Tag: Down the TBR Hole

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.

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.

Down the TBR Hole #16

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.  It’s been a while since I did one of these posts, and in that time, my TBR skyrocketed up to 706 books!!!  How did that happen?  I finally scanned all of my books into Goodreads, that’s how!

This week’s five books:


The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett – KEEP.  The Discworld series is one of those essentials for every Fantasy fan to read.  I will read this book, hopefully sometime this year.

Daughter of the Sun by Lonnie Ezell – GO.  Meh.  That is all.

The Viking’s Apprentice by Kevin McLeod – KEEP.  I don’t think I’ve ever read a Middle Grade Fantasy involving Vikings.  That alone makes this one interesting enough to keep.

He Who Walks in Shadow by Brett J. Talley – GO.  I didn’t realize this was a sequel when I got it for free.  After reading the synopsis for the 1st book, That Which Should Not Be, I’m not interested enough to keep it, despite its being a nod to Lovecraft.

The Wnter Freak Show by Daniel Parsons – KEEP.  I’ve had this ebook for a couple of years now, and I’m determined to make it a part of my Christmas TBR this year.
My to-read shelf is down to 704 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #121.

Down the TBR Hole #15

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I still have 566 books on my to-read shelf.

This week’s five books:


The Dreaming Place by Charles de Lint – GO.  I added this one to my wish list thanks to a random friend of a friend of a friend I met at a Christmas party a few years ago.  While I definitely want to read some de Lint at some point, I think I would rather not start with book #14 of a series.  Instead, I have a collection of his short stories in an ebook and I’ve added the first book of the “Newford” series to my wish list.

The Shadow Garden by Allen Houston – KEEP.  This is the 2nd book of the “Nightfall Gardens” series, and I already own it.  I was given the 1st book, Nightfall Gardens, by the author and I enjoyed it enough to save up my free $1 credits on Amazon to buy this one (I was on a strict book buying ban at the time and could only use credits, gift cards, etc. to support my reading addiction).

Buan: Company of Heroes by Reece Bridger – KEEP.  This is another instance where I was sent the first book, Buan: The Perfect Mortals, but in this case, I loved it so much that I anxiously awaited the publishing of the 2nd book.  I don’t know how it happened that I added it to my TBR and then never got around to reading it.

Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn – GO.  Both the synopsis and the cover give me the impression that this book is ridiculously trope-filled and formulaic. No thanks.

The Mirror of Her Dreams by Stephen R. Donaldson – GO.  Any synopsis that opens with something like “changed the face of fantasy fiction forever” is automatically suspect to me, especially when those words are bolded AND italicized.  The rest of the synopsis did not remove my suspicions that this book is not worth my time or money.
My to-read shelf is down to 564 books.  That’s the 3rd week in a row that I’ve made my TBR just a smidgen shorter!  Hopefully the trend will continue next weekend when I start with book #116.

Down the TBR Hole #14

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 566 books on my to-read shelf.

This week’s five books:


Probably Monsters by Ray Cluley – KEEP.  I will eventually buy this Horror short story collection, but for now it’s staying on my wish list.

Farewell, Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister – GO.  This one has been on my wish list for years and I always pass it up every time I’m looking for a book to buy.  I realize now that I’m just not that interested in reading it, so it goes.  Maybe some day I’ll try to find it at the library, but then again, maybe not.

Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman – KEEP.  This one is an ARC I never got around to reading and reviewing because I haven’t read the first book of the series yet.  Yes, I feel guilty about that.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly – KEEP.  There’s no way I’m going to get rid of a Fantasy story involving books 🙂

My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse – KEEP.  I already own this one and it’s a fairly short read, so I’ll give it a chance sometime next year.
My to-read shelf is down one book to 565 books.  That’s 2 weeks in a row that I haven’t added any more books to the mountain!  Hopefully I’ll be able to get a couple more pulled off of the shelf by next weekend when I start with book #111.

Down the TBR Hole #13

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 568 books on my to-read shelf, thanks to starting The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

This week’s five books:


The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman – KEEP.  How could anyone get rid of a book about a library?!

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin – KEEP.  I got this paperback a couple of years ago when I realized Le Guin is one of those authors that every Fantasy fan should read.  I know I won’t get to it before the end of the year, but I’ll probably take it off the shelf early next year.

Dooms Day Book by Connie Willis – KEEP.  This was recommended to me by The Boyfriend’s Aunt.  I’ve been saving it for #SciFiSummer, but it’s ended up at the bottom of the stack both years that I’ve hosted the challenge.

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day by Matt Kepnes – GO.  I’m only taking this off of my wish list because it was published in 2013; which means it’s probably out of date.  I might try to find a copy at the library or in a used bookstore at some point, but for now, it’s off the list.

The Sons of Macha by John Lenahan – KEEP.  The only reason I haven’t read this one yet is because I found out that Lenahan has been recording the audio book, and I absolutely LOVED the audio books of the 1st two books, Shadowmagic and Prince of Hazel and Oak.  I already own the ebook, but I’m more than willing to wait for the magic of the audio.
My to-read shelf is down one book to 567 books.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get a couple more pulled off of the shelf by next week when I start with book #106.

Down the TBR Hole #12

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 569 books on my to-read shelf, thanks to finally adding several of my audio books to the list.

This week’s five books:


Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb – KEEP.  Here is yet another author in the Fantasy genre who I’ve never read.  I’ll change this at some point, especially since I already own this book.

The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth – KEEP.  This one has been on my wish list for a very long time, and I’ve never been able to find a copy in any bookstore.  I don’t know if it’s out of print or I just haven’t been lucky yet.

Chronology ed. by Curiosity Quills Press – KEEP.  This is an anthology of short stories all dealing with the theme of time.  I already own it, so I’ll keep it.

Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor – KEEP.  I love Taylor’s “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” series, and this book of 3 short stories looks to be just as interesting.  Besides, that cover is beautiful!

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black – KEEP.  I have the hardcover, and Doll Bones was OK, so I’ll give this one a chance.
My to-read shelf is stuck at 569 books.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get a couple more pulled off of the shelf and read by next week when I start with book #101.