Down the TBR Hole was originally created by Lost in a Story! The point of it is to help cull your reading lists down, or maybe push higher anticipated releases up on your TBR! And maybe you all can help me along the way, and tell me if you’ve loved or hated any of these!
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?
Friends, some of these books are so beloved by so many people. I am actually a little intimidated to get to these. So, I truly need your help this week! Even if it is just prioritizing what to read first!
The Six Books:
➽ The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
I can’t believe I haven’t read this yet, but now JK Rowling is making it so damn hard to want to pick up anything by her. I mean, I feel like I should read this, so I guess I’ll keep it. But please, let me know how you felt about this one!
Verdict: Keep ✅
➽ The Color of Magic (Discworld #1) by Terry Pratchett
Hi, my name is Melanie and I’m ready to turn in my SFF blogging card now. I can’t believe I haven’t read this series, by one of the actual kings of fantasy. But I also know there is no way I’m taking this off my TBR!
Verdict: Keep ✅
➽ Killing Sarai (In the Company of Killers #1) by J.A. Redmerski
Give it to me straight, loves! Does this series hold up in 2018? So many people I know love this series, but I’m scared it might be just based on nostalgia. Let me know, and I’ll keep if you believe it holds up and that I’d enjoy!
Verdict: Delete ❌
➽ The Bourbon Kings (The Bourbon Kings #1) by J.R. Ward
Paloma would personally murder me if I took this off my TBR! Also, I think I will enjoy this one, but like I said last week, JR Ward writes so many dang books! I am up to date with her BDB series and everything that connects to it, but she is really branching out and writing so many other things! But I am sure I’ll love them all, including this series!
Verdict: Keep ✅
➽ Graceling (Graceling Realm #1) by Kristin Cashore
I love this premise and I love this cover. What also holds me back is that people say if you loved The Queen of the Tearling series, you will love this. But I’m seriously down the middle, on the fence, with that entire trilogy. And I blame that comparison for why I haven’t read this book yet. Do you all love this one?
Verdict: Delete ❌
➽ No Rest for the Wicked (Immortals After Dark #3) by Kresley Cole
Oh gosh, I don’t even want to talk about this one, because I feel so much shame. Okay, so I read books one and two and really enjoyed them! But then *covers face in shame* I “accidentally” requested an ARC of BOOK FREAKIN’ SIXTEEN! And I actually got approved and just said, “fuck it” and read it (and really enjoyed it). So now I’m like… am I ever going to go back and read 3-15? Probably not, let’s be real.
Verdict: Delete ❌
Okay, friends, these are the next oldest six books I have on my TBR! Let me know if you love, hate, and/or recommend me to read or trash any of these books! Thank you all so much, and I hope whatever you’re currently reading is five star worthy! 💛✨
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meltotheany 
I LOVED Graceling and its sequel Bitterblue (one of my favorite reads ever) and I was very much not into The Queen of the Tearling. While they do share a couple similarities I felt that Cashore has a better writing style and flow. Not to mention there is an LGBT prince who is awesome. Just my two cents. 😉
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Amanda!! This is the best feedback! Thank you, love! I’m officially keeping Graceling! How could I not with praise like this!? Thank you SO much! Also, you’re the first people to tell me about a LGBT+ prince! Sold, sold, sold! Thank you! And happy reading, love! 💕xx
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I loved Graceling!
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Yayyy! Okay, that’s it! I’m officially keeping that one! Thank you, Tammy! 💕xx
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Yay, now I hope you love it, otherwise you’re coming after me, right?😉
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Hehehe! Never! But I do have a bit higher hopes! 😉 ❤ xx
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I’ve got a bit of an unpopular opinion on this but I didn’t like Graceling at all! I felt that the plot was too predictable, the world was undeveloped, the characters were bland, and I wasn’t a big fan of how she portrayed marriage. But that’s just me, I hope you love it if you read it!!
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No, thank you SO much for this feedback, Kaya! It means the world to me! And you are always valid, babe! I mean.. I had it on the delete list for a reason! Haha! But thank you I hope you’re having the happiest of reading! 💕xx
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Aw, thank you so much! I hope that you’re having a fantastic reading month! Also, your blog is amazing XD
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*blushes forever* 💕xx
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Loved Graceling, but I feel like I’m in the minority here. I haven’t read Queen of the Tearling though, so I’ll pick that up sooner or later.
