Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?
My want-to-read shelf is up one book to 1194. I finished several books this past week, but all but one were library books that weren’t already on my want-to-read shelf, and I discovered some more books to add to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
The Book of Death by Jack Treby – KEEP. The synopsis makes me think this might be a Cursed Object story involving a book, and I’m very interested.
Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue – KEEP. I’m trying to venture further into Cozy Mysteries, and since this one involves a tea shop and witchcraft, I figured I would give it a shot. It’s also a newer series with only three books so far, but the most recent one was published in September of last year, and seems to be popular.
Fated by Benedict Jacka – KEEP. This is supposed to be an Urban Fantasy involving mages in London and they’re possibly also spies? I’m not sure, but it sounded different enough when I first came across it that I got the audiobook.
The Familiar by Jesse Leigh Bardugo- KEEP. Historical Fantasy involving a vampire and set in Spain? Jenny Lawson loved it? Yes, please, and thank you very much!
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden – KEEP. I absolutely loved the “Winternight” trilogy and the first book in the “Small Spaces” series, so Arden is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me. Since this story is Historical Fiction and involves the supernatural, I didn’t even hesitate. I’m also bumping it up my TBR for #RIP.
My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1194 books. However, that might change today or tomorrow. I’m in the middle of a flare-up with my back and following doctor’s orders to rest for two days. I will likely finish at least a couple of physical books and an audiobook so I might be down a couple of books in the next post.
Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?
My want-to-read shelf is up a few books to 1193. I only finished one book this past week, but added several more to my wishlist, and I bought a couple of books.
This week’s books:
The Unhappy Medium by T.J. Brown – KEEP. This is supposed to be a darkly humorous story about a skeptic who can see the ghost of a former colleague. I greatly enjoy dark humor, especially about anything supernatural, so I bought the audiobook without hesitation.
The Family Plot by Cherie Priest – KEEP. I’ve read Boneshaker and The Toll, and liked both of them enough to want to give this book a try.
Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid – KEEP. The synopsis had me at “gothic horror retelling”, and then it really had me at “fans of Shirley Jackson and Catherynne M. Valente.”
The Saga of the Volsungs translated by Jesse L. Byock- KEEP. I’m keeping this for now since I’m still interested in reading it at some point, but frankly, this might be an “aspirational me” kind of book.
The Ghost and Mrs. McClure by Alice Kimberly – KEEP. This is the first book in the “Haunted Bookshop” Cozy Mystery series, and I got the audiobook on sale through Chirp. I’m always looking for new-to-me Cozy Mystery series having to do with books, so buying this one was a no-brainer.
My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1193 books. I have two books on my TBR that I want to get to before the end of the month, but other than that, I’m still catching up on all of the library books I checked out. I have stopped checking out anymore books from the library until I finish the ones I’ve got, but I do still have three books on hold. I won’t be getting one of those books anytime soon, though, as I’m 1702 in line!
Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?
My want-to-read shelf is up one book to 1189. I finished three books, but added several more to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
Darling by Mercedes M. Yardley – KEEP. This is yet another book I found while I was at the Columbus Book Festival. It sounds like the perfect book for #RIP.
Deep Nutrition by Catherine Shanahan – KEEP. Shanahan’sThe Fatburn Fix was the book that finally helped me clean up what I eat, which led to me feeling better both physically and mentally. While I have fallen off the wagon thanks to dealing with large amounts of stress over the past couple of months, I’m hoping to get back to what I learned in that book while adding new information from this book.
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle – KEEP. This is one of the picks for the Nightmares from Nowhere book club. I’m a bit skeptical because Tingle’s earlier books are way out there weird, but if Jenny Lawson says it’s great, I’ll give it a chance.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence- KEEP. The synopsis is extremely vague about the plot of this book to the point that I don’t know what it’s about beyond having something to do with at least one book and a library. I’m willing to find out, though.
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte – KEEP. This book is about Dinosaurs, obviously, and it has a bunch of full-color illustrations. Are you kidding?! Who would ever think I wouldn’t want to keep this one?!
My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1189 books. I recently switched over to StoryGraph, but I’m keeping Goodreads specifically for these posts. I’ve found that, unlike everything else with StoryGraph, it’s easier to use Goodreads for going book by book through my want-to-read shelf. The day that changes will be the day I delete my Goodreads account.
Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?
My want-to-read shelf is up to 1188 books. I finished three books, but added a whole bunch more to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
I Married Wyatt Earp ed. by Glenn G. Boyer – KEEP. I saw this book in one of the gift shops in Tombstone, AZ. The price was marked up and I refuse to pay more than the cover price for a book that isn’t rare or a collectable. Though it’s still on my wishlist several years later, I still want to get it at some point.
Once Upon a Crime by P.J. Brackston – KEEP.This is a Cozy Mystery set in the world of Grimm’s Fairytales. I’m very interested!
How Can I Help You by Laura Sims – KEEP. This is one of the picks for the Nightmares from Nowhere book club.
Broken Shells by Nikita and Nathaniel Edson- KEEP. I bought this Steampunk novel from the authors at their table during the first Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Book Festival. Now that I’ve remembered it’s on my TBR, I want to read it during this year’s #SciFiSummer.
The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright – KEEP. I also found this book at the Book Festival, and though I didn’t see the author, I think she was on one of the panels. This looked like an interesting Gothic novel so I figured I would give it a try.
My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1188 books for now. While it probably won’t stop me from adding books to my wishlist, I’m going to severely limit how many books I buy from Amazon when I do inevitably buy some books. I recently found out how much of a cut Amazon takes from authors. The link is to an older video (6 months ago) because I couldn’t find the newer video Elizabeth Wheatley did on the subject, but I’m glad I did find the older one. Apparently several other online retailers are just as bad. Instead of giving these major companies my money, I’ll buy either from indy bookstores or directly from the author when I can.
Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?
My want-to-read shelf is up to 1185 books. I finished a few of books, but added several more to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf by L.G. Estrella – KEEP. This book sounds like dark comedic Fantasy. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano – KEEP.This was one of the picks for the Nightmares from Nowhere book club. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get back into Horror by time this year’s #RIP rolls around, but for now, I’m sticking to cozier reads.
Putting the Tea in Britain by Les Wilson – KEEP. This book is about two of my favorite subjects: Scotland and tea.
Over My Dead Body by Greg Melville- KEEP. If you know me, you know I love cemeteries. I would love to someday travel around the United States, visiting cemeteries, but this book will do for a bit of armchair travel until that someday comes around.
Tombstone by Tom Clavin – KEEP. I bought this paperback when I was getting ready for a trip with my best friend to Tombstone, Arizona several years ago, but I never got around to reading it. Now that I know a lot more about the story of the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday from all of the tourist activities in Tombstone, I want to read more about them and see how much of the touristy stuff matches up with the facts. I need to be in the right mood for it, though, and that has yet to happen.
My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1185 books for now. I’m still trying to finish up a couple of the books I checked out from the library while dipping into books from my TBR in between. Luckily, being on vacation all of this week means I have plenty of time to read.
Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?
My want-to-read shelf is back up to 1184 books. I finished a book, but added a couple to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
Goblin Quest by Jim C. Hines – KEEP. I love Hines’ “Magic Ex Libris” series, so when I found this at Half Price Books, I had to get it.
The Places That Scare You by Pema Chödrön – KEEP.I’ve been dealing with a lot of bitterness, resentment, and anger because of everything happening in my life over the past month, and I need to read this sooner rather than later.
Naked in the Zendo by Grace Schireson – KEEP. I’m not going to lie, I mostly bought this book because of the title, but also because I think it will be an excellent and humorous book about Life and Zen.
The Hanging City by Charlie N. Holmberg- KEEP. Up until recently, Holmberg has been one of my auto-buy authors. The only reason that has changed is because she has written so.many.books. and I can’t keep up. This is one I bought, and I will eventually get to it.
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill – KEEP. A Murder Mystery in a library? Yes, please, and thank you!
My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1184 books.
Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?
My want-to-read shelf is up to 1184 books. I bought a couple of books and added a couple more to my wishlist after finishing a couple of books this past week.
This week’s books:
The House Is on Fire by Rachel Beanland – GO. I can’t remember where I got this book from or why I bought it, and the synopsis did not spark my interest.
Fire Watch by Connie Willis – KEEP.This book is part of the “Oxford Time Travel” series, and I’m hoping to finally get to it this year during #SciFiSummer.
