Mount TBR 2019 discussion
Level 4: Mt. Ararat (48 books)
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Pamela Persists
Mount TBR 2019 edition:Running List:
print unless otherwise noted
* listened to audio library copy (own print or eBook)
-----------Pike's Peak ----------------
January:
1. The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin
2. Restoration Heights by Wil Medearis
3. Lies She Told by Cate Holahan
4. Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle (audio)
February:
5. Sugar Run by Mesha Maren
6. The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed by John Vaillant (audio)
7. News of the World by Paulette Jiles (audio)
8. Solaris by Stanisław Lem (audio)
9. The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro (audio)
10. Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward
March:
11. The Wild Inside by Christine Carbo (audio)
12. The Lost Letters of William Woolf by Helen Cullen
-----------Mount Blanc --------------
March:
13. Reamde by Neal Stephenson (audio)
14. Gateway to Paradise: Stories by Matthew Vollmer
April:
15. The Devoted by Blair Hurley
May:
16. A Woman on the Edge of Time: A Son Investigates His Trailblazing Mother’s Young Suicide by Jeremy Gavron*
17. The Overstory by Richard Powers
18. Lands of Lost Borders: Out of Bounds on the Silk Road by Kate Harris*
June:
19. The Wall by John Lanchester
July:
20. Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas
21. Rules of '48 by Jack Cady (audio)
22. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles*
August:
23. House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III*
24. Vox by Christina Dalcher*
-----------Mt. Vancouver ------------
September:
25. Tar Baby by Toni Morrison
October:
26. Beacon 23 by Hugh Howey (audio)
27. The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent by Larry Correia (audio)
28. The Flicker Men by Ted Kosmatka (audio)
29. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (audio)
30. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson*
November:
31. The Stranger Game by Peter Gadol
32. The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar
33. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel (audio)
34. Influx by Daniel Suarez (audio)
35. Clock Dance by Anne Tyler
36. Ohio by Stephen Markley (audio)
-----------Mt. Ararat -----------------
December:
37. In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje (audio)
38. The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin (audio)
39. Badluck Way: A Year on the Ragged Edge of the West by Bryce Andrews (audio)
40. Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer (audio)
41. A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
Mod
Thanks Jessika and Bev! To you both as well!!
Welcome back, Pamela! Good luck with your climb!
Thanks Sam & Natália ! It would be nice to chop off the top of a mountain or two. :-)
December 30 update: Well, sometimes control begets a binge. I had an end of year splurge on all fronts (formats) and dug through a couple of boxes in the garage and "found" a few more books. Okay those I've owned for years, but were stocked away and felt like a rescue. I have a few more boxes to go through, but no room on my bookshelves. Hoping to make some room on my shelves, make some space this next year. It would be nice to have all my books accessible.In 2018 I did acquire about 25 less books than the year before (well over 100, at 121). I read more of my owned books than in prior years (53). Yes, I'm still losing ground. Maybe read faster? Okay, the other obvious solution is to stop adding books. Say no to free books? I don't see that happening as a full stop, so scale back to around 50 for the year? I can try.
Seriously, I have so many books I want to read right now. Very excited to get started on the new year challenge. Beginning 2019 with logged into goodreads:
Owned-to-be-read: 1,002
My first steps up the mountain completed, and a long book too! I read and listened to The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin. This was book three in The Passage series. I really enjoyed this book and did not want to put it down! 
I bought the book, on Dec.22.2018, so really not that long ago. BUT I did have it in my TBR list for much longer, since 2016 when it first came out. Why did I wait so long to read the book?? I also listened to part of the book on audio, as I wanted to immerse myself in one book. (Often I have two books going, one print and one audio.) I have rarely done this read & listen the same book, just a few in the past year or two but I may take up that strategy more this year.
Book 2 done: Restoration Heights by Wil Medearis. This is a mystery book, an artist guy Reddick who hasn't been putting much time into his work, falls into trying to find Hannah who appeared in his alleyway on Sunday trying to kiss him. Perhaps that's why he wants to find her, or is it the way her rich boyfriend's family didn't want the police involved, or that their rich neighbor hired Reddick to find out more info. Reddick is convinced she's been murdered. Lots more about gentrification and divisions rich/poor and white/black. I gave the book 4 stars. 
