2018 TBR Cleanup Challenge!

[Sarah]

Cheryl wrote: "though my author was actually dead when the book was published... :).."

Okay, it now says is/was. Dead people are people too! ;)

[~ Giulia ~]

✔1. The 13th book -- Way Station (just picked a random shelf and counted -- Why did I wait so long to read this?!)
✔2. A book written by a young buck or geezer. -- The Merlin Conspiracy (71 y.o. author)
✔3. A book with humor or horror -- Dead Beat (the Dresden books usually have a bit of both)
4. 300-350 pages --
✔5. A book that reminds you of home -- Fahrenheit 451 (No no wait let me explain! There were some school things - mostly notes and drawings - that I wanted to burn after graduation to release my pent up feelings towards them. My parents forbade me to do it on our property and I was too scared of being accused of arson to go do it somewhere else. They are still somewhere at home, waiting to become kindling)
✔6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover -- Artemis
✔7. Chosen for the cover -- The Butterfly Garden (I don't choose a book based only on the cover, but the cover is what first caught my eye for this book)
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for -- The Stone Sky (last minute change to the list!)
✔9. Based on the blurb or blerg -- Library of the Dead (The Italian blurb sounds more captivating than the English one -- even if it turns out that it spoils good part of the mystery >:( I must learn to never read blurbs! )
✔10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting -- Inkspell (German author, second book in a trilogy I started too many years ago and never got around to finish)
✔11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name -- The Thief (golden decorations around the title)
✔12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship -- Old Man's War (bonus points for being one of the group's rereads and an Oops-bought-it-twice book)
✔13. An author's debut novel -- Sleeping Giants (I loved the movie The Iron Giant)
✔14. Make a list of 5-7 2-3 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one -- The City of Ember
✔15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone -- Apollo 8: The Thrilling Story of the First Mission to the Moon (non-fiction)
✔16. A book with a mystery or romance -- Red Glove
✔17. Standalone novel -- Mansfield Park
✔18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill (this one is difficult to choose without having first read the book, so I'll go with a sequel.) -- The Revolution of Ivy (the hero, albeit swoon-worthy and perfectly legal, is a bit too young, so I'll settle for just killing the father and the sister)
✔19. Read a genre-bender -- The City & the City (shelved as fantasy, sci-fi and crime)
✔20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

[Monica]

Sarah Anne wrote: "I've been trying to figure out the best way to fix this since young buck/doe would exclude non-binary genders. I switched it to "still in diapers or over-the-hill." Does that work? "

Heh! Yes either way works for me. For me it wasn't that the original words were right/wrong, it was just interesting that the choice of words were (inadvertently) not gender neutral. The intent is very clear. Mostly I was poking at you a little in fun ;-)

[Sarah]

Well, I'm no longer speaking to you. Especially if I inadvertently offend a diaper fetishist.

[Edwin]

Sarah Anne wrote: "OMIGOD EDWIN! YOU'RE READING PRINCE OF TIDES!!!!

You absolutely MUST do the audio narrated by Frank Mueller"

Thanks Sarah. I got the Kindle version on sale for cheap last year, so the Audible whisper-syncn deal-eo will only cost me $7.50 more. Frank Muller did the first four books in King's Dark Tower series but wasn't able to complete them before he died in 2008. He is indeed an amazing narrator.

Oh, and no need to SHOUT. :)

[Monica]

Sarah Anne wrote: "Well, I'm no longer speaking to you. Especially if I inadvertently offend a diaper fetishist."

Oww harsh!! ;-)

[Edwin]

Cheryl wrote: "Edwin, thank you for the annotations. I have my (starter, might change for DNFs) list, but the reason I haven't gotten around to filling it in is because I want to annotate to explain my choices, too, and I haven't made the time yet. Soon, though!"

I am looking forward to seeing them, and everyone else's for that matter. This challenge is actually my favorite and something I have been looking forward to. It allows me to look over and consolidate my TBR list, but especially enjoyable is seeing what others pick. And why.

[Cheryl]

Ok done with the list (as of today; some likely to change over the year).

[Sarah]

Edwin wrote: "Oh, and no need to SHOUT...."

Dude, that level of excitement is always accompanied by shouting. That was one of my favorite books last year.

