After months (and certain days 👀) that felt like decades, the end of the year is nearly upon us and we don’t know about you, but we are READY!
For the last few years, we’ve announced the new Beat the Backlist (BTB) reading challenge around this time of year and this round is no different in that regard but change is coming for 2021.
First, a little background…
The Beat the Backlist reading challenge is designed to help you tackle all the books you keep meaning to read and still haven’t. The guidelines are simple:
- The book must be published in the previous year or earlier (for the 2021 challenge, anything published in 2020 or earlier counts).
- You have to start and finish the book in 2021.
- And that’s it!
Any format, any genre. Re-reads count, and you don’t have to own the book. It’s open for the entire year so whenever you feel like jumping in, you can!
Please Note: The current Beat the Backlist challenge page on the blog (linked in the menu) reflects the 2020 challenge guidelines. These will be updated on January 1, 2021 for the new year and revised challenge.
why join beat the backlist
- Do you have books on your to-read list that already released?
- Do you struggle to get to those backlist books with all the new releases each year?
- Do you enjoy relaxed reading challenges you can do at your own pace?
If you answered Yes to any of those questions, then Beat the Backlist might be for you. This challenge started as a personal challenge to tackle owned books and has grown as an annual event to help other readers prioritize the books they might otherwise put off reading.
Whether BTB is your primary reading challenge, or one you’re pairing with others, it’s suited for readers of all kinds and was designed to impose as few restrictions on your reading as possible.
the changes for 2021
In years past, there has also been a team mini challenge associated with BTB for those needing additional motivation. The biggest change for 2021 is that there will be no team mini challenge.
Additionally, we will not be hosting a photo challenge this year, and sign-ups are not required to join.
This year has been rough for everyone and made us re-evaluate our priorities and where we want to put our time and energy. This reading challenge, while something we both enjoy, is just not a main concern in terms of running all the different components. So we’re simplifying and continuing to make it available to everyone who’s interested but wants something low-key.
what’s staying the same
That said, we aren’t changing everything. The core of the challenge remains the same, to tackle backlist books. You can still set your own goal, your own TBR.
And… BINGO is back! Like last year, we’re bringing you a BINGO card packed with all different reading prompts. This year, you have the choice between the small 24-prompt card like before (that’s only 2 books a month!), and a 52-prompt card (one for every week of the year).
If you’re not interested in BINGO, we also have the prompt list graphics available so you can take your pick (also available as a copy/paste list).
The prompts are the same regardless of what format you prefer. We simply recognize that some readers prefer lists and some like the BINGO card so we want to make both available.
See below for downloadable versions of the graphics as well as the prompt list if you would like to use it in a blog post or elsewhere online!
how to join!
There is no formal sign-up for Beat the Backlist this year. Whether you want to make a Goodreads shelf, declare your participation on social media, make a blog post, share an instagram story, or say nothing at all, you’re welcome.
Our only request is that if you do post somewhere online about the challenge, please give us a link back so more readers can learn about BTB!
Are you on the StoryGraph website?
StoryGraph is a great alternative to using Goodreads and is only growing as a platform. One of the great functions is that you can track multiple Reading Challenges (both personal ones as well as public challenges). We wanted to make sure that Beat the Backlist was one of those so when you join the StoryGraph community, you can also join BTB on there and track your books! We’ve even included all the optional reading prompts in case you want to use them.
Click here to join Beat the Backlist 2021 on StoryGraph!
Official Challenge Hashtags
Feel free to use any or all of the hashtags below when talking about the challenge online!
| #BeatTheBacklist | #BeatTheBacklist2021 | #BTB2021 |
reading tracker spreadsheet
For readers who prefer to track their reading through a spreadsheet (as well as anyone who wants to track which books they’re using for the optional reading prompts), we’ve provided a spreadsheet template for you to use!
This spreadsheet provides a place to add the book title and author, as well as the release date for the book. You can also note if you’ve read the book (in case you want to add your current/to-read titles to the sheet), whether it’s a re-read and if you’ve reviewed the book (for all you reviewers out there). Additional columns include a place to add a rating and the page count (which will automatically total so you can see how many pages you read in the year). There’s also a place to add any notes you have on the book.
If you’re planning to try the reading prompts (below), you can mark which book counts for which prompt and it will also automatically track your progress through the prompts on the Prompt Tracker tab. Not doing the reading prompts? No worries! Just delete that column and the Prompt Tracker tab.
prompt list (optional)
The prompts for Beat the Backlist are entirely optional, but if you would like to use them, here is the list along with a copy you can copy/paste.
Click the title blocks to expand the list!
Prompt List WITH Explanations
- more than one author (a book written by at least 2 authors; not an anthology)
- dragons OR lizards (a book featuring one or the other, or both!)
- it’s on a ship! (a book that takes place on a ship, the type of ship is up to you)
- purple cover (bring on the purple!)
- set in a major city (this can be any major city around the globe)
- book you forgot you had (don’t lie, you know there’s at least one… well, maybe you don’t know… yet)
- caused a major book hangover (the book was so good that you just don’t think you can start a new one just yet)
- multiple points of view (there are at least two different character perspectives)
- book you’re giving another chance (you tried it before and it just wasn’t working, but maybe this time…)
- quest to find lost/hidden object (this can be a search for any lost and/or hidden object so get creative!)
