Tag: Currently Reading

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

• Handbook for the Heartbroken by Sara Avant Stover
• The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby by G.Z. Schmidt
• Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater
• Beyond the Count ed. by Margo Bond Collins

Finished:

• How to Be the Love You Seek by Dr. Nicole LePera
• Running on Empty by Jonice Webb, PhD
• The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon

Total pages read this week (and last week): 1,012

Total books read: 85 of 90

TBR (goal is -24): -24

#ShelfLove Challenge: 48 of 51

I found a great deal on a washer and dryer, got it delivered, and then partly installed. Why not installed all the way? Because it turns out the dryer vent in my apartment is so clogged with lint from never being cleaned that it’s a fire hazard and the installer said he couldn’t hook up the dryer for liability reasons. While the apartment management does seem to be responsive and get maintenance to fix things fairly quickly, I’m finding the number of things that need fixing to be a bit concerning. This will be the 7th work order I’ve put in since I signed the lease.

Other than the frustrations of getting settled into a new place, my stress levels are down considerably. My fur children seem to have adjusted, most of my stuff has been unpacked and put somewhere (except the books), and I haven’t had to drive back and forth across town nearly as often this past week. The cats and I are getting back into our normal daily routines, and that means I’m reading a lot more and actually enjoying my free time. I am truly grateful for that for obvious reasons, but also because this is #RIP season! I might not have the energy to decorate this year, but I am definitely reading books that are more on the spooky and scary side until November 1st.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

• Handbook for the Heartbroken by Sara Avant Stover
• How to Be the Love You Seek by Dr. Nicole LePera
• Running on Empty by Jonice Webb, PhD
• The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon

Finished:

• No Time Like the Past by Jodi Taylor
• Doctor Who: The Stone Rose by Jacqueline Rayner
• Lock In by John Scalzi

Total pages read this week (and last week): 842

Total books read: 82 of 85

TBR (goal is -24): -22

#ShelfLove Challenge: 47 of 51

I signed my lease for the apartment last Friday, spent the entire weekend packing, making trips with stuff that I didn’t want the movers moving (food, really fragile stuff, important paperwork, etc.), and getting my computer and the internet set up. Surprisingly, the move itself on Monday was the least stressful part of the whole process, but with everything going on, I didn’t have the time or energy to write or post anything last week.

Nearly everything I’ve read for the past two weeks has been in the form of audiobooks while I was packing, driving back and forth, cleaning, unpacking, and generally feeling like I was going to fall apart at any moment. I’ve had panic attacks, a couple of days of severe depression, and a synovitis flare up (which I haven’t had in a couple of years). I would fall into bed exhausted each night, but then wake up around one or two in the morning and not be able to get back to sleep. On top of all of that, I still went to work everyday this week (other than moving day). Needless to say, I will be doing nothing but resting today. No unpacking, no driving, no errands. I’m not even going to change out of my pajamas. Just reading, drinking lots of herbal tea, and cuddling with my cats, who are still adjusting to our new home.

While not everything I’ve unpacked has been put away yet, most of what is still in boxes is art, decorations, and my books. I only have two small bookshelves until I can get to IKEA, but first I need to buy a washer and dryer. The apartment complex doesn’t have a laundry facility, and while I will be able to do my laundry at my ex’s house for a little while, he will eventually be selling the house. So, it will likely be a couple of months until I finally get to unpack my books.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

• Handbook for the Heartbroken by Sara Avant Stover
• The Death of a Beekeeper by Lars Gustafsson
• How to Be the Love You Seek by Dr. Nicole LePera
• No Time Like the Past by Jodi Taylor
• The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick

Finished:

• An Uninvited Ghost by E.J. Copperman
• The Disappearance of Emily Downs by C.J. Redwine

Total pages read this week: 434

Total books read: 79 of 85

TBR (goal is -24): -20

#ShelfLove Challenge: 44 of 51

I finished two audiobooks and started a third. My hold for How to Be the Love You Seek finally came in, so I’m going to try to finish that by the time I move. I discovered that another book I had checked out from the library, Devil’s Gun by Cat Rambo is the second book in the “Disco Space Opera” series. I’ve added the first book, You Sexy Thing, to my wishlist, but it will likely be quite a long time before I check it out. Instead, I picked up the next book on my library stack, The Poppy Fields. I only read the first chapter before I went to bed last night, but that’s only because I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer despite already being hooked.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

• Mind Your Body by Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW
• Handbook for the Heartbroken by Sara Avant Stover
• Embers of the Hands by Eleanor Barraclough
• An Uninvited Ghost by E.J. Copperman

Finished:

• METAtropolis ed. by John Scalzi
• Firestarter by Stephen King

Total pages read this week: 352

Total books read: 77 of 85

TBR (goal is -24): -19

#ShelfLove Challenge: 42 of 51

I finished two books over the holiday weekend, and then my life got busy again, and I didn’t do much more than listen to an audiobook. I have an official moving date now, and as much as I want to do so many other things, I’ll be spending most of my free time packing the rest of my books and stuff. Along with that, I’ll probably be listening to more audiobooks. However, today, I’m going to the Renaissance Festival for Fantasy Weekend. I’ll be dressed up as a Hobbit, and I’m very excited about my costume!

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

• Mind Your Body by Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW
• Firestarter by Stephen King
• Handbook for the Heartbroken by Sara Avant Stover
• Embers of the Hands by Eleanor Barraclough
• METAtropolis ed. by John Scalzi

Finished:

• Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members by Sherrie Campbell, PHD
• A Longer Fall by Charlaine Harris
• Sprinkles and Sea Serpents by Danielle Garrett

Total pages read this week: 805

Total books read: 75 of 85

TBR (goal is -24): -19

#ShelfLove Challenge: 41 of 51

I deliberately spent more of my time reading this past week instead of doing other activities. I’ll be doing a lot of reading during this holiday weekend as well, since I’m focusing my free time on finishing as many of the library books I’ve got checked out as possible. I’m up to 20 books, and only one of them is an ebook!

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

• Mind Your Body by Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW
• Firestarter by Stephen King
• Handbook for the Heartbroken by Sara Avant Stover
• A Longer Fall by Charlaine Harris
• Adult Survivors of Toxic Family Members by Sherrie Campbell, PHD
• Embers of the Hands by Eleanor Barraclough

Finished:

• Constituent Service by John Scalzi

Total pages read this week: 400

Total books read: 72 of 75

TBR (goal is -24): -19

#ShelfLove Challenge: 39 of 51

I have never had a better massage than I did last Saturday! It helped a lot, and I booked my next massage for shortly after I move next month. Prior to that, I decided to take a friend’s advice and get out of the house to go do something that wasn’t work or running errands. I went out for brunch and then checked out a small but eclectic Indy bookstore, Birdie Books. I unfortunately forgot what happens to my stomach when I’ve been very stressed, and the somewhat rich food I had for brunch caused me to have to leave before I wanted. I will definitely be going back at some point.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

• Mind Your Body by Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW
• Firestarter by Stephen King
• Handbook for the Heartbroken by Sara Avant Stover
• A Longer Fall by Charlaine Harris

Finished:

• The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde

Total pages read this week: 288

Total books read: 71 of 75

TBR (goal is -24): -19

#ShelfLove Challenge: 38 of 51

This week was another bad week. Really bad. I am still not doing very well. Fortunately, last weekend I booked a massage that is scheduled for this afternoon. I’m sure that will help at least a little.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

• Mind Your Body by Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW
• Firestarter by Stephen King
• Handbook for the Heartbroken by Sara Avant Stover
• How to Be the Love You Seek by Dr. Nicole LePera
• The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde

Total pages read this week: 291

Total books read: 70 of 75

TBR (goal is -24): -18

#ShelfLove Challenge: 38 of 51

This week went much better than last. I’m continuing to focus on self-care while getting as much stuff done as I can. I did some packing last weekend, and I worked on crocheting the baby blanket I’m making for a friend and his wife. I’m about halfway done with it, and since their due date is rapidly approaching, I’m going to try to finish it before the end of next week. Instead of listening to an audiobook while I crocheted, I finished watching the final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” I quickly fell in love with the show around episode two, binged half a season or more at a time, and was sad to see it end. I might rewatch it at some point, but for now I need another easy to watch series. Until I find that, I’m back to enjoying audiobooks while I’m crocheting (which is, of course, not a bad thing). I’m loving The Woman Who Died A Lot so much that I might finish it this weekend, and I also plan to finish How to Be the Love You Seek today.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

• Mind Your Body by Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW
• Firestarter by Stephen King
• Handbook for the Heartbroken by Sara Avant Stover
• How to Be the Love You Seek by Dr. Nicole LePera

Total pages read this week: 171

Total books read: 70 of 75

TBR (goal is -24): -18

#ShelfLove Challenge: 38 of 51

This week has been rough. I haven’t felt like reading much, my emotions and thoughts keep going from angry, to happy, to sad, and everything in between, and I’m pretty sure that means the full weight of my breakup has finally hit me. My shoulder and arm pain has returned, and I know that’s because of all the stress. I won’t be moving for nearly two months, and I’m really wishing it was sooner.

Some good from this week is that the “Tales of the Shire” game was released, and I treated myself (it’s considerably less expensive than I was expecting it to be). I absolutely love it, so I’ve had to set some rules for myself, otherwise I won’t get anything done. I’m allowed to play it during the week after work only, and then I have to focus on packing during the weekend.

Some more good that is happening is that Ohio is sales-tax free for two weeks, and since online sales are included, I decided to go ahead and buy some stuff for my apartment (including bath towels with dinosaurs embroidered on them). I’m going to leave everything in the packaging when it arrives so I don’t have to repack it all for the move. I might go shopping today as well to see if there’s anything else I can find, but I’m keeping fragile items on my wish list since I don’t want to risk stuff getting broken before I even have the chance to use it).

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!

“Building the Book Fort” is a weekly post where I track my bookish life.

Currently Reading:

• Mind Your Body by Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW
• The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
• Firestarter by Stephen King

Finished:

• God’s Hammer by Eric Schumacher

Total pages read this week: 249

Total books read: 70 of 75

TBR (goal is -24): -17

#ShelfLove Challenge: 38 of 51

This week I got approved for the two-bedroom townhome apartment, and I’ve been busy figuring out what stuff I’ll need that I don’t already have and then finding those items online and creating a wish list. While I’ll definitely have to prioritize the needs over the wants, I discovered that there are a ton of things from bedding to area rugs with dinosaurs on them! I’m not talking about children’s bedroom/playroom cartoonish stuff, but modern and stylish “grown up” home decor! I could quite literally decorate my entire home in dinosaurs! However, I will probably stick to my bedroom and bathroom, maybe the dining room. I already have other ideas for my office and living room, and I’m not sure what I’ll do with the kitchen. I also found some bookish decor that I definitely want.

Prior to my excitement about being able to decorate my new home however I want, I was feeling very down about the whole situation, from how much money I was going to have to spend just to move into the place, to how much I’m downsizing and not being sure how I will fit all my stuff into roughly 900 square feet. I have no idea where I will put all of my books. I may not have enough room for all of them and might have to keep at least some of them in boxes. While all of this is still a bit annoying or upsetting, I’m doing my best to focus on the positive aspects. Besides not having to compromise on decor, I will finally have my own bathroom, and I won’t have anyone annoyed with me for leaving my tea mug on the counter by the kitchen sink. Speaking of tea mugs – I will be able to have as many of them as I want, instead of having to confine them to one small cabinet, and I’ve already chosen a mug I want to get as a sort of house warming gift to myself.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments!