Down the TBR Hole #15

January 28, 2018

I still feel like this is pretty slow going, and 15 is kind of a weird number to me, so I upped this thing to 20 titles per week. ? Plus, I keep “accidentally” adding more books to my TBR…

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 or 20, 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: 1,059 titles

BOOKS 181-185:

1

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs – added 11.24.16
I’ve actually tried reading this twice, and as much as it sounded like something I would adore, I just can’t seem to get into it.
DECISION: REMOVE

Freeks by Amanda Hocking – added 11.24.16
Undoubtedly, I added this book because I love creepy/weird carnival vibes, but I’ve heard so many bad reviews on it – and I don’t seem to enjoy her writing style much.
DECISION: REMOVE

And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich – 11.24.16
This YA horror title about ghosts and tall, eyeless men in the basement sounds creepy enough to warrant keeping.
DECISION: KEEP

Mostly Void, Partially Stars by Joseph Fink – added 11.24.16
It’s kind of like the book version of the podcasts, which I used to love! I don’t listen to podcasts much these days, but I still would love to revisit Welcome to Night Vale.
DECISION: KEEP

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee – added 11.24.16
I strictly added this to my TBR (and purchased it) based on cover appeal, but the more reviews I hear for these books, the less I want to read them. I think it might be time to unhaul this one.
DECISION: REMOVE

BOOK 186-190:

2

Beast by Brie Spangler – added 11.24.16
I have no memory at all of adding this book to my TBR, but at first glance, it’s a book tackling image issues and transphobia, which sounds right up my alley! Honestly, though, the reviews are simply not very good, and I think this is one of those instances where I have to remind myself that I don’t have to read every single diverse book that gets published. (Is anyone else really bad about beating themselves up whenever they’re not interested in a diverse book?)
DECISION: REMOVE

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi – added 11.24.16
This graphic novel is actually a memoir about the author’s childhood in Iran during the Islamic Revolution, and I’ve always heard that it’s a poignant, important story.
DECISION: KEEP

The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories by Charlotte Perkins Gilman – added 11.24.16
Horror used to always be the exception to the rule on this one, but I have come to accept over the last couple of years that I just really don’t like classics, and even in the horror genre, Poe seems to have become my only consistent exception. 🙁
DECISION: REMOVE

Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes – added 11.24.16
I’m not sure why this is on my TBR, because I don’t remember ever hearing of it before, but it sounds more “crime thriller” than horror, so I’ll pass.
DECISION: REMOVE

The Borden Murders by Sarah Miller – added 11.24.16
I do typically like nonfiction about serial killers, but I just realized this is a middle grade nonfic, so I’ll let this one go.
DECISION: REMOVE

BOOK 191-195:

3

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover – added 11.26.16
I bought this and Confess at the same time early last year, and honestly, I loved Confess enough that I’d be willing to give just about any of CoHo’s books a try!
DECISION: KEEP

Adulthood is a Myth by Sarah Andersen – added 11.28.16
I’ve actually read this one! I never get tired of Sarah’s Scribbles.
DECISION: REMOVE

All the Real Indians Died Off and 20 Other Myths About Native Americans by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz – added 11.28.16
I love books that fit this sort of “idea” of own-voice authors busting myths, but most of the reviews I’ve read about this book in the past have said the author just kind of mentions the myths without explaining anything about them, so it doesn’t sound like what I’m looking for.
DECISION: REMOVE

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake – added 11.28.16
I was really excited to read this one and bought a copy of it and everything, but it’s just one of those series that I’ve lost all excitement for as time has gone on. Maybe once it’s finished, I’ll check it out when I can read the books back to back if I like them, but for now…
DECISION: REMOVE

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – added 12.11.16
This is actually at the tippy-top of my TBR, as soon as I get caught up on some ARCs and finish a few buddy reads I have going! I read The Assassin’s Blade a few weeks ago as my intro to the series, and loved it.
DECISION: KEEP

BOOK 196-200:

4

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys – added 12.12.16
This hist-fic about WWII sounds absolutely devastating, so, you know… sign me up.
DECISION: KEEP

Diary of a Haunting by M. Verano – added 12.12.16
Okay, I know YA horror is really hit-and-miss for me, and I know this only has a 3.38 average on Goodreads… but I’m honestly kind of obsessed with how creepy this cover looks sitting on my shelf.
DECISION: KEEP

Don’t Stay Up Late by R. L. Stine – added 12.12.16
I have honestly probably outgrown the Fear Street books, but I used to love them so much as a kid that I feel like I have to give it a try.
DECISION: KEEP

Heartless by Marissa Meyer – added 12.12.16
It’s Marissa Meyer.
DECISION: KEEP

Fairest by Marissa Meyer – added 12.12.16
It’s Marissa Meyer, and it’s The Lunar Chronicles.
DECISION: KEEP

 REMOVAL PERCENTAGE THIS WEEK: 50%

DO YOU THINK I SHOULD HAVE REMOVED (OR NOT REMOVED) ANY OF THESE TITLES? IF SO, COMMENT BELOW AND TELL ME WHY!

