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.

My TBR pile is down one book from last week to 711.  It’s been a bit of a crazy week thanks to starting a new job and everything that comes along with that (figuring out my commute, lunches, etc).  I’m hoping to spend quite a lot of time this weekend reading, but for now, let’s take a ride down the TBR hole!

This week’s five books:

Boundary Crossed by Melissa F. Olson – KEEP.  I’m extremely skeptical of this one, but I’m willing to give it the 50 page test because the MC is a Veteran and I want to see how the author portrays that, since Olson is not a Veteran herself.

Scarlet and the Keepers of Light by Brandon Charles West – KEEP.  This looks like it might be a fun Middle-Grade Fantasy, so I’ll keep it for now.

Child of the Mist by Kathleen Morgan- KEEP.  This book is Historical Fiction set in the Highlands of Scotland.  Enough said.

Beauty and the Beast by Jenni James – KEEP.  This is a YA retelling of my all-time favorite fairy tale; of course I’ll give it a try.

Truth Teller by Kurt Chambers – KEEP.  I’m pretty sure I’m going to wind up feeling disappointed with this one.  Why do so many main characters have to have “the greatest power of all?”  Especially when they’ve spent their lives believing they’re just an ordinary person living an unremarkable life?  It’s probably one of the most used Fantasy tropes.  However, I still want to find out if this book is good or not.  It’s worth the 50 page test.

My to-read shelf remains at 711 books.  I thought for sure I’d get rid of most of this week’s books.  Maybe they’ll end up failing my arbitrary 50 page test, but what if they don’t?!

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 715 books, despite finishing a book and starting two others, because of course I found more books I want to read!

This week’s five books:

That Risen Snow by Rob E. Boley – KEEP.  How could I get rid of a book that is a horror retelling of Snow White?!

The Marenon Chronicles by Jason D. Morrow – GO.  I’m so tired of the “nearing the brink of war” trope in Fantasy, along with the “MC being the center of a difficult to decipher prophecy” trope.  What makes this one worse is that the only way to get to Marenon, according to the synopsis, is to die.  No thanks.

True Calling by Siobhan Davis – GO.  You know what I’m also tired of seeing?  YA Romance thinly veiled as Dystopian Sci-Fi, especially when it sounds like a horrible copy of The Hunger Games.

Wolves: I Bring the Fire Part 1 by C. Gockel- KEEP.  I don’t think I read the synopsis when I got this ebook.  I love wolves, and Loki is mentioned at the beginning of the synopsis so I’m pretty sure that was my only reasoning to get it besides it being free to download.  I’m a little skeptical after finally reading what this book is about (it’s not about wolves), but I do like the idea of the trickster god saving the day, or at least attempting it.

Evensong by Krista Walsh – GO.  That is a beautiful cover, which is probably why I downloaded the book (another freebie).  It’s yet another trope-filled Fantasy that I’m not interested in bothering to try out.

My to-read shelf is down to 712 books.  Looking at a few of the upcoming books on my TBR for the next “Down the TBR Hole” post, I think that number will continue to decline.  I seem to be in the part of my TBR that consists mostly of ebooks I got because they just happened to be Sci-Fi or Fantasy and didn’t cost me anything.

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.

Its been a couple of weeks since my last “Down the TBR Hole” post,  thanks to TWO amazing readathons, the #24in48 and the #ReverseReadathon.  My TBR pile is just a little bit lighter at 717 books.

This week’s five books:

Aster Wood and the Lost Maps of Almara by J.B. Cantwell – KEEP.  I’m a little skeptical about this one.  The synopsis makes me feel like the story will be full of some of Fantasy’s most ridiculous tropes.  However, I’m a sucker for Middle-Grade Fantasy, so I’ll give it a chance.

The Last Dragon Slayer by Martyn Stanley – KEEP.  This is another one making me feel a bit skeptical, but what made me decide to keep it is this line from the synopsis: “…he sets out with two…dock-workers and a homeless dwarf.”  That makes me think it will either be hilarious or horrible; either way, I need to find out.

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher – GO.  The synopsis consists of 5 short sentences that are full of suspense and don’t give anything away.  Sometimes that can be a great thing, but sometimes that signals a disaster of a story from page one.  Since this would be the 3rd book in a row I feel iffy about, I decided to read some of the reviews.  I’m glad I did.  Apparently the story isn’t much of a story at all, but a giant cliff-hanger.  I seriously can’t stand that sort of thing unless it’s a comic or very specifically labeled as a serial.

