2012 To Be Read (TBR) Pile Challenge:
About:
Well, that special time of year has come around again! We are all scanning the book blog-o-sphere for those challenges we might want to compete in next year. I thought I had better post sign-ups for this challenge a bit earlier than I did last year, because last year was such a hit!
This is my third year hosting and participating in the annual “TBR Pile Challenge.” It started after I realized I had such an issue buying books but never reading them (not because I don’t read – but because I have so many!). So, year after year, books would sit on my shelf, untouched, and I would end up reading newer ones first. I realized I was missing out on a lot of great books because I let them sit there gathering dust instead of reading them as I bought them.
The Goal: To finally read 12 books from your “to be read” pile (within 12 months).
Specifics:
1. Each of these 12 books must have been on your bookshelf or “To Be Read” list for AT LEAST one full year. This means the book cannot have a publication date of 1/1/2011 or later (any book published in the year 2010 or earlier qualifies, as long as it has been on your TBR pile – I WILL be checking publication dates). Caveat: Two (2) alternates are allowed, just in case one or two of the books end up in the “can’t get through” pile.
2. To be eligible, you must sign-up with Mr. Linky below – link to your list (so create it ahead of time!) and add updated links to each book’s review. Every listed book must be completed and must be reviewed (doesn’t have to be too fancy) in order to count as completed.
3. The link you post in the Mr. Linky below must be to your “master list” (see mine below). This is where you will keep track of your books completed, crossing them out and/or dating them as you go along, and updating the list with the links to each review (so there’s one easy, convenient way to find your list and all your reviews for the challenge). See THIS LINK for an idea of what I mean. Your list must be completed by December 31st, 2011.
4. Leave comments on this post as you go along, to update us on your status. Come back here if/when you complete this challenge and leave a comment indicating that you CONQUERED YOUR 2012 TBR LIST! Every person who successfully reads his/her 12 books and/or alternates (and who provides a working link to their list, which has links to the review locations) will be entered to win a $50 gift card from Amazon.com or The Book Depository!
5. Crossovers from other challenges are totally acceptable, as long as you have never read the book before and it was published pre-2011!
*Note – You can read the books on your list in any order; they do not need to be read in the order you have them listed. As you complete a book – review it, and go back to your original list and turn that title into a link to the review - that will keep the comments section here from getting ridiculously cluttered. For an example of what I mean, Click Here.
My 2012 TBR Pile Challenge List:
1. Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) by Victor Hugo
2. Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway
3. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
4. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
5. Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
6. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
7. Nova Express by William S. Burroughs
8. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
9. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
10. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
11. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
12. Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut
My Two Alternates:
1. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
2. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Remember, there is a $50 Gift Card (to Amazon.com or The Book Depository) at stake – so if you finish your challenge, be sure to go back to my original post and leave a link to your list, with something along the lines of “I’M DONE!” This will ensure you are entered into the giveaway, which will occur sometime in January.
SIGN UP! – Sign-Ups are Now Closed.
Have fun with your challenge Adam! Crazy enough, I only have two books left on my shelf or TBR, and both will be read before the year’s end, so I can’t participate here.
You’re lucky! I have hundreds.
I’ve had my list ready for months!
Woo hoo! It’s challenge sign up day for me. 
Zing! I think I’m only participating in two this year – My TBR Pile Challenge and the E-Book Challenge (since I just recently won a Nook). I overloaded myself this year…. won’t complete more than 1 or 2 of the 6..7..I signed up for? Lol
Well I did awful on my TBR this year but maybe next year I will do better (fingers crossed) will link up once I go through my piles..:D
Glad you’re giving it another go! I’m behind on my list, but I’ve got some time off for Thanksgiving and the Christmas holiday so I’m hoping I can plow through and finish.
Nice list of books you have on your list TBR. The only Hemingway I reread, and the only Hemingway I have kept on my shelf over the years is Islands in the Stream. It really is, in my opinion, his very, very best novel. I guess I really related to it a lot of it the first time I read it as I was living on a tiny island in the Bahamas at the time. Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend is nothing short of magnificently brilliant–his magnum opus. Enjoy your TBR challenge! Cheers! Chris
I’ve heard good things about Our Mutual Friend – and interesting things about Dickens’ life during the time he wrote it, too. The whole Edwin Drood thing is fascinating. I hope to read this one (already read Edwin Drood this year) and then read Drood by Dan Simmons. I haven’t heard anything about Islands in the Stream, and Hemingway is hit or miss for me, but I definitely appreciate him as a writer and I’ve absolutely loved a couple of his books (A Farewell to Arms, The Garden of Eden).
I loved Dan Simmons’ Drood, it was excellent. I read it shortly after it first came out and I had serendipitously just finished reading all of Dickens’ oeuvre, and had also read several novels by Wilkie Collins. I think it really helped being ultra-familiar with the lives and literary works of both Collins and Dickens before reading Drood. I look forward to your assessment of Drood after you’ve read it. Cheers!
Hmm.. I haven’t read anything by Collins, yet, though I own The Woman in White and Moonstone. Guess I better read those first, eh?
I think that it isn’t a prerequisite to have read a Collins novel prior to reading Drood, but it sure wouldn’t hurt, as the novel is really told from the perspective of Wilkie Collins. If I had to choose a Collins to recommend reading first, it would be The Woman in White. Have fun, Adam! Cheers!
I have read Handmaid’s Tale and Mother Night. They are definitely worth reading. As for the TBR pile, I don’t have books older than 10 months, so I am trying not to go beyond one year of waiting
Good readings! 
[...] joining Adam next year for the TBR Pile Challenge, because I have a pile, my friends. A very big [...]
I’m signed up for this year! I tried to pick some titles I haven’t included in any other challenges for 2012. All of them are books I own — the most important of my TBR lists.
Thanks for hosting, Adam!
