Category: TBR

Down the TBR Hole #78

Published on by Rachelle
Image: hjl

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 went up again to 842.  Not only did I not read a single page out of a book this week, but I added more books to my wish list and discovered a couple of books on my shelves that I never added to Goodreads.

 

This week’s books:

Press Start to Play ed. by Daniel H. Wilson – KEEP.  I started reading this anthology during one of my Sci-Fi Summer reading challenges, but never finished it.  I’m hoping to get back to it this Summer.

The Proverbs of Middle Earth by David Rowe – KEEP.  This has been on my wish list for a while, but I don’t want the ebook; I would rather have a physical copy of it.  However, it’s not a book I’ve ever found a copy of in any bookstore, and I don’t often remember to order physical books online before I’ve spent all of my money at the bookstore.

Bitch Planet: President Bitch by Kelly Sue DeConnick, Taki Soma, and Valentine De Landro – KEEP.  I enjoyed the first volume of Bitch Planet, and I already own the paperback of this second volume.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs – KEEP.  I’m not usually interested in Paranormal Romance, but the synopsis doesn’t mention anything about Romance.  I’m hoping it will be light on the Romance and mostly about the Paranormal.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill – KEEP.  A story about a witch who saves children and has a swamp monster and a tiny dragon as friends?  YES, PLEASE!

My TBR pile remains at 842 books. I don’t know that I’ll finish any books by next weekend, so I don’t think it will be changing until the next post, which will consist mostly of free audiobooks I got during Audiobook SYNC.

Down the TBR Hole #77

Published on by Rachelle
Image: hjl

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 went back up a little to 836.  I hauled 5 boxes of books to sell at Half Price Bookstore and used some of the money to buy a few books while I was there.  Some of them were already on my wish list, and therefore on my overall To-Read shelf, but I found a couple of books that weren’t as well.  I also added a couple of books to my wish list.

This week’s books:

 

Penny Dreadful Multipack Volumes 1 – 7 – KEEP.  I picked up the Kindle editions of all 7 volumes for a few dollars, and I will eventually read them.

Star Trek: The Next Generation series – KEEP.   I’ve read the first one in the series, and I have books 2 through 5 in paperback.  The remaining books are on my wish list.  From my count, there are 55 books in the series, and that doesn’t count all of the other one-offs and mini-series that feature the Next Generation crew.  I will probably read all of those, too, someday. TNG is my fave “Star Trek” series, after all.

The Legends of River Song by various authors – KEEP.  I love “Doctor Who”, and I love River Song even more, especially portrayed by Alex Kingston.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers – KEEP.  Apparently, this week’s post is all about the Science Fiction.  I’m ok with that.  After Fantasy, it’s one of my favorite genres.

Dust by Hugh Howey – KEEP. This is the last book in the “Silo” trilogy, which I absolutely LOVE.  Howey has become one of my auto-buy authors.  I’m looking forward to reading this during the Summer.

My TBR pile remains at 836 books, and unless I finish a book by next weekend, I don’t think it will be changing.  I became much more selective about the books I added to my TBR by this point in time (2017), and had already participated in the original #ShelfLove challenge for a couple of years.

Down the TBR Hole #76

Published on by Rachelle
Image: hjl

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.

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.

It’s been a long time since I’ve done one of these posts.  My TBR pile went from 665 to 831!  My goal for this year is to reduce that to 740, which shouldn’t be an issue since I’m hosting the 2021 #ShelfLove challenge.  Since I didn’t do a post last week to start off the new year, I’m going to go through 10 books this week.

This week’s books:

 

Title Wave and A Just Clause by Lorna Barrett – KEEP.  I love this Cozy Mystery series.  I finished A Fatal Chapter not too long ago, and it’s only a matter of time before I start Title Wave.

 

The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova – KEEP. The Historian made it into my personal library-in-the-making, and I’ve been wanting to read this for quite some time.

 

Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle – KEEP.  The only reason I haven’t read this one yet is that I’m in the middle of several other book-related Cozy Mystery series and I don’t want to get confused.

 

The Plastic Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg – KEEP.  Yet another series I love!  I still need to read The Master Magician before I get to this one, and I don’t know why I haven’t read it yet. Perhaps because it’s an ebook and I’ve been preoccupied with trying to clear my physical TBR.