- chapter title page has art (the pages that mark the beginning of a new chapter feature some sort of artwork or design)
- kept you up late reading (definitely not a book you can easily put down)
- picked by a friend/trusted reviewer (whether a friend decided it or a reviewer online you trust recommended it, either is fair game)
- non-human character (a prominent character in the story is not human)
- first line is less than 10 words (that’s right, count ’em!)
- banned book (need ideas? check out this list!)
- cover features your favorite color prominently (make sure that color dominates the book cover)
- all about music (a story where music is a strong focus in some way)
- character lets out a breath they didn’t realize they were holding (if you’ve seen a line like this is a book, that’s what we’re looking for here)
- genre you never/rarely read (there has to be at least one genre you don’t usually pick up)
- standalone (allll byyy itself…)
- lost royalty (lost in time, lost to the world, don’t know who they are, interpret “lost” as you see fit)
- cover with your country’s flag colors (ideally the main colors of the cover but you may have to get creative)
- written in letters or diary entries (yes, we mean books told through letters or diary entries, the word is “epistolary” if you were looking for it)
- book centered around politics (everything from court intrigue to presidential elections!)
- features a carnival or circus (doesn’t have to be the main story, just part of it)
- snake on the cover (we bet you can think of a few…)
- on the Indie Bestseller list in 2020 or earlier (you can find the list archive by clicking here)
- historical with a twist (stories set in history that didn’t quite happen that way)
- character has a dream scene (if the protagonist details a dream then wakes up, you’ve got a dream scene)
- set in autumn (at least part of the story)
- based on non-Greek/Roman mythology (literally any other mythology works here)
- non-binary protagonist (the book’s protagonist identifies as non-binary)
- a book with illustrations (anything from graphic novels and manga to small illustrations throughout an otherwise text-heavy novel)
- WTF plot twist (those twists that make you wonder WTF, whether it’s in a good way… or bad)
- second book in a duology (time to get to that duology you started but haven’t finished yet)
- non-fairytale re-telling (any spin on something that isn’t a classic fairytale)
- from your 2020 backlist TBR (a backlist book you planned to read last year… and didn’t)
- book where the woods/forest are important (exactly like it sounds, the woods are forest are an important part of the story in some way)
- black and white (interpret as you wish)
- novella (generally under 200 pages)
- person on the cover (character art or models count!)
- anthology (here is where you can play the anthology card, short stories generally around a theme with one or more editors)
- has a map (any kind of map will do!)
- book about bones OR “bone” in the title (take your pick, a book featuring bones prominently or one that has the word “bone” in the title)
- good book, bad cover (another one exactly as it sounds, you liked the book but the cover is… not good)
- brings out the geek in you (whether it’s a fandom dream or you’re just really into rocks and this book talks about rocks, whatever makes you geek out!)
- bought it for the cover (we’re sure you’ve done it at least once)
- book written in verse (a novel told through poetry)
- includes a 2nd person point of view (at least one character narrates the story as “you walk” or “you go” vs “I walk/They walk”)
- author has a book releasing in 2021 (let’s support authors’ backlists! if they have a new book coming out, count any of their previous books published in 2020 or earlier)
- mentions a pineapple (yes we’re serious.)
Prompt List without Explanations
- more than one author
- dragons OR lizards
- it’s on a ship!
- purple cover
- set in a major city
- book you forgot you had
- caused a major book hangover
- multiple points of view
- book you’re giving another chance
- quest to find lost/hidden object
- chapter title page has art
- kept you up late reading
- picked by a friend/trusted reviewer
- non-human character
- first line is less than 10 words
- banned book
- cover features your favorite color prominently
- all about music
- character lets out a breath they didn’t realize they were holding
- genre you never/rarely read
- standalone
- lost royalty
- cover with your country’s flag colors
- written in letters or diary entries
- book centered around politics
- features a carnival or circus
- snake on the cover
- on the Indie Bestseller list in 2020 or earlier
- historical with a twist
- character has a dream scene
- set in autumn
- based on non-Greek/Roman mythology
- non-binary protagonist
- a book with illustrations
- WTF plot twist
- second book in a duology
- non-fairytale re-telling
- from your 2020 backlist TBR
- book where the woods/forest are important
- black and white
- novella
- person on the cover
- anthology
- has a map
- book about bones OR “bone” in the title
- good book, bad cover
- brings out the geek in you
- bought it for the cover
- book written in verse
- includes a 2nd person point of view
- author has a book releasing in 2021
- mentions a pineapple
downloadable graphics/documents
Please note that all graphics contain the same prompts, just in different formats. Find the one that works for you below!
Grab copies of the BINGO cards and prompt list graphics below! Or you can snag a PDF of the prompt list that you can print out and write your books on (available in color and black & white).
52-Prompt Graphics
Color Versions:
Printer Friendly Versions:
24-Prompt Graphics
Color Versions:
Printer Friendly Versions:
Additional Graphics
If you want to post online about the challenge, here are two graphics you can use to share the challenge! The square image is well suited to instagram, while the horizontal is perfect for twitter, facebook, and blog posts.
