Kait Mae

Every December, specifically that week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, I do a deep clean and reorganization of my shelves. I sort the books out by “last chance,” “low priority”, and “high priority” books for the year. To become a “last chance” book on my shelf, it has to be on my shelf for over 5 years that I haven’t reached for since I got it. If I DNF or just don’t reach for it throughout the year, it gets unhauled during that last week of the year.

So, here’s what I am purging from my shelves to make room for books I actually want to pick up this year. And just a warning, this will be a longer post.

Please note: most of these books will be on my PangoBooks, but if they are ARCs that I’m not keeping, they will be put in Little Free Libraries when I get the chance.

‘Jade Fire Gold’ by June C.L. Tan

I actually have two copies of this book. I preordered the regular edition because I wanted the artwork incentives, and then just after it was released, I got my Fairyloot subscription box (which I’ve since canceled for unrelated reasons), and received that edition as well.

To be fair, I was planning on selling the regular edition because I didn’t need two copies, but after trying to read it in both 2023 and 2024, I’m giving up. The story just isn’t for me, but someone will love it.

‘Spice Road” by Maya Ibrahim

Another Fairyloot edition that I received and DNF’d is Spice Road. I remember it being on my TBR for 2023, then not picking it up. So I put it on my 2024 TBR. And I tried so hard to read it, but after reading some reviews and not loving the writing style, I decided the “bully romance” trope isn’t for me in any genre.

‘Cruel Illusions’ by Margie Fuston

I fully expected to love this story after reading the synopsis. But it flopped for me. And I don’t mean that in a mean way – it just dragged on and on despite the fast pacing. I called the big twist at the end, and if it had been paced better, it could’ve easily been a great duology.

‘These Feathered Flames’ by Alexandra Overy

This was the first special edition I ever got from a subscription box. And it sat on my shelves for nearly 6 years before I finally picked it up. I DNF’d it the same day, about a fourth of the way in. I just couldn’t find any interest in either of the sisters.

Want a change of pace real quick? Let’s go through books I loved from school.

‘The Midnight Girls’ by Alicia Jalinska

If you haven’t noticed, I had a subscription box obsession during the pandemic. The Midnight Girls was another I got from a subscription box (I think this one was The Bookish Box), and it also sat on my shelf for years, only for me to lose interest halfway through. It was just so slow for me, and I don’t see myself picking it up again despite the amazing worldbuilding and magic system.

‘Violet Made of Thorns’ by Gina Chen

This was one of the only special editions I got from Fairyloot that I started reading almost immediately after getting it. And I DNF’d it because I thought it was my brain being fogged. So I tried it again a year later – only to DNF it again even earlier because I hated the worldbuilding.

‘Gold Spun’ by Brandie June

I’ve never been a big Rumplestiltskin fan, and this book wasn’t an exception. The worldbuilding was interesting, but I didn’t care about any of the characters except the protagonist’s younger brother.

‘An Arrow to the Moon’ by Emily X.R. Pan

I picked this up and genuinely thought it was going to be a new favorite. I made it more than halfway before just putting it down because I couldn’t care less about the character’s love story. The writing was unique though, so if I have time, I might grab another of her books.

‘Afterlove’ by Tanya Byrne

This is the only special edition I’m unhauling that I actually finished. That said, I did like the book, but the longer it sits on my shelf, the less I’ve grown to love it. The ending just was a bit anticlimactic for me, and I think after this one, ghost romances are off my list forever.

‘Toys’ by James Patterson

I’m pretty sure I swapped out an older book for this one from a Little Free Library for my mom during a pandemic summer. She told me it wasn’t her favorite Patterson book, so since she and I both don’t want it, it’s gone.

‘The 18th Abduction’ by James Patterson

Now this is a James Patterson book my mom liked, but doesn’t want anymore. And since it’s the 18th in a series I don’t plan on reading – at least in the next 10 years – it’s going. That said, if I ever feel the need to pick up this series, I’ll drop by a local store or library and grab the first.

