Bout of Books Read-a-thon 22 Wrap-Up

Okay so in a lot of ways I spectacularly failed! Things got busy I missed doing all of the challenges because I forgot they existed for the first half of the week and then business happened during the second. It did give me a push to read a little more than I was planning to do this week. Now to review this week's reads. Onward and upward! (Was that a joke based on the fact that I have only read space operas for the past week? You decide.)

Total Page Count: 1585

Books Read

Page Read: 467/467 (COMPLETE)

This one was... fine. It wasn't terrible, and I'll probably carry on with the series.

Page Read: 350/350 (COMPLETE)

Okay so I finished this two days ago and then things in life got busy and then posts didn't happen. But I finished it! There are components of this story that still confused me... Once I got my head wrapped around the concept of space as something much closer to the sea than, well, space, I was able to follow the plot and the world,but sometimes the character relationships and whatnot didn't entirely follow for me.

Page Read: 404/404 (COMPLETE)

This has been on my TBR for quite a while, and I finally got my hands on a copy and read it! I wasn't as TOTALLY PSYCHED about as I was hoping I would be, but I still really enjoyed it. It's think it's the first time I've read a book that uses xe/xyr pronouns implied as being the default for someone whose gender is unknown, so that was pretty awesome.

Page Read: 364/364 (COMPLETE)

Okay so I think reading this one I really got into the read-a-thon mood, like I just sat down and powered through it. I'm still not totally floored by these books but, but they maneuver with certain ideas that I find totally fascinating and important, and they're IN SPACE so I still enjoyed both The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet and A Closed and Common Orbit quite a lot. 

Bout of Books Read-a-thon 22: Day 3

Books Read So Far

Page Read: 467/467 (COMPLETE)

This one was... fine. It wasn't terrible, and I'll probably carry on with the series.

Page Read: 194/350

I know I know I didn't read very much. Blame it on a bit of reading fatigue, I guess?

Bout of Books Read-a-thon 22: Day 2

Books Read So Far

Page Read: 467/467 (COMPLETE)

This one was... fine. It wasn't terrible, and I'll probably carry on with the series.

Page Read: 32/350

Bout of Books Read-a-thon 22: Day 1

Books Read So Far

Page Read: 230/467

I'm unintentionally pretty space-themed with my TBR this time around. (Not that I've published my TBR... it's subject to change.) I'm enjoying this so far though the I'm questioning some of the character development calls... I'm hoping that those won't throw me too much and I'll get more into the flow in the second half of this one. 

Bout of Books Read-a-thon 22 Sign-Up Post

Diving back into the book-blogging fray headfirst, it's time for a read-a-thon!

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 14th and runs through Sunday, May 20th 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 22 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

So that's what's happening. Come. Join. Read things (you know you're going to anyway...).

Bout of Books 16 Update

A.K.A. The "Kelly has failed" post.

A.K.A. The "why oh why did I sign up for two big events in one week when I have the time management abilities of a potato?"

Anyway. Thus far I have read:

• Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee (FINALLY!)
• The Girl from Everywhere Heidi Heilig

I've also started and dropped a couple of other books. I'd really like to get some more reading done tomorrow, especially because I've got a couple of holds waiting at the library!

Bout of Books 16: Sign Up

It's that time again! (Did you really think I could resist a read-a-thon?)

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 17th and runs through Sunday, August 23rd 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 14 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

So that's what's happening. Come. Join. Read things (you know you're going to anyway...)

Bout of Books 14: Day 2

Today:

• A History of Glitter and Blood by Hannah Moskowitz: 132 pages
• Ink and Bone: The Great Library by Rachel Caine: I haven't read any of this today, but I'm going to try to read some tonight.

This Week: 

• A History of Glitter and Blood by Hannah Moskowitz: 274 pages
• Ink and Bone: The Great Library by Rachel Caine: 8 pages

Challenge

I know the photo isn't great, but I left this until late, so I have zero daylight.

1. A Book that begins with “B”  (for Bout of Books!): Bitterblue by Kristen Cashore

2. A book you’re planning to read/currently reading for Bout of Books: Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

3. Blue Book(s): Most of my books are blue in this post for mysterious and/or thematic reasons. Pick any, Bitterblue is the most blue, but Ink and Bone is dominantly blue, and so is Empire of Night.

