2019 TBR Cleanup Challenge

[evofox]

by br i meant initials. alternatively bd. i am having mental blanks and are trying to not do books in same series if i can. any jelp would be nice. also how difficult are garden of the moon and eye of the world to get into?

[Angie]

Bryce wrote: "by br i meant initials. alternatively bd. i am having mental blanks and are trying to not do books in same series if i can. any jelp would be nice. also how difficult are garden of the moon and eye..."

How about The Black Prism? It has a B and and R?

[evofox]

would eye of the world count as a one hit wonder since it is book one of the authors only series

[CBRetriever]

I wouldn't consider it a one hit wonder. Dune, yes, because the rest of the series was no where near as good, but the Eye of the World continues to be pretty good

[Anna]

Bryce wrote: "by br i meant initials."

You have Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set on your TBR, so you could read The Final Empire aka. Mistborn.

[evofox]

Damn. What else would count series wise

[CBRetriever]

to me a one hit wouldn't be involved with a series at all. Frankenstein and To Kill a Mockingbird and The Catcher in the Rye are one hit wonders as the author's either never wrote another book or had a hit book.

Eye of the World wouldn't work for me because book 6 in the series was nominated for a Locus award indicating that it was also a hit. If you want to do a series, I'd suggest getting one book that holds them all, if that's the only series the author wrote and reading the whole thing. Last year I read The Complete Wheel of Time, but it took months.

[Anna]

Wen wrote: "5. Ugly cover — The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirty-Fifth Annual Collection I thought this is cute but once I got the book, the cover is so creepy and so big...I don't even want to touch it..."

It does look kind of cute but I wouldn't want that thing staring at me from my bedside table! :D


Sarah wrote: "8. A book recommended to you - Ninefox Gambit - No one specifically recommended it to me but I know Allison likes it and we tend to agree on things. Also- we have a whole challenge dedicated to it this year so that seems like an endorsement to me! "

Everyone can consider Ninefox thoroughly endorsed!


Allison wrote: "15. One night of sexy times in the city of Palimpsest and you get a veneral disease/addiction to a city of enchantment. I am therefore dubbing this affliction The One Hit Wonder."

Your description has aroused my interest in keeping this book on my TBR.

[Ariana]

Allison wrote: "20. Graphic or illustrated novel - I have so many for this. Hoping maybe Welcome to Lovecraft
...
20. I may change this one because I'm staring at 4 other graphic novels I said I'd read. Woooops."

Don't do it! Stick with Locke & Key. It's soooooo good. I'm not much of a horror fan so I almost skipped this and I'm so glad I didn't. The series was my favorite read of 2018, I think.

[Anthony]

@Allison maybe we can drum up a BR for Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell? That’s my intimidating book, and I fear I may need all the help I can get...

Also: yay for putting Assassin’s Apprentice on your list!

[Mareike]

Allison wrote: "1. Oldest book - The Republic of Thieves
2. Work of art - For colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
3. Novella or short story collection - [..."

I may have to copy you on nr. 4. This has been on my list since it came out.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Wen wrote: "And could I pass my #8 to you? "

Oh boy. I'll do my best!

The Goblin Emperor has a lot of people--well, goblins-- I think you'd like :)

Summers at Castle Auburn I recall being sweet and light. A little on the more romantic side but nothing racy (that I remember!)

This one's a bit of a weird recommendation, but it has a lot of really kind moments and the narrator truly loves people so maybe Touch would be a good "something different" for you.

In scifi, I think you might like Spin

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Anna wrote: "Your description has aroused my interest in keeping this book on my TBR. "

Careful! That's the first symptom of One Hit Wonder.

Bryce, I think you could fit WoT! It's a wonder this one series was such a hit! Boom! :D

Ariana, I will definitely be reading Locke and Key! But I should probably also read ones I bought on impulse :(

Anthony, for sure! Though I'm already kicking myself for it. Two 1000 page books in a month plus group reads, what am I doing??

Mareike, join me! I think that'd be a great conversation, albeit not a very fictional one.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Anthony wrote: "@Allison maybe we can drum up a BR for Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell? That’s my intimidating book, and I fear I may need all the help I can get..."


I would love to do a reread of Strange & Norrell, though I'm not sure when I'll have the time!

[Soo]

I'll join the Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell train. Audio all the way this time around. Simon Prebble is the narrator for the US version. Fits the book vibe.

[Kaa]

I support a BR for Jonathan Strange! That would definitely increase my chances of finishing it.

It looks like my pick for #4 is getting replaced... Whether by Who Fears Death or So You Want to Talk About Race I have not decided. Maybe both? Would any of y'all who picked Who Fears Death be interested in a BR?

[Bobby]

Kaa wrote: "I support a BR for Jonathan Strange! That would definitely increase my chances of finishing it.

It looks like my pick for #4 is getting replaced... Whether by Who Fears Death or So You Want to Ta..."

