Category: TBR

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads 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?

I will be repeating this process until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.

I’ve been very sick this past week, which means I’ve had time on my hands to read whenever I’m not sleeping.  My TBR pile is down one to 674 books.

This week’s books:

The 131/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers – KEEP.  This is the first book in the “Zamonien” series, of which I have read books 4 and 6, The Labyrinth of Dreaming Books and The City of Dreaming Books. The series doesn’t have to be read in order, similar to Terry Pratchett’s “Disc World” series, but some of the books (including the 2nd) haven’t been translated into English from the original German yet.

Deadlight Jack by Mark Onspaugh – KEEP. I got this book through Netgalley quite a long time ago and still haven’t gotten around to reading and reviewing it. It’s supposed to be a Fantasy Horror Thriller, similar to the kind of fantastic stories written by Joe Hill.  We’ll see.

The Boy in the Cemetery by Sebastian Gregory – KEEP.  I’m not gonna lie, it was the cover and the title that grabbed my attention.  They remind me of something Neil Gaiman would write, such as The Graveyard Book.  The synopsis didn’t end that feeling so I’ll keep this one and keep my fingers crossed that it lives up to my expectations.

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud – KEEP.  Like The Boy in the Cemetery, this book’s title and cover were what made me pick it up, and the synopsis sealed the deal on me keeping it.  Also, the “Readers Also Enjoyed” section on this book’s Goodreads page is full of books I loved reading, including Greenglass House by Kate Milford.

Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen – KEEP.  An atlas of all of the lands in myth and legend? A ship that can take you to any of them?!  Yes, please!!

My to-read shelf is holding steady at 674 books. Sometimes the slightly younger version of me knew what she was doing when she added books to her TBR.  This week’s batch of books is proof of that.

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads 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?

I will be repeating this process until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.

My TBR pile is holding steady at 676 books despite my late-night under the blanket reading by book-light after the Boyfriend went to sleep.

This week’s books:

Quest by various authors – KEEP.  This is an 8 book Fantasy bundle that I’m sure has at least one book I will enjoy reading.

Harbinger of Doom by Glenn G. Thater – GO. This bundle is the first 3 books in a 9 book series with a description of the Main Character being “an enigmatic warrior of unknown origins and mystical power. No mortal man is his match in battle. No sorcery can contain or confound him. No scholar or sage can outwit him.” No.  Not even Kvothe has that sort of unlimited talent or skill for all things.

Mischief, Mayhem, The Blue Men of Minch by Monte French – KEEP.  This story takes place in Scotland and involves all sorts of interesting mythical creatures.  There’s no way I’m not giving this book a chance.

From the Dust Returned by Ray Bradbury – KEEP.  A Vampire story by Ray Bradbury?  Yes, please and thank you!

The Barefoot Queen by Ildefonso Falcones – KEEP.  One of the Boyfriend’s Aunts, who is a retired Librarian, was reading this awhile back and it looked interesting.  She has never steered me wrong in book recommendations, so I will definitely be giving this book a try.

It’s a little surprising to me that I only ditched one book this week.  When I was looking at my TBR last week, I thought for sure I would be throwing more off of my book mountain.  Maybe I’m being more forgiving of the pile since I have been doing another round of KonMari with all of my other belongings (No, I haven’t watched the show on Netflix yet). Hopefully I will have at least one less book on my TBR by next week, but 675 books is pretty good for this early in the year.

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads 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?

I will be repeating this process until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  

I know I usually post these on Saturdays, but I posted my #FitReaders check-in yesterday and I prefer not posting twice in one day if I can help it. Thanks to the #24in48 Readathon, my TBR pile is down to 679 books.

This week’s books:

Jim Morgan and the Pirates of the Black Skull by James Matlack Raney – GO.  When I got this, I didn’t realize it was the 2nd book in a series.  I added the first book, Jim Morgan and the King of Thieves to my wish list, but I’m removing this 2nd book until I read the first. I’ll decide from there whether or not I want to add the 2nd back to my list.

Summer by V.L. Dreyer – KEEP. I’m very skeptical of this one, but it does sound like a Post-Apocalyptic Zombie novel, so I will give it the 50 page test.

Ascension by Brian K. Fuller – GO.  The synopsis makes this book sound like a ridiculous attempt at an Epic Fantasy, and I’m just not interested.

The Twelve Stones by R.J. Johnson – GO.  I was vaguely interested until the synopsis mentioned that the main character’s father is killed by a “billionaire industrialist.” I nearly gagged at the last line, “A thrilling tale that mixes romance, cutting edge science, and oh yeah, the fate of human civilization.” Just No.

Travelers & Shifters & Fey by Dennis W. Green, R.J. Ellison, and A.R. Miller – GO.  This is a collection of 3 Fantasy novels all set in Iowa.  Not one of the books seems interesting enough to read, and it’s not because they’re set in Iowa. Bye-bye!

My to-read shelf is down to 676 books. After looking a little further down my TBR list, I have a feeling the trend of throwing books off the mountain will continue for at least another week.

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads 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?

I will be repeating this process until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.

