Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Though I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, there is something about memoirs involving hiking that get me. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is one of my favorite books of all time! So when I heard about this book, one that follows the author as she hikes and learns, I immediately wanted to read it. Easy choice here!

Verdict: Keep

Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

I made a meager attempt to start reading the Discworld books a couple of years ago and, frankly, got a little intimidated by how many there are. But I really loved the first two books I read in the series! I’m going to continue because I know I’m probably going to love the rest. Besides, this book is on my “22 books in 2022” list!

Verdict: Keep

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

I still haven’t read anything by Patrick Ness, but I certainly want to. This one sounds like it could be the one for me. I mean it follows an “ordinary” person surrounded by superheroes and just trying to live their life. It’s a slice-of-life but with, like, death rays. It seems like something I could definitely love.

Verdict: Keep

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

This is the second book in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy. I read the first book forever ago and ended up really enjoying it! Laini Taylor’s writing is next level. For some reason, though, I never continued reading the series. Perhaps I’ll try and finish it up this year.

Verdict: Keep

The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby

I didn’t remember adding this book to my TBR, so I was ready to toss it. Then I read the synopsis. There’s a puzzle. A puzzle hidden within New York City. And an intrepid group of down-on-their-luck types have to solve it or lose their home. It’s practically begging me to read it!

Verdict: Keep

The Gap of Time by Jeanette Winterson

This is, apparently, a retelling of Shakespeare A Winter’s Tale. It also sounds kind of boring 😅 I know why I added this book. Because Shakespeare! But I’m honestly not feeling forcing myself to read a book I’m not interested in just because it’s a Shakespeare retelling. Imma pass.

Verdict: Remove

Shylock Is My Name by Howard Jacobson

This is another Shakespeare retelling, this time of the play The Merchant of Venice. Which is probably my least favorite play by the Bard. I’m not entirely sure why I added this book, lol. The only thing I can think is that this book, the one before it, and the rest after, are all part of the Hogarth Shakespeare project that’s all about retellings. Probably should have read the synopsis, though, because this doesn’t seem like something I would enjoy.

Verdict: Remove

Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler

This is yet another book in the Shakeespeare project I mentioned and it’s a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew. This is the first synopsis I’ve read from this group of books that sounds somewhat interesting! Leave it to one of Shakespeare’s comedies to catch my attention, lol. I’m interested to see how this author would translate the play to a modern day contemporary romance.

Verdict: Keep

Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood

This is the first book that drew me to the Hogarth Shakespeare project, probably because I actually recognized the author’s name. This is a retelling of The Tempest, which is a play I enjoy, though it’s not a top favorite. The premise of this book, however, definitely catches my interest. A theater director who goes to work with inmates in a correctional facility after a fall from grace decides to but on the play this retelling is based on. And it gets weird from there, from what I can tell!

Verdict: Keep

New Boy by Tracy Chevalier

I have mixed feelings about this one. It’s a retelling of Othello, which I enjoyed quite a bit. But it makes all the principle characters 11 year old students in a 1970s American school. The synopsis talks about casual racism and, while that is important to confront in fiction, I feel a little burned out when it comes to reading about Black trauma. So… this might be one that makes it’s way back eventually, but I’m letting it go for now.

Verdict: Remove