Tag: Down the TBR Hole

Down the TBR Hole #28

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 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 #27

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 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 #26

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 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.

Down the TBR Hole #25

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 731 books.  I continue to find more books to add to my wish list!

This week’s five books:


Boneshaker by Cherie Priest – KEEP.  Steampunk AND zombies?!  Yes, please and thank you!

Smarter Than You Think by Clive Thompson – GO.  Meh.  I doubt this book is going to provide me with any new insights or perspectives that I haven’t already considered in regards to how tech is changing our world.

Porno by Irvine Welsh – KEEP.  I read somewhere that the title of this book was recently changed to “Trainspotting 2” or some other “more palatable” title.  That feels a bit Fahrenheit 451 to me, so I’m keeping my copy of it with the original title.

The Shakespeare Notebooks by Justin Richards – KEEP.  This is one of those books I’ll never get rid of even if I don’t ever read it.  It’s a permanent part of my “Doctor Who” collection that I will always treasure.

Deviant Strain by Justin Richards – KEEP.  Though the 9th Doctor isn’t my favorite, he was my introduction to “Doctor Who” and I think it’s a bit sad that he only got one season.  I already own this as an ebook, and it might be one of many “Doctor Who” books I read for this year’s Sci-Fi Summer.
My to-read shelf is back down to 730 books.  I’m hoping it will be down a couple of more books by the time I kick off next Saturday’s “Down the TBR Hole” with book #166.

Down the TBR Hole #24

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 730 books.  I continue to find more books to add to my wish list!

This week’s five books:


Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip – KEEP.  An orphan found and raised by a palace librarian?  Yes, please and thank you!

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh – KEEP.  I have wanted to read this book ever since I saw the movie well over a decade ago.  Why I haven’t read it yet, I don’t know.

Cassette From My Ex by Jason Bitner – KEEP.  I love music, mix-tapes/play lists, and books about both.

The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker – KEEP.  I have attempted to read this brick twice now since starting this blog.  The first time, I was distracted by so many other books, and the second time, I was into it until I suddenly wasn’t.  I will give it one more try at some point, so it’s staying on my shelf for now.

The Vanishing Children of Paris by Arlette Farge and Jacques Revel – GO.  I picked this one up from a History book sale while I was in college.  It seemed interesting at the time, but after rereading the synopsis, the only thing interesting about it is that it’s about Paris, and that’s just not enough for me anymore.
My to-read shelf is down one to 729 books.  Let’s hope it doesn’t get any bigger by next week when I start with book #161.

Down the TBR Hole #23

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 back up to 726 books.  Though I read quite a bit last week during the #readathon, I added more than 10 books to my wish list thanks to a combination of TBR posts and loving what I was reading so much that I want to read everything else by that author (I’m looking at you Jim C. Hines).

This week’s five books:


Hiking Alone by Mary Beath – KEEP.  I found this book in the gift shop of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM while on a road trip back in 2011.  I vaguely remember that I started reading it while I continued on my way through New Mexico, but I got distracted by other books while in Utah.  I will be picking this up again, hopefully soon.

Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson – KEEP.  Normally, I would pass on a story about a favorite character from another author, but this one was authorized by L.M. Montgomery’s heirs for the 100th anniversary of Anne of Green Gables.  I’ll wait to read it after I’ve finished re-reading the rest of the original series, but I will give this one a chance.

This Book is Overdue! by Marilyn Johnson – KEEP.  Y’all know by now how much I love books about books, libraries, librarians, etc.  So obviously this one is not leaving my shelf.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein – KEEP.  I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve either read or been told that I need to read this book.  After reading the synopsis, I’m a bit concerned that it will trigger all sorts of bad memories, but I’m hoping it will be healing in the way that Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and Primary Inversion by Catherine Asaro were for me.

The Salinger Contract by Adam Langer – KEEP.  I briefly picked this one up and read a few pages while I was in the process of going through everything I owned and deciding whether or not I wanted to keep it.  I chose to keep this one, and I still stand by that decision, but I want to read something by J.D. Salinger before picking it back up.  If you have any suggestions, let me know in the comments.
My to-read shelf remains at 726 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #156.

Down the TBR Hole #22

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 back up to 719 books.  Though I read a few books this past week, I also added a few.

