Mount TBR 2021 discussion
Mt. Kilimanjaro (60 books)
>
Climb n°...I don't even know.
date
newest »
newest »
Natália wrote: "Again, I'm hoping to not only knock off a few books off my ever-growing pile but to finish all those series I started and never finished. I still need to update this specific list, but while I did finish a lot of those in 2020, I also started some new ones...oh, well...."I have that problem too - both unfinished series and the fact that I have picked up some new series this year. Good luck with your climb!
Mod
1:
"Ordeal By Innocence" by Agatha Christie
Read:January 2, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Comment:A solid Christie book, I love her dysfunctional and secretive families, and this one was an intriguing mystery that kept me guessing till almost the end. I managed to crack the case (one of the few that I was able to do so) a couple of chapters before the end mainly because I was really paying attention and because I read the whole thing in a day, so every tiny detail was still fresh on my mind. I plan to read more Christie's books this year, since I've only read one in 2020 and I have the personal goal of reading all of her books.
Off to a good start! January will be a busy reading month, because I've joined at least 7 buddy reads and have added at least 2 books apart from them to a reading marathon I'm also gonna be participating in. Well, wish me luck!
Karen wrote: "I wish you luck!"Thank you!
2:
"Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds
Read:January 7, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Comment:Starting the year strong with one that will definitely be on my favorite books of the year list. I was barely 20% in and had already lost count of how many quotes I marked. This book had such an impact on me, that I finished it and am still reflecting on it. It's a fluid read (I read in a couple of hours, if not less) because it's written in verse, and they are perfectly built to maximize the impact they'll have on the reader. I love that the ending is open, and the last phrase really got me. A much-needed read for sure!
3:
"Poison or Protect" by Gail Carringer
Read:January 10, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
Comment:Oh, how I missed the Parasolverse! I always enjoy Carringer's writing, it's always funny and witty and charming! This was a nice little romance novel with the elements of the series and following a character that I think is introduced in the prequel series, Finishing School. I didn't know much about her because I have yet to read the books, but there were a lot of familiar faces and I think both she and the male protagonist fits right into this world. I had a few issues with the characters and wasn't as invested in them or their relationship to absolutely love the book, and the plot was overall a bit simple and there were things left unresolved, but I did enjoy the book while I was reading. I do plan to check out the Finishing School series, the sequel series and the other spin-offs to the Parasolverse sometime soon.
4:
"Lock Every Door" by Riley Sager
Read:January 13, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐ stars
Comment:Not my favorite Sager book. I don't know, I liked the premise well enough, and up till 60% I was really intrigued and invested. But then the main character started to lose me a little, because she suddenly became very very dumb, doing the most obviously wrong things. I also didn't like the whole revelation of what was actually going on in the building as much. It felt a little...unreal? IDK, but I was a bit disappointed. I enjoyed the ending, though.
5:
"Geekerella" (Once Upon a Con #1) by Ashley Poston
Read:January 24, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐ stars - DNF at 40%
Comment:I am so disappointed with this book! I was hoping for this cute, nerdy retelling of Cinderella, with lots of awkwardness, lots of cutsy moments and funny stuff, but that was not what I got at all. Honestly, if it wasn't a Buddy read, I wouldn't even have made into 40%. Ella is downright annoying and thinks herself better then everyone else because she doesn't like typical teen stuff, is the kind of radical fan I dislike a lot, who wants everything down to the letter like the source material and slams everything and everyone if it's not how she wanted it to be and is so judgy it's irritating. Darrow is a bit more likable, but he seems to hate acting and being famous and seems to also hate his fans, because he's always complaining of having to do stuff, and the show that actually advanced his career, and having to deal with fans. So, I spent the whole time I was reading his POV "why don't you just quit, if you dislike it so much?". And since they are the protagonists, and we follow their POV ALL the time, I just couldn't keep reading. I had absolutely no desire to pick up the book and get into their heads again. So, I just DNF-ed it, and won't be continuing with the series as well. I may give the author another shot in the future, just not right now.
