Wow. We're almost done with 2013 and it's time to get ready for the Final Mountaineering Checkpoint. Where does the time go? I'm ready to hear how all our mountain-climbing team members have done out there on Pike's Peak, Mt. Ararat, Mt. Everest....whichever peak you've chosen. Checkpoint participation is absolutely voluntary and is not considered necessary for challenge completion.
For those who would like to participate in this checkpoint post, I'd like you to at least complete the first of these two things. And if you feel particularly inspired (or generous about humoring me this holiday season), then please do both.
1. Tell us how many miles you made it up your mountain (# of books read). If you've planted your flag on the peak, then tell us and celebrate (and wave!). Even if you were especially athletic and have been sitting atop your mountain for months, please check back in and remind us quickly you sprinted up that trail. And feel free to tell us about any particularly exciting adventures you've had along the way.
2. My Life According to Mount TBR: Using the titles of the books you read this year, please associate each statement with a book read on your journey up the Mountain. I have given my titles as examples.
Are you male or female?: The Lady Vanishes Describe yourself: I'm one of Four Lost Ladies Describe where you currently live: In the Shadow of Gotham If you could go anywhere where would you go?: London Particular Your favorite form of transportation: Mystery Train What's the weather like?: Mist on the Saltings Favorite time of day?: The Small Hours of the Morning (i.e. late at night) Your relationships: Slippage You fear: the Black Widow What is the best advice you have to give?: The Mountains Have a Secret If you could change your name, you would change it to: Mary Poppins My soul's present condition: A Private History of Awe

I made it to the top of my mountain! Finally! Last year, I failed miserably... This year I only went for 60 books or Mount Kilimanjaro. I am happy to say that I reach the peak this month. My final read list:

Wanted by Mark Millar (1/2/13)
Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13)
Ill Wind by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (3/17/13)
Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)
Firestorm by Rachel Caine (2/16/13)
The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)
The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
Thin Air by Rachel Caine (2/22/13)
Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)
One Day by David Nicholls (1/29/13)
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (1/9/13)
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
Locke and Key Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (1/4/13)
Locke and Key Vol 2: Head Games (1/4/13)
Locke and Key Vol 3: Crown of Shadows (1/5/13)
Locke and Key Vol 4: Keys to the Kingdom (1/6/13)
MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/23/13)
The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13)
The Color Purple by Alice Walker (6/24/13)
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (7/26/13)
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/17/13)
The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason (7/13/13)
Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason (8/1/13)
As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
Gale Force by Rachel Caine (9/9/13)
Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder (9/17/13)
Cape Storm by Rachel Caine (10/1/13)
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine (10/5/13)
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
Iron’s Prophecy by Julie Kagawa (10/10/13)
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith (11/7/13)
100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
Boneshaler by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
Vanity Fair by Thackeray (12/18/13)

I'm so excited that I actually finished this one. I'm joining for next year, but am decreasing my goal due to my reading time limitations.