Well, month one of Clearing The Hoard Bookwyrm Challenge was a success! Out of the three books I pulled from my TBR jar, I decided to read Into The Woods. I enjoyed the book, but I decided that it’s time for this book to find a new owner. I enjoyed the script, but I know that I’m never going to reread the script. 

My first post with all of my data was posted on December 5th. I figured I would update everyone on what has been added and removed from my shelves since then. 

Here are the books I’ve given away since my very first post:

1. Into The Woods by James Lapine & Stephen Sondheim 
2. Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller – Duplicate Copy

I have also added a few new books onto my shelves:

1. So You Think You’re A Bookworm? by Jo Hoare
2. Mini Kawaii Doodle Class by Zainab Kahn
3. Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert – Gift
4. Venators: Magic Unleashed by Devri Walls – Autographed
5. Cruel Prince by Holly Black – Autographed
6. 19 Love Songs by David Levithan – Autographed

With the subtractions & additions to my bookshelves, my percentages have basically stayed the same. 

Total books owned: 726
Reference Books*: 63
Readable Books Owned: 663
Books Read: 144 (21.72%) was 142
Books Unread: 508 (76.62%) was 504
Books Read but not remembered: 11 (1.66%)

With it being the last weekend of January (how did that happen?), I have pulled out the handy dandy Book TBR Jar and pulled three colors. 

The books I pulled out of the jar are the following: 

Blue:
Castles of the World by Gianni Guadalupi, & Gabriele Reina
Pages: 272
Genre: Travel
Publication Year: 2005
Where I got this book: I ended up picking this book up from a library sale!

Goodreads Summary:

Palatial structures set in the tranquil green countryside or austere strongholds atop unassailable crags, the castles of the world — so often marked by extravagant architecture, enormous parks, richly furnished rooms, turbulent histories and an aura of legend and mystery — are still landmarks of geography and the collective imagination. Castles tell the history of lands that throughout the centuries have been ravaged by war; they range from centuries-old defensive towers made from bare stone to resplendent residences built by 18th- and 19th-century monarchs and magnates.

In the defense or conquest of castles, men have fought and died. To beautify them, legions of artists and architects have been drafted into service; to maintain them, marriages and alliances have been forged between great families and great fortunes. Kings and queens, princes and prelates, aristocrats, favorites and courtiers have inhabited their magnificent rooms; ghosts that live on in memory are said to descend the wide marble staircases, plot vendettas in secret rooms, or dance to ancient melodies before the immense fireplaces of vast salons.

Leafing through the pages of this volume, dwelling on the superb photographs and rich descriptions, is to visit the world’s most fascinating castles. To enter these historic buildings, to climb narrow spiral stairs and to pass through ancient chambers and dusty libraries is to embark upon a journey of discovery and to encounter the power and the pageantry, the splendor and the brilliance of a great chapter in our history.

Green:
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Pages: 341
Genre: Biography/Autobiography
Publication Year: 2003
Where I got this book: I bought this book when I was running my book club in Denver. This was one of our books (half of it anyway). I loved the first half but I ended up putting it down to read another book.

Goodreads Summary:

Here, in one volume: Marjane Satrapi’s best-selling, internationally acclaimed graphic memoir.

Persepolis is the story of Satrapi’s unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private life and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna facing the trials of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming–both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up.

Edgy, searingly observant, and candid, often heartbreaking but threaded throughout with raw humor and hard-earned wisdom–Persepolis is a stunning work from one of the most highly regarded, singularly talented graphic artists at work today.

Pink:

The Pit by Misty D. Billman This is book 2 in the Hisime Ara Chronicles. Since this is book two, I’m going to replace this with book one, which is Royal Elves.
Pages: 82
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Year: First Published 2016
Where I got this book: I actually got this book at Denver Pop Culture Con. I’m a HUGE fan of author alley and I spend a large chunk of my money on all of the amazing indie authors.

Goodreads Summary:

A slave with no hope. A brother she can’t save.

Beaten, battered, and enslaved, Hisime is determined to stay alive, if for no other reason than to look out for her brother.

Freedom is a dream they will never have…

Or will they?

When powerful elves who are envoys from the royal family come to visit, Hisime sees a way out. However, the elves aren’t there to sightsee, they’re there for Hisime and her brother.

Now she must make a choice: escape and leave him behind, or stay and fight for both of their lives. One choice means freedom, the other is almost certain death. 

Blood runs thicker than water. 

Is it possible for Hisime to save them both? Or will the elves carry them off to a worse fate?

As you can tell, my shelves are full of drastically different books. I’m not sure which one I’m going to pick because both Royal Elves & The Complete Persepolis are calling to me.

If you were to pick between these three books, which one would you choose?