The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley- KEEP.  A Robin Hood retelling by Robin McKinley?!  Yes, please and thank you!

The Bogside Boys by Eoin Dempsey – GO.  The synopsis tells the entire story and also gives me the impression of a book that is trying too hard.  I got it because I haven’t read much about life in Northern Ireland during the 1970’s and I would love to know more.  If you have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments, because I don’t think this book is what I’m looking for.

My to-read shelf is down to 715 books.  With the NEWTs Readathon going on this month, along with Bout of Books, I might just break 700 by September.

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 back up again to 722 books.  I’m starting to think that getting it under 700 will be cause for a celebration.

This week’s five books:

The White Tree by Edward W. Robertson – GO.  This is yet another free ebook I picked up a few years ago.  I wouldn’t say the synopsis is ridiculous, but it did give me the impression that this book won’t be worth my time.

Ice Demon by Elizabeth Watasin – KEEP.  I laughed while reading the synopsis.  I’ll probably DNF the book within 50 pages, but it sounds like it might be fun.  It’s a Steampunk Lesbian Mystery involving an animated skull, and I have to admit, I really got this book because of the cover, and not just because it was free.

Lost Girl by Colleen Vanderlinden – GO.  The synopsis made me skeptical.  Searching for the publisher only to find that the only other book they published was also by this author made me hesitate.  Reading a couple of the reviews made me decide this one isn’t staying on my TBR.

The Amazing Adventures of Toby the Trilby by Angela Castillo- GO.  No.  Just no.

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Gabaldon – KEEP.  There is no way I would ever get rid of anything “Outlander”.

My to-read shelf is down to 719 books.  I already feel like celebrating a little, but I’ll hold off so I don’t jinx myself.

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 up to 722 books thanks to adding a couple more books to my wish list .

This week’s five books:

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque – KEEP.  I remember seeing a film adaptation of this book when I was in high school, and I’ve wanted to read the book ever since.  I own the paperback, and yet still haven’t gotten around to reading it.  Probably because I know how difficult it will be for me.

My Ántonia by Willa Cather – KEEP.  This is one of those books that has been sitting on my self because I keep forgetting what it’s about.  Then I re-read the synopsis, remember why I want to read it, and put it back on the shelf to read at some other time.

Audrey’s Guide to Witchcraft by Jody Gehrman – KEEP.  I’m skeptical about this one, but I’m willing to give it a shot since I already own the ebook.

Insanity by Cameron Jace- GO.  The synopsis is absolutely ridiculous.  Good-bye.

Fing by Papa G. – GO.  Another ridiculous synopsis for another free ebook I picked up years ago.  Buh-bye!

My to-read shelf is back down to 720 books.  Unless a miracle happens, I highly doubt that number will go down before next Saturday.

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 721 books.

This week’s five books:

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern – GO.  I saw the movie adaptation years ago, and really enjoyed it.  I got the paperback, thinking that it would be even better.  However, after reading reviews stating that just about everything was changed for the movie, I’m going to have to let this one go.

Cannonbridge by Jonathan Barnes – KEEP.  I’m horrified by the fact that I haven’t read this one yet.  Why?  Because this is one of the first ARCs I received through Netgalley.  Not only that, but I also own the trade paperback!  I’m going to make a point of picking this one up before the end of #COYER.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck – KEEP.  This is another book that I feel the need to finally get around to reading this Summer.

Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer- KEEP.  Here’s another one of which I’ve seen the movie adaptation first.  However, I’m still going to read it.  I feel like this book should be read during the Winter, though.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens – KEEP.  Why have I not read this yet?! *Sigh*

My to-read shelf is down to 720 books.  Hopefully I don’t find anymore books to add before next Saturday! 😉

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 up to 721 books.  Though I finished a couple of books on my Nook over the past week I added several more to my wish list.

This week’s five books:

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir – KEEP.  I will tackle this beast of a book some day.

The Complete Stories by Franz Kafka – KEEP.  I enjoyed “The Metamorphosis” and was interested enough in Kafka’s life to want to read his other work.  I also own copies of his novels, Amerika and The Trial.

Mr. Fox by Helen Oyeyemi – KEEP.  I’m skeptical but intrigued, and since I already own a physical copy, I’ll go ahead and keep it for now.

