Pick-a-Shelf discussion

✂️trim✂️

/trɪm/

verb: make (something) neat or of the required size or form by cutting away irregular or unwanted parts.

noun: an act of cutting something in order to neaten it.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

A regular bookshelf has 4 sides so we are going to "trim" its 4 "sides" (ie. 4 different ways).

1. How many?!?!
Look at the total number of your TBR, take the last digit and read that many books off your TBR. If you have a "0", read 10 books.
Try to read what's already on your TBR prior to starting this challenge. You may concentrate on a certain TBR shelf if you have a number of TBR shelves.

2. Share the love
Sort your TBR by one (1) of the following options:
✂️ "num ratings"
✂️ "avg rating"
✂️ "date added"
✂️ "date pub"

and read:
a. Books with the highest number / most recent date
b. Books with the least number / oldest date
Try to read the same number of books (a+b) as you did for (1) above, if not more.

3. Monstrosity
Read 1 (one) of the 5 thickest books on your TBR.
Yes, the biggest book and just the One. If the thickest is 1,000+ pages but the 5th thickest is only 300+ pages, DO choose the book closest to 1,000+ pages

4. Catch Up
Read that last book in the series!
Or at least, catch up to the latest instalment.
You must have read at least the first book before October 2023. Again, try to read the same number of book you read for (1), if not more.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

This is an open ended challenge so you're welcome to start anytime and finish anytime you like.

Any book on your TBR counts for this so let's get that number down!

Saving my spot

1. How many?!?! (1276 = 6)
1. The Millionaire Baby
2. Death in a White Tie
3. In the Balance
4. Brat Farrar
5. The Big Gold Dream
6. The Allingham Case-Book

2. Share the love
Sort your TBR by one (1) of the following options:
✂️ "date pub"
Oldest published
1. Robinson Crusoe (1719)
2. Songs of Innocence and of Experience (1794)
3. The Chimes (1844)
Newest published
1. Suddenly a Murder (2023)
2. Happiness Falls (2023)
3. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store (2023)

3. Monstrosity (688p)
Roots: The Saga of an American Family

4. Catch Up (further reading in started series)
1. Of Blood and Bone (Chronicles of The One, #2)
2. The Bullet That Missed (Thursday Murder Club, #3)
3. The Long Way Home (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #10)
4. The Nun's Tale (Owen Archer, #3)
5. Red Lily (In the Garden Trilogy, #3)
6. Arsenic For Tea: A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery (Murder Most Unladylike, #2)

Some notes:
Monstrosity - The biggest book on my Wishlist TBR was 888p. That was a MM edition. My library's hardcover edition had 200p less, so I will be reading it.
How many - I am using books from my TBR to work on a mystery list.

Trim That TBR (2023)

--> TBR ends on 4. Will be reading 4 books each category

1. How many?!?! (934)
📖 Lost and Found 9/19 3.5⭐
📖 Little Fires Everywhere 9/22 4.5⭐
📖
📖

2. Share the love
Sort your TBR by one (1) of the following options:
✂️ "highest rating" - 4.5 and above
📖
📖
📖
📖
✂️ "oldest published" - 1900-1999
📖
📖
📖
📖
✂️ "newest published" - 2023
📖 The Last Word 9/20 4⭐ (published April 25, 2023)
📖 Divine Rivals 9/24 4.5⭐ (published April 4, 2023)
📖
📖

3. Monstrosity (1007p)
The Way of Kings

4. Catch Up (last book in series)
📖 Before Your Memory Fades 9/21 4⭐ (2nd to the last)
📖
📖
📖

Trim That TBR (2023)
My start date: 20 Sept 2023

📚A. How many?!?! (Current TBR ends in "5". Must be on TBR before 20 Sep 2023 start date)
1. The First Ladies, Marie Benedict, 29 Sept 2023, on TBR Jan 2023
2. This Gulf of Fire: The Destruction of Lisbon, or Apocalypse in the Age of Science and Reason, Mark Molesky, 9 Oct 2023, on TBR Sept 2021
3. Murder at Melrose Court, Karen Baugh Menuhin, 11 Oct 2023, on TBR Nov 2021
4. Dear Emmie Blue, Lia Louis, 3 Nov 2023, on TBR July 2020
5. A Keeper, Graham Norton, 4 Nov 2023, on TBR 2019