[Anna]

I edited mine to include reasons behind my picks.

[Meghan]

Anna wrote: "I edited mine to include reasons behind my picks."

Awesome! Thanks for the Tor link, that was just what I needed.

[Nona]

Looking forward to attempting this one again this year!

1. The 13th book - The Thief
2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill.
3. A book with humor or horror
4. 300-350 pages - maybe Tooth and Claw or All the Rage
5. A book that reminds you of home
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover
7. Chosen for the cover
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for
9. Based on the blurb or blerg
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship - Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take It Back
13. An author's debut novel
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone
16. A book with a mystery or romance
17. Standalone novel
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill
19. Read a genre-bender
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover

[Rachel]

Read: 00/20
My initial list (I tried to do a nice mix of physical owned books and some series I've been meaning to get back to):

1. The 13th book - Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection (it was either this or reamde - either one giant)

2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill. - The Girl in the Tower (this is only her second book so I figure shes young and it counts)

3. A book with humor or horror - To Say Nothing of the Dog (Hugo winner; I've heard this one is humorous and you can read it before doomsday book, which sounds to depressing)

4. 300-350 pages - The Philosopher Kings (been wanting to continue this series for a while)

5. A book that reminds you of home - not sure. maybe something like the 19th (!!) Foreigner book -where humans are aliens haha!But its like checking in with old friends - so cozy)

6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover - Children of Time - good excuse for this one -

7. Chosen for the cover - probably The Shadow of What Was Lost but maybe The Black Tides of Heaven

8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for - not sure yet -see what I feel i've missed

9. Based on the blurb or blerg -

10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting - Shattered Pillars (second in trilogy - want to finish so I can read first book in next series)

11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name - Dreamsnake (hugo winner)

12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship

13. An author's debut novel - Autonomous

14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one - Eifelheim

15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone - nonfiction

16. A book with a mystery or romance - I bought Discount Armageddon on a whim for cheap recently

17. Standalone novel - Tooth & Claw maybe?

18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill - Magic Shifts (heh heh)

19. Read a genre-bender - not sure ...Amatka maybe?

20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover - I'm thinking Lagoon

[Travis]

So many great lists here! Come clean, mods: this challenge is really a secret ploy to explode my tbr rather than clean it up. Right?

[Rachel]

I was thinking maybe a good source of buddy reads! See who all is doing the same books?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Travis wrote: "Come clean, mods: this challenge is really a secret ploy to explode my tbr rather than clean it up. Right?"

Apollo's daughters require their due. Bow to them under the weight of their gifts to us.

[CBRetriever]

This is going to have to be done in tandem with that other challenge as taking 20 books out of my 364 Kindle books to read will barely make a dent. I did decide to ignore the DTBs as that was too much work

[Meredith]

It's true, after putting up my list, I did look over other folks' lists and added some good stuff to my "wish list".

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Rachel wrote: "I was thinking maybe a good source of buddy reads! See who all is doing the same books?"

Good plan!

[Sarah]

Now I kinda want to do the challenge just to say why I chose the books...

[Silvana]

I like the cleaning buddy read idea!

[CBRetriever]

Sarah Anne wrote: "Now I kinda want to do the challenge just to say why I chose the books..."

why not? In some cases, I felt adding the why would be useful. And all those first of series will enable me to complete the series in order to get points in the other tandem contest.

[Rachel]

For example (buddy read) I see two others have also picked Children of time for #6. I’ll bet we could rope in a few more people too

[Bill's]

I almost picked Children of Time for #6. I just added it to my a-new-hope folder in case we do that challenge again.

[Silvana]

Aside from Children of Time, I saw some similar books with mine:
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
Revelation Space
The Moon is A Harsh Mistress
We are Legion (Bobiverse 1)

[Travis]

Rachel wrote: "For example (buddy read) I see two others have also picked Children of time for #6. I’ll bet we could rope in a few more people too"

I'm in.

Sarah Anne wrote: "Now I kinda want to do the challenge just to say why I chose the books..."

Please do! I get so much out of people's explanations for why they choose the books they do.

[Sarah]

I'm not sure if I can do all of these but I can't resist the fun of explaining everything. I'm enjoying everyone else's comments too much.

