Goodreads TBR Spring Cleaning Challenge // #Goodreadance2020

Every couple of months, I try to do a clear out of my Goodreads TBR. I find that after each quarter of the year, the books I’m interested in or keen to read have changed, so it’s good to keep updating my to-read list.

So when I saw that Shealea was hosting #Goodreadance2020, I knew I had to join in.

#Goodreadance2020 is a spring cleaning (or autumn if you’re in the UK) challenge, where you remove books you’re no longer interested in from your TBR and clean up your shelves.

Since I recently did an unhaul of physical books, I thought Shealea’s challenge would be the perfect opportunity for a Goodreads shelf unhaul.

So, I’m sharing all the books I’m removing from my Goodreads TBR, and why I’m getting rid of them.

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The Friend Scheme

I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews for this book. Lots of people have said that the concept was great, but the execution was poor for this story, so I’m sad to say I’m less interested in reading it now.

Lady Hotspur

I tend my Goodreads TBR as both a physcial/ebook/audiobook TBR and a reminder of the books I’m interested in. Since I have a hardback of this and I know I’ll read it at some point, I’m taking it off my Goodreads shelf because I don’t need the reminder any more.

Wayward Son

I have a copy of this and I might read it at some point, but because of everything that’s been happening recently with Rainbow Rowell, the racist issues with Eleanor & Park, and the film adaptation, I’m feeling much less inclined to read Wayward Son right now. In this house, we do not support authors who profit off the back of prior racism.

From Twinkle, With Love

I don’t have a physical copy of this, so I’m going to prioritise There’s Something About Sweetie and Of Curses and Kisses, which I do have physical copies of. It’s another one of those ‘I know I want to read it at some point so I don’t need a Goodreads reminder’ type of books.

The Animators

This has been on my TBR for about three years and sadly I’m just not interested in picking it up any more? The story still sounds good, but I feel like I’m never going to get myself a copy because new books keep releasing that I’m more excited about.

The Queen of the Tearling

I recently unhauled my physical copy of this because I’m just not excited about the series any more, unfortunately. Despite having a copy, I knew I wasn’t going to pick it up, so it was time to say goodbye.

Air Awakens

Again, I have a physical copy of this so I know that I’ll probably read it at some point, and I don’t need to keep it on my Goodreads TBR as a reminder.

I Hate Fairyland

There are other graphic novels that are higher up on my TBR than this one and, although I love the colour palette for this, I’m not in the mood for much horror/gore at the moment.

Stranger of Tempest

I think I actually have a copy of this on my shelves? But it’s not high on my TBR for now, so I’m taking it off my Goodreads list. I think this was a gift, though, so I won’t be unhauling it. Just…pray for me that I’ll actually read it in the next year or two?

The Notorious Virtues

According to Amazon, this released in August, but it has no set release date on Goodreads and I can’t find a copy anywhere? I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m going to drop it from my TBR since it seems unavailable everywhere.

The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart

I was originally offered a copy of this from the publisher so I added it to my TBR. But it didn’t end up arriving and I had so many other books to read that I didn’t follow up with them???

Upon further reflection, I don’t feel like I have time to read this one now, so I guess this is where the book and my TBR part ways.

Break the Fall

I recently unhauled my copy of this because I just didn’t feel like I was ever going to pick it up. The story still sounds pretty interesting but I’m not sure how inclusive it is? If a book has no queer or POC characters, the honest truth is that I’m less inclined to read it.

The Storm Crow

OK, I feel bad about this one, because I have friends who really like this book. But me taking it off my Goodreads TBR is not me saying I’m never going to read it. It’s just me saying ‘goodbye for now’.

They Both Die at the End

I still intend to read this at some point, but I think I’m more likely to read the audiobook, so I’m taking the paperback off my TBR.

Daughters of the Dragon

I added this to my TBR years ago, but I’d much rather read a book about this period in Korean history written by an own voices author, so I’m dropping this from my TBR.

Norse Mythology

Again, I have a paperback copy of this, so I don’t feel the need to keep it on my Goodreads TBR, since I know I’ll get to it at some point.

Rat Queens

I’m not sure why but I’m not fussed abut reading this graphic novel series any more.

The Wise Man’s Fear

I’m not planning to read this until we have a confirmed release date for the third book. And since we haven’t had any confirmation for years and probably won’t get a date for a long time, I’m going to take it off my TBR.

The Thief

I added this to my TBR back in 2016 and I can’t help but feel that I’m never going to read it. It’s been four years and I haven’t made any move to get myself a copy. So, I think it’s time to say goodbye to this one.

The Queen of Attolia

This is the second book in the Thief series and since I’m taking the first book off my TBR, I may as well remove this one too.

The Great Book of Amber

I added this book to my TBR after seeing a really well written review, praising how good the story was. But sadly I’ve lost interest in reading it, and I can’t find that original review to reignite my excitement for it, so it’s coming off my TBR.

Sufficiently Advanced Magic

I added this to my TBR on a whim after seeing so many good reviews for it, but the more I think about it, the less I’m actually interested in reading it?

It’s like when you buy a book for the cover, then realise that you’re not that invested in the story. With this, the hype made me add it to my TBR and now that the hype has died down, I’m not that keen to read it.

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So, after a bit of a spring clean, I’ve managed to remove 22 books from my TBR, taking the total from 171 books to 149.

That might not sound like a bit difference, but I like to keep my Goodreads TBR under 150 books and I’ve finally got it down to that number after a long time. So, I’d say that’s win! Big thanks to Shealea for running #Goodreadance2020. I definitely wouldn’t have been motivated to declutter my TBR without it.

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Did you take part in the Goodreance challenge or do you take books off your Goodreads TBR often? Are there any books on this list that you think I should reconsider?