Author: Rachelle

Down the TBR Hole #56

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 until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.

My TBR pile is holding steady at 676 books despite my late-night under the blanket reading by book-light after the Boyfriend went to sleep.

This week’s books:

Quest by various authors – KEEP.  This is an 8 book Fantasy bundle that I’m sure has at least one book I will enjoy reading.

Harbinger of Doom by Glenn G. Thater – GO. This bundle is the first 3 books in a 9 book series with a description of the Main Character being “an enigmatic warrior of unknown origins and mystical power. No mortal man is his match in battle. No sorcery can contain or confound him. No scholar or sage can outwit him.” No.  Not even Kvothe has that sort of unlimited talent or skill for all things.

Mischief, Mayhem, The Blue Men of Minch by Monte French – KEEP.  This story takes place in Scotland and involves all sorts of interesting mythical creatures.  There’s no way I’m not giving this book a chance.

From the Dust Returned by Ray Bradbury – KEEP.  A Vampire story by Ray Bradbury?  Yes, please and thank you!

The Barefoot Queen by Ildefonso Falcones – KEEP.  One of the Boyfriend’s Aunts, who is a retired Librarian, was reading this awhile back and it looked interesting.  She has never steered me wrong in book recommendations, so I will definitely be giving this book a try.

It’s a little surprising to me that I only ditched one book this week.  When I was looking at my TBR last week, I thought for sure I would be throwing more off of my book mountain.  Maybe I’m being more forgiving of the pile since I have been doing another round of KonMari with all of my other belongings (No, I haven’t watched the show on Netflix yet). Hopefully I will have at least one less book on my TBR by next week, but 675 books is pretty good for this early in the year.

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:

  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • Dragons of Winter Night by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

  
Finished:

  • Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness by Britta Olsson


Total pages read this week: 77
Total books for the year: 7 of 50.  This week was busy, and while I’m still 3 books ahead of schedule for meeting my annual reading goal, I didn’t get much reading in.
What are you reading this week?

Down the TBR Hole #55

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 until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  

I know I usually post these on Saturdays, but I posted my #FitReaders check-in yesterday and I prefer not posting twice in one day if I can help it. Thanks to the #24in48 Readathon, my TBR pile is down to 679 books.

This week’s books:

Jim Morgan and the Pirates of the Black Skull by James Matlack Raney – GO.  When I got this, I didn’t realize it was the 2nd book in a series.  I added the first book, Jim Morgan and the King of Thieves to my wish list, but I’m removing this 2nd book until I read the first. I’ll decide from there whether or not I want to add the 2nd back to my list.

Summer by V.L. Dreyer – KEEP. I’m very skeptical of this one, but it does sound like a Post-Apocalyptic Zombie novel, so I will give it the 50 page test.

Ascension by Brian K. Fuller – GO.  The synopsis makes this book sound like a ridiculous attempt at an Epic Fantasy, and I’m just not interested.

The Twelve Stones by R.J. Johnson – GO.  I was vaguely interested until the synopsis mentioned that the main character’s father is killed by a “billionaire industrialist.” I nearly gagged at the last line, “A thrilling tale that mixes romance, cutting edge science, and oh yeah, the fate of human civilization.” Just No.

Travelers & Shifters & Fey by Dennis W. Green, R.J. Ellison, and A.R. Miller – GO.  This is a collection of 3 Fantasy novels all set in Iowa.  Not one of the books seems interesting enough to read, and it’s not because they’re set in Iowa. Bye-bye!

My to-read shelf is down to 676 books. After looking a little further down my TBR list, I have a feeling the trend of throwing books off the mountain will continue for at least another week.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle1 Comment
  • This check-in is for January 18th – 24th.
  • I didn’t post a check-in last week, so I’m including it in this check-in, which is a day late (life has been crazy).
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Workouts: 5/5
  • Steps: 52,9000
  • Miles: 21.76
  • Total Miles: 59.87
  • Active Minutes: 257
  • This check-in is for January 25th – 31st.
  • I had to work later than usual most days this week and that meant not feeling safe enough to walk home from the bus stop.  I’m ready for the days to be longer already so I can get more steps and keep more money in the bank.
  • Workouts: 3/5
  • Steps: 35,982
  • Miles: 14.87
  • Total Miles: 74.74
  • Active Minutes: 128

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.
Currently Reading:

  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness by Britta Olsson
  • Dragons of Winter Night by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

  
Finished:

  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
  • Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

 
Total pages read this week: 766
Total books for the year: 6 of 50.  This weekend was the 24 in 48 readathon.  Though I didn’t read for an entire 24 hours, I did get a lot of reading accomplished, and I’m 3 books ahead of schedule for meeting my annual reading goal.
What are you reading this week?

#24in48 Readathon – Goodnight, Sleep Tight!

Published on by Rachelle1 Comment

We have reached the end of the 24 in 48 readathon.  I’m going to bed after a mostly full weekend of reading and I will begin the recovery process tomorrow.

Final Update
I finished Spinning Silver around the same time I was ready for lunch.  I immediately started A Court of Thorns and Roses, but I think it’s too similar of a story so I put it down for now.  After that, I just didn’t feel like reading anymore (I think something might be wrong with me?)
In the Middle of Reading:

  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas


Books Finished:

  • Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik


Pages Read: 233
Total Pages Read: 748
Time Read: 6 hours 58 minutes
Total Time Read: 19 hours and 43 minutes
Goodnight, Y’all!

#24in48 Readathon – Hour 36!

Published on by Rachelle

Only 12 more hours to go until we reach the end of the 24 in 48 readathon.  I didn’t get up until a few minutes ago, so this update will be a bit short.

Update #3
I did not finish Spinning Silver before I fell asleep.  However, I only have 100 pages to go, so I will finish it today.

I made overnight oatmeal before I went to bed so I wouldn’t have to use precious reading time to cook something this morning.

Current Reads:

  • Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik


Pages Read: 76
Total Pages Read: 515
Time Read: 3 hours 4 minutes
Total Time Read: 12 hours and 45 minutes
My final update will be at 9 pm Pacific time.

#24in48 Readathon – Hour 24!

Published on by Rachelle

We’re now a whole day into the 24 in 48 readathon.  I’ll be headed to bed in a few hours, but below is my update.

Update #2
YAY!  I finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and most of Spinning Silver.

I also did quite a lot of cleaning, since I have to be doing something while listening to audiobooks.  I cleaned out my closet and all of my drawers, and I now have 3 large trash bags full of clothes and other things to donate.

Current Reads:

  • Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik


Books Finished:

  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson


Pages Read: 439
Total Pages Read: 439
Time Read:  9 hours 41 minutes
Total Time Read: 9 hours and 41 minutes
My next update will be at 9 am Pacific time.  I want to finish Spinning Silver before I go to bed, so here’s to hoping I don’t fall asleep until then!

#24in48 Readathon – Starting a Bit Late

Published on by Rachelle1 Comment


Another #24in48 Readathon is happening RIGHT.NOW.  I was at a friend’s going away party last night, stayed much longer than I had originally planned, and came home to crash without even opening a book before I fell asleep.
Since I’m getting started a bit late, this post will serve as my starting line and my first update.
Goals:

  • Read for 24 hours.
  • Finish at least three books.

TBR:
I don’t have a planned out TBR like I usually do, except for the books I’m currently reading, but I will probably pull a book from my “Hygge” shelf on Goodreads.

  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
  • Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

 
First Update:
As I said, I haven’t opened a book yet.  However, I’ve got my book, timer, and tea right next to me so I’ll be reading as soon as this post goes live.  See you at my next update at 9 pm PST/12 am EST.