So this is going to wrap up the last few days of the read-a-thon. I'm not going to do a while wrap-up, because I already have my final Bout of Books wrap-up and I'll have a monthly wrap-up going up. It's been a great reading month and I had a ton of fun participating in these read-a-thons.
Update Post (1)
Beat the Heat announcement post
First off - I didn't read anything Monday or Tuesday and only few page Wednesday, so I'm just going to lump in those handfull of pages with Thursday.
Thursday, August 28th:
Number of Books Read Today: 2
Total Number of Books: 22
Pages Read Today: 304
Total Number of Pages: 5,611
Books(today):
The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde (started and finished - 93 pages)
Ariel: The Restored Edition by Sylvia Plath (started and finished - 211 pages)
Notes:
I had a weird amount of fun reading today, considering what I was reading for most of the day, but I've discovered I love Plath's poems!
Friday, August 29th:
Didn't end up reading anything, sadly, was a bit of a hectic, not fun day.
End:
I didn't read much more, just some of The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson (I got to mage 289). So I didn't finish anything else, but I think 22 is a very good number, so I'm not too upset about it.
Total Number of Pages Read: 5,900
This was a lot of fun, though, I love read-a-thons. Anyone know of any in September?
August Wrap-Up
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
Friday Finds (5)
I really like this idea as a meme, which is a meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. It's, basically, books you've discovered during the week, whether you've just added them to the never ending "to-read" list (or shelf on Goodreads, as I do) or if you've actually bought them.
I haven't done this in a while, and I add to the post as I find things, and it was just Bout of Books and I always add a ton of books to my TBR - so this is going to be a long one.
Skulduggery Pleasant (Skulduggery Pleasant #1) by Derek Landy, Tom Percival
I'd heard about this before, at some point. But then it was mentioned in one of the forums in one of the Goodreads groups I'm a part of and lurk around at points - and it sounded really good, and I hadn't added it as 'to read' so maybe I haven't heard of it before and something in my brain is making the wrong connection. Goodreads
Backward Compatible: A Geek Love Story by Sarah Daltry, Pete Clark
This sounds kind of ridiculously adorable. And that's all I can remember from the little plot summer on goodreads.
Dissonance (Disonnance #1) by Erica O'Rourke
This one isn't out yet but is a young adult science fiction novel based on one of my many, many slight obsessions (that started with SG-1): parallel universes and that every small thing creates another one. And someone on my goodreads feed was reading it and fangirling over the world builidng and now I need it. It's not out quite yet, I don't think, but it sounds so freaking good. Goodreads
How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran
I've heard about her other book, How to Be a Women, and I bought it off BookOutlet but I've never felt the need to read it. This one, though, for whatever reason (maybe because it's fiction, or because I watched a video interview with her about it), sounds really amazing. (Also - that cover. Do you see that cover). Goodreads
Gates of Thread and Stone (Gates of Thread and Stone #1) by Lori M. Lee
I don't know much about this one besides there's a labrinth, it's YA fantasy, and it got pretty good ratings from a few people I'm friends with on Goodreads. I don't need a lot of convincing about any fantasy book. Goodreads
Ticker by Lisa Mantchev
Steampunk - a girl with a clockwork heart. The cover is the first thing that drew me in, but also steampunk, I'm a sucker for it, and this sounds really good. Goodreads
Sin City, Vol. 1: The Hard Goodbye by Frank Miller
Can we just - talk about the covers of these graphic novels? I got this in the mail yesterday and holy hell it's gorgeous. I'm not sure why I like it so much, but - seriously it's gorgeous, I can't wait to get to it (does anyone else horde graphic novels for read-a-thons?) Goodreads
Seconds by Brian Lee O'Malley
I've never read his highly popular graphic novel series - but this looks awesome. The cover, first off, is bright as hell and if you take off the jacket - it's so cool. I have refrained from buying this so far, but I know it's probably only a matter of time. Goodreads
The Girl of Fire and Thorn Stories by Rae Carson
So I bought the first book in this YA Fantasy series when it first came out - and then never read it. Lately, though, I've been hearing amazing things about it and, correct me if I'm wrong, didn't the last book just come out? These are prequel short stories, I might be a sucker for prequel short stories. I want to read the first book and know I'm going to like it before I binge buy the rest of the series, though. Goodreads (series pages)
Emilie and the Hollow World (Emilie #1) by Martha Wells
I've seen this book a few times, but I finally actually looked into it. And it sounds really good and the cover is gorgeous and Strange Chemistry, sadly, has just been closed by Angry Robot and I decided to buy some of their books (also I'm assuming their titles will be going out of print? Better safe then sorry). Goodreads
Firelight (Darkest London #1) by Kristen Callahan
I've heard good things - this is one of the books I discovered during Bout of Books - and it sounds really good. Goodreads
Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress #1) by Jeanienne Frost
This sounds fun. It's Urban Fantasy with romance and those are always fun, people I'm friends with on GR's (I judge a lot by this, can you tell?) seem to really like it and it has a 4.22 average rating on Goodreads.
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
So there's that show that's based on this book and the show, what I've seen, is weird and really good. It's getting mixed reviews and, at least I think, because the characters aren't really likable, at least a good percentage of them and it's strange. I want to read the book, though, because that's how this works. Goodreads
Scoring Wilder by R.S. Grey
I still don't know how I feel about "New Adult" as a genre (it's mostly just romance with high school/college characters, I don't get why it's a separate genre but anyway), but this sounds fun? I don't know if I'll buy it, but I try and check it out somewhere. Goodreads
Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
This sounds really interesting - it's about a twelve year old kid who feels like a girl and the struggles faced with that and such. It sounds amazing, but sadly it doesn't come out until November. Still - sounds incredible, and I've only seen one person talk about it, but they really liked it. Goodreads
I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre
First - she's had two books come out in the same month. That's just - ridiculous. And I really enjoyed Mortal Danger and this one sounds completely different and interesting. It's contemporary romance with a college girl and a single dad - it sounds cute. Goodreads
Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard
I've seen this around - how can you not with that cover - and I finally really looked into it and it sounds strange and amazing. Sounds fairy tale-esque. Basically I'm sold, I just have to get my hands on it. Goodreads
Whew - and that is that. I really enjoy this meme, especially going around to see what others are discovering, but it makes me go back and then want the books more. Ah well.
I haven't done this in a while, and I add to the post as I find things, and it was just Bout of Books and I always add a ton of books to my TBR - so this is going to be a long one.
Skulduggery Pleasant (Skulduggery Pleasant #1) by Derek Landy, Tom Percival
I'd heard about this before, at some point. But then it was mentioned in one of the forums in one of the Goodreads groups I'm a part of and lurk around at points - and it sounded really good, and I hadn't added it as 'to read' so maybe I haven't heard of it before and something in my brain is making the wrong connection. Goodreads
Backward Compatible: A Geek Love Story by Sarah Daltry, Pete Clark
This sounds kind of ridiculously adorable. And that's all I can remember from the little plot summer on goodreads.
Dissonance (Disonnance #1) by Erica O'Rourke
This one isn't out yet but is a young adult science fiction novel based on one of my many, many slight obsessions (that started with SG-1): parallel universes and that every small thing creates another one. And someone on my goodreads feed was reading it and fangirling over the world builidng and now I need it. It's not out quite yet, I don't think, but it sounds so freaking good. Goodreads
How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran
I've heard about her other book, How to Be a Women, and I bought it off BookOutlet but I've never felt the need to read it. This one, though, for whatever reason (maybe because it's fiction, or because I watched a video interview with her about it), sounds really amazing. (Also - that cover. Do you see that cover). Goodreads
Gates of Thread and Stone (Gates of Thread and Stone #1) by Lori M. Lee
I don't know much about this one besides there's a labrinth, it's YA fantasy, and it got pretty good ratings from a few people I'm friends with on Goodreads. I don't need a lot of convincing about any fantasy book. Goodreads
Ticker by Lisa Mantchev
Steampunk - a girl with a clockwork heart. The cover is the first thing that drew me in, but also steampunk, I'm a sucker for it, and this sounds really good. Goodreads
Sin City, Vol. 1: The Hard Goodbye by Frank Miller
Can we just - talk about the covers of these graphic novels? I got this in the mail yesterday and holy hell it's gorgeous. I'm not sure why I like it so much, but - seriously it's gorgeous, I can't wait to get to it (does anyone else horde graphic novels for read-a-thons?) Goodreads
Seconds by Brian Lee O'Malley
I've never read his highly popular graphic novel series - but this looks awesome. The cover, first off, is bright as hell and if you take off the jacket - it's so cool. I have refrained from buying this so far, but I know it's probably only a matter of time. Goodreads
The Girl of Fire and Thorn Stories by Rae Carson
So I bought the first book in this YA Fantasy series when it first came out - and then never read it. Lately, though, I've been hearing amazing things about it and, correct me if I'm wrong, didn't the last book just come out? These are prequel short stories, I might be a sucker for prequel short stories. I want to read the first book and know I'm going to like it before I binge buy the rest of the series, though. Goodreads (series pages)
Emilie and the Hollow World (Emilie #1) by Martha Wells
I've seen this book a few times, but I finally actually looked into it. And it sounds really good and the cover is gorgeous and Strange Chemistry, sadly, has just been closed by Angry Robot and I decided to buy some of their books (also I'm assuming their titles will be going out of print? Better safe then sorry). Goodreads
Firelight (Darkest London #1) by Kristen Callahan
I've heard good things - this is one of the books I discovered during Bout of Books - and it sounds really good. Goodreads
Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress #1) by Jeanienne Frost
This sounds fun. It's Urban Fantasy with romance and those are always fun, people I'm friends with on GR's (I judge a lot by this, can you tell?) seem to really like it and it has a 4.22 average rating on Goodreads.
