I’ve admired many a TBR cleanup post from other bloggers and have consistently said, “I need to do that!” So, here we go! This is my first ever cleanup post of my goodreads to-read bookshelf. I have a daunting 496 books on my TBR shelf, so this won’t be an easy task, but it’s one I’m excited to start. I know there are some books on there I need to be reminded of so it will prompt me to finally get my hands on them. There are others, however, that I need to expunge from my list and bid farewell. Simply put, it’s never gonna happen.

I’ve pulled up a random number generator and will randomly generate a number between 1 and 496 and go to whichever book is at that number. Without further ado, the first number is…

21

Fall on Your Knees by Anne-Marie MacDonald.

Synopsis from goodreads: “They are the Pipers of Cape Breton Island — a family steeped in lies and unspoken truths that reach out from the past, forever mindful of the tragic secret that could shatter the family to its foundations. Chronicling five generations of this eccentric clan, Fall on Your Knees follows four remarkable sisters whose lives are filled with driving ambition, inescapable family bonds, and forbidden love. Their experiences will take them from their stormswept homeland, across the battlefields of World War I, to the freedom and independence of Jazz-era New York City.”

Well, this isn’t exactly a difficult one. I have actually owned this book for a number of years, once accidentally picking up an additional copy at a library book sale which I then had to donate back to the library. And it’s a rule for me that I won’t get rid of any of my owned books until I’ve actually read them. It’s a pretty popular book and is raved about by many of my friends, as well as having won several awards. Definitely keep.

• KEEP

494

The Last Lumenian by S.G. Blaise

Synopsis from goodreads: “Lilla is fighting on the side of the refugees from oppression. But there is a bigger war brewing on the horizon – the Era War between the two ruling archgods. It threatens not only Lilla’s home world, but everyone else’s in the Seven Galaxies. Enemies must become friends and allies in the desperate race to defeat the archgod before He finds her.”

This is a brand new book I added to my TBR just a couple of days ago, as I entered a goodreads giveaway for it, which is still open if you’re interested and happen to read this post before the 2nd of June when it closes. Honestly, most of the time I remove the books from my TBR shelf to keep it from getting cluttered, but this one is averaging a 4.3 on goodreads and has great reviews and a kickass female lead, so I think I’ll keep it for now.

• KEEP

24

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Synopsis excerpt from goodreads, as if you actually need it: “What’s it about? Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Strong Hate. Harsh Revenge. A Few Giants. Lots of Bad Men. Lots of Good Men. Five or Six Beautiful Women. Beasties Monstrous and Gentle. Some Swell Escapes and Captures. Death, Lies, Truth, Miracles, and a Little Sex.

In short, it’s about everything.”

Thanks a lot, number generator, for outing me immediately on not having read this book yet. I’m sure I’ll get a few *gasps* and a smattering of “how dare you’s?!?!?” But, alas, it is true. So yeah, I’m going to keep this one as well. And this is the part where I figure out I suck at the cleanup. Moving on…

• KEEP

416

Agent Sonya: Moscow’s Most Daring Wartime Spy by Men Macintyre

Synopsis excerpt from goodreads: “This true-life spy story is about the woman code-named “Sonya.” Over the course of her career, she was hunted by the Chinese, the Japanese, the Nazis, MI5, MI6, and the FBI—and she evaded them all. Her story reflects the great ideological clash of the twentieth century—between Communism, Fascism, and Western democracy—and casts new light on the spy battles and shifting allegiances of our own times.”

OMG, I am pathetically bad at this. True story, I don’t remember adding this to my TBR shelf but evidently I only did so in April, which makes me seriously doubt my ability to recall any and all memories. I may or may not be perusing goodreads in my sleep. That being said, this book has a high average on goodreads and looks incredibly compelling so I’m going to have to keep it as well. One more and I’ll go stand in the corner.

• KEEP

AND THE FINAL LUCKY NUMBER IS…

315!!!

Girl Waits with Gun (Kopp Sisters #1) by Amy Stewart.

Synopsis from goodreads: “Constance Kopp doesn’t quite fit the mold. She towers over most men, has no interest in marriage or domestic affairs, and has been isolated from the world since a family secret sent her and her sisters into hiding fifteen years ago. One day a belligerent and powerful silk factory owner runs down their buggy, and a dispute over damages turns into a war of bricks, bullets, and threats as he unleashes his gang on their family farm. When the sheriff enlists her help in convicting the men, Constance is forced to confront her past and defend her family — and she does it in a way that few women of 1914 would have dared.”

Hmm… Once again, I don’t remember adding this. It does look compelling, and from the reviews I can glean that it definitely has its positives. At this moment, however, I just have so much on my plate to read I can’t ever see reaching a place where I’m looking back toward this one. Sorry, but I think you’ll have to be the one to go.

• REMOVE

At least I redeemed myself in the end and was able to let SOMETHING go, but I am still at a grand total of 495.

Check back next Thursday for Episode 2. HAPPY READING, FRIENDS!