I Challenge You

That is to say, I challenge you to look through the following reading challenges for 2011 and not be able to find a single one that interests you. There's quite a variety to choose from, and most don't require a huge time commitment (some even have as few as one to two books to read).

CRIME FICTION

Criminal Plot Challenge
This is the first-ever such challenge from Jen Forbus, in which she asks you to read 6 books in 2011, one from six different categories such as a book by a new-to-you-author who's blurbed a book you enjoyed.

The Alphabet in Crime Fiction 2011
Kerrie Smith is once again holding her crime alphabet challenge, which does require a time commitment, but it will help you read quite a few books next year, a worthwhile endeavor. She asks that you read one book each week starting in January that's related to the letter of the week, either the first letter of a book's title, the first letter of an author's first name, or the first letter of the author's surname.

Mystery and Suspense Challenge
Book Chick City challenges you to read 12 mystery and suspense novels and upload your reviews to the blog. She'll also have a monthly drawing for a book prize, and all participants receive a free ARC of The Survivor by Sean Slater.

Cruisin' thru the Cozies
Socrates' Book Review Blog theme, as the title suggests, is the "cozy" mystery, and even one book will put you in the "Snoop" category.

Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge
If you're a fan of the Golden Age, this challenge is for you. Read mystery books published prior to 1960, with a prize for everyone who completes the challenge. You can review or not, blog or not, it's up to you.

INTERNATIONAL

Carrie Kitzmiller is holding her second annual Ireland Reading Challenge, and any book written by an Irish author, set in Ireland, or involving Irish history or Irish characters, counts for the challenge; fiction, non-fiction, poetry, audiobooks, children's books, whatever suits your fancy. All participants will be entered for a prize giveaway of a copy of Tipperary by Frank Delaney.

If you're a fan of fiction down under, join the  2011 Aussie Author Challenge. It helps if you have a blog, so you can review and link back.

S. Krishna's Books is hosting the South Asian Challenge 2011, where you read at least one book by a South Asian author or about South Asia (i.e. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives).

If you've been inspired by the recent wave of Scandinavian fiction to hit the U.S., you might want to try the Nordic Challenge, including any book by any author born in a Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and/or Sweden) or a book set in a Nordic country.

Speaking of things north, Canada isn't left out — John Mutford's 4th annual Canadian Book Challenge started in July 2010, but it continues through to July 1st, 2011, which happens to be Canada Day. You'll need to hurry, though, because you'll need to read 13 books.

If you'd prefer to think more, well, globally, sign up for the 2011 Global Reading Challenge, and choose at least one novel each from Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America, South America and a "Seventh" continent (Antarctica or your own "seventh" setting, e.g. the sea, the space, a supernatural/paranormal world, history, the future – you name it).

MISCELLANEOUS

The Book Vixen's challenge is relatively simple — it's the Outdo Yourself Challenge, in which you read more books in 2011 than you did in 2010 (in any format).

Here's another easy one — the Off the Shelf Challenge. Go to that To Be Read pile of yours and read those books you own copies of, but have never got around to reading.

The What's in a Name Challenge has more rules than most, but it's intriguing. You pick a pick in 6 different categories with themes such as a book with a number in the title and a book with evil in the title.

If you enjoy reading the adventures of V.I. Warshawski, Stephanie Plum, Sharon McCone or Tess Monaghan, sign up for the  Strong Heroine Reading Challenge.

Want to read more local authors or books set in your local environs? Try the Hometown Challenge.

Like you novels dark with crumbling castles, and a little horror and romance? If so, the Gothic Reading Challenge is for you.

If you haven't jumped on one of the newer literary trends, then you here's your chance to Get Steampunked (think Jules Verne meets Terry Gilliam).

Speaking of trends, if you get a Kindle or Nook for Christmas, hurry on over to the 2011 E-Book Challenge.

Want more? The blog A Novel Challenge has dozens for you (past, present and future).  

Comments

[stargazerpuj]

Hey, the South Asian Challenge is hosted at S.Krishna's Books - http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/, not by Stargazerpuj's Book Blog. Glad you found my blog though. Keep visiting!

[Carrie K.]

Thanks for linking to the Ireland Challenge!