Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Year in Review (2013 - 2)

Part two of this series (at least for 3013)! I don't know how many of these there will be, but probably a lot, because I'm going to try and get as many for each post as I can, without making them extremely long, and I've already read over 90 books this year.

The Regulators by Stephen King (5/5)
Review here

The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia #1) by C.S. Lewis (5/5)
I don't have a review up for this one and, as a couple weeks ago I finished the last book in this series, I'm thinking of just putting up a review of the whole series, but I'm still not sure. I enjoyed this book, and this series, but I'm not sure I have much to say about this one or any of the others.

Glory in Death (In Death #2) by J.D. Robb (5/5)
I love this series. It's more of a guilty pleasure read then anything else, but I can normally read them in one sitting and it's kind of like a cleanse between the more serious books, I guess. (I've read a lot of them this year).

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll (3/5)
I struggled a lot with this book. Something about it, I just couldn't get into, but I did end up finishing and gave it three stars. It wasn't bad, not at all, but it's just so... something. I think most of it was that during the whole thing I was mostly like 'what is happening? why? why?' and that isn't a fun way to read a book.

IT by Stephen King (5/5)
A reread for me, and one of my all time favorite books. It may be over one thousand pages, but I have read it many, many times. Probably too many. I don't have a review up of this one, but I feel like I should, hopefully soon.

The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #2) by Laurell K. Hamilton (4/5)
I can't pretend to remember what exactly happened in this book, I'm currently reading book nine. But I remember this one not being quite there yet, like she hadn't hit her stride writing this series yet or something. Don't get me wrong, though, it was still really good.

Immortal in Death (In Death #3) by J.D. Robb
I really don't want to say really anything about these books as I get further, I mean they're pretty standalone really, story wise, but still. Check this series out if Law & Order but with more character stuff sounds fun (characters as in the main cast of characters).

Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #3) by Laurell K. Hamilton (4/5)
I love the Circus, which is where most of this is set, so I really liked this one. The Circus of the Damned is a place in this world, enjoy! And that's all I'm saying, so much further in the series now.

The Lunatic Cafe (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #4) by Laurell K. Hamilton (4/5)
Pretty good. And that's all I'm saying. 4/5 says enough, I think so the 4th in a series.

Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #5) by Laurell K. Hamilton (5/5)
For some reason I adored this book more then the others. None of the books are really light, but I felt like this one was a little darker and grittier and, I don't know, I just enjoyed it more somehow.

And I think that's where I'm going to cut this one off for now. The mostly In Death and Anita Blake one really, but still. I could probably get through a few more without it getting too long, but I think I'm going to just stop here. To be continued in part three! (Tell me if you like this / if you don't, any comments would be helpful. I like having them, as a kind of personal record, but I'd still be interested if there's anything you think I should add/take away).

Monday, August 26, 2013

Bout of Books 8.0: Day Seven and Final Wrap-Up!

Number of Books Finished Today: 3

Book(s):
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (continued and finished - 102 pages)
Blue Moon (Anita Blake #8) by Laurell K. Hamilton (continued and finished - 392 pages)
The Shepard's Tale (Serenity #3) by Joss and Zack Whedon (finished - 56 pages)
Obsidian Butterfly (Anita Blake #9) by Laurell K. Hamilton (started - )

Pages Read Today: 738

Notes:
It was a pretty good reading day. I woke up early, but took some breaks during the day, not long ones, but they were there. I am really glad I was able to finished Eleanor and Park today, took me all week to read this book but I did it.

And Anita Blake books are always a fun read, if kind of more just fun then anything else, but sometimes that's exactly what one needs. I started reading Obsidian Butterfly, knowing I had no chance of finishing it by the end of the day (this books is like twice as long as the last one, it's crazy).

Anyway, overall, I'm feeling like it was a good last day of Bout of Books and I'm excited for the next one. And, maybe, to finish Obsidian Butterfly tomorrow.