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
So there's that show that's based on this book and the show, what I've seen, is weird and really good. It's getting mixed reviews and, at least I think, because the characters aren't really likable, at least a good percentage of them and it's strange. I want to read the book, though, because that's how this works. Goodreads
Scoring Wilder by R.S. Grey
I still don't know how I feel about "New Adult" as a genre (it's mostly just romance with high school/college characters, I don't get why it's a separate genre but anyway), but this sounds fun? I don't know if I'll buy it, but I try and check it out somewhere. Goodreads
Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
This sounds really interesting - it's about a twelve year old kid who feels like a girl and the struggles faced with that and such. It sounds amazing, but sadly it doesn't come out until November. Still - sounds incredible, and I've only seen one person talk about it, but they really liked it. Goodreads
I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre
First - she's had two books come out in the same month. That's just - ridiculous. And I really enjoyed Mortal Danger and this one sounds completely different and interesting. It's contemporary romance with a college girl and a single dad - it sounds cute. Goodreads
Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard
I've seen this around - how can you not with that cover - and I finally really looked into it and it sounds strange and amazing. Sounds fairy tale-esque. Basically I'm sold, I just have to get my hands on it. Goodreads
Whew - and that is that. I really enjoy this meme, especially going around to see what others are discovering, but it makes me go back and then want the books more. Ah well.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Book Review: Mortal Danger
Author: Ann Aguirre
Genre: Fantasy/Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance - YA
Rating: 4/5
Page Count: 372 (hardcover)
Publication Date: August 5th, 2014
Plot (from Goodreads):
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
In Ann Aguirre's Mortal Danger, Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn’t imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She’s not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he’s impossible to forget.
In one short summer, her entire life changes and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly . . . bad things are happening. It’s a head rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil’s bargains, she isn’t sure who—or what—she can trust. Not even her own mind.
Review:
At the beginning of this book the world felt unreal, in some way, and I'm not sure why. After a bit, that passed and I was fully immersed, but there was still something that felt like it was missing. And, this might of been me, but that also felt intentional - the way that you couldn't quite believe what was going on, because the main character wasn't really accepting it all at first, either, and she wasn't being told a lot, almost nothing.
On the other hand - I really loved the writing and the characters, and the very real portrayal of depression, at the beginning, and I really liked Edie as a character because she was flawed and hurting, at the beginning, but I didn't like how quickly that changed. I didn't like how quickly she was no longer depressed, and had all of this confidence that she didn't have thirty seconds ago, and I think that's one of the things that added to the beginning of the book feeling a little off.
Overall, though, I did enjoy this book. I had some problems with it, those listed above mostly, but I also just really enjoyed it. As soon as things started to pick up and we started to learn more, I instantly just wanted to know more about the mythology, about this world, about what the hell is going on and what's going to happen next.
I'd mostly recommend this book to people who like Young Adult urban fantasy that is heavy on the romance side of things.
I was approved for an eARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Bout of Books 11: Final Wrap-Up (And Day Seven)
Day Seven Wrap-Up
Number of Books Completed Today: 2
Books:
Married by Monday (Weekday Brides #2) by Catherine Bybee (started and finished - 285 pages)
Fiancé By Friday (Weekday Brides #3) by Catherine Bybee (started and finished - 341 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 626
Notes/Thoughts:
These are those kinds of books, where you're not sure if they're good, per say, but you just keep reading them. I don't know what happened. At least it was fun, and it gave my page count a hell of a boost.
Read-A-Thon Wrap-Up (stats and thoughts/feelings)
Total Number of Books Completed: 17
Total Number of Pages Read: 4,413
Books (all):
Mortal Danger (Immortal Game #1) by Ann Aguirre (had started before)
Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss #2) by Stephanie Perkins
Unlocked by John Scalzi
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles #1) by Patrick Rothfuss (had started previously)
Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins
My Drunk Kitchen by Hannah Hart
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices: Manga #1) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Manga (PJM #2) by Riordan & multiple others
Sex Criminals, Volume One by Matt Fraction & Chris Zdarsky
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices: Manga #2) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek
Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices Manga #3) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek
Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest by A. Lee Martinez
On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street #1) by Samantha Young
Wife By Wednesday by Catherine Bybee
Married by Monday (Weekday Brides #2) by Catherine Bybee
Notes/Thoughts:
This is now my new record for a week long read-a-thon and I'm (a little weirdly) super proud about it, and I got a lot of reading done, a lot I'd been meaning to do, one book I should of had a review for up earlier. So it was a great week - also I had fun finding new blogs or just commenting on blogs in general, and of course the twitter chats.
It's probably my favorite read-a-thon, definitely my favorite week long one (Dewey's 24-hour read-a-thon is also up there). And it was a great week. I hope you had a great week, too, as long as you were reading it counts as a success!
Number of Books Completed Today: 2
Books:
Married by Monday (Weekday Brides #2) by Catherine Bybee (started and finished - 285 pages)
Fiancé By Friday (Weekday Brides #3) by Catherine Bybee (started and finished - 341 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 626
Notes/Thoughts:
These are those kinds of books, where you're not sure if they're good, per say, but you just keep reading them. I don't know what happened. At least it was fun, and it gave my page count a hell of a boost.
Read-A-Thon Wrap-Up (stats and thoughts/feelings)
Total Number of Books Completed: 17
Total Number of Pages Read: 4,413
Books (all):
Mortal Danger (Immortal Game #1) by Ann Aguirre (had started before)
Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss #2) by Stephanie Perkins
Unlocked by John Scalzi
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles #1) by Patrick Rothfuss (had started previously)
Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins
My Drunk Kitchen by Hannah Hart
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices: Manga #1) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Manga (PJM #2) by Riordan & multiple others
Sex Criminals, Volume One by Matt Fraction & Chris Zdarsky
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices: Manga #2) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek
Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices Manga #3) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek
Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest by A. Lee Martinez
On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street #1) by Samantha Young
Wife By Wednesday by Catherine Bybee
Married by Monday (Weekday Brides #2) by Catherine Bybee
Notes/Thoughts:
This is now my new record for a week long read-a-thon and I'm (a little weirdly) super proud about it, and I got a lot of reading done, a lot I'd been meaning to do, one book I should of had a review for up earlier. So it was a great week - also I had fun finding new blogs or just commenting on blogs in general, and of course the twitter chats.
It's probably my favorite read-a-thon, definitely my favorite week long one (Dewey's 24-hour read-a-thon is also up there). And it was a great week. I hope you had a great week, too, as long as you were reading it counts as a success!
Leave me a comment or a link to your own wrap-up post!
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Bout of Books 11: Day Six Wrap-Up
Another day, more books read, a chat that I took part in (that last chat, sadly). It was a good day, though, and I'm weirdly curious about how much I've written on top of reading as much as possible, I'll probably drop that stat in tomorrows seven day and final wrap-up.
Number of Books Completed Today: 2
Total Number of Books Completed: 15
Books:
On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street #1) by Samantha Young (started and finished - 406 pages)
Wife By Wednesday by Catherine Bybee (started and finished - 221 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 627
Total Number of Pages: 3,787
Notes/Thoughts:
I really actually enjoyed On Dublin Street more then I expected too. It was much better then I expected and fun.
Wife by Wednesday was - eh, fluff and okay, even fun at points and the writing isn't cringeworthy, but I only give it 2/5 stars.
