Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

This is the thread where we can discuss the Decades Challenge. Any questions you may have or book suggestions you may want to offer can be posted here.

Thanks for joining and I hope you have a lot of fun with it :)

*Here is the new and improved version of #4-

You can choose a book from the decades shelf provided or choose any book published in that decade or any book set in that decade.*

Yowza! It's going to be a Groovy, Cool, Tubular, Rockin' Time- it's The Decades Challenge

This is a 6 month challenge where you may read 2 decades or more, from 10-30 books.

You must choose the decade you were born in as one of your options.

You may choose as many more decades as you like as long as your birth decade is included.

When you make a decade choice you must read all choices in that decade to receive credit for that decade.

There is no minimum page count, re-reads and audio books are allowed.

This challenge runs from July 1, 2012- January 1st, 2013. Please feel free to jump in at any time during the 6 months :)

Have a totally rad, zany, crazy, awesome time!



The 1940's:

1. Song- White Christmas by Bing Crosby- Read a book with a Christmas-time setting, the word 'Christmas' in the title or has a mostly white cover.
2. Movie-Casablanca- Read a book about WW11, or a book reuniting old lovers or a book with a character that plays the piano.
3.TV Show-Howdy Doody (the first nationwide broadcast of a children's show)- Read a YA novel or a book that features a child prominantly in the story.
4. Popular Books of the 40's- Read a book from the following shelf- http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/23...
5. Fad- Slinky- Read an Erotic book or a book with a child's toy on the cover.



The 1950's:

1.Song- Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis- read a book with fire on the cover, the word 'fire' in the title or a book with cousins in the storyline.
2.Movie- Some Like It Hot- read a humorous book or a book with a hot guy on the cover.
3.TV Show- The Honeymooners- read a book with a married couple, has a NY setting, or has a couple on their honeymoon.
4.Popular Books of the 50's- read a book found on the following shelf- http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/22...
5.Fad- Hula Hoop- read a book with a round object on the cover or a book with a title that has the same first letters (i.e. Totally Tubular, Cowboy Cassanova)


The 1960's:

1.Song-I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye- read a book with a gossipy character or a book with fruit on the cover.
2.Movie-Bonnie and Clyde- read a crime novel or a book set during the time period of the Great Depression (1929-1940) or a book with a car or gun on the cover.
3.TV Show- The Munsters- read a book with monsters (i.e. vampires, werewolves, etc.) or a book with a character who feels like an outsider in their family.
4.Popular Books of the 60's- read a book found on the following shelf- http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/18...
5.Fad- Flower Power- read a book with flowers on the cover, or a book set in San Francisco, or a book with characters that take drugs or a book that shows the horrors of war.


The 1970's:

1.Song- Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin- read a book with angels or the devil in the story or a book with the word heaven, angel, devil or stairway in the title.
2.Movie- The Godfather- read a book with an Italian author or a book with a setting in Italy or NY or a book with an Italian character or a character who is the Godfather to a child.
3.TV Show- All In The Family- read a book that has a character with a prejudice, or a book where a married couple live with their parents or a book set in Queens, NY.
4.Popular Books of the 1970's- http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/21...
5.Fad- Disco music- read a book featuring a musician or a dancer, or a book with musical notes,a musical instrument, a disco ball, or dancers on the cover.


The 1980's:

1.Song- Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen- read a book by an American author, a book set in the U.S. or a book with a red,white and blue cover.
2.Movie- Back to the Future- read a time-travel novel, or a book featuring a sports car in the story or on the cover.
3.TV Show- Cheers- read a book centering on friends, or a book with a scene in a bar, or a book with a drink on the cover.
4.Popular Books of the 1980's- read a book found on the following shelf- http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9....
5.Fad- Classic Coke- read a book considered a 'classic' or a book featuring a character with a failed relationship/profession/idea, etc.

The 1990's:

1.Song- My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion- read a romance novel, or a book with a heart on the cover or a book with a Canadian setting or author.
2.Movie-Titanic- read a book set on a ship, or a book with a ship on the cover or a book that has a couple where one is rich and one is poor.
3.TV Show- E.R.- read a novel with a scene in a hospital setting, a book with doctors, or a book written by an author who uses their initials.
4.Popular Books of the 1990's- Read a book found on the following shelf- http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/17...
5.Fad- Beanie Babies- read a book that has an animal in the story (a real animal, not an other-worldy creature) or on the cover, or a book where a character is a collector of some kind.

Here are a few links for the married couples choice-
The 1950's- TV Show- The Honeymooners

Popular Married Couple Romance Books- http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/m...

Best Historical Romances - Married Couples-
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/45...

Husbands and Wives-
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/38...

For The 1980's- movie- Back To The Future


The Best Time Travel Romance Novels-

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/42...

Ok, I'll kick off the questions! :) For the books from the specific decades, do they have to be on the shelves you linked to, or can we read any book published in that decade?

Ok...maybe a silly question or two! I was born in the 70's...so I have to read all 5 from that decade right?

