No Suntag today. I know, you’re devastated but stick with me, it’ll be fun.
This year of blogging and reading has brought me many things, including a towering TBR that needs and deserves some love. Drunk on book envy and cursed with a finger that clicks on Amazon deals faster than you can say Sabotage (who will get the reference?) I hoarded books like never before. And I mean it. I used to buy ten, maybe 15 books a year. My account says I’ve ordered 96 times since January, and it doesn’t take into account the secondhand shop trips. Oops. This is why I have decided to participate in my very first challenge. It’s time to take the dust off those babies.
The Beat The Backlist Challenge is hosted by Austine @ Novel Knight. Click on the link for rules and guidelines. You’ll also find an exciting Hogwarts House Cup Challenge linked to the main challenge, how fun!
Due to the alarming amount of books waiting to be petted and cuddled, I am setting my goal to 30. It might be aiming a bit high but I have reached my Goodreads goal faster than expected in 2016 and I feel like pushing myself a little. I want to test my limits, as long as it’s all about staying indoors with tea and books.
I’m going to put a list of some of the books that have been waiting the longest, therefore should be read first! Let’s see how this goes.
I am forgetting tons of titles but it’s a start. I also decided to help my Hogwarts house win the cup!
What about you? Tempted by the challenge? Join me and let’s keep the fun going.
Not a fan.. but Taylor Swift reference maybe? ๐ Best of luck on your challenge.. you crazy go getter you โค You have some great books in the haul though. Will you be posting reviews for them all?
LikeLiked by 2 people
And the winner is… Danielle! ๐๐ ๐
Thank you ๐ I’ll need luck and lots of reading time! Yep I’ve decided to review 90% of my books in 2017. This year I only reviewed half of them and I already forgot most of the poor stories I did not work on. They deserve better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are a rockstar! Looking forward to an abundance of fabulous reviews ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I wish! ๐ I’ll do my best! I realized I will be taking part in 4 challenges for the year, it’s gonna be fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This challenge would definitely help reduce that TBR by a lot, but I fear I’ll still end up increasing it over the year anyways. ๐ฆ Hope you get through those that you’ve had the longest throughout the year though! ๐ Happy reading!
– Lashaan
LikeLiked by 1 person
I already know I won’t stop buying and getting books from the library, but I am hoping the challenge might trigger something in my brain to help reduce the money spending! And those books deserve all my love ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck with your reading challenge Donna, I’m hoping to concentrate more on my books that are sat on my book shelf next year and less ARC’s (watch this space, as I have no will power where books are concerned and just merrily click away๐)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Good luck to you too! It is so easy to request, and so difficult to resist! Staying away from NetGalley was hard at first but now it is slowly getting better. I only feel the urge to rush back there when there’s a brilliant ARC review on my reader feed ๐
LikeLike
Good luck – I’m doing a similar challenge on Goodreads – you need to read the Angela Marsons – you’ll love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I know, I’m so late on Angela Marsons’ books it feels everyone but me has read them!
LikeLike
OH wonderful list of books my sweechie, I spot some I really loved on here! I’m eager to know how you feel about Illuminae. Never Let Me Go was such a good book as well, so unique, different and definitely surprising. I need to read Red Rising as well,… someday, ahah, I keep hearing wonderful things about this series ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not even half the books I need to read xD But I’m very excited about all of them. It’s time to care for my babies! I don’t know where it comes from but I have had the feeling that Never Let Me Go was a boring read, that explains why it’s been three years since I bought it. Red Rising, just like Six of Crows, gets so much praise I’m scared to start it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh I understand, I had the same feeling about Never Let Me Go, and I’m not going to lie : it’s not a too fast-paced read. But…It’s worth reading, really. There’s such a particular atmosphere about this book, and that ending, well… please don’t get spoiled before reading this – or at least try to – because if you don’t, well, maybe you’ll feel just like I did: slapped in the face while reading that ending haha.
