Looking for a reading challenge for 2012?

A reading challenge is a fun way to spur yourself into reading.  There are a lot of challenges out there on the web, and you don't have to be a blogger to join many of them.  There are challenges by genre, challenges to read your own books, challenges to read library books, challenges to read e-books and listen to audiobooks.  Most challenges have levels, so you don't have to sign up to read an overwhelming amount of books. 

As 2011 is quickly fading away, I found myself gearing up for reading titles for 2012.  We are researching book titles for next year's book discussion groups and it got me to thinking of other reading challenges that may be out there that may pique my interest, and possibly yours!

From the A Novel Challenge blog-here are a few 2012 Reading Challenges from their list:

The League of Extraordinary Gentleman Book Challenge
This challenge is to read the original book of each of the main characters from this movie.

The Middle East Reading Challenge

The author of the book may be from the countries listed below or the book can be set in one of the countries included in this challenge. The book could be about Islam. Fiction, non-fiction, YA and Adult lit, graphic novels, audio books, books for other challenge... they all count.

Cruisin' thru the Cozies Challenge

Read at least six cozy mysteries in 2012.

Reading Round Rome Challenge

Books about Rome, set in Rome, or by Roman authors – come join in the fun! Read six books in 2012 (or seven if you begin before Jan 1st 2012). 

Reading Romances Challenge

The Reading Romances Challenge is not about the amount of books you read, but the variety of titles you’ll have read when the challenge is over! Our goal is to read a bit of everything related to romance and open our minds to new genres we wouldn’t usually read.

Bookie Friends Favorites Challenge

You need to have a blog to join this challenge.

Gender in Fantasy and Sci-Fi Challenge
Read 6-12 classic sci-fi titles. There's a list for this challenge.

They have several challenges going on for 2012, plus they have links for several past challenges from 2011 and 2010 with titles that you kept saying you wanted to read, but then couldn't remember what it was, which I often find myself doing.

From the website Exurbanis.com, you might consider:

Back to the Classics Reading Challenge
There are 9 classics categories to choose from and a prize will be given!

If you are into romance, check out Book of Secrets for their 2012 Romance Reading List for all year not just in February. 

For the mystery lovers out there I found this blog Tipping My Fedora which is having a Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge, with suggested titles such as Why Shoot a Butler by Georgette Heyer, Strangers of a Train by Patricia Highsmith and Murder on the Blackboard by Stuart Palmer.

One of the great reading blogs out there is called An Adventure in Reading and will have several challenges during the year, but as of this post, her first 2012 challenge is not there yet, but she does have her Christmas Spririt Reading Challenge from now until Twelfth Night (January 6th, 2012).

Look under the ABC Libraries' Regularly Scheduled Programs listings for a list of book groups at various branches and a link to what they'll be reading.