Down the TBR Hole #18

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I've done one of these and I think it's about time to jump back into cleaning up my TBR shelves. Goodness knows I've added more than enough to make up for the ones I already purged!

The Down the TBR Hole meme was started by Lost In a Story and it is the most perfect tool for cleaning off shelves that I've come across. Here's how it works:

• 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?

THE BOOKS

WRITTEN IN THE BLOOD BY STEPHEN LLOYD JONES

Okay, first of all, this is a sequel. How did this end up on my TBR? I checked out the first book and apparently it's a "sweeping thriller" that time jumps so... VERDICT: PASS

THE FIRE SERMON BY FRANCESCA HAIG

I've been intrigued by The Fire Sermon for years but somehow I never knew that it was YA. Huh. The synopsis actually sounds really similar to other more recent YA dystopian and science fiction books. Interesting. There's really just nothing jumping out at me that says I NEED to read this. VERDICT: PASS

INK IN THE BONE BY RACHEL CAINE

I actually own a physical copy of this book and I pick it up every now and then, but haven't actually read it. I know tons of people who love this series and I definitely do plan to read it eventually! VERDICT: KEEP

DIGITAL FORTRESS BY DAN BROWN

I've never met a Dan Brown book I didn't like! Keep your judgments to yourself. I'm not sure why I haven't read this one yet, but it's the only one I still need to get to. Maybe I'm keeping it around for when the mood strikes and there's not a new book yet because he takes TEN DECADES between them. VERDICT: KEEP

HOOK'S DAUGHTER BY HEIDI SCHULZ

Hey, a retelling! This does sound cute. Unfortunately middle grade and I really don't get along these days. VERDICT: PASS

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Who is your guilty pleasure author?

Ever find a random sequel in your TBR?

Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #17

Hi everyone! It's time for another edition of Down the TBR Hole! My list is sadly getting longer and longer so I desperately need to keep this feature going and probably more often. Today I have books I totally forgot about and books I can't figure out how they even got there. Let's see how I do!

The Down the TBR Hole meme was started by Lost In a Story and it is the most perfect tool for cleaning off shelves that I've come across. Here's how it works:

• 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?

THE BOOKS

THRENODY BY KIRK WITHROW

I honestly could not even begin to explain what this book is doing on my TBR list. It's a zombie book and I do not enjoy zombie books. I don't think I've enjoyed one since I began this blog, in fact. Add to that that this book is adult fiction and, yeah, no idea what this is doing here. VERDICT: PASS

END TIMES BY ANNA SCHUMACHER

At least this one makes more sense! I went through a dystopian phase just like everyone else in the YA community and I'm actually coming back around to it. Reading the reviews though, it seems like this one might have a little more religion in it for my taste. Oh well. VERDICT: PASS

TOWERING BY ALEX FLINN

Anyone shocked to see a retelling on my list? No? Me either. I've actually never read anything by Alex Flinn, even Beastly. I'm not too sure that this is the one I should start with either based on its pretty low reviews. I actually don't think I've ever read a GOOD Rapunzel retelling. Any suggestions? VERDICT: PASS

MONSTER BY C.J. SKUSE

YA horror!! I somehow have completely forgotten about this book since the time I added to to my TBR list. Do you see that cover? I am getting all the creepy vibes! Several reviews talk about how scary it is so I may just have to pick this up for Halloween. VERDICT: KEEP

AFTERMATH BY TOM LEWIS

Oh look at that, another dystopian book. This one involves aliens instead of the biblical end times and actually sounds like it could be interesting. Too bad it looks like the series was never finished. VERDICT: PASS

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What genres have you never enjoyed?

Have there been any genres you've grown out of?

Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #16

Hi everyone! Here I go again with another edition of Down the TBR Hole! It's always interesting to go back through books I added years ago and wonder what exactly was going on in my brain. This week was an especially mixed bag.

The Down the TBR Hole meme was started by Lost In a Story and it is the most perfect tool for cleaning off shelves that I've come across. Here's how it works:

• 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?

THE BOOKS

THE NOVICE BY TARAN MATHARU

This book got some hype when it was published didn't it? I remember seeing the cover everywhere, but I couldn't have told you what it was about until I read the synopsis just now. Sadly, this really doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy at the moment. I feel like "kid discovers he has powers and goes to school to learn how to use them" is a bit overdone. VERDICT: PASS

BENEATH BY ROLAND SMITH

This book actually sounds really, really good! But why is it middle grade? I try so hard with middle grade books, but I very rarely end up enjoying them. Still, I'm such a sucker for anything with an underground setting! The jury is still out on this, so for now it stays. VERDICT: KEEP

ODD THOMAS BY DEAN KOONTZ

Why did I add this? I've never read anything by Dean Koontz in my life. My best guess is I added it when the movie was being advertised. I saw the movie, I'm not sure I need to read the book. VERDICT: PASS

DIVERGENT BY VERONICA ROTH

I'm so confused about why this is here?? One version says it's on my TBR list and another says I've read it. Which I have. VERDICT: READ

MR. HANDS BY GARY A. BRAUNBECK

This book looks creepy and I'm not even mad at the hideous cover. Unfortunately, the reviews make it obvious that this is another horror book that's also a deeper, emotional story and gets into some very heavy subjects. I don't need deep horror, I just need scares. VERDICT: PASS

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What tropes are played out for you?

