Clear Off Your Shelves Challenge

Reading Challenge

You know, I once swore off challenges (exCEPT for Carl’s) because I’m horrible about finishing them.  I mean look; I signed up for the Harry Potter challenge, the LJ Smith Challenge, and RIP and do far, I’m only keeping up with RIP.  But I don’t care, I think this sounds cool and oh so very good for my shelves so I’m going to sign up anyway so there.

What is the Cleaning Off the Shelves challenge?  S. Krishna starts this admirable challenge, which simply entails:

Any non-review books that are on your shelves and/or review copies that have been on your shelves for over six months. This means that recent review copies and library books are not eligible for this challenge! However, that doesn’t mean the book has to have been out for six months in order for the review copy to be eligible.

For example, say a book came out in July, but you received the review copy in January. That review copy would be eligible for the challenge since it’s been on your shelves for over six months.

EDIT: I want to clarify, because it seems like I haven’t been clear on this – only review copies have the 6 month shelf life requirement. Books you have purchased/traded for/etc. and are NOT review copies can be from anytime – even from during the challenge!

God knows I have PLENTY of books I can read for this. I have WAY TOO MANY on my shelves.  It runs:

This challenge will run from October 1, 2009 – November 30, 2009. This means that it does coincide with Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-thon, and any books that qualify for this challenge that you read during the Read-a-thon are eligible!

And get this, there is no set number of books you need to read.  It’s a percentage!

This challenge will work a little differently than other challenges. Instead of picking a set number of books to read during this time period, you will pick a percentage. This means that a certain percentage of the books you read during these two months will have to qualify for this challenge. For example, let’s say you pick 40% and you end up reading 10 books in October and November. 4 of those books would have to qualify for this challenge in order for you to complete it. I am setting a minimum percentage of 20%.

As a result, there is no need to make a list of books prior to starting the challenge, though please feel free to do so if you want to! Your wrap-up post should have a list of the books you read for the challenge, though, so please do keep track of what you read!

Seeing as how I’ve been reading like crazy this year, I better get started.  I read about 30 books in August and September and, I’m not too good at math (rolls eyes, I’m horrible) but I think that means I need to read about, what 4?  5?  Someone help me with the math!!!! *cries*

Edit: Okay, I feel like an idiot. If %10 is 3, then %20 is 6, right? I need to read 6. *sigh* This is why I majored in English and History. Dude.

Edit again: I’m going to start with Anne of Green Gables. I’m not sure, but honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever read this. And that, my friends, is sad.

If you would like to sign up for this challenge too, head over to S. Krishna Books and her sign up page.  Good luck!