BOOKS! Some like them, some love them, some need to chill and actually read them. 2019 is when we finally are going to tackle the endless or perhaps even infinite tbr-pile by, surprise, reading what's on our shelves instead of what's in our (online) baskets. This year I challenged myself, my mother and sister to go through our 'library' and pick up books that have been waiting there for us ever-so patiently. In this blogpost you can read more about the idea behind the challenge, the rules and our picks. Don't be shy, join the challenge and share your book-list below!

The idea behind the challenge

Books are cool again! Shelves upon shelves are build to accommodate all the latest adventures and thought bubbles of our favourite authors; their spines gracefully snapped on Instagram, accompanied with a #tbr, #bookaddicts or even #bookporn. However there are but so many books one can collect before realising that collecting books isn't the same as reading them. Even though many of the before mentioned so-called bookstagrammers do encourage people to read their feed, the social and satisfactory performance of buying new books still is a dangerous wormhole for any (wannabe) book lover. As CG Drews comically writes on Twitter:

WHY BOOKWORMS HAVE SO MANY BOOKS
• you obviously can't just own one
• you own a few now so you need new shelf
• new shelf is large and empty?
• fill it
• repeat on accident
• repeat on purpose till your books block out the sun
• become lord of this land

— CG Drews (@PaperFury) 28 februari 2018

There's actually a Japanese word for this spiralling book-buying-behaviour: tsundoku. Roughly translated: tsun means to pile up and doku means reading, combined it describes the practice of (continuously) buying piles of books without actually reading them. According to a BBC article the word tsundoku was already in use before 1879, but I think the current trend of bulk book buying is more related to the general cult of (over)cosumption here in the West. Where more means better, new is always better and identity is made synonymous to what we consume and the objects we put on display; meaning is found in the portrayal of a wall of books instead of having read and thought about the actual words on paper. Don't get me wrong: I'm absolutely pro-books and believe in the intention people have of reading the books they purchase. However I noticed that the gratification gained from buying and displaying books (as is shown on for instance Instagram) often outweighs the actual act of reading them. But that's about to change!

The rules of the challenge

The rules of this challenge are simple:

• Go to your shelf (or reach for the clumsy pile underneath your bed) and pick up books you've bought but never came round reading
•  Make a list of 25 books you want to read (share it below in the comments!) and solemnly swear that you won't buy any new books before you've read all of the books on your list
•  Go forth and read!
•  And, if you feel like sharing, celebrate your reading-milestones on social media using #FBPBookClub and tagging us!

The books we've chosen to read

As stated at the beginning of this blogpost, I'm challenging myself, my mother and sister to go through our 'library' and pick up the books we've bought but never read. AKA the books that are crammed underneath the bed, the books that take up precious wardrobe space and the books that have been resourcefully tucked away in between the wall and the cupboard. After this eventful scavenger hunt we compiled a list of our to-be-reads and sworn off buying any new books before finishing every book on our list. We've also written a short 'bio' on our reading style, why these books have been stuck on the shelf and which book we look most forward to f-i-n-a-l-l-y start reading, all of which you can read right here, right now!


I've always been an avid reader, however the past couple of years I haven't really read that much. I love reading chick lits and romantic novels. Reading for me is a way to relax and forget about the troubles of the world. That's why I always judge a book by its cover. If the cover is ugly I'm not going to read it, because it's distracting me from my experience and ruins the pleasure I take out of it. Also, another controversial opinion, I don't mind spoilers. Always after reading the first chapters I skip to the last pages of the book to find out whether it has a satisfying ending. If I don't like the way the book concludes (a happy ending is a must), I stop reading.

I'm most looking forward reading Poirot and Me by David Suchet. I love Poirot and especially the way Suchet has played him and I'm curious to find out more about his relationship with the character. It's also a very different read for me as I normally don't read biographies.

You can follow Marjan on Instagram @marjanbroek and @fashionedbymarjan!


I basically read anything and everything. My main reason for reading is to relax and forget about everyday life. However I don't mind when books get a bit dark but they must have a happily ever after (or, when reading a series, a happy for now). I like to read right when I wake up and in the evenings. These are sort of 'scheduled' reading-moments for me, but I basically read anywhere and everywhere I can! Whether this is waiting for the bus or train or at the dentist office, I don't shy away from waving my book around. Especially since I have an e-reader, which makes travelling with books so much easier. This is however also the main reason why I haven't read the books on my list. While I'm out-and-about they keep standing on my shelf. So this challenge is perfect to change that. On my list there are only three e-books and the rest is all on good ol' paper.

I look most forward to reading Brotherband: Scorpion Mountain by John Flanagan AND Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton. I've been waiting to return to the Brotherband-series for a while now as I remember loving the books I've read so far. And -don't tell Dominique- I came across Rebel of the Sands in a local bookstore the other day and I just simply couldn't leave it behind (but look, I'm reading it right away so it's not a fanciful purchase!).

You can follow Natasja on Twitter @Hi_Natasja and on Goodreads!


I'm an irregular reader who wants to be a book lover but is definitely a wannabe that perhaps cares a little too much about trying to impress 'real' book lovers (ooooh so introspective). Though, in my own defense, when already needing to read a hundred-or-so pages for school, it doesn't really invite you to casually keep your head in the books. Everything in moderation! However when I get hooked on a book, I give it my all (and I also won't shut up about it). I hate chick lits and romance and fantasy. That's however not to say I think those books are 'lesser' or that fiction is stupid or meaningless. Only that my heart thumps an extra thump with non-fiction books, especially essay-collections that invite you to (try to) look through the questioning and curious eyes of the writer.

I'm looking forward to reading How To Be a Craftivist by Sarah Corbett as it perfectly ties in with a project I'm currently working on (and who doesn't love it when everything in life harmoniously comes together and helps you achieve your goals!?).

Every month a new post will be published on this blog. We'll be sharing some handy tips, our thoughts and experiences (like: how does one actually read 25 books?) and celebrating ALL OF THE milestones!

Do you accept the challenge? Let me know in the comments below!