Bout of Books 16 Wrap-Up

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

I did absolutely TERRIBLE during this Bout of Books. It feels like I read so much but I didn't manage to finish even one book. It was a crazy week though. Full of puking two year olds, anxiety attacks, and pure laziness. But oh, well. I'll do better next time!

POSTS

Event Sign Up | 4/25/16

Challenge #1 & Reading List | 5/9/16

Challenge #2 & Day 1 Reading Updates | 5/10/16

Challenge #3 & Day 2 Reading Updates | 5/11/16

Challenge #4 & Day 3 Reading Updates | 5/12/16

Day 4 Reading Updates | 5/13/16

Day 5 Reading Updates | 5/15/16

Day 6 Reading Updates | 5/15/16

Event Wrap-Up | 5/16/16

I COMPLETED

0/6 Books

4/6 Challenges

9/9 Posts (Including Sign Up & Wrap Up)

I READ

Total Books: 0

Total Pages: 286

Strikethrough = finished
Dreamless by Josephine Angelini (pages read: 254)
Bellman and Black by Diane Setterfield
Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett
Come What May by A.M. Arthur
Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire (pages read: 32)

Bout of Books 14: Reading Update

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... today I didn't do the challenge.  It was to pair up two characters that you think should be together, from different books, that have never met before.  Soulmates.  I honestly just could not  think of any characters that should go together. My brain switched off today.

Also, wanna know what else I kind of annoyed myself by doing?  I've been listing the books here that I've read, am reading, or plan on reading but I completely forgot that, as a family, we've been reading Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban every night before bed. So... I've been reading that and not logging any progress for it.  Ohhhh well... :)

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Reading List / Updates

Raven by Stacey Rourke

Embers by Karen Ann Hopkins (36%)

Gaia by Karen Ann  Hopkins

Steam by Stacey Rourke

Pistol Fanny's Hank & Delilah by Annie Rose Welch

Bout of Books 14: Challenge #4 & Reading Update

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

And here is day four of the Bout of Books Readathon.  Not very much longer left!  I feel like I kicked this readathon off strong and then I slooowly dwindled down.  That's pretty much what happens with every readathon that I attempt. This week just seems to be busier than usual. Maybe it's just because I would rather be reading. I dunno.  But either way, here's today challenge.

Hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads

Four Seasons In Book Covers

For this challenge, you need to convey the four seasons in book covers – through color, title, cover, etc. You can be literal or take a more creative approach. Anything goes! Just show me four seasons in book covers.

I didn't really have any on my shelf that fit this challenge.  I found a couple that might but... I dunno.  I just wasn't feeling them.  Since I first read this challenge, I kept coming back to an anthology that one of my friends/favorite authors wrote for. It fits this challenge perfectly, with the exception that it isn't multiple books laid out.  It is an anthology though, so maybe it counts?  lol

Elementals by Anne L. Parks, Annie Rose Welch, Lashell Collins and Dina Haynes.  

#boutofbooksseasons

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Reading List / Updates

Raven by Stacey Rourke

Embers by Karen Ann Hopkins (26%)

Gaia by Karen Ann Hopkins

Steam by Stacey Rourke

Pistol Fanny's Hank & Delilah by Annie Rose Welch

#RollbackWeek August

Hosted by Under The Covers Book Blog!

I'm super excited to join the #RollBackWeek monthly reading challenge!  This challenge is entirely new to me and I can't wait to get into it!  If, like me, you're just learning about #RollBackWeek, here's a little info lifted from the sign up page:

Maybe you’re like us who can’t seem to find enough time to read all the books in your TBR pile. As more and more books get released daily, those books you’ve been wanting to read for months – even years! – continue to be pushed back and forgotten.
Here at UTC, we’ve decided to stop the clock and go back in time to read all those books we’ve told ourselves we’d read. So join us once a month where we devote ONE ENTIRE WEEK to reading OLDER RELEASES. This means no rereads and no recent releases. As a guideline, we are cutting off recent releases that have come out within the last two months. Anything before that time period is fair game!
UTC will start this Roll Back Week in the last week of every month. So pull up your TBR list and pick which titles you want to read, create a list to share with other readers and bloggers and don’t forget to update us on your progress throughout the week! The number of books and format (audiobook, print or ebook) is entirely up to you! Let’s get those TBR piles into better shape!

