2014 Fantasy Challenge 
a.k.a "The create your own challenge" challenge, Version 2.0

Instructions
Below are listed many categories of themes with more specific themes listed below them.
Pick any of the themes, specify what you're going to look for (if needed), and read 5 books filling that theme.
Themes must be from the at least the specified number of categories but can be at all from different categories if desired.
A theme can be repeated as long as each time you narrow it down to different specialization.  For example, if you wanted to use a character's occupation, you could do one set with detective characters and another set with mercenary characters.
No two books for the same theme can be from the same series.
Books must be at least 100 pages in length.
You can double count as many books as you have categories.

Number of books
Light - 3 themes, 5 books/theme  = 15 books
Medium - 6 themes, 5 books/theme = 30 books
Full - 9 themes, 5 books/theme = 45 books 
Overachiever - 12 themes, 5 books/theme = 60 books
 

Heroes themes
nationality/race/species
occupation
disabled,  disfigured or chronically ill
particular talent (magic user, musical talent, dancing, can wiggle ears, etc)
stage in life (YA, college age, career oriented, midlife crisis, etc.)
antiheroes

Sidekicks themes
Many - Ensemble Cast
None - One protagonist 
Signifigant Other - BF/GF/Spouse/etc.
Apprentice/Student
Pet
Work Related (Employee/Employer/Coworker)

Setting Themes
The current world (A recognizable modern earth)
An altered past (Historical, steampunk, alternate history, etc)
An altered future (post-apocalyptic, future dystopian, future science fantasy, etc)
Political Climate (War time, post-war, pre-war tensions, etc)
Environment (near oceans, deserts, mountains, forests, etc)
Other (Cities, circuses, labyrinths, schools, manor houses, ranches, etc)

Magic Themes
Open - Everyone Knows about magic
Hidden - Magic is kept secret
Plain Sight - Magic is seen but not recognized as such
Formalized - Schools/apprenticeships/wizard councils 
Nonexistent - No magic
Multiple, separate magic systems

The "New" Theme
New releases
New authors - Début book by an author
New-to-you authors
New-to-you series
New Favorites (Books you'd rate 5/5 or 10/10 stars)
First/foundational books in any sub-genres or fantasy as a whole

The "Old" Theme
Old fogies (Published before you were born)
Old purchases (been on your TBR for awhile) 
Old favorite authors
Series in progress
Old favorite books (rereads!) 
Nostalgia - Books by authors you haven't read in a long time

Literary theme
Coming of Age
Man vs. Self
Man vs. God
Good vs. Evil
Change vs. Tradition
Fate vs. Free Will

Lists Galore!
Winners/Nominees of the same awards
Winners/Nominees of any award from same year
Books from authors who won the same career based award (Best new author, lifetime achievement, etc)
Books on same published or posted list
Books that inspired an author/Books that were inspired by an author
Books recommended or reviewed by a particular author, blogger, friend, or acquaintance

Unrelated Themes
Part of same sub-genre
Oddities (genre books by non-genre authors, non-genre books by genre authors, anthologies by authors who usually write novels, etc)
Anthology, Collection, or Omnibus
Published in same year or decade
Books in translation
Books published by an indie press or self-published

2014 Fantasy Challenge
a.k.a "The create your own challenge" challenge, Version 2.0

Instructions
Below are listed many categories of themes with more specific themes listed below them.
Pick any of the themes, specify what you're going to look for (if needed), and read 5 books filling that theme.
A theme can be repeated as long as each time you narrow it down to different specialization. For example, if you wanted to use a character's occupation, you could do one set with detective characters and another set with mercenary characters.
Books must be at least 100 pages in length.
You can double count as many books as you have categories.

RED is READ

Number of books
Light - 3 themes, 5 books/theme = 15 books
Medium - 6 themes, 5 books/theme = 30 books
Full - 9 themes, 5 books/theme = 45 books
Overachiever - 12 themes, 5 books/theme = 60 books

Heroes themes
nationality/race/species
occupation
disabled, disfigured or chronically ill
particular talent (magic user, musical talent, dancing, can wiggle ears, etc)
stage in life (YA, college age, career oriented, midlife crisis, etc.)

