So as previously mention, I’ve decided to participate in the Mount TBR Challenge in 2019 in the hopes that I could get my TBR under control. The first month of this challenge is over and I know you’re dying to know how many books I crossed off my TBR this month. Let’s start out with some numbers…
Stats:
TBR Count as of 1/1/19: 906
TBR Count as of 1/31/19: 920
I decided to do both the regular TBR challenge (books that I’ve bought but haven’t read) and the virtual TBR challenge (books that I don’t have but are on my TBR list), though my focus will mostly be the virtual challenge.
⏬A brief recap of the rules for both challenges can be found at the bottom of this post.⏬
Books Crossed Off Virtual TBR (these are books I did not own but that were on my GR TBR list) in January:
Books Crossed Off Physical TBR (these are books I either own a physical or digital copy of but that weren’t necessarily on my GR TBR list) in January:
Books read that applied to neither challenge (because of course I would do this):
Clearly I’m doing way better with books that aren’t on my TBR than I am with books that are. I’d like to point out that Ink and Bone was also on my TBR list, so technically I crossed 3 books off my GR TBR, not just two.
In short, I added 14 books and only took off 3, so clearly I need to put more elbow grease behind this challenge.
Expect an update at the end of February!
Virtual Challenge Rules:
~The challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2019. You may count any “currently reading” book that you begin prior to January 1–provided you have 50% or more of the book left to finish when January 1 rolled around.
~This challenge is only for books you do not own. They may be borrowed from the library, a friend, found on a free e-book site (like Project Gutenberg), or anywhere else that allows you to temporarily checkout the book. Also–unlike Mount TBR, there is no date limit on your wish list. If you see a book online that strikes your fancy after January 1 and you just have to go get it from the library, then it absolutely counts.
~Rereads may count if you have not read it within the last five years [Bev’s arbitrary pick for a limit].
~You may count “Did Not Finish” books provided they meet your own standard for such things; you do not plan to ever finish it; and you move it off your mountain. For example, Bev’s personal rule (unless it’s a very short book) is to give a book at least 100 pages. If she decides she just can’t finish it and won’t ever, then off the mountain it goes and she counts it as another step on the hike.
~Books may be used to count for other challenges as well.
Physical Challenge Rules:
The Aries Atlas 
~Books must be owned by you prior to January 1, 2019. No library books.
~The ONLY exception to the library rule: If you own the book in any form and have a valid reason to check out a version from the library instead, then you may count it. I have, in the last couple years, allowed this when individuals have made requests. For example–if you own the hard copy, but are planning on taking a trip where listening to the audio version would be a great way to knock out a book while you drive, then by all means check out the audio version and have a wonderful trip!
~Any reread may count, regardless of how long you’ve owned it prior to 2019, provided you have not read it in last five years (Bev’s arbitrary time limit) and have not counted it for a previous Mount TBR Challenge.
~Audiobooks and E-books may count if they are yours and they are one of your primary sources of backlogged books.
~You may count any “currently reading” book that you begin prior to January 1–provided that you had 50% or more of the book left to finish when January 1 rolled around. The only exception to this rule is if you have participated in Mount TBR the previous year and were unable to finish the book in time for the Final Check-in Post. Then–if you finish the book post-January 1, you may count it as your first step of the new challenge.
~You may count “Did Not Finish” books provided they meet your own standard for such things, you do not plan to ever finish it, and you move it off your mountain [give it away, sell it, etc. OR remove it from your e-resources]. For example, Bev’s personal rule (unless it’s a very short book) is to give a book at least 100 pages. If she decides she just can’t finish it and won’t ever, then off the mountain it goes and she counts it as a victory because the stack is smaller!
~Books may be used to count for other challenges as well.