The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

10.1 -- For Real? "Steampunk is...a joyous fantasy of the past, allowing us to revel in a nostalgia for what never was.” ~ George Mann
Everything is not always what it seems. For this task, read a book with the genre steampunk, alternate (or alternative) history, or speculative fiction listed on the book’s home page. Ex: The Golden Compass, Soulless, The Eyre Affair, What Ifs? Of American History: Eminent Historians Imagine What Might Have Been

Approved books:
Lady Friday -- steampunk
Bumped -- speculative fiction
The Midwich Cuckoos -- speculative fiction
His Majesty's Dragon -- all 3
Seventh Son -- alternate history
The Iron Duke -- steampunk
The Windup Girl -- steampunk
The Chrysalids -- speculative fiction
Territory -- alternate history & speculative fiction
Delirium -- speculative fiction
Tongues of Serpents -- alternate history & speculative fiction
A Game of Thrones -- speculative fiction
Newton's Cannon -- steampunk & alternate history
The Years of Rice and Salt -- alternate history & speculative fiction

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Would The Adoration of Jenna Fox count as speculative fiction?

mstan wrote: "Would The Adoration of Jenna Fox count as speculative fiction?"

For it to count for this task, the genre must appear in the "genres" box on the book's home page. On my screen, this box is just under the ad. Unfortunately, speculative fiction doesn't appear on The Adoration of Jenna Fox's home page so, no, it won't work for this task.

Kristi (Passion for the Page) wrote: "mstan wrote: "Would The Adoration of Jenna Fox count as speculative fiction?"

For it to count for this task, the genre must appear in the "genres" box on the book's home page. On my..."

Ooh, I see now where the box is. Thanks so much, Kristi!

would Faerie Winter be okay

or A New Birth of Freedom?

Robin wrote: "would Faerie Winter be okay"

For a book to count for this task, one of the genres listed in the task must appear in the "genres" box on the book's home page. On my screen, this box is just under the ad. Faerie Winter does not have steampunk, alternate (or alternative) history, or speculative fiction listed as a genre so, no, it won't work.

Robin wrote: "or A New Birth of Freedom?"

There are many books on GR with the title A New Birth of Freedom. Without a link to the book or at least an author, it's hard to know which one you're talking about.

I just checked my book, and it is listed as Speculative Fiction in the genre box! Yippee!

Seventh Son

A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor

sorry this is the one I meant.

Robin wrote: "A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor

sorry this is the one I meant."

The genres for that book are listed as Fantasy, Science Fiction, Science Fiction > Time Travel, and Historical Fiction on its home page. So, no, it won't work.

Let me try again....Storm Front by Jim Butcher. I believe it's listed as speculative fiction...If I figured out the genre shelves right.

Robin wrote: "Let me try again....Storm Front by Jim Butcher. I believe it's listed as speculative fiction...If I figured out the genre shelves right."

I'm really sorry to have to keep saying "no," Robin. But Storm Front doesn't have speculative fiction on its front page either. It has:
Fantasy
Fantasy > Urban Fantasy
Mystery
Fantasy > Paranormal
Science Fiction Fantasy
Fantasy > Magic
Fantasy > Supernatural
Science Fiction
Paranormal > Vampires
Horror

Do you see the genre box on the book's front page? Look at
Oryx and Crake, for example. On it's home page, Its genres are listed as:
Science Fiction
Science Fiction > Dystopia
Apocalyptic > Post Apocalyptic
Cultural > Canada
Fantasy
Novels
Speculative Fiction
Literature
Science Fiction Fantasy
Book Club

Would The Iron Duke fit. It appears under the science fiction-steam punk list

Cindy AL wrote: "Would The Iron Duke fit. It appears under the science fiction-steam punk list"

Yes it does. Science Fiction > Steampunk is #1 in its genre box on its home page.

