Saturday, July 30, 2016

#ReadThemAllThon TBR Pile



I'm taking part in the The Pokemon Indigo League #ReadThemAllThon from Aug 14-Sept 4.



My chosen Pokemon: Butterfree




My TBR Pile:

Nevermore by Keith R.A. DeCandido - Anyone who knows me knows I'm obsessed with Supernatural.  My husband got me this book for Christmas and I still haven't read it.  This is the perfect time to fix that.

312 pages, potential +31CP

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp - I bought this because it sounded so intriguing. I know it's a pretty dramatic topic and tears definitely seem likely.

285 pages, potential +28CP

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen - I have seen so many people go on about this book.  Everyone was raving about it and I got it for Christmas and need to read it.

417 pages, potential +41CP

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera - I started this earlier this year and only got a short ways in.  Hopefully this time I can actually finish it.

293 pages, potential +29CP

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - I've had this book awhile and it's on a challenge list for me this year.  I've spent a fair amount of time in airports myself dating a guy from England so I figure I'll relate.

236 pages, potential +23 CP


 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - I feel like one of the only people who hasn't read this book.  And now with the movie coming out I need to read it!

352 pages, potential +35CP

Cinder by Marissa Meyer - I started this and got 50 pages in and never went any further.  (I seem to have a bad habit of that this year for some reason.)  I want to finish it so figure this will be a good chance.

390 pages, potential +39CP

The Elite by Kiera Cass - I started this series last year and loved it but never read any more.  Which is crazy because I want to know how it turns out.

336 pages, potential +33CP


Potential Points If I Finish ALL Books (includes completed book bonus) = 419CP



Casual Readathon July J2

I'm taking part in Casual Readathon J2 from July 24-July 30



The challenges are:

1. Read 3 books - ✓ Done
2. A Book with Supernatural Elements - Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Dust Waltz by Dan Brereton ✓ Done
3. Read with Purple on it - Princeless by Jeremy Whitley ✓ Done
4. Read Someone Picks - The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
5. A Book from a Series - Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Dust Waltz by Dan Brereton ✓ Done
6. Book on TBR for a Year+ - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald ✓ Done

Challenges Completed 5/6
Books Read 3/4

(Originally I had planned to read Nevermore for my Supernatural pick but realized Buffy would count for both.)


BookTube-A-Thon


I'm taking part in BookTube-A-Thon from July 18-July 24

The challenges are:

1. Read a book with yellow on the cover. - Hawkeye, Vol. 6: Hawkeyes by Jeff Lemire ✓ Done
2. Read a book only after sunset. - Silk, Vol. 0: The Life and Times of Cindy Moon by Robbie Thompson ✓ Done
3. Read a book you discovered through booktube. - To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
4. Read a book by one of your favourite authors. - Saga, Vol 3 by Brian K. Vaughan ✓ Done
5. Read a book that is older than you. - Night by Elie Wiesel
6. Read and watch a book-to-movie adaptation. - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
7. Read seven books. - Angel & Faith: Family Reunion #3 by Christos Gage ✓ Done

I completed 3/7 challenges and read 5 books (I read Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Dust Waltz by Dan Brereton on the 24th for both this and Cas.)


Summer Biannual Bibliothon

I'm taking part in the Summer Biannual Bibliothon  from July 3-July 9

The challenges are:

1. Read The Group Book - The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
2. Free Choice/ Wild Card Book - Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding by Lenore Look ✓ Done
3. Emma’s Choice - More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
4. Read a Book With Your Favorite Mythical Creature - The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
5. Read a Book You’ve Been Putting Off Picking Up - The Elite by Kiera Cass
6. Read a Book from an Author You’ve Never Read Before - Captain Marvel by Kelly Sue DeConnick ✓ Done
7. Read a Book in a Different Format than You Usually Read - ebook - Expelled by Emmy Laybourne ✓ Done

I completed 3/7 challenges and read half of The Unexpected Everything.