📚B. Share the love
Chosen option: ✂️ "date pub"
Read:
a. Books with the most recent date
b. Books with the oldest date
Try to read the same number of books (a+b) as you did for (1) above, if not more.
1. The Last Devil to Die, Richard Osman, 5 Oct 2023, pub 14 Sept 2023
2. Chenneville, Paulette Jiles, 22 Sept 2023, pub. 12 Sept 2023
3. The Longmire Defense, Craig Johnson, 3 Oct 2023, pub 5 Sept 2023
4. The Wall, Marlen Haushofer, 24 Oct 2023, pub 1963
5. The Root of All Evil, E.X. Ferrars, 23 Oct 2023, pub 1 Jan 1984

📚C. Monstrosity (choose ONE of longest 5 on my list)
1. World Without End, Ken Follett, 20 Nov 2023, 1,014 pp.

📚D. Catch Up
Must have read at least the first book before October 2023.
1. The Raging Storm, Ann Cleeves, 24 Sept 2023, Two Rivers #3, first bk read in 2021
2. Birder, She Wrote, Donna Andrews, 26 Sept 2023, Meg Langslow #33, first bk read before 2009
3. The Longmire Defense, Craig Johnson, 3 Oct 2023, Walt Longmire #19, first bk read in 2017
4. Maureen, Rachel Joyce, 25 Oct 2023, Harold Fry #3, first book read in 2012
5. The Golden Calf, Helene Tursten, 15 Nov 2023, Inspector Huss #5, first book read in 2020

Trim that TBR (2023)          (1 October 2023 - 2024)         (7 of 16)

1. How many?!?! 145 ~~~> 5
- The Forgotten Highlander: My Incredible Story Of Survival During The War In The Far East read Aug 4, 2024
- The Crossing Places read Aug 22, 2024
- To Sift Through Bitter Ashes read Sep 6, 2024
- Clan Novel: Gangrel read Jun 27, 2024
-

2. Share the love (sorted by "date pub")

a. Books with the most recent date:
- La redención del camarada Petrov [Comrade Petrov's Redemption] (Apr 1, 2023)
- Proyecto Hail Mary (Project Hail Mary) (May 4, 2021)
- Laberintos de neón: Nuevas voces de la narrativa coreana contemporánea [Neon Labyrinths] (2021)

b. Books with the oldest date:
- Hamlet (1601)
- The Dead Secret (1856)
- In a Glass Darkly (1872)

3. Monstrosity
-

Thickest:
- 1Q84 Libros 1 y 2 (1Q84 #1-2) (744 pp.)
- A Court of Wings and Ruin (705 pp.)
- Royal Assassin (648 pp.)
- Crímenes duplicados (The Man Who Watched Women) (619 pp.)
- Dreams of Gods & Monsters (613 pp.)

4. Catch Up
- Queen of Sorcery (The Belgariad #2) read Dec 2, 2023
- The Armada Boy (Wesley Peterson #2) read Dec 20, 2023
- Anne's House of Dreams (Anne of Green Gables #5) read Dec 26, 2023
-
-

Trim that TBR 2023

Read: 13/13

1. How many?!?!
Current TBR: 994
✅ 1. Tipping the Velvet - 2/29/24
✅ 2. Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About - 10/21/23
✅ 3. Midnight Robber - 3/7/24
✅ 4. Rosemary and Rue - 1/7/24

2. Share the love
Sort your TBR by one (1) of the following options:
✂️ "num ratings"
✂️ "avg rating"
✂️ "date added"
✂️ "date pub"

and read:
a. Date added (oldest)
✅ 1. Mirror Mirror - 1/3/24
✅ 2. Away Laughing on a Fast Camel - 8/31/24

b. Date added (newest)
✅ 1. Lost in the Moment and Found - 10/29/23
✅ 2. Don't Try This at Home - 5/22/24

3. Monstrosity
✅ 1. The Crimson Petal and the White - 10/5/24

4. Catch Up
✅ 1. You Suck - Dec. 2023
✅ 2. The White Dragon (Dragonriders of Pern 3) - Nov. 2023
✅ 3. The Kingdom of Gods (Inheritance 3) - 10/12/23
✅ 4. The World We Make (Great Cities 2) - 12/1/23

TRIM 2023

A regular bookshelf has 4 sides so we are going to "trim" its 4 "sides" (ie. 4 different ways).

1. How many?!?!
Look at the total number of your TBR, take the last digit and read that many books off your TBR.
LAST DIGIT: 7

✔1. Endgame - fin 9/25
✔2. The Murmur of Bees - fin 10/16
✔3. Dancing with Myself - fin 10/17
✔4. Arkfall - fin 10/22
✔5. Look both Ways - fin 1/27/23
✔6. Provenance - fin 10/28
✔7. Godless - fin 11/1

2. Share the love
Sort your TBR by one (1) of the following options: ✂️ "date pub"
Try to read the same number of books (a+b) as you did for (1) above, if not more.

a. Books with the most recent date

✔1. Red Team Blues, pub 4/25/23
✔2. Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World , pub 10/12/21
✔3. This is My America, pub 7/28/20- fin 10/20
✔4. The Canadian Miracle, pub 11/1/2023 - fin 11/13

b. Books with the oldest date

✔1. Patternmaster (Patternmaster #4), pub 1976 - fin 11/17
✔2. Tooth & Nail, pub 1992- fin 11/28
✔3. [book:The Vig, pub 1/8/91 - fin 12/25

3. Monstrosity
Read 1 (one) of the 5 thickest books on your TBR.
✔The Labyrinth of the Spirits, 816 pages - fin 10/3

4. Catch Up
Read that last book in the series!
Or at least, catch up to the latest installment.
You must have read at least the first book before October 2023.

✔1. A Room Full of Bones (Ruth Galloway #4) - fin 9/18
✔2. Compulsory (The Murderbot Diaries, #0.5) - fin 10/4
✔3. Ancillary Mercy (Imperial Radch #3) - fin 10/5
✔4. She Commands Me and I Obey (Imperial Radch #0.6), added 4/9/23 - fin 10/5
✔5. The Beautiful Mystery (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #8), added 8/6/2023 - fin 10/22
✔6. Grave Goods (Mistress of the Art of Death #3) - fin 11/3
✔7. Night of cake & puppets (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1.5) - fin 11/6

COMPLETED 12/25/2023

Trim That TBR 2023

Books read: 12/13

1. How many?!?!
Current TBR: 464 books
1. The Lost Stradivarius - read 09/10
2. Dracula the Un-Dead - read 17/10
3. A Trieste - read 02/11
4. Owen Wingrave - read 03/11

2. Share the love
✂️ "date pub"

a. Books with the most recent date:
1. Cassandra a Mogadiscio (2023) - read 08/12
2. La congiura del doppio inganno (2022) - read 03/03

b. Books with the oldest date
1. The Dhammapada (400 BCE) - read 06/07
2. The Symposium (380 BCE)

3. Monstrosity
Metro 2033 (779 p.) - read 03/02

4. Catch Up
Possible books
Erebos 2 (Erebos #2) - read 20/10/2024
Have His Carcase (Lord Peter Wimsey #7) - read 05/06
Laienspiel (Kommissar Kluftinger #4) - read 25/05
The Big Four (Hercule Poirot #5) - read 01/11

Books read: 22 of 22
Finished 19 Jun 24

My TBR is 277. Read 7 books that were on TBR before 26 Sep 23:
✔ 1. Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*tt by Steven Pressfield, 30 Sep 23, on TBR since 2016
✔ 2. A Long Way from Verona by Jane Gardam, 3 Oct 23, on TBR since 2017
✔ 3. The Princess of Cleves by Madame de La Fayette, 18 Oct 23, on TBR since April 2022
✔ 4. Maqroll: Three Novellas by Álvaro Mutis, 19 Oct 23, on TBR since Dec 22
✔ 5. Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, 6 Nov 23, on TBR since Nov 22
✔ 6. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, 13 Nov 23, on TBR since Nov 22
✔ 7. The Adventures of Maqroll: Four Novellas by Álvaro Mutis, 21 Nov 23, on TBR since Dec 22

2. Share the love
Sorted by Average Ratings.
Highest (not including my Monstrosity)
✔ 1. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, 31 Mar 24 (4.61)
✔ 2. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken, 20 Oct 23 (4.48)
✔ 3. The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers, 23 Feb 24 (4.42)
✔ 4. Sohwa la Chamane by Jo Jung-Rae, 27 Feb 24 (4.42)
Lowest:
✔ 5. Honeybath's Haven by Michael Innes, 19 Jun 24 (2.96)
✔ 6. Cinderella Goes to the Morgue by Nancy Spain, 17 Jan 24 (2.96)
✔ 7. Death Goes on Skis by Nancy Spain, 15 Dec 23 (2.95)

✔ 3. Monstrosity
Read 1 (one) of the 5 thickest books on your TBR.
The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith, 31 Oct 23 (945 pages)

