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  I’m only taking this off of my wish list because it was published in 2013; which means it’s probably out of date.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 🙂

 

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 Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox
  • The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • The Once and Future King by T.H. White
  • The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

  
Finished:

  • Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
  • Slade House by David Mitchell
  • Shadow House: The Gathering by Dan Poblocki
  • Jack the Bodiless by Julian May

  

Challenges:

Total pages read this week: 1187
Total # of books for the year: 72 of 85.  I can’t believe I’ve already read 6 books and started two more for #RIPXII and it’s only the middle of September!
What are you reading this week?

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

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:

  • Jack the Bodiless by Julian May
  • The Once and Future King by T.H. White
  • Slade House by David Mitchell
  • The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

    
Finished:

  • Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
  • Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
  • We Have Always Living in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
  • Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

 

Challenges:

Total pages read this week: 820
Total # of books for the year: 68 of 85.  I’m now working from home.  No more commuting for close to 2 hours everyday!  Unfortunately, I’m working mandatory overtime this week, so there goes those 2 extra hours 🙁  I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to read Slade House for #RIPXII, but I happened to find it on clearance at B&N yesterday and I took it as a sign.
What are you reading this week?

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.

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle

fitreaders-2017-1

  • This check-in is for September 1st -7th .
  • I’m working from home now, so I’ll be starting a new routine next week.
  • I’ve been reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson while I walk the Appalachian Trail virtually on Walking 4 Fun.  Since I didn’t start reading until I was well into Stage 6 of the trail, I had a bit of catching up to do in the book.  However, now I’m stuck at chapter 8, and I won’t be able to read any more for awhile until I get to where Bryson and his hiking friend are in Gatlinburg, TN.  It’s more than 30 miles from where I’m at right now.

  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Steps: 23,636/70,000
  • Miles: 9.71/35
  • Total Miles: 344.40
  • Active Minutes: 158/210
  • Virtual 5Ks: 0/10
  • Total Money Donated: $4.25/$10.00

Thursday's Things: It's All About the Hobbits

Published on by Rachelle

“Thursday’s Things” is a roundup of book related links I’ve come across while wandering down the rabbit hole that is the internet.
Every September, Tolkien fans return to the Shire.  Even though September is also the start of #RIPXII, I am no exception.  So, this month will be a strange mix of Middle Earth and Gothic content.  However, this “Thursday’s Things” is all about the Hobbits!