I had a lot of fun with this and will definitely take part again.




Saturday, July 09, 2016

Casual Readathon June 2016 & Wrap Up


I took part in Casual Readathon June 2016.  It overlapped with my next reading challenge so a few of these were on both.  The challenges were:

1. Read 4 books - ✓ Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
2. Read a book with yellow on the cover - ✓ Hawkeye, Vol. 5: All-New Hawkeye by Jeff Lemire
3. Read a book under 300 pages - ✓ Expelled by Emmy Laybourne
4. Read a book published in 2016 - ✓ Lazarus, Vol. 4: Poison by Greg Rucka
5. Read outside for a min of 30 minutes - I live in South Texas.  This was never gonna happen.

I completed four out of five challenges and finished three out of four books that were in my TBR pile.  I wound up switching Expelled for You're Never Weird on the Internet but did read quite a bit of that book as well.






#TBRTakedown 4.0 Wrap Up


#TBRTakedown 4.0 was fun if not a great success for me number wise.  But it did help pull me out of my reading slump so it was a huge success for me that way.  I tried The Great Gatsby but only wound up reading about 10 pages.  I focused on Lola and the Boy Next Door and came close to finishing it (I wound up finishing it during Casual not long after Takedown was finished.)



Monday, June 20, 2016

#TBRTakedown 4.0

#TBRTakedown 4.0 (June 20-26)

I'm excited to be taking part in #TBRTakedown 4.0 on Twitter!  I've been in a reading slumpt this year so anything that helps me get more books read is a good thing in my book.


There are some challenges for this RAT which helped me pick my reading list.

1. On TBR Shelf for over a year - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
2. Unread Sequel - Lola and the Boy Next door by Stephanie Perkins
3. First in a series - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
4. Out of my comfort zone - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
5. Most recent book haul - Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Let the reading begin!



Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Make Me Read It Readathon Sign-ups - Help me pick what to read!



Ely @ Tea & Titles and Val @ The Innocent Smiley will again be hosting the Make Me Read It Readathon! Basically, this readathon allows your friends and audience to vote for what you’ll be reading. This year, the readathon will be from July 9th to the 16th! You can sign up here. So see below for more on the readathon from Val’s post.

What Is This Readathon About?

Look at the books you own, either physical, e-book or ones you’ve borrowed from the library and pick out a few you really want to read, or feel like you should read. It’s up to you how many you pick, personally I’d pick a few more than you expect to be able to read in a week. Example: if you think you’ll only read two, pick out five books or if you think you can read seven, pick out ten.
Make a list of these books on your blog, or make a video, or a Goodreads shelf or post a picture on Instagram—whatever is easiest for you. Then get friends, other bloggers/booktubers etc. to vote on which books you HAVE to read.
When the readathon comes along, you read the books in the order of most votes. For example, if one book gets 10 votes—you read that first, then the one that got 7 and so on. If there’s a tie, then it’s your preference. The goal is to read as many as possible.

Please vote and help me choose what to read!

Create your own user feedback survey



The results are in...

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 21.05% 8
–
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han 15.79% 6
–
Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley 5.26% 2
–
The Elite by Kiera Cass 10.53% 4
–
Cinder by Marissa Meyer 47.37% 18

So looks like I'll be reading Cinder!

Make Me Read It Readathon Sign-ups - Help me pick what to read!



Ely @ Tea & Titles and Val @ The Innocent Smiley will again be hosting the Make Me Read It Readathon! Basically, this readathon allows your friends and audience to vote for what you’ll be reading. This year, the readathon will be from July 9th to the 16th! You can sign up here. So see below for more on the readathon from Val’s post.

What Is This Readathon About?

Look at the books you own, either physical, e-book or ones you’ve borrowed from the library and pick out a few you really want to read, or feel like you should read. It’s up to you how many you pick, personally I’d pick a few more than you expect to be able to read in a week. Example: if you think you’ll only read two, pick out five books or if you think you can read seven, pick out ten.
Make a list of these books on your blog, or make a video, or a Goodreads shelf or post a picture on Instagram—whatever is easiest for you. Then get friends, other bloggers/booktubers etc. to vote on which books you HAVE to read.
When the readathon comes along, you read the books in the order of most votes. For example, if one book gets 10 votes—you read that first, then the one that got 7 and so on. If there’s a tie, then it’s your preference. The goal is to read as many as possible.

Please vote and help me choose what to read!

Create your own user feedback survey










The results are in...

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 21.05% 8
–
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han 15.79% 6
–
Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley 5.26% 2
–
The Elite by Kiera Cass 10.53% 4
–
Cinder by Marissa Meyer 47.37% 18

So looks like I'll be reading Cinder!

Monday, May 16, 2016

Bout of Books Update #7 & Wrap Up


I read 24 pages in Cinderella, Vol. 1: From Fabletown with Love by Chris Roberson.

I also read 5 pages (A super short chapter!) in The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.

Total numbers of pages read - 307

I finished one book and read from two others during Bout of Books.  I came into this still trying to get out of a book slump (which has lasted pretty much this entire year.  I just started getting out of it during Dewey's RAT.) so I didn't read a huge amount but I read consistently and enjoyed what I read. I can't wait for the next Bout of Books!


Sunday, May 15, 2016

Bout of Books Update #6


I read 24 pages in The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. Getting through this book is a challenge but I'm determined.

I also read 27 pages in Cinderella, Vol. 1: From Fabletown with Love by Chris Roberson.  So far I already like it better than Fabletown which I read last year.

Total numbers of pages read - 278


Saturday, May 14, 2016

Bout of Books Update #5


I read 36 pages in Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw and finished it.  It was so, so good. Funny and emotional and definitely a book I would highly recommend to others.

I also read 26 pages in You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day which is really good so far.

Total numbers of pages read - 227


Thursday, May 12, 2016

Bout of Books Update #4


I read 51 pages in Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw.  I really love this book.  I laughed so hard today and then it got all emotional.

Total numbers of pages read - 165


Bout of Books Update #3


I read 36 pages in Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw.  I have laughed so much at this book.  I'm really, really liking it.
Total numbers of pages read - 114


Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Bout of Books Update #2


I read 39 pages in Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw.  I'm really enjoying this book!

Total pages read - 78


Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Bout of Books Update #1


I read 39 pages in Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw


Friday, May 06, 2016

BookBuddyAthon & my Bout of Books TBR Pile


I did my first BookBuddyAthon back in September of last year and am doing one again.  Once again Heather is my buddy.  Lucky her.

This overlaps with Bout of Books quite a bit so my TBR pile is for both.




1) Choose three books and get your buddy to pick one from them for you to read
Heather chose You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day (The other two I had given her to choose from where Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling and Yes Please by Amy Poehler). I'm super excited she chose this one as it's the one I really wanted to read.

2) Buddy read a book with your buddy
We decided to read a book we both got for Uppercase.  Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw was the latest one and and it has some similarities with Fangirl which we both read together in January and loved so fingers crossed.

3) Read a book with your buddy's favourite colour on
I chose Hawkeye, Vol. 4: Rio Bravo by Matt Fraction since red is Heather's favorite color.  I just finished the third one and really liked it so am looking forward to this one.

4) Read a book that starts with the first letter of your buddys name
I double upped here and am using Hawkeye, Vol. 4 for both of these challenges.

5) Read a book that you want to... just because
I have a few choices here.  Cinderella, Vol. 1: From Fabletown with Love by Chris Roberson counts for a Listopia challenge as does Nimona by Noelle Stevenson.  Lazarus, Vol. 4: Poison by Greg Rucka is one I have been looking forward to for awhile and The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater is one I'm already reading and would really like to finish.  We'll see what I feel like reading when the time comes.