1. The 13th book - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass - This is apparently the #1 book that people lie about having read so I was excited that this came up here.

2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill - Noir - I really want to read this, the author was 78 when he wrote it, and it's short, which means I probably can read it this year.

3. A book with humor or horror - Motorcycles & Sweetgrass - This was on a challenge of mine this year and I didn't get to read it. I also very rarely read humour books.

4. 300-350 pages - Trilby - I own this and it's worth 55 points. This book has the character Svengali, which is the origin of the term we use.

5. A book that reminds you of home - Snow - This seems fairly self-explanatory :)

6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover - Almanac of the Dead - because I'm absolutely dying to read this and I had to get it on here somewhere.

7. Chosen for the cover - The Woodlanders - I bought this several years ago (50 points!) because I loved the cover so much. I want to read more by this author this year.

8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for The Bone Clocks

9. Based on the blurb or blerg - Cellophane - the guy opens a paper factory in the Peruvian forest but then his life is turned upside down when he discovers the formula for cellophane. I can't pass it up.

10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting - Q - I've owned this one for forever and I have got to fit it in this year.

11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name - Rain of Gold - This was on two of my challenges last year (I'm sensing a pattern) and I'm very anxious to read it.

12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship - The Wayward Bus - It's Steinbeck, who I love and adore; it has a bus on the cover; and I own it.

13. An author's debut novel - Mary Barton - I own it and I'd like to read another by this author soon.

14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one - Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Sweet! I couldn't be more excited about this!

15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone - The Complete Stories - I am not a fan of short stories but I really want to read A Good Man Is Hard To Find because my favorite author, Dean Koontz, has mentioned it in multiple books as being the scariest story he ever read. I really want to know why.

16. A book with a mystery or romance - Sylvia's Lovers - another one that was on a challenge for last year and I already own.

17. Standalone novel - Bleeding Edge - Another one I've owned for years and haven't read. I tried this year but I tried on audio and it is absolutely the most horrifically bad audio I've ever heard. Seriously. Read the reviews, listen to the sample. Hide the audio in the freezer where it will hopefully die a painful death.

18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill - The Italian, because it has a murdering, scheming monk whom I will surely want to kill.

19. Read a genre-bender - The Dark Net - I really want to read this and... yes, I own it.

20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover - The Final Solution - because it has a parrot on the cover and I was desperate. This was a hard one!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Sarah Anne wrote: "6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover - Almanac of the Dead - because I'm absolutely dying to read this and I had to get it on here somewhere..."


You're dying to read the Almanac of the Dead? Do we need to call the Abhorsen to talk to you about necromancy?

[Sarah]

Lol. I totally didn't catch that :)

[Bill's]

If I spend too much time checking out what everyone has picked by TBR will start growing rapidly.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Bill wrote: "If I spend too much time checking out what everyone has picked by TBR will start growing rapidly."

And then you'll be all set for TBR Challenge 2019! You're just thinking ahead ;-)

[Anna]

Sarah Anne wrote: "Bleeding Edge - Another one I've owned for years and haven't read. I tried this year but I tried on audio and it is absolutely the most horrifically bad audio I've ever heard. Seriously. Read the reviews, listen to the sample."

Wow, that's really bad :D I've suffered through some bad ones, but I don't think I could do this one.

Which reminds me, do we have a topic of best and worst audiobooks/narrators?

[Sarah]

Oh, we definitely need a thread for that. I'm currently listening to a favorite.

[Anna]

Travis wrote: "13. An author's debut novel - J. Y. Yang, The Red Threads of Fortune (is it cheating to choose a novella?)"

I also wanted to get that and it's companion on my list somehow, but I decided against novellas. That's just because last year I think I had several and it was too easy. But I still think that in general novellas aren't cheating. Short stories maybe would be, at least for me.

Travis wrote: "18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill - Lynn Flewelling, Glimpses: A Collection of Nightrunner Short Stories (short stories about Alec and Seregil from the Nightrunner series; listed here with the caveat that I would never do anything to break up one of my favorite romantic relationships in all fantasy!)"

Alec and Seregil are the best thing ever and i will use my kill for anyone who tries to mess with them.


Mjmahoney wrote: "18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill One Salt Sea, this series is always a good bet for shag and kill characters"

That 'and' makes me slightly worried.


Rachel wrote: "3. A book with humor or horror - To Say Nothing of the Dog (Hugo winner; I've heard this one is humorous and you can read it before doomsday book, which sounds to depressing)"

Thanks for that, I'm definitely switching from Crosstalk to Dog, I'm not even sure I want to read Crosstalk.

[Sarah]

I chose a novella. I actually ended up with some long and some quite short. I think it will balance.

[Bill's]

After reading Doomsday Book, I am not in much hurry to read To Say Nothing of the Dog. Large sections of Doomsday were extremely boring. There was too much nattering, especially in the modern sections. The events in 1348 were interesting until the end. Not one of those everyone lives happily ever after endings.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

1. The 13th book - The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

This is the 13th book currently on my TBR. I really loved the Broken Earth, excited to see some "younger" stuff, too.

2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill. - The Art of War

Sun Tzu turns 2061 (ish) this year, so I guess he's kinda old for a human.


3. A book with humor or horror - Rat Queens #1

4. 300-350 pages - My Soul to Keep

By a hair!

5. A book that reminds you of home- Trickster's Choice

So excited! This one reminds me of my childhood, I own it AND it has a family I know to be kind and loving. Really looking forward to read it.

6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover - The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet and Other Stories

I should get extra credit for this because it has planet AND stars on it.

7. Chosen for the cover - An Unkindness of Ghosts

Just cool lookin'

8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for - The Golem and the Jinni

Rolling over from last year >.>

9. Based on the blurb or blerg - I'll know it when I see it.

10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting - I have so many planned, I'll just pick the first one that qualifies that isn't already taken.

11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name - Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life
It's a sort of yellowy gold.

12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship - Ninefox Gambit

It's all about synergy.

13. An author's debut novel - The Hate U Give

Heard really good things, just didn't get to it.

14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one - The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven

15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone - Annie Allen

It's poetry...BUT! It's the book that won the first Pullitzer ever awarded to a person of color, and her story is pretty amazing, so I'm excited to hear what she has to say.

16. A book with a mystery or romance - Devil in a Blue Dress
I'm hoping for more of one and less of the other.

17. Standalone novel - The Anubis Gates
It fills so many challenges!!

18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill - having a hard time with this one. There are more characters I want to kill right now, but I'm not really thrilled about reading their stories. And as for the other options...I think I may be demi-sexual when it comes to books.

19. Read a genre-bender - Touch

I'm a wily scamp, ain't I?

20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover - The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories

EL TIGRE.

[Sarah]

To Say Nothing of the Dog is wonderful. It's light and funny, and especially good for fans of old school detective novels. And the audio was absolutely great.

[Monica]

So the planning begins. I listed books in consideration for this challenge. It will whittle down and sharpen significantly over the course of 2018. I'm following Hank's rules meaning my tasks will only include books that I own (for the most part, I never commit to absolutes). And since the idea is to reduce my tbr backlog, each task will be filled with a unique book IOW the same book cannot count for two or more separate tasks. Here are my plans at 11:10 AM PST 12/17/2017

[Meredith]

I agree with Sarah Ann about "To Say Nothing of the Dog," quick-paced and funny, fairly different in tone from "Doomsday Book," though set in the same world.

Anna wrote: Mjmahoney wrote: "18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill One Salt Sea, this series is always a good bet for shag and kill characters"

That 'and' makes me slightly worried.

Lol! Different characters!

[Richard]

17 Dec 17 - the 114th anniversary of powered, manned flight on Earth

All,

My first attempt at this challenge from our decade old home for Sci-Fi / Fan Fun To that end I am placing the official list from Sarah Anne, and I will add titles and appropriate time frames as I get the work done starting in January:

Start Date: January 01, 2018

1. The 13th book
2. A book written by a young buck or geezer (use your own age definitions because I ain't goin' there)
3. A book with humor or horror -- Last Light by Dean Koontz -- REVIEW.
4. 300-350 pages
5. A book that reminds you of home -- The Rich Nations and the Poor Nations by Barbara Ward -- REVIEW is IN WORK.Boyhood home, actually. Written in 1960. Recommended for my reading in 1973, by Dr. Ralph Lynn, History professor extraordinaire.
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover
7. Chosen for the cover
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for
9. Based on the blurb or blerg
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship
13. An author's debut novel
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone
16. A book with a mystery or romance
17. Standalone novel
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill
19. Read a genre-bender
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover

End Date: December 31, 2018

[John]

Bill wrote: "If I spend too much time checking out what everyone has picked by TBR will start growing rapidly."

