Bout of Books 11 Day 3

Published on by Rachelle

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Today, I continued with The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Micheal Chabon, but then decided I really needed a break from it.  So, I started The Stranger’s Woes by Max Frei, and I’m only stopping because I’m yawning so much I can’t read more than a sentence or two at a time.  I’m not yawning out of boredom; I’m just ridiculously tired for some reason.  I was almost 100% certain I would enjoy The Stranger’s Woes as much as the first book in the series, and I was right.  I’m happy to find out that there are 2 more in the series left for me to read.

Though I read more today than the previous days, I would’ve liked to have read more than that.  I may not have had to work, but I still had things I needed to get done, including an absolutely necessary stop at the store to get pastries because the characters in The Stranger’s Woes are frequently eating them along with a drink called kamra, which seems to be their world’s version of coffee or tea.  I tried to fight the urge to join them in their gluttony, but I was happily defeated.  Luckily for me, I stopped after just one pastry.  I have 3 more left, and that should get me through the rest of the book, which I should be finishing by Friday at the latest.

Total books finished: 1

Pages read today: 201

Total  pages: 479

Bout of Books 11 Day 2

Published on by Rachelle

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Today, I continued with The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Micheal Chabon.  I’m still enjoying it, though a couple times I wondered why exactly a part of the story was there, as it seemed, right up until the end of the chapter when something important would happen, to be unnecessary. Also, it’s still a book I can put down for awhile when I need to, and I just might do that to read another book so I can have a break.  I have no problem with reading longer books, but the pacing in this one is a bit slow, and I find myself getting antsy, even though I’m still engrossed in it.  I guess I need a little more action, which I’m pretty sure I can get from The Stranger’s Woes by Max Frei.

I didn’t do either of the challenges again today, despite leaving work earlier than usual.  I also didn’t get as many pages read as yesterday, but I think that’s because The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay has larger pages with smaller type.  I have the rest of the week off, though, so I’m really hoping that I can keep the distractions to a minimum and do some of the challenges, as well as reach my goal of finishing at least one more book.

Total books finished: 1

Pages read today: 125

Total  pages: 278

Bout of Books 11 Day 1

Published on by Rachelle

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Today, I finished The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin, which I was already close to being done with, and continued with The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Micheal Chabon.  The Killing Moon had me going back and forth between interested and slightly uninterested, just as the other Jemisin book I’ve read, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.  I’m really enjoying The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, though.  I really didn’t think I would be, but the story is pulling me along.  So far, it’s a book I can put down for awhile when I need to, for instance, when I need to return to work, but when I’m reading it, I’m fully engrossed.

Since I had to work today, I didn’t do either of the challenges.  I have to work tomorrow as well, but I’ll be leaving early, which means I’ll not only have more reading time, but I’ll hopefully be able to do at least one of the challenges.

Books finished: 1

Total  pages: 153

Bout of Books 11 Goals

Published on by Rachelle

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Time Devoted to Reading

I will be reading every day of the week whenever I’m not at work instead of watching TV or gaming.  I will also read during my lunch breaks at work instead of playing Doctor Who Legacy on my phone (that game is so addictive!).

My Goals

  • finish off the books I’ve been “currently” reading.
  • Read at least one new book off of my TBR shelf.
  • I typically read about 1 book a week, so the important thing for me is to read more than that.  I want to be able to finish at least 2 books, but I’m really hoping I’ll be able to finish 3.

Books to Read

  • The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
  • The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin
  • One book off of my TBR shelf – The Stranger’s Woes: The Labyrinths of Echo, Book Two by Max Frei.

Updates

I will be updating with one post each day with the number of books I’ve read that day, the titles of the books read, and the total number of books read.  If I wasn’t able to finish a book that day, I’ll put the number of pages read instead.  I will also post whatever challenges, if any, I’ve participated in.

Hogwarts Lit Week!

Published on by Rachelle

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Online is having a Literature Week starting Aug. 8th!  All students can enroll, so I’ll definitely be participating in this.  Now I just have to start prepping, since that’s less than a week away, and the first day is about classic novels!  I’ll be postponing all of my current reading until the end of Lit Week so that I can really immerse myself into the novels, plays, poetry, and other works of literature that will be discussed throughout the week.  There will be optional assignments for those students who want to earn extra points for their House.  I’m really interested in seeing what those assignments will be, and I hope that I will have time to complete at least a couple of them!

Bout of Books 11!

Published on by Rachelle

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The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team.

Time Devoted to Reading

I will be reading every day of the week whenever I’m not at work instead of watching TV or gaming.  I will also read during my lunch breaks at work instead of playing Doctor Who Legacy on my phone (that game is so addictive!).

My Goals

  • finish off the books I’ve been “currently” reading.
  • Read at least one new book off of my TBR shelf.

Books to Read

  • The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
  • One book off of my TBR shelf – TBA once I’ve finished the book above, but it will probably be either The Scottish Prisoner or The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon.

