2018 TBR Cleanup Challenge!

[Donald]

Allison wrote: "The Art of War (IDK why this is an enduring classic. Do we just worship firsts?)"

It (and Machiavelli's The Prince is another) has been so subsumed into culture these days that what would have been really illuminating is now accepted knowledge.

While I found both of those interesting and enjoyed them, I think a large part of their "classic" status is because of namechecking of old books that still seem relevant.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Donald wrote: "Allison wrote: "The Art of War (IDK why this is an enduring classic. Do we just worship firsts?)"

It (and Machiavelli's The Prince is another) has been so subsumed into culture these days that wha..."

IDK, I really enjoyed The Prince. But then I read it with annotations that discussed the political culture at the time, etc. There is a lot of stuff that is subsumed but he still has some suggestions that were shocking when I read it (not gonna say how long ago, lol).

I had to force myself through Art of War and never finished. Then I tried The 48 Laws of Power and had to quit because its evil.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

It's possible it's subsumed...I think I joked about how having the high ground and feeding soldiers seems like a no brainer. Perhaps before -500 BCE it was not common practice to do these things, but I somehow doubt that, even. Starving or abusing soldiers may be *a* tactic, but it's not one that historically has seen great long term results.

Agreed that I think The Prince (which I haven't finished, but read excerpts of) has some stronger "philosophy" in the sense that there's more to contemplate, even if the reader doesn't agree, and that there's more to it than the "fear/love" paradigm.

[Dj]

Donald wrote: "Allison wrote: "The Art of War (IDK why this is an enduring classic. Do we just worship firsts?)"

It (and Machiavelli's The Prince is another) has been so subsumed into culture these days that wha..."

On top of that, Art of War is still an easier read than Vom Krieg, or On War.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Allison wrote: "It's possible it's subsumed...I think I joked about how having the high ground and feeding soldiers seems like a no brainer. Perhaps before -500 BCE it was not common practice to do these things, b..."

My grandma always says that each generation gets weaker and wiser.

We have digital maps and far-reaching weather forecasts now and we have a better way to save and transport food. Back in Machiavelli's day, there was no refrigerated transport and all transport was at the speed of horse. So, imagine that a general had a bad map? Or the map didn't detail the rockiness of the terrain, etc? You can end up with your soldiers trying to live off the land.

And it's pretty common knowledge now that fighting multiple wars at the same time is considered idiotic - but i don't think it was back in the day (common knowledge, that is. It was still idiotic).

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Well, sure. But it wasn't about how to plan supply trains or the operations of war. Even "honor your mapmakers and revise your maps often" wasn't a tip. Just "if you don't bring enough food, try to live off the land or steal it from your enemy."

...GEE THANKS.

Idk. I think I'm putting this in the glad to have read it, don't understand why/how people "use it today" category.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Allison wrote: "Well, sure. But it wasn't about how to plan supply trains or the operations of war. Even "honor your mapmakers and revise your maps often" wasn't a tip. Just "if you don't bring enough food, try to..."

Because it became common knowledge but wasn't before. We're animals and we learn from each other. And - let's just be honest - a lot of us are as stupid as a load of bricks. These idiots are still breeding and voting. I know - I'm related to a lot of them.

My grandma gave me a cookbook on my wedding day. It was a cookbook she was given on HER wedding day. In the section on poultry, it starts with "go outside and get a chicken." It then goes on to discuss cutting off the head, plucking it and gutting it (before cutting into pieces).

I mean, my grandma is old but she's not THAT old. I trust people have been eating chicken years before grandma was born. But people are still idiots...

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I think I'm doing a bad job explaining my complaint.

I get that maybe people found Sun Tzu's ideas revolutionary (or at least that he was the first person to get them all down in one place).

*I* read it because I kept hearing how timeless the advice is and how it's the foundation of all books on leadership and business strategy. What I *don't* understand is why people keep saying this.

[Dj]

MrsJoseph wrote: "Allison wrote: "Well, sure. But it wasn't about how to plan supply trains or the operations of war. Even "honor your mapmakers and revise your maps often" wasn't a tip. Just "if you don't bring eno..."

Wow, that was the way you made Chicken at my Maternal Grandmothers house as well. Sometimes it is really hard to catch those things.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Allison wrote: "I think I'm doing a bad job explaining my complaint.

I get that maybe people found Sun Tzu's ideas revolutionary (or at least that he was the first person to get them all down in one place).

*I*..."


Giving credit where credit is due?

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Dj wrote: "Wow, that was the way you made Chicken at my Maternal Grandmothers house as well. Sometimes it is really hard to catch those things. "

IKR??! And they WILL peck you!