 

Wonder Woman: War Bringer by Leigh Bardugo – KEEP. Wonder Woman is my fave DC comics character and Leigh Bardugo has been well-reviewed.

Hunted by Meagan Spooner – KEEP. I love “Beauty and the Beast” retellings.  It’s my favorite fairytale, and this one sounds like it will be different from the usual retellings.

City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault – GO.  I have completely lost interest in this book.  I’m pretty sure the only reason I got it was because the cover looks so interesting.  I don’t even remember ever reading the synopsis.

Disconnected by Nick M. Lloyd – GO.  Meh.  I’m pretty sure this was a freebie from somewhere.

Harry Potter’s Bookshelf by John Granger – KEEP.  While I don’t think this is an “official” book, I am interested in reading about the books and stories that inspired the “Harry Potter” series.

My TBR pile is down two to 829 books, and my next post will be mostly made up of books from series.  I will probably bundle them like I did with the “Booktown Mysteries” books at the beginning of this post.  Even if I do that, my TBR likely won’t decrease at all over the next couple of weeks unless I finish reading some books.

The 2021 #ShelfLove Challenge!

Published on by Rachelle30 Comments

Back in 2015, one of my favorite book bloggers, Terri from “Second Run Reviews” hosted the “Show Your Shelves Some Love” no book buying challenge. I recently caught up with Terri, who moved on from blogging to working in the book industry and now owns her own bookstore, Swamp Fox Bookstore! She gave me the go-ahead to host my own version of the challenge. Read on to find out the details!

Goal: Abstain from buying books or set a book buying limit – and focus on clearing your physical and virtual TBR bookshelves for the entire year.

Challenge Dates: January 1st – December 31st, 2021

THE GUIDELINES:

  • Abstain from spending money on books for one calendar year or set a book buying limit (whether that’s monetary or the number of books you may buy).
  • Gift cards are OK as well as any Audible credits you already have in your account.
  • Encourage other challenge participants via blog comments and social media.
  • Participate in the monthly discussion posts. The link-up is on the #ShelfLove challenge 2021 page.
  • Library books do not count for this challenge. This challenge is only for books you already own.
  • Netgalley, Edelweiss, or other ARC books can count for this because you have the book, so read it!
  • Read books that are in your personal library that were obtained before January 1, 2021.
  • Yes, there will be a giveaway. Read the #ShelfLove challenge 2021 page for the giveaway details!

NO BOOK BUYING CHALLENGE STEP 1: SELECT YOUR GOAL

  • 1-10 books: shake hands with your shelves
  • 11-20 books: pat your shelves on the back
  • 21-30 books: give your shelves a warm friendly hug
  • 31-40 books: regular date night with your shelves
  • 41-50 books: your shelves are now your BFF
  • 51+ books: your shelves and you are going steady – I’m choosing this goal because my reading goal for 2021 will be more than 50 books.  I’m a member of the Fantastic Strangelings book club, so I am allowing myself to continue my subscription. These books, plus whatever books I check out from the library should be more than enough, but the key is to stay away from the book stores!

NO BOOK BUYING CHALLENGE STEP 2: Link-Up

  • Create a sign-up post that includes your chosen goal on your blog or any social media platform (Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Litsy, etc.).
  • Don’t forget to use the challenge hashtag #ShelfLove.
  • Go to the #ShelfLove challenge 2021 page to link your post and enter into the giveaway!

NO BOOK BUYING CHALLENGE STEP 3: Monthly Discussion Posts(Optional)

  • December 2020/January 2021: I’m joining in the #ShelfLove Challenge 2021! Tell us your goals for the challenge this year.  Will you be going on an all-out book buying ban or are you setting a book buying limit? Share pictures of your TBR piles or link up to your GoodReads Shelves.
  • February: Free books! Where do you get free books?
  • March: The TBR pile. Tell us about the books that have been on your shelves the longest.
  • April: May I?! Tell us about one book you want to buy this year and give your best “sales pitch” for why you should be able to buy it.
  • May: Organizing the shelves! How do you organize your books? Alphabetical by title or author, by color, genre, or some other way?
  • June: Mid-year check-in post. How are you doing with the challenge? Look back at your January post and let us know how you are doing.  Share an updated picture or list of your TBR pile.
  • July: Dear Author. Show some love to the authors of your favorite books.
  • August: The perils of book hoarding! What are your pros and cons of owning a lot of books?
  • September: Library Love! Tell us about your local library.
  • October: Best bookish gifts! What are the best book-related gifts you’ve received?
  • November: Thankfulness. Are you thankful for taking on the #ShelfLove challenge? Do you have a greater appreciation for the books you own or for wherever you get free books?
  • December:  End of the year check-in post. Look back at your June and January posts and let us know how you did this year.  Share an updated picture or list of your TBR pile. Would you do the challenge again in 2022?

