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 or 20, 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: 1,047 titles
BOOKS 221-225:
The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout – added 12.12.16
I know JLA is very widely loved, and I’ve never read anything by her. I got this ebook for a couple of dollars last year, so I’ll keep it on the list.
DECISION: KEEP
A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole – added 12.12.16
Holy crap. Okay, this book has an average of 4.28/5 on Goodreads, which, you know, is kind of amazing for a YA contemporary… but one of its single most-shelved tags is “did not finish” and almost every single person on my friends list who has reviewed it either DNFed it or gave it 1-2 stars. I’m gonna trust you guys on this one.
DECISION: REMOVE
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson – added 12.12.16
I own this, and I think Alex might kill me if I remove it. 😛
DECISION: KEEP
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West – added 12.12.16
I didn’t love her latest book, Love, Life, and the List. I do want to give her another try, but I own 2 of her other books and don’t own this one, so for now…
DECISION: REMOVE
This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp – added 12.12.16
I’ve heard so many people I trust say this book felt exploitative AF to them, and honestly, I felt wary about it the first time I added it to my TBR, so I’m gonna go with my gut.
DECISION: REMOVE
BOOK 226-230:
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro – added 12.12.16
Let’s be honest: I bought this for the cover. I hate most YA mysteries.
DECISION: REMOVE
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo – added 12.12.16
An own-voice YA contemporary written by a trans woman who lives, like, half an hour from me? Yeah, I gotta keep this one.
DECISION: KEEP
The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner – added 12.12.16
I don’t know why I haven’t read this yet, but it sounds absolutely perfect, and I already own it, and it’s on my “must read” list for the year.
DECISION: KEEP
The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith – added 12.12.16
I’ve heard almost exclusively positive reviews of this book, and I like the idea that it follows the MC throughout her high school years.
DECISION: KEEP
Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch – added 12.12.16
This book honestly sounds so boring to me now… but so many people have recommended it to me… so I’m going to let you guys help me decide!
DECISION: KEEP (for now)
BOOK 231-235:
Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry – added 12.12.16
This series actually sounds kind of cool, and it gets good ratings overall, but I try not to have anything past the 1st book in a series in my TBR unless I own it, or have read book 1. I do not own this one and have not read the first book, soooo~
DECISION: REMOVE
When We Collided by Emery Lord – added 12.12.16
I’m so torn on this one. On the one hand, I feel like it’s fairly popular. On the other hand, it doesn’t sound very exciting. Ugh. Help.
DECISION: KEEP (for now?)
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis – added 12.12.16
A devastating, soul-crushing contemporary about rape culture? Sign me up for the heartbreak!
DECISION: KEEP
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier – added 12.12.16
This looks so freaking cute and I’ve heard such good things about this graphic novel.
DECISION: KEEP
Mr. Splitfoot by Samantha Hunt – added 12.12.16
It’s probably a bad sign that I saw the cover and title of this book and it rang no bells, but the synopsis doesn’t sound very interesting, either.
DECISION: REMOVE
BOOK 236-240:
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi – added 12.12.16
I really don’t care that most of the recent reviews I’ve seen for this book were negative as hell – I have the strongest feeling that I’m going to like it. (I hope that feeling is right, since I own books 1-3 plus the 1.5 and 2.5 novellas…)
DECISION: KEEP
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge – added 12.13.16
I’ve heard some “meh” reviews on this one, but I just really love Beauty and the Beast retellings, and I have some weird weakness for “teenage girl falls in love with several-hundred-year-old magical bad boy”… (I’m joking. A little.)
DECISION: KEEP
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson – added 12.13.16
The synopsis on this honestly does not sound interesting to me at all, but I get the feeling it may not do the book justice, because I think almost every single friend I have who has read this, gave it 4+ stars.
DECISION: KEEP
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – added 12.13.16
I was actually going to read this in January, but the library hold never got fulfilled, and then my library decided to close for renovations and they cancelled the hold… anyways. It’ll happen eventually.
DECISION: KEEP
Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr – added 12.13.16
I feel like maybe I missed the window on this YA contemporary, but it doesn’t sound like one that I can’t afford to miss, and my contemporary TBR is a million miles long already.
DECISION: REMOVE
REMOVAL PERCENTAGE THIS WEEK: 35%
Two weeks in a row of low percentages, whoops. At this rate, I’ll never make any progress! ?
Frank Frisson
February 11, 2018Always trust your gut is what I say. I think you should keep Mr. Splitfoot though. If there ever was a book title that made me want to buy a book, it would be that one.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 12, 2018It is a pretty cool title, Frank! I might have to give it a second look sometime! 🙂
Sionna (Books in Her Eyes)
February 11, 2018I’m so glad you kept The Serpent King and Female of the Species. I loved them as audiobooks, yet totally cried at the same time… I hope you enjoy them 🙂
I tried reading Love & Gelato, but just couldn’t get into it. Everyone gives it such stellar reviews though, so I might have to give it a second try :/
I think you’re doing pretty good with your removals! 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 12, 2018Awww, yay! I hear they’re pretty gut-wrenching, but worth it, so I’m excited/nervous? Lol!
