Read or Die '18

At the beginning of the month, I talked about The 2018 Picky Pledge and how it was going to be a bit more casual than ever before even though the main goal remained the same: for Hannah of So Obsessed With and I to work our way through our TBR piles. But the itch to really dive deep into my TBR and read the books that are piling up on my shelves wasn't so easily appeased, and it was out of that intense passion to get things done that my personal Read or Die project was born.

I also just couldn't pass up the chance to use this title for a post-slash-challenge, particularly after Rachel of Hello, Chelly said it was catchy. Also, here's a fun random tidbit for you care of Kristin of Super Space Chick - there's actually an anime and manga series called Read or Die.

Anyway, I digress.

Read or Die is similar to The 2018 Picky Pledge in that the goal is exactly the same: TBR reduction. Where it differs, however, is in the end result at the end of the year, as with Read or Die, I decided to up the stakes and make it so that I would have to give away, donate or sell the TBR books that I didn't get around to reading by the end of 2018... with a few specifications, of course.

Now Alexa, you might say, isn't that a little bit extreme? Well, I'm being extra ruthless with myself when it comes to reducing my TBR, mostly because having the external pressure actually helps with my focus and determination, because I'm also trying to be better about keeping to my book buying budget and because I think I can actually manage to read the majority of my TBR this year. At current count, I have 94 books on the TBR pile (not including any review books, however, as those are a different story) and that's less than the amount I can normally manage to read within a whole year. So, the truth is, it is totally doable and I'm really going to do my best to make it happen!

So, to sum up the specifics...

• I intend to read my way through as many books on my TBR as possible by the end of the year.
• That being said, I will specifically set my sights first on finishing the 23 books (24%) that I acquired prior to 2017. If I should have any of the 23 books left on my TBR by the end of 2018, I will have to give them up.
• I will also attempt to read at 35 books (37%) I acquired in 2017, which is essentially half of that portion of my TBR. If I should have more than 35 books leftover at the end of the year, it essentially means I'll have to give up some of the excess TBR as well.

Other than those specific conditions, Read or Die is essentially going to be very simple. I read a book, take it off my to read shelf and, with luck, be down to only 20 books left on my TBR pile by the end of this year. No categories, no set TBRs, no monthly numerical goals. It's going to be a challenge, but it's one I'm eagerly embracing, so wish me luck for the rest of 2018! And feel free to do a Read or Die challenge of your own. (PS- You can follow my adventures in completing this challenge starting now with the hashtag #ReadorDie18.)