Oh, I meant to say that I’m also reading Hunchback next year (listed with the classics challenge.) I can’t wait for it! My French prof told me Hugo wrote it to help make money to restore the Notre Dame Cathedral, or something like that. I think that’s pretty interesting!!
Oh, great news! We should plan to read this one together, then!
I just realized I picked the same Hugo title (it was this or Les Mis). I see a readalong in our future.
Yes! Jillian is doing Hunchback of Notre Dame also!
I’m so excited about this one! I participated this year and it really got me to read some of the books I’d been meaning to read forever. I’m almost finished. I’m definitely in for 2012 and already started compiling my list in hopes that you’d run this challenge again. I’ll try to get my list up this week to help spread the word. Thanks for hosting it. It’s one of my favorites!
Awesome!! Glad you’ll be with us again!
I just linked up my list!
AMAZING list! I’m very excited for you this year.
Oh, this is not going to work out for me because I only have been a bookblogger for a year so most of my reading pile is from 2011 only. Too bad, I could really use a challenge like this one.
I’m proud to say that I can’t join in. And it’s a pity too, because I’d love to. You see, I’ve got quite a few books on my TBR pile but I acquired all but two this year (and am planning to read those 2 before the end of the year).
This year I did a challenge in which I read all the books I owned as per January 1st, 2011 and I read them, bar those two. So, I’m pretty proud I can’t join in. But as a favorite blogger, I’d have loved to do your challenge.
No worries, there are others that I can and will join, to reduce the terrible TBR.
Hah! You’re another lucky one. Good for you! We’ll miss ya – but I’m glad you’re caught up. I still own hundreds of books that would qualify. I’ll be doing this challenge for years. O.o
Quick question Adam, I have about 100 tbr books but I’ve only had them on my shelf for 9 months. They are all Classics though, so I guess they have been on my mental to read list for about 25 years lol. Will that qualify?
Yeah, that’s fine – the most important thing is that they were published prior to 1/1/2011.
YAY! I was hoping you were going to host this one again!
And I say all this even though I am still working through my 2011 list (but hey, I still have a month and a half…it COULD happen).
I’ll figure out my list today and post it.
Lol. I’m still working through mine, too. I’m going to have to force myself to read this month, even though I wanted to devote all my time to writing for NaNoWriMo. But I still have 4 books left on my list!
We’re in the same boat then-I am in the middle of book 7. And I have some chunky books left. But I am going to push through!
I signed up and everything. My list rocks.
[...] TBR challenge is hosted by Roof Beam Reader a blog I’ve only just [...]
What am I doing, joining another challenge… someone hit me on the head.
I followed Allie from The Literary Odyssey (again) over here and find myself thinking this would be a fantastic opportunity to get those books that have been on that TBR for years off of there.
2012 is the year of the London Olympics so no doubt I’ll get a lot of reading done trying to avoid all that craziness.
I’m back for another round. I have two more to go for this year’s challenge (unless I want to cry “uncle” and go ahead and count my alternates, which I’ve already read)–I’m determined to complete the original list, though. Half-way done with the Edna St. Vincent Millay book and then I’ll just have one more SF classic to tackle.
Can’t wait to start on next year. Thanks for hosting again!
Great job!! I have 3.5 books to go (5.5 if I’m including the alternates, but I’m not! Lol)
Hi
I’d love to participate but I had a few queries. Are crossovers with other challenges allowed? When is the last date for the sign-up?
Yes, crossovers are okay, as long as they meet the criteria (been on your shelf/list for at least one year and published before Jan. 1st 2011). The sign-ups are open until 12/31/2011. Challenge begins 01/01/2012.
Adam, I’m glad you’re hosting this again and I’m seriously giving it some thought. I do have a question though: since I don’t have a blog, where would I post my reviews? Goodreads?
Yep – you can make a list for the challenge on Goodreads. Then, as long as you review each book as you complete it, I (we), would be able to go to that list, click on each book and easily see the reviews.
This is just the challenge I need. I also need to stop buying books but I doubt that’s going to happen. As soon as I complete my list I’ll be back to sign up. Decisions, decisions, there are more than a few to choose from.
Awesome! Super excited to hear that you’re joining us! I need to push myself to complete my 2011 Challenge… it is MY challenge, after all. Lol
I fear I’ve come across yet another challenge I must accept! At least I think this one will fit nicely with some of the other challenges I’m taking part in, especially the one I’m hosting. Now to just come up with my list…
Sidenote: I found The Handmaid’s Tale completely captivating and disturbing. I hope you like it.
Glad you’re joining! I’ve heard very good things about The Handmaid’s Tale, and I love a good dystopian book, so I’m definitely looking forward to it! Maybe it will be my first read of 2012!
My list is up and running, so I’m officially a participant now! Thanks again for hosting this challenge. It’s going to be fun!
Heck yeah, I’m in! Like you, I have hundreds on my TBR shelf and I seriously need to get to a few of those. I’ll make my list and link back with a post this week.
Woo hoo! Rock it! Look forward to seeing your list.
I need serious help, Adam. I am a book addict! I hope you are planning to host this challenge for many years to come to give me the motivation to get to these books!
I’m all linked up and looking forward to the challenge!
Question about the “alternates”: Can we feel free to read one of these instead one from the list of 12 if the mood strikes us? Or do we actually have to attempt to read each of the 12 first before we can try one of the alternates?
Haha – I think a lot of us are in your position, Darlene. That’s what this challenge is all about! (Unfortunately, if I did read just 12 books that I already own each year, it would still take me decades to finish all my books!).
The alternates are yours to do with as you please – if you decide one of your alternates sounds better than a book on the main list, go ahead and read that instead. Ultimately, you can allow yourself 14 choices, but have to read at least 12 of them.
Oh, great! Thanks, Adam! It was hard to decide what to put in the Top 12 and which 2 to list as “alternates,” so it is nice to know that I can freely choose one of the alternates if I wish.
