There are specific rules and one of the differences in this challenge is that each of these 12 books must have been on your bookshelf or “To Be Read” list for AT LEAST one full year. This means the book cannot have a publication date of 1/1/2013 or later.
I have many books that sit on my TBR piles for many years and I don't know why I don't read them or give up on them. Clearly I do want to read those books but other new, "shiny" books get bought and read.
So I join in on this challenge to make a small dent in that part of my TBR pile.
There is more explanation of the rules and procedures at the sign-up post at the blog. One thing to keep in mind is the list must be completed and the challenge joined by January 15th, 2014.
My 2014 TBR Pile Challenge List:
1. Lie in the Dark by Dan Fesperman (1999) Vlado Petric series, set in Sarajevo (October 2014)
2. Slicky Boys by Martin Limon (1997) George Sueño and Ernie Bascom series, set in Korea (December 2014)
3. The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill (2004) Dr. Siri Paiboun series, set in Laos (October 2014)
4. Down Cemetery Road by Mick Herron (2003) Sarah Tucker / Zoe Boehm series (November 2014)
5. The Ghosts Of Belfast by Stuart Neville (2009) Jack Lennon series, set in Northern Ireland (December 2014)
6. Siren Of The Waters by Michael Genelin (2008) Jana Matinova series, set in Bratislava, Slovakia (October 2014)
7. The Malcontenta by Barry Maitland (1995) Kathy and Brock Mysteries (May 2014)
8. Loot by Aaron Elkins (1999) standalone, art-related mystery (August 2014)
9. Garden of Beasts by Jeffrey Deaver (2004) standalone, set in Berlin of 1936 (October 2014)
10. Death Is a Lonely Business (1985) by Ray Bradbury Elmo Crumley series (October 2014)
11. The Jasmine Trade (2001) by Denise Hamilton Eve Diamond series (November 2014)
12. Garnethill (1998) by Denise Mina Garnethill series (November 2014)
Alternates:
The Last Enemy (2007) by Grace Brophy Commissario Cenni Investigations, set in Italy
Diamond Solitaire (1992) by Peter Lovesey Peter Diamond series
23 comments:
Good selection, Tracy. Out of the twelve I'm only familiar with Jeffrey Deaver and Ray Bradbury so you might have just added ten new authors to my own list of authors to read or look out for. I don't think I'm very happy about it! And I refuse to even look at the alternates.
I think this is a great idea. I may join you in this challenge.
I just finished Sara Paretsky's latest book, Critical Mass, which is good, but one ambitious work, going back to Vienna in the 1930s, and dealing with important social/political issues. At the same time, V.I. Warshaw's boldness, courage, feistiness -- and wit -- are in full display. But it gave me a workout at almost 500 pages and covering 75 years.
In looking at your list, I'd suggest not putting off Garnethill too long. That and the two books that follow in the Garnethill trilogy was good, unputdownable books. I wish I had time to reread them.
Another interesting challenge Tracy - I suppose I could find 12 from what I bought in 2011, that may also sit in with some of my other challenges - Vintage, USA, Scotland and Espionage - I'll give it some thought.
Now this is a challenge I need to join. I may have to do it informally. I have too many just to choose 12, but I'm in!
This is a really good selection - I can spot several series on there that I've been meaning to try for a while, so will be keeping an eye out for your reviews! It's a great challenge, too. I haven't decided what challenge (if any) I want to do for 2014 but this is a definite contender. The TBR needs some work!
Prashant, a lot of these are authors I have not read before either. So I am looking forward to them.
Kathy, I do look forward to read the Garnethill book and the rest of the series. I am glad you mentioned Sara Paretsky's series. I know I read some of those many years ago... and I plan to reread from the beginning. So I should have put one of those on the list too. Oh well, I will make sure I read at least one in 2014.
Col, I bet you could find 12 books to fit this challenge and overlap with other challenges. Espionage... that is an area I want to read more of in 2014. I neglected it in 2013.
Sarah, I love this challenge because it makes me reach further back into my TBR piles and find books I have forgotten to read.
Thanks, Marie. I agree, this challenge is a very good one. Even getting the list together is fun, although it was easier this year.
Tracy - I'm always in favour of a focus on cutting down on the TBR pile. And this one sounds like a solid challenge. You've got a good list too. I look forward to your reviews and challenge updates.
I just signed up for the challenge. I really hope I'll be able to finish every book I listed :)
Margot, some of these are by authors you have suggested. So I will finally get to them in 2014.
fiveeyedbookworm, I hope to finish all mine too, even the alternates. It is a great challenge.
Tracy: I think I will not take up the challenge but it would certainly not be difficult for me to find 12 from 2012 not read. I am afraid I could 12 from before 2007 not read.
Of your list I am sure you will enjoy The Ghosts of Belfast and In the Garden of Beasts.
Bill, I am sure I will enjoy both of those, but I am especially looking forward to In the Garden of Beasts.
I'm compiling a list now. I have only been recording additions to my library since the start of 2011, so I have decided to select books from before then. Watch this space!
Please don't find any more challenges!
Good luck Tracy. I used to run a challenge like this for romance readers years ago which was quite challenging in itself. It's good to set a goal and I wish you good luck with meeting it as I am sure you will. I did a reading list of books I want read for 2014 as well. Kind of a hidden list for myself just to remember the books I bought and want to read. Sometimes those sought after books get lost in the mountain of books.
That's great, this is the perfect challenge for you. I have a few more challenges I will sign up for and it is very hard to avoid new challenges, but I cannot over challenge myself like last year.
Keishon, I could never run a challenge. Lots of hard work. I already have a long list of books and authors I want to read in 2014, and that means I won't get to them all, but that is OK. Yes, books do get lost in the piles.
Like everyone else, I have a lot of books that have been hanging round a while! I find it difficult to give up on them, decide I won't read them. There's the fourth book of one series, where I loved the first, bought up more, liked the 2nd one less, ploughed through the 3rd, and now have the 4th one just sitting there. I'm sure we all have books like that....
Moira, I have a lot of books by authors I have never read, I probably could keep myself reading without buying any new books for years. Unfortunately, I am not very good at that.
I should get signed up for this one tomorrow!
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