It's that time of year, when James from Ready When You Are, C.B. issues his TBR challenge. This year, it's the fearsome Triple Dog Dare. The rules are pretty simple: read only what's already on your TBR shelves from January 1st to April 1st of 2104. No new books, no re-reading, and no library books (except those reserved by Dec. 31st). There's no ban on buying new books, just on reading them. I'm going to try not to buy too many, though, because it kind of defeats the purpose of the Dare to be adding new books as fast as I'm clearing old ones off. And then new books are always so tempting and distracting!
This will be my third year of participating. Last year I cleared 35 books off the stacks, which wasn't bad, but I know I can do better (my total the first year was 71 books). Just to make it interesting, I'm going to donate a dollar for each book crossed off the list (finished or not), to RIF (Reading Is Fundamental), a children's literacy non-profit. As the rules allow, I am claiming my usual exemptions for book club books, and also for Deborah Crombie's latest book. It will be released on March 25th, and I should be able to wait another week to read it, except the last one ended with such an awful cliffhanger.
Thanks to James for hosting the Dare again this year. I am cudgeling my brains to figure out what comes after the Triple Dog Dare, so this doesn't really have to be the last.
I'm looking forward to the TBR Dare, too. Will make exceptions for book club, of course, and try not to stock up on new books before 12/31 (sometimes easier said than done). Love that you're combining the dare with a charitable donation!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to cheer each other on! I may stack my library list - though we can only have 12 books on reserve, but I'm really going to try not to buy. I bought so many this year that I haven't read yet (though I've cleared some older ones off, thanks to the book box).
ReplyDeleteI really like your donation idea. I'm impressed that you managed to read 71 books in one 3-month period! I'll be curious to see how many you get through this time... good luck!
ReplyDelete~Kristin
Kristin, I didn't finish all the 71, though I tried to read at least a few chapters before giving up. It felt good to admit I didn't want to read them & clear them off the shelves.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with this! I won't be signing up myself - I could probably manage not to buy any new books for three months but no library books and no re-reads could be a problem for me. I hope you clear lots of books off your stacks...I really like your idea of donating to charity!
ReplyDeleteSomeday, I would love to do this, but as it is now part of my job to keep up with contemporary fiction, I can't do it. I wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing what you clear off your shelves.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I do miss the libraries, and while I don't re-read as much lately, as soon as Jan. 1st hits, I know I'll want to!
ReplyDeleteAnbolyn, it definitely won't work for you! I still wish my job included keeping up with new books :)
Geez, I was feeling smug reading 12 from my TBR shelf this year--35 is outstanding. I'm not sure I have the fortitude for this challenge, but it is truly inspiring.
ReplyDeleteJane, I also find it a little embarrassing, since it highlights just how many books I've got sitting around unread. There are times I feel almost guilty, looking at them - and then yesterday I bought a few more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us some publicity here. Glad to have you on board for the dare this year. I hope you have fun with it.
ReplyDeleteJames, I'm so glad you decided to host this for another year. I have a little stack of books to re-read for Christmas, and then it's TBR all the way!
ReplyDelete