This week’s five books:


Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm – KEEP.  This is the other fancy book the Boyfriend gave me as part of a Birthday gift several years ago.  I haven’t removed the plastic from this one either.

Doctor Who and Philosophy ed. by Courtland Lewis – KEEP.  I’ll never forget the first episode of “Doctor Who” I ever watched.  A friend recommended I start with the 9th Doctor and go from there when I expressed an interest in trying it out but had no clue how or where to enter into this crazy world.  I’ve been hooked ever since, and so I inevitably buy just about every book about the show.

Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon – KEEP.  This book is on the list of armchair travel books in The Bad Girl’s Guide to the Open Road by Cameron Tuttle.  I may have already read it, but I can’t remember, and I still own a physical copy, so I’ll keep it for now.

A Gentle Madness by Nicholas A. Basbanes – KEEP.  I already own a physical copy of this book, and let me tell you, it is a door stopper!  I attempted to start it several years ago, but couldn’t get into it; however, I’m willing to give it another chance.  After all, there are very few books about books that I don’t at least like.

Eight Women Philosophers by Jane Duran – KEEP.  This has been on my shelf since I found it at a book sale while I was still in college.  I haven’t read it yet because I’m a little bit burned out on Feminism, or at least what passes for Feminism on Twitter these days.  I’ll get around to it eventually.
My to-read shelf remains at 719 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #151.

Down the TBR Hole #21

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 to 717 books.  I weeded out a couple of books on my wish list that I knew I no longer wanted.

This week’s five books:


The Master Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg – KEEP.  Holmberg is one of my auto-buy authors.  I absolutely loved the first 2 books in “The Paper Magician” trilogy, and I don’t understand why I haven’t read this one yet.  I need to get to it considering I have the spin-off book, The Plastic Magician, pre-ordered and it will be released in May.

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal – KEEP.  It’s dark, it has characters with strange names, and it has to do with the Grimm fairy tales.  Why is this still on my wish list instead of on my bookshelves?

Steampunk ed. by Mike Ashley – KEEP.  I already own this absolutely beautiful hardcover.  I plan on keeping it no matter how long it takes me to get around to reading it.

Prince Lestat by Anne Rice – KEEP.  After Rice’s husband passed away she made a statement that she would never write another Vampire Chronicles book and would only write religious fiction.  None of her books were huge successes and she decided to start writing about werewolves, which I’ve heard didn’t do much better.  So, when it was announced she would be returning to writing about her most famous vampire, I had mixed feelings.  My feelings weren’t helped with a re-read of the first 3 books in the original series since I’m no longer completely besotted by the characters and story the way I was when I was in my early 20s.  I’m keeping it for now since I already own it and I want to continue my re-read of the series before I make a final decision.

The Arabian Nights translated by Sir Richard F. Burton – KEEP.  The Boyfriend gave this book to me as part of a Birthday gift several years ago.  It is so beautiful that I haven’t even removed the plastic yet.  We’ve moved a couple of times since that Birthday, and I’m afraid the cover will get damaged if I take off the plastic.  Even if I never read it, it will always remain a part of my collection.
My to-read shelf remains at 717 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #146.

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 #19

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 723 books.  I recently started Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

This week’s five books:


The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynne Jones – KEEP.  I bought a used copy of this book after reading something about it somewhere during my ramblings around the net.  Like Howl’s Moving Castle, it’s been lingering on my TBR just waiting for me to pick it up.

A Tale of Time City by Diana Wynne Jones – KEEP.  Here’s another one by Jones, but this one is on my wish list.  The story sounds too good to pass up.

Unexpected Magic by Diana Wynne Jones – KEEP.  The first story in this collection is described as, “A cat tells how the kindhearted wizard she owns is suddenly called upon to defeat a horrific Beast.”  Yep, that’s right, a cat who owns a wizard.  There’s no way I’m taking that off of my wish list.

The Travels of Daniel Ascher by Déborah Lévy-Bertherat – GO.  I was tempted to keep this since it was supposedly widely popular in France, but something about the synopsis rubbed me the wrong way.  I don’t know why, but I’m taking this off of the list.  If it’s meant to be, it will find its way back.

A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway – KEEP.  I already own the ebook, but even if I didn’t, I would keep it on my TBR because of 3 things; not only is it a spin off of Sherlock Holmes but it also involves Steam Punk and magic.  How could I pass that up?
My to-read shelf is down to 722 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #136.