Cleaning Up My TBR With a Giveaway (US Only) - Down the TBR Hole #31

This meme was started by Lost in a Story.  Here is 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?

Because I have so many to do, I'm going to try to do this weekly, and do 10 at a time.  Although last week Reese's Reviews did 20, so maybe I'll try 20 this week?  I mean I have thousands of books to go through on my Goodreads TBR list.


1.   The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark:

I gasped, or tried to. My mouth opened, but I couldn’t draw breath. His lips, pearly wet, parted and he blew into my mouth. My lungs expanded beneath his weight. When I exhaled he sucked my breath in and his weight turned from cold marble into warm living flesh.

Since accepting a teaching position at remote Fairwick College in upstate New York, Callie McFay has experienced the same disturbingly sensual dream every night: A mist enters her bedroom, then takes the shape of a virile, seductive stranger who proceeds to ravish her in the most toe-curling, wholly satisfying ways possible. Perhaps these dreams are the result of her having written the bestselling book The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers. Callie’s lifelong passion is the intersection of lurid fairy tales and Gothic literature—which is why she’s found herself at Fairwick’s renowned folklore department, living in a once-stately Victorian house that, at first sight, seemed to call her name.

But Callie soon realizes that her dreams are alarmingly real. She has a demon lover—an incubus—and he will seduce her, pleasure her, and eventually suck the very life from her. Then Callie makes another startling discovery: Her incubus is not the only mythical creature in Fairwick. As the tenured witches of the college and the resident fairies in the surrounding woods prepare to cast out the demon, Callie must accomplish something infinitely more difficult—banishing this supernatural lover from her heart.
 
My thoughts:
Oooh, this one sounds like pretty unlike anything I've read. 

Verdict: Keep



2.  My Life as Laura:  How I Searched for Laura Ingalls Wilder and Found Myself by Kelly Kathleen Ferguson:

Kelly Kathleen Ferguson needed to know-was connecting with her lifelong heroine the key to knowing herself? She decided to find out. Kelly donned a prairie dress and retraced the pioneer journey of Laura Ingalls Wilder. From Wisconsin to Minnesota, South Dakota to Missouri, she explored Laura's past and her own. Part travelogue, part memoir and part social commentary, My Life as Laura shows how a relationship with a pioneer girl who lived in little houses long ago can give a sense of purpose for today. Judy Blunt, author of the national best seller Breaking Clean, says My Life as Laura is "Hilarious, perceptive and true, a homespun story as genuine as the ones that inspired it."

My thoughts:  
I read a book kind of like this, and I think it would be fun to go travel and see all the different places she lived.  But I don't know that I'll actually take the time to read this title.  I might be past this type of memoir for now.

Verdict:Toss




3.  Finding Fiona by Emily Ann Ward:

The victim of a brutal attack, Fiona remembers little about her life until she meets someone who claims to be from her past. He tells her that her parents were killed for a human replication machine. He's shocked to discover she's still alive since her body was found in the wreckage of the fire.

She soon travels to her old home in New York to figure out what happened to her and her family. She needs to find out who she is, but more importantly, confront the men who killed her parents.

This coming-of-age scifi novella is full of mystery, action, and romance. It's a perfect weekend read.
 

My thoughts:  
Hmm, not so original. 

Verdict: Toss



4.  Meany  by Peazy Monellon:

Six year old Jenny Barnes wakes up from night terrors only to find out that ghosts are real and there’s no such thing as safe.

She lives in a two hundred year old farmhouse with her large family, but they’re not alone. There’s a malevolent presence up in the attic and the forest surrounding the farm is alive with folks who just won't stay dead. Worse is the fact that the cattle have developed a taste for murder and are threatening to stampede. Well…that, and the fact that it seems her own father is trying to kill her.

All Jenny wants is a childhood--a few moments playing in the sunny yard with her sisters. To get one, all she'll have to do is survive.

And as Eddie, the one farmhand who’s on her side notes, “this old place is going over.”

Will anyone get out of there alive?
 
My thoughts:
Could be creepy.  Would probably make a good horror movie.  But doubt I'll get around to it.

Verdict:Toss

5.   I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella:

I’ve lost it. :( The only thing in the world I wasn’t supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It’s been in Magnus’s family for three generations. And now the very same day his parents are coming, I’ve lost it. The very same day! Do not hyperventilate, Poppy. Stay positive :) !!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents . . . she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.
  
My thoughts:
Love this author, and this one sounds like one I still need to read!

