Author: Rachelle

Down the TBR Hole #11

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 565 books on my to-read shelf, and that’s only because I started reading Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris.  Why is it that every time I make some head way on the TBR mountain I end up adding more books to it?  At this rate, I don’t think I’ll ever be saying “This is the final ‘Down the TBR Hole’ post.”  I’m not sure if I’m OK with that or not.

This week’s five books:


The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander – KEEP.  This is the start of another one of those classic Fantasy series that “everyone” says is a must-read.  I’ll keep it on my wish list for now.

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper – KEEP.  A Middle-grade Fantasy involving Arthurian legend?  Yeah, I’ll keep this one on my wish list, thank you.

The Fall by Garth Nix – GO.  I own the paperback of Sabriel, but I haven’t read it yet; which is why this book has been lingering on my wish list for several years.  I’m going to remove it for now.  Though I’ve heard nothing but great things about his writing, I would rather wait until I read Sabriel to decide if I want to get more of Nix’s books.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart – GO.  I added this one to my wish list solely based on the title.  I didn’t even read the synopsis.  Now that I have, I know this is definitely not the book for me.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – KEEP.  I managed to survive the audio book of Anna Karenina, so I think I can make it through this beast as well.  I have the ebook, but I may have to get the audio book.
 
My to-read shelf is down to 563 books.  I’m sure it won’t stay that way for long!  I’ll start off next week with book #96.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for September 1st -7th .
  • I’m working from home now, so I’ll be starting a new routine next week.
  • I’ve been reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson while I walk the Appalachian Trail virtually on Walking 4 Fun.  Since I didn’t start reading until I was well into Stage 6 of the trail, I had a bit of catching up to do in the book.  However, now I’m stuck at chapter 8, and I won’t be able to read any more for awhile until I get to where Bryson and his hiking friend are in Gatlinburg, TN.  It’s more than 30 miles from where I’m at right now.

  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Steps: 23,636/70,000
  • Miles: 9.71/35
  • Total Miles: 344.40
  • Active Minutes: 158/210
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $4.25/$10.00

Thursday's Things: It's All About the Hobbits

Published on by Rachelle

“Thursday’s Things” is a roundup of book related links I’ve come across while wandering down the rabbit hole that is the internet.
Every September, Tolkien fans return to the Shire.  Even though September is also the start of #RIPXII, I am no exception.  So, this month will be a strange mix of Middle Earth and Gothic content.  However, this “Thursday’s Things” is all about the Hobbits!

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:

  • Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – for #LengthyLit
  • Jack the Bodiless by Julian May
  • The Once and Future King by T.H. White
  • Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
  • The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

  
Finished:

  • Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War by Clive Barker


Challenges:

Total pages read this week: 772
Total # of books for the year: 64 of 85.  #RIPXII and Gothic September have started.  So far, I’ve managed to finish Days of Magic, Nights of War, and the Boyfriend and I just started watching “The Walking Dead”.  Yeah, that’s right, neither of us have ever seen it before.  It’s awesome, and definitely not for anyone with a weak stomach.
What are you reading this week?

Down the TBR Hole #10

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 566 books on my to-read shelf, despite participating in Bout of Books.  Also, due to the readathon, I didn’t do a Down the TBR Hole post last weekend, so I’ll being going through 10 books this time.

This week’s ten books:


Alice in Zombieland by Nickolas Cook – KEEP.  There’s no way I would ever get rid of a mash up of Alice in Wonderland and zombies!  I’m hoping to get around to this one during #RIPXII.

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker – KEEP.  I already own this one too, and I’ve been wanting to read it for awhile because I’ve been told that the protagonists become friends with no romance developing.  That sounds like a nice change from the usual.

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews – KEEP.  I’m not much of a fan of most Urban Fantasy, only because there’s usually more Romance than Fantasy, but I’ve heard great things about this series and I got the ebook for free a couple years ago.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson – KEEP.  I own this in paperback, and I’ve been told it is essential reading for any Fantasy fan.  So far, it has sat on my shelf because I get the impression it’s of the Epic variety, and I haven’t been in the mood for that in a while.