‘The Dolls’ by James Patterson

This one my mom bought at an airport on the way somewhere when I was younger – she read it four times since it was the only book she had on her. And she’s thoroughly done with it. And if I feel the need to read it before it gets sold or swapped out at a Little Free Library, I will. That said, it’s not a priority.

Want some recommendations? Start here.

‘Hush, Hush’, ‘Silence’, and ‘Finale’ by Becca Fitzpatrick

I read this entire series in high school (I had to check out the second book from the public library then), and I don’t feel the need to revisit it. If it ever gets adapted, I’ll check it out again, but I don’t need it on my shelves. If you haven’t read this, it is an interesting series, and I do recommend it.

‘Light of the Jedi’ by Charles Soule

I read three Stars Wars: The High Republic novels in 2024, and I had the majority of the first phase. Out of the books I owned, three have already been sold. As for this and the next five, I’m still trying to sell them.

This was the first I read – and I was bored the entire time. I skimmed several chapters, mostly searching for one specific characters’ chapters, and then finally finished. But I definitely won’t be re-reading it. In fact, I think Disney should adapt it because it would be better as a movie.

‘The Rising Storm’ by Cavan Scott

This was the next book I was going to read before I DNF’d a children’s book from the series, then proceeded to DNF the series. So, I never read this one. And I don’t plan on it. It could be the best book in the world, but I just don’t think I’m a Star Wars book girl. I’ll stick to movies and TV shows.

‘Tempest Runner’ by Cavan Scott

Another of the Star Wars books I didn’t get to – it’s actually written in a screenplay format from what I remember. Really interesting, but I didn’t know that when I bought it. I’ve tried to read 3 in this format before, and I can’t do it again.

‘A Test of Courage’ by Justina Ireland

One of the three children’s books I’d had for The High Republic series, A Test of Courage was a cute read, but I just couldn’t bring myself to get into it. I DNF’d this book, and then the series. But I did love the illustrations – I wish this was a show because I’d be able to get through it then.

‘Mission to Disaster’ by Justina Ireland

I never got to this one, and since I DNF’d the series as a whole, I’m hoping there’s a parent with kids out there that love Star Wars – because these are perfect for kids. Even if you’re just trying to get into Star Wars, this is a great way to start.

‘Race to Crashpoint Tower’ by Daniel José Older

I was very disappointed I never got to this book – but I’m still not going to try for more of The High Republic. The synopsis sounded right up my alley, but it’s just not enough for me. If Disney ever adapts these, I’d be more than happy to watch it.

‘Awake at Dawn’ by C.C. Hunter

I somehow was given a duplicate copy by someone I live with – and I don’t know how they didn’t know I already had it since I’ve read it several times. So, I’m clearing a space for another book.

‘Shadow Falls: The Next Chapter’ by C.C. Hunter

While I’m getting rid of duplicates from this series (which I’m recommending you read if you like young adult paranormal stories), I might as well unhaul this bind-up of the third and fourth books. I have them separately, so this one can go to a new home.

‘Vampire Academy’ by Richelle Mead

On a similar note, I’m unhauling the first book of Vampire Academy – it’s the movie cover that came with a box set I bought. But I wanted the matching cover, so I went out and bought it from a secondhand store. So, this one can go to someone else.

‘Frostbite’ by Richelle Mead

Following in line with Vampire Academy, I have a duplicate copy of the second book. It is a little damaged, but I’m selling it for very cheap and if it doesn’t sell by the time I get a job, I’m thinking of putting it in a Little Free Library.

‘The Longest Ride’ by Nicholas Sparks

I currently have one Nicholas Sparks book that I’m keeping, but this is the closest I have to keeping a second. That said, I saw the movie and I’m okay for now. If I ever want to read it, there are several copies at my local library and favorite secondhand shop.

‘Dear John’ by Nicholas Sparks

I couldn’t finish this one. While I like the movie, I couldn’t get through the book. So, this one needs a new home – whether I sell it or put it in a Little Free Library.

‘The Best of Me’ by Nicholas Sparks

I’ve never even attempted to read this one. It was just $1 at a garage sale, and I was like, “Oh, I’ll read this then watch the movie.” I ended up watching the movie a month or so later, and I’m not putting myself through that heartbreak again.