4. Catch Up
Read that last book in the series!
Or at least, catch up to the latest instalment.
You must have read at least the first book before October 2023.
✔ 1. Phineas Finn (Palliser, #2) by Anthony Trollope, 7 Nov 23
✔ 2. The Eustace Diamonds (Palliser, #3) by Anthony Trollope, 26 Nov 23
✔ 3. Phineas Redux (Palliser, #4) by Anthony Trollope, 5 Mar 24
✔ 4. The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope, 16 Apr 24
✔ 5. The Duke's Children by Anthony Trollope, 29 Apr 24
✔ 6. Casting Off by Elizabeth Jane Howard, 27 Feb 24
✔ 7. All Change by Elizabeth Jane Howard, 19 May 24

7/7 as at 07/17

will be back on the 1st to update numbers - update: 2

1. How many?!?!
📚 Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick -Read 10/06
📚 Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami -Read 10/08


2. Share the love
✂️ "avg rating"
a. Books with the highest number
🔼 4.3 avg rating - Back on Track by Tricia Stringer -Read 01/02

b. Books with the least number
🔽 3.28 avg rating - The Here and Now by Ann Brashares -REad 07/17

3. Monstrosity
868p - A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon -Read 03/18

4. Catch Up
🔗 Library of Souls (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #3) by Ransom Riggs -Read 10/15
🔗 The Sinister Booksellers of Bath (Left-Handed Booksellers of London #2) by Garth Nix -Read 11/02

I'm in!

Trim That TBR 2023

Goal: 17
Progress: 0/17 (0%)

1. How many?! 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

2. Share the love
Sort your TBR by one (1) of the following options:
✂️ "date pub"

and read:
a. Books with the most recent date
1. Wellness (2023) - Nathan Hill
2. Bright Young Women (2023) - Jessica Knoll
3. The River We Remember (2023) - William Kent Kreuger

b. Books with the oldest date
1. Mansfield Park (1814) - Jane Austen
2. David Copperfield (1850) - Charles Dickens
3. Moby Dick (1851) - Herman Melville

Try to read the same number of books (a+b) as you did for (1) above, if not more.

3. Monstrosity - Read 1 (one) of the 5 thickest books on your TBR.
1. The Cider House Rules (1054)
2. Gone With the Wind (1037)
3. Ducks, Newburyport (1022)
4. 1000 Places to See Before You Die (992)
5. Fall of Giants (985)

4. Catch Up
Read that last book in the series! You must have read at least the first book before October 2023.
1
2
3
4
5

Finished - This year I chose to focus on this reading list first. Yay!

Trim That TBR (2023)
My start date: 20 Sept 2023

📚A. How many?!?! (Current TBR ends in "5". Must be on TBR before 20 Sep 2023 start date)
1. The First Ladies, Marie Benedict, 29 Sept 2023, on TBR Jan 2023
2. This Gulf of Fire: The Destruction of Lisbon, or Apocalypse in the Age of Science and Reason, Mark Molesky, 9 Oct 2023, on TBR Sept 2021
3. Murder at Melrose Court, Karen Baugh Menuhin, 11 Oct 2023, on TBR Nov 2021
4. Dear Emmie Blue, Lia Louis, 3 Nov 2023, on TBR July 2020
5. A Keeper, Graham Norton, 4 Nov 2023, on TBR 2019

📚B. Share the love
Chosen option: ✂️ "date pub"
Read:
a. Books with the most recent date
b. Books with the oldest date
Try to read the same number of books (a+b) as you did for (1) above, if not more.
1. The Last Devil to Die, Richard Osman, 5 Oct 2023, pub 14 Sept 2023
2. Chenneville, Paulette Jiles, 22 Sept 2023, pub. 12 Sept 2023
3. The Longmire Defense, Craig Johnson, 3 Oct 2023, pub 5 Sept 2023
4. The Wall, Marlen Haushofer, 24 Oct 2023, pub 1963
5. The Root of All Evil, E.X. Ferrars, 23 Oct 2023, pub 1 Jan 1984

📚C. Monstrosity (choose ONE of longest 5 on my list)
1. World Without End, Ken Follett, 20 Nov 2023, 1,014 pp.

