Mount TBR 2017 discussion

I plan on conquering this peak and hope for higher ones as well. But I need to be realistic. Two per month, sounds very attainable!

Good luck!

I'm excited to begin this year and clear out some of my old books. But first have to finish what I have going....4 books at the moment and only one counts for this challenge:


Periodic Tales: A Cultural History of the Elements, from Arsenic to Zinc by Hugh Aldersey-Williams.

Ended 2016 with about 30% done, and haven't gotten back to it yet. Hope to finish in January.

My first stop is completed with a non-fiction book Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. I gave the book 5 stars, an interesting and compelling read. Sadly after I finished I discovered that the story may not be as true as portrayed. I think Eggers got the short end of that one too, fooled by his subjects. Still, I'm glad I read it. I had written a long review, but lost it. The short remains of my review are here.

No idea when I bought this print book, but it was sometime during 2010 to Sept. 2011.

*still working on Periodic Tales by Hugh Aldersey-Williams. It's an ebook and I usually read those slower. Currently at 42% done.

Zeitoun was an amazing and influential book so I'm sorry to hear that it may not be entirely true. I had not heard that but it was still a worthwhile read.

From what I discovered it appears that Zeitoun's character was portrayed in the best light and perhaps not as peaceful and honest as he & his wife Kathy told Eggers.

There was a history of domestic violence and now he is in prison convicted of attempted murder charges against his wife & step-son. (I have two links on my review.) Some say this was a result of what he went through post Katrina, but others say he was violent before then, but covered up for the book. There is also some question if what he was doing during the flood was entirely altruistic. It does put a different light on the book, sadly.

Oooh, excited that I finished my second stop this same week. This one was a short book The Red Car by Marcy Dermansky. Quick overview, a young woman is slowly discovering herself, but really it's more hidden than that. More of my thoughts are here. I did rate the book a generous three stars, really it's 2.5.

This was a print book I got last year probably in July.

Finished the third book with Green Girl by Kate Zambreno. I didn't enjoy it and still debating my rating...Likely 2 stars. The good side was it only took me two days to read it. The book has some high praise, perhaps I just don't get it.

Print book I got in late June 2014.

Book 4 now done! I read Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb. A good book done from the viewpoint of a 50-ish autistic man. I rated the book 4.5 stars, rounded to 4. For my short review see here.

I listened to the audiobook from the library, but I did get a copy of the print book in April 2015.

Sometimes to get to my print books quicker I need to listen to the audiobooks. Also, still slowly working on the ebook Periodic Tales by Hugh Aldersey-Williams. Not focusing on it much...otherwise, I do like the pace I have right now. Probably won't keep up through the year, but it's been a good month so far.

Book 5 finished today. Read People of the Nightland by husand/wife team W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear. This is book 14 in the series of North America's Forgotten Past. I've been reading from this series for years, love the books!


I got this book in March 2013.

Hoping to finish one more this month...

Book 6 done today with Brooklyn by by Colm Tóibín. A very decent book, I gave it four stars. Looking forward to seeing the movie now.


I bought the print book....but I did listen to this one via audio. I'm not sure when I got this. It was definitely before 2014, probably in 2011 but could've been even earlier, closer to when the book came out.

End of Month
Progress report: January

Books own read own: 6
Audio: 0
eBooks: 0
Print: 6

Not-qualified books read: 6
Audio: 3
eBooks: 2
Print: 1

Numbers of New books acquired: 7
Audio: 4
eBooks: 2
Print: 1

net total: books Mount TBR grew by: 1

To Sum up: End result is my mt.tbr grew, at least it was only one book, and three of those were free to me. In regards to reading, half counted toward my owned books, and they were all print which is what I'm trying to focus on. Need to clear out physical space in my house. Looking at just print, I'm ahead! :-)

I do like this pace: Halfway up Pike's Peak, and quarter way up Mt. Blanc.

Book 7 done. February has been a slower month than January for my Mt. TBR reading. This book finished yesterday was Darktown by Thomas Mullen. I gave it five stars, although if we had half stars on goodreads it would be rated 4.5.



I have a print copy of the book, but listened to the excellent audio narration. My print book is signed by the author, so it's a keeper. I got the book late June 2016.

Book 8 done with The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. A recent award winning book. It's good, but not an easy read by any means. It does have some dark humor. Still thinking about this one.


I read my print book, that I got in late June 2016.

Book 9 done with the funny and enjoyable Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. Audiobook is the way to go for this one.


I got this in December of 2106, one of the last ones acquired in 2016 that counts for this challenge. I really should try some of those very old book I have around....but the new ones are too tempting.

Book 10 is done. George Carlin Reads to You: An Audio Collection Including Recent Grammy Winners Braindroppings and Napalm & Silly Putty by George Carlin. It was sometimes out loud funny, and other times I cringed. Overall I enjoyed it.


I bought the book late August 2016.

End of Month
Progress report: February

Books own read own: 10
Audio: 2
eBooks: 0
Print: 8

Not-qualified books read: 10
Audio: 4
eBooks: 2
Print: 4

Numbers of New books acquired & unread: 12

net total: books Mount TBR grew by: 2

To Sum up: The mt.tbr is still growing, but slowly and half of what I'm reading is owned, which is progress for me. Also, one book I read this month that didn't count for this challenge was one I got this month. Listening to audiobooks of books I own in print seem to help as well (had three of those so far).

I have no idea how many books I actually acquired last year, but I did get some good ones and have been reading mostly from that year.

Finished book 11 yesterday. Finally done with Periodic Tales: A Cultural History of the Elements, from Arsenic to Zinc by Hugh Aldersey-Williams, It was very interesting, clogged with facts, lots to discover. This was an eBook which I tend to not favor in reading, so it went very slow, with many books inbetween.


