2013 TBR Pile Challenge

Saturday, December 1, 2012


Adam aka the Roof Beam Reader is once again hosting the TBR Pile Challenge. I participated in and completed this challenge for the first time this year and loved it! The whole point is to read books that are already languishing on your own shelves. Since I'm incredibly motivated by lists, this challenge is perfect for me.

The Goal:
To finally read 12 books from your “to be read” pile (within 12 months).

Specifics:
 
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 1/1/2012 or later. Caveat: Two (2) alternates are allowed, just in case one or two of the books end up in the “can’t get through” pile.

I've carefully created my list for 2013 and here's what I came up with...

1) Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (finished March 2013)
2) An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (finished January 2013)
3) Birdsong by Sebastian C. Faulks (finished April 2013)
4) One of our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde (finished May 2013)
5) Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy (finished September 2013)
6) Summerland by Michael Chabon (finished May 2013)
7) About a Boy by Nick Hornby (finished July 2013)
8) Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens
9) 1776 by David McCullough (finished March 2013)
10) The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett (finished January 2013)
11) Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut (finished September 2013)
12) The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen (finished October 2013)

ALTERNATES:
1) Among Schoolchildren by Tracy Kidder (finished October 2013)
2) Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo

Photo by moi and from Adam's blog

11 comments:

anarmchairbythesea said...

Brilliant list! Vanity Fair is awesome :-) I just made my list but may have to back and review it as I have The Magicians Assistant and a John Green that I want to read... Too many books!

Anonymous said...

What an awesome list! I have tried this challenge for two years and failed, but it is so much fun.

I also have a Nick Hornby book on my list and that one was fantastic. I really need to read 1776 - it has been on my list forever!

Mabel said...

Yay Vanity Fair! :-)

Cat said...

A great variety on your list! I'd never heard of 1776 so had to go check it out. Sounds very interesting but looks huge!!

Dale said...

I just bought Summerland at a used book sale, along with Russo's Bridge of Sighs. I've enjoyed a few other works by Chabon and Russo (including Nobody's Fool). An Abundance of Katherines is very funny! Great list!

Unknown said...

Wow. That's a good list. There are several on there that are in my Mt. TBR as well.

My TBR

Nikki Steele said...

Now this looks like a good challenge -- 12 in a year is definitely doable and not intimidating, the way some challenges can be. Love the diversity you have on your list too. It should prove to be a fun year for reading! :)

Roof Beam Reader said...

Congratulations on completing the 2012 Challenge!! I have to read more if I'm going to make it... not sure if I'll manage, but I'm going to try (once school lets out for the semester). Your list for 2013 is pretty sweet. I didn't love Vanity Fair as far as the reading experience goes, but I definitely appreciate it for what it is. I love John Green, but haven't read Abundance of Katherines, yet. Jasper Fforde is fun, too! I've owned 1776 for YEARS and still it sits. lol And I adore Vonnegut! Galapagos wasn't my favorite, but it was good.

Glad you're with us again - looking forward to all your thoughts, as usual. Good luck!

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Bex - I know! I never have a problem finding books for my list, but it's always hard to narrow it down.

caitieflum - I have really enjoyed Hornby in the past and I've heard good things about this one.

Mabel - I'm looking forward to that one. I'm hosting a read-along of it this year and I'm not sure what to expect.

Cat - It's a nonfiction book about the American revolution. I have it on audio, so it looks big.

Dale - I loved Bridge of Sighs!

Rachel - It should keep me busy for awhile!

Nikki - I know, 12 seems very doable.

Roof Beam Reader - Katherines is my very last Green book I haven't read. I love Vinnegut and Fforde too!

Laurie C said...

Great idea to do a photo like that! Most of the books on my list I don't actually own, but I love the idea!

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Laurie C - It's easy to do with this challenge because the goal is to read books that you currently own. So it works perfectly!