TBR (To Be Read) Challenge

For 2010...

2009-11-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

Just a heads-up...

For 2010, the TBR Challenge is moving to a new blog! I want to organize all of my challenges in one spot to make things a little less time-consuming.

So, please be sure to check out the challenge's new home here:

http://readerchallenges.wordpress.com/original-tbr-to-be-read

Thank you!

Are You Ready? -- 2009 SIGN-UPS NOW OPEN!

2008-12-18T17:49:00.000-08:00

Well, folks, the 2009 year is fast approaching! Sorry that I've been remiss in putting up a new post for the new year! I've not really even thought of it until today -- while realizing there's only really 2 weeks left of the year! Yikes!

So, ARE YOU READY TO SIGN UP FOR 2009??? If so, please add your name to the Mr.Linky below! Please make sure that your blog link is to the actual post where your list is...not just your main blog link. (so, for example, instead of just //tbrchallenge.blogspot.com, it would be something more like //tbrchallenge.blogspot.com/2008/12/18/my-list-here.html --only it'd be YOUR blog addy! LOL). If this is still unclear, feel free to email me and ask more! ;P

But, remember, please, that you cannot start reading for the challenge until January 1st, 2009. ;)

To remind you of the rules:
* the challenge is to read 12 TBR books in 12 months -- you can read those all in one month if you want, or one a month, or however you wanna do it.
* you need to have a list posted somewhere for others to see (even if it's in a comment here)
* you CANNOT change your list after January 1st, 2009!!!
* you can create an Alternates list of MAXIMUM 12 books, if you want, in order to have options to choose from (you can read these in place of books on your original list).
* audiobooks and e-books ARE allowed
* re-reads are NOT allowed, as they aren't TRUE "TBRs"
* you CAN overlap with other challenges
* OPTIONAL: you can join the Yahoo! Group created for participants of the TBR Challenge, if you want to have a place to keep your list, or just to share with others about how you're doing! :)

Okay! The countdown is on!!! Get your list(s) ready, and make sure you post the link to it in the Mr. Linky! ;)

EXTRA 2009 BUTTONS (feel free to use on your own blog!):

===============
Please Note: *** There is now a new SISTER challenge to this original version of the TBR Challenge... it's called "TBR *Lite*", and it's more "low-pressure"... SO, if you feel you can't read 12 books in 12 months, why not try out the new version? BOTH CHALLENGES will be taking place in 2009, so you can join either/or! Please only join ONE version, though. ;) Thanks! ***
Go to the TBR *Lite* CHALLENGE blog!

About the TBR lite version...

2008-12-17T18:06:00.000-08:00

Just to clear up any confusion...

There will be TWO (2) versions of the TBR Challenge in 2009 -- the original one (which is found here on this blog), and the NEW *LITE* version (which can be found at http://tbrlite.wordpress.com).

Please only join ONE version. Thanks!

.... And, stay tuned as the next post will contain the Mr.Linky for you to sign up for the ORIGINAL version of the 2009 TBR Challenge! :D

REGARDING the Mr.Linky -- again! (UPDATED!!)

2008-02-19T07:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to some WONDERFUL, GENEROUS (though, unnamed) person, I now have an upgraded Mr.Linky account, and the Mr.Linky on the original Sign-Up post is working again! :D

So, if you are NEW to the challenge, please be sure to sign up there! (Make sure you pick the SECOND Mr.Linky there, please).

(PS...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to whoever it was that helped me out! You're the best! =D)

To New Participants: Problems with Mr.Linky

2008-02-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

*** ATTENTION ALL NEW TBR CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS! ***

Unfortunately, the Mr.Linky (the SECOND one I added) is no longer working -- not accepting any more links. I would have to pay to upgrade if I want to keep adding more. And, also unfortunately, I can't afford to do that.

SEE NEXT (newer) POST for UPDATES!!!

My apologies for all the confusion surrounding this issue.

<>< MizB, Challenge Hostess

The 2008 Challenge BEGINS!

2008-01-01T08:45:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the 2008 TBR Challenge! It has officially begun!

Remember:
* You cannot change your lists now! They are set for 2008.