6:
"Wilder Girls" by Rory Powers
Read:January 31, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
Comment: I was a little afraid of this book because people either love it or hate it. Honestly, I understand both sides, and I fall in the middle - I neither love it absolutely, but I don't think it's as bad as some people say. I was really fascinated with the mutations, and the relationships between the girls in the school, which is undoubtedly the focus of the novel, and I wanted to know more about the Tox. But I think that's the book's first mistake - it focuses too much on the relationship between the girls, especially Hetty, Byatt, and Reed, all the while leading us to believe there is a mystery concerning the Tox and the army, except it never answers any questions and the 'mystery' aspect is often put aside. In the end, we never get a clear answer and, while I don't mind open endings, I would have liked to see a bit more, if only to explain more clearly a few things. The ending also felt a bit rushed to me. It's a good book, with good writing and great character development and relationships, but plotwise it was just ok. I would like to read more from this 'world', so I would love a sequel (or maybe a prequel explaining things?) for this one!
7:
"A Murder Is Announced" by Agatha Christie
Read:February 04, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Comment:Another masterpiece by Dame Agatha, and one of my favorite Miss Marple stories. Miss Marple is my favorite Christie detective, I love how sharp and cunning she is, and how she solves things by observing people and creating parallels between them and someone she knows. I figured the killer by 70%, but I couldn't fathom the motives, and OMG how incredible how everything turned out! I couldn't have guessed it in a million years!
8:
"The Murder on the Links" by Agatha Christie
Read:February 09, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
Comment:I have two main issues with this book: first of all, the mystery is basically solved at 60% in, with a whole chapter dedicated to Poirot explaining the finer details to Hastings - there's only one answer left, and after maybe 70-80%, we have the confirmation we need of who the killer is without Poirot having to explain anything at all because it was very obvious to me. The fact that Agatha tried to misdirect us all through Hastings and his really annoying ways prolonged the story unnecessarily.
My second complaint is Hastings...I detest him as narrator, and as a character as a whole. He is annoying, he is easily impressible, quick to jump to conclusions, and to act on impulse. And he is very, very obtuse. I realize that almost all the books that have him as narrator tends to lose me at some point or another and are never 5 stars for me. That being said, the whole case was very ingenious and Agatha once again proves herself a master at concocting these convoluted crimes.
9:
"The Demon King" (The Seven Realms #1) by Cinda Williams Chima
Read:February 15, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐ stars
Comment:My expectations were a bit high with this book because I've heard only good things about Cinda Williams Chima's books, and this series, as well as its sequel, in particular. I guess I was expecting something spectacular from the go, while I should've known this was going to be an introductory book. I don't think it's a bad book at all, but as I said, this is merely an introduction to this world, the players in this game, their roles in the grand scheme, and the big plot of the series. My main issue with it is that it's a bit too predictable and the actual climax comes and goes in a single chapter. Also, we don't fear much for our protagonists - as I said, everything is a bit predictable and we can see how things will proceed early on.
Raisa was also a bit of a letdown because at first, I thought she would be smart, a strategist, and very aware of the political games at court - while in fact, she was so naive that everyone around her saw what was going on before her. Her biggest concern through most of the novel was her boy problems, which was grating for a character who claimed from her first appearance that she didn't want to be just a pretty thing that goes to balls and gossip with the courtiers, but make a real difference and learn how to rule.
By the end, I was interested to see where the story and these characters are going, and I see a lot of potential for the next installments to be amazing and it's a good introductory book, but no more than that.
10:
"Wither" (The Chemichal Garden #1) by Lauren Destefano
Read:March 01, 2021
Rating:⭐.5 stars - DNF at 30%
Comment:Ok, so this was promising. The writing was fluid and I was interested in see where it was going, possibly learn about the virus and what happened to this world where our MC lives...but 100 or so pages in, I could realize it's the least of the author's concern. Clearly the main issue here will be the romance (everything pointing towards a love triangle) and our MC debating lovexsecurityxfreedom. And while there were interesting things in these 100+ pages I've read so far that could motivate me to follow through at least till the end of the book, after a 1/4 of the way in, I couldn't connect with our protagonist as well as any other characters, wasn't convinced by the world created and couldn't see the chemistry between what was being developed as the main couple. Had potential, but I'm not waiting around for another book or two to see if it will pay off.