But to make up to the 10 or more can I choose one or two from each other decade? For ex: 2 books from the 40's, 2 from the 90's, and 1 from the 80's???

thanks...and great challenge!

@KarenH- You can choose any book published in that decade. I was torn on that one when I first added it. Thinking maybe set in that decade as a choice as well as published in the decade...

Would everyone enjoy that choice more? Instead of published in the decade it could be published or setting of the story in the decade?

@Elke,

Yes, you have to read all 5 from your birth decade but also all 5 from another decade. No mixing and matching :)

The 1990's- TV Show- E.R.- Authors who use their initials-

Some from my shelves-

L.A. Witt
T.A. Chase
K.A. Mitchell
J.R. Ward
H.P. Mallory
L.B. Gregg
R.G. Alexander
S.A. Reid
R.L. Mathewson
L.A. Gilbert
Z.A. Maxfield
J.M. Snyder
S.J. Frost
R.J. Palacio
E.L. James

Fran wrote: "@KarenH- You can choose any book published in that decade. I was torn on that one when I first added it. Thinking maybe set in that decade as a choice as well as published in the decade...

Would e..."

Thanks, Fran! I've got several books floating around from some of the earier decades, and this keeps me from having to search the lists to see if they are there! :)

Fran wrote: "Would everyone enjoy that choice more? Instead of published in the decade it could be published or setting of the story in the decade?
"

Yes please. That would give us more flexibility.

A few more options for authors who use initials...


G. A. Aiken
P. C. Cast
C. L. Wilson
J.D. Robb

Fran wrote: "@Elke,

Yes, you have to read all 5 from your birth decade but also all 5 from another decade. No mixing and matching :)"

Ok, thanks!

OK, I have edited the challenge in the challenge thread to reflect these new additions-

#4. You can choose a book from the decades shelf provided or choose any book published in that decade or any book set in that decade.

Fran - for the Italian character in the 70s - do we need to know they are of Italian descent, or would the name be sufficient? Eg Joe Spagnola from Street Game. (He's a secondary character who I'm sure will get his own story down the track if his hunkiness so far in this story continues!) I'm not sure that I will get the full confirmation of Italian descent, but it sure sounds Italian to me :)

Jane (PS) wrote: "Fran - for the Italian character in the 70s - do we need to know they are of Italian descent, or would the name be sufficient? Eg Joe Spagnola from Street Game. (He's a secondary character who I'm ..."

He sounds Italian to me, you can use it :)

Hey Fran,

For:
5.Fad- Classic Coke- read a book considered a 'classic' or a book featuring a character with a failed relationship/profession/idea, etc.

I get the first half about a classic book, but can you go into more detailed about failed relationship (are we talking second chance at love, a divorcee), profession (change of career)??? Just wondering what "failing" to look for.

I would say any story line that contained some sort of failure or disappointment in a choice that a character made, whether it be a divorce, break-up, career change because they made the wrong choice initially, bad decision in trusting a friend, etc. The failure can lead to a HEA or somehow work out for the best, like a second chances storyline.


Some examples of what comes to mind when I think of this category would be-
And One Last Thing ... - divorce
Happily Even After- second chances
Her Best Friend- failure of H marriage to someone else gives h chance to hook up with him

Hope I helped! I feel like I may have made it more confusing :(

Fran wrote: "I would say any story line that contained some sort of failure or disappointment in a choice that a character made, whether it be a divorce, break-up, career change because they made the wrong cho..."

That helps Fran! I just needed confirmation that we were thinking the same things.

Fran wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Fran - for the Italian character in the 70s - do we need to know they are of Italian descent, or would the name be sufficient? Eg Joe Spagnola from Street Game. (He's a secondary ..."

Thanks Fran :)

*Still compiling my potential lists*!!

Hi guys,

I haven't been able to find a book for the 1970s TV Show category for All in the Family....Does anyone have recommendation for this category? I would really appreciated...

Hina wrote: "Hi guys,

I haven't been able to find a book for the 1970s TV Show category for All in the Family....Does anyone have recommendation for this category? I would really appreciated..."

Hi Hina!

I'm not sure if you read any m/m, but there are several I have read recently that I really liked and have a character dealing with prejudice.

Out in the Field
Heatstroke- free read
Frat Boy and Toppy
One Small Thing


Fantastic YA book I recently read dealing with prejudice against young boy with facial deformity-
Wonder

Faced prejudice about their relationship-
On the Island

Prejudice against humans-
Obsidian

I will check my shelves for more ideas...

Set in Queens-
Sofie Metropolis

The entire Breed series by Lora Leigh deals with prejudice against the Breeds.

Hearts in Darkness- H feels there is prejudice against him because of how he looks

Rainwater- some prejudice against young boy with autism

Delicate Freakn' Flower- h doesn't like large shifer guys

Hina, if this helps, Queens is technically part of Long Island, so if you would like to read a book set on Long Island, NY for this task I'll allow it :)

Some Long Island settings from the top of my head-



http://www.goodreads.com/places/3039-...

