2020 TBR Cleanup Challenge

[Saar The Book owl]

1. Inspired by a meme It
I saw a meme posted here and I wanted tor ead the book for so long. I recently saw the remake of the movie, but I found it not great. Never saw the original one.
2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win) 11/22/63: nominated for British Fantasy Award and Locus Award for Best SciFi Novel: it's Stephen King, I'm a fan since my early teenager - years, so...
3. Small Publisher: Aïn, de dood van de halfling (Books of Fantasy: a smal Dutch fantasy publisher)
4. Relationship between humans/animals: Victory of Eagles: I need to finish this series for so long now. maybe this year will work.
5. Recommended by a public figure
6. Steal from someone else
7. Makes you wonder
8. Fits a past SFFBC nomination theme
9. #ownvoices
10. Won a smaller or regional award
11. What a title?!
12. Published in a memorable year
13. #relatable
14. Seven or Twenty
15. Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages
16. Pushing the boundaries
17. The next [insert popular series here]
18. LOLed IRL
19. Seen in an ad or on social media
20. Hindsight is 20/20

[CBRetriever]

Yay to the non-SFF books option. Red Badge of Courage will do for the dialect one. I'd already read the African, Caribbean and Mark Twain books on my TBR list, so I really had to hunt

[CBRetriever]

Is there going to be a second 2020 challenge like the Time Traveller one from last year where you earn points?

[Anna]

CBRetriever wrote: "Is there going to be a second 2020 challenge like the Time Traveller one from last year where you earn points?"

Most likely not :( But Time Traveler, Owned Books, Monopoly, etc. are all still there if someone wants another round!

[Kaa]

Finished my preliminary list! I did a lottttt of stealing from other lists, and not just for category #6.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Anna wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "Is there going to be a second 2020 challenge like the Time Traveller one from last year where you earn points?"

Most likely not :( But Time Traveler, Owned Books, Monopoly, etc..."

To clarify, there are likely one or two other things we'll be doing, but they're not points/game based challenges, per se. We're still figuring out the schedule, but I promise next year should not be boring for those who like reading adventures. :-D

[CBRetriever]

sounds good

[Meredith]

Kaa wrote: "Yay, I've been waiting for the prompts to be posted! I haven't finished picking all the categories yet, and they are likely to change, but here's a start:

6. double steal - stolen from Meredith who stole it from Anna!"

The double steal! Nice!

I added one of your picks to my 'alternative choices' list, in case I feel compelled to switch my selection.

[CBRetriever]

done but waiting on something to steal that's in my TBR pile and that I haven't already read

[Dj]

1. Inspired by a meme
A Spell for Chameleon

I saw a meme with President Trump, saying the face your bully makes when they are beaten up by a 16-year-old girl.

I thought of characters that had been bullied in stories and came out on top and this one went tot he top of the list.


2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win)
Alphabet of Thorn

According to the Good Reads listing, it was nominated for quite a few without winning
Locus Award Nominee for Best SF Novel (2005), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for Adult Literature (2005), Endeavour Award Nominee (2005)

3. Small publisher
Black Annis

The publisher is the author, can't say it gots much smaller than that.


4. Relationship between humans/animals
City

A series of stories that have been linked together to tell one overriding story, mostly involving dogs.


5. Recommended by a public figure
Seveneves Bill Gates

The only Sci-Fi book on his recommendation list and I need to give the author another chance.

6. Steal from someone else
Altered Carbon

Well, it seems that others are using this to 'steal' a book on someone else's list. I figured that since he stole a body and someone else stole his life it pretty much qualified. Might reconsider after a bit.

7. Makes you wonder
Why did the Chicken Cross the World?

I am sure it will work out to something simple, but from a historical perspective, I am sure I will find it interesting.

8. Fits a past SFFBC nomination theme
Bear and Nightingale

I tried to read this one when it was a group read and lost the pace so now I am going to try and finish it up.