Thanks for hosting!!
I’m in again this year. I didn’t complete the 2011 challenge but I made a small dent in the old books on my shelf!
By the way, do not wait until January. Read The Handmaid’s Tale NOW!
Lol – The 2011 Challenge isn’t over! There’s still time! I’m behind myself – but I have a lot of time off for Thanksgiving and the holidays, so I do plan to finish before Dec 31st.
And I would LOVE to read The Handmaid’s Tale now…but… I already listed it for 2012!
Hi! I just posted up my post in the mater linky! I can’t wait to start!
[...] so I didn’t (don’t) think it a good idea. But then Adam at Roof Beam Reader posted his TBR Pile Challenge and I kept seeing all of these TBR posts, and I got to thinking about it—I’ve already [...]
I resisted because I’ve been avoiding challenges, but I finally caved. The Mr. Linky is to my master post, but I talk about it a little more here. Now that I’ve decided to participate, I suddenly find myself very excited about 2012 reading!
Woo hoo! I hope the excitement stays throughout 2012. I’m behind in my 2011 Challenge, but I do plan to finish – and I love checking in with people throughout the year. This year, I had a couple “check-in” posts, one of which came with a Giveaway and, of course, there’s the final prize of $50 Gift Card available to those who actually finish.
I’m working to get my list made. This should be fun! I REALLY need to clear my TBR bookshelves.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Count me in! Up until about a month ago I was making good progress, then I realised I’d not noted half my unread books and have since been in denial. Tackling it is something I want to do so I’ll be joining shortly.
Awesome! Glad to have ya!
I must be mad. Haven’t even finished this year’s TBR Pile challenge (yet!! Still have December and part of November!) and I’m merrily signing up for 2012 :s
I don’t have a sign-up post, but I’ve posted the 12+2 list on my 2012 challenges page. If this isn’t acceptable, let me know…
As long as you direct-linked to it and will be updating that same post with links to your reviews as you go along, that’s fine with me.
And, yeah, I’ve still got 4.5 books to finish in my 2011 Challenge but I’m HOSTING the 2012. Lol. I’ll finish, though – I have a lot of hoilday time coming up as we near the end of the year.
Just saw your list – Middlesex is epic! I hope you like it (it’s definitely hefty, but so worth it). I also need to read Freedom.
Hehehe, the host should lead by example
So go read, you! I can’t wait to finally read Middlesex (and The Virgin Suicides). The audio version of The Marriage Plot was abominable, so I’m just hoping the narrator was to blame, not the author himself :/
Freedom’s been collecting dust on the shelves since I bought it… about time to read it!
I FAILED at this one last year – but as they say…”Try, try again.” So I am. I have a TBR pile in the 100′s and so I have chosen 12, but am waiting to list my alternates. Thanks!
You can do it!!
This looks like fun and ties in perfectly with my reading goals for 2012 – to (try) NOT (to) purchase any books in 2012… I have too many to read! Glad I found this one!
[...] The Goal: To finally read 12 books from my “to be read” pile. For more specifics on the challenge and to sign-up, visit Adam @ Roof Beam Reader! [...]
So excited to join this challenge! I need someone to hold me kind of accountable for my epic TBR piles. The books are totally taking over. Also…I read The Handmaid’s Tale this year. It is INCREDIBLE!
Final thought…I was in Monterey for a conference last month and I desperately wanted to read Cannery Row, but none of their stinkin’ bookstores had a copy. It was very sad.
Glad you’re joining!
Hmm… odd about the bookstores in Monterey. Although, maybe everyone goes there to buy Steinbeck books, so they’re just in a perpetual state of “sold out?”
Woohoo, I finally managed to pick my last couple of books! I think the difficult I have in narrowing down the field probably tells me just how much I need this challenge. Now, back to THIS year’s books, oops…
[...] Adam at Roofbeam Reader is hosting the TBR Pile Challenge. [...]
Finally got my list completed. And yes, that means I had too many to choose from.
Linked up a master list and also did a post for it.
Another great list! I’m really impressed with people’s challenge lists so far..
An interesting challenge. Lord knows there are tons of books on my to-be-read pile that would fit the bill. I may have to sign up for this.
I messed up my URL on my first entry, I’m so sorry! If you can edit and delete the one at #31, that would be great! Thanks for hosting the challenge!
Done
Wow, you’ve got some great classics on your list! I’ve joined your challenge and linked my post. Here’s to a year of good “old” reading!
[...] read some of the books I’ve pushed to the bottom of the TBR list for too long. It’s hosted by Roof Beam Reader and requires you to name 12 books (in advance) that have been on your TBR list for over a year. [...]
This is just the push I need to get around to those unread books. Thanks for the challenge – I’ve linked up.
Adam! I completely forgot not to read Middlemarch, which is on my list for this challenge, until the start of 2012!! I’m probably going to read it through December, as well as into 2012. Should I replace that title with something else for this challenge, or is it okay? I’ll probably be reading it slowly, well into the new year.
Sorry!! I forgot and got curious about the book.
Bummer! Yep, you’ll need to replace it, sorry. Titles need to be started Jan 1st or later (I should put that in the “rules” but thought it was implied). Or you could force yourself to stop and wait.
Cool thanks! I’ll just replace it. Sorry about that!
Okay – I updated the list, replacing #10 Middlemarch with Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier (in case you need to know for your records.)
http://wp.me/p13GYl-3LB – Thanks!
Awesome idea for a challenge! I’m excited to make some headway on my bookshelf and “do right” by the titles that have sat too long on the shelf.
[...] the lovely and talented Adam, aka Roof Beam Reader is once again running his TO BE READ BOOK CHALLENGE. This year, I’m actually going to sign up [...]
Okay, even though I only read 3 of 12 and neither of the alternates last year, I’m in this year officially. Let’s see if I can get this thing done.