What are your SCARY horror recommendations?

Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #15

Hi everyone! I'm back again with another edition of Down the TBR hole. I feel like I need to CONSTANTLY be cutting down my TBR because there are just so many great books coming out! Seriously, I think I add at least a few more every week. Hopefully this time I'll be able to let a few go.

The Down the TBR Hole meme was started by Lost In a Story and it is the most perfect tool for cleaning off shelves that I've come across. Here's how it works:

• 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?

THE BOOKS

IGNITE BY LILY PARADIS

I literally couldn't tell you how this ended up on my TBR list. This is so far from what I would usually read that I'm not sure what I was thinking. Maybe someone hacked my account. VERDICT: PASS

THE WISHING SPELL BY CHRIS COLFER

I'm just going to come right out and say I added this when I was binging Glee and saw that Chris Colfer was the author. No shame. I have avoided it because this series is HUGE. Seriously, the first book alone is almost 500 pages and there are 6 of them. It's also middle grade and I don't tend to enjoy those much. I think I'll have to pass on this for now, but I might pick it up for my niece. VERDICT: PASS

EVEN WHEN YOU LIE TO ME BY JESSICA ALCOTT

So. I added this one while I was watching Pretty Little Liars because I was intrigued by how the author would handle the relationship dynamic. I feel like there was probably a HUGE backlash over this book on Twitter but I wasn't really on Twitter pre-2015, so I missed it. I think I'm going to have to let this one go. VERDICT: PASS

WOOL BY HUGH HOWEY

Why have I put off reading this book for so long? I actually have a physical copy of this and it sounds SO far up my alley, but I've avoided it for some reason. As someone who would definitely buy one of those silo condos just in case the world ends, I really need to pick this up soon! VERDICT: KEEP

PATIENT ZERO BY JONATHAN MABERRY

And here's one I added when zombies were still the big thing. I had recently read The Forest of Hands and Teeth and the Enclave series, so this was an obvious addition to my TBR. Sadly, I am very much over zombies at this point, so I'm going to have to say no to Patient Zero. VERDICT: PASS

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What reading phases have you grown out of?

Do you enjoy middle grade fiction?

Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #14

Hi everyone! It has been awhile since I've done one of these posts, but with yesterday's Top Ten and my ever growing TBR list, it seems like it's time to clear a few out. I hope.

The Down the TBR Hole meme was started by Lost In a Story and it is the most perfect tool for cleaning off shelves that I've come across. Here's how it works:

• 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?

THE BOOKS

EDGE OF END BY SUREN FANT

I don't remember how I found this book, but I know why I added it after reading the synopsis again. It sounds AMAZING. But it has less than great reviews and the people who liked it describe it as "insightful." This is now what I'm looking for in a horror book. I don't need lessons on what the meaning of life is in this kind of read. VERDICT: PASS

THE WITCH HUNTER BY VIRGINIA BOECKER

I'm sure I added this as a result of a Goodreads giveaway, but never got around to actually getting a copy. Witches really aren't my thing, to be honest, although it does sound interesting. Has anyone read this? Is it worth keeping? VERDICT: UNSURE

MAGONIA BY MARIA DAHVANA HEADLEY

This one DEFINITELY got me with the pretty cover. I remember a lot of hype for this book when it was published followed by a lot of lackluster reviews. There are just too many amazing YA fantasy books out there that I really want to read. I think I'm going to have to wait on this one. VERDICT: PASS

THE RULES BY NANCY HOLDER & DEBBIE VIGUIE

I feel pretty sure that Jessica from A Great Read loved this book and that's why it has survived on my list for so long. This book sounds right up my alley and I'm definitely going to get to it eventually. VERDICT: KEEP

DOLL BONES BY HOLLY BLACK

I picked up this book back before I knew who Holly Black even was. It sounds super creepy and I HATE dolls. But it's also middle grade which seems to be more miss than hit for me. VERDICT: PASS

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Do you rely on reviews when you're picking your next read?

Do you prefer books with a deeper meaning to them?

Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #13

Hi everyone! I've been missing around here this week as I prepared for the Star Wars Rival Run 5K, but this seemed like a quick post I could share today! As you read this I'm either running or have already run (and hopefully not died). In sadder news, my TBR is back up to 408. Oops!