That's why I avoid looking at other's TBR as mine keeps growing and I'm trying to get it tamed down just a little bit. Going for a goal of 50 books next year.

[John]

Richard wrote: "17 Dec 17 - the 114th anniversary of powered, manned flight on Earth

All,

My first attempt at this challenge from our decade old home for Sci-Fi / Fan Fun To that end I am placing the official li..."

Now this here might be a challenge I plan for in 2018

[Chris]

I'll give it a go!

0/20

1. The 13th book
2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill.
3. A book with humor or horror
4. 300-350 pages
5. A book that reminds you of home
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover
7. Chosen for the cover
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for
9. Based on the blurb or blerg
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship
13. An author's debut novel
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone
16. A book with a mystery or romance
17. Standalone novel
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill
19. Read a genre-bender
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover

[[deleted user]]

I love these challenges! Helps me decide what I want to read next.

1. The 13th book Spirit Gate
2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill. Dark Desire
3. A book with humor or horror Single White Vampire
4. 300-350 pages Interview with the Vampire
5. A book that reminds you of home A Darker Shade of Magic
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover Gardens of the Moon
7. Chosen for the cover Guilty Pleasures
8. "Missed it by that much" Kiss of Midnight
9. Based on the blurb or blerg Blood Vow
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting The Queen's Poisoner
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's nameDark Gold
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship Covet
13. An author's debut novel First Year
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one Burn for Me
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zoneThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
16. A book with a mystery or romance Seduced by Moonlight
17. Standalone novel Stardust
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill Blood Kiss
19. Read a genre-bender
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover Six of Crows

[Dj]

So other than number 19 I think I am all set to go

Here are my choices

The 13th Book

Lost in Shangri-la


A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over the hill

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh


A book with humor or horror

The Robin Hood Hacker


300 to 350 pages

Storm from the Shadows


A book that reminds you of home

The Works of Rudyard Kipling: One Volume edition


Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover

Astrophysics, for people in a hurry


Chosen for the cover

Dragon Trials


'missed it by that much' a book you really wanted to read but didn't have the time for

The Legend of Zero: Forging Zero


Based on the blurb or blerg

Libiromancer


A non-US or UK publication/setting

Gilgamesh


Gold on the cover, in the title or in the author's name

Bored of the Rings


A book with a vehicle on the cover, from carriage to a spaceship

The Jesus Incident


An author's debut novel

I Capture the Castle


Make a list of five to seven books and use the Eeny meeny miny moe to choose one


The Dispossessed.


A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone

Confessions


A book with a mystery or romance

Death of a Maid


Standalone novel

The City and the Stars


A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill

The Sleeping Dragon


Read a genre-bender

?????

A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover

How Chance and Stupidity have changed History.

[Sarah]

A genre-bender is something that crosses into multiple genres.

[Max]

So much fun! Can't wait to join in. Here's my list, I will fill it in as I go!

1. The 13th book Mushishi, Vol. 2 Uh oh! It's one of the few mangas I have added on Goodreads, and this one is practically unfindable. ;-) It will be a challenge! Edit: found it! Yay!
2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales Author was born in 1933 and would have been an old geezer if he was still alive. :-)
3. A book with humor or horror
4. 300-350 pages
5. A book that reminds you of home
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover
7. Chosen for the cover
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for
9. Based on the blurb or blerg
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting Running with the Kenyans: Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth Takes place in Kenya.
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship
13. An author's debut novel
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone
16. A book with a mystery or romance
17. Standalone novel
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill
19. Read a genre-bender
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease About plant foods!

[Ninna]

I am really excited for this so I am in but I am still trying to figure out my books for the prompts. And I have a question - for the last prompt (animal, vegetable, mineral) - would a plant count or does it specifically have to be an edible vegetable? The book I was thinking of has mistletoe on the cover which is a toxic plant so not sure it would count...

[Sarah]

I would go with any kind of plant.