Sunday, January 16, 2011

2011 Non-Fiction Challenge

If you've read my personal blog post regarding challenges you'll find that I'm all about learning new things this year, finding new interests and building on the interests I've already made. I thought it might be fun to do a non-fiction reading challenge with different categories to really broaden your non-fiction reading.

So, I decided to create a fun Non-Fiction Challenge!




Rules:

- The challenge runs from January 17th to December 31st 2011.
-  Anyone who links a review up is eligible to be entered to win a book of their choice (under $15). How many reviews you link up determines how many entries you get. Additional prizes may be added once I organize this more and depending on how many people sign up. (International readers welcome if Book Depository ships to you).
- Anyone can join. If you don't have a blog, you can link reviews on Goodreads or Amazon or wherever you have your reviews.
- You can join the challenge at any point throughout the year.

Here's the challenge:

Culture: Non-fiction books about different cultures, religions and foreign lands; memoirs & biographies count.

Art: Non-fiction books about anything art related (painters, music, architecture, photography, dance, literature, film, etc.). Memoirs/biographies of any people related to the arts count.

Food: Food memoirs, anything related to food industry, food lifestyles

Medical: anything related to the medical field--industry memoirs, memoirs about illnesses (mental included) /diseases, etc.

Travel: travelogues, industry memoirs, travel guides, etc.

Memoir/Biography: Self explanatory

Money: Anything related to finances, economics, history of money, financial improvement etc.

Science/Nature: Anything related to any scientific field, memoirs count.

History: Anything history related-- events, biographies of historic figures, etc.


Sample Challenge Plan (this is just to give some ideas; you can pick your own titles):

Culture: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi or Geisha: A Life by Mineko Iwasaki
Art:  Cash: The Autobiography by Johnny Cash or The Philosophy of Andy Warhol
Food: Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer or Waiter Rants by Steve Dublanica
Medical: Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science or Madness: A Bipolar Life
Travel:  In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson or Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo
Memoir/Biography: The Color of Water by James MacBride or Washington: A Life
Money: Freakanomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything or The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke by Suze Orman
Science/Nature: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot or Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
History: Devil in the White City by Erik Larson or The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

Levels:

1-3 books from different categories: Master of Trivial Pursuit
4-6 books from different categories: Apply For Who Wants to Be A Millionaire
7-9 books from different categories: Future Jeopardy Champion

Better explanation of the levels: So let's say you read a book from science, medical and art, you would be on the trivial pursuit level and then if you read from the history one you’d be moved up to the Millionaire category. But if you read another book from science, it wouldn’t count.

Put your link in Mr. Linky if you are wanting to participate. The link should be of a blog post that you did declaring your intent to participate. It doesn't have to be its own blog post--feel free to put it with any challenge post, weekly wrap-up, or meme. Each month I'll make a new post to link up your reviews. Your entry should look like this (Science) Name of Book and should be linked to your review.


AUTHORS/PUBLISHERS: Have a non-fiction book you'd like to donate as a prize for the non-fiction reading challenge? Email me at brokeandbookish (at) gmail (dot) com !

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65 comments:

  1. AliceJanuary 16, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    I've been meaning to read more non-fiction this year anyway -- this challenge is *perfect*. Thanks so much for hosting!!

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  2. Celiac LibrarianJanuary 16, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    thanks for the challenge, it's great motivation for me to go outside my comfort zone of reading.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 16, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    This is a superb idea. Thanks for the incentive to get back into non-fiction!

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  4. StephenJanuary 16, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Can books apply toward multiple categories? I'm working through a history series that is less about wars and Great Leaders and more about culture and philosophy.

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  5. TahleenJanuary 16, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    I would join, but I don't think the nonfiction I will be reading will pertain to my blog's content... sad.

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  6. JamieJanuary 16, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    Yeah, some books will definitely crossover into other categories. You can use it for either one.

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  7. JamieJanuary 16, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Tahleen-- You could always link to your Goodreads reviews of them?

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  8. TahleenJanuary 16, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    Hmm. Would they have to be detailed?

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  9. RJanuary 16, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    I'm joining up! I've been feeling the urge to read a lot non-fiction lately.

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  10. SusanneJanuary 16, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    I like having the different categories of non-fiction books. It'll push me to read more than what I would typically read.

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  11. JennJanuary 16, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    I'm joining up. I'm so excited about all these challenges going on. I'm glad there are so many bookish people in the world.

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  12. Jessica MJanuary 16, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Thanks for hosting this challenge! It'll be a great push for me to finally read some of the books that have been sitting on my to-read list. And I love the idea of the different categories.

    I don't have a blog, but I linked to my Goodreads profile on the Mr. Linky list. I made a shelf for the challenge to keep track of the books and will post my reviews on Goodreads.