9. #ownvoices
Helmet for a Pillow

The author is telling his own story of his experiences in WWII

10. Won a smaller or regional award
The Aeronauts Windlass

Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (RT Award) for Fantasy Adventure (2015), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fantasy (2015)

It doesn't seem to be big awards, I would suspect that the Goodreads is the bigger of the two.


11. What a title?!
VooDoo Science

Voodoo and Science, not much of a bigger what in my mind.

12. Published in a memorable year
Glory Road

1963, the year I was born.

13. #relatable
Fad and Fallacies in the Name of Science

I can relate to things that make no sense in the context that they are presented. Might have to do with working Customer Service so long.

14. Seven or Twenty
The Eye of the World

The twentieth book on my list. And I have been wanting to read the series since it has finally been finished.

15. Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages
Caliban's War

The Belter language seems to fit the bill.

16. Pushing the boundaries
Monsieur Pamplemousse

It tests the boundaries of the ability to suspend your disbelief.

17. The next [Iron Druid]
Junkyard Druid

Another Urban Druid series. I hope it is enjoyable.

18. LOLed IRL
D is for Dahl

When I read his autobiography I couldn't believe how funny it was. So there is no way I am going to pass up a chance to laugh like that again.

19. Seen in an ad or on social media
Dragon and Thief

I have seen this book advertised here and in the book recommendations that are sent to be my Amazon, Good Reads, and Book Bub

20. Hindsight is 20/20
A Drop Too Many

This is written by the Officer that survived the assault on Arnhem Bridge. A part of the Story that was used in the movie A Bridge Too Far.

[Kaa]

Meredith wrote: "I added one of your picks to my 'alternative choices' list, in case I feel compelled to switch my selection."

Awesome, it's like a steal trade!

[Raucous]

Dj wrote: "... City. A series of stories that have been linked together to tell one overriding story, mostly involving dogs...."

Ooh... That sounds fascinating. I may have to make that one my new steal (or at least my steal backup). Thanks!

[Angie]

I have spent WAY too much time fussing over this. :) I'll probably change a couple later on, but this is a good plan for now.

1. Inspired by a meme
Redshirts
2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win)
River of Teeth
3. Small publisher
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
4. Relationship between humans/animals
On Basilisk Station
5. Recommended by a public figure
TBD
6. Steal from someone else:
The Lies of Locke Lamora
7. Makes you wonder
The Name of the Wind
8. Fits a past SFFBC
Artificial Condition
The Stars My Destination
9. #ownvoices
Trail of Lightning
10. Won a smaller or regional award
Six-Gun Snow White
11. What a title?!
How Much for Just the Planet?
12. Published in a memorable year
His Majesty's Dragon
13. #relatable
Small Favor
14. Seven or Twenty
Wild Seed
15. Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages
Brown Girl in the Ring
16. Pushing the boundaries
The Left Hand of Darkness
17. The next [Harry Potter]
The Trials of Morrigan Crow
18. LOLed IRL
Divine Misfortune
19. Seen in an ad or on social media
The Last Wish
20. Hindsight is 20/20
Station Eleven