* New members can continue to join all throughout the year! (and your lists can be made, but you cannot change them once you've posted them for all to read! Please don't cheat here...we're holding you to the honor-system!)

* If you've not done so, you may like to join the TBR Challenge (Yahoo) group. The challenge participants chat it up, and we log our books there, too!

Good luck / best wishes to all for a happy, successful reading year! :D

Some extra 2008 Challenge "Rules"

2007-12-16T07:24:00.001-08:00

Just so everyone's clear, here are some additions to the FAQs...

1. You can't start reading from your list until January 1st, 2008! LOL

2. The books you choose for your list don't HAVE to be 6+ months old -- that's just a general guideline. I, personally, needed that guideline to get some of my really old TBRs read! ;o)

3. Your Alternates list can only be 12 books long! (This was a group decision).

4. If you don't have a blog, feel free to join our TBR Challenge (Yahoo) Group! You can list your books there, keep a running tally of books completed, and/or just chat with other challenge participants about all things book-related!

5. I don't *need* to see your list of books (as there are no longer any prizes being offered in 2008)... listing your books somewhere is optional. BUT, if you want people to be able to cheer you on, it helps to have them listed somewhere!

6. Your 2008 Challenge list can be changed ONLY until December 31st, 2007! After that your list is "set in stone" for the (new) year! ;o) That's why you get to pick 12 "Alternates"!

7. It's been decided that e-Books ARE allowed, but there are some conditions: You may add them any time they come available for download... BUT, you must post the title to your list BEFORE January 1st! You cannot add e-Book titles (or any other book titles, for that matter!) to your list after December 31, 2007!

** Possibly more to come, if I think of them! **

Round 2 in 2008! (it's here!!!)

2007-12-14T07:41:00.000-08:00

Back by popular demand...

IT'S A TBR CHALLENGE!

For this challenge you should....

** Pick 12 books - one for each month of 2008 - that you've been wanting to read (that have been on your "To Be Read" list) for 6 months or longer, but haven't gotten around to.

** OPTIONAL: Create a list of 12 "Alternates" (books you could substitute for your challenge books, given that a particular one doesn't grab you at the time)

** Then, starting January 1, 2008, read one of these books from your list each month, ending December 31, 2008. :o)

(for more information, please read the challenge FAQs)

By the end of the year you should've knocked 12 books off of your TBR list! (of course, if you're anything like me, you'll have added *at LEAST* 12 more to the ever-growing pile by then! LOL).

The good news is, though, that you'll be making some progress! ;o)

Are you up for the challenge?

You have 2 options:

Sign your name to the MR. LINKY below, and make sure it links to the blog post that shows your list of 12 books (with, or without, 'alternates')

Sign your name on the MR. LINKY below, without a link if you do not have a blog

EDITED TO ADD (Jan.24/08): The old Mr. Linky wasn't working any more (it was full?), so please sign the one below, if you haven't signed up for the challenge yet!

Thanks! And, happy reading!! =)

2008 TBR Challenge - Buttons

2007-12-13T07:32:00.000-08:00

Fickle as I am, I couldn't pick just 2 "buttons" for this challenge, so I made up a bunch... feel free to grab whichever one(s) you want to advertise the challenge on your blog / site! :D

Please note...

2007-11-08T09:21:00.000-08:00

... that the TBR Challenge FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) are NEW and updated to reflect the coming 2008 reading year! :D

TBR Challenge - FAQs

2007-03-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

The group often has questions about how this Challenge works, exactly. So, I've made up a list of FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs), and will add to this list as we go along. :o)

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><
TBR CHALLENGE FAQs

Q) DO I HAVE TO LIST MY CHALLENGE BOOKS SOMEWHERE?

A) You don't "have" to do this, no. But, if you'd like others to be able to comment on what you're reading, or to encourage you as the year goes on, it's helpful to have your books listed somewhere. You can list them on a blog, or in our Yahoo! Group's "Files" section.

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A BLOG?

A) Feel free to sign the Mr. Linky with just your name, or to join our Yahoo! group. The Yahoo! Group is a great place to read about what other participants are reading, to find out whether or not you're the only one who is behind (or ahead!) in their reading goals, and/or to just talk about books!