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer – KEEP. I’m getting Willy Wonka vibes from the synopsis, but instead of chocolate, it involves books. I might be way off, but I’ve heard great things about this book, so I’m in.
Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill- KEEP. I’m going to give this one a chance because it was one of the picks for “Nightmares from Nowhere,” but I’m a bit skeptical.
The Unadulterated Cat by Terry Pratchett – KEEP. I’m very much looking forward to reading this book, and I’ve only put it off because I would like to get through the “Discworld” series first. I may need to change that.
My want-to-read shelf is down one book to 1183. I’ll have to finish some books and try to not add anymore to my wishlist since I don’t think I’ll be getting rid of any books in the next post.
Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?
My want-to-read shelf is up to 1180 books. I added a few more books to my wishlist after finishing a couple of books this past week.
This week’s books:
The Solitary Summer by Elizabeth von Arnim – KEEP. I’m hoping to get to this one this year.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree – KEEP. Legends & Lattes is one of my all-time favorites, so I’m very much looking forward to this prequel.
Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert – KEEP. I loved the first book in Gilbert’s “Blue Ridge Library Mysteries,” and I’m hoping this first book in her “Booklover B&B Mysteries” will be just as good.
Can’t Judge a Book by its Murder by Amy Lillard- KEEP. I’m going to give this one a chance despite the synopsis sounding exactly like another bookstore-related Cozy Mystery I’ve read from another series.
The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis – KEEP. Willis has become an auto-buy author for me, and I’m looking forward to hopefully reading this or at least one of her other books I have on my TBR this #SciFiSummer.
My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1180 books. There is only one book for the next post that I’m not immediately sure I’ll be keeping.
Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?
My want-to-read shelf jumped back up to 1178 books. I added a couple of Cozy books to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman – KEEP. I absolutely loved the “Practical Magic” series, and since this story is book-related, I want to give it a try.
Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire – KEEP. This book about books has such a beautiful cover that I accidently bought two copies!
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik – KEEP. I will definitely be reading this second book in the Dark Academia “Scholomance” series.
Lone Women by Victor Lavalle- KEEP. This is either the second or third book pick for Jenny Lawson’s Horror book club, “Nightmares from Nowhere.” I started reading it last year during #RIP, but put it down because I want to read another book, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë first.
Unnatural Magic by C.M. Waggoner – KEEP. I read The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry already, not knowing it’s the second book in the “Unnatural Magic” series, of which this is the first. I may need to reread the second book after I read this one, but I’m not sure yet.
My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1178 books. There are several Cozy reads coming up on my want-to-read shelf for the next post, so I doubt I’ll be letting any of them go.
Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?
My want-to-read shelf jumped up again to 1178 books. I finished several books this past week, but I added several Cozy books to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher – KEEP. This book keeps coming up in Fantasy recommendation lists of all kinds. My hope is to get to it sooner rather than later.
Live Your Best Life by Dr. Stuart Farrimond – GO. I tried listening to this audiobook during my morning commute as part of my Miracle Morning routine, but I just couldn’t get into it, and I stopped listening. I meant to come back to it and give it another chance at some point, but every time I see it in the Chirp app, I’m reminded of how boring I thought it was.
A Book of Bosh by Edward Lear – GO. I don’t remember where I learned about this “book of nonsense”, but it’s been on my wishlist for two years, is out of print, and I haven’t bothered to try finding a copy.
Miss Peregrine’s Museum of Wonders by Ransom Riggs- KEEP. I love this world and want to read more about it.
Murder at the Bookstore by Sue Minix – KEEP. I wonder how many Cozy Mystery books have this exact same title? I also wonder how many other Cozy Mystery books have a main character who inherits a bookstore after the owner is murdered. Will this book be predictable? Oh, most certainly, but I need more predictableness in my life right now.
My want-to-read shelf is down a little bit to 1176 books. These posts are a reminder of how many great books I already have waiting for me to pick up while allowing me the chance to weed out the ones that I’m no longer interested in reading. Though I’ve been checking out a lot of books from the library lately, I have been mixing those in with the books I own so I can get my “new” book fix while slowly chipping away at my TBR. It may not look like it, but that system is working, even if the number of books on my want-to-read shelf expands more than it contracts.