And my reasons for choosing the aforementioned books: (view spoiler)[

1. Since I’m not sure how to insert a picture, I’ll insert a link. This was the meme that made me go, “Idiot. You can read Redshirts for this prompt!”
2. Nominated for but did not win the Hugo, the Nebula, and the Locus.
3. This is published by Quirk Books. I was an English and a History major, and I managed to get through high school, college, and grad school without ever having to read Pride and Prejudice. This might be as close as I come.
4. I’ve been sucked in by the promise of telempathic treecats.
5. Still perusing lists
6. According to the blurb, the main character is a thief.
7. When I think about reading this book, I wonder if the author will ever finish the trilogy. I’ve been holding off on this series until a firm date for the third book is announced, but apparently he's not our bitch, and I don't know if the book will ever happen. So I’m caving and reading this one.
8. Both fit the “Robots, Androids, & Cyborgs Sci-Fi” from February 2017.
9. Indigenous character, indigenous author
10. I’ve decided the Locus Award is small enough and regional enough to count.
11. I was supposed to read this for “Title is a Question” this year, but when I was finally ready to read it, I found that the library queue is quite long, and I won’t get it this year. Guess that means it’s good!
12. Published in 2006, the year I was awarded my Master’s Degree.
13. I mean, I’m not a wizard, but I find Harry to be a pretty regular guy with regular worries.
14. I made a list of books from the Group Shelf that I want to read, then I typed them into the list randomizer on random.org. I chose between books 7 and 20.
15. Hopkinson was pretty much the first author that popped into my head. I’ve been meaning to read something by her for a while.
16. This book pushed a lot of boundaries when it was first published back in the late ‘60s.
17. Full disclosure: This is a new addition to my TBR. I didn’t know what to do for this prompt, but I saw another book in the series mentioned by Anna. So I swiped the idea.
18. The first couple of lines had me in stitches. The rest of the book should be a riot.
19. So, twitter had Henry Cavil reading the first few minutes of this book as an advertisement for the Netflix series based on it. I was planning on watching the series and reading the books anyway, but really... letting Henry Cavil sit in a leather armchair with a glass of whiskey as he reads to me is a good marketing tool. All the publishing companies should do it.
20. Hindsight tells me I should have read this by now.



(hide spoiler)]

[Banshee]

It took a bit of research, but I'm pretty happy with my list :)

Status: 20/20 read

1. Inspired by a meme: Harrow the Ninth
2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win): Trail of Lightning
3. Small publisher: Servant of the Underworld
4. Relationship between humans/animals: Dreamsnake
5. Recommended by a public figure: Nevernight
6. Steal from someone else: The Lies of Locke Lamora
7. Makes you wonder: The City We Became
8. Fits a past SFFBC nomination theme: The Three-Body Problem
9. #ownvoices: The Marrow Thieves
10. Won a smaller or regional award: Pan Lodowego Ogrodu. Tom 1
11. What a title?!: The Ocean at the End of the Lane
12. Published in a memorable year: Grass
13. #relatable: Network Effect
14. Seven or Twenty: A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor
15. Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars
16. Pushing the boundaries: The Sparrow
17. The next [Harry Potter]: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
18. LOLed IRL: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
19. Seen in an ad or on social media: Red Rising
20. Hindsight is 20/20: The Dispossessed

Explanations here:
(view spoiler)[1. "Shut up and take my money" meme. Because I need the sequel to Gideon the Ninth NOW.
2. Nominated for Hugo and Nebula in 2019, it didn't win either.
3. I don't really pay attention to publishers, especially in foreign countries such as US or UK, so I needed to google it. Baen Books (that I found on the list of smaller and independent publishers) has this novel listed on their website.
4. Relationship between healers and snakes.
5. Recommended by V.E. Schwab.
6. It's about thieves.
7. Makes me wonder what kind of result the combination of the author I love (Jemisin) with sub-genre I'm not crazy about (urban fantasy) will have.
8. "Translated Sci Fi" nomination theme.
9. By indigenous author about indigenous people of North America.
10. Won a Polish fantasy award, Janusz A. Zajdel Award in 2005.
11. This title is just so strange!
12. Published in the year when I was born.
13. The main character is an introvert with social anxiety just like me.
14. Published in 07.2020
15. An important theme is communication between species that think in different ways.
16. A first contact novel.
17. I saw it described as the next Harry Potter.
18. That should definitely get me laughing.
19. I keep seeing it promoted on Booktube and Goodreads.
20. Hindsight tells me that I shouldn't call myself a true SFF fan until I finally read this classic. (hide spoiler)]

Finished books:

[Dj]

Raucous wrote: "Dj wrote: "... City. A series of stories that have been linked together to tell one overriding story, mostly involving dogs...."

Ooh... That sounds fascinating. I may have to make that one my new ..."

De Nada. Simak writes some very interesting stuff

[Petar]

Well, I certainly spent a bit more time getting this list together than last year, but that's half the fun ;-)

Quite a lot that falls outside of the SFF genre, a few with explanations.

