Mount TBR 2020 discussion

I counted 197 books TBR across my shelves yesterday. All these books are delicious titles I acquired over recent years. I have made a resolution to not purchase a single book for myself in 2020. My reading goal for 2019 was 20 books and I managed to read 21. I will set 20 books for my 2020 reading goal because with a full-time job, three kids under five, house chores, and family activities, I can't be sure if I'll get to 20. I did spend 5 months on Book 1-5 of GoT this year so maybe without such a hefty project I'll surpass 20. I'm signing up for Pike's Peak to begin with. I will not make a list of 12 books I want to read because I prefer to pick from my shelves based on my present mood and interest.

First book from my shelves!
Ugh, first book was bad. I knocked it out though just to know the ending.

Second book from my shelves!
3/5 stars. Interesting, different, but not a book I think about, and scramble to get to as soon as I can.

Too bad your first book wasn't a winner but at least you are off to a good start on your climb!

Leslie wrote: "Too bad your first book wasn't a winner but at least you are off to a good start on your climb!"
Thank you for the cheer, Leslie! I hope your climb is progressing well :)

Climbing on to third book from my shelves. It is going so good! I've watched the movie twice and loved it. The book is so captivating!
I give it 5 stars! It hooked me so I finished it so quickly.

4th book off my shelf and it was superb as well. Another 5 stars! Yessss, hope the streak of awesome books continue. My next read will not qualify for this challenge. I'll be back with a title after I pick one of my shelf.

5th book down! Definitely 5 stars. I LOVE Hannibal. Thomas Harris is a brilliant storyteller. Anthony Hopkins is an amazing actor because he IS Hannibal. I watched his 2019 movie called "The two Popes" and his eyes are Hannibal's eyes. My mind seized on "Hannibal is Pope!". Just brilliant.

Started my 6th book for this challenge! I received The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao in 2019 for my birthday. However, it seems similar to Fuckness except it's about a Dominican boy. I don't feel like reading this right now so I'm changing my pick to On the Outside Looking Indian. Unfortunately, 104 pages in I decided it's not worth my time because
i) I can relate but I don't really care to know how she pursued happiness in her thirties
ii) I don't really care about how she went about attaining what she thought she missed during her childhood

It's great that she's doing that. It could be useful to someone who lack the confidence, and ideas to overcome the typical Indian upbringing. I've gone through a similar experience but it was throughout my teenage years and my twenties. I sought to be independent and rebel openly.

I consider this book off my TBR stack.

Excitedly beginning my 7th book!
Update: This book is superb! My very lengthy review is on my page.

Started the 8th book from my shelves. Few chapters in and it's SO good - unputdownable but I need to sleep, and work! Why?!!
Update: Absolutely enjoyed this book. I want to read more of Aimee Bender's work!

Between 12 March to 9 Apr I read three books but they were recently added to my shelves and could not be counted towards this challenge. I'm going to pick the 9th book for this challenge today.

9th book for the climb is What The Body Remembers by Shauna Singh Baldwin.
Update: couldn't get into it so it goes back on the shelf for second attempt at a later date. I picked another book for my 9th which I thought goes really well with the stay-at-home situation currently - At Home by Bill Bryson.
Update: Couldn't get into that either. Picked up Difficult Daughters by Manju Kapur and it stuck. Phew! So relieved.

10th book for the climb turned out to be a splendid book! So creepy and NOT what I thought it was about initially so it was surprise and a good one.

11th book - I was hesitant because books ridiculously raved about on the FB book groups are always disappointing. However, this one was actually really enjoyable! I received it as a gift for my birthday in 2019 so I'm glad it was a good read.

12th book - I made it to the peak?! I should get a cake and rest here for a bit, haha. This is such a cozy, darling read. There's something about the English that warms the cockles of my heart. I'm halfway through, and found out there's a movie as well. Will watch it as soon as I complete this.