‘The Lucky One’ by Nicholas Sparks

I was all for this because Zac Efron was in the movie. But then I saw clips – not even the whole movie – after picking up the book at a garage sale and realized it isn’t for me.

‘Leap of Faith’ by Cameron Hamilton and Lauren Speed

I read through this right when it came out, and I’ll probably skim it while I wait for someone to buy this. But if it’s still on my unhaul shelf by next Christmas, it’s going in a Little Free Library. So, if you want it before then, check out my PangoBooks.

‘The Hidden Power of F*cking Up’ by The Try Guys

I bought this to support my favorite group that broke away from Buzzfeed. And it’s been on my shelves since the day it came out. But then that scandal happened with one member, and I just don’t want that face in my house anymore. So, it might just go in a Little Free Library this summer.

‘JOMO: Celebrate the Joy of Missing Out!’ By Jessica Misener

I was given this as a gift by a “friend” who turned out to not be a friend. It should’ve been a red flag since she ditched me for other people all the time, even after we’d planned something for months. So, I’m unhauling the bad energy that surrounds it for me.

‘The Battle of Hogwarts and the Magic Used to Defend It’ by Cala Spinner and Daphne Pendergrass

My mom gave me this book for Christmas one year. I read through it once. And I know my nieces and nephews won’t want it, so I think the next time I go to a Little Free Library, it will be going in it. Oh, and it has a wand that reacts to the book only.

‘Humans of New York’ by Brandon Stanton

I bought this when I first went to college in 2016 for my dorm. I can’t remember the amount of times I flipped through the photos. But it’s time for it to find a new home. So, I’m selling it, hopefully to a home that loves photography as much as I do.

‘The Diet for Teenagers Only’ by Barbara Schroeder and Carrie Latt Wiatt

This might have been the worst “gift” I received from a family member when I was 13 and dealing with an eating disorder. I know it was meant to be a nice gesture, but it missed the mark and has been on my bookshelf for over a decade. And I don’t want it anywhere near me.

‘Styling for Instagram’ by Leela Cyd

If you’re hoping to do more Bookstagram photos – or even just layout photos for social media – this is the book for you. I bought it when I was a communications major, and it’s time to move on.

‘Chain of Gold’ by Cassandra Clare

This is probably the only book I’m unhauling to repurchase in a different format one day. I ordered the paperback version of this book, but when it arrived, it was hardcover. But the person I bought it from wouldn’t refund me and let me return it, so I’m selling it to get the paperback to match the rest of my Clare novels.

‘Entwined’ by Heather Dixon Wallwork

I bought this from my library’s book sale in high school – only for it to sit on my shelves until last January. I finally picked it up and put it down a day later because I didn’t love the writing style. If I had picked this up when I’d first gotten it, I can guarantee I would have loved this Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling.

‘Rise of the Isle of the Lost’ by Melissa de la Cruz

I bought this with every intention to buy the rest of the Descendants books. And then I didn’t. So, I’m most likely putting this in a Little Free Library and getting a book I’m more likely to read.

‘Five Survive’ by Holly Jackson

I was fully expecting to love this book. I’d gotten it a couple years back and finally got around to it in 2024. I’d borrowed the audiobook from the library to help me get through it while I was driving to and from work. And within the first five chapters, I’d figured out the plot twist. So, I stopped listening and barely opened the book before putting it on my unhaul shelf.

‘Pretenders’ by Lisi Harrison

I was maybe halfway through the first chapter before I put it down indefinitely. I love Lisi Harrison’s Clique and A-List series, but this book’s writing style just didn’t work well with my brain.

‘A Study in Charlotte’ by Brittany Cavallaro

I already had a copy of this book, but somehow got a second copy that I didn’t buy. So, I’m unhauling it because I don’t need two of the same book that I have yet to read yet. But I do plan on getting to the other copy sometime this year.

‘Open Road Summer’ by Emery Lord

I don’t know where I got this book, when I got this book, but I can remember it being one of the few books still on my shelf when I came back from my second year of college. It somehow survived my grandmother’s “surprise” purge and cleaning of my room – that I told her not to do. But I did try this three times – it’s time for the book to go.

‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ by Jenny Han

I got the box set in high school when it was huge among teens – is it still huge among teens? Anyway, this was a duplicate copy that I received years later in a “blind date with a book,” which surprised me because the clue on the book said “adult” romance.

‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ by Trenton Lee Stewart

In the same order of “blind date with books,” I got this one. And I had every intention of reading it. Until a year passed. Then another. Then another. It’s been nearly five years, and I still haven’t picked it up or come near it. So, off to the unhaul shelf it went this Christmas.

‘Book Lovers’ by Emily Henry

This was the third Emily Henry book I picked up. And the second I DNF’d. I’ve come to the conclusion her writing style just isn’t for me, so I’ll be passing this one along as well. Beach Read will continue being the only Emily Henry book on my shelf at home.

‘Chef’s Kiss’ by T.J. Alexander

I tried to read this last February, only to DNF it the same day. Immediately upon reading the first chapter, I was uninterested in anything regarding the protagonist. They just didn’t interest me or make me want to root for them.

‘If The Shoe Fits’ by Julie Murphy

I read it. I liked it. It’s going to a Little Free Library soon. While I did enjoy the book, I think it would be a great book to pass along (not just because it was from a Goodreads Giveaway). It’s a quick Cinderella retelling that I’m sure someone else will love more than I did.

‘The Hating Game’ by Sally Thorne

I made the mistake of watching the movie first before grabbing this book. But I did that so I wouldn’t be influenced to dislike the movie based on the book. And then I disliked the book because I kept thinking of the movie while trying to read.

‘The Au Pair Affair’ by Tessa Bailey

I accidentally got a second copy of this recently after mixing up the first and second books of this series – I’d been searching for the first. So, this one is going straight to my PangoBooks.

‘While We Were Dating’ by Jasmine Guillory

TikTok did me dirty with this recommendation. First, nobody told me it was the sixth in a series of romances. Second, nobody told me how unlikeable the protagonists are at the very start. I couldn’t put myself through it.

‘Zenith’ by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings

I used to be the biggest Sasha Alsberg fan. Until I stopped watching as college started getting busy. But despite that, I still bought her debut novel with Lindsay the day it came out. Just for me to not pick it up until last January because I didn’t like science-fiction until recently. But, I lost interest by then, so off to the unhaul shelf it is.

‘Kingdom of the Wicked’ by Kerri Maniscalco

I really, really, really expected to love this book. Then the protagonist summoned a specific demon by accident. So despite the Italy-inspired setting and witchy vibes, I couldn’t get past how dumb the protagonist was at several moments.

‘The Goodbye Summer’ by Sarah Van Name

I took this on a road trip with a few other books, and this was the only one I didn’t finish. Why? Because within the first three chapters, the protagonist’s boyfriend reminded me of a bad ex of mine, and I had to DNF it forever.

‘The Frozen Prince’ by Maxym M. Martineau

I was given this as the second in a series I’d never heard of. And I had intentions to pick up the first if I ever found it. But I never did for less than $30 anywhere – and I can’t bring myself to spend $30 on a book at the moment. So, I’m unhauling this to make room for books I really want to read.

‘The Martian’ by Andy Weir

This was a “blind date with a book” pick, but I am not interested in reading it. So, if I ever change my mind one day after seeing the movie (whenever I get to it), it’s at the library.

‘Lessons in Chemistry’ by Bonnie Garmus

I had every intention of loving this book, if only because I wanted to watch and love the show. I’ll get to the show soon, but after reading the book, I realized that while I liked it for the most part, I don’t think I’ll ever love it. So, it’s going to a new home, hopefully soon.

‘Addams Family Values’ by Strasser

I bought this at a garage sale for about 50 cents. And then I saw the movie. So, I’m good with not having a novelization. It’ll go to a Little Free Library soon.

‘Dragonfly in Amber’ by Diana Gabaldon

This is a duplicate copy, and I don’t know how I got this one. It just showed up one day, and nobody in my home remembers getting it. So, off to a new home this one goes because I definitely don’t need a duplicate for this series.