The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens- KEEP.  I love Dickens, especially during the Winter.  There’s no way I’m getting rid of this one.

The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory – KEEP.  I know a lot about Henry VIII, but other than Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, I don’t know much about his various wives.  I’m willing to keep this one for that reason.

My to-read shelf is stuck at 721 books, but that will hopefully change as I continue to clear out my Nook.

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 718 books.  I finished 3 more books on my Nook over the past week and removed several others that were complete garbage I had downloaded for free, probably without even reading the synopsis.  I’m so glad I don’t do that anymore.  Just because it’s free and an ebook doesn’t mean it’s worth having in my collection and bloating my TBR.

This week’s five books:

Gardens in the Dunes by Leslie Marmon Silko – KEEP.  This in another book I found in the gift shop at the Indian Pueblo Culture Center.

Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko – KEEP.  The Boyfriend got this for me years ago as part of a Birthday present.

To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis – KEEP.  This was recommended to me by the Boyfriend’s Aunt, along with the 1st book, Doomsday Book.

The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory- KEEP.  Though this one is set during the reign of Elizabeth I, it’s not centered around her but a fictional character.  I’m much more likely to be able to handle that, unlike The Virgin’s Lover, which I tossed out last week.

Ethan Frome and Selected Stories by Edith Wharton – KEEP.  I’m keeping this one for the Classics Club since it’s fairly short and I only have a little over a year to finish my list.

My to-read shelf is holding steady  718 books, but I’m sure it will only be decreasing over the Summer as I clear out my Nook for COYER, Sci-Fi Summer, and the NEWTs reading challenge.

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 723 books.  I finished Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield, a book that I’ve owned since 2011!  I also decided to remove books from my TBR that are purely cookbooks or instructional craft books since I don’t read them in the same way as most other books.

This week’s five books:

The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon – KEEP.  “Books, libraries, and newspapers have at last become things of the past.” WHOA!  I need to read this!

Around the World with Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis – KEEP.  Auntie Mame kind of annoys me and I cringe when a certain someone I know says she aspires to be like this iconic character.  However, I find myself wanting to find out what antics she gets up to in this sequel.  It’s also a fairly short book and I already own it, so why not?

The Virgin’s Lover by Philippa Gregory – GO.  The English History course I took in college ruined this for me.  I know too much about Queen Elizabeth I to not roll my eyes at every non-factual bit in this book.

Poisoned Pens ed. by Gary Dexter – KEEP.  The idea of a book full of authors insulting each other sounds too fun to pass up.  The only fear I have is that I will come across an insult about a favorite author by another favorite author.

What We See When We Read by Peter Mendelsund – KEEP.  The subject of this book fascinates me, so there’s no way I’m getting rid of it.

My to-read shelf is down one to 722 books.  COYER started today and Sci-Fi Summer starts in less than 2 weeks, so I’m hoping that number will continue to decrease.

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 at 730 books.  I’m sure that’s only because I haven’t started any new books since last week and I’m behind on reading recent posts from the blogs I follow.

This week’s five books:

Only Human by Gareth Roberts – KEEP.  I refuse to get rid of any of my Doctor Who books.

Voices of Freedom ed. by Eric Foner – GO.  I was really looking forward to reading this book around July, but I had no idea that it’s a companion to a textbook I don’t already own and am not likely to shell out the cash to buy.  I’m still going to keep it, but instead of having it on my TBR, I’m moving it to my “reference” shelf since it’s chock full of primary sources.

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier – KEEP.  The only thing stopping me from reading this one is that I haven’t finished the “Sevenwaters” series yet.

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King – KEEP.  Every time I look at this book, I consider getting rid of it.  It’s Contemporary YA, which is not a subgenre I read much of, but then I reread the synopsis, notice it’s been a nominee for several awards, and discover it’s the author’s most popular out of 17 published books.  I’m willing to see if it passes my 50 page test.

Black Spring by Henry Miller – KEEP.  Judging by the synopsis, I’ll either love this or hate it.  Since I also have yet to read his earlier books, Tropic of Capricorn and Tropic of Cancer (both of which I own as well), I’m going to keep this one until I figure out whether or not I like Miller’s writing.

My to-read shelf is down to 729 books.  COYER is only a week away and Sci-Fi Summer starts in less than a month, so I’m hoping that number will start to decrease as we head into warmer, sunnier days.