Totals:

Total Books Finished: 12

Total Pages Read: 2,898

Books Finished:
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Those Left Behind (Serenity #1) by Joss Whedon
Warm Up by Victoria Schwab
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
The Blob That Ate Everyone by R.L. Stine
Bakuman, Vol. 1: Dreams and Reality by Tsugumi Ohba
The Rithmatist (Rithmatist #1) by Brandon Sanderson
Better Days (Serenity #2) by Joss Whedon
Burnt Offerings (Anita Blake #7) by Laurell K. Hamilton
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Blue Moon (Anita Blake #8) by  Laurell K. Hamilton
The Shepard's Tale (Serenity #3) by Joss and Zack Whedon

Thoughts and Further Notes:
I adore read-a-thons and Bout of Books is, I'm pretty sure, the first one I took part in. I adore read-a-thons, something I've really learned this year as this is my third one. And with this one, I definitely learned that I can get a lot read even if I read casually a couple of the days, but I think I get more enjoyment by trying to read as many books as humanly possible. It's just more fun that way.

I am extremely excited to take part in the next Bout of Books, taking place in January check out the blog here. And whatever other read-a-thons that come my way. I should probably do a marathon of writing reviews and posts, though, considering how many books I just read that I want to review.

Also Blogger has been a bit weird this week, you've probably noticed in some of my posts the test is oddly tiny. No matter what I do, I can't seem to change it to anything else, so I'm really sorry about that. Also, responding to comments isn't currently working, so I'm very sorry but I guess that's going to have to wait until Blogger starts behaving itself. Ah, Blogger...

Anyway, I hope all of you had a fun and book full read-a-thon, or just week. If you participated, I'd love to check up your wrap-up post!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Bout of Books 8.0: Day Six

Books That I finished Today: 2

Total Number of Books Finished: 9

Book(s):
Better Days (Serenity #2) by Joss Whedon (started and finished - 80 pages)
Burnt Offerings (Anita Blake #7) by Laurell K. Hamilton (started and finished - 392 pages)
Blue Moon (Anite Blake #8) by Laurell K. Hamilton (started - 88 pages)

Number of Pages Read Today: 560

Total Number of Pages Read: 2,160

Notes:
I started off the day with Better Days, short and easy to read with characters I love. And then I joined the Bout of Books chat on Twitter and then I was at a loss at what to read next, so I decided to just go with Burnt Offerings, I've been meaning to continue the series for a while so why not read another one now?

And then I took a break from reading, I had a headache, blah and blah. And then I read some more before going to bed. Ended up picking up the next book in the Anita Blake series, didn't get much read in it but it's a start. And tomorrow is the last day! So sad, I do love read-a-thons (this is my third this year). Anyway, I hope all of your reading, read-a-thon paticipating or no, is going good!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Bout of Books 8.0: Day Five

Number of books I've finished today: 3

Total Number of Books Finished: 7

Book(s):
The Blob That Ate Everyone by R.L. Stine (started and finished - 114 pages)
Bakuman, Volume 1: Dreams and Reality by Tsugumi Ohba (started and finished - 208 pages)
The Rithmatist (Rithmatist #1) by Brandon Sanderson (started and finished - 378 pages)

Number of pages read today: 700

Total Number of Pages Read: 1,600

Notes:
So I started today with a Goosebumps books, which was okay, a little 'meh.' And then I moved on to volume one of Bakuman, which I had heard really good things about, but just I found kind of okay. And then I picked up the Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson. I haven't read an abundant number of his books, only one, but I ended up staying up until four or five in the morning, and it turns out I couldn't put the Rithmatist down until I was finished with it, either. I just couldn't - it was such an amazing, fantastic world. Anyway, this isn't a review for that book, but after the two other 'meh' ones and how I've been struggling with Eleanor and Park, it was really nice to just be able to get into a book so easily.

Also it was the best reading day that I've had tis whole read-a-thon, which I was really happy about. Hopefully tomorrow I can get a ton more reading done. Always after I finish a really good book, I almost always have that 'what the hell do I read now?' problem, even though I have no lack of books, that's for sure.

Friday, August 23, 2013

July Wrap-Up / August TBR

Wow this is late! I'm sorry, life has been crazy since before July ended and it hasn't slowed down and it doesn't seem to be going to slow down anytime soon so I'm sorry for the spastic posting and everything. Anyway, onto the books I read in July and what I haven't yet read in August.

