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Reading Challenges
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TBR Mountain Decimation Challenge
TBR Owned: ...300 (I know I know) TBR: 2064 on goodreads
Total: 2364
Yeah I gotta be in this. I'm a serious buying/raiding the library shelves n holds junkie!
The good news is that as I'm reading through the library stack I have and the last few giveaway books I got I've got a head start. Now do we ban getting more books from the library too?
TBR Owned - 130TBR Library - 2
I'm going to commit to only buying one book for every 5 I read. I'm going to include library books as well. I think that if one or two books are from the library, I'm still putting a pretty big dent into my TBR Owned pile.
@ Dawn and MrsJoseph, thanks for the idea and organization of the challenge!
Actually, it's only 1 for 3, not 6! Here is the way I've been tracking it offline..Starting Unread To-Read Count: 65
Current Unread To-Read Count: 61
Read From List Since Start: 22
New Book Credits Earned: 7
New Book Credits Used: 13
Outstanding Book Credits: -6
1. Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie
2. Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie
3. A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham
4. The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett
5. The Magicians' Guild by Trudi Canavan
6. Tai-Pan by James Clavell
7. The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell
8. Polgara the Sorceress by David Eddings
9. Belgarath the Sorcerer by David Eddings
10. The Runelords: The Sum of All Men by David Farland
11. Honored Enemy by Raymond E. Feist
12. Mistress of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist
13. Black Sun Rising by C.S. Friedman
14. The Dark Tower: Treachery by Robin Furth
15. The Dark Tower: The Fall Of Gilead by Robin Furth
16. The Dark Tower: Battle of Jericho Hill by Robin Furth
17. Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow by David Gemmell
18. Troy: Shield of Thunder by David Gemmell
19. Legend by David Gemmell
20. Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind
21. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
22. A Cavern of Black Ice by J.V. Jones
23. The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay
24. The Wandering Fire by Guy Gavriel Kay
25. The Darkest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay
26. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
27. Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay
28. Lord of Emperors by Guy Gavriel Kay
29. Black House by Stephen King
30. Hearts In Alantis by Stephen King
31. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
32. The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon
33. The Dark Elf Trilogy Collector's Edition by R.A. Salvatore
34. The Icewind Dale Trilogy Collector's Edition by R.A. Salvatore
35. Legacy of the Drow Collector's Edition by R.A. Salvatore
36. Paths of Darkness Collector's Edition by R.A. Salvatore
37. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
38. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
39. Legends by Robert Silverberg
40. Legends II by Robert Silverberg
41. Avempartha by Michael J. Sullivan
42. The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
43. Shadow's Edge by Brent Weeks
44. Beyond the Shadows by Brent Weeks
45. Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis
46. Child of An Ancient City by Tad Williams
47. To Ride Hell's Chasm by Janny Wurts
48. Fugitive Prince by Janny Wurts
49. Grand Conspiracy by Janny Wurts
50. The Great Book of Amber by Roger Zelazny
51. A Sorcerer's Treason by Sarah Zettel
52. The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
53. Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett
54. Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett
55. Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
56. Small Gods by Terry Pratchett
57. The Inheritance & Other Stories by Robin Hobb (New)
58. Blood Rites by Jim Butcher (New)
59. Dead Beat by Jim Butcher (New)
60. Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher (New)
61. White Night by Jim Butcher (New)
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Fire by Kristin Cashore
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
The Dark Tower: The Long Road Home by Robin Furth
The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
Fool Moon by Jim Butcher
The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan
The Icebound Land by John Flanagan
The Battle for Skandia by John Flanagan
Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist
Grave Peril by Jim Butcher
Summer Knight by Jim Butcher
Death Masks by Jim Butcher
Read Since Last Update:
Servant of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist
The Stand by Stephen King
A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
My already-owned tbr count is at 137...I am going to say I can only get one book for every five I read as well. Library books count, since I am not buying them, and it will encourage me to go there!
