Mount TBR Challenge 2023 discussion

In January 2023 we'll be heading into the twelfth year of the Mount TBR Reading Challenge and, despite climbing like mad and conquering Mount Everest on the regular each year, I still have mountain ranges to climb. And miles of bookcases to read before I sleep (or something like that). I just can't resist a good old fashioned used bookstore (though they are become rarer and rarer) or the community Hoosier Hills Food Bank Book Sale which adds to the mountains as fast as I knock books off.

So, once again, I plan to concentrate on reading primarily from my own books in the coming year. I have planted a flag on Mount Olympus in both 2021 and 2022...but my declared goal will remain Mount Everest. Please join me in knocking out some of those books that have been waiting for attention for weeks...months...even years.

Please, introduce yourself--if only to chime in with me to say "I'm a book-a-holic and I really need to read these books I keep accumulating!"

Hello Bev, I'm back again! I'm going for 60 to start with hope to go higher.

Lynn wrote: "Hello Bev, I'm back again! I'm going for 60 to start with hope to go higher."

Welcome back, Lynn!

I'm also coming back again! Going to go for El Toro again. Managed it this year with room to spare so fingers crossed for next year too.

Rokkan wrote: "I'm also coming back again! Going to go for El Toro again. Managed it this year with room to spare so fingers crossed for next year too."

Glad you'll be climbing again!

Been participating for many years, because, yes, I so need this. Before joining this yearly group and challenge my owned books sat mostly neglected while I read library books. Now my shelves are being read! Yay! This year my approach is slightly different by starting small for Pike's Peak as I want to focus on the time consuming books, those with dense text or long books.

I'm back! I've been doing this challenge since the very beginning, and still my TBR pile is out of control. Since 2020 it's at least been going down instead of up, but by veeeery tiny intervals lol. As in, I'll have to become an immortal vampire to get through my pile at this rate.

So, here we go again! Sticking with Mt. Ararat.

Pamela wrote: "Been participating for many years, because, yes, I so need this. Before joining this yearly group and challenge my owned books sat mostly neglected while I read library books. Now my shelves are be..."

Good luck with those denser books!

Lianne (The Towering Pile) wrote: "I'm back! I've been doing this challenge since the very beginning, and still my TBR pile is out of control. Since 2020 it's at least been going down instead of up, but by veeeery tiny intervals lol..."

Thanks for sticking with me all the years!

Bev wrote: "Thanks for sticking with me all the years!"

Thanks for hosting this challenge all these years! :)

Lianne (The Towering Pile) wrote: "Bev wrote: "Thanks for sticking with me all the years!"

Thanks for hosting this challenge all these years! :)"

My pleasure! I love having company in my TBR madness. :-D

I'm back again and looking forward to reading with you all. I want to do a lot of re-reading and I want to try to read some of the series I have accumulated on my kindle.

Currently as at 15/11/2022 I have approx. 1146 physical books and 863 Kindle books and I am hoping to hit the peak of Everest.

Good luck everyone.

Karen wrote: "I'm back again and looking forward to reading with you all. I want to do a lot of re-reading and I want to try to read some of the series I have accumulated on my kindle.

Currently as at 15/11/202..."
Welcome Back!!

I have more books on my real and virtual book shelves than I can read in my lifetime so I am most definitely back. 2022 was my first year to reach Mt. Olympus and I'd like to reproduce that success for 2023.

I'm going to start at the foot of Mt. Toro and work my way up.

Thanks again for being a hospitable and encouraging hostess, Bev!

Cheering everyone on!

And here I am again, trying to manage all my on-going series, my unread standalones and new series....essentially, all the 7596259463 books on my TBR! I'm being bold in 2023 and will sign up directly to El Toro! Hoping to do it in 2022 and maybe repeat it in 2023, but if not I'll do my best to make next year my year!

Sophia wrote: "I have more books on my real and virtual book shelves than I can read in my lifetime so I am most definitely back. 2022 was my first year to reach Mt. Olympus and I'd like to reproduce that success..."

So glad you'll be climbing with us again!

Natália wrote: "And here I am again, trying to manage all my on-going series, my unread standalones and new series....essentially, all the 7596259463 books on my TBR! I'm being bold in 2023 and will sign up direct..."

Welcome back, Natália!

Hi all, I’m Pamela from England and this is my first time here! I really need to reduce my owned books TBR - I say that every year and this year it’s actually increased by about 200 books to almost 1300. So this looks a fun way to meet my goal.

I’ll choose my level soon. And I notice there is already a Pamela here (hi!) so I’ll label my climb with Pamela 2. Nice to meet you all!

Pamela wrote: "Hi all, I’m Pamela from England and this is my first time here! I really need to reduce my owned books TBR - I say that every year and this year it’s actually increased by about 200 books to almost..."

