Category: TBR

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• 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?

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My want-to-read shelf is up to 1193 books again. I finished a book, but added a couple more to my wishlist.

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This week’s books:

The Magical Bookshop: Volumes 1-3 by Liz Hedgecock – KEEP. I don’t know if I’ll love this Cozy Mystery series or not, but I’ll at least try out the first book.

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay – KEEP. This one is still on my wishlist, mostly because I can check it out from the library and I already have a ton of Horror novels to get through on my TBR.

Midlife Bites by Jen Mann – KEEP. With all of the upheaval in my life right now, this just might be the book I need to read sooner rather than later.

Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop by Alba Donati – KEEP. This book is right in my wheelhouse.

The Plutonium Blonde by John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem – KEEP.  According to the synopsis, this book “pokes fun” at pulp fiction, Private Detective and Science Fiction novels in particular. I’m willing to give it a try.

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My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1193 books for now. This might be the last “Down the TBR Hole” post I write for a while, and I’m not even sure how long “a while” will be. I might write these posts sporadically when I have the time and energy, but right now I’m not all that sure about much of anything in my life.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• 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?

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My want-to-read shelf is up one to 1193 books. I finished a couple of books, but added a few more to my wishlist.

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This week’s books:

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler – KEEP. This one sounds like it will be a lot of fun!

How to Relax by Thich Nhat Hanh – KEEP. This is a short book on a subject I’ve been reading a bit about lately

Roar by Stacy T. Sims – GO. I didn’t realize that this book on women’s fitness was geared towards athletes, something I have never been and don’t plan to ever be.

Liar Temptress Soldier Spy by Karen Abbott – KEEP. I’ve heard nothing but praise for this book. Even the woman at the checkout when I bought it said it was amazing.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix – KEEP.  Hendrix has become an auto-buy author for me. I love his brand of Horror!

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My want-to-read shelf is back down one to 1192 books. I spent most of Saturday reading because I made sure I had no other plans for the day and I also went tech-free for 24 hours starting fairly early that morning. It felt great, though I did have a few moments of thinking I should be doing something more productive with my time. I told that voice in my head to shush and got back into the book I was reading. It’s still going to take quite a bit of time to catch up on all the library books, so I might make Saturdays my do-nothing days for a while.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• 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?

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My want-to-read shelf is still holding at 1193 books. I finished a book, but added two more to my wishlist.

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This week’s books:

Navy SEAL Mental Toughness by Christ Lambertsen – GO. One of the biggest struggles I’ve had as a Veteran is feeling like I couldn’t “hang.” I’ve beat myself up for years for not feeling strong or tough enough to remain in the Army, and while that wasn’t the sole reason I chose not to reenlist, it was a major contributor to that decision. During one particular moment of feeling like I just needed to kick myself in the rear and toughen up, I bought this ebook. I’m sure this book is the right one for someone, but that someone is not me.

Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton – KEEP. I had no clue that the movie “The 13th Warrior” was based on this book. I want to read it solely to see how it compares to the movie.

You Like It Darker by Stephen King- KEEP. I’m going to keep this one on my wishlist for now because I know I’m going to read it someday. However, I’m participating in a Stephen King reading challenge on Litsy, and it’s going to be a good long while before we finally get to this book.

Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes – KEEP. How does anyone pass up a book with a title like that?! I couldn’t.

Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Joanna Nylund – KEEP.  This was one of Jenny Lawson’s picks for her “Nightmares From Nowhere” book club, and frankly, I would have bought it even if it hadn’t been. It sounds exactly like the Horror I love.

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My want-to-read shelf is down one to 1192 books. With my life having been a bit crazy this past week, I wasn’t in a place mentally to be able to relax into a good story. I had a couple of my library holds come in, bringing me up to nine books, and only two of those will qualify for #SciFiSummer. As much as I want to get through those books, and so many others this Summer, I’m giving myself the space to be ok with not reading much for a while. Forcing myself to read is not relaxing, and I can always check out those books again at some other time.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• 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?

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My want-to-read shelf is up to 1193 books. I finished a couple of books, but added a few more to my wishlist.

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This week’s books:

Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan – KEEP. I’m really looking forward to reading this Vampire book set in Texas that was one of the picks for Jenny Lawson’s “Nightmares from Nowhere” book club.