LikeLike
I love slaps in the face from books ๐ Thanks for the extra motivation for this book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have just checked the rules and I think I’ll take the challenge.I have been focusing so much on ARCs and new releases so there lots of other books that have been neglected along the way.All the best and I hope that you’ll love The Girl in the Ice(I like this series) and the rest of the books.I need to read Flawed soon.Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So happy you’re trying this challenge! Let’s support each other ๐ I felt it was time to take care of the TBR after so many ARCs. I’ll soon be done with those so it’ll be nice to get to read books I’ve been dying to get my hands on.
LikeLike
Some great books on that list and sounds a fab challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope it helps me find new brilliant stories among the 60 books waiting on my shelves! ๐
LikeLike
Ohh that sounds like fun, I’m definitely going to join this one! I’m already feeling guilty by just thinking about all those poor neglected books collecting dust on my (virtual) TBR pile, and this challenge just might help me read more of them. Also, I *think* I’m a Ravenclaw as well, so that’s another for the housecup! ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a needed challenge and it’s gonna be fun! ๐ Let’s bring the cup to our house!
LikeLiked by 1 person
YESSS!! ๐
LikeLike
Great post! I really enjoyed The Age of Miracles – I recommend you read that soon! Hope you enjoy them all ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had forgotten the book was on my shelf, can you believe that? New releases keep coming and I lose track of my books too easily. But those days are over! ๐ Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some great books on your list so at least you’ll enjoy your backlog. My tbr is so off the scale I wouldn’t dare challenge myself. I have made a mental note for next year though to try and read a book a month that is mine and not for review.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s an nice and achievable goal ๐ I decided to go for the challenge because I don’t want to keep this rhythm and lose track of what books I already have. My TBR might kill me if I don’t take care of it as soon as possible!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a great challenge and a nice list ! I’ve read 6 of the books listed and liked them all (although I’ve never read the third of the Hunger Games trilogy, but it’s not entirely my genre either, lots of action but not so much to keep my mind busy). I think it’s a great idea but it’s never going to work for me. I decided to stop requesting Netgalley books and tackle some of my most wanted instead.. until I wanted to simply look up a title and clicked 3 times (no answer yet though). In 2017 there is 1 title that I absolutely want to read and which has been staring at me for months now and that’s Behind Closed Doors. So much is raved about this book that I hate it being so far on my read list. #startsmall
LikeLiked by 2 people
Once you stop checking NetGalley except for adding reviews of books you already requested, you slowly lose the urge to go and get more ARCs. I don’t miss it, it feels so nice to be in control again! OMG I so need to read Behind Closed Doors too! It’s been on my Kindle and I’ve been dying to read it! #gofar ๐
LikeLike
Hmm… Is the reference the Beastie Boys song or are you just referring back to your massive TBR that just keeps growing therefore you sabotage yourself constantly? (that’s my problem). A few one the ones you have pictured are on my TBR though not in the challenge. Have not heard of that Jodi Picoult book- that’s the problem with living under your massive TBR. I look forward to your review of it, eventually. Dying for Illuminae and the sequel but I don’t own them yet. I’ve heard good thing about Red Queen and The Martian. Good luck! Check out my post too and let’s win this for the Ravenclaw house!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sadly it’s a Taylor Swift reference ๐ But I do sabotage my plans a lot by adding too many titles per month! Thanks for visiting, I’ll go visit your post! ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Taylor’s music….wondering how come I don’t know the reference LOL
LikeLike
Hmm…wondering how come I don’t know the T. Swizzle reference when I have loved all her music from the start of her career. I even have a bunch of the songs from her unreleased demo Smokey Black Nights…
LikeLike
What a fantastic challenge–and oh my goodness, you’re not kidding about your book-hoarding year, huh?
“I want to test my limits, as long as itโs all about staying indoors with tea and books.”
Ha! This sounds like a sensible plan to me.
