Aussie Readers discussion
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Help reduce my TBR. Any on my list that you really disliked?
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Mmm I'm hearing you RitaSkeeter. Maybe I shouldn't worry about it lol.
Suzanne wrote: "Mmm I'm hearing you RitaSkeeter. Maybe I shouldn't worry about it lol."I don't think you should worry too much about it Suzanne. Your books are there to enjoy and sometimes the biggest part of that enjoyment is choosing them, so if it gives you pleasure to read about them and add them to your tbr or wish list..then you have at least had some pleasure from them. Its a bit like wandering around a bookshop or library, you know you could never read them all but you still enjoy their company ;)
Why don't you have a lucky dip choice now and again from your tbr, just choose a random book and read it? A bit like the Literary Map :)
Maybe with some of the ones you are accumulating at home and don't really want, you could leave them at a "Book Crossing" location to be passed on to travellers.
http://www.bookcrossers.eu/pages/was-...
Wow! Over 1100 books Suzanne! Good luck with your mission!I can't help too much with the ones to take off - I didn't finish Cloudstreet - the only book I haven't finished for quite a while! And I thought Cicada by Moira McKinnon was fairly ordinary, but I know others have liked it.
Of the ones that I have read and enjoyed off your list (52 of them), my 5 star reads were:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (you MUST keep this one on - it's still my favourite book from the last couple of years!),
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes,
11/22/63 by Stephen King,
The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling (although this won't be to everyone's taste and would very much depend on your mood at the time - don't read while feeling depressed!), and
The Opal Desert by Di Morrissey.
Suzanne wrote: "A little update for you. I didn't take a proper note of my actual number when I started this little idea, but it would have been about 1200. I'm down to 1172. The annoying thing is I grabbed a book..."Maybe what you need to do with your tbr is to prioritise your books and divide it into books you really want to read and those you'd like to read if you had unlimited time (more of a wish list) so it's a bit more manageable.
☼♄Jülie wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Mmm I'm hearing you RitaSkeeter. Maybe I shouldn't worry about it lol."I don't think you should worry too much about it Suzanne. Your books are there to enjoy and sometimes the bi..."
You know what Julie, I think what you're saying is very true.. I will look at the book crossing idea, but it's dawned on me they are there to be enjoyed. Thanks for writing it down for me to read and process!
Kathryn wrote: "Wow! Over 1100 books Suzanne! Good luck with your mission!I can't help too much with the ones to take off - I didn't finish Cloudstreet - the only book I haven't finished for quite..."
Thanks Kathryn, it's funny you mentioned The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society as I'd been umming and arring about it! There are a lot on my list, but it's an enjoyable process which ever way I look at it, but it's been great having all your ideas, so a big thank you!
Carolyn wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "A little update for you. I didn't take a proper note of my actual number when I started this little idea, but it would have been about 1200. I'm down to 1172. The annoying thing is ..."Thanks Carolyn, I had added a wish list a couple of days ago but haven't done anything with it yet, I guess it's another job to do! I definitely have owned books that aren't a priority, but as my Ikea shelf thingy (it's not even a bookshelf) is so inaccessible I'm not able to just grab a book I want. I think I also need to add books cautiously! Even the way you explain the wish list makes sense too :)
I can't view the whole list since I'm on my phone so I'm basing this off others comments.5 stars
Children of Men (dark and disturbing but very well done.
The Book Thief (absolutely brilliant and emotional and beautiful )
Burial Rites (unique and fascinating)
Others
Gone Girl (completely disturbing but absolutely brilliant writing and plotting. Especially strong impact if you don't know the plot twists. Puts the psychological in psychological thriller. I will never read it again but I'm so glad I did)
Paying Guests (blah and slow and DNF at 33%. Not worth it.)
Dragon Tattoo (I think I made maybe 50-80 pages and just was not even close to interested.)
If I can find this thread tomorrow I'll take a look at the whole list from my computer.
Suzanne wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "A little update for you. I didn't take a proper note of my actual number when I started this little idea, but it would have been about 1200. I'm down to 1172. The an..."I guess I view my GR tbr list as a fantasy wish list! I know I'll never get to most of them so I don't mind it blowing out. My real tbr is the stack of paperbacks on my bookshelf etc. and the ebooks on my kindle (most of which are not on my GR list) so I do concentrate on reading those first. You can only read so much (sigh!)
Sarah wrote: "I can't view the whole list since I'm on my phone so I'm basing this off others comments.5 stars
Children of Men (dark and disturbing but very well done.
The Book Thief (absolutely brilliant and ..."
Thanks Sarah for taking a look and having a think :)
Sarah wrote: "I can't view the whole list since I'm on my phone so I'm basing this off others comments.5 stars
Children of Men (dark and disturbing but very well done.
The Book Thief (absolutely brilliant and ..."
Sarah I also think I agree with the last three books you mention.
☼♄Jülie wrote: "Your books are there to enjoy and sometimes the biggest part of that enjoyment is choosing them, so if it gives you pleasure to read about them and add them to your tbr or wish list..then you have at least had some pleasure from them. Its a bit like wandering around a bookshop or library, you know you could never read them all but you still enjoy their company ;)..."Amen sister - that is the best reason for clinging to my TBR pile and shedding my guilt!!!
Thank you!
