SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

The Chinese Zodiac is based on year cycles and a balance of yin and yang. 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon--a year of creativity, curiosity, of jumping in to something just to try, and to find something original or beautiful in the attempt. Basically, this year is destined for challenge greatness! You got this!

Choose how you'd like to balance your year!

CYCLIC

Read a book for each of the zodiac animals. Pick a book published in a year associated with each of them:

RAT : 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
OX : 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
TIGER : 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
RABBIT : 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
DRAGON : 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
SNAKE : 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
HORSE : 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
SHEEP* : 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
MONKEY : 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
ROOSTER : 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
DOG : 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
PIG : 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

*Sheep, Ram and Goat are all used. We used the one the mods found to be most familiar.

**Note these go in 12 year cycles. This covers most books we'd expect to see, but if you read something written prior to 1924, you can still count it. Search for the year or calculate it yourself!

BALANCED

Keep your yin and your yang in harmony. Read books that fit the following (from the encyclopedia Britannica)

"Yin is a symbol of earth, femaleness, darkness, passivity, and absorption. It is present in even numbers, in valleys and streams, and is represented by the tiger, the colour orange, and a broken line. Yang is conceived of as heaven, maleness, light, activity, and penetration. It is present in odd numbers, in mountains, and is represented by the dragon, the colour azure, and an unbroken line."

You can pick a characteristic (female vs male, even vs odd etc) or a mood (dark, passive and earthy vs light, active and heavenly), or whatever you feel brings balance to your shelf.

DESCRIPTIVE

Like with other astrological traditions, each of the controling signs is said to share certain characteristics. Find a book for each!

RAT : Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind
OX : Diligent, dependable, strong, determined
TIGER : Brave, confident, competitive
RABBIT : Quiet, elegant, kind, responsible
DRAGON : Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic
SNAKE : Enigmatic, intelligent, wise
HORSE : Animated, active, energetic
SHEEP : Calm, gentle, sympathetic
MONKEY : Sharp, smart, curiosity
ROOSTER : Observant, hardworking, courageous
DOG : Lovely, honest, prudent
PIG : Compassionate, generous, diligent

Animal signs not cutting it for you? Elements are an important part of the zodiac. They go in 12 year periods, meaning that the 5 elements round out a 60 year cycle. Right now we are in a Wood cycle. The elements are:

Benevolent WOOD - represents creativity, luxuriance, blooming, and flourishing
Respectful FIRE - represents enthusiasm, passion
Honest EARTH - represents nurturing, stability and security
Righteous METAL - represents ambition, determination, progress, and persistence
Wise WATER - represents brightness, agile mind, and mental strength

You can read a book for each element or really go wild with a book for every sign and every element!

Share what you read, your success, patterns you find and any other interesting realizations the contemplation of the stars may bring you!

Sign up for the challenge here on January 1st.
Personal challenge threads here.
Other challenges in Current Events.

Oh! This could be interesting :)

This is amazing! We have the best mods ever. Can't wait to dive into all this!

the balanced will be a challenge

I've been trying to balance male/female this year for the Know Thyself Challenged and it was not too bad.

The first entry in today's NY Times crossword puzzle: ZODIAC. Hmm...

😎

This sounds fun! I enjoyed the challenge a couple years back where we read books from each of the previous decades. I will probably do the Cyclic, but I'll have to think on it for a bit.

I’m trying to find books on my Read Your Books shelf searching keywords and I’m having trouble with some of them (the first - Authentic Aquarius - I’ve got nothing!), but the cyclic one, based on the year of my own Chinese sign (Rooster) and see how far back I can go!

Or maybe both! And then I will probably fail miserably to actually read those books, but hey, finding books for the prompts is at least half the fun!

Oops, I think I combined two challenges in my mind.

For this actual one I will do the cyclic and see how well I can balance them, m/f/nb authors.

I have book for the cyclic
I'm looking for books for the descriptive starting with books that have the animal as a main character or a sidekick/opponent and I'm looking for snake, sheep or monkey but will accept a shepherd for sheep and ape for monkey.
I haven't even started looking at the elements

Yin Yang could be

male main character vs female main character or maybe author.

CBRetriever wrote: "I have book for the cyclic
I'm looking for books for the descriptive starting with books that have the animal as a main character or a sidekick/opponent and I'm looking for snake, sheep or monkey b..."

