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#SciFiSummer 2018 Reading Challenge

Published on by Rachelle

SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge
For me, the Summer is the time of year for reading Science Fiction.  So, from June 21st (the official first day of Summer) to the 21st 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 for some #SciFiSummer fun!  The sign-up is below, and you can post your intent to participate anywhere on the web that will allow you to share the link to your post.
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’m shooting for Viper Pilot this year since the #COYER Summer Birthday Bash overlaps.

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 28th.
Are you up to the Science Fiction Summer challenge?  Link up your sign-up posts below:


The sign-up will remain open until September 14th, a week before the challenge ends.
 

#COYER – Big Summer Birthday Bash!

Published on by Rachelle


COYER turns 5 this summer and we’re celebrating with a Big Summer Birthday Bash!  There’s a lot going on this COYER, so I’m only going to share with you the parts that I’ll be doing.  For the full details, click on the link above.

The Basics

  • The challenge begins June 9th and ends August 31st.
  • It’s Summer and that means anything goes! It can be any format, any price, obtained from any legal location.

Birthday Bash Goody #1 – Declare your cleaning goal!

I’ll be going for “Lightly Clean” by reading  up to 10 books.

Birthday Bash Goody #3 – Participate in at least 1 Readathon!

I’ll be participating in the following:

  • Fairy Tales with a Twist: Read fairy tale re-tellings from Sunday June 17th to Saturday June 23rd.
  • Dusting Off The Shelves: Read the oldest books on your TBR. They have to have sat on your shelf for at least 1 year. Readathon runs Sunday July 29th to Saturday August 4th.
  • Scary Stories by the Campfire!: Read about ghosts, goblins, and any other horror/thriller that would make for a scary campfire tale from Sunday August 5th to Saturday August 11th.

Birthday Bash Goody #4 – Participate in one or all the Mini-Challenges hosted by COYER participants!

I don’t know what the mini-challenges will be, but I’m sure I’ll want to participate in at least one of them.

Birthday Bash Goody #5 – Participate in the mini-scavenger hunt!

The mini-scavenger hunt runs from Sunday August 12th to Saturday August 25th.  You can get the scavenger hunt list on the main sign-up page.

Birthday Bash Goody #6 – Participate in the Social Media Games in the Facebook group and the Twitter parties!

Social Media Games I might participate in:

  • Monday: What are you reading?
  • Tuesday: Cora COYER
  • Thursday: Tell Me with a GIF
  • Saturday: COYER Trivia
  • Sunday: COYER Update

Twitter Parties I’ll be able to do:

  • Kick-Off Twitter Party: Sunday, June 10th at 4pm EST
  • Saturday, July 14th at 11am EST
  • Saturday, August 18th at 12pm EST
  • Sneak Peak: Sunday, August 26th at 4pm EST

Birthday Bash Goody #7 – Fill in 1 or all 4 BINGO Boards!

I doubt I’m going to be able to read enough books to fill in an entire BINGO board, but I’m going to try!

Birthday Bash Goody #8 – Survive Hurricane Berls!

Read only eBooks, $1 or less, that you already own (including ARCs), from Wednesday July 25th to Saturday July 28th.

Birthday Bash Goody #9 – Make a list of 15 books and read a least 10 of them!

I put my list on Goodreads.

Birthday Bash Goody #10 – Participate in the Switch!

Each week from Sunday June 24th to Saturday July 14th, do the Strict, the List, and the One with the Twist.  I’ll do the Switch in that order.

The Strict – June 24th to june 30th

  1. Every book you read must be an eBook or audiobook.
  2. Every book must be either free or less than $5.
  3. No library books, borrowed books, or Kindle Unlimited.

The List – July 1st to july 7th

  1. Make a list of up to 15 books you want to read (I’m using the same list I made for Goody #9)
  2. Every book on the list must be in your possession before you put them on the list. Books can be any format, any price, obtained any legal way.

The One with the Twist – July 8th to july 14th

  1. You can read any book, any price, obtained any legal way.
  2. The Twist is you have to stick with one format. I’ll be sticking to eBooks.

Are you participating in the #COYER Summer Birthday Bash?

Down the TBR Hole #26

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 still at 730 books.  I’m sure that’s only because I haven’t started any new books since last week and I’m behind on reading recent posts from the blogs I follow.

This week’s five books:


Only Human by Gareth Roberts – KEEP.  I refuse to get rid of any of my Doctor Who books.

Voices of Freedom ed. by Eric Foner – GO.  I was really looking forward to reading this book around July, but I had no idea that it’s a companion to a textbook I don’t already own and am not likely to shell out the cash to buy.  I’m still going to keep it, but instead of having it on my TBR, I’m moving it to my “reference” shelf since it’s chock full of primary sources.

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier – KEEP.  The only thing stopping me from reading this one is that I haven’t finished the “Sevenwaters” series yet.

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King – KEEP.  Every time I look at this book, I consider getting rid of it.  It’s Contemporary YA, which is not a subgenre I read much of, but then I reread the synopsis, notice it’s been a nominee for several awards, and discover it’s the author’s most popular out of 17 published books.  I’m willing to see if it passes my 50 page test.

