2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Hello all, I need a little help reducing my owned-tbr books while still being able to buy books. Okay so here is my current plan:

1. I must read 5 of my owned books to place 1 order (one book order may be a stand-alone or series ONLY, no random unrelated books, multiple series by the same author is okay)

2. Any book or series I order must be read or started within 30 days of arrival (I do not have a punishment in the event that I don't do this...)

3. I must have completed at least 1 book of a trilogy or 2 books of a quartet (or any series more than 4 books) to allow myself to get the preorder for the next book in the series.


That's it. I would be very thankful to anyone who has any suggestions on how to make my plans better. My current number of owned and unread books is: 62 (does not include currently-reading)

I'm with you! I don't have the self-control for #1, alas, but #3 is a big one. I have a tendency to buy an entire series based on 1 recommendation (even if it's just a tumblr post saying someone liked it), and sometimes I feel like I could've stopped after just the first book!

I'm not very good at imposing a book-buying ban. I'm usually sitting around 60 books TBR, even though I read very quickly. I tend to buy as often as I read!

The best I've been able to do is limit myself to visiting my local used book store 1-2 times a month, and only order online when I have 'extra' money in my budget. If I visit somewhere new, though, all bets are off - I have to visit those used book stores and get all the goodies!

Another thing I do thanks to this lovely group is pledge as many books I own as possible toward one of the challenges. If I know I need to read it for a challenge, I definitely will! Challenges like 'Clear Your Shelves' and May's 'Marathon' have been good excuses to go through some of those longer books I'd been putting off.

I, too, would like to read the books I already own - although my list is not quite as long as yours (38).

But like Christa I find, that I am much more likely to read the books in my challenges, so next time I create one, it will definitely involve these books!

And rather than punish yourself for NOT doing it, maybe you should plan a reward for DOING it?

Good luck :)

Mine is pretty huge (too embarrassed to say how many) if I count pending e-books- especially finding so many marvellous ones on Project Gutenberg I cave in and download something.

I am trying to follow no 1 the same as you- no new book (to buy or download) unless I finish five.

I've also thought of finishing all the books I have by an author (on the TBR) before getting any more of his or hers.

And a third rule I'm trying to follow is (since I have a list), I'm trying to particularly pick books that are pending the longest. But of course this doesn't have much to do with size.

I try to limit my shopping too but am very unsuccessful with this. As of now I've been avoiding passing by the book store (especially their used/ shop-soiled table which sits temptingly outside the shop) and only getting books (or at least trying to), if I don't have them and want to participate in a group read (not more than one a month- and I find I don't really end up ordering every month for this ).

I think this is a great start, but I would probably not let myself buy any more until I'd read more. That said, I would probably weaken and take out library books.

I have a few tbr books I own but haven't yet read, but not 62 since I mainly use the library. I have had piles of library books waiting to be read and then after 8 weeks (renewed once) that have gone back unread! I try to avoid that but once in a while go overboard again.

Update: A couple things
1. I only consider physical books since they actually take up space on my bookshelf.
2. I don't go to the library, I just personally like to own my books.
3. I am now down to 58 books. I read 10 books in June but that includes ebooks and audiobooks. I slipped up and bought an exra book but I made sure to read it right away.

Thanks for the replies!

Aah, I need this too! xD

I decided that I can't buy new books until I only have 10 unread books on my shelves. (Since I decided that, I bought one book... but you know, one in seven months is pretty good!)

I also use the library and my two flatmates' bookshelves, but I guess that doesn't help you.

And I thought of creating a counter on http://tickerfactory.com/, so I can visually check my progress.