Author: Rachelle

Sci-Fi Summer 2017 Reading Challenge

Published on by Rachelle

SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge
I enjoyed last year’s Sci-Fi Summer Reading Challenge so much that I’m going to do it again this year.   I’m also going to start using the hashtag #SciFiSummer across all of my social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Litsy – just look for Fortified By Books to add me).
The challenge is from June 20th, the official first day of Summer, to the 21st of September (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

Any book of at least 100 pages that is classified as Science Fiction, including any Sci-Fi subgenres, qualifies for this challenge.  That means audiobooks, physical books, ebooks, library books, free books, other borrowed books, anthologies, and graphic novels are all acceptable options.  You may also count any Sci-Fi book that counts towards another reading challenge.  The link-up for your reviews will open on June 20th and stay open until September 25th.
This year, I’m going to attempt to reach the Jedi level, despite successfully earning Time Lord status last Summer.  I just barely made it, though, and I’m sure the only reason was being out of work for nearly a week.
So, why not join me in a Summer full of Science Fiction fun?  Link up your sign-up post below:


The challenge sign-up will stay open until September 14th.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for May 12th – 18th.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Steps: 31,369/70,000
  • Miles: 12.89/35
  • Total Miles: 191.47/1779
  • Active Minutes: 132/210
  • Days I Drank 64 ounces of Water: 6/7
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $2.06/$10.00

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 Once and Future King by T.H. White
  • Abarat by Clive Barker
  • Brain Rules by John Medina

  
Finished:

  • The Women in the Castle by Margaret Atwood
  • Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
  • Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
  • The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

  

Challenges:

Total pages read this week: 890

Total # of books for the year: 35 of 85.  This week was Bout of Books, and even though I didn’t get nearly as much reading accomplished as the last Bout of Books, I still read more than I normally do during the week.

What are you reading this week?

Bout of Books 19 – Day 7 Progress and Wrap-Up

Published on by Rachelle
Bout of Books

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 8th and runs through Sunday, May 14th 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 19 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

The Boyfriend’s Aunts were visiting, so I didn’t get a whole lot of time to read. However, I did manage to get very close to the end of Abarat by Clive Barker.
This Bout of Books didn’t go nearly as well as the last one, but I knew it wouldn’t.  I was on vacation last time and there was no way I could take a vacation for this Bout of Books.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to for the next one.
  • Total Time Read: 16 Hours 52 Minutes
  • Total Pages Read: 890
  • Books Finished: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling, The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck, and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.
  • Total Number of Books Read: 4

Bout of Books 19 – Day 6 Progress

Published on by Rachelle
Bout of Books

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 8th and runs through Sunday, May 14th 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 19 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

It was another busy day, but I did manage a good stretch of time reading Abarat by Clive Barker.
  • Time Read: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Pages Read: 169
  • Books Finished: 0
  • Total Number of Books Read: 4

Bout of Books 19 – Day 5 Progress

Published on by Rachelle
Bout of Books

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 8th and runs through Sunday, May 14th 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 19 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

I listened to some more of Brain Rules by John Medina during my commute.  I also read some more of Abarat by Clive Barker.  I wanted to get more reading time in, but it was a fairly busy day.
  • Time Read: 1 hour 22 minutes
  • Pages Read: 65
  • Books Finished: 0
  • Total Number of Books Read: 4

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for May 5th – 11th.
  • My cat, Dresden, is doing much better on the special food the vet had for him and he’s even back to eating his morning treat.  However, life was still busy with the Boyfriend’s Mom and Sister in town and we’re having his Aunts over this weekend.  At least I got a little exercise from cleaning the apartment in preparation!
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Steps: 26,779/70,000
  • Miles: 11/35
  • Total Miles: 178.58/1779
  • Active Minutes: 74/210
  • Days I Drank 64 ounces of Water: 6/7
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $2.00/$10.00

Bout of Books 19 – Day 4 Progress

Published on by Rachelle
Bout of Books

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 8th and runs through Sunday, May 14th 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 19 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

I started Brain Rules by John Medina during my commute, and so far it’s interesting.  I also read some more of Abarat by Clive Barker.  I would have read more, but I ended up watching 3 episodes of “The Man in the High Castle” with the Boyfriend.
  • Time Read: 2 hours 22 minutes
  • Pages Read: 108
  • Books Finished: 0
  • Total Number of Books Read: 4

Bout of Books 19 – Day 3 Progress

Published on by Rachelle
Bout of Books

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 8th and runs through Sunday, May 14th 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 19 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

I finished The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck during my commute to and from work.  I also listened to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander (J.K. Rowling) and finished The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood before I went to bed.  I decided I didn’t want to read anything on my TBR list right now, so I started Abarat by Clive Barker.  Though it doesn’t count, I’ve been catching up on my bookish podcasts, mostly “Overdue,” while I work since I can’t concentrate enough on audiobooks while doing my job.
  • Time Read: 4 hours 11 minutes
  • Pages Read: 255
  • Books Finished: 3
  • Total Number of Books Read: 4

Bout of Books 19 – Day 2 Progress

Published on by Rachelle
Bout of Books

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 8th and runs through Sunday, May 14th 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 19 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

I mostly just listened to The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck during my commute to and from work.  I also managed to read a little bit of  The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood during my lunch break and before I went to bed.  However, the Boyfriend’s Mom and Sister were in town and I got my new Kindle Fire, so my evening was fairly busy with going out to dinner and playing with my new toy.
  • Time Read:  1 hour 51 minutes
  • Pages Read: 39
  • Books Finished: 0
  • Total Number of Books Read: 1