I had a pet chicken as a kid, lol.

[Dj]

MrsJoseph wrote: "Dj wrote: "Wow, that was the way you made Chicken at my Maternal Grandmothers house as well. Sometimes it is really hard to catch those things. "

IKR??! And they WILL peck you!

I had a pet chicke..."

I took a friend over to my Grandmothers and they said something about having a Chicken for a pet, my Grandmothers response was classic. She said there are only two types of chickens, those that lay eggs, and those that are dinner. The whole point of a pet is being able to pet it, Chickens, don't pet.

Farmers really do have some clear-sighted ideas about things.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I am fond of the notion that The Prince was written satirically. It's not actually written to say, "These are things you should do." It's reflecting on the abuses of power of the time.

Although the work advises princes how to tyrannize, Machiavelli is generally thought to have preferred some form of free republic.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Dj wrote: "I took a friend over to my Grandmothers and they said something about having a Chicken for a pet, my Grandmothers response was classic. She said there are only two types of chickens, those that lay eggs, and those that are dinner. The whole point of a pet is being able to pet it, Chickens, don't pet.

Farmers really do have some clear-sighted ideas about things."

I got mine early enough that I was able to train her, lol!

I could get her to sit, stay and she'd follow me around. That's about all I got to before she "died" and mom "buried" her.

hmmmm.....

[Dj]

MrsJoseph wrote: "Dj wrote: "I took a friend over to my Grandmothers and they said something about having a Chicken for a pet, my Grandmothers response was classic. She said there are only two types of chickens, tho..."

Hmmm, indeed.

[Lost Planet Airman]

CBRetriever wrote: "The World Book Day deals on Amazon added another 9 books to my TBR pile

Sadness

but gladness because they were free"

I made my daughter download them (on the family account), so they don't count against my owned-book totals!


Dj wrote: "MrsJoseph wrote: "Dj wrote: "I took a friend over to my Grandmothers and they said something about having a Chicken for a pet, my Grandmothers response was classic. She said there are only two type..."

Same daughter was once-upon-a-time allowed to hatch a clutch of chicken eggs. We had a hard time getting the farmer to take the chicks back, so we had them until they reached about pigeon-size. Those effing things were nothing but angry, vicious, micro-sized Jurassic Park escapees. Pardon my Latvian.

[Dj]

Mike wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "The World Book Day deals on Amazon added another 9 books to my TBR pile

Sadness

but gladness because they were free"

I made my daughter download them (on the family account),..."

Oh, doesn't have quite the same feeling as the giant-sized velociraptors in the movies though.
To give this something along the lines of a literary meaning. When I was in Jr. High I read the poem, The Raven. Being raised in Iowa, Raven's were a little light on the ground and when told it was something like a bigger Crow, the poem didn't really do that much for me.
Then when I was in the Army I got sent to Alaska. There they have Raven's by the bushel load. Even better since everything is bigger in Alaska, they are pretty close to three feet tall and when in groups of ten to twenty they argue right of way on the sidewalk with you.
After seeing those I figured that if one tapped at my window and the stated Nevermore, I would move to the next county, just to be sure.

[Esther]

When I was a little girl my grandmother loved pheasant so for her birthday we would buy a brace of pheasants. From since when I can remember I would come home on my Grandmother's birthday to find the kitchen full of feathers. She would leave me to pull out the small feathers that were so tiny that only my little fingers could grasp them.
Most of my friends now find that horrifying but as a child I loved going to our local butcher and last time I visited Harrod's food halls I was disappointed that they no longer have carcasses or game hanging from the ceiling and the fish display was nowhere to be seen.
It is not that people no longer have any idea where there food comes from they don't want to know either.

[CBRetriever]

go to France and go to a marche - the chickens still have their heads and feet on them

[Lost Planet Airman]

Not to get off topic here, but I finished another book toward my TBR Challenge:
1. The 13th book: Kushiel's Dart
2. Over-the-hill author: Doctor Who: The Coming of the Terraphiles
3. Humor or horror: To Say Nothing of the Dog
4. 300-350 pages: Alphabet of Thorn
=== === = = = = = = === === === = === = === === = === === === = = = = = = === ===
5. A book that reminds you of home: make of this what you will, but it's going to be The Shadow of the Torturer
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover
7. Chosen for the cover

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Mike wrote: "Not to get off topic here, but I finished another book toward my TBR Challenge:
A book that reminds you of home: make of this what you will, but it's going to be The Shadow of the Torturer..."

