Down the TBR Hole #5

Created by Lia @Lost in a Story

It works like this:

Go to your goodreads to-read shelf.
Order on ascending date added.
Take the first 5 (or 10 (or even more!) if you’re feeling adventurous) books.
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?

My Goodreads TBR currently has 549 books on it, so I'm really looking forward to cleansing my list!

Throne Of Glass

Sarah J. Maas is an author that I haven't read yet (don't kill me!), so I feel like it's obligatory that I read this even if it's been almost 10 years since it came out. (Or should I give up a switch to a Court of Thorns and Roses? Are the series related in anyway? I literally know nothing >.< )

Decision: Keep

The Lost Prince 

After staring at this in befuddlement for awhile, I've finally come to a decision about this book/spin off series. I think my time for it's enjoyment has passed. I remember disliking the original book, and each sequel getting better and better as Meghan developed, but also as her love interests Puck and Ash developed. It's been so long that I hardly remember their story anymore, and Ethan was such a minor plot point that I almost don't even remember Megan having a brother. I'm just not sure what he would even have to say...

Decision: Go

The Host

This is a book that I have tried to read many times before, but it's so large and life is so busy that I never manage to get to the end. At one point I owned a copy, though I'm not actually sure where it wound up. It might still be in my old room at my parent's house! Most reviews are pretty strong for this book though, and I'm definitely interested in what Meyer can do outside of Twilight, so I'll try and track down that copy.

Decision: Keep

The Immortal Rules

Yup, another Julie Kagawa series is on the list! This one is an unrelated story to  her Iron Fey stories and world, and  I'm very curious about Kagawa's interpretation of vampires. It doesn't hurt that this book has glowing reviews! 

Decision: Keep

James and the Giant Peach

Wow, I don't even remember adding this to my to-read list! This is such a throwback. The movie came out when I was little and the trailer always creeped me out. I'm kind of shocked I ever thought I was going to read this! I think it's safe to say that I never will...

Decision: Go

Did I make the right decisions?? Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #4

Created by Lia @Lost in a Story

It works like this:

Go to your goodreads to-read shelf.
Order on ascending date added.
Take the first 5 (or 10 (or even more!) if you’re feeling adventurous) books.
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?

My Goodreads TBR currently has 819 books on it, and this post is all books I added in 2012, so I'm really looking forward to cleansing my list!

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1)

This is a huge series that I'm still hearing fantastic things about, so I will definite have to keep this on my tbr list. I'll get there eventually!!!

Decision: Keep

Ten

I honestly don't even remember adding this book to my list, but I read so few horror books that I can't bear to part with this one. Now that we're getting into the winter months I see myself settling down with a  cup of tea and reading this spooky book soon!

Decision: Keep

Tiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga #1)

This might be a bit controversial because I feel like everyone I know ever has read this series, and the cover is soooo gorgeous, but 2012 me was super into prophecies and spells and I'm trying to cut down a bit this overload of fantasy. I found myself not too curious about what curse had to be broken, and that's when I knew this book wasn't making the cut.

Decision: Go

Tiger Lily

Jodi Lynn Anderson wrote one of my all-time favorite books, Midnight at the Electric, and I am definitely reading her Peter Pan retelling before I die.

Decision: Keep

A Touch Mortal (The Sider Series #1)

Eden and Az form some sort of supernatural romance here that cringed reading about, but teen me would have adored this book I'm sure. I just have a quota of how many weird "unique" white people names I can handle and Az was too much for me to handle lol

Decision: Go

Unwind

I actually own this book and it's taken me year and years and years to get to, but one day I WILL read this. The world-building I've heard is amazing. Essentially, abortion is illegal  but between the ages of 13 and 18 a legal guardians can choose to have their child 'unwound' and reduced to organs to be donated. Wild, right?

Decision: Keep

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1)

While having never had this book (obviously) I've seen the cover so often is gives me warm fuzzy feelings for Bookstagram. The plot of leaving an arranged marriage for a pagan sisterhood intrigues me immensely, so it's definitely a keeper!

Decision: Keep

Uglies

I feel like this is yes another series every expect myself has read, and honestly I'm totally fine with things staying that way. I'm sure it's got some heartfelt body image discussions that some people truly need to hear, but by 2020 I personally feel that's kind of beating a dead horse.

Decision: Go

Stormdancer (The Lotus Wars #1)

The description (a child of the Fox clan sent on a quest to capture a Thunder Tiger) reminds me a bit of The Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee, with fox mythology. I'm ~always~ up for more mythology retellings!

Decision: Keep

Shadow and Bone

I've finally made it to a book on my tbr that I added in 2013! It only took going through about 300 books to get through my 2012 tbr list >.<  This is the story of Alina who finds out she has magical powers and is going to be trained to be a member of the Grisha. The goodreads reviews are pretty strong, and this book still makes the rounds on Bookstagram occasionally, so I'll be keeping this one as well.

