2018 TBR Cleanup Challenge!

[Elena]

Excited to do this again!


1. The 13th book - The Long Earth (was 13th on "to read" shelf when challenge started)
2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill - A Man Without a Country (was in his 80s when the book was published)
3. A book with humor or horror - Horrorstör (both humor and horror)
4. 300-350 pages - The Bees (340pages)
5. A book that reminds you of home - The Girl in the Tower
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
7. Chosen for the cover - The Tiger's Wife
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for - The Diviners
9. Based on the blurb or blerg - Bone Gap
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting - We
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name - Uprooted (cover)
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship - Rendezvous with Rama
13. An author's debut novel - The Goblin Emperor
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one - The Andromeda Strain
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone - Unteachable (romance)
16. A book with a mystery or romance - The Broken Girls
17. Standalone novel - The Master and Margarita
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill - The Left Hand of Darkness
19. Read a genre-bender - Slaughterhouse-Five
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover - After the Quake

[Angie]

I'm in! This will be my first challenge with the group.

I've given myself multiple options for most prompts, because that's how I roll. I'll probably modify some of these, but having a plan makes me feel like I've accomplished something.

1. The 13th book
Foundation (picked a page from my TBR and counted down thirteen)

2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill
✔ Finders Keepers (He was 73 when this one came out.)

3. A book with humor or horror
✔ It (Honest. I do have other people on this list.)

4. 300-350 pages
✔ Final Girls (342)

5. A book that reminds you of home
✔ Dark Bayou (06/01/2018)

6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover
The Silmarillion (reading)

7. Chosen for the cover
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (I'm doing a challenge for another group, and I need a Clue weapon on the cover.)
The Yiddish Policemen's Union (Same. But I love the cover.)

8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for
✔ A Wizard of Earthsea (I've been wanting to get to this, but I always had other things to get to.)

9. Based on the blurb or blerg
The Demolished Man
Lock In
Gil's All Fright Diner

10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting
✔ The Girl in the Tower (Russia)

11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name
✔ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay (gold on the cover - would be a reread, but I'm planning on reading it anyway)

12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship
Christine (Squeezed another Stephen King option in.)

13. An author's debut novel
✔ Everything I Never Told You

14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe” to choose one
The Caves of Steel (I'm anxious to read this one.)

15. A book from a genre that’s outside your comfort zone
✔ The Castle of Otranto (gothic)

16. A book with a mystery or romance
✔ The Big Sleep

17. Standalone novel
✔ Vox

18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill
✔ Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay (I'd marry Newt.)

19. Read a genre-bender
✔ The Dispatcher

20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover
✔ Mockingjay (bird)

[Esther]

OK. Let's give this a go.

1. The 13th book
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell or Big Little Lies by Liane
Moriarty (Yes, I have more than one TBR list)
2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster or
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
(they are both older than my parents who are in their 80s)
3. A book with humor or horror
Jaz, Tall Men, & Mayhem by Kate McVaugh or
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
(humour because I haven't read horror in years)
4. 300-350 pages
Where the Sweet Bird Sings by Ella Joy Olsen
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
(a shorter book will be a welcome change)
5. A book that reminds you of home
My Policeman by Bethan Roberts - (I bought this book specifically because the author was born in the town where I used to live - not home anymore but still...)
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover
The Case for Israel by Alan M. Dershowitz (do Stars of David count)
7. Chosen for the cover

8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for
The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse by Robert Rankin
9. Based on the blurb or blerg
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
or Disciple by L. Blankenship
(this was less easy than I expected considering the amount of scifi and fantasy I read)
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name
John Saturnall's Feast by Lawrence Norfolk
or The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
or The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship

( for a scifi fan living with petrol-heads I can't believe there isn't a single vehicle on the covers of the books in my TBR shelf)
13. An author's debut novel
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
or Lightless by C.A. Higgins
or The Game by Terry Schott
or Disciple by L. Blankenship
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
Jaz, Tall Men, & Mayhem by Kate McVaugh
or Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
(mystery because I don't do romance)
17. Standalone novel
Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill

19. Read a genre-bender
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch( At first look I read gender-bender. Genre-bender is not necessarily easier to find on my TBR list)
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
or Incubation by Laura DiSilverio (does an insect count as animal?)