Goals/TBR
Day One Wrap-Up
Day Two Wrap-Up
Day Three Wrap-Up
Day Four Wrap-Up
Day Five Wrap-Up
Number of Books Completed Today: 2
Total Number of Books Completed: 15
Books:
On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street #1) by Samantha Young (started and finished - 406 pages)
Wife By Wednesday by Catherine Bybee (started and finished - 221 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 627
Total Number of Pages: 3,787
Notes/Thoughts:
I really actually enjoyed On Dublin Street more then I expected too. It was much better then I expected and fun.
Wife by Wednesday was - eh, fluff and okay, even fun at points and the writing isn't cringeworthy, but I only give it 2/5 stars.
Goals/TBR
Day One Wrap-Up
Day Two Wrap-Up
Day Three Wrap-Up
Day Four Wrap-Up
Day Five Wrap-Up
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Bout of Books 11: Day Five Wrap-Up
Number of Books Completed Today: 2
Total Number of Books Completed: 13
Books:
Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez (started and finished - 268 pages)
Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest by A. Lee Martinez (started and finished - 340 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 608
Total Number of Pages: 3,160
Notes/Thoughts:
Gils' All Fright Diner was okay, fun. I definitely enjoyed Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest more - but they both have the same, very weird, vibe to them - that's fun and strange and weird. I don't know if I could actually explain the plot and not sound completely insane, or if anyone could actually.
Total Number of Books Completed: 13
Books:
Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez (started and finished - 268 pages)
Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest by A. Lee Martinez (started and finished - 340 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 608
Total Number of Pages: 3,160
Notes/Thoughts:
Gils' All Fright Diner was okay, fun. I definitely enjoyed Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest more - but they both have the same, very weird, vibe to them - that's fun and strange and weird. I don't know if I could actually explain the plot and not sound completely insane, or if anyone could actually.
What are you currently-reading? How's your Bout of Books going?
Friday, August 22, 2014
Bout of Books 11: Day Four Wrap-Up
It was certainly quite a day today. I got a lot of reading done and was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the day - I tend to frequently forget how tiring reading can be.
Number of Books Completed Today: 6
Total Number of Books Completed: 11
Books:
My Drunk Kitchen by Hannah Hart (started and finished - 240 pages)
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices: Manga #1) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek (started and finished - 240 pages)
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Manga (PJM #2) by Riordan & multiple others (started and finished - 128 pages)
Sex Criminals, Volume One by Matt Fraction & Chris Zdarsky (started and finished - 128 pages)
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices: Manga #2) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek (started and finished - 260 pages)
Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices Manga #3) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek (started and finished - 256 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 1,252
Total Number of Pages: 2,552
Notes/Thoughts:
This turned into the day where I read all the comics/graphic novels/manga that I'd wanted to read during this week. I meant to save them until the last day so it could be more relaxing, but now I'm glad I didn't because this wasn't relaxing, though it was a ton of fun.
First off - My Drunk Kitchen by Hannah Hart. If you don't know what this is, I'd suggest googling/youtubeing her and getting sucked into accidentally marathoning her show, because this book was fantastic. It's about life and everything - much more then about telling you how to cook, well, anything really.
The Infernal Devices manga was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I read it, because I really do like these characters. They're so emotional and there's so much pain - and, for some reason, I really like that in this story. Sea of Monsters was a good representation of the book, at least what I remember since I last read it, and I really loved the art style, but I kind of felt like it needed to be a little longer, I'm just not sure why.
Goals/TBR
Day One Wrap-Up
Day Two Wrap-Up
Day Three Wrap-Up
Number of Books Completed Today: 6
Total Number of Books Completed: 11
Books:
My Drunk Kitchen by Hannah Hart (started and finished - 240 pages)
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices: Manga #1) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek (started and finished - 240 pages)
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Manga (PJM #2) by Riordan & multiple others (started and finished - 128 pages)
Sex Criminals, Volume One by Matt Fraction & Chris Zdarsky (started and finished - 128 pages)
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices: Manga #2) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek (started and finished - 260 pages)
Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices Manga #3) by Clare & HyeKyung Baek (started and finished - 256 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 1,252
Total Number of Pages: 2,552
Notes/Thoughts:
This turned into the day where I read all the comics/graphic novels/manga that I'd wanted to read during this week. I meant to save them until the last day so it could be more relaxing, but now I'm glad I didn't because this wasn't relaxing, though it was a ton of fun.First off - My Drunk Kitchen by Hannah Hart. If you don't know what this is, I'd suggest googling/youtubeing her and getting sucked into accidentally marathoning her show, because this book was fantastic. It's about life and everything - much more then about telling you how to cook, well, anything really.
The Infernal Devices manga was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I read it, because I really do like these characters. They're so emotional and there's so much pain - and, for some reason, I really like that in this story. Sea of Monsters was a good representation of the book, at least what I remember since I last read it, and I really loved the art style, but I kind of felt like it needed to be a little longer, I'm just not sure why.
Goals/TBR
Day One Wrap-Up
Day Two Wrap-Up
Day Three Wrap-Up
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Bout of Books 11: Day Three Wrap-Up
Day three of this lovely read-a-thon. I woke up with a bit of a tension headache, but I persevered (by kind of just ignoring it). And there was another chat today (there will be another / final one on Saturday if you've missed these past two - you should come, they're a ton of fun). Now - onto the books and stats, book stats. (I might be very tired).
Number of Books Completed Today: 1
Total Number of Books Completed: 5
Books:
Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna #3) by Stephanie Perkins (started and finished - 339 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 339
Total Number of Pages: 1,300
Notes/Thoughts:
I was sad to finish Isla - I read all tree of these books in like a week, which feels ridiculous, but they were good and fantastic and made high school drama work in a way that surprised me so much because that normally annoys me. Check out these books, and Steph Perkins will definitely be an author who I'll check out anything she ever writes, probably.
It was a weird day - it felt very short and very long at the same time. I'm hoping to get a little more then this done tomorrow. I have a secret hope to be able to pass my past personal best for a week long read-a-thon, but I am kind of truly doubtful that it's physically possible.
Goals/TBR
Day One Wrap-Up
Day Two Wrap-Up
Number of Books Completed Today: 1
Total Number of Books Completed: 5
Books:
Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna #3) by Stephanie Perkins (started and finished - 339 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 339
Total Number of Pages: 1,300
Notes/Thoughts:
I was sad to finish Isla - I read all tree of these books in like a week, which feels ridiculous, but they were good and fantastic and made high school drama work in a way that surprised me so much because that normally annoys me. Check out these books, and Steph Perkins will definitely be an author who I'll check out anything she ever writes, probably.
It was a weird day - it felt very short and very long at the same time. I'm hoping to get a little more then this done tomorrow. I have a secret hope to be able to pass my past personal best for a week long read-a-thon, but I am kind of truly doubtful that it's physically possible.
Goals/TBR
Day One Wrap-Up
Day Two Wrap-Up
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Bout of Books 11: Day Two Wrap-Up
And the second day! This one flew by, it seems, how can it already be so late? When did it even get dark? Anyway - I got quite a bit of reading done that I'm happy with. Not a ton of reading, like yesterday, but adult SciFi and high fantasy is definitely slower reading then YA contemporary so I'm okay with that.
Number of Books Completed Today: 2
Total Number of Books Completed: 4
Books:
Unklocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome by John Scalzi (started and finished - 63 pages)
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles #1) by Patrick Rothfuss (finished - 305 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 368
Total Number of Pages: 961
Notes/Thoughts:
Unlocked is the prequel to Scalzi's new novel that comes out at the end of the month called Lock In, and I really enjoyed it. It peaked my interest in the novel and was much different then the first chapter snipped for the book. This novella really reminded me of World War Z, strongly, but not in a bad way - it was very cool to read about it like how this was.
It's been three months since I started The Name of the Wind so I'm happy and relieved I've finally finished it. It was so good and has gorgeous writing, but it wasn't a book I could get through quickly - and just because it's 700+ pages.
Day One Wrap-Up
Goals/TBR
Number of Books Completed Today: 2
Total Number of Books Completed: 4
Books:
Unklocked: An Oral History of Haden's Syndrome by John Scalzi (started and finished - 63 pages)
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles #1) by Patrick Rothfuss (finished - 305 pages)
Number of Pages Read Today: 368
Total Number of Pages: 961
Notes/Thoughts:
Unlocked is the prequel to Scalzi's new novel that comes out at the end of the month called Lock In, and I really enjoyed it. It peaked my interest in the novel and was much different then the first chapter snipped for the book. This novella really reminded me of World War Z, strongly, but not in a bad way - it was very cool to read about it like how this was.
It's been three months since I started The Name of the Wind so I'm happy and relieved I've finally finished it. It was so good and has gorgeous writing, but it wasn't a book I could get through quickly - and just because it's 700+ pages.