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) DO THE BOOKS ON MY LIST HAVE TO BE 1st-READS, OR CAN THEY BE RE-READS?

A) The group has decided that re-reads DO NOT COUNT, as the whole purpose of the TBR Challenge is to read books that have sat on your shelves (or a list), UNread, for quite some time.

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) CAN I LIST AUDIOBOOKS AS PART OF MY OFFICIAL 12?

A) Yes! Just so long as they're "to-be-read" books.

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) DO I HAVE TO HAVE AN ACTUAL "SHELF" OF TBR BOOKS, OR CAN MY LIST OF 12 BE COMPILED FROM A MENTAL LIST OF BOOKS?

A) You don't have to have the actual books you're putting on your list of 12, no. Some people don't hoard books (like other book-fanatics that will remain unnamed!), so you're free to use a "mental list", if that's what you have.

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) IS THE CHALLENGE THAT YOU HAVE TO READ ONE BOOK PER MONTH, OR IS IT 12 BOOKS IN ONE YEAR?

A) 12 books in one year is all that matters. Some people read faster than others.

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) WHAT IF I WANT TO READ A BOOK THAT ISN'T ON MY ORIGINAL LIST OF 12 BOOKS?

A) A lot of people have listed both their official 12 books, and they've also created what we've now termed an "Alternates" List. This is an extra list of books that you might want to read, given one of your "official" challenge books doesn't grab you, or you just find you want something different than you'd originally planned. Often a reader's mood, or tastes, will change. The "Alternates" list affords you some flexibility and variety. You just substitute one of your 'alternates' for the challenge book that didn't interest you. ;)

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) DO I HAVE TO READ MY BOOKS IN THE ORDER THAT I'VE WRITTEN THEM DOWN?

A) Nope! Read them in whatever order you choose!

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) CAN THE BOOKS ON MY TBR CHALLENGE LIST OVERLAP WITH OTHER CHALLENGE LISTS?

A) Yes! Absolutely! :D

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) CAN I INCLUDE e-BOOKS ON MY CHALLENGE LIST?

A) It's been decided that e-Books ARE allowed, but there are some conditions: You may add them any time they come available for download... BUT, you must post the title to your list BEFORE January 1st! You cannot add e-Book titles (or any other book titles, for that matter!) to your list after December 31, 2007!

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PRIZES???

A) Mizbooks, the Challenge Hostess, found it to be much too difficult to keep track of who had read the "required" amount of books necessary to be eligible for the prizes. So, to save herself the headache, she did away with the official "prizes". Your new "prize" is just to know that you are knocking books off the ever-growing TBR Mountain! ;-)

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

Q) WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO BE A PART OF THIS CHALLENGE?

A) You have a few options:

Sign up using the MR.LINKY, and make sure your link is to your official list!

Sign up using the MR.LINKY with just your name
(if you don't blog).

Also, you can...
** Sign up for the Yahoo! Group (in ADDITION to signing up on the MR.LINKY, please)

And, last but not least...
** Start reading books from your list on January 1st, 2008!!!

<>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <>< ~~ <><

2007 Challenge - Now CLOSED!

2007-03-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

I've had several requests from people wanting to still get in on the 2007 TBR Challenge. So, I thought I'd just post and let everyone know...

THE 2007 TBR Challenge IS NOW CLOSED!

My deepest apologies but, since there are prizes, the group decided that it was only fair to restrict membership after January 31st, as most of our members are already well into their year's reading.

BUT, there is good news!

I will be re-opening the membership as of DECEMBER 15, 2007, because we will go another round next year! So, be sure to come back in December, and sign up for the 2008 TBR CHALLENGE!!! :D

Thanks so much for your understanding!

Last Chance! (for 2007)

2007-03-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY
if you want to SIGN UP for the
2007 TBR CHALLENGE!

Join by:

* leaving me a comment
* Emailing me
OR...
* Joining the Yahoo! group

** Make sure you leave me a LINK to your LIST of 12 BOOKS! **
(if you join the Yahoo! group, please put your list in the Files section *today*!)

Happy Reading!

