Jon Acuff

Empty Shelf Challenge: June 2014

July 1, 2014 by Abbigail Kriebs 2 Comments

Quick recap: Jon Acuff introduced the #EmptyShelf challenge in December. It’s pretty basic: starting December 23rd, you empty one shelf of a bookcase in your house completely. Hence, “Empty Shelf.” Then, through the entire next year, you fill that shelf with the books that you read.

To read what I read in January, click on over here. For February, click on over here. March, here. April, click here. And for May, click here.

We moved in June, and I still don’t have enough shelf space for all of my books. Still no empty shelf images, but I’m getting there. I think. :)

It was a slow reading month, filled with settling in to the new place, and then fundraising and chaperoning a youth mission trip to Oklahoma.

All of my reads this month were re-reads: some old favorites, chosen in the midst of change to remind me that some things stay the same, and some just get better with age.

Here is what I read in June:

32.) The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Anne Brashares – This is a summer favorite, a must-read if you are sitting on the beach.

33.) The Negotiator (The O’Malley Series #1) by Dee Henderson – The O’Malley Series is one that I read as a teen. It’s Christian fiction, which is not something I usually read because of the bland characters, but the O’Malleys all have vibrant personalities and cool jobs.

34.) The Guardian (O’Malley Book 2) by Dee Henderson

35.) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – This one is worth buying in hardcover. You are going to read it so many times, it will fall apart otherwise.

So – what did you read in June? And what are you planning for July?

Empty Shelf Challenge: April 2014

May 2, 2014 by Abbigail Kriebs 2 Comments

Quick recap: Jon Acuff introduced the #EmptyShelf challenge in December. It’s pretty basic: starting December 23rd, you empty one shelf of a bookcase in your house completely. Then, through the entire next year, you fill that shelf with the books that you read.

To read what I read in January, click on over here. For February, click on over here. March, here.

Like March’s shelf, April’s shelf does not have photo documentation. We are in transition and posting a picture just feels like too much right now. May might just end up in that category, too …

Anyway – here is what I read in the month of April:

25.) Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (via the library) – A light-hearted, romantic read that truly captivated me. I can’t wait to read more from Rowell.

26.) The Enchanted by Rene Denfield (via the library) – A heavy, yet glittering book about a prison. The subject matter was quite disturbing at times, but Denfield treated the text with such language and imagery that I could not put it down.

27.) I Was Here by Rachel Kadish (courtesy of Noisetrade) – I downloaded this book free of charge from Noisetrade, and it was delightful. Similarly to Denfield’s novel, Kadish treats a tough situation and less-than-lovely characters with an artful brush. I’m looking forward to reading other works by Kadish.

28.) Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen (courtesy of Project Gutenberg) – A perennial favorite, one that I read as comfort food on a plane to Vegas this week for work.

29.) A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (courtesy of Project Gutenberg) – Shockingly, I’ve never read any of the Sherlock Holmes literature. If you haven’t either, start with this one, in which Sherlock and Dr. Watson meet. I really enjoyed it, as much as the current BBC series starring Benedict Cumberbatch & Martin Freeman.

This list is not nearly as exhaustive as last month, but I absolutely loved them all, and all for different reasons.

How is your Empty Shelf Challenge going?

Empty Shelf Challenge: March 2014

April 5, 2014 by Abbigail Kriebs 4 Comments

To read what I read in January, click on over here.

To read what I read in February, click on over here.

March’s shelf does not have an image this time around. We are in transition and posting a picture just feels like too much right now. Maybe next month …

Anyway – here is what I read in March:

13.) The Color of Water in July: A Novel by Nora Carroll (downloaded as a free ebook, my full review here)

14.) How To Focus On Being Productive Instead Of Busy: The Power Of Effective Life Habits via How To Books on Amazon. I am not linking to this book because it was pointless. Sad, but true.

15.) All For Anna (Letting Go) by Nicole Deese (downloaded as a free ebook)

16.) The Art of Storytelling: Easy Steps to Presenting an Unforgettable Story by John Walsh (downloaded as a free ebook)

17.) Lost: Cinderella’s Secret Diaries (Book 1) by Ron Vitale (ebook)

18.) Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford (library)

19.) Griffin & Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence by Nick Bantock

20.) Sabine’s Notebook: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Continues by Nick Bantock

21.) The Golden Mean: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Concludes by Nick Bantock

22.) The Book of Common Prayer (library)

23.) The Divine Hours, Pocket Edition (library)

24.) V Is for Vulnerable: Life Outside the Comfort Zone by Seth Godin

I slipped into the world of ebooks this month, apparently. I really only like ebooks on planes – keeps me from having to pack two or three books for a trip in my carry-on luggage. I’ve been on quite a few planes lately, and more to come!

What about you? Do you read on a Kindle or iPad? Or like me, do you still prefer good old paper? [I even like the smell!]

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend stuff that is good! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”