Click here if you'd like to sign up!

What I'll Be Reading:

1. Embers by Karen Ann Hopkins (first published on Oct. 21st, 2014) 
2. Paper Towns by John Green (first published on Sept. 22, 2009)

I do actually have to read a new book in between those two because I'm on the book tour for Gaia (Embers book 2). So I have to read it before Paper Towns.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish that many books in one week (I'm a slow reader) but that's okay.  It's not a competition. :)

Readathon: Bout of Books 14

Hi guys!

One thing you very rarely see here on Rainy Days and Pajamas is a Readathon.  I never join them because I'm a slow reader and I never have the time to just sit and read, uninterrupted (with the exception of nighttime after everyone is asleep, but then I run the risk of falling asleep in the middle of the book).

But, alas, I have decided to join Bout of Books 14!

I always envy those partaking in all the fun and festivities, so this time, I decided, what the heck? Let's give it a go!

The worst thing that can happen is that I don't read very many books.  But that's okay.

:)

For those of you that don't know what Bout of Books is, here's a little info:

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

Sounds like a lot of fun, right? Come join in the fun! 

Bout of Books 8.0 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 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I've only ever participated in one read-a-thon prior to this, so I decided, why the heck not?  I have all kinds of books I need to read, so I may as well sign up.  Here are my goal books to read:

Torch by Cambria Hebert

Unspeakable by S.R. Johannes

Perception by Lee Strauss

And if I manage to finish those (that'll never happen)...

Perfect by Sara Shepard

Untraceable by S.R. Johannes

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

In no way, shape or form do I believe that I will get all of these done.  I'll be lucky to get the first two finished. My one month old keeps me on my toes now. :)  Good luck with your own goals, guys!

Once Upon A Read-A-Thon Wednesday Update and Mini Challenge

The Readathon is hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination, Angela and Loretta at Reading Angels and  Candace at Candace's Book Blog.

Updates

I finished Pretty Little Liars today.  It's hard to read and take care of a newborn, but I at least finished the one I was reading.  I learned that it's easier to read while I'm pumping, while she's sleeping and while I'm feeding her (unless she's being fussy).

I have yet to start Her Dear and Loving Husband but I plan to before the night is over.

Mini Challenge

This mini challenge is hosted by Dizneeee's World of Books.

For my little challenge, I would like for you to tell me your favorite genre, favorite book within that genre, and your favorite character from the same genre.

My favorite genre would have to be YA Paranormal Romance.  My favorite book within the genre (WHY YOU MAKE ME CHOOSE!?) would have to be... if I had to choose... Oh goodness.  I'll just say Twilight.  I choose that one because the book reintroduced me to reading and to the genre when I kind of hit a reading funk as a teenager.  My favorite character from the YA Paranormal Romance genre would have to be... either Patch from Hush, Hush or Noah from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.  

 

 

Once Upon A Read-a-thon Tuesday Update & Mini Challenges

The Readathon is hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination, Angela and Loretta at Reading Angels and  Candace at Candace's Book Blog.

Updates

I'm still on Pretty Little Liars.  Between taking care of baby and house, I've only been able to get a few pages further through it.  Hopefully I'll be able to change that before the challenge ends.

 Mini Challenges

This mini challenge is hosted by Kristin at  Better Read Than Dead.

You're in a bookstore and you've just purchased 5 books you've been dying to read, when the apocalypse hits. (Zombie, Demons, Vampires, Dean Winchester vs. Sam Winchester (yes, I'm watching Supernatural reruns) I don't care what apocalypse). You've got one chance at survival, what 2 books do you take and what 3 other items do you take?

