Mount TBR 2018 discussion

I'm going to challenge myself to read more of my own books, make 2018 the year I clear some shelf space! As of mid-Nov 2017 I have 133 new to me books, and only 4 were read, so many to chose from there. And I want to get to some of the super oldies I've had for a long while too. So many to chose from! Happy reading!!

Running List:
print unless otherwise noted
* listened to audio library copy (own print or eBook)

-----------Pike's Peak ----------------

January:
1. Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine (audio)
2. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
3. Point of Direction by Rachel Weaver (audio)
4. Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy! by Bob Harris (audio)
5. Long Hot Summer by Eric Stephenson & Jamie McKelvie

February:
6. The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America by Douglas Brinkley (audio/eBook)
7. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (eBook)
8. Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue*
9. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng*

March:
10. Ranger Games: A Story of Soldiers, Family and an Inexplicable Crime by Ben Blum*
11. The Lost Boy by Camilla Läckberg
12. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones*

-----------Mount Blanc --------------

March:
13. The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life by Robin Zasio (audio)
14. This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

April:
15. The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton (audio)
16. The Far Away Brothers: Two Young Migrants and the Making of an American Life by Lauren Markham*
17. The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn*
18. An Excursion to Canada by Henry David Thoreau (audio/print)

May:
19. The Address by Fiona Davis
20. The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
21. Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult*
22. I'll Take You There by Joyce Carol Oates
23. Need to Know by Karen Cleveland*

June:
24. All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai*

-----------Mt. Vancouver ------------

June:
25. Leave Me by Gayle Forman
26. This Land Is Their Land: Reports from a Divided Nation by Barbara Ehrenreich (audio)
27. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (audio/print)
28. The Electrifying Fall of Rainbow City: Spectacle and Assassination at the 1901 Worlds Fair by Margaret Creighton
29. Scythe by Neal Shusterman (audio)

July:
30. Losing the Light by Andrea Dunlop (audio)
31. Commonwealth by Ann Patchett*
32. Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
33. All Rights Reserved by Gregory Scott Katsoulis*

August:
34. The Mortifications by Derek Palacio*

September:
35. Learning from Leonardo: Decoding the Notebooks of a Genius by Fritjof Capra
36. Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder*

-----------Mt. Ararat------------------

September:
37. No Baggage: A Minimalist Tale of Love and Wandering by Clara Bensen*
38. The Boy in His Winter: An American Novel by Norman Lock

October:
39. The Other Alcott by Elise Hooper*
40. Dreams of the Kalahari by Carolyn Slaughter
41. Passage: A Novel by Khary Lazarre-White
42. After James by Michael Helm
43. American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West by Nate Blakeslee*
44. The Fall of Princes by Robert Goolrick
45. Finding Everett Ruess: The Life and Unsolved Disappearance of a Legendary Wilderness Explorer by David Roberts (eBook)*
46. Lost Canyon by Nina Revoyr

November:
47. The Future for Curious People by Gregory Sherl
48. Weightless: My Life as a Fat Man and How I Escaped by Gregg McBride

-----------Bonus Books---------------

November:
49. Hanna Who Fell from the Sky: A Novel by Christopher Meades

December:
50. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (audio)
51. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (audio)
52. Sand - Omnibus by Hugh Howey (audio)

Happy reading!

Thanks Hilary! & you too

Good climbing, enjoy your reads!

I have many books going right now, some that I own and several from the library. Feels disjointed, and not my usual way I go about reading. Actually feels like I can't get settled into one book. Maybe none are the right ones lately. Although one I'm getting really into, but of course it's one from the library ;-)

Will see how January fares, hope to get out of this state and finish something soon.

Natália wrote: "Good climbing, enjoy your reads!"

Thanks Natália!!
Sorry I missed your post. Hope you have good climbing too.

I signed up for this last year and didn’t quite make this level(30/48). Since I’m scaling back to 150 books this year due to a major move sometime Spring or Summer, I’m going to attempt the level below this one and will sign in to commit to it in a few

I think this exact thing happened to me last winter, being in the middle of a bunch of books and feeling too scattered to do any of them justice.... lost my reading groove and felt disgruntled.
Come to think of it, I had it happen over the summer, too. I think this exact thing happens to me anytime I get really busy with life stuff. You’ll get through it and get your groove back

Andrea wrote: "I signed up for this last year and didn’t quite make this level(30/48). Since I’m scaling back to 150 books this year due to a major move sometime Spring or Summer, I’m going to attempt the level b..."

