Historical Fictionistas discussion

Our annual centuries challenge is back. Sorry for the late post, but better late than never! Thank you for the reminder. This challenge will focus on reading through the centuries! Participation is just for fun. Participants will attempt to read a book set in each century, spanning from BCE to the 21st century. This challenge will be held from December 1st to February 28th. I know it is after the first, but you can use any book you started on the 1st or after.

RULES:
1) Books must be at least 200 pages long. Eligibility for this is determined by the most popular edition on Goodreads. If the most popular edition is 197 pages, it will not count, even if the edition read is 215 pages.

2) The first book used for the challenge should be started on or after December 1st.

3) Audiobooks are accepted. Page numbers are determined by most popular edition on GoodReads.

4) The book should be historical fiction or nonfiction. Fantasy or like genres will not fulfill the timeline requirements. The 21st-century book is the exception.

5) Participates can join at any time during the challenge.


SCORING / HOW IT WORKS:
1) Upon sign-up, each participant will post an empty list of each century spanning from the BCE to the 21st Century, This list will be filled in as participants read novels to fulfill each century requirement. (Books do not have to be read in any type of chronological order).

2) Each book that fulfills a century will be counted as 10 points. You can only read one book for each century. Books can be nonfiction or fiction.

3) Winter theme bonuses: You can claim 5 point bonus for each of the following. You can only claim each bonus once during the challenge. You may only claim one bonus per book.
a. Read a book set in winter.
b. Read a book with a winter scene on the cover.
c. Read a book where one of the author's initials is in the word WINTER.
d. Read a book set in North America.
e. Read a book set in South America.
f. Read a book set in Europe.
g. Read a book set in Africa.
h. Read a book set in Asia.
I. Read a book set in Australia.
j. Read a book set during a blizzard/snowstorm

4) Book Length Bonus:
Bonus points will be awarded based on the length of each book read, as follows:
200 to 300 pages = 2 bonus points
301 to 500 pages = 4 bonus points
501 to 750 pages = 6 bonus points
751 to 1,000 pages = 8 bonus points
1,000+ = 10 bonus points


_________________________________________
Here's an example of how it will look when reported:

A Light Between Oceans
20th Century-10 points
343 pages- 4 points
Bonus I: 5 points
Total: 19 points

Where do you want us to post the scoring?

So this is only a 2 month challenge? Not the whole year of 2022? I’m kinda new, just want to make sure I understand. Thank you.

Diane wrote: "Where do you want us to post the scoring?"

I just made the scoring thread. Yesterday goodreads blocked me from creating it. Apparently it thought I was spamming the group. lol

Kristina wrote: "So this is only a 2 month challenge? Not the whole year of 2022? I’m kinda new, just want to make sure I understand. Thank you."

Hi Kristina! This challenge is a 3 month long one. In this group we have some year long challenges (HF University, Million Miles Challenge, Bingo, Around the World) and then we have some quarterly challenges like this one. This challenge is a repeating challenge that we offer every year in the winter. Welcome to the group.

I'm probably overthinking this but ... how can a book set in the 21st century be historical fiction?

KarenK2 wrote: "I'm probably overthinking this but ... how can a book set in the 21st century be historical fiction?"
Jasmine addresses that in #4 above.

Hmm, ok. Thanks

KarenK2 wrote: "Hmm, ok. Thanks"

Having the 21st Century entry in the mix gives you some added flexibility if you choose to do the Winter Theme bonuses...like blizzard/snowstorm or South America, which I always find difficult to find a HF that I can use :)

Yes 21st century can be HF.


@cheryl- I include nonfiction for those hard to find historical fiction books. I also struggle to find HF set in South America and even set in Africa can be difficult if I don’t want to read about the slave trade or Cleopatra.

I don't know if I've ever noticed the non-fiction aspect! Color me clueless. I've had limited success with South America and Africa, but the ones that are the hardest for me to find (at least in the library) are the 3rd-5th Century and the 8th-10th (barring Vikings...).

It's a great challenge and I truly appreciate all the efforts the Mods put into the challenges. They help me expand my reading horizons and give me added resources that I can use at work. When you're surrounded by books all day, it really can be difficult to figure out what to read next.

I was wondering if it is ok that I keep adding books to the book list after the challenge is done? I won't add points but it will help me keep track of everything I'm reading and I'm setting this challenge as my year long personal challenge

Mariana wrote: "I was wondering if it is ok that I keep adding books to the book list after the challenge is done? I won't add points but it will help me keep track of everything I'm reading and I'm setting this c..."

That's fine!