TBR Jar Challenge 2017!

As I mentioned in my 2017 Goals post earlier in December, I've been very interested in creating my own TBR Jar challenge for 2017. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept of the TBR Jar Challenge, you create 12 different challenges related to books on your TBR, and then each month you select a challenge at random from a jar to complete. I believe Katytastic on YouTube started this in 2015, and you can see the video in which she introduces it here.

I actually did get around to making a TBR Jar for myself, so in this post I'll just sort of walk you through what I did?

Step 1: Obtain a jar (or mug or cup or bowl or whatever works best for you)

Target had Mason jars on sale in their dollar section, so a picked a couple up, but you could certainly use any mug or cup you have laying around.

Step 2: Gather your others supplies

 

While I just needed a silver sharpie and some cardstock, some people I've seen have a lot of fun decorating their jar's exterior with things like paint pens and washi tape, so you do you!

Step 3: Decide on challenges

After a long google session, I was able to come up with 12 challenge ideas that'll work best for me. They are as follows:

• Read a book with 500+ pages
• Read a "new to me" author 
• Read a 2017 release
• Read a classic (ahhh scary- and no, school books don't count.) 
• Read a book with a number or color in the title
• Read a book with a one word title
• Read a book with a blue cover
• Read a book "everyone" but you has read
• Read a book by a male author
• Read a book by a female author
• Read a book with less than 300 pages
• Read a sequel 

Those are the challenges I selected, but I'd make sure you create challenges that'll suit you as a reader, while still prompting you to read things you might not normally gravitate towards. 

And once you've selected your challenges, write them out on slips of paper. I used pastel cardstock because #aesthetic, but the thick paper is a little challenging when it comes to folding and stuffing inside of the jar. (Although it does a nice job of preventing me from seeing through the other side.) 

Step 4: Put the slips of paper inside the jar (plot twist ikr) 

And now you've got your TBR Jar! And it's January, so you can go ahead and select your first challenge. Mine was to read a book with a one word title, and I chose Truthwitch by Susan Dennard. (Which ended up being a good thing because book two comes out on the 10th!) 

Let me know if you've ever wanted to do a TBR jar, or if you 've done one before. I hope you join me this year with this super fun challenge! (Here's to a great 2017.) 

Intimidating Books

When I look at my TBR list, there are definitely books that I simply struggle to bring myself to read. Whether it be their length, plot, or genre, there's a reason each one of these books has yet to be read by me. Let's discuss which ones are on my personal list, and which are on yours! 

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

I've heard nothing by fantastic things about this book, and multiple people have recommended it to me. However, this book it pretty lengthy, and it's sequel even lengthier. Add that to the fact that it's high fantasy- and you've got the recipe for an intimidating book. 

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Here's another novel I've heard nothing but good things about. However, despite the fact that I own this book, I haven't actually read the Grisha trilogy. I know that it isn't required that you read the Grisha trilogy first, but I'd rather have anyway. Reading Six of Crows means that I'll have to read an entire trilogy that's not even supposed to be all that good. That personally intimidates me.

 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I know that this book is supposed to be really good. I own it, and I've read many of the blurbs on the back that compare it to Harry Potter. Honestly, the only reason I'm scared to open this book up is simply because of how good it's supposed to be. Catriona over at Little Book Owl said finishing this book felt similar to finishing Illuminae, and finishing Illuminae for me resulted in not being able to crack open a book for a good handful of days. Scary! 

Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige

This book certainly doesn't appear intimidating, and it's not. It's super short, and I can probably finish it up in one sitting. However, I think that's what intimidates me. I really, really loved Dorothy Must Die, the first book in this trilogy, and was ultimately disappointed reading The Wicked Will Rise. I was hoping the finale book would wrap it up nicely, and be much better than book two, but it's just so short in comparison to both books one and two. I'm worried that this book will completely ruin my appreciation for Dorothy Must Die. 

So that's it for my intimidating TBR list! What are some books you're apprehensive about cracking open? 

Books I Haven't Read?!

When it comes to our TBR lists, I think we all have a handful of books that we're utterly ashamed of having not read yet.  Here's a list of the top ten books I've yet to read!

1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I have heard about these books over and over and over again, yet I still haven't actually read them.  I own Anna and the French Kiss.  There is literally no excuse for why I haven't read that book yet, but as you can see, it remains in the TBR pile.

2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I don't really know anything about this book other than that it's really sad, but I still know that I want to read it.  It's quite a popular book- maybe I can still catch the We Were Liars train? 

3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I know that this book series has gotten mixed reviews, but it's still something I feel like I should've read by now.  And, after reading the synopsis, it sounds like a really cool, unique read.  

4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Number one: I've heard nothing but good things about this book. Number two: Sarah J. Maas. Number three: Sarah J. Maas. I absolutely adore Sarah J. Maas' writing style, and I'd really like to read more by her.

5. The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

Now, it is my understanding that the Grisha Trilogy is not all that good, but Six of Crows is supposedly fantastic.  I own Six of Crows, and I'd really like to read it.  That's why the Grisha Trilogy is so high up on my list.  Plus, I'd really like to be able to actually agree with people when they talk about these books.  I've never read them, so my opinion isn't all that valid.

   

6. To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han

I'm not the biggest contemporary reader, so when I see a contemporary that sparks my interest, chances are I'll like it.  To All the Boys I've Loved Before sounds like the most brutally hilarious, horrifying read, and I'd really like to pick them up. 

   

7. The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Diviners takes place in one of my favorite time eras, and it's gotten great reviews. I feel like so many people have read this book already, and I want to know what it's all about! 

    

8. Heir of Fire + Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Like I said earlier, I love Sarah J. Maas' writing.  The fact that I haven't finished what's completed of this awesome series kills me.  Plus, Crown of Midnight leaves off on a bit of a cliff hanger, so I should've rushed to get Heir of Fire as soon as I could. 

9. Through the Dark by Alexandra Bracken

This one might be the book I'm most ashamed of not having read yet. The Darkest Minds Trilogy is one of my all time favorite book series ever, and yet, I have not read the novella bind up yet.  What's worse is that this bind-up is supposed to be really good, unlike many bind-ups we see. 

    

10. Unravel Me + Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Finally, we have the final two books in the Shatter Me trilogy.  I've read Shatter Me, and I enjoyed it.  I don't know why I haven't gotten around to actually finishing the series, but I haven't. This is just another one of those really popular series that I have failed to keep up with.


So those were my top ten unread books!  Thanks for reading, and let me know what some of your most shocking unread books are! Do we share any?