Mount TBR Challenge 2025 discussion

Fifth year on this challenge and still afraid to start on a higher mountain than this. But I conquered it last year so I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.

Traditionally, I use this challenge to try and clear out books I bought "just to read" and then see how many I can donate afterwards, but this year I'm hoping I will read a fair amount of books I am subsequently happy to own.
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1. Love Me A Little - Avery Easton (2020)
Bought online last year, because it was the only way to access without an e-reader and it had been on my Goodreads TBR for a couple of years. Liked it enough that due to the aforementioned scarcity - and its nice slim size - I will keep it for a while.

2. Marlowe Banks, Redesigned - Jacqueline Firkins (2022)
Bought for $3 on clearance last year because it was on my Goodreads TBR and not at my local library. Loved it!

3. Cold Day in the Sun - Sara Biren (2019)
Bought 2 years ago at a used book sale. Good story, keeping for now.

4. The Beautiful Lost - Luanne Rice (2017)
Bought last year at a used book sale. Good but will probably donate it; don't see myself revisiting any parts.

End-of-quarter update...

5. Blue Moon - Hila Feil (1990)
Pulled out of a Little Free Library almost...3 years ago now? 😬 But I loved it and will give it a good forever home.

6. Out of the Storm - Patricia Willis (1995)
Bought last year from the library sale cart, very satisfying middle-grade historical fiction. Keeping for now.

7. Creature Comforts: The Adventures of a City Vet - Stephen Kritsick (1983)
Best guess is I bought it 6-9 years ago at a used book sale. Took me a while to be in the mood for a vet memoir but very enjoyable, definite keeper.

8. Unbreak Me - Michelle Hazen (2019)
Bought 3 years ago at a book sale, loved it!

9. The Second Chance Store - Lauren Bravo (2023)
Bought on a whim on Pango Books last year, part of a big order of v. cheap titles from 1 seller. 4 stars, keeping for now.

10. Scrapbook of an Unfound Songstress - Vicky Nolan (2017)
Also bought on Pango last year because I couldn't get it from libraries. Keeping for now because it's slim and a hard-to-get-ahold-of novelty.



I guess I am doing pretty all right! But spring is my busy season so we'll see.

I always mean to update this when I've read 5 books or at the end of a month, whichever comes first, but I keep missing both markers so here's a massive update:

11. The Girl He Used to Know - Tracy Garvis Graves
12. Heard It In A Love Song - Tracy Garvis Graves

^ Got both of these at the dollar store last year, the former in paperback, latter hardcover. I loved the former, didn't like & have already donated the latter.

13. A Spot of Trouble - Teri Wilson
Bought from the library sale corner last year. Cute but forgettable; already donated.

14. Rarity Mountain - Sara L. Foust
Bought online 3 years ago. Didn't like it as much as the previous book in the series, but the cover is gorgeous and I want to keep them together, so keeping for now.

15. Wish Me Home - Kay Bratt
Yet another from the Pango set last year (this one had been on my Goodreads TBR since 2022). I liked but didn't love it...keeping for now as it has some unique elements; may donate later.

16. Pamela and the Blue Mare
17. The Blue Mare in the Olympic Trials

Bought 7 or 8 years ago and they will DEFINITELY remain part of my prized vintage horse book collection.

18. Eliza's Journal - Caelyn A.B. Williams
Bought online 3 years ago because I couldn't get it via interlibrary loan. It's unique; keeping for now.

19. Journey to Almost There - JoAnn Bren Guernsey
Bought 6+ years ago; it was OK. Will donate eventually, but for now I have another one of hers and she's a local author whose books I rarely see, so I like having them together.

20. Hazel Fine Sings Along - Katie Wicks
Bought a year ago because it was on my Goodreads TBR & I couldn't get it at the library. Fun book, glad I have it.

21. The Distance Home - Orly Konig
Bought 2 years ago at a library sale, really enjoyed it & glad I have it.

22. Hello, Sunshine - Leila Howland
Yet another book bought 2 years ago. Super cute; once again glad I own it!

23. Greenwild - Pari Thomas
Bought last year...absolutely loved it.

24. Lost Highways - Curtiss Ann Matlock
Bought 3 years ago at a library sale; enjoyed my time but will probably donate.



AND WITH THAT...challenge completed, in record time! I will be moving on to another mountain but haven't decided which one yet.