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One of our main group-wide challenges is to read a book every month from a different genre. We have a group read for the genre of the month, but you can also count other books that fit the category.

Use this thread to keep track of your Genre Challenge, report back to the group on your progress, and also to give each other ideas of what to read in upcoming genres.

Genre Challenge
January: Contemporary/Literary Merit
February: Romance/Chick Lit
March: Mysteries
April: Fantasy
May: Historical Fiction
June: Minority Studies/LGBT
July: Science-Fiction/Dystopian
August: Poetry/Plays
September: Travel
October: Horror/Thriller
November: Manga/Graphic Novels
December: Humour

Allison's 2016 Genre Challenge

Goal: 9/12
Finished: 8/12

January: Contemporary/Literary Merit -
� February: Romance/Chick Lit - As You Are
� March: Mysteries - Absolution by Murder
� April: Fantasy - The Awakened Mage
� May: Historical Fiction - Shaman
� June: Minority Studies/LGBT - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
� July: Science-Fiction/Dystopian - The Vor Game
� August: Poetry/Plays - King Lear
� September: Travel - The Travelers
October: Horror/Thriller - Dracula, Jane Steele
November: Manga/Graphic Novels
December: Humour

Margie's 2016 Genre Challenge

Goal 12/12
Finished:11/12

January - Contemporary/Literary Merit: The Pull of The Moon
February - Romance/Chick Lit: Eleanor & Park
March - Mysteries: Death of a Nurse
April - Fantasy: Ink and Bone
May - Historical Fiction: The Summer Before the War
June - Minority Studies/LGBT The Price of Salt
July - Science-Fiction/Dystopian: Sleeping Giants
August - Poetry/Plays: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
September - Travel: Travels With Myself and Another
October - Horror/Thriller: The Gloaming
November - Manga/Graphic Novels: Paper Girls, Vol. 1
December - Humour: Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman

Renee's 2016 Genre Challenge
I do try to gear my monthly reading toward the genre-of-the-month, so this could get scary. :0
Goal: 10 of 12 genres completed

Genre Challenge
January: Contemporary/Literary Merit
February: Romance/Chick Lit
Landline
One Night
March: Mysteries
The Spy Who Loved Me**
The Beekeeper's Apprentice**
The Girl with the Long Green Heart
Death at Wentwater Court
April: Fantasy
The Goose Girl**
The Look of Love**
School Spirit**
Scaredy Kat**
A Wind in the Door**
Dragon Actually**
May: Historical Fiction
Drood**
Career of Evil**
The Little Paris Bookshop**
The Paying Guests**
H.M.S. Surprise**
The Name of the Rose**
June: Minority Studies/LGBT
Bad Feminist**
The Price of Salt**
Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen**
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

July: Science-Fiction/Dystopian
August: Poetry/Plays
September: Travel
October: Horror/Thriller
November: Manga/Graphic Novels
December: Humour

I have several ideas for June. Most are LGBTQ+ this year rather than another minority studies topic. Probably because it's June.

-Aristotle and Dante (Group Read)
-Fingersmith
-Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
-The Charioteer
-The Price of Salt
-And The Band Played On
-Stonewall
-Bad Feminist
-Second Sex

Not sure how many I'll get through since I'll be page reading most rather than listening to audio.

Renee wrote: "I have several ideas for June. Most are LGBTQ+ this year rather than another minority studies topic. Probably because it's June.

-Aristotle and Dante (Group Read)
-Fingersmith
-Oranges Are Not th..."

Sounds like a great idea and great list. There's a couple I can recommend too:
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (pretty good)
Life in Outer Space (LGBTQ friendship)
Every Day (loved it too)
And The Swimming-Pool Library which I haven't read yet but heard good things.

Veronique's 2016 Genre Challenge

January: Contemporary/Literary Merit - Euphoria
February: Romance/Chick Lit - High Rising
March: Mysteries - The 39 Steps
April: Fantasy - Steelheart
May: Historical Fiction - The Remains of the Day
June: Minority Studies/LGBT - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
July: Science-Fiction/Dystopian - The Scorpion Rules
August: Poetry/Plays - Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
September: Travel - Hollow World
October: Horror/Thriller - Thin Air
November: Manga/Graphic Novels - On the Edge of Life (review)

December: Humour

Thanks, Vero! Those are all new titles for me. :)

Vero, I also just read Steelheart (and the rest of the series!). How did you like it?

Renee, that's an amazing list for each month!

Somehow my reading for Feb and March was just off enough that I only read those genres at the beginning of the next month. Oops!

Allison wrote: "Vero, I also just read Steelheart (and the rest of the series!). How did you like it?..."
I did very much like it. It is a fast and relentless read but I also liked the whole notion of people with powers and the play on 'absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Have read Mitosis and got Firefight (I'll have ro wait for the last one's paperback) :0)

Margie - I can think of two right now - Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail and A Moveable Feast. Will probably read one of these

I really liked the change of location for Firefight. And since the concepts were already introduced, I thought it was even better than Steelheart.

