Category: Challenge Accepted

#ThanksgivingReadathon 2019

Published on by Rachelle

Tomorrow begins the #ThanksgivingReadathon hosted by Jackie B @ Death by Tsundoku!
The idea is to read as many books as you can between the 25th of November and the 1st of December.  There will also be a Bookstagram challenge and a giveaway so check out the readathon announcement page above to find out all of the details.  While a TBR isn’t required, I created a short one anyway.

My TBR:

  • The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson
  • Time Was Soft There by Jeremy Mercer
  • The Bookshop Book by Jen Campbell
  • One other book from my “Hygge” list.

Are you participating in the #ThanksgivingReadathon?  If not, do you have another readathon or other reading plans for the holiday?  Share in the comments!

The 2019 Sci-Fi Summer Reading Challenge!

Published on by Rachelle3 Comments

SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge
There’s Sci-Fi November, and Vintage Sci-Fi January, but for me, the Summer is the time of year that is best 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 challenge levels:

  • Red Shirt – 1 to 5 books
  • Viper Pilot – 6 to 10 books
  • Jedi – 11 to 15 books
  • Time Lord – 16 or more books

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.  On June 21st, I’ll post the link up for your reviews, and it will stay open until September 29th.
Are you up to the #SciFiSummer challenge?  Link up your sign-up posts below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The sign-up will remain open until September 15th, a week before the challenge ends.
 

N.E.W.T.s Readathon

Published on by Rachelle

Starting tomorrow, August 1st through the 31st, those of us joining Gintare over at Book Roast will be taking our N.E.W.T.s.  I spent quite a bit of time planning out a tentative TBR based on the requirements for each subject that I will be trying to complete on my path to becoming a Librarian.  I couldn’t find anything about the necessary grades to become a Librarian, but since most of the magical careers require at least an ‘E’ for “Exceeds Expectations” in most, if not all of the required subjects, that’s what I’m going to try for first.  However, I have to achieve an ‘O’ for Outstanding in at least one subject to pass my N.E.W.T.s in general.  That means, at a minimum, I’ll be attempting to read 11 books in August!
Ancient Runes:

  • Jackaby by William Ritter
  • The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble
  • Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Charms:

  • Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
  • The Thickety by J.A. White
  • Get in Trouble by Kelly Link

Defense Against the Dark Arts:

  • The Sons of Macha by John Lenahan
  • Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
  • The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman

History of Magic:

  • Magyk by Angie Sage
  • Wanderlust by Rebecca Solnit
  • Anywhere But Here by Jason D. Morrow

Muggle Studies:

  • The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon
  • Chasing the Flame by Samantha Power
  • Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley


 

O.W.L.s Readathon

Published on by Rachelle

Starting from April 2nd through the 29th, those of us willing to join Gintare over at Book Roast will be taking our O.W.L.s.  It’s been a while since I’ve gotten excited about a reading challenge, but as soon as I saw this one, I knew I had to pull a Hermione and sit all 12 exams!  I spent yesterday coming up with a tentative TBR based on the requirements for each subject and I chose the 5 I will complete first (bolded in the list below) so that I’ll be allowed to take the N.E.W.T.s for those subjects on my path to becoming a Librarian.  Madam Pince has to retire at some point, right?

  • Ancient Runes: The Heart of the Revolution by Noah Levine
  • Arithmancy: The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers
  • Astronomy: The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon
  • Care of Magical Creatures: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
  • Charms: The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
  • Defense Against the Dark Arts: Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines
  • Divination: Child of the Prophecy by Juliet Marillier
  • Herbology: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
  • History of Magic: The Queen’s Fool by Phillipa Gregory
  • Muggle Studies: Voices of Freedom by Eric Foner
  • Potions: The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
  • Transfiguration: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones


 