4. Books from your favorite genre: I have a lot of favourite genres. It basically boils down to "not contemporary" but here's two, Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong (fantasy) and Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel (steampunk, but not forced).

5. A book on your TBR shelf, or your full TBR shelves: The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich. I have been resisting the urge to open this one until I finish my August ARCs.

Bout of Books 14: Day 1

Books

• A History of Glitter and Blood by Hannah Moskowitz: 142 pages
• Ink and Bone: The Great Library by Rachel Caine: 8 pages (I think...)

My page count is seriously not great today, because Netflix. I'll probably do some more reading tonight.

Challenge

The challenge today is to choose books set in a place that isn't where I currently reside. I'm in Canada, so we're not going to do that. There are some books set in Canada.

Five books set in Paris (because themes, I think this is still within the rules- Paris is a pretty big city). Once upon a time I went to Paris, but I was, quite honestly overwhelmed and jet lagged. I don't think I was mentally ready, and I'm hoping to go again at some point in my life. (My French is rather dreadful, I would have to brush up.) I've only been to a few of the places mentioned in these books...

• Belle Epoque: Historical fiction.
• The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan: Historical fantasy. About les grotesques (the things you probably call gargoyles).
• The Magician by Michael Scott: Urban-(ish) fantasy. When I was in Paris, I stayed in an apartment across the street from Nicholas Flamel's house on Rue St. Montmorency! Its a restaurant now. 
• Rook by Sharon Cameron: Post-apocalyptic. Inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel.
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I felt compelled to include some kind of contemporary novel. I'm still not 100% sure how I feel about this book.

Bout of Books 14: Sign Up

It's that time again! (Did you really think I could resist a read-a-thon?)

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 17th and runs through Sunday, August 23rd 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 14 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

So that's what's happening. Come. Join. Read things (you know you're going to anyway...)

Bout of Books 13: Day 1

I didn't end up getting any reading done. (I know, I know, for shame.)

Daily Challenge: Bookish Survey

1. How do you organise your bookshelves? By mood? Mostly by mood.

2. What is one of your favourite books not in your favourite genre? Well, I'm not a fan of contemporary, but I still quite liked Fat Cat by Robin Brande for making me think about what is in the food I eat.

3. What was the last 5 star book you read? I'm terrible about giving 5 star ratings. I have a weird difficulty doing it. I think The Winner's Curse last year?

4. What book are you most excited to read during the read-a-thon? Is it terrible that I don't have a TBR? I'm in a bit of a rut. I'm kind of going by mood, but I've got a book by Michael Crichton.

5. What books do you recommend the most? The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan.

Bout of Books 13 Sign Up Post

Its that time again. The time when Kelly has a read-a-thon problem. Let's do this thing.

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 11th and runs through Sunday, May 17th 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 13 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I have no idea what I'll be reading, but I'll be there. There? Here? I will be there on the internet, but here in the physical world.

Bout of Books 12: Wrap-up

Books

• Winterspell
• Mortal Heart
• Still Star-Crossed

So, it wasn't fantastic, this time around, as finishing books went. Possibly it was not a good idea to do a read-a-thon in the first week of school starting up again *shrugs* hindsight's 20/20. It was still an enjoyable way to start the new year, and I'm always looking forward to doing it again.

Daily Updates

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Bout of Books 12: Day 6 Update

Books

• Still Star-Crossed: 342 pages (finished)

Challenge

(I'm just going to do one today because I would like to get more reading done.

Literary Quote

I can't actually use the recommended programs and my sister has done something with the camera's SD card... (Maybe it's in another camera? Under a bed? In Narnia? We just don't know.) So you shall once again be treated to my fantastic skills with Microsoft Paint. Behold.

I read Still Star-Crossed today. I somehow have this very vivid mental image of how Rosaline said these words.

Bout of Books 12: Day 5 Update

Books

• Mortal Heart: 244 pages (finished)
• The Archived: 6 pages

Mortal Heart actually took a surprisingly long time to finish, given that it is under 500 pages... I feel like I've spent a lot of time reading it, but I think that I've read five minutes here and there this week (when I get to class early and what have you). 

