Bout of Books Read-a-Thon Wrap Up

 

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, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th 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 9.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team.

Hey everyone, sorry this wrap up is a little late, had some family stuff to do.  Anyway, I think I ended this read-a-thon pretty strongly as far as my usually read-a-thon habits go. 

Graphic Novels

I'm still waiting on Chew vol. 5 from the library so I decided to start on another popular series, Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan.  I actually started and finished the deluxe vol. 1 for 256 pages. 

 

I didn't really like the start to this series unfortunately.  The premise is that there is some sort of pandemic that wipes out every living mammal with a Y chromosome except one dude named Yorick and his monkey.  While that in itself sounds really cool, I'm not sure I like the way it is being presented.

 

Audio Books

 

I did quite a bit a driving and managed to get a lot of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side completed.  I've only got 2 discs left and I think I read about 64 more pages.

 

Novels

 

I finished Inferno for 106 pages.  I thought it was better than The Lost Symbol, but still very weak and no where near Brown's "pre-fame" novels.  I wouldn't be surprised if this had a ghost writer to be honest.

 

I also made some progress in S. by Doug Dorst and J.J. Abrams for around 40 pages.  This is a really excellent book but I can't take it while traveling so I've been pretty slow.  I'm loving the story in the margins even if it is confusing!



 

 

Overall Progress

 

 Overall I think I did really well.  I ended up finishing 4 books and made progress on another 2.  In total I read 701 pages which is pretty damn awesome for me, even if a lot of those pages were graphic novels.  Whatever they still count in my opinion!  Did you guys participate in the read-a-thon?  How did you do?  Let me know in the comments below!

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon Day 4 Update

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, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th 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 9.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team.

So I've reached the midway point for the read-a-thon and I have to admit it's been rather slow.  I have had to work late pretty much every day this week, but I did get a little reading done.

Graphic Novels

I've been reading the comic series Chew by John Layman and really loving them.  I finished volume 3 for around 25 pages and started and finished volume 4 for 120 pages.  I really am enjoying this series, it's weird and gross and really interesting.

 Audio Books


I've been listening to the audio book for Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey and honestly?  It's absolutely terrible.  I've only got a couple of CDs left though so I'm going to go ahead and soldier through but damn.  Very cliche PNR.  I've listened to approximately 40 pages.

Novels

I've been working through Dan Brown's latest Inferno, but it's been slow.  I don't know why, but Brown's last few books have been very sub-par.  It's like fame has made him not a great writer (I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this was a ghost writer).   I really enjoyed his early works, especially Digital fortress and Deception Point, but since the popularity of The Da Vinci Code I feel like his ability to write fast pace scientific thrillers has gone way down.  I've made it about 50 pages.

So that was my reading process so far, about 235 pages, even though a lot of that was comic book.  I don't really have any plans for the weekend, hopefully I can step up my game.  I want to finish Inferno as well as 2 other novels I've been working on since early December. 

Challenges

There are 2 challenges for today, the first is the double date book challenge hosted by Writing my Own Fairy Tale.   We are supposed to take two books that we would recommend people read together and explain why they compliment each other.

My two books are both zombies novels, but on different ends of the spectrum.  My Life as a White Trash Zombie is a really funny almost urban fantasy with a great protagonist.  If you like books like True Blood or the Chicagoland Vampires give this a try.  I would also recommend Feed by Mira Grant, one of the best books I have ever read.  Feed uses a zombie apocalypse to examine the American economic and political system. There's lots of science and technology but I also developed a really emotional connection to the two man characters.

The second challenge is hosted by Pen in Hand to create a poem from a book you're reading.  We're supposed to pick a novel and a number 1-10.  Basically you just go to a random page, count the chosen number of lines and then count to that number word.  Do that 14 times and write a poem with the selected words.

I chose Inferno by Dan Brown and chose the number 3.  Here are my words:  glowing, turned, the, strange, down, had, his, deadly, countryside, of, copper, will, sea, face.  We're allowed to take out two words (had, will) and replace them with different ones (he, traveling).

And here is my poem!

