Here’s another edition of Down the TBR Hole, a meme created by Lia at Lost in a Story where we decide whether to keep or remove books on our TBR.
The rules for Down the TBR Hole:
- Go to your goodreads to-read shelf.
- Order on ascending date added.
- Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
- Read the synopses of the books
- Decide: keep it or should it go?
Batch #1
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, illus. by Carson Ellis
A middle-grade fantasy novel about kids going on a secret mission.
I forgot what about that caught my interest and I’m no longer interested in it.
Kick Off
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
A YA fantasy novel about a boy competing to serve as the puppet prince in a kingdom that’s about to erupt in civil war.
I placed this on my TBR back when the book was published and am still sort of interested in the political intrigue that I assume is strong in it, but…
Kick Off
Fairy Tales for Writers by Lawrence Schimel
A book about writing.
I’ll pass on this.
Kick Off
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A historical-fiction novel set during World War II in Germany about a girl who steals books..?
I’ve heard and read lots of reviews that proclaim this story is great, but I’ve since forgotten what it’s about. I’ll find out when I read it.
Keep
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
A YA fantasy book about a boy and a girl who become friends and use their imagination to build a kingdom where they reign as king and queen.
That’s what I got from the synopsis. I watched parts of the movie years ago and liked it, but have since forgotten much of the details.
Keep
Batch #2
The Graphic Canon, Vol. 1: From the Epic of Gilgamesh to Shakespeare to Dangerous Liaisons edited by Russ Kick
The first in a trilogy of graphic novels that “takes us on a visual tour” of literature. Each edition focuses on a different period in history and this one focuses on “the earliest literature through the end of the 1700s.”
Of course this stays on my TBR. I seen copies of it at my library, so I can’t wait to try it soon. Now I’m glad to do this meme because I’d forgotten about this book.
Keep
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
Seems to be a contemporary novel about war
I’m not a fan of historical-fiction or contemporary novels about war, so I was tempted to Kick Off this book, but I’m still intrigued by it, though probably not in the same way that caused me to add it to my TBR since I’ve forgotten why I did so.
Keep
Boy Kings of Texas: A Memoir by Domingo Martinez
From the synopsis, I get that it’s a memoir about growing up as a Latino in South Texas.
The book seems to have mixed reviews on Goodreads, which curiously makes me even more interested in it.
Keep
The Ways of White Folks by Langston Hughes
Short stories showing Black people “colliding” with White people in the 1920s and 1930s.
Yeah, I’d definitely keeping this.
The book cover isn’t featured above because I couldn’t find one large enough, plus they all suck.
Keep
Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston
Huston’s first collection of African American tales, songs, and sayings.
Ahh… I was really interested in it back in the day, but not so much now.
Kick Off
Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch
A nonfiction/reference book on a variety of mythologies
I still want to read this for its take on the King Arthur legend.
Keep
All done.
Let me know if you’ve read any of these books and what you thought of them.
Zezee with Books 
Good call keeping Book Thief and Bridge to Terabithia!
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Cool 😊
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I am glad you decided to keep The Book Thief. It’s a beautiful story and one of my favourite books! Are you planning to read it soon?
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So I’ve heard. I don’t plan to read it soon, but I’ll get to it eventually.
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Awesome post!
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Thanks.
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I did really enjoy both The Mysterious Benedict Society and The False Prince. AND I really liked their sequels as well. Both have great sets of characters. I hope you reconsider these!
Bridge to Terabithia is an amazing book. Glad you’re definitely keeping that one. (I’d also recommend The Great Gilly Hopkins from the same author. Oops! Sorry to trying to add to your TBR!)
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It was a hard decision to kick off those too. Doesn’t mean I’ll never read them though. If I see them on display at the library, I’d certainly borrow them. I have seen lots of great reviews for the False Prince.
Yea, I’m curious about the book. If I like Paterson’s writing, then I’ll try Great Gilly Hopkins too.
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Hope you like it!
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What a coincidence, I just took The Mysterious Benedict Society off my list too. It seems like a fun book, but I’m just not interested in it as much as before.
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Lol we in the same boat when it comes to that book.
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The only one I’ve read off here is the Book Thief – which is very good, but sometimes you have to make these tough decisions.
Lynn 😀
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Yea, and some of these decisions were indeed hard to make.
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I haven’t read any of the books above, but The Book Thief is on my list to read this year. ALSO, I love the idea of doing a Down the TBR Hole! I’ve wanted to separate my need to reads from my it would be nice to read these, but I never thought of a way to do it. I will definitely be doing this in the next week or so!
Great post!!
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Thanks! And yea, give it a go. It’s a fun what to whittle down your TBR.
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I loved The Mysterious Benedict Society. I remember reading it when I was in college (I’m pretty sure it’s directed towards kids, but I still enjoy reading children’s books on occasion). But I get not being interested in it as an adult. The Book Thief has also been on my TBR for years and, like you, I’m keeping it, but I still can’t seem to get around to reading it. Good luck with getting through your TBR!
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Thanks.
I don’t mind reading books directed to kids, but I’ve just lost interest in the Mysterious Benedict Society. However, if I were to see it on display at the library, I would borrow it.
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