Hi Rafonauts

We've decided to set a few challenges for people to complete in 2011. Details for each are below.

The beauty of these challenges is that you get to choose your own books within the set parameters. If you'd like suggestions for books within genres just ask.

We'll do update posts every two months (you'll see why below ) so you can tell everyone how you're getting on!


The Not-So-Dirty Half Dozen Challenge.

The Rules:
Every two months you must complete a task. You'll have all of those two months to complete each task. (Thus Task One is for January and February, Task Two is for March and April, etc.) We reserve the right to change one of the tasks when we make the first post on 1 January 2011, but we promise it won't be the first task.

So.

The Tasks:
1. Read a work of Classic literature - one you've never read before.
2. Read a book by an author from a country you've not read a book from before.
3. Read one Scifi, one Fantasy and one Spec Fic book (i.e. three separate books, and they can be books you've read before, if you like).
4. Read a graphic novel, a play or a collection of poetry you've not read before.
5. Read a book and then watch a film of that book (again, you can have read the book before).
6. Read a non-fiction book you've not read before.


Genre Challenge

Quite simply, just read one book from each of the genres below before the year is out. Rereads are allowed; it's up to you whether you choose all new books or not. I probably won't.

- Historical Fiction/Alternative History
- Western
- Horror
- Mystery
- (Auto-) Biography
- History
- Family chronicle
- Allegory/parody/satire
- Surrealist novel
- Extra option for those who can: a novel in a foreign language


Old Favourite:

The 50 Book Challenge. Says it all, really.

If you're an extra-speedy reader then make it 100 books. List 'em all, starting from January.


And one more thing:

It's a good time for you to pick up a book you've been meaning to read for ages. Just tell us which book it is in the post that will be made on 1 January and then read it sometime in 2011.


Does that all make sense? Post comments, complaints and compliments below!