Moved to my personal challenge thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Angie! I am cracking up!

[Ninna]

Thanks, Sarah Anne - mistletoe it is then!

Angie - not to dissuade you from your love of Stephen King, but Gil's All Fright Diner is hilarious! I read several of this author's books years ago and loved them all. Don't know why I haven't him for awhile but I plan to fit one or two of his in my challenges.

[Dj]

Angie wrote: "I'm in! This will be my first challenge with the group.

I've given myself multiple options for most prompts, because that's how I roll. I'll probably modify some of these, but having a plan makes ..."

I have to know what you think of the Gil's All Fright Diner. I have been thinking of reading that ever since I read the Nameless Witch by the same author.

[David]

1. The 13th book - iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It
2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill.The Terrible Hours: The Greatest Submarine Rescue in History - he was 70, not old geezer in my book but oldest I could find on my list.
3. A book with humor or horror - Regarding Ducks and Universes - I think it has humor?
4. 300-350 pages - Apollo 8: The Thrilling Story of the First Mission to the Moon
5. A book that reminds you of home - New York 2140 - easy one since I'm from New York.
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover - Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space
7. Chosen for the cover - A Natural History of Dragons
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for - The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
9. Based on the blurb or blerg - Six Wakes
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting - The Time of Contempt
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name - The Man Who Folded Himself
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
13. An author's debut novel - Elantris
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one - Nothing Like It in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-69
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone - QB VII
16. A book with a mystery or romance- The Short Drop
17. Standalone novel - Artemis
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill - The Pillars of the Earth - no idea but I'm assuming I would given the number of characters
19. Read a genre-bender - Six-Gun Snow White - fairy tale meets western
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover - A Second Chance at Eden

[Sarah]

If you can’t find someone you want to kill in The Pillars of the Earth there is something to be said for your dedication to pacifism.

Fantastic book by the way- one of my all time favorites. I hope you enjoy it too!

[Aleksandra]

Here's my list, I'll probably update it few more times :)

✔ The 13th book - Origin by Dan Brown
✔ A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill. - Postern of Fate by Agatha Christie she was 83 when book was published, and this the last book she wrote.
✔ A book with humor or horror - The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman this should be horror as per GR classification, but not so scary as per book description
4. 300-350 pages - Redshirts by John Scalzi
5. A book that reminds you of home - Čujte Srbi: čuvajte se sebe by Rodolphe Archibald Reiss book about my home country
✔ Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover - The Dispossesed by Ursula K. Le Guin
7. Chosen for the cover - Stardust by Neil Gaiman
✔ "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for - Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
✔ Based on the blurb or blerg - Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting - Metro 2033 by Dmitry Glukhovsky
✔ Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name - The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
✔ A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship - Tides of War by Steven Pressfield
✔ An author's debut novel - The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one - Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
✔ A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone - Dune by Frank Herbert, for some reason I'm not comfortable with sci-fi and I usually read one or two books from this genre per year
✔ A book with a mystery or romance - The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie
✔ Standalone novel - Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg
✔ A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill - kill Elaida from WoT The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
✔ Read a genre-bender - The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen horror, fantasy, gothic
✔ A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover - Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales by Tamora Pierce

[Sarah]

Sarah wrote: "If you can’t find someone you want to kill in The Pillars of the Earth there is something to be said for your dedication to pacifism...."

Lol! Totally!

[CBRetriever]

ditto for Maurice Druon's The Accursed Kings Series Books 1-3: The Iron King, The Strangled Queen, The Poisoned Crown. There are 7 books in the series and:

The Accursed Kings (French: Les Rois maudits) is a sequence of seven historical novels by French author Maurice Druon about the French monarchy in the 14th century. Published between 1955 and 1977, the series has been adapted as a miniseries twice for television in France.

American author George R. R. Martin called The Accursed Kings "the original game of thrones", citing Druon's novels as an inspiration for his own series A Song of Ice and Fire.

They were fascinating. It was really obvious from the first book where Martin got some of his characters:

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-2682...

[Maggie]

How have I not seen this yet? But YAY! it's here! I enjoyed this last year so hoping to have some fun with this.