📚D. Catch Up
Must have read at least the first book before October 2023.
1. The Raging Storm, Ann Cleeves, 24 Sept 2023, Two Rivers #3, first bk read in 2021
2. Birder, She Wrote, Donna Andrews, 26 Sept 2023, Meg Langslow #33, first bk read before 2009
3. The Longmire Defense, Craig Johnson, 3 Oct 2023, Walt Longmire #19, first bk read in 2017
4. Maureen, Rachel Joyce, 25 Oct 2023, Harold Fry #3, first book read in 2012
5. The Golden Calf, Helene Tursten, 15 Nov 2023, Inspector Huss #5, first book read in 2020

Trim That TBR 2023
Start Date : December 2023

A. How many?!?!
Last digit - 7
1. Nemesis - Read Dec 16
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.


B. Share the love
Publication date
a. Most recent date
b. Most oldest date

1. Light Bringer by Pierce Brown Jul 2023
2. The Ferryman by Justin Cronin May 2023
3. City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky Dec 2022
4. The Life of Moses by Gregory of Nyssa 300 AD
5. Homer Box Set: The Iliad & The Odyssey by Homer 800 AD
6. The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare1593
7. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare 1597

C. Monstrosity
1. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth hardcover 1349 pages

D. Catch up
Last book in a series or last installment
1. The Likeness by Tana French
2. Holy Sister by Mark Lawrence
3. The Sinister Mystery of the Mesmerizing Girl by Theodora Goss
4.
5.
6.
7.

Finished!

Updated in message #7.

Starting this challenge in the new year for my French TBR list.

1. How many?!?!
34 => 4
1. Engrenages et Sortilèges ✅(02.02.24)
2. L’Antidote Mortel
3. Notre-Dame des loups
4. Le Souffle de la Hyène


2. Share the love (sorted by dated added)

a. most recent
1. Le Jour où l’Humanité a niqué la fantasy
2. Le Maître des arcanes

b. oldest date
3. Elia, la Passeuse d'Âmes
4. La où la mer commence

3. Monstrosity
La passeuse de mots (736p, second longest)

4. Catch Up
1. Ellana, la Prophétie (Ellana #3)
2. L'Odyssée de Lomé (Le secret de Lomé #2)
(only have 2 books on this list that qualify)

Trim That TBR
January - December 2024

My Trim That TBR Challenge (msg 16)

Books Read🚦22

✅1. How many?!🚦Take the last digit of your TBR total and read that many books off your TBR



small tbr shelf (in calibre) = 547
🚥Little White Sins🚦05.02 ★★★
🚥Cause for Alarm🚦01.11 ★★★★
🚥[[book:Loving Tessa|205363792]🚦02.27 ★★★
🚥Turnagain Love🚦03.19 ★★★
🚥Dixie Rebel🚦02.19 ★★★★
🚥Now You See Her🚦06.24 ★★★★
🚥7th Heaven🚦08.20 ★★★★

✅2. Share the love🚦Sort your TBR by date published and read:

🚦

a. Books with the most recent date published
🚥Nov 2023🚦Inheritance🚦06.11 ★★★★
🚥Nov 2023🚦Recipe for Second Chances🚦02.03 ★★★★
🚥Oct 2023🚦Warrior's Hope🚦02.21 ★★★★
🚥Dec 2023🚦The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan🚦01.07 ★★★★
🚥Sept 2023🚦Better Hate than Never🚦06.06 ★★★★
b. Books with the oldest date published
🚥June 1950🚦A Murder Is Announced🚦03.25 ★★★
🚥Jan 1980🚦Catch Me If You Can🚦03.10 ★★★

✅3. Monstrosity🚦Read 1 (one) of the 5 thickest books on your TBR



🚥684 pp🚦Wild and Free🚦03.11 ★★★★

✅4. Catch Up🚦Read that last book in the series! Or at least, catch up to the latest instalment



🚥Baker Street #2🚦Complicated Girl🚦10.19 ★★★
🚥Big Girl Panties #3🚦Addy And The Smart Guy🚦07.12 ★★★★
🚥Domestic Gods #3🚦Breakfast in Bed🚦05.30 ★★★★
🚥Line of Duty #5🚦Staking His Claim🚦02.28 ★★★★
🚥Blacktop Cowboys #10🚦Spun Out🚦06.12 ★★★★
🚥Blood Brothers #3🚦Twisted Truths🚦05.12 ★★★★
🚥K2 Team #5🚦Only Her🚦07.22 ★★★★

Finally finished this one! Maybe just in time for the new one to start?

Finished for calendar year 2024! Thanks for hosting!
Updated post: My Trim That TBR Challenge (msg 16)

Books Read🚦22