IT'S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING?

It's Monday and I just discovered this fun bookish linky!  Check out the description below from The Book Date and tell me what you're reading right now!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great post to organise yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog   and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

 

WHAT I READ LAST WEEK 📖

Firelight (Amulet Book Seven) by Kazu Kibuishi

Published February 23, 2016 by Graphix

Hardcover Edition: 199 pages

Goodreads | Amazon

I've been devouring this juvenile graphic novel series.  The first volume in this series was slated as a Junior Readers Book Club pick at my library.  I was in the market for some good quick, yet compelling reads for a readathon I was participating in at the time, and the cover art work completely captured me.  Once I read the little blurb I figured this was definitely up my alley.  The story is fantastical, quick paced, and action packed!  Couple that with Kibuishi's stunning artwork and you've got a real winner on your hands. 

Recently I found out that Kazu Kibuishi has another claim to fame....one that is ever so close to my heart!  He designed the 15th Anniversary Covers for the Harry Potter series.  Now that's what I call a true magical talent.  

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Published February 28, 2017 by Balzer & Bray / HarperTeen

Hardcover Edition: 453 pages

Goodreads | Amazon 

The Hate U Give was one of those gut-wrenching real books that everyone should read.  This story follows the aftermath of the unwarranted fatal shooting of a black teen by a white police officer.  This book breaks down race and socio-economical issues in a powerful yet relatable way, but also showcases a strong cast of characters.  At the heart of this book you have compelling and resonant family and friendship relationships.  Starr Carter is one of those MCs you just want to root for, she's an incredible young woman and will be a strong role model for young people everywhere for the foreseeable future.  I cried, laughed, cried some more, got angry, but overall was left completely satisfied by Thomas' The Hate U Give.  This one's at the top of my list for books read this year and I'd recommend it to anyone!   

 

WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING 📖

 

The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty

&

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

 

 NEXT ON MY TBR 📖

I really need to focus on getting through the rest of my library books.  I'm leaning toward Long May She Reign next I think.... thoughts???

January Reading Wrap-Up

January flew by this year!  I did, however, manage to fit in quite a bit of reading thanks to participating in a couple of amazing readathons throughout the month! 

I finished a whopping 14 books last month between physical books, audiobooks, and graphic novels!  I think that may be the most books I've read in a single month to date! 

During the Winter Biannual Bibliothon, I read these beauties:

Read my full review of Heartless by Marissa Meyer here!

 

And I listened to these Audiobooks:

 

During the #24in48 Readathon I managed to read for a full 24 hours over a 48-hour period, surprising even myself!

 

Here's what I devoured during my 24 hours of reading:

At the end of this readathon I managed to finish 4 books (2 full novels and 2 graphic novel volumes) and start a fifth novel.  Altogether I read 1,122 pages during my 24 hours.  Next time I think I'll give myself a page goal along with the 24 hours and try to push myself a little more! 

I started this one during the #24in48 readathon but only managed to get 70 pages in before the 'thon ended. 

 

And, these are the rest of the books I finished during the month of January, apart from a readathon:

 

 

All of this reading puts me in a great place for my 2017 reading goal of 75 books!  Right now I'm a whopping 8 books ahead of schedule! 

 

Now I just have to keep this momentum going and pray I don't fall into a dreaded reading slump. 

 

Reading Slumps are the WORST!

 

 



Biannual Bibliothon

The Biannual Bibliothon is a Twitter/Instagram and YouTube based Read-A-Thon hosted by MissSassyKassie, emmabooks, Kellys BookSpill, Little Red Reader, sierrareads, The BooktubeGirl, and Brittni’s Book Find.  This Read-a-Thon happens two times a year and offers several different reading and video challenges throughout the week! 

The Winter Biannual Bibliothon for 2017 is happening the second week of January!  It runs from Sunday, January 8, 2017 through Saturday, January 14, 2017. 

 

Source

I have never participated in the Biannual Bibliothon, but though it could be a good way to keep powering through my TBR pile this month!

I have listed the reading challenges for you below.  Per the hosts, you are able to use one book to cover two of the reading challenges but not more than that!

1.       Read the Group Book:  Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalo

I actually got this book for Christmas so it’s the perfect opportunity to read it without letting it collect too much dust on my shelf!

2.       Throwback Pick: Pick any past Biannual Bibliothon Reading Challenge

Check out their Youtube channel for past events and inspiration!

3.       Read a 2016 New Release

4.       Read a Book Recommended by a BookTuber

5.       Read a Book You Were Really Excited for but Never Picked Up (until now)

6.       Read a Re-Telling

Check out these Goodreads lists for some ideas!

7.       Read a Diverse Book

Here’s a list from Diversity in YA with some great diverse picks if you need inspiration!

In addition to the reading challenges, the Biannual Bibliothon always comes up with a week’s worth of video challenges!  I’m not a content creator on YouTube, but if you are, try your hand at these!