[...] 2012 TBR Pile Challenge is to read 12 books (allowing two alternatives) that you’ve had in your possession since [...]
Just signed up! Itching to start reading some of these books already now that I’ve been digging through my bookshelf…
[...] original challenge comes from Adam at Roof Beam Reader and you can still officially sign up through December [...]
I just joined the party! I kind of can’t wait until 2012 now. : )
Yes! I keep looking at my list and getting all excited.
[...] Leave comments on this post as you go along, to update us on your status. Come back here if/when you complete this challenge [...]
For a running list of participants, you can always click the “Mister Linky – You’re Next!” button in the post. Feel free to visit the other participants, check out their lists, and send encouragement throughout the year!
I’m looking forward to this one! I’ve got my list made and I think a lot of these books may cross over for some of my other challenges. I can’t wait to see what others are reading as well!
[...] when I came across this challenge for 2012 over at Roof Beam Reader, I thought it would be great to join in and try and get through some of those books that have been [...]
What a great idea – I’ve just joined up. Thank you!
Hi Again – just to let you know I’ve made a new page for my challenge, so you’ll find future updates etc on this page. http://whatshappeningatmyhouse.wordpress.com/2012-reading-challenge/
Looking fwd to getting started! Happy New Year.
Okay – I’ve updated the link on the Mister Linky.
I did very badly with this year’s challenge: read only 1 book from my list. I’m determined to do better in 2012 & will join up after I’ve made my book list.
You have two books I really love on your list: The Handmaid’s Tale (=my favorite Atwood novel) & The Woman in White. I’ve read both twice. Also, I loved Gone with the Wind when I read it ages ago, though I’m not sure whether I would like it as much if I read it now. It’s one of those books I’m afraid to reread.
I will probably put The Moonstone on my list this time.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with! I’m very excited about my list this year… I want to get started already! Lol
Gone With the Wind is my favorite book! Can’t wait to read your review.
Fab idea! Found you through whatshappeningatmyhouse and I am a new follower and a fellow challenger! Good luck to everyone!
I’m so glad I came across this challenge. Thank you Jess Witkins for sharing your list on Jenny Hansen’s Cowbell. Lucky number 43!
I will be tackling this challenge again for sure in 2012
It looks like I’ll only be making it through 10 books on the list for this year(and I resorted to my two back-ups…), hopefully next year I will get through them all! A few of the books on my list for the current challenge turned out to be favourites of 2011, so I’m pretty happy with what I’ve got through so far. I’ll post my list for 2012 closer to the end of the year.
10 is great! I’m working on my 10th now, and I do plan to complete 12 (though I was hoping to be able to make it through all 14 – but that’s not going to happen). I also found a couple new favorites because of this challenge, so it’s doing great things, over all! Glad you’ll be back in 2012!
Oops – I just realized one of the books on my list (Mr. Fox by Helen Oyeyemi) was published in September 2011 (I just picked twelve books from my longer TBR list, not considering the publication date). I’ve switched it to An Only Child by Frank O’Connor, sorry about that! Next time I will pay closer attention to the rules ;P
Okie doke – I go through and check all the lists in January, so I’m glad you found it ahead of time. Anyone who has ineligible lists gets disqualified. =/
[...] the To Be Read Challenge: I have to select 12 books (plus two alternates) that have been on my shelf or TBR list for at [...]
[...] planning on doing anyway, so why not participate in both? Is that allowed? I say it is. One is the 2012 To Be Read Pile Challenge over at Roof Beam Reader and the other is the TBR Double Dare over at Ready When You Are, CB. The rules are slightly [...]
[...] more than that. I found myself hemming and hawing after espying each one when I finally came across Roof Beam Reader’s challenge. I think what I like about it the most is that it challenges us to read books that have been on our [...]
I’m quite thrilled about finding this challenge. It sounds like just the thing I need to clear up some of my pending reads. Am looking forward to diving in!
Awesome! Glad to have ya aboard!
all signed up! i need to get these books off my shelf! i tried this a couple years ago with only 10 and i didn’t finish because the books were kind of blah. i got rid of some over the summer, so hopefully the ones i picked will keep me entertained!
Listing the books is a great idea. It’s the incentive I need to clear out the shelf.
Not only am I psyched to knock these books off my list and beef up my reviews blog…this is my FIRST cyber-challenge!! Wooot!
Awesome!! We’re honored that you chose us for your innaugural challenge! Best of luck!
Awesome, just signed up! Hopefully this will get some long waiting titles off my TBR shelf!
[...] Month (PiBoIdMo) until I stumbled upon it on Elizabeth’s blog! And then there’s the To Be Read (TBR) Pile Challenge that I found on Tia’s blog! What else am I missing out on? Is there some kind of Cook A [...]
I’m totally ashamed how badly I did in the 2011 edition of the TBR Pile Challenge! This is such a great idea for challenge, Adam, and I do want to try and do better in 2012! So, just signed up & am actually already anxious to start reading those book on my list.
Trying this again this year since I didn’t do so hot for 2011. Yay for Gone with the Wind being on your list. It’s my favorite book
Ok. I’m not going to succeed with my 2011 TBR Challenge, but I am willing to learn from my mistakes and try again!
[...] here. I’ve been seriously thinking about joining the following, but decided not to: the TBR challenge, the TBR Pile Reading Challenge, the Off the Shelf Challenge, the Ireland Reading Challenge, the [...]
I’m in! Looking forward to the challenge.
I am in.
Thanks for doing all the work that it must take to run a challenge like this! I’m joining in, and I’m a littler nervous, but I’m also excited by the challenge – hoping it gives me the motivation to finish some books I’ve had for a long time. Thanks!
[...] I failed the TBR Dare last year, Adam’s TBR Challenge has much more reasonable terms (if you’re like me and have a limited amount of willpower). [...]
[...] more info, and if you want to join the challenge, go to The Roof Beam Reader‘s [...]