I can’t wait to read all y’all’s sign-up and discussion posts throughout the year!

Down the TBR Hole #75

Published on by Rachelle
Image: hjl

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.

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.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve done one of these posts.  My TBR pile was down to 655 books, but between December of last year and now, it has gone up to 666.  If I remember correctly, my goal for last year was 650, which might have happened, but obviously isn’t the case now, despite having already read 33 books this year.

This week’s books:

Skeen’s Leap by Jo Clayton – KEEP.  The synopsis had me at “gritty space adventure.”  This book sounds like a perfect addition to my Sci-Fi Summer TBR.

The Shore of Women by Pamela Sargent- KEEP. I’m going to give this one the 50 page test only because it is considered a classic of Feminist Science Fiction.

Unexpected Stories by Octavia Butler – KEEP.  This one will also get the 50 page test, but because it’s Octavia Butler.

Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand – KEEP.  This one sounds like the kind of Horror that is right up my alley.

The Last Time I Saw Paris by Lynn Sheene – GO. This story sounds like nothing but a Romance that happens to take place in France during WWII.  No, thanks.

My TBR pile is down one to 665 books, and my next post will be mostly Cozy Mysteries.  If my TBR decreases at all over the next couple of weeks, it will be from finishing books.

Down the TBR Hole #74

Published on by Rachelle
Image: hjl
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 considerably to 656 books!  I’ve been reading a lot, and I discovered a few duplicates to delete.

This week’s books:

Lammas Night by Katherine Kurtz – GO.  The story takes place during WWII, but the synopsis uses the term “Wicca”, even though that term wasn’t used until the 1950’s (“Wica”, with the double ‘c’ not used until the 1960’s).  Maybe I’m being picky, but I’ve read enough Dan Brown books to be over the sloppy use of the Occult and Apocrypha in Fiction. Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler- KEEP. I’ve already read Parable of the Sower, and while I had no interest in the religious elements, the near-future world the characters are living in was scary and all too believable to put the book down. Path of Fate by Diana Pharoah Francis – KEEP.  I’m skeptical, but I’ll give it the 50 page test at some point. Saffron and Brimstone by Elizabeth Hand – KEEP.  I tend to love short story collections by Open Road Media, so I’ll try this one out. Sister Light, Sister Dark by Jane Yolen – KEEP. I was going to pass this one up, but the synopsis mentions that the characters live in “a world without men”, and I want to know if that means they’re segregated for some reason or if something has happened to the men. My TBR pile is down one more to 655 books, and I’ve got 4 more Open Road Media books to look through for next week before I get into a Cozy Mystery binge I found myself indulging in during April of 2017.

Down the TBR Hole #73

Published on by Rachelle
Image: hjl
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 672 books, despite having read many books since my last “Down the TBR Hole” post.  Mostly, it’s due to coming across quite a few books that I added to my wish list.

This week’s books:

Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit – KEEP.  This was the first book by Solnit that I had heard about, but it’s not the first I’ve read.  That would be Wanderlust, which was wonderful. Wild by Cheryl Strayed- KEEP. I might be one of the few American women in the world who hasn’t read this one yet.  My only reason is that I’m currently walking the virtual Appalachian Trail.  As soon as I’m finished, I will be starting the Pacific Crest Trail and this book. Black Light by Elizabeth Hand – KEEP.  This book was a part of a Open Road Media ebook Humble Bundle that I got several years ago.  The story sounds interesting, so as with pretty much every other book I’m not sure about, I’ll give it the 50 page test at some point. Camber of Culdi by Katherine Kurtz – KEEP.  This one is from the same Humble Bundle as above, and it will also get the 50 page test. Jaran by Kate Elliott – KEEP. Another book from the Open Road Media bundle, except I’ve read other work by Kate Elliott and loved it.  I’m saving this one for #SciFiSummer. My TBR pile is stuck at 672 books for now, and, with only a little more than a month left to the year, I’m pretty sure I won’t be meeting my goal of 625.

