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, see my list below.
My 2012 TBR Pile Challenge List:
1. Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo (Currently Reading)
2. Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway
3. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (Completed 3/1/2012)
4. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Completed 2/5/2012)
5. Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
6. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
7. Nova Express by William S. Burroughs (Completed 1/21/2012)
8. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (Completed 1/25/2012)
9. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
10. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (Completed 1/12/2012)
11. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (Completed 2/24/2012)
12. Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut (Completed 2/12/2012)
My Two Alternates:
1. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
2. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Progress: 7 out of 12 Complete
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.
Visit the Participants:
Thanks for stopping by to check on me. I just finished another one!
http://dawgbite.blogspot.com/2011/06/consent-to-kill.html
I just got your comment and I would love to link my reviews, but I cannot figure out where to do so.
Adding myself to the mix here – what an excellent idea – the saddest part is that I OWN all these awesome books I keep meaning to read yet I keep ignoring them for books I check out at the library. So I love adding this goal to my other goal (50 books in 2011)
http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5090158-wmmm?shelf=tbr-challenge
Here’s my link:
http://the-bookaholics.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-tbr-challenge.html
Just finished Therapy by David Lodge (http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/07/therapy-review.html)
Another one done! (http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/07/best-of-mystery-review.html) Only three more to go.
[...] late than never! I have (finally) finished my first book for the 2011 TBR Pile Challenge, Wally Lamb’s The Hour I First Believed. I loved Lamb’s debut novel, She’s Come [...]
I finally finished one! Woo! It’s all downhill from here. My blog address changed slightly since I posted it here (sorry!) so here’s the current, correct link to my list: http://www.robinsimondsfitch.com/Ficiton/the-2011-tbr-pile-challenge/
Finished Tainted Blood by Mary Ann Mitchell: http://kelseyopsahl.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-tainted-blood-by-mary-ann.html
Great job! I seem to be falling further and further behind. Although, the one I’m reading now is from my Challenge List!
Adam, I am getting a little nervous about this one. I have only gotten through 5 and I have four months to go! EEK!
Lol I’ve only gotten through 6… come on, we can do it!
Me, too! I don’t think I will make it.
We can do it! Don’t give up! I think I’m working on #6 right now… just make sure to pick from your list from here on out. If you do those first, you might even finish with time to spare at the end of the year (then you can go back and read some of the other random stuff that catches your attention – which has been happening to me all year!) lol
I wish I could but I have so much to review!
http://bibliobloggin.blogspot.com/
Update on the challenge.
Finished another one! Middlemarch is done. Woo Hoo! http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/09/middlemarch-review.html
Ah, I’m jealous! I still need to read that one.
Finally got back to my list and finished The Book Thief. MY review at Goodreads is here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/23138944
Four left to go.
Oh, no – I’m afraid to read the review! I won the book a few months ago but haven’t had a chance to read it… Sounds good but I keep stumbling across spoilers! Lol
No worries – I don’t do spoilers.
Here is the review of Judgment Day by Penelope Lively. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/35295443 That leaves me with 3 to go for the rest of the year.
Nice work! I still have 4 to go…. hope I can find the time!
[...] 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, [...]
Woot!! I am finished. My last book was The Girl Who Played with Fire and it was an excellent way to end the challenge.
Here is the link ot my original post with the review dates listed.
http://girlsjustreading.blogspot.com/2010/12/julies-2011-to-be-read-tbr-challenge.html
Congrats!
Just finished my last book…alternates and all! Woo hoo! Here’s the link to my completion post: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-complete-2011-tbr-challenge.html
One more down, two to go (and I am in the middle of one of those). Here is my review for Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich: http://hoperu.blogspot.com/2011/12/nickel-and-dimed-on-not-getting-by-in.html
[...] 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, [...]
Here is my review of the 11th book on my list, A Princess of Landover: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/54386788
You’re almost there!!
Just finished the last book on my list: Madame Bovary. Here is my review at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/34695673
Awesome! Congratulations! I’m reading my last one (Ragtime) right now. How was Madame Bovary? I started it years ago but only read the first 10-20 pages or so… don’t think I was ready for it.
I’m done and Kelly is close—http://www.jennyandkellyreadbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/completed-post-birthday-worldand-this.html
Already perusing the pile for next year’s challenge! Thanks for a great time!
Jenny
I just finished the last of the 12 books – I was hoping to read the 2 alternates too, but have run out of time, and they’ll be first on the list for the 2012 challenge. Thanks for this great challenge, I’m really looking forward to doing it again!
http://reading2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-shelf-reading-list-for-2011.html
Are you doing this challenge again in 2012?
Yep – the link is in the side-bar menu.
Wow – I failed miserably! I only read one book on my list and never even reviewed it.
Huge fail!
[...] 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, [...]
I finally finished! I had a few reviews left, but I posted them and I have officially completed the challenge. I’ve updated my page with all of the links and completion dates.
This challenge pushed me to read some books I’ve been meaning to read for a while. Some have become favorites. Thanks for hosting Adam. Below is the link.
http://kristilovesbooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-tbr-pile-challenge.html
Amazing!! Nice job!!
Finished! YAY!
