Try A Chapter: Keep or Unhaul #1

Hi friends! Looking at my bookshelves with no space for new books anymore, 900 physical copies unread and no book buying bans on the horizon, I needed to do something. So, I decided to do the Try A Chapter method I saw some people doing. I have so many books that I doubt I’d like or not on my shelves keeping space for years, it’s time for deciding, do they stay or go? I must say I enjoyed the process massively, so I’d recommend it if you have a very large TBR pile like me. It was fun discovering my books and getting surprised 🙂

I will do this in stacks of books each time, and here is my first 10 books:

You know the drill, I read a chapter of each and decide if I liked it enough to keep or unhaul. I’d love to hear from you if I’m wrong in my decisions, if you read the book, what are your thoughts. Here we go:

HELL YEAH, I’m keeping this book. This is a past Booker winner, I don’t know why it’s been sitting on my shelves since 2008! But, here we go. I read the first page, and I knew it was a big yes. I loved the writing, the humour and the plot. I actually couldn’t put it down, and continued reading it. I’d suggest you check it out if you haven’t read it like me.

 

 

 

 NO. This is not staying. I really didn’t click with the writing style. Plus, I read some reviews and it looks like a sad book. If I’m reading YA contemporary, I want it to be uplifting and fun. Otherwise, I have lots of sad literary fictions to go through 🙂

 

 

 

 

YES, staying. I thought I was done with Nicholas Sparks after crying my eyes out reading and watching The Notebook, but the man has it guys. I read the preface and it was enough. Although it says explicitly it will be sad, I’m so intrigued.

 

 

 

 

YES, this stays too. Looking at the cover, and God knows why  bought this, I was sure to unhaul it. But, when I read the first Chapter, the writing was really charming, it was suspenseful and I liked the main character immediately. I do enjoy YA mysteries when it’s done well anyway.  So, there we go 🙂

 

 

 

 

YES. This is staying too, mainly because of the very intriguing prologue. It’s a YA fantasy and I think it could be fun. I did enjoy the chapter too. And this is recommended by one of you on Twitter, so I’m going to give it a try.

 

 

 

 

YES, this stays too. The first chapter was so emotional that it captured me. It’s a very praised book about a family drama, so I’ll continue reading this to see if I’ll like it. Gorgeous cover colours also!

 

 

 

 

 

NO, this goes. I couldn’t even finish the first chapter. It’s a book about Hindu mythologies, and I thought it was beautifully written, lyrical. However, I know I’m not going to read it anytime soon. Also, if I’ll look for the content, probably I’ll go for more a fictional telling.

 

 

 

 

YES, this stays. It’s a classic set up of 2 narrators telling the story in different time zones (1936 and 2016) and we alternate between past and present. They live in the same house eighty years apart from each other, with secrets to be unlocked. I love this setting and so far the 2 different women intrigued me. I might leave this for summer to read, but it stays.

 

 

 

 

These two were really difficult to decide. They are on my shelves for a very long time and clearly I always pushed them back. At the same time, I like this kind of fictionalised historical novels that tell the real events. After reading a chapter, I liked the writing on Empress Orchid more, so I will KEEP that, and UNHAUL Becoming Madame Mao.

 

So, here we are. I unhauled 3 out of 10. I was expecting more, but I’m glad I felt excited for the books I own and it will push me to read the books that I keep on my shelves for years. I will keep reading White Tiger, All Fall Down, Far From The Tree and Fandom while I’m really excited and started. And I will leave A Walk To Remember and A House Of Secrets to summer time. I hope you enjoyed this post. Let’s chat in comments!
Thanks so much for stopping by and happy reading!

Umut                                          

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