Down the TBR Hole #14

Image: hjl

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

  • Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf.
  • Order on ascending date added.
  • Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
  • Read the synopses of the books
  • Decide: keep it or should it go?

I will be repeating this process every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 566 books on my to-read shelf.

This week’s five books:


Probably Monsters by Ray Cluley – KEEP.  I will eventually buy this Horror short story collection, but for now it’s staying on my wish list.

Farewell, Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister – GO.  This one has been on my wish list for years and I always pass it up every time I’m looking for a book to buy.  I realize now that I’m just not that interested in reading it, so it goes.  Maybe some day I’ll try to find it at the library, but then again, maybe not.

Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman – KEEP.  This one is an ARC I never got around to reading and reviewing because I haven’t read the first book of the series yet.  Yes, I feel guilty about that.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly – KEEP.  There’s no way I’m going to get rid of a Fantasy story involving books 🙂

My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse – KEEP.  I already own this one and it’s a fairly short read, so I’ll give it a chance sometime next year.
My to-read shelf is down one book to 565 books.  That’s 2 weeks in a row that I haven’t added any more books to the mountain!  Hopefully I’ll be able to get a couple more pulled off of the shelf by next weekend when I start with book #111.

#FitReaders Check-In

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for September 22nd – 28th.
  • I’m working overtime again this week, but I’m also starting Damn Early Days on Monday, so I’ll be getting at least some time in on the treadmill every morning.
  • The Boyfriend and I have started walking to the grocery store down the street to get stuff for a date night dinner on Fridays instead of going to a restaurant.  While the main reason is to save money, it also means we’re both getting some extra exercise before we eat pizza or some other calorie laden dinner.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 17,550/70,000
  • Miles: 7.20/35
  • Total Miles: 364.30
  • Active Minutes: 75/210
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $4.36/$10.00

Monday's Minutes

“Monday’s Minutes” is a weekly post in which I track my bookish life.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.
Currently Reading:

  • The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Do it! Let’s Get Off Our Buts by Peter McWilliams
  • Wildwood by Colin Melot
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

  
Finished:

  • The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
  • The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox
  • The Once and Future King by T.H. White – I only finished The Sword in the Stone which is it’s own book, but Part One of this one.  I got several chapters into Part Two (“The Queen of Air and Darkness” in this book, but it’s The Witch in the Wood on it’s own) and then lost interest in continuing.
  • Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs

  

Challenges:

Total pages read this week: 1163
Total # of books for the year: 76 of 85.  I’ve got mandatory overtime for the next two weeks, so I mostly read and napped this weekend.  Also, I’ve got another flat tire.  The Boyfriend put the spare on for me, but none of the shops were open yesterday.  He’s going to take the car in for me sometime today so I can get back to being able to go where I want, when I want.  This isn’t the only reason why I love him, but it’s another reason on the ever growing list! 🙂
What are you reading this week?

Sunday's Sundries: Damn Early Days

“Sunday’s Sundries” is my chance to discuss things that are going on in my life but might not be book or blog related.
Months ago I wrote about how I wanted to get back into regular blogging and posting book reviews instead of the two or three weekly posts I’ve been doing lately.  I don’t know what happened, but I definitely didn’t do what I planned.  The Boyfriend brought to my attention several times that I hadn’t written a review in quite awhile.  I had tons of excuses: I was tired, I was working a lot and didn’t have time, I didn’t know what to write, I didn’t want to review a particular book I had just finished reading, I was too busy finishing books from my TBR, etc.

“You wanna fly, you got to give up the sh*t that weighs you down.” – Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

That’s going to change.  I signed up for Damn Early Days, the 21 day program to get back to what matters by getting up before the butt crack of dawn and working on one or two goals before doing anything else.  The sign up is still open, but I don’t know for how long.  They recommend 4:30 am, but I convinced The Boyfriend to do this crazy thing with me and he takes issue with going to bed prior to 9 pm as if he’s a 6 year old on a school night.  I tend to agree, and the program does allow you to choose the time you’re going to get up.  So, starting October 2nd, we’ll be getting up at 5 am…every morning…for 21 days.

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.” – Woody Allen, quoted in Do It! Let’s Get Off Our Buts by Peter McWilliams

My primary goal is to write at least one blog post every morning and get it scheduled.  There won’t necessarily be a post to read from me every single day, but by time I’m done, there will 21 blog posts scheduled and/or posted.  My secondary goal is all about walking.  Since I started working from home, I haven’t gone walking during any of my breaks; mostly because I’m still in my pajamas, but whatever.  After I get my writing done, I will put my shoes on and get out the door for at least 30 minutes of walking.  I’ll either head over to the fitness center and get on a treadmill or I’ll walk around the apartment complex, but regardless of how I do it, I’m getting as many steps as I can before I have to get ready for work.

To prep for October 2nd, I’m playing around with a possible schedule to successfully get me through each day.  I’m also reading Do It! Let’s Get Off Our Buts by Peter McWilliams.  Do you want to know something hilarious?  I’ve owned this motivational “get stuff done” book for over a decade (since 2003, in fact) and I have never once opened it!  I think that makes me the Queen of Procrastination.  Hopefully Damn Early Days will help me abdicate the thrown.