LMAO

[Lost Planet Airman]

Allison wrote: "Mike wrote: "Not to get off topic here, but I finished another book toward my TBR Challenge:
A book that reminds you of home: make of this what you will, but it's going to be The Shadow of the Torturer..."

LMAO"

Thanks, Allison. Everyone ELSE must be off getting their restraining orders against me...

[Susan]

1. The 13th book
The Blinding Knife
2. A book written by an author who is/was still in diapers or over-the-hill.
3. A book with humor or horror
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
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
I Shall Wear Midnight
9. Based on the blurb or blerg
The Dragonbone Chair
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
Outlander (So embarrassingly bad...)
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
The Library at Mount Char
16. A book with a mystery or romance
The Burning Page
17. Standalone novel
The Lathe of Heaven
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill
19. Read a genre-bender
The Left Hand of Darkness
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover

[Lizzie]

Can I ask what people do if they find part way through one of their chosen books that they really aren't enjoying it, and want to move on to another book? Do you still count the abandoned book towards your total, or do you have to replace it with another one that fits the theme? Or do you just try and be brave and make your way through it?! Thanks!

For interest, it's Weaveworld, and I'm 23% in.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I've decided to count DNF's and tick off that category, because you did technically remove it from your TBR pile.

[Lizzie]

colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "I've decided to count DNF's and tick off that category, because you did technically remove it from your TBR pile."

I like that logic!

[Esther]

colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "I've decided to count DNF's and tick off that category, because you did technically remove it from your TBR pile."

I would agree with that.

[Lost Planet Airman]

colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "I've decided to count DNF's and tick off that category, because you did technically remove it from your TBR pile."

That's way too sensible. Please step out of the line and come this way. We have a special room for your kind.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Mike wrote: "That's way too sensible. Please step out of the line and come this way. We have a special room for your kind. "


Is it bouncy? Or does it have a ball pit?

Otherwise, I'm not sure I'm interested...

[Lost Planet Airman]

colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "Mike wrote: "That's way too sensible. Please step out of the line and come this way. We have a special room for your kind. "

Is it bouncy? Or does it have a ball pit?

Otherwise, I'm not sure I'm..."

We have a pit. Nobody has yet been gracious enough to let us know what was at the bottom. Come to think of it, not even sure if there is a bottom...

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

That doesn't sound fun. :(

[Dj]

colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "That doesn't sound fun. :("

But, but, if it doesn't have a bottom you can get that wonderful falling sensation forevers. No weight on my poor feets.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

[Dj]

colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: ""

See if he had had a book, he would have been fine. LOL

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

[Becky]

I have an update! (By which I mean, I finally stopped planning my list and started just applying books I've read this year to tasks they fit. I have issues. Shhhh...)

1. The 13th book
Duma Key by Stephen King (13th read book of 2018)

2. A book written by a young buck or geezer

3. A book with humor or horror
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

4. 300-350 pages
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara (328p)

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 - The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters by Tom Nichols

10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting
Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie (England)

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
The Dark Winter by David Mark

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
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson (both!)

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

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Completed:

2. A book written by an author who is over-the-hill. - After Alice by Gregory Maguire -
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover - Saturdays at Sea -
7. Chosen for the cover - Gunslinger Girl -
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for - A Gathering of Shadows
16. A book with a mystery or romance - Murder Most Unladylike


Currently Reading:

1. The 13th book - The Black Prism - currently reading
4. 300-350 pages - Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet - currently reading


Planned:
3. A book with humor or horror - The Serpent of Venice
5. A book that reminds you of home - The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
9. Based on the blurb or blerg - The Cruel Prince
10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting - Rebel of the Sands
11. Gold on the cover, in the title, or in the author's name -
Strands of Bronze and Gold
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover, from a carriage to a spaceship - The Long-Lost Home
13. An author's debut novel - Daughter of the Pirate King
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one  - Magic Below Stairs
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone -
One of Us Is Lying
17. Standalone novel - Jane Steele
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill -
The Obsidian Dagger: Being the Further Extraordinary Adventures of Horatio Lyle
19. Read a genre-bender  - The Severed Streets
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover  -
The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

End result, how was Murder Most Unladylike?

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Sadly rather meh.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Bummerrrr. Hope the next one gets better.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Thanks. Me too!