Best of luck on your challenge! I look forward to congratulating you on your upcoming success. =)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Definitely not kidding. I was horrified when I checked Amazon. I went a little bit overboard! Thank you! I’ll probably have a challenge section in my monthly wrap-up to keep track of all challenges I’m taking in 2017 ๐
LikeLiked by 2 people
Can’t wait to see your thought of Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult! I have it in my elibrary but I haven’t read it yet!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I keep hearing Picoult’s writing is great and her stories brilliant so I can’t wait to finally see for myself ๐
LikeLiked by 2 people
I own a bunch of her books…a bargain bookstore that used to be near my parents sold like every one and I bought all I ever saw there before they closed up! I’ve read a few of them and fell in love. Several movies have been made from her ๐ too.
LikeLike
She is!! I love her books. She’s definitely one of my favorite authors too.
LikeLike
You know what?
I was thinking for a while about my personal library, which is full of backlisted titles that I collected before starting blogging.
And I decided to read at least two of them per month, bc otherwhise I’ll never read them, and that would mean I wasted my money on them. Also, I really want to read them.
And there’s also one fun fact: I went through my stats and realized that my most read book review is for a backlisted title – What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang (which is probably unusual bc they say new titles get more views).
Anyway, I’m glad I saw your post on this theme bc I will sign up for it too! ๐
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yay, another awesome participant ๐ What I like about this challenge is that it’s low on pressure, you just have to grab those baby books and show them some love, a thing we should have done weeks/months/sometimes years ago. Books pile up so easily, and it’s worse with ebooks! I can’t see them so I keep buying to avoid running out of stories. Then I open the Kindle and it’s full. Oops!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s partially my problem…with ebooks I snatch them when they’re free or no more then $2.99 but most of the time it’s *out of sight out of mind* because I prefer the feel of physical books. So even if it’s a book I’ve really been wanting that I buy as an e-book I’m still not likely to read it till I get a physical copy at a reasonable price. ๐
LikeLike
Irena, that’s really cool that your backlist review is your most read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
PS: great blog name! LOL
LikeLike
Yes, it’s somewhat unusual bc everyone says you should read new releases to gain followers, but the stats tell it’s not the rule after all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well that works for me since I’m slow at reading and most of my books are not new releases. Although I am reading a new release right now lol. I’m just not very good with finding the words for reviews LOL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Taylor! Hahaha
That’s a great challenge and some of the books you have listed I also have them on the TBR (and some Ive read). I didn’t think there was anyone left to read The Hunger Games lol
LikeLike
Couldn’t help it :p
And here I am. I watched the movies so I thought I did not need to read the books. Then I started blogging and reading again and was reminded books are always better!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wait… you haven’t read The Hunger Games Trilogy?? I thought everyone in the world already had. ๐
Out of the ones you listed, I’ve only read 2, the other one being Never Let Me Go.
I have so many backlist books to read, but my reading schedule is too unpredictable to commit too anything else. I also have a few goals I have set for myself, so I don’t want to stress myself out by doing another challenge. But I will still try to read as many backlist books as I can on my own.
Good luck with this challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
:p I like being late to the party! There are so many books everyone but me has read, it’s what makes me special ๐
Good luck to you too! I avoid pressure as much as possible, but this challenge is nice and doesn’t have strict rules or anything so I only see it as extra motivation!
(Your comment ended up in spam, you might want to check you haven’t been spam-jailed!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have decided to participate in this challenge as well. I am hoping to get my post up tomorrow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you’re participating! It’s a fun and relaxed challenge ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great challenge, and maybe one I should consider taking part in a well given the amount of books I have on my backlist (a lot, I don’t know the exact number but it’s a lot).
I hope you manage to get through all of your thirty next year. A lot of these I haven’t read by Red Rising, The Hunger Games and Illuminae are some of my all-time favourite so I really hope you enjoy them, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting your reviews of both to see what you think. I also have Flawed on my to-read list, not sure when I’ll get around to that but if I take part in this challenge maybe it can be one of mine as well!
