Mount TBR 2014 Challenge discussion

Wow. We're almost done with 2014 and it's time to get ready for the Final Mountaineering Checkpoint. Where does the time go? I'm ready to hear how all our mountain-climbing team members have done out there on Pike's Peak, Mt. Ararat, Mt. Everest....whichever peak you've chosen. Checkpoint participation is absolutely voluntary and is not considered necessary for challenge completion.

For those who would like to participate in this checkpoint post, I'd like you to at least complete the first of these two things. And if you feel particularly inspired (or generous about humoring me during the holiday season), then please do both.

1. Tell us how many miles you made it up your mountain (# of books read). If you've planted your flag on the peak, then tell us and celebrate (and wave!). Even if you were especially athletic and have been sitting atop your mountain for months, please check back in and remind us how quickly you sprinted up that trail. And feel free to tell us about any particularly exciting book adventures you've had along the way.

2. The Year in Review According to Mount TBR: Using the titles of the books you read this year, please associate as many statements as you can with a book read on your journey up the Mountain. I have given my titles as examples.

Describe yourself: The Lady in Black
Describe where you currently live: Madman's Bend
If you could go anywhere where would you go?: The Kingdom by the Sea

Every Monday morning I look/feel like: A Hangman's Dozen
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because: I ate too much Red Herring
The last meal I ate was: Roast Eggs
When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I: know it would be a Date With Danger
Ignorant politicians make me: Sick to Death (review coming soon)
Some people need to spend more time: learning The Secret of the Gondola
My memoir could be titled: Only a Matter of Time
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: You Can Write a Mystery but It's Not All Flowers & Sausages
I've always wondered: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?



And what do you get for all that hard work? The Checkpoint will close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 4. On Monday I will crank up the Custom Random Number Generator and pick a winning climber. He or she will have the chance to add to their TBR stack via my gently-used book vault (prize list will be sent). This prize is the only book given to you in 2015 that may count towards a 2015 TBR climb.

Even if you're not in the mood for a prize or if you got distracted by pretty scenery or side trails (library books, ARCs, what-have-you), I'd love to have you check in and tell us how your 2015 mountain climb went!

***Please note--comments are for Checkpoint posts only. If you would like to cheer your fellow-climbers, please do so in their climb folder. Thanks! Comments that are not Checkpoint-specific will be removed--to make it easier for me to track a winner.

OK, so
1.) I have made it up Mont Blanc with 'dead tree' books with 28 read and considerably higher if I included Kindle books and audiobooks (67).

2.) Year in Review

Describe yourself: The Dispossessed
Describe where you currently live: The Enchanted Castle
If you could go anywhere where would you go?: Behind the Scenes at the Museum

Every Monday morning I feel like: There Came Both Mist and Snow
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because: (of) Cocaine Blues (not really!!)
The last meal I ate was: Hot Chocolate
When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I: (give off) The Mysterious Howling
Ignorant politicians make me: Lament For A Maker
Some people need to spend more time: Changing Places
My memoir could be titled: Endless Night
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: Lady Audley's Secret
I've always wondered: If This Isn't Nice, What Is?

Hi Bev,

I made it to the top of Pike's Peak and even did a little better, ending up with a total of 15 books read (the total will almost certainly be higher by the end of the year).

The Year in Review:

Describe yourself: The Returned
Where I currently live: Here be Dragons
Every Monday morning I feel Thunderstruck
The last time I went to the doctor, it was because it was A Poisoned Season
The last meal I ate was The 19th Wife She was delicious.
The last time I went to the doctor was because of A Storm of Swords
My memoir could be titled The Robber Barons

1. Finished Pike's Peak for a grand total of 20 books since I joined this challenge in July. Unless I surprise myself, I probably won't make it to the top of Mt. Blanc by the end of the year, but that's ok.

2. Year in Review

Describe yourself: Bossypants
Describe where you currently live: Four Corners Dark
If you could go anywhere where would you go?: Hive
Every Monday morning I look/feel like: The Girl Who Never Came Back
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because: I was Invisible
When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I: Poison Me
Some people need to spend more time: working on their Reflex
My memoir could be titled: Identity
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: We Thought You Would Be Prettier: True Tales of the Dorkiest Girl Alive
I've always wondered: if I could learn Funny Tragic Crazy Magic

I've just finished book number 23 in my quest to climb Mont Blanc - one more to go, which I'm sure I'll manage before the end of the month.