Back to the Classics Challenge 2018

Published on by Rachelle


I only have a little more than a year and a half to finish my Classics Club list, with 21 books remaining.  So, I decided to join the Back to the Classics Challenge, hosted by Karen at Books and Chocolate.
It’s simple; there are 12 categories, and the idea is to read one book, published at least 50 years ago, from each of the categories, review it, and link the review to the category your fulfilling.  At the end of the year, participants will post a challenge wrap-up and link that up as well.  We’re not required to read all 12 books or choose our books in advance, but I listed my potential reads next to each category below.  Go to the main challenge page for the full details.
The Categories:
1.  A 19th century classic – Dickens, Charles: Oliver Twist
2.  A 20th century classic – Kafka, Franz: The Trial
3.  A classic by a woman author – Brontë, Anne: Agnes Grey
4.  A classic in translation – Remarque, Erich Maria: All Quiet on the Western Front
5. A children’s classic – Barrie, J.M.: Peter Pan
6.  A classic crime story, fiction or non-fiction – Collins, Wilkie: The Woman in White
7. A classic travel or journey narrative, fiction or non-fiction – Tolkien, J.R.R.: The Hobbit
8. A classic with a single-word title – Du Maurier, Daphne: Rebecca
9. A classic with a color in the title – Hawthorne, Nathaniel: The Scarlet Letter
10. A classic by an author that’s new to you – Lawrence, D.H.: Lady Chatterley’s Lover
11. A classic that scares you – Melville, Herman: Moby Dick
12. Re-read a favorite classic – Hugo, Victor: Les Misérables
The deadline to sign up for the challenge is March 1, 2018.  Are you planning to participate in Back to the Classics challenge?  Are participating in the Classic Clubs reading challenge?  Let me know in the comments!

#COYER – Summer Reading List

Published on by Rachelle
COYER

Yeah! It’s almost time for #COYER Summer!  They’re doing things a bit differently this year, and I’ve decided to join in on the fun that is the Summer Reading List.

Summary of the Rules (check out the sign-up page to see all of the details.)

  1. The challenge starts on June 17th and ends September 8th. This is roughly at the same time as my Sci-Fi Summer reading challenge, so I’ll be reading pretty much nothing but Science Fiction.
  2. Books can be in any format: Ebook, Physical, Audio, Library, Borrowed, etc.
  3. You must pick 30 books for the Summer Reading List (you do NOT have to read all 30 books).  Once COYER starts the list can’t be changed. For every 5 books read, 5 more can be added to the list.
  4. There will be 3 readathons.  During a readathon, only books from the list can be read.

Readathon Dates:

  • June 25th – July 2nd: Only ebooks
  • July 23rd – July 30th: Only physical books
  • August 20th – August 27th: Only audio and ebooks

My Summer Reading List

  1. Doctor Who: The Taking of Chelsea 426 by David Llewellyn
  2. Doctor Who: The Eyeless by Lance Parkin
  3. Doctor Who: Wooden Heart by Martin Day
  4. Doctor Who: Sick Building by Paul Magrs
  5. Mad Tinker’s Daughter by J.S. Morin #3
  6. Doctor Who: Lights Out by Holly Black #4
  7. Curiosity Quills: Chronology by J.R. Rain
  8. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
  9. Steampunk: Extraordinary Tales of Victorian Futurism by Mike Ashley
  10. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
  11. Doctor Who: The King’s Dragon by Una McCormack #5- Adding Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler #6
  12. Doctor Who: The Deviant Strain by Justin Richards
  13. Doctor Who: Only Human by Gareth Roberts
  14. To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
  15. Maybe the Moon by Armistead Maupin
  16. True Calling by Siobhan Davis
  17. The Gemini Effect by Chuck Grossart
  18. The Undays of Aralias Lyons by K.L. Horvath
  19. The Time Traders by Andre Norton
  20. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
  21. The Einstein Prophecy by Robert Masello
  22. Doctor Who: Engines of War by George Mann
  23. Sword & Laser Anthology ed. by Veronica Belmont
  24. Out of Time by Monique Martin
  25. Doctor Who: Dead of Winter by James Goss
  26. Planet Urth by Jennifer Martucci
  27. Black Widow: Red Vengeance by Margaret Stohl
  28. The Circle by Dave Eggers #2
  29. The Man in the High Castle by  Philip K. Dick #1
  30. Ghost Ship by Diane Carey #7

Sci-Fi Summer 2017 Reading Challenge

Published on by Rachelle

SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge
I enjoyed last year’s Sci-Fi Summer Reading Challenge so much that I’m going to do it again this year.   I’m also going to start using the hashtag #SciFiSummer across all of my social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Litsy – just look for Fortified By Books to add me).
The challenge is from June 20th, the official first day of Summer, to the 21st of September (the day before the Autumnal Equinox).  Below are the levels:

  • Red Shirt – 1 to 5 books
  • Viper Pilot – 6 to 10 books
  • Jedi – 11 to 15 books
  • Time Lord – 16 or more books

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.  The link-up for your reviews will open on June 20th and stay open until September 25th.
This year, I’m going to attempt to reach the Jedi level, despite successfully earning Time Lord status last Summer.  I just barely made it, though, and I’m sure the only reason was being out of work for nearly a week.
So, why not join me in a Summer full of Science Fiction fun?  Link up your sign-up post below:


The challenge sign-up will stay open until September 14th.