[Lost Planet Airman]

1. The 13th book: Kushiel's Dart
2. Over-the-hill author: Doctor Who: The Coming of the Terraphiles
3. Humor or horror: To Say Nothing of the Dog
4. 300-350 pages: Alphabet of Thorn
5. reminds you of home: The Shadow of the Torturer
=== === = = = = = = === === === = === = === === = === === === = = = = = = === ===
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover: The Dispossessed
7. Chosen for the cover

[Leticia]

1. The 13th book - Armada
2. A book written by a young buck or geezer (use your own age definitions because I ain't goin' there) I'm too young for this challenge LOL
3. A book with humor or horror - humor - Bridget Jones's Baby: The Diaries
4. 300-350 pages - Blood of Wonderland
5. A book that reminds you of home - Wintersong the setting is in south Germany where I live. ;-)
6. Suns, skies, stars, or planets on the cover - Leviathan Wakes
7. Chosen for the cover - The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic
8. "Missed it by that much" - a book you really wanted to read but didn't have time for - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
9. Based on the blurb or blerg - Ninefox Gambit
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 - Mortal Engines
13. An author's debut novel
14. Make a list of 5-7 books and use "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" to choose one - Ruby Red
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone - The Library at Mount Char
16. A book with a mystery or romance - Something from the Nightside
17. Standalone novel - Prime Meridian
18. A book with a character you would marry, shag, or kill
19. Read a genre-bender - The Ballad of Black Tom
20. A book with an animal, vegetable, or mineral on the cover - Nevernight

[Becky]

I have another update!

1. The 13th book
Duma Key by Stephen King (13th read book of 2018)

2. A book written by a young buck or geezer

3. A book with humor or horror
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

4. 300-350 pages
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara (328p)

5. A book that reminds you of home

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

7. Chosen for the cover
The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

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 - The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters by Tom Nichols

10. A non-U.S. or UK publication/setting
Necroscope by Brian Lumley (Russia & Romania)

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
The Dark Winter by David Mark

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
My Commander by Aleana Alder (Not really out of my COMFORT zone, just not a genre I prefer to read. Counting it anyway!)

16. A book with a mystery or romance
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson (both!)

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
The Yard by Alex Grecian (Birds on the cover)

[CBRetriever]

I have 4 left:

1. The 13th book The Forgotten Girls

9. Based on the blurb or blerg Dun Lady's Jess - love the premise and hopefully it will spur me to get the rest of the series (bought because of the first blurb)

13. An author's debut novel Wizard's First Rule which will hopefully get me started on completing the series. I have read this in PB, but not in Ebook format

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

Should be able to finish off all but #13 shortly and I don't want to start another mega-series until I've finished the The Complete Wheel of Time.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

I am so behind on this challenge. I've read 4/20.

1. The 13th book : Red Rising
2. A book by an author who is/was over-the-hill : A Clash of Kings - currently reading
3. A book with horror : Revenge of the Witch
4. 300-350 pages : Sundiver
5. A book that reminds you of home : Mary Poppins (LOVED)
6. Stars on the cover : The Sparrow
7. Chosen for the cover : The Dispossessed (LOVED more than almost anything)
8. "Missed it by that much" : Cloud Atlas
9. Based on the blurb : Dawn
10. A non-U.S. or UK setting : Skin Folk
11. Gold in the author's name : The Princess Bride (LOVED)
12. A book with a vehicle on the cover : Pandora's Star
13. An author's debut novel : Alanna: The First Adventure (Not for me)
14. "Eeny Meeny Miny Moe" : Sphere
15. A book from a genre that's outside your comfort zone : Outlander
16. A book with a romance : Magic Bites
17. Standalone novel : Ammonite
18. A book with a character you would shag : Dead Until Dark
19. Read a genre-bender : Soulless
20. A book with an animal on the cover : Dragonflight

I’m trying to get to Dead Until Dark and Dragonflight next.

[Dj]

Becky wrote: "I have another update!

1. The 13th book
Duma Key by Stephen King (13th read book of 2018)

2. A book written by a young buck or geezer

3. A book with humor or horror
[book:Born a ..."

Not to be to much of a Sticker, but England is in the UK. Just sayin.

[Lost Planet Airman]

1. The 13th book: Kushiel's Dart
2. Over-the-hill author: Doctor Who: The Coming of the Terraphiles
3. Humor or horror: To Say Nothing of the Dog
4. 300-350 pages: Alphabet of Thorn
5. reminds you of home: The Shadow of the Torturer
6. planets on the cover: The Dispossessed
=== === = = = = = = === === === = === = === === = === === === = = = = = = === ===
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

[Becky]

Dj wrote: "Not to be to much of a Sticker, but England is in the UK. Just sayin."

LOL! I was so confused by this and it took me way too long to figure out what you were talking about.

I know, of course, that England is in the UK... It's just that I misinterpreted the task. I thought it was specifying a non-US setting, or a UK setting. Now that you point it out it seems obvious that I misread it.

I'll change the book out for an appropriate one!

[Becky]

Fixed!