Author: Rachelle

Monday’s Minutes

Published on by Rachelle2 Comments

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

  •  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling – for the HP re-read.
  •  An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Deathly Hallows Echo Oz

Finished:

  • The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson

Paris Winter

Challenges:

Total pages read: 821

Total # of books for the year: 6.  This week has been busy.  I’ve been doing a lot of running home from my part-time job to quickly change into interview clothes, and then do the same thing in reverse soon after the interview (my part-time job is two hours each day during the week; one in the morning and one in the afternoon).  I don’t even know how many resumes, cover letters, and job applications I’ve submitted, and I’ve spent more time talking on my phone than I have for the past several months combined.  I’m happy that things are moving along a lot more quickly than earlier this month, but I’m also ready for it to be over with already so I can finally be bringing home a full-time paycheck.  Even with all the busyness, though, I’ve been doing my best to set aside at least one hour every night to read before I go to bed.

My Top Commenters: It’s a three-way tie between Litha @ Victorian Soul Book Critiques, Terri @ Second Run Reviews, and Shaina @ Shaina Reads.

What are you reading this week?

Feel the Paper Love February

Published on by Rachelle8 Comments

FeelPaperFeb

Litha over at Victorian Soul Book Critiques is hosting the Feel the Paper Love February reading challenge!  I’m joining in because if there is any section of my TBR mountain I need to concentrate on, it’s clearing some space on my physical bookshelves.  As most, if not all of you know by now, I live in a small apartment with the Boyfriend, and between the both of us and our book collections, there just isn’t enough space to display all of the books we own.  At least half of my books are in storage, and the ones I’ve never read are residing in a floor to ceiling bookcase that, to put it frankly, is overstuffed.  I’ve lost count since the last time I updated my Goodreads shelves and have since added more, but there are at least 150 physical books I have never read.

The rules are simple: participants have to either read nothing but physical books -or- set a goal number of physical books to read during the month of February.

I’m going with the first option.  I don’t know how many books I’ll get through, or even which books I’ll read, but they’ll all be sniffable 🙂

Are you participating in the Feel the Paper Love February challenge?

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle1 Comment
FitReaders2016
  • This check-in is for January 15th – 21st.
  • Though my knee is doing much better, I didn’t do any yoga this week.  I still met my step and mileage goals, however, so I’ll be working towards an average of 4K steps per day.
  • If you’d like to add me as a friend on FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Yoga Workouts: 0/5
  • Steps: 22,384/21,000
  • Miles: 9.19/7.00
  • Flights of stairs: 17/21
  • Active Minutes: 65/105
  • Monthly 5K Races Completed: 1/10
  • Monthly 1 Mile Fun “Runs” Completed: 1/10
  • Total Money Donated: $3.26/$100.00

Review: The Sibyl

Published on by Rachelle

Sibyl

  • Author: Cynthia D. Witherspoon
  • ISBN: 9781311569301
  • Genre: Paranormal Fantasy

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Eva McRayne was sure that Greek mythology was just that: a myth. Fairy tales told to children who loved a good adventure story.Yet, when she encounters a Sibyl desperate to free herself from the chains binding her to Apollo, Eva realizes that the fairy tales are more than fantasy. – Goodreads synopsis

I think The Sibyl has the potential to be a better story than it is currently, especially since it is the first book of a series that is already five books long.  While I enjoyed it, it is in serious need of an editor, and I’m not talking about simple proofreading.  While I can forgive, up to a certain point, spelling and grammatical errors, I had difficulty letting go of the stilted and often cliched dialogue as well as the stock 2D characters.

Again, overall, I enjoyed The Sibyl.  Sometimes I wasn’t sure if I liked or disliked its cheese factor (for example, one of the characters has a cellphone app to talk to a Greek god).  However, I ultimately decided that, given some of the pieces of brain candy I happen to love, I could take this story for what it is.

With that being said, I probably shouldn’t have read this during the Winter.  The Sibyl is more of a beach or Summer read, and I likely would have enjoyed it more during that time of year when I don’t want to think too much or take anything seriously.  It’s also an excellent choice for reading while on the elliptical or stationary bike.

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Mini-Review: A Breath of Snow and Ashes

Published on by Rachelle

Breath

  • Author: Diana Gabaldon

As with the majority of the Outlander books, I bought my copy of A Breath of Snow and Ashes from a used bookstore.  I would have bought them brand new, but after buying both the second and third books in the series as ebooks, I *had* to get the rest as quickly as possible to avoid any more middle of the night ebook purchases I couldn’t really afford.  I wish I had looked more carefully at the hardcover edition of this book, though, because, as I was reading, I discovered the former owner enjoyed snacking while they read and didn’t care about using food covered fingers to turn the pages.  Perhaps that’s an indication of how engrossing book #6 is?