     Young Adult

1.  Emilie and the Hollow World by Martha Wells

2.  Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

3.  Shadows by Robin McKinley

4.   The Archived by Victoira Schwab

5. 
antiheroes

Sidekicks themes
Many - Ensemble Cast
None - One protagonist
Signifigant Other - BF/GF/Spouse/etc.
Apprentice/Student
Pet

Work Related (Employee/Employer/Coworker)

Setting Themes
The current world (A recognizable modern earth)

1.  Forever Odd by Dean Koontz

2.  Waiting for Gertrude: A Graveyard Gothic by Bill Richardson

3.   Expiration Date by Tim Powers

4.  The Incrementalists by Steven Brust and Skyler White

5.   20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
An altered past (Historical, steampunk, alternate history, etc)
An altered future (post-apocalyptic, future dystopian, future science fantasy, etc)
Political Climate (War time, post-war, pre-war tensions, etc)
Environment (near oceans, deserts, mountains, forests, etc)
Other (Cities, circuses, labyrinths, schools, manor houses, ranches, etc)

Magic Themes
Open - Everyone Knows about magic
Hidden - Magic is kept secret
Plain Sight - Magic is seen but not recognized as such
Formalized - Schools/apprenticeships/wizard councils

1.  Two Serpents Rise by Max Gladstone

2.  The Ships of Air by Martha Wells

3.   The Magicians by Lev Grossman

4.

5.
Nonexistent - No magic
Multiple, separate magic systems

The "New" Theme
New releases
New authors - Début book by an author
New-to-you authors

1.  A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie Brennan

2.  Her Sky Cowboy by Beth Ciotta

3.  The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

4.

5.

New-to-you series

1. The Wizard Hunters (The Fall of Ile-Rien, Bk 1) by Martha Wells

2.

3.  Sabriel (Old Kingdom, Bk 1) by Garth Nix

4.  Green Rider (Green Rider, Bk 1) by Kristen Britain

5.  Child of Saturn (Green Lion, Bk 1) by Teresa Edgerton
New Favorites (Books you'd rate 5/5 or 10/10 stars)
First/foundational books in any sub-genres or fantasy as a whole

The "Old" Theme
Old fogies (Published before you were born)
Old purchases (been on your TBR for awhile)
Old favorite authors

1.  Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

2.  City of Bones by Martha Wells

3.  Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay

4.  Odd Hours (Odd Thomas, Bk 4) by Dean Koontz

5.   The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers
Series in progress

1.  The Time Engine (Moonworlds Saga, Bk 4) by Sean McMullen

2.  Brother Odd (Odd Thomas, Bk 3) by Dean Koontz

3.  The Tropic of Serpents (Memoir of Lady Trent, Bk 2) by Marie Brennan

4.  Trapped (Iron Druid Chronicles, Bk 5) by Kevin Hearne

5.
Old favorite books (rereads!)
Nostalgia - Books by authors you haven't read in a long time

Literary theme
Coming of Age
Man vs. Self
Man vs. God
Good vs. Evil
Change vs. Tradition
Fate vs. Free Will

Lists Galore!
Winners/Nominees of the same awards
Winners/Nominees of any award from same year
Books from authors who won the same career based award (Best new author, lifetime achievement, etc)

     Winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer

1.  Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal

2.   The Chains That You Refuse by Elizabeth Bear

3.   One-Eyed Jack by Elizabeth Bear

4.

5. 
Books on same published or posted list
Books that inspired an author/Books that were inspired by an author
Books recommended or reviewed by a particular author, blogger, friend, or acquaintance

Unrelated Themes
Part of same sub-genre
Oddities (genre books by non-genre authors, non-genre books by genre authors, anthologies by authors who usually write novels, etc)
Anthology, Collection, or Omnibus

1. A Fantasy Medley edited by Yanni Kuznia
2. Queen Victoria's Book of Spells edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling
3. Enchanted: Paranormal Diversions edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong
4. Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar edited by Mercedes Lackey
5. After the King: Stories in Honor of J. R. R. Tolkien edited by Martin H. Greenberg

Published in same year or decade
Books in translation
Books published by an indie press or self-published

Yep!  This is the list thread.  Sorry if it wasn't clear!

Number of books 
Overachiever - 12 themes, 5 books/theme = 60 books
 

Heroes themes
nationality/race/species
occupation
disabled,  disfigured or chronically ill
particular talent (magic user, musical talent, dancing, can wiggle ears, etc)
stage in life (YA, college age, career oriented, midlife crisis, etc.)
antiheroes

Sidekicks themes
Many - Ensemble Cast
None - One protagonist 
Signifigant Other - BF/GF/Spouse/etc.
Apprentice/Student
Pet
Work Related (Employee/Employer/Coworker)

Setting Themes
The current world (A recognizable modern earth)
An altered past (Historical, steampunk, alternate history, etc)
An altered future (post-apocalyptic, future dystopian, future science fantasy, etc)
Political Climate (War time, post-war, pre-war tensions, etc)
Environment (near oceans, deserts, mountains, forests, etc)
Other (Cities, circuses, labyrinths, schools, manor houses, ranches, etc)

Magic Themes
Open - Everyone Knows about magic
Hidden - Magic is kept secret
Plain Sight - Magic is seen but not recognized as such
Formalized - Schools/apprenticeships/wizard councils 
Nonexistent - No magic
Multiple, separate magic systems

The "New" Theme
New releases
New authors - Début book by an author
New-to-you authors
New-to-you series
New Favorites (Books you'd rate 5/5 or 10/10 stars)
First/foundational books in any sub-genres or fantasy as a whole

The "Old" Theme
Old fogies (Published before you were born)
Old purchases (been on your TBR for awhile) 
Old favorite authors
Series in progress
Old favorite books (rereads!) 
Nostalgia - Books by authors you haven't read in a long time

Literary theme
Coming of Age
Man vs. Self
Man vs. God
Good vs. Evil
Change vs. Tradition
Fate vs. Free Will

Lists Galore!
Winners/Nominees of the same awards
Winners/Nominees of any award from same year
Books from authors who won the same career based award (Best new author, lifetime achievement, etc)
Books on same published or posted list
Books that inspired an author/Books that were inspired by an author
Books recommended or reviewed by a particular author, blogger, friend, or acquaintance

Unrelated Themes
Part of same sub-genre
Oddities (genre books by non-genre authors, non-genre books by genre authors, anthologies by authors who usually write novels, etc)
Anthology, Collection, or Omnibus
Published in same year or decade
Books in translation
Books published by an indie press or self-published

Heroes themes
nationality/race/species - The Fell Sword by Miles Cameron 5/01/14
occupation
disabled,  disfigured or chronically ill
particular talent (magic user, musical talent, dancing, can wiggle ears, etc)
stage in life (YA, college age, career oriented, midlife crisis, etc.) - The Heir of Novron by Michael J. Sullivan 7/26/14
antiheroes  The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman 7/30/14

Sidekicks themes
Many - Ensemble Cast
None - One protagonist 
Signifigant Other - BF/GF/Spouse/etc.
Apprentice/Student
Pet
Work Related (Employee/Employer/Coworker)

Setting Themes
The current world (A recognizable modern earth)
An altered past (Historical, steampunk, alternate history, etc) 11/22/63 by Stephen King 2/28/14
An altered future (post-apocalyptic, future dystopian, future science fantasy, etc)
Political Climate (War time, post-war, pre-war tensions, etc) The Thousand Names by Django Wexler 4/16/14
Environment (near oceans, deserts, mountains, forests, etc)
Other (Cities, circuses, labyrinths, schools, manor houses, ranches, etc)