Black Spring by Henry Miller – KEEP.  Judging by the synopsis, I’ll either love this or hate it.  Since I also have yet to read his earlier books, Tropic of Capricorn and Tropic of Cancer (both of which I own as well), I’m going to keep this one until I figure out whether or not I like Miller’s writing.
My to-read shelf is down to 729 books.  COYER is only a week away and Sci-Fi Summer starts in less than a month, so I’m hoping that number will start to decrease as we head into warmer, sunnier days.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

  • This check-in is for May 25th – 31st.
  • I hung out with the friend I made from the walking group last Friday.  By the time I got home, I had walked nearly 20K steps!  I wasn’t able to do much walking until yesterday because my knee started to really hurt on Saturday night, but yesterday we hung out again and wound up doing over 15K steps.  I’m hoping my knee will be OK since I wore my brace.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 47,581/56,000
  • Miles: 19.54/25
  • Total Miles: 315.74
  • Active Minutes: 327/210
  • Total Money Donated: $0.87/$5.00

Down the TBR Hole #25

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 731 books.  I continue to find more books to add to my wish list!

This week’s five books:


Boneshaker by Cherie Priest – KEEP.  Steampunk AND zombies?!  Yes, please and thank you!

Smarter Than You Think by Clive Thompson – GO.  Meh.  I doubt this book is going to provide me with any new insights or perspectives that I haven’t already considered in regards to how tech is changing our world.

Porno by Irvine Welsh – KEEP.  I read somewhere that the title of this book was recently changed to “Trainspotting 2” or some other “more palatable” title.  That feels a bit Fahrenheit 451 to me, so I’m keeping my copy of it with the original title.

The Shakespeare Notebooks by Justin Richards – KEEP.  This is one of those books I’ll never get rid of even if I don’t ever read it.  It’s a permanent part of my “Doctor Who” collection that I will always treasure.

Deviant Strain by Justin Richards – KEEP.  Though the 9th Doctor isn’t my favorite, he was my introduction to “Doctor Who” and I think it’s a bit sad that he only got one season.  I already own this as an ebook, and it might be one of many “Doctor Who” books I read for this year’s Sci-Fi Summer.
My to-read shelf is back down to 730 books.  I’m hoping it will be down a couple of more books by the time I kick off next Saturday’s “Down the TBR Hole” with book #166.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

  • This check-in is for May 18th – 24th.
  • I’m now using Your Daily Walk on the days that I don’t plan on walking outside.  I’m enjoying it so far.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 38,752/56,000
  • Miles: 15.94/25
  • Total Miles: 296.20
  • Active Minutes: 277/210
  • Total Money Donated: $0.82/$5.00

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

  • This check-in is for May 11th – 17th.
  • I went to another meet up on Tuesday and walked around Lake Merritt and one of the other walkers and I exchanged phone numbers and made plans to get together next Thursday to go walking 🙂
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 37,958/56,000
  • Miles: 15.61/25
  • Total Miles: 280.26
  • Active Minutes: 336/210
  • Total Money Donated: $0.77/$5.00

Down the TBR Hole #24

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 730 books.  I continue to find more books to add to my wish list!

This week’s five books:


Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip – KEEP.  An orphan found and raised by a palace librarian?  Yes, please and thank you!

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh – KEEP.  I have wanted to read this book ever since I saw the movie well over a decade ago.  Why I haven’t read it yet, I don’t know.

Cassette From My Ex by Jason Bitner – KEEP.  I love music, mix-tapes/play lists, and books about both.

The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker – KEEP.  I have attempted to read this brick twice now since starting this blog.  The first time, I was distracted by so many other books, and the second time, I was into it until I suddenly wasn’t.  I will give it one more try at some point, so it’s staying on my shelf for now.

The Vanishing Children of Paris by Arlette Farge and Jacques Revel – GO.  I picked this one up from a History book sale while I was in college.  It seemed interesting at the time, but after rereading the synopsis, the only thing interesting about it is that it’s about Paris, and that’s just not enough for me anymore.
My to-read shelf is down one to 729 books.  Let’s hope it doesn’t get any bigger by next week when I start with book #161.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

  • This check-in is for May 4th – 10th.
  • I’ve finished 25% of the Appalachian Trail on Walking4Fun.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 26,382/56,000
  • Miles: 10.85/25
  • Total Miles: 264.65
  • Active Minutes: 187/210
  • Total Money Donated: $0.73/$5.00

Down the TBR Hole #23

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 back up to 726 books.  Though I read quite a bit last week during the #readathon, I added more than 10 books to my wish list thanks to a combination of TBR posts and loving what I was reading so much that I want to read everything else by that author (I’m looking at you Jim C. Hines).

This week’s five books:


Hiking Alone by Mary Beath – KEEP.  I found this book in the gift shop of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM while on a road trip back in 2011.  I vaguely remember that I started reading it while I continued on my way through New Mexico, but I got distracted by other books while in Utah.  I will be picking this up again, hopefully soon.

Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson – KEEP.  Normally, I would pass on a story about a favorite character from another author, but this one was authorized by L.M. Montgomery’s heirs for the 100th anniversary of Anne of Green Gables.  I’ll wait to read it after I’ve finished re-reading the rest of the original series, but I will give this one a chance.

This Book is Overdue! by Marilyn Johnson – KEEP.  Y’all know by now how much I love books about books, libraries, librarians, etc.  So obviously this one is not leaving my shelf.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein – KEEP.  I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve either read or been told that I need to read this book.  After reading the synopsis, I’m a bit concerned that it will trigger all sorts of bad memories, but I’m hoping it will be healing in the way that Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and Primary Inversion by Catherine Asaro were for me.

The Salinger Contract by Adam Langer – KEEP.  I briefly picked this one up and read a few pages while I was in the process of going through everything I owned and deciding whether or not I wanted to keep it.  I chose to keep this one, and I still stand by that decision, but I want to read something by J.D. Salinger before picking it back up.  If you have any suggestions, let me know in the comments.
My to-read shelf remains at 726 books.  See you next Saturday when I start with book #156.