I 
failed miserably in my second attempt at Roof Beam Reader’s TBR Pile Challenge in 2013, even worse than I did in 2012. To meet this challenge, I had to read and review twelve books that had been on my TBR (To Be Read) list for over a year. Two alternates are allowed in case you really hate a couple of the books.
My 2013 TBR Pile Challenge List
The Master Bedroom by Tessa Hadley
An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England by Brock Clarke
The House on Fortune Street by Margot Livesey
The Whole World Over by Julia Glass
Map of Ireland by Stephanie Grant
The Air We Breathe by Andrea Barrett
All Is Vanity by Christina Schwarz
Codex by Lev Grossman
Third Girl from the Left by Martha Southgate
The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst
Wish You Were Here by Stewart O’Nan
Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth
Two Alternates
Great House by Nicole Krauss
Family Album by Penelope Lively
As you can see, I managed to read only ONE of the twelve older books that I’ve been meaning to read. Nine out of my ten favorite books of 2013 were published in 2013, so I read a lot of new releases instead of books I already owned.
For my 2014 attempt, I’m changing out about half the titles from last year’s list to include more books that I actually own:
My 2014 TBR Pile Challenge List
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England by Brock Clarke (Own)
Codex by Lev Grossman (Own)
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (Own)
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
The Tenth Muse by Judith Jones (Own)
Third Girl from the Left by Martha Southgate (Own)
The 27th Kingdom by Alice Thomas Ellis (Own)
When Tito Loved Clara by Jon Michaud (Own)
Wool by Hugh Howey (Own)
Two Alternates
How It All Began by Penelope Lively (Own)
The Whole World Over by Julia Glass
This challenge was founded and is being hosted for the fifth year by Adam at Roof Beam Reader. Anyone who posts reviews online (GoodReads, LibraryThing, Amazon, B&N, etc.) can sign up for this challenge. You don’t have to have a book blog! Reading and reviewing 12 books enters you in a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card. Visit Roof Beam Reader for more info and to sign up.
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It’s a great idea to switch up some of the titles you’ve chosen for this year’s challenge. Good luck.
You have so many good books on your list this year, you are sure to read at least half of them. And I had totally forgotten about An Arsonists Guide to Writers Homes in New England. Such a great title. I read it at one point, but i have to say that aside from the title it wasnèt too memorable.
I wondered about swapping out that one! I’ve actually started it at least once already.
I made a promise to myself that this year I’ll read more books which have been on my bedside (sometimes for years) http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=10356.
I also decided to, maybe, read a bit less but enjoy more.
I almost didn’t sign up for the challenge again after two failures and neglecting a big editing project I’m late on, but I figure I need the push. Good luck with your goal of reading through your own TBR pile just for the fun of it!
I failed miserably last year, too, but this year WE CAN DO IT. 🙂
Middlesex is on my TBR list, too. I have a copy that I believe I bought at the Brooklyn Book Fest…so that was September, and I haven’t cracked it open yet. Soon, though!
I did well on this challenge but not well on others. Some of the books you picked for this year are books I want to read someday, so I look forward to your reviews.
I hope so!
Soon is right!
I did really well the first year I participated in a TBR Challenge. After that, I failed miserably. At least you are trying again. I gave up signing up all together.
I hope you enjoy your current list. Of those you’ve listed, I have read Middlesex, which I loved.
Good luck!