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  13. Aaron PoundJanuary 16, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    I saw this and just had to participate. After all, I'm only committed to reading dozens and dozens of books already this year, so what's one more reading challenge?

    Seriously, this looks like it will be a lot of fun, and I'm really looking forward to particpating.

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  14. NullifidianJanuary 16, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    I've got my challenge list up.

    I wish there were also categories for philosophy and political philosophy, because I have a few works that could fit there better than anywhere else.

    Sports and games is another potential category I could read a couple more books for.

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  15. DarlynJanuary 17, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    This is interesting. This is my first time participating. Wish me luck!

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  16. Jessica MJanuary 17, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  17. Jessica MJanuary 17, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    Oops, I forgot to leave the link to the actual list of books I picked out. I'm gonna go all out and shoot for Future Jeopardy Champion.

    Here's the Goodreads shelf I created to keep track:
    http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3019127-jessica?shelf=2011-nonfiction-challenge

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  18. JoVJanuary 17, 2011 at 4:03 AM

    Non-fiction has always been an indispensable reading for me every year. I'm wondering where does politics fall under? I'll begin at Trivial pursuit.

    Anyway, thanks for hosting this one. :)

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  19. Miss LaurenJanuary 17, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    I am so in! I used Mr Linky and put my goodreads profile link on there.

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  20. EnbrethilielJanuary 18, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    +JMJ+

    A question:

    Are "cross-overs" between challenges allowed? For instance, may the review of a book I read for the Foodie Challenge count for this challenge, too--or would I have to read two separate books?

    Thanks!

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  21. KaylaJanuary 18, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    This sounds awesome! I signed up using my Goodreads profile page. I have about 50 nonfiction books on my TBR list. Hopefully this will motivate me to finally read a few of them!

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  22. JamieJanuary 18, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Crossover books are totally fine! :)

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  23. QuietlyGoingMadJanuary 18, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    My goal for 2011 was to delve into more non-fiction, so this is an excellent way for me to "challenge" myself to do so! Thanks for creating it!

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  24. LaurieJanuary 18, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  25. Lark AndreaJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    So sorry! My mouse scrolled down. I meant to post at the Top 10 Tuesday not the challenge.

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  26. meeJanuary 20, 2011 at 6:15 AM

    I'm currently on non-fiction binge. So count me in! :)

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  27. jaymeJanuary 21, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    What a great challenge! I'm off to the library now, but I can't wait to sit and make my list up for this challenge--it will be a nice way to clear off my goodreads to-read list as well!

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  28. Miss KJanuary 21, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Wonderful idea, loved it, signed up, going to do it. An good incentive to continue to look forward to a fab year of reading, thanks!

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  29. StephenJanuary 21, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    How do we update you on the books we've read? This is my first entry, in Science:

    http://thisweekatthelibrary.blogspot.com/2011/01/sex-on-six-legs.html

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  30. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Count me in ! Since I mostly read non-fiction anyway, this is MY kind of challenge ! Put me down for Who Wants to be a Millionaire and I'll see if I can make the grade.
    THANKS !

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  31. JoVFebruary 4, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    Where can I post my review please?
    Thanks

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  32. Veggiemomof2February 5, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    I wish there were more categories, like religion, self-help, humor.

    Are we going to link up our reviews?

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  33. Sarah Reads Too MuchFebruary 5, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Just saw this and want to join in! I linked to the page where I'll list books as I complete them.... I love throwing in a non-fiction book when I need to change it up a bit and this will encourage me to do it more often.

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  34. JamieFebruary 5, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    VeggieMom --

    I think next year, if all goes well with this year, I'm going to add more categories.

    Also, I posted the place to link up to for the challenge. I had posted the January one but somehow the date got messed up and it autoposted way back months ago. lol. February is up now as well.

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  35. WillaFebruary 6, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    Fantastic idea, I am definitely joining! Come by Wicked Wonderful Words to see my tentative challenge plan.

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  36. UnknownFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    looking forward to starting this! :)

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  37. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    Thanks for hosting this great challenging challenge LOL. I mean I joined another non-fiction challenge before finding yours, but it's way too easy.
    I just posted my 1st review [#48] in the TRAVEL Category, on The Lost City of Z, a fantastic Read.
    Emma @ Words And Peace
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com

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  38. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    This is not a mistake, here is my 2nd review [for #49], and this one is in the RELIGION category.
    I actually have read already 2 in that category, but I won't use the link, as it does not count for the challenge. If some folks are interested, here it is though:
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/introducing-benedicts-rule/
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  39. Book DragonMarch 14, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    Nice twist! Thanks for hosting :)

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  40. AnonymousApril 5, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    I just posted my 4th book for this challenge, category: GENERAL CUSTOMS [394] - FOOD HABITS
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/curry-a-tale-of-cooks-and-conquerors/
    And I have 4 more non-fiction reviews to post, so I updated my challenge level to 7-9 books from different categories: Future Jeopardy
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  41. LindaApril 13, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    I'm always reading non-fiction books so this seemed a perfect fit.

