2021 Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge

Challenge Basics: 

Name: Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge
Hosts: Me!
Starts: January 1, 2021
Ends: December 31, 2021
Goal: 15 books
Eligible Books: Books you acquire in 2021

Why I'm Interested:  

I'm not sure if anyone is actually hosting a challenge like this, but it's a challenge I'm giving myself, again. Last year I read a ton off books I acquired in 2020, and rather than feel bad about neglecting my previously owned books, instead I felt like I was accomplishing something with every new book I acquired and read. And I was!

Every year I participate in the Read My Own Books Challenge where I try to read as many books I own as possible. Downside? Those challenges don't count books you acquire during the challenge year, and I think they should! Sure, I know the goal is to read all those books that have been languishing year after year, but what about preventative measures? I think those should be rewarded, too!

(I feel like a health insurance plan)

So, enter my challenge. I'm going to try to make a dent in the books I get in 2021 and therefore whittle down my mountain of books remaining unread on my shelves in 2022.

Some books I'm considering: 

As many books from my Own 2021 shelf as possible. At the end of the year I'll compare how many books I acquired to how many books I've read from that list to see how well I've done. I'd like to shoot for reading/DNF-ing at least 15 books.

Books Completed:

 

17. Coco Chanel by Susan Goldman Rubin

16. The White Ship by Charles Spencer

15. The Rescuers by Margery Sharp

14. Don't Look Behind You by Peter Allison

13. Evil Thing by Serena Valentino

12. Whatever You Do, Don't Run by Peter Allison

11. Spindrift by Phyllis A. Whitney

10. Margaret of Anjou by Jacob Abbott

9. Mistress of Hardwick by Alison Plowden

8. Pandora's Lab by Paul Offit

7. Outer Banks Tales to Remember by Charles Harry Whedbee

6. Tudor Women by Alison Plowden

5. The Beaufort Bride by Judith Arnopp

4. The Social Graces by Renee Rosen

3. The Varleigh Medallion by Sylvia Thorpe

2. Fire Island by Jack Whitehouse

1. The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

Books DNF'ed: 

8. England in the Age of Chivalry and Awful Diseases by Ed West

7. How to Walk a Puma by Peter Allison

6. Panic in Level 4 by Richard Preston

5. The Cholera Years by Charles Rosenberg

4. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

3. The Girl who Married a Lion by Alexander McCall Smith

2. After Elizabeth by Leanda de Lisle

1. Shadows on the Nile by Kate Furnivall

Tweet

2020 Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge

Challenge Basics: 

Name: Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge
Hosts: Me!
Starts: January 1, 2020
Ends: December 31, 2020
Goal: 15 books
Eligible Books: Books you acquire in 2020

Why I'm Interested:  

I'm not sure if anyone is actually hosting a challenge like this, but it's a challenge I'm giving myself, again. Last year I read a ton off books I acquired in 2019, and rather than feel bad about neglecting my previously owned books, instead I felt like I was accomplishing something with every new book I acquired and read. And I was!

Every year I participate in the Read My Own Books Challenge where I try to read as many books I own as possible. Downside? Those challenges don't count books you acquire during the challenge year, and I think they should! Sure, I know the goal is to read all those books that have been languishing year after year, but what about preventative measures? I think those should be rewarded, too!

(I feel like a health insurance plan)

So, enter my challenge. I'm going to try to make a dent in the books I get in 2020 and therefore whittle down my mountain of books remaining unread on my shelves in 2021.

Some books I'm considering: 

As many books from my Acquired 2020 shelf as possible. At the end of the year I'll compare how many books I acquired to how many books I've read from that list to see how well I've done. I'd like to shoot for reading/DNF-ing at least 15 books.

Books Completed:

 

29. Seeds of Hope by Kristiana Gregory

28. The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston

27. Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

26. The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman

25. Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

24. Crisis in the Red Zone by Richard Preston

23. The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

22. Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie by Kristiana Gregory

21. To Marry an English Lord by Gail MacColl

20. Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat

19. Invincible Microbe by Jim Murphy

18. An American Plague by Jim Murphy

17. The Hot Zone by Richard Preston

16. Caligula by Aloys Winterling

15. The Glitter and the Gold by Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan

14. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

13. Victorian Fashion Accessories by Ariel Beaujot

12. How to Fight by Thich Nhat Hanh

11. Catherine of Aragon by Giles Tremlet

10. The Provincial Lady in America by E. M. Delafield

9. Life Among the Savages by Shirley Jackson

8. Please Don't Eat the Daisies by Jean Kerr

7. The Provincial Lady Goes Further by E. M. Delafield

6. She Wolves by Elizabeth Norton

5. How to Relax by Thich Nhat Hanh

4. Fast and Loose by Edith Wharton

3. Sanctuary by Edith Wharton

2. Bunner Sisters by Edith Wharton

1. Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne

Books DNF'ed: 

1.

