And we’re back, with yet another Down the TBR Hole, because I have an extremely long Goodreads TBR and I need to shave it down so I can look at it and feel at least a semblance of peace. Ha. I think I’m doing a pretty good job of whittling it down though.
If you don’t know how this works, Down the TBR Hole is a meme created by Lost in a Story, who is on indefinite hiatus, where you go through your TBR list on Goodreads and critically (or not critically – no judgement here) decide which books you want to keep and which you are going to delete. You can choose 5, 10, 20, however many books in a “session” you want to go through. It’s really up to you. The whole point is to clean out your TBR list on Goodreads so you know which books you’re actually interested in. If you want to know more I’m including a link to her Down the TBR Hole posts.
How it works:
- Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf
- Order on ascending date added
- Take the first 5 (or 10 (or even more!) if you’re feeling adventurous) books. Of course, if you do this weekly, you start where you left off the last time
- Read the synopses of the books
- Decide whether you’re keeping it or deleting it
This book is apparently a retelling of Jane Eyre, which already isn’t really my favorite story to be retold, and I’m sure it spoke to me at some point, but right now not so much. Even though I do love chick-lit.
Delete
Honestly this sounds pretty good but I genuinely don’t think I’ll be getting to it any time soon. It’s basically a historic apocalyptic story set in the mid 1000s in England (Norman times) but a couple of things sway me from reading it. One: Old English is sooooo hard to read and I think it’s written in a way that evokes Old English. Two: apocalyptic settings aren’t really for me anymore.
Delete
Ruins of War – John A. Connell
Murder mystery set in post WWII Germany. ALSO it’s set in Winter??? Sign me up. This sounds like it would be good as an October thriller read.
Keep
Another murder mystery – aka perfect October read! This one has a main character with Asperger’s Syndrome, which is great because there is little representation (though it’s growing) of disabilities like this in literature that isn’t strictly about the disability or the person dealing with their disability. I think I’ll like this. Also I think it’s been recommended by Emma Watson (I may be wrong).
Keep
I’m not super interested in police crime novels, I usually like PI’s or detective agencies. It does follow a female officer though! Also, I may have been spoiled and that’s why I decided to delete it.
Delete
Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm – Mardi Jo Link
I’m not much of a memoir person to begin with, and if I were to read a memoir I would want it to be someone who really inspired me – like Michelle Obama.
Delete
Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition – Katie Rain Hill
Considering the age we’re in and the social climate of today, I think it would be good for everyone to learn more about marginalized groups. Trans people are consistently discriminated against, as are much of the LGBTQ community, and I think I would benefit from reading about being trans from a trans person.
Keep
The Ghost Network – Catie Disabato
It sounds super interesting but there are probably similar books that are better written. The fact that the book was finished by the mentee of the original author lends to my loss in interest.
Delete
The Hundred-Year Flood – Matthew Salesses
The summary of the book makes me believe that there is very little in the way of plot and it’s more character driven. I’m generally someone who enjoys books that include both but lean more toward the plot-based side, so this book just doesn’t speak to me.
Delete
Ooooh there’s a lot about this book I like! It’s set in New York City during the Great Depression and is about a woman who goes out of her way to help those in need. It’s also set in the present day following someone trying to research more about Mazie’s life.
Keep – also I own it
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True – Richard Dawkins, illustrated by Dave McKean
This book is a non-fiction book that describes the science behind phenomena that was once believed to be magic or done by gods. I think it is beneficial to know exactly why and how we now know those phenomena are not magic. Also it just sounds interesting.
Keep
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions – Randall Munroe
Idk about you, but a non-fiction comic book that contemplates wild “what-if” scenarios using science sounds like a great time to me.
Keep
Zadie Smith is one of the top influential writers in Great Britain and I know everyone thinks her books need to be read cause they’re so important and whatnot. I’m just not interested. I may be later in life, but I’m definitely not interested now.
Delete
The Versions of Us – Laura Barnett
This is a super cute premise that I am just not interested in reading. I would probably watch a movie with this plot though.
Delete
A Hundred Summers – Beatriz Williams
Sounds like a fun summer beach read!
Keep
That’s that for today! What do you think of these books?
Dog-Eared Pages 