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 shelf is down a book to 1101. I finished several books during the readathon on Saturday, but I also discovered a bunch of books on my shelves that had not been added to my Goodreads.
This week’s books:
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson – KEEP. This book is one of those that I would accidentally buy a second copy if I didn’t have Goodreads to tell me I already own it.
Alcatraz from Inside by Jim Quillen – KEEP. I bought this and the following books while I was visiting Alcatraz.
Bird Man by Jolene Babyak – KEEP. The book above mentions daily encounters with the “Bird Man,” and this book is written by someone who lived on the island and knew Robert Stroud.
Acatraz Believe it or Not by T.C. Bakker – KEEP. I mostly got this one just for fun.
Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell – KEEP. I want to read this book because of the title. I don’t know why, but I love it. Hopefully, I’ll enjoy the book as much as the title.
My want-to-read shelf is steady at 1099 books. I thought I might get rid of several books this week, but was wrong. I think I’ll keep all of the books in the next post, so we’ll see if I’m wrong again.
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 shelf is up to 1102 books yet again. Over the past few weeks, I’ve finished a couple of books but bought a couple and added a couple to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
Cynicism from Diogenes to Dilbert by Ian Cutler – KEEP. I was drawn to this book out of interest in learning more about Greek Cynicism and modern Cynicism, particularly in pop culture.
Virginia Woolf by Quentin Bell – KEEP. I know a little about Woolf’s life and would like to learn more about her.
Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg – KEEP. This is mandatory reading for anyone wanting to understand the Beat Generation, and it’s such a short book that I don’t know why I haven’t read it already. I bought my copy at the bookstore that originally published it, City Lights Books in San Francisco.
The Last Time I Saw Paris by Lynn Sheene – GO. I’m tired of love stories set during WWII.
Reader, Come Home by Maryanne Wolf – KEEP. I’ve had difficulty getting into and reading older novels, such as Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. I wonder if my increased use of technology, especially social media, might be the cause. I’m interested to see what Wolf has to say about it.
My want-to-read shelf is down to 1001 books. Though I’m not certain, I might let go of several 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 shelf is up to 1102 books. I finished a book, but I bought several new ones.
This week’s books:
Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Meng Tan – GO. This book seems to be more about how great Google is than anything else, so no thank you.
Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson – KEEP. As with all books by Jackson, this one is sure to be wonderfully creepy.
All Things Shining by Hubert Dreyfus and Sean Dorrance Kelly – GO. This one seems to be about literature in a non-religious, but at the same time religious somehow, I think? The synopsis is a little confusing and the reviews aren’t encouraging.
The Colussus and Other Poems by Sylvia Plath – KEEP. I’m not big into poetry, but I will ready anything by Plath.
Happiness by Darrin M. McMahon – KEEP. This book was referenced by a therapist during a group session I attended many years ago. I still haven’t gotten around to reading it, but I am still interested.
My want-to-read shelf is down two books to 1000. The next post will be a toss-up as to whether or not I get rid of any 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 shelf is up to 1098 books. I finished a couple of books, but I bought several new ones.
This week’s books:
Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman – KEEP. The synopsis on Goodreads reminds me of the “Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” series by Chris Grabenstein.
Seafurrers by Philippa Sandall – KEEP. This book sounds fun, and I need more of that (and cats) in my life.
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger – KEEP. Both my Sister and her Husband recommend this one.
The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry – KEEP. This sounds like a solid Horror read perfect for #RIP.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown – KEEP. I might read this sooner rather than later, as I think I could benefit from it right now.
My want-to-read shelf is holding steady at 1098 books. I don’t know what will happen in the next post, but I think I might be letting go of one book.
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 shelf is up to 1098 books. I DNF’d a book, but I also bought an audiobook and added a couple of books to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
More Than a Woman by Caitlin Moran – KEEP. I loved How to Be a Woman, which I plan to reread at some point, and I’m looking forward to reading this second book as I’m beginning to relate more and more to a Middle-aged perspective (When the frack did that happen?!)
the sun and her flowers by Rupi Kaur – GO. I got this book in a book box subscription years ago, and while I’m sure this is a beautiful book of poetry, that has never been my thing, and I don’t know why I’ve kept this book for so long knowing that I would never read it.
White Trash by Nancy Isenberg – GO. The synopsis along with some of the reviews make me think this book implies that poor people are victims who need help making the “right” political choices. That way of thinking is scary to me as it feels very similar to how Lenin and others who brought Communism to Russia thought about poor Russians. It also feels insulting, patronizing, and condescending.
The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson – KEEP. I’ve read “The Lottery” many times, mostly in school, and I’ve read some of Jackson’s novels, but I’ve not read her other short stories. I also realized that I own this book in two different editions, the one pictured above and a smaller more portable hardcover, which means that I’ve been wanting to read it enough to forget that I already owned a copy and bought another.
City of Orphans by Avi – GO. I’m just not interested.
My want-to-read shelf is down to 1095 books. I knew I would decide to let go of at least one book, but I wasn’t expecting to get rid of three. I’m not at all sure about what will happen with the next five 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 shelf is down one to 1096 books. I finished a couple of books, DNF’d a couple more but then bought a few audiobooks.