Tweet

2019 Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge

Challenge Basics: 

Name: Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge
Hosts: Me!
Starts: January 1, 2019
Ends: December 31, 2019
Goal: 15 books
Eligible Books: Books you acquire in 2019

Why I'm Interested:  

I'm not sure if anyone is actually hosting a challenge like this, but it's a challenge I'm giving myself, again. Last year I read a ton off books I acquired in 2018, and rather than feel bad about neglecting my previously owned books, instead I felt like I was accomplishing something with every new book I acquired and read. And I was!

Every year I participate in the Read My Own Books Challenge where I try to read as many books I own as possible. Downside? Those challenges don't count books you acquire during the challenge year, and I think they should! Sure, I know the goal is to read all those books that have been languishing year after year, but what about preventative measures? I think those should be rewarded, too!

(I feel like a health insurance plan)

So, enter my challenge. I'm going to try to make a dent in the books I get in 2019 and therefore whittle down my mountain of books remaining unread on my shelves in 2020 (I can't believe I just wrote 2020...where is the time going?!).

Some books I'm considering: 

As many books from my Acquired 2019 shelf as possible. At the end of the year I'll compare how many books I acquired to how many books I've read from that list to see how well I've done. I'd like to shoot for reading/DNF-ing at least 15 books.

Books Completed:

42. Elizabeth the Great by Elizabeth Jenkins
41. The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowksi
40. 1536: The Year that Changed Henry VIII by Suzannah Lipscomb
39. The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett
38. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
37. The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Whaton
36. The Ghost-Feeler by Edith Wharton
35. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
34. The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White
33. The Orange Trees of Versailles by Annie Pietri
32. The Swap by Megan Shull
31. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
30. The Kiss of the Concubine by Judith Arnopp
29. The Sisters Mortland by Sally Beauman
28. A Little Bit of Buddha by Chad Mercree
27. The Case of the Gypsy Good-Bye by Nancy Springer
26. The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer
25. The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan by Nancy Springer
24. The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Nancy Springer
23. The Case of the Left-Handed Lady by Nancy Springer
22. The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer
21. The Sacred River by Wendy Wallace
20. The Mozart Girl by Barbara Nickel
19. Always Emily by Michaela MacColl
18. Let's Move and The Show Must Go On by Courtney Shienmel and Bianca Turetsky
17. The Vanished Bride by Bella Ellis
16. The Poison Thread by Laura Purcel
15. The Ghost Tree by Barbara Erskine
14. Where I End and You Begin by Preston Norton
13. 104 Horses by Mandy Retzlaff
12. The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin
11. Royal Flash by George MacDonald Fraser
10. Busy Body by Marion Chesney
9. Productivity Hacks by Emily Price
8. Henry VIII by Robert Lacey
7. There Goes the Bride by Marion Chesney
6. The Kings and Queens of England: A Tourist Guide by Jane Murray
5. A Spoonful of Poison by Marion Chesney
4. Remembrance by Jude Deveraux
3. Kissing Christmas Goodbye by Marion Chesney
2. Love, Lies, and Liquor by Marion Chesney
1. Dream More by Dolly Parton

Books DNF'ed: 

1.


Tweet

2018 Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge

Challenge Basics: 

Name: Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge
Hosts: Me!
Starts: January 1, 2018
Ends: December 31, 2018
Goal: 15 books
Eligible Books: Books you acquire in 2018

Why I'm Interested:  

I'm not sure if anyone is actually hosting a challenge like this, but it's a challenge I'm giving myself, again. Last year I read a ton off books I acquired in 2017, and rather than feel bad about neglecting my previously owned books, instead I felt like I was accomplishing something with every new book I acquired and read. And I was!

Every year I participate in the Off the Shelf Challenge where I try to read as many books I own as possible. Downside? Those challenges don't count books you acquire during the challenge year, and I think they should! Sure, I know the goal is to read all those books that have been languishing year after year, but what about preventative measures? I think those should be rewarded, too!

(I feel like a health insurance plan)

So, enter my challenge. I'm going to try to make a dent in the books I get in 2018 and therefore whittle down my mountain of books remaining unread on my shelves in 2019.

Some books I'm considering: 

As many books from my Acquired 2018 shelf as possible. At the end of the year I'll compare how many books I acquired to how many books I've read from that list to see how well I've done. I'd like to shoot for reading/DNF-ing at least 15 books.

Books Completed:

54. Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House by M. C. Beaton
53. The Enchanted Places by Christopher Milne
52. The Royal Griffin by Juliet Dymoke
51. Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate by M. C. Beaton
50. Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came by M. C. Beaton
49. The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown by Claire Ridgway
48. Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell by M. C. Beaton
47. Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam by M. C. Beaton
46. Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden by M. C. Beaton
45. Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham by M. C. Beaton
44. Night and Silence by Seanan McGuire
43. Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death by M. C. Beaton
42. Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist by M. C. Beaton
41. Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage by M. C. Beaton
40. Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley by M. C. Beaton
39. Death of a King by P. C. Doherty
38. Isabella by Colin Falconer
37. Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardner by M. C. Beaton
36. Deborah Goes to Dover by Marion Chesney
35. Agatha Raisin and the Viscious Vet by M. C. Beaton
34. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M. C. Beaton
33. The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Greece by Jonathan Stokes
32. Beatrice Goes to Brighton by Marion Chesney
31. Bright Burns the Night by Sarah B. Larson
30. Penelope Goes to Portsmouth by Marion Chesney
29. Mother Knows Best by Serena Valentino
28. A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander
27. Annie's Life in Lists by Kristin Mahoney
26. A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
25. Belinda Goes to Bath by Marion Chesney
24. Emily Goes to Exeter by Marion Chesney
23. Frederica in Fashion by Marion Chesney
22. The Little Book of Pooh-isms by Disney
21. Diana the Huntress by Marion Chesney
20. Daphne by Marion Chesney
19. Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus
18. Dierdre and Desire by Marion Chesney
17. The Taming of Annabelle by Marion Chesney
16. Minerva by Marion Chesney
15. Back in Society by Marion Chesney
14. Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue by Marion Chesney
13. Sir Philip's Folly by Marion Chesney
12. Mrs Budley Falls from Grace by Marion Chesney
11. Miss Tonks Turns to Crime by Marion Chesney
10. Lady Fortescue Steps Out by Marion Chesney
9. Notorious Royal Marriages by Leslie Carroll
8. The Boy, the Bird and the Coffin Maker by Matilda Woods
7. Camille's Story, 1910 by Adele Whitby
6. Powder and Patch by Georgette Heyer
5. The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
4. Freya and the Magic Jewel by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
3. Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton
2. Castle Behind Thorns by Merrie Haskell
1. Handbook for Dragon Slayers by Merrie Haskell



Books DNF'ed: 

1.


Tweet

2017 Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge

Challenge Basics: 

Name: Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge
Hosts: Me!
Starts: January 1, 2017
Ends: December 31, 2017
Goal: 15 books
Eligible Books: Books you acquire in 2017

Why I'm Interested:  

I'm not sure if anyone is actually hosting a challenge like this, but it's a challenge I'm giving myself. Every year I participate in the Off the Shelf Challenge where I try to read as many books I own as possible.

Downside? Those challenges don't count books you acquire during the challenge year, and I think they should! Sure, I know the goal is to read all those books that have been languishing year after year, but what about preventative measures? I think those should be rewarded, too!

(I feel like a health insurance plan)

So, enter my challenge. I'm going to try to make a dent in the books I get in 2017 and therefore whittle down my mountain of books remaining unread on my shelves in 2018.

Some books I'm considering: 

As many books from my Acquired 2017 shelf as possible. At the end of the year I'll compare how many books I acquired to how many books I've read from that list to see how well I've done. I'd like to shoot for reading/DNF-ing at least 15 books.

Books Completed:

37. Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith
36. The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne
35. The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
34. Marrying off Mother by Gerald Durrell
33. Behind the Palace Doors by Michael Farquhar
32. Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
31. The Brightest Fell by Seanan McGuire
30. The Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium by Gerald Durrell
29. Seven Kings of England by Geoffrey Trease
28. Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne
27. Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts
26. Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock
25. The Secrets She Carried by Barbara Davis
24. The Visitors by Sally Beauman
23. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
22. The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken
21. The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt
20. The Lost King by Alison Prince
19. The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood by Susan Wittig Albert
18. The Tale of Holly How by Susan Wittig Albert
17. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
16. The Perilous Princess Plot by Sarah Courtlaud
15. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
14. The Tudor Tutor by Barb Alexander
13. Horton Halfpot by Tom Angelberger
12. Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
11. Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
10. Three Singles to Adventure by Gerald Durrell
9. The Garden of the Gods by Gerald Durrell
8. Birds, Beasts, and Relatives by Gerald Durrell
7. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
6. Dream Magic by Joshua Khan
5. Once Broken Faith by Seanan McGuire
4. A Red-Rose Chain by Seanan McGuire
3. The Winter Long by Seanan McGuire
2. Chimes at Midnight by Seanan McGuire
1. Ashes of Honor by Seanan McGuire


