Down the TBR Hole was originally created over at Lost in a Story, and is a super fun (and simultaneously productive) tag to help you whittle away at those never-ending TBRs! (By the way, you can click on the covers to go to the Goodreads listings!)
It works like this:
- Go to your goodreads to-read shelf.
- Order on ascending date added.
- Take the first 5 (or 10 or 15 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
- Read the synopses of the books
- Decide: keep it or should it go?
- Keep track of where you left off so you can pick up there next week!
Current “to-read” shelf: 1,045 titles
BOOKS 151-155:
Slade House by David Mitchell – added 10.24.16
I actually tried reading this last year, after hearing so many rave reviews about it, and I hated it. I thought at the time that I would give it another chance, but… meh.
DECISION: REMOVE
Thicker Than Blood by Madeline Sheehan – added 10.24.16
This is… a self-published adult romance set in a post-zompocalypse world? I’m not sure why this is here, actually.
DECISION: REMOVE
Follow You Home by Mark Edwards – 10.24.16
A mystery/thriller about a couple who witnessed a crime, and I guess some sort of “nightmare” ensues. As I was skimming the reviews, I was spoiled for the big twist ending, and it immediately made me have no interest in reading this.
DECISION: REMOVE
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay – added 10.24.16
I literally don’t think I’ve ever heard a negative review of this book, so it’s actually on my “must read” list for this year.
DECISION: KEEP
Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant – added 10.24.16
I actually had no clue this had been on my TBR so long, because I didn’t think I had even heard of Mira/Seanan McGuire until early 2017. A horror series with queer women, and mermaids, though? Pleeeeease!
DECISION: KEEP
BOOK 156-160:
Twisted by Andrew E. Kaufman – added 10.24.16
You’d be amazed by how many psychological thrillers end up on my TBR, and how few of them I actually end up reading. I’ve come to realize that I think I enjoy non-horror thrillers more than I actually do enjoy them.
DECISION: REMOVE
Suicide Forest by Jeremy Bates – added 10.24.16
While this has a decent average rating for a horror story, the top reviews are almost exclusively saying it’s terrible. On top of that, I used to be super into stories about Aokigahara and didn’t care who wrote them, but now that I’ve learned a bit more about how harmful poorly-done rep can be, I’ve become a little leery of portrayals of what is honestly an incredibly tragic place.
DECISION: REMOVE
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen – added 10.24.16
This is one of her two most recent releases, both of which I pre-ordered and then allowed to collect dust on my shelf ever since. It’s on my “must read” list for the year, too.
DECISION: KEEP
Made You Up by Francesca Zappia – added 10.24.16
I’ve always heard that Francesca writes amazing mental illness rep, and this one sounds spectacular, so it’s on my wishlist.
DECISION: KEEP
My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga – added 10.24.16
I was really excited for this book when I bought it, but after reading a different book of Jasmine’s a few months ago, I don’t think I’m a huge fan of her writing. This book is actually on my shelf, but after rereading the synopsis, I think it’s time to unhaul it.
DECISION: REMOVE
BOOK 161-165:
American Gods by Neil Gaiman – added 10.06.16
I’ve almost come to terms with the fact that I don’t think Neil’s adult books are my cup of tea, but I’m determined to try one more time.
DECISION: KEEP
By Blood We Live by John Joseph Adams – added 11.20.16
You know those horror anthologies get me every time… and this one’s about vampires, which I actually don’t have a lot of books about! (Also, there’s a Joe Hill story in here. Gimme.)
DECISION: KEEP
Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse by John Joseph Adams – added 11.20.16
Another horror anthology, but this one is about post-apocalyptic societies, which sounds terrifying in that existentialist-crisis sort of way.
DECISION: KEEP
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli – added 11.20.16
I really like Becky as a person, and I thought Simon vs. was a pretty solid contemporary, so I’m actually surprised I haven’t read this one already!
DECISION: KEEP
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson – added 11.21.16
I really love supporting diverse books, especially when they’re own-voice, and I’ve heard that Shaun writes really great own-voice gay stories, but the plot of this book just honestly doesn’t interest me at all. I think I’ll pass, and try a different book of his at a later date.
DECISION: REMOVE
REMOVAL PERCENTAGE THIS WEEK: 47%
(Wow, I think that’s the highest percentage so far…)
No Comments
I’m glad you kept Rolling in the Deep, it’s fantastic!
I can’t wait to read it! I still need to order it from the kindle shop. 🙂
Wow that was a lot of removals! Congrats.
I didn’t know there was a Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant. Into the Deep –the actual first book, came out last year, so it is surprising to see there is a novella for it which was published years before. It is pretty cool when authors decide to continue on series which started as just a novella idea.
Thank you! Yeah, I love that she was able to continue onto the novella. She said on Twitter recently that, if enough copies of Into the Deep sells, she has plans for another full-length book in the series!
Completely agree with your decision to remove the Jasmine Warga book. I read that one last year and I was actually looking forward to it, but it was pretty mediocre.
Thank you for this! I feel better, lol. I really just don’t think her writing is my cup of tea.
Oooo, this is good! I have books on my TBR that i added in 2012… probably it’s time for a purge 😀
Yes, it definitely sounds like this meme would work for you too, haha! 🙂
oh wow, I hope you love Into the Drowning Deep! just a PSA – Rolling in the Deep is the short prequel, it’s the full-length book that has the queer girls. but honestly? knowing how much you love horror, I can’t imagine you wouldn’t love that one. it was even one of my faves of the year!
and if you’re looking for another Shaun David Hutchinson book to check out – his next release Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza is about virgin birth and choices and the lead is a bi girl. and I loved it so much.
Thanks! Yeah, Rolling in the Deep is the one that’s been on my TBR longer. 🙂 I was just referring to the series in general, since Seanan has said she’s planning on expanding on Into the Deep with at least one more book. It’s so exciting. I really can’t wait to read it!
Oooooh, that actually sounds REALLY interesting. Thank you for the heads-up! I’ll have to go check it out.
I figured you’d be intrigued ? I personally liked it more than We Are the Ants anyway. and that’s good to hear!
NOOOOO!!! you need to read “we are the ants”. it’s amazing!!!!
Ahaha ooookaaaaaay… for you, I’ll considering adding it back, but only ’cause I love ya. 😀
awwww, i feel very, very special right now haha!!! 😀 i really hope you love it, it’s an amazing book! <3
You should, because you are! <3
hihi <3 <3 <3
YAY SAINT ANYTHING i’m glad you’re keeping it! and My Heart and Other Black Holes was the definition of eh so good call.
i have said it before and i’ll say it again: I LOVE THESE POSTS
I somehow just can’t bring myself to remove Sarah’s books, like… ever? I mean, they’re so nostalgic and warm and fuzzy for me. And thank you for the support on the Warga book, lmao. <3
Made You Up is a very unique book. I read it last year and was pretty impressed.
Oooh, awesome! I’ve heard it’s special and that Zappia really manages to write some authentic-feeling MI rep.
She really does.