The Yahoo! Group

2007-03-23T07:11:00.001-07:00

I have decided to create a Yahoo group for the 2007 TBR Challenge, and here are my reasons...

I figured that...
A) this would solve the problem of those who don't blog but want to participate

B) this would help me organize the lists of people's books (as there's a prize every 3 months!)

C) those who want to chat about their progress can do so without hunting down all of the other participant's blogs!

2007 TBR Challenge PARTICIPANTS

2007-03-23T07:06:00.000-07:00

Yay! I'm thrilled! My TBR Challenge List of Participants is growing by leaps & bounds! Thank you to all who've said they'll join me!

Here is the current list:

Debi ~*~ Booklogged ~*~ Suziqoregon ~*~ Lotus Reads ~*~ Les ~*~ Framed ~*~ Cathleen ~*~ Jacki C. ~*~ Wendy ~*~ Kirsty ~*~ smtwngrl15 ~*~ Nessie ~*~ Sheri ~*~ Kris ~*~ Nancy ~*~ Lisa ~*~ Joy ~*~ Camille ~*~ Colleen ~*~ Lazy Cow ~*~ HollyDolly ~*~ Kucki ~*~ Kailana ~*~ Amy ~*~ Miss T ~*~ Kristen ~*~ Diamond ~*~ Nancy (NJ) ~*~ Diane D ~*~ Christine ~*~ Pattie ~*~ Kathrin ~*~ Waterfall Nymph ~*~ Sue L. ~*~ Kat ~*~ Dana ~*~ Janet ~*~ Country Girl ~*~ bookwormaddict ~*~ Carrie K ~*~ Calexxia ~*~ Michelle ~*~ Brandie ~*~ Debbie ~*~ KristinsDottir ~*~ Lindsey ~*~ Christina ~*~ Katy ~*~ Rebecca ~*~ Molly ~*~ Sally906 ~*~ Laura ~*~ Shilo ~*~ Sharon ~*~ Michelle S ~*~ Jenny Up the Hill ~*~ Wendy ~*~ Nyssaneala ~*~ Courtney ~*~ Kathryn G ~*~ Marce ~*~ Carrie ~*~ Marcia ~*~ Michelle #3 ~*~ Rose ~*~ Yvonne ~*~ Sue B ~*~ Christen ~*~ Ronda ~*~ Carolyn ~*~ Barbara (PA) ~*~ Kate ~*~ Lynne ~*~ Stephanie ~*~ Misty ~*~ dogfaeriex5 ~*~ Donna ~*~ Vicky ~*~ Sarala ~*~ Kim ~*~ Cerwin ~*~ Kelsey ~*~ Dana ~*~ Kay ~*~ Terri ~*~ Leann ~*~ Ornamentea ~*~ Joyce ~*~ Lisa L ~*~ Alisia ~*~ Frank ~*~ Audrey ~*~ Cess ~*~ Milan-zzz ~*~ Steve ~*~ Lisa ~*~ Polly ~*~ Teddy ~*~ Kuanyin ~*~ Jenny ~*~ Bookish Lore ~*~ Beth ~*~ Aarti ~*~ Britne ~*~ Debby ~*~ Emily ~*~ Helena ~*~ Hilary ~*~ Nan ~*~ Niko ~*~ OneWritingMama ~*~ Karen K ~*~ Puanani ~*~ Stephanie2 ~*~ Christina ~*~ Natalie ~*~ Evaberry ~*~ Andy ~*~ Pam ~*~ BookmanOS ~*~ Gatekeeper ~*~ Amy ~*~ CountryGoalie ~*~ Suzann ~*~ Suey ~*~ Sarra ~*~ Kristi ~*~ Anne ~*~ Megan ~*~ Jenni ~*~ CoversGirl ~*~ newgenny ~*~ Zonnell ~*~ Mona ~*~ Danielle ~*~ Acquisitionist ~*~ Becky ~*~ AvailableOnRequest ~*~ Racquel ~*~ Melanie ~*~ Martha ~*~ Mrs. R ~*~ Angela ~*~ Bets ~*~ Amy ~*~ Michelle ~*~ Chris ~*~ Shoshana ~*~ Lindsey ~*~ Beatrice ~*~ Enid ~*~ CherryTree ~*~ verniciousknids ~*~ Kathrin P ~*~ Jodie ~*~ Katica ~*~ Outi ~*~ Sarah (Houston) ~*~ Zookeeper ~*~ Donyale ~*~ Diane ~*~ Cheryl ~*~ Irenic_ca ~*~ Kim ~*~ Lisa ~*~ Shari ~*~ Poodlerat ~*~ Rosangela ~*~ Lorette ~*~ Alison ~*~ Jenny ~*~ Rosmarins ~*~ StephanieRBM ~*~ Patti ~*~ SilverThistle ~*~ TeaReads ~*~ DJ ~*~ Chris ~*~ Thursday ~*~ VioletKey ~*~ TheDuckThief ~*~ MartiniKnits ~*~ Judy ...and... Nancy.