These pages might help people who are having trouble:
Steampunk Genre, Speculative Fiction Genre, Alternate History Genre

You'll have double check that the specific book you choose has on of the specified genres listed on it's own page, but it will give you a jumping off point where you can find lists related to the genre, as well as popular books in the genre.

Here are a few book ideas, I checked all of them for the genres, including all books in a series to make sure they fit the task!

Steampunk
The Clockwork Century Series by Cherie Priest
His Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman
The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare
Leviathan Series by Scott Westerfeld
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Speculative Fiction
A Game of Thrones, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin (Only these three in the series have Speculative Fiction on their main book page).

Alternate History
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Tales of Alvin Maker Series by Orson Scott Card
Watchmen by Alan Moore

OK I have a problem here. I used Vicky's link and one of the books mentioned there as speculative fiction was Across the Universe. When I pressed the link for other 'speculative fiction' books listed I found 8 others I had. Great! Well no. I checked each individual book and on the individual page for each book there is no mention of speculative fiction as most people seem to be shelving these books as dystopian. Confused? You bet I am!

chucklesthescot wrote: "OK I have a problem here. I used Vicky's link and one of the books mentioned there as speculative fiction was Across the Universe. When I pressed the link for other 'speculative fict..."

I'm finding this problem alot too! Which makes me wonder...can the genres listed on the main page change later? I'm thinking yes.

The genres listed on the book's main page are the top 10 genres listed for that book. In other words, they are the genres that the most people on GRs have shelved them as. The main Speculative Genre Fiction page that Vicki linked to has Across the Universe listed as one of the "most read books this week tagged as speculative fiction." While this book has indeed been tagged speculative fiction by 7 people, it has been shelved as young adult by 385 people, science fiction by 238 people, etc. so speculative fiction doesn't show up on its main page. If more people put it on their speculative fiction shelves, eventually speculative fiction would show up as one of its top genres. That's why Vicki said you have to double check the specific book's main page.

Leigh Ann wrote: "chucklesthescot wrote: "OK I have a problem here. I used Vicky's link and one of the books mentioned there as speculative fiction was Across the Universe. When I pressed the link for..."

The genres listed on the main page are based on how people choose to shelve their books - so, if more people decide to put a specific book on a particular shelf, it could move up in the standings, and make it to the main page. That's why the ones on the main page can change. It's also why you can find a book shelved as a genre that leaves you puzzled.....

Sandy wrote: "Leigh Ann wrote: "chucklesthescot wrote: "OK I have a problem here. I used Vicky's link and one of the books mentioned there as speculative fiction was Across the Universe. When I pr..."

That does not hold true for The Handmaid's Tale because it is listed as 114 people listing it as speculative fiction and was not on the main page but adult fiction 92 was.

Lori (BNPL) wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Leigh Ann wrote: "chucklesthescot wrote: "OK I have a problem here. I used Vicky's link and one of the books mentioned there as speculative fiction was [book:Across the Universe|82351..."

That's odd - I just looked at the top shelves for that book and it showed 82 people putting it on the speculative fiction shelf.

Here are some more options for those who need assistance. These all work as of right now, but make sure to check before reading the book to see if the genre is still on the home page.

Alternate History:
The Yiddish Policemen's Union
The Man in the High Castle
The Plot Against America
Something Rotten
Lost in a Good Book
First Among Sequels
Nation
Quicksilver
Guns of the South

Speculative:
Oryx and Crake
Dune
Snow Crash
The Left Hand of Darkness
Neuromancer
Stranger in a Strange Land
Anathem
A Canticle for Leibowitz
Perdido Street Station
The Year of the Flood
The City & The City
The Sparrow
Doomsday Book
The Lathe of Heaven
The Martian Chronicles
The Chrysalids

Steampunk:
The Windup Girl
The Scar
The Somnambulist
The Kingdom Beyond the Waves
The Time Machine
Un Lun Dun
Howl's Moving Castle
Winter's Tale
Magic Under Glass
The Marbury Lens
The Prestige
The Looking Glass Wars

This is just way too complicated. I don't have time to check every book page of every possible book every day in the hope that a genre will just leap onto the main page to let me choose it, only to disappear from the main page the next day meaning the book is then disallowed. For me, if a book has been shelved by people under speculative fiction, it should then be able to be chosen whether it is on the main page or not.

chucklesthescot wrote: "This is just way too complicated. I don't have time to check every book page of every possible book every day in the hope that a genre will just leap onto the main page to let me choose it, only to..."

