Psst. I have a secret. Okay, I have lots of secrets, but I refuse to tell you where the bodies are, so you’ll have to settle for this: I started Goodreads in 2017, and I haven’t touched by Want To Read shelf since.
Well, except to add more books, obviously. Phew, it feels good to get that off my chest. Seriously, though, guys, it’s a mess. There are so many books I don’t remember adding to it and I have no idea what they are.
Not gonna lie, it’s a teensy, little bit depressing seeing some of these books that I added (and sometimes purchased) three years ago and still haven’t read. Follow-through is hard, guys, but buying books is easy (and surprisingly satisfying).
Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is books I’ve added to my TBR and forgotten why, but I’ve decided to spin that just a teensy bit to add just a touch of gamefication.
After all, it’s been a while since I’ve mentioned the Arc of a Scythe series by Neal Shusterman, and when I was thinking about what sort of game I could play with these books, my first thought was I could glean some of them! Why that came to my mind rather than cull … I don’t know. My brain is a vast, mysterious, and confusing thing. So here we are.
*puts on proper cerulean robes and grabs scythe* Let’s get ready to glean!
The Book of Kindly Deaths
One-Line Summary
A little girl finds her grandfather’s old book full of ghost stories, but things go awry when some of its characters start coming to life.
Opening Lines
It was a thick volume with a worn and cracked black cover revealing a golden symbol; a slim rectangle with two circles that sparkled and flickered as if teased by ghostly fingers. Voices whispered from inside the book, a few human, a few not.
Verdict: KEEP
I still want to read this one! Despite having owned it for three years and haven’t actually doing it yet. I did start it once, and while it was in my living room, it caught the eye of several of my family, who also wanted to read it, so the appeal is still there.
Princess of Thorns
One-Line Summary
Romantic fantasy where Sleeping Beauty’s daughter has to fight for her kingdom—literally—while enlisting the help of a handsome prince of a neighboring kingdom to reclaim her throne and save her family.
Opening Lines
I am so terrified that I can’t move, but I love her too much to run, even if I could. Even if there were somewhere to run to, some way out of this cell where Mama and Jor and I have been brought to await our moment to die.
Verdict: KEEP
I was really on the fence about this one, because romance isn’t my thing, and it feels like a pretty heavy romance. I am, however, totally up for this whole warrior badass, revengeful vibe I’m getting from Aurora, which is so different from many other retellings, and I’m really curious about it. Plus, the opening lines and first chapter definitely grabbed my attention!
A Time to Die
One-Line Summary
Parvin Blackwater lives in a world where people have clocks that tell them exactly when they’re going to die, so in a last-ditch effort to leave a legacy, she ends up committing a crime in the eyes of a corrupt justice system and is thrown through “The Wall,” which is supposed to be a death sentence, but there’s much more to it than that.
Opening Lines
At least that’s what they tell me. I wasn’t alive back then—back when life bore adventure and death held surprise. I guess God decided to share the coveted knowledge. Either that, or we stole it from Him. Personally, I think He just gave the world what it thought it wanted: control.
Verdict: GLEAN
While the beginning is interesting, Christian fic is so hit or miss for me (with a lot of miss lately). I love following Nadine Brandes, and I think she’s fabulous, but her other books have been really hit or miss for me, too (Fawkes was more of a hit, and Romanov more of a miss). I think I’ll probably read her upcoming books, just to give them a chance, but I don’t know that I’ll go and read her backlist, especially since this one seems to really push the Christianity thing, and that’s just not my thing.
Child of a Mad God
One-Line Summary
An orphan trapped in a tribe of vicious barbarians decides her only escape is to learn the tribe’s mysterious power, but magic has consequences.
Opening Lines
Verdict: KEEP
Confession: I’ve never read an R.A. Salvatore book. I know. I can feel your disappointment from here. Trust me, my husband is equally disappointed. I actually did buy this book for him last year, so I have no excuse not to read it, since we own both the physical copy and the e-book.
Imagine That
One-Line Summary
Struggling with the aftereffects of World War II and the financial struggles that come with it, eight-year-old Mark retreats into his imagination, where he can be whatever he wants. When the family moves to Massachusetts, he becomes friends with his wealthy, elderly neighbor, whose own imagination rival’s the boy’s.
Opening Lines
Verdict: GLEAN
I think I actually won this in a Goodreads Giveaway, and I started it once, but it just couldn’t hold my attention. I bought it when it was on sale, too. It sounds like an interesting read, but the writing just doesn’t grab my attention, and I keep drifting away from it. I’m going to sideline it for now, but probably come back to it when I have a little more patience and am in the mood to read something slower.
Sugar Skulls
![Sugar Skulls by [M.R. Tapia]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ODAHFaGHL.jpg)
One-Line Summary
Micah wakes sitting next to Death, and through a battle of wits, has to come to terms with his demise by witnessing that of family and friends, corresponding to the nine levels of the Aztec underworld.
