Mount TBR 2014 Challenge discussion

Sadly, I'm pretty sure I own enough books right now to complete Mt. Everest if I read them all...5 times over!!! This level will hardly make a dent. However, I picked Mount Blanc since I was a bit too ambitious in 2013, and want to motivate myself to read all my books in 2014. I hope to read a lot more than 24, but this is all I'm willing to commit to right now. I decided against posting a list, because after a lot of consideration, I think it could end up working against me instead of helping me. I have so many books I need to read that making a list of 24 is kind of ridiculous. =P This folder is where I will post my list of books as I read them. Good luck to you all! We can do this! =)

Good luck!

Denise wrote: "Good luck!"


Thanks, Denise! Same to you!

Good Luck, Lisa!

Bev wrote: "Good Luck, Lisa!"

Thanks, Bev! You're an awesome moderator, always so encouraging. I'm so happy you started this group. It is honestly the only group on good reads that I actively participate in. This group really motivates me to read as many of my unread books as possible. Thank you! =)

Lisa wrote: "Bev wrote: "Good Luck, Lisa!"

Thanks, Bev! You're an awesome moderator, always so encouraging. I'm so happy you started this group. It is honestly the only group on good reads that I actively part..."

Aw, thanks, Lisa. I'm just glad to have so many folks chipping away at their TBR piles with me. Glad it helps you work on your pile.

Lisa! You commented on my blog a while back suggesting I try out this group and here we go :). I looked for a Lisa in the group to match your name to the comment. I'm so glad you brought this group to my attention! My goal is 23, but 24 sounds even better. Best of luck with your goal :). Love the counter up above!

24 doesn't/didn't seem much last year to me but still didn't manage it...good luck.

Good luck Lisa!

Chelsey wrote: "Lisa! You commented on my blog a while back suggesting I try out this group and here we go :). I looked for a Lisa in the group to match your name to the comment. I'm so glad you brought this group..."

Chelsey, I'm so glad you're giving it a shot. I miss your vlogs, but I'm trying to keep up with your blog. Good luck to you as well!

Just finished my first book of the year!

1) The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston*

3 stars-enjoyable, but not nearly as good (nor as much of a page-turner) as The Witch's Daughter

*Owned in physical form since October 2013.

2) Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews*

3 stars-captivating to an extent, yet also very creepy and disturbing

*owned on Kindle since July 2013

I'm into paper books-only and these were cool, if you obtained the first release. You find a full picture behind the front cover, where only a portion was peeking. Second prints just have the flat front, no inside picture you can pull back. I LOVED this series as a child!

If you deduct stars for disturbing, I advise skipping her standalone "My Sweet Audrina". I don't know how I stood the subject matter at that age, although it was the most brilliantly-plotted and original thing I had ever read.

C. wrote: "I'm into paper books-only and these were cool, if you obtained the first release. You find a full picture behind the front cover, where only a portion was peeking. Second prints just have the fla..."

I actually didn't deduct any stars for it being disturbing. I revel in that kind of thing. I deducted stars, because I enjoyed it well enough, but didn't love it. Plus, I started to get anxious to move on to the next book. I found it to be a little monotonous, as it would have to be due to the subject matter. After all, I imagine life locked up in an attic for three years is pretty monotonous and dull.

3) Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami*

4 stars-Best book I've read so far this year. Beautiful writing, but the characters are not very likeable and it doesn't seem to be very plot-driven either. Nonetheless, I was up until after 2 AM not wanting to put the book down. If you have never read any Murakami, I suggest you start with this one, as it was suggested to me.

*owned in physical form since September 2013

4) The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory*

2 stars-Really disappointed with this one. Will most likely not continue the series. The first half of the book was a lot more interesting than the second half. Overall, it was pretty boring to me.

*owned in paperback since November 2013

5) Timepiece by Myra McEntire*

2.5 stars-Fast read, but that was due to the simple writing style and not very long length, as opposed to an interesting plot. I did not like the fact that this was in Kaleb's pov. I also kind of felt like not that much happened. It was either that, or simply that what did happen was boring to me. I will probably finish the series, because there is only one book left. However, I'm in no hurry.

*owned on Kindle since July 2013

6) Burial Rites by Hannah Kent*

3 stars-Enjoyable and fast paced, but I wasn't blown away. It did not live up to the hype for me.

*owned on Kindle since December 2013

7) Serpent's Kiss by Melissa de la Cruz*

3 stars-Equal to the first book. This was a fast read, but just ordinary for me. She does like to end on a cliff hanger though, so be warned!

