Author: Rachelle

Down the TBR Hole #20

Published on by Rachelle

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 until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  My TBR pile is down one to 721 books.  I recently started reading The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge.

This week’s five books:


Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine – KEEP.  Every time I’m in a bookstore, I look for a copy of this book, but I always wind up putting it back in favor of getting another book (or several).  I don’t know why, but it will stay on my wish list for now.  Maybe I’ll see if it’s at the library since I don’t seem to want to buy it.

Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer – GO.  I don’t know why I was so interested in this book and searched for so long to find a copy.  I originally wanted to find it in audio format, since that’s how I prefer my cozy mysteries, but I eventually settled for the ebook.  However, after reading the synopsis, I have no interest in reading it now.  Maybe I misread the subtitle and thought it had to do with a teapot? Who knows, but bye-bye.

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi – KEEP.  This book sounds thoroughly creepy in a “The Others” sort of way, and I LOVE that kind of creepy.  I’m hoping to get a copy to read for the next R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril challenge.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman – KEEP.  This is supposed to be “Harry Potter” for adults, and now that there’s a show, I really need to get around to reading the book so I can watch it.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell – KEEP.  I read Slade House and loved it.  I have The Bone Clocks on my TBR, and this one is still on my wish list.  I’m hesitant to buy it or check it out from the library until I read The Bone Clocks, but I’ll keep it on my list for now.
My to-read shelf is down to 720 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #141.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

  • This check-in is for March 30th – April 5th.
  • My goal for April (and hopefully the rest of the year) is to walk every day, even if it’s just around the block.  So far, I’ve been successful.  When I couldn’t, or didn’t want to go outside, I did a walking workout video in my living room.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 40,645/56,000
  • Miles: 16.91/25
  • Total Miles: 202.65
  • Active Minutes: 287/210
  • Total Money Donated: $0.56/$5.00

Monday's Minutes

Published on by Rachelle

“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 Heart of the Revolution by Noah Levine
  • Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
  • Of Books and Bagpipes by Paige Shelton
  • The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart
  • Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

     
Challenges:

Total pages read this week: 436
Total books for the year: 20 of 90.  I finally got caught up on Les Misérables and started Rebecca.  I decided to put Designing Your Life back on my TBR for now.  It has more to do with figuring out a career than anything else, which makes sense since many people spend the majority of their time working, but I’m focused on making a home for the Boyfriend and I right now.  I’ll probably pick it back up in a month or so when finding a job becomes my focus.
What are you reading this week?

O.W.L.s Readathon

Published on by Rachelle

Starting from April 2nd through the 29th, those of us willing to join Gintare over at Book Roast will be taking our O.W.L.s.  It’s been a while since I’ve gotten excited about a reading challenge, but as soon as I saw this one, I knew I had to pull a Hermione and sit all 12 exams!  I spent yesterday coming up with a tentative TBR based on the requirements for each subject and I chose the 5 I will complete first (bolded in the list below) so that I’ll be allowed to take the N.E.W.T.s for those subjects on my path to becoming a Librarian.  Madam Pince has to retire at some point, right?

  • Ancient Runes: The Heart of the Revolution by Noah Levine
  • Arithmancy: The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers
  • Astronomy: The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon
  • Care of Magical Creatures: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
  • Charms: The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
  • Defense Against the Dark Arts: Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines
  • Divination: Child of the Prophecy by Juliet Marillier
  • Herbology: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
  • History of Magic: The Queen’s Fool by Phillipa Gregory
  • Muggle Studies: Voices of Freedom by Eric Foner
  • Potions: The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
  • Transfiguration: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones


 

Down the TBR Hole #19

Published on by Rachelle

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 until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  My TBR pile is down one to 723 books.  I recently started Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

This week’s five books:


The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynne Jones – KEEP.  I bought a used copy of this book after reading something about it somewhere during my ramblings around the net.  Like Howl’s Moving Castle, it’s been lingering on my TBR just waiting for me to pick it up.

A Tale of Time City by Diana Wynne Jones – KEEP.  Here’s another one by Jones, but this one is on my wish list.  The story sounds too good to pass up.

Unexpected Magic by Diana Wynne Jones – KEEP.  The first story in this collection is described as, “A cat tells how the kindhearted wizard she owns is suddenly called upon to defeat a horrific Beast.”  Yep, that’s right, a cat who owns a wizard.  There’s no way I’m taking that off of my wish list.