1.       Sunday, January 8, 2017: Sh*t People Say hosted by emmabooks

2.       Monday, January 9, 2017: Throwback Challenge hosted by sierrareads

3.       Tuesday, January 10, 2017: In the Life Of…  hosted by Little Red Reader

4.       Wednesday, January 11, 2017: Character DIY hosted by Kellys BookSpill

5.       Thursday, January 12, 2017: Character LookBook hosted by Brittni’s Book Find

6.       Friday, January 13, 2017: Bust-a-Rhyme hosted by The BooktubeGirl

7.       Saturday, January 14, 2017: New Year, New Me hosted by MissSassyKassie

Make sure you follow along on Twitter (@BBibliothon) and Instagram (biannualbibliothon) and use the hashtag #biannualbibliothon!

For more information on the challenges, including giveaway details, make sure to check out the Winter Biannual Bibliothon Pre-Liveshow video.

I’ll post my TBR for this Read-a-Thon when it gets a bit closer!  Are you planning to participate in the Winter Biannual Bibliothon this year?  Let me know in the comments below!!

Bout of Books 18

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2017, Everyone!

Last year was a completely nonexistent year for blogging, but I did have a pretty successful year both in my reading and personal life!  I managed to tackle my 2016 Goodreads goal of 50 books and revive my love of reading!  After a bit of an inner-struggle, I also decided to leave my job of 7 years and start afresh at a new firm, which has allowed me to reconnect with myself again and really appreciate a healthy, restored work-life-balance!

This year I’m looking to ramp up my reading goal (75 Books!) and what better way to accomplish this but by joining Read-a-Thons throughout the year!!  The social media book community is so encouraging, fun, and welcoming, and I just get this warm fuzzy feeling when I’m participating in a Read-a-Thon!

The first Read-a-Thon of the year is Bout of Books!!!!  This is the 18^th installment of this Read-a-Thon, and is one of my favorites to participate in due to its low pressure feel.  There’s no theme per-say; you’re just encouraged to read more during the week than you would normally.  What a great way to hit the ground reading on those 2017 goals, right!?

 

Okay, the details:

Bout of Books 18 begins January 2, 2017 at 12:01am and goes through January 8, 2017 at 11:59pm in your local time zone.  All you have to do to participate is sign up through the Bout of Books blog before Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 11:59pm CST.  There are no rules regarding what you can or can’t read, so put those daunting TBR lists and jars to work or decide based on your mood – the beauty is that anything goes!  There are also a couple of challenges, a chance to win a grand prize (only if you’re linked up!), Twitter parties, and so many opportunities to meet new bookish buddies! 

Here’s the official Bout of Books blurb, straight from the source!

 

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 2nd and runs through Sunday, January 8th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 18 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

 

The Twitter Chats are scheduled for Monday, January 2, 2017 at 8:00pm CST and Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 10:00am CST.  If you’re doing this Read-a-Thon, I really encourage you to check out at least one of the Twitter Chats! They are so much fun and provide a nice little break from reading to get to know some of the other Bout-of-Bookers!  Make sure you’re following @Boutofbooks and using the hashtag #boutofbooks on your post!  I’m going to try to make it to both parties this year, so look for me and say hi!  I’m @Lightening_Boot.

---

My Bout of Books 18 TBR:

Heartless by Marissa Meyer (449 pages)

 

Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan / Art by Fiona Staples (168 pages)

 

 

Saga, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan / Art by Fiona Staples (144 pages)

 

Saga, Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan / Art by Fiona Staples (152 pages)

 

Saga, Volume 5 by Brian K. Vaughan / Art by Fiona Staples (152 pages)

 

Saga, Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan / Art by Fiona Staples (152 pages)

World After (Penryn & the End of Days #2) by Susan Ee (314 pages)

Woah – 1,531 pages total!  Let’s hope I can pull this off!!!  J  At least several of these are graphic novels, so that should help a bit!!! 

Will you be joining the Bout of Books for its 18^th tour?  If so, what are you planning to read?  Leave me a comment below!

HAPPY READING!

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon

With BookCon around the corner and my resistance to finish Allegiant I think a read-a-thon is just what I need!  I mean, seriously Allegiant...I'm not loving the back and forth perspective here!!!

I've been wanting to join a read-a-thon for a while now but I always seem to find out about them either right after they've finished or a solid half way through the fun.

After just missing out on the last Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-Thon in April I decided to get my shit together and seek out upcoming read-a-thons!  THANKFULLY there was one right around the corner!  I was so pumped to have discovered the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon!  It starts next Monday and lasts all week!  This timing is even more perfect because we'll be heading on a little road trip mid-next week and I'll have a TON of time to soak in all the words and really crush some reading goals!

This will be my very fist ever read-a-thon and I simply couldn't be more thrilled to make some progress on my TBR and share the excitement of becoming absorbed into a new world with a ton of new bookish buddies! 

If you're interested in joining the fun, make sure to check out the Bout of Books blog!! 

Here's a little blub from their site with the what:

     "The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 9th and runs through Sunday, May 15th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 16 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team"

 

 

My Goals for the Bout of Books 2016 Read-a-Thon:

 

I'm going to keep my goals pretty generic so not to stress myself out and end up feeling like a failure if I don't end up being very successful with this experience!  I want to keep this light and fun so to really enjoy the whole ordeal.  So, that being said...my only real goal for this read-a-thon is to read!  I will plan to read at least a little every day during the week and am really going to make an effort to reduce the size of my TBR pile, which has gotten a little out of control lately!  And that my friends is it! 

 

Happy reading, darlings!