How did your reading day go? What are you currently-reading?
Day One Wrap-Up
Goals/TBR
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Bout of Books 11: Day One Wrap-Up
Day one of the Bout of Books 11 read-a-thon! And it was a pretty great day, personally, and I actually took part in one of the challenges, which I don't know if I've ever done. It was the book scavenger hunt and you were suppose to post on Instagram (my post) and it was super cute. Heres the blog post explaining it, even though I think it was just a day one thing.
Also one thing I totally forgot to mention in my goals post is - I'd like to leave comments every day on people's blog posts. Not the same people and not a certain number, but I'm really bad at leaving comments and I've been getting better at it. It's still one of my goals, though, because I'll forget if I don't try and remind myself (I'm going to have to write myself a note, I just know it).
Number of Books Completed Today: 2
Books (all from today):
Mortal Danger (Immortal Games #1) by Ann Aguirre (continued - 255 pages)
Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss #2) by Stephanie Perkins (started and finished - 338 pages)
Number of Page Read Today: 593 pages
Notes/Thoughts:
Mortal Danger - I really enjoyed and the more I think about it, the more I liked it. I finished it pretty early in the day and, writing this later, I might forgive it that half star and just give it the full 5/5, because the problems I had with it were so small and it was so - different.
I didn't actually plan to start and finish Lola and the Boy Next Door today, because I'd already finished a book today. But then I kind of thought - why the hell not, and picked it up, knowing I probably wouldn't put it down until I was finished with it (and I was just about right with that).
Goal Post/TBR
Also one thing I totally forgot to mention in my goals post is - I'd like to leave comments every day on people's blog posts. Not the same people and not a certain number, but I'm really bad at leaving comments and I've been getting better at it. It's still one of my goals, though, because I'll forget if I don't try and remind myself (I'm going to have to write myself a note, I just know it).
Number of Books Completed Today: 2
Books (all from today):
Mortal Danger (Immortal Games #1) by Ann Aguirre (continued - 255 pages)
Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss #2) by Stephanie Perkins (started and finished - 338 pages)
Number of Page Read Today: 593 pages
Notes/Thoughts:
Mortal Danger - I really enjoyed and the more I think about it, the more I liked it. I finished it pretty early in the day and, writing this later, I might forgive it that half star and just give it the full 5/5, because the problems I had with it were so small and it was so - different.
I didn't actually plan to start and finish Lola and the Boy Next Door today, because I'd already finished a book today. But then I kind of thought - why the hell not, and picked it up, knowing I probably wouldn't put it down until I was finished with it (and I was just about right with that).
How did your first day of this read-a-thon go? Did you join in on the chat? And what are you currently-reading (participating or not)? I'm curious!
Goal Post/TBR
Monday, August 18, 2014
Bout of Books 11: Kick-Off! (Are you reading yet?)
One thing I mentioned in my goals/TBR post, just kind of quickly, was the Twitter chats. If you're a little unsure about it, I highly recommend you just come and jump in. I was a little unsure my first few, too, but they're one of my favorite parts about this read-a-thon. I love getting on Twitter and chatting with people about books.
Speaking of books, I wanted to finish Mortal Danger before the week started, but I didn't end up reading pretty much the whole weekend (I have a social life? Lies). Anyway, so that will probably be the first book I finish, I was really liking it. Also probably whatever will be quick and easy after that. (And I just want to read Lola, so badly).
I hope, if you're participating, you have an awesome week. And if you're not participating, that you'll also have an awesome week.
Book Haul (For the first half of August) (2)
I don't normally do book hauls, just because I buy books sporadically - sometimes a lot, sometimes nothing for a few weeks - so I just don't normally do it. But I've been wanted to share recently, what I've been getting, because I buy at a faster pace then I read - and I also have a giant, humongous backlog - so I don't know when I'll be able to read these books and I'd like to share my excitement for them with you.
I took a ton of pictures, so those will also be here, also, but I kind of just want to talk about them. Because I like talking about books - which is probably the most obvious statement someone can say on their own book blog. Anyway, these books are from a few places but mostly Amazon and Barnes and Noble. And there are a lot for about two weeks worth of buying, but I blame stress and Prime 2-day free shipping.
Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre - I'm currently-reading this book, I started it as soon as it came in the mail. I'd pre-ordered it and forgotten, and then didn't realize it came out so soon. I'll have a review up a little after I finish it, which should be in the next few days (I'm really behind on reviews at the moment, but I'm going to push it in front).
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson - I've heard so many good things about this book and it's out, I can't wait to read it.
The Unbound by Victoria Schwab - I've still yet to even start this series, even though I've read and loved all her other books (all but that new middle grade series, I haven't seen it out anywhere).
The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel - I'm going to lie, this is a complete cover buy (I took a picture, it'll be included around here), but I did read the synopsis before I did and it sounds awesome.
Lola and the Boy Next Door & Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - I just recently read Anna and had pre-ordered Isla and am now super excited to read both soon, really soon. Right now, if it was possible,
The Sea of Monsters: Graphic Novel - I'm going to give this a show, I read The Lightning Thief, and did like it, so I thought I should keep going.
All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - I have heard such amazing, fantastic things since it came out not that long ago. And I was going to wait until it was in paperback and then just caved, and couldn't do it anymore. I want to read this one this month, but I don't know if I'll have time, I probably won't, sadly.
Child of a Hidden Sea by A. M. Dellamonica - This is the first in a new series. It's about this girl that is suddenly, like, on a ship in another world and there's some political thing going down, and I am kind of super excited. I haven't heard really anything about it, but it sounds just amazing.
The Young World by Chris Weitz - I'm unsure about this one. The cover is freaking gorgeous and most of the things I've heard/read have been leaning towards 'good' but I don't know, we'll see. It's a bit extremely overused, but maybe this is different?
Gils' All Fright Diner & Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest by A. Lee Martinez - these books aren't a series, just by the same author, but I've been hearing good things about his books. They seem hilarious and weird, in the vein of Douglas Adams, and the covers are designed to kind of look ridiculous (well Helen and Troy's is just colorful and fun).
Dissonace by Erica O'Rourke - I won this on Goodreads (Yay!) and I kept seeing really good things from people I follow on GRs, actually, just completely loving it. I'm super excited about it, I'm hoping to get to it soon. As I am with most of these, so we'll see how that goes.
The River of No Return by Bee Ridgeway - This is an adult novel that's - SciFi/Historical. Someone described it as Doctor Who meets Jane Austen, so you can imagine I bought that ten seconds after reading it. There's time travel but it's someone from the past getting transported to our time period, which sounds fun. I've heard - pretty good things so far, so I'm excited (kind of wished I'd gotten the UK cover, though, because it's beautiful).
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella - I've been hearing her name a lot recently watching BookTube videos and apparently she's funny, so I thought I'd give it a try. That's kind of it - it sounds like a cute, contemporary.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - I don't know what made me buy this, I mean, I've put it in a cart or picked it up in a book store so many times, but I finally actually bought it. I don't know when I'll be reading it, I feel like I need to be in a specific mood for it - but hopefully soon.
Order of Darkness (Changling #1) by Phillipa Gregory - I've been hearing amazing things for years and I saw this cover/series redesign and was relieved. Most of her covers are really bad, but these are simple and kind of lovely for it - I really like them, and can finally pick something of hers up without sighing at the cover art/photo.
The Executioner's Heart by George Mann - which is apparently the forth in a series, which I just found out when I was looking this up. Does anyone know if I can just read this one? I normally don't do that, even if I can, but it looks like it might be difficult to get the other books and that's more books to buy. Sigh. I normally check it, too, I just had a weird day, I guess (this is the same time I bought A Young World, too).
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman - I've been waiting for this book to come out in paperback, I don't know when it did, but I just found it on a table in Barnes and Noble and immediately picked it up. The first thing to draw me in, was the cover, but then I saw someone review it and heard the synopsis and their love for it - and wanted it more and more. I waited, though, for the paperback, and I'm hoping I like it.
And that's all the books I've bought since the beginning of August. What have you gotten recently? Have you read any of these books? Or are you considering buying them? Let's talk books!
Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre - I'm currently-reading this book, I started it as soon as it came in the mail. I'd pre-ordered it and forgotten, and then didn't realize it came out so soon. I'll have a review up a little after I finish it, which should be in the next few days (I'm really behind on reviews at the moment, but I'm going to push it in front).The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson - I've heard so many good things about this book and it's out, I can't wait to read it.
The Unbound by Victoria Schwab - I've still yet to even start this series, even though I've read and loved all her other books (all but that new middle grade series, I haven't seen it out anywhere).