NOTE: Deadline for putting your list of books on
your blog is ***JANUARY 31st, 2007***...
(just 'cause everyone keeps asking! LOL).
Thanks!

*** Please Note that this deadline changed to accomodate the cut-off date for joining in on the challenge! Thanks! ***

JOIN the new TBR_Challenge group!

I Challenge You!

2007-03-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

Since I've just been LOVING all of the Blogger book-challenges, I've decided to create my own based off a desire I've long had... and I'm sure fellow book-loving Bloggers share!

IT'S A TBR CHALLENGE!

For this challenge you should....

** Pick 12 books - one for each month of 2007 - that you've been wanting to read (have been on your "To Be Read" list) for 6 months or longer, but haven't gotten around to.

** Then, starting January 1, 2007, read one of these books from your list each month, ending December 31, 2007. :o)

By the end of the year you should've knocked 12 books off of your TBR list! (of course, if you're anything like me, you'll have added *at LEAST* 12 more to the ever-growing pile by then! LOL).

The good news is, though, that you'll be making some progress! ;o)

And, to spice things up a bit, here's my incentive:
Every 3 months, for the duration of the challenge, I will pick one challenge participant's name from a "hat". That person --if they've read the amount of books for that time (ie: 3 books in 3 months; 6 books in 6 months, etc)-- will receive a small gift (via snail-mail) from me. ;-)

Are you up for the challenge? Leave your name and a link to your blog!

MY TBR in 2007 LIST:

~~Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone (#1) - J.K. Rowling~~ (done: Nov.28/07)

~~Passage - Connie Willis~~ (done: Sept.11/07)

~~Middlemarch - George Eliot~~ (done: Feb.6/07)

The Wise Woman - Christian Jacq

~~The Surgeon - Tess Gerritsen~~ (done: Apr.9/07)

Premonition - Randall Ingermanson

Shadow Baby - Ami McGhee

~~Envy - Sandra Brown~~ (done: Jun.21/07)

Bethesda: A Novel - Paul A. Nigro

~~The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde~~ (done: Nov.18/07)

Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs

The Tea Rose - Jennifer Donnelly

For EXTRA CREDIT:

Messy Spirituality - Mike Yaconelli

How to Be Good - Nick Hornby

Flabbergasted - Ray Blackston

The Rule of Four - Caldwell/Thomason

Deep In the Valley - Robyn Carr

Dying Declaration - Randy Singer

Double Vision - Randall Ingermanson

The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith

If I Had You - Deborah Bedford

Her Daughter's Eyes - Jessica Barksdale Inclan

The Codex - Douglas Preston

Peace Like a River - Leif Enger

Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle - Stephen Arterburn

NOTE: I've created a Yahoo group for those that want to participate via a list. It might be easier to keep track of who's read what that way... Join me? :o)

Click to join tbr_challenge

*** SEE the most recent UPDATE: Click here ***

As of Jan.31/07:
MEMBERSHIP IS NOW CLOSED
until December 2007!
THANK YOU!

Welcome!

2007-03-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the brand-new home of the TBR Challenge! This same challenge used to be located on the Literary Cache blog, hosted by Mizbooks, but that blog had to go to "invited readers only" status due to circumstances beyond Mizbooks' control. :-?

Glad to have you join us! And, stay tuned for more! :o)