Decision: Keep

Did I make the right decisions?? Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #3

Created by Lia @Lost in a Story

It works like this:

Go to your goodreads to-read shelf.
Order on ascending date added.
Take the first 5 (or 10 (or even more!) if you’re feeling adventurous) books.
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?

My Goodreads TBR currently has 833 books on it, and this post is all books I added in 2012, so I'm really looking forward to cleansing my list!

Angelfall (Penryn & The End of Days #1)

Set in Northern California, about a warrior angel apocalypse, this book description seems mediocre. I recognized the cover of this book, but couldn't remember why I had added it to my tar list. However, all of my friends have given this book stellar reviews on Goodreads. There must be a reason for all of these 5-star ratings!

Decision: Keep

Bad Girls Don't Die

A high schooler fears here twelve year old sister may be possessed in this novel. There's the typical dysfunctional family, spooky things moving in the house, and the changing of eye colors.  I think I'm going to need a little more from a book than just possession to get me hooked though.

Decision: Go

The Bar Code Tattoo

The story of a girl who breaks societies norms by not getting her identifying bar code tattoo. Become an outcast, and then going on the run, the concept of this book is something at still interests me. Plus, I found it at a yard sale recently to maybe this is a sign that I'll be reading it eventually!

Decision: Keep

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1)

This series is so flipping popular there's no way I can *not* read it. It has a 4.4/5 rating on Goodreads with half a million people rating it! Plus, I love fairytale retellings so I'm really looking forward to this series!

Decision: Keep

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(Don't mind me, I just deleted like 20 books in the middle that all had the same plot. Paranormal girl gets a dream where she finds out she might not be normal *gasps*. I guess I had a type?)

Evermore (The Immortals #1)

After the death of her family, Ever can see the aura's of those around her. She then falls for an "exotic and wealthy" boy. Seriously? He's being described as exotic? People aren't exotic. It seems like almost every friend of mine has read this book in 2013 (after I added it to my TBR) and they all hated it...

Decision: Go 

Did I make the right decisions?? Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #2

Created by Lia @Lost in a Story

It works like this:

Go to your goodreads to-read shelf.
Order on ascending date added.
Take the first 5 (or 10 (or even more!) if you’re feeling adventurous) books.
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?

My Goodreads TBR currently has 854 books on it, and this post is all books I added in 2012, so I'm really looking forward to cleansing my list!

Moon Demon (Daughters of the Moon #7)

I remember my sister and I loving this series back in the day. We read all of the books my library had at the time, and I guess I just never noticed when new books came out (There's 13 apparently). I now don't remember anything about this series except that a group of girls become friend over their shared moon powers (sorta like H20: Just Add Water!).

Decision: Go

Princess Ben

This appears to be a stand-alone fantasy novel, about  Princess Ben(evolence) discovering magic and being under the control of an evil queen. The synopsis itself seems cool, but the writing preview is cringeworthy. She describes herself as not pretty because  she doesn't have big boobs and because no man could "fit his hands round [her] waist".  10 she's super skinny on the cover, and 2) so much for body diversity going hand in hand with body positivity. Ugh pass.

Decision: Go

Shatter Me

This isn't even the cover of the book anymore, that's how long it's been on my TBR. A girl who's touch is fatal, being weaponized by a government that previously imprisoned her for her ability. This series isn't finished yet, but have consistently had good ratings, and the cover with the eyes are gorgeous watercolors.

Decision: Keep 

The Lovely Bones

The story of a family devastated by the gruesome murder of a teenager, told by the teenager. This seems like a compelling read. I know I have this book somewhere on my bookshelves already, and that most of my family has already read it.  I'm not sure why I haven't gotten to it yet, but this has me itching to go pick it up!

Decision: Keep

The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials #2)

I honestly don't remember anything about The Golden Compass, and I know I've read the book and seen the movie. This book is as old as I am, so if the first book didn't immediately compile me to read the next one, I don't think anyone will unless a friend really hypes this book up for me.

Decision: Go

Fire (Graceling Realm #2)

Set in the same world, but essentially a standalone from Graceling,  I'm not sure why I haven't read this already. I own and have read both Graceling (#1) and Bitterblue (#2). A fantasy story with a medieval  setting, as well as special powers AND a badass female, this book seems to have everything I'm looking for in a book.

Decision: Keep

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)

My good friend Erika has been hyping these books since the day I met her all those years ago, and I even own a copy of this book. Shadowhunters in Victorian London?Why have I not read this book that I shelved as Want To Read in 2012? I will right after I finish Cassi Clare's The Mortal Instruments!

