Yeah, you read that correctly. I want to be a BLOB, as in Biggest Loser of Books!
You see, I have a problem; the stacks of books are out of control. And they are stacks, just ask my friend Kristine, who came for coffee on Friday. I was a bit embarrassed to be able to see into the office from where we sat in the living room – stacks of books (arranged as neatly as possible, with spines facing out!), line the perimeter of the room.
I could use them as a clever substitute for the lolly columns in our basement … or a decorative element, sorting the stacks by color, to coordinate with various rooms in the house … or throw a tablecloth over several stacks, making an impromptu table for a card party …
Or, I could read them.
Or, I could clean through the bookcases and share those I won’t read again.
Or, I could put a temporary hold on accepting additional books for review.
Or, I could do all this – and more!
I’ve joined a group of bloggers in a month-long ban on new book acquisitions; you’d be right if you guessed that the idea originated on Twitter!
Participants include Amy from My Friend Amy, Beth F from Beth Fish Reads, Jen from Devourer of Books, Nicole from Linus’ Blanket, and Vasilly from Classic Vasilly.
Here’s the way we’ll chart our progress:
- Coercing someone into buying you gift /” buying book” for someone else (but really for me!): 10 pts
- Impulse buy: 10 pts
- Planned purchase (for book group, author event): 5 pts
- Swap Site: 5 pts
- Review Copy (requested by responding to ad, or directly thru publicist): 5 pts
- Review Copy (pitched via email): 3 pts
- Borrowed from library: 3 pts
- Unsolicited review copy or genuine gift: 0 pts
- ** Give away a book: -2 pts **
At the end of the month, we’ll tally our scores. Each point is worth $1 that we’ll donate to a bookish charity of our choice.
I want to be the Biggest Loser (Of Books!)
VERY cute idea! My stacks are OUT OF CONTROL! However, I have been on a buying ban since the beginning of the year. I do get audios from the library, but bookwise, the only thing that is coming through my door are giveaways and review copies. Aren’t the greatest ideas birthed on Twitter?
Oh, that is too funny. You could always have a monthlong giveaway… I’m not a BLOB
I’ll help you win 
Of course, that the money goes to charity it’s a win/win. You get lovely books and charity gets money… hehehehe.
I hope to gain perspective but I have no hope of being the BLOB.
I think this would be more difficult than Game On! I always tell myself I’m going to stop buying books, and then I walk past a bookstore and before you know it, I’ve bought more books.
I will reiterate what I have written on the other participants’ blogs — this is such a creative idea! I wish all of you the best of luck with the challenge – and plenty of good reading from your own TBR bookshelves.
I wish you the best of luck and may the best blogger win!
I’m hoping to be the BLOB! But Jen has 50 books set aside to give away so we have a real competition going on.;)
I guess since most people I know are “book collectors” of one sort or another, I’m used to see stacks everywhere ! Remember, you must receive points for sending me home with 2 hardbacks and one cd. You’re on your way. I’m sure when you set your mind to it, those books will find good homes on shelves elsewhere in the homes of friends, relatives and of course, the world !!!
okay… so this is for a month? I just finished Everything Asian (2.5 stars I think on my 5 point scale) and I planned to mail it back. I also have an author signed book to mail to you.. AND I have 2-3 other borrowed books to mail back. It doesn’t look like someone returning borrowed books counts against you, but I could be mistaken.(?) Should I prolong returning them until after the month contest ? (lol)
I’m willing to take any amount of books off your hands to help you out if you want!!!
At least this challenge doesn’t involve exercise or cucumbers!
Rather than sign up for this, I should just write a big check to a charity.
Too funny! Do you think you’ll be able to actually do it??? LOL
I’m going to be the blobbiest blob that ever did blob, so you might as well give up and accept some pitches now
I wonder how long it would take me to blaze through the -1260 or so books I gave to charity. I didn’t count the ones that went to the paperback swap shelves that went into my old building. I’m afraid I’m just to lazy to keep track of book points though. I need to be counting calories instead.
This looks like a really cute and helpful idea. I hope you come out the winner!
Good luck in the competition!