Books DNF'ed: 

6. Radiance by Alyson Noel (audio)
5. Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot*
4. The Queen's Mary by Sarah Gristwood*
3. History's Strangest Characters by Geoff Tibballs
2.  Haven by Mary Lindsay
1. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh


Tweet

2016 Challenge: Keep the Books Off the Shelf

Challenge Basics: 

Name: Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge
Hosts: Me!
Starts: January 1, 2016
Ends: December 31, 2016
Goal: 15 books
Eligible Books: Books you acquire in 2016

Why I'm Interested:  

I'm not sure if anyone is actually hosting a challenge like this, but it's a challenge I'm giving myself. Every year I participate in the Off the Shelf Challenge where I try to read as many books I own as possible.

Downside? Those challenges don't count books you acquire during the challenge year, and I think they should! Sure, I know the goal is to read all those books that have been languishing year after year, but what about preventative measures? I think those should be rewarded, too!

(I feel like a health insurance plan)

So, enter my challenge. I'm going to try to make a dent in the books I get in 2016 and therefore whittle down my mountain of books remaining unread on my shelves in 2017.

Some books I'm considering: 

As many books from my Acquired 2016 shelf as possible. At the end of the year I'll compare how many books I acquired to how many books I've read from that list to see how well I've done. I'd like to shoot for reading/DNF-ing at least 15 books.

Books Completed:

40. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
39. Saranormal: Ghost Town by Phoebe Rivers
38. Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone by Dene Low
37. Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
36. Austenland by Shannon Hale
35. Great Tales from English History, vol. 2 by Robert Lacey
34. Late Eclipses by Seanan McGuire
33. Great Tales from English History, vol. 1 by Robert Lacey
32. An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire
31. Doomed Queens by Kris Waldherr
30. A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire
29. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
28. Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas by Jonathan Stokes
27. The King's General by Daphne du Maurier
26. Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Eland
25. The Visitor by Amanda Stevens
24. Grave Visions by Kalayna Price
23. The Conquering Family by Thomas B. Costain
22. Poor Unfortunate Soul by Serena Valentino
21. Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield
20. Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt
19. Henry VIII and His Six Wives by Maureen Peters
18. Villains by Disney
17. Written in Red by Anne Bishop
16. The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell
15. The Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer
14. The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
13. A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
12. With All My Heart by Margaret Campbell Barnes
11. Red by Liesl Shurtliff
10. Iris the Colorful by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
9. My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen
8. The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery
7. In the Shadow of the Crown by Jean Plaidy
6. Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery
5. The Case of the Girl in Grey by Jordan Stratford
4. Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery
3. The Case of the Missing Moonstone by Jordan Stratford
2. Beauty by Robin McKinley
1. Mouse Scouts by Sarah Dillard


Books DNF'ed: 

1.


Tweet

2015 Challenge: Keep the Books Off the Shelf

Challenge Basics: 

Name: Keep the Books Off the Shelf Challenge
Hosts: Me!
Starts: January 1, 2015
Ends: December 31, 2015
Eligible Books: Books you acquire in 2015.

Why I'm Interested:  

I'm not sure if anyone is actually hosting a challenge like this, but it's a challenge I'm giving myself. Every year I participate in the Off the Shelf Challenge where I try to read as many books I own as possible.

Downside? Those challenges don't count books you acquire during the challenge year, and I think they should! Sure, I know the goal is to read all those books that have been languishing year after year, but what about preventative measures? I think those should be rewarded, too!

(I feel like a health insurance plan)

So, enter my challenge. I'm going to tally up all the books I acquire and read in 2015 and therefore whittle down my mountain of books remaining unread on my shelves in 2016. 

This isn't an official challenge, but feel free to join me and track your books anyway you'd like!


Some books I'm considering: 

As many books from my Acquired 2015 shelf as possible. At the end of the year I'll compare how many books I acquired to how many books I've read from that list to see how well I've done.

Books Completed:

15. A Conspiracy of Princes by Justin Somper *
14. The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy *
13. Winter Rose by Patricia McKillip *
12. Red Girl, Blue Boy by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
11. The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
10. Appleblossom the Possum by Holly Goldberg Sloan
9. Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible by Ursula Vernon
8. Diary of a Mad Brownie by Bruce Coville
7. The Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz
6. Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty
5. A Thousand Nights by E. K. Johnson
4. Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier*
3. The Disappearance of Emily H by Barrie Summy
2. First Truth by Dawn Cook*
1. The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki


Books DNF'ed: 

3. Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher *
2. The Vanishing Island by Barry Wolverton
1. Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman



Tweet