Opening Lines
Verdict: KEEP
I’m getting all the Dante’s Inferno vibes from this, and how could I possibly get rid of it, knowing that? I’m actually super curious about the mention of the Aztec underworld. So for now, this gets to stay, in the hopes that I’ll actually read it sooner rather than later.
Hybrid
![HYBRID: A Thriller by [James Marshall Smith]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51C6McbVYoL.jpg)
One-Line Summary
Wolves have successfully been reintroduced to Yellowstone … but then mutilated corpses end up turning up, and Dieter Harmon sets out to track this dangerous hybrid-wolf that was never meant to exist. But soon, the hunter becomes the hunted.
Opening Lines
Verdict: KEEP
I’m still a bit on the fence about this one, since it sounds kind of gory, but I know I go through periods where I just want something dark and brutal and scary to read, so I’m going to leave this here, because it sounds perfect for that. And if I’m honest, with Halloween coming up in several months, I’m probably going to hit that mood sooner rather than later.
Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries
One-Line Summary
A book that peels back the curtain about all the nitty-gritty details that go into making dictionaries, defining words, and all sorts of glorious, wordy goodness.
Opening Lines
A month earlier, I had applied for a position at Merriam-Webster, America’s oldest dictionary company.
Verdict: KEEP
Nonfiction isn’t my thing, and it’s so hard for me to get through, so while I absolutely want to read this, I need to be in a certain mood, and I haven’t had that yet. I also need to have time to read it, because it’s the sort of book that I’d enjoy in short bursts, but not all at once.
Everybody is Awful (Except You!)
One-Line Summary
Stand-up comedian Jim Florentine is a rant-ish memoir talking about horrible people and horrible things, but in a dark, funny way.
Opening Lines
All the rules have changed. Now, people broadcast their lives over the Internet instead of living them.
Verdict: GLEAN
I added this to my list before it came out, because it sounded funny, and I’m always up to read a good rant. I don’t think this ended up being exactly what I hoped for, based on reading the first chapter. It seems like a lot of straight-up ranting about posts on social media and things the author finds stupid, and while I may agree, I didn’t find it particularly funny or enlightening so far, so it’s going to be a pass for me.
Smoke Eaters
One-Line Summary
When dragons rise, the last line of defense is firefighters, and when Cole Brannigan learns he’s immune to dragon smoke, he’s immediately conscripted to the elite force known as Smoke Eaters, where he’s forced to foil a plot to take over the city’s government.
Opening Lines
“Came back” would be more accurate. But these scalies are nothing like the old stories.
They’re worse.
Verdict: KEEP
Another one I added before it came out, because firefighters + dragons = instant win. I just loved the idea of this! Based on the reviews, though, I’m a little on the fence about this one. It seems kind of average. Misogyny, with an over-complicated and hard-to-follow plot/world. Ultimately, I think I’m going to leave it here for now and give it a try when I can get my hands on a copy.
I have a similar track record. You’re not alone. 🙂
My TTT .
Lydia recently posted…Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge: Things I Wish I Were Better At
So glad it’s not just me. xD
It’s funny to go back through our lists! I used my Amazon wish list for my list this week as most of my Goodreads want to reads are from entering giveaways. I should start to clean it up though!!
Donna recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: June 9th
I tried to limit my Amazon lists to just books I can’t get from the library, so I use my Goodreads for “everything else.” xD I love how many ways people have for keeping their lists, though.
At least you got rid of three 😂 and both Glean and Cull are awesome words! I have sooo many books on my TBR too, and I doubt I will read most of them!
Brittany recently posted…OwlCrate May 2020 Unboxing
Hey now, 3/10 isn’t too bad. The way I hoard books, I’m surprised it wasn’t 0/10. Although, to be fair, I think part of that is because I actually own the oldest books on my Goodreads, which makes me more likely to want to read them eventually, since I own them already. It’s skewed. It’s lies, all lies!
I also rarely touch my Goodreads shelf except to add new books. When I really want to find a new book to read, I’ll look at my physical lists, or turn to a book that I’ve heard about recently. Not the book that’s been on my Goodreads shelf for … how many years now?
I also haven’t read a Salvatore book, though I have a copy of the first omnibus to the Legend of Drizzt. CHILD OF A MAD GOD sounds interesting. I need to look that up now!
Crystal recently posted…Black Lives Matter: 12 Fantasy Books by Black Authors
That’s pretty much all the interaction I have with mine, too. Or deleting duplicate copies of books I’ve already read that somehow sneak on there when I’m not looking.
Oooh, there’s an omnibus for the Legend of Drizzt? I might have to look that up. I’ve never read any Salvatore, either, but he’s one of hubby’s favorite authors, so I figured I should probably give him a chance at some point.