Magic Themes
Open - Everyone Knows about magic
Hidden - Magic is kept secret
Plain Sight - Magic is seen but not recognized as such
Formalized - Schools/apprenticeships/wizard councils 
Nonexistent - No magic
Multiple, separate magic systems

The "New" Theme
New releases
New authors - Début book by an author  Ecko Rising by Danie Ware 1/16/14
New-to-you authors The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert V.S. Redick  10/17/14
New-to-you series
New Favorites (Books you'd rate 5/5 or 10/10 stars)
First/foundational books in any sub-genres or fantasy as a whole

The "Old" Theme
Old fogies (Published before you were born)
Old purchases (been on your TBR for awhile) 
Old favorite authors
Series in progress  "The Magician King" by Lev Grossman 3/30/14
Old favorite books (rereads!) 
Nostalgia - Books by authors you haven't read in a long time

Literary theme
Coming of Age
Man vs. Self
Man vs. God
Good vs. Evil
Change vs. Tradition
Fate vs. Free Will

Lists Galore!
Winners/Nominees of the same awards
Winners/Nominees of any award from same year
Books from authors who won the same career based award (Best new author, lifetime achievement, etc)
Books on same published or posted list
Books that inspired an author/Books that were inspired by an author
Books recommended or reviewed by a particular author, blogger, friend, or acquaintance

Unrelated Themes
Part of same sub-genre
Oddities (genre books by non-genre authors, non-genre books by genre authors, anthologies by authors who usually write novels, etc)
Anthology, Collection, or Omnibus
Published in same year or decade
Books in translation
Books published by an indie press or self-published

Light - 3 themes, 5 books/theme  = 15 books

The "New" Theme
New-to-you authors:

• The Blade Itself by Abercrombie (12/19/14) 4.5 stars
• Advent by Treadwell (2/15/13) 3.5 stars
• Nights of Villjamur by Newton (4/20/14) 3 stars
• The Hunt by Fukuda
• Something Red by Nichols

The "Old" Theme
Series in progress:

• Before They are Hanged by Abercrombie (12/24/14) 4.5 stars
• Red Seas Under Red Skies by Lynch (6/10/14) 4 stars
• Days of Blood and Starlight by Taylor (5/14/14) 4 stars
• Rogue by Canavan (1/31/14) 3.5 stars
• The Swordsman's Oath by McKenna (4/16/14) 2 stars

Unrelated Themes

Part of same sub-genre-YA:

• The Secret Hour (Midnighters Bk 1) by Westerfeld (3/20/4) 4 stars
• World After by Ee (2/16/13) 3.5 stars
• Dust City by Weston (3/22/14) 3.5 stars
• Angelfall by Ee (1/8/14) 3 stars
• Allegiant by Roth (3/6/14) 2.5 stars

2014 Fantasy Challenge - Love this approach.  Wonderful opportunity to read from my shelf or the new reads I find.  Thanks so much Melanti.  Great job!
 

Instructions

Below are listed many categories of themes with more specific themes listed below them.
Pick any of the themes, specify what you're going to look for (if needed), and read 5 books filling that theme.
A theme can be repeated as long as each time you narrow it down to different specialization.  For example, if you wanted to use a character's occupation, you could do one set with detective characters and another set with mercenary characters.
Books must be at least 100 pages in length.
You can double count as many books as you have categories.

Number of books
Light - 3 themes, 5 books/theme  = 15 books
Medium - 6 themes, 5 books/theme = 30 books
Full - 9 themes, 5 books/theme = 45 books 
Overachiever - 12 themes, 5 books/theme = 60 books
 

Heroes themes
nationality/race/species
occupation
disabled,  disfigured or chronically ill:  Cress (Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer, 4.5 stars
particular talent (magic user, musical talent, dancing, can wiggle ears, etc):  Jovah's Angel by Sharon Shinn, 7/27/2014, 4 stars; Prince of Chaos, 8/27/2014, 4 stars;
stage in life (YA, college age, career oriented, midlife crisis, etc.)
antiheroes