11:
"The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas
Read:February 27, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
Comment:my review
12:
"The Raven King" (The Raven Cycle #4) by Maggie Stievfater
Read:March 14, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Comment:I don't know how to feel about this book. Overall, I loved the tense atmosphere, I absolutely LOVE the characters and how they've evolved during the series (and I think they're at their best in this voluem) and there are interesting things happening here. But the entirety of the series revolved around a mystery and a quest and the way it was resolved was just...unsatisfying, anticlimatic...well, just disappointing, really. It felt like it was for nothing, all this build-up, and there wasn't anything to explain why that was, no big plot twist to make up for it. And the big issue this installmente presented was solved in a couple of pages. There were characters with lots of potential (ahem, Gwellian), who seemed to have a bigger role, but were just diversions and were never really utilized. It could've been much more, but it was an ok ending with lots of loose ends and possibilities that can be explored in the future.
With that, I have reached Pike's Peak!
13:
"The Seven Dials Mystery" by Agatha Christie
Read:March 24, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Comment:This book is now part of my Agatha Christie favorites. What an engaging, entertaining, and surprising novel! For the first time, I reached the halfway mark without a theory of what was going on and what direction the story was taking and I absolutely loved it. And then, when I thought I had things figured out...Mrs. Christie pulled the rug from under me AGAIN! So many twists! I also loved Bundle as the main character, she's so charismatic, is strong-willed, and action-driven! Her interactions with her father (who is absolutely delightful) and Inspector Battle are so good, and I love how supportive they are of her, especially her father. There is a rather unnecessary romance plot, but all in all, it didn't bother me, especially after the reveal in the end. I could have done without it, but it wasn't enough to diminish my love for this book. An obvious 5-star for me!
14:
"Imaginary Friend" by Stephen Chbosky
Read:March 29, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Comment:my review
15:
"Thunderhead" (Arc of the Scythe #2) by Neil Schusterman
Read:April 4, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
Comment:my review
16:
"House of Earth and Blood" (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas
Read:April 5, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
17:
"Muse of Nightmares" (Strange The Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Read:April 8, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
18:
"The Secret of Chimneys" by Agatha Christie
Read:April 18, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐stars
19:
"A Garota do Lago" by Charlie Donlea
Read:April 28, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐stars
20:
"The Toll" (Arc of the Scythe #3) by Neil Schusterman
Read:April 28, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐stars
21:
"Towards Zero" by Agatha Christie
Read:May 13, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
22:
"The Fifth Season" (The Broken Earth Trilogy #1) by N.K> Jemisin
Read:May 28, 2021 -it's a reread, I read it first in ebook and now I got my boxed set edition, so I'm rereading the first novel to continue on with the series
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
It's been a while since I updated this challenge, but I'm going strong. Things have been hectic with the pandemic and though I've managed to keep a good reading pace, there's no much time for anything else, what with my shifts doubling and all that. I'm happy that I'm managing to read more of my own TBR books this year and even finish some series!
23:
"The Well of Ascension" (Mistborn #2) by Brandon Sanderson
Read:June 03, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
Comment:my review
24:
"The Bone Witch" (The Bone Witch #1) by Rin Chupeco
Read:June 12, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
25:
"The City of Brass" (The Daevabad Trilogy #1) by S.A. Chakraborty
Read:June 13, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
26:
"Ember Queen" (The Ash Princess #3) by Laura Sebastian
Read:June 23, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
Comment:my review
27:
"The Obelisk Gate" (Broken Earth Trilogy #2) by N.K Jemisin
Read:June 26, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
June has been a good reading month for me! I hope that July will bring another bunch of good reads my way!
