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 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: 1,045 titles
BOOKS 151-155:
Slade House by David Mitchell – added 10.24.16
I actually tried reading this last year, after hearing so many rave reviews about it, and I hated it. I thought at the time that I would give it another chance, but… meh.
DECISION: REMOVE
Thicker Than Blood by Madeline Sheehan – added 10.24.16
This is… a self-published adult romance set in a post-zompocalypse world? I’m not sure why this is here, actually.
DECISION: REMOVE
Follow You Home by Mark Edwards – 10.24.16
A mystery/thriller about a couple who witnessed a crime, and I guess some sort of “nightmare” ensues. As I was skimming the reviews, I was spoiled for the big twist ending, and it immediately made me have no interest in reading this.
DECISION: REMOVE
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay – added 10.24.16
I literally don’t think I’ve ever heard a negative review of this book, so it’s actually on my “must read” list for this year.
DECISION: KEEP
Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant – added 10.24.16
I actually had no clue this had been on my TBR so long, because I didn’t think I had even heard of Mira/Seanan McGuire until early 2017. A horror series with queer women, and mermaids, though? Pleeeeease!
DECISION: KEEP
BOOK 156-160:
Twisted by Andrew E. Kaufman – added 10.24.16
You’d be amazed by how many psychological thrillers end up on my TBR, and how few of them I actually end up reading. I’ve come to realize that I think I enjoy non-horror thrillers more than I actually do enjoy them.
DECISION: REMOVE
Suicide Forest by Jeremy Bates – added 10.24.16
While this has a decent average rating for a horror story, the top reviews are almost exclusively saying it’s terrible. On top of that, I used to be super into stories about Aokigahara and didn’t care who wrote them, but now that I’ve learned a bit more about how harmful poorly-done rep can be, I’ve become a little leery of portrayals of what is honestly an incredibly tragic place.
DECISION: REMOVE
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen – added 10.24.16
This is one of her two most recent releases, both of which I pre-ordered and then allowed to collect dust on my shelf ever since. It’s on my “must read” list for the year, too.
DECISION: KEEP
Made You Up by Francesca Zappia – added 10.24.16
I’ve always heard that Francesca writes amazing mental illness rep, and this one sounds spectacular, so it’s on my wishlist.
DECISION: KEEP
My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga – added 10.24.16
I was really excited for this book when I bought it, but after reading a different book of Jasmine’s a few months ago, I don’t think I’m a huge fan of her writing. This book is actually on my shelf, but after rereading the synopsis, I think it’s time to unhaul it.
DECISION: REMOVE
BOOK 161-165:
American Gods by Neil Gaiman – added 10.06.16
I’ve almost come to terms with the fact that I don’t think Neil’s adult books are my cup of tea, but I’m determined to try one more time.
DECISION: KEEP
By Blood We Live by John Joseph Adams – added 11.20.16
You know those horror anthologies get me every time… and this one’s about vampires, which I actually don’t have a lot of books about! (Also, there’s a Joe Hill story in here. Gimme.)
DECISION: KEEP
Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse by John Joseph Adams – added 11.20.16
Another horror anthology, but this one is about post-apocalyptic societies, which sounds terrifying in that existentialist-crisis sort of way.
DECISION: KEEP
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli – added 11.20.16
I really like Becky as a person, and I thought Simon vs. was a pretty solid contemporary, so I’m actually surprised I haven’t read this one already!
DECISION: KEEP
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson – added 11.21.16
I really love supporting diverse books, especially when they’re own-voice, and I’ve heard that Shaun writes really great own-voice gay stories, but the plot of this book just honestly doesn’t interest me at all. I think I’ll pass, and try a different book of his at a later date.
DECISION: REMOVE
REMOVAL PERCENTAGE THIS WEEK: 47%
(Wow, I think that’s the highest percentage so far…)
Tammy
January 14, 2018I’m glad you kept Rolling in the Deep, it’s fantastic!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
January 15, 2018I can’t wait to read it! I still need to order it from the kindle shop. 🙂
Sionna (Books in Her Eyes)
January 14, 2018Wow that was a lot of removals! Congrats.
I didn’t know there was a Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant. Into the Deep –the actual first book, came out last year, so it is surprising to see there is a novella for it which was published years before. It is pretty cool when authors decide to continue on series which started as just a novella idea.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
January 15, 2018Thank you! Yeah, I love that she was able to continue onto the novella. She said on Twitter recently that, if enough copies of Into the Deep sells, she has plans for another full-length book in the series!
abyssallibrarian
January 14, 2018Completely agree with your decision to remove the Jasmine Warga book. I read that one last year and I was actually looking forward to it, but it was pretty mediocre.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
January 15, 2018Thank you for this! I feel better, lol. I really just don’t think her writing is my cup of tea.
Norrie
January 14, 2018Oooo, this is good! I have books on my TBR that i added in 2012… probably it’s time for a purge 😀
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
January 15, 2018Yes, it definitely sounds like this meme would work for you too, haha! 🙂
EIise @thebookishactress
January 14, 2018oh wow, I hope you love Into the Drowning Deep! just a PSA – Rolling in the Deep is the short prequel, it’s the full-length book that has the queer girls. but honestly? knowing how much you love horror, I can’t imagine you wouldn’t love that one. it was even one of my faves of the year!
and if you’re looking for another Shaun David Hutchinson book to check out – his next release Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza is about virgin birth and choices and the lead is a bi girl. and I loved it so much.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
January 15, 2018Thanks! Yeah, Rolling in the Deep is the one that’s been on my TBR longer. 🙂 I was just referring to the series in general, since Seanan has said she’s planning on expanding on Into the Deep with at least one more book. It’s so exciting. I really can’t wait to read it!
Oooooh, that actually sounds REALLY interesting. Thank you for the heads-up! I’ll have to go check it out.
EIise @thebookishactress
January 16, 2018I figured you’d be intrigued ? I personally liked it more than We Are the Ants anyway. and that’s good to hear!
coffeelovingbookoholic
January 15, 2018NOOOOO!!! you need to read “we are the ants”. it’s amazing!!!!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
January 15, 2018Ahaha ooookaaaaaay… for you, I’ll considering adding it back, but only ’cause I love ya. 😀
coffeelovingbookoholic
January 16, 2018awwww, i feel very, very special right now haha!!! 😀 i really hope you love it, it’s an amazing book! <3
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
January 16, 2018You should, because you are! <3
coffeelovingbookoholic
January 16, 2018hihi <3 <3 <3
emmareadstoomuch
January 15, 2018YAY SAINT ANYTHING i’m glad you’re keeping it! and My Heart and Other Black Holes was the definition of eh so good call.
i have said it before and i’ll say it again: I LOVE THESE POSTS
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
January 15, 2018I somehow just can’t bring myself to remove Sarah’s books, like… ever? I mean, they’re so nostalgic and warm and fuzzy for me. And thank you for the support on the Warga book, lmao. <3
thebookdutchesses
January 16, 2018Made You Up is a very unique book. I read it last year and was pretty impressed.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
January 17, 2018Oooh, awesome! I’ve heard it’s special and that Zappia really manages to write some authentic-feeling MI rep.
thebookdutchesses
January 17, 2018She really does.