Good luck Donna! ๐
LikeLiked by 2 people
Iโd love to do this challenge with you! It would give me extra motivation๐ I stopped counting the books waiting on my shelves, it was depressing! Like for the Goodreads challenge, I set a low goal so I can avoid pressure and be extra happy when I exceed it! I just canโt wait to read those and see if my opinion differs from the widespread one like it often does๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that NovelKnight has gotten so many people interested in this little challenge! I think we’ll all have plenty of motivation to go for our goals! I don’t even remember setting a goal for the Goodreads challenge but naturally I’m behind…ahh the life of The Procrastinate Reader LOL
LikeLike
Well in that case why not! I need to get through some of the books I have on my shelves and on my to-read list and this seems like a great way to achieve both aims. Plus it may work better than read-a-thons for me as well!
I may have to do that with my Goodreads challenge next year actually. With blogging and all I just don’t have the time to read as much as I used to!
I’ll definitely be interested to see what you think of them all. ๐
LikeLike
I have never taken part in any read-a-thon because they scare me, haha! Blogging does take away some of our precious reading time, doesn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know without even taking part in a read-a-thon I’d never make it to the end.
And yeah but it’s all worth it in the end right?
LikeLike
Okay tell me that was a reference to Better Than Revenge- or I have too much TSwift on the brain! (actually no need to answer that- I definitely have too much TSwift on the brain!) hahaa I feel you about the explosion of book-buying habits- I’m out of control these days! Ahh good luck with this- so, so many pretty books here!!! Red Rising, the Martian and Never Let Me Go are all awesome!! I still need to read Illuminae- even though it’s been sitting on my shelf for ages!! Great post!
LikeLike
It was indeed Better Than revenge! ๐๐ What is too much TSwift anyway?? I know, all of those books looks yummy and I just want to jump on them!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
ahhh I’m so glad!!!! hahaha I know right!! I was just covering my back in case you weren’t a fellow swifty ๐ YES!!!
LikeLike
Good luck with the challenge! You know I am a huge advocate of Red Rising and the Martian!!! Also, can’t really say anything bad about Illuminae, although others love it more than me. YOU CAN DO THIS :D!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I WILL FIGHT AND SUCCEED ๐ All I have to do is love those books, haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha you make it sound so easy!
LikeLike
This is one heck of a challenge Donna but I am rooting for your success!!! ๐ you have some really good selection here (Red Rising! woot woot!), some of which have been on my shelves/TBR too long (The Silkworm smh). I am in a similar predicament with arcs though so I too will be digging my way out probably until March 2017 smh *covers eyes* & to top it off & I also cannot stop myself from buying those amazing Kindle deals lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! ๐๐ I felt it was time for me to take part in challenges to spice things up a little on the blog. This one is very handy because I can’t keep my TBR in this poor state, haha! I know, staying away from those Kindle deals is impossible, I keep finding new ones! And when I’m not looking for them, Amazon stalks me with emails ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a win win for you & the blog ๐ & between Amazon deals & other bloggers I follow who post up deals they’ve found around the web ๐ I’ll never be rich ๐
LikeLike
Let’s not be rich together ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ
LikeLike
I like this challenge! I also have lots of books that need to be petted and cuddled (totally laughed at that lol). This sounds like a great way to dust them off a bit :).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t be the only one who pets and cuddles her books, can I? :p This challenge was made for me! It fits my plans perfectly and it’s all about caring for your books before getting new ones, haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I defiantly pet and cuddle. Especially when I get a book I’ve been dying to read, I like hug it to me when it comes in the mail lol.
LikeLike
Hahaha, we should have a club!
LikeLike
This sounds great! I’ll join in too cause I NEED to read some of these books I bought and forgot about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you’re joining the challenge! ๐ Buying books is easier than finding the time to read them, we need a little help!
LikeLike
Indeed. A little more help and a little more time to get through them all.
LikeLike
I really need to do this too. My backlist is insanity. I’m suuuuper happy to see Illuminae on here ๐ I hope you enjoy it โฅ
LikeLiked by 1 person
I panicked when I realized my TBR had reached 100 books! ๐ I must be the last person who hasn’t read Illuminae yet!
LikeLike