YES!  It is!  I thought I would just throw this out there and see what happens.  Does anyone else want to head it up this year?  I'm happy to do it again if no one wants to, but if anyone else wants it, I'm happy to pass the torch as well.

I have a couple of vague ideas for next year, but nothing firm.  So if you have any ideas, suggestions, feedback, etc., feel free to speak up! 

Now, wait just one gol-darn minnit there, Little Lady!

I have been looking forward to the 2013 challenge for this one reason:

I believe there is a post in which you are accepting praise and accolades for the 2012 challenge in which you actually tease us with ideas for 2013.

Does anyone else rememer this? Am I going to have to do some research & remind Christa of her earlier comments? Surely I did not dream all this ?!?

Kelly

No, Kelly....no need to go researching...I did say that HOWEVER, speaking of research, that was BEFORE someone (and I think it was you or Linda, but I'd have to do my own research to confirm that) said they enjoyed the challenge but missed the ones where you had to do more research to find books to fit the categories.  My brilliant idea does not meet that criteria, although that does not make it any less brilliant   So I'm open to ideas...either suggestions for categories or types of challenges, or someone who wants to take it over.  My brilliant idea could definitely fit as an "alternate" challenge for those who prefer not to do a lot of research.

OMG! 2013!!!! I can't even think about this......IMHO - you can run with this one Christa!

LOL...what is better than a group of feisty ladies on a Monday morning??

I enjoy research very much, but as I look at the precarious stacks of books currently surrounding me, I honestly think I need another challenge to try and plow through some of these titles at hand!  

Whoever takes over, whatever you come up with--I probably have a book right here that would fit!  

I'm dying to hear Christa's brilliant idea.

I think your challenge ideas have been very clever, Christa.  And I second Vicky's comment about having many books on hand to fit a variety of challenge categories.   

Oh, Christa, let me go on record here to say that I have absolutely loved the last two challenges.  Perhaps my reference to the 2011 Challenge being more challenging was not due to research, but to the fact that it took me, personally, outside my standard comfort zone, i.e. reading books that were set before the common era, set on other continents,etc.  But, that being said, like others, I am really looking forward to the new challenge, and I can't imagine one of your challenges being anything but outstanding. 

Linda

I seem to recall Christa's little "tease" about 2013as well .  I am sure that whatever she comes up with will be interesting and lots of fun.  I vote yea for Christa!

Okay....but my brilliant idea is mainly for fun to draw in people who don't normally participate in the challenges. This is one that ANYBODY can do. So I still need some ideas for a more serious challenge.  And some feedback on the past challenges.  Do you like the "pick and choose" menus?  Was this year too much picking and choosing?  Are you looking for something more simple?  Are there aspects of the old challenges that you'd like to repeat?  Or that you didn't do at the time but would like another shot at?  You guys are all so smart and witty....I know you can come up with some great ideas. We are also not too proud to steal good ideas that we see elsewhere!

Christa you do a great job with challenges. I like one big challenge best, and maybe have to complete 10 out 12  categories  or 12 out of 15. Bonus's are nice too.

I love historical mystery challenges

Some good categories that we have had in the past

eras, countries, continents, new authors, favorite author, recommendation etc

I am still working on many of my challenges but Christa needs ideas.  Whatever approach you take, Christa, why not include categories such as 1) continuing a series, 2) new read by an author you love, 3) clearing your TBR, 4)  someone (author) new to reader, 5) classic HF, 6) ending a series, 7) around the world (I liked that approach) and more (your choice).  So, everyone we KNOW Christa does an outstanding job but we need to help her come up with ideas!  We're such a creative bunch there must be millions.

From a past challenge, I liked the category where you had to read 5 books related in some way.  It was interesting to see other people's choices and how they related the books.  Also, I just made a huge list of HF series that I would like to read, so something to do with HF series could be another category (I know it's the focus for September but some of the longer series require more time).  Over at Goodreads, the Historical Fictionistas group has an Around the World Challenge that has some interesting bonus categories related to travel and transportation (books taking place in two countries, mode of transporation in the title, author is from different country than book setting, time travel, etc, etc.). 

Another category : Read a book about a royal person from 5 different countries (?)  

PS - Am I the only one who is getting giddy just thinking about a new challenge?  And I haven't even finished this years challenge!

These are great ideas!  Keep 'em coming!

I sort of like the idea of reading books that include real famous people that are not royalty.  The book I just finished had James Joyce as a young student, and Yeats.  They weren't the main characters, but did interact with the MC.

Like Donna, I also enjoyed the five books related in some way.  I also enjoyed the part of this year's challenge in which we re-visited a category from a previous year's challenge.

Linda

I would like an excuse to read more music/art/theater themed books.

I'm always looking for something (ANYTHING) that will help me clear off the old TBR pile.

I need to use my TBR, too.  It's size is far more limited now that I add only the rare WL that is granted, or non-ebooks.  If I really focus on my paper TBR, by the end of 2013, I should have it down to books I'm "saving" to space out, like older Chadwick's and Sutcliff. 

2013 already! Time flies when you're reading books.

I sort of like the idea of reading books that include real famous people that are not royalty.

from me to that idea! And I think that might add some extra "challenge" to the challenge, as it is a lot easier to find books with real royals than it is real non-royals. I also like the 5 related books suggestion--I wasn't around for that the first time, but it sounds interesting!

How about a What's new category,

Read books that are fit these different new to you categories

New author

New release book

New country (book set in country you have not read about before)

New historical event (book takes place in a historical event you have not read about)

New Era  (Book takes place during a time period you have not read)

New person (read a book about person you have not read about before)

I am sure there are more

I liked the original challenges that weren't as much to bite off - ten or so categories.  I found last year's to be so exhausting that I didn't even try this year's. 

I like the "new" category/idea that Alice threw out there.

I also liked the different continents that we did in 2011

If there is a way to incorporate sliming down our TBR pile, I am all for that.