    Linda

    Potpourri-of-books

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  42. AnonymousApril 16, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    Hello, just posted my 5th book review, this time in the Philosophy category: I And Thou, by Martin Buber
    Emma @ Words And Peace
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/i-and-thou/

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  43. Helen Cassidy PageApril 19, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    The challenge for me will be categories I shy away from, such as finance. I'm ready to surprise myself. Thanks for this challenge.

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  44. UniflameApril 28, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    I only found this challenge now, but I have read a lot of non fiction already this year. Can I still link those reviews up and will they count for the challenge?

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  45. RickiApril 30, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    I can't find the April link-up. Is is up yet?

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  46. AnonymousMay 10, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Just posted a book in my 6th category: USE OF ART IN CHRISTIANITY [246]. the review is here:http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/metamorphosis-the-transfiguration-in-byzantine-theology-and-iconography/
    I am 4 reviews behind just for this challenge
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  47. AnonymousMay 10, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Just added a link to a book on geology - 7th category for me
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/the-planet-in-a-pebble/

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  48. AnonymousMay 10, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Just posted another review, this time on Medieval History - 14th century: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/a-distant-mirror/
    More reviews to come tomorrow, hopefully!
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  49. AnonymousMay 11, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Just posted another non-fiction book I read in April: Atlantic, by Winchester, a great great read! full review here: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/atlantic/
    This count for my 9th category: Hydrology

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  50. AnonymousMay 24, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Just posted a review for my 9th category: General History of North America. This one is on the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl: The Worst Hard Time. Excellent.
    Emma @ Words Ans Peace
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/my-review-of-the-worst-hard-time/

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  51. anarmchairbytheseaJune 1, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    I know it's nearly halfway through the year, but I just found this challenge, and I am so all about the non-fiction at the moment, so I'm going to join in! Now I just have to find some titles!

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  52. MohiniJune 2, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    This challenge is a perfect fit to get rid of the rut I'm in. Thanks for hosting!

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  53. AnonymousJune 8, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Hi there, I just posted another review for this Challenge, category THLETIC AND OUTDOOR SPORTS AND GAMES [796]: The Lost Cyclist, by Herlihy: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/my-review-42-of-the-lost-cyclist/
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  54. AnonymousJune 8, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Just posted my 2nd review for today, this time this is my 12th category: music. A book on Bach:
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/my-review-43-of-johann-sebastian-bach/
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  55. AnonymousJune 13, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Hi, just posted another non-fiction review, on The Greater Journey by McCullough. excellent book!
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/my-review-45-the-greater-journey/
    This is for my 13th category: General History of France [944]
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  56. QuailjuliaJune 24, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    Late to signing up for this challenge but excited to join in!

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  57. AnonymousJuly 14, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Here is a review for my 14th category: Spanish Poetry: on Love Sonnets, by Pablo Neruda:
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/review-51-cien-sonetos-de-amor-100-love-sonnets/
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  58. AnonymousJuly 20, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Hello just posted my review for my category #15 [Literary History] for this Challenge, on The Pun Also Rises: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/review-53-the-pun-also-rises/
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  59. AnonymousJuly 26, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    hmm strange I really thought I had posted my last 2 reviews, I do this very systematically, but I can't find them. so reput my 3 last categories: Spanish Poetry, Literary History, and Christian Theology - that's 16 categories so far for this challenge
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  60. AnonymousJuly 28, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    And here is for my 17th category: Natural History, with Settled in the Wild. hmm, don;'t see my post of yesterday on Being As Communion.
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/review-57-settled-in-the-wild/
    Thanks
    Emma @ Words And Peace

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  61. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Hello just posted a book for my category #18: Forestry. The book is Fire Season. Emma @ Words And Peace

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  62. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    hmm, is there another place to post?? I can't believe I would be the only one recently. anyway, here is for my 19th category: religious biography:
    http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/71-review-our-thoughts-determine-our-lives/
    Emma

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  63. AnonymousNovember 23, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Just entered my 20th category. anyone else doing it here??

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  64. AnonymousDecember 6, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    just added my 22nd category: Biological Warfare

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  65. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2012 at 4:29 PM

    here is my last review of books read in 2011 for this challenge = 24 categories!

    ReplyDelete

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