150 books would be scaling up for me! Wow. Good luck in your Mount TBR climb and Happy Reading :-)

E wrote: "I think this exact thing happened to me last winter, being in the middle of a bunch of books and feeling too scattered to do any of them justice.... lost my reading groove and felt disgruntled.
Co..."

E wrote: "I think this exact thing happened to me last winter, being in the middle of a bunch of books and feeling too scattered to do any of them justice.... lost my reading groove and felt disgruntled.
Co..."

Thanks E, actually think I got it back now...maybe it was partly all the end of year and holidays thing. Even though I still have many books going, two I started recently and am engrossed in. Happily one I own so it counts here.

Maybe I can focus on one of the others afterwards, or just move on...so many books out there!

First stop on the way up the mountain completed today with book#1 Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine. It's fairly reminiscent of Harry Potter, with much less magic and more based around books. Decent but not sure I want to continue with the story. It is a first in a series, and I tend to not want to get caught up in these, although many exceptions abound.


I listened to the audio book that I bought in November 2016. The narrator was did a good job but there were some editing quirks, some of that could've been smoothed out. Didn't detract enough to dissuade any audio listeners to not going that route.

My second book is complete with On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. I did start this in December and read about 37% stopping about where it seemed his autobiography portion ended. Didn't think I was going to read the whole thing. Well, picked it back up and finished reading today.


I bought the print book in January 2004, so it's been sitting around for a while. Not the oldest by any means, and maybe I'll get to a few of those this year. This is the only book by Stephen King I've read, don't own others, never had much of the desire to read his books, but now, maybe a few.... For my reading schedule I feel now back on track, okay, early January how can I feel behind?

Book 3 now done! I listened to Point of Direction by Rachel Weaver. It was a decent story, good, but not great and not awe-inspiring. Some people called it a mystery or thriller, well not really much of that either. It was worth my time and I'm glad I read it. If we had half stars I'd give it 3.5 stars, but rounding down to 3 as it didn't seem stellar enough for a 4 star book.


I bought the audio book fairly recently, November 2017, just a few months ago. Love how the beginning of the new year all those recent purchases still glowing new count here. Too bad this one wasn't as good as I hoped. Oh well, maybe next one or two, maybe?

Book 4 completed with the fun audio of Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy! by Bob Harris. I seriously laughed out loud many times during this book. Very enjoyable for any fan of Jeopardy!


I bought this audio recently as well, November 2017, actually the day after my last book. Actually, my audio collection was really gotten too large lately. Always happy to finish another one.

5th book done. A short novella, graphic art book Long Hot Summer by Eric Stephenson & Jamie McKelvie (artist). I have very mixed feelings about this, as it hits close to home for me. Focusing on a friendship lost due to a girl would not be my pick for depicting this time and place...still gathering thoughts for a review.



I bought the print book in November 2016. It's surprising it took me so long to get to this considering how interested I was in the book. And it's so short! Anyway, January has turned out nice for this mountain climb so far.

A big whopper of a book is my 6th finished book. The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America by Douglas Brinkley. It took me a long time to get through this. I started in December and got to about 40%, then took a break for some other books. Returned to it in late January. It is a good book, tons and tons of information on Theodore Roosevelt, with a focus on his environmental, naturalist, conservationist side.



Listened to the audio book which I bought in October 2015, and I also own an eBook copy which I bought earlier, maybe also in 2015. Not sure. I certainly wanted to read the book and figured I'd do better with the audio. It was worth buying twice, and with the length feels like it should count as two books too. Anyway, happy I got that one done. Now onto something shorter....

Book 7 finished with the classic A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I had a hard time getting into the book with the older style writing, but somewhere along the way I was hooked. My first Dickens book read, which is surprising to me. It will certainly not be my last.