If the genre is listed in the middle-top of the list there shouldn't be much movement. I just checked The Windup Girl and it was shelved as speculative fiction 27 times (middle of the list) and as science fiction > cyberpunk 8 times (bottom of the list). I doubt it will fall off the list.

Lahni wrote: "I just checked The Windup Girl and it was shelved as speculative fiction 27 times (middle of the list) and as science fiction > cyberpunk 8 times (bottom of the list). I doubt it will fall off the list. "

And science fiction>steampunk is 2nd on the list! I'm looking at this one, too, because my husband gave it to me for Christmas, so I really should read it!

Lahni wrote: "chucklesthescot wrote: "This is just way too complicated. I don't have time to check every book page of every possible book every day in the hope that a genre will just leap onto the main page to l..."

Nobody seems to be understanding what I'm saying.
1-I have 9 books that have been shelved as speculative fiction on goodreads
2-I cannot choose any of them for the speculative fiction part of the challenge because not enough people have shelved it as speculative fiction to have this showing on the main book page!Most people, including myself,refer to this type of book as dystopian or something similar.

I'm saying if people have listed this book under one of the categories for the task, we should be able to pick it to read!

chucklesthescot wrote: "Lahni wrote: "chucklesthescot wrote: "This is just way too complicated. I don't have time to check every book page of every possible book every day in the hope that a genre will just leap onto the ..."

I agree I'm having the same problem. I think that even if only one other person has it shelved as steampunk, speculative fiction, or alternative history it should count. I think I've found one book with how this challenge currently is and I'm pretty much over digging through every book's page trying to figure out if it counts. I also agree that it's pretty lame that the book could count one day and then not count the next day because someone changes their shelving habits.

This is just my two cents. There are lots of books that fit this task. I agree that it's unfortunate if none of the books on your tbr work for this task, but sometimes that happens. I've done plenty of tasks over the course of 9 or so challenges where, if I want to complete the task, I have to choose a book that I've either never heard of or that's not on my list. I've read a few crappy books this way, but I've also found some of my favorite authors this way too.

Personally, I'm at the point now where I have too many books on my physical and virtual tbrs to read anything that I'm not remotely interested in. So, if a task like that pops up I just save it for last. If I get to it (not likely, since I'm sure I won't come close to finishing), then I'll deal with it then. Ah, case in point. I have absolutely no desire to read any of the chosen group reads. So I'm not going to. It's as simple as that.

If you're hell bent on completing the task, maybe check out one of the numerous books and lists that have been posted earlier in this thread. But to call the task unfair because it doesn't fit with your tbr shelf is, well, unfair.

If anyone needs help finding a book for this task, I'd be more than happy to do so.

Question that is semi-related... what does speculative fiction even mean? It's not one of my shelves because I'm not sure what it is. Just curious so maybe I can shelve stuff better.

Speculative fiction is basically fiction that isn't based on the real world, so it can encompass science fiction, fantasy, dystopias, etc.

Speculative Fiction in it's simplest form is a novel written about a world that is unlike the real world in some specific way that is important to the story.

The problem with finding books shelved as Speculative Fiction is that it's more of a blanket genre that encompasses other more specific genres like Steampunk (which is primary set in a Victorian-Era-like world where steam power and "clockwork" machines provide a lot of our modern day technologies) and Alternative History (which takes a historical outcome and changes it to explore what might have happened, for instance, if the Nazi's had come out on top of World War II or if Abraham Lincoln was a Vampire Hunter). Fantasy, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, etc., are all other examples of genres within Speculative Fiction.

