September #TBRYear10 & Big News

Hi there, Challengers!

I apologize for posting this month’s checkpoint so late. The truth is, after fourteen wonderful years, I’m winding things down here at Roof Beam Reader. Much has changed in my life, in the world. I’ve changed, as have my interests and priorities.

So, I’m working on something new: The Contemplative Reading Project. That website will be available on September 25th, at which time I will share an official announcement about the project as well as the first season’s first three titles selected for contemplative reading (one each for October, November, and December).

If you’re interested in joining me in slow, deliberate reading of a diversity of texts–fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama–then please bookmark the website and join me on Instagram and Threads. I’m also in the process of creating an accompanying Spotify podcast and YouTube channel! Those will go live after the new year. I plan to build on my weekly blog posts in those audio/visual platforms. Eventually, I also hope to invite guests on the podcast for discussion and conversation that will add much more to our mindful reading experiences.

As for this month’s TBR Pile Challenge Checkpoint, here’s some good news: We have more than 150 posts linked! I have one more to add, since I recently finished James Baldwin’s Going to Meet the Man. I hope to have some thoughts to share on that one, soon. It was absolutely brilliant. Every story in the collection is a strong one.

My Progress: 10 of 12 Completed

I’m pretty happy with my current status in this year’s challenge. I’ve finished ten of my books and have posted reviews for nine of them. I hope to have something up for Going to Meet the Man soon, which will put me at ten of twelve, officially, although I’m really hoping to complete all fourteen reads. Still, I think I’m on a pace where I’ll be able to do that. I haven’t selected my next challenge book, yet, but I think I may go with Joy Harjo’s Crazy Brave, which seems appropriate for someone who is ending one fourteen-year project and beginning a new one, don’t you?

Books Read:

1. The Poppy War (2018) by R.F. Kuang (Chinese Historical Fantasy) (Completed 1/10/23)
2. Pachinko (2017) by Min Jin Lee (Korean-American Lit Fic) (Completed 2/12/23)
3. Look (2016) by Solmaz Sharif (Poetry/Iranian-American) (Completed 3/10/23)
4. Steppenwolf (1927) by Hermann Hesse (Philosophical Novel) (Completed 4/22/23)
5. North and South (1854) by Elizabeth Gaskell (British Lit Fic) (Completed 6/19/23)
6. The Power of Now (1997) by Ekhart Tolle (NonFiction/Spirituality) (Completed 6/30/23)
7. Why I Write (1946) by George Orwell (Craft/Memoir) (Completed 7/21/23)
8. Patron Saints of Nothing (2019) by Randy Ribay (YA/Filipino-American) (Completed 07/28/23)
9. Sons and Lovers (1913) by D.H. Lawrence (Classics/British Fiction) (Completed 08/11/23)
10. Going to Meet the Man (1965) by James Baldwin (American Short Stories) (Completed 09/21/23)

How are you doing?

Below, you’re going to find the infamous Mr. Linky widget. If you read and review any challenge books this month, please link-up on the widget below. This Mr. Linky will be re-posted every month so that we can compile a large list of all that we’re reading and reviewing together this year. Each review that is linked-up on this widget throughout the year may also earn you entries into future related giveaways, so don’t forget to keep this updated!

LINK UP YOUR REVIEWS!

Support Roof Beam Reader & The Contemplative Reading Project

• Need to add more to your TBR Pile? Check out my bookstore!
• Care to donate to the new Contemplative Reading Project? Venmo accepted!