1. The 13th book-- Heir to the Empire
2. A book written by a young buck or geezer (use your own age definitions because I ain't goin' there) The Found and the Lost: The Collected Novellas of Ursula K. Le Guin
3. A book with humor or horror-- Witches Abroad
4. 300-350 pages Magic Shifts
5. A book that reminds you of home
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover Burn Bright
7. Chosen for the cover Deadhouse Landing
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for This Book Is Full of Spiders
9. Based on the blurb or blerg
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting-- 1Q84
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship Children of Time
13. An author's debut novel Malice
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 Preludes & Nocturnes
16. A book with a mystery or romance- Six Wakes
17. Standalone novel Never Let Me Go
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill Shatterpoint
19. Read a genre-bender
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover Kitty Steals the Show

[David]

Sarah wrote: "If you can’t find someone you want to kill in The Pillars of the Earth there is something to be said for your dedication to pacifism.

Fantastic book by the way- one of my all time favorites. I hop..."

That's exactly what I figured. Keep hearing its one of the best books people have read so I'm looking forward to finally getting to it. Thanks!

[Wendi]

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

[Beth]

There's really no way I'll complete this challenge, but I'll get a few in for sure! And these lists are always fun to fill out. Edit: got it almost all the way filled in.

tbd = "to be determined"

1. The 13th book -
The Final Empire

2. A book written by a young buck or geezer (use your own age definitions because I ain't goin' there) -
Lavinia - (published when LeGuin was 79!!)

3. A book with humor or horror -
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

4. 300-350 pages -
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War or Lily of the Nile - both also fit into the "Buried Alive!" Challenge. Two for one!

5. A book that reminds you of home -
Provenance - Leckie lives in my home town of St. Louis

6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover -
The Shadowed Sun

7. Chosen for the cover -
- it's kind of cheesy (what else is new with fantasy novels?) but I like how cool the character looks. And it's been languishing on my Kindle for at least seven years.

8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for -
The Golem and the Djinni - I've missed about fifteen group reads for this one (slight exaggeration)

9. Based on the blurb or blerg -
tbd.

10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting -
Moxyland

11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name -
The Golden Horn - I loved the first book of this series and can't wait to read this one. Shame about the covers, though

12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship -
House of Suns or Revelation Space

13. An author's debut novel -
Mélusine or Three Parts Dead

14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one -
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass - I had another book here but felt the list was getting overburdened with series books, so re-rolled

15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone -
NOS4A2 - I'm kind of glad this one is towards the bottom tbh

16. A book with a mystery or romance -
tbd, I've got plenty

17. Standalone novel -
Carnival

18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill -
heard good things about Luck in the Shadows

19. Read a genre-bender -
Karen Memory

20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover -
Authority

[Lost Planet Airman]

Beth wrote: "There's really no way I'll complete this challenge…""

Yeah, I've made it to #4 on the 2017 TBR Challenge, but I'm stil having fun! Even expanding my brain a little.

[Lost Planet Airman]

I'm continuing my tradition of adding rules (no fear, just for my entries!) Mike's Rule #1: Finish the challenges in the order provided, and Mike's Rule #2: the 2018 books have to come off my unread books on the SF&FBC bookshelf (unless _nothing_ unread on the shelf can meet the challenge) Convenient, since my Big Goal for 2018 Reading is to work my way up from the bottom of the SF&FBC bookshelf!
1. The 13th book: Kushiel's Dart -- thirteenth up from the bottom! I had started it in December 2017, but it is roughly 30 hours of audio and I had only finished 1 hour. So I've shelved it while I finish the last of 2017 books.

[Kayla]

(11/20)

√1. The 13th book: Remnant Population
2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill: Gulliver's Travels
3. A book with humor or horror: Red Seas Under Red Skies
4. 300-350 pages: Foundation
√5. A book that reminds you of home: American War
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover: Too Like the Lightning
7. Chosen for the cover: Arcadia
√8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for: Dune
√9. Based on the blurb or blerg: Doomsday Book
√10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting: The Prey of Gods
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name: The Last Unicorn
√12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship: Out of the Silent Planet
13. An author's debut novel: Unblemished
√14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one : Theft of Swords
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone: Brave New World
√16. A book with a mystery or romance: The Once and Future King
√17. Standalone novel: The Space Between the Stars
√18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill: Cinnamon and Gunpowder: A Novel
19. Read a genre-bender : Lord of the World
√20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover: The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories

[Robyn]

1. The 13th book Angelfall
2. A book written by a young buck or geezer (use your own age definitions because I ain't goin' there) Kaleidoscope Song
3. A book with humor or horror The Forest of Hands and Teeth
4. 300-350 pages Turtles All the Way Down
5. A book that reminds you of home Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (because I read it about 5000 times and my parents started banning me from rereading it because I wouldn't read anything else - not because my home was anything like either the Dursleys or Hogwarts)
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover Artemis
7. Chosen for the cover A Pocketful of Crows
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for Pawn of Prophecy
9. Based on the blurb or blerg Scythe
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting A Crucible of Souls (Australia)
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name Golden Son
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship Ancillary Justice
13. An author's debut novel Pantomime
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one The Shadow of What Was Lost
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend
16. A book with a mystery or romance The Threat Level Remains Severe
17. Standalone novel Weave a Circle Round
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill Oathbringer
19. Read a genre-bender Shatter Me
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover All the Birds in the Sky

[Beth]

Newbie question time: ideally I'd like to edit my initial "I'm in" post as a summary of how I'm coming along with the challenge, but how do I keep it from going off into oblivion as the thread gets longer? Should I bookmark the post, or is there an easier way to find what I've posted in this thread/group?

[Cheryl]

You can bookmark the specific page. Or note what message number your post is at. (Even if a few ppl leave it won't change much.)

Or you can search the group using the keyword of one of your (more obscure) books: see the right rail about 1/3 down the top (before scrolling).

Or you can 'see comment history' by hovering over your avatar icon on any message.

[Beth]

Thanks, Cheryl! That last will be EXTREMELY helpful. Not all that easy to find on one's own though, except by accident? I don't feel bad for not knowing about that one. ;)

[Becky]

Beth, you can also click on the timestamp of your comment and get a (sort of) permalink to it.

Here's an example: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I say "sort of" because the post sort order matters, so if you sort newest at the top (as I do), the link will take you to a different place than if you sort the standard oldest first way.

[Hank]

Oops, I just finished a book I am supposed to read for this challenge next year.

[Monica]

Hank wrote: "Oops, I just finished a book I am supposed to read for this challenge next year."

Doesn't count!!! lol

[Rachel]

Hank I r been having that issue so I have started a book in a week cause I want them to count!! Haha

[Hank]

Monica wrote: "Hank wrote: "Oops, I just finished a book I am supposed to read for this challenge next year."

Doesn't count!!! lol"

Man, I didn't know Sarah hired enforcers to keep the rules! But Touch was so good, I blew through it faster than expected. Fortunately my TBR list has a few (hundred) to choose as replacements :)

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Hank wrote: "Monica wrote: "Hank wrote: "Oops, I just finished a book I am supposed to read for this challenge next year."

Doesn't count!!! lol"

Man, I didn't know Sarah hired enforcers to keep the rules! But..."

I'm having similar issues! Touch is fantastic! Also, I'm caught up on all the books I know about with villains I love to hate and protagonists I'd love to love. I thought for sure this one would be easy. I guess I gotta start going out, meeting new books.

[Sam]

If you're in need of a good spreadsheet for tracking here's mine!

This isn't originally my spreadsheet but I did a lot of work to make it more usable. That being said, I recommend hiding columns you don't want to use instead of deleting!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

[John]

Allison wrote: "Hank wrote: "Monica wrote: "Hank wrote: "Oops, I just finished a book I am supposed to read for this challenge next year."

Doesn't count!!! lol"

Man, I didn't know Sarah hired enforcers to keep t..."

Now this book Touch you folks are talking about is it a sci-fi or fantasy? After all, I tried to look up Touch on Amazon and forget it. LOL

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

John wrote: "Allison wrote: "Hank wrote: "Monica wrote: "Hank wrote: "Oops, I just finished a book I am supposed to read for this challenge next year."

Doesn't count!!! lol"

Man, I didn't know Sarah hired enf..."