July:


  • The Gunslinger by Stephen King
  • Throttle by Joe Hill and Stephen King
  • The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
  • Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, Illustrated by Camille Rose Garcia
  • Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia #4) by C.S. Lewis
  • The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chronicles of Narnia #5) by C.S. Lewis
  • Beyond the Door by Philip K. Dick
  • Judgement in Death (In Death #11) by J.D. Robb
  • The Silver Chair (Chronicles of Narnia #6) by C.S. Lewis
  • Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy #1) by Jacqueline Carey
  • White Cat (Curse Workers #1) by Holly Black
  • The Last Battle (Chronicles of Narnia #7) by C.S. Lewis
  • Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) by Charlaine Harris
  • The Breathing Method by Stephen King (audiobook)
  • Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth #1) by Terry Goodkind
  • Women Serial Killers of the 17th Century by Sylvia Perrini
Wow is this late, this is so very late and I am so sorry. I was at a convention at the beginning of the month and it hadn't even crossed my mind that I hadn't made one of these until I was looking for it and it wasn't there and now we're pretty far into August, as in August is almost over. But I wanted to put this up, no matter how late, because I kind of like them.

I did a read-a-thon in July, as you can tell from the sheer number of books I read, and it was amazing and you can see the about it here, my first announcement post about it.

Anyway, on to August! Obviously I've already read some books this month. So I'm just going to list the books I hope to read this month and add in if I've finished them already

August:

  • A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (read)
  • Serenity: Those Left Behind (Serenity #1) by Joss Whedon and more (read)
  • Warm Up by Victoria Schwab (short story, read)
  • Vicious by Victoria Schwab (read)
  • Ink by Amanda Sun
And probably more then that since I am in the middle of a read-a-thon, but I've been so indecicive, I don't even know what to put down. I just bought Ink, and it's novella prequel, and it looks so amazing and I can't wait to read it. Also, the Rithmutist by Brandon Sanderson which I still haven't read, I'd love to get read soon, really soon.

I'm really sorry for this being so delayed that it's almost a July and August wrap-up, but I just wanted to put it up anyway. And I have no idea what the coming months are going to be like, it all depends on if I end up taking some college classes and how I take them (more the how), but I still hope to update here. I kind of am attached to this blog. And November is NaNoWriMo, and I have a Tumblr I normally update during the month, but would you mind me updating you with NaNoWriMo things? (NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month, by the way. Link)

Bout of Books 8.0: Day Four

Number of books I've finished today: 1

Total Number of Books I've finished: 4

Book(s):
Vicious by Victoria Schwab (continued and finished - 161 pages)
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (Continued - 86 pages)

Number of pages read today: 247

Total Number of Pages:  900


Notes:
So today I didn't end up getting as much read as I planned, but I did get more reading done then I expected, it was oddly a kind of slow day for me and I ended up falling asleep at one point instead of reading, too. I did get some more read of Eleanor and Park, though, which I'm happy about, hopefully I can finish that tomorrow or the next day.

I have a couple comics (Firefly, one Buffy) that I can read, a random manga that I saw someone raving about, and it's not like I'm not surrounded by amazing books to read. I guess I'm just kind of dragging myself through things. Anyway, it was an okay reading day, I did read over 200 pages again but there was that one day where I read nothing so I'm thinking I need to catch up a little.

And Vicious was so amazing, I kind of had to let my brain absorb it before reading anything else. It was just so very, very good. Anyway, I hope that all of your reading is going well, if you're participating in this Bout of Books or now. What are you reading currently? It is good or amazing or just kind of meh?

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Bout of Books 8.0: Day Three

Number of books I've finished today: 1 (kind of)

Totally number of books finished: 3

Book(s):
Warm Up (story story) by Victoria Schwab (15 pages)
Vicious by V.E. Schwab (started - 203 pages)

Number of pages read today: 218

Total Number of Pages: 653

Notes:
So I did oddly get some reading done today before hanging out with my friend Haley, and then we went to the bookstore. So that totally counts as something and I'm really hoping to get into vlogging and maybe putting up a book haul? It's all very uncertain right now but hopefully!

Anyway, I actually got some reading done and Vicious is seriously fantastic so far, I'm so glad I clicked on the link t the short story today and then I immediately picked up the arc, which was very close to hand. I'm just over halfway done and I'm really excited to see where it goes. Sadly, I didn't get any more of Eleanor & Park read but maybe tomorrow. 

How's your bout-of-books going?

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Bout of Books 8.0: Day Two


Number of books I've finished today: 0

Book(s):
Nada


Number of pages read today: 0

Notes:
This is the first read-a-thon that I've ever done where I just had a day I couldn't read. I did go out with friends and I was out of the house from like 3 to almost 11, but I had time to read, I just couldn't get into anything and it was such a problem. Hopefully tomorrow I will be more in the reading mood so I can get some reading done.

