As they say (no, Einstein probably never said that) “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity…” , I’m adding the third thing here and i.e. a Goodreads TBR list.
In case you are like me and fussing over your ever-expanding Goodreads TBR list, here’s I’ve sketched out 5 easy ways to trim it down a bit (5 down, 199 more-to-go,phew!).
1. Ditching the formulaic
Example:
Book: Lie To ME
Author: J.T. Ellison
Sutton and Ethan Montclair’s idyllic life is not as it appears. They seem made for each other, but the truth is ugly. Consumed by professional and personal betrayals and financial woes, the two both love and hate each other. As tensions mount, Sutton disappears, leaving behind a note saying not to look for her.
image source: Goodreads
Read or Scrap?
A: Scrap.
Reason:
Marital lies, lovey-dovey appearance, scheming, betrayals and everything in-between that question you why any would jump on the aisle anymore? Check.
This book has “Gone Girl” written all over it.
A Psychological thriller involving horrible couple? A screaming No.
2. Ditching Victorian “husband-hunting”
Example:
Book: Belinda
Author: Maria Edgeworth
The lively comedy of this novel in which a young woman comes of age amid the distractions and temptations of London high society belies the challenges it poses to the conventions of courtship, the dependence of women, and the limitations of domesticity.
image source: Goodreads
Read or Scrap?
A: Scrap.
Reason:
Virtuous plain Jane winning some hard-nuts by her sweet, simple demeanor and catching the fancy of a dashing, wealthy man along the way.
It might not be the case with “Belinda” but my hunch says otherwise.
And currently, I’m in no mood for Victorian-era “husband-hankering”.
3. Ditching “how-to- become-another- cog-in-corporate-wheel”
Example:
Book: The 48 Laws of Power
Author: Robert Greene
This amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive book synthesizes the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz with the historical legacies of statesmen, warriors, seducers, and con men throughout the ages.
image source: Goodreads
Read or Scrap?
A: Scrap.
Reason:
Life is “cunning”, “amoral”, “ruthless” and to earn wage in a capitalistic society is to be instructed. It’s just that I’m tired of getting rubbed-it-on-my-face every time.
4. Ditching sensationalized assumptions
Example:
Book: Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House
Author: Michael Wolff
With extraordinary access to the Trump White House, Michael Wolff tells the inside story of the most controversial presidency of our time.
image source: Goodreads
Read or Scrap?
A: Scrap.
Reason:
(Yawn) The politicos running my country amok are equally (if not more) misogynist, inept, corrupt and uncouth.
5. Ditching “Single sexed-up woman” stereotype
Example:
Book: All Grown Up
Author: Jami Attenberg
Who is Andrea Bern? When her therapist asks the question, Andrea knows the right things to say: she’s a designer, a friend, a daughter, a sister. But it’s what she leaves unsaid—she’s alone, a drinker, a former artist, a shrieker in bed, captain of the sinking ship that is her flesh—that feels the most true.
image source: Goodreads
Read or Scrap?
A: Scrap.
Reason:
I’m tired of this self-fulfilling tirade that single, childless, ambitious women tend to go wild with f***ing, drinking, doing drugs, swearing and remain very, very angry- meanwhile.
Also, no more of disintegrated families.
What is your method of decluttering your Goodreads TBR pile? Or do you read everything you signed for?
abookforagoat.wordpress.com 
Loved reading your honest sharing of decluttering:)
Glad you liked it. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
I don’t have a goodread tbr list. But honestly I would never buy the types of book you listed. So if I had to declutter my tbr list, I would do in the same way.
Thank you for dropping by :). Yes, sometimes, the exaggerated Goodreads reviews are so misleading.
This just made me really laugh. I also decluttered anything that is Gone Girl but not, and not as good 😉
Thank you for dropping by Caitlin. 🙂 Yes, that “Gone Girl-esque” genre is pure sham.
Ditching and decluttering TBR list?I would be anguished.My home book pile needs work .I wish I had a seperate brain whivh could read 24/7 while the other brain did daily mundane stuff .
This is so true. I’m reading like crazy for last few months and sometimes, it’s hard to snap back to reality when my mid is preoccupied with imaginary things- thus decluttering is needed. 😛
Thank you for dropping by. 🙂