I recently read Three Bags Full, in which sheep are the main characters. It’s a mystery more than sci-fi / fantasy, but I thought it was pretty good. The sheep are trying to figure out who killed their shepherd. It’s more philosophical than you would expect.

Edited to add: these two books have a gorilla as a main character: Ishmael (also more of a philosophical book) and The One and Only Ivan, which is a middle grade book but is really good if you don’t mind reading books for kids.

Kaia wrote: "I recently read Three Bags Full, in which sheep are the main characters."

that one actually looks pretty good but the link to Amazon goes to the German version. I'll have to find it and oh, rats, it's just in a paper version.

I am definitely going for cyclic as I want to pick up some older books this year. I am already doing challenge on storygraph to read books published in every year since 1800 (although personally I am going more for 1900 onwards). I will probably be aiming for the before 2000 options.

perfect synergy!

I am going to do the “cyclic” one as an extension of the TBR challenge. For both I will read physical TBR books already on my shelves.

Another perfect synergy!

CBRetriever wrote: "I have book for the cyclic
I'm looking for books for the descriptive starting with books that have the animal as a main character or a sidekick/opponent and I'm looking for snake, sheep or monkey b..."

CB, it’s always inspiring to read your plans/approaches.
I’m likely to go with Stephen’s approach and link cyclic & my TBR/Read All Books in the interest of my sanity.

Liane wrote: "I’m likely to go with Stephen’s approach and link cyclic & my TBR/Read All Books in the interest of my sanity."

I will probably be double dipping between the lists plus the lists for another SF&F forum's challenges.

I've decided to use this challenge as a way to read more Hugo Award winners (which will also help me read more from the group shelf). I'm going to try read at least one Hugo Winner published in each decade (except the 2020's, because I've already read them all - but maybe I can read the book that wins in 2024 if it's new to me). I'm going based on book publication date, though, rather than the year it won, so that I can include some of the retro Hugos (and because sometimes the book wins in the year after it was published). Here is my current working list:

RAT: Neuromancer by William Gibson (1984)

OX: The City & the City by China Mieville (2009)

TIGER: The Sword in the Stone by TH White (1938), or The Man in the High Castle by Philip K Dick (1962), or Blackout by Connie Willis (2010)

RABBIT: Way Station by Clifford Simak (1963) or Among Others by Jo Walton (2011)

DRAGON: Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm (1976)

SNAKE: Hyperion by Dan Simmons (1989)

HORSE: This Immortal by Roger Zelazny (1966)

SHEEP: Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold (2003)

MONKEY: A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge (1992)

ROOSTER: The Mule: From Foundation And Empire by Issac Asimov (1945) or The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K LeGuin - this would be a re-read (1969)

DOG: Ringworld by Larry Niven (1970)

PIG: The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon (2007) or Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein (1959)

here's mine with all possibilities:

Zodiac Challenge

CYCLIC

RAT : 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 = Garan the Eternal by Andre Norton
OX : 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 = Blood Music by Greg Bear
TIGER : 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 = The Falling Woman by Pat Murphy
RABBIT : 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 = The Iron Princess by Barbara Hambly
DRAGON : 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 = Seer's Blood by Doranna Durgin
SNAKE : 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 = Sunglasses After Dark by Nancy A. Collins
HORSE : 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 = Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grille by Steven Brust
SHEEP : 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 = Chthon by Piers Anthony
MONKEY : 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 = Mockingbird by Walter Tevis
ROOSTER : 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 = Horn Crown by Andre Norton
DOG : 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 = The Elfin Ship by James P. Blaylock
PIG : 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 = The Disappearing Dwarf by James P. Blaylock

