Suggest a topic for the 2017 Reading Challenge!

Chris P

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It's December, which means 2017 is just around the corner. During 2016 several of us participated in a reading challenge, taking on 12 books, one from each of a list of topics. I'm game for next year! Who's in?

Post your topic ideas (a survey would have been too complicated). I'll post the official 12 topics on January 1.

Several of you suggested topics last year, and the following list might get us talking. Speak up for your favorite topic, and feel free to voice a resounding NO! on a topic if you think it's a stinker.


  • A memoir/biography by/about someone who's still alive (at least as of January 1)
  • A graphic novel
  • A book made into a major motion picture
  • A book you loved as a child
  • A book taking place in Asia (anywhere in Asia; Turkey to Japan, Siberia to Indonesia)
  • Non-fiction on a topic you care about
  • A book originally written in another language (i.e., a translation)
  • An anthology (poetry, short stories,whatever)
  • A book with a number in the title
  • A play
  • A book with a non-human (animal or fantastic creature) main character
  • A book written more than 100 years before you were born

Add to the list, lovely people! Suggesting a topic doesn't commit you to the challenge.
 
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Maryn

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A book made into a bad movie
A book based on a movie, not the other way around
A book about a PoC, any variety, written by an author of the same variety
A book that's required reading in most high schools but that you never read (even if it was assigned)
A nonfiction book about a sociopolitical issue
A how-to book
 

mrsmig

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A book published the year you were born.
A book in a genre you don't usually read.
A children's book.
 

Chris P

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Loving all of these! It's gojng to be hard to keep it to only 12 books.
 

Maryn

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A western
A poetry collection
The screenplay of a movie you have not seen
A true crime book
 

Maryn

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A book with a one-word title.
A book whose title is more than six words long
A book with a number in the title
A book with a Roman numeral in the title
A book you read at age 21 (estimate if you have to)
A book you were assigned to read but did not complete

Maryn, getting into this
 

mccardey

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A book about the politics of your country? (non fiction and recently published might be even better).
 

Chris P

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A book about the politics of your country? (non fiction and recently published might be even better).

History or current events? Lots of countries are in a rapid transition, and not exactly in the direction I'd like mine to be going. Hmmm, perhaps leave it open? Cool.
 

Maryn

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Chris, it would be great, once all the suggestions are gathered, if you'd post a list of all of them somewhere for people to put together their own reading lists. I really ought to expand my choices and this might be a fun way to coerce myself, picking a dozen from a long, long list.

Maryn, who likes lists
 

Brightdreamer

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The library system I work for is doing a "10 to Try" challenge for next year. Here are the topics, if they provide any inspiration:

Read about STEM (fiction or nonfiction)

Read a book published since 1942 (the year our system was founded - anyone know when AW was founded?)

Read a book by an author of color

Listen to an audiobook

Read a collection of short stories or essays


Read a debut


Read a book recommended by (library) staff, online or in person


Read a book from a new-to-you genre


Read a graphic novel or comic book

Read a book by a (local) author
 

Chris P

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Nice list coming together.

Maryn, the idea of a "Pick 12" is interesting. But don't you think part of the charm of the challenge is that we are each restricted to the topics, and we see the various directions each of us goes with our choices? I'm not objecting, just looking for discussion.
 

Chris P

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Only a couple days left! With only four more suggestions I will have an even 50 topics to choose from.

Any help? :)

The gauntlet will be dropped on Sunday.
 
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Alessandra Kelley

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A book related to one of the Earth sciences (i.e. geography, oceanography, meteorology, paleobiology, etc.)

A book which was a bestseller in its day (Wikipedia has lists of NY Times and Publishers Weekly bestsellers that go back many decades -- can be eye-opening)

A pre-eighteenth century novel

A book about your country written by someone from a different country
 

Chris P

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Nice! I like how we're getting nonfic suggestions as well as novels.

And before 1700? I think I've only read two: Tale of Genji and Don Quixote. (ETA: Oh, and Beowulf, Greenlander Saga, parts of the Decameron and Canterbury Tales. And Gilgalmesh). That's broadening some horizons! :)