A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry – KEEP. I bought this book from an Indy bookstore during Independent Bookstore Day last year, which also happened to be on the same Saturday as the Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon.

Cabinet of Curiosities by Aaron Mahnke- KEEP. I love Mahnke’s “Lore” podcast and book series, so I had to get this audiobook as soon as it came out. I hope I’ll get to it during this year’s #RIP.

Forever Strong by Gabrielle Lyon – KEEP. I know I need to get more exercise, especially weight-bearing exercise, and yet I still continue to struggle with it. I’ll start a program that is easy, not overly demanding for my physical ability, doesn’t have exercises I’m simply not capable of doing, and doesn’t take up a lot of my time, but finding the motivation is still a struggle. I bought this ebook hoping that it will help with that. I might finally read it once I’m through physical therapy and am healthy enough to do more.

Sisu: The Finish Art of Courage by Joanna Nylund – KEEP.  This is the second book about Sisu that I’ve bought, forgetting I already had one, but I’m going to keep it for now in case I don’t like the other one.

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My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1193 books. I’ve finished one book from my TBR, but I still have seven books checked out from the library. We’re only halfway through the month, so I think I will still be able to finish most of the library books, and at least one more book from my TBR before July 1st. The stretch will be finishing all of my current reads before June 20th, when #SciFiSummer begins.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• 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?

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My want-to-read shelf is holding steady at 1191 books. I finished a book, and added another to my wish list. There are just so many great titles coming out this Summer!

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This week’s books:

Damsel by Evelyn Skye – KEEP. I want to read this before I watch the Netflix movie.

The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch – KEEP. I love the pen name, and the title, and that the series is named “Secret.” I’m betting this will be an enjoyable read.

The Oregon Trail: Danger at the Haunted Gate by Jesse Wiley – KEEP. This is the second book in “The Oregon Trail” Choose-Your-Own-Adventure series. It came in a box set containing the first four books. I plan on reading them all, and possibly getting the rest of the books in the series as well.

The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer – KEEP. Here’s another one that I plan to read before watching the Netflix movie, which also stars the same actress.

More Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter – KEEP.  I read the first book in this duology as an audiobook, but for some reason, the audiobook for this one wasn’t available when I tried to find it, so I got a physical edition instead. I usually don’t read “Chick Lit,” but stories about women in their 40’s are what I need right now as a woman in my 40’s, and I love seeing more books being published that are written for and about my age group.

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My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1191 books. I haven’t finished any books from my TBR yet, and I now have seven books checked out from the library, but the month is young.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• 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 1191. I finished a few books, but I added a few more to my wishlist.

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This week’s books:

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox – KEEP. Gothic Historical Fiction about a mysterious library? Yes!

One Word Kill by Mark Lawrence – KEEP. The synopsis sounds like this might be very similar to “Stranger Things.” I’m hoping it’s different enough that it doesn’t feel like a rip-off.

King Nix by Kirsten Bakis – KEEP. I’m skeptical about this one, but it was one of Jenny Lawson’s picks for the Fantastic Strangelings book club, so I’m willing to give it a try.

Everyday Sisu by Katja Pantzar – KEEP. This is one of two books I have about the concept of Finnish Sisu. I think it might be similar to Stoicism, but I’m not really sure.

Rumo by Walter Moers – KEEP.  I started this book a while back, but for whatever reason I couldn’t get into it at the time. I’ll try again at some point.

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My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1191 books. One of my goals for June is to read at least two books from my TBR, in addition to the two books from my TBR that I’m already reading and the six books I currently have checked out from the library. If I have to renew a couple of books from the library, I’ll do it, but some of them already have other people waiting for them.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• 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?

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My want-to-read shelf is up a couple of books to 1190. I finished a few books, but I added several more to my wishlist.

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This week’s books:

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson – KEEP. This is a Classic, and since I saw the movie before I found out that it was a book, I definitely want to read it.

The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs – GO. I got this ebook when I was desperate for anything that might be Cozy, even though Women’s Literary Fiction is not really my thing most of the time. I’m pretty sure I got the ebook for free or at a very low price, so I’m going to let this one go.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman – KEEP. One of my Boyfriend’s Aunts recommended this book while we were visiting for Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. Then, while we were waiting for our flight back home, I found a copy of the book sitting in the magazine rack of the airport’s bookstore. It was the only copy in the store, and I saw that as fate. I still haven’t gotten around to reading it, but I hope to change that this year.