1. Inspired by a meme - The Prosperity Gospel: How Scott Morrison won and Bill Shorten lost - There is no shortage of memes featuring Australia's illustrious Prime Minister, Scott Morrison (also known as 'Dear Leader').
2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win) - SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome
3. Small publisher - A Time to Die: The Untold Story of the Kursk Tragedy
4. Relationship between humans/animals - Dogs of War
5. Recommended by a public figure - The World As It Is: Inside the Obama White House
6. Steal from someone else - All the Birds in the Sky - Stolen from another Goodreads group.
7. Makes you wonder - Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War - A postulation of what a near future world war might look like.
8. Fits a past SFFBC nomination theme - The Rules of the Game: Jutland and British Naval Command - From the 2018 TBR Challenge number 12, a book with a vehicle on the cover. I think a warship counts as a vehicle.
9. #ownvoices - Terra Nullius - Indigenous Australian.
10. Won a smaller or regional award - The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King—the Five-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea - Colorado Book Award for History.
11. What a title?! - What It Is Like to Go to War
12. Published in a memorable year - 2312 - Published in 2012, a memorable year for me.
13. #relatable - Man's Search for Meaning
14. Seven or Twenty - A Canticle for Leibowitz - The 7th Hugo Award winner.
15. Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages - Persepolis Rising - The Expanse series has developed it's own dialect for Belters.
16. Pushing the boundaries - Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
17. The next [insert popular series here] - Devil Said Bang - The 4th book in Richard Kadrey's Sandman Slim series will determine whether I persist with the series or not.
18. LOLed IRL - Witches Abroad - Terry Pratchett is one of three authors who have made me LOL IRL.
19. Seen in an ad or on social media - We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy
20. Hindsight is 20/20 - Time and Time Again

[Petar]

And I realise that I completely misinterpreted number 17.

Meh, I'm sticking with it.

[Dj]

Petar wrote: "Well, I certainly spent a bit more time getting this list together than last year, but that's half the fun ;-)

Quite a lot that falls outside of the SFF genre, a few with explanations.

1. Inspire..."


I really enjoyed the Admirals.
Can't wait to hear what you have to say about A time to die.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

So, I think I'm gonna try and do that thing where I just read books and then try and fit them into a task because, honestly, right now I'm looking at these prompts... and I'm looking at my books... and I'm just like

[Eva]

LOL, me too!

I'm currently wondering how I can make the tight spandex of my various prompts fit over the big ass of the books I want to read. I'll make them fit somehow!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

LOL what a visual! XD

[Petar]

Eva wrote: "LOL, me too!

I'm currently wondering how I can make the tight spandex of my various prompts fit over the big ass of the books I want to read. I'll make them fit somehow!"

Hahaha.

Gold!

[Petar]

Dj wrote: "Can't wait to hear what you have to say about A time to die...."

A colleague of mine has already read it and recommended it. I have a great interest in naval history and the story of the Kursk is so tragic. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Is that a bit morbid?

[CBRetriever]

I'm still waiting on a tempting target to pilfer from someone's list.... Everything that looks interesting I've already read :(

or would have to buy which defeats the idea of cleaning out my TBR pile

[Dj]

Petar wrote: "Dj wrote: "Can't wait to hear what you have to say about A time to die...."

A colleague of mine has already read it and recommended it. I have a great interest in naval history and the story of th..."

I read WWII history as a hobby, so probably not the person to ask on that. Have you looked at the WWII group? You would meet a number of like minded individuals
Between that and the SciFi and Fantasy Group I am in book reading heaven

[CBRetriever]

Mystery group for me

[Dj]

CBRetriever wrote: "Mystery group for me"

I have a mystery listed for one of my TBR books this year

[Meredith]

Kaa wrote: "Meredith wrote: "I added one of your picks to my 'alternative choices' list, in case I feel compelled to switch my selection."

Awesome, it's like a steal trade!"

Okay, I decided to make the switch because Borderline has been on my TBR longer than Ancestral Night and I definitely need more stealing in my life.

