Mount TBR Challenge Checkpoint – Halfway There!

June28

Well, I should be halfway there…but I’m not. Mount TBR challenge 2012

Bev at My Reader’s Block has called for a half-year check-in on her Mount TBR Reading Challenge. I pledged to read 50 books – the Mount Kilimanjaro level. So far, I’ve read only 15 books that were on my own shelves on December 31, 2011.

Bev asks:
• How many miles does that correlates to on the real mountain?

In this case 5,800 – that’s over a mile high so maybe I’m not doing so badly. But I still have a long way to go. (Mount Kilimanjaro is 19,340 feet high.)

• Who has been my favorite character so far?

In the books from my bookshelves (as opposed to new books & those borrowed from the library), I’d have to choose Rush Melendy from The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright. I had a huge crush on Rush when I was pre-teen and I still think him to be talented, sensitive, and smart. All the things a girl could want in a guy. [sigh]

• Have any of the books I’ve read surprised me?

I was surprised that I had a dislike for Mickey Spillane that came from my gut. I like mysteries, I’ve read noir before, but Spillane was just too hard-boiled for me.

I was also surprised by Henry David Thoreau’s Walden. I’ve wanted to read that book for 40 years – and I should have done it when I was younger. Now, I just wanted to shake him and tell him to grow up.

This is for you, Bev – it’s not a poem, but it uses(with poetic license) 12 of the 15 titles on my list.

ONE LONELY NIGHT
a girl had
A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM
in which she saw
THE MAPPING OF LOVE AND DEATH
and
A SUITABLE BOY

Upon waking, she made in her heart
A PLACE FOR JOHNNY BILL
and they spent
THE SATURDAYS
of their youth walking
THE MARKET SQUARE DOG

When they retired from
(THEIR) FINANCIAL CAREER AND OTHER FOLLIES
they spent
THESE HAPPY GOLDEN YEARS
in
WALDEN
while
THE COYOTE (SANG) TO THE MOON

So: only fifteen of the 54 books I’ve read this year met the criteria for this challenge.

Time to burn (well, maybe hide) my library card.

This year, have you read mostly borrowed books, new books, or old friends from your own shelves?

posted under Reading Challenges 2012

14 Comments to

“Mount TBR Challenge Checkpoint – Halfway There!”

On June 28th, 2012 at 8:23 am Diane@BibliophilebytheSea Says:
For some reason (LOL) my TBR stacks never decrease, but when I tend to worry a bit about it, I justify it as my “retirement reading collection” less than 5 years away I hope.
On June 28th, 2012 at 5:03 pm Debbie Says:
Oh, Diane – I am retired. I have no excuse 😉
On June 28th, 2012 at 10:51 am Bonnie Says:
I second you on Walden…I read it a while back and thought Thoreau was an inestimable gasbag.
On June 29th, 2012 at 10:44 am Debbie Says:
Thank you, Bonnie – I was feeling pretty lonely in that particular Walden camp. 😉
On June 28th, 2012 at 9:14 pm Jenners Says:
Keep on climbing!!! And A Suitable Boy should count as at least 3 books I think!
On June 29th, 2012 at 10:45 am Debbie Says:
Oh, I think so too Mrs. J – but then I had a couple of picture books in there that I read to my grandson, so I guess it all evens out.
On June 30th, 2012 at 5:34 pm Bellezza Says:
I think 15 off of your list is commendable. I haven’t read Walden since I was in high school so I wonder how I’d react now. Isn’t it funny how our reactions change as we um…mature? You wrote a clever poem with 12 of the titles; wonderful idea!

Thanks for visiting me today. It’s nice to be here!
On July 6th, 2012 at 7:47 pm Debbie Says:
Thank for your kind words, “Belle” but 15 just isn’t going to get me to top. ;-(
On June 30th, 2012 at 11:20 pm Bev@My Reader's Block Says:
Thanks for indulging me on the “poem”! I’ve had a good time reading what you all have come up with.

Trust me, I read Walden in college…when it’s supposed to resonate….yeah, it didn’t. But then I’m not an Americanist (give me the British writers every time), so I’m also a bit biased.

From what I’ve heard from people who like noir and hardboiled, Spillane is a different breed. And you either like him or you hate him….I’ve never read him, but I’d probably hate him.

Good luck with the rest of your climb!
On July 6th, 2012 at 7:48 pm Debbie Says:
Bev, I’d be interested in your reaction to Spillane, given your expertise in mysteries!
On July 6th, 2012 at 1:55 am Alyce Says:
I have good intentions to read more of my own books each year – then I keep acquiring more of them and end up tempted by library books and ARCs as well. I think you’ve actually done quite well. 🙂
On July 6th, 2012 at 7:56 pm Debbie Says:
I know, Alyce – and I give into temptation So easily! 😉
On July 6th, 2012 at 6:41 pm Chinoiseries Says:
The dreaded TBR pile that plagues us all so much… 15 is a pretty good accomplishment, even though you haven’t yet reached your goal (half-way)!

Hah, cleverly written, that poem 🙂
On July 6th, 2012 at 7:55 pm Debbie Says:
Thanks for visiting, “Chin”. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. 🙂