Jul 7 2017
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Tackling the TBR [25]: July 2017

tackling the TBR

It’s once again time for my favorite feature: Tackling the TBR! There’s nothing I love more than picking out which books to read next, and this slightly organized method of reading has really amped my enjoyment to the next level. Bring on the mantras!

Read the best books first.
&
Life is too short to read books you’re not enjoying.

However you put together your TBR for the next month, the goal is to reduce the amount of obligation in reading and increase the fun.

Here’s a look at how the system works:

1. Identify the titles that take top priority in your TBR.
2. Combine them all in your own Tackling the TBR post.
3. Throughout the month pick from that pile as the mood strikes you.

Here’s what mine looks like:

July 2017 TBR Tackler Shelf:

Last month I tried to do a “catch-up” month and I discovered one thing: I do not like catch-up months lol. For the most part I stuck to my list, reading half of the titles from it, but part way through the month went off the rails and started devouring things from July’s list. I think I’ll just stick to my carryover strategy going forward and try to keep it less than ten titles. :)

Because I’ve already read a few of these (which I’m including them anyway because I’m OCD), I added a few extra to give you an idea of the books I’m hoping to get through this month. It’s really, really ambitious, especially since my Goodreads reading group is tackling both Eye of the World and Way of Kings (not listed because it has been a reread WIP for months now with the hubby). I’m excited for a bunch of the books on this list, but the one that keeps screaming at me to read it is The Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan…

Niki’s Incomplete Series Challenge [Via Fantasy Buddy Reads]

June 2017 Titles Tackled:

Niki’s June 2017 Progress Update:

Series Finished: 3
A Conjuring of Light – V.E. Schwab
Lady Renegades – Rachel Hawkins
The Fiercest Joy – Shana Abe

Series Brought UTD: 2
Kings of the Wyld – Nicholas Eames
The Legion of Flame – Anthony Ryan

Series Progressed: 4
Naamah’s Curse – Jacqueline Carey
Magic Gifts – Ilona Andrews
From the Editorial Page of the Falchester Weekly Review – Marie Brennan
Princeps’ Fury – Jim Butcher

New Series Started: 2
Kings of the Wyld – Nicholas Eames
The Young Elites – Marie Lu (reread so I can continue)

Abandoned: 0

YTD Totals:
Finished Series: 8
Up To Date Series: 12
Series Progressed: 28
New Series Started: 14
Abandoned: 1

I am thrilled with my progress this month. I’m getting close on finishing a bunch and am starting to think that maybe I can eventually get a handle on all of these series.

Here’s my full Incomplete Series list, in case anyone is curious.

What books are you Tackling this month? Even if you don’t specifically use my system, feel free to share your versions of how you manage your TBR pile (and the links to your posts if applicable) in the comments. :)

by Niki Hawkes

16 comments on “Tackling the TBR [25]: July 2017”

    • This will be my last trilogy in the Riftwar Saga. I think I missed the Jimmy the Hand side story, which I’ll probably go back and read. Other than that I think I’m just missing the Faery one. You liked that one if I remember right? I’m excited to finally finish the saga after 15 years of working my way through it.

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  2. Good luck with ‘Eye of the World’! I enjoyed it but lost interest later on. It is a loooong long series with lots of annoying characters haha.

    ‘Old Man’s War’ is on my list as well :)

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    • Haha thanks! I’m in it for the long haul with wheel of time mostly just to say I read it. I read eye of the world ages ago and thought it was just okay. I’m stubbornly determined to make it to the Sanderson stuff.
      I’m hoping old man’s war is good – I’ve been really excited to read it for ages now. My GR group is doing a buddy read for the second one in August, so I have to catch up by then lol.

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  3. Seeing you that excited about the Riftwar books sparks my fantasy anew to tackle the whole of it as well. I’ve read the first trilogy and then I think 3 or 4 more books in German in the late 90s, but never continued with it.
    I’m also interested to hear how you like Traitor’s Blades and Old Man’s War, two books and series starters I really enjoyed.
    And it’s great to spot Kings of the Wyld, so far my favorite book of the year.
    Happy reading, Niki! :)

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    • Nice! I think Riftwar is definitely worth continuing – especially if you haven’t read the empire trilogy co-written with Wurst (those were the best!). I’m both excited to finish the saga and really sad that it’s over.

      I’m so excited for Old man’s war!! It looks like something I’ll really enjoy and I’m glad to hear it’s good! I just finished traitor’s blade and ended up loving it once I got past the slightly condescending writing style at the beginning. I’m definitely looking forward to the second book!
      And Kings of the Wyld was so much fun! I laughed quite a bit through that one and can see why it was a fav of yours (it’s near the top for me too). What are some of your other favs this year? I think mine so far is the Draconis Memoria by Ryan.
      Happy reading to you too! Thanks for chatting books with me. ^_^

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      • I actually started tonight with listening to the audiobook of Magician and I’m very much excited for returning to this world. Thank you for being an inspiration there. :)
        And one of the books I’ve purchased this month was “Curse of the Mistwraith”, the first installment in Wurst’s own series. Have you read her solo work?
        The Greatcoats books are a lot of fun. I’m just 1/4 into the fourth and final installment and really enjoy it. Can’t wait to see how that series ends.
        What I really liked about Kings of the Wyld was that it offered a little bit of everything and even had some very meaningful passages. I think the story of the two-headded ettin was my emotional highlight of the book.
        Next to Kings of the Wyld, I gave 5 stars only to Saint’s Blood, the third installment in de Castell’s Greatcoats. From the 4 stars Daggerspell by Katherine Kerr stood out, because it’s a very unique narrative and had this slow burning cozy warmth that wraps around you like a blanket.I also really enjoyed Bradley P. Beaulieu’s With Blood Upon the Sand, the follow-up to Twelve Kings in Sharakhai.

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      • I was going through my emails and saw this comment. I am so sorry! I haven’t read any of Wurst’s books (although I own a fair few haha) mostly because my mom (who loves the same stuff we do) read it and said it was kind of boring. I would like to pick her up at some point, but she’s kind of a low priority… What are your thoughts?
        I am excited to continue on with Greatcoats, especially since there was a sale for books 2 and 3, so they’re just sitting there begging to be read haha. I’m waiting for mid August’s because there is a Buddy read planned then on the Goodreads group. :-) Kings of the Wyld was a delightful tangent I took this year (I hadn’t even heard of it before people on Goodreads started freaking out about it). I’m very much interested in the next one – I thought it was hilarious!. I have also owned Katherine Kerr for several years but have never picked up anything by her – but I do love wrapping in a cozy warm blanket haha. That’s actually the second time that series has come across my radar this week… Maybe it’s serendipity? And the Beaulieu series – those covers make me think I’m going to love those books! :)

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