Welcome, Pamela! So glad to have you join our climbing crew. Good luck with your mountain!

Hey all, I'm Zoë! This will be my third year participating, but 2022 was when I saw some real success, completing the Mount Blanc climb.

For 2023 I think I'm going to attempt Mt. Vancouver! I am close to 30 for 2022, so I think 36 for 2023 isn't too much of a stretch. :)

Good luck to everyone!

Zoë wrote: "Hey all, I'm Zoë! This will be my third year participating, but 2022 was when I saw some real success, completing the Mount Blanc climb.

For 2023 I think I'm going to attempt Mt. Vancouver! I am ..."

Welcome back, Zoë! Good luck with Vancouver!

Hi, I'm Fran and I'm returning for my second year. I hit my target of Mt Ararat this year (I don't think I'll reach Kilimanjaro before year end but I'm just happy I hit the goal I set myself). In 2023 I think rather than setting an end goal I'll take it a peak at a time.

This challenge is a great idea and I'd recommend it to anyone who's considering it. It's helped motivate me not only to read more over the last year but also organise most (although not quite all yet) of my physical TBR list so I know what I have to read. It's also helped me focus on trying to tackle this and buy less books this year. Maybe in 2023 I'll get a similar grip on my digital TBR list.

Good luck to everyone in 2023 and a big thanks to Bev for setting this up.

Fran wrote: "Hi, I'm Fran and I'm returning for my second year. I hit my target of Mt Ararat this year (I don't think I'll reach Kilimanjaro before year end but I'm just happy I hit the goal I set myself). In 2..."

Welcome back, Fran! So glad the challenge is helpful for you.

Thanks for hosting the challenge for such a long time. After dropping out in 2022 during the year, i want to try again this year. I'll start with a cautious Mt. Vancouver and 36 books. I hope I can make it through this time.

Kerstin wrote: "Thanks for hosting the challenge for such a long time. After dropping out in 2022 during the year, i want to try again this year. I'll start with a cautious Mt. Vancouver and 36 books. I hope I can..."

Welcome back, Kerstin!

Hello!
I'm Risa, and 2023 would be my first year for this challenge. I got a lot more into reading around 2021 and this year I bought so many books that I really need to read what I got instead of buying more.
I want to try and go for the Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 60 books from your TBR pile/s goal and hope I can complete it ✨

Pamela wrote: "Hi all, I’m Pamela from England and this is my first time here! I really need to reduce my owned books TBR - I say that every year and this year it’s actually increased by about 200 books to almost...

And I notice there is already a Pamela here (hi!) so I’ll label my climb with Pamela 2. Nice to meet you all!"

Hello Pamela! I'm from the USA, so you could go by Pamela UK. 😃
Good luck on your reading and reducing your owned books.

Risa wrote: "Hello!
I'm Risa, and 2023 would be my first year for this challenge. I got a lot more into reading around 2021 and this year I bought so many books that I really need to read what I got instead of..."

Welcome to the climbing crew, Risa!

Hi! I'm Susanne and this will be my first time doing this challenge. My TBR pile is getting out of control and hopefully this will help motivate me to make a dent in it. I'll be aiming for Mt. Vancouver.

Good luck and happy reading everyone!

Hey All! I'm Dani and this is my first Mount TBR challenge! I have over 170 books in my owned TBR pile. I'm declaring Mt. Vancouver as my goal. I'm really hoping to go higher, but have been struggling with prioritizing reading in the last few years. Hoping this challenge and all of you will help to keep me motivated and on goal.

Hey! I'm ellen and this will be my 2nd time joining this challenge.

I currently am climbing El Toro (75 books) with 15 books left. I am confident I will make it, most likely adding my last book at 1159PM on 12/31 as I furiously read till the very end of this month.

Will attempt El Toro again for 2023.

Just been on a used book buying frenzy this year with mass market paperback mysteries/thrillers as my new obsession. Looking forward to knocking those out.

Happy Climbing to youse all!

Hello, I'm Becky and this is my first year doing the challenge. I signed up to do Mt. Ararat, even though I have about 190 physical books on my TBR.

Dani wrote: "Hey All! I'm Dani and this is my first Mount TBR challenge! I have over 170 books in my owned TBR pile. I'm declaring Mt. Vancouver as my goal. I'm really hoping to go higher, but have been struggl..."

It's so exciting to see new climbers join us. Good luck with your TBR climb!

Susanne wrote: "Hi! I'm Susanne and this will be my first time doing this challenge. My TBR pile is getting out of control and hopefully this will help motivate me to make a dent in it. I'll be aiming for Mt. Vanc..."

So glad you found us! Good luck, Susanne!

ellen wrote: "Hey! I'm ellen and this will be my 2nd time joining this challenge.

I currently am climbing El Toro (75 books) with 15 books left. I am confident I will make it, most likely adding my last book a..."