Decision: Keep (or Erika might kill me)

Tithe (Modern Faerie Tales #1)

I loved Holly Black's Curse Worker's series, and must have put this on the TBR as it was her only other solo work at the time. One of my friend's review says it's not a book for young reader's which makes me feel a bit better about the time I might take to read this book. While I love YA, I've definitely grown out of Middle Grade books like her Spiderwick Chronicles.

Decision: Keep

Stardust

I don't remember putting this book on my TBR list, but it's written by Neil Gaiman so it's not going anywhere. I love his writing so much, he's never let me down even with his short stories and I'm so excited for this stand-alone book about a boy retrieving a fallen star for the love of his life. Now that I'm reading the synopsis, a vaguely remember watching a film based off of this book!

Decision: Keep

Thirteen Reasons Why

I'm not sure why I ever added this book to my TBR. Maybe I never read reviews about how crappy the message is? I'm not going to read a book that basically says you can blame all of your problems on other people. I refuse to support a boring main character such as Clay, and Hannah convincing all of these people that it's their fault she committed suicide.

Decision: Definitely Go

Did I make the right decisions?? Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #1

Hi everyone! I've seen a lot of blogs do this and I figured my TBR definitely needed to be lightened. This meme was created by Lia @Lost in a Story

It works like this:

Go to your goodreads to-read shelf.
Order on ascending date added.
Take the first 5 (or 10 (or even more!) if you’re feeling adventurous) books.
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?

My Goodreads TBR currently has 866 books on it, and some of them are ancient, so I'm really looking forward to cleansing my list!

Fablehaven

A hidden refuge for magical creatures where chaos breaks out sounds right up my alley, but it's a Children's/Middle Grade series that's 5 books long, and I think the window for me to enjoy it has long closed.

Decision: Go

The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #2)

I remember thoroughly enjoying the first book of this series. That being said, I read the first book of this series in 6th grade and don't remember anything about it. Another middle grade book, but this time about elemental magic.

Decision: Go

Poison Study

This is a fantasy series about a murderer who's punishment is to be a poison taster. Full of poison, magic, and rebellion, this 6 book series just got it's conclusion published in 2017. It's got a 4.15 average star rating on Goodreads and most of my friends have given it 5 stars... and if I wanted to, I could sit and read all 6 this week.

Decision: Keep

Magyk (Septimus Heap #1)

This long 7 book series has been read by most of my friends back in the 2011-2013 era with a spattering of different ratings. This also apparently has a second series which is a trilogy. That's a lot of books to commit two with a 10 year old protagonist, buuuut it's supposedly a fantasy book told  with a lot of humor reminiscent of  tradition British storytelling.

Decision: Go

Moon Called (Mercy Thompson #1)

This is an Urban Paranormal Romance book (looks to be either New Adult or Adult) with what appears to be a love triangle as well. Our MC is a coyote shifter, and many of the folks around her are what go bump in the night. No one I know has read it recently so I'd have no one to talk about it with- I think I've moved past the paranormal romance section of my life.

Decision: Go

Nobody's Princess

Just reading this synopsis got me giddy again! A mythological fiction about Helen of Sparta before she became the famous Helen of Troy everyone loves to hate? Sign me UP! I'm just as obsessed with Greek Mythology as I was when I shelved this book, maybe even more know that I've read most of the famous Greek Tragedies (multiple including Troy).

Decision: Keep

Unearthly

Another Paranormal Romance (this time YA like most of my reads), this 3 book series stars a nephilim (half angel/half human) who just finds out she's has angel dna in her. It looks like another love triangle between a guy who means 'following the rules' and a guy that means 'following her heart'. I don't have the energy for another one of these fate v love paranormal books.

Decision: Go

Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning #1)

I'm not really sure what originally drew me to this series because the covers aren't really my thing and it doesn't look YA. A 25 year old drinking too much invokes a spell that brings her to an ancient time full of magic (and puts her into the body of a mermaid named Undine). Looks like another triangle between a land boy and a merman.  

Decision: Go

Glimmerglass (Faeriewalker #1)

My buddy Erika didn't give this book a stellar review and was already on the fence about it. The MC finds out the the far world exists and that she's the only one who can exist in both worlds (Fae and Human). Fae political shenanigans ensue I'd imagine. Like 30 of my friends shelved it as to-read in the early 2010's and never read it either.

Decision: Go

The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice #1)

I believe this was recommended to me because I enjoyed the Pendragon series, but I'm not 100% sure. The Rangers sound like a fantasy battalion (no magic though) that protect the people from war before the war ever reaches their homeland. Uncle Rick says there is more telling than showing in this book so I'm skeptical.

Decision: Go

Did I make the right decisions?? Let me know in the comments!