This is just a small mini-challenge that will run right along with our main challenge. I'm putting it up now so that everyone will have a chance to see it before it starts on February 1st.

The goal:

In this mini-challenge, the goal is to become "The Biggest Book Loser" by December 31st.

To do this, you need to claim a spot in this thread where you will keep track of how many books you have "lost" from your TBR and how many you have "gained" to your TBR stacks.

On December 31st, I will subtract your losses from your gains and the person who has lost the most books will be crowned our  " Biggest Book Loser". The winner will get to proudly display the Biggest Book Loser banner...which I haven't yet made, but will soon. ;-)

The offical Biggest Book Loser mini-challenge start day is February 1st.

Good luck and may the best loser win!!!!

My spot!

Books Lost:

Books Gained:

I'm really hoping my competitive nature will make me get rid of the most books!!!! My TBR is outta control!

Erm, as long as I don't have to count the books currently on those piles

Books Lost:

Books Gained:

No way, Cathy! If we had to count the books already in the TBR pile, then I'd know exactly how sick I am and I don't want to know! Ignorance is bliss, right? lol

Lost

Gained

Is it legal to sabotage by posting wish listed book to other competitors?  Bawhahaha!

LOL, Letty! Sure...this is a no holds barred, no rules, fight to the death kind of mini-challenge, lol.

Letty you are cruel.

I am guessing that library books don't count one way or the other as they'd end up being an in and out thing anyway?

I'm in. Is it all books or just HF books?  And is it just for February or all year?? 

So, we count books we put in our TBR pile as of 1 Feb in the "gained" column and books we remove (through reading or other means?) in our "lost" column as of 1 Feb. Is this correct?

Is it me or are all readers so literal? LOL!

Books Lost:

Books Gained:

my spot!

Books Lost:  1

Books Gained:  0

That's right, Genie!

It's for any genre book,  and it lasts all year, up to December 31st.

Library books won't count since they wouldn't actually be added to any TBR piles that are taking up room in your house and they wouldn't be allowed to stay in your TBR pile long anyway.

Any book that makes its way OFF your TBR pile counts as a lost book. Even if the book didn't physically make it out of your house; if it has been read, it would no longer be considered as part of your TBR pile.

Should we consider ereader books too? I guess since lots of people now have piles of TBR ebooks, I'd be okay with counting them.

There is probably no way I'm going to win this, but what the heck.  I guess I should hurry up and buy whatever books I want before Feb 1!!

Books lost:

Book gained:

LOL, Daphne!!! Now I'm going to be responsible for a ton of January book shopping sprees, lol.

Okay - this is my spot!

Linda's Spot ...

Books Lost:

Books Gained:

I personally would rather not count ereader books, unless maybe that is your primary way of reading.  For me, I have a few ebooks in the Kindle app on my iPhone that are just there in case of a reading emergency.  I have one or two in each of the main genres that I read.  So if, for example, I got snowed in at the airport in Chicago this week and read all 540 pages I have left in The Reckoning, I would have something to read on my phone without having to buy something at the overpriced airport book store. And following that logic, it would be a bad thing if I had to read my ereader books, not a good thing.  My ereader books don't stress me out, but my physical books do.  My goal for the year is to get un-double-stacked on my TBR bookcase.

Kelly's Spot ...

Books Lost:

Books Gained:

A personal caveat excuse in advance: As we all know, Linda is a fast reader with more available hours for reading than most of us. She is a retired, stay-at-home Lady of Leisure who is rarely inclined to turn on the television. Soooo, "Linda's Books Lost" immediately move over to the "Kelly Books Gained" column!  There is not a chance in this round world that I will win this, but perhaps Linda will ... Game on !!!

I guess I should hurry up and buy whatever books I want before Feb 1!! 

I was thinking I was glad I ordered some used books this month instead of next.

My spot...

Laughing at Letty (Note to all: If you want to send me WL books, feel free -- I actually don't mind losing this challenge -- just don't tell Valli.)

Also laughing at Daphne ("But, sweetheart,  I had to spend my whole year's book budget this month -- really. The PBS HF forum made me.")

Books gained:

Books lost:

So actually Valli -- if you're subtracting our losses from our gains, it's actually the one with the smallest number who's the big winner, or should I say the "Big Loser." Our goal is to get in the negative numbers -- right?? (As if that's even a possibility....HAH!)

ETA: Also laughing at Kelly.

My TBR really needs to lose some weight, so I'm in.

Books Lost:

Books Gained: 2

The World is Not Enough
Tulip Fever

Okay, I'm in.

Books Lost:

Books Gained:

I never win these types of challenges.  I have no self control when it comes to acquiring books but I'll play anyway :)

Hey, I can do this challenge--I don't have to have my entire TBR list on a computer.  AND, after I read them they don't have to leave my house!  (I know, not exactly the purpose of the challenge, but you DID say they don't have to leave my house!)

Books Lost:

Books Gained:

Now, what I want to know is, is there a prize for the most books GAINED?  Because I have a funny feeling I will win that one.

Diane.

I'm in! Last year was the first year I started reading HF and my TBR grew by the hundreds.

Books Lost:

Books Gained:

Should we consider ereader books too? I guess since lots of people now have piles of TBR ebooks, I'd be okay with counting them.

I think it depends on the goal. Is it to reduce the TBR or to gain space? If the former, then I think ebooks should count. Otherwise, no.