[...] one challenge. I blame Jill (Fizzy Thoughts) and her post about Adam’s (Roof Beam Reader) 2012 TBR Challenge for breaking my challenge fast. The goal of the TBR Challenge is to read 12 books that have been [...]
I’ve never entered a challenge before, but this is definitely one I need to do. Thanks for hosting!
[...] Beam Reader is hosting a To-Be-Read Pile Challenge. The goal: To finally read 12 books from your “to be read” pile, within 12 [...]
Looking forward to participating this year and catching up on my reading! Thanks for hosting.
I need to get through way more than 12 to even make a dent in my bookshelves, but at least it’s a start! I don’t have a blog, so just linked to Goodreads, as you suggested. I hope I’ve done it ok. The last two on my list are my alternates.
I’m so looking forward to taking part in this challenge and thank you for hosting it!
You have a fantastic reading year ahead of you! Wow, what a great list! I loved Anna Karenina (though not as much as War and Peace). Loved The Lord of the Rings. Great Expectations is my favorite Dickens novel, Northanger Abbey is my favorite Austen, and Possession: A Romance is BRILLIANT (but much more literary than I anticipated). The Great Gatsby is, of course, great (probably my second favorite Fitzgerald, after Tender is the Night).
Yay! You’ve made me even more excited than I was initially! I can’t wait for 2012 reading to begin!
Joining in the fun!
It’s on.
Question: All books on my list have been on my TBR pile (actual bookshelf) for more than a year, however I added the last 2 to my Goodreads list in 2011. Will they still qualify as they meet all other requirements and I’m planning on using my 2012 TBR challenge shelf for my link? Thanks for hosting this challenge again!
That’s fine – as long as they were published before 2011.
yup, they were published before 2011 : ) off to finalize my list!
[...] first is the 2012 TBR Pile Challenge. I think this is the one that especially daunts me because my pile is almost a whole book case [...]
Just linked my 2012 TBR shelf : ) Thanks for hosting this challenge again. Hopefully I’ll do MUCH better than last year.
[...] Roof Beam Reader 2012 tbr pile challenge : I’m also joining Roof Beam Reader’s TBR challenge. They are all one of the same challenge why sign-up for more you’d say? Well, the more pressure the better. This madness of not reading from my own shelf is going too far!!! [...]
I haven’t been great in 2011, I’ll do better 2012! I have signed up. Happy New Year!
The post won’t go up until Wednesday, but I have my list here: http://blog.deannaknippling.com/?p=3799 This is great!
Hi, I posted a link to my bookshelf in Goodreads, hope that works.
I loved this challenge in 2011, really looking forward to doing it again in 2012! Here’s my official blog post with my list.
http://reading2011.blogspot.com/2011/12/tbr-pile-challenge-2012.html
[...] addthis_share = [];}I happened to hear about the Best Book Reading Challenge Ever: the TBR pile challenge. The rules: pick 12 books (or 14, so you can ditch 2 books that you don’t like) that have [...]
i’m delighted i stumbled upon your 2012 challenge
[...] RSS feed for updates on this topic.Powered by WP Greet Box WordPress Plugin I stumbled across the 2012 TBR Pile Challenge and decided to give it a go. The premise is simple. Read at least 12 books from your teetering TBR [...]
Is it ok to change one of the books on my list? I forgot I had placed the book on the list for the TBR Pile Challenge and I read the dang thing.
Yep – it’s okay as long as it’s pre-January 1st. I will be capturing all posted/linked lists on January 1st and those will be final at that point.
Great! Thank you so much! Read the book in November I think and reread my list yesterday, could not believe I read it ahead of time.
I will have it changed in time!
[...] Oh, well. Putting my loss behind me. Onward and upward! Or downward, I suppose, as my TBR pile decreases! I’m going to try again with the 2012 TBR Pile Challenge. [...]
Less procrastination and more FINISHING THE CHALLENGE in 2012. I read so few actual books in 2011. I blame the wee, needy ones who always want snacks.
This is such a great incentive for me to get some of those books off my to-read shelf. Thanks for the motivation!
Jenny and I both finished the 2011 challenge and we’ve signed up for 2012!
Here’s our list:
http://jennyandkellyreadbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/our-books-for-2012.html
We have each signed up separately — Jenny is about 100x more likely to complete a challenge like this, so I wouldn’t want to bring her down.
Better late than never? I didn’t exactly pass my 2011 attempt with flying colours and almost wimped out! Then I caught sight of my shelves and realised some of those poor books were in desperate need of attention. So thanks for hosting again
Happy to have ya back! I was SURE I’d read all 14 on my 2011 list, with no problem. But I only made it through 12, and that was a last-minute scramble (read the last 3 or 4 in November and December). I’m going to do better in 2012! Lol
Here is to hoping that 2012 is much better on TBR list.
I have just posted my list on my Polishing Mud Balls Challenges page, and linked to this post a on a general post over on my main blog.
http://polishingmudballschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-tbr-pile-challenge.html
Well, I may have messed up and linked to my blog site instead of to the specific blog. But I couldn’t figure out how to change it once I hit that fateful “enter” key. Dang it!
MB, the Technically Challenged
No problem – I’ll correct the link on this end.
I’ve followed you on Twitter this year, and have decided that your TBR Challenge is what I need to get through all those old books. You should also see the stuff pub’d THIS YEAR that I’ve added (guess I’ll be tackling some of those next year). So, my goal is to get these books read and then donate the appropriate ones to a women’s shelter. Thanks for hosting!!
Kathy
Sounds great! Donating the ones you’ve read is a great secondary goal, too – I have a hard time letting go of any of my books, but I should go through and clear out the ones I know I’ll definitely never read again. I just hate to say goodbye.
Some of my choices will help me hit another challenge as well. Hopefully that will increase the chances of reading those books.
This should be fun!