He turned his face.
The glowing sea of copper.
Traveling down the strange, deadly countryside.

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon 9.0 Sign Up

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, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th 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 9.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team.

So I know I'm tardy to the party, but I wanted to participate in the Bout of Books read-a-thon this year!  This is my sign up notification, I'll add another post with my progress later.  I'm just now leaving the office so I'm not sure how much reading will get done today, but I will let you all know!

2014 Goals and Resolutions

Hey guys!  Happy 2014!  Long time no blog, I know.  I needed a break from social media.  I didn't make any youtube videos either, so don't feel too neglected.  But it's a new year and a fresh start!  In this post I wanted to outline my redirected focus for the blog and youtube channel and let you know my resolutions.  Don't worry, a 2013 wrap up will be next.

Also, I've been using This Planner to help me get organized for 2014.  I've been using Leonie Dawson's year planner since 2011 and I absolutely love it.  Now you can get a digital or a physical copy and I highly recommend checking it out.  There's still plenty of time to create an amazing 2014!

Bookish Goals

1.  No Reading Challenge - I'm doing something a little different this year.  I'm not setting a specific number of books to read this year.  I get too hung up on staying on schedule and then I don't enjoy what I'm reading because I'm rushing and I also stay away from longer or harder books because I'm afraid it will take too long to read.  I want to take my time and enjoy my reading process this year.

2.  Book Buying Ban - Full disclosure.  I am really embarrassed to admit that I currently have 867 unread physical copies of books.  That is so embarrassing to admit.  At my current reading rate this would take close to TEN YEARS to read all of these.  So I'm going on a book buying ban for all of 2014.  There are a few exceptions, but not many.

• If I am given a gift card I can spend it on books.
• If there is a book signing I'm really interested in I can buy the book for it.
• Cress by Marissa Meyer Feb. 4
• Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor April 8

Yep you read the right, I officially plan on only purchasing 2 books for the entire year.  As for book signings it has to been an author I've at least heard of and am really interested in the book they've written.  I'd guess around 5 or so for the year.  Any other books that I don't own in the collection will be borrowed from the library.

3.  Sell 100 Books - Not only am I looking to not add to the collection, I'm hoping to downsize it as well.  The way I will be accomplishing this by figuring out how many pages is roughly 20% of the book and then deciding if I want to keep reading.  If the answer is no it goes in the sell pile.  Also any books I rate 1 or 2 stars will also go in the sell pile.  3 and 4 stars will be evaluated based on how likely I will be to re-read it, and 5 star books earn automatic self space.

Those are all of my bookish goals.  Not too bad really.  I do have a few specific books I want to read, but I'm not putting too much pressure on myself. 

Other Goals

I do have a few other life goals.  I do have a financial goal where I want to save a specific amount of money and I also want to put some extra money toward my student loans (beyond my monthly payments).  To achieve this goal I figured out a monthly budget that I hope to live by, but damn it is tough! 

Another goal I have is to run in my first 10k.  I've already signed up for a race on September 20th, which means I've only got 257 days left to train (eek!).  Of course I've started off in fine fashion by catching a terrible cold, but I hope to get into training today.  I'm using Hal Higdon's training programs to build up my endurance.

My final big goal for 2014 is to participate in Life Book 2014, a year long art course hosted by Tamara Laporte at Willowing Arts.  Each week we are sent a lesson from Tam or one of her guest teachers.  I've already done the first lesson and I loved it, so I'm really excited to see what else will come from this course.

So those are my 2014 goals, I think I can live by them, but I'll definitely have to work!  What are your goals for 2014?  Let me know in the comments below!

November 2013 New Releases

While 2013 may be winding down, there are still many books coming out!  Here are some that I am most excited for.

November 5

Champion by Marie Lu
#3 in the Legend Series

Why I'm Excited:  I read Legend earlier this year and really enjoyed it.  Now that the final book in the series is coming out I think I'll have to do a re-read and marathon the whole series!










 Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
#2 in the Finishing School series

Why I'm Excited:  This is another author I need to get started with.  I am so interested in her Parasol Protectorate series and this YA prequel as well!