The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie – GO.  This seemed so interesting when I first added it to my wish list.  Now?  Not so much.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel – KEEP.  I will tackle this beast of a book someday!  I’ve seen the mini-series based on it and loved it, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy this even more.
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay – KEEP.  I’ve been meaning to read this ever since I saw Gay’s Ted Talk a few years ago.
Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot – KEEP.  I love fun books about cats, and this one supposedly inspired the musical “Cats”.
Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris – KEEP.  I got hooked on memoirs after listening to the audiobook of The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer.  I have the hardcover of this one and I will get to it at some point.
Get in Trouble by Kelly Link – KEEP.  This is a short-story collection that is supposed to be dark.  I’ll keep it on my wish list for now.
My to-read shelf is back down to 565 books.  I’ll start off next week with book #91.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for August 25th – 31st.
  • I got my new FitBit band in the mail and I’m much happier now that I’m not trying to carry it around in my pocket.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Steps: 23,560/70,000
  • Miles: 9.67/35
  • Total Miles: 334.69
  • Active Minutes: 89/210
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $4.21/$10.00

R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril XII

Published on by Rachelle
Every September 1st through October 31st Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings has hosted the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril challenge, otherwise known as R.I.P.  It’s now being hosted by Heather from My Capricious Life and Andi from Estella’s Revenge.

The purpose of the R.I.P. Challenge is to enjoy books that could be classified as Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Dark Fantasy, Gothic, Horror, or Supernatural.
There are multiple levels of participation (Perils):
Peril the First – Read four books, any length, that fit the definition of R.I.P. literature.
Peril the Second – Read two books of any length.
Peril the Third – This Peril involves reading one book.
Peril of the Short Story – You can read short stories any time during the challenge.
Peril on the Screen – This is for those of us who like to watch suitably scary, eerie, mysterious, gothic fare during this time of year. It may be something on the small screen or large.
Peril of the Group Read – This year we will read and discuss Slade House by David Mitchell.
This year, I’ll be doing Peril the First, Peril of the Short Story, Peril on the Screen, and I might join in on Peril of the Group Read.  I’ve got two stacks of books that I plan to read, one for September and one for October, along with a few audiobooks and ebooks, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to squeeze in Slade House.
Left: October TBR; Right: September

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:

  • Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – for #LengthyLit
  • Jack the Bodiless by Julian May
  • The Once and Future King by T.H. White
  • Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
  • The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
  • Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War by Clive Barker

    
Finished:

  • Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge
  • The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler

 
Challenges:

Total pages read this week: 1211
Total # of books for the year: 63 of 85.  I got a lot of reading done thanks to #BoutofBooks 20.  Which is also partly why I have SEVEN books in my current reads list.  The other reason is because I got to Book People really early for the Austin #Litsy meet up, and while I only intended on buying 1 book, I ended up buying 3 and got sucked into one of them while I was killing time in the café.  I’m not going to allow myself to get distracted by any more books this week and try to finish as many as possible so I can start the stack of book I pulled off my shelves for September.
What are you reading this week?

#BoutofBooks 20: Day 7 and Wrap-Up

Published on by Rachelle
Bout of Books

The Bout of Books readathon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long readathon that begins 12:01 am Monday, August 21st and runs through Sunday, August 27th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 20 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

I read a bit of The Bookshop on the Corner and listened to some more of Tess of the d’Urbervilles while I was driving to and from the Austin #Litsy Meet Up at Book People.  I got there really early, ended up buying 3 books (even though I only planned on buying 1) and started one of them (A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson) while I sat in the café.  It’s a bit of a page turner and hilarious so far.
This was a good Bout of Books.  I didn’t finish as many books as I wanted, but that’s only because I got distracted by other books.  I’m happy with my page count and reading time.
  • Total Time Read: 23 Hours 58 Minutes
  • Total Pages Read: 1211
  • Books Finished: Fly By Night by  and The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler.
  • Total Number of Books Read: 2

#BoutofBooks 20: Day 6

Published on by Rachelle
Bout of Books

The Bout of Books readathon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long readathon that begins 12:01 am Monday, August 21st and runs through Sunday, August 27th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 20 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

I finished The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler.  It rained all day and the wind was a bit crazy, so I decided to start The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan as a sort of comfort/rainy day read.
  • Time Read: 4 hours 53 minutes
  • Pages Read: 307
  • Books Finished: 1
  • Total Number of Books Read: 2