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#FrightFall, #SomethingWickedFall, and #RIPXIX Wrap-Up

Published on by Rachelle1 Comment

September and October are my favorite reading months of the year. The best reading challenges and readathons occur over these two months, and while some of them are only in October, others cover both. Instead of trying to do a wrap-up post for all of them, here’s one post for three of the challenges I participated in this spooky season.

Peril of the Fiction – 30 books

If it weren’t for the two 24-hour readathons in October (FrightFall and Dewey’s), I wouldn’t have finished nearly as many books as I did. I also got sick the last week of the month and finished nearly a book a day.

Peril of the Short Story – 6

I had these 6 short stories sitting on my TBR from last year so I decided to take a day early on and get them read. I enjoyed them, but none of them were the kind of Horror stories that would stick with me for years in the way that some of Stephen King’s stories have.

Peril of the Screen

Even though I was more focused on reading as many books as possible, I also watched quite a lot of TV and movies. Some of them are old favorites, a couple of them were new to me but great, and a lot of the TV shows fell short as I tried to find new stuff to watch on Netflix. I had a whole stack of DVDs that I wanted to watch as well but didn’t get around to, so I’ll probably watch those next year.

  • 4 episodes of “Ghost Hunter”
  • 2 episodes of “Creeped Out”
  • “Bird Box”
  • “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”
  • 4 episodes of “Cabinet of Curiosities”
  • “Nightmare Castle”
  • “Jamaica Inn”
  • “Hitchcock Presents The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”
  • All episodes of “October Faction”
  • 8 episodes of “Evil”
  • “Practical Magic”
  • 2 episodes of “Goosebumps”
  • “Beetlejuice”
  • “Halloweentown”
  • “The Addams Family”

Overall, I would say this was my best spooky season in a long time, and I bought a lot of books to read next year as well. Tomorrow I take down the Halloween decorations, put the remaining books of my TBR back on the shelf, and get ready for all things cozy.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for November 4th – 10th.
  • I’m posting this a day early since I’m not working today because it’s Veterans’ Day.
  • I typically don’t do anything special on Veterans’ Day, even though I am a Veteran and there are tons of free and discounted things to get and do for Veterans and their families on this day.  However, that usually means crowded places, which stresses me out.  I would rather stay home and relax.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 4/5
  • Steps: 37,307
  • Miles: 15.13/19.25
  • Total Miles: 681.14/1,000
  • Active Minutes: 113/150

Dewey’s 24-Hour #Readathon – Update 2

Published on by Rachelle
Dewey's Readathon_Pocketwatch_Bellezza


We’re 16 hours into Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon, and I still haven’t fallen asleep, not even a little. I am starting to get a little tired, but The Cabin at the End of the World is keeping me wide awake!

  • Pages Read: 206
  • Books Read: Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket, World War Z by Max Brooks, and The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay.
  • Time Read: 4 hours and 13 minutes
  • Yummy in my Tummy: I had a huge turkey dinner with mashed potates, mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, and a couple of rolls, and I haven’t eaten anything since because I’m stuffed!

Until my final update, at 8 am, I’ll be finishing The Cabin at the End of the World and hopefully starting another book from my stack.


Whether you’re participating in the readathon or not, what book(s) are you currently reading?

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for April 23rd – 29th.
  • I had another test done yesterday to hopefully figure out what’s wrong with my heart, and now I’m back playing the waiting game.  In the meantime, I attended an online workout session through the weight management program I’m in, and it was a little bit of light cardio and strength training, so I plan to continue attending.
  • I ordered a small “under desk” exercise bike for when I’m watching TV or can’t get outside for a walk.  It should arrive on Monday, and I’m a little excited to get it.  I know it won’t solve all my problems, but it’s a little something more I can do to help myself, and that’s what counts.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 2/5
  • Steps: 26,485
  • Miles: 10.85
  • Total Miles: 206.10/1,000
  • Active Minutes: 131/150

Dewey’s 24-Hour #Readathon

Published on by Rachelle1 Comment
Dewey's Readathon_Pocketwatch_Bellezza


Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon has officially started!  I stumbled out of the bed about 20 minutes ago and immediately started the kettle to make myself a giant mug of tea. I was going to have Peet’s be delivered since a readathon is a perfect time for pastries and chai, but I decided that is a good reason to put in my earbuds, start an audiobook, and go for a walk! I’ll be posting my updates every 8 hours, assuming my pile of books keeps me awake.