The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel - I'm going to lie, this is a complete cover buy (I took a picture, it'll be included around here), but I did read the synopsis before I did and it sounds awesome.
Lola and the Boy Next Door & Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - I just recently read Anna and had pre-ordered Isla and am now super excited to read both soon, really soon. Right now, if it was possible,
The Sea of Monsters: Graphic Novel - I'm going to give this a show, I read The Lightning Thief, and did like it, so I thought I should keep going.
All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - I have heard such amazing, fantastic things since it came out not that long ago. And I was going to wait until it was in paperback and then just caved, and couldn't do it anymore. I want to read this one this month, but I don't know if I'll have time, I probably won't, sadly.Child of a Hidden Sea by A. M. Dellamonica - This is the first in a new series. It's about this girl that is suddenly, like, on a ship in another world and there's some political thing going down, and I am kind of super excited. I haven't heard really anything about it, but it sounds just amazing.
The Young World by Chris Weitz - I'm unsure about this one. The cover is freaking gorgeous and most of the things I've heard/read have been leaning towards 'good' but I don't know, we'll see. It's a bit extremely overused, but maybe this is different?
Gils' All Fright Diner & Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest by A. Lee Martinez - these books aren't a series, just by the same author, but I've been hearing good things about his books. They seem hilarious and weird, in the vein of Douglas Adams, and the covers are designed to kind of look ridiculous (well Helen and Troy's is just colorful and fun).
Dissonace by Erica O'Rourke - I won this on Goodreads (Yay!) and I kept seeing really good things from people I follow on GRs, actually, just completely loving it. I'm super excited about it, I'm hoping to get to it soon. As I am with most of these, so we'll see how that goes.The River of No Return by Bee Ridgeway - This is an adult novel that's - SciFi/Historical. Someone described it as Doctor Who meets Jane Austen, so you can imagine I bought that ten seconds after reading it. There's time travel but it's someone from the past getting transported to our time period, which sounds fun. I've heard - pretty good things so far, so I'm excited (kind of wished I'd gotten the UK cover, though, because it's beautiful).I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella - I've been hearing her name a lot recently watching BookTube videos and apparently she's funny, so I thought I'd give it a try. That's kind of it - it sounds like a cute, contemporary.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - I don't know what made me buy this, I mean, I've put it in a cart or picked it up in a book store so many times, but I finally actually bought it. I don't know when I'll be reading it, I feel like I need to be in a specific mood for it - but hopefully soon.
Order of Darkness (Changling #1) by Phillipa Gregory - I've been hearing amazing things for years and I saw this cover/series redesign and was relieved. Most of her covers are really bad, but these are simple and kind of lovely for it - I really like them, and can finally pick something of hers up without sighing at the cover art/photo.
The Executioner's Heart by George Mann - which is apparently the forth in a series, which I just found out when I was looking this up. Does anyone know if I can just read this one? I normally don't do that, even if I can, but it looks like it might be difficult to get the other books and that's more books to buy. Sigh. I normally check it, too, I just had a weird day, I guess (this is the same time I bought A Young World, too).The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman - I've been waiting for this book to come out in paperback, I don't know when it did, but I just found it on a table in Barnes and Noble and immediately picked it up. The first thing to draw me in, was the cover, but then I saw someone review it and heard the synopsis and their love for it - and wanted it more and more. I waited, though, for the paperback, and I'm hoping I like it.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Bout of Books 11 - The Goals/TBR Post
I just beat my past personal goal for a week read-a-thon, which had been held by Bout of Books 7, but i snow held by the BookTubeAThon last month (in page count, not in book count). So I'm not sure what my goals will be, I wish I could say to beat that goal for the BookTubeAThon but that's a lot of pressure and I don't like putting too much pressure on myself, like that, during a read-a-thon.
Most of my goals are pretty similar to what they've been in the past, such as:
- Read 300+ pages a day
- Finish, at least, an average of one book a day
- Basically: read as much as is physically possible while also keeping up with my daily writing goals, doing my daily update posts, and not going insane.
- Participate in the Twitter chats! I have high hopes to participate in all of them, hopefully I'll be able to, since I love these Twitter chats.
- Keep up with writing my daily 2k (at least most days)
I think those are my main goals, besides also have fun, don't stress out too much. Flailing, not failing. It's a good thing to remember, keep it in mind. Now, to go onto the actual, physical books, let's see. This is the main reason I didn't post this a week ago, because I wasn't sure what I'd read in that week and, therefor, what would be my TBR for this week.
And my TBR tends to shift and change even after the first day, so I'm hesitating to even post an idea of one. But I have a few ideas, and I even though I'm know I'm going to break it, I might as well. So, I'm just going to put a picture of a pile and I hope to read enough to fulfill my goals, or at least a few (from pile or not from pile). Also this doesn't include anything I'm currently reading, but - those also.
Leave me a comment! Telling me if you're participating in this Bout of Books. Or tell me if you've read any of these books and what you thought or if you're looking forward to getting to any of them.
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| These are all books I've just bought, pretty much, and so I'm really exited for which is why they're here. |
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| Hopefully a better shot of the novels so you can see the full spine for titles/authors. |
Friday, August 15, 2014
2014: Book Review (9)
And, once again, I haven't done one of these in way too long, especially for the rate at which I've been reading. There have been, what feels like, almost a constant stream of read-a-thons, not that I think I'll ever have no books on my TBR, and I don't think I'd want to - then what would I read next?
Anyway, if you're not sure what this is, this is where I write up mini-reviews of all the books I've read this year in parts, this being part nine.
Dead Man Rising (Dante Valentine #2) by Lilith Saintcrow (4/5 stars)
Liked this one as much as the first, Working for the Devil, it was interesting and fast paced. This whole series is very different, but it's good.
The Devil's Right Hand (Dante Valentine #3) by Lilith Saintcrow (3/5)
Didn't like this one as much as the first two - the beginning felt drawn out, but I did like how it ended, how everything was linked/tied together. I'd still recommend this series if it sounds like someone you'd like. These are books that I don't really have much to say about separately, really just this, but I'm planning on doing a series review when I'm done with all of them.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (5/5)
This book - I don't know what it was, I know a lot of people find it boring or repetitive, but I really enjoyed it. I loved her writing and the way the story moved, it wasn't a fast paced book by any means, but I really liked that about it.
The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness (5/5)
Damn. This series is fantastic and heartbreaking and incredible. I haven't been able to bring myself to read the third and final book in it yet - I just know it's going to leave me broken, but this series is fantastic.
The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allen Poe (3/5)
Just a short story, and it wasn't the best but it was an interesting read all the same.
The Walking Dead: Book Two by Robert Kirkman (3/5)
I had to force myself through this book, I don't know what it was about it. Because its dramatic, full of gore - I should be loving this series, but I'm just not. People get killed and I barely blink, I guess I'm just not invested at all in the story - this might be the last of the comics I read.
Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos (Theodosia Throckmorton #1) by R.L. LaFevers (3/5)
The beginning - I didn't really care, it was slow and wasn't capturing my attention, but by the end I was enjoying it a lot more. I guess I just expected more from this book, for whatever reason, and I just needed to lower my expectations. I think I'll continue on with the series, I just don't know when considering all the books I have to read.
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (4/5)
This was - interesting and really good. It wasn't perfect, but I really liked it and would definitely recommend it.
All Our Yesterdays by Caitlin Terrill (3.5/5)
For most of this book, I just wasn't enjoying it. I wasn't connecting with the characters, I didn't really feel anything towards them besides annoyance and confusion. The only reason this rating is so high is because the ending - I loved the ending, it was what I wanted, no punches pulled. However, apparently there's going to be a sequel, so that lowers my love for the ending a bit because I thought it ended perfectly.
Anyway, if you're not sure what this is, this is where I write up mini-reviews of all the books I've read this year in parts, this being part nine.
Dead Man Rising (Dante Valentine #2) by Lilith Saintcrow (4/5 stars)
Liked this one as much as the first, Working for the Devil, it was interesting and fast paced. This whole series is very different, but it's good.
The Devil's Right Hand (Dante Valentine #3) by Lilith Saintcrow (3/5)
Didn't like this one as much as the first two - the beginning felt drawn out, but I did like how it ended, how everything was linked/tied together. I'd still recommend this series if it sounds like someone you'd like. These are books that I don't really have much to say about separately, really just this, but I'm planning on doing a series review when I'm done with all of them.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (5/5)
This book - I don't know what it was, I know a lot of people find it boring or repetitive, but I really enjoyed it. I loved her writing and the way the story moved, it wasn't a fast paced book by any means, but I really liked that about it.
