The Book Vipers discussion

I have a number of ideas for the Book Vipers Challenge(s) for next year, but would appreciate some feedback on the ones that we have run this year.

Either post below, or PM me

The viper square challenge was fantastic, it has made me read some books I would never had given a chance to before. Thanks for running this challenge.

I liked the magic square challenge for the same reason as Jason did. It got me reading books I either would not have read or would have put off. I also loved the series challenge. It was an excuse to make myself read books in series that I had not completed!

I enjoyed the magic square challenge as I found books that I really enjoyed that I hadn't expected to. Didn't try series challenge as I wouldn't like reading the same author all the time

Vipers square is best so far.

Vipers square is best so far.

I have enjoyed all the challenges this year. The Magic Square was my favourite though as it encouraged me to read more widely than I might otherwise have done

I also liked the Magic Square best. I liked the idea behind the series challenge - but I didn't participate as I had/have other challenges running as well. And I also enjoyed the Winter challenge. Looking at Goodreads booklists also gives inspiration for future reads.

The series challenge wasn't for me, I like to drag out a good series, make it last years.

Again its the magic square that grabbed me the most. I agree with Jason, its not easy to rush a series. Also, it can be had to source the books in the right order. I have enjoyed taking part in it but haven't been as successful with it for that reason. The poetry challenge was interesting too. I am not a poetry reader but this challenge has opened my eyes to a little of whats out there.

Jason wrote: "The series challenge wasn't for me, I like to drag out a good series, make it last years."

The Cadfael series I am reading (some I am re-reading because I have forgotten which ones I've read!!) have been strung out for years. I started reading them when I was 15. That's a few *cough* years ago now. Now I just want to know I've finished them! But yes not everyone has had those years headstart on a series. Ha!

I have been reading Anne Rice's vampire books for many years now, think best I did was two in one year.

I have really enjoyed the magic square and have managed to read a few that I wouldn't normally have considered as well as some that were on my TBR anyway. Loved the poetry challenge too. Am struggling a bit with the series challenge as I added all the Thursday Next series on the basis of having enjoyed the first one a few years ago, and now finding them less appealing. I agree, reading a series is something not to be rushed.
I only discovered BV in January but the winter challenge from last year sounded fun - maybe something similar this year would be good?

I give the Magic Square a big thumbs up, too :-) It made me read some books I normally wouldn't, and pushed some up my TBR that I may not otherwise have read for years. Can I be cheeky and ask if we can make suggestions for categories for next year's magic square? The final decisions would, of course, still be up to the mods :-)

I've enjoyed the series challenge, but did over-commit myself in retrospect.

I'm not one for dragging out a series though. I've read all bar one of the Anne Rice vampire novels this year :)

I decided to do the Hilary Mantel, Cromwell trilogy. Damn, shes not bringing out the third one until at least January...

Sally wrote: Can I be cheeky and ask if we can make suggestions for categories for next year's magic square? The final decisions would, of course, still be up to the mods :-)..."

Feel free Sally

Can I suggest erotic pop-up books as a category?

Cathy wrote: "I have really enjoyed the magic square and have managed to read a few that I wouldn't normally have considered as well as some that were on my TBR anyway. Loved the poetry challenge too. Am struggl..."

I agree with Cathy that the magic square has got me reading a few that I would normally not pick up. I look forward to seeing what new categories are suggested!

Naughty, Jason, naughty. A chap in our book club always says a good book is one that contains aliens and has sex in it. Sadly for him we have not read one like this. He keeps hoping he says...

Can I second Pat's nomination for a square on alien+sex stories?

Thats my book club freind - not me. Although I would read one, if there was one

Paul wrote: "Sally wrote: Can I be cheeky and ask if we can make suggestions for categories for next year's magic square? The final decisions would, of course, still be up to the mods :-)..."

Feel free Sally"

Here are some ideas I came up with:
A book of short stories
A play
A cult classic
A book about a book or books
A book set in a place you would like to visit
A book that has received mixed reviews
A book that tackles a social or political issue
A brick (600 pages or more)
A book that is part of a series
A children's book (not YA)

Sally wrote: "Paul wrote: "Sally wrote: Can I be cheeky and ask if we can make suggestions for categories for next year's magic square? The final decisions would, of course, still be up to the mods :-)..."

Feel..."
Great suggestions Sally!

Thanks Sally. I have a whole spreadsheet of these begged, borrowed and stolen from all sorts of places.

I am going to ignore Jason's suggestion as he can do that by himself. In a darkened room...

Couple of other questions, are people interested in doing personal challenge threads as well of the group challenges?

I like your suggestions Sally!

Paul, a personal challenge thread sounds interesting - how would it work?
Don't know if this is something that could be incorporated, but I like the idea of reading around a geographical or historical theme - books set in/ written by authors from a particular country/continent/time period etc.

However you wanted it to Cathy.

You could do a challenge where read a book set in every state in America, or every county in Europe. Or you have a particular author that you want to read. I have got two long term ones running where I am trying to read every travel book that Summersdale have published : my shelf and all the Samuel Johnson nominated non fiction books here

And so on.

I have some ideas around themed reads for history where you read a non fiction and a fiction book for a chosen era.

I like the sound of the historical challenges.

A personal challenge also sounds good - I would probably try to clear my book shelf...

What about an a-z challenge? Book for each letter.

The A to Z style always works well, I have got an idea for that one too, and we had done that in 2013, so could revisit.

I like challenges but I'm not very good at them because I tend to read for pleasure exactly what I want. Though my reading is already quite varied because I have listed books from different countries (usually by the nationality of the author) and try to read books from different decades (starting from 1800), mainly classics. I also try to read fewer books written in English and not that many mysteries. Some time ago I counted that I had books written in 15 different languages originally, and I can add at least two more now, I think. I have a lot of reading to do...

I generally don't read books in series, usually not even many books by the same author, Mika Waltari being an exception and Väinö Linna probably, too, his four (or two) books are high on the list of books every Finn should read.

Some more suggestions:

- a banned book (somewhere)
- a book from (or about?) a country that no longer exist
- a book from a new country (for you)
- a book about a crime / war / religion etc. (I don't like genres)
- a book + a movie
- speculative fiction

Tytti wrote: "I like challenges but I'm not very good at them because I tend to read for pleasure exactly what I want. Though my reading is already quite varied because I have listed books from different countri..."

I like the sound of most of these, especially a banned book (or one that was once banned, I guess). That might get me to finally finish reading James Joyce's Ulysses!

Can I also suggest a twentieth-century classic?

How long we got to complete that challenge Derek? Should be possible to complete in a week, might need longer if you are gonna include all the nominees.

Not just first prize but a lifetime achievement award for that lot!