Down the TBR Hole #20

Published on by Rachelle

Image: hjl

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 to 721 books.  I recently started reading The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge.

This week’s five books:


Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine – KEEP.  Every time I’m in a bookstore, I look for a copy of this book, but I always wind up putting it back in favor of getting another book (or several).  I don’t know why, but it will stay on my wish list for now.  Maybe I’ll see if it’s at the library since I don’t seem to want to buy it.

Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer – GO.  I don’t know why I was so interested in this book and searched for so long to find a copy.  I originally wanted to find it in audio format, since that’s how I prefer my cozy mysteries, but I eventually settled for the ebook.  However, after reading the synopsis, I have no interest in reading it now.  Maybe I misread the subtitle and thought it had to do with a teapot? Who knows, but bye-bye.

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi – KEEP.  This book sounds thoroughly creepy in a “The Others” sort of way, and I LOVE that kind of creepy.  I’m hoping to get a copy to read for the next R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril challenge.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman – KEEP.  This is supposed to be “Harry Potter” for adults, and now that there’s a show, I really need to get around to reading the book so I can watch it.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell – KEEP.  I read Slade House and loved it.  I have The Bone Clocks on my TBR, and this one is still on my wish list.  I’m hesitant to buy it or check it out from the library until I read The Bone Clocks, but I’ll keep it on my list for now.
My to-read shelf is down to 720 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #141.

Down the TBR Hole #18

Published on by Rachelle

Image: hjl

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 has gone up, again, to 724 books thanks to my fave book blogs providing amazing reviews and recommendations.

This week’s five books:


So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane – KEEP.  I loved Duane’s The Book of Night with Moon and I already own this one.

The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks – KEEP.  If I’m ever going to get around to watching the TV adaptation, I need to read this classic Fantasy first.

The Year of Shadows by Claire Legrand – KEEP. Gothic Middle Grade Fantasy?  Yes, please and thank you!

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde – KEEP.  I don’t remember why I initially added this one to my wish list, but I wouldn’t doubt it had something to do with the VW Bug on what is obviously part of a dragon.  How could this not be an awesome story with that cover?!  The synopsis backs up my theory, too, so I’m keeping this one on my wish list.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones – KEEP.  Why have I not read this yet?! I have it on my “Readathon Maybes” list, so I’m going to move it to the top of the stack for the 24-Hour Readathon in April.
My to-read shelf is stuck at 724 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #131.

Down the TBR Hole #17

Published on by Rachelle

Image: hjl

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 is up to 720 books thanks to a small reading slump coupled with adding quite a few books to my wish list.

This week’s five books:


Wizards of Water and Wood by P.J. Owen – KEEP.  I’ve already read the first 2 books in this Middle Grade Fantasy series, and I really need to get around to reading this one since I already own it, and it’s only 104 pages.

Sages, Swordsmen, and Scoundrels by P.J. Owen – KEEP.  This one is on my wish list since I haven’t read the 3rd book yet.  I think it’s the final book in the series.

Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky – KEEP.  This was written by a Ukrainian-born Jew prior to her death at Auschwitz.  She was also a well-known author in France.  There is no way I’m not going to give this book a chance.

The Case of the Missing Books by Ian Sansom – KEEP.  I adore cozy mysteries set in libraries and bookstores or having to do with books.  I prefer them on audiobook, but I couldn’t find this one in that format so I settled for the ebook instead.

Voracious by Cara Nicoletti – GO.  Normally, I love to get my hands on any cookbook about food mentioned in books.  However, I’m often disappointed by the recipes which tend to be too difficult for my limited cooking skills, require too many strange ingredients or an entire kitchen’s worth of pots and pans, or sound like nothing I would ever want to eat (my “foodiness” is much more about comfort than exploration).  Adding all that up and considering that I already have two amazing book-related cookbooks with more than enough recipes for me to try (Outlander Kitchen and An Unexpected Cookbook), I’m taking this one off my wish list.
My to-read shelf is down to 719 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #126.