The Down the TBR Hole meme was started by Lost In a Story and it is the most perfect tool for cleaning off shelves that I've come across. Here's how it works:

• 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?

THE BOOKS

AFTER THE ENDING BY LINDSEY FAIRLEIGH & LINDSEY POGUE

This book got added because I am a HUGE lover of dystopian fiction and, thanks to a recent look at my Kindle library, I know I also added it because it was free. Unfortunately, reading the description now, I realize this isn't the kind of dystopian I'd actually enjoy. I'm not really into books about viruses ending the world. VERDICT: PASS

KRAMPUSNACHT BY KATE WOLFORD

Krampus is my favorite Christmas movie, so who's shocked this one ended up on my TBR? I don't usually love short stories, but this is a horror anthology all about Krampus and that just sounds awesome! I'm definitely going to be keeping this around to read one Christmas. VERDICT: KEEP

THE WELL'S END BY SETH FISHMAN

I'm not sure what happened here, but I guess I didn't read the synopsis very thoroughly because I somehow didn't know this was another killer virus book. I'm just not into it! I also thought it was horror but... no one shelved it as that. I'll have to skip this one and look for my horror elsewhere. VERDICT: PASS

IN THE AFTER BY DEMITRIA LUNETTA

Oh look, more dystopia! I've noticed I tend to add genres in waves. I think at the time I was adding these I really didn't know what I liked because I am not about viruses or zombies and hey, this is a zombie book! Don't get me wrong, there are good zombie books! I just doubt I'll ever actually pick this one up. VERDICT: PASS

SUCKERS BY Z. RIDER

If you've been reading my blog for awhile you've probably seen me talk about Insylum, which I loved! This was written by the same author, but it's a full length novel and there are vampires! I'm not sure why, but the author never wrote anything after 2015 unless it was under another name. I will probably be reading this soon and crossing my fingers that I love it as much as Insylum! VERDICT: KEEP

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Do you add lots of similar books to your TBR at once?

Have you grown out of genres over the years?

Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #12 & Shelf Purge Giveaway

Hi everyone! Welcome to another round of Down the TBR Hole, in which I attempt to delete some books from my poor, sad Goodreads TBR. The other day I looked and it had crept back up to 400. Whoops! I'm also including a giveaway today!

The Down the TBR Hole meme was started by Lost In a Story and it is the most perfect tool for cleaning off shelves that I've come across. Here's how it works:

• 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?

THE BOOKS

PLEASE REMAIN CALM BY COURTNEY SUMMERS

I read This is Not a Test years ago and LOVED it so much! I never read novellas, but I was dying to know more about what was going on in this world. But at 96 pages, I've never known if it's worth reading. Is it dumb that I have a harder time committing to shorter books? Still, I'm going to keep this one and possibly read it after a reread of book one. VERDICT: KEEP

AN ENGLISH GHOST STORY BY KIM NEWMAN

I very distinctly remember seeing this book in my university bookstore and thinking it looked good enough to add to my list. But also... it's not really the kind of book I enjoy?? I mean, I love horror, but this one has more of a literary fiction vibe. Why did I add this? Did I think it would make me look smarter than what I usually read? All I know is the reviews aren't great and I probably won't ever get around to it. VERDICT: PASS

LANDRY PARK BY BETHANY HAGEN

Landry Park caught my eye with its pitch of Downton Abbey meets The Selection. Those are two of my favorite things and I'm always looking for a good dystopian read! I'm not sure why I still haven't read this. Maybe because I just haven't seen much feedback from my friends. I think I need help with this. Have any of you read it? Is it worth keeping? VERDICT: UNDECIDED

WILDWOOD BY COLIN MELOY

The Wildwood series books are SO PRETTY! But also they're SO LONG! These are supposed to be children's books, right? So why are they all 500+ pages? Is half of it pictures? I've been on the fence about this one since I first spotted it on a bookstore shelf. After browsing some friends' reviews, I think I may just need to give this series the boot. I don't know that I'll ever get around to these. VERDICT: PASS

THE TERROR BY DAN SIMMONS

This is another one I've avoided because it's over four million pages long. Still, this sounds right up my alley and I do want to get around to it one day! I know that there's also a show and there's a very (very) good chance I'll end up seeing that first or instead. VERDICT: PASS

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GIVEAWAY

Today in addition to clearing out my TBR list, I'm also clearing some books from my physical shelves! I'm giving away two sets of three ARCs each to two winners, for a total of six ARCs from the following list. Two winners will be chosen and the first winner to respond will have first dibs. Random swag will also be included! 

You can enter other March giveaways at the March of Books Giveaway Hop!

Must be 18 or have a parent's permission to enter. No giveaway accounts. Ends 3/31/19.

Winners will be contacted via the email within 1 day after the giveaway ends.

If winner does not respond within 3 days, a new winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Do you read novellas?

Do you watch the TV show or read the book first?

Let me know in the comments!