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 Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
  • First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde

Finished:

  • The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
  • Doctor Who: Technophobia by Matt Fitton

Total pages read this week: 650

TBR Mountain: -13

Total books read: 45 of 80

Sci-Fi Summer: 1 of 7

I finished my first book for the #SciFiSummer reading challenge, making me a Red Shirt. While I’m still on track to meet my reading goals for the year, I’ll no longer be ahead if I can’t finish or get rid of any more of my physical books before the end of the month. Since I’m going on a trip next weekend, my focus will be to finish The Invasion of the Tearling this week. It’s not nearly as good as The Queen of the Tearling and I don’t want it taking up space in my bag, especially when I’ve already picked out 5 books I want to take with me.

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

Down the TBR Hole #112

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 two books to 1129.  I read a couple of books, DNF’d another book, removed a couple of books from my wish list after realizing I didn’t want to read them, and added another book to my wish list.
This week’s books:

The Perfection Detox by Petra Kolber – KEEP.  I completed one of Kolber’s workshops during the pandemic, and that inspired me to buy the book, but it’s sat on my shelves ever since.  I don’t know why, but I tend to do that with Self-Help books.  I’ll get around to reading this one at some point, though I have no idea when.

Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit by Corey Olsen – KEEP.  I love all things having to do with Hobbits.

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist- KEEP.  This one is a Swedish vampire story, and it sounds like it will be very interesting and perfect for the Readers Imbibing Peril challenge.

Among the Shadows by L.M. Montgomery – KEEP.  I remember reading and loving this when I was a kid.  When I found it online through a used bookstore, I immediately bought it.

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill – KEEP.  I enjoyed Heart-Shaped Box, and I have several other books of Hill’s that I’ve bought because they sound like they’re right up my Horror alley.  This is one of them, and the only reason I haven’t read it yet is because I can’t decide if I should read it during #RIP or during the Christmas season.
My want-to-read shelf is holding steady at 1129 books. The next post will be mostly books I already own that are #RIP worthy.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for June 11th – 17th.
  • The Boyfriend and I went to the Celtic Festival yesterday.  We had a blast, saw my favorite Scottish pipe and drum band, Albannach, and I got lots of steps and active minutes in.  Unfortunately, I forgot to bring sunscreen or a hat with me and got a horrible sunburn on my face and arms.  I will definitely be more prepared for the Renaissance Festival in September.
  • If you have a Fitbit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 1/5
  • Steps: 35,438
  • Miles: 14.34/17.26
  • Total Miles: 349.68/900
  • Active Minutes: 156/150

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
  • 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!