12 he was already 'giant', could not fit in the school bus properly. He grew to almost 7 feet and 500-600 pounds at various times. Really interesting. Seemed like a nice guy, a bit raw, who wouldn't be at that size.

I was curious about Manga so also read graphic novel Attack on Titan, Vol. 1, by Hajime Isayama. It's billed as Japan's Walking Dead. Monstro zombies using walled up humans as munchies. I liked that one too. In both GNs the authors drop in and comment on the story and text. I'll be reading more graphic novels.

For visuals here are the covers.


That leaves -
Romance
Historical Fiction
Horror
Non-Fiction
I have candidates for these and also working on my SF challenge. Fun reading!

[Brenda]

Flash Beagle wrote: "I've read 3 more,

YA - Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick. Mind-boggling, gripping, hard to believe how people survive - it's based on a true story about the Khm..."

Looking good FB!

[M.L.]

Brenda wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "I've read 3 more,

YA - Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick. Mind-boggling, gripping, hard to believe how people survive - it's based on a tru..."

Thanks! I have to stay focused or I'll fall off the wagon!

[Brenda]

As you do ;)

[Brenda]

I have completed this challenge:)

Classics - Sydney Bridge Upside Down by David Ballantyne 2.5★s
Fantasy - Across the Bridge of Ice by Ruth Fox 4★s
Graphic - Unforgotten by Tohby Riddle 4★s
Historical - The Turning Tide by C.M. Lance 4.5★s
Horror - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving 3★s
Literary - After Darkness by Christine Piper 4★s
Mystery - Tell the Truth by Katherine Howell 4.5★s
Non Fiction - The Fall by Amy Dale 4★s
Romance - Storm Clouds by Bronwyn Parry 5★s
SciFi - The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly 4★s
Thriller - Fear the Darkness: A Thriller by Becky Masterman 5★s
Young Adult - Chasing the Valley by Skye Melki-Wegner 5★s

[Marina]

Congratulations, Brenda!

[Brenda]

Thanks Marina:)

[Janet]

Congratulations Brenda! Are you upgrading to the hard challenge?

[M.L.]

Congrats Brenda!! I was wondering the same thing!

[Brenda]

Thanks guys:) No I've decided not to because I'm working through about 6 other challenges as well. So my reading calendar is chockers;)

[Liz]

FINISHED THE EASY CHALLENGE
Starting with the easy to get through the rough books first


Classics Tender Is the Night
Fantasy A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow
Graphic Novels The Walking Dead, Vol. 03: Safety Behind Bars
Historical Fiction The Red Tent
Horror The Vision
Literary Fiction Saturday
Mystery Gone Girl
Non Fiction Tudors
Romance A Walk to Remember
Science Fiction The Invisible Man
Thriller Running Blind
Young AdultDreams of Gods & Monsters

[M.L.]

Congrats Liz!

[Tina]

Status Update--7 down, 5 to go:

Classics
Fantasy - (Tempted to use "The Bone Clocks" but it's not really true to the genre)
Graphic Novels
Historical Fiction – All the Light We Cannot See ~Anthony Doerr
Horror
Literary Fiction – Remains of the Day ~ Kazuo Ishiguro
Mystery – A King of Infinite Space – Tyler Dilts
Non Fiction – How to be a Woman ~ Caitlin Moran
Romance - The Sheikh's Arranged Marriage
Science Fiction - The Martian
Thriller
Young Adult

[Marina]

Yay, I've completed my challenge!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Janet]

Congratulations, Marina.