The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness (5/5)
Damn. This series is fantastic and heartbreaking and incredible. I haven't been able to bring myself to read the third and final book in it yet - I just know it's going to leave me broken, but this series is fantastic.
The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allen Poe (3/5)
Just a short story, and it wasn't the best but it was an interesting read all the same.
The Walking Dead: Book Two by Robert Kirkman (3/5)
I had to force myself through this book, I don't know what it was about it. Because its dramatic, full of gore - I should be loving this series, but I'm just not. People get killed and I barely blink, I guess I'm just not invested at all in the story - this might be the last of the comics I read.
Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos (Theodosia Throckmorton #1) by R.L. LaFevers (3/5)
The beginning - I didn't really care, it was slow and wasn't capturing my attention, but by the end I was enjoying it a lot more. I guess I just expected more from this book, for whatever reason, and I just needed to lower my expectations. I think I'll continue on with the series, I just don't know when considering all the books I have to read.
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (4/5)
This was - interesting and really good. It wasn't perfect, but I really liked it and would definitely recommend it.
All Our Yesterdays by Caitlin Terrill (3.5/5)
For most of this book, I just wasn't enjoying it. I wasn't connecting with the characters, I didn't really feel anything towards them besides annoyance and confusion. The only reason this rating is so high is because the ending - I loved the ending, it was what I wanted, no punches pulled. However, apparently there's going to be a sequel, so that lowers my love for the ending a bit because I thought it ended perfectly.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Book Review: Sea of Shadows (Age of Legends #1)
Author: Kelly Armstrong
Genre: High Fantasy, Paranomal/Magic, Adventure, Romance (Young Adult)
Rating: 5/5
Page Count: 416 (hardcover)
Publication Date: April 8th, 2014
Plot: (from Goodreads)
Twin sisters Moria and Ashyn were marked at birth to become the Keeper and the Seeker of Edgewood, beginning with their sixteenth birthday. Trained in fighting and in the secret rites of the spirits, they lead an annual trip into the Forest of the Dead. There, the veil between the living world and the beyond is thinnest, and the girls pay respect to the spirits who have passed.
But this year, their trip goes dreadfully wrong.
With all the heart-stopping romance and action that have made her a #1 New York Times bestselling author, and set in an unforgettably rich and dangerous world, this first epic book in the Age of Legends trilogy will appeal to Kelley Armstrong's legions of fans around the world and win her many new ones.
Review:
I've never read anything by Kelly Armstrong before, but I'm definitely going to end up picking up some more of her books in the future (if you've read hers - let me know which I should read next). This was a fantastic high fantasy, young adult novel that had duel points of view (POVs), which can be hit or miss with a lot of people. I felt like it really worked for this, you get these two girls, who are twins, and their points of view and I think the reason it works is because their voices were completely different.
This book had me sucked in, wanting to find out what happened next to these characters that I had already fallen in love with before page 50. I read it in one sitting and just loved it: the characters, the plots, the twists - and how everything unfolded. The romance aspect felt a little cheesy at points, but it wasn't really in a bad way, if that makes sense, I don't tend to mind cheesy if it's done well.
I'd definitely recommend this book, and to wrap up why: a fun, high fantasy, with adventure, strange creatures, and romance.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Beat the Heat Read-A-Thon: Update Post (1)
This is the post that I'll be posting updates for this whole read-a-thon on, if it becomes too out of hand I'll just make a part two and link it at the bottom, but hopefully it'll work out. I'm going to be updating by day here, but just here. However - during Bout of Books I'll be doing separate post daily updates, and will just link those here. (Hopefully I remember to do that, but they'll be here anyway).
But if you want more up to date then even that - I have social media galore! Instagram, Twitter, and Goodreads
Monday, August 11th:
Number of books I've read today: 1
Number of Pages Read today: 118
Books (today):
The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black (finished - 118 pages)
Notes:
I didn't get a ton of reading do, like I normally aim for for the first day of a read-a-thon, but I'm kind of trying to pace myself through this read-a-thon and then read all of the things for Bout of Books. I'd kind of like to see how long I could keep up the streak of finishing a book a day - but now that I've said that, it's not going to happen.
Also - The Darkest Part of the Forest was beautiful and amazing and creepy and fantastic and you should all go and preorder it.
Tuesday, August 12th:
Number of books I've read today: 1
Total number of books I've read: 2
Number of Pages Read today: 285
Total Page Count: 403
Books (today):
Say Her Name by James Dawson (started and finished - 285 pages)
Notes:
Say Her Name was okay, good, I liked it - I guess I was just expecting more, but it was still good. I meant to get more read today then I did, considering I doubt I'll get much read tomorrow, but I did finish a book, which was my main goal.
Wednesday, August 13th:
Accidentally didn't read anything - it was a weird day, and I don't think really in a good way. I was suppose to go out today and hang out with a friend, obviously didn't happen. I mean I wrote a ton of words, which is normally always good, but it was a very blah day, I guess. Life never really stops being stressful, does it?
Anyway, that's not here or now at all. Hopefully I can actually read something tomorrow. And I'm going to a birthday party Friday and stuff is going down. And then Bout of Books starts Monday - which is going to be my serious reading week.
Thursday, August 14th
Number of books I've read today: 1
Total number of books I've read: 3
Number of Pages Read today: 491
Total Page Count: 894
Books (today):
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (started and finished - 372 pages)
Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre (started - 119 pages)
Notes:
Do I really need to add anything about Anna and the French Kiss? You all have probably already read it. Mortal Danger is interesting so far, I'd started it before and then it somehow got forgotten even though I'd liked what I'd read. It takes place in Boston in a private school - and both of those things I am familiar with, so it's a little strange to read about but I'm liking it so far. So I started it again, hopefully I can finish it by Saturday, at least.
Anyway - I don't know how much I'll get nothing read tomorrow. Hanging out with friend, there's a birthday party, and then Haley (friend, not her birthday) is sleeping over.
Friday, August 15th + Saturday, August 16th + Sunday, August 17th
I didn't read a page of anything between these two days. Life was suddenly very busy and stuff was happening. I did buy quite a few books, though, but that's not important. I guess I'll only update here from now on, on days I read.
For Bout of Books, I'm just going to add a link to the post and probably a few words thrown in.
Monday, August 18th
Bout of Books 11 Day One Wrap-Up!
Total Books Read: 5
Total Page Count: 1,487
Notes:
Alright so most of the information is in that link up there (books, page counts, the daily totals), but I wanted to also keep up and know my totals for this read-a-thon. And not ambandon this post for a week in the middle of the read-a-thon.
Tuesday, August 19th
Bout of Books 11 Day Two Wrap-Up!
Total Books Read: 7
Total Page Count: 1,855
Notes:
Another good day of reading, check out the link if you haven't see it already!
Wednesday, August 20th
Bout of Books 11 Day Three Wrap-Up!
Total Books Read: 8
Total Pages Read: 2,194
Notes:
Another great day of a read-a-thon, not as great page wise as other days, but still fantastic.
Thursday, August 21st
Bout of Books 11 Day Four Wrap-Up!
Total Books Read: 14
Total Pages Read: 3,446
Notes:
It was a fantastic reading day!
Friday, August 22nd
Bout of Books 11 Day Five Wrap-Up!
Total Books Read: 16
Total Pages Read: 4,054
Notes:
Another really good read-a-thon, this week has been great. I think my secret hope to beat my last best for a week long read-a-thon - might actually happen!
Saturday, August 23rd
Bout of Books 11 Day Six Wrap-Up
Total Books Read: 18
Total Pages Read: 4,681
Notes:
Another really good reading day!
Sunday, August 24th
Bout of Books 11 Day Seven/Final Wrap-Up
Total Books Read: 20
Total Pages Read: 5,307
Notes:
And I am totally going to need a few days off from reading after this week. Whew.
And I'm going to end this update post here. I wanted to do the whole read-a-thon in one post, but this is a long, long post and there are still a few days left. And I didn't read at all Monday and Tuesday and barely anything Wednesday, so I'm just going to start with Thursday on the next post. (Link )
But if you want more up to date then even that - I have social media galore! Instagram, Twitter, and Goodreads
Monday, August 11th:
Number of books I've read today: 1
Number of Pages Read today: 118
Books (today):
The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black (finished - 118 pages)
Notes:
I didn't get a ton of reading do, like I normally aim for for the first day of a read-a-thon, but I'm kind of trying to pace myself through this read-a-thon and then read all of the things for Bout of Books. I'd kind of like to see how long I could keep up the streak of finishing a book a day - but now that I've said that, it's not going to happen.
Also - The Darkest Part of the Forest was beautiful and amazing and creepy and fantastic and you should all go and preorder it.