For the travel month, I looked at some GR lists to get ideas. Some I'm considering are Watership Down, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, or The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Or maybe it's time to re-read The Hobbit! I haven't read it since I was a kid.

Veronique wrote: "Allison wrote: "Vero, I also just read Steelheart (and the rest of the series!). How did you like it?..."
I did very much like it. It is a fast and relentless read but I also liked the whole notion..."

Thanks! I'll check them out!

Oh, I loved Watership Down!

Genre Challenge
January: Contemporary/Literary Merit - The Invention of Wings
February: Romance/Chick Lit - Landline
March: Mysteries - The Girl on the Train
April: Fantasy - The Night Circus
May: Historical Fiction - My Name Is Mary Sutter
June: Minority Studies/LGBT - Map Of The Invisible World
July: Science-Fiction/Dystopian - Cat's Cradle
August: Poetry/Plays - My Home As I Remember
September: Travel - Looking for Lovedu: Days and Nights in Africa
October: Horror/Thriller - Cross Bones
November: Manga/Graphic Novels - Chew, Vol. 1: Taster's Choice
December: Humour - Moab is My Washpot by Stephen Fry

Genre Challenge
January: Contemporary The Garden of Evening Mists, Necessary Lies
February: Romance/Chick Lit
The Mill on the Floss, Sleeping Embers of an Ordinary Mind (if chick-lit doesn't mean fluffy)
March: Mysteries
3 Brother Cadfael's by Ellis Peters, 3 Amelia Peabody's by Elizabeth Peters, Scales of Justice by Ngaio Marsh
April: Fantasy - The Little Prince
May: Historical Fiction

June: Minority Studies/LGBT - Slow River (started The Book of Salt but didn't finish till July)
July: Science-Fiction/Dystopian Never Let Me Go was an unusual use of the genre I really liked. Rihannsu: The Bloodwing Voyages Lost track of what else.
August: Poetry/Plays Captain Brassbound's Conversion The Comedy of Errors
September: Travel The Wayward Bus
October: Horror/Thriller The Castle of Otranto
November: Manga/Graphic Novels The Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll's House
December: Humour

I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen will fit nicely into this month's genre.

Nice. I love it when that happens.

I also found that The Tea Rose unexpectedly fit. It's one of those books that isn't "about" the issues, but deals with them organically.

2016 Genre Challenge

January: Contemporary/Literary Merit
Room
February: Romance/Chick Lit
Americanah
March: Mysteries
The Other Me
April: Fantasy
Red Queen
May: Historical Fiction
The Firebird
June: Minority Studies/LGBT
The Argonauts
July: Science-Fiction/Dystopian
Glass Sword
August: Poetry/Plays
milk and honey
September: Travel
October: Horror/Thriller
November: Manga/Graphic Novels
December: Humour

What's everyone reading for the Sci Fi genre this month?

I just finished The Vor Game for starters. I love seeing Miles (the MC) being brilliant and pulling things off out of the worst possible scenarios.

Allison wrote: "What's everyone reading for the Sci Fi genre this month?

I just finished The Vor Game for starters. I love seeing Miles (the MC) being brilliant and pulling things off out of the wor..."

What a fun series! Even though I never like to describe it that way because ones like #8 Mirror Dance may be disturbing (although for me the first omnibus with Cordelia had the most disturbing ones).

Science Fiction's what I read most anyway, so I'm amping it up with Rihannsu: The Bloodwing Voyages because I know so little about Romulans. Also finished Lock In and really liked it, so I mention it even though I probably started it in June.

Allison wrote: "What's everyone reading for the Sci Fi genre this month?

I just finished The Vor Game for starters. I love seeing Miles (the MC) being brilliant and pulling things off out of the wor..."

Just finished Sleeping Giants - it was really good. Fun to read Sci-Fi that takes place in the here and now rather than in outer space.

I also love science fiction but somehow ice gotten distracted by the Harry Potter Buddy Read. I did read two more from the Vorkosigan Saga (so glad Allison is enjoying it, too!). And I started 2001: A Space Odyssey, but I couldn't get into it.

Another scifi lover here :0) I've got The Scorpion Rules for the dystopian side, and perhaps Aurora, or The Watchmaker of Filigree Street

Allison - I'd like to try The Vor Game
Brenda - I love Star Trek and Star Wars but weirdly I have never read a book in those universes. Just never thought of it. Lock In was great on the other hand and I think Scalzi is writing a sequel.
Margie - Sleeping Giants sounds great
Renee - 2001 is a bit 'surreal' although the sequels are more approachable

It's going to be fun checking out everything that gets recommended here!