I definitely noticed when looking at the lists that there were less books tagged as Speculative Fiction than the other two genres, but I think there are plenty of books that fit this task and part of this challenge is to challenge yourself to read books you never thought about reading.

If you're worried about the genres changing on you, I would think a screenshot to prove that the genre was on the home page would be acceptable to claim the book for this task. Though, I don't think many people will run into this problem unless the genre is one of the last in the top 10.

A screenshot is a good idea. I'm not trying to be a grump, I'm just sad because I have a PERFECT steampunk book, but since it's tops shelves aren't steampunk I can't use it. This task will probably just be put on the back burner, along with the group reads (I totally agree Cait).

What book is it Amanda? I haven't read much in the genre and am interested in checking it out.

On a positive note, hopefully as the challenge progresses people will come back to this thread and post if they read and enjoyed a book for this task. I plan on reading The Midwich Cuckoos and am very excited about it. I already assume I'm going to like it (hope that doesn't bit me in the ass), and if it proves true I will make sure to come back here and recommend it.

Cait wrote: "What book is it Amanda? I haven't read much in the genre and am interested in checking it out.

On a positive note, hopefully as the challenge progresses people will come back to this thread and ..."


It's Lady Friday which is in the Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix. It's kinda of for younger people, but I read them anyway. I really love the story.

OK seriously. I just pulled up the book I wanted to read and last week it didn't work but today it has steampunk listed. What am I supposed to do in this situation? What if it changes back?

I have listed Bumped as my book in this category. Currently, it does indeed have Speculative Fiction on its front page.
Now, it seems a bit unfair to punish me (or others) who are doing the task in line with the requirement b/c other people -- who we have no control over -- chose to list, or not list, this book as Speculative Fiction in the future.

I met the requirement at the time of picking the task. That seems like it should be good enough.

Amanda Pearl wrote: "OK seriously. I just pulled up the book I wanted to read and last week it didn't work but today it has steampunk listed. What am I supposed to do in this situation? What if it changes back?"

I see it listed as steampunk and I've added it as an approved book in message 2. So you're set if that's the book you want to read. If you change your mind, just come back and I'll add a different one.

Christine US wrote: "I met the requirement at the time of picking the task. That seems like it should be good enough.."

It is good enough and I've added Bumped to message 2 above. It'll be accepted when you complete the task. No problem.

Sandy wrote: "Lori (BNPL) wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Leigh Ann wrote: "chucklesthescot wrote: "OK I have a problem here. I used Vicky's link and one of the books mentioned there as speculative fiction was [book:Acros..."

if you look at it from the speculative fiction genre page and go to the "more popular...list" it now shows 113, but from the home page of the book it does say 82...this is very confusing...

If anyone else is worried about the genres changing on you and it falling off the top shelves, just post it here and I'll add it.

His Majesty's Dragon has all three genres listed currently on the home page. I have that slotted for this task.

Bluemoon wrote: "His Majesty's Dragon has all three genres listed currently on the home page. I have that slotted for this task."

I don't think those genres are going anywhere on you, but I'll add it anyway ;o).

Now I am getting nervous....I plan to readSeventh Son. It has Speculative Fiction as one of the top genres as of today.

Bea wrote: "Now I am getting nervous....I plan to readSeventh Son. It has Speculative Fiction as one of the top genres as of today."

It's in the approved list at the top, Bea, so no need to be nervous ;o).

Please could I get The Chrysalids approved? It has speculative fiction listed right now, but it's the last on the list of genres and I don't want to lose it :-)

Rosemary wrote: "Please could I get The Chrysalids approved? It has speculative fiction listed right now, but it's the last on the list of genres and I don't want to lose it :-)"

It's really, really good!

Bluemoon wrote: "His Majesty's Dragon has all three genres listed currently on the home page. I have that slotted for this task."

I've had this on my TBR forever and a day!! Great spot to get it done!