Introduction to the Genre Challenge 2020

[Liz, Moderator]

Hi all,
So June will see us start the genre challenge once again! Please join us as we explore beyond our regular comfort zones. You can join us for the long haul, or dip in occasionally, whichever you prefer.

Last time around the list included:

Historical
Magical-realism
Crime/detective (includes true crime)
Classic novels (pre 20thC)
Modern British classics (20thC/kitchen sink)
American 20thC classics
Travel/exploration
Non-fiction/self-help
Sci-Fi/distopian
Horror/gothic/ghost-story
Fantasy/folklore
Biography/memoir
LBGTQ
Psychiatry/madness
Young Adult/New adult/Children's
Romance/Erotica
Short stories
Espionage/spy
Cult/Chemical fiction
War/revolution
Poetry
Comedy/humour
Award-winning (Booker, Orange, Pulitzer)
Western
Graphic novels
Literary adaptations (books that have been adapted for the screen)

That's 26 genres in total and yes, we've combined a few to simplify things and keep the challenge to just over two years.

So, we'll tackle a different genre every month. It's up to you what books you choose and how many for each genre - one is enough, but don't let me stop you if you want to read more of your favourites.

As to which genre and when...? First time around we voted, but the problem was that all the unpopular choices were left until the later stages of the challenge, which made it far harder. So last time around we used a random generator, which I think worked much better, but what do you think?

If you're happy to stick with the random arrangement, I will go ahead and spin the virtual wheel to see what our first genre should be!

[Abigail]

Randomness works for me.

[Kate, Moderator]

Yep, random's good. :)

[Abigail]

By the way, Liz, thanks for putting in the time and thought on these challenges! They're fun and help expose me to books I might not otherwise read.

[Liz, Moderator]

Abigail wrote: "By the way, Liz, thanks for putting in the time and thought on these challenges! They're fun and help expose me to books I might not otherwise read."

Thank you. I enjoy doing it :)

[Liz, Moderator]

Nicola wrote: "Agree with this. I'll join although I think I've yet to finish one :)
"

Ha ha - The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak ;)

[Liz, Moderator]

So what genre will we be starting with this time around? *Drumroll as Liz pulls back the red velvet curtain to reveal...*

Award-winning books (Booker, Costa, Pulitzer, Hugo etc.)

I will go ahead and set up the thread.

[Mark]

Hi,

Thanks for organising this! I am new to Goodreads - had an account for a while but never really used it. I'm looking to read a wider variety of books so am excited to get started!

[Liz, Moderator]

You are welcome, Mark.

[Liz, Moderator]

July is just around the corner, so it's time to spin the virtual wheel and see what genre we will be tackling....

*Big sigh* This one's the toughest for me - poetry! I'd better set up the new thread...

[Liz, Moderator]

It will be August next week, so time to see what genre we have in store (and I haven't read my poetry yet!)

So for August we have: The Western. I will set up the new thread :)

[Liz, Moderator]

As we plunge into September, the genre will be... Modern British classics (20thC/kitchen sink). I will set up the new thread...

[Liz, Moderator]

With October around the corner, it's time to flag up the next genre.

And with Halloween at the end of the month, it is of course: Horror/Gothic &/or Ghost Stories!

[Liz, Moderator]

Would you believe it - November is just around the corner! Time to announce our next genre: Young Adult and / or Children's Fiction.

I will go ahead and set up the new thread...

[Helen]

Thanks for letting me join I am attempting to catch up and looking forward to reading with you all.

[Liz, Moderator]

Happy for you to join us , Helen. Have fun!

[Kate, Moderator]

Are we taking a break from the list and tackling Christmas/Winter reads for December? Just a thought as its worked well in the past...

[Liz, Moderator]

Yes, I was about to suggest Christmas/Winter reads for December. 'Tis the season and all that ;)

[Liz, Moderator]

I'll set up the thread tomorrow...

[Liz, Moderator]

February is such a short month - it will be March already next week! I have just spun the virtual wheel to select next month's genre and it's Sci-Fi/Dystopian fiction. I will go ahead and set up the thread.

[Laura]

I am a bit late the genre challenge, can I still join?

Also are re-reads allowed or does it have to be a book that's new to us?

[Kate, Moderator]

Welcome to the challenge Laura, its a jump in at anytime arrangement! Any books are fine as long as they fit the genre (although sometimes they can be a loose fit!) and re-reads are definitely OK.

[Laura]

Thank you so much!! I'll definitely be joining the challenge for sure

[Liz, Moderator]

The genre for April is going to be.......

20thC American classics. I will go ahead and post the thread.

[Liz, Moderator]

Wow! It's almost September. I have just spun the virtual wheel and the genre for next month will be: Graphic Novels.

I will set up the new thread later...

[Kerrie]

Thanks for letting me into your reading room :) I'm looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone.

[Kerrie]

Thanks for letting me into your reading room :) I'm looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone.

[Liz, Moderator]

You are very welcome, Kerrie. Take a look at the threads to see what we've already covered. Graphic novels this month and I'm still waiting for mine to be ready at the library...

[Liz, Moderator]

Aaargh! It's December tomorrow - how on earth did that happen? Just checking you'd like to do a festive &/or winter read this coming month?

[Laura]

I personally don’t mind; if people would prefer it that’s fine but I’m okay with any genre that comes up when the wheel is spun

[Helen]

Yes I am good with festive/winter reads this month. Thanks Liz for organising this group it has really kept me exploring books that would not necessarily have been read. Thank you all for great chats and comments. Hope you all have a fantastic time over the holidays (whatever that looks like for you), look forward to continuing our reading journey together next year. Take care everyone

[Liz, Moderator]

So glad you're enjoying it, Helen. There'll certainly be more in the new year... :)

[Kate, Moderator]

Happy New Year! I'm ready to finish this round of the genre challenge. I think we've only got about half a dozen categories left.
Do we have a new genre for the new year Liz?

[Liz, Moderator]

So sorry, I have been prepping for new classes that started yesterday, so I took my eye off the ball. Plus I left my laptop at work, so I can't set up the new thread today.

I can tell you the next genre though, it's magical realism....

[Abigail]

You go way above and beyond in keeping us all engaged, Liz, so don’t worry about a day or two here and there!

[Liz, Moderator]

I've just spun the virtual wheel and the genre for February will be LGBTQ. I will set up the new thread and have a dig around my to read list to see what I will be reading...

[Liz, Moderator]

The end of another month! I'll be setting up the new thread this evening. Put your thinking caps on for recommendations for good reads in the genre of espionage/spies. Can be fiction or non fiction....

[Liz, Moderator]

Woah, it's the end of the month again! So what's in store for April? With a spin of the virtual wheel the pointer has landed on short stories. I will post the new thread when I get home....

[Liz, Moderator]

Oh no! It's the first of June already! How did that happen? I've been travelling, so I've been distracted.

Next month we'll be looking at nonfiction, which really is a whole host of genres bundled together, so take your pick! I will set up the new thread....