Verdict: Keep



6.  Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island by C.K. Volnek:

'Twelve year-old Jack Dahlgren must face his fears to save his family from the ancient evil curse haunting Roanoke Island, stopping it before it destroys him.'

In 1587,121 colonists disappeared without a trace from Roanoke Island, leaving behind not only unanswered questions, but a terrifying evil.

Life on Roanoke Island, North Carolina isn’t what twelve year-old Jack Dahlgren expected. Not only does Dad treat him like a baby, but Dad also blames him for his little sister’s accident. And to top it off, no one at school wants to get to know the new kid who lives in the ‘haunted house’. Could things get any worse?

Jack’s about to find out it can. Inside a mysterious cave on the bluff next to Jack’s new home, a terrifying evil awaits—the very demon from the malevolent curse surrounding the mysterious disappearance of the Lost Colony. Now, it’s up to Jack to unravel the four-hundred year-old mystery and save his family from the devil tormenting his island. With the help of an elusive Giant Mastiff and new-found friend, Manny, a Native American healer, Jack must discover what this monster is and find a way to put an end to its eternal hatred. But can he defeat it, before it destroys him?

My thoughts:
Hmm, I am always curious about this mysterious bit of history.

Verdict:  Keep


7.  Glitch by Heather Anastasiu:

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

My thoughts:  
Hmm.  Kind of sounds good.  But also not sure if I'll ever get around to it.

Verdict: Toss


 8.  Butter by Erin Jade Lange:

A lonely obese boy everyone calls "Butter" is about to make history. He is going to eat himself to death-live on the Internet-and everyone is invited to watch. When he first makes the announcement online to his classmates, Butter expects pity, insults, and possibly sheer indifference. What he gets are morbid cheerleaders rallying around his deadly plan. Yet as their dark encouragement grows, it begins to feel a lot like popularity. And that feels good. But what happens when Butter reaches his suicide deadline? Can he live with the fallout if he doesn't go through with his plans?

With a deft hand, E.J. Lange allows readers to identify with both the bullies and the bullied in this all-consuming look at one teen's battle with himself.

My thoughts:
While I still think I will read this one, it is in my school library, so I don't think I need it on my Goodreads TBR to remember.

Verdict: Toss


9.  Archon by Sabrina Benulis:

Angels and demons do battle for a girl possessed by the spirit of a powerful, dead angel in this fabulous paranormal debut by Sabrina Benulis. Archon is the first of the Books of Raziel, a truly fantastic and very hip new take on heaven’s warriors that readers of the angelic novels of Danielle Trussoni, Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Alexandra Adornetto are sure to adore. Archon is new wave urban fantasy, a tale of the supernatural that brilliantly blends passion, obsession, horror, and suspense in a way that will appeal to dark fantasy fans and paranormal romance readers equally. Sabrina Benulis’s angels are creepy, sexy, and totally awesome—and, like Anne Rice’s amoral, ambiguous, and addicting vampires, they will seduce and terrify you at the same time.

My thoughts:
Sounds like too much of other things.  I also haven't read a lot of angel stories lately, leaving those to my favorite authors like JLA.

Verdict:  Toss


10.  Bacterium by Nathan Pennington:

Their baby daughter suffocates in their arms. A mysterious illness takes her life almost instantly. Then, Derek Silverman and his wife find their city littered with dead bodies. No survivors anywhere. For an unknown reason, only they are alive.

Using an amateur radio, Derek tries to reach anyone who will answer him.

That is his biggest mistake.

The perpetrators of the global pandemic receive the radio transmission and dispatch killers. Almost too late, Derek and his wife realize an unknown group caused this and will stop at nothing to kill them too.

They are now on the run for their lives in a human-less world.

My thoughts:
There was a time t his was what I read.  Now, don't know that I'll really want to read it.

Verdict: Toss


11.  Sugar Rush by Donna Kaufman:

Devil's Food...Angel Cake...Red Velvet...Praline Crunch...Lemon Chiffon...
How's a woman to choose?
Luckily, the members of the Cupcake Club are about to taste it all...

When baker extraordinaire Leilani Trusdale left the bustle of New York City for Georgia's sleepy Sugarberry Island, she didn't expect her past to follow. Yet suddenly, her former boss, Baxter Dunne, aka Chef Hot Cakes, the man who taught her everything pastry, wants to film his hit cooking show in her tiny cupcakery. The same Chef Hot Cakes whose molten chocolate brown eyes and sexy British accent made Lani's mouth water and her cheeks blush the color of raspberry filling - stirring all kinds of kitchen gossip, much of which Lani wished was true...