*goes off to read more before midnight*

Bout of Books 12: Day 4 Update

Books

• Mortal Heart: 122

I am the worst. Perhaps doing a read-a-thon in the first week of school starting back up again was unwise.

Challenge

Synopsis Challenge: The Archived

The dead sleep, shelved like books,
kept from waking by the Keeper.
When those that sleep in the Archive are disturbed,
she must fit together the remaining pieces to save it.

I think that's short enough. That's my next book, once I finish Mortal Heart (which I will hopefully be tomorrow).

Bout of Books 12: Day 3 Update

Read

• Winterspell: 142 pages (finished)
• Mortal Heart: 68 pages

Well, at least I've finished a book, I suppose.

Bout of Books 12: Day 2 Update

Taking this week off of Top Ten Tuesday... I might do it on a Wednesday this week... (is that allowed?)

Read

• Winterspell: 152 pages

I'm really crawling than wandering through books this time around...(*casually mocks blog name*)

Challenge

You’ve just started to work at a bookstore (or library) - what are your top ten go-to book recommendations?

These are just off the top of my head- most are recent rereads... I really ought to work on having a cohesive list, oughtn't I?

1. Dragonfly by Julia Golding. Because I could basically say "Have you seen The Princess Bride? Well, this has the same feel." I've always felt like this is a good intro. to fantasy for some reason. It is a fantasy world without magic in it, and its an adventure. Would a bookstore have it...? That's another question entirely.

2. Nation by Terry Pratchett.

3. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel. High-flying (literally) adventure story, featuring sky pirates, an island shipwreck and undiscovered species.

4. Legend by Marie Lu. This one is fast-paced, and a good first YA dystopia. Plus bonus coloured font.

5. Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan. This is here because it is a very fun read.

6. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. Clever middle-grade sci-fantasy, complete with child criminal masterminds and back-talking fairies.

7. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. An entertaining twist on Greek Mythology. 

8. Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Futuristic fairy tale retelling with cyborg Cinderella.

9. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins. It always feels like a spoiler to tell the genre, but it is definitely a psychological thriller.

10. Fat Cat by Robin Brande. I feel like I should put a contemporary on here somewhere... this is here because it really made me think about food.

Bout of Books 12: Day 1 Update

... once this post is up I'll be all caught up (I mean, I'm late for the challenges, but at least I'm caught up). Yay me!

Read

• Winterspell: 170 pages

I know, it is kind of feeble, but it was the first day of classes and I had to watch Lord of the Rings (well... I didn't have to. But I did).

Challenges

Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt
There aren't any pictures because my sibling stole the SD card from the camera.

1. Find an author with the same initials as you
On my bookshelf, zero. I don't have an author with the same initials as me there. There are plenty that have the same first initial, though.
2. Find a book with the color yellow on it
My copy of Maximum Ride: This Should Have Been the Last Book Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports is basically entirely yellow-toned.
3. Find an author’s name with the letter “S” in it
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.
4. Find a book with a female protagonist
Fire by Kristen Cashore.
5. Find the longest book you own
City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare.
6. Find a book with a map in it or on it
Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan.
7. Find a book with a face on it (photograph or illustrated)
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston.
Bonus: Find something on your shelf that isn’t a book.
... do notebooks count? Ah. Sketching pencils that I got in high school. 

New Year's Resolutions
I do have a list of new years resolution-y things already, but have some more, in a different format. I'm not really huge on New Year's resolutions... so this is more "here's what I would like to do this year" stuff.

From So Simple a Beginning (the four great works of Charles Darwin, compiled by Edward O. Wilson): Will I finish this? Probably not. But represents something that I want to read this year: natural science books. It is also a ginormous monster book.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: I need to reread this. I reread a lot anyway, but LotR can still be a bit daunting. It is, however, I world that I want to explore again, I feel like I missed a lot the first time through. (Why does this list seem to consist of ginormous monster books?)

Bout of Books 12: Sign-Up Post

... or "Some silly person forgot to post her sign-up before the thing actually started," but I thought that was a bit long for a title. I could blame classes starting back up again on the same day... but it is mostly that I am a forgetful creature sometimes.

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 5th and runs through Sunday, January 11th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 12 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I'll probably be mostly updating on Twitter (@kelly8434) though I'll try to do as many daily challenges here as I can.