  • 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? For the first time, I have no idea. I put so many great books on my readathon-maybes list, and I have 5 more books from the library.
  • Which snack are you looking forward to the most? Pastries from Peet’s!
  • Tell us a little something about yourself!  Here are 20 somethings about myself.  Also, I have a second fur baby now, Raith:
  • If you participated in the last readathon, what’s one thing you’ll do differently today? I’m going to try reading the books I have on my list in order of shortest to longest.

I usually put my TBR here, but the link to my pile is up above and currently stands at 41 books tall.
My first update will be at 1 pm.  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? 

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for October 18th – 24th.
  • It’s been a really busy week for me, and I’m glad I’ve been feeling up to the challenge!  I’m so ready for the #readathon tomorrow 🙂
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 2/5
  • Steps: 31,594
  • Miles: 13.01
  • Total Miles: 588.02
  • Active Minutes: 91

Monday’s Minutes

Published on by Rachelle

“Monday’s Minutes” is a weekly post in which I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

  • Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
  • Haunted Nights ed. by Caitlin Doughty
  • Penny Dreadfuls ed. by Stefan R. Dziemianowicz

Finished:

  • The Year of Shadows by Claire Legrand
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Challenges:

  • RIP XIV: Peril the First – 9, Peril of the Short Story – 0, Peril on the Screen – “Supernatural”, “American Horror Story”, and “Six Feet Under”.

Total pages read this week: 546

Total books for the year: 61 of 70. I’m still getting used to writing posts on the “new” blog. I no longer have the Classic Editor, and I never got used to the Block Editor.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for October 4th – 10th.
  • I’m still dealing with a lot of pain in my legs.  I’m doing a lot of stretching along with my physical therapy exercises in the hopes that it will all help.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 4/5
  • Steps: 39,441
  • Miles: 16.25
  • Total Miles: 556.21
  • Active Minutes: 167

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle
  • This check-in is for September 27th – October 3rd.
  • This week was a long ride on the struggle bus.  Insomnia, Depression, back and shoulder pain.  I really hope next week will be better.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Active Days: 1/5
  • Steps: 20,476
  • Miles: 8.42
  • Total Miles: 539.96
  • Active Minutes: 48

Down the TBR Hole #72

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 666 books, which seems very fitting for being in the middle of RIP XIV.

This week’s books:

Black Widow: Red Vengeance by Margaret Stohl – KEEP.  Black Widow is my fave Marvel character, and I loved the first book, Forever Red, so there’s no way I would get rid of this one.

In the Shadow of Lakecrest by Elizabeth Blackwell- KEEP. I don’t think I’ll enjoy this book, since it’s far from my usual reading choices, but I’ll give it the 50 page test.  I might find myself pleasantly surprised.

The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who by Simon Guerrier and Dr. Marek Kukula – KEEP.  The real science behind “Doctor Who”?!  I was so excited when I saw this in a bookstore that I paid the full hardback price without a blink.

The Diary of River Song: Series One by Jenny T. Colgan and Series Two by Guy Adams – KEEP.  These have been on my wish list forever because I can’t find them anywhere for a reasonable price.  Besides the Doctor, River Song is my favorite character in the Doctor Who universe, and I love Alex Kingston.

Do Not Sell at Any Price by Amanda Petrusich – KEEP. I love music and records, and I enjoy reading non-fiction about both.

My TBR pile is stuck at 666 books for now, and I’m not sure it will be decreasing within the next week.  I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, but hopefully I can pull myself out of it to finish at least one book before the next post.