Here’s my final review:
http://jennyandkellyreadbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/completed-freakonomics.html
And here’s the list of our original 2011 books, with the satisfying cross-thrus and links to all reviews:
http://jennyandkellyreadbooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/our-books.html
Thanks for doing this, Adam — Jenny and I will be doing this again in 2012. Our post will go up later today. Happy New Year!
Woo hoo! Way to go!!
[...] I saw a neat blog by my friend DeAnna with a great idea. It’s called the 2012 TBR Pile Challenge! In essence, you go to your To Be Read pile of books, select 12 that have been lingering there for [...]
I’m done!. Here’s my list: http://lindleysbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/01/reading-resolutions.html.
NICE!
Adam, not certain where you’d like me to post this info, but I completed the 2011 challenge. I read all 12 books and the two alternates. Here’s a link to the specifics: http://bibliobloggin.blogspot.com/2012/01/second-2011-challenge-to-be-read-pile.html
Thanks for the challenge!
Way to go!!
Phew.
http://violettavalery.livejournal.com/488811.html
My Challenge completion link went up on Nov 25. Here it is again, just in case: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-complete-2011-tbr-challenge.html
I failed. I would have done better if it was any books in my TBR pile rather than having to make a list before hand. Here’s my recap post.
http://readingchallenged.blogspot.com/2011/11/tbr-pile-challenge-recap.html
Ok, I did it–four days late to get the last review up, but I did finish!! Yay!! Here’s the list of 12 reviews: http://www.rebeccarosenblum.com/2011/01/05/a-couple-reading-challenges/
Well, I finished 11 of the 12 and both alternates. I picked up that 12th book (Those Who Save Us) so many times during the year, but it just never felt right. Thanks for the challenge Adam! My link: http://www.sarahreadstoomuch.com/p/books-tbr-challenge.html
Way to go!
The 2011 Winner has been notified – great work, everyone! Good luck in 2012!
[...] participate in a couple of other challenges: the 2012 TBR Pile challenge which is being hosted by The Roof Beam Reader and the African Reading Challenge hosted by Kinna at Kinna [...]
I just saw that you are currently readng The Handmaid’s Tale. I read that in high school and I think nearly had a religious experience I loved it so much. I then devoured everything Atwood wrote for the next few years and was even fortunate enough to hear her speak in person at a Writers Week event. I can’t wait to read your review!
I’ve finished 2 of 12 so far. Here’s the link to the first review:
http://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/2012/01/power-of-one-by-bryce-courtenay.html
Excellent! I’m starting my 4th today.
Have finished my first book out of the 12 on my list. A long way to go but feeling positive so far.
Here’s the link to my review:-
http://blog.elenchera.com/2012/01/book-review-18-monsters-historys-most-evil-men-and-women-2009-simon-sebag-montefiore/
That’s great! If you complete one book a month, you’ll stay right on track.
Finished first book in my pile! Check out my review here:
http://sewcarolinaknits.blogspot.com/2012/02/tbrp-review-extremely-loud-and.html
[...] of people, and would be great for a book discussion group. This is the first book completed for my TBR Pile Challenge. I was given a friend’s copy of the book to get me to read it, and now I can tell her I [...]
Read and reviewed Cutting for Stone. One down, eleven to go on my 2012 TBR Pile Challenge. Unfortunately, my next one’s another big, long one!
http://baystatera.com/2012/01/10/2012-tbr-pile-challenge/
Two down, ten to go! I’ve finished Mrs. Craddock by W. Somerset Maugham:
http://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/2012/02/mrs-craddock-by-w-somerset-maugham_07.html
I finished my first on my list a couple weeks ago but just put up the review, here.
I have a quick question/concern. When looking through the list of participants, I don’t see myself listed. I’m sure I signed up in the beginning but I can’t seem to find my blog listed. =/ Did I miss some step in the process? Any help would be much appreciated.
Jessie Marie
Hi, Jessie -
Yes, you had signed-up originally, but the URL you entered didn’t work. I have updated it now that I have your blog info.
Oh, awesome. Thanks, Adam! : )
Second book reviewed! Here is Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins review: http://kelseyopsahl.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-catching-fire-by-suzanne-collins.html
Second book finished and reviewed here!
A little more behind than I’d like to be but that’s how it goes, I suppose. : )
Another one down – A State of Independence – reviewed here: http://theliterarynomad.com/category/general/2012-challenges/
Three down – nine to go! I’m right on track, though I wish I was a little ahead on this one!
The Glass Castle – reviewed here.
I’ve finished 4 out of 12 and I’ve posted three of my reviews here…
http://avidreader25.blogspot.com/2011/11/2012-tbr-pile-challenge.html
[...] I read Snow from a public library copy (two weeks overdue) as part of the 2012 TBR Pile Challenge laid down by Roof Beam Reader. a Share this:ShareEmailPrintFacebookTwitterDiggRedditStumbleUponLike [...]
Finally found time to whack out a review for my first book. “Divorcing Jack” – Colin Bateman
http://officialjudequinn.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/divorcing-jack.html
[...] To Be Read Pile! *Cue the high-pitched horror flick scream!* Fear not, dear Readers! Adam, from Roof Beam Reader, has made a fun and cost effective contest for all of you looking to hit that stack of TBR’s! [...]
Hey, this sounds like something I need to get me reading! Is it too late to sign up?
Yep – sorry, sign-ups closed in January. You’re welcome to participate but, unfortunately, it wouldn’t count “officially.”