I got an advanced reader copy of book on June 22, 2018 at an afternoon tea event. It was a great afternoon! The book itself will be released next week. Happy I can count it on my Mt.TBR. I picked up some interesting books last June and I'm looking forward to reading them.
Book 3 done today: Lies She Told by Cate Holahan. Another mystery type with an unreliable narrator. This one has the main character as a romance thriller writer and alternates the chapters between her book as it's being written, and what's going on in her own life. Her husband's best friend starts out missing, then of course dead. The book was about what I expected.
I got the print book in late June 2017. It will be going off my shelves and opening up some room that I desperately need. I'm glad this was a quick book as the last one, as I feel like I'm already falling behind on my reading goals. It's too early to be behind!
Book 4 done, finally with Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle. I was expecting this to be a good classic comet hits earth story, but turned out to be very dated. Also it was very long, too long. 
I listened the audio book version which I bought at the end of November 2014. I didn't buy many audio books that year, but still haven't listened to them all. I'm one closer. And, feel back on track now. Oh, this book was long.
Book 5 done last night with Sugar Run by Mesha Maren. I was disappointed by this book. I had a hard time getting into the characters, just never connected. I almost stopped reading many times. Not sure it really got that much better either. Too much left undone in the end. 
I got the print book last June. Not a good start for the recently acquired books from last year. They did look good. At least it's more room on the bookshelf. Onto the next one!
Book 6 done The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed by John Vaillant. An intriguing story and also fulled with sadness. So much about logging and clear cutting, along with other follies of the human population has done to destroy what was once wild and immense. Add in the biography of one logger turned environmental activist after an epiphany, or psychotic break (you decide). And of course, the Golden tree.
I bought the audiobook in July 2017. I hope I didn't miss out on any photos by not reading the print book. I thought I might track down a print copy in a library somewhere, but haven't had luck just yet. The audio narration was done well.
Book 7 News of the World by Paulette Jiles. This was a quick book! I saw that it is being made into a movie and thought I should move it up on my list of books to read. Now that I've read it, yes, it would make a great movie. The story was decent and straightforward.
I listened to the audiobook I bought in January 2018. I haven't owned it very long. I've wanted to have priority on the oldest audio books, but somehow my mood doesn't say yes let's do that one when I'm ready for a new book, eventually I will get there.
Pamela wrote: "Book 7 News of the World by Paulette Jiles. This was a quick book! I saw that it is being made into a movie and thought I should move it up on my list of books to read. Now that I'v..."I LOVED that book! I'm so happy to hear it's going to be a movie!
Anne ✨ wrote: "I LOVED that book! I'm so happy to hear it's going to be a movie!"It may be a couple of years. Tom Hanks is involved and probably going to be the lead. Not sure he's the best cast, but he is an excellent actor. I'd love to see the movie of this book, with or without Hanks.
Book 8 now done with Solaris by Stanisław Lem. A classic science fiction story that is more focused on relationships, but not really. It's a fascinating book, well it surprised me since I tried the movie before and found it boring. The book wasn't. 
I listened to the audiobook and think the narration intensified the story. I bought this in late August 2017. I'm firmly on track for this challenge right now.
Book 9 now done: The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro. At first I was very into this book, all the intrigue and art world. But after a while the angst and whining of the main character started to get to me, and it didn't stop. I got pulled way out of the story and started to think of this as author fantasy. Anyway, it definitely went downhill for me. 
I bought the audiobook I listened to in September 2016. The narrator was great, perfect really. This book has me now wishing to start a few other art related books I have, either own or on my tbr. But there are a few other books I must get to first.
Book 10 done Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward. I did read this quick, but I was also disappointed in the book. Am I getting too critical? I don't think so. Really felt like more editing could have made a better book, cut out 10% of the material, etc. 
