There seem to be so many book challenges about on a regular basis and as we approach 2012 I wanted to take part in one. But, none really nailed what I wanted to accomplish and that is to become more well read. Since rediscovering my love for reading this year I’ve found genres that have surprised me and classics that have passed me by. So, it made sense to just create a challenge myself.
After some emails and tweets to one of my favourite book bloggers, Emma from Book Monkey we’ve decided to team up to launch the challenge “Around The Stack In How Many Ways”. The idea is simple – to read as many different genres as possible through the year. The challenge will start on January 1st 2012 and run right through to 31st December 2012.
I’d love to see other bloggers take a chance and jump on board with this one. I’m using this challenge to scale Mount TBR and discover new loves. If you want to take part, feel free to grab the banner below and pop it in the sidebar of your blog. If you want to sign up, click the Mister Linky below and leave your details.
The genres we are using, are as follows:
- Crime/Mystery – Sherlock Holmes, Rebus, Lincoln Rhyme.
- Thriller – Lee Child, Dan Brown.
- Romance – Anything that has a love story at its centre.
- Fantasy – Can be anything from Lord Of The Rings to The Dark Tower.
- Sci-Fi – Space Opera, China Mieville, Gollancz Classics.
- Literary – Just look at the past Booker lists. Read a winner for bonus points.
- Young Adult – There’s plenty out there, scour your local bookstore.
- Historical Fiction – Wolf Hall, Conn Iggulden.
- Dystopian – Never Let Me Go, Margaret Atwood.
- Steampunk – Boneshaker, Affinity Bridge.
- Comedy/Black Comedy – Michael Chabon, Nick Hornby.
- Horror/Ghost Story – Stephen King, Clive Barker, Susan Hill.
- Adventure – Treasure Island, Jamrach’s Menagerie.
- War – Birdsong, My Dear I Wanted To Tell You.
- Gothic – Poe is a perfect example.
- Poetry – Research something that grabs you.
- Drama – Graham Swift, Ishiguro, The Help.
- Kids – Harry Potter, Narnia.
- Graphic Novel – Anything from Marvel and DC to Jonathan Cape stuff.
- Classic – As it says on the tin, pick a classic book from Dickens to Haddon.
It’s up to you how you define the book you want to read into what genre, but I’ve given some suggestions of the books I’m considering, above.
The Rules:
- If you’re a book blogger, you can use review copies as part of the challenge.
- You have to review the book if you are a blogger, even if it’s just a paragraph.
- Feel free to use books from other challenges, if you like.
- Sign up in the comments thread at the bottom of this post. Leave your name and blog address and I will add them to this post.
- Feel free to add more genres if you need to, the above is just to start you off.
- You DON’T have to be a book blogger, but it would be nice to see people blogging about their reads.
Rewards:
- Hiker – Up to 5 genres
- Backpacker – 5-10 genres
- Traveler – 10-15
- Palin-esque – 20+






Brenna (@LitMusings)
/ December 7, 2011Great idea for a challenge! I’ve already signed up for two in 2012, so I won’t join this one, but have fun!
Dog Ear
/ December 8, 2011BOOOOOOOO!
Darlene
/ December 8, 2011Hi, there! I like the idea of trying to be well-rounded and read a bit of everything! Do all formats count (ebooks, audiobooks, bound)?
Dog Ear
/ December 8, 2011Yeah, read any format you like. As long as you rack up the genres, it doesn’t matter how the story is transported
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
/ December 9, 2011Hi! I’m signing up!! My post is here: http://wp.me/p18lIL-Gx
Dog Ear
/ December 9, 2011Excellent. Great to have you on board. I will keep popping over to your blog to watch your progress
Erin
/ December 9, 2011I’m not a blogger, but this sounds like a fun challenge I can work into the other challenges I’m signed for. Thanks!
Dog Ear
/ December 9, 2011Very nice, keep me posted on how you get on!