I really wanted to do this and I have probably waited too late, but I am not sure how to participate. I don’t know how to add my list.
Anyway, Now that I have the books in a pile in my spare bedroom I’m still going to read them.
Happy New Year Adam!!
Hi, Lisa -
Today’s the last day – so you’re not too late. All you do is create a blog post with your list of books (you can use Goodreads.com or LibraryThing if you don’t have a blog). Then, copy the URL to that post and paste it into the MisterLinky on the TBR Pile Sign-Up post (this post – near the bottom).
If you have trouble, you can also just tweet me the link and I can add you.
http://laughingfoureyes.tumblr.com/post/15086162988/failure-and-a-promise-tbr-list-2012
I will go this another go!!
Great!! Don’t forget to add your URL to the Mister Linky widget in this post.
[...] The 2012 TBR Challenge – 12 books which I have owned for more than a year i.e. they are of the TBR 2010 or before population. This is the only challenge where I have to specify my books in advance, and they are: 1. I Capture The Castle (Dodie Smith) 2. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (Susanna Clarke) 3. Remembering Babylon (David Malouf) 4. The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga) 5. Brick Lane (Monica Ali) 6. The Island (Victoria Hislop) 7 . The Piano Tuner (Daniel Mason) 8. Small Island (Andrea Levy) 9. Cloud Atlas (David Mitchell) 10. Moby Dick (Herman Melville) 11. Lolita (Vladimir Nabokov) 12. An Equal Music (Vikram Seth) [...]
is it added? sorry, i’m not the best at this stuff.
It’s okay – I added it for you.
Great challenge! I really want to read all of these books so I hope I’ll be able to complete this challenge.
Thank you for hosting it(:
[...] Adam’s (Roof Beam Reader) 2012 TBR Pile Challenge: [...]
I just posted my list
http://auburngirlhasafamily.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-2012-tbr-pile-challenge-list.html
[...] did complete my list of TBR (to-be-read) books for 2012. So, there is a challenge (TBR Pile Challenge) that I am unofficially joining. It’s not about the competition for me and since I [...]
[...] List must be posted by Saturday, December 31st, 2011, at the Roof Beam Reader website (Challenge host). I will also be posting there periodically, and linking to my reviews of [...]
Just got my list posted.
http://onebookperweek.ca/2011/12/31/2012-to-be-read-tbr-challenge/
I’m disappointed to have come so close and yet not completed my 2011 list – but it was a great exercise nonetheless – and I read 11 great books (OK, 10 great, one not so great). Looking forward to getting started on the 2012 list.
Count me in for this. I just need to do my post, which I will do at some point today! So excited!
Thanks for your help today Adam. I’m glad I wasn’t too late. I have my books staring at me now waiting for the clock to strike midnight.
[...] to Adam over at Roof Beam Reader. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be participating in Adam’s 2012 TBR Pile Challenge. The goal: to list 12 books that have been in your TBR pile for at least a year and read them [...]
Thanks for hosting this challenge, Adam. Can’t wait to get started!
Hadn’t realized I needed to post my list before today or I would have posted yesterday. Oh well, not looking for prizes. Here’s the link:
http://anythingcouldhappen.tumblr.com/post/15136861058/2012-book-challenge-so-this-is-what-im-pledging
I’m adding stragglers today – so you’re okay.
I hate that I missed the sign up deadline, but I am still encouraged to finally get to those TBR books that have been stacking up for far too long. Good luck to everyone. Happy New Year.
[...] There are food writing challenges, historical fiction challenges, young adult book challenges and “to be read pile” challenges, just to name a [...]
[...] you’re interested in finding out more about the challenge click here. You can track my progress for the challenge here. GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); [...]
Hello,
Is there any chance of you adding any more stragglers? I just found your post today. I started my first ever blog this year, to motivate myself to read more (I’m aiming for a book a week but like your friends I have loads of books with uncracked spines). I would love to be a part of what you are doing
Here is my link if you can http://fiftytwobooksinayear.wordpress.com/
Thank you
I’m still adding a couple of late-comers, so you’re all set.
Thank you so much! I can’t wait
[...] So, reading challenges scare me. There, I’ve said it. As soon as I sign up I start to feel all panicky. I kinda suck at a reading schedule. In fact, I think I’ve only ever signed up for one challenge. But this year I want to make some changes,not just here on the blog, but with my reading habits and life in general. And part of those changes involves signing up for – and finishing – reading challenges. And the fisrt one I’m signing up for is The 2012 TBR Pile Challenge. [...]
Room for one more?
Sure – just get your list posted as soon as possible and send me the URL. I won’t be allowing any additions after the 13th (when I update the challenge list with all participants and 2012 info).
Thanks! Will do. I’ll post by tonight!
I’m in! Finally:) Can’t wait to get started!
one more latecomer to the mix
Thanks for adding me 
http://epkwrsmith.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-challenges.html
Great! You’re all set – and WOW are you doing a lot of challenges!!
Me again! Sorry :-s How can we get a 2012 Challenge counter like the one you have on your page? Thanks
The one I’m using is a Goodreads.com widget. If you’re no Goodreads, you should be able to go to your main homepage, scroll down and find it on the right. You input the # of books you hope to read in the year and it will update. Then, click on “view books” which will take you to your reading challenge page. There, you can click on “reading challenge widget” which will take you to a widget page – scroll down near the bottom and you’ll find the code for the reading challenge widget.
Hope that’s not too confusing!
[...] for the books that’ve been accumulating dust on my bookshelf. UPDATE: It’s called the TBR Pile Challenge! If you’ve been following the blahg for the past few months (or if you know me in real life), [...]
Fantastic idea! It really encouraged me to have a rifle through my shelves and note – with shame – the books received last Christmas (2010) and still not looked at a year on! Thanks for running this!
Donna
Looking forward to the challenge ahead. Good luck to everyone
Oh, I didn’t realize there was such a short sign up deadline. Good thing for me it was extended!
