Before I was a writer I was a reader. Although I don’t read as prolifically as I once did, I’m always on the look-out for a good book. This is why my Goodreads TBR list has 214 titles. Whaaaat?! It’s safe to say there are books on there I don’t even remember. It’s time to clean  off the shelf so when I ran across this meme on Boston Book Reader via Lost in a Story I knew it was for me. I’m jumping in. 

Here are the guidelines:
• 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?

Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St.Vincent-Millay by by Nancy Milford
This is the very first book I put on my Goodreads TBR list back in 2010. I see two of my friends and two authors I follow have given it rave reviews. St. Vincent-Millay was the first poet I remember whose poetry I actually liked and it’s due to my Aunt Linda giving me a book of her collected works when I was a teen. But, besides her work, she was a pioneering woman of her age, breaking barriers and living life on her own terms. No way I can drop this book off the list. In fact, I think I’ll move it to the top of my list.

Judgement: Keep!

Nox by Anne Carson

There are only so many books one can read in their life and I can think of many poetry books I’d rather read than this one.

Judgement: Go

Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett

I really like to read about relationships between women, about the lives of women, the choices they make, how they make their way in the world. I’ve heard good things about this book and I still want to read it.

Judgement: Keep

Swan by Mary Oliver

I will always keep Mary Oliver on my TBR list. Her poetry fits right in with my interests in the natural world and mindfulness.

Judegment: Keep

Meditation as Contemplative Inquiry by Arthur Zajonc

I’ve found Depak Chopra’s meditation teaching to be a good fit for me right now. (See my recent “Morning Meditation” posts.) I’m sure Mr. Zajonc has wonderful things to say but, for now, I’ll pass on this book.

Judgement: Go

What Matters Most by Luanne Rice

This looks and sounds like a romance novel which is not my thing. I don’t know why I put it on my TBR.

Judgement: Go

Where We Know: New Orleans as Home by David Rutledge (editor), Mark Folse (Goodreads Author) (contributor), Ray Shea (Goodreads Author) (contributor)

I have friends with stories in this anthology. I plan  to read it some day.

Judgement: Keep

House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubuss III

I’ve heard good things and, rereading the synopsis, it sounds intriguing.

Judgement: Keep

 

 

 

Daughters by Paule Marshall

After  reading the reviews I’ve decided to nix this one. After all, I am downsizing.

Judgement: Go

Twenty Stories by Kristin Fouquet

Another New Orleans based book, this time of flash fiction – a genre I love to read. I never get tired of reading about my city so this is a no-brainer.

Judgement: Keep

10 down, 204 to go!