Lani's friends are convinced that this time around, Baxter is the missing ingredient in her recipe for happiness. But convincing Lani will be a job for Baxter himself. And he'll need more than black velvet frosting to sweeten the deal...

Recipes included!


My thoughts:
The cover makes me hungry for a cupcake.  And it still sounds like one I'd want to read.

Verdict:  Keep

Final Thoughts:
Keeping three again this week out of the ten, still more gone than kept! Have really started unpacking.  Have a lot of books I'm going to take to Half Price bookstore.  Picture:

Once again you can see that I may have dropped some, but you can also see how many I've added during the week as well because I'm also pointing out how many books are on my Want to Read list on Goodreads each week.  This week, after taking these 7 off, I have 3,172 books listed now, and last week I ended with 3,170. I know I added some after looking at some Can't Wait Wednesday Posts this week.

Have you read any of these?  Would you suggest I keep any I'm tossing?  And if you're inspired to do this on your blog, please feel free to join in and share a link in the comments, since it will also get you an extra entry into my giveaway at the bottom of this post.      
 

Giveaway:
Once again this is a US only giveaway, unless you are International and see a book here you really want and would be willing to pay for the difference in the shipping through Paypal or some other way.  This week I'm upping the prize, you get to pick any two books from the pictures below, as long as they don't get traded away, or picked by last week's winner, and I will pick a surprise book from the piles to add to your choice.  Here are your choices:   

2018 ARCs:

2017 ARCs:

I'm continuing to add in my early 2019 ARCs now.  You can pick one of your two choices from the picture below, the other book you pick needs to come from the pictures above.

Once again I'm going to let you pick two, along with me throwing in a surprise third book!  Just enter the Rafflecopter below.   Disclaimer:  Unfortunately, while I've only had it happen once, I'm going to have to make a statement like other giveaways I've seen on blogs that I am not responsible for lost mail. 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cleaning Up My TBR: Down the TBR Hole #5 with Giveaway

This meme was started by Lost in a Story.  Here is 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?

Because I have so many to do, I'm going to try to do this weekly, and do 10 at a time.


1.  The Continuity Girl by Leah McLaren:

Meredith Moore: reluctant daughter, devoted friend, flawless continuity girl, raging sperm bandit.

Meredith Moore is the perfect continuity girl. An on-set film script supervisor, it is her job to make sure every frame of the picture is consistent with the one before. She is the error catcher. The needle-in-the-haystack finder. A cigarette in the left hand when it should be in the right, a prematurely melted ice cube in a half-empty glass of Scotch, a stray lock of an actor’s hair—these are the details by which she measures out her life.

But when Meredith wakes up on the morning of her 35th birthday yearning for a baby, her personal sense of continuity is thrown into flux. Determined not to marry, she impulsively flees to London to reunite with her eccentric single mother and accept a new job on a well-known producer’s film set. Her covert plan: to become a Sperm Bandit and find an unsuspecting donor to father her child.

Navigating London’s murky social waters, Meredith is thrown into a strange new story, one that quickly spins out of control. In her quest to get pregnant on her own terms, she will accidentally uncover a web of secrets that will change the way she envisions both her working life and the nature of love.

My thoughts:  
Hmm, this sounds like one I might still enjoy.  Haven't seen it around a lot lately.  Afraid if I take if off the list I won't remember it.

Verdict:  Keep


2.  The Second Assistant:  A Tale from the Bottom of the Hollywood Ladder (Lizzie Miller #1) by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare:

A fast-paced, breezy read about life at the bottom of the Hollywood food chain

No political science degree could ever prepare Elizabeth Miller for her new job as a second assistant at The Agency, whose clients include everyone you’ve never met—but you know who they’re sleeping with. A former congressional intern in Washington, Lizzie made a bid for a life change that landed her a job a world away, where ethics and First Amendment debates take a backseat to pleading the Fifth for Ritalin-snorting boss Scott Wagner. He’s the hottest young agent in Hollywood, who devotes his days to playing online poker—that is, when he’s not closing a $30 million deal for one of his AAA-list clients. And while getting six-hundred-dollar highlights from Cameron’s colorist or organizing the strippers for George’s birthday party come close to causing heart failure for this East Coast girl, the real dangers lurk elsewhere. 

But Lizzie is a  survivor, and no Machiavellian assistant, lecherous producer, or power struggle at The Agency can douse her nascent dreams of climbing up the Hollywood ladder. But first she has to run down to the Coffee Bean to pick up that triple espresso, or Scott is going to throw something.... 

My thoughts:
I talked about book 2 last week, not sure why that was put on my list before book 1.  Weird.  Since I own a copy of this, I'll keep it on the list.