Down the TBR Hole #13

Image: hjl

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

  • Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf.
  • Order on ascending date added.
  • Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
  • Read the synopses of the books
  • Decide: keep it or should it go?

I will be repeating this process every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 568 books on my to-read shelf, thanks to starting The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

This week’s five books:


The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman – KEEP.  How could anyone get rid of a book about a library?!

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin – KEEP.  I got this paperback a couple of years ago when I realized Le Guin is one of those authors that every Fantasy fan should read.  I know I won’t get to it before the end of the year, but I’ll probably take it off the shelf early next year.

Dooms Day Book by Connie Willis – KEEP.  This was recommended to me by The Boyfriend’s Aunt.  I’ve been saving it for #SciFiSummer, but it’s ended up at the bottom of the stack both years that I’ve hosted the challenge.

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day by Matt Kepnes – GO.  I’m only taking this off of my wish list because it was published in 2013; which means it’s probably out of date.  I might try to find a copy at the library or in a used bookstore at some point, but for now, it’s off the list.

The Sons of Macha by John Lenahan – KEEP.  The only reason I haven’t read this one yet is because I found out that Lenahan has been recording the audio book, and I absolutely LOVED the audio books of the 1st two books, Shadowmagic and Prince of Hazel and Oak.  I already own the ebook, but I’m more than willing to wait for the magic of the audio.
My to-read shelf is down one book to 567 books.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get a couple more pulled off of the shelf by next week when I start with book #106.

#FitReaders Check-In

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for September 15th – 21st.
  • I have another week of mandatory overtime coming up, so I’m not sure when I’ll be able to start my new routine.
  • My biopsy results were good news.  It’s a benign tumor.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 11,933/70,000
  • Miles: 4.90/35
  • Total Miles: 357.10
  • Active Minutes: 70/210
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $4.32/$10.00

Sci-Fi Summer 2017 Wrap Up

SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge
Today is the last day of the Sci-Fi Summer Reading Challenge!
We started the challenge on June 20th, the official first day of Summer, and agreed to read a certain number of Sci-Fi books by the official end of Summer, today, the day before the Autumnal Equinox.  Below are the levels:

  • Red Shirt – 1 to 5 books
  • Viper Pilot – 6 to 10 books
  • Jedi – 11 to 15 books
  • Time Lord – 16 or more books

I was successful in reading 13 books for the Jedi level, and I managed it with more than a week to spare.  I unfortunately didn’t get any reviews written, however.  While the review link-up isn’t closed yet, the last day to link up reviews is September 25th.  If you were a participant in the Sci-Fi Summer reading challenge, you’ve still got a few days to get those reviews posted!
            
Thank you for a great Summer filled with Science Fiction!  I might do this again next year 🙂

 

Monday's Minutes

“Monday’s Minutes” is a weekly post in which I track my bookish life.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.
Currently Reading:

  • The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox
  • The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • The Once and Future King by T.H. White
  • The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

  
Finished:

  • Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
  • Slade House by David Mitchell
  • Shadow House: The Gathering by Dan Poblocki
  • Jack the Bodiless by Julian May

  

Challenges:

Total pages read this week: 1187
Total # of books for the year: 72 of 85.  I can’t believe I’ve already read 6 books and started two more for #RIPXII and it’s only the middle of September!
What are you reading this week?

Down the TBR Hole #12

Image: hjl

Down the TBR Hole was started by Lia over at Lost in a Story.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

How it works:

  • Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf.
  • Order on ascending date added.
  • Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
  • Read the synopses of the books
  • Decide: keep it or should it go?

I will be repeating this process every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 569 books on my to-read shelf, thanks to finally adding several of my audio books to the list.

This week’s five books:


Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb – KEEP.  Here is yet another author in the Fantasy genre who I’ve never read.  I’ll change this at some point, especially since I already own this book.

The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth – KEEP.  This one has been on my wish list for a very long time, and I’ve never been able to find a copy in any bookstore.  I don’t know if it’s out of print or I just haven’t been lucky yet.

Chronology ed. by Curiosity Quills Press – KEEP.  This is an anthology of short stories all dealing with the theme of time.  I already own it, so I’ll keep it.

Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor – KEEP.  I love Taylor’s “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” series, and this book of 3 short stories looks to be just as interesting.  Besides, that cover is beautiful!

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black – KEEP.  I have the hardcover, and Doll Bones was OK, so I’ll give this one a chance.
My to-read shelf is stuck at 569 books.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get a couple more pulled off of the shelf and read by next week when I start with book #101.

#FitReaders Check-In

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for September 8th – 14th.
  • As soon as I started working from home, I wound up having to work mandatory overtime.  So much for starting a new routine!
  • In addition to the overtime, I had my biopsy yesterday.  I won’t be trying to do any exercise until I stop feeling like I got kicked in the chest.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 18,949/70,000
  • Miles: 7.80/35
  • Total Miles: 352.20
  • Active Minutes: 70/210
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $4.30/$10.00