TisTheSeasonAThon 2020 TBR

It is very nearly my absolute favourite time of year and this year I can finally take part in a Christmas themed readathon! I should be relaxing in the sun right now but, since Covid has meant that is not happening, I now have a whole week off work with no plans just in time for TisTheSeasonAThon, a holiday themed readathon starting today (November 30th) until December 6th, hosted by Bookables and A Court Of Crowns and Quills.

This readathon has both reading challenges and a bingo board. I am going to be trying to complete the challenges, but I would also like to get to some of the bingo board squares if I get the chance. I have so many Christmas books I want to get to but I'm trying not to be too over-ambitious with my TBR.

1. Group Book - In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren

I discovered Christina Lauren earlier this year so I am super excited that they have released a Christmas book. This follows a woman who is spending Christmas in a cabin with her family for the last time, but ends up reliving the Christmas over and over again. I am so glad this is the group book for this readathon as I was definitely wanting to get to it at some point this year.

2. Read a holiday themed book - All I Want For Christmas by Joanna Bolouri

This is a Christmas ARC that I didn't quite get to in time for it's release but still want to read soon. This is a romance following a Christmas grotto Santa who sets a single mother up on a date with his best friend but begins to develop feelings for her.

3. Read a book you meant to get to this year but didn't - The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

This one might change, I haven't completely decided what I want to read for this prompt yet. I do really want to read The Flatshare before the end of the year but I will most likely read whatever I am in the mood for at the time. The Flatshare is a romance following two people who share a bed but have never met, as one works during the day and the