TBR Cleanse – Kick or Keep? Pt. 6

I was going to say that I’m half way through this TBR cleanse but then I realized I did my math wrong and I’m no where close to half way through. Yikes. It’ll probably be 2019 by the time I’m finished with this series.

Here are the rules to the “cleanse”:

1. Choose the first 10 books in your TBR list.
2. Read the blurb.
3. Decide whether to keep it or “kick” it out of the list.
4. Repeat with the next 10 books every week until you go through the whole list.

(All the blurbs were taken from Goodreads.)

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Blurb: My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Verdict: Keep. I’ve never watched the movie adaptation of this because I wanted to read the book first. I just never got around doing it but I hope I will soon.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Blurb:  You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

My name is August. I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.

August Pullman wants to be an ordinary ten-year-old. He does ordinary things. He eats ice cream. He plays on his Xbox. He feels ordinary – inside.

But Auggie is far from ordinary. Ordinary kids don’t make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. Ordinary kids don’t get stared at wherever they go.

Born with a terrible facial abnormality, Auggie has been home-schooled by his parents his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, he’s being sent to a real school – and he’s dreading it. All he wants is to be accepted – but can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, underneath it all?

Verdict: Keep. To be completely honest, this isn’t too high up on my TBR because I don’t read middle grade anymore, but if I ever need something cute, light, and wholesome, I think I’ll pick this one up.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Blurb: Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Verdict: Kick. I’ve tried to read this, but it’s just not up my alley.

Calamity by Brandon Sanderson

Blurb: (This is the third book in the Reckoners series so if you don’t want to be spoiled I suggest you skip this blurb) From the bestselling author of the Mistborn series and Words of Radiance comes Calamity, the final book in the New York Times bestselling Reckoners series.

Embrace your epic destiny and there’s no turning back.

Is there?

Verdict: Keep. I honestly need to finish this awesome series. Anything written by Brandon Sanderson is gold. Seriously. It’s kind of scary how well he writes.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Blurb: “Hi, I’m the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you…”

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It’s company policy.) But they can’t quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O’Neill can’t believe this is his job now—reading other people’s e-mail. When he applied to be “internet security officer,” he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers—not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth’s and Jennifer’s messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can’t help being entertained—and captivated—by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he’s falling for Beth, it’s way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say . . . ?

Verdict: Keep. This seems so cute! I totally forgot I haven’t read this yet. One of the librarians at the local library loves this book, so I think I should give it a go. I don’t read contemporary often, but I think I’ll like this.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay

Blurb: The beloved first book of the Harry Potter series, now fully illustrated by award-winning artist Jim Kay.

For the first time, J.K. Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter books will be presented in lavishly illustrated full-color editions. Kate Greenaway-award winning artist Jim Kay has created over 100 stunning illustrations, making this deluxe format a perfect gift as much for a child being introduced to the series, as for the dedicated fan.

Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility.

All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley–a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry’s room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in eleven years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry–and anyone who reads about him—will find unforgettable.

Verdict: Keep! I don’t think I need to explain myself on this one. Come on, it’s Harry Potter. That’s all the reason I need.

The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

Blurb: How do you punish an immortal?

By making him human.

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus’s favour.

But Apollo has many enemies—gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go… an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood.

Verdict: Keep. Once again, this isn’t too high up on my TBR list (although I love Rick Riordan) because I don’t read middle grade novels anymore but if I want something playful and adventurous I know what to turn to.

Prodigy: The Graphic Novel by Marie Lu, adapted by Leigh Dragoon, illustrated by Kaari

Blurb: (This is the second graphic novel adaptation of the Legend series so if you don’t want to be spoiled I suggest you skip this blurb) After escaping from the Republic’s stronghold, Day and June are on the run in Vegas when the country learns that their Elector Primo has died and his son has stepped in to take his place. They meet up with the rebel stronghold of the Patriots—a large organization straddling the line between the Republic and its warring neighbor, the Colonies—and learn about an assassination plot against the Elector. Using threats and blackmail to get what he wants, the Patriots’ leader, Razor, convinces June to let herself be captured by Republic soldiers so she can win over the Elector and feed him a decoy assassination plan. But when June realizes that the new Elector is nothing like his father, she must work with Day to try to stop the Patriots’ plot before Razor can fulfill his own devastating plans.

Verdict: Keep. I like graphic novels and am not against reading adaptations of books I love.

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

Blurb: (This is the second book in the Shades of Magic series so if you don’t want to be spoiled I suggest you skip this blurb) It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell’s possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland’s dying body through the rift–back into Black London.

Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games–an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries–a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port.

And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall.

Verdict: Keep. I NEED TO READ THIS. STAT. I KNOW I’M SO BEHIND.

Morning Star by Pierce Brown

Blurb: (This is the third book in the Red Rising Saga so if you don’t want to be spoiled I suggest you skip this blurb) Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within.

Finally, the time has come.

But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender.

Verdict: Kick. I heard this book was great. I read the first two books of the series but I don’t remember a thing that happened. I honestly don’t want to reread the books just so I can read this last one. 

Until next time….