I've owned an eBook copy for a few years, not sure how long. I'm certain I have a print copy floating around somewhere, at least in an anthology, if not in a stand alone form. But I read the book primarily via serial reader, until I couldn't wait for more issues, then finished on my eBook copy.

I'm on track as book 8 now completed with Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue. I enjoyed this book. It's about several things, but also about these two families intertwined, one an immigrant family the other wealthy.


I own a print copy but listened to the audio, which I think enhanced the book with the accents and a very small amount of music from Cameroon. Not quite a five-star read for me, but a good book. Definitely worthwhile.

Squeezed in one more for February with book 9 Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Another decent book, good but not outstanding. Little predictable in some places, but also layered.


I got the print book last summer but listened to the audio copy. Actually got the book when I met the author and she signed it, so wanted to keep my print book pristine. Plus I'm a listener. The narrator did a good job with the narration.

Book 10 now done with Ranger Games: A Story of Soldiers, Family and an Inexplicable Crime by Ben Blum. It completely grabbed me when I first started it. The last few years has seen my usual reading areas being expanded, and this one falls into a category. I haven't read much on soldiers personal stories or true crime. I'm glad I read it, riveting.


Picked up the print book last summer in 2017 but listened to the aduio book. Excellent job by the narrator. Probably kept me more into the book than if I just read the print.

In an effort to reduce my pile of print books I gave away a bag full of books last weekend. A few I hadn't read yet either, admitting to myself that I never would. Happy to reduce that mount TBR in any way :)

Quickly done with book 11 The Lost Boy by Camilla Läckberg. Oh such simple language. The book was getting close to 500 pages but so quick due to the juvenile level of words and phrasing. I don't know if the author intended it this way, or was lost with the English translation. As a murder mystery with drugs, spousal abuse as the topic it is definitely not a juvenile book.


Disappointed with this print book that I got in June 2016. Happily it's off the bookshelves and soon out of the house, and I didn't wait too many years before putting it behind me.

Hit the top of Pike's Peak today, finished An American Marriage by Tayari Jones. It was quick but I'm a little conflicted with the book, didn't like some of the main characters. The book was a little different than what I expected. Debating on the rating, feels like 3.5 stars, probably going with 3.


I have a print copy of the book but listened to the audio copy. There were two narrators, and interesting choice on how they handled the voices, as sometimes the male narrator did the female character and vice versa. Seemed odd to me to switch like that. Maybe I should have stuck to the print.

Book number 13 done The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life by Robin Zasio. Not that I think of my book collection as a hoard, no, not that! It is a collection! hah. Anyway, I don't have too bad a problem, but do have more things than I'd like and a tendency to have attachment when I should let something go. So these types of reminders are good for me. The book was okay, maybe others are better on this topic?


I listened to the audio book that I bought last November, a recent purchase. I had my eye on reading it for a while, finally got it and glad I got to it now, sooner than later. I'm super close to finishing another book too for this challenge, will be done tomorrow.

Pamela wrote: "Hit the top of Pike's Peak..."

Well done!

Thanks Leslie!!

Book number 14 done today as expected with This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald. My second old classic this year, but not the last I hope.


This book is one of (many) that has sat unread for an amazingly long time, over twenty years at the least. Feels good to finally read some of these.

Book 15 is now done The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton. I really enjoyed this one! Had quite a few there that were mediocre, so it was nice to have a decent read, or listen.


I bought the audio book in October 2016. The narration was excellent and likely added to my enjoyment of the story.

The 16th book completed with The Far Away Brothers: Two Young Migrants and the Making of an American Life by Lauren Markham. A story about around unaccompanied minors, mainly twin brothers, who flee violence and poverty from their homeland in Central America.


While I have a print copy of the book I got last year in late June, I listened to the audio book from the library. Since it's now down the book is off my shelves and going out to another home (sometime soon I hope). I liked it well enough that I hope to give it to a friend 😊

Book 17 now done The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn. Glad that's over. I gave it three stars, but it was tending towards two. It went on way too long, some of the details were unnecessary, and some yes predictable. I kept going cause i'm a sucker who wants to know how it ends, but about half-way I had to push myself.


