SF Challenge 2012
Step 1: Choose between Light (20 books) or Full (40 books) Challenge
Step 2: Choose three categories in Part I and one category in Part II
Step 3: Read a new-to-you book in half (for the Light) or all of the subcategories in the categories you have chosen within one year of your start date.
PART I
Choose three of the six categories.
Alternate History
1. Read a cross-time story.
2. Read a steampunk novel.
3. Read a clockpunk novel.
4. Read a novel where the alternate history is based on a single point of divergence from our own.
5. Read a novel where the alternate history is based on the presence of magic.
6. Read a novel where the alternate history is created by a time traveler.
7. Read a novel where the alternate history is based on a physical difference in the earth.
8. Read a novel where the alternate history is based on the presence of aliens.
9. Read a novel in which an entire community is shifted back in time.
10. Read a Sidewise Award Winner.
Apocalyptic Fiction
1. Read a novel where the apocalypse is caused by a nuclear war.
2. Read a novel where the apocalypse is caused by a pandemic.
3. Read a novel where the apocalypse is caused by an alien attack.
4. Read a novel where the apocalypse is caused by a meteor impact.
5. Read a novel where the apocalypse is caused by climate change.
6. Read a novel where the apocalypse is caused by resource depletion.
7. Read a novel where the apocalypse is caused by a technological singularity.
8. Read a novel where the apocalypse is caused by supernatural phenomena.
9. Read a novel where the apocalypse is caused by divine judgment.
10. Read a novel where the apocalypse is never described.
Science Fantasy
1. Read a novel where a traditional science fiction element is explained fantastically.
2. Read a novel where a traditional fantasy element is explained scientifically.
3. Read a novel where both science fictional elements and fantasy elements are treated as equally factual.
4. Read a Dying Earth novel.
5. Read a Planetary Romance.
6. Read a Sword and Planet novel.
7. Read a novel set in a future with magic.
8. Read a novel with a computer/computers who are treated like gods.
9. Read a novel that involves psi powers: Black Sun Rising, by C. S. Friedman. Completed 1/16/12. Rated 3 1/2 stars.
10. Read a Lost Colony novel where the colony has reverted to a feudal system of some sort.
Social Science Fiction
1. Read a utopian science fiction novel.
2. Read a dystopian science fiction novel.
3. Read a novel addressing militarism/war.
4. Read a novel addressing gender.
5. Read a novel addressing sexuality.
6. Read a novel addressing race.
7. Read a novel addressing economic systems.
8. Read a novel addressing religion.
9. Read a novel that was banned/censored because of its politics.
10. Read an anthropological science fiction novel.
Space Opera
1. Read a novel using faster-than-light travel.
2. Read a novel with a hard speed-of-light cap on travel.
3. Read a novel involving a military unit/soldier.
4. Read a novel involving a con man/woman.
5. Read a novel with aliens.
6. Read a novel without aliens.
7. Read a near-future space opera.
8. Read a far-future space opera.
9. Read a space western.
10. Read a novel involving an interstellar war.
Time Travel
1. Read a novel with useless time travel.
2. Read a novel with useful time travel.
3. Read a novel featuring an organization of time traveling agents.
4. Read a novel involving a cross-time romance.
5. Read a novel where the main character visits himself.
6. Read a novel where the time travel is accomplished magically.
7. Read a novel where the time travel accomplished technologically.
8. Read a novel where the time travel is undertaken to right a perceived wrong.
9. Read a novel where the time travel is undertaken for personal gain.
10. Read a novel where the time travel is undertaken purely to be a tourist.
PART II
Choose one of the three categories.
Authors
1. Read a novel by an author from Europe.
2. Read a novel by an author from Central/South America.
3. Read a novel by an author from Asia.
4. Read a novel by an author from Africa.
5. Read a novel by an author from Oceania.
6. Read a novel by an author from the Caribbean.
7. Read a novel by a woman.
8. Read a novel by a person of color.
9. Read a novel by someone who identifies as something other than heterosexual.
10. Read a novel by more than one author.
Book-as-Object
1. Read a novel published in the last 12 months.
2. Read a novel published by a small press.
3. Read a novel with cover art that you love.
4. Read a novel with cover art that you hate.
5. Read a novel with less than 150 pages.
6. Read a novel with between 350 and 450 pages.
7. Read a novel with over 700 pages.
8. Read a paperback original.
9. Read a novel that has been out of print for at least ten years.
10. Read a novel that was blurbed by one of your favorite authors.
Main Character
1. Read a novel featuring a female protagonist.
2. Read a novel featuring a protagonist of color.
3. Read a novel featuring a character who identifies as something other than heterosexual.
4. Read a novel featuring a married protagonist.
5. Read a novel featuring a protagonist who is a parent.
6. Read a novel featuring a detective as the protagonist.
7. Read a novel featuring a scientist or engineer as the protagonist.
8. Read a novel featuring an artificial intelligence or robot as the protagonist.
9. Read a novel featuring an anti-hero as the protagonist.
10. Read a novel with multiple protagonists.
Notes
For books to qualify in any category, they must be at least 100 pages long.
You may double-count a maximum of three books in the Light Challenge and five books in the Full Challenge; however, a book may not count twice within the same category.