Down the TBR Hole #5

Down the TBR Hole is a blogging meme created by Lost in a Story. You can see my previous post here, and continue reading for my latest attempt at decreasing the number of books on my too-long TBR list.

This is how it works:

• Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf.
• Order by [ascending] date added.
• Take the first 5 books (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous)
• Read the synopses of the books
• Decide: keep it or should it go?

In August I kept nine out of the ten books. Let’s see how I fare this month…

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

I missed out on reading this in high school, but I do still want to read it.

Verdict: Keep

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

A book about reading and family stretched over many years; I’m still very much interested in reading this.

Verdict: Keep

A Short HIstory of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson 

I’m guessing I added this book because I read A Walk in the Woods. The only problem with that is I didn’t enjoy A Walk in the Woods, and although I usually try not to judge an author by just one of their books, in this case I’m not trying very hard.

Verdict: Discard

The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert

I’m more interested in reading this book than ever before.

Verdict: Keep

At Home: A Short HIstory of Private Life by Bill Bryson

Read above.

Verdict: Discard

Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff

This is a biography from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author about a figure I know very little about. It has sort of mixed reviews but I’m looking forward to reading it for myself.

Verdict: Keep

The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey by Rinker Buck

This is another book that has me completely stumped as to why I added it to my TBR – because I really don’t have any interest in reading a non-fiction account of The Oregon Trail. I think I might have been intrigued by the fact that the author took on the journey himself, but it doesn’t interest me anymore.

Verdict: Discard

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

I added this book because Molly Shannon is in the movie, and I wanted to be familiar with the source material before watching the film adaptation. However, I’m not really interested in either anymore, so…

Verdict: Discard

Let’s Pretend THis Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson

As with many books at the very bottom (beginning?) of my Goodreads TBR, I’m not sure why I added this one. The summary sort of sparks my interest now so I think it’s a keeper.

Verdict: Keep

Naked by David Sedaris

One day I will finally read a book by David Sedaris. Will this one be the first? You’ll have to stick around to see.

Verdict: Keep

I have decreased my TBR by four books – and this is officially the most successful Down the TBR Hole post yet! Come back next month as I try to knock a few more books off my TBR list.

Sound off about my decisions in a comment below.