[CBRetriever]

Dj wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "Mystery group for me"

I have a mystery listed for one of my TBR books this year"

I don't for once, but I have 3 non-fiction books including one history

The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam

[Kaa]

Meredith wrote: "Kaa wrote: "Meredith wrote: "I added one of your picks to my 'alternative choices' list, in case I feel compelled to switch my selection."

Awesome, it's like a steal trade!"

Okay, I decided to ma..."

Hooray! I hear really good things about Borderline, so hopefully we both enjoy it!

[Dj]

CBRetriever wrote: "Dj wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "Mystery group for me"

I have a mystery listed for one of my TBR books this year"

I don't for once, but I have 3 non-fiction books including one history

[book:The M..."

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed The March of Folly. I hope you enjoy it as well.

[~ Giulia ~]

Ok, I'm ready with my list that I'll probably change at some point XD
Completed: 14/20

✔1. Inspired by a meme - All Systems Red
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]
✔2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win) - The Killing Moon
✔3. Small publisher - Children of the White Star
✔4. Relationship between humans/animals - The Forgotten Beasts of Eld
5. Recommended by a public figure - Conrad's Fate
It has one of those small blurbs/endorsements on the cover by Neil Gaiman
6. Steal from someone else - Foundryside
MC is a thief
✔7. Makes you wonder - Last Argument of Kings
Last in a trilogy, makes me wonder how the author will wrap it up.
✔8. Fits a past SFFBC nomination theme - Odinsbarn
January 2019: Norse Fantasy
9. #ownvoices - Descendant of the Crane
It's tagged own-voices on the first page of tags
10. Won a smaller or regional award - The Help
✔11. What a title?! - The Carpet Makers
The title of my edition is something like "Billions of Carpets Made of Hair"
✔12. Published in a memorable year - Jakob the Liar
1969 - first man on the moon
✔13. #relatable - Scrivere è un mestiere pericoloso
I lived for a few years in the city it's set in
14. Seven or Twenty - Prodigy
The 20th book on the TBR list
15. Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages - White Night
More a catchphrase, but... Hell's bells, Harry! You sure like to repeat it.
✔16. Pushing the boundaries - Johannes Cabal the Necromancer
Pushing the boundaries between life and death with necromancy.
✔17. The next [Mistborn] - The Alloy of Law
✔18. LOLed IRL - Foxglove Summer
These books usually are humorous
✔19. Seen in an ad or on social media - Roses of May
Just picked a book I've seen on GR. You guys (and GR in general) are responsible for a good chunk of my TBR :P
✔20. Hindsight is 20/20 - The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
Time travel

[Anna]

Haha, Murderbot! <3

[Monica]

20/20

✔1. Inspired by a meme: MaddAddam Pretty sure I can find a meme to support the waterless flood in a COVID 19 environment
✔2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win): Home Fire nominated for several awards: Booker long list, Women Prize for Fiction, International Book award etc
✔3. Small publisher: Mid-life Cyclists To know this is a small publisher, all one has to do is look at the cover
✔4. Relationship between humans/animals: Running with Sherman charming story of human/donkey race
✔5. Recommended by a public figure: Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court recommended summer reading 2017 by Barrack Obama
✔6. Steal from someone else: Afterparty Stole from Carol. who likes the author
✔7. Makes you wonder: The Three-Body Problem Wow this one caught my imagination. Looking forward to the sequels..."
✔8. Fits a past SFFBC nomination theme: Losing Earth: A Recent History I'm fudging here as this is not a science fiction book but a nonfiction book. The past SFFBC theme was climate change. I may read something more appropriate for this task before the end of the year, but i doubt it...
✔9. #ownvoices: The Mis-Education of the Negro the epitome of #ownvoices. I feel like I've reached the mountaintop!
✔10. Won a smaller or regional award: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City This won the Order of the Coif book award. Order of the Coif honors books written about the law.
✔11. What a title?!: Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth
✔12. Published in a memorable year: Stand on Zanzibar Published in 1968, the most turbulent year in the 20th century (2020 is telling it to "hold my beer"); Brunner can fortell the future better than Nostradamus.
✔13. #relatable: Girl, Woman, Other I know someone and/or have experienced the characteristics of most of the characters and struggles in this book. Everyone has internal struggles that arise from their lived experience.
✔14. Seven or Twenty: Mr Loverman The 7th book written by Bernardine Evaristo.
✔15. Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages: In West Mills Written in the patois of the deep South. West Mills, MS
✔16. Pushing the boundaries: Mindf*ck: Cambridge Analytica and the Plot to Break America How much of your personal views are being exploited/manipulated through the way that you interact on the internet? Way more than you can imagine. Also privacy. Data science is a very dangerous thing...
✔17. The next [insert popular series here]: Ancillary Sword
✔18. LOLed IRL: Black No More An unexpectedly hilarious lampooning of politics and racism written in 1931. Still amazingly relevant 90 years later. A timeless book. Though not specifically catagorized as such, this is definitely a scifi book
✔19. Seen in an ad or on social media: White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism at the moment, this book is everywhere including national news because of the American Airlines CEO
✔20. Hindsight is 20/20: Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul Glaude made some 2016 predictions and assertions that did not age well.

