Autobiography – Tanisha Rhenae Consulting

Welcome to Down the TBR Hole #115-140! What is Down the TBR Hole? It is where I grab 20 books from my ridiculously long TBR list on Goodreads and decide if I am keeping or removing the books. Why the odd numbers for this one? Because I had a series last time that added a bunch to my list. Want to see what I ended up doing with them? Click here to go to the previous post. As a reminder, here are the rules:

I am starting with 4,672 books this week on my To Read shelf on Goodreads. Let’s get started.

1. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

I’ve heard about this author quite a bit, but I honestly didn’t realize that she was a fiction author. But after reading what the book is about, I am keeping it on the list.

2. The Good House by Tananarive Due

Another author that I have heard about a lot, and I have always wanted to read one of her books. This one is bordering on suspense, but the plot sounds really good. I am keeping it.

3. Blindness by Jose Saramago

Not exactly sure where this book came from, but I am not a fan of epidemic or apocalyptic books, and this is one of those. So I will be removing this one.

4. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

A very popular book from 2015. I think it has even been turned into a movie. My best friend said it was an okay read, but she has read better. I’m going to give the book a chance, especially before I watch the movie. I’m keeping this one.

5. Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Can I be honest? I typically don’t like reading books after I have seen the movie. Which is why it is weird that I would have added this book. I would probably have loved to have read this book back when I was a math geek. Not so much now. I did enjoy the movie, but I am going to be removing this one. (Tangent – I hate when they change the cover of the books to match the movie poster. No offense to the amazing actresses that played these parts, but what about the original ladies who were on the cover? I’m showing that cover out of respect.)

6. Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

I follow Glennon on Instagram, and her activism is actually what made her interesting to me. She seems to be carefree, and a different person than her book plots describe (this one in particular). So I would love to see how she transitioned to this new person. I am keeping this one.

7. Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed by Glennon Doyle Melton

Same author as above. I thought about not keeping this book because it looks like it is based on her website, which is Momastery.com. I’m not a mom, but it appears she speaks about more things than motherhood. I am going to be keeping it for now.

8. Emma by Jane Austen

This is supposed to be one of the classics, and at one point in time, I thought that I needed to read all of the classics to be a “good” reader. But since then, I’ve realized I only want to read what interests me. And most likely, a book from the early 1800s will not interest me at all. I am removing this one.

9. Nappily Ever After by Trisha R. Thomas

I’ve had this book on my list for a while now, and then I saw they made a movie. I ended up watching the movie (I love Sanaa Lathan) and loved it. I went through my own freedom pursuit that started with changing the color of my hair. And man, it will change your perspective. I am keeping this one.

10. Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

It could be because of recent current events, but I’m not that interested in reading about a black woman (a slave at that) having to take care of a white child. I’m removing this one.

11. Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A Young Black Man’s Education by Mychal Denzel Smith

I added this book because I am interested in seeing what a man thinks about today’s climate for our black boys. This book seems to cover the highest that we have had as a race with President Obama’s presidency and the lows to the multiple, senseless killing of unarmed black boys and men. I am keeping this one.

12. Lady Elect by Nikita Lynnette Nichols

I don’t think I need to read about any church drama at the moment. And I know this is against reader’s law, but the cover doesn’t pull me in at all! I am removing this one.

13. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I am not a fan of historical books and think this is another one of those books that everyone talks about like it is a classic. Or maybe it just has a massive following because I think is has a T.V. show or movie. I am removing this one.

14. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon

Not sure how I randomly went from the 1st in the series to the 8th in the series. But I removed the previous book, and I am removing this one as well. But at least I can kind of guess which guy she choose in the first one based on this description.

15. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

The cover was one of the reasons I added this book to my list. Also, her describing her love for pink was another. I can’t wait to dive into this book because it seems like it will be full of wit about topics that only women would get the humor of. I am keeping it.

16. Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

This seems like it would make for an excellent episode for some of the shows that I have been watching on Netflix and Hulu. I just sent it to my best friend to see if she has read it because it seems like her cup of tea. She said she started it but didn’t finish it. I’m going to give this one a chance also. I am keeping it.

17. Cross Roads by William Paul Young

His book, The Shack, was terrific, so I wanted to check out his other books. Reading about someone in business who is a little on the proud side is interesting to me as I can sometimes be this way and have to continually remind myself that it isn’t me, it is God, who deserves the glory. I am keeping this one.

18. Brida by Paulo Coelho

For some reason, I had the Portugal version on my list, so I had to switch it to the English version. I enjoyed Paulo Coelho’s book, The Alchemist and it is actually one of the triggers that made me start this blog (read about it here). This book almost seems like the female version. I am keeping this one.

19. Utopia by Thomas Moore

A book published in the 1500s. I know me, and I know this one won’t work. But it’s another one that is supposed to be a classic about the differences between a perfect world with true freedom and our current society and all its problems. I am removing it.

20. Freeman by Leonard Pitts, Jr.

This is another book based in the 1800s. The only way I can see this book (and others like it) coming back on my list is if I am explicitly studying the topic of slavery. So, for now, I am removing it.

21. Nigger by Dick Gregory

I’m honestly not sure what to expect from this book because Dick Gregory’s life was so diverse with who he was. But that will make this book all the more interesting. I’ve been loving memoirs/autobiographies lately, so I am keeping this one.

22. The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver

This sounds like the type of book that I would enjoy, and I see that it is a series. While writing this, there is a little memory of watching a movie of the same title with my dad. I’m seeing Denzel Washington. I looked it up, and sure enough, the movie was based on the book. I am keeping it.

23. Pink Lips & Empty Hearts by Heather Lindsey

I follow Heather Lindsey (and her husband) on Instagram, and they are so inspirational. I read their book Fighting Together and loved it. It was a no brainer for me to add her other books to my list. I’ve heard bits and pieces of her testimony, but it seems like this book gives the full testimony and how she overcame her struggles. I am keeping this one.

24. Dusty Crowns: Dusting Yourself Off and Becoming the Woman God Called You To Be by Heather Lindsey

I know I sometimes struggle with not feeling good enough and working hard to earn God’s love. This book seems like it would be a reminder that I already have God’s love. I am keeping this one.

25. Silent Seasons: Trusting God When You Don’t Understand by Heather Lindsey

I haven’t had a silent season personally (not that I am aware of), but I have been fascinated recently with the idea of one. It just seems like, during that time, God is preparing you. And prepare has been an interesting feeling for me lately. Also, “when you don’t understand”…is consistently me. Which is why I am keeping this book.

26. The Purpose Room: A Meeting Place Where You Discover, Birth and Accomplish Your God-Given Purpose by Heather Lindsey

I loved how she said she knew her purpose, and she just needed to figure out how she was going to get there doing what she was currently doing (sitting in a cubicle). Most purpose books are about finding your purpose, and I don’t need that at the moment. But I am keeping this one since it seems to come from a different approach.

Final Count: Removing 9; Keeping 17

TBR Down to 4,663

Have you read any of these books? Think I made a mistake removing one? Leave me a comment below and let’s chat.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases using the links included in this post.

Welcome to Down the TBR Hole #11-20. Head here to get more information on this meme that I am doing. As a reminder, here are the rules:

I am starting this week with 4,676 books on my To Be Read list.

1. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

This book is on every productivity recommendation list I have ever come across. I have the physical copy of this book and had started to read it but ended up putting it down. This was during the season where I couldn’t find joy in reading because of other things happening. I will eventually read it, so I’m keeping it.

2. Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life by Emily P. Freeman

Another book that I have a physical copy of. As someone who is recovering from being all about doing things and doing them right to please others, I bought this one when I was in Altar’d State out of town. I started another book by Emily P. Freeman recently, and it’s pretty good, so I think I will be keeping this one for now.

3. Sacred Influence: How God Uses Wives to Shape the Souls of Their Husbands by Gary L. Thomas

I will take all the books on marriage I can take. It is literally the hardest thing I have done. I am keeping this one.

4. Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs by Emerson Eggerichs

A friend let me borrow this book, and I fell in love with it. I took my time reading it, took a ton of notes, started to implement some of the recommendations, and then decided to order my own along with the workbook. Then I stopped reading it. I started again on my sabbatical but couldn’t get back into the flow I was in before. But this book is beyond amazing, and I will read it and soon. I’m keeping it.

5. Sink Reflections: Overwhelmed? Disorganized? Living In Chaos? The FlyLady’s Simple FLYing Lessons Will Show You How to Get Your Home and Your Life in Order–and It All Starts with Shining Your Sink! by Marla Cilley

I use to follow the FlyLady, and it did wonders for keeping and maintaining my house clean and organized. I still follow the essence of her advice as it has become routine for me, but I’m not strict with what she recommends. I also believe I can find everything in this book on her website. So although I own a kindle edition of this book, I am removing this one.

6. Boundaries in Marriage by Henry Cloud

I’ve had Dr. Cloud’s books recommended to me a million times. I felt like he was a legend at my previous home church, and everyone swore by his books like they were the Bible (which should have been my first clue). A friend let me borrow the audiobook. I bought the workbook. I think I downloaded the eBook. I could not get into this book. Or the regular Boundaries book. And you know what I am done trying. I’m removing it.

7. Lucky Suit by Lauren Blakely

This book was one of the books I picked from the free Audible Originals one month. It looks like it will be a quick romance to listen to so I am keeping it.

8. Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington

I love Arianna Huffington. She’s done and launched amazing things. Her story of burnout resonated with me from when I worked in Corporate America. I have already read one of her books and loved it. I own this one on Audible, so I am keeping it.

9. Win From Within: Finding Yourself by Facing Yourself by John Gray

I have been a fan of John Gray for a while and until recently would watch most of his sermons. He went through some criticism lately, and his response to that was to become an angry preacher, so I stopped watching him. But I do plan on reading his books, and maybe one day I’ll check back in on his messages. I own this one on Audible, so I’m keeping it.

10. Feeding the Dragon by Sharon Washington

Another book I received for free from Audible Originals. I love reading autobiographies from women of color, and her living on the top floor of a library made me want to add this to my collection. Plus her father being a custodian and her love for literature was something that made me relate to her as my father had a job as a building custodian at one of the apartments we lived in, in New Jersey. And I shouldn’t need to say how I relate to her love of literature…since you are on my book blog :). Needless to say, I am keeping it.

Final count: Removing 2; Keeping 8; TBR down to 4,674

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases using the links included in this post.