Books I’m Unhauling and Why: A Brutally Honest Shelf Clean-Out

Every few months, I try to go through my bookshelves with a clear head and an honest heart. As a reader, collector, and occasional impulse buyer. I’ve accumulated a lot of books! Whether it's a case of bad timing, over-hype, or simply a shift in taste, here’s a rundown of the books I’m letting go of and why.

Our Infinite Fates (3 Copies)

I have absolutely no explanation for why I bought FOUR copies of the same book. Was it cover variations? Exclusive sprayed edges? Preorder delirium? It was probably all of them. What I do know is that I’ve chosen my favorite edition to keep, and the others are off to new homes.

The Plated Prisoner Series

This one stings a little because I was really into the first book when I read it. But the long wait between releases completely threw off my engagement. By the time the next one came out, I had forgotten half the plot. Add in the fact that the series got extended beyond its originally planned arc (a pet peeve of mine), and it just felt like a never ending story I wasn’t invested in anymore. Time to let it go.

The Drowned Empire Series

I’ve read six books in this series, and that’s not even the end. There are still more planned! And while I enjoyed parts of it (the worldbuilding is solid), it’s become one of those series that just feels never-ending. While I have loved this series and this author, I just can’t keep going. I want to be excited about continuing a series, not overwhelmed by it.

Throne of Glass

I already own the entire series in a matching set that I love, and the original covers, and honestly, that’s enough. The original cover is cool, and a definite collectors item, but I don’t need a second copy gathering dust just to have it. Shelf space is prime real estate!

Zodiac Academy: The Awakening

I bought this on a whim. Pure BookTok hype. But once it got to my shelf, I realized I had zero interest in ever actually reading it. Everything I’ve heard about the plot, the tropes, and the vibes just doesn't appeal to me. It was a weird impulse buy, and I’m happy to admit that and move on.

Angel of Water

This was a case of "the blurb sounded good, but now that I have it... not for me." It leans heavily into themes and tropes that I know I don’t connect with, and I’d rather be honest with myself than force a read I’m not going to enjoy.

Catwoman (Sarah J. Maas)

I found a signed copy recently (which was super exciting), so I’m unhauling the original one I had. It’s not that I don’t like the book, it’s just that I don’t need two. If I’m going to keep duplicates, they have to be extra special.

Kiss Me, Maybe

I read this one and while it wasn’t terrible, it also didn’t really stick with me. It was a "meh" read—cute enough, but not something I’d reread. So instead of letting it fade into the background of my shelves, I’m sending it off to hopefully charm someone else.

Unrelenting

Sometimes a book shows up in your collection and you’re not really sure why. This is one of those. I’ve looked at it multiple times and never once felt like picking it up. The concept doesn’t excite me, and I’d rather give it to someone who might genuinely enjoy it than let it sit untouched forever.

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon

I didn’t just dislike this one, I thought it was bad. The plot was predictable, the dialogue felt forced, and the characters didn’t click with me at all. Life’s too short to keep books you wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

A Dish Best Served Hot

This came in a subscription box, and while I appreciate getting surprised with new reads, this one just isn’t my vibe. I’d rather give it to someone who might actually be into it.

The Flatshare

This book gets a lot of love online, but for me? It was boring. I really tried to push through, but the pacing dragged, and I never connected with the story. I’m all for cozy romances, but this one didn’t do it for me.

Say You’ll Be Mine

This book was good, and probably the one I am most considering keeping. It wasn’t my favorite book, but I would recommend it to some people and it was overall a good story. Sometimes, unhauling is about making hard choices.

Outlander

I’ve had this book for years, and every time I consider starting it, I just get overwhelmed. It’s huge. The series is huge. And while I get why it’s so popular, I know I’m not the kind of reader who wants to dive into something that long and intense right now, or maybe ever. I’m officially letting go of the pressure to read it.

King of Battle and Blood & Queen of Myth and Monsters

I enjoyed parts of these books, but the storyline was already confusing, and now the third book has been delayed multiple times. Honestly, I don’t even remember what happened. If I have to reread books to enjoy the next one, I’m usually out. The spark is gone for me with this series, and I am okay with that.

Why I Unhaul

Unhauling is self-care. It’s about curating a shelf that excites me, not one that guilts me. I want my book collection to reflect who I am as a reader now, not who I thought I might be years ago (and some of these books have been on my shelf unread for years!). And if a book didn’t work for me? That’s okay. It might be perfect for someone else.

Many of these are going up on Pango, and others will be donated locally. Either way, I’m happy knowing they’ll have a chance to be read and loved by someone else.