The Travels of Daniel Ascher by Déborah Lévy-Bertherat – GO.  I was tempted to keep this since it was supposedly widely popular in France, but something about the synopsis rubbed me the wrong way.  I don’t know why, but I’m taking this off of the list.  If it’s meant to be, it will find its way back.

A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway – KEEP.  I already own the ebook, but even if I didn’t, I would keep it on my TBR because of 3 things; not only is it a spin off of Sherlock Holmes but it also involves Steam Punk and magic.  How could I pass that up?
My to-read shelf is down to 722 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #136.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

  • This check-in is for March 23rd – 29th.
  • I’m at a standstill with putting together furniture thanks to an Ikea dresser having a wrong piece in one of the boxes it came in.  Once I get the replacement part, I’ll be able to finish it, put the bed frame together, and then most of the apartment will finally be done.  The rest will be just odds and ends to make it cozier.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 30,966/56,000
  • Miles: 12.77/25
  • Total Miles: 185.74
  • Active Minutes: 159/210
  • Total Money Donated: $0.52/$5.00

Monday's Minutes

Published on by Rachelle

“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:

  • Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
  • Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
  • Of Books and Bagpipes by Paige Shelton
  • The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart

    
Finished:

  • The Kindness Handbook by Sharon Salzberg
  • Bilbo’s Last Song by J.R.R. Tolkien

 
Total pages read this week: 358
Total books for the year: 20 of 90.  Yesterday was Tolkien Reading Day and I chose to celebrate by reading Bilbo’s Last Song.  I’m still trying to catch up on Les Misérables, but I found The Piano Shop on the Left Bank on the free book cart at the VA and immediately started reading it.  I’m loving it so far and it made me spend far too much time searching and considering buying a piano for which I have absolutely no room in my tiny one-bedroom apartment.  I also added quite a few pieces of sheet music to my wish list on Amazon and ordered a copy of The Road Goes Ever On, a book of poems and songs from Middle Earth put to music for guitar and piano.  I only have a 5 octave keyboard, but I’ll do what I can with it until I find the room and money for a full-sized weighted-key digital piano with pedals.  It’s probably a good thing I don’t have one right now anyway since my synovitis has been acting up again.
What are you reading this week?

Down the TBR Hole #18

Published on by Rachelle

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 until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  My TBR has gone up, again, to 724 books thanks to my fave book blogs providing amazing reviews and recommendations.

This week’s five books:


So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane – KEEP.  I loved Duane’s The Book of Night with Moon and I already own this one.

The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks – KEEP.  If I’m ever going to get around to watching the TV adaptation, I need to read this classic Fantasy first.

The Year of Shadows by Claire Legrand – KEEP. Gothic Middle Grade Fantasy?  Yes, please and thank you!

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde – KEEP.  I don’t remember why I initially added this one to my wish list, but I wouldn’t doubt it had something to do with the VW Bug on what is obviously part of a dragon.  How could this not be an awesome story with that cover?!  The synopsis backs up my theory, too, so I’m keeping this one on my wish list.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones – KEEP.  Why have I not read this yet?! I have it on my “Readathon Maybes” list, so I’m going to move it to the top of the stack for the 24-Hour Readathon in April.
My to-read shelf is stuck at 724 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #131.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

  • This check-in is for March 16th – 22nd.
  • I’m having some difficulty getting my steps, but I’m going above and beyond my active minutes goal without much trouble.  I’m not going to adjust any of my goals yet, though, since I’m still in the process of unpacking, putting together furniture, rearranging things, and organizing all the stuff.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 36,114/56,000
  • Miles: 14.90/25
  • Total Miles: 172.97
  • Active Minutes: 245/210
  • Total Money Donated: $0.49/$5.00

Monday's Minutes

Published on by Rachelle

“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:

  • Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
  • The Kindness Handbook by Sharon Salzberg
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
  • Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
  • Of Books and Bagpipes by Paige Shelton

    
Finished:

  • Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
  • A Philosophy of Walking by Frédéric Gros

 
Total pages read this week: 481
Total books for the year: 18 of 90.  I’m doing my best to finish up my current reads now that my reading slump has passed.
What are you reading this week?