Sidekicks themes
Many - Ensemble Cast - The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, 4.5 stars, 1/12/2014; Nothing Sacred by Elizabeth Scarborough, 4 stars, 3/12/2014.
None - One protagonist - The Martian: A Novel by Andy Weir, 3/18/2014, 5 stars  
Signifigant Other - BF/GF/Spouse/etc.
Apprentice/Student
Pet
Work Related (Employee/Employer/Coworker)

Setting Themes
The current world (A recognizable modern earth):  Cradle by Arthur C. Clarke and Gentry Lee, 4/23/2014, 4 stars
An altered past (Historical, steampunk, alternate history, etc):  Temeraire by Naomi Novik, 7/31/2014, 5 stars
An altered future (post-apocalyptic, future dystopian, future science fantasy, etc):  Ubik by Philip Dick, 8/1/2014, 4 stars
Political Climate (War time, post-war, pre-war tensions, etc)
Environment (near oceans, deserts, mountains, forests, etc)
Other (Cities, circuses, labyrinths, schools, manor houses, ranches, etc)

Magic Themes
Open - Everyone Knows about magic:  Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews, 1/7/2014, 3.5 stars;  Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews, 3/21/2014, 3 stars; Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews. 8/19/2014, 4 stars.
Hidden - Magic is kept secret:  The Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, 5/19/2014, 4 stars.
Plain Sight - Magic is seen but not recognized as such
Formalized - Schools/apprenticeships/wizard councils
Nonexistent - No magic
Multiple, separate magic systems

The "New" Theme
New releases
New authors - Début book by an author
New-to-you authors:  Up the Walls of the World by James A. Tiptree Jr., 7/30/2014, 4 stars;  Ubik, by Philip Dick, 8/1/2014, 4 stars;  Prince of Chaos by Roger Zelasny,  8/29/2014, 4.5 stars;  The Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, 5/19/2014, 4 stars; The Martian: A Novel by Andy Weir, 3/18/2014, 5 stars; Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire, 11/6/2014. 3 stars.
New-to-you series
New Favorites (Books you'd rate 5/5 or 10/10 stars)
First/foundational books in any sub-genres or fantasy as a whole

The "Old" Theme
Old fogies (Published before you were born)
Old purchases (been on your TBR for awhile):  Embassytown by China Mieville, 12/18/2014. 4 stars 
Old favorite authors:  Beauty by Sheri Tepper, 8/15/2014, 4 stars, 
Series in progress:  Cress (Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer, 4/5 stars; The Throne of Fire by Rick Riodan, 4 stars, 7/2014; The Serpent's Shadow, 4 stars, 8/2014.

(Paranormal investigations?  Jim Butcher series after Storm Front which was read for 2013 1.  Fool Moon, 2/16/2014, 4 stars; 2.  Grave Peril, 8/30/2014, 4 stars; 3. Death Masks, 4.  Summer King, 5.  Changes, 6.  Turn Coat

Magic Rises, 3/24/2013, 3 stars and Steele's Edge by Ilona Andrews. 3/21/2014, 3 stars
Old favorite books (rereads!) 
Nostalgia - Books by authors you haven't read in a long time

Literary theme
Coming of Age
Man vs. Self
Man vs. God
Good vs. Evil
Change vs. Tradition
Fate vs. Free Will

Lists Galore!
Winners/Nominees of the same awards:  Nebula Awards: Blackout by Connie Willis, 2/14/2014, 4 stars; All Clear by Connie Willis, 3/13/2014, 4 stars; Seeker by Jack McDevitt, 12/16/2014, 4.5 stars; Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, 9/14/2014, 4.5 stars; Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold, 12/8/2014, 4 stars; Camouflage by Joe Haldeman;  Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon, 4/23/2014, 4 stars
Winners/Nominees of any award from same year
Books from authors who won the same career based award (Best new author, lifetime achievement, etc)
Books on same published or posted list
Books that inspired an author/Books that were inspired by an author
Books recommended or reviewed by a particular author, blogger, friend, or acquaintance