Owned-Yet-Sadly-Unread: 38At-Local-Library: 100
At-College-Library: 4
= 142
Recently-Purchased Pile (17 remaining as of 5/16):
Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
Thendara House by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay
Purchased 7/28:
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb (on-hold)
Orientalism by Edward W. Said (on-hold)
Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson
Purchased 8/14:
Oscar Wilde and a Death of No Importance: A Mystery by Gyles Brandreth
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
Purchased 8/16:
Purchased 9/3:
Imajica by Clive Barker
The Golden Key by Melanie Rawn
Purchased 9/7:
Purchased 11/19:
Purchased 1/28:
Purchased 3/5:
Obtained 3/14:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Purchased 3/31:
Cape Storm by Rachel Caine
Purchased 4/7:
The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
Stormwalker by Allyson James
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia
Purchased 5/15:
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
---
Won:
Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding
Empress of the Seven Hills by Kate Quinn
Out from Library:
---
Credits Earned: 0
Goal Before Next Credit: 4
Here's mine:To read: 1368
TBR and owned: 713
TBR Interesting: 3076
To-Read-2011: 114
I've already created a couple of extra shelves to help me decide which books I really will be reading sooner than others. I've created a: to-read-interesting shelf for books that I probably won't read in anything near the future, and a: to-read-2011 shelf, which is where I've picked books I'm most like to read in the near future. That shelf has 109 books that I own on it. I'm working on that shelf already, even though I do randomly read books that aren't on that shelf. Maybe I should make my challenge to stick to that list and not read anything off of that shelf. (I'd probably have to go add some more books to it first because I have some I want to read that aren't on that list.)
I haven't been to the library for a long, long time. (I don't really need to go with all the books I already own.) I have 11 books on the way that I just ordered yesterday. I really have a problem. It'd be good to have a limit to how many books I should buy, so I'll set mine to: read 5 books I already own and then I can have a credit to buy 1 book. (New releases have to be in a seperate category though - because, well if you have to have it, you have to have it.)
You're all better people than I; good luck!
Denae wrote: "You're all better people than I; good luck!"I know Denae! Ever since I posted I have been having an inner argument....Myself is really mad at me for making this agreement...even though I left library books wide open, me just isnt sure that is such a viable out! lol
Next thing you know I will be sending myself to my room with a tbr...
Ha ha ha! Maggie, that was the best damn laugh I've had all day! And trust me, there are more than a few of us who would behave exactly the same way ;)
Oh...this challenge can only end in tears.
I want none of this.
I will be buried beneath my TBR mountain
I want none of this.
I will be buried beneath my TBR mountain
Wow i have 40 books on my tbr, and i thought that was much. All i say to you all is good luck.
See, this is why we need this challenge, lol. It just started and we're already trying to get out of it. :-)I am going to try very hard to be good. My wallet will appreciate it.
new releases don't count
I'm going to try and include new releases. For example, Lev Grossman's
is supposed to come out next Tuesday. I'm already thinking about how I'll get 4 more books read in time so I can buy it. It's a great motivator!
@Tracey: buried by mountain of books, set the mountain on fire. *nod*
@Self, I did :P
@Self, I did :P
TBR = cause of death, the pyre comes afterwards, right?
I have TBR on my Kindle and TBR on my bookshelves. The latter lot of TBR keeps increasing, despite the fact that it's been such a long time since I bought any books myself - my friends and family continue to give/loan to me!Probably have around 60+ and I've made my way through 7 of them this year so far. Good luck to all with this!
Laurel wrote: "I'm going to try and include new releases. For example, Lev Grossman's is supposed to come out next Tuesday. I'm already thinking about how I'll get 4 more ..."Really? Damn it. Gonna have to break my rule again and move down to -7 credits :P
I will do the 1 out of 10 out of the TBR pile challenge. That would probably be about 300 books. I will set that goal for a year and a half, since I read about 200 books a year. My goal is to read books I've owned longer than new books.I am not sure I can commit to the second right now. I might be able to do a 1.5:1 ratio. Read a book, buy a book. :)
Danielle's Fantasy Aficionados TBR Mountain Decimation Challenge
Goal: Read 300 books in 1.5 years, start date 7/27/11.
Read 3 older tbr pile books for 1 brand new tbr pile book.
Read 1 TBR pile owned book for every new book you buy, start date 8/31/11. Review reads count towards bought book quota.
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I am not sure I can commit to the second right now. I might be able to do a 1.5:1 ratio. Read a book, buy a book. :)":-D
My mountain has become a mountain range. I only put books I actually own on my TBR shelf, currently 655. I have a wanted-to-buy shelf for others, a lot OOP books which are too expensive. Even so, the book I'm currently reading, I just got in the mail. I'm doomed.
I had to go to the local library sale today, so I did tell myself I would start after that ended. Unfortunately I used that time space to justify a quick order from Better world books...lol. But on the positive side, I nabbed a Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, & Other Supernatural Creatures for .75. Sure I already have one, but at that price????? HAVE TO
Maggie wrote: "I had to go to the local library sale today, so I did tell myself I would start after that ended. Unfortunately I used that time space to justify a quick order from Better world books...lol. But on..."ROTFLMAO!!! You guys are horrible, lol! I just forced myself from going into a great used bookstore (not read my 6 books yet) and here yall are still buying more books. SMH
I still have two omnibuses coming in the mail from last week
I just realized that there are TWO books coming out on Tuesday that I want. I can't read 10 books in time?! I'll be starting out at a deficit ;)
Tracey wrote: "I just requested three books on paperbackswap, but that TOTALLY doesn't count. Right?"
*raises eyebrow* lol!
You guys are killing me.I keep trying to think of a way to join in, but I'm failing to come up with one!
Tracey wrote: "I just requested three books on paperbackswap, but that TOTALLY doesn't count. Right?"
It's not like you're actually forking out money and you have to swap a book to get one, so it TOTALLY shouldn't count.
Just out of curiosity, for those who need to break their ban because of a new book release - are you planning on reading that book right away, or just buying it?
Denae wrote: "You guys are killing me.I keep trying to think of a way to join in, but I'm failing to come up with one!"
Ummm, don't you have 300+ books on your TBR shelf??! Why can't you join in?
I read them as soon as time permits, Colleen. Like with the Grossman, I probably won't buy it right away, but it will happen before I get back to positive on my credits, and I'll read it right away after that.
Colleen ~blackrose~ wrote: "Just out of curiosity, for those who need to break their ban because of a new book release - are you planning on reading that book right away, or just buying it?"For me it depends on the book. Some I will put aside any other book to read the new one. Some of those include anything by Brandon Sanderson, including the WOT books, Mercedes Lackey or Robin McKinley and maybe Janny Wurts. For others, I want to have it so I can read it as soon as I'm ready. For example I bought The Crippled God when it was first published, but I haven't finished the other books yet. I'll be reading that as soon as I get the others in the series read. I like to support authors I like when their new books come out.
I'm playing to buy a fair amount of books from Amazon soon, so I won't start my 1 to 1 challenge until after August. :)Denae, you'll think of something.
Oh, how could I pass up this challenge? My problem is that my TBR constantly grows, as I'm always looking through everyone's bookshelves...I think Lady Danielle is responsible for at least a third of my TBR :)TBR: 1012 ~~I'll read them in no particular order, just whichever I can find first
I will only buy a book after reading 10
In order to stay with the spirit of this challenge, I have ordered The Warded Man from the library! It's August BotM and I still have 6 books to read before purchase. If I like it, I can buy it after I read it and 5 others. *kicks curb sadly*
Task: To read 6 books off of my TBR list without purchasingAward: ability to purchase one (1) book
Books:
The Cat Who Went Underground
Something from the Nightside
The Vampire's Warden
Iron Kissed
Plus one more
I rarely buy my books or even get them from the library. My tbr is constantly growing, but how else am I going to keep track of it all? I'm already reading at least 10 books a month, often more, so I don't know how to increase that. I'm trying to plan what books I am reading each month and the following and I have a "priority" list, but I still can't get through it all. It grows faster than I can read!Basically, I can't figure out a practical way.