The Death of a Beekeeper by Lars Gustafsson – KEEP. This is a bibliotherapy recommendation for living with chronic pain. Given what is going on in my life right now, I need to read this short book sooner rather than later.

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson – KEEP.  This is one of Jenny Lawson’s picks for her monthly book club “Nightmares from Nowhere”. I recently got into Dark Academia with the “Scholomance” series by Naomi Novik, so I’m looking forward to reading it.

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My want-to-read shelf is down one book to 1189. I’ll probably be doing a lot more reading than usual for a while since I’m much more limited in my physical activities. With any luck, I’ll be doing my reading outside in the sun so I’m not cooped up in the house all the time.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• 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?

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My want-to-read shelf is up a few books to 1188. I finished a couple of books, but I added several to my wishlist.

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This week’s books:

The Portable Door by Tom Holt – KEEP. This is supposed to be comedic Fantasy and the synopsis sounds interesting enough for me to give it a chance.

Just an Ordinary Day by Shirley Jackson – KEEP. I love Shirley Jackson so when I came across this collection of her short stories, I had to get it.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall – KEEP. I don’t remember who recommended this book, but I’ve got nothing to lose by checking it out from the library.

Five Children and It by E. Nesbit – KEEP. This is another book that I don’t remember who recommended it, and it is also available at the library.

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery – KEEP.  I vaguely remember reading this book when I was very young and would read anything by Montgomery after I fell in love with Anne of Green Gables. However, I can’t remember any of the details, and I want to reread it.

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My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1188 books for now. My reading has picked up again, so I’m hoping to start seeing that number decline soon.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• 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?

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My want-to-read shelf is up a couple of books to 1186. I finished a couple of books, but I also discovered that several books were missing from my TBR.

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This week’s books:

Njuta by Niki Brantmark – KEEP. First there was “Hygge,” then “Lagom.” After that, I learned about “Lillordag.” Now, I want to read about “Njuta.”

The Black House by Peter May – KEEP. This is a Scottish crime novel. Since I’m more into Cozy Mysteries, I’m not sure I will like it. However, it’s set in Scotland, so I’m still interested.

The Paris Secret by Karen Swan – GO. I used to be just as obsessed with any book set in France as I am with books set in Scotland, but this really doesn’t seem to be anything I will enjoy reading. I don’t even know why I got it in the first place.

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum – KEEP. I feel like everyone has already read this book. I bought it because I loved living in South Korea, and I would like to take an armchair trip back there since it will probably be a very long time before I’m able to go back in real life.

Murder at the Book Club by Betsy Reavley – KEEP.  I’m skeptical about this Cozy Mystery because there are only two books in the series, and both were published in 2018. I’ll give it the 50 page test.

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My want-to-read shelf is down one to 1185 books. It has been quite a while since I’ve decided to let go of a book. I’m not sure my want-to-read list is going to get any shorter for a while since I haven’t been reading much lately.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads want-to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• 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?

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My want-to-read shelf is down a few books to 1184. I finished several books this past week thanks to the weather keeping me indoors instead of out in my garden.

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This week’s books:

The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane – KEEP. I supposedly own a physical copy of this book, but I don’t remember buying it or where it is on my bookshelves. I’m still interested in reading it, though, so it’s staying on my want-to-read list.

Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White – KEEP. This is supposed to be a slower approach to decluttering, and while I’ve decluttered my home multiple times over the years with more traditional strategies, whenever I read a decluttering book, I’m inspired to let go of even more stuff.

Midsummer by Deborah Blake – KEEP. I like the “Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials” series of books because they help me reconnect to the seasons in a meaningful way while also providing a bit of history. I hope to get to this one before the end of the month so that I have some time to plan any of the traditions I want to try.

Tales from the Perilous Realm by J.R.R. Tolkien – KEEP. I got this so that I would have several of the stories covered in an at-your-own-pace class I signed up for several years ago. Now that I’m getting the hang of screen-free days, I’ll probably get back into studying Tolkien’s work.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame – KEEP.  I somehow made it through my entire childhood without reading this book! This is another one I’m hoping to get to this month.

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My want-to-read shelf is staying at 1184 books. I was feeling a bit stressed from work last week and checked out a couple more books from the library, but I’m balancing those with books from my own TBR, so I’m hoping that number will continue to go down.