I got the print book at a library conference last year in June 2018, then got an ebook from NetGalley, not realizing I had the print already. Right now I'm trying to get many of the NetGalley books done.
Finished book 11 The Wild Inside by Christine Carbo. The book was also book 1 of Glacier Mystery series. I'm not huge on series, and though I do read many mystery books it's not my go-to genre. Despite that this was a good book. I didn't know who did it until just before the reveal. Good characterization of the detective. I like the aspect of it being in a National Park.
I bought the audiobook in March 2017. This won't be a series I'll continue, but not disappointed in this book either. The narrator did an excellent job and distinguished the different character voices well.
Finished book 12 The Lost Letters of William Woolf by Helen Cullen. It's outside of my normal reading zone, mainly a romantic type book of a couple struggling to figure out if their marriage should end or not. The man guy, William Woolf finds these mysterious letters by this intriguing woman in the course of his work at the dead letter depot. It was good, but people who enjoy this type of book will likely get more out of it than myself.
I got the print book in late June 2018. Also managed to get an ebook advance edition copy from NetGalley, but since I had the physical book I'm counting it here.
Finished book 13 Reamde by Neal Stephenson. This was a chunkster! Book pages 1,044, audio (I listened) 38.5 hours. Took most of the month to listen. It was good, but not spectacular. Definitely could have told the story with less words and had the same effect. I'm glad I read it, intrigued by the gaming and international spy (sorta) theme. 
I bought the audiobook in late November 2016. It's always nice to get one of these long ones done, but next book is going to be shorter.
Book 14 is off the shelves Gateway to Paradise: Stories by Matthew Vollmer. A book of short stories that were beyond my level of comfortable reading. I didn't know this going in but after a very weird story I read the cover (first thing I should've done -hah!) and realized it was only going to get worse. For me...I'm sure some people like the strange and bizarre. I did end up reading half of the book, so I'm counting it here.
I got the print book in July 2015. I'm definitely taking this one out of my bookshelves. I just realized as I was logging the book in, I passed Pikes Peak and now trying to scale Mount Blanc. April will be a busy month, plus reading other books that don't count for this climb, may not make much progress for a while.
Book 15 done with The Devoted by Blair Hurley. It was a good book, a character study of a woman who converted from Catholicism to Buddhism while a teenager. Ran away from home then as well. Now over a decade later she's trying to change her life. 
I got the print book last summer, but was one of those that was missed logging into goodreads. It took me longer than usual to read this book as I was on vacation. Funny how vacation time made me less inclined to read. Anyway, back to the normal life and back to full-time reading, at least what I usually fit it in with work, commuting and everything else. :-)
You're doing great! And I did not know News of the World was going to be a movie. Thanks for putting that in your review. Glad you liked the book.
Karen wrote: "You're doing great! And I did not know News of the World was going to be a movie. Thanks for putting that in your review. Glad you liked the book."Thanks Karen. I keep struggling with reading new books.... Yeah, News of the World was a good read, I really would love to see the movie! Not a done deal yet, but Tom Hanks is slated to play the lead.
Another book done, number 16 with A Woman on the Edge of Time: A Son Investigates His Trailblazing Mother’s Young Suicide by Jeremy Gavron. This was an interesting book despite being so personal for the author. His mother published a book, which came out shortly after her death and perhaps the topic was one reason, or not. Gavron explores all the reasons why and yet the personal had larger implications for women during the 60s and 70s, particuarly in Britain.
I got the print book in July 2016 but listened to an audio copy from the library. The narrator did an good job. Hoping to be back on track this month, get a few more done. One I'm really enjoying and if lucky can finish this weekend.
I did finished book 17 over the weekend The Overstory by Richard Powers. Wow what a book! I enjoyed reading this book, intertwining several characters and their relationship with trees. The trees themselves are like a character. I'm happy this book recently won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
I read my print book copy that I got in February of 2018. It is a large book so I left it at home instead of reading on the commute, or wherever I may be. Took longer to read this way, but I didn't mind one bit staying longer with this book.