Another print book I got last june and I listened to the audio from the library. Maybe it would've worked better in print. Lots of hype on this book and one reviewer enjoyed it more once she switched to print. oh well. It's off my to read list! And only 3 this month...well at least still on track.

Almost forgot to log in my last book for April, number 18. I squeezed in a short one of An Excursion to Canada by Henry David Thoreau. His observations are somewhat different than most.


I listened to the audiobook that I purchased in the spring of 2016, also own a print copy in an anthology of other HDT works that I've owned for many years, perhaps 9 years.

Last week finished Book 19 with The Address by Fiona Davis. This was a decent historical fiction book with a little bit of mystery in it.


I listened to part of the book on audio. There were two narrators on the audio and one I didn't particularly care for, so tried reading that section in the print, then ended up just finishing the book by reading anyway. The print book I got last year in June.

Book 20 completed today with The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. A literary fiction book with an interesting premise, four siblings visit a gypsy and are told the date of their deaths. The book then is about each of their lives leading up to these dates. Lots of skipping in time too. Good, but not great.



Like the last book I listened to a library audiobook but read the print book as well. Reading is faster than listening and I was more interested in this book than the print book I'm reading...so I switched over. I got this book last year in June as well. The other print book I'm reading I've owned for way too many years...maybe I'll finish up that one next week.

Just finished book 21 with Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. Still deciding my rating, probably a 4 but maybe more like 3.5. I got bored part-way through, so that's not a good sign, and some parts were just not believable of real life. I know this is fiction, but should be true to life. Near the ending the book redeemed itself and improved.


I listened to the audiobook, which helped move the book along quickly this time. Great narrators. I owned the print book since June of 2015. I'll be passing it along too. I know some people who will enjoy reading it, and it's somewhat thick and opens space on my bookshelf.

Keeping it going with book number 22 I'll Take You There by Joyce Carol Oates. Had to push through to read this book to completion, particularly in the beginning where I was tempted to put aside. Now done I'm happy to have read it through, as the book shifts, improves, somewhat.


I read the print book which I bought back in December of 2003. It's about time I finally read it, nearly 15 years later. Wow, time flies! I should focus on more of these oldies...but the new ones!

Closing May with one more book off my mt.tbr, book number 23 done now with Need to Know by Karen Cleveland. Surprised how quick I got through this book, and it wasn't because it was so good, no there were parts that kinda bored me actually. Just had the time. People who like thrillers will probably like this more than I did.


I got the print book in June 2017 last year, but listened to the audio. If I read the print it would have taken longer. I just had the time for listening to get it done quick. Going to try that again. 😊

I've reached the summit of Mount Blanc! Book number 24 is All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai. A sci-fi book, with time travel and an alternative universe. It was better than I expected, but not spectacular. I had almost gave up on reading it, even after I started. In the end I gave it a strong 3 stars, maybe it should be four stars instead.


I listened to the audio version but got the print book in the summer of 2016. Not sure what's next but looking forward to climbing Mount Vancouver!

The next stop was a quick sprint. Finished book 25 with Leave Me by Gayle Forman. I read the book in less that 24 hours, been a while for that. Not that the book was so spectacular, just an easy quick read and helped me put my head into something other than the stupid stuff at work.


I read the print book that I got in June 2016. Love that it was quickly done, a quick sprint indeed.

Productive week! Book 26 now done This Land Is Their Land: Reports from a Divided Nation by Barbara Ehrenreich. It was a little short, or so it seemed. A book of essays that are starting to get outdated now ten years later.


I bought the audio book in late April of 2015. Hoping to get one or two more done this month, well in the next week or so. Likely will get a whole new batch of books at the end of the month, need to make room!

Book 27 done with A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. This was a cute book, if predictable, but enjoyed it anyway.


I got a free copy of the audio book in January last year, then a few months later got a print copy of the book, so a twofer. I'm going to pass the print book along so someone else may enjoy it. Space on the bookshelf!

Finished two books before going on vacation, book 28 was The Electrifying Fall of Rainbow City: Spectacle and Assassination at the 1901 Worlds Fair by Margaret Creighton. Loved how the book was layed out with all that was going on with this 1901 Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, NY. President McKinnley was shot and died not long after, and a school teacher was one of the most frequent visitors and documented her time and the exhibits. Then there were the dare devils tempting nature and the Niagara Falls. Interesting book and history.