Well, for starters, it definitely would not be the Sam and Dead apocalypse because they would be my goal destination.  Find Sam and Dean!  As for the two books I would take...  I would love to say two of my favorite books or something but I would have to choose something practical.  Since I've always envision the apocalypse being global warming/climate/weather related, I would have to choose something along the lines of SAS Survival Handbook, For Any Climate, In Any Situtation and How To Survive The End of The World as We Know It.

As for the other three items I would take with me; I would take my daughter, obviously.  My breast pump (and it's accessories!) because my daughter cannot breastfeed and my milk is free and I would be able to keep my supply up.  Third, I would take my husband because he would be able to survive things and would know how to do things that I would never be able to.  The men in his family are very nature/outdoorsy/survivalist oriented and know a lot about different situations.  Plus, there was no rule saying he couldn't bring all the other items we would need.  heh.

This mini challenge is hosted by Bailey at IB Book Blogging.

Make your dream guy using characteristics, personalities, looks, and anything else you can think of from your favorite book boyfriends.

This is such a hard one!  I even consulted my husband on this one.  His only suggestions was Eric from the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.  Eric is his favorite.  :)

If I had to choose...  I would say the looks and erm...talents... of Christian from Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, the accent of Jack from Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag, the personality and protectiveness of Marc from the Shifter series by Rachel Vincent and the sense of humor and quirkiness of Jace from the same series. I'm sure that if I really took the time to sit down and think about this (it would take me hours) I could come up with a lot more.  But yeah, that's it for now.  :P

Once Upon A Read-a-thon Monday Mini Challenges

The Readathon is hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination, Angela and Loretta at Reading Angels and  Candace at Candace's Book Blog.

This mini challenge is hosted by Stephanie at Cover2CoverBlog

1. Which book you are most excited to read in the coming year? It can be already released or coming soon.

Any other time I could think of a million other responses to this question.  I haven't really been in tune lately with what's coming out, but I do have a couple that came out this year that I would love to read.  Dark Lover by J.R. Ward, Dare You To by Katie McGarry, Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris and I'm also dying to read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

2. Which book would you re-read if you had the time and weren't so busy reading ALL of the other good thing?

I would definitely re-read the Sookie Stackhouse series.  I've been wanting to re-read them for a while.  Also, the Harry Potter series, Wildefire by Karsten Knight and The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.  I love to reread books and I have tons on my list.

3. and lastly, If you could meet any fictional character who would it be and why?  

Oh, goodness.  If I had to choose any fictional character it wouldn't be someone from a book. It would definitely be Dean Winchester from the TV show Supernatural.  A book character.. I have absolutely no clue.  That's like asking my favorite character from a book.  It's different for every single book. 

 

Once Upon A Read-a-Thon

The Readathon is hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination, Angela and Loretta at Reading Angels and  Candace at Candace's Book Blog.

Although I've been book blogging for a little over two years now, I have never participated in a readathon.  I've always wanted to, but I've been a bit intimidated by them.  I would see the lists other people would create for their reading goals and think there's no way I could read that many books in that short amount of time.  But I've come to realize that isn't about reading a lot of books, it's just about reading.  Create a goal for yourself and read what you can.  And I plan to do that.

Now, I may have chosen the worst time ever to do my very first readathon because I have a one week old daughter (my very first child) and my husband just went back to work today. So we'll see how it goes.

The Books

I don't plan on trying to read a lot of books.  I mainly just want to finish what I've been trying to get done for a long time and begin on a review book.  I'm only aiming to finish two books, one of which I'm already half way through, but I'll list a couple extra in case I do somehow manage to make it through.

Cover Sources: GoodReads.com

Finish:

• Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Read:

• Her Dear and Loving Husband by Meredith Allard

Start (if possible):

• Covet by Melissa Darnell
• The Twisted Window by Lois Duncan