Updates

I will be updating with one post each day with the number of books I’ve read that day, the titles of the books read, and the total number of books read.  If I wasn’t able to finish a book that day, I’ll put the number of pages read instead.  I will also post whatever challenges, if any, I’ve participated in. On Day 1, I will re-post my goals, with any adjustments.

Library Storytime

Published on by Rachelle

Summer Library Challenge

I came across a Library User Quiz from the Pew Research Internet Project today while I was wandering through my Facebook Interest Lists.  I am, of course, a Library Lover.

My love of libraries started very early, in school.  Since I grew up in a military family, I moved around quite a bit.  I was also naturally shy.  So, I spent most of my time reading.  The library at each school I attended over the years became my place of comfort and discovery.  I would check out as many books as I was allowed and devour them, and my favorite days were when the class would go to the library for any reason.

When I got old enough to go places on my own, I would go to the public library if it was within walking distance.  I would spend hours in a chair, no matter how uncomfortable, reading the interesting looking books I had come across while wandering the shelves.  This was how I discovered most of my all time favorite books, including The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Eyes of the Dragon as well as The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, and Matilda by Roald Dahl.

I also remember the first time I learned to use the public library’s new computerized card catalogue.  I had already fallen in love with computers thanks to the game Oregon Trail, but the ease of finding books with just a few keystrokes had me glued to the screen searching for everything I could think of, just to see the results.  I would write down the call numbers and then go on a hunt to see if I could find all those books.  It’s almost as if I didn’t believe the computer would direct me to the right place until I saw the books there on the shelf exactly where the computer said they would be.

Though I remember using and mastering the original card catalogue, I don’t miss it, especially now that most libraries have their catalogue’s online.  I no longer have to wait impatiently in line to use one of the library’s two or three computers to find what I’m looking for.  I can search to my heart’s content from the comfort of my home, and with the increasing availability of e-books, I might not even have to leave my apartment if I don’t want to.

When I want to get out, besides books stores, the library is where I’m likely to go.  My university’s library is one of the main reasons I chose to apply.  It’s seven stories, each the size of a football field.  I’ve spent entire days there, sometimes to do research, sometimes to hideaway in one of the chairs and just read, and sometimes just to get on the internet.  It’s my first go-to whenever I’m looking for anything.  I can’t wait till the Fall semester starts!

Library Discovery

Published on by Rachelle

Summer Library Challenge

I haven’t discovered anything new about my library this week that I haven’t already written about.  I did, however, recently start reading The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and that got me interested in the truth behind the legend of Arthur.  So I made use of the library’s virtual section and downloaded a book on the subject.

I wish I had more to write about my library, but I just don’t.  That’s a little bit disappointing since I thought that surely the public library in a large city like Austin would have more to offer.  I know they probably don’t have the kind of money that my university has, so I really can’t compare the two libraries, but I’m really missing my school’s library right now.  Luckily the Fall semester isn’t too far away and that will justify making the hour drive.  I also have access to their e-books without driving, so at least there’s that.

Library Social

Published on by Rachelle

Summer Library Challenge

I checked Facebook for the Austin Public Library, and sure enough they have a page.  While looking at a few of the most recent posts, I learned something new: in addition to e-books, digital comic books and graphic novels are also available!

I don’t currently have Twitter simply because I find it to be a gigantic rabbit hole to nowhere satisfying.  I wouldn’t even be on Facebook anymore if it weren’t for the ability to create interest lists so that I never have to use the News Feed.

I also checked Youtube, but there were only a few videos and none of them looked even remotely interesting.  At least there is the decent, frequently updated Facebook page.

Summer Library Challenge Survey

Published on by Rachelle

Summer Library Challenge

Library Survey

1. What’s the name of your library and how close is it to where you live?

     Austin Public Library.  The closest branch to where I live is about 3 miles away.

2. How frequently do you go to the library?

     Today was my first visit since I moved to Austin.

3. What is the first section you normally go to when you get to the library?

     Usually, in any library, I go straight for whichever section has the book(s) I looked up beforehand.  That’s usually Fiction.

4. Share a link to your library’s web page. How often do you use it and what for?

     Austin Public Library

     So far, I’ve only used this website to look up the address of the nearest branch, but typically I use a library’s website to search for the books I want to read before I head out to the library.

5. Does your library have a summer reading program for your age group? Do you participate and why or why not?

     Yes!  I was a bit surprised to find out there is a Summer Reading Program for Adults.  It started June 1st, and runs until the end of August, and for every five books I read, I can enter to win prizes.  I will be participating.

6. What is one thing you can think of that would make your library better?

     The hours they’re open.  Every branch is closed two days a week, and at least two other days of the week it’s only open for a few hours.

7. What programs have you attended or thought of attending at your library?

     I considered joining one of the many book clubs, but none of them grabbed my interest.  The majority of the other programs are either for kids or writers.

8. What is the best thing about your library?

     The “Virtual Library”, the library’s downloadable materials section.  Since the hours are limited, I’ll probably be “checking out” more e-books than physical books from the local branch.