November 19

World After by Susan Ee
#2 in the Penryn & the End of Days series

Why I'm Excited:  The first book in this series, Angelfall, has been on my radar since it was published.  It's gotten rave reviews and I really want to read it!











The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead
#4 in the Bloodlines series

Why I'm Excited:  Ok, I need to read this series.  I have so much hardcore love for Vampire Academy, I HAVE to get to this series.  There is no excuse!











 Other Notable Releases

November 2 -  Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

November 5 - Cold Spell by Jackson Pearce
                        The Trap by Andrew Fukuda

November 12 - Afterglow by Karsten Knight

November 26 - Angel Fever by L.A. Weatherly
                         Crash into You by Katie McGarry

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Published March 22, 2011 by Philomel Books
4 Stars

Goodreads Review
Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously--and at great risk--documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives. Between Shades of Gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart.

Review:  Between Shades of Gray is an important book for people to read because it brings awareness to a side of World War II that doesn't get a lot of attention.  The atrocities that were committed in concentrations camps, as terrible as they were, were not the only crimes committed during the war and those victims weren't the only victims. 

I honestly had no idea what was happening in Lithuania and other eastern European countries until I read Between Shades of Gray.  The work camps in Russia were just as horrible as the concentration camps but their history is nowhere near as well know.  I think Between Shades of Gray tells the stories of the victims of tyrannical government gracefully and with care.  It doesn't exploit their pain but it doesn't sugar coat it either. 

I really loved all of the characters, but in particular I greatly admired Lina's mother.  She is so strong and sacrifices literally everything she has to try and make things a little bit easier for her children.  She is amazingly strong and I admired her bravery.

Between Shades of Gray is a book that needs to be taught in schools.  It's the kind of book that will open your eyes to the horrors that don't make it into history courses.  These are the kinds of stories that need to be heard so we can remember the victims and so we can prevent things like this from happening in the future. 

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

#2 in the Infernal Devices series
Published December 6, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
4 Stars

Goodreads Review
In magical Victorian London, orphan Tessa found safety with the Shadowhunters, until traitors betray her to the Magister. He wants to marry her, but so do self-destructive Will and fiercely devoted Jem. Mage Magnus Bane returns to help them. Secrets to her parentage lie with the mist-shrouded Yorkshire Institute's aged manager Alyosius Starkweather.

Review:  I can't believe I actually liked a Cassandra Clare novel. I never thought I would see the day.  This is my fifth Cassandra Clare book and the first one I can say I honestly enjoyed.  Even though the main plot didn't really go anywhere (much like Clare's other middle books City of Ashes and City of Lost Souls) I wasn't bored, unlike the other middle books.    

Honestly, the character development in the Infernal Devices is so much stronger than in The Moral Instruments it feels like two different authors.  I don't understand how engaging the characters of The Infernal Devices can be and how flat and dull the characters are in The Mortal Instruments.  There are a lot of writing faults in The Infernal Devices.  The word "startlingly" is used way too much!  It's like Cassandra Clare thinks that everyone in Victorian England walked around jumping at literally everything they see "ooh your eyes are blue!",  "ooh you are handsome!", "ooh your skin is pale!".  Just stop, seriously, it's so bad.  I also feel that Will is incredibly anachronistic.  I know he's supposed to be a rapscallion, but the way he talks is just too modern. 

I thought the romance was really well done.  I mean, this is of course the over used love triangle trope, but The Infernal Devices is actually successful because we don't know who Tessa will choose.  Both Will and Jem are viable options and we as readers actually have to read the rest of the series to see what will unfold.  So even though Will was a huge idiot (seriously, didn't he ever think to I dunno, talk to someone about his issues?  Why would he just take everything he was told as the truth and believe it blindly?  I don't understand) and I don't thing Jem (my boo) has a snowballs chance in hell, I'm excited for clockwork princess.

Overall The Infernal Devices series is turning out to be leaps and bounds better than the Mortal Instruments.  If I may be completely truthful I would recommend just skipping the Moral Instruments all together and starting with Clockwork Angel.  You get the same characters and plot, but more interesting versions.