[Hank]

0/20

1. Inspired by a meme: There must be a meme somewhere to fit this. I have wanted to read it forever and now it is a book club selection. Suggestions welcome. Putting the book here anyway
The House of the Spirits
2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win)
Weaveworld
3. Small publisher
Underland
4. Relationship between humans/animals - I think there is a dragon somewhere in there?
The Summer Tree
5. Recommended by a public figure - I am sure Churchill would recommend this.
Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill
6. Steal from someone else - idea stolen from Ed and Monica
The Girl in the Road
7. Makes you wonder - Sci Fi always makes me wonder, this one in particular
The Light Brigade
8. Fits a past SFFBC nomination theme - almost won
Cards of Grief
9. #ownvoices
Shout
10. Won a smaller or regional award - I would call this regional
РосКон for Романы (2008) but maybe Russians would not?
Vita Nostra
11. What a title?!
The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack
12. Published in a memorable year - I am going to party like it is 1999
Starfish
13. #relatable - I swear one of my kids is actually Loki
The Gospel of Loki
14. Seven or Twenty - Tessa,Kip,Isabel,Sawyer,Eyas plus Tessa's two kids make 7
Record of a Spaceborn Few
15. Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages
Winter Tide
16. Pushing the boundaries - Not even alive and she still is pushing
Parable of the Sower
17. The next Altered Carbon?
The Quantum Magician
18. LOLed IRL - haven't read it yet but pretty sure this is going to happen
This Book Is Full of Spiders
19. Seen in an ad or on social media - It seems like it is everywhere
This Is How You Lose the Time War
20. Hindsight is 20/20 - I wish this weren't actually non-fiction
Permanent Record

My own rules, I already owned all of these, sort of a, I bought them, I need to read them thing. This is also my last effort for Weaveworld and Summer Tree. The third or fourth challenge I have added them to, yet not read them. If I don't do it this time, I am cutting my losses.

[Petar]

I'm really enjoying seeing everybody's lists, such a broad selection. I fear that this challenge is going to lengthen my TBR list rather than shorten it.

[Petar]

Dj wrote: "I read WWII history as a hobby, so probably not the person to ask on that. Have you looked at the WWII group?..."

Not the WWII group but I have joined a history group. I'll definitely have a look at the WWII group through.

[Dj]

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "Ok, I'm ready with my list that I'll probably change at some point XD
Completed: 0/20

1. Inspired by a meme - All Systems Red



2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win) - [book:T..."

The Alloy of Low the next Mistborn? Well, I suppose that in a very literal sense that is true. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Sanderson has been bouncing around on my top ten list for a time now.

[Dj]

Hank wrote: "0/20

1. Inspired by a meme: There must be a meme somewhere to fit this. I have wanted to read it forever and now it is a book club selection. Suggestions welcome. Putting the book here anyway
[boo..."

One of your kids is Loki? They haven't turned into a Horse yet, have they?