This week’s books:
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond – KEEP. While this book is more than 20 years old, it’s still highly rated and the author won a Pulitzer for it so I’m willing to give it a try.
Doctor Who: Tales of Terror ed. by Jacqueline Rayner – KEEP. I’m going to try to get this book read in September when the #SciFiSummer and #RIP reading challenges overlap.
Skeleton Crew by Stephen King – KEEP. I don’t always love King’s short story collections, but one of these days, I’m going to read one that is as amazing as Nightmares and Dreamscapes.
The Bookman’s Tale by Charlie Lovett – KEEP. I feel skeptical about this one since it is related to literature; however, it seems to be more about a painting than about books. While that’s not a bad thing, I got the book thinking it was more about books.
Cursed ed. by Marie O’Regan – KEEP. I’m never sure I’ll love a short story anthology, but I do love fairytales, especially the darker ones, and this anthology includes stories by Neil Gaiman, Jane Yolen, and Catriona Ward.
My want-to-read shelf is holding steady at 1096 books. I was right in my prediction that I wouldn’t get rid of any of this week’s books, and I’m predicting that I’ll let go of at least one in the next round of books I own.
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 shelf is down one to 1099 books. I finished a couple of books but bought an audiobook.
This week’s books:
Holes by Louis Sachar – KEEP. I’m honestly not sure I will like this book, but I’m willing to try it.
The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow – GO. I’m tired of YA Dystopian Romance. Maybe Romance isn’t the right word, but why does there *always* have to be a male and female character on opposite sides who fall in love? I’ve already read Romeo and Juliet, thank you very much.
Spook by Mary Roach – GO. I only bought this book because I mistakenly thought this was written by the same author as Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Caitlin Doughty). I wasn’t paying attention to the fact that Mary Roach wrote a different, but similar book, Stiff. On top of that, I’m not all that interested in reading a Non-Fiction Science book that was written nearly 20 years ago.
Murder by the Book by Claire Harman – KEEP. This is a non-fiction book about one of the earliest debates on whether or not a form of popular entertainment causes people to do bad things and it involves Charles Dickens. Yes, please.
Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust – KEEP. This is one of many Classics I’ve yet to tackle. Perhaps I’ll attempt it after I finish Oliver Twist.
My want-to-read shelf is down to 1097 books. The next post will be more physical books I already own that I don’t think I’ll want to get rid of, but I thought the same about this week’s books. We’ll see.
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 shelf is up to 1101 books. I added a book to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn – GO. I read that this book is amazing, but I’m just not interested, unfortunately.
Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab – KEEP. I thought I already owned this book, but after unpacking every book box I had and going through every book, I haven’t been able to find it. While I’ve removed it from my physical TBR shelf, I added it back to my wishlist.
Anne Sexton: A Biography by Diane Wood Middlebrook – KEEP. I’ve never been big into poetry, but Sexton is one of the few I will read, and that makes me interested in reading about her life.
Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë – KEEP. At some point, I will finish all of the Brontë novels.
45 Mercy Street by Anne Sexton – KEEP. I first read most of Sexton’s poetry while I was a teenager, but somehow I missed this one.
My want-to-read shelf is back down to 1100 books. The next post will be yet another wide selection of genres of physical books I already own.
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 shelf is down a book to 1102. I finished a couple of books this past week, but also added one to my wishlist.
This week’s books:
Sage Stone by Darcy Deming – GO. I would love to say that I’ll read this book someday since it was a gift, but I know I won’t. It’s better that I let it go so that it finds someone who will read it.
How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry – KEEP. This will probably not be my cup of tea, despite the bookshop setting, but I’m going to give it a try anyway.
Embrace Your Weird by Felicia Day – KEEP. I suspect this book is more for creative or artistic people, but I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Day, so I’ll give it a chance.
Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria – GO. *meh* I’m just not interested.
News of the World by Paulette Jiles – KEEP. Post-Civil War Historical Fiction set in Texas? Yes, please!
My want-to-read shelf is down a couple of books to 1100. The next post will be another varied selection of genres of physical books I own, but I don’t think I’ll be getting rid of any of them.
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 shelf is up a couple of books to 1105. I finished and started a couple of books this past week, but I also bought a few.
This week’s books:
House of Shadows by Darcy Coates – KEEP. I haven’t enjoyed everything by Coates, but I think this one will be right up my alley.
Analiese Rising by Brenda Drake – GO. I have no interest in YA Romance disguised as Fantasy.
The Black Company by Glen Cook – GO. I have no idea what this story is about after reading the synopsis on Goodreads, other than something having to do with good and evil.
Pastrix and Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber – KEEP. I met the author during a Wellness/Yoga convention and was immediately interested in her books. I still am, despite not remembering much about what she talked about at the convention.
Women Who Love Books Too Much by Brenda Knight – KEEP. I’ll probably get through this book in a lazy weekend afternoon at some point.
My want-to-read shelf is back down a couple of books to 1103. The next post will have even more of the physical books I own.