Unrelated Themes
Part of same sub-genre
Oddities (genre books by non-genre authors, non-genre books by genre authors, anthologies by authors who usually write novels, etc)
Anthology, Collection, or Omnibus
Published in same year or decade
Books in translation
Books published by an indie press or self-published

2014 Fantasy Challenge 
a.k.a "The create your own challenge" challenge, Version 2.0

Instructions
Below are listed many categories of themes with more specific themes listed below them.
Pick any of the themes, specify what you're going to look for (if needed), and read 5 books filling that theme.
Themes must be from the at least the specified number of categories but can be at all from different categories if desired.
A theme can be repeated as long as each time you narrow it down to different specialization.  For example, if you wanted to use a character's occupation, you could do one set with detective characters and another set with mercenary characters.
No two books for the same theme can be from the same series.
Books must be at least 100 pages in length.
You can double count as many books as you have categories.

Number of books
Light - 3 themes, 5 books/theme  = 15 books
Medium - 6 themes, 5 books/theme = 30 books
Full - 9 themes, 5 books/theme = 45 books 
Overachiever - 12 themes, 5 books/theme = 60 books
 

Heroes themes
nationality/race/species
occupation
disabled,  disfigured or chronically ill
particular talent (magic user, musical talent, dancing, can wiggle ears, etc)
stage in life (YA, college age, career oriented, midlife crisis, etc.)
antiheroes

Sidekicks themes
Many - Ensemble Cast
None - One protagonist 
Signifigant Other - BF/GF/Spouse/etc.
Apprentice/Student
Pet
Work Related (Employee/Employer/Coworker)

Setting Themes
The current world (A recognizable modern earth)
An altered past (Historical, steampunk, alternate history, etc)
An altered future (post-apocalyptic, future dystopian, future science fantasy, etc)
Political Climate (War time, post-war, pre-war tensions, etc)
Environment (near oceans, deserts, mountains, forests, etc)
Other (Cities, circuses, labyrinths, schools, manor houses, ranches, etc)

Magic Themes
Open - Everyone Knows about magic
Hidden - Magic is kept secret
Plain Sight - Magic is seen but not recognized as such
Formalized - Schools/apprenticeships/wizard councils 
Nonexistent - No magic
Multiple, separate magic systems

The "New" Theme
New releases
New authors - Début book by an author
New-to-you authors

• The Bloody Chamber, by Angela Carter
• Marco Polo and the Sleeping Beauty, by Avram Davidson
• Half World, by Hiromi Goto
• The Goddess Chronicle, by Natsuo Kirino
• The Gaslight Dogs, by Karin Lowachee
• Hepen the Watcher, by Linda Nagata
• Ninth Ward, by Jewell Parker Rhodes
• Mechanique, by Genevieve Valentine

New-to-you series

• Midnight Riot, by Ben Aaronovitch
• Throne of the Crescent Moon, by Saladin Ahmed
• The Magicians and Mrs. Quent, by Galen Beckett
• The Devil in the Dust, by Chaz Brenchley
• Midnight Never Come, by Marie Brennan
• Crystal Rain, by Tobias S. Buckell
• The Enterprise of Death, by Jesse Bullington
• Indigo Springs, by A.M. Dellamonica
• The Door Into Fire, by Diane Duane
• Acacia, by David Anthony Dunham
• The Half-Made World, by Felix Gilman
• Sing the Four Quarters, by Tanya Huff
• The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch
• Watchtower, by Elizabeth A. Lynn
• Dragon Sword and Wind Child, by Noriko Ogiwara
• Black Blade Blues, by J.A. Pitts
• Cast in Shadow, by Michelle Sagara
• Imaro, by Charles Saunders
• The Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner
• Elfland, by Freda Warrington

New Favorites (Books you'd rate 5/5 or 10/10 stars)
First/foundational books in any sub-genres or fantasy as a whole