[Dj]

Petar wrote: "Dj wrote: "I read WWII history as a hobby, so probably not the person to ask on that. Have you looked at the WWII group?..."

Not the WWII group but I have joined a history group. I'll definitely h..."

It is called The World War Two Group. Very nice in the fact that the Moderator keeps it very civil.

[Mareike]

Now that is a list! Thanks for coming up with it. I'm looking forward to spending quite some time thinking about which books fit which prompt.

[Pandora]

◇ Inspired by a meme: The Raven and the Reindeer

◇ Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win): Gideon the Ninth (2 Goodreads choice awards: Best SF and Best Debut Novel, because that clearly counts)
◇ Small publisher: Zero Hour (JCP books, so basically selfpublished by Jordan Castillo Price)
◇ Relationship between humans/animals: Coraline (the human protagonist is helped by cat)
◇ Recommended by a public figure: Circe (recommended by author Michael J. Sullivan)
◇ Steal from someone else: Stealing Life (it's right there, I couldn't resist)
◇ Makes you wonder: Starlight (I wonder SO MANY THINGS, but mainly I wonder whether it'll make me love the entire series even more or it will screw up and make me hate it, I know there's no in between)
◇ Fits a past SFFBC nomination theme: Witchmark (June 2019 Pride in Fantasy)
◇ #ownvoices: Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time (I don't know if any of the authors identify as queer, but all of them are Native American)
◇ Won a smaller or regional award: Otherbound (Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction in 2014)
◇ What a title?!: Ruby Red Booty Shorts & A Louisville Slugger (I mean, it's effective, it did get my attention)
◇ Published in a memorable year: The Errant Prince (2015, it's when my cat was born <3)
◇ #relatable: 5 to 1 (a girl that doesn't want to marry? seems like I could relate)
◇ Seven or Twenty: The First Twenty (well that was easy)
◇ Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages: Prosperity (I've been putting it off for years precisely because of all the warnings about heavy slang in the reviews)
◇ Pushing the boundaries: The Complete Stories and Poems by Edgar Allan Poe (old + long + poetry + in english = pushing myself pretty hard)
◇ The next [insert popular series here]: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (everyone compares it to Firefly)
◇ LOLed IRL: (I'll have to see wich one actually makes me laugh)
  ⓐ The Ghost on My Couch
  ⓑ The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant
◇ Seen in an ad or on social media: Time for Destiny (pretty proud of myself for remembering that I added it because it was advertised by dreamspinner press at the end of *Time Waits*)
◇ Hindsight is 20/20: Tin Man (just found it and in hindsight it wasn't even that hard, I could have read this a long time ago, I'm so absurdly lazy jfc)

[Mareike]

1. Inspired by a meme - A Stitch in Time (Inspired by this Garashir meme)
2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win) - The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (GR Choice Award for best YA Fiction, Audible Award for best male Narrator)
3. Small publisher - The Terrorists of Irustan (Fairwood Press)
4. Relationship between humans/animals - Guards! Guards!
5. Recommended by a public figure - The Most Fun We Ever Had (got praise from Madeline Miller, and I loved her Song of Achilles.)
6. Steal from someone else - Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening (I stole (= borrowed) a colleagues's copy of this)
7. Makes you wonder - The Birthday Problem (Both an intriguing title and a problem in probability theory)
8. Fits a past SFFBC nomination theme - Who Fears Death (for Afrocentric Fantasy)
9. #ownvoices - Not So Stories (Writers of color writing back against Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories)
10. Won a smaller or regional award - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Boeke Award)
11. What a title?! - The House of Impossible Beauties
12. Published in a memorable year - The Steerswoman (1989 - fall of the Berlin Wall)
13. #relatable - Bitch Planet, Vol. 2: President Bitch
14. Seven or Twenty - Queen & Commander (the 20th unread book on my e-reader)
15. Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages - Brown Girl in the Ring (From what I remember of peoples' comments, this has dialect/pidgin. Also, I'm still annoyed I didn't get to this when it was a group read.)
16. Pushing the boundaries - Death of a Clone (Compared to an Agatha Christie mystery. With clones.)
17. The next [Wayfarers] - Record of a Spaceborn Few - I know it says fantasy, but this was one of the very few books I already own that fit the bill even a little.
18. LOLed IRL - Monstrous Regiment (Terry Pratchett usually makes me laugh, so I'm hoping this will, too)
19. Seen in an ad or on social media - No Man of Woman Born
20. Hindsight is 2020 - Becoming (I started reading this autobiography in 2019 and am still not done.....)

