Down The TBR Hole #1

Down the TBR is a meme created by Lia from Lost In A Story, although she has now moved on to bigger and better things at Sunflowers and Wonder. I first came across this meme on Jenna’s blog (you guys should check out her responses – she is RUTHLESS) and honestly I need all the help I can get culling my TBR, especially since I got back into book blogging – I love you guys but you’re seriously not helping my TBR situation.

The Rules:

• 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?
• Keep track of where you left off so you can pick up there next week!

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer…[full synopsis]

Reviews claim that this book is cute, hilarious and fluffy but all I can think is – WHAT WAS EARLY 2000’S NGOC THINKING?! A high school Marriage Education program – yech. And it sounds like there might be some ‘cute cheating’ involved. We all know how I feel about that.

Verdict: GO

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Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas

Despite what her name might suggest, Heart has zero interest in complicated romance. So when her brilliant plan to go to prom with a group of friends is disrupted by two surprise invites, Heart knows there’s only one drama-free solution: flip a coin.

Heads: The jock. He might spend all night staring at his ex or throw up in the limo, but how bad can her brother’s best friend really be?

Tails: The theater geek…with a secret. What could be better than a guy who shares all Heart’s interests–even if he wants to share all his feelings? …[full synopsis]

I don’t want to sound judgemental BUT this book reeks of the exact brand of stereotypes and cliches that push my buttons and I’m just not.in.the.mood.

I promise I’m a lot nicer IRL when I’m not being salty about books.

Verdict: GO

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Now Is The Time: 170 Ways to Seize the Moment by Patrick Lindsay

Will inspire you to look at your life anew, and help you to plan towards regaining balance, finding strength and taking that first step.

This synopsis. It’s quite… REVOLUTIONARY. In all seriousness though, I normally adore cute motivational books but you gotta give me more to work with than that ⬆️

Verdict: GO

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The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It’s a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there’s this certain boy she can’t help but like. . . .

I’ve read a couple of Elizabeth Eulberg’s books before and honestly I need an emergency supply of cute, predictably fluffy contemporaries for when things get a little rough IRL.

Verdict: KEEP

Me using books to escape my real problems

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Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality by Elizabeth Eulberg

Don’t mess with a girl with a great personality!

Everybody loves Lexi. She’s popular, smart, funny…but she’s never been one of those girls, the pretty ones who get all the attention from guys. And on top of that, her seven-year-old sister, Mackenzie, is a terror in a tiara, and part of a pageant scene where she gets praised for her beauty (with the help of fake hair and tons of makeup).

Lexi’s sick of it. She’s sick of being the girl who hears about kisses instead of getting them. She’s sick of being ignored by her longtime crush, Logan. She’s sick of being taken for granted by her pageant-obsessed mom. And she’s sick of having all her family’s money wasted on a phony pursuit of perfection. 

The time has come for Lexi to step out from the sidelines. Girls without great personalities aren’t going to know what hit them. Because Lexi’s going to play the beauty game – and she’s in it to win it.

Ok, I had to put in the full synopsis so you guys can understand why I’m booting this book from my TBR. I am sick and tired of books acting like girls can’t like makeup and pretty dresses and be decent humans. Surely, surely we’ve moved past that by now?!

Verdict: GO

Books removed in this post: 4/5

Have you guys read any of the books mentioned? If you have any last pitches to save the books I trashed, speak now or forever hold your peace 😛

With Love,