Welcome back to the mountains, Ellen!

Becky wrote: "Hello, I'm Becky and this is my first year doing the challenge. I signed up to do Mt. Ararat, even though I have about 190 physical books on my TBR."

Welcome to the climbing crew, Becky!

Hello :) I’m Sue and this is my first climb. I want to enjoy my TBR books with the same enthusiasm I had when first I bought them…. joining a challenge seemed to make it more of an occasion, so here I am. Looking forward to starting!

Hi, I'm Conny from Germany and I'm a bookaholic^^ This will be my... seventh climb, I believe. I'll be pledging 75 books as always. Happy to be back for another year! Thanks for hosting, Bev :)

Susan wrote: "Hello :) I’m Sue and this is my first climb. I want to enjoy my TBR books with the same enthusiasm I had when first I bought them…. joining a challenge seemed to make it more of an occasion, so her..."

Welcome, Sue! Glad to have you with us.

Conny wrote: "Hi, I'm Conny from Germany and I'm a bookaholic^^ This will be my... seventh climb, I believe. I'll be pledging 75 books as always. Happy to be back for another year! Thanks for hosting, Bev :)"

Welcome back, Conny! So glad you'll be climbing with me again.

Hello All,

I'm Lisa and this is my first climb. I've been trying to read more things in my possession, though there are Always library books mixed in there, because remainders, used bookstores/sales and libraries are how I roll. LOL (I've managed pretty much eradicate buying new books at full or near full price, so yay?) Anyway, looking forward to the climb to give me a little more motivation this year.

I'm going with Mt Ararat

Lisa wrote: "Hello All,

I'm Lisa and this is my first climb. I've been trying to read more things in my possession, though there are Always library books mixed in there, because remainders, used bookstores/sal..."

Welcome to the climbing crew, Lisa! So glad you're joining us in 2023!

Hello! My name is Katherine, and this will be my first climb. I've spent most of 2022 trying to focus on reading the books on my physical TBR list. I've made a decent amount of progress this year, but I still have 588 unread titles remaining on my bookshelves.

I would also like to make some progress on my ebook and audiobook collections next year. I currently have 173 unread ebooks and 12 audiobooks.

My goal for 2023 is to reach the peak of Mount Olympus.

K.L. wrote: "Hello! My name is Katherine, and this will be my first climb. I've spent most of 2022 trying to focus on reading the books on my physical TBR list. I've made a decent amount of progress this year, ..."

Welcome to the climb, Katherine! Good luck!

Hi Bev! I will be joining you again this year to Mount Blanc! I'm going to start at Mount Blanc and hopefully venture higher :) I'm also attempting the 1st mountain (Rum Doodle) of the Virtual Mount TBR challenge as I read too many library books last year that I couldn't count for anything :( I also accumulated a TON more books, Kindle is going to be the death of me lol and book sales at the Library and Half Price Books. I may NEVER get through my books. haha Happy Climbing!!

Jerikay wrote: "Hi Bev! I will be joining you again this year to Mount Blanc! I'm going to start at Mount Blanc and hopefully venture higher :) I'm also attempting the 1st mountain (Rum Doodle) of the Virtual Moun..."

So glad you'll be back with us. Yes those book sales defeat my mountain-clearing efforts every year!

Hello! I didn't officially join the '22 challenge, but I miss logging my lil' accomplishments this way, so I'm coming back for the new year. I certainly have enough books to shoot for Mt. Olympus, but I'm very much a mood reader and never want to spoil a promising book by making myself read it before I'm ready, so I will once again be taking the average-beginner hike up Pike in hopes of actually completing it -- then if there's time for the next level, great! Ideally, along the way I'll be able to finish some I bought "JUST to read" and send them along to a new owner afterward.

Stephanie wrote: "Hello! I didn't officially join the '22 challenge, but I miss logging my lil' accomplishments this way, so I'm coming back for the new year. I certainly have enough books to shoot for Mt. Olympus, ..."

Welcome to the 2023 Challenge!

Hi!

I saw this because a gr friend has joined it. I debated on joining, but i think this well keep me honest.

A librarian by trade, I have a tbr that is very scary and more that are not on it. I have a bunch of physical books on my shelf that are screaming at me to read them and some boxes of books that are dying to get out.

I want to read them a bunch of them to see if i want to keep them or not.

I have quite a few series (manga, light novel) that are half read that i need to finish.

I will probably use the library copies of some of my books because those boxes are not marked and I don't want to dig through them to find them. heh heh heh.

I want to get to Mount Olympus.

Mandy wrote: "Hi!

I saw this because a gr friend has joined it. I debated on joining, but i think this well keep me honest.

A librarian by trade, I have a tbr that is very scary and more that are not on it. ..."

Hi, Mandy! Glad you've decided to join us. I hope to see you at the top of Olympus.