The original deadline was posted in the original post.
But, yes, lots of requests to be added – so I just went ahead and extended it!
One down, 11 to go!
Oh noes! I posted my list on 12/24 but somehow forgot to sign up here! Is it too late? I blame it on the holiday madness.
Here’s the link, just in case:
http://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/2011/12/another-challenge.html
Deadline is extended to the 12th.
Thanks!!
I have finished one of the books on my TBR list. Heart Of The Dragon by Gena Showalter. You can find my review here: http://read2review.com/events-reading-group/current-events/2012-to-be-read-tbr-pile-challenge-with-roof-beam-reader/
Looking forward to my next book in February, am going to read one a month until December!
That’s a great idea! I’m going to try and get 1.5 per month out of the way, so I can finish a bit early and hopefully get to all 14 on my list (the 12 + 2 alternates).
[...] so I’ve decided to use a challenge as a way of keeping that goal in mind. Since Adam from Roof Beam Reader extended his deadline, I took that as a sign that this was the challenge I was meant to [...]
So I hit the 100 page mark of Love In the Time of Cholera, and I must admit, I’m getting interested!
Nice! I’m almost done with Gone With the Wind. I’m about 800 pages in with just over 200 to go.
I’m in! I could likely do this for the next 10 years and never see the bottom of my “pile”!
Haha – I’m in that boat with ya, for sure! I’ve got hundreds of books that I own but haven’t yet read. And far too many books that I’ve read and have no place to put (I don’t let go of my books – even ones I know I’ll probably never read again. Maybe I should rethink that policy…)
[...] to seek another challenge or two to help me meet some of my 12in12 commitments, one being: the 2012 To Be Read (TBR) Challenge (as I heard about via a friend’s book review [...]
[...] I heard about the TBR Challenge (hosted by RoofBeamReader) this was the first novel that sprung to mind. I think I would have got around to it eventually, but [...]
[...] joining Roof Beam Reader’s TBR Pile Challenge for the first time this year, with the goal of reading a dozen older books that I’ve been [...]
I’ve just signed up with my list! I didn’t see that they all had to be reviewed on the blog to count until it was too late.
Oh well, that will help me do the reviews and not just read the books.
The first of the 12 done.
http://abookblogofonesown.blogspot.com/2012/01/seven-gothic-tales-by-karen-blixen.html
How do we link up the reviews we write for books on our list? Do we just enter them in this comment thread or is there another location? I just finished my first book on the list and wanted to make sure I did it correctly. Thanks — Amanda
http://auburngirlhasafamily.blogspot.com/2012/01/voyage-of-dawn-trader-review.html
Hi, Amanda – I actually explained how to do this in the instructions because a lot of people asked the first year…
You can just go back to your main list after you review each book and turn the title/author on that list into a hyperlink to that book’s review.
This way you only need to update your one main post with the new links each time you review a book from the list, rather than re-posting the whole list everytime – and it’s much easier for me (and other challenger-visitors) to see your list & continued progress throughout the year.
See my TBR Pile Challenge page for an example of what I mean.
Thanks…I did it
Hey Adam! So glad I found this just in the nick of time! My internet is going bonkers tonight and I am glad I was able to link up. This year has got my name on it
Thanks for hosting!
Julia
@ Competitive Bibliomaniac
& The Broke and the Bookish
Woo hoo! Glad you’re joining us!
So glad that you extended the date for this; I’d been by earlier, after finally putting together my list, and only then I realized that I’d just missed the deadline. No longer! I am *so* in. Thanks very much for hosting, and I look forward to following your reading and that of other participants!
I just discovered this challenge due to being on holidays and away from the computer! Can I sneak in to be involved (pretty please?) I have a massive TBR pile consisting of both books for my challenge to read my way around the world and other books I have “accidentally” also accumulated along the way. Would love to be involved…
That’s fine – please reply with your URL so I can add it to the list. I won’t be accepting any entrants after January 31st.
Thanks for this – looking forward to being part of the challenge! Would you please add my URL to the list? Here it is: http://theliterarynomad.com/general/2012-challenges/2012-tbr-pile-challenge/
Thanks and looking forward to reading everyone’s reviews and contributing my own!
What happens if you do not FINISH a book on your list? I HATE War and Peace. I have made it to Chapter VIII, Book Two and just really do not like it.
Bummed too. I only got that far because I was trying to persevere and complete it as I don’t like not finishing. I like fat books, the fatter, the better. Except this one. Sigh.
Really? That’s shocking! War and Peace is one of my favorite books! Ah, well, not every book is for everyone.
The alternates are available for this purpose. Sometimes, no matter how we try, we just can’t get through a book – so you should have two available that you can turn to, if you need to give up on one or two from your main list.
Actually, I am surprised myself, about not liking it. I thought for sure I would, which I why I keep reading it. Maybe it will change. I love epics and era or historical books. For some reason it just isn’t grabbing me.
I am gonna try a bit longer.
I forgot about the alternates, thanks for reminding me!
Two down!
I’ve finished three and posted a review of the first one — Room by Emma Donoghue. That book was really worth the wait. Thanks for inspiring me to finally read it!
One down. : ) In the midst of the longest standing on my TBR shelf, both physically and on GoodReads. Very excited to be tackling this list!
11 more to go!
Two down.
http://abookblogofonesown.blogspot.com/2012/01/moonstone-by-wilkie-collins.html
Nice work! I’m finishing up my 2nd today as well.
Hi, Adam. It looks like you’re allowing people in thru the end of the month–bless you. And thanks for hosting in the first place. I didn’t finish my list last year, but that’s really motivating me this year.
I’ve finished my first book, as well as making my list. It looks like you just need the URL. Mine is a very crude page because I’m also using this project to learn HTML. So the page should improve over the year, as well as getting populated with reviews. And it is: http://re-johnson.com/TBR2012.html. Let me know if I should be doing anything else.