Not exactly sure when I bought the book. I think it was sometime in 2014, but could've been 2015. I wish Nook (B&N) would track purchase dates. Anyway, it was on my radar since 2012, got a copy, then finally now I've read it. I enjoyed it, but with so much in it, I would have to read multiple times to remember it all. Such research into chemicals!

Book 12 done today The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. Fast-paced thriller, decent quick read. I gave it three stars.


Another book I got in June 2016. (I did get over 50!)

Finishing this book I hit the peak of Pike. Yay! Next stop should be soon, maybe even later today. :-)

Book 13 now done with Kafka's Curse by Achmat Dangor. Not one that I really enjoyed. It was on the shorter side so I kept with it thinking something interesting may happen in the end, but no, not really. Overall disappointing for me, rated it 2 stars, giving a star for the lyrical sentences that were enjoyable.


I bought this print book in August 2001. It will quickly be going into the giveaway pile, happily making room on my too full bookshelves.

Book 14 just finished with Just Kids by Patti Smith. It was good, not great like I've heard. Perhaps because I really didn't know about these people beforehand. Just knew that Patti Smith was a singer, can't say I even know her music either. I'm sure fans will enjoy the book more than me.


Bought the audiobook in April 2015.

Finished book 15 this morning with Mercury by Margot Livesey. I listened to half on audio, then read the rest of my print book. I was overcome by the story and I read faster than listen. It surprised me, in a good way.


I got this book last June, 2016.

Book 16 now done with The Game by Laurie R. King. This is book 7 in the series. It's been a while since I've read the last one, actually I think that was book 8. A few have been out of order. I enjoy the books.

I bought the audiobook in July 2016. Not sure I'll continue with the audio, read print for the others.

End of Month
Progress report: March

Books own read own: 16
Audio: 4
eBooks: 1
Print: 11

Not-qualified books read: 15
Audio: 5
eBooks: 5
Print: 5

Numbers of New books acquired & unread: 32

net total: books Mount TBR grew by: 16

To Sum up: Um, well... I went on a little shopping spree in March that set back my progress in tacking my mountain of owned books. They were all digital, eBooks or Audio, so at least they aren't wanting to take up any shelf space, that is way too full already.

Book 17 done! A four-star fascinating read with So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson. My first book by him, and apparently he's more a comedian than journalist? Anyway, interesting book but no real conclusions or summations, more like just little stories and a few thoughts. I like it.


I bought the audio version of this book last November 2016.

Book 18 now done. Finished The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring by Richard Preston. Love learning about Redwood trees. :-)


I got the eBook in November 2016.

I'm calling book 19 done. It ended up a partial - did not finish, I'm giving up. I got to about 45% the way through Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. This is book 1 of 3 and just can't see doing it. I kept thinking it would improve, but after two weeks of struggling, I gotta move on.


I bought this audiobook March 2015. I'm kinda sad I didn't enjoy this more.

Book 20 finished moments ago with The Beauty of the End by Debbie Howells. It was okay, not great, 2.5 star rating, but I rounded to three, it wasn't terrible. I could see giving the book to someone I know to read.


I did get this book for free last June 2016, and will find somewhere to give it away too.

Getting close to the top....doing so much better this year than any other time I've participated in this group challenge. Still, think I'm reading too many library books...

Since the end of the month is soon upon us, and I'm not in the middle of any books that count for this climb, may as well provide my:

End of Month
Progress report: April

Books own read own: 20
Audio: 6 (1 not finished)
eBooks: 2
Print: 12

Not-qualified books read: 19
Audio: 5 (1 not completed)
eBooks: 6
Print: 8

Numbers of New books acquired & unread: 39

net total: books Mount TBR grew by: 19

To Sum up: I seem to be reading about half old owned and half either new or loaned books, better than previous years. Hoping that by end of next month I'll be working on another mountain peak. Only 4 more to go for top of Mount Blanc.

Book 21 done today with Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz. I found it to be a well written book, enjoyed the story. Gave it four stars. I have another novel by the author, maybe I'll read this year too.


I bought the print book in January 2001. Nice to get an old one off the shelves.

Book 22 now complete with Next by Michael Crichton. I keep reading his books, they are okay, but not great. This one was okay too. I kept thinking the different story lines would link up....a couple did, but overall the book was not satisfying. I'm wavering between 2 and 3 stars. 2.5 for certain!


I bought the audio book in April 2016. Has been in my to read pile much longer though.

Book 23 done with Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. When I picked up the book I had no idea this was going to be a paranormal/ghost story. I thought it was historical fiction. There is a little of that, but not much.


I got the print book last year, but listened to the audio version as it was a huge cast and another difference, not used to that. I think it worked well though, perhaps better than print. I kept meaning to look at the print book while reading, but haven't yet. In any case it is a book I can give away, and I did enjoy it more than not. Glad I read it.

getting close to the top..................

Book number 24 finished moments ago The Art of Crash Landing by Melissa DeCarlo. It was a quick read, but not great. It felt uneven, hard to believe some of the actions of the main character. Just enough there to keep going, to not leave in the middle. Rated two stars.

Read this print book I got in July 2015.

With this book, reached the top of this mountain! Woot!! Plenty of time in the year for another peak.

End of Month
Progress report: May

Books own read own: 24
Audio: 7 (1 not finshed)
eBooks: 2
Print: 15

Not-qualified books read: 22
Audio: 6 (1 not completed)
eBooks: 6
Print: 10

Numbers of New books acquired & unread: 42

net total: books Mount TBR grew by: 18

To Sum up: Hey, I hit the peak of Mount Blanc! Next month will start working on Mount Vancouver. I'm very happy with my progress, even though about half isn't old owned books, I'm doing better than previous years. :)