ALTERNATE TITLE:  Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2012 (Hosted by My Reading Block)

While browsing on Amazon.com a few weeks ago, I ran across Susan Hill’s book, Howards End is on the Landing, and was instantly intrigued with her accomplishment. I love the idea of taking a hiatus from book buying (the logistics of which will involve phenomenal restraint) and concentrate on what I have already purchased.

So here begins my journey…into my own library. It’s the perfect time for it. This is my birthday month – as good a time as any to begin with a new resolution, perhaps without the pressures of the New Year attached to it. And having recently moved, I have completely unpacked all my books, reorganized, purged the duds, duplicates and already reads, and become reacquainted with my small collection.

My goal is to make a visible and memorable dent in my personal library by September 30, 2012.  I’m going to track my progress, and hopefully at the end, I will have read more good books than bad, and perhaps I will have found a few ridiculously good books and passed them along to friends who will love them like I did.  Wish me luck…and come along for the ride.

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UPDATE:

I have been revamping my blog and setting up new reading challenges for 2012, and in the process I ran across Mount TBR Reading Challenge, hosted by My Reader’s Block.

What is notable about this challenge, as opposed to some of the other TBR challenges I have participated in, is that it is based on Howards End is On the Landing by Susan Hill – the very book that inspired me to take on this project.  It seems that I am bound by coincidence (or providence) to participate.  It was my original reading plan for 2012, it will be more fun participating alongside fellow book lovers (and compulsive book buyers), and…most importantly…it will keep me on track and honest as I endeavor to truly reduce the unread portion of my personal library.

So read on for the details, and if you’re of a like mind, sign up for the challenge and read along with us.  (Yes, I’m talking to you, Bri Harding!)

Challenge Levels
Pike’s Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Vancouver: Read 25 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 40 books from your TBR piles/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 50 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Everest: Read 100+ books from your TBR pile/s

And the Rules:
*  Once you choose your challenge level, you are locked in for at least that many books.  If you find that you’re on a mountain-climbing roll and want to tackle a taller mountain, then you are certainly welcome to upgrade.
*  Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2012.
*  You may sign up anytime from now until November 30th, 2012.
*  Books must be owned by you prior to January 1, 2012.  No ARCs (none), no library books.  No rereads. [To clarify--based on a question raised--the intention is to reduce the stack of books that you have bought for yourself or received as presents {birthday, Christmas, "just because," etc.}. Audiobooks may count if they are yours and they are one of your primary sources of backlogged books.]
*  Books may be used to count for other challenges as well.
*  Feel free to submit your list in advance (as incentive to really get those books taken care of) or to tally them as you climb.
*  A blog and reviews are not necessary to participate. If you have a blog, then please post a challenge sign up and link THAT post (not your home page) into the linky below.  Non-bloggers, please leave a comment declaring your challenge level.

Happy Reading!

My Progress:

1. Howards End is On the Landing by Susan Hill
2. The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan (audio)
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Kindle)
4. Family History by Dani Shapiro
5. Home to Italy by Peter Pezzelli
6. The Breakdown Lane by Jacqueline Mitchard
7. Body Surfing by Anita Shreve
8. The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty
9. The Portable Ring Lardner by Ring Lardner
10. Through His Eyes:  God’s Perspective on Women in the Bible by Jerram Barrs