Touch by Claire North is fantasy--very low fantasy in that there aren't spells and dragons or anything. We always list our winners on our bookshelf and on the main page of the book club if you ever get lost :-) You're right, there are a ton of books with similar names out there--I've made that mistake before.

[John]

Allison wrote: "John wrote: "Allison wrote: "Hank wrote: "Monica wrote: "Hank wrote: "Oops, I just finished a book I am supposed to read for this challenge next year."

Doesn't count!!! lol"

Man, I didn't know Sa..."

Thank you for that there and after checking it out I just added it to my TBR list after all whats one more book to the already growing list. LOL

[Emma]

I’m in! I failed dismally with the challenge I did this year reading book club reads, only managed 9/20.
I’m in for all 20 despite this!
0/20

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
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

[Rusty]

Interesting challenge and I will try to do part of it. Need to search my collection before I can list books.

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
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 League of Dragons by Naomi Novik

Start Date: January 01, 2018
End Date: December 31, 2018

[Donald]

Anna wrote: "I'm kind of interested to know how people interpret "A book written by a young buck or geezer". I chose an author who was born earlier than my grandparents, even if I don't think she was "old" at the time the book was published. This way I didn't have to look at both the author's birth date and the pub dates of their books. I know that would mean all classics would fit, but I really didn't feel like checking everything on my TBR for author age at the time of publishing. If I come across something that fits better, I'll change it."

I went with "old when the book was published" because I felt it was a bit more of a challenge, and I stuck with "old" because I don't want to read Eragon and I don't know any other prepubescent wunderkinds in our genres.

Anna wrote: "Number 18 (marry, shag, or kill) was very difficult, because how could I know before reading the book?! So I chose an unpublished book in a series where I know there are many characters, some of which will most likely fit at least one of these."

I agree. I added the same complaint/note next to my entry when putting together my list (release imminent).

[Donald]

1. The 13th book


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

I really wanted to use this for #3, as I definitely hope there's humour in this one, but it was easier to slot it in here.

3. A book with humor or horror

I've heard this is funny?

4. 300-350 pages


5. A book that reminds you of home
James Squire: The Biography
Very limited options, but a book about Australia's first brewer ought to work. Actually, in the process of writing this addendum I remembered that he literally lived in the next suburb over so it works even better than I thought!

6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover


7. Chosen for the cover

I don't do covers since I rarely do bookshop browses any more, but IIRC I think the cover tipped this one from "oh, could be interesting" to "let's add to TBR".

8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for
Hedging my bets - /
Oh god, so many massive books... These both feel like I need a kick up the arse to get started on.

9. Based on the blurb or blerg

Most of them to be honest, given this is how I pick books... so I might as well use the most recent addition!

10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting

No idea, but I'm guessing not given the title?

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

Ctrl-F, "Gold", BINGO!

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

A legacy pick that didn't get finished in last year's TBR cleanup.

13. An author's debut novel


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

I used a random number generator over the whole list instead, and redid it until I got one that wasn't in another section - nicely enough I both discovered Google has a built-in one (searching for "RNG") and the first roll hit an unpicked book.

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

I tend to live pretty firmly in my comfort zones, so "something that isn't SF&F or historical non-fiction" is the closest I can find.

16. A book with a mystery or romance

He's a detective so there's probably a mystery.

17. Standalone novel

There better not be any sequel-retconning here.

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

"Or" seems easier than "and" but it's also hard to guess without reading the books. :( I guess I'd kill the subject of this book?

19. Read a genre-bender

It feels a stretch but the best I can dig up - half fantasy, half religious treatise.

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

This was a lot harder than I expected... I feel like mythological creatures like dragons are cheating (otherwise I might have gone for The Tea Dragon Society) so instead I'll take a fish.