I would definitely be interested in a buddy read for Who Fears Death, since so many of us have it in this challenge.

[Wen]

Allison wrote: "Wen wrote: "And could I pass my #8 to you? "

Oh boy. I'll do my best!"

Thank you so much for your recommendation. I want to fit them all into the list! In return do you want to read Orlando Furioso? I have no idea about this one, it might end up one star(then why do you suggest it?)

And also here is the link for the music(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AM0V...). It was in Teatro Malibran, Venice and it reminds me our version of Poppy war ends up a summer camp in Venice. I am not sure if you already watched this version of production. It’s very sparkle. :)

And thank you!

[CBRetriever]

you could always read Orlando by Virginia Woolf instead. It has its fantasy aspects

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Haha thank you! The book looks fun ^^

[Wen]

@CBRetriever Thank you, I’ll keep a note. I like the music so far, the story is usually like, what? what is this? :)

@Allison Giving you the sparkle version in return. (I sound like 10 again, haha)

[Wen]

Anthony wrote: "@Allison maybe we can drum up a BR for Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell? That’s my intimidating book, and I fear I may need all the help I can get...

Also: yay for putting Assassin’s Apprentice on y..."

I’ll join too. Even though I have no idea about this but it seems everyone loves it.

[Kristin B.]

1. Oldest book Lud-in-the-Mist
2. Work of art
3. Novella or short story collection All Systems Red
4. Title is a question When
5. Ugly cover (and please share it!)
6. Has inspired other art forms Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
7. Your initials are in the title Bride of Dark and Stormy
8. A book recommended to you Rogue Protocol
9. A book that intimidates you The Long Walk
10. Reminds you of a song War for the Oaks
11. Buddy read (do not need to participate) Exit Strategy
12. Book with a luck symbol Flowers for Algernon
13. The 6th book The Edge of Worlds (sixth in the series when counting short story collections)
14. Last in a series The Winter of the Witch
15. One Hit Wonder Gideon the Ninth
16. Hidden Gem A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy
17. Someplace you want to go Strange Practice
18. Get On the Bandwagon A Night in the Lonesome October
19. Words in Title in Alphabetical Order Artificial Condition
20. Graphic or illustrated novel The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 1: The Apocalypse Suite

[CBRetriever]

Allison wrote: "Haha thank you! The book looks fun ^^"

it was made into a movie with Tilda Swinyton as the main character back in 1992. Other actors were Billy Zane and Quentin Crisp as Queen Elizabeth (excellent casting there). It was also adapted for the theater, so it would fit under category 6 as well plus it is considered "literature" so could qualify as a work of art (#2)

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Awesome! I'm definitely intrigued :) and how fun the whole opera is up!!

[Wen]

Opera buddies ₍₍( ´ ᵕ ` *)⁾⁾

[AndrewP]

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "Completed: 0/20

17. Someplace you want to go - Broken Homes
London. Someday...

."

Unfortunately the Heygate Estate that Broken Holmes is based around was demolished in 2014. And, you wouldn't have wanted to go there without an armed escort.. lol

[Jemppu]

CBRetriever wrote: "...it was made into a movie with Tilda Swinyton as the main character back in 1992. Other actors were Billy Zane and Quentin Crisp as Queen Eliz..."

!!! I remember seeing that movie as a kid. Took me years to figure out what it was. I might need to read the book too at some point then.

[Dj]

Anna wrote: "Gabi, can you find the ugly cover anywhere on the internet? I want to see it! :D"

Click on the link for the title, it shows the cover, and I might not call it ugly, but I was certianly unimpressed.

[Anna]

Dj wrote: "Click on the link for the title, it shows the cover, and I might not call it ugly, but I was certianly unimpressed."

That wouldn't help since Gabi said that "unfortunately GR doesn’t give me the cover to display here", but fortunately she did post the cover a few posts down.

Also, I promise you, I knew there are cover pictures on book pages! :D

[Anna]

I've actually been thinking of reading Orlando, I saw the movie years and years ago, and I sometimes still think about it. I wanted to see everything with Tilda Swinton after that, but it was mostly the combination of her and the period costumes/sets that impressed me. I should really see the movie again, but only after reading the book.

[Mareike]

Allison wrote: "Mareike, join me! I think that'd be a great conversation, albeit not a very fictional one...."

Let's do it!

Anna wrote: "I've actually been thinking of reading Orlando, I saw the movie years and years ago, and I sometimes still think about it. I wanted to see everything with Tilda Swinton after that, but it was mostl..."

Orlando! ❤ I can only recommend! I love Vieginia Woolf, and I especially love Orlando. The only book of hers I like more is Mrs. Dalloway.

[Anna]

Yup, I already downloaded Orlando onto my Kindle, there was conveniently a free epub available on Goodreads. So it's happening, but not before I finish Jade City.

[CBRetriever]

Mareike wrote: "Allison wrote: "Mareike, join me! I think that'd be a great conversation, albeit not a very fictional one...."