I know I usually post these on Saturdays, but I’ve been so busy this past week with work that I wanted a day away from computers and went out to spend time enjoying a rare (for this week) non-rainy day. Thanks to Bout of Books, my TBR pile is down to 681 books.

This week’s books:

The Three Day Runaway by Katarina Green – KEEP.  Though I think $100 a day seems like a bit much for most long-weekend trips, I’m interested in all of the tips and strategies for saving money on my adventuring.

Aerisia: Land Beyond the Sunset by Sarah Ashwood – GO. The synopsis made this book out to be really generic sounding with a predictable plot.

Dragon Time and Other Stories by Ruth Nestvold – GO.  The synopsis has me confused about the sub-genre of this short story collection.  It comes off as a mix of Fantasy and Romance, but I’m really not sure.  Maybe I’m feeling picky today, but I really don’t care to find out.

The Sword of Light by E.J. Gilmour – GO.  Another extremely generic Epic Fantasy with a male main character.  I’m just not interested.

Forsaken by Kristen Day – KEEP.  The synopsis made this book sound so good until it got to the romance part.  Still, I want to give this one a chance, especially after ditching the 3 previous books on my TBR.

My to-read shelf is down to 678 books. Next weekend is the 24 in 48 Readathon, so I’ll be taking another week off from “Down the TBR Hole”.

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads 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?

I will be repeating this process until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.

This is the 1st “Down the TBR Hole” post of 2019 and my TBR pile is sitting at 686 books. My goal is to get it down to 625 by the end of the year.  If I meet my Goodreads reading goal of 50 books, that means I only have to remove 10 books from my TBR.  I think that’s more than doable.

This week’s books:

Aster Wood and the Book of Leveling by J.B. Cantwell – KEEP.  This is the 2nd book in the “Aster Wood” series.  I already own it and the 1st book, Aster Wood and the Lost Maps of Almara.  I’m going to keep this one for now and decide whether or not to keep it after I read the 1st book.

Darkness Brutal by Rachel A. Marks – GO. The synopsis sealed this book’s fate with “But when he meets Kara, a broken girl who can spin a hypnotic web of passionate energy…” What?!  No, thank you.

Hammers in the Wind by Christian Warren Freed – GO.  The synopsis makes it seem like this book is a confused mishmash of two different stories that I highly doubt will turn out to be enjoyable reading for me.  Good-bye!

The B-Side Diaries by Brian Joyce – KEEP.  Stories involving music are in my wheel-house.  I’ll give this one a try.

Hero, Second Class by Mitchell Bonds – KEEP.  The cover and the synopsis make me think this book will be the kind of “Monty Python” hilarious I love.

My to-read shelf is down to 684 books.  I’m already on a roll!  Next week is Bout of Books, so I’ll be taking a week off from “Down the TBR Hole”.

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads 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?

I will be repeating this process until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.

This is the last “Down the TBR Hole” post of 2018! My TBR pile is down three to 687 books.

This week’s books:

Gods and Mortals by various authors – KEEP.  This is a set of 14 ebooks I got as a freebie at some point.  I figure at least one of the books has to be good, so I’ll keep it on my Kindle for now.

Confliction Compendium by M.R. Mathias- GO.  This is the first 3 books in the “Dragoneers Saga” along with a few short stories.  I looked up the synopsis for the 1st book in the series, The Royal Dragoneers, and I was not impressed.

The End of Innocence by Stephanie Baumgartner – KEEP.  This is a story about a young woman who goes to Germany pre-WWII to help her aunt in a library.  I’m very interested in reading it since it’s not often that I come across a book depicting events in Germany leading up to WWII.  A story involving a library is a bonus.

Firemancer Collection by Rachel  M. Humphrey-D’aigle – KEEP.  This is a Middle-Grade Fantasy omnibus containing the first 3 books in the “Fated Saga” series.  I’m adding it to my Summer reading list.

The Girls From Alcyone by Cary Caffrey – GO.  I don’t know where I got this ebook, but I suspect it was a freebie that I got just because it’s Sci-Fi.  The synopsis sounds like it’s bad Sci-Fi, so Goodbye.

My to-read shelf is down to 685 books!!!  I didn’t think I could do it. There are still a couple of days before New Year’s, and my goal for 2019 is to whittle the mountain down to 625.  I better get started!

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads 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?

I will be repeating this process until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.

My TBR pile is down to 692.  My TBR goal for the remainder of the year is 690.  With only one more “Down the TBR Hole” posts for 2018, it might be a close call unless I finish reading 2 more books.

This week’s books:

This is the Night by Jonah C. Sirott – KEEP.  I don’t remember when or why I got this ebook, but the synopsis sounds like it might be an interesting read so I’ll keep it for now.

The Girl from Krakow by Alex Rosenberg- GO.  I’m pretty sure this was a freebie.  I got it based on the assumption that it had to do with WWII.  While a large part of it does, I can’t get past the line in the synopsis, “…Rita is armed with a secret so enormous that it could cost the Allies everything, even as it gives her the will to live.” I just don’t find that plausible at all.  Even worse, the book is explained again in the author’s bio, but this time as a “thriller” and mentions the main character’s “lover.”  Nope.  Can’t do it.

