TBR Challenge
Well, it’s a new year, and apparently in the book blogging world, that means, time to take on some new challenges. Amongst the select few books that got to stay when we purged our bookshelves recently, one shelf is full of books that I want to read, but haven’t had a chance to get to yet…in other words, To Be Read books, TBR. This challenge can be found here, and the rules are:
** 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.
(for more information, please read the challenge FAQs)
So, I’m late, but not so late that I can’t read my 12 books in 12 months, I don’t think. So, here goes, here are my 12 books that have been cluttering up my shelves lately, and I need to read them so I can decide if they get to stay or if they get donated to the library next time:
The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
Jitterbug Perfume, by Tom Robbins
The Abstinence Teacher, by Tom Perrotta
Pictures of Hollis Woods, by Patricia R Giff
The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett
The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis
No Country For Old Men, by Cormac Mccarthy
The Passion of Artemisia, by Susan Vreeland
Sightseeing, by Ratta Lapcharoensap
Charming Billy, by Alice McDermott
Plainsong, by Kent Haruf
I’ve had some of these books for several years, while others are a bit newer, and I don’t remember where I got them all or what drew me to them…but I’m excited about diving in and finding out if I like them or not. Guess you’ll be getting some book reviews out of me this year, huh? And if you feel like taking this challenge on, go let Mizbooks know! I’m sure she’d love to have you in on the fun. 🙂
9 Comments
ML
What a great list! Enjoy your reading. The Book Thief is my all time favorite book to date. I hope you like as much as I did.
Starshine
Go, J! Have fun reading…we’ll surely enjoy your wonderful book reviews.
bibliomom
This is a wonderful list and a great challenge. I can piggy back it onto my 50 books goal for the year. Thanks
amuirin
Yay! Books! Suddenly, everywhere I turn I see mention of Cormac McCarthy. (probly cus his movie is out now), but not just The old men one, also The Road has been getting tons of press.
I find it difficult to read a lot Tom Robbins in a linear way. Other than Still life with Woodpecker and Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas, all the rest of his books i’ve read in little bits and pieces here and there, in no logical order. Jitterbug Perfume was one of those.
Looks like an awesome list. Enjoy!
Nance
I just want to get my plug in for Pillars of the Earth. It’s huge, yes, but so wonderful and rich. I do not read fiction, as a rule, but this fiction, I read. And the wonderful thing for you is, as soon as you’re done, you can read its sequel immediately, World without End. (Whereas I had to wait for years and years while Follett mucked about writing it!)
Karen
I look forward to more book reviews. It takes me more like 2-3 months to get through one novel these days. I’m still in the middle of The Shipping News which I’ll get through one of these days!
OmbudsBen
Re Jitterbug Perfume, I saw Tom Robbins speak once, at the Unitarian-Universalist church in SF. He explained how he wrote; he has a general idea of where he is going with his characters and plot, then he writes one sentence after another, from the beginning. Without going back and re-writing, or jumping ahead. And he dawdles over sentences, working and re-working them, before going to the next.
C
Pillars of the Earth, as I mentioned a few times before, has got to be one of my favourite books ever. The story is so vividly described. You can almost see, feel, touch the architecture and everything else in the story. The characters are well developed and when you get to the end of the book, you wish it would never end. It’s a pretty thick book, but I read it in two days. But, I’m the type of person that can’t put a book down once I’m really into it.
CuriosityKiller
Wow. If only I’m into reading like that. I don’t know how you do it – in front of the computer then in front of a book. Do you do exercise with your eyes to keep them strong?