I read my print book copy that I got in late June 2016. I may already have someone who will take my copy as well. Like to share my print books when I can.

Book 29 was Scythe by Neal Shusterman. I enjoyed the book and went through it much quicker than I expected. Just got caught up in that world of immortality and necessary dealers of death, and the kids being groomed as new scythes.


I listened to the audio book that I bought in September 2017. A good narration, but I just bought the print book of the second in the series. Not sure if I should read that right away, or wait. There's going to be three total and since book two is a recent release, means wait time somewhere.

Today I finished book 30 Losing the Light by Andrea Dunlop. There is a time for reading books that fit in your life. This book would have fit me better when I was younger, it's about a college girl who studies abroad in France for a year. Today's self isn't very enthusiastic with the book. All the time spent pining about a boy...a rich, french, older boy.


I bought the audio book just about two years ago in late July 2016. The narration was superb.

Book number 31 done with Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. Another tale of two families, but well written. I was engaged through the whole novel, despite the time jumping around which normally throws me a little. And there's a lot of characters, but Patchett wrote the story well.


I got the print book in June 2016 but listened to and audiobook copy. At first I thought the narrator was just okay, but she improved as the book went on, did the various voices well.

Book number 32 done with Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford. Another good book, and part of the back drop is two world fairs, both in Seattle, by years apart. Another well written book, and a glimpse into some history, and seedy part of Seattle, but told in a lovely way.


Yes, finished two books for this challenge on the same day! I read the print book that I got last year in June. Not sure what's next on the list, and I'm working on some books that don't qualify..but hoping to get at least one more read in July.

Book number 33 squeaked in for July All Rights Reserved by Gregory Scott Katsoulis. A young adult dystopian book that is a logical extension of where some of our copyright, patent and registered trademarks laws could take us. Doubtful it will get as bad as the book, one hopes!



I got a print copy of the book last June in 2017 and listened to the audiobook from the library. A good narrator too! and soon the sequel is out, so glad I got this one done and off the shelves.

Book number 34 done with The Mortifications by Derek Palacio. It looked interesting, had some hopes anyway, but it was not. During the moments I wasn't reading I never thought about the story or the characters. There were so many parts of the book that were just odd and too much. I gave the book 2 stars, as there was some good writing to redeem it a little.


I got the print book in June of 2016 but listened to the audio book. Actually probably would have stopped mid-way if I was reading the print copy. Anyway, this will be one I'm not keeping. Making room on the shelf!

Oh, finally finished another book! August and September have not been productive months for reading my previously owned books. Happily I finally finished book number 35 Learning from Leonardo: Decoding the Notebooks of a Genius by Fritjof Capra.


This was a long read too. As I said in my review the book was beautiful (and heavy) so I wanted to be extra careful with the book while reading, which greatly reduced my reading time with the book - no commuting with it. The book material was also not super gripping, easy to leave alone for a while.

I got the print book in December 2013. My one and only win from the goodreads giveaways. Maybe I'll win more now that I actually finished reading this one. Anyway, I'll be keeping this book on my shelf!

Last stop on Mt. Vancouver and book number 36 now done with Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder. This went fast as it was a good book. Eye opening and interesting, brought up many emotions with this read.


I got the book in June 2017 and wished I'd gotten to it earlier. I mainly listened to an audiobook from the library, and read the print copy a little as well. There were photographs included throughout the book so just having audio would have missed out on that.

Now to conquer the last peak (maybe) - Mt. Ararat here I go!

First stop on Mt. Ararat is book 37: No Baggage: A Minimalist Tale of Love and Wandering by Clara Bensen. The title is a good description of what the book is about, traveling for three weeks with no luggage, only change of clothes is a few pairs of underwear for Clara and a few pairs of socks for Jeff, her travelling companion. This was his idea. And she only met him a few weeks prior! Talk about an experiment!


I was able to meet the author and got a signed copy of the book in July 2015, but listened to the audiobook. She also narrated it and did a good job. Okay, if I'm lucky will finish another book today. Should be before the month is out anyway.