The 2009 TBR (Lite) Challenge

Well, now that the Christmas madness is pretty much over (except for all the after-Christmas sales shopping, of course), it's time to get back to thinking about next year's reading, and next year's reading challenges. I know it looks like I'm throwing caution to the wind and signing up for every challenge that comes my way. But in reality, I'm trying to be pretty careful in choosing – I'm looking mainly for challenges that will allow me to read some of the books I've already got planned for 2009. Along with a few that will encourage me to step outside my usual comfort zone a little, of course.

One challenge that I'm definitely joining is the 2009 TBR Challenge *Lite* ("For those who love the original TBR Challenge, but need a little less 'pressure' on their reading"). It starts January 1 and runs through December 31, 2009. There are three different levels of participation:

OPTION A: read 6 books in 12 months ~ your list of books CANNOT be changed, but you are allowed to have an “Alternates” list to choose from (like in the Original TBR Challenge).

OPTION B: read 6 books in 12 months ~ you CAN change your reading list throughout the year.

OPTION C: make up a list of however many books you think you could get read in 12 months, as long as they are from your TBR stack/list, and then read them between January 1st and December 31st. You must have at least 3 books on your list.

And the other general guidelines are these:

• You are allowed to overlap with other challenges
• Audiobooks are allowed
• e-Books are allowed, but must still be books that you’ve wanted to read for at least 3, or more, months
• You should still have a list of books posted somewhere for others to see
• You don’t have to read your books in the order you put them on your list

I'm choosing Option B (6 books in 12 months) – I think that's the safest choice for me. I'm sure I'll be reading at least six books next year, and with Option B, I can make changes if I need to. Here's my list (at least for now):

1. Cover Her Face. P.D. James
2. Mortal Love. Elizabeth Hand
3. Our Kind. Kate Walbert
4. The Art of Mending. Elizabeth Berg
5. The Inn at Lake Devine. Elinor Lipman
6. The Time Traveler's Wife. Audrey Niffenegger

There's also a Yahoo Group for this challenge. To sign up, visit the challenge announcement page here, and leave a comment.