The TBR Double Dare: I’m In!
by Jenners • 12/21/2011 • Reading Challenges • 55 Comments
Over at Ready When You Are, C.B., James is once again daring (actually, double daring) us to read only books in our To Be Read (TBR) stack from January 1, 2012 through April 1, 2012.
According to James, the TBR Double Dare is not a book buying ban. We can still buy books during the double dare, we just can’t read them until April 1, 2012. The official stance on library books is that we can only read those in our possession or on our holds list at 12:00 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2012. Of course, we are free to set our own rules if we like. If we know we have a book club book coming up, or that a certain author has a book coming out, we can allow for exceptions. It’s all for fun.
But I say NO … it is NOT for fun. I MUST clear out my shelves to make room for new books. It is ridiculous that I have at least 6 or 7 shelves of unread books. So, I hereby solemnly swear to read only the books on my bookshelves from January 1 until April 1. No exceptions!! Mr. Jenners will be so happy … until he realizes this is just a way to justify the purchase of even more books! Insert evil laugh here.
If you feel like you want to join in, just follow the link at the top of the post.
I’m guilty of having too many “to be read” books around here. This sounds like a good motivating challenge for many of us. Good luck Jenners!
You and me both. Let’s get reading!
That’s a great idea for a challenge. Happy reading
I have shelves of unread books too…it seems never ending.
I’m in the middle of going through all my books and getting rid of quite a bit of them. It would take me at least a year to get through all of them on my TBR shelf. Man, that’s sad…
Seven shelves of unread books? And they say crafters are bad LOL
Yes … it is a bit of a problem. And imagine if I were allowed to have more than one bookcase!!!?
I’m chuckling as I read your post. My old deal was my daughter read the book, removed it from her shelf and put it on my shelf. When I was done with it, it went in the stack to get rid of. My daughter reads at double the speed of me and so I have 4 or 5 shelves of unread books, double stacked and even triple stacked. Now that I have my kindle, my book shelves are collecting dust and the books are not getting read.
Well it sounds to me like this is the perfect way to unload those bookshelves!
I don’t know..
I was talking to my Bro the other day, he who believes “real” books will soon become a thing of the past, so I see my TBR pile as stocking up!
I think your bro is wrong … but it never hurts to have a stockpile just in case!
Oh gosh – I have so many books to read!
So this is a perfect fit for you!
Is it totally wrong that I joined this challenge to read books on my shelf, yet have been adding books to my holds list at the library so that I can get them in under the wire?
Yes … that is totally wrong. You have a problem, especially since you confessed that you have 500-700 books in your home!!!
LOL! My husband says the book blogging community is like AA, except instead of promoting abstinence we encourage each other’s addiction to books.
I blame your post. I hadn’t even thought about loading my holds list until I saw that exclusion when you wrote about it. Suddenly I had a few books that I just *had* to put on there.
(I’m sure there’s something in the whole addiction thing about passing blame, but I’m just going to sit over here in happy ignorance.)
I think your husband is on to something. But who cares!!
Good luck! Just the thought of this one makes me hyperventilate. Which is ridiculous, because I have plenty of reading options in the house.
I love that it causes you to panic. I’m positive you have enough backlog that you could do it!
This was going to be my New Years resolution, but it’s a great challenge.
Perfect fit … a resolution in the form of a challenge/dare!
OK, so can I read the ARC’s I have on my nook? I really should do this, seriously! I am not in as much book ownership as many, but I have close to 50 books books, good books too, and I’d like to read them!!! Maybe….I’m on the fence.
You can for sure read your ARCs. I think the idea is to focus on reading as many books that you already own for as long as you can.
Love your evil laugh. I think I have read all of the books I own but one (not counting our hundreds of kids books), but I usually only buy a book because I am going to read it.
Well, I buy books that I plan to read … but I have to have spares just in case. Like 100 spares. Now I suppose I need to read those spares!
I should join this challenge, I really should! But I don’t think I have enough willpower!!
Well, at least you are honest!
I’m all over this one. The dare he had this year changed everything for me. He got me in the mode of grabbing good books that had been aging on my shelves. And I am hoping that Santa brings me bookshelves this year, and if so, imagine how shocked I will be when I see all those lovelies that have been hidden behind other books!
I know!! I have tons of good books that sit forgotten and now they can come forth into the light!!
I can assure you I will join in on this – it fits right in with my reading plans for the year. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Glad to be of service! I think it is a reasonable and fun challenge that is something anyone with excess books needs to undertake!
Man, I wish I lived closer to you so that I could come and raid your ‘read” books! ARGH! This challenge is a good idea- but I only have 1 book that I haven’t read, so I’m out!
You need to get yourself some more books, sister! I wish we lived closer so we could swap books!
LOL – I knew you’d break down and join me in at least one of the challenges I’m tackling, Mrs. J. Hurray!
Well, this seemed reasonable and actually doesn’t really dictate what I’ll read other than what is on my shelves so I don’t feel too constrained!
January to April? That’s hardcore.
Three months doesn’t sound all that bad to me actually. I know I have a lot of diversity on my TBR list so I don’t think I’ll get bored (or run out of books).
I just don’ t know if I could do this one! Maybe if I was not allowed out of the house or on the computer until it was over? Good Luck!
Well, that could be arranged if necessary…
HAHA!
Mr. Jenners and my husband must be twins, because I told my husband about this challenge, and he has mentioned everyday since that I need to join it. I also don’t think he realizes that this is all done in the service of getting new books, but since he doesn’t know, I’m not telling!
Hey, if they can’t work it out for themselves, then who are we to ruin it?
Wow! I honestly don’t think I have what it takes to be able to do this dare. Jenners, I salute you!
Well, let’s see how I do before you salute me! HAHA!
I couldn’t do this dare. I can’t read my TBR books, and yet I can’t part with them either….
You, my friend, have a problem. But I suspect you know that already.
I hope you make lots of space for all those new books in your future!
The vision of having empty space to fill is very motivating!
I think this is the goal of a lot of bloggers for 2012- clear off some of those shelves. Good luck with the challenge and have a blast with it.
I agree! It is something that needs to be done.
Something I think I should do but with all of those lovely books I know I’ll get for Christmas is it possible? Hmm, we’ll see.
That is the beauty of the Jan. 1 start date … they will already be on your TBR shelf so you can read all your new books!
This does sound like something we all need to know, however, I know I would fail miserably…LOL have fun.
The time limit of just three months helps me … plus an influx of new books for Christmas!
This would be fine for me as I get loads of books at Christmas!!!
If somebody was to give you a book in between the dates would it be allowed?xx
I think it is allowed to accept it but maybe not read it then. But it is a very flexible challenge!
Ooooh, well i’d have to have it as being allowed – my b’day is in January and I get books everytime!