[Ninna]

Okay, so I signed up for 5 reading challenges for next year so I might have gotten a little too excited. lol!! This challenge is one of my favorites so I plan to concentrate on it most so here's to hoping! :-)

Finished 20/20 - 6/25/18

√ 1. The 13th book - What's a Ghoul to Do?
√ 2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill - Death of a Chimney Sweep
√ 3. A book with humor or horror - The Fireman
√ 4. 300-350 pages - A Nameless Witch
√ 5. A book that reminds you of home - Title Wave
√ 6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover - Old Man's War/The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
√ 7. Chosen for the cover - The Ghost Bride
√ 8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for - Fool's Assassin
√ 9. Based on the blurb or blerg - Smoke
√ 10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting - The Three-Body Problem
√ 11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name - The Goldfinch
√ 12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship - Ancillary Sword
√ 13. An author's debut novel - And Again: A Novel
√ 14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one - Besieged
√ 15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone - Soulless
√ 16. A book with a mystery or romance - A Fatal Grace
√ 17. Standalone novel - Armada
√ 18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill - (definitely kill!) Killman Creek
√ 19. Read a genre-bender - Crossing in Time
√ 20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover - Mistletoe Man

[Dj]

Ninna wrote: "Okay, so I signed up for 5 reading challenges for next year so I might have gotten a little too excited. lol!! This challenge is one of my favorites so I plan to concentrate on it most so here's to..."

I didn't realize a Nameless Witch was that long when I read it. I really enjoyed it, so wasn't really paying attention I guess.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

I’m in! I’m using only owned books, with one exception. Also, I'm not using any of the scheduled group reads or rereads for this list.

1. The 13th book : Red Rising
--counted down from my list of owned & unread, sorted by author

2. A book by an author who is/was over-the-hill : A Clash of Kings
--I think he was only 50 when it was published, but isn't that the age that takes you over the hill? I started reading A Game of Thrones when I first bought it back in 2014, got halfway through and stopped reading for awhile (for no good reason). I started over and am now, once again, at the 50% mark. I've made a personal goal for myself, apart from all my reading challenges, to at least finish AGoT and also get through ACoK THIS YEAR. So I thought, if I add this one to my TBR challenge then I'm basically contractually obligated to finish both books - right?

3. A book with horror : Revenge of the Witch
--recommended to me by my teenage brother's best friend, who probably reads more than any person I've ever met. He's so far never steered me wrong.

4. 300-350 pages : Sundiver
--340. Someone recommended the Uplift series in another thread, and it pretty much had me at uplifted dolphins.. so naturally I'm very anxious to get to book 2.

5. A book that reminds you of home : Mary Poppins
--I grew up in Missouri, but this was one of mine & my dad's favorite movies when I was a kid (still one of my faves). I don't know why we never read the books.

6. Stars on the cover : The Sparrow
--I can't wait to read this! It was one of the first books I learned about through this group that I just knew I had to get my hands on asap.

7. Chosen for the cover : The Dispossessed
--probably my favorite cover of all the books I own, and that's not an easy decision.

8. "Missed it by that much" : Cloud Atlas
--the one exception to being owned. I checked it out from the library early for the group reread last month and was so overwhelmed by Christmas that I didn't finish the books I wanted to finish before starting this one, and I decided to take it back when it was almost due instead of trying to squeeze it in real quick. It sat next to my bed for too long and thus should get the attention it deserves, and soon.

9. Based on the blurb : Dawn
--Everything by Octavia E. Butler sounds great to me, but I think this was the first of her books that I added to my TBR, and bought.

10. A non-U.S. or UK setting : Skin Folk
--From what I understand there are several stories set in the Caribbean and other (non-U.S. or U.K.) places. I could probably come up with a better choice for this category, but I really want to read this.

11. Gold in the author's name : The Princess Bride
--another one I can't wait to read, and should've read long ago. This is my all-time favorite movie.

12. A book with a vehicle on the cover : Pandora's Star
--spaceship. A friend just finished the Commonwealth Saga and gave both books 5 stars, and it's on the group shelf.

13. An author's debut novel : Alanna: The First Adventure Finished 1/9/18
--another roll-over from December; trying to catch up with the Tortall buddy read group.

14. "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" : Sphere
--I picked 7 I really want to read; a few each of paperback, Kindle books, and Audible books. I asked my younger daughter to do the "eeny meeny miny moe" since she tends to use that technique a lot in her every day decision making. I'm quite pleased with this choice; it was another favorite movie from my childhood. It terrified me!! I remember introducing it to every friend who stayed the night at my house.

15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone : Outlander
--I'm being difficult here because I don't really want to read outside my comfort zone just now, as there's so many SF/F books I haven't read and need to get to. I'm worried this one will have too much romance for my taste.