Book 18 now done with Lands of Lost Borders: Out of Bounds on the Silk Road by Kate Harris. An autobiography travelogue of biking the Silk Road over 9 months, well more than that as it was done in two trips. I was disappointed overall by the book, there was parts that made me cringe by her descriptions of people that was uncalled for. It was like she got more jaded as the story went along, I don't know. There were some beautifully written sentences, which makes me think the author could write, but then so much was missing.
I got this print book in June last year, but listened to the audiobook from the library. I didn't enjoy the narration much either, but it did improve as the book progressed, nearly opposite to the writing. In any case the print book is now off the shelf in my give away pile.
Finally up another step. Book 19 was The Wall by John Lanchester. A dystopian future where "the change" made the sea levels rise so much there were no more beaches. A wall was built to keep out "the others" and the young were now the first generation that had to serve two years on The Wall. The book grew on me as I read it, except for the ending, little abrupt.
A print book I got in November 2018. It was an easy read when my stress level was high and I needed something that I didn't need to work at, yet there are major undertones here. I left the book at the AirBnB where I was staying when I finished it, didn't need to carry it back home to my shelf.
I've lagged behind on this challenge, distracted by newer books. Looks like I might not make it. Okay, yes many months left...but I'm doing way better on my virtual challenge. LOL
Another off my bookshelves, book 20 now done with Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas. It was a fascinating look at one person's life how it was affected by the complicated issue of immigration and the people who come to the USA illegally. It is particularly difficult for the people who were sent or brought here without any choice. Vargas lived with his grandparents and all his family were here legally, so he believed he was too, but he wasn't.
I got the print book last June in 2018. It's a small book, but it is coming off my shelves to be given away somewhere. I'm trying to refocus for this last part of the year and work on clearing some space on my shelves. I have run out of shelf space completely and need to stop piling books on the books on the floor.
Book 21 now down with Rules of '48 by Jack Cady. While there were some great sentences I couldn't connect to the story. I'm glad I read it, but it was very ho-hum for me. An atmospheric book of a town during a tumultuous summer in 1948. 
I bought the audio book in December 2017. The narration was fine, decent job of delivering the story. While this was a book I owned, it wasn't something I can take off my bookshelves. I'm not doing well with shelf clearing this year.
Finished book 22 today with A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It was a little longer than I would have liked, but a decent book, sort of whimsical but not quite. A man is sentenced to live the rest of his life in the Metropol Hotel. He doesn't seem to accept the changing of regime too much, but manages to live out his days well.
I had a print book since late June of 2016 but ended up listening to an audiobook from my library. It was a long book and the narration was on the slow side. It was one of the rare ones I'd want to speed up the narration if I easily able to. The MP3 player I use doesn't have the function though. In any case, I will be giving this book away to a family member. Made room on the bookshelf!
Just finished up book 23 House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. I'm still trying to consider how I feel about the book, for most of it I thought it was okay, somewhat mediocre, but there was this moment near the end, this summing up almost by one of the main characters that made the rest of the book fall into place. Changed it for me. Probably ending with 4 stars from me.
I bought the print book a while back, in January 2001. Never did get to it and found an audio copy at the library narrated by the author and his wife. They did a good job of narrating.
I've gotten so behind on this challenge that if I reach Mt. Vancouver I'll be happy. One distraction has been all the new print books I picked up June. I've read 6 of them already!
Finished book 24 with Vox by Christina Dalcher. It was a mediocre book, made like a thriller in parts, or maybe that was the narration doing that. Reminded me way too much of Handmaid's Tale, but Atwood's book was much better.
I got a print copy of the book in June 2018, but I listened to the audio book though. The narrator did a good job, really hyped up the adrenaline when needed. But a lot was missing in the book the narrator couldn't fix.
Just realized, that makes this half-way done.
I've been doing so poorly on this challenge I almost forgot to log in the next book I did read and own...book 25, first step up on Mt. Vancouver. This was Tar Baby by Toni Morrison.
I bought this print book with several others of Morrison's in a set sometime back in the late 1990's. Yes that long ago. There is still one more I haven't read from that set, probably won't get to it this year though.