I tried reading Eleanor and Park and just wasn't feeling it today, just one of those days, I guess. I'll figure it out tomorrow, I have tons of things to read, I guess I just have to find something a tad mind numbing, maybe. Or maybe tomorrow I'll wake up and be able to power through the rest of Eleanor and Park.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Bout of Books 8.0: Day One

Day one of the read-a-thon! 

Number of books I've finished today: 2

Book(s):
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (started and finished - 215 pages)
Serenity: Those Left Behind by Joss Whedon and so many more (started and finished - 80 pages)
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (started - 140)

Number of pages read today: 435

Notes:
I was going to read more, I really was. But - then I started writing and there was the Teen Wolf midseason finale and a headache, and I wanted to get to sleep at a semi-normal time. Anyway, I did read over 400 pages today, so I can't say I can complain considering my goal is to read 200-300 pages a day.

I finished A Monster Calls just before noon and had to really try not to suddenly burst into tears. It was such an amazing and intense book and I can't believe it took me so long to read. And I can't wait to finish Eleanor and Park, I'm really not a contemporary person but I'm loving this story so far.

Also. That Serenity comic book, man. I've got the other two and then another book with tidbits and pictures and then some short stories written by some of the writers, so that's kind of awesome, I'm really excited about all of these things. My addiction to Firefly is getting a tad out of control, I guess. I'm not complaining.


Overall it was a really successful first day for me not stressing about it (me trying not to stress about it, my factory setting is stressing about things with full anxiety, but mostly not stressing about it). Really, getting some books read this week just seems like the best thing to do.


Monday, August 19, 2013

Bout of Books 8.0: Starts Today!

Yay, the beginning of yet another read-a-thon. I don't really have many goals for this read-a-thon, just actually get myself reading and out of this slump, would be great. It's going to be a much more relaxed read-a-thon, then the last couple where my goal was just kind of 'read everything I possible can.'

I won't have as much free time during this week as normal, so we'll see how it goes. And onto what goals I do have.

Goals:

  • read 200, if not 300, pages a day.
  • finish a book every other day, at least. (basically: finish 4-5 books this week if not more)
  • have fun and don't stress about not reading as much as normal for this read-a-thon, even though I like to try and one up myself from the last read-a-thon.

So this is the official first day of Bout of Books 8.0! My update of what I read today and such will go up on the blog tomorrow, it'll be same for the whole week, the day after the post will go up. And then in a week, next Monday, the post for the last day and a full wrap-up of the read-a-thon will go up. It's just easier then stressing and trying to get the post up before midnight.

Possible books that I could read:


  • The Monster Call's by Patrick Ness
  • Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
  • The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean (maybe)
  • The Name of the Wind by Patrick Ruthfuss (it's so long But sounds so good)
  • The White Fox by James Bartholomeusz
All of those are kind of maybes, really, and I'm surrounded by books so whatever I'm feeling like, I'll probably just pick up and start reading. We will see how this goes. I hope everyone has a fun re ad-a-thon!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Read--a--Thon: Bout of Books 8.0

This is the post where I tell you I'm going to take part in another read-a-thon.

Bout of Books is a read-a-thon that is an extremely fun and set your own goals for yourself week long read-a-thon. Bout of Books 8.0 is taking place from Monday, August 19th until Sunday, August 25th. Set your own goals, have fun, talk with people participating and the people running the read-a-thon on twitter and have tons of fun. Sounds awesome right?

I was toying with the idea. No, yes, no, yes. And decided on 'why not?' So I'm definitely not going to be crazy like the last few read-a-thons I've done, but I hope to get some books read. Also, pretty much everyone is going off to college the next couple weeks so it's kind of hand out now time, before everyone leaves, but I hope I can get some read since I've been in a reading slump kind of since the last month.

I've participated in the Bout of Books read-a-thon, the first read-a-thon I ever did, and I love read-a-thons, always fun. So I hope if you're doing it too, you'll leave a comment so I can check out your blog or whatever you're posting updates on and I can procrastinate the reading I should be doing.

Bout of Books 8.0 blurb:

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, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th 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 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.
- From the Bout of Books team

(I wrote this up quickly, with the beginnings of a cold, so I'm sorry about anything that's wrong with it. I checked it over, but I probably missed something. Anyway: read-a-thon!)