16. A book with a romance : Magic Bites
--urban fantasy with a female main character that takes place where I live = can't miss.

17. Standalone novel : Ammonite
--I voted for this one in the poll for the December sci-fi book, but then switched to The Stars Are Legion when I saw it had a chance of winning. I love this cover, too.

18. A book with a character you would shag : Dead Until Dark
--if Eric Northman is as irresistible as he is on the show. :D

19. Read a genre-bender : Soulless
--It seems to have several different sub genres mixed in, does that count? This was the hardest one for me.

20. A book with an animal on the cover : Dragonflight
--yet another rollover from last year. I got about 10% in but stopped because I just had too much I was trying to read. I'm excited to get back into it.

Completed 01/20

[Dj]

Ashley wrote: "I’m in! I’m using only owned books, with one exception.

1. The 13th book : Jane Eyre
2. A book written by a young buck : Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus
3. A book ..."


Mary Poppins? There is really a book for that? I thought it was just a Disney recreation. Hmm. Might have to look it up.

[Ninna]

Dj wrote: "Ninna wrote: "Okay, so I signed up for 5 reading challenges for next year so I might have gotten a little too excited. lol!! This challenge is one of my favorites so I plan to concentrate on it mos..."

Glad to hear this is a good one, DJ! I've read a few of his other books and really enjoyed them but haven't read anything by him for years. Not sure why I haven't but plan to rectify that this year. :-)

[Ashley in Wonderland]

Dj wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I’m in! I’m using only owned books, with one exception.

1. The 13th book : Jane Eyre
2. A book written by a young buck : [book:Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus|18..."

Yes! Are you serious? haha. Have you heard of the Disney movie, Saving Mr. Banks? It’s about the author, P. L. Travers, and how she didn’t want to sell her story to Disney.

I was going to put explanations next to my choices but was too tired last night. I’m hoping my dad never knew they were books either, otherwise I’d be disappointed in him for never introducing them. It reminds me of home because the movie was one of our favorites, and we use to use lots of things from it in our every day lives.

[Lara]

I'm in.

1. The 13th book The Magician
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

[Dj]

Ashley wrote: "Dj wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I’m in! I’m using only owned books, with one exception.

1. The 13th book : Jane Eyre
2. A book written by a young buck : [book:Frankenstein, or The Modern Pr..."

Yep, serious. As a kid, I almost never read kids books. Something that now that I am in my Fifties I have started to rectify. I am going to have to see about finding those.

I will say that Disney Movies were a massive staple growing up. We went to most all of them as a family. Usually at the Drive-In.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

Dj wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Dj wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I’m in! I’m using only owned books, with one exception.

1. The 13th book : Jane Eyre
2. A book written by a young buck : [book:Frankenstein, o..."

If you like Mary Poppins, you should watch Saving Mr. Banks. It’s more recent, from just a few years ago.

We loved Disney too, and the drive-ins were the best! I went to one all the time with my best friend and her family. I really need to take my kids to one.

[Dj]

Ashley wrote: "Dj wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Dj wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I’m in! I’m using only owned books, with one exception.

1. The 13th book : Jane Eyre
2. A book written by a young buck : [book:Fran..."

Going is fun, finding one now is the hard part. We used to all sit in the back of the truck and watch. The other family staple was John Wayne movies.

[John]

Ashley wrote: "Dj wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Dj wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I’m in! I’m using only owned books, with one exception.

1. The 13th book : Jane Eyre
2. A book written by a young buck : [book:Fran..."

Good luck on finding a drive in today I think they are a thing of the past.

[Dj]

John wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Dj wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Dj wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I’m in! I’m using only owned books, with one exception.

1. The 13th book : Jane Eyre
2. A book written by a young bu..."

There are some. I live in Portland, OR, and there is one south of here in a place called Newberg, but I think that is the closest. And it is about an hour drive.

Seems like there may be at least 25 still open.

http://www.countryliving.com/life/tra...

[John]

Lara wrote: "I'm in.

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, sk..."

I'm going to have to check this one here out. Of course some will be easier to decide on than others but it looks like it will be a good challange none the less.

[Emma]

I’m finding this a great way to delete some of my tbr list! I’m looking for books to meet the challenge and there are some books I don’t remember putting on the list OR why I thought I wanted to read them!