Author: Rachelle

Building the Book Fort

Published on by Rachelle

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

  • Nothing Much Happens by Kathryn Nicolai
  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Train
  • Excuse Me While I Disappear by Laurie Notaro
  • The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
  • The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

DNF:

  • The Power of Self-Compassion by Laurie Cameron

Finished:

  • Turn Coat by Jim Butcher
  • Sourcery by Terry Pratchett

Total pages read this week: 997

TBR Mountain: -14

Total books read: 43 of 80

Even though I finished two physical books from my TBR and decided to get rid of another one, I bought two books at the bookstore yesterday. I’ve had a gift card that my cousin got me for Christmas sitting in my wallet that I kept forgetting to use, and I found two more of the “Firefly” series on my wish list. I could not pass them up!

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #111

Published on by Rachelle
Image: hjl

How it works:

  • Go to your Goodreads want-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?
My shelf is down one book to 1131.  Even though I finished 3 books, I bought an ebook and an audiobook.
This week’s books:

Blackout and All Clear by Connie Willis – KEEP.  These books are a part of the “Oxford Time Travel” series.  I read and loved the first 2 books, Doomsday Book and To Say Nothing of the Dog.

The Glorius Cause by Robert Middlekauff – KEEP.  I got this book around the same time the Boyfriend and I were watching “Turn” (based on the book Washington’s Spies by Alexander Rose).  While I studied the American Revolution at various points in school, this book is much more comprehensive than what was covered in class.

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier – KEEP.  I love Dinosaurs and everything involving or about Dinosaurs, so there is no way I would pass on a book about Mary Anning, the fossil hunter who discovered the Ichthyosaur.

The Bar Harbor Retirement Home for Famous Writers by Terri-Lynne DeFino – KEEP. After reading the synopsis, I’m skeptical about whether or not I will like this book, but I’m willing to give it the 50-page test, mostly because I already own the book.  I would probably ditch it if it were still on my wishlist.

Circe by Madeline Miller – KEEP.  Though from an entirely different mythology, I think this story will be similar to The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec, which I greatly enjoyed reading.
My want-to-read shelf is holding steady at 1131 books. The next post will be mostly physical books I already own and I *might* be getting rid of at least one of them.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for June 4th – 10th.
  • I worked extra hours this week trying to accrue enough time to have a four-day weekend over the Juneteenth holiday, and maybe I overdid it?  I hurt my back somehow and was stuck on the couch most of yesterday.  I’m still hurting a bit, so the Boyfriend will probably have to help me with my garden today.
  • If you have a Fitbit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 2/5
  • Steps: 40,981
  • Miles: 16.69/17.26
  • Total Miles: 335.34/900
  • Active Minutes: 74/150

Building the Book Fort

Published on by Rachelle

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

  • Nothing Much Happens by Kathryn Nicolai
  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Train
  • The Power of Self-Compassion by Laurie Cameron

Finished:

  • All Things Aside by Iliza Shlesinger
  • Cat Magic by Lydia Sherrer
  • How to Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowell

Total pages read this week: 478

TBR Mountain: -14

Total books read: 41 of 80

I’m at the halfway point for both of my goals! I also hurt my back somehow, and as unfortunate as that may be, it means I’ll be reading a lot this weekend.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

Down the TBR Hole #110

Published on by Rachelle
Image: hjl

How it works:

  • Go to your Goodreads want-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?
My shelf is up one book to 1133.  Even though I finished 3 books, I bought some ebooks and an audiobook.
This week’s books:

Deerskin by Robin McKinley – GO.  I’ve heard that this is an extremely dark story, and I’m not sure I want to read it after reading the synopsis.

Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley – KEEP.  The synopsis sounds like this book will be amazing, and now I’m very much looking forward to reading it!

The Library at Night by Alberto Manguel – KEEP.  This sounds like it’s in my wheelhouse, but the other two books of Manguel’s that I’ve read were only 3 stars, and I was being generous.  Maybe this one will be better.

Dead Man’s Deal by Jocelynn Drake – KEEP. This is the sequel to Angel’s Ink, which I really enjoyed.

