
Hello, reader!
I’m continuing my TBR cleansing journey today with another Down the TBR Hole! Down the TBR Hole was originally created by Lost in a Story. As a reminder, here are the guidelines:
- Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf.
- Order on ascending date added.
- Take the first 5 (or 10 or 20 or however many you’re feeling) books
- Read the synopses of the books
- Decide: keep it or should it go?
Last week, I ended with 619 books. This week, I’m starting with 620 books… so apparently I added a new book sometime within the last week! I honestly don’t even pay attention to when I add books, I swear. Let’s see if I’ll be cutting anything out this round!
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
I’m realizing that I have a lot of Gaiman on my TBR. I tend to get along better with his middle grade fiction (I love Coraline!), so I’m pretty exciting about reading this one. Besides, the premise is so interesting… a boy raised in a graveyard by ghosts? Yes, please!
Verdict: Keep
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
I can’t really remember why I added this book in the first place. Perhaps because I had a vague interest in Bladerunner, the movie based on this book? Perhaps because it’s a sci-fi classic? Maybe it filled a prompt for a readathon? Either way, I have about zero interest in this book now.
Verdict: Remove
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard
This is a play that I wanted to read because of my love for Hamlet. It’s the classic as seen through the eyes of two minor characters. As time goes on, though, I find myself much less interested in picking this up. I feel like it would be better consumed as a live performance. I’ve also had difficulty actually finding the book to read. So… I think this one is out.
Verdict: Remove
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
Look, this TBR only has room for one massive Victor Hugo book, okay? Perhaps once I finally read Les Mis and can decide whether or not I like his writing, this one can come back to the TBR. For now, I don’t find myself interested enough in it to keep it around. Sorry, Quasimodo!
Verdict: Remove
‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
Is this the one about vampires? This is the one about vampires, right? The synopsis on Goodreads is super vague, lol. Either way, this is a classic King novel that I do want to read at some point in time. It’s definitely not high on the priority list, but it gets to stick around.
Verdict: Keep
Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
I added this classic after reading Tess of the D’Urbervilles by the same author and really enjoying it. I love Hardy’s writing style. The story is about a woman moving to a farm and having to decide between three different suitors and something about that just completely intrigues me. Also, I already own this one, soooo
Verdict: Keep
The Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice
I’ve already read the first two books in Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. This one promises to be the most exciting yet! I’m not sure if I’ll be continuing the series after this book… there’s just so many! But I definitely want to read this one.
Verdict: Keep
Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk
I went through a Palahniuk phase awhile back and ended up adding a lot of his books to my TBR. I do enjoy his weird tales and the twisty way he writes. I have to be in a certain mood to want to pick one up, though, and it’s been… awhile since I have been. Though the premise sounds vaguely interesting, I just don’t see myself reading this book anytime soon.
Verdict: Remove
The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy
The Hunt for Red October is one of my favorite movies. I distinctly remember a day when I was home sick and I watched it three times in a row. For… reasons? Either way, the movie is obviously what sparked my interest in the book. I’ve also been curious about Tom Clancy as a writer. Still am, so it looks like this underwater military thriller will be staying on the list.
Verdict: Keep
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
I have no idea what this book is even about… give me a second.
Oh, wait, this is a memoir? I don’t usually care for memoirs.
…Wow, this family sounds messed up. I… I’m kind of intrigued. That’s an attention-grabbing synopsis! Alright. Even though I’m not a huge fan of memoirs, this one seems interesting enough to keep around.
Verdict: Keep
It’s time for my new total!
Starting total: 620
Removed: 4
End total: 616
Not bad, not bad. I got rid of some books that have been hanging out on my ‘Want to Read’ shelf for aggggggeeeesss. Now I can’t promise that this list won’t grow as I’m starting to look at 2021 releases, but I’m pretty happy with this round. See y’all for another one next week!
And, as always, happy reading!