*owned on Kindle since December 2012

8) Heaven and Earth by Nora Roberts*

*owned in mass market paperback format since September 2010

9) Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi*

4 stars-My first favorite book of the year! Please read this if you have any interest in it whatsoever. It is simply mesmerizing.

*owned on Kindle since February 2013

10) Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul: How to Create a New You by Deepak Chopra*

3.5 stars-My thoughts on this book are somewhat complex, so my review can be found by clicking the link above.

*owned on Kindle since the summer of 2011

Lisa
You sound a lot like me. I don't want to make a list and have it staring me in the face. It's best if I just leave them on my Kindle and pull out one at a time. I don't do well with challenges where you have lots of goals and lists to achieve . It makes reading a chore instead of a hobby .
I read Burial Rites last month and really liked it .
Good luck, it looks like you are off to a great start !

Julie wrote: "Lisa
You sound a lot like me. I don't want to make a list and have it staring me in the face. It's best if I just leave them on my Kindle and pull out one at a time. I don't do well with challenge..."

Julie, I actually do make a lot of lists for myself just to see where I'm at and keep track of my books better. However, I didn't want to make a list on here, because I am somewhat of a mood reader. After all, reading is for pleasure for me, and for us all here on goodreads. Like you said, it makes reading a chore. I wanted to challenge myself, but at the same time, not box myself in or force myself to read something I don't like. I do have tbr piles set up on my goodreads bookshelves for each month this year; however, I use that as more of an outline than a hard and fast rule. If I don't like a book, I won't force myself to keep finish it, just because it was on my tbr pile for that month. Also, I tried to make my tbr piles small enough so that I can also read some other books spontaneously. I mainly just made tbr lists for this month so that I can finally get to those books that have been languishing on my Kindle for years. It is so hard to keep track of them when they are just lists and collections on a screen which number in the hundreds. I'm sure you can relate! Sorry for such a long response! =P This is something that I have put a lot of thought into. I am so committed to lowering the number of unread books on my Kindle, you have no idea!

Lisa
Yes, if you have lots of books ,both paper and Kindle then it might be easier for you to keep lists so you know what all you have and what to read next ,etc .
I hope you achieve your goal and can get the Kindle pile whittled down some this year. I think you'll do it ! Just stay focused on reading. Every page you get through is one step closer to reaching your goal .

11) Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi*

5 stars-My second favorite, and first 5 star book of the year! I didn't think this series could get any better, but it really does. Definitely no second book syndrome here! Amazing, spellbinding, and gorgeous!

*owned on Kindle since November 2013

Lisa, your progress is great but I have to say I'm pretty impressed that you know when you obtained the books! Particularly for the physical books, my knowledge might just be something like "about 3 years ago", IF I'm lucky.

I like your approach to list making. I plan to develop one this weekend. I am a tech junkie, so I want mine in electronic form, and preferably so that I can play with it on my laptop as well as iPad/iPhone. Generally speaking I will keep the TBR in a separate subsection and move them to a month when I have decided to read them based on my mood, or if I plan to use them to meet a genre challenge. That happened this month, I chose a TBR to meet a requirement for a historical novel.

I think I prefer to keep the "management" list outside of GR and then move the books to a shelf when they are a sure thing. To each her own :)

Look at you...almost half-way there already!

Bev wrote: "Look at you...almost half-way there already!"

Yep, I continue to surprise myself! In fact, I would have been over half-way done by now, but A Storm of Swords is really slowing me down. So many pages! =P I plan on "leveling-up" after I reach 24 books. How does that work exactly? Do I continue to post all my books here, or do I create a new thread at the next level? This will be my first year reaching (let alone surpassing) my goal, so I'm a little lost.

Those who level up usually create a new post on the new mountain--all the previous books count and you just start yourself on the next mountain with #25 (in your case)...

Bev wrote: "Those who level up usually create a new post on the new mountain--all the previous books count and you just start yourself on the next mountain with #25 (in your case)..."

Okay, thanks! Now I'm all set. =D

12) A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin*

4 stars-Whew! Well, I finally finished this behemoth nearly 2 weeks and 1200 pages later!!! It is definitely the best in the series (so far), just as everyone says. It is so much more action packed and epic than the first two. If you started reading the series, and you're not sure if you want to continue on, please do so! It is worth it just to get to this book. If you're not sure if you want to watch the HBO show or read the books, watch the show! The books are pretty good, and George R.R. Martin has his moments of really awesome writing skills, but honestly the HBO series is superior in my humble opinion.

Reached the half-way point with a bang!