You’ve got some wonderful stuff on your list. My personal faves are Our Mutual Friend (although I have to admit that it’s been decades since I went thru virtually all of Dickens, and the specifics of this one elude me) and The Woman in White. I kind of envy you the glorious pleasure of reading that for the first time. I’m also hoping that one of the other main ones disappoint you and you read The Golden Compass. Possibly the best thing about that one is that there are TWO MORE after it in His Dark Materials. The Subtle Knife is even better; most people think it’s the best of the three. But in a lot of ways I enjoyed The Amber Spyglass most of all. If you do get to The Golden Compass, I wonder if the following two end up on your 2013 list, or you just jump in right away.
You’re all set – glad you could join us!
I see you have The Night Listener on your list. It was a great book – disturbing, but great. Years ago, I bought the book that “instigated” the situation told by Maupin in The Night Listener, but I haven’t yet had the chance to read it. I believe it’s called A Rock and a Hard Place – but don’t look into it if you’re not already familiar with the facts of the story (About the author, etc) or it will ruin The Night Listener for you.
[...] The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman is my first read off my 2012 TBR Pile Challenge list. [...]
[...] goals of both TBR Pile Challenge (hosted by Roof Beam Reader) and Mount TBR Reading Challenge (hosted by My Reader’s Block) [...]
I finished the first book on my list…emma and me by elizabeth flock. It was an thrilling read and only 11 more to go!
Awesome! Nice work! One book per month puts you right on schedule. I’m almost done with my third – but I’ve got some big ones on my list, so those are going to take me a while (trying to knock out as many as I can early on this year so I’m not scrambling in November/December).
Here is my review of my first completed book for the challenge: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: http://kelseyopsahl.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-hunger-games-by-suzanne-collins.html
Nice work!
Two down, ten to go. Here’s my second review:- http://blog.elenchera.com/2012/02/dancing-on-ice-2008-jeremy-scott/ Loving the challenge so far
Excellent!
hi there, i’m 3/4 through my third book on the list. this however is my first review, the belly of paris by emile zola. i believe i’m doing this correctly, the link goes back to my original post with title linked to review: http://www.foursilverplates.com/?p=888
Yay, first one down! The Book of Chameleons by Jose Eduardo Agualusa: http://theliterarynomad.com/general/2012-challenges/2012-tbr-pile-challenge/
I’ve finished the first of my 12: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. It’s been on my TBR shelf the longest of any book — since 1982! I know because there is a Merry Christmas message from my grandma inside the front cover. Oh dear.
Here is my review: http://www.rosecityreader.com/2012/02/review-tinker-tailor-soldier-spy.html
[...] the 15th Feb, 2012 that is when I decided to pick it up. I’d said I’d read it as part of the TBR challenge I’m taking part of anyway. This is why I signed up to do this challenge. I have all these books, [...]
Just completed my first review! So pleased that I have FINALLY read this book too.
http://thebookcoop.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/book-review-the-icarus-girlhelen-oyeyemi/
Ooops… just realised I have already read one of my alternates without realising. Haha, oh well…. http://thebookcoop.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/book-review-faceless-killershenning-mankell/ that may not count.
The alternates count! So you’ve got 2 down, 10 to go!
I’ve passed three books now. 9 to go and well on course in the challenge. Loving it
Here’s my latest review http://blog.elenchera.com/2012/02/book-review-20-coraline/
Four down!! And started on number five! Woot!
Woo hoo! Great job – I think you’re in 2nd place, after me.
I’m on #7!
I’m on pace, 2 books read for this challenge so far:
http://www.shelfari.com/books/360924/The-Rainy-City/reviews/3388056
http://www.shelfari.com/books/4489832/The-Glassblower-of-Murano/reviews/3427574
Four down, eight to go. Well on course at the moment
Here’s my latest review http://blog.elenchera.com/2012/02/book-review-21-heroes-historys-greatest-men-and-women-2009-simon-sebag-montefiore/
Nice! You’re catching up to me… I better stay on track so I can finish first this year. A couple of you guys are creeping up quick!
[...] Roof Beam Reader 2012 tbr pile challenge : I’m also joining Roof Beam Reader’s TBR challenge. They are all one of the same challenge why sign-up for more you’d say? Well, the more pressure the better. This madness of not reading from my own shelf is going too far!!! [...]
Three down! Here’s my review of A Bell for Adano, the 1945 Pulitzer winner by John Hersey: http://www.rosecityreader.com/2012/03/review-bell-for-adano.html
That’s on my list too! I think it’s the book I’ve owned the longest without reading, I must have had it more than 20 years. So embarassing!
Just posted my review of Ann Veronica by H. G. Wells. My 3rd read for this challenge.
http://tinyurl.com/c99ku9y
Great!!
I’ve finished my fourth so far, so I’m on track. Here’s a link: http://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/2012/04/fountain-overflows-by-rebecca-west.html
I finally finished World Without End by Ken Follett, reviewed here: http://www.rosecityreader.com/2012/04/review-world-without-end.html
Oh, great! I’ve never read any Follett, but I’ve been intrigued by some of his ideas.
Another one done!
Wolf Hall by HIlary Mantel: http://abookblogofonesown.blogspot.com/2012/05/wolf-hall-by-hilary-mantel.html
Five down, seven to go
Here’s my latest review http://blog.elenchera.com/2012/05/book-review-25-matter/
Averaging one a month so on course but determined to pick up the pace
Six down, six to go
Great to reach the halfway point and find we’re still in May 
Here’s the latest review http://blog.elenchera.com/2012/05/book-review-26-the-quiet-american-graham-greene/
That’s awesome! I’m working on #7 right now, I think..
Seven down, five to go
Here’s my review of Life on Air by David Attenborough. http://blog.elenchera.com/2012/05/book-review-27-life-on-air-david-attenborough/