Amazon discontinued the ability to create images using their SiteStripe feature and in their infinite wisdom broke all previously created images on 12/31/23. Many blogs used this feature, including this one. Expect my archives to be a hot mess of broken book cover images until I can slowly comb through 20 years of archives to make corrections.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Annoucing the 2014 TBR Challenge!

That's right kiddies - we're doing it again!  In another continuing bid into deluding myself that I'm actually making progress up the mountain, I will host a TBR Challenge for 2014.

What is the TBR Challenge?  Simply put, it's where readers pick up a long neglected book from their TBR pile, read it, and comment on that read on the 3rd Wednesday of every month.  The idea is to read those long neglected books that you just had to get your hands on at the time, but have been languishing in your pile, all lost and forgotten.

Commentary on your chosen TBR read can happen anywhere online (your blog, Facebook, GoodReads, Twitter, a message board etc.) just provide me with a link when you sign-up so interested readers can follow all the challengers!

This is a voluntary challenge and I want this to be fun.  Hey, life happens.  If you have to skip a month, there will be no ridicule.  Likewise, while there will be bragging rights for those that complete the challenge without skipping a single month - there is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Since some readers like a little guidance, I will also be keeping with tradition and providing themes.  These themes are totally voluntary.  If you don't have anything in your TBR that fits, the theme doesn't appeal, or you just want to read something else - go for it!  Again, this is meant to be a fun challenge.
Monthly Review Dates And Theme Suggestions

January 15 - We Love Short Shorts! (Short stories, Novellas, category romance)
February 19 - Series Catch-Up (pick a book from a series you're behind on)
March 19 - New-To-You Author (an author you've never read before)
April 16 - Contemporary romance
May 21 - More Than One (An author who has more than one book in your TBR pile)
June 18 - Romance Classics (classic book, classic author, classic trope/theme etc.)
July 16 - Lovely RITA (past RITA winners or nominees)
August 20 - Luscious Love Scenes (erotic romance, erotica, a "sensual" read - leave those "just kisses" books alone this month!)
September 17 - Recommended read (a book recommended to you by someone)
October 15 - Paranormal or romantic suspense
November 19 - Historical romance
December 17 - Holiday themes (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, it's all good!)

If you are interested in signing up for next year's challenge, please leave a comment on this blog post, or e-mail me, providing me with a link to where you will be posting your commentary every month.

The information page for this challenge, along with the links of all the participants can be found on the sidebar of this blog - just click on the 2014 TBR Challenge logo.

Curious about what the TBR Challenge entails?  Never participated before?  Here are links to some of my posts from previous years. 

2013 TBR Challenge
2012 TBR Challenge
2011 TBR Challenge

It really is a lot of fun, the themes are totally optional (if that is a concern) plus it's a way to ensure you're making some sort of progress on all those books you're currently hording (surely I can't be the only one). 

Sign-up officially begins now.  C'mon, don't be shy!

22 comments:

Hilcia said...

I missed posting a few reviews this year, but I LOVE this challenge because I still read more books from my TBR this year (looking for the ONE) than expected!

So yes, count me in. And, thanks Wendy!

Phyl said...

I'm in again. Thanks!

willaful said...

The TBR challenge has done a great job of cleaning out my print TBR! (My ebook TBR remains hopeless, of course.) I'm in again! My blog: www.willaful.wordpress.com

Lori said...

I didn't do this last year because I'm bad about writing reviews, but I'm in for next year. My TBR mountain is totally out of control and I'm going to use this challenge as incentive to whittle that thing down before it falls over and crushes me.

azteclady said...

I just made a deal with myself. If I manage to clear the clutter in my room and post two reviews before the end of this month, I'll sign up for this challenge. So...don't count me in yet, but there's hope!

Aside: willa, I didn't know you have a blog! *follows link*

S. said...

Hello Wendy..this Challenge has been fun...I really want to keep doing it! I'm in as well :)

Anonymous said...

Alright, life screeched to a standstill in June, but I'm finally back on track, so count me in for 2014! www.lostinagreatbook,com

Miss Bates said...

Hi Wendy, Miss Bates thinks this would be a perfect opportunity to whittle down the TBR ... Miss Bates' "Culling the TBR One Letter At a Time" failed to make a dent and went toppling soon enough. So count the romance-reading spinster in. She can be found at: http://missbatesreadsromance.com/

Wendy said...

I'm so glad you all have RSVP'ed! I've updated the information page with all of your various links so folks can follow along. And thanks to so many of you for spreading the word about the challenge. Much appreciated!

Lisa said...

Oh my.. I need this! http://when-she-reads.blogspot.com/2013/12/2014-tbr-challenge.html

Wendy said...

Hi Lisa! Welcome aboard! I've got your blog linked to the information page now.

Anonymous said...

Hi Wendy, Happy New YEar.. Hope it is not too late to be a part of the challenge. Count me in for 2014 :) My blog http://tisflashpoint.wordpress.com/
Cheers!

Wendy said...

Hi Ti! No, it's not too late to sign up! I've got your blog added to the information page. Welcome aboard!

Jennifer said...

Do library books count? I'm a school librarian and I have a TBR list that I've been trying to get through as well as my own disgraceful TBR pile at home. :)

Wendy said...

Jennifer: Library books can count! I've had people do the challenge in the past who don't have "physical" TBRs - rather they keep a list of books they want to read "someday" - getting books via friends or the library. Would you like to join the challenge? What link (blog, GoodReads etc.) would you like me to put down for you?

Veggiemomof2 said...

http://veggiemomof2.blogspot.com/2014/01/all-tbr-2014-challenges.html

Buriedbybooks said...

Um... I just realized I hadn't seen the 2014 sign up post and went hunting. Count my perpetually tardy self in, too.

http://buriedbybooks.blogspot.com

Wendy said...

VeggieMom & Amber: I've got you both added to the information page! Welcome aboard!

Jennifer said...

Please sign me up!
http://anabundanceofbooks.blogspot.ae/

Wendy said...

Jennifer: Done! Thanks for signing up!

Jan @ Notes from a Readerholic said...

I've joined this challenge...a little late...and posted about the reading challenges I've joined on my blog. I hope it's okay I'm doing two TBR challenges since they are both slightly different?

Wendy said...

Hi Jan:
Perfectly OK to do two separate TBR-related challenges. I've got your blog linked on the information page now. Welcome aboard!