DESCRIPTIVE - Animal

RAT : Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind = Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly - Reason = Rat God
OX : Diligent, dependable, strong, determined = Dr. Ox and Other Stories by Jules Verne - Reason = Dr. Ox
TIGER : Brave, confident, competitive = Sword-Bearer by Jennifer Roberson - Reason = main character is named Tiger
RABBIT : Quiet, elegant, kind, responsible = The Beaver Theory by Antti Tuomainen - Reason = Rabbit Factor #3 = name of series & features a plastic rabbit in the first book
DRAGON : Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic = Dragon Heart: A Fantasy Novel by Cecelia Holland - Reason = one of the main characters is a dragon
SNAKE : Enigmatic, intelligent, wise = A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger - Reason = Cottonmouth is a main character
HORSE : Animated, active, energetic = White Horse, Red Fruit by Kat Howard to replace Pale Horses by Jassy Mackenzie - Reason = new book is SF&F
SHEEP : Calm, gentle, sympathetic = The Android's Dreamby John Scalzi - Reason = save the sheep!!
MONKEY : Sharp, smart, curiosity = Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs - Reason = Tarzan has ape family and "mother" but I don't know if Cheetah is part of the book
ROOSTER : Observant, hardworking, courageous = The Book of the Dun Cow by Walter Wangerin Jr. - Reason = a main character is a rooster plus it's on the cover
DOG : Lovely, honest, prudent = A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher - Reason = secondary character is a dog
PIG : Compassionate, generous, diligent = Animal Farm by George Orwell - Reason = one of the main characters is a pig First read in Kindle format

DESCRIPTIVE - Elements

Benevolent WOOD - represents creativity, luxuriance, blooming, and flourishing = Drowned Country by Emily Tesh - Reason = 2nd book in Greenhollow Duology about an ancient wood
Respectful FIRE - represents enthusiasm, passion = Fire Wings by Anthony Ryan to replace a book from the Saga of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt Jr. - Reason = definite book with Fire in the title
Honest EARTH - represents nurturing, stability and security = Earthchild by Doris Piserchia - Reason = last human on earth and trying to save it
Righteous METAL - represents ambition, determination, progress, and persistence = The Silver Metal Lover by Tanith Lee - Reason = silver metal lover
Wise WATER - represents brightness, agile mind, and mental strength = OCEANS: The Anthology by Jessica West (editor) - Reason = short stories about the Ocean

Here is what I have. All physical books that I own but haven’t read.
For TIGER I went with the title not the year of publication.


CYCLIC

RAT : 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

✔️The Man Whose Teeth Were All Exactly Alike (1984)

OX : 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

✔️The Memory of Whiteness: A Scientific Romance (1985)

TIGER : 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

Nineteen Seventy-Four (Title)

RABBIT : 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023

✔️Old Babes in the Wood: Stories (2023)

DRAGON : 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024

Limbo (1952)

SNAKE : 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 —


✔️The Ballad of Beta-2 / Empire Star (1965 original publication of The Ballad of Beta-2)

HORSE : 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 —

Gloriana, or The Unfulfill'd Queen (1978)

SHEEP* : 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 -

✔️The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories (1979)

MONKEY : 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 —

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968)

ROOSTER : 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 —

✔️Fourth Mansions (1969)

DOG : 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018—

Titus Groan (1946)

PIG : 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

✔️The Anome aka The Faceless Man (1971)

this looks awesome, well done

I love the idea of using past Hugo Awards since I also keep wanting to read more of the older winners. I might be stealing it at least partially 😎

Trying to get through some tbr. Did it by years the books came out in!
Rat
The Burning God
Ox
The Shadow of the Gods
Tiger
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
Rabbit
The Night Circus
Dragon
The Name of the Wind
Snake
Abaddon's Gate
Horse
Ancillary Sword
Sheep
Ancillary Mercy
Monkey
The Obelisk Gate
Rooster
Provenance
Dog
Skyward
Pig
Children of Ruin

This challenge is going to really help me with getting books from my physical bookshelf read! I have another challenge which is to read books from between 1980 and 1999 and the books I chose are almost all physical books. So, if I use some if them for this challenge as well, using just the years of publication, I’ll have killed 3 birds with one stone! Here’s my list:

Rat:Space Opera , ed. Anne McCaffrey (1996)(I’ve read a couple of stories in this one already)
Ox: Remarkably Bright Creatures (2022)
Rabbit: The Book That Wouldn’t Burn (2023)
Dragon: The Receptionist and Other Tales, poems, Lesley Wheeler OR My Brilliant Friend, Ferrante OR The Three Tunes, Shawna Reppert (2012)
Snake: What Am I Doing Here?, Bruce Chatwin (finish)
Horse: N.P, Banana Yoshimoto OR My Real Children, Jo Walton I finished both!
Sheep: Cloven Hooves, Megan Lindholm
Monkey: The Northern Girl, Elizabeth Lynn
Rooster: The Curse of the Mistwraith, Janny Wurts DNF unfortunately
Dog: No Enemy But Time, Michael Bishop OR Larque on the Wing, Nancy Springer
Pig: Here We Go Again: My Life in Television, Betty White

Some of these books have been on my self for years and years. And a few have been on various challenge lists for a couple years Hopefully this year is the year I get to them!

oh so nice to combine goals! good luck!!