Verdict:  Keep 


3.  The Goddess Rules by Clare Naylor:

Here’s the delightful new novel from Clare Naylor, whose sleeper hit Dog Handling was one of Cosmopolitan’s Best Beach Reads for 2002. Fresh and fun, The Goddess Rules is an outrageous, wry, and razor-sharp portrait of a girl who thinks her life is just fine–until she meets a woman who swears by the belief that life is meant to be fabulous. 
When obsessed pet owners have pooches or kitties they want immortalized on canvas, Kate Disney is the artist of choice. From her shed (which doubles as a studio and apartment) in London’s Primrose Hill, Kate caters to the whims of the rich and famous while herself living a decidedly bohemian existence. The problem is, she has a tendency to cater to her on-again, way-off-again boyfriend as well. Jake is so erratic, that most of her friends don’t understand why she even bothers. But it’s hard to fall out of love with a man who writes her songs and calls her “Angel”–even if he disappears for weeks at a time. 

Luckily for Kate, Mirabelle Moncur isn’t buying any of that claptrap. Mirri was an actress, a legend in her time. Now, at age sixty, she’s given up on fame and men and lives in Africa, where she raises lion cubs. But her reclusive nature has done nothing to dull her beauty, mar her incredible figure, or dampen her outrageous joie de vivre.

After sweeping into London to have Kate paint a portrait of her favorite cub, Mirri seizes hold of Kate’s life–from the baggy wardrobe to the hopeless taste in men. Under Mirri’s tutelage, Kate learns to dance on tables with abandon, drink like a dockworker, and flirt like a goddess. And when her old friend Louis reenters the picture, she begins to see things in a whole new light. But Mirri has secrets that hint at a less than divine future. Now it’s Kate’s turn to teach Mirri a thing or two about life, love, and being fabulous.
 
My thoughts:
I guess I probably added this one because the author is one from the last book I have on the list.  That is something I tend to do, go add authors that I've either read one book by, or ones that sound good.  This one sounds like a bit more of women's fiction as opposed to the chick lit I used to like or the romance I'm into now. 

Verdict:  Toss


4.  Everything Nice by Ellen Shanman:

Super-slick, super-independent, Michaela "Mike" Edwards is a lady going places. Or so she thinks. Once unexpectedly fired, her career as a young advertising hot-shot is over just like that. Before long she's doing the unimaginable: moving back in with her widowed father to help make those pesky ends meet - it's clear she needs to rethink her life. Maybe she should start with trying to unravel those complicated feelings she's been having about her best guy pal, Aussie journalist Gunther...?

A few wrenching twists of fate later and Michaela has a new job and a reinvention she never expected. But there are more surprises to come. It seems fate won't be finished with her until she finally realises going places in life doesn't always have to mean going it alone...  

My thoughts:
I don't remember this one being added.  But it does sound like one I would still enjoy reading some day. Again, it's not a big name author, so I'd hate to delete it and forget about it.

Verdict:  Keep


5.  The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham:

At the age of eighteen, in that first golden Oxford summer, Milly was up for anything. Rupert and his American lover, Allan, were an important part of her new, exciting life, so when Rupert suggested to her that she and Allan should get married to keep Allan in the country, Milly didn't hesitate.

Ten years later, Milly is a very different person and engaged to Simon—who is wealthy, serious, and believes her to be perfect. Milly's secret history is locked away so securely she has almost persuaded herself that it doesn't exist—until, only four days before her elaborate wedding. To have and to hold takes on a whole new meaning when one bride's past catches up with her and bring the present crashing down.

With her trademark style of keen insight, and razor sharp wit, Madeleine Wickham introduces her fanatical fan-base, plus a host of new readers to a fresh and irresistible heroine in The Wedding Girl.   

My thoughts:
So, this is Sophie Kinsella's other name she writes under, and this is definitely one that sounds good still.  So I think I'll keep it on my TBR because I really don't want to forget this is one I want to read, because some of the others she's written under this name are ones I'm not interested in.

Verdict:  Keep 


6.  Impossible by Nancy Werlin:

Lucy is seventeen when she discovers that she is the latest recipient of a generations-old family curse that requires her to complete three seemingly impossible tasks or risk falling into madness and passing the curse on to the next generation. Unlike her ancestors, though, Lucy has family, friends, and other modern resources to help her out. But will it be enough to conquer this age-old evil? 

A beautifully wrought modern fairy tale from master storyteller and award-winning author Nancy Werlin. Inspired by the classic folk ballad "Scarborough Fair," this is a wonderfully riveting and haunting novel of suspense, romance, and fantasy.  