#ShelfLove Challenge 2017

Published on by Rachelle

shelf_love_2017_250x250

I’m joining the Show Your Shelves Some Love Challenge again!  Below are my goals.

My Goals

  • Read at least 51 books from my personal library that I got before January 1, 2016 (my shelves and I are going steady).
  • With the exception of one book, I can only buy books using the money I get from selling books to the used bookstore.  I can “buy” as many free books as I would like,  as well as accept ARCs and enter giveaways to my heart’s content.
  • If I’m purchasing ebooks with my book money, I may add on the audio narration without it counting against my book money.  To me, adding on the audiobook is like buying a second copy of a book I already own.
  • Participate in the monthly discussion posts.  I didn’t do so well with this goal last year, but I’m hoping to get back to writing a discussion post every month.

My TBR

2016-06-18 13.09.19
These are, of course, only my physical books, and not all of them are books I haven’t read yet, but the majority of them have never been opened. Total, I have 293 unread books sitting on my shelves or in my Kindle and Nook, according to my TBR shelf on Goodreads.  However, I know that’s not all of them.  I don’t know how close it is to last year’s 400+, but considering I acquired a few more books and only read 58 of the ones I got prior to 2016, I’m sure it’s not far off.  One of my projects this year will be to update my TBR shelf on Goodreads to get a more accurate total (most of the ebooks on my Nook aren’t on it).

#COYER Black Out: Winter Storm

Published on by Rachelle

wintercoyer-16-17
This COYER, from December 17th to March 3rd, is much more strict than it has been in the past.  Participants can only read ebooks we already own and got for less than $1 or audiobooks we got for less than $5.
However, there is the “generator” option, but I won’t be taking advantage of that.  If you would like to know more about using your generator, click on the COYER picture to get the full details over at the official COYER website.
Since the rules are tight this time, I’m not going to read any ebooks until December 17th, and I’m going to concentrate on finishing the books I’m currently in the middle of reading.  Once COYER starts, I’ll concentrate on reading as many of my ARCs as possible.  With any luck, I’ll get completely caught up on them.  Since library books don’t count, I’ll also be focusing on the few audiobooks I own that I got for free.
Usually, my goal for COYER is 10 books, but this time I’m going to try for 12.  Bout of Books is coming up during the first week of January and I’m taking vacation during that week as well, so I’m fairly certain I can manage 12 books by March.
Are you participating in COYER?

Sci-Fi Summer Wrap-up

Published on by Rachelle

SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge
Today is the last day of the Sci-Fi Summer Reading Challenge!
We started the challenge on June 20th, the official first day of Summer, and agreed to read a certain number of Sci-Fi books by the official end of Summer, today, the day before the Autumnal Equinox.  Below are the levels:

  • Red Shirt – 1 to 5 books
  • Viper Pilot – 6 to 10 books
  • Jedi – 11 to 15 books
  • Time Lord – 16 or more books

I was successful in reading 16 books for the Time Lord level, and I managed it with more than a week to spare.  I’ve still got a couple reviews to write, however.  While the review link-up isn’t closed yet, I wanted to share with everyone the amazing reviews that the other participants wrote throughout this Summer:

Empire in Black and Gold (Shadows of the Apt #1) by Adrian Tch
Brandon Sanderson’s The Reckoners Review
The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J Walker
A Fall of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke
Restoree by Anne McCaffrey
Tuf Voyaging by George R.R. Martin
Mind of My Mind by Octavia E. Butler
Wild Seed (Patternmaster #1) by Octavia E. Butler

 
 
Thank you for a great Summer filled with Science Fiction!  I plan on doing this again next year, and perhaps by then I’ll be able to do a giveaway to go along with it.  The review link-up will remain open until September 25th, so if you were a participant in the Sci-Fi Summer reading challenge, you’ve still got a few days to get those reviews posted!
The review link-up will remain open until September 25th, so if you were a participant in the Sci-Fi Summer reading challenge, you’ve still got a few days to get those reviews posted!