Sunday, September 14, 2014

Tackle Your TBR Read-a-Thon






I'm glad to be able to join this Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon that I saw from one of my favorite blogs, Christian Bookshelf Reviews! The rules say that you have until the 17th to join in the fun :-) Here's the sign up post for the read-a-thon hosted by Wishful Endings

GOAL:

1. Finish "Four: a Divergent Short Story Collection" by Veronica Roth
2. Finish "The Testing" by Joelle Charbonneau
3. Read "The Giver" by Lois Lowry
4. Read "How to Train Your Dragon" by Cressida Cowell

I chose the first two because I started those already and need to finish them before they're due. I want to read the Giver because the movie came out and I've been putting off this short and read. And I want to read How to Train Your Dragon because I LOVE the movies and I've been meaning to start on the books for the longest time <3

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Prize Explosion at Penpal of the Week Blog



One of my favorite blogs, Penpal of the Week hosted by Julie and Denise, is hosting a month of giveaways on their blog! Come join the fun at this link HERE

Today's prize is stationery with a housewife design! I love the cheerful vintage look of the stationery. It makes me almost want to head into the kitchen now and make something ;-)

Sunday, July 20, 2014

High Summer Read-a-Thon 2014


To join the read-a-thon, click here: Seasons of Reading blog Summer Read-a-Thon Sign Up

It's been a while since I've posted in here! I've been looking forward to joining a read-a-thon to encourage me to read even more during the summer and to help me catch up with my yearly reading goal, and this read-a-thon is it! :-D

Soon I will post a blog entry for my current pen pal activities - stay turned for it! :-) (I know it's been a while since I've posted any pen pal blog entries!)

Goals for the read-a-thon:

  1. Finish reading at least 3 books!
  2. Read for at least an hour every day.
  3. Stay away from Facebook so I can read more. ;-)
RESULTS:

Monday:  1 hr, 18 minutes

Tuesday: 26 minutes

Wednesday: 40 minutes

Thursday: 1 hour 35 minutes

Friday: 1 hour?

Saturday: 59 minutes

Sunday:

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Bout of Books 10

I'm excited to join Bout of Books version 10 :-) I'm going to take it a little easy this week because I'm so busy with school and finals are almost here.

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 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th 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 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books tea

Time Devoted to Reading

I will be reading 45 - 60 minutes per day.

My Goals

  • See above :-) I'm keeping it really simple! But I'd like to finish 2 or 3 books, excluding manga :-)

Books to Read

  • Reading Lolita in Tehran (to finish)
  • The others will be randomly picked!

Updates

Monday
Number of minutes I've read today: 45 minutes
Total number of minutes I've read: 45 minutes
Books: Reading Lolita in Tehran, Vampire Knight 16

Tuesday
Number of minutes I've read today: 1 hour, 3 minutes
Total number of minutes I've read: 1 hour, 48 minutes
Books: Reading Lolita in Tehran, Gentlemen's Alliance Cross vol. 7

Wednesday
Number of minutes I've read today: 1 hour, 18 minutes
Total number of minutes I've read: 3 hours, 6 minutes
Books: Reading Lolita in Tehran, Gentlemen's Alliance Cross vols. 7 & 8

Thursday
Number of minutes I've read today: 45 minutes
Total number of minutes I've read: 3 hours, 51 minutes
Books: Gentlemen's Alliance Cross vols. 8 & 9

Friday
Number of minutes I've read today: 20 minutes
Total number of minutes I've read: 4 hours, 11 minutes
Books: Gentlemen's Alliance Cross vol. 9

Saturday, March 1, 2014

March 2014 Take Control of Your TBR Pile






My goal: Read 10 books (excluding manga) this month that are on my TBR pile from Good Reads! I don't know exactly what I'll read, so I'll just make a list as I go :-)

Join the fun at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

1. When God Writes Your Love Story - Eric and Leslie Ludy
2. Selection Stories: the Prince and the Guard - Kiera Cass
3. Deadly - Sara Shepard
4. Allegiant - Veronica Roth
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Sunday, February 23, 2014

HFU 2014

This is a fun challenge that I joined on the Historical Fashionistas Good Reads group last year. I didn't read much for it, but I would love to complete the challenge this year. :-)


Here is the summary for the challenge, taken from the discussion post of the challenge:

Historical Fictionista University - Jan - Dec 2014

OVERVIEW:
We all share a passion for reading and historical fiction and reaching personal challenge. The Historical Fictionista University (HFU) – 2013 was an overwhelming success and we have gotten many requests to continue with the program.

This will be a task-based challenge where you can work your way through a “historical” education by earning degrees (based on the US education system); the degrees are a BA, Masters and PhD. Each participant can choose the level of degree they would like to achieve. This challenge will NOT use points or a scoreboard, but there will be monthly announcements on how people are doing against their goals.

 General Requirements:

History: Complete 3 tasks (Not required of me since I'm a history major)
• Read non-fiction book with a genre of history
• Read a book that has a dual storyline with one of the stories being set in the present and one at least 50 years prior to today
• Read a HF book which features a spy or traitor
• Read a HF book which is part of a series (can be anywhere in the series)
• Read biography or memoir
• Read a HF book with a castle on the cover
• Read a HF book a noble title in the title
• Read a HF which was first published in 2013 or 2014
• Read a HF book which features a main character who is in a guild (craftsman, merchant, doctor, lawyer)
• Read a HF fiction book that has been a group read in Historical Fictionistas. https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

Language, Arts and Athletics – Complete 3 tasks (2 more to go)
• Read two books that have been translated that were originally written in the same language (does not have to be the same author or translator)
• Read a book where language plays a major role in the plot
• Read a non-fiction book about language, art or athletics
• Read a biography about an artist, musician or actor
• Read a non-fiction work about an artistic pursuit (hobby where you create something)
• Read a book where piece of art (painting, sculpture, music, film) is on the cover
• Read a book where a main character is an athlete "Last Days of Summer" - Steve Kluger
• Read a book which has a sport-related word in the title (ball, half-time, field, etc)

Literature: Complete 3 tasks (not required of me since I'm a literature major)
• Re-read a classic that you had to read at high school or university (this might be a chance to actually finish one that you may have skimmed)
• Read a play or a book of poetry
• Read an epistolary novel (series of letters/diary entries, etc)
• Read a book with a genre that you do not normally read
• Read a book with a genre tag of bookclub
• Read a book about books (fiction or non-fiction)
• Read a book with some type of writing instrument on the cover
• Read a book that has won a literary award (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...)

Science & Mathematics: – Complete 3 tasks: (2 more to go)
• Read a book with a number in the title or subtitle (not related to the number in a series)"Four" - Veronica Roth
• Read a book which takes place in outer space or has characters that are astronauts
• Read a book has a title that contains a word related to weather (storm, wind, hurricane, etc)
• Read a book with an animal on the cover
• Read a book where a character uses math as part of their job (accounting, banker, finance)
• Read a book which features a scientific expedition
• Read a book where the internet or computers play a central role in the plot
• Read a book where a main character is a doctor or a nurse
• Read a non-fiction book related to a science or math topic

Social Sciences: – Complete 3 tasks
• Read a biography of a 18th century world leader (president, prime minister, royalty)
• Read a book with a term related to education in the title (school, teach, learn, etc)
• Read a book about a relationship with people from different cultures
• Read a book which features a religious leader (fiction – main character or non-fiction)
• Read a book which has characters from different classes (examples: nobility and servants both as main characters)
• Read a book featuring a trial (criminal or civil)
• Read a book featuring some form of communication on the cover (letter, phone, etc)
• Read a book featured on “How we see the world” listopia (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...)

My majors: History and Literature :-)  but I will try to complete at least one major!

 History Majors: Complete ALL tasks (8 more to go)
• Read 2 non-fiction books with a genre of history "Life Along the Silk Road" - Susan Whitfield
• Read a HF book set the following geographic locations:
- North America "A Change of Fortune" - Jen Turano
- South America
- Europe "Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles, Austria - France, 1769 (The Royal Diaries)" - Kathryn Lasky
- Africa
- Asia
• Pick 3 - Time Period Coverage: Read a HF book set in the following time periods
- Ancient: BC – 4th century
- Medieval: 5th century – 13th century
- Renaissance: 14 century – 16th century
- Early Modern: 17th century – 18th century
- Modern: 19th century – 1960 "Diamonds and Deceit" - Leila Rasheed
• Read a book with strong historical basis but which features either 1) time travel, 2) alternate history or 3) historical fantasy
• Read a HF fiction book that has been a group read in Historical Fictionistas.

Literature Majors: Complete ALL tasks (7 more to go)
• Read a chunkster – a novel with more than 500 pages "Allegiant" - Veronica Roth
• Read 4 books each with a unique form from the following list:
- Read a play (Can read 2 books for a total of 200 pages) "As You Like It" - Shakespeare
- Read an anthology of short stories (at least 4 stories, different authors similar subject)
- Read a short story collection (at least 4 stories, same author)
- Read a graphic novel (Can read 2 books for a total of 200 pages).
- Read an experimental novel
- Read a work of non-fiction "The Furrow" - Josemaria Escriva
• Read 3 books with a unique genre. Select from this list:
- Science Fiction
- Historical Fiction
- Contemporary
- Thriller
- Gothic
- Young Adult "Deadly" - Sara Shepard
• Read a 2 books from Must Read Classics listopia
• Read 2 books that has won a literary award
"The Fault in Our Stars" - John Green 

Friday, January 3, 2014

Graphic Novel, Manga, Video Game Novel Challenge 2014


My goal:
  • Level 5 HALO Style – Legendary Player
    • Read a total of 45 – 55 books 
     
I read a lot of manga so this will be a laid-back fun challenge :-) However, among that number I will challenge myself to read 5 graphic novels since I read less of those!