My thoughts:
Gah!  Most of my books I'm looking at this week are ones that I think I want to keep on the list!  This one definitely sounds like one I want to read some time.

Verdict:  Keep



7.  The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton:  A True Story of Contioned Twins by Dean Jensen:

The true rags-to-riches-to-rags tale of conjoined twins--their journey from freak-show notoriety to vaudeville stardom to movie celebrity, and their heart-wrenching descent back into poverty.

A richly detailed account of the romantic adventures of these attractive and accomplished young women who were at the epicenter of one of the most celebrated sex scandals of 1930.

Chronicles the hurly-burly history of American entertainment from the turn of the 20th century through the 1950s. 

Illustrated throughout with rare black-and-white photographs.  

My thoughts:
This is one that is a topic I'm always curious about.  I think it is something that some day I will want to read.

Verdict:  Keep


8.  A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans:

From the bestselling author of Going Home, which Sophie Kinsella hailed as “fabulous,” comes a novel sure to touch and delight anyone who believes in love.

Laura Foster is a hopeless romantic. Her friends know it, her parents know it—even Laura acknowledges she lives either with her head in the clouds or buried in a romance novel. It’s proved harmless enough, even if it hasn’t delivered her a real-life dashing hero yet. But when her latest relationship ends in a disaster that costs her friendships, her job, and nearly her sanity, Laura swears off men and hopeless romantic fantasies for good.

With her life in tatters around her, Laura agrees to go on vacation with her parents. After a few days of visiting craft shops and touring the stately homes of England, Laura is ready to tear her hair out. And then, while visiting grand Chartley Hall, she crosses paths with Nick, the sexy, rugged estate manager. She finds she shares more than a sense of humor with him—in fact, she starts to think she could fall for him. But is Nick all he seems? Or has Laura got it wrong again? Will she open her heart only to have it broken again?  

My thoughts:
This definitely sounds like one I'd still be interested in reading at some time.

Verdict:  Keep



9.  Shelf Monkey by Corey Redekop:

Thomas Friesen has three goals in life. Get a job. Make friends. Find a good book to curl up with. After landing a job at READ, the newest hypermegabookstore, he feels he may have accomplished all three.All is not peaceable within the stacks, however. Discontent is steadily rising, and it is aimed squarely at Munroe Purvis, a talk show host whose wildly popular book club is progressively lowering the I.Q. of North America.But the bookworms have a plan. Plots are being hatched. The destruction of Munroe is all but assured. And as Thomas finds himself swept along in the maëlstrom of insanity, he wonders if reading a book is all it’s cracked up to be.If you’ve ever thrown a book against a wall in disgust; if you’ve ever loved a novel that no one else can stand; if you obsess over the proper use of punctuation; this may be the novel for you. A weirdly funny story about bookish addictions, Shelf Monkey is the ideal novel for anyone who loves good books. Or hates them.  

My thoughts:  So, I think I chose this one because of the character working at a bookstore, like I do.  However, it just doesn't appeal to me anymore really.

Verdict:  Toss



10.  The Lake House (When the Wind Blows #2) by James Patterson:

The memorable story begun in When the Wind Blows continues in this thrilling novel, and it's one that really soars! Frannie O'Neil, a Colorado veterinarian, knows a terrible secret that will change the history of the world. Kit Harrison, an FBI agent under suspension has seen things that no one in his right mind would believe. A twelve-year-old girl named Max and five other incredible children have powers we can only dream of. These children can fly. And the only place they will be safe is the Lake House. Or so they believe...   

My thoughts:  
So, I read the first book and liked it.  However since this is a big name author, and big series, I think it's one I don't need to keep on my list on Goodreads.

Verdict:  Toss



Only getting rid of 3 books this week.  Have you read any of these?  What do you think about my choices to keep or toss?  


Giveaway:
 Last week I did this giveaway on Sunday, but then I got to thinking, it kind of goes with cleaning my TBR off.  While this blog post is for what is on Goodreads list, this giveaway will help me clear off my actual shelves.  So, I think once a week, whenever I do this post, I'm going to give away a couple books from my Books for Trade pile.  The picture below is what I currently have, although between this post and next Friday, the ending day, that may change by one or two. But I'll let the winner know when I email them.  You will get to pick one book, and I will add one other one of my choice to mail to you.  Unfortunately this is going to be US only giveaway.  :-(  I can't figure out how to do international without spending a ton on postage.  I mean if you really wanted the books, I guess you could send me the money through Paypal to cover the difference between shipping in the US and International.  But otherwise, I can't afford to do it.  Here are the books:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway