From The Stacks - Winter 2007 Challenge

November 1, 2007 - January 30, 2008

Michelle at Overdue Books is hosting the annual From The Stacks Challenge beginning in November. The idea is to read ...

5 books that we have already purchased, have been meaning to get to, have been sitting on the nightstand and haven't read before. No going out and buying new books. No getting sidetracked by the lure of the holiday bookstore displays.

There will be a random drawing for a prize for those participants signing up by November 15th; as well as a gift certificate from Amazon for a lucky winner who posts five book reviews by January 30th.

So, why not pop over and leave a comment to sign up?

Expanding Horizons Challenge

January 1, 2008 - April 30, 2008

Melissa at Book Nut is hosting an interesting, multi-cultural/ethnic challenge called Expanding Horizons.

She says:

The purpose of this challenge is to read works by authors of ethnicities other than your own. I have decided to omit works by Caucasian authors (since they're the biggest group in the English-language book world; I want to explore books by authors in less-well-represented ethnicities). I have debated about whether or not to focus entirely on authors or to include main character's ethnicity, too, and I've decided that for this challenge I want the focus to be on the nationality of the author, rather than the characters. The books can be fiction or nonfiction; adult or YA; and can cross over to as many other challenges as you want.

Participants may read either 4 books from one category; or 6 books...one from each category. Categories are as follows:

1. African/African-American.
2. Asian/Asian-American (This is not just East Asian -- Chinese, Korean and Japanese -- but also Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, and the Central Asian -Stans.)
3. Hispanic/Latin American
4. Indian/Indian-American (Again, books by Indian authors; not books by white authors set in India.)
5. Middle Eastern (Iran, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Turkey...)
6. Native Peoples (Can include Native American, Inuit, Polynesian --Maori, Samoan, etc -- Siberian natives and Australian Aborigines.)

Sound like fun? Go here to sign up.

Baby Steps

October 1 - December 31, 2008

Sponsored by Nattie's Blog, this challenge encourages readers to take "baby steps" and read 3 books from their TBR pile before the end of the year.

To learn more about the challenge and sign up, visit Nattie's Blog here.

Nattie's Challenge Blog

Heather has started a very special blog in honor of a fellow reader - Nattie. Nattie was known to many bloggers, and left this world way too soon. Heather is keeping Nattie's spirit alive through the love of reading challenges here.

Heather says:

There will be a challenge going at all times. Sometimes, more than one, but let's start with one and see how that goes. Each challenge will, somehow, relate to Natalie. You do not need a blog to participate. You can read along any way that works for you. If you do have a blog, I will start a list in the sidebar that keeps track of participants. If you do not have a blog, you can send any reviews or thoughts to me, via email, and I will be happy to share them here. If you have ideas for challege themes, then please, pass those along too. This isn't MY blog. It is Nattie's.

I know this blog will be on my favorite's list....

The Hometown Challenge

November 1, 2007 - March 1, 2008

Sponsored by Callista, The Hometown Challenge asks readers to read at least one book that takes place either in your hometown or is written by an author who lives in your hometown. It can be where you were born or where you live now.

Sign up for the challenge here using Mr. Linky.

Speculative Fiction Challenge

RIGHT NOW through April 1, 2008

The Book Ninja is hosting the Speculative Fiction Challenge - read six books from the speculative fiction genre (science fiction, fantasy, alternate history or magical realism) and post links to your reviews to Book Ninja's site. There is free stuff - but you have to sign up by December 1, 2007 to be eligible. Just to make things more fun, there are different "paths" to choose from with some outrageously funny titles (like Skinning Schrödinger’s Cat With Occam’s Razor) - even if you don't think you want to do this challenge - you should read the post for it for the sheer entertainment value!

Romance Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2008

Naida at The Bookworm is hosting The Romance Challenge in 2008. Simply read five novels from the romance genre sometime in 2008 to complete the challenge! She has some great suggestions listed. Interested? Go here to sign up through Mr. Linky.

Young Adult Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2008

Joy at Thoughts of Joy is hosting the Young Adult Challenge for 2008. Simply choose 12 young adult novels and read them sometime in 2008. You can change your lists at your whim. Sign ups and more details are here through Mr. Linky.

Read The Nobels Challenge

No Time Limit

Here's a fun challenge hosted by Aloi Reads - Read books written by the Nobel Laureate winners. There's no time limit and there is a special group blog to talk about the Laureates and post reviews about their books. Sound interesting? Go to the group blog and follow the directions to join!

Autumn Reading Challenge 2007

September 1, 2007 - November 30, 2007

Kathleen at Rock Creek Rumblings is hosting the Autumn Reading Challenge for 2007. No set number of books - just pop over and leave a comment and link to your blog to let her know you are participating!

The 2008 Decades Challenge

January 1 - December 31, 2008

Michelle is hosting The Decades challenge again for 2008. If you participated in 2007, there are a few minor rule changes.

In summary:
1. Read a minimum of 8 books in 8 consecutive decades in ‘08.
2. Books published in the 2000’s do not count.
3. Titles may be cross-posted with any other challenge.
4. You may change your list at any time.
Michelle has started a challenge specific blog where you can go to sign up with Mr. Linky. Oh, and there are prizes again!

Go here to see my list and progress.

The Canadian Book Challenge

October 4, 2007 - July 1, 2008

John from The Book Mine Set is hosting The Canadian Book Challenge - read 13 Canadian books (books about Canada or written by a Canadian author) by July 1st, which happens to be Canada Day! The magic number - 13 - is the number of provinces or territories in Canada. John has some great suggestions posted on his site. And there WILL be prizes, too.

Interested? Go on over to the challenge post and leave John a comment.

Shakespeare Challenge

January 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008

Historia at BiblioShakespeare is hosting The Shakespeare Challenge. The goal is to read four books about ANYTHING to do with Shakespeare - not just his plays.

Sound like fun? Drop Historia a comment here and join the challenge.

Even if you don't want to participate in the challenge, you should stop over at Historia's wonderful blog with amazing links to everything Shakespeare.

Jewish Literature Challenge

December 4, 2007 (Beginning of Hanukkah) to April 26, 2008 (End of Passover)

Callisata at SMS Book Reviews is hosting the Jewish Literature Challenge. Participants will choose books about Judaism or written by Jewish authors. The challenge blog has links to suggestions. Books can run be non fiction, fiction, memoir and explore a vast array of subjects (Jewish culture, Jewish life, the Holocaust...just to name a few).

Sound interesting? Callista is accepting comments and inviting participants to join the challenge and blog here.