Author: Rachelle

#BoutofBooks 26!

Published on by Rachelle

Bout of Books
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, Twitter chats, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 26 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

While I’m returning to work tomorrow, after being stuck on the couch for several days, I’ll still be taking it easy and spending a lot of time laying down to let my back rest.  What better way to spend that time than with a book?

My Goals

  • Read.  Read.  Read.
  • Finish at least one of the books I’m currently reading.
  • Finish one more book from my TBR.

Books to Read

Updates

I will be posting an update each day with the amount of time I read, the number of pages read that day and the titles of any of the books I’ve finished.

Down the TBR Hole #69

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 up to 675 books.  A couple of my favorite authors have recently come out with new books, and I couldn’t resist adding them.

This week’s books:

Secrets of the Stonechaser by Nicholas Andrews – GO.  Whoa, that cover is super busy, and the synopsis is, too.  No thanks.

Rise of the Dragons by Morgan Rice- GO. Oh lovely, yet another “sweeping saga” about a teenage girl with a “mysterious inner power” who is the center of a prophecy and is destined to change her world forever. *yawn*

Scarlet and the Dragon’s Burden by Brandon Charles West – KEEP.  This is the 2nd book in the “Scarlet Hopewell” series, and the first book has already made it through one of these posts to stay on my TBR.  Since I already own both of them, I’ll keep this one, too, at least until I read Scarlet and the Keepers of Light. The Book of Deacon by Joseph R. Lallo – KEEP.  I’m skeptical about this one.  I have a feeling it will be very generic Fantasy, but the synopsis is just vague enough to make me think it might be worth my time to read.  We’ll see.

The Arch of Avooblis by Charles Streams – GO. What the heck is an Avooblis?!  The story seems to be fairly serious, but everyone goes to an academy to learn how to fulfill quests, which makes the story come off as a parody of classic Fantasy tropes.  I don’t care enough to find out.

My TBR pile is down to 672 books. Next week’s books will also have a 50/50 chance of being kept or tossed off the mountain.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for August 9th – 15th.
  • I hurt my back, and I’m not even sure how. I’ve been stuck at home on the couch.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 2/5
  • Steps: 23,750
  • Miles: 9.76
  • Total Miles: 448.53
  • Active Minutes: 103

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 Word Exchange by Alena Graedon
  • Legend by Marie Lu


Finished:

  • Shift by Hugh Howey


Total pages read this week: 411
Total books for the year: 46 of 50. I got the new edition (Penguin Minis) of Legend so I could see how I like reading and carrying around this new, lighter format. So far, I like it. The type isn’t too small, like I was concerned about it being. I can throw it in my bag without adding a lot of weight or taking up space, but I can also put it in my back pocket if I don’t feel like taking my bag, and since it’s a physical book, I don’t have to worry about batteries. I definitely won’t buy this format for books I want to keep forever, but for books I know I’m only going to read once, they seem like the perfect option. Right now, Legend is my “bus book,” so I also started The Word Exchange.

Down the TBR Hole #68

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 up to 674 books.  I’ve been reading a lot of books, but also adding even more to my wish list.

This week’s books:

Magyk by Angie Sage – KEEP.  Middle-Grade Fantasy.  Why would I get rid of that?

Interesting Times by Matthew Storm- KEEP. A talking cat befriends the MC and then things get interesting. I’m in.

Day of Mindfulness by Milan Barkrania – KEEP.  I like to go back to the basics with Mindfulness and Meditation every once in awhile.

The City Center by Simone Pond – GO.  The synopsis sounds like this book will be very generic Dystopian Fiction.

Elizabeth’s Legacy by Victor Kloss – KEEP. This is another Middle-Grade Fantasy that sounds like it’s right up my alley.

My TBR pile is down one to 673 books.  I’ve got a bunch of Fantasy books coming up for next week, and that means there is a 50/50 chance of keeping them or letting them go.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for August 2nd – 8th.
  • I’ve been deliberately getting outside more often this week and choosing to walk instead of taking the bus.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 4/5
  • Steps: 49,337
  • Miles: 20.27
  • Total Miles: 438.77
  • Active Minutes: 316

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:

  • Shift by Hugh Howey


Finished:

  • Redshirts by John Scalzi
  • The Last Girl by Joe Hart


Total pages read this week: 686
Total books for the year: 45 of 50.  Dewey’s 24-Hour #ReverseReadathon was this weekend.  Though I only finished one book during the readathon, I did get through half of Shift.
 

Dewey's 24 Hour #ReverseReadathon – Final Update!

Published on by Rachelle



We’ve made it through the Dewey’s 24-Hour #ReverseReadathon!

  • Total Pages Read: 416
  1. How would you assess your reading overall? I didn’t read a whole lot (about 90 pages less than the last readathon), but I did finish one book and get halfway through another, so I feel like this readathon was a success for me.
  2. Did you have a stategy, and if so, did you stick to it? Nope.  I winged it the whole time.
  3. What was your favorite snack? String cheese!
  4. Wanna volunteer for our next event? Maybe….

I still miss readathoning in Texas, because of the start and end time, but I’m really looking forward to the next readathon in October, regardless!

Dewey's 24 Hour #ReverseReadathon – First Update!

Published on by Rachelle2 Comments



We’ve made it through 16 hours of Dewey’s 24-Hour #ReverseReadathon and I, though I said I would post an update at 1 AM PST, I fell asleep! I woke up about 15 minutes ago, in time to post this update.

  • Pages Read: 282
  • Books Read: Redshirts by John Scalzi and Shift by Hugh Howey
  • Yummy in my Tummy: Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken with broccoli and rice.

Until my final update, at 5 pm PST, I’ll continue reading Shift and whatever other books I decide to read.
Whether you’re participating in the readathon or not, what book(s) are you currently reading?

Dewey's 24-Hour #ReverseReadathon

Published on by Rachelle5 Comments


Dewey’s 24-Hour Reverse Readathon officially started a little more than 30 minutes ago at 8 PM EST. Since I’m in California, it was at 5 PM, and I was still on the bus headed home from work.  I kicked things off with The Shift by Hugh Howey, and now I’m listening to Redshirts by John Scalzi.
Here are my answers to the opening survey:

  • What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I’m in Emeryville, CA.
  • Which book in your stack are you looking forward to the most? I didn’t make a stack for this readathon.  Instead, I’m winging it, but I’m enjoying The Shift by Hugh Howey the most right now.
  • Which snack are you looking forward to the most? I’m going to make popsicles out of guava juice, since I haven’t yet enjoyed those this Summer.
  • Do you have a #ReverseReadathon plan of attack? Nope.  I know I won’t make it the entire 24 hours, but I’m going to try to stay awake for as long as I can tonight.  It’s not often that I get the opportunity to stay up well beyond the witching hour reading like I used to when I was kid during Summer vacation.  I might even make a fort in my living room.
  • Are you doing the readathon solo or with others?  I’m never alone as long as my furbaby, Dresden is around to use me as furniture.  The Boyfriend might join me tomorrow, but he’s out doing that crazy socializing thing right now.

My first update will be at 1 AM PST.  I’ll be tracking how many pages I read and any books I finish.  I’ll also include snacks I’ve nommed, and any musical earworms that have gotten into my head.
Whether you’re participating in the readathon or not, what book(s) are you currently reading?