Smoke Eaters sounds really good. I’ll have to try that R.A. Salvatore book since I loved his Drizzt books.
I’ve never read any Salvatore yet! But I’m glad to that you liked him. He’s one of hubby’s favorite authors, which is why I want to give him a chance (and because we’re always going to own his books anyway, since hubby has them LOL).
Wait, go back a little. The Want-to-read shelf is supposed to hold only the books you actually have or want to read? I put all the books in there that sound interesting and that I don’t want to forget.
My actual tbr shelf with books I own and still have to read is called Alice and I’m pretty sure I’m terribly behind with grooming it.
I have to admit, Smoke Eaters sounds kinda rad. 😀
Marion @tirilu recently posted…May wrap-up // Welcome to social media
I mean … no? Technically, it can hold whatever makes your little bookish heart sing. Heck, if you can figure out how to do it, you could probably add the souls of your enemies. Who am I to tell you what to do with your shelf?
Pffft, it would be Alice. xD
This was so fun to read! I love how you twisted the topic!
Thank you! I had a lot of fun with it.
I like calling it “gleaning” instead of “culling”! Seems appropriate here. 🙂 I hope you get to go back and read some of these some day! Several of them definitely sound interesting.
Nicole @ BookWyrmKnits recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday ~ Books I’ve Added to my TBR and Forgotten Why
“Gleaning” — I like that. 🙂
Lectrice Vorace recently posted…Ten Books I’m Removing From My TBR
Thanks!
It’s totally on brand for me haha. Now that I’ve actually taken a look at my list (for probably the first time in … pfft … longer than I care to admit), I’ve found some books that I definitely want to get to sooner rather than later that I’d completely forgotten about lol.
Nicely done. Imagine That by Mark Fins seems interesting!
You should read it and tell me what you think so I can decide if I want to read it. xD
I’ve gotten a lot better at gleaning books from my shelf. It used to be SO HARD for me–what I finally want to read this book that I’ve had for six years?! Happy reading (and gleaning)!
Leah recently posted…{Weekly Wednesday Blogging Challenge} Favorite Poems, Short Stories, and Novellas
Ha, that’s what I do every time, too. I’ve really struggled to critically assess am I *really* going to read this book after so many years? And it’s okay if the answer is no, and I can rehome it lol. It’s a skill that requires practice, I think.
I’ve been on Goodreads way longer and have over 3000 books on my “want to read” list, lol. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to tame it!
Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy recently posted…Future Fiction #76: Cover Reveals & Newly Discovered SFF Books
I’m kind of impressed that I haven’t hit 3,000 yet. I think that totally shows how much restraint I have. *puffs out chest*
I think you might just have to call that one a lost cause, m’dear. I’m not sure it’s worth attempting to tame it at this point lol.
I’ve been on Goodreads since 2011 and just recently did my first gleaning. Ha! I managed to get it down to 800 from 1000, but now it’s back up to 1000. Oops. Oh well, it is what it is! Love your twist this week.
Dedra @ A Book Wanderer recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’ve Added to My TBR and Forgotten Why
Wow, that’s a lot of years to go through. And after all that time, you only had 1,000 books on it?! That’s amazing restraint. You deserved to be able to add 200 new books to it. xD Go you!
I never really touch my ‘want to read’ shelf either! It’s kind of just a loose list of things that maybe I want to read or look into buying at some point. I don’t really consider books in my TBR until I actually own them haha. 😀
That’s a great way to look at it! Unfortunately, I have access to two libraries’ Overdrives, and so I have … way too many books at my fingertips. So I use it as a way to keep track of books I want to read, and then anything the libraries don’t have that I want to read goes on an Amazon wishlist to watch for sales and deals. xD
There’s an organization system there … mostly … kind of … sometimes.
Nice list. Here is my TTT.
https://dmhoisington.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/top-ten-tuesday-5/
Danyelle recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday
I’ve gone through my GR TBR a few times. There were so many books I’ve added since joining in 2015 that I ether don’t remember adding, or have lost interest in. I sat at the reference desk one day and went through it during a three hour tour, as we call them. I try not to add too many now so that it doesn’t get unwieldy.
Melissa recently posted…Fandom Quote Friday: Ink and Bone
Oh gosh, three hours? I think I’d have to do it little by little, because I’d probably just lose all will to go on if I did it all at once lol. I’ve definitely curbed how many I add now, but when I first joined several years ago, I added anything and everything. xD
Ha I knew you were going to keep most 😉 Can’t be a Bookwyrm’s Den otherwise 😉
Annemieke recently posted…Cover Reveal | The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani
Wow, am I that predictable? xD I think it would’ve been different if I didn’t own them. I physically own most of the books on this list (because when I started using Goodreads, I put just books I owned on it), and I tend to be reluctant to give up on a book I already bought without at least trying it. I think next time I do something like this, I’ll pull random books from the Goodreads TBR instead lol.