Back in 2015, one of my favorite book bloggers, Terri from “Second Run Reviews” hosted the “Show Your Shelves Some Love” no book buying challenge. I recently caught up with Terri, who moved on from blogging to working in the book industry and now owns her own bookstore, Swamp Fox Bookstore! She gave me the go-ahead to host my own version of the challenge. Read on to find out the details!

Goal: Abstain from buying books or set a book buying limit – and focus on clearing your physical and virtual TBR bookshelves for the entire year.

Challenge Dates: January 1st – December 31st, 2021

THE GUIDELINES:

• Abstain from spending money on books for one calendar year or set a book buying limit (whether that’s monetary or the number of books you may buy).
• Gift cards are OK as well as any Audible credits you already have in your account.
• Encourage other challenge participants via blog comments and social media.
• Participate in the monthly discussion posts. The link-up is on the #ShelfLove challenge 2021 page.
• Library books do not count for this challenge. This challenge is only for books you already own.
• Netgalley, Edelweiss, or other ARC books can count for this because you have the book, so read it!
• Read books that are in your personal library that were obtained before January 1, 2021.
• Yes, there will be a giveaway. Read the #ShelfLove challenge 2021 page for the giveaway details!

NO BOOK BUYING CHALLENGE STEP 1: SELECT YOUR GOAL

• 1-10 books: shake hands with your shelves
• 11-20 books: pat your shelves on the back
• 21-30 books: give your shelves a warm friendly hug
• 31-40 books: regular date night with your shelves
• 41-50 books: your shelves are now your BFF
• 51+ books: your shelves and you are going steady – I’m choosing this goal because my reading goal for 2021 will be more than 50 books.  I’m a member of the Fantastic Strangelings book club, so I am allowing myself to continue my subscription. These books, plus whatever books I check out from the library should be more than enough, but the key is to stay away from the book stores!

NO BOOK BUYING CHALLENGE STEP 2: Link-Up

• Create a sign-up post that includes your chosen goal on your blog or any social media platform (Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Litsy, etc.).
• Don’t forget to use the challenge hashtag #ShelfLove.
• Go to the #ShelfLove challenge 2021 page to link your post and enter into the giveaway!

NO BOOK BUYING CHALLENGE STEP 3: Monthly Discussion Posts(Optional)

• December 2020/January 2021: I’m joining in the #ShelfLove Challenge 2021! Tell us your goals for the challenge this year.  Will you be going on an all-out book buying ban or are you setting a book buying limit? Share pictures of your TBR piles or link up to your GoodReads Shelves.
• February: Free books! Where do you get free books?
• March: The TBR pile. Tell us about the books that have been on your shelves the longest.
• April: May I?! Tell us about one book you want to buy this year and give your best “sales pitch” for why you should be able to buy it.
• May: Organizing the shelves! How do you organize your books? Alphabetical by title or author, by color, genre, or some other way?
• June: Mid-year check-in post. How are you doing with the challenge? Look back at your January post and let us know how you are doing.  Share an updated picture or list of your TBR pile.
• July: Dear Author. Show some love to the authors of your favorite books.
• August: The perils of book hoarding! What are your pros and cons of owning a lot of books?
• September: Library Love! Tell us about your local library.
• October: Best bookish gifts! What are the best book-related gifts you’ve received?
• November: Thankfulness. Are you thankful for taking on the #ShelfLove challenge? Do you have a greater appreciation for the books you own or for wherever you get free books?
• December:  End of the year check-in post. Look back at your June and January posts and let us know how you did this year.  Share an updated picture or list of your TBR pile. Would you do the challenge again in 2022?

I can’t wait to read all y’all’s sign-up and discussion posts throughout the year!