In my ongoing mission to reduce my massive TBR list on Goodreads, here is another Down the TBR Hole Challenge.
As far as I can tell, this challenge was created by the writer at the literary blog, Lost in a Story, but it appears that the domain is no longer valid.
Here are the rules:
- 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?
Let’s get right to it. Here’s how my Goodreads shelves currently look:
Want to catch up on past posts?
1, 2
All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells
Verdict: Keep
I’ve seen some really great reviews of this science fiction novella, so it’s staying on the list. Plus, it’s short, so there’s really no reason not to read it.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Verdict: Keep
I read Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner years and years ago and although I don’t remember much of the story, I do remember loving it and telling everyone I knew that they should read it. I haven’t read many books set in Afghanistan, plus it’s an #ownvoices book.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Verdict: Keep
It was actually Hailey over at the BookTube channel Hailey in Bookland that turned me onto this book. Before that, I had heard of it but had no idea what it was about. I recently found a copy at a local thrift store, so I’m looking forward to reading it soon.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Verdict: Keep
I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about this novel, plus I love historical fiction, so it’s a keeper.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Verdict: Keep
Even though I’m pretty sure this novel is going to leave me in tears, I still really want to read it.
Circe by Madeline Miller
Verdict: Keep
I have no idea why I haven’t read this book yet. I keep hearing that it’s amazing, I love books based on mythology, and I’ve been wanting to read a book written by Madeline Miller.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Verdict: Keep
When I saw this book on my TBR list, I realized that I had no idea what it was about. I’m pretty sure I added this book to my Goodreads simply because I kept hearing people hype it up on Booktube. After reading the synopsis, though, I’m excited to finally read it.
Once again, this is turning out to be a pretty boring challenge. I’m really bad at removing books from my TBR. No wonder it’s so massive.
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
Verdict: Keep
First, can we talk about how gorgeous this cover is? Also, I cannot wait to read this book. It’s about a woman who can tell anyone the day they will die and follows four children after finding out their destinies.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
Verdict: Keep
The only reason I’m keeping this is that I feel as though I need to read it. It’s a classic piece of literature, and there’s got to be a reason it’s rated as highly as it is.
Swing Time by Zadie Smith
Verdict: Keep
I actually started this book at some point last year, but someone else had put it on hold at my library and I wasn’t able to renew it, so I turned it back in. I really enjoyed the first 60 or so pages I read, so I’m looking forward to finally finishing it.
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Verdict: Keep
I actually just purchased a copy of this book at my local Goodwill thrift store. I love that this book takes place in a graveyard in a single night and has several different narrators. I can’t wait to get to this one.
The Mothers by Brit Bennett
Verdict: Toss it
Reading the synopsis sparked no joy in me, as Marie Kondo would say. I have a feeling this is one of those books I added just because I kept hearing about it.
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan
Verdict: Keep
I’m fascinated by how people survived during the Great Depression in the 1930s. This book is highly rated and, as you can see from the cover, was also a National Book Award Winner.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Verdict: Keep
How the hell have I not read this work of classic American literature? I need to read this soon.
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
Verdict: Keep
As someone who has struggled with her weight her entire life, and at one point found myself in a relationship where I felt as though I wasn’t allowed to gain weight, I have a feeling this book is going to have a huge impact on me.
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
Verdict: Keep
Just like with the last book, Hunger, I’m keeping this because it’s about a topic that I’ve also dealt with, severe depression.
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
Verdict: Keep
I’m still sad about Anthony Bourdain’s suicide. I really want to read this.
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh
Verdict: Keep
I’ve been really wanting to read this for years. Doing this challenge actually reminded me of it, so I went ahead and reserved it at my library so I can read it later this week.
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
Verdict: Toss it
I know a lot of people are really obsessed with this book, but I’m not interested in it at all.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Verdict: Toss it
This book is an important one, as it deals with race in America, and I would love to read it one day. However, I very rarely read memoirs that deal with anything political (probably a leftover from my political science days), so I’m removing it from my TBR for now. It might end up back on at some point though.
3 out of 20 is better than I normally do.
Have you read any of these books? What were your thoughts on them?
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