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: 1,031 titles
I feel like I’m making incredibly slow progress with this meme, so I decided to up it to 30 titles per week. It’s been 20 for some time now. Thoughts? Is 30 too much? I don’t want to bore you lovelies!
(I also added little graphics for the keep/remove spots. Yay? Nay?)
BOOKS 341-345:
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson – added 01.19.17
You know those books that you feel like you probably won’t like very much, but you just have to try them, anyways? Yeah…
Splintered by A. G. Howard – added 01.19.17
The thing is, I love Alice retellings, and this author’s story in Slasher Girls was one of my absolute faves… but I just know I’m gonna hate this.
Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout – added 01.19.17
I seem to be going with a lot of gut feelings today, but something in my bones tells me JLA is not an author for me.
City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson – added 01.19.17
I know we’ve talked before about my habit of adding books to my TBR just because of their diversity, regardless of whether or not I’m interested in the plot? Yeah. Okay, good, so we’ve covered that.
Once Again by Liz Braswell & Cameron Dokey – added 01.19.17
Why is this here? I hate Sleeping Beauty. 🙁
BOOKS 346-350:
The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong – added 01.19.17
I think I missed the “window” for this paranormal romance.
Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton – added 01.19.17
How do I end up with so many random, identical fantasy novels on my TBR that I don’t remember ever seeing before in my life?
Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay – added 01.19.17
My first impulse was to add this to the endless pile of “I don’t know her!” removals, but this actually sounds really cool. A princess who is being raised to be a human sacrifice? And there are mutants? Hmm… *moves to “top-tbr” shelf*
Red Rising by Pierce Brown – added 01.19.17
I actually have this in ebook and audiobook format, so if I don’t read this soon, I’m gonna need one of you guys to slap me.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir – added 01.19.17
I feel like SO many of my friends love this series! The only reason I haven’t bought the first book yet is actually because I can’t decide which edition I want.
BOOKS 351-355:
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco – added 01.25.17
This book sounds so good, honestly. Necromancy, yes please. Also, can someone please stop me from continuing to pre-order books and then letting them sit on my shelf collecting dust for the next year?
The Beast is an Animal by Peternelle van Arsdale – added 01.25.17
I still think the plot idea for this sounds cool, but most of the reviews I’m seeing are saying the same thing: good plot, bad execution. I’ll trust my Goodreads friends on this one.
Long May She Reign by Rhiannon Thomas – added 01.25.17
This cover is lovely, but I’m really over these bland fantasy tales that don’t look like they bring anything new to the table.
10 Things I Can See from Here by Carrie Mac – added 01.25.17
I must have thought this sounded pretty legit at the time, but over the last year, I’ve found so many amazing authors writing anxiety rep that it’s hard to be drawn to a book just for that anymore.
The Possessions by Sara Flannery Murphy – added 01.25.17
I got this from Book of the Month Club last year and keep swearing I’ll read it eventually, but let’s be honest: it didn’t interest me when I chose it, it hasn’t interested me for the year or more it’s been on my shelf, and it sure as hell doesn’t interest me now that I see that it’s sitting at a 3.2 average.
BOOKS 356-360:
The Pain Eater by Beth Goobie – added 01.25.17
It’s nothing against this book, but when I added it, I don’t think I realized it’s a book singularly about rape and self-harm, and I just don’t think that a plot so centric to those two things is the best thing for me.
My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me edited by Kate Bernheimer (anthology) – added 01.25.17
We all know what a sucker I am for twisted fairytale retellings, but I have a hard time supporting anything that boasts Joyce Carol Oates as one of the main contributing voices. (Plus, I’m not a fan of any of the other authors on the list.)
Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour – added 02.09.17
I own this, and I dig Nina LaCour, and I dig own-voice f/f contemporaries.
Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley – added 02.09.17
I’m no huge Robin Talley fan, but a close friend of mine loves this f/f hist-fic, so I promised her I’d read it some time.
Run by Kody Keplinger – added 02.09.17
This is another f/f contemporary (a few of those this week, yay!), and I dunno, it doesn’t sound life-changing, but it does sound like kiiind of a fun read…? I’ll leave this up to you guys.
(…for now?)
BOOKS 361-365:
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey – added 02.09.17
This is a 1,000+-page slave/master adult fantasy story that, I am told by many of my friends, I should stay far, far away from… but something about it has me honestly dying to read it, plus I got the free ebook from Tor’s monthly ebook club last year. 😀
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman – added 02.09.17
DRAGONS!
None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio – added 02.09.17
I don’t think I’ve ever read a story with intersex rep. I feel like I should change that, and I want to, but… this legit sounds like the whole plot of the book is how difficult it is to be intersex, which doesn’t sound positive at all? I’m gonna let this one go, but ask you guys to let me know if you have any more intersex rep-friendly titles to suggest!
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan – added 02.09.17
I think I just added this because it was recommended to me, but I’ve tried reading Levithan’s books in the past and didn’t enjoy his writing at all. :/
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera – added 02.09.17
I need all the sad, miserable, devastating, beautiful gay stories from Adam Silvera. <3
BOOKS 366-370:
How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore – added 02.09.17
Why did I add so many books to my TBR that literally don’t interest me in any way at all? 🙁 Literally a book about “mean girls”… no thanks.
Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting – added 02.15.17
Another one of those books that I don’t expect to blow my mind, but would probably be fun for a quick trash read?
Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig – added 02.15.17
I actually own two other of Caleb’s books, so I think I’ll read those, and if I like them, I’ll add this one back.
Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout – added 02.21.17
Okay, yeah, I know I just said I don’t think I’d like JLA’s writing, and I know everyone and their mom has warned me off of this series, but… like… I JUST HAVE TO TRY IT, OKAY?
The Book Jumper by Mechthild Glaser – added 02.21.17
I wasn’t really interested in this why I added it, so why keep it now? :/
REMOVAL PERCENTAGE THIS WEEK: 56%
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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I’ve had Kushiel’s Dart on my TBR for a while too, but I’d never take it off because everyone I know loves it?
Right! I don’t know if I’ve ever heard a bad review for it from anyone I know who’s read it!
An Ember in the Ashes on audio is fantastic.
I have Run on my tbr too, I need to read it.
JLA books are my slump-busting books when I need something clique, cheesy, and tropey to read. As long as you don’t take them seriously and don’t expect world-changing literature, they can be fun
Oooh, good to hear! I really want to branch out and start listening to books a little more often, just to have the variety.
You saying that about JLA books actually makes me want to give her more of a chance, because I have my times where I definitely need those cheesy, trope-y “slump-busting” books like you said, haha. For me, that’s always fluffy romance like Sarah Dessen or whatever, but I’ve been wanting to branch out a vbit.
I’ve listen to more audio books this year than I have in my entire life and I’m really enjoying it.
Same here! I’d only listened to honestly, maybe 3 in my entire life before 2018.
I think I listened to 2 pre-2018. And so far this year I’ve listened to a dozen.
That’s amazing!
oh my god same on the kiss of deception.
here’s the obligatory me-saying-i-love-these-posts-of-yours
Glad I’m not the only one haha. <3 Thank you! Did you think it was too long with the extra 10 titles?
never
I love the graphics. I need to figure out how to make things like that. I think they really add to the posts. Great job!
Thanks girl! I use Pic Monkey, but it’s really just a lot of trial and error, tinkering, and so forth. 🙂 Good luck!
Thank you! I need to find some time to get my husband to sit down with me and see if we can figure stuff out together. He’s better with computers than I am. I’m pretty basic with what I can do.
Love these posts! Clearing out the TBR feels so good… I need to start doing that again!
Yes it really does! Sometimes I want to just go ahead and plot out the next few months of these posts, for the excuse to wipe out a bunch of my Goodreads TBR shelf, haha!
I’m thrilled Red Rising made the cut! I’m a huge fan of the series and recommend it to people constantly. (I recently succeeded in convincing one of my work friends to try it, and she devoured the first three books in a snap.) It’s great that you already have the audiobook, too – Tim Gerard Reynolds does a great job of bringing the story to life, and he’s got a GORGEOUS accent. 🙂
Oooh, awesome! 🙂 I’ll definitely be sure to check that out, then. I’m hoping to start the series some time this year.
I’m glad you kept An Ember in the Ashes! It sat on my shelf for a good while before I finally picked it up and really enjoyed it!
It sounds really good, and I hear so many good things about the author!
I’m so glad you kepy Of Beast and Beast, I enjoyed it and think the author is one I need to read more of 🙂
Kushiel’s Dart is one I keep thinking I should either remove or read… I’ve been recommended it by a few people, but I can never get myself to start it… so I’m kinda in the same spot as you there.
And if you’re looking for some intersex rep, I’d recommend Sometimes We Tell The Truth by Kim Zarins — the main character isn’t, but it is brought up and talked about. Not the best book for intersex rep, but I absolutely love the book.
I love looking at your TBR list haha. It makes me want to narrow mine down, but also reminds me of great books that are lost within it.
Oooh, good! I haven’t heard too many people I actually know talk about that one, so I’m really glad you enjoyed it!
Yes, I feel you – it’s a big commitment, honestly!
Thank you so much! I will definitely look that one up!
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I love the graphics – Definitely keep them!!
Thank you so much!
Omg, I love reading posts about removing books from shelves/tbr/etc. This was such a satisfying post to read! Good luck with clearing off your goodreads shelf!
Haha thank you so much, Victoria! 🙂 I’m glad you liked it!
I haven’t read the Kiss of Deception yet, but my best friend did and she really made me enthusiastic about it.
Apparently, you read from 3 pov’s, but with 5 different kinds of chapters. So you have:
The main character and two guys, but you have two chapters from each of the guys. So:
– Main Character
– Guy 1 with name
– Guy 2 with name
– Prince
– And another label which I unfortunately don’t remember
So here’s the amazing part, you don’t know who is who, okay except for the main character. From what I’ve heard from my friend it’s really well done and surprising 😀 SOOO I’d definitely keep that and try it!
Oooooh, that sounds so cool and unique! Wow, that honestly just made me soooo much more excited to read it. 😀 Thank you for telling me!
Right! I’m so interested in reading this book myself too haha ?