*owned on Kindle since summer of 2011

13) Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier*

5 stars-If you click on the link above, it will take you to my full review. In short, please go read this book if you have even the slightest inclination to do so. Also, I didn't even realize until just now, but it is so fitting that this book comes in at number 13. In my opinion, the novel is mysterious and intriguing (not to mention creepy and gothic) just like the number 13. Cheesy, but true...

*Purchased for Kindle in December 2013.

14) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

3 stars-A classic which inspired many other works, including one of my favorites, Rebecca. However, the writing was very dry for me. This is a book I will never pick up again. If I want to revisit this story, I will most likely watch one of the wonderful film adaptations (including the newest version with Michael Fassbender) or I will read one of the retold versions such as A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont, which was fantastic in my opinion. 19th century prose is (generally speaking) simply not to my taste. The only exception I have found to this rule (thus far) is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

*owned in hardback omnibus edition since 2009, maybe 2008?

Lisa wrote: "9) Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi*

4 stars-My first favorite book of the year! Please read this if you have any interest in it whatsoever. It is simply m..."

This is one of my TBR list books, too. Maybe I will get to it sooner rather than later. But I won't commit, because that will just make me put it off. :)

15) Fathomlessby Jackson Pearce*

4 stars-Really good retelling of The Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson (which Disney's The Little Mermaid is based on). Fathomless is much more faithful to the original than Disney!

*owned on my Kindle since August 2013.

16) Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor*

3 stars-was really disappointed with this one, but I will continue the series.

*owned on my Kindle since December 2013

17) Illusions by Aprilynne Pike*

4 stars-It's been awhile since I read the previous installment in the series, Spells. I think I preferred that one because it took place in Avalon and included a lot more fairy lore. However, this one was really enjoyable and after that ending I will be picking up the final installment, Destined, immediately!

*purchased hardcover edition in November 2013.

18) Destined by Aprilynne Pike*

3 stars-It was a little boring, and I think things fell into place just a little too easily. However, it was a satisfactory ending to the series. I loved David's letter at the end.

*purchased paperback edition in November 2013

19) Face the Fire by Nora Roberts*

3 stars-Typical Nora Roberts, which frankly translates to mediocre in my book. I liked this final book in the trilogy a little better than the first two since it focuses on my favorite character-Mia. However, there is definitely nothing earth shattering here.

*owned in mass market paperback format since September 2010

20) The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie*

3 stars-This is my first taste of Agatha Christie's work and will not be my last. I was surprised that I could not guess whodunit. However, I didn't like the characters all that much. I also expected Miss Marple to be in the book more than she was.

*owned on Kindle since November 2013

21) Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore*

2 stars-I had high expectations for this one, since it is Moore's most raved about book and A Dirty Job is one of my favorite books. I honestly didn't think this was all that funny, even though it's supposed to be. I didn't laugh once. If you have more background knowledge of the Bible, you might find this funny, I don't know. It didn't do anything for me.

*purchased Kindle edition in February 2013

22) The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins*

3 stars-I enjoyed it for at least the first 25%, but it soon became tedious. Very melodramatic in my opinion, and ultimately, boring.

*purchased Kindle edition in July 2013

Lisa wrote: "22) The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins*

3 stars-I enjoyed it for at least the first 25%, but it soon became tedious. Very melodramatic in my..."

I am so glad that someone else agrees with me on this one. So many seem to think this is Collins's best work (I much prefer The Moonstone). The main redeeming qualities for me are Marian and, oddly, that self-centered twit Frederick. If the story had been centered on Marian, I think I would have enjoyed it more.

Bev wrote: "Lisa wrote: "22) The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins*

3 stars-I enjoyed it for at least the first 25%, but it soon became tedious. Very melod..."

I may give The Moonstone a shot, but not for awhile. I also think Count Fosco was really over-hyped. There are so many amazing villians in literature now, that he really wasn't impressive to me.

23) The Diviners by Libba Bray*

3 stars- A little tedious, but enjoyable enough. Lots of 1920s lingo, which added a nice touch. I will continue the series, although the next book doesn't come out for another year. =/

*purchased for Kindle in November 2013

24) The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani*

3 stars-It was okay, but didn't meet my expectations. Even though it's middle grade, I didn't expect it to be quite so silly. I will not be continuing the series.

*purchased for Kindle in December 2013

WOOHOO! My Mount Blanc challenge is complete! Now onto the next mountain. =D

Wow Lisa! Congrats! :D

Lisa wrote: "24) The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani*

3 stars-It was okay, but didn't meet my expectations. Even though it's middle ..."

Congratulations!!