As for the 2019 challenge (which I failed pretty badly), I'm trying to limit myself to books I already own.

[Tawallah]

1. Inspired by a meme
Meme: Kermit sipping tea
Book:

2. Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win)
3. Small publisher
4. Relationship between humans/animals
5. Recommended by a public figure
6. Steal from someone else
Neuromancer- Character seals from employers to his detriment - Jan 29,2020

7. Makes you wonder

8. Fits a past SFFBC nomination theme
Afrocentric Fantasy: The Rage of Dragons
Desert Fantasy: Twelve Kings of Sharakhai

9. #ownvoices
10. Won a smaller or regional award
11. What a title?!
12. Published in a memorable year
13. #relatable

14. Seven or Twenty
Book from SFF bookclub shelf read in July:

15. Dialect, slang, or pidgin languages
16. Pushing the boundaries
17. The next [insert popular series here]
18. LOLed IRL
The Humans- Alien takes the place of a mathematician but has a rocky start to pretending to be a human Jan 28, 2020

19. Seen in an ad or on social media
20. Hindsight is 20/20

[Bobby]

It's back! I need to pay attention more, because I didn't see this. Now I need to go obsess over my TBR list for way too long as I make my list.

[Dj]

Pandora wrote: "◇ Inspired by a meme: The Raven and the Reindeer

◇ Nominated for 2+ awards (didn't win): Gideon the Ninth (2 Goodreads choice awards: Best SF and Best Debut Novel, ..."

Okay, I found the book to steal. A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet

Thanking you

[DivaDiane]

I’m a sucker. I gave up on the TBR challenge for 2019 but I’m not discouraged! Here’s what I was able to fill from my dead-tree shelf:


1.
2.
3. Invocabulary, Gemma Files - Small Press: Aqueduct Press
4. Reigning Cats and Dogs, Tanith Lee
5.
6.
7. The Winter Triptych, Nicole Khorner-Stace - will probably make me wonder if I even get it at all.
8. Cards of Grief, Jane Yolen (ebook) RunnerUps/SFWA Grand Master SF
9. The Outside, Ada Hoffman (ebook)#ownvoices - neurodiversity
10. Glimmerglass Girl, Holly Lyn Walrath (Fantasy poetry, Rhysling Award)
11.
12. Eifelheim, Michael Flynn - published in 2006, the year I married my best friend.
13. Space Opera, Ed. Anne McCaffrey - #relatable Anne McCaffrey was a Classical singer (like me)
14. Walk to the End of the World, Suzy McKee Charnas - 7th book from the left of the books I’ve already chosen for another TBR challenge
15.
16.
17. The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss - The next series that may never get finished
18.
19.
20.

[Atlanta]

Ok I’m definitely interested and will sign up tomorrow as I can’t sign up on my phone. I have a lot of questions about the prompts, like 1, inspired by a meme. Is the book inspired by a meme or are we inspired by a meme to read it?

[CBRetriever]

Mine is inspired by this:

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3v8bu8

and I'm going to read the first Wild Cards book (it was free from either the Humble Bundle or Tor)

[Mareike]

Diane wrote: "I’m a sucker. I gave up on the TBR challenge for 2019 but I’m not discouraged! Here’s what I was able to fill from my dead-tree shelf:


1.
2.
3. Invocabulary, Gemma Files - Small Press: Aqueduct P..."

Your comment on No. 17 made me chuckle, Diane!
I love some of your choices

@Atl, as far as I understood it, either options would work.