Oh no! I honestly feel like I’m not going to love it… but at the same time, I own it, and it looks like a quick read, so… sigh. I guess the least I can do is try it out before I unhaul it!
Megan
February 11, 2018I think you made a good decision by removing This Is Where It Ends. I read it last year, and it just wasn’t executed very well.
I hope you get to The Book Thief soon. It’s amazing.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 12, 2018Thank you for this comment, Megan! I know a handful of people who really loved This is Where it Ends, but I just don’t feel like it’s for me, so this makes me feel better!
Kelly | Another Book in the Wall
February 11, 2018So glad you kept The Book Thief! Love that book! ❤️
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 12, 2018I feel like that book is so universally loved that I HAVE to read it, right? Lol! I saw it at the library yesterday and almost grabbed it, but I was like, “No, Destiny, you have NINE current reads at home…”
Elise @ Roaming Reader
February 11, 2018I’m glad you kept The Book Thief, it’s such a great novel! I hope you are able to pick it up soon 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 12, 2018Aw, yay! I just got a card to a new library yesterday and they have a couple of copies, so I will for sure be borrowing it from them VERY soon!
Amara @ Page Revel
February 11, 2018The Serpent King is so amazing <3 And tbh I have the entire Shatter me series too and I haven't read them.I want to read them soon since there is a new book coming out.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 12, 2018Awww, I hear such rave reviews! I need to read it really soon. And yes, to Shatter Me! I have all of the books in paperback, so I’m not rushing to read them before the new one releases because I’m petty and like matching formats, so I know I won’t want to buy the hardcover for the new one (even though it is SO pretty, so I might cave…)
Dorine
February 12, 2018I recently read When We Collided, I didn’t even know that it was popular when I picked it up haha! It’s a really great book that covers mental health in a real way. I actually have a review up, if you’re interested. I’d say keep it and try it out! Oh and yeah, I’ll give you the sun is REALLY good and the synopsis can be a bit of a downer, glad you kept that one!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 12, 2018Ooooh, yes, I’ll definitely check out your review for When We Collided! Thank you! 🙂
Kara Harrington Keenan
February 12, 2018Unexpected Everything was a goddamn delight. I gave it 4 stars, happily.
Ghosts was also pretty spectacular.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 12, 2018Aww, good! I think I’m saving Unexpected Everything for warmer weather, because the cover totally gives me summer vibes, but I’m looking forward to it a bit more now. 🙂 Ghosts, on the other hand, I may go ahead and put on hold at the library soon!
abyssallibrarian
February 12, 2018Wow, so many books that I’ve actually read on this list. The Problem with Forever was pretty great. For me, it was one of those books that I really enjoyed while reading, but remembered very little about afterwards though. Same goes for When We Collided.
I don’t remember finding This Is Where It Ends exploitative, but there are better books on the same topic. Love & Gelato was pretty boring for me. It was technically fine, but that kind of storyline just doesn’t really keep my attention very well unless the characters are very compelling (and in this case, I didn’t think they were).
If I Was Your Girl was pretty great, and so was The Way I Used to Be was also. The first chapter of that one really affected me for some reason, to the point where I almost considered abandoning it. Luckily, I didn’t.
Female of the Species was a good book, but not at all what I expected. It’s pretty dark. I love Shatter Me, although I know it gets a lot of criticism. I found that whole series very fun to read.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 14, 2018Thank you for the tips on all of these! <3 I'm looking forward to them! Except Love & Gelato… I still might remove that one, haha. Especially after you said you thought it was boring!
abyssallibrarian
February 14, 2018It just wasn’t my kind of book. I don’t find stories focused on travel that interesting in general, and the whole “teenager is miserable to be stuck in Europe” trope annoys me. Most people would be thrilled to have an opportunity to explore a new country, especially something like Italy!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 14, 2018Yeah, that would bug me, too! :/ I honestly think I’ve lost most of my patience for the whole “angsty privileged teen” trope in YA contemporary books.
abyssallibrarian
February 14, 2018I think I have too. That was my biggest issue with We Were Liars. Well, that and the plot twist was pretty obvious.
Sabrina
February 12, 2018Love and Gelato is cute, keep it. I am torn about When We Collided too!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 14, 2018Thanks! I read a review of When We Collided that made it sound pretty good, so I think I’ve decided to keep that one, too!
Scrill
February 13, 2018Eeeek, ps I like you is my fav Kasie West book, and I have honestly been let down by some of her books. BUT that one is sort of a You’ve Got Mail retelling so it’s super dear to my heart. I hope you give it a try later maybe!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 14, 2018Oooh, that makes me second-guess my decision haha! I’ll have to rethink that one… Dang it, you guys are supposed to help me whittle down my TBR! Lmao!
Scrill
February 14, 2018no no no, the DTBRH is to whittle it down. We’re here to make sure you read the good ones only 😉 if there is any KW book to read, it’s P.S. I like you.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 14, 2018Bahahah ohhh okay, that makes more sense! ??
emmareadstoomuch
February 15, 2018oh thank GOD you kept the unexpected everything, the serpent king, i’ll give you the sun, and the book thief.
love & gelato is fiiiine but honestly…removewhenwecollidedsaveyourself.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 15, 2018?? Thank you for the validation! I think The Serpent King is actually going to be my next backlist contemporary read.