What I've read:
1. Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle vol. 1
2. The Story of Saiunkoku vol. 2
3. Arisa vol. 11
4. Alice in the Country of Hearts: The Mad Hatter's Late Night Tea Party, vol. 1
5. Alice in the Country of Joker: Circus and Liar's Game, vol. 2
6. Arisa vol. 12
7. Alice in the Country of Clover: Ace of Hearts
8. Alice in the Country of Joker: Circus and Liar's Game, vol. 3
9. The Gentleman's Alliance Cross, Vol. 2
10. Alice in the Country of Hearts: The Clockmaker's Story
11. The Gentleman's Alliance Cross, Vol.3
12. The Gentleman's Alliance Cross, Vol. 4
13. The Gentleman's Alliance Cross, Vol. 5
14. The Gentleman's Alliance Cross, Vol. 6
15. Vampire Knight Vol. 16
16. The Gentleman's Alliance Cross, Vol. 7
17. The Gentleman's Alliance Cross, Vol. 8
18. The Gentleman's Alliance Cross, Vol. 9
19. The Gentleman's Alliance Cross, Vol. 10
20. The Gentleman's Alliance Cross, Vol. 11 
21. Library Wars, Vol. 11
22. Vampire Knight vol. 17
23. Skip Beat vol. 1
24. Sakura Hime vol. 1
25. Alice in the Country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz, vol. 4
26. Alice in the Country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz, vol. 5
27. Alice in the Country of Joker: Circus and Liar's Game, vol. 4
28. Yotsuba&! vol. 12
29. Alice in the Country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz, vol. 6
30. One Piece vol. 67
31. One Piece vol. 68
32. Alice in the Country of Clover: March Hare
33. Alice in the Country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz, vol. 7
34. Alice in the Country of Hearts - Love Labyrinth of Thorns
35. Alice in the Country of Joker: Circus and Liar's Game vol. 5
36. Alice in the Country of Clover: Knight's Knowledge vol. 1
37. Alice in the Country of Clover: Nightmare
38. Alice in the Country of Joker: Nightmare Trilogy Vol. 1 - Dream Before Dawn
39. Black Butler vol. 15
40. Black Butler vol. 16
41. Black Butler vol. 17
42. Library Wars vol. 12
43. Black Butler vol. 18
44. Vampire Knight vol. 19
45. Amazing Agent Jennifer vol. 1
46. Phantom Thief Jeanne vol. 1  
   

Dystopia Reading Challenge 2014


My goal for this challenge is Level 2 = Rebel (7 - 12 books)

Hosted at http://blogoferised.blogspot.nl/2013/12/dystopia-reading-challenge-2014.html

1. The Selection Stories: the Prince and the Guard - Kiera Cass
2. Allegiant - Veronica Roth
3. The Elite - Kiera Cass
4. Four - Veronica Roth

Thursday, January 2, 2014

The Classics Reading Challenge 2014

For this challenge I want to read 12 books, so that's 1 classic book per month. :-)

Join in the fun at http://thoughtsatoneinthemorning.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-classics-reading-challenge-2014.html

1. As You Like It - William Shakespeare

Chunkster Reading Challenge 2014


I've been wanting to read more thick books, so hopefully this challenge will do just the trick. :-)

I'm challenging myself to read 4 chunksters (books 450 pages or more).

1. Allegiant - Veronica Roth
2. A Passion Most Pure - Julie Lessman
3.
4.

Who knows, perhaps this number will get bigger if I can complete this challenge well before the year is over ;-)

Feel free to join at http://chunksterchallenge.blogspot.com/2013/12/2014-chunkster-challenge-sign-ups.html

Christian Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2014

Usually there is a challenge for Christian historical fiction hosted by http://creativemadnessmama.com/christian-historical-fiction/

Hopefully it will be hosted again this year! Basically the rules are to read at least 24 CHF in one year, so that means 2 books per month :-)

1. Glamorous Illusions - Lisa T. Bergren
2. A Passion Most Pure - Julie Lessman
3. A Change of Fortune - Jen Turano
4. Gentleman of Her Dreams - Jen Turano
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http://thevoraciousreaderandletterwriter.blogspot.com/2014/
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