That's ridiculously well said both Julie and Sally :)
Sally906 wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Your books are there to enjoy and sometimes the biggest part of that enjoyment is choosing them, so if it gives you pleasure to read about them and add them to your tbr or wish list..."Lol! Sally, life's too short to feel guilty about doing things we love...if it doesn't harm anyone (and by that I don't mean annoy someone just by its presence) then it is harmless fun.
No need to give ourselves needless guilt trips!
The only books here I've read/skimmed and wouldn't recommend are:* Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops. I skimmed this in a bookshop, and... let's just say I'm surprised it was even published. I wouldn't waste my time.
* Angela's Ashes It's brilliant and all, but horribly, horribly depressing. I don't think I would have missed anything if I hadn't read it.
I'd definitely recommend The Ocean at the End of the Lane, The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon, and The Flight Of The Maidens.
Thanks Susan. The first one I added as a whim so that's easy for me to loose, and as for the second, I've just struggled through another dark one and didn't like the depressive nature, so that's good advice for me too ;) Thanks for your suggestions and talking the time!!
I enjoyed Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops but that could be because of my library background and the fact that many of the questions got asked there too!!!One example of a question a customer asked: “Did Anne Frank ever write a sequel - I really enjoyed her first book?”
My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The writer has a blog where she posts this things - and she turned her blog posts into the book. I think there is a second one out now - but haven't read it.
☼♄Jülie wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Your books are there to enjoy and sometimes the biggest part of that enjoyment is choosing them, so if it gives you pleasure to read about them and add them to your..."Agree. That is why I never feel guilty about not finishing a book that is not engaging me and that I am not enjoying.
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One example of a..."
That customer didn't think, did she/he??????
I'm down to 1100 - it's easy with the Wishlist. I'll keep going.
Sally906 wrote: "I enjoyed Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops but that could be because of my library background and the fact that many of the questions got asked there too!!!One example of a..."
Haha! sounds like a good read Sally :)
hated and DNF The Slap very disappointed as I thought the premise was excellent
Also thought Gone Girl wasn't as good as all the hype suggested
Didn't enjoy The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo although I did finish it but chose not to read the following 2 books
Hows your culling going?
Also thought Gone Girl wasn't as good as all the hype suggested
Didn't enjoy The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo although I did finish it but chose not to read the following 2 books
Hows your culling going?
Hi Jen, thanks for giving me your opinion. Well.. It seems as I was the last person on the earth to work out what the wish list is for... So really, it's just a matter of having some hours to sort books properly, and then even cull more off the wish list and delete completely. Some of the other comments you'll see are very interesting though, and I agree wholeheartedly, it's an enjoyable pastime looking at the books and enjoying seeing them all there. Do you know how many people hated The Slap?! I added it to the Wish List as it piqued my interest, and I actually bought it for my dad. I don't think he's read it yet. Tattoo has gone from mine too. Thanks again for taking the time :)
Hi Suzanne, I would remove the following:The Crane Wife
The List of my Desires
Beach Road
Second Glance
I gave these all three stars and wouldn't bother to recommend them.
Hope this helps and happy culling.
Thanks Tracey, the second one you'd mentioned I thought I'd never heard of, so I must have taken it off already, I removed one, and two were moved to my wish list. It's funny how I add books, Beach Road for example was on my holiday house bookshelf, these books don't need to make it to my TBR! The Wish list is really helping too.
Great to hear, it's a wonderful feeling to get everything organised the way you want it :-)
Just thought I'd casually mention I'm down to 1000 ;) That's down by 200. Not bad..
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Brenda you know me too well ;) Unfortunately it's one or the other - but I enjoy both really. My GR personal reading challenge isn't liking it though, I think I over reached on that one!
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Down to 900 that's it for a while! Any suggestions please feel free to say. Also, thanks guys for the wish list idea..
I'm now down to 790, just came across a good hint in this thread from AR:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Everyone should do it, I had 43 duplicates ;)
Thanks Brenda!
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43 duplicates, wow, that's insane! Well done getting your list down to 790, now the trick is not to add anything unless you're absolutely sure you want to read it. I usually spend a min of 15-20 mins reading other reviews or checking out the author's site etc. before I decide I want to read their book and add it to my TBR.This is a screening process of sorts and guarantees I read very few 'duds'.
It was a lot wasn't it Tracey. I think part of my problem is I do a lot via my iPhone. I'm still adding things too quickly though!
I've created a 'maybe' list, so if I haven't decided to add it to my TBR list yet, I can add it to my maybe list and come back and take a look when I have more time. Works really well for me and doesn't stuff up my bookshelves etc.
Hey Suzanne, I just noticed you went from 790 and are now back over 1000, lol!
Wow - I don't feel so bad about my to-read shelf now, I'm worried if I look too close at your list I'll just end up increasing mine. You have a lot I haven't read, so can't give opinions on most of them.All I can suggest is that you read more :)
Trace, I created the wish list. It's a bit nutty, but I'm not worried any more about the total. I'm not scouring my good 2nd hand shops, nor asking for books that are in my list at the next AR meet up. Mikana good idea on both suggestions ;)
Aussie Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
The List of My Desires (other topics)Second Glance (other topics)
Beach Road (other topics)
The Crane Wife (other topics)
The Slap (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jojo Moyes (other topics)J.K. Rowling (other topics)
Mary Ann Shaffer (other topics)
Di Morrissey (other topics)
Stephen King (other topics)
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So I do have a long way to go!