The "Old" Theme
Old fogies (Published before you were born)
Old purchases (been on your TBR for awhile) 
Old favorite authors
Series in progress

• The Kingdoms of Dust, by Amanda Downum. Start Date: 4/16/14. Finish date: 4/16/14. Rating: 4 stars.
• ad eternum, by Elizabeth Bear
• Harbinger of the Storm, by Aliette de Bodard
• Timeless, by Gail Carriger
• Neveryona, by Samuel R. Delany
• Cold Steel, by Kate Elliott
• The Hidden Goddess, by M.K. Hobson
• Corambis, by Sarah Monette
• Point of Knives, by Melissa Scott
• The Folded World, by Catherynne M. Valente
• The King's Name, by Jo Walton

Old favorite books (rereads!) 
Nostalgia - Books by authors you haven't read in a long time

Literary theme
Coming of Age
Man vs. Self
Man vs. God
Good vs. Evil
Change vs. Tradition
Fate vs. Free Will

Lists Galore
Winners/Nominees of the same awards
Winners/Nominees of any award from same year
Books from authors who won the same career based award (Best new author, lifetime achievement, etc)
Books on same published or posted list
Books that inspired an author/Books that were inspired by an author
Books recommended or reviewed by a particular author, blogger, friend, or acquaintance

Unrelated Themes
Part of same sub-genre
Oddities (genre books by non-genre authors, non-genre books by genre authors, anthologies by authors who usually write novels, etc)
Anthology, Collection, or Omnibus

• The Complete Lythande, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
• The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye, by A.S. Byatt
• Kissing the Witch, by Emma Donoghue
• In the Forests of Forgetting, by Theodora Goss
• At the Mouth of the River of Bees, by Kij Johnson
• Harrowing the Dragon, by Patricia A. McKillip
• Salsa Nocturna, ed. by Daniel Jose Older
• The Girl With No Hands, by Angela Slatter
• Dark Currents, ed. by Ian Whates

Published in same year or decade
Books in translation
Books published by an indie press or self-published

Last year:  10 books.  This year: Hopefully,

Light - 3 themes, 5 books/theme  = 15 books

Heroes themes
nationality/race/species
occupation
particular talent (magic user, musical talent, dancing, can wiggle ears, etc)
stage in life (YA, college age, career oriented, midlife crisis, etc.)
antiheroes

Sidekicks themes
Many - Ensemble Cast  Royal Assassin - Robin Hobb 8/10, Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman 8/29, Assassin's Quest - Robin Hobb 10/3, The Bone Palace - Amanda Downum 11/14

Setting Themes
The current world (A recognizable modern earth)
An altered past (Historical, steampunk, alternate history, etc) Winter's Tale - Mark Helprin 4/11, The Iron Duke - Meljean Brook 7/7, Heart of Steel-Meljean Brook 8/23,  Riveted - Meljean Brook 10/10
An altered future (post-apocalyptic, future dystopian, future science fantasy, etc)  Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins,  The Giver - Lois Lowry
Political Climate (War time, post-war, pre-war tensions, etc)
 

Magic Themes
Open - Everyone Knows about magic
Hidden - Magic is kept secret
Plain Sight - Magic is seen but not recognized as such
Formalized - Schools/apprenticeships/wizard councils 
Nonexistent - No magic
Multiple, separate magic systems

The "New" Theme
New authors - Début book by an author
New-to-you authors Assassin's Apprentice - Robin Hobb 5/28;  The Drowning City - Amanda Downum 7/23,  The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins 7/26, Among Others - Jo Walton 9/6
New-to-you series
First/foundational books in any sub-genres or fantasy as a whole

The "Old" Theme
Old purchases (been on your TBR for awhile) 
Old favorite authors
Series in progress - The Guns of Avalon - Roger Zelazny 1/23,  Sign of the Unicorn - Zelazny 2/24, Hand of Oberon 2/26, The Courts of Chaos - RZ 2/28

Unrelated Themes
Anthology, Collection, or Omnibus
Published in same year or decade