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Down the TBR Hole #15

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I still have 566 books on my to-read shelf.

This week’s five books:


The Dreaming Place by Charles de Lint – GO.  I added this one to my wish list thanks to a random friend of a friend of a friend I met at a Christmas party a few years ago.  While I definitely want to read some de Lint at some point, I think I would rather not start with book #14 of a series.  Instead, I have a collection of his short stories in an ebook and I’ve added the first book of the “Newford” series to my wish list.

The Shadow Garden by Allen Houston – KEEP.  This is the 2nd book of the “Nightfall Gardens” series, and I already own it.  I was given the 1st book, Nightfall Gardens, by the author and I enjoyed it enough to save up my free $1 credits on Amazon to buy this one (I was on a strict book buying ban at the time and could only use credits, gift cards, etc. to support my reading addiction).

Buan: Company of Heroes by Reece Bridger – KEEP.  This is another instance where I was sent the first book, Buan: The Perfect Mortals, but in this case, I loved it so much that I anxiously awaited the publishing of the 2nd book.  I don’t know how it happened that I added it to my TBR and then never got around to reading it.

Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn – GO.  Both the synopsis and the cover give me the impression that this book is ridiculously trope-filled and formulaic. No thanks.

The Mirror of Her Dreams by Stephen R. Donaldson – GO.  Any synopsis that opens with something like “changed the face of fantasy fiction forever” is automatically suspect to me, especially when those words are bolded AND italicized.  The rest of the synopsis did not remove my suspicions that this book is not worth my time or money.
My to-read shelf is down to 564 books.  That’s the 3rd week in a row that I’ve made my TBR just a smidgen shorter!  Hopefully the trend will continue next weekend when I start with book #116.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for September 29th – October 5th.
  • I started Damn Early Days on Monday, and it’s been rough!  It’s so hard to get out of bed at 5 am when I don’t HAVE to get up.  So far, I’ve managed to haul my butt out of bed though.  While I haven’t gotten any time on the treadmill in, I’ve gotten a lot of burpies done.  I hate burpies, but they really get the blood flowing when I need it most.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 19,942/70,000
  • Miles: 8.20/35
  • Total Miles: 372.50
  • Active Minutes: 62/210
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $4.40/$10.00

Down the TBR Hole #14

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 566 books on my to-read shelf.

This week’s five books:


Probably Monsters by Ray Cluley – KEEP.  I will eventually buy this Horror short story collection, but for now it’s staying on my wish list.

Farewell, Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister – GO.  This one has been on my wish list for years and I always pass it up every time I’m looking for a book to buy.  I realize now that I’m just not that interested in reading it, so it goes.  Maybe some day I’ll try to find it at the library, but then again, maybe not.

Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman – KEEP.  This one is an ARC I never got around to reading and reviewing because I haven’t read the first book of the series yet.  Yes, I feel guilty about that.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly – KEEP.  There’s no way I’m going to get rid of a Fantasy story involving books 🙂

My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse – KEEP.  I already own this one and it’s a fairly short read, so I’ll give it a chance sometime next year.
My to-read shelf is down one book to 565 books.  That’s 2 weeks in a row that I haven’t added any more books to the mountain!  Hopefully I’ll be able to get a couple more pulled off of the shelf by next weekend when I start with book #111.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for September 22nd – 28th.
  • I’m working overtime again this week, but I’m also starting Damn Early Days on Monday, so I’ll be getting at least some time in on the treadmill every morning.
  • The Boyfriend and I have started walking to the grocery store down the street to get stuff for a date night dinner on Fridays instead of going to a restaurant.  While the main reason is to save money, it also means we’re both getting some extra exercise before we eat pizza or some other calorie laden dinner.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 17,550/70,000
  • Miles: 7.20/35
  • Total Miles: 364.30
  • Active Minutes: 75/210
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $4.36/$10.00

Down the TBR Hole #13

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 568 books on my to-read shelf, thanks to starting The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

This week’s five books:


The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman – KEEP.  How could anyone get rid of a book about a library?!

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin – KEEP.  I got this paperback a couple of years ago when I realized Le Guin is one of those authors that every Fantasy fan should read.  I know I won’t get to it before the end of the year, but I’ll probably take it off the shelf early next year.

Dooms Day Book by Connie Willis – KEEP.  This was recommended to me by The Boyfriend’s Aunt.  I’ve been saving it for #SciFiSummer, but it’s ended up at the bottom of the stack both years that I’ve hosted the challenge.

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day by Matt Kepnes – GO.  I’m only taking this off of my wish list because it was published in 2013; which means it’s probably out of date.  I might try to find a copy at the library or in a used bookstore at some point, but for now, it’s off the list.

The Sons of Macha by John Lenahan – KEEP.  The only reason I haven’t read this one yet is because I found out that Lenahan has been recording the audio book, and I absolutely LOVED the audio books of the 1st two books, Shadowmagic and Prince of Hazel and Oak.  I already own the ebook, but I’m more than willing to wait for the magic of the audio.
My to-read shelf is down one book to 567 books.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get a couple more pulled off of the shelf by next week when I start with book #106.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for September 15th – 21st.
  • I have another week of mandatory overtime coming up, so I’m not sure when I’ll be able to start my new routine.
  • My biopsy results were good news.  It’s a benign tumor.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 11,933/70,000
  • Miles: 4.90/35
  • Total Miles: 357.10
  • Active Minutes: 70/210
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $4.32/$10.00

Sci-Fi Summer 2017 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 13 books for the Jedi level, and I managed it with more than a week to spare.  I unfortunately didn’t get any reviews written, however.  While the review link-up isn’t closed yet, the last day to link up reviews is September 25th.  If you were a participant in the Sci-Fi Summer reading challenge, you’ve still got a few days to get those reviews posted!
            
Thank you for a great Summer filled with Science Fiction!  I might do this again next year 🙂

 

Down the TBR Hole #12

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 569 books on my to-read shelf, thanks to finally adding several of my audio books to the list.

This week’s five books:


Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb – KEEP.  Here is yet another author in the Fantasy genre who I’ve never read.  I’ll change this at some point, especially since I already own this book.

The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth – KEEP.  This one has been on my wish list for a very long time, and I’ve never been able to find a copy in any bookstore.  I don’t know if it’s out of print or I just haven’t been lucky yet.

Chronology ed. by Curiosity Quills Press – KEEP.  This is an anthology of short stories all dealing with the theme of time.  I already own it, so I’ll keep it.

Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor – KEEP.  I love Taylor’s “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” series, and this book of 3 short stories looks to be just as interesting.  Besides, that cover is beautiful!

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black – KEEP.  I have the hardcover, and Doll Bones was OK, so I’ll give this one a chance.
My to-read shelf is stuck at 569 books.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get a couple more pulled off of the shelf and read by next week when I start with book #101.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for September 8th – 14th.
  • As soon as I started working from home, I wound up having to work mandatory overtime.  So much for starting a new routine!
  • In addition to the overtime, I had my biopsy yesterday.  I won’t be trying to do any exercise until I stop feeling like I got kicked in the chest.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.

 

  • Steps: 18,949/70,000
  • Miles: 7.80/35
  • Total Miles: 352.20
  • Active Minutes: 70/210
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $4.30/$10.00

Down the TBR Hole #11

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 every week until I’ve filtered out my entire TBR.  I have 565 books on my to-read shelf, and that’s only because I started reading Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris.  Why is it that every time I make some head way on the TBR mountain I end up adding more books to it?  At this rate, I don’t think I’ll ever be saying “This is the final ‘Down the TBR Hole’ post.”  I’m not sure if I’m OK with that or not.

This week’s five books:


The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander – KEEP.  This is the start of another one of those classic Fantasy series that “everyone” says is a must-read.  I’ll keep it on my wish list for now.

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper – KEEP.  A Middle-grade Fantasy involving Arthurian legend?  Yeah, I’ll keep this one on my wish list, thank you.

The Fall by Garth Nix – GO.  I own the paperback of Sabriel, but I haven’t read it yet; which is why this book has been lingering on my wish list for several years.  I’m going to remove it for now.  Though I’ve heard nothing but great things about his writing, I would rather wait until I read Sabriel to decide if I want to get more of Nix’s books.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart – GO.  I added this one to my wish list solely based on the title.  I didn’t even read the synopsis.  Now that I have, I know this is definitely not the book for me.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – KEEP.  I managed to survive the audio book of Anna Karenina, so I think I can make it through this beast as well.  I have the ebook, but I may have to get the audio book.
 
My to-read shelf is down to 563 books.  I’m sure it won’t stay that way for long!  I’ll start off next week with book #96.