I liked Rihannsu: The Bloodwing Voyages, but mostly just because I haven't read anything else about Romulans. Am starting my last by a favorite author: Brain Plague and it's a little hard to get into, mostly because it's small print, but it's also been awhile since I read the earlier books in the series. They're standalone but connected. Also started the modern classic The Day of the Triffids.

Indeed and interesting. The Day of the Triffids is excellent - Wyndham is one of my favourite authors :O)

Well, I've read both The Scorpion Rules (Review) and The Watchmaker of Filigree Street (Review) and they were both excellent :O)

It's poetry / plays month. Does anyone have any special plans?

I just finished King Lear for the Group Read. And I've been working my way through Shakespeare's sonnets. Next, I think I might see what Librivox has in poetry.

I do want to try King Lear... Audio version often 'helps'. In the meantime, I'm pondering between George Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman or a play from either Saki or Robert Louis Stevenson.

I'm planning to read Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

For anyone looking for poetry options, I'm listening to Brown Girl Dreaming narrated by author Jacqueline Woodson and it's excellent. I'm really glad I tried audio. Theoretically for middle grade but I think it's good for any age.

Just finished a George Bernard Shaw play - Arms and the Man - really enjoyed it (review)

Veronique: I've liked most of what I've read by Shaw, and plan to try more.

Anyone have any ideas for the Travel theme for September?

Brenda wrote: "Veronique: I've liked most of what I've read by Shaw, and plan to try more.

Anyone have any ideas for the Travel theme for September?"

I think I'm going with Travels With Myself and Another. But American Wino: A Tale of Reds, Whites, and One Man's Blues and I Don't Care if We Never Get Back: 30 Games in 30 Days on the Best Worst Baseball Road Trip Ever are a couple lighter options I may read.

I'm reading The Travelers. It's a spy thriller about a travel writer.

I'm going to try to finish It's What I Do: A Photographer's Life of Love and War.

Pondering between Cider With Rosie and A Moveable Feast. Not sure...

My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem looks good.

I resisted the urge to go with time travel and am going to try Steinbeck's The Wayward Bus

Brenda wrote: "I resisted the urge to go with time travel and am going to try Steinbeck's The Wayward Bus"

Oh, which time travelling did you have in mind? I've just read Hollow World (very very good) and about to start The Time Ships.

Veronique wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I resisted the urge to go with time travel and am going to try Steinbeck's The Wayward Bus"

Oh, which time travelling did you have in mind? I've just read [book:Hollow ..."

I've been waiting for an excuse to try another Chronicles of St Mary's book. I don't really need an excuse, but I think I like the narration more than the story on these, so am waiting to see if book 2 gets the add-on narration on Amazon.
And I've added Hollow World to my TBR list-- looks interesting.

Hollow World is good!

The narration in the St Mary's books is brilliant. I mean Max is one hell of a great character :0) I've listened to all of them and they are on Audible (didn't amazon buy them and so they are linked).

I was impressed with Hollow World and just got another book from the author (Theft of Swords).

That's a fun fantasy series, Vero. It's very light in the beginning, and gets more serious as you go on.

Allison wrote: "That's a fun fantasy series, Vero. It's very light in the beginning, and gets more serious as you go on."

Now you've done it - I want to read it :O)

small world! I'm listening to The Crown Tower by Michael J. Sullivan. It's a prequel to the series that starts with Theft of Swords. Very engaging.

Does anyone have plans for the horror/thriller genre this month? I'm thinking I might finally get down to reading Dracula.

Loved Dracula (think we read it last year for the genre challenge?)

I'm going to do Doctor Sleep and if there's time, may try to read Horns and BoneMan's Daughters .

I'm more likely to do thriller than horror. My hold came up for The Gloaming so I'll start with that and then see how the rest of the month shapes up.

If anyone is looking for a book in this genre, you might want to check out Mr. Splitfoot.It's been described as Contemporary Gothic. I read it months ago but the feel and characters really stayed with me.

This is my favorite challenge now and I have done better this year at finishing all my choices.

January - literary merit - "The Fig Eater" by Jody Shields
February - chick lit - "The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey" by Rachel Joyce
March - mystery - "A Fatal Winter" by G.M. Malliet
April - fantasy - "Life After Life" by Kate Atkinson
May - historical fiction - "Outlander" book 1 - by Diane Gabaldon (watched the series, too)
June - LGBT - "The Price of Salt" by Patricia Highsmith
July - sci fi - "The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August" by Claire North
August - plays - "The Mousetrap" by Agatha Christie
September - travel - "The Innocents Abroad" by Mark Twain
October - horror - "Mr. Mercedes" by Stephen King

Dracula is brilliant (have read it several times).
Well, I opted for Michelle Paver's new ghost story Thin Air, which is pretty good (review)

Candy - I'm going to read Claire North's book in next month or December, and really looking forward to it (Sudden Appearance of Hope was really good!). Actually, I also want to read The Price of Salt, The Mousetrap, and Life After Life :O)