Washington’s Spies by Alexander Rose – KEEP.  The Boyfriend and I loved “Turn”, the show based on this book, and I’m planning to read this over the July 4th weekend.
My want-to-read shelf is down one book to 1132. The next post will be all physical books I already own and I highly doubt I’ll be getting rid of any of them.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for May 28th – June 3rd.
  • It’s been so hot where I live lately that I’ve been having trouble sleeping.  I’m struggling to find the energy to do things that I want to do and my moods have been up and down as well.  Luckily, it rained last night which seems to have cooled things down a little bit.
  • If you have a Fitbit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 2/5
  • Steps: 38,120
  • Miles: 15.49/17.26
  • Total Miles: 318.65/900
  • Active Minutes: 119/150

Building the Book Fort

Published on by Rachelle

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

  • Nothing Much Happens by Kathryn Nicolai
  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Train
  • All Things Aside by Iliza Shlesinger
  • Cat Magic by Lydia Sherrer

Finished:

  • The Sunset Route by Carrot Quinn
  • Fireflies and Chocolate by Ailish Sinclair
  • The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

Total pages read this week: 545

TBR Mountain: -13

Total books read: 38 of 80

I’m trying to stick to quick, “easy” books that I can finish by the start of #SciFiSummer on June 21st. I’m also just not in the mood for anything “heavy.” It’s too hot for that and I would rather read something funny or light-hearted while I sip my iced tea.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

#SciFiSummer Reading Challenge 2023

Published on by Rachelle10 Comments
SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge

For me, the Summer is the best time of year for reading Science Fiction. So, from June 21st, the official first day of Summer, to the 22nd of September (the day before the Autumnal Equinox), I’m reading as much Sci-Fi as possible. I’ve got a lot of it on my TBR shelves, and I’m inviting all of you to join me!

Here are the NEW challenge levels:

  • Red Shirt – 1 to 3 books
  • Viper Pilot – 4 to 6 books
  • Browncoat – 7 to 9 books
  • Time Lord – 10 or more books

If you’ve participated in previous years, you may have noticed that I’ve reduced the number of books this year. I’ve also changed the level name “Jedi” to “Browncoat”, and it’s the level I will be trying for (I aim to misbehave). I have a large variety of Sci-Fi books I’ve been wanting to read for a while so I think this will be the perfect goal for me this year.

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.

Are you up to the #SciFiSummer challenge? Sign up by leaving a comment! (Links to reviews are welcome, too!)

Down the TBR Hole #109

Published on by Rachelle
Image: hjl

How it works:

  • Go to your Goodreads want-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?
My shelf is up one book to 1131.  I got this month’s Nightmares from Nowhere bookclub book.
This week’s books:

Sarah’s Quilt and The Star Garden by Nancy E. Turner – KEEP.  I absolutely loved These Is My Words and I really need to read the sequel, which has been sitting on my bookshelf for far too long.

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett – GO.  I don’t know why I have this book, but I think I picked it up from a Little Free Library near my apartment when I lived in California.  I’ll find one near where I live now so that someone who wants to read it can have it.

Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams – KEEP.  I have the audiobook, and I’ve enjoyed Adam’s other series, “Secret, Book, and Scone Society” so far.

Abarat: Absolute Midnight by Clive Barker – KEEP. This is the last book in the “Abarat” series, and I’m planning on reading it during RIP this year.

A War in Crimson Embers by Alex Marshall – KEEP.  The first book of “The Crimson Empire” series, A Crown for Cold Silver was awesome, and I have the 2nd book, A Blade of Black Steel.  The only problem is that each book is around 600 pages long, and I tend to put them aside for shorter books.
My want-to-read shelf is back down to 1130 books. The next post will be mostly physical books I already own and, at first glance, they all look like keepers.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for May 21st – 27th.
  • I’m glad I didn’t completely give up on my garden.  I ended up with a couple of very delicious radishes!  They’re probably the most expensive radishes I’ve ever eaten, but it was very satisfying to pull them out of the ground, wash them, and eat them because I grew them myself 🙂  I’m not going to get my hopes up, but maybe I’ll get a few more veggies out of my garden this year.
  • If you have a Fitbit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 4/5
  • Steps: 38,864
  • Miles: 15.90/17.26
  • Total Miles: 303.16/900
  • Active Minutes: 126/150