This mainly comprises my main tbr for 2024. Still subject to change. Open for more book recs and group reads :)

RAT: Neuromancer (1984)
OX: Sphere (1997)
TIGER: The Light Fantastic (1986)
RABBIT: The Art of Thinking Clearly (2011)
DRAGON: Mort (1988)
SNAKE: The Ocean at the End of the Lane (2013)
HORSE: Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (1990)
SHEEP: Jailbird (1979)
MONKEY: A Wizard of Earthsea (1968)
ROOSTER: The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)
DOG: The Tombs of Atuan (1970)
PIG: The Colour of Magic (1983)

I think I’ll try cyclic first.

I am making this up as I go. I found books with the actual animal on the cover. I'll see how well they match up to the description. (I cannot find a book with a rooster on the cover, so I went rooster adjacent while not just plugging bird in, same for Ox...)

4/12 complete

RAT : Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind - Island Rule
OX : Diligent, dependable, strong, determined - The Beast You Are: Stories
TIGER : Brave, confident, competitive - When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain
RABBIT : Quiet, elegant, kind, responsible - The Future
DRAGON : Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic - The Veiled Throne
SNAKE : Enigmatic, intelligent, wise - The Devil's Playground
HORSE : Animated, active, energetic - (will plug in later. Too many to choose from...)
SHEEP : Calm, gentle, sympathetic - The Borrowed Hills or Lapvona
MONKEY : Sharp, smart, curiosity - Next
ROOSTER : Observant, hardworking, courageous - The Glutton or Thistlefoot
DOG : Lovely, honest, prudent - Normal Rules Don't Apply: Stories
PIG : Compassionate, generous, diligent - Come and Get It

Is this where we actually sign up for the challenge? I will do the cyclic. The balanced is interesting, but having to skip odd or even years pretty much means no trilogies, etc.

The challenge tracker is here, if you want to use it:

https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...

@John Drawdy, there are other ways to represent Yin and Yang as described in the first post above. But none of them may be very conducive to Trilogies or series. In that case I would recommend using this cyclic variation and use year of publication as your defining element.

John Drawdy wrote: "Is this where we actually sign up for the challenge? I will do the cyclic. The balanced is interesting, but having to skip odd or even years pretty much means no trilogies, etc."

I have an 82 and an 83 that are part of a trilogy in my cyclic list and the only reason I don't have the third one is that it was published the same year as the 2nd book in the trilogy

RAT : 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
OX : 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
TIGER : 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
RABBIT : 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
DRAGON : 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
SNAKE : 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
HORSE : 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
SHEEP* : 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
MONKEY : 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
ROOSTER : 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
DOG : 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
PIG : 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

and I could do the 8 books in Jennifer Roberson's Cheysuli series

1984 = 1
1985 = 2
1986 = 3
1987 = 4
1988 = 5
1989 = 6
1990 = 7
1992 = 8

and add 4 more books and be done with it

Zodiac Challenge:

Cyclic:
RAT : 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020: De Draken van de Herfstschemer
OX : 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021: The Prodigal Mage
TIGER : 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
RABBIT : 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023: The Meowmorphosis
DRAGON : 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
SNAKE : 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013: The Golem and the Jinni
HORSE : 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014: Talon
SHEEP* : 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015: Six of Crows
MONKEY : 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
ROOSTER : 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017: An Echo of Things to Come
DOG : 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
PIG : 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019: De Kleur van Toverij

Thanks for this!

CBRetriever wrote: "here's mine with all possibilities:

Zodiac Challenge

CYCLIC

RAT : 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 = Garan the Eternal by Andre Norton..."

This looks fun. The cyclic is my preference.