Tuesday, August 12th:
Number of books I've read today: 1
Total number of books I've read: 2
Number of Pages Read today: 285
Total Page Count: 403
Books (today):
Say Her Name by James Dawson (started and finished - 285 pages)
Notes:
Say Her Name was okay, good, I liked it - I guess I was just expecting more, but it was still good. I meant to get more read today then I did, considering I doubt I'll get much read tomorrow, but I did finish a book, which was my main goal.
Wednesday, August 13th:
Accidentally didn't read anything - it was a weird day, and I don't think really in a good way. I was suppose to go out today and hang out with a friend, obviously didn't happen. I mean I wrote a ton of words, which is normally always good, but it was a very blah day, I guess. Life never really stops being stressful, does it?
Anyway, that's not here or now at all. Hopefully I can actually read something tomorrow. And I'm going to a birthday party Friday and stuff is going down. And then Bout of Books starts Monday - which is going to be my serious reading week.
Thursday, August 14th
Number of books I've read today: 1
Total number of books I've read: 3
Number of Pages Read today: 491
Total Page Count: 894
Books (today):
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (started and finished - 372 pages)
Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre (started - 119 pages)
Notes:
Do I really need to add anything about Anna and the French Kiss? You all have probably already read it. Mortal Danger is interesting so far, I'd started it before and then it somehow got forgotten even though I'd liked what I'd read. It takes place in Boston in a private school - and both of those things I am familiar with, so it's a little strange to read about but I'm liking it so far. So I started it again, hopefully I can finish it by Saturday, at least.
Anyway - I don't know how much I'll get nothing read tomorrow. Hanging out with friend, there's a birthday party, and then Haley (friend, not her birthday) is sleeping over.
Friday, August 15th + Saturday, August 16th + Sunday, August 17th
I didn't read a page of anything between these two days. Life was suddenly very busy and stuff was happening. I did buy quite a few books, though, but that's not important. I guess I'll only update here from now on, on days I read.
For Bout of Books, I'm just going to add a link to the post and probably a few words thrown in.
Monday, August 18th
Bout of Books 11 Day One Wrap-Up!
Total Books Read: 5
Total Page Count: 1,487
Notes:
Alright so most of the information is in that link up there (books, page counts, the daily totals), but I wanted to also keep up and know my totals for this read-a-thon. And not ambandon this post for a week in the middle of the read-a-thon.
Tuesday, August 19th
Bout of Books 11 Day Two Wrap-Up!
Total Books Read: 7
Total Page Count: 1,855
Notes:
Another good day of reading, check out the link if you haven't see it already!
Wednesday, August 20th
Bout of Books 11 Day Three Wrap-Up!
Total Books Read: 8
Total Pages Read: 2,194
Notes:
Another great day of a read-a-thon, not as great page wise as other days, but still fantastic.
Thursday, August 21st
Bout of Books 11 Day Four Wrap-Up!
Total Books Read: 14
Total Pages Read: 3,446
Notes:
It was a fantastic reading day!
Friday, August 22nd
Bout of Books 11 Day Five Wrap-Up!
Total Books Read: 16
Total Pages Read: 4,054
Notes:
Another really good read-a-thon, this week has been great. I think my secret hope to beat my last best for a week long read-a-thon - might actually happen!
Saturday, August 23rd
Bout of Books 11 Day Six Wrap-Up
Total Books Read: 18
Total Pages Read: 4,681
Notes:
Another really good reading day!
Sunday, August 24th
Bout of Books 11 Day Seven/Final Wrap-Up
Total Books Read: 20
Total Pages Read: 5,307
Notes:
And I am totally going to need a few days off from reading after this week. Whew.
And I'm going to end this update post here. I wanted to do the whole read-a-thon in one post, but this is a long, long post and there are still a few days left. And I didn't read at all Monday and Tuesday and barely anything Wednesday, so I'm just going to start with Thursday on the next post. (Link )
Book Review: Open Road Summer
Author: Emery Lord
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Young Adult)
Rating: 5/5
Page Count: 352 (hardcover)
Publication Date: April 15th, 2014
Plot: (from Goodreads)
After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence.
This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.
Review:
I haven't heard a lot of talk about this book besides someone recommending it to me (by the way, thank you so much). This is a book about two best friends and a country road trip that is also a tour, a 24-city tour. And it was so good.
I don't know if I could put a finger on why this book was so enjoyable then the other things I've read that are similar to it. However, I'm almost positive it had to do with the fact that this book wasn't just about the romance. It was also about these two girls, Reagan and Dee, and their friendship and their recent problems. Reagan is also into photography, which is one of my many loves, even though I don't do much of it, and I enjoyed reading the small tidbits of what she was doing.
Not to say that the romance isn't completely adorable or that the guy isn't swoon worthy (he is, I'm not normally swoon-y over these book guys, but he's pretty great), and it was cheesy at points but it was so good for that. And it introduced me to the beginning of a problem, a weakness, I discovered recently: the normal person dating a famous person and the drama that entails trope. It's a great trope (feel free to recommend me books, I love that, any kind - especially that trope, though).
To wrap this up: a fantastic book, that I would definitely recommend, about two best friends, a tour/road trip, and boys.
Monday, August 11, 2014
August 2014 TBR
I keep doing these, and I'm not sure why, because I never tend to stick to them - but I do really like havng an idea of what to read. Even though we're a week into the month, I haven't finished anything yet, but I have a lot of books I want to read. And there's the Bout of Books 11 read-a-thon happening this week from the 18th to the 24th.
There aren't any books, really, that I know for sure I'm going to read - but I have ideas of how my reading will go. None of these are positive, I'm really just looking around and seeing what catches my eye right now.
There aren't any books, really, that I know for sure I'm going to read - but I have ideas of how my reading will go. None of these are positive, I'm really just looking around and seeing what catches my eye right now.
- The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black (I got an ARC of this at LeakyCon and started it on the plane back, haven't finished it yet, but I knew nothing going in and oh my god).
- Say Her Name by James Dawson (I don't know if this is out in the US - but some of the UK book people I follow were praising it and it was pretty cheap on TheBookDepository - and I might have a slight obsession with the Bloody Mary thing)
- Geek Girl by Holly Smale (this sounds adorable and fun)
- If I Stay by Gayle Foreman (I was kind of sold on reading this after watching Gayle speak on a few panels at LeakyCon, during LitDay)
- Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke (I won this on Goodreads and I've been hearing amazing things)
I'd also like to reread The Way of Kings and read Words of Radiance - but we'll see when that happens. I'd also like to finish some of the books I'm currently-reading, which will hopefully happen this month.
Any suggestions of what I should read this month? New releases or old favorites - I love getting book recommendations.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Another read-a-thon? (Beat the Heat)
This is another one of those long read-a-thons that I take as super casual because being like I am with normal read-a-thons for that long - would probably kill me. So this read-a-thon, the Beat the Heat read-a-thon, runs from August 11th to September 1st.
There's information on it on two blogs Novel Heartbeat and Phantasmic Reads. Here are the rules (taken from Novel Heartbeat):
There's information on it on two blogs Novel Heartbeat and Phantasmic Reads. Here are the rules (taken from Novel Heartbeat):
- The Beat the Heat Readathon runs from August 11th to September 1st. What does this readathon entail, you ask? Well, read as much or as little as you want – the main point is to READ! You set your own goal, and for three weeks you read as many books as you can/want to reach your goal!
- There will be mini-challenges throughout the Readathon for participants, along with a grand prize giveaway at the end!
- Sign up here at Novel Heartbeat or over at Phantasmic Reads. You may join whenever you like, but to be eligible for our grand prize giveaway, you must sign up by August 24th.
- To join, all you have to do is make a sign-up post – even if it’s just a “Let’s do this!” thing – and add your post URL to the linky below! You can put your goals and progress (will be required for the final giveaway) in your sign-up post, or you can make it separate. Totally up to you! (You are welcome to use the template we provide as well.)
- In order to enter for the grand prize, you must have a post to keep track of your progress so we can see that you participated.
I don't have any read TBR besides my very vague August TBR (that isn't up as of posting this, but will be up Monday). I'll be doing possibly do one post to update for this read-a-thon. I don't really like doing one big post for all the read-a-thon updates, but it kind of seems like that's what they want, and I'm okay with doing it since I don't expect every day to be like a normal read-a-thon day.
However - Bout of Books 11 is going to take place during it and those will be daily updates (I'm still counting those books also towards the Beat the Heat read-a-thon, but Bout of Books is my read-a-thon match made in heaven).
Basically: one post will go up Tuesday that will hold my updates for the Beat the Heat read-a-thon. And when Bout of Books 11 starts, there will be daily updates and a wrap-up of the week. (Bout of Books 11 is from the 18th - 24th). If you're confused, feel free to ask and I'll try to explain it better, but I think that all makes sense (at least I think I'll have a plan that'll work), but if not - feel free to ask. Or comment if you're also participating!
Friday, August 8, 2014
July 2014 Wrap-Up
And the end of another month. I'm wrote this whole post before the end of the month, because I knew I'd be leaving for LeakyCon, and then I read two more books and I didn't end up posting it - so now I'm going to half rewrite it or just edit it, we'll see how it works. I read a lot this month, more then I expected to, I finished 24 books this month.
I took part in two read-a-thons, one taking part kind of during the other, so at the bottom there are going to be a lot of links. I didn't have time to get back into a blogging thing after coming back from VidCon (which I tried to write a wrap-up of, but the wrap-up of that turned into an essay on - stuff. Anyway - maybe I'll do a post with pictures and such from both after LeakyCon and after I sleep for 2 days).
I took part in two read-a-thons, one taking part kind of during the other, so at the bottom there are going to be a lot of links. I didn't have time to get back into a blogging thing after coming back from VidCon (which I tried to write a wrap-up of, but the wrap-up of that turned into an essay on - stuff. Anyway - maybe I'll do a post with pictures and such from both after LeakyCon and after I sleep for 2 days).
- Never Stop Shutting Up by Mike Falzone
- Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg
- Girl with Guitar (Kylie Ryan #1) by Caisey Quinn
- Losing It (Losing It #1) by Cora Carmack
- Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
- In The Shadows by Kiersten White, Jim Di Bartolo
- Boxers (Boxers and Saints #1) by Gene Luen Yang
- Saints (Boxers and Saints #2) by Gene Luen Yang
- Severed Heads, Broken Hearts (aka: The Beginning of Everything) by Robyn Schneider
- The Scepter of the Ancients (Skulduggery Pleasant #1) by Derek Landy
- Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo
- Siege and Storm (The Grisha Trilogy #2) by Leigh Bardugo
- Ruin and Rising (The Grisha Trilogy #3) by Leigh Bardugo
- Zita the Spacegirl (Zita #1) by Ben Hatke
- City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3) by Cassandra Clare
- Legends of Zita the Spacegirl (Zita #2) by Ben Hatke
- The Return of Zita the Spacegirl (Zita #3) by Ben Hatke
- Playing with Fire (Skullduggery Pleasant #2) by Derek Landy
- Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare
- Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare
- Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare
- City of Fallen Angels (TMI #4) by Cassandra Clare
- City of Lost Souls (TMI #5) by Cassandra Clare
- City of Heavenly Fire (TMI #6) by Cassandra Clare
Some of these books, were so fantastic. I really love the Skullduggery Pleasant series now - it's fun, hilarious, and their dialogue is just fantastic. I really enjoyed The Grisha Trilogy - I read it in about three days, I think, it's all a blur now. And I feel like I read it in a vacuum, not being part of the fandom at all because I didn't have time, and I am surprised at the thoughts from that fandom (though, I haven't watched any reviews, I'm just confused why everyone's in love with The Darkling, because guys - Nikolai).
Also - I enjoyed the Infernal Devices much more this time, I don't know why, but I connected with the characters so much this time, and now that's kind of all I want is more of them. Well Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince were both reread- but Clockwork Princess was all new and oh my god feelings, these books are so emotional and so good. Also City of Fallen Angels was a reread for me, as well, but the other two weren't.
I have a weird relationship with her books, and her as a person. First off - her books are like crack, and I don't know if that's a good thing. I fly through them and they're fun and emotional, but I am much more attached to the characters from ID them from The Mortal Instruments (TMI), and I don't think I'd have enjoyed them as much if I didn't read them in basically one sitting, just because I felt like that kept me in the world and I would of forgotten things if I'd stopped.
I'm planning on doing a series review for these books, and I'm working on the keeping the artist separate from the art, which I can do for Orson Scott Card and he's much worse, in my opinion, so we'll see ow this goes.
Overall - it was a fantastic month of reading and I read a lot of fantastic books and broke my last personal record for a week long read-a-thon. I'm not going to post all the links, because I feel like it'd be a tad too many - but I'm going to post a few. If there are any specific reviews of books you'd like to see, let me know, or if you want to talk about any of the books - comments, goodreads, twitter.
Fire and Flood review
Musing Mondays (4): Genre Reading Binges
Everything Leads to You review
BookTubeAThon Final Wrap-Up
treesofreverie readathon: update two
I have a weird relationship with her books, and her as a person. First off - her books are like crack, and I don't know if that's a good thing. I fly through them and they're fun and emotional, but I am much more attached to the characters from ID them from The Mortal Instruments (TMI), and I don't think I'd have enjoyed them as much if I didn't read them in basically one sitting, just because I felt like that kept me in the world and I would of forgotten things if I'd stopped.
I'm planning on doing a series review for these books, and I'm working on the keeping the artist separate from the art, which I can do for Orson Scott Card and he's much worse, in my opinion, so we'll see ow this goes.
Overall - it was a fantastic month of reading and I read a lot of fantastic books and broke my last personal record for a week long read-a-thon. I'm not going to post all the links, because I feel like it'd be a tad too many - but I'm going to post a few. If there are any specific reviews of books you'd like to see, let me know, or if you want to talk about any of the books - comments, goodreads, twitter.
Fire and Flood review
Musing Mondays (4): Genre Reading Binges
Everything Leads to You review
BookTubeAThon Final Wrap-Up
treesofreverie readathon: update two
Monday, August 4, 2014
Complete Wrap-Up: treesofreverie read-a-thon
This is my final wrap-up of the treesofreverie read-a-thon so it's going to be quite a long post. This read-a-thon was pretty much the whole month, it took up the whole month for me and it kicked me back into reading since I hadn't read anything the beginning of the month.
I considered listing all the books I read for this read-a-thon, but there's a lot of them and they'll all be listed in my monthly wrap-up or they are listed on the BookTubeAThon wrap-up (and update) posts - which are all linked below. I did end up listening the challenges and prompts I completed, which was much more then I expected.
Total Number of Books Completed: 25
Total Page Count: 8,933
There isn't much more to say, but I hope you all had a good month (reading or otherwise), and links and such below!
BookTubeAThon wrap up.
Day Six
Day Five
Day Four
Day Three
Day Two
Day One
First treesofreverieupdate
Challenges/Prompts I've completed:
Read a popular or well-known book
Read a book you’ve heard a lot of good things about
Read a book you’ve never heard of before
Read a book from your Goodreads to-read shelf
Read one of your best friend’s favourite books
Pick up a book that looks like a fun/light read
Pick a colour and choose a book with that colour on it’s cover
Read a book you’ve been meaning to read
Finish an entire book in ONE day
Read a book by an author you haven’t read before
Read outside (this one didn't last long, because sunlight, bugs)
Read out loud (read a minimum of one full page!)
Finish a book in a series you’ve not yet completed
Read a graphic novel or manga
Read a book in the Fantasy genre
Read a book in the Contemporary genre
Read a book written by or focusing on POC
Take pictures of your reading progress
Show off your books by taking more pictures
Read a book you’ve been avoiding
Read a book with an LGBTQ+ character
I considered listing all the books I read for this read-a-thon, but there's a lot of them and they'll all be listed in my monthly wrap-up or they are listed on the BookTubeAThon wrap-up (and update) posts - which are all linked below. I did end up listening the challenges and prompts I completed, which was much more then I expected.
Total Number of Books Completed: 25
Total Page Count: 8,933
There isn't much more to say, but I hope you all had a good month (reading or otherwise), and links and such below!
BookTubeAThon wrap up.
Day Six
Day Five
Day Four
Day Three
Day Two
Day One
First treesofreverieupdate
Challenges/Prompts I've completed:
Read a popular or well-known book
Read a book you’ve heard a lot of good things about
Read a book you’ve never heard of before
Read a book from your Goodreads to-read shelf
Read one of your best friend’s favourite books
Pick up a book that looks like a fun/light read
Pick a colour and choose a book with that colour on it’s cover
Read a book you’ve been meaning to read
Finish an entire book in ONE day
Read a book by an author you haven’t read before
Read outside (this one didn't last long, because sunlight, bugs)
Read out loud (read a minimum of one full page!)
Finish a book in a series you’ve not yet completed
Read a graphic novel or manga
Read a book in the Fantasy genre
Read a book in the Contemporary genre
Read a book written by or focusing on POC
Take pictures of your reading progress
Show off your books by taking more pictures
Read a book you’ve been avoiding
Read a book with an LGBTQ+ character
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