Other Graphics:
questions?
Have a question about the challenge? Drop it in the comments!
About Austine
I'm a 20-something research proposal developer with a background in the life sciences and education. Reviewer of books since 2011, amateur photographer by day, and aspiring author by night. I believe animals (and books) are better than people.
I’m so in!
Fantastic! Happy reading!
Thanks!
I always feel as if I’m reading backlist titles because I’m really bad getting a new release and have it sit on my shelf for two years before I read it. I’m not usually one for reading challenges but as it seems rather relaxed this time round, I might think about giving it a shot.
It’s definitely simpler than previous years! The core of the challenge is still the same, and everything else was always optional, we’re just scaling it back. Hoping everyone still finds it helpful, even without the team motivation!
Ahhh I’m so excited to participate for the first time next year! I only knew about BTB in the middle of this year and didn’t want to start halfway haha. Thank you Austine and Katie for hosting this. 😊
Oh awesome!! Hope you find the challenge helpful for your TBR!
Even if my backlist is past the point of no return, I still thinks this would be a fun challenge to participate in. 🙂
I think all of our backlist tbrs are past the point of no return, so you’re in good company!
Gosh! Maybe *this* is the motivation I need to clear out some that have been hanging around a long time!
I hope you find it helpful if you decide to join in!
I am SO doing this. Even though I dont read a lot of new releases since they’re hard to get where I live, I still have a million backlists to read. I think I’ll set my goal to be 50 books in 2021. I’ll post on my blog about it and link back to you (cblossombooks.wordpress.com) This was such a good idea 🙂
That’s a fantastic goal and I hope the challenge proves helpful to your TBR!
Thank you so much 🙂 Its a really good idea, and I’m sure it will help a lot 💙😊
I’m very excited about this. I want to focus on my to read pile and this seems like a wonderful thing to look forward to!
So glad you’re excited about it! We’re hoping to focus on our TBRs too!
This sounds so fun! I have so many books to knock off my tbr 😍😍
We do too! Too many books, too little time!
thank you for hosting this again this year. Excited to continue to knock off TBR books. Is there a #prompt you want us to use when referencing the challenge? I am posting an announcement with a link back on my blog ( titlesurfingwithtraci.blogspot.com)
If you’re talking in terms of a challenge hashtag, you can use any/all of the ones below (and thank you for the reminder, I added that to the post and those will be on the challenge page when it updates at the start of the year)!
#BeatTheBacklist // #BeatTheBacklist2021 // #BTB2021
I saw this a month or so ago and I want to do it for 2021. Can’t wait to do this.
So happy to hear you’re excited for it!
I am so in again this year. Quick question. No google spreadsheet set up like last year? The spreadsheet was so helpful… it was amazing! But I totally understand if there isn’t one. Thanks for hosting!
We honestly hadn’t planned on setting up a google tracking spreadsheet because we took the team mini challenge away, but more than happy to provide that again! I’ve added a section in this post with a link where you can download it!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! Happy reading and thanks for getting back to me 🙂
Just discovered your site while searching for 2021 Reading Challenges for my own blog!!! I love everything you’ve got going on here, and I’m excited to join you all for next year’s challenge!!
I’m in. I’ll keep it simple and just make a beat the backlist 2021 shelf of Goodreads. Tonight I actually finished my 2018 backlist!
Sounds fun! Just FYI: I posted this challenge on my new reading challenge round-up blog, readyforareadingchallenge.blogspot.com
Susanhttp://www.blogginboutbooks.comhttp://www.readyforareadingchallenge.blogspot.com
I’m so excited for the 2021 edition 😀 Count me in!
Will there be teams this year?
Not this year! That’s one of the changes mentioned above. We won’t be running teams or a photo challenge on instagram for 2021, but the prompt list/BINGO is sticking around!
I love this challenge! Going for it again.
I’m in, I love a good challenge and this just fits the bill for me and 2021.
Love this!
Can’t wait to participate in 2021!
I have 51 books stacked up and ready to go but I am stumped by this one: character lets out a breath they didn’t realize they were holding.
You probably won’t be able to assign a book to that one just yet! You’ll have to see if one of the books you read includes that line (or a line similar)
I’m in! First-timer to this challenge. It will be fun to match up books I read to the prompts.
I’m in! I’m a new book blogger and was looking for challenges, this one is 1000% perfect! Thank you guys!
Cannot wait to start this challenge. I do have a few questions about some of the prompts and what they mean, if someone could help me out, that would be great.
What does:
“Caused a major book hangover”, “Kept me up late”, and “Brings out the geek in you” mean? These seem like something that would reference a book we’ve already read and I just hoped to get some clarity when it comes to these three prompts.
So glad to hear you’re excited! And you’re correct about those three prompts. While we include many that you can plan ahead for, we also have several that require reading the book first before you know if it fits or not. So for those three, you’ll have to simply read backlist books in 2021 and see if any fit.
Hope that helps, and happy reading!
Loved this challenge last year (well this year…) so I’m doing it again! Thank you again for hosting this challenge 😀