I was going to do this, but then I went to the ebook section of Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ here and downloaded a ton free books...I need help.
I have roughly 70k entries in my calibre libraries. I know what you mean.
Lol...I have a weekly $50 book budget. (Yay Dave Ramsey) I couldn't even begin to consider doing this challenge but it'll sure be fun to watch yall go at it :) Good luck!
Denae wrote: "I rarely buy my books or even get them from the library. My tbr is constantly growing, but how else am I going to keep track of it all? I'm already reading at least 10 books a month, often more, so..."Stop gathering books. Create a list, tick off what you read, and then give yourself a prize when you hit your goal. :-)
It's a test of willpower but you can do it!
But...but...I'm neglecting my video games already! *grumbles* We'll see...
Jason wrote: "I was going to do this, but then I went to the ebook section of Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ here and downloaded a ton free books..." There are free books here? How did I not know lol?
I didn't know until my wife showed me. Just look at the top of the page. Click on the "Explore", then click on eBooks. There is a massive, massive list of free books. Most of them are classics, some are samples, but there are some jems in there too.I suppose I'm not helping your cause here, am I Mrs. Joseph? LOL
I will stop now. And from today forward, I will participate. :)
You guys get out of there! Focus!
Breath!
Now go read a book you already own
Tracey wrote: ">:| There's a "James Potter and the" series? About Harry's father? I thought Jo Rowling was death on fan-fic."It's his son, if it's the series I'm thinking of, and they're free downloads, so protected. From what I understand she read the first of his series and liked it.
I couldn't finish it, personally, but, then, I've never been much for fanfic.
Grant, you could easily kill it with this challenge?! You read faster than anyone else on the planet! You could easily handle a 1 to 1 ratio!Come on, join us, it's bliss...
*Pictures Laurel in a white bathrobe holding a cup of red Kool-aid in one hand and ye random Scientology book in the other*
...Join us, Grant...it's bliss
:P
...Join us, Grant...it's bliss
:P
But seriously.. Everyone is doing it, it's no big deal...
Fantasy Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
Starcrossed (other topics)Empress of the Seven Hills (other topics)
The Replacement (other topics)
Bloodring (other topics)
Sweet Evil (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Josephine Angelini (other topics)Faith Hunter (other topics)
Brenna Yovanoff (other topics)
Wendy Higgins (other topics)
Sarah Rees Brennan (other topics)
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Inspired by Dawn
Decimate
1: to select by lot and kill every tenth man of
2: to exact a tax of 10 percent from
3a : to reduce drastically especially in number
3b : to cause great destruction or harm to
It has become apparent that there are those of us who have a small addiction…to books. Our "To Be Read" lists have become so mind boggling, life expectancy defying-ly huge that we have ceased to call them lists and have dubbed them mountains. We haven’t yet met a library we didn’t like while simultaneously spending every free dime on books.
Take me for example:
TBR Owned: 125
TBR: 223
Total: 348
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a problem.
Thus I suggest to you the TBR Mountain Decimation Challenge. There two parts to this challenge.
The first challenge is to read at least 1 out of every 10 books on your TBR Mountain. If you have library books, you have to read those first.
The second (and possibly hardest) part of the challenge is to not buy any books if you don’t read X number of books first. You choose the number, but in order to be sporting it really should be more than a 2:1 ratio. :- ) For example, Dawn purchases 1 book for every 6 books she reads.
So, who’s interested in trying to decimate some of those TBR Mountains?!