I can't wait to start this RAT!

Monday, April 25, 2016

I'm taking part in Bout of Books!


This will be the fifth time I've taken part on Bout of Books and I'm really looking forward to it. It's a great way to start the year off on the right note. I'll post a TBR pile later.


Bout of Books


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, May 9th and runs through Sunday, May 15th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 16 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team


Sunday, April 24, 2016

End of Event Survey



1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
The last hour I was awake for (Hour Eighteen).  I was so, so tired.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson
Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell (I think anything by Rainbow Rowell is excellent RAT material.)

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next season?
I missed cheerleaders on the blogs.  :(

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
The Facebook group was a lot of fun an a great idea.

5. How many books did you read?
Four

6. What were the names of the books you read?
Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell
The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson
Itchy Pig by Nicole Bruno Cox
The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher
Hawkeye, Vol. 3: L.A. Woman by Matt Fraction (Didn't finish)

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
I loved them all but Kindred Spirits and The Boy in the Smoke were both amazing.  I'd been looking forward to both and surpassed my expectations.

8. Which did you enjoy least?
None

9. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
I'll be here - Number 18 for me!  A reader and maybe a cheerleader again.  I can't wait!

All the books I, my husband and best friend read.




End of Hour Eighteen


This hour I read:

Hawkeye, Vol. 3: L.A. Woman by Matt Fraction 28 pages

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 296

Total minutes read: 443

Books Finished - 4

I finished the first story in this book and like it a lot so far.  I've hit a wall though and so am calling it a night.

Andie reading Haweye with me

End of Hour Seventeen


This hour I read:

The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher 7 pages - Finished It!

I read for 12 minutes

Total pages read: 268

Total minutes read: 405

Books Finished - 4

My father in law sent me this book from England as a surprise and I really enjoyed it.  An interesting look at the Queen and her faith and how it's affected her life and all she does.

Usually I'm a night owl but tonight I am seriously flagging.  Not sure how much longer I can stay up. We'll see.

Entertaining and Informative

Saturday, April 23, 2016

End of Hour Sixteen


This hour I read:

The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher 10 pages

I read for 29 minutes

Total pages read: 261

Total minutes read: 393

Books Finished - 3

Starting to feel a little tired now but I'm almost done with my next book.

Andie enjoys laptime with her Daddy during RATs

End of Hour Fifteen


This hour I read:

The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher 12 pages

I read for 41 minutes

Total pages read: 251

Total minutes read: 364

Books Finished - 3

Snack time!  The book I'm reading is really good but keeps bringing up interesting conversation topics.  

Raspberry Cheesecake Dip with Tim Tams



End of Hour Fourteen


This hour I read:

Itchy Pig by Nicole Bruno Cox 28 pages - Finished It!

The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher 6 pages

I read for 21 minutes

Total pages read: 239

Total minutes read: 323

Books Finished - 3

A friend of ours wrote a children's book and being people who loves books we were really supportive of her and she was able to publish it.  Today was the perfect chance to read it. It was as lovely as could be.

Our friend, the auhor

End of Hour Thirteen


Dinner time!

Jersey Mike's Subs, homemade potato chips and avocado ranch dip

Mid-Event Survey



1. What are you reading right now?
In between books right now.  I need to finished The Servant Queen.

2. How many books have you read so far?
Finished 2 and read a bit of 1 other

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
Lazarus, Vol. 4: Poison by Greg Rucka

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Mostly meals and meal prep.  I don't mind really as it breaks things up.

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
I'm enjoying reading more than I have in ages.

End of Hour Twelve


Back at home and getting dinner ready and watching some soccer.  Both the Dash and Dynamo have games tonight.

Nancy on dinner prep

End of Hour Eleven


This hour I read:

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - 10 pages - Finished It!

I read for 30 minutes

Total pages read: 205

Total minutes read: 302

Books Finished - 2

I loved this book.  It was so sad but absolutely beautiful and great to get a backstory.



End of Hour Ten


This hour I read:

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - 20 pages

I read for 52 minutes

Total pages read: 196

Total minutes read: 272

Books Finished - 1

On the comfy booth seats at the Starbucks by our house and really enjoying it.

Reading at Starbucks

End of Hour Nine


This hour I read:

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - 17 pages

I read for 43 minutes

Total pages read: 176

Total minutes read: 220

Books Finished - 1

At our Starbucks now
I had to add my name to his cup to make things even.

End of Hour Eight


This hour I read:

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - 23 pages

I read for 58 minutes

Total pages read: 133

Total minutes read: 203

Books Finished - 1

Lunch time
Lunch

End of Hour Seven


This hour I read:

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - 16 pages

I read for 13 minutes

Total pages read: 110

Total minutes read: 145

Books Finished - 1

Went to Panera this hour.

I love this tote.

End of Hour Six


This hour I read:

The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher  29 pages

I read for 41 minutes

Total pages read: 91

Total minutes read: 132

Books Finished - 1

Started a new book which I'm enjoying.  Heading out for lunch now.

Quote from my current book

End of Hour Five


This hour I read:

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell 11 pages - Finished It!

I read for 20 minutes

Total pages read: 62

Total minutes read: 91

Books Finished - 1

Finished my first book and I loved it!

"People who are jerks don't get to decide whether they are jerks.  It's left up to a jury of their peers."  I just loved this quote from it.

Love, love love



End of Hour Four


This hour I read:

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell 29 pages

I read for 45 minutes

Total pages read: 51

Total minutes read: 71

Breakfast time!

Dunkin Donuts to the rescue!



End of Hour Three


This hour I read:

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell 22 pages

I read for 26 minutes

Total pages read: 22

Total minutes read: 26

I picked a good book to start with.  Kindred Spirits has already made me laugh.  I frickin' adore Rainbow Rowell.


Opening Meme


1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
The Woodlands, TX

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson
Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell is a close second.

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
Salty Ritz Cracker Oatmeal Cookies

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
Usually I'm a pretty big reader but this year I've been in a huge reading slump.  I'm hoping and praying this pulls me out of it.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?
This is my seventeenth RAT.  For the first time I don't have a single book on my TBR pile that I'm already reading.



End of Hours One and Two



I slept in but since I'm less awake in the morning than late at night hopefully this is a good thing.  I'm up now and getting going.  Gonna do the Intro Meme and start reading.

Friday, April 22, 2016

My TBR pile for Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon



I've got all my prep work done for Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon which is tomorrow and will be the 17th I've taken part in.  I've been in a total reading funk so am hoping this helps pull me out of it.  I've got all our snacks ready and my TBR pile is ready to go too.

My TBR Pile
I've got...

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell - A special novel from World Book Day that was a nice surprise from a friend.

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - A special novel from World Book Day that was a birthday present from my husband.

The Servant Queen and the King She Serves - A special present that my father in law mailed me from England as a treat.

Lazarus, Vol. 4: Poison by Greg Rucka - I love this series and am really looking forward to this one.

Hawkeye, Vol. 3: L.A. Woman by Matt Fraction - I've really enjoyed this series so far.

Scarlet, Book 1 by Brian Michael Bendis - Part of my Listopia challenge

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson - Part of my Listopia challenge

I can't wait to get to reading!

Monday, January 11, 2016

Bout of Books Update #7 & Wrap Up


I only managed 22 pages for my last day as the Golden Globes were one which I love.

Over the course of this Bout of Books I only read from one book and read 324 pages in it.  Being sick really held me back a lot (Cold medicine is not conducive to concentration).  Considering how bad I felt this whole week it says a lot that I was still able to enjoy Fangirl as much as I did.  I'm looking forward to finishing it.

Add in a Starbucks cup and you have my week.