The 2013 TBR Pile Challenge

I know what some of you are thinking, didn't she just sign up for a TBR Pile Challenge?  You might think that with the other one, depending on the order you read the posts, but whatever...

This one is fairly simple to read 12 books off of one's TBR pile during 2013, basically one a month.

Here are the specifics from RoofBeamReader:

Each of these 12 books must have been on your bookshelf or “To Be Read” list for AT LEAST one full year. This means the book cannot have a publication date of 1/1/2012 or later (any book published in the year 2011 or earlier qualifies, as long as it has been on your TBR pile – I WILL be checking publication dates). Caveat: Two (2) alternates are allowed, just in case one or two of the books end up in the “can’t get through” pile.

Crossovers from other challenges are totally acceptable, as long as you have never read the book before and it was published pre-2012!

*Note – You can read the books on your list in any order; they do not need to be read in the order you have them listed. As you complete a book – review it, and go back to your original list and turn that title into a link to the review - that will keep the comments section here from getting ridiculously cluttered.  

UPDATE:  I’ve decided to make a small change/addition to this year’s challenge.  On the 15th of each month, I’m going to post a “TBR Pile Check-In.”  This will allow participants to link-up their reviews from the past month and get some recognition for their progress.  There will also be small mini-challenges and giveaways to go along with these posts (Such As: Read 6 books by the June Check-in and be entered to win a book of your choice!).  I’m hoping this will help to keep us all on track and make the challenge a bit more engaging/interactive. If it goes well, maybe I’ll keep this format for future years. 

Here are my books that I wish to read:
1. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (1855)
2. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)
3. The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley (2010)
4. A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley (2011)
5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (2006)
6. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (1996)
7. Water for Elephants by Sara Guerin (2006)
8. The Passage by Justin Cronin (2010)
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson (2005)
10. The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt (2011)
11. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (1998)
12. Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier (1997)

Alternates:
1) The Devil Wears Prada by Laura Weisberger (2003)
2) Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938)