Danielle @ Danielle Hearts Books
/ December 9, 2011This is a great idea! Sign me up for the Hiker level
Dog Ear
/ December 9, 2011Great to have you join in! I will be reading your blog this year
Justice @ cheapblackpens
/ December 10, 2011I’ll try Traveler on for size
Dog Ear
/ December 10, 2011Excellent, welcome to the challenge
Please keep me updated. I will be reading your blog!
Debbie
/ December 12, 2011Please sign me up for this one as well. I’m going for Traveler. I will be posting this on my blog shortly!
Dog Ear
/ December 21, 2011Enjoy the challenge!
Debbie
/ December 31, 2011Here’s my blog. I am looking forward to getting started. This will work nicely with my other challenges! http://debbiewcreations.blogspot.com/p/httpdogeardiscs.html
Dusky Literati
/ December 14, 2011What a really great challenge. I’ve added a few genres to my list. Here’s my post.
http://www.duskyliterati.com/?page_id=3600
Dog Ear
/ December 21, 2011Welcome!
Belle's Bookshelf (@Bookish_Belle)
/ December 19, 2011I’m signing up, I definitely need to expand my genre reading! Thanks for the great challenge
http://bellesbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-2012-reading-challenges.html
Dog Ear
/ December 20, 2011Excellent. Great to have you joining in!
Vidya
/ December 21, 2011I am signing up for Traveler level..super excited..
Here’s my blog URL, where I entered this challenge:
http://vidya-booksaremagic.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-2012-reading-challenges-gone-wild.html
Dog Ear
/ December 21, 2011Welcome to the challenge. Hope you have fun!
Ally
/ December 26, 2011I’m signing up for Traveler level, and here is my post: http://gobabygogo.tumblr.com/post/14825500126/one-of-my-new-years-resolutions-for-next-year-is
Dog Ear
/ December 27, 2011Welcome to the challenge
munchingontheapple
/ December 27, 2011I’m signing up for Traveler level, and we’ll see how that goes!
http://munchingontheapple.wordpress.com/in-the-kitchen-challenges-for-2012/
Dog Ear
/ December 27, 2011Nice to have you joining in!
Gina, book dragon
/ December 28, 2011Ready to Go! post is here
Dog Ear
/ December 28, 2011Hope you enjoy the challenge!
Emma Johnson
/ December 29, 2011Don’t have a blog as yet, but having found myself with more free time I’m looking forward to expanding my reading genres and broadening my horizons! I’m dusting off my passport and backpack and going for ‘Traveller’ level!
Dog Ear
/ December 30, 2011Nice to see you joining in. Do pop back and leave a link when you have a blog going
Ryan
/ January 1, 2012Looks like it will be fun, count me in!
As my challenge page says I’m aiming high and going for Palin-esque, but will be completely happy with Traveller should I make it that far.
http://silvertongues.me
Dog Ear
/ January 1, 2012Welcome to the challenge. Have fun!
psymonkee
/ January 1, 2012I’m in!
I’m sure you can find my site
Dog Ear
/ January 1, 2012I look forward to seeing what you read
William Innes
/ January 1, 2012Count me in fella – will give me some direction in what to read in my never ending list..
Dog Ear
/ January 1, 2012Excellent! Good to have you take part, chap
Kristi
/ January 10, 2012Count me in for this one – http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/01/reading-challenges-centered-around.html
Thanks!
Dog Ear
/ January 10, 2012Thanks for joining!
Julie @ Knitting and Sundries
/ January 22, 2012I’m in!
Eclectic reader that I am, this one is right up my alley! http://www.knittingandsundries.com/2012/01/around-stack-in-how-many-ways-reading.html
Dog Ear
/ January 22, 2012Brilliant!
DoingDewey
/ February 14, 2012I realize I’m a little slow finding your challenge, but I’m excited to get started
http://doingdeweydecimal.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/monday-musings-and-more-contests/
Dog Ear
/ February 14, 2012Don’t worry, it’s always nice to have people attempting the challenge!