What to do with old "reads" in TBR pile

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

First, let me apologize for the topic name. I couldn't think of anything else. :)

I’ve been digging through my bookshelves lately and I’m running across a lot of books that I have read before but don’t remember them. One good example is Sorcery Rising. I KNOW I’ve read this before. I also know I wasn’t impressed but I can’t remember what happened or why I didn’t finish the series. I stuck it in my TBR-owned pile for a quick read later. Now I’m starting to wonder if I should just rate it and toss it instead of torturing myself by reading it again.

I also noticed I have more than one book in my TBR-owned list that I have only read parts of and I have books that I have read books 1 & 2 in the series but not book 3.

Does anyone have this issue? How did/do you handle it?

[Jason]

This is very interesting topic, and one that I can understand as I have a similar problem.

I find that only the extremes stick out in my memory; i.e. if I hated a book or if I absolutely loved it, I will remember it fairly vividly.

However, if I thought the book was entertaining for the moment, something I'd give 3 or even 4 stars to (I give 4 stars to books A LOT lol), then I can't remember what happened in them. Even if I reread them, some things seem familiar, but for the most part remain forgotten.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

I can remember very little of some of these, I have to think about rating or not...

[[deleted user]]

If you can't remember them I don't think it's fair to rate them. *shrugs*

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Fair enough. :) How about I ship it to you? You read like lighting.

[[deleted user]]

Lol only if you let me ship you some in return

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

MrsJoseph, I rate it based on whether I thought I liked it. I have a 'read it but hazy on the details' shelf. If I don't remember enough to rate, I just mark it 'read.'

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Grant wrote: "Lol only if you let me ship you some in return"

LOL! Deal.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "MrsJoseph, I rate it based on whether I thought I liked it. I have a 'read it but hazy on the details' shelf. If I don't remember enough to rate, I just mark it 'read.'"

Yeah, that's what's going to probably end up happening.

[Janny]

MrsJoseph wrote: "First, let me apologize for the topic name. I couldn't think of anything else. :)

I’ve been digging through my bookshelves lately and I’m running across a lot of books that I have read before ..."

MrsJoseph, that book was fantasy with some extremely non traditional elements - it opened with a norse type culture/young rebellious redheaded woman who crafted knives, climbing a clifftop that had a temple on it; and in so doing, violating a cultural law that set her at risk of her life - it had (also) a power bid by a young wizard, and the Rose of the World - an extremely beautiful woman let loose with the wizard's effects, who has somewhat magical attributes/no man can resist her...does this bring it back for you?

Jude Fisher also writes under two other names:
Jane Johnson, and her book The Tenth Gift which is a cross time/mainstream story that ties into a past - involving a link between village girl abducted by Barbary Pirates, who snatched an entire church congregation from the Cornwall coast and sold them to slavery (a true event). The story links via a book on embroidery patterns, and is a very well done snapshot of the culture clash between Moslem and Christian - impeccably written and researched.

Jude Fisher/Jane Johnson also collaborated under the pen name Gabriel King - with four fantasies set in contemporary times involving cats. The series starts with The Wild Road - it's a lovely supernatural tale, wherein cats travel the ley lines by magic, and are the true guardians of magic, keeping watch on the human realm. The series is gorgeous, and touches on some incredible issues, and has some of the best villains (craftily done/originally motivated) ever; not to mention the cats. Her collaborator is M. John Harrison known best for his sharp, insightful cultural insights and incredibly beautiful prose. The collaborative mix, here, is magic. This series is entirely too little known.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Janny wrote: "MrsJoseph wrote: "First, let me apologize for the topic name. I couldn't think of anything else. :)

I’ve been digging through my bookshelves lately and I’m running across a lot of books that I h..."

Yes!! That sounds very familiar! I remember liking the girl who climbed the mountain (but thought she was a little stupid) and I felt the "most beautiful woman" gig was a little trite. Until I read your summery, all I could remember was the young girl who wanted her blonde hair to look like "fields of wheat" but instead it all turned green with lots of grass. LOL!

[Janny]

MrsJoseph wrote: "Janny wrote: "MrsJoseph wrote: "First, let me apologize for the topic name. I couldn't think of anything else. :)

I’ve been digging through my bookshelves lately and I’m running across a lot o..."

If you'd read on in the trilogy, you'd uncover the reason for the Rose of the World's attribute; but that's likely moot if the story wasn't your cuppa. I think some of the non-traditional elements/unusual magic affoot in that work may have thrown some readers off...each to their particular taste. :)

If this (understandably) didn't tickle you, I high highly recommend The Tenth Gift and the Wild Road series as outstanding works. Our neighborhood book club read The Tenth Gift and raved about it; and the Wild Road was well done and quite engaging.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Janny wrote: If you'd read on in the trilogy, you'd uncover the reason for the Rose of the World's attribute; but that's likely moot if the story wasn't your cuppa. I think some of the non-traditional elements/unusual magic affoot in that work may have thrown some readers off...each to their particular taste. :)

If this (understandably) didn't tickle you, I high highly recommend The Tenth Gift and the Wild Road series as outstanding works. Our neighborhood book club read The Tenth Gift and raved about it; and the Wild Road was well done and quite engaging."

I didn't mind the non-traditional elements at all, I think it was more the writing and the plot. Normally I have no problem remembering what happened in a book I read more than 5 years ago...but the bad ones tend to slip away. I loved Norse, Greek, and Roman mythology as a kid. Had a problem getting into Asian mythology, maybe I should try again, but I digress.