Apparently I got too excited and forgot to write a bit about what Down the TBR Hole is and why I’m doing it. So I’m editing it (like a week later, oops) so that everyone who sees this can know!
I’ll start with why I’m doing this and how it’s going so far. So basically, I had over 1200 books on my Goodreads TBR shelf and it was ridiculously overwhelming. I just kept adding and adding books, but I never went through the shelf and got rid of any. I also wasn’t very critical with my additions so I would add a book even if I wasn’t actually interested in reading it. Then I came across some bloggers who were doing this challenge called Down the TBR Hole where they would go through and look critically at their Goodreads TBR shelves and decide whether or not to get rid of the books.
Down the TBR Hole was created by a blogger called Lost in a Story, who appears to have decided to end the blogging part of her life. It’s still being continued by everyone who is participating in it though! Essentially how it works is you go to your Goodreads TBR shelf and pick 5/10/15 or however many you want, that’s completely up to you, and you go through those books to figure out which ones you want to keep and which you want to delete. Here are the rules:
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
Overall, it’s a very cleansing process and I am now down quite a few books! Though I’m not even close to being done.
Onto the books!
I loved the movie and I’ve heard such good things about the book for years now. I really just need to get my hands on it so I can read it.
Keep
The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah
I’m a sucker for WWII historical fiction books. For such a tragic time there’s something oddly romantic about the books set in this period. Even better, this one follows two sisters and is set in France!
Keep
The Royal We – Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan
This is like the book version of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry meeting and falling in love. I really want to read this.
Keep
The Solitude of Prime Numbers – Paolo Giordano
Meh, idk this just doesn’t speak to me.
Delete
Ashley’s War… – Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Here’s the subtitle: The Untold Story of a Team of Women Soldiers on the Special Ops Battlefield. I think that says it all.
Keep
The Beet Queen – Louise Erdrich
I generally don’t read books like this but Depression era settings really interest me as my grandparents grew up at that time, and I feel it’s a time period that I rarely see books set in.
Keep
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox – Maggie O’Farrell
Ooooooooh a family mystery, I love it.
Keep
I’ve read and reviewed this!
Keep
Unique magic system (check). Secret society/rebel situation (check I think). And I think they’re detectives, overall it sounds pretty good to me.
Keep
The Eyre Affair – Jasper Fforde
This is one of my mom’s favorite books. It also involves going into books which is essentially want I would want as a superpower if I could have any. Also, literary detectives???? Sign me up.
Keep
The Manual of Detection – Jebediah Berry
The main character is forced into a detective position when he knows nothing about being a detective and then goes on a bunch of mystery adventures. In a way it reminds me of Psych (the TV show) so I’m interested.
Keep
Travel Glasses – Chess Desalls
The plot sounds interesting I guess, but I doubt I would ever get to it because there are so many other books that peak my interest even more.
Delete
Luckiest Girl Alive – Jessica Knoll
Overdone. Sounds like that movie with Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively.
Delete
Eden at the Edge of Midnight – John Kerry
I like how this book turns “the chosen one” narrative on its head and places a not chosen one in the position of the chosen one due to a mistake.
Keep
The Witching Elm – C.N. Crawford
Boarding school! Accidentally entering another world! Magic! This book sounds fun. It might not be a 5 star read but I’m sure I’ll enjoy it while I’m reading it.
Keep
Happy Reading! Have you read any of these books?
Dog-Eared Pages 