28:
"The End of Oz" (Dorothy Must Die #4) by Danielle Page
Read:July 04, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐ stars
29:
"The Wicked Deep" by Shea Earnshaw
Read:July 13, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
Comment:my review
30:
"How The King of Elfhame Learned To Hate Stories" (The Folk of Air #3.5) by Holly Black
Read:July 19, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
Comment:my review
31:
"The Kingdom of Copper" (The Daevabad Trilogy #2) by S.A. Chakraborty
Read:July 31, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
32:
"The Stone Sky" (The Broken Earth Trilogy #3) by N.K Jemisin
Read:July 3128, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
33:
"Deception" (Defiance #2) by C.J Redwine
Read:August 09, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
34:
"Dune" (Dune #1) by Frank Herbert
Read:August 14, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
35:
"The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstein
Read:August 22, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
36:
"Foundryside" (Foundryside #1) by Robert Jackson Bennet
Read:August 30, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
37:
"King of Scars" (King of Scars #1) by Leigh Badurgo
Read:September 09, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
38:
"All The Missing Girls" by Megan Miranda
Read:August 25, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
39:
"The Lives of Saints" by Leigh Badurgo
Read:September 01, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
40:
"The Hero of Ages" (Mistborn #3) by Brandon Sanderson
Read:September 14, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
41:
"Cemetery Boys" by Aiden Thomas
Read:September 24, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
42:
"Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen
Read:September 29, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐ stars
43:
"Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Read:October 9, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
44:
"Aurora Rising" (Aurora Cycle #1) by Amy Kauffman & Jay Kristoff
Read:October 7, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
45:
"The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" by V.E Schwab
Read:October 22, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐ stars
46:
"A Deadly Education" (Schoolomance #1) by Naomi Novik
Read:October 25, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
47:
"Spider's Web" by Agatha Christie & Charles Osborne
Read:October 26, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
48:
"The Golem & The Jinnie" by Helene Wecker
Read:October 28, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
October had such good reads! And I'm now 12 books short of the top of Kilimanjaro! Almost there!
49:
"Skyward" (Skyward #1) by Brandon Sanderson
Read:November 17, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
50:
"Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Read:November 29, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
51:
"The Picture of Dorian Grey" by Oscar Wilde
Read:November 27, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐ stars
9 books to go...if I make it, it'll be a close cut! I struggled a bit in November, so I didn't finish as many TBR books as I'd like. Let's hope I can pick up the slack in December!
52:
"Hercule Poirot's Christmas" by Agatha Christie
Read:December 12, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
Comment:my review
53:
"A Touch of Darkness" (Hades x Persephone #1) by Scarlett St. Clair
Read:December 13, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐.5 stars
54:
"From Blood and Ash" (Blood and Ash #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Read:December 20, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐.5 stars
55:
"Caraval" (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber
Read:December 17, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐.5 stars
I have 3 TBR books I will definitely finish before December 31st and 1 a MIGHT squeeze at the eleventh hour, but I, unfortunately, won't be reaching the peak this year. My first year not planting a flag on the top of Kilimanjaro...but December was really chaotic for me and I struggled to read. Still, I'm proud of what I accomplished! 2022 I'll be climbing again, but starting from the bottom to see where I'll reach by the end of the year.
56:
"The Scoop/ Behind The Screen" by The Detection Club
Read:December 25, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐ stars
57:
"Evidence of the Affair" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Read:December 26, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
I have 3 currently reading books, 2 of those I'm almost done, and one halfway through.....dare I dream of completing my mountain before December 31st?
58:
"Fire & Blood" (A Targaryen History #1) by George R.R Martin
Read:December 28, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
59:
"The False Prince" (The Ascendance Trilogy #1) by Jennifer L. Nielsen
Read:December 28, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐ stars
60:
"Ace of Spades" by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Read:December 30, 2021
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
I can't believe that in the absolute nick of time I managed to plant my flag atop Mt. Kilimanjaro again! I honestly didn't think I would make it this time, but not only I did but I also managed to finish a Kindle Unlimited borrow and am on my way to finish another one. Guess I found a final burst of strength to push myself all the way through the final miles!
Flag dutifully planted, I'm now going to enjoy the view briefly while I snack around a fire so I can start my next year's climb with renewed energies!
Congratulations! I was worried for you. Happy New Year!
Karen wrote: "Congratulations! I was worried for you. Happy New Year!"Thank you, Karen! Hopefully, 20222 won't be such a struggle! Happy New Year!
Mount TBR 2021
Books mentioned in this topic
The False Prince (other topics)Ace of Spades (other topics)
Fire & Blood (other topics)
Evidence of the Affair (other topics)
The Scoop / Behind the Screen (other topics)
More...
Again, I'm hoping to not only knock off a few books off my ever-growing pile but to finish all those series I started and never finished. I still need to update this specific list, but while I did finish a lot of those in 2020, I also started some new ones...oh, well.