Sleepless by Michael Omer – KEEP.  This book will either be absolutely horrible or totally awesome.  I am determined to find out, probably next October.

The Einstein Prophecy by Robert Masello – GO.  The synopsis makes this book sound like The Da Vinci Code minus the religious aspects.  Just No.

Sit. Stay. Heal. by Spike Gillespie – KEEP.  Spike Gillespie is from Austin, Texas, and if I remember correctly, I came across her and her book on Twitter.  As someone who has suffered from mental illness, I look forward to reading what she has to say.

My to-read shelf is down to 690 books!!!  Yay, I did it!!!  I’m not going to dare to try to get it down to 685 by New Year’s Day, but there is one more “Down the TBR Hole” post before then, and I’m on vacation. Let’s see if I can knock a few more off the mountain before the end of the year.

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads 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?

I will be repeating this process until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.

My TBR pile is down to 694.  My new TBR goal for the remainder of the year is 690.  It’s looking more and more achievable as I finish books and start new ones.  I’m nearly done with Christmas with Anne by L.M. Montgomery, and I’m planning to finish it before the end of the day. So let’s see where I end up with this week’s trip down the TBR hole.

This week’s books:

 

The Stranger’s Magic and The Stranger’s Shadow by Max Frei – KEEP.  I put these two together since they’re the 3rd and 4th book of a series I love.  There’s no way I would get rid of these and never find out what happens to The Unequaled Sir Max.

Harmony Black by Craig Schaefer- GO.  The synopsis makes it abundantly clear that this is yet another formulaic Paranormal Romance.  No, thank you.

The Holly Tree by Charles Dickens – KEEP.  I’m hoping I’ll have time to read this before the end of the month.

Geek Anthropology of Loki’s Army by Pepi Valderrama – KEEP.  This probably won’t be nearly as interesting as I thought when I got it, but I’m still willing to give it a chance.

The Priest Hole by Amy Cross – KEEP.  This is another one that probably won’t be as good as I originally thought it would be when I got it.  Like the book above, it was a freebie, and the title was what caught my interest.

My to-read shelf is down to 693 books.  I think I can knock off or read 3 books by the end of 2018; especially since Friday is my last day of work until January 3rd.

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads 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?

I will be repeating this process until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.

My TBR pile is still sitting at 696.  I only have one book to either read or remove to reach my goal of 695 books before the end of the year.

This week’s books:

The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher – KEEP.  I got this book as a gift for the Boyfriend.  He devours anything written by Butcher and got me hooked on “The Dresden Files” series.  I want to read this one so badly, but I’m waiting until I get caught up on “The Dresden Files.”

The Shelf Life of Happiness by David Machado- GO.  I think this was one of the Kindle First Reads books, but I can’t remember.  All I know is that I chose it because of the cover and the title.  I didn’t even read the synopsis, but assumed the story would involve a road trip.  Now that I have read the synopsis, I’m no longer interested, but it’s still a cool cover and title.

Emotional Rescue by Ben Greenman – KEEP.  Besides stories about road trips, books involving music or a playlist/soundtrack are in my wheel house; personal essays even more so.

The Last Woman Standing by Thelma Davis – KEEP.  I have no idea how I came across this book, but I know from reading the synopsis why I chose to get it.  It is the story of Josephine Marcus, the daughter of Jewish immigrants and Wyatt Earp’s common-law wife.  I want to know her story.

Virgins by Diana Gabaldon – KEEP.  I will auto-buy just about anything involving Jamie Fraser. End of story.

My to-read shelf is still at 695 books!!! Should I try for 690 by the end of the month?  I’ve got the last 10 days of the year off from work, and I intend to spend most of that time with my nose in a book. I’m also halfway through The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly, and I’m hoping to finish it this weekend.

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

• Go to your Goodreads 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?

I will be repeating this process until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.

My TBR pile is down one from last week, which means I only have one book to knock off of the mountain to reach my goal of 695 books before the end of the year.

This week’s books:

Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs – KEEP.  I loved “Bones” and though I’m sure there are quite a few differences between the show and the book series, I have to try out the first book.

Tuf Voyaging by George R.R. Martin- KEEP.  Tuf is “…an honest space-trader who likes cats.”  How could I pass that up?!

Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs – KEEP.  I picked up this absolutely beautiful hardcover book soon after it was published and there is no way I’m getting rid of it.  It has become a part of my permanent library.

Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet by Charlie N. Holmberg – KEEP.  I auto-buy anything by Holmberg, usually as a pre-order since I’m subscribed to her newsletter.

The Unbroken Line of the Moon by Johanne Hildebrandt – KEEP.  This is the 4th book in the “Sagan om Valhalla” series, but the 1st book in the translated “Valhalla” series.  The first 3 books in the original series haven’t been translated into English, which is a bit disappointing.  Since I got the ebook for free, I’m going to go ahead and give it a try.

My to-read shelf is still at 696 books. I’m sticking to my goal of 695 for now. With only a month left before 2019, I highly doubt I’ll be able to get it as low as 690, but who knows?  I’ve got the last 10 days of the year off from work, and I intend to spend most of that time with my nose in a book.