My year in review:

Describe yourself: The Luckiest Lady in London
Describe where you currently live: The Burning Sky
If you could go anywhere where would you go?: Firelight
Every Monday morning I look/feel like: Prospero's Daughter
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because: I was: Marrying The Royal Marine
When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I: dance The Devil's Waltz
Some people need to spend more time: working on their: Secrets Of The Night
My memoir could be titled: Till Next We Meet
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: Secrets of a Summer Night
I've always wondered: if Love Is Blind

Doing the year in review made me realize that this year's books didn't have very exciting titles. I need to choose better ones next year!

My goal was Mt. Ararat at 48 and I made it to 50. So I met the goal and went over by 2. I've read a total of 217 books so far this year.

Describe yourself: Buried in a Book
Describe where you currently live: Ghost Town
If you could go anywhere where would you go: Looking for Alaska
Every Monday morning I feel like: Rhythm and Bluegrass
The last time I went to the doctor: (I have no idea! Call The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times ??)
The last meal I ate was: Breakfast at Tiffany's
When a creepy guy asks me for my phone number I am Driven to Ink
Ignorant politicians make me think that congress is full of A Confederacy of Dunces
Some people need to spend more time Living with the Dead
My memoir could be titled: Karma's A Bitch
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: about The Ocean at the End of the Lane
I have always wondered: How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf

1. I’ve currently read 30/36, going for 31 at the moment. I don’t think I’ll get past 31, but hey, first year, I think I did okay. And I’ll do better next year. I have learned that I have some pretty awesome books on my shelves, so I should read more of them.

2.
Describe yourself: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Describe where you currently live: The Secret Garden
If you could go anywhere where would you go?: The Republic of Thieves
Every Monday morning I look/feel like: The Dust of 100 Dogs
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because: I have Dreams of Gods & Monsters
The last meal I ate was: Electrified Sheep: Glass-Eating Scientists, Nuking the Moon, and More Bizarre Experiments
When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I: confuse him with Stardust
Ignorant politicians make me: wish for The Gunslinger
Some people need to spend more time: On the Road
My memoir could be titled: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: The Name of the Wind
I've always wondered: Is there More Than This?

1. I made it to the top of Mt. Ararat at the end of November. I've now read 2 books relaxing on the peak and planning my trek up next year's mountain.

2. The Year in Review

Describe yourself: Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti
Describe where you currently live: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
If you could go anywhere where would you go?: A Land More Kind Than Home
Every Monday morning I feel like: I'm Berried to the Hilt
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because: it was Due or Die
The last meal I ate was: Buffalo West Wings
When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I: am a Damsel in Distress expecting Nothing But Trouble
Ignorant politicians make me: Board Stiff
Some people need to spend more time: Clammed Up
My memoir could be titled: The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: the Plain Truth
I've always wondered: about The Map of Lost Memories

1. I just finished Mt. Vancouver (36 books). These 36 books have helped me obtain my 2014 50 book challenge on goodreads. That is saying a lot. I'm going for 75 books in 2015!! But I'm doing my journey here just like this year by slowly climbing each mountain in the beginning. Makes me feel like I've accomplished something.


2. The Year in Review According to Mount TBR: Using the titles of the books you read this year, please associate as many statements as you can with a book read on your journey up the Mountain. I have given my titles as examples.

Describe yourself:Tough Cookie
Describe where you currently live:Sugar Creek
If you could go anywhere where would you go?:Whisper Falls

Every Monday morning I look/feel like: The Main Corpse
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because: Unnatural Acts
The last meal I ate was: Killer Pancake
When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I flee to the: The Hidden Staircase
Ignorant politicians make me: No One to Trust
Some people need to spend more time: learning Scrapbook of Secrets
My memoir could be titled: 206 Bones
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: Just One Kiss
I've always wondered:The Mystery at Lilac Inn

I set out to climb Mt. Toro and finish 75 books. I was relieved when I hit my 75th book today. It was an arduous climb b/c I kept getting distracted by new books, but fun too.

1) I originally attempted to climb Mount Blanc (24 books). I completed that goal in April. On December 23, I made it to the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro (60 books). I was hoping to ultimately read 75 books. However, I did meet my original goal, and I'm very happy with my progress.



2)The Year in Review According to Mount TBR:

Describe yourself: Beautiful Chaos
Describe where you currently live: On the Jellicoe Road
If you could go anywhere where would you go?: Austenland

Every Monday morning I look/feel like: The Winter Witch
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because: I was seeing Illusions
The last meal I ate was: Fathomless
When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I am: Gone with the Wind
Ignorant politicians make me feel like I'm living in a: City of Lost Souls
Some people need to spend more time: Hidden
My memoir could be titled: A Tale Dark & Grimm
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: Face the Fire
I've always wondered: Why Have Kids?: A New Mom Explores the Truth About Parenting and Happiness

By the time I survive this year, I'll have finished 140 books. I'll probably have to coast longer with the classic translation I'm working on right now; very wordy, slow to cut to the action. I'll give it one more whirl tonight and then I'll have to churn through 4 short books. Q;-)= Life didn't work out for me this year, to ring the 150 bell but I've seen for myself that I can do it. I'll be content with 140 because my "Mount To Be Read" pledge was 75!

When I look at my shelves which you can see here (http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2014/12... ), it feels like there is so much more I'll be delighted to read and that is always a happy realization. (My giveaway concluded but sharing and commenting is always welcomed). I can't deny accomplishing a lot too. Many of my books were Canadian, translated, and foreign classics and a great many others were new authors. Some healed my grief, some were sweet children's stories that I just gave to my visiting niece for Christmas, and some were the excellent paranormal fare that I love best. Merry Christmas to all of you and may 2015 bring goodness to us all. Carolyn Of RIEDEL Fascination. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/riedel...

Describe yourself: "The 7th Mourner" (Uncanny; we mourn 1 of our 7 dear cats these 4 months).
Describe where you live: "An Island In A Green Sea"
If you could go anywhere?: "The Hidden Cave"
Every morning I feel like: "A Wrinkle In Time"
I last saw a doctor to obtain: "A Cure For A Charlatan"
The last meal I ate was: "The Tale Of Oat Cake Crag"

If a creep asks for my number, I: "Return To Cranberry Farm"
Ignorant politicians make me consult a: "Remedy For Treason"
Some people need to spend more time: "Home For The Haunting"
My memoir could be titled: "Aunt Dimity's Christmas"
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: "The Mystery At Star Lake"
I wonder about the healing I obtained from: "The Wishing Jar"!

I'm still going, with a final push for the summit -- curiously enough, last year I hit 150 on December 16th, and added to the count after I got out of the ICU. This year I'm only at 130...which is what happens when new acquisitions, library books, and rather hefty volumes get into the mix (seriously -- one of the e-book anthologies I bought last year is 2500 pages.) I have several books closing on the finish line, and with a bit of dedication might just make it.

So, 130 miles out of 150.

And now I fall over for a bit so I can get back to this after dawn breaks over the desert. Wheeee!

Dec. 31st edit: *falls over*

There's something to be said for flitting between books throughout the year; it makes it easy to make a mad dash by just cycling through things that just need to be finished off. Mind you, tackling some shorter works also helped, especially as they balanced out the mammoths I inflicted on myself.

I have one more to read from the pile in the bedroom corner. {hangs head} I got distracted by new shiny books at the bookstore, the library... and I have too many author friends who release new books. Three days left in the year, yep, I'll finish climbing this mountain.
But this challenge was great for reminding me there was a reason I picked up all those books in the first place. :)

I've had a great year, Bev - reading 53 of my TBR books, a big improvement on last year.My full post is at http://www.booksplease.org/2014/12/29...

And here are my answers for the Year in Review According to Mount TBR:

Describe yourself: A Study in Scarlet
Describe where you currently live: Blue Heaven
If you could go anywhere where would you go?: Shakespeare’s Restless World via The Time Machine
Every Monday morning I look like: a Portrait in Sepia
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because: I ate too much Dark Matter
The last meal I ate was at: Midnight in St Petersburg
When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I know it would be: Playing With Fire
Ignorant politicians make me think they are: the Cause of Death
Some people need to spend more time looking for: The Way through the Woods
My memoir could be titled: An Awfully Big Adventure
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: to beware of The Shadows in the Street
I’ve always wondered why: The Grass is Singing

Thanks, Bev for hosting and for your encouragement this year to climb mountains – I'm looking forward to climbing more mountains next year!

I was one of those distracted by the pretty scenery! I finished #29 on my trek up Mt. Vancouver (36 books) today. So I'll fall short of the summit this year. I've set my sights on this mountain for 2015 and am determined to make it to the top.

Cathy wrote: "I have one more to read from the pile in the bedroom corner. {hangs head} I got distracted by new shiny books at the bookstore, the library... and I have too many author friends who release new boo..."

I did it! I finished book #36 and finished the challenge :)

I didn't do very well I'm afraid...19/24... as the teacher would say....must try harder. It didn't seem an overly big number but my reading mojo kept going walk about....will there be a 2015 Mountain to climb.

1. First year participating and I completed Pike's Peak! (12 books)



2. Describe yourself: Blood Red, Snow White
Describe where you currently live: Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth
If you could go anywhere where would you go?:The Reptile Room
Every Monday morning I look/feel like:The Dream Thieves
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because:Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
The last meal I ate was:The Shadow of Death
When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I: The Bad Beginning
Ignorant politicians make me:This Is How You Lose Her
Some people need to spend more time:Let It Snow
My memoir could be titled:I Wrote This For You
If I could, I would tell my teenage self:Never Let Me Go (yikes)
I've always wondered:Untold

Okay this was difficult haha.

I started out on Pike's Peak (12 books) and ended up doubling that and finishing at the top of Mount Blanc (24 books.) WOOT!


Describe yourself: Bright-Sided
Describe where you currently live: In the Time of the Butterflies
If you could go anywhere where would you go?: On the Road

Every Monday morning I look/feel like: People of the Moon
The last time I went to the doctor/therapist was because: of Love in the Time of Cholera
The last meal I ate was: On Gold Mountain

When a creepy guy/girl asks me for my phone number, I: say it's Our Final Hour
Ignorant politicians make me: think of The Last of the Savages
Some people need to spend more time: Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World

My memoir could be titled: The Dewey Decimal System
If I could, I would tell my teenage self: The Meaning of It All
I've always wondered: The Meaning of Everything

It seems my goal was a little higher than it should have been. I only read 65 out of my journey up Mt. Olympus (150+ books).

Sadly, I read 200 books this year which means that 155 books were mainly library books - ugh!

I was aiming for Pike's Peak, and got to 11.5 books. Should finish the last by the weekend, but just could not cram it into the last part of December.

Describe yourself: Agent to the Stars
Describe where you currently live: In the Rich Man's World
Every Monday morning I look/feel like: A Different Blue
My memoir could be titled: Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile
I've always wondered: What's So Amazing about Grace?

Okay, folks....today has been absolutely crazy. Will be cranking up the Random Number generator and selecting a winner in just a few minutes....back soon.

It has been an absolutely crazy day at work (it's graduate student admission season at the university), and I almost forgot that it was time to find a winner for the Final Checkpoint prize. So....I rushed off and plugged in the random number generator and entered in the parameters....and the lights flash and the gears whirl and we get (drum roll, please).....Comment #18! That means that Susan is our winner! Congratulations, Susan! I'll be contacting you soon about arrangements for the prize list.

Thanks to everyone for participating in the final check-in. I enjoy seeing your progress and the way you fit the titles to the prompts (for those who did). Thanks as well to all climbers for joining me in scaling those Mount TBR heights in 2014. Hope to see you on more mountains this year over at the 2015 TBR group!

Congrats, Susan!

Congrats Susan!

And thanks Bev for hosting this mountaineering adventure :)

I will reprise my nicely-advancing climb by blog, where I can certainly be found to stay in touch. Congratulations Susan. Happy new year 2015, everyone. Carolyn. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/riedel...

Wow! I rarely win anything so this was a total surprise! Thanks so much for all that you do, Bev. Looking forward to climbing Mount TBR with all of you in 2015.

Thanks all--see you on the 2015 mountains!