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More about Destiny @ Howling Libraries

Just a children's librarian/horror aficionado/geek girl trying to juggle motherhood, grad school, blogging, gaming, and everyday life.

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Leave a comment

    1. Kathy @ Books & Munches

      January 28, 2018

      I actually added The Thousandth Floor to my TBR not that long ago because I thought it sounded intriguing, haha! Maybe some day, if I actually get myself a copy AND read it, I’ll be able to convince you to put it back on your TBR, ha!

      Reply

        1. Kathy @ Books & Munches

          January 30, 2018

          That while could be longer than just a while since I’m TRYING not to buy books. I’m being so good. I only bought two. Like, how awesome am I! [Although my haul is nearly 15 books. I think. Oops.]
          But it looks interesting enough though! Maybe if I stumble upon it when I get to go on a bookshopping spree in February. 😀

          Reply

            1. Kathy @ Books & Munches

              February 6, 2018

              Haha! I’m going to try and make sure my boyfriend, mom and brother buy ME books so it doesn’t count as books I bought myself? Like. Ain’t I the best little evil genius out there?
              I’ll be sure to send you some pictures of ALL THE BOOKS and make you realize that that is the ONLY store – except for Brussels’ Waterstones – that isn’t hours and hours away with that many English books. [And it’s still like a two hour drive..]

            1. Destiny @ Howling Libraries

              February 6, 2018

              LMAO. IT STILL COUNTS, KATHY!
              I’m excited to see it~ Oooh, road trip! There’s a huge used bookstore a couple of hours from me that I’ve been hoping to visit soonish, but the drive is such a pain, and I’ve never been before, so I don’t even know if the selection is very good. 😐

            1. Kathy @ Books & Munches

              February 8, 2018

              I know it does! But then I get to put them under “GIFTS” instead of “BOUGHT MYSELF” and that looks so much.. better.. :’D
              Oh boo.. Maybe send them a mail and ask? Like; I’m sure they’d understand you want some idea of their selection before driving down there for hours..

            1. Kathy @ Books & Munches

              February 13, 2018

              See! Hope they give you a decent answer and not a vague one like I had one time, haha. “Sure we have a section of English novels.” I ASKED WHAT GENRES. Nope, no answer to that question. I ended up not going there. :’)

            1. Destiny @ Howling Libraries

              February 15, 2018

              Agreed! ? But it’s one of those huge bargain used bookstores where everything is just kind of thrown on whatever shelves they can fit shit on, so I don’t know if they have any real sense of organization with any of it.

            1. Kathy @ Books & Munches

              February 15, 2018

              I’d hope they do.. At least but them by genre a BIT?! It’s not that hard to quickly see what genre a book will probably belong in..
              I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that they’re better organized than “thrown on whatever shelves” and give you a decent answer, haha.

    1. Megan

      January 28, 2018

      You got rid of so many books! I totally agree with you about Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. I actually read the first two books, but I have no desire to read the next one.

      Reply

    1. Aimee (Aimee, Always)

      January 28, 2018

      I HAVEN’T HEARD OF THIS MEME BEFORE BUT I MIGHT DO IT BECAUSE MY GR TBR IS 1K++++ BOOKS LONG ARGH. (Sorry for that.) Totally get your decision to remove Miss Peregrine’s. I bought it when the author came to my country for a signing, tried to read it once, then gave up. I’ve read Beast and I didn’t like it. Sorry to hear you removing Three Dark Crowns. 🙁 I liked it enough, but I totally understand waiting for the next one to come out to decide again!
      Thanks for sharing, Destiny! Good luck next week. <3
      – Aimee @ Aimee, Always

      Reply

    1. emmareadstoomuch

      January 28, 2018

      WOW YOU KEPT PERSEPOLIS AND SALT TO THE SEA AND REMOVED MISS PEREGRINES AMAAAAZING.
      almost enough to make up for you removing three dark crowns and keeping heartless.
      almost.

      Reply

    1. fortunatelythebook

      January 29, 2018

      I read Miss Peregrine a couple of years ago and I didn’t like it as much as everyone else. I agree with you on the cover of Diary of a haunting, it’s really creepy!*_*

      Reply

    1. Sarah

      January 29, 2018

      I think removing Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was a good call — I read it a few year’s back and just wasn’t impressed. I think I gave it 3 stars. Not bad, just not very interesting.

      Reply

    1. EIise @thebookishactress

      January 29, 2018

      that thing about feeling the need to read every diverse book is the most real feeling ever. I am the worst about that – I add so many diverse contemporaries that I really… feel… no interest… in reading… lmao
      also, lmao @ The Thousandth Floor

      Reply

      1. Destiny @ Howling Libraries

        January 31, 2018

        Oh my gosh, right? Like, every single time, I just want to add it to my TBR and request an ARC RIGHT THAT MOMENT, just because it’s diverse, regardless of how the plot sounds.

        Reply

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