Joining a New Challenge: The 2012 To Be Read (TBR) Pile Challenge

I just discovered a great reading challenge from Jess Witkins’ guest post on one of my favorite blogs, Jenny Hansen’s Cowbell. This 2012 To Be Read Pile Challenge comes from Adam at Roof Beam Reader and you can still officially sign up through December 31, 2011.

Here are the rules:

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. You must write an original review/response (it doesn’t have to be anything fancy) for each book, to help us ensure you are actually completing the books you say you are.

3. The link you post in the Mr. Linky AT ADAM’S SIGN-UP POST must be to your “master list.” 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).

 

 *****

I am so excited about this challenge. I’m ashamed to admit how many books I had to weed through to come up with my ten plus two. I buy books like some people buy shoes. My husband is going to be so thrilled that I am reading ones I already own!

My list reveals my schizophrenic nature when it comes to books. My genres and interests are all over the place.

Here’s my list: (Can also be found on my 2012 TBR Pile Challenge Page)

1. One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
2. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
3. The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen
4. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
5. Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott
6. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
7. The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
8. The Host by Stephanie Meyer
9. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
10. Bel Canto by Anne Patchett
11. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
12. Made in the USA by Billie Letts 

Alternates:

1. Dead Man’s Walk by Larry McMurtry
2. Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston

Just for fun, I counted the books on my TBR shelves… 56. And this doesn’t count a pile of about fifteen I’ve bought recently or the books I’ve yet to read on my Kindle. Please do me a favor, don’t tell my husband. ;-)

What are the top five books awaiting your attention?