With the exception of the first book, I flew through A Breath of Snow and Ashes much faster than any of the others, despite it being the longest of the series so far.  So much happens, though!  I couldn’t stop reading, regardless of the fact that I was in the middle of at least three other books.  I carried it around with me everywhere, even though it’s a hefty hardcover, just in case I ever had a few minutes to spare.  I despised anyone who dared to interrupt me while I was reading, and I talked the Boyfriend’s ear off every time something major would happen.  I believe my gushing over this, and past, books is one of the reasons I had a bit of an Outlander Christmas, and while it doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, but with a lot of questions unanswered, as soon as I finished it, I started An Echo in the Bone.

Review: Greenglass House

Published on by Rachelle

Greenglass

  • Author: Kate Milford
  • ISBN: 9780544052703
  • Genre: Middle-Grade Mystery

It’s wintertime at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler’s inn is always quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers’ adopted son, plans to spend his holidays relaxing. But on the first icy night of vacation, out of nowhere, the guest bell rings. Then rings again. And again. Soon Milo’s home is bursting with odd, secretive guests, each one bearing a strange story that is somehow connected to the rambling old house. As objects go missing and tempers flare, Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, must decipher clues and untangle the web of deepening mysteries to discover the truth about Greenglass House-and themselves. – Goodreads synopsis

Greenglass House was one of my many book purchases last year when I had a couple of gift cards and a long wishlist.  Though I had wanted to read it for quite some time, I saved it for the Winter because just look at that cover!  I have to admit, while the synopsis is what sold me on this book, the cover art is what initially caught my interest.  I was not disappointed.

This is the perfect book for curling up under a blanket with an endless mug of hot chocolate, especially if you have a fireplace, and I’m not sure there’s a better book out there to read during the Winter.  I read it over the Holidays since the story takes place over Milo’s Winter break from school, and I would have finished it much more quickly if life hadn’t gotten in the way.

I will definitely be checking out Kate Milford’s other books.  If you’re looking for a fun Winter read, give Greenglass House a try.  After you finish, head on over to Nagspeake Online for more wintry fun.

Monday’s Minutes

Published on by Rachelle5 Comments

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

  •  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling – for the HP re-read.
  •  An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
  • The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson

Deathly Hallows Echo Paris Winter

Finished:

  • My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
  • The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
  • Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe

Life Storied Moll Flanders

Challenges:

Total pages read: 884

Total # of books for the year: 5.  Now that the 24 in 48 readathon is over I’ll be catching up on reviews.  I’m also determined to finish The Paris Winter this week.

My Top Commenter: Felicia @ The Geeky Blogger’s Book Blog

What are you reading this week?

#24in48 Readathon Final Update

Published on by Rachelle1 Comment

The 24 in 48 readathon is over 🙁  Luckily, Monday is a holiday.

Final Update

I’m so glad to be finished with Moll Flanders.  It has to be the most boring Classic I’ve ever read.  I had a Boca burger, fries, and a Coke for dinner, and I had pretzels and jalapeño cheese dip, one of my Primal Strips, and some Fig Newmans for snacks.  I didn’t read for a total of 24 hours, but I was only shy of it by two hours and fifteen minutes, and that was time spent with the Boyfriend, so I’m more than ok with it.

Books Read:

  • The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson

Paris Winter

Books Finished:

  • The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
  • Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe

Storied Moll Flanders

Pages Read: 209

Total Pages Read: 739

Time Read: 3 hours 45 minutes

Total Time Read: 21 hours 45 minutes

The next 24 in 48 readathon is July 23 and 24th, and I will definitely be joining in!

#24in48 Update

Published on by Rachelle

Only 6 hours left of the 24 in 48 readathon!

Update #5

I’m still listening to The Paris Winter, but I’ll soon be switching back to Moll Flanders.  I’m hoping I’ll finish one of them before midnight.

Current Reads:

  • Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe
  • The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson

Moll Flanders Paris Winter

Books Finished: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Storied

Pages Read: 142

Total Pages Read: 530

Time Read: 6 hours

Total Time Read: 18 hours

My final update will be at midnight.  Happy reading!

#24in48 Update

Published on by Rachelle

Only 12 hours left of the 24 in 48 readathon!  Below is my update.

Update #4

I let myself sleep in this morning and then didn’t get out of bed until I felt like it.  This time of year makes it difficult to remove myself from the comfort and warmth of my blankets.  I had oatmeal with some raisins and a yogurt along with my usual large cup of tea for breakfast, and I’ve been listening to The Paris Winter.

Current Reads:

  • Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe – I’m not planning to continue reading this until later this afternoon, or maybe early evening.
  • The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson

Moll Flanders Paris Winter

Books Finished: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Storied

Pages Read: 69

Total Pages Read: 388

Time Read: 45 minutes

Total Time Read: 12 hours

My next update will be at 6 pm Central time (7 pm EST).  Happy reading!