Tag: #SciFiSummer

Columbus Book Festival 2024

Published on by Rachelle

I made it to the Columbus Book Festival about 30 minutes after it started this morning. Don’t let the photo above fool you; all the action was happening inside the library and the topiary park behind the library, and it was already packed when I arrived!

Midnight Reader Club

The Midnight Readers Club was probably the most packed spot in the topiary park and with good reason! They were selling lots of wonderful “Blind Date with a Book” packages that all included a reading log bookmark, a magnetic bookmark, a highlighter, annotating tabs, and stickers. Since it’s #SciFiSummer, I picked up three interesting-sounding SciFi novels.

Tobias S. Buckell, John Scalzi, Yume Kitasei

When I was looking at the schedule this morning, I saw that there was a Horror panel, and I almost went to that, but then further down on the schedule, I saw there was a Science Fiction panel at the same time. I did not look at the names of the authors on the panel but decided to go purely because it was SciFi. So, imagine my surprise when I saw JOHN SCALZI! I’m sure the Horror panel was great, but these three authors were hilarious and I’m glad I didn’t miss it. I was in the back, so the photo I got of Tobias S. Buckell, John Scalzi, and Yume Kitasei isn’t great.

#BookHaul

Unfortunately, it completely skipped my mind to ask them if I could take a good photo when I went to get their books signed after the panel. I already have the ebook of Starter Villian, but couldn’t resist getting a physical copy along with a couple of Scalzi’s other books. I also got both of Kitasei’s books, The Deep Sky and The Stardust Grail, and Buckell’s Runes of Engagement, in addition to a couple of other books that looked interesting. 60 Songs that Explain the ’90s by Rob Harvilla is also a podcast that I will be listening to at some point and I picked up Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings after seeing the author on another panel I happened upon while trying to get out of the sun for a few minutes.

Novel Puzzles by Claire Mercer

All in all, I had a great day. The lines were long for just about everything, and I got hot, sweaty, and a little sunburnt, but now I have lots more books to read and some book-related puzzles to work through while I hang out inside in the AC.

#SciFiSummer Reading Challenge 2024

Published on by Rachelle2 Comments
SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge

Summer is the best time of year to read science fiction. So, I’m reading as much Sci-Fi as possible from June 20th, the official first day of Summer, to the 21st of September (the day before the Autumnal Equinox). I’ve got a lot of it on my TBR shelves, and I’m inviting all of you to join me!

Here are the challenge levels:

  • Red Shirt – 1 to 3 books
  • Viper Pilot – 4 to 6 books
  • Browncoat – 7 to 9 books
  • Time Lord – 10 or more books

Once again, I’ll be trying for “Browncoat” (I aim to misbehave). I have a large variety of Sci-Fi books I’ve been wanting to read for a while so I think this will be the perfect goal for me.

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.

Are you up to the #SciFiSummer challenge? Sign up by leaving a comment! (Links to reviews or TBR lists are welcome, too!)

#SciFiSummer Reading Challenge 2023

Published on by Rachelle10 Comments
SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge

For me, the Summer is the best time of year for reading Science Fiction. So, from June 21st, the official first day of Summer, to the 22nd 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!

Here are the NEW challenge levels:

  • Red Shirt – 1 to 3 books
  • Viper Pilot – 4 to 6 books
  • Browncoat – 7 to 9 books
  • Time Lord – 10 or more books

If you’ve participated in previous years, you may have noticed that I’ve reduced the number of books this year. I’ve also changed the level name “Jedi” to “Browncoat”, and it’s the level I will be trying for (I aim to misbehave). I have a large variety of Sci-Fi books I’ve been wanting to read for a while so I think this will be the perfect goal for me this year.

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.

Are you up to the #SciFiSummer challenge? Sign up by leaving a comment! (Links to reviews are welcome, too!)

Sci-Fi Summer Reading Challenge 2022

Published on by Rachelle11 Comments
SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge

There’s Sci-Fi November and Vintage Sci-Fi January, but for me, the Summer is the best time of year for reading Science Fiction. I hadn’t planned on doing these anymore, but #WyrdandWonder inspired me to bring this challenge back  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!

Here are the challenge levels:

  • Red Shirt – 1 to 5 books
  • Viper Pilot – 6 to 10 books
  • Jedi – 11 to 15 books
  • Time Lord – 16 or more books

This year, I’m taking it easy, and shooting for Viper Pilot. I read an average of 6 books a month, but a lot of the Sci-Fi books I’d like to try this year are longer, and I don’t want to zap the fun out of the challenge with the unnecessary pressure to meet a deadline.

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.

Are you up to the #SciFiSummer challenge? Sign up by leaving a comment! (Links to reviews are welcome, too!)

The 2019 Sci-Fi Summer Reading Challenge!

Published on by Rachelle3 Comments

SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge
There’s Sci-Fi November, and Vintage Sci-Fi January, but for me, the Summer is the time of year that is best for reading Science Fiction.  So, from June 21st, the official first day of Summer, to the 22nd 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.
Here are the challenge levels:

  • Red Shirt – 1 to 5 books
  • Viper Pilot – 6 to 10 books
  • Jedi – 11 to 15 books
  • Time Lord – 16 or more books

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 29th.
Are you up to the #SciFiSummer challenge?  Link up your sign-up posts below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The sign-up will remain open until September 15th, a week before the challenge ends.
 

#SciFiSummer 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 21st, 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 not successful in reading at least 6 books for the Viper Pilot level.  However, I did finish 4 books, so I’m a Red Shirt.  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!
These are the books I read:
   
I have to say that all of them were spectacular, especially To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis.  I’m looking forward to reading the next book in “The Darkest Minds” series by Alexandra Bracken, and I will definitely be looking up the rest of Patrick Ness’s books.  Thank you for a great Summer filled with Science Fiction!  See you next year 🙂

Thursday's Things: #SciFiSummer

Published on by Rachelle

Image: Jet Propulsion Laboratory

  • 19 Science-Fiction And Fantasy Novels By Women Of Color – As the title suggests, not all of the books on this list are Sci-Fi.  Also, I’ve only read the first book, Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, but it was an excellent book.  It terrified me and made me think, which is exactly what I want in my Speculative Fiction.
  • Making Lists: Mindblowing SF by Women and People of Color – Here’s another much longer list of diverse books and authors, but this one is all Sci-Fi.  If you’re looking for ideas of books to try out for the Sci-Fi Summer challenge, definitely check this out.
  • Postcards from Space – Looking for some Sci-Fi postcards to write to all of your friends about the great fictional totally real places you’ve visited this Summer?  Look no further.
  • 8 Struggles All Science Fiction Fans Know Are Real – I do have to say that the real-life e-readers we have are far better than what was portrayed in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

#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.
 

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 🙂

 

Sci-Fi Summer 2017 Reading Challenge

Published on by Rachelle

SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge
I enjoyed last year’s Sci-Fi Summer Reading Challenge so much that I’m going to do it again this year.   I’m also going to start using the hashtag #SciFiSummer across all of my social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Litsy – just look for Fortified By Books to add me).
The challenge is from June 20th, the official first day of Summer, to the 21st of September (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

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.  The link-up for your reviews will open on June 20th and stay open until September 25th.
This year, I’m going to attempt to reach the Jedi level, despite successfully earning Time Lord status last Summer.  I just barely made it, though, and I’m sure the only reason was being out of work for nearly a week.
So, why not join me in a Summer full of Science Fiction fun?  Link up your sign-up post below:


The challenge sign-up will stay open until September 14th.