RAT : 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020:
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson - 2020
OX : 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021:
Gilded by Marissa Meyer - 2021 - Read
TIGER : 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022:
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi - 2022 - Read
RABBIT : 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023:
Infinity Gate by M.R. Carey - 2023
DRAGON : 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024:
Storm Front by Jim Butcher - 2000
SNAKE : 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013:
The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein - 1989
HORSE : 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014:
The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons - 1990
SHEEP* : 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015:
The Clairvoyant's Glasses: A Vision Unexpected by Helen Goltz - 2015 - Read
MONKEY : 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016:
The Watchmaker's Daughter by C.J. Archer - 2016
ROOSTER : 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017:
Jade City by Fonda Lee - 2017
DOG : 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018:
The Quantum Magician by Derek Künsken - 2018
PIG : 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019:
The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin - 1971

I've now completed two books for this challenge. I am choosing to read Hugo Award winners from a variety of decades to try to expand my reading a bit. I finished:

Sheep / Ram: Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold (published 2003). I loved this book - I think even more than Curse of Chalion. It is going to be hard for me not to scrap all of my reading plans and just read all of the rest of the books in this series instead.

Dragon: Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm (published 1976). I have mixed feelings on this one, but I enjoyed the writing itself and the exploration of ideas. I hadn't realized it was also on the group bookshelf, so it was a surprise book challenge two-fer. Also, I thought the group discussion for this was great, and it definitely added to my experience of reading the book (and I think increased my appreciation of it).

Ok, I have one

Rabbit (2023) Wtem denat

I am still considering the best way to track this challenge. I think I will aim for 24 books, twice through the Zodiac. For now, I'll just mark off books/years as I read them. At some point, I may have to be strategic to fill in some spots.

5/24

RAT : 2020 Finna, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008,
OX : 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
TIGER : 2022 Gobelino & Worry of Weres, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010,
RABBIT : 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
DRAGON : 2000 Stardoc, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2012, 2024
SNAKE : 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
HORSE : 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
SHEEP* : 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
MONKEY : 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
ROOSTER : 1993 The Giver, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 2005, 2017
DOG : 2018 Quantum Magician, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006,
PIG : 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

Meredith wrote: "I am still considering the best way to track this challenge. I think I will aim for 24 books, twice through the Zodiac. For now, I'll just mark off books/years as I read them. At some point, I may ..."

Nice Start

I guess I need to claim a space here. I think I’ll try to keep within the SFF genre, but will give myself grace at the end of the year if need be.

RAT : 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
OX : 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
TIGER : 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
RABBIT : 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 Tea and Empathy by Shanna Swendson
DRAGON : 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
SNAKE : 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
HORSE : 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
SHEEP : 1931, 1943 Perelandra by C.S. Lewis, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
MONKEY : 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968 Chocky by John Wyndham , 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
ROOSTER : 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
DOG : 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
PIG : 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

RAT : (2020) The Burning God by R. F. Kuang
OX : (2021) The God of Lost Words by A. J. Hackwith
TIGER : (2022) The Cuckoo by Leo Carew
RABBIT : (2023) The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
DRAGON : (2012) Malice by John Gwynne
SNAKE : (2013) The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
HORSE : (2014) Valor by John Gwynne
SHEEP* : (2015) Ruin by John Gwynne
MONKEY : (2016) Wrath by John Gwynne
ROOSTER : (2017) Jade City by Fonda Lee
DOG : (2018) Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin
PIG : (2019) The Library of the Unwritten by A. J. Hackwith

*Speckled in with some books on science and biographies of scientists*

my first descriptive zodiac book

DESCRIPTIVE - Animal

OX : Diligent, dependable, strong, determined = Dr. Ox and Other Stories by Jules Verne - Reason = Dr. Ox

I finished my first book in this challenge,

RABBIT : 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023

Old Babes in the Wood: Stories. (2023)

Only a few of the stories are sff. Many of the others have to do with “Tig and Nell”, apparently a fictionalised rendering of Atwood and her late partner, Graeme Gibson. I liked the book a lot.

Kaia wrote: "I've now completed two books for this challenge. I am choosing to read Hugo Award winners from a variety of decades to try to expand my reading a bit. I finished:

Sheep / Ram: [book:Paladin of Sou..."

Paladin of Souls might be my favorite Bujold as well.

I’ve read a second one,

SNAKE : 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 —

The Ballad of Beta-2 / Empire Star (1965 original publication of The Ballad of Beta-2)

Two classic 1960s novellas by Delany.

my first

CYCLIC

HORSE : 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 = Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grille by Steven Brust

Number three:

SHEEP* : 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 -

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories (1979)