Another step up this steep mountain, book 26 done with Beacon 23 by Hugh Howey. It has a war hero, or anti-hero, alone manning a space beacon, losing his mind...or not, very much an unreliable narrator situation. It was a fast read and I wanted to keep going for the ride. If I had time it could be a one day book, but turned into a three-day book for me.
I bought the audio book in May 2016. I'm going to see if I can work on my owned audio for the rest of the year. I want to get rid of that back log, but it is also huge (around 160 books now).
Book 27 completed today with The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent by Larry Correia. I didn't think the humor would strike me right, but it did and I enjoyed this novella. Glad I finally got it off the list too. It wasn't added into goodreads before since I really didn't think i'd like it. haha, jokes on me now. Okay, it was decent, but I don't think I'd buy the next one.
I got the audio book for free on May 2016. I saw it sitting next to the last book I finished, and figured, I should try it out. Going to try sticking to owned audio books for the rest of the year, or audio where I own the print. That may get me to at least the top of Mt. Vancouver, maybe. That mountain is steep!
Woot, another book down, number 28 The Flicker Men by Ted Kosmatka. An interesting concept based around a physics experiment that changed everything, and brought in the shadows that try to "control" the world. Went from science based to thriller, and lost something along the way. Still decent.
I bought the audio book in April 2017. The narration was decent and a good way to read the book. Going for a novella next, already started actually, a classic. Should be good progress this month at least.
Yay, another book for October! Number 29 done with Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. This is a short novel, classic literature that yes, was required reading when I was in school. I think it was college, but maybe high school. Odd, I can't remember, and I hardly remembered the story, so a re-read. And once I started the book, it came back to me. 
I got a newer version, an audiobook in February 2017. The narration was superb. A good way to read this book, perhaps even more so for a second reading.
Book 30 finished today with Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Finally got to this book I've been meaning to read for ages upon ages. It was decent too, of course, it is a classic with environmental and ecology books, and for good reason. It changed things. 
I've had two print copies of this book, one was a very used paperback that was acidic and falling apart, that I picked up maybe in the mid 90s? and may still have it squirreled away somewhere. Then I got another used copy in mid-2013 but in very good condition and is the one I *meant* to read. I ended up listening to an audio book copy from the library. Happy to finally get it off my list.
And I'm very pleased with the October progress, five books down, all due to audio. I'm reading a print book now, doubt I'll be able to squeeze it in for October. In any case, it's been my best month since February! I'm going to try keep the pace going for this year, and next!
Book 31 The Stranger Game by Peter Gadol done and a quick read. Not as gripping as it probably was intending, as a thriller, not enough suspense. A few interesting ideas saved it from not being an incomplete, partial read. 
I got a print copy of the book in June 2018. This is one taken off the shelves not to return, happy for that small opening of space. Also happy I finally read one of my own print books. Started another today too.
Book 32 finished the other day with The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar. The writing style got in the way for me for the overall story, yet I managed to get through it and enjoyed it slightly more than expected when starting.
I got this print book in June 2014, so I've had it a few years. It opened up a spot on my bookshelf as well! Need to keep this going.
Book 33 done with The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel. Another one where I felt like the writing style got in the way of telling a better story. Too many modern words were used and threw me out of the story every time. Yet it was compelling as well, and had some enjoyment. Rated it 3 stars, or 2.5. I don't think I'll continue the series either.
I bought the audio book in December 2014. It was a good way for me to read the book, if I read the print may have never gotten through the book, or started it. I've been whittling down my older owned audiobooks, and now have only 3 left from 2014. All are non-fiction and long. I'll have to space them out, so the plan is to finish all of them before the end of next year.
Mount TBR 2019
Books mentioned in this topic
A Spark of Light (other topics)A Spark of Light (other topics)
Hope Never Dies (other topics)
Hope Never Dies (other topics)
Badluck Way: A Year on the Ragged Edge of the West (other topics)
More...
I keep climbing but the mountains grow faster than I can keep up. One of these days I'll make some good progress, maybe. It's a good problem to have. I love books and reading and I love this challenge to keep some focus on the books I already bought.