Let's do it!

Anna wrote: "I've actually been thinking of reading Orlando, I saw the ..."

same here - I loved Mrs Dalloway. I bought Complete Works of Virginia Woolf (I love Delphi collections) and read all of it. The essays/articles on other authors were a bit much though

[Mareike]

CBRetriever wrote: "Mareike wrote: "Allison wrote: "Mareike, join me! I think that'd be a great conversation, albeit not a very fictional one...."

Let's do it!

Anna wrote: "I've actually been thinking of reading Orl..."

I've only read "A Room of One's Own" and "Three Guineas" and those I really enjoyed.

[~ Giulia ~]

AndrewP wrote: "
Unfortunately the Heygate Estate that Broken Holmes is based around was demolished in 2014. And, you wouldn't have wanted to go there without an armed escort.. lol"

lol. Thinking about it, the sewers and underground tunnels in Whispers Underground weren't exactly dream vacation material too. Sigh, why can't spooks and ethically challenged magicians just haunt the better neighborhoods? :P

[Bobby]

Can someone tell me how to add the picture of the book cover? I wanted to add the cover for my #5 book to my list like others are doing, but I couldn't figure it out.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Bobby wrote: "Can someone tell me how to add the picture of the book cover? I wanted to add the cover for my #5 book to my list like others are doing, but I couldn't figure it out."

Click the Add Book. At the bottom of the little pop up comes up, it says add: link or cover. If you toggle cover, it'll do that for you :)

[Soo]

When you click on "add book/author", do a search for the book and at the bottom of that, you can decide to list the book as a link or list the bookcover.

It looks like this: Recursion &

The difference in code is [ book:---] vs [ bookcover:---]

[Bobby]

Thanks Soo and Allison...Of course it was right in front of my face

[Dj]

Allison wrote: "1. Oldest book
2. Work of art
3. Novella or short story collection
4. Title is a question
5. Ugly cover (and please share it!)
6. Has inspired other art forms
7. Your initials are in the title
8. A..."

Even though I didn't finish the one from last year. I really enjoy this concept. I put together a list for this year and will add it when I have time over the weekend. Looking forward to getting deeper into the list this year.

[Dj]

Monica wrote: "1. Oldest book: on gr tbr The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements or oldest published book..."

Wow. Left Hand of Darkness is your ugliest Cover. You must have a nice looking library.

[Dj]

Cat wrote: "I'll try and join in. Some of these will be quite the challenge! Definitely subject to change...

1. Oldest book - The Broken Sword I'm going by published date. This in 1954, but I ..."

Uhm. Why wouldn't Unicorns count? Unicorns always count I am sure that is in the rules for luck symbols.

[Dj]

Edwin wrote: "I love these, and am in again for all 20, year three.

1. Oldest book
The Monk
--Published in 1796. Do I get the award for the oldest?? Well, hmm, it appears not.
2. Work of art
[book:..."

I never would have made the connetion between a Town Called Alice and White Rabbit, but reading the description you put in, I can see it. Nice match up, can't wait to here what you think of the book.

I have never read it, but watched to movie and really enjoyed it.

[Dj]

Angie wrote: "I'm in!

1. Oldest book
Theogony and Works and Days - according to Goodreads, this is the oldest book on my list, published in -750.
2. Work of art
The Last Unicorn - I, ..."

I believe in Dragons as luck symbols, but I do have to ask, does it work if they misspelled Dragon?

I might be one of the few people I know that really enjoyed the book and thought that the movie was okay. (Of course I didn't see the movie in the theater so that might make a difference)

[Wen]

Anna wrote: "It does look kind of cute but I wouldn't want that thing staring at me from my bedside table! :D"

For sure no bedside table. :)

And I placed a hold for The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition too, thanks, Anna.

[Monica]

Dj wrote: "Wow. Left Hand of Darkness is your ugliest Cover. You must have a nice looking library."

Well to be fair, I only looked among the books I intend to read next year but honestly by any measure, I think the cover is fugly!! ;-)

[Dj]

Anthony wrote: "1. Oldest Book — East of Eden (oldest of the books I’ve wanted to read for a long time)
2. Work of art — The Summer Tree (the first book in a series called The Finoavar Ta..."

Echo and the Bunnymen? Wow that is reaching deep into the pool of musical knowledge.

I really love this one

[Dj]

Bobby wrote: "I love this challenge! Here are my books, and explanations will be below.

1. Oldest book - The Hobbit
2. Work of art - Welcome to Lovecraft
3. Novella or short story col..."

Blinded by the Light? Just have to ask, Manfred Mann, or Bruce Springstein?

[Dj]

Bobby wrote: "Allison wrote: "Hmmm, okay here are some more I'd definitely recommend to you that I didn't see on your shelf:

Sabriel - a good guy necromancer, one of the coolest magic systems I've..."

I second the recommendations for Sabriel. I really enjoyed the book.