Yesterday I announced my first ever reading (and a little bit more) challenge…The New York Challenge. So while you’re considering what book you want to read (come on, you know you wanna), I have the first of the promised mini-challenges for you.

For the month of February, your task (should you choose to accept it) is to compile a list of ten things about New York. It can be a reading list, a list of songs, restaurants, places to visit (or that you’d like to visit), places to avoid…whatever you want to share. After you’ve written your post, come back and leave the link in Mr Linky.

At the end of February, I’ll pick from the list of participants and the winner will get a little somethin’ somethin’ from The Strand. Have you seen their tote bags?

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night (1:30am) and couldn’t fall back asleep. It’s amazing what you start to think about at 1:30 in the morning (and how hungry you can get, but that’s a different story).

Somewhere around 2am I came up with my first ever reading (and a little bit more) challenge…The New York Challenge.

Since BEA and the Book Blogger Convention are on a lot of people’s minds right now, I thought New York needed its own reading challenge.  Many readers like to read about places they will be visiting, so this will give the BEA attendees a chance to start thinking about NY (like we need an excuse). And if you can’t make it to BEA this will give you a chance to still have some NY fun.

The reading portion of the challenge will be super easy. All you have to do is read one book set in New York City. The rest of the challenge is optional, and devoted to fun New York stuff. Over the next few months I’ll be asking you to write posts about New York…memories, travel tips, lists, trivia…you get the picture. Then, during the week of BEA I’ll feature a few wrap-up posts, highlighting everyone’s posts (and New York!). And yes, there might even be a few prizes along the way…I’ll have to hunt down a few NY-themed goodies.

The rules:

1. The challenge runs from February 1st through May 15th, 2010.

2. Between now and May 15th, read 1 (one) book set in New York City and post your review. You can certainly read more, if you’re the overachieving type, but I’m trying to get maximum participation. The book can be non-fiction or fiction, poetry or prose, graphic novel or audio book…whatever floats your boat. It can even be a guidebook. It just has to have New York City as its primary setting. And no fair using a book you’ve already read. I’m considering this bad boy.

3. I will create a separate post with a Mr Linky for everyone to post their reviews. Look for that soon.

4.  Each month I will also post a sort of mini-challenge asking people to write a post about New York. You do not have to participate in any of these, but I certainly hope you will. My goal is to have a fun collection of posts by the time BEA arrives. Each mini-challenge will have a New York themed prize for one of the participants. The February mini-challenge will be posted tomorrow.

5. One last rule – have fun!

So whaddya say? Are you ready to take your blog on a trip to New York?