I totally haven’t read the Discworld series either!! Just added it to the TBR! I’m on the fence with JK Rowlings book though… I keep adding it then removing it from my TBR… I just don’t know if I actually want to try it.
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I feel like this is the post where all my friends tell me about their love for Graceling! Thank you so much for this feedback, love! I am totally keeping it! And if you ever want to s tart and try Terry Pratchett together – let me know and we can buddy read! Happy reading, love! And thank you so much again! 💕xx
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I’m also on the fence about The Casual Vacancy! On one hand, it feels like betrayal not to read anything by JK Rowling, but on the other, I haven’t heard too many good reviews about it…
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I feel you 100% with this comment! (Also, how the heck wasn’t I following you?) If you ever want to be brave with me *gulp* we can buddy read it! Hehe! Happy reading, love! 💕xx
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Yes I would love that! I’ve got a ton of books on at the moment though that I have to whittle down first 😫 and don’t worry, I forgive you 😉
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Yayyy! ❤
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I think I have The Casual Vacancy on my TBR, or at least I use to but I think I might have took it off. I’m on the fence with JK’s other books because I love the Harry Potter series. I’m scared that everything else by her won’t be as good and I’ll be disappointed. “/
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I completely feel you on that, Amber! And if you ever want to buddy read any of her other works, let me know! Happy reading, love! 💕xx
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Oh that would be fun! I love to buddy read! ❤
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Let’s do it this fall, babe! 💕xx
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sounds like a plan to me 😀
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I really liked Graceling! I haven’t read Queen of the Tearling though (or the rest of the Graceling series, I’m testing it like a standalone until I get the nerve to get to book two) ❤❤
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This is that good feedback, LaRonda! Thank you, love! I feel like all my friends are like, “Melanie, don’t you dare delete Graceling!” Hahaha! Happy reading, beautiful! 💕xx
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me seeing you remove Graceling: ↖️ put it back
no but seriously I think you would love it!! it’s one of my all-time favorite series; each book is essentially a stand-alone following a different character, and the character arcs are all the freaking best, I swear. the first one just SCREAMS you to me – Katsa is such a complex and feminist heroine, and the romance is just about the most swoonworthy thing ever [and you KNOW I’m picky]. yeah, the plot is kind of ehhh, but the characters and themes!! just get in your head so much that it’s hard to notice or care. I love every moment in Katsa’s head so much.
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and honestly, I’ve heard kind of consistently eh things about Cormorant Strike, which has kept me super on the fence. I think I’m just so scared of ruining Rowling for myself – I don’t want to think about her twitter persona OR her new releases, honestly.
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This is the biggest mood, love. Did you see the new one got a release date, too? It’s like… JK is honestly out here doing her damnedest to ruin my nostalgia for childhood. Makes it damn hard to pick anything by her up. But thank you for this feedback, baby! ILSYM! 💕xx
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yeahhhhhhhhh. I really wish she hadn’t been so in the public eye because she has not handled it well.
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LMAO! Okay! It is forever safe! Just because of you, my love! A few people on IG yelled at me about and told me to keep it, too! But this comment is truly the best, and you are the best! Thank you, my love! 💕xx
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💕💕 I appreciate you!!
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I loved Killing Sarai but I haven’t finished rest of the series yet. I hope I get back to it someday because I’ve heard pretty good things about the next books.
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This is good feedback, my love! I’m keeping it for sure now! Thank you, babe! 💕xx
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Graceling is a book that I have been wondering about, but haven’t gotten around to getting. Maybe I will one day, haha.
The Casual Vacancy was okay. It took me awhile to actually really get into, but it was interesting.
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Graceling was THE WINNER of this damn down the TBR post! I actually am going to boost it on my TBR because so many of my similar taste friends love it! Thank you, babe! 💕xx
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I’ve only read The Bourbon Kings and I wasn’t that big of a fan. It was like the soap opera Dallas and it was SOO much drama lol
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This is that good feedback that I needed, my love! Thank youuuuuuu! I love you! 💕xx
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I love you always!!
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I loved Graceling when I first read it, but I read it so long ago that I honestly don’t know if I’d feel the same way now.
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This is great feedback! I feel like all my friends really are rooting for it, so it’s for sure staying! Thank you so much, Mel! And I hope you’re having happy reading! 💕xx
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