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.
Since I have a lot of books on my Goodreads TBR (888 total at the time I’m writing this), which I use for this tag, I decided to switch it up and only include the books I’ll Kick Off my TBR. Otherwise, that would be a lot of books to include in this meme. I want to go through my TBR quicker because I’d really like to clear out the books I’m no longer interested in.
However, I wouldn’t say this is a final decision. A huge reason why I like this tag is because it gives me the opportunity to record on my blog the books I removed from my TBR, so I can look back on these posts months in the future and still choose one of these Kicked Off books to read, which, knowing myself, is totally possible.
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
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
A fairy tale retelling set in 17th-century Holland
I would like to read one of Maguire’s fairy tale retellings, but I doubt I’ll do so anytime soon. However, kicking it off now won’t prevent me from, say, seeing it in the library tomorrow, picking it up, and reading it.
Kick Off
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
A historical, magical-realism family saga set in Chile
I think I added this to my TBR after watching a TED Talk featuring Isabel Allende. It made me want to try one of her books, but I’ve yet to do so and have lost interest. I might return to it though because it’s highly recommended.
Kick Off
The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales edited by Jack D. Zipes
A nonfiction book that contains over 800 entries on Western fairy tales from medieval to modern times
I thought I needed this book back when I placed it on my TBR. I probably saw a copy of it at my old job and wanted it so I added it on Goodreads to remind myself.
Kick Off
The Menagerie by Tui T. Sutherland and Kari Sutherland
A middle-grade fantasy novel about a girl trying to save her family’s menagerie
I forgot why I added this to my TBR, but I’ve since lost interest. I now realize that I haven’t read much middle-grade novels lately. I need to change that.
Kick Off
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
A collection of essays on a variety of topics ranging from life in Harlem to African-Americans living abroad to movies
I know this is a classic and I’ll probably like it, but I’ve lost interest and doubt I’ll read it anytime soon.
Kick Off
Batch #2
With or Without You by Domenica Ruta
A memoir that seems to focus on how Ruta’s “flamboyant mother” affected her life
The NYT review made me place it on my TBR, and I still kind of want to read it, but eh…
Kick Off
Unnatural Creatures by various authors; stories selected by Neil Gaiman
A collection of short stories about fantastical things that exists only in our minds
It seems to be really good because a lot of peeps I follow on Goodreads have given it high ratings, but… We’ll see if I get to it one day.
Kick Off
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson, illus. by Ben McSweeney
Seems to be a YA fantasy novel in which characters use chalk drawings to channel their magic.
I learned about this through YouTube back in the day when every book I heard about on YouTube I either bought or placed on my TBR, which is what happened with Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy, which I bought. If I read the Mistborn books and like them, then I’ll read this, though I think they’re nothing alike.
Kick Off
The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli
A self-help book
I’m good.
Kick Off
How Animals Grieve by Barbara J. King
A nonfiction book
I’m still sort of interested in this, so I might actually read it in the future. But for now…
Kick Off
All done.
Let me know if you’ve read any of these books and what you thought of them.
Zezee with Books 
Ugh… Please read The Rithmatist. It was just awesome and I loved it so much. I consider reading it first. It is nothing alike Mistborn, but a fast and fantastical read especially for days with less time. And it is less commitment to try The Rithmatist and then decide if to read Mistborn than the other way around. 🙂
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Lol! Well, if I see it at the library, I’ll def pick it up.
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I have to agree – ‘The Rithmatist’ is definitely worth reading 🙂 It reminded me a bit of Harry Potter as well, with the school setting. And the characters were great! So easy to fall in love with 🙂 And lots of emphasis on friendship
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Aww man… I do like fantasy stories set at schools. I’m tempted to add it back.
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hehe I so relate about kicking books off my tbr not meaning that I won’t pick it up in a library or something 😉 But great job here!
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Yea, never say never and all that 🙂
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I’ve only read the House of Spirits. It was a good read although if you were to ask me about the finer detail I’d be wearing a puzzled expression because it’s all a bit blurred now.
Lynn 😀
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Lol totally understand. That’s my reaction to some novels I read years ago.
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I adored The Rithmatist. It may be me favourite Sanderson (tough call). But book two is not being written for a long while so there is that.
x The Captain
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It does seem like a good bit of people like that book. Well, if I see it in the library, I just might pick it up.
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