Thanks for all the recs...I think it comes down to Hearts in Darkness or Sofie Metropolis.

Hina wrote: "Thanks for all the recs...I think it comes down to Hearts in Darkness or Sofie Metropolis."

Glad to help :)

I would think a lot of historicals would work too, so many plot lines deal with the prejudice of the upper classess towards the lower ones.

Could this book count as time travel: People of the Book ?

Hi Gea,

From the description and reviews of the book it doesn't seem to fit the time-travel genre. The main character doesn't actually go back in time, it sounds like her reading of the text uncovers information from the past. I haven't read it but no one has shelved it as time-travel so I am going to have to say no, it won't fit. I'm sorry!

But it looks like it will fit the category of 'book set in the 1940's ' if you need a book to fill that spot :)

Ok. I am not a big fan of time travel books, so I thought maybe this would work as a bit different kind of time travel :) I guess I will stick with my first choice from that list that was given.

Gwyn Cready writes cute time travel romances (and i'm not just saying this because I have an ARC of her newest one to read...lol!)

Thanks, I will look at her books

Thanks for the rec Dee!

Gea,

You could go with the car option for that one if you want-

2.Movie- Back to the Future- read a time-travel novel, or a book featuring a sports car in the story or on the cover.

or I have a suggestion for time-travel too-

I loved Totally Tubular by Gwen Hayes. The main character travels back in time to the 1980's and befriends her mom. I can lend it to you if you want, it's from Amazon and lendable.

Thanks for suggestions, and I finally found a time travel book that sounds interesting :)

Enslaved by Virginia Henley

Hey Fran - I have a couple of questions :)

1950's #5: For Hula Hoop, would 'At Piper's Point' work? ie can we ignore a word before or after the alliteration?

1980's #5: failed relationship/profession/idea - can this be before the book has commenced? (I'm thinking the relationship...)

Hi Jane!

Yes to both questions :)

Thanks Fran :)

For a crime novel does it have to be listed as crime on the GR page, or will mystery suffice? I Think I Love You revolves around an old murder and culminates in the solving of that, along with a more recent murder. Will that work for Bonnie and Clyde (1960's #2)?

Hi Nicola!

It looks like from the reviews and synopsis of the book that it would work for a crime novel. And someone did shelve it as crime as well. You are good to go :)

Thanks - that was a quick response! (I thought we usually only counted the main GR page for shelves, but am willing to go with it!)

Usually I would say use the main page but there were very few for that book and from the description of the book it seems like the crime the sisters witnessed is a main part of the storyline. So you are good :)

Plus I am pretty lenient with the rules- this should be fun and I'll try to make it work when I can :)

I am enjoying this one - and your leniency

Nicola wrote: "I am enjoying this one - and your leniency"

Nicola, tell me how the book was, I found the title interesting but it seems to have gotten mixed reviews.

Hina wrote: "Nicola wrote: "I am enjoying this one - and your leniency"

Nicola, tell me how the book was, I found the title interesting but it seems to have gotten mixed reviews."

It was okay. Nothing spectacular, but I never considered not finishing it. I actually thought it had a little more potential - and did not truly figure out "who dunit" until the heroine did (which is always a plus for me!) It was a quick read, so I say it was worth it.

Nicola wrote: "Hina wrote: "Nicola wrote: "I am enjoying this one - and your leniency"

Nicola, tell me how the book was, I found the title interesting but it seems to have gotten mixed reviews."

It was okay. No..."

Cool Thanks. I am wary of books that gets so many dnfs and I hate leaving a book unfinished so it means I usually keep reading it so I rather not start one where that might be the case.

Hina wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Hina wrote: "Nicola wrote: "I am enjoying this one - and your leniency"

Nicola, tell me how the book was, I found the title interesting but it seems to have gotten mixed reviews."

..."
Let me know what you thought if you do read it - it would be interesting to see if our takes are the same

Nicola wrote: "Hina wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Hina wrote: "Nicola wrote: "I am enjoying this one - and your leniency"

Nicola, tell me how the book was, I found the title interesting but it seems to have gotten mixe..."

I think I will read it after the August Monthly challenges, will let you know how it goes.

Hi Fran, I need a little expansion on Jane's question above about the Hula Hoop category - what about when the alliteration is separated by and/the/etc? For example: Pride and Prejudice or Master of the Mountain

Hi Karen,

The title should have at least two consecutive words beginning with the same letter. So Pride and Prejudice and Master of the Mountain wouldn't work.

Examples of titles that would work-

At Piper's Point
Weekend Warriors
Three to Ride

Sorry Karen!

Fran wrote: "Hi Karen,

The title should have at least two consecutive words beginning with the same letter. So Pride and Prejudice and Master of the Mountain wouldn't work.

Examples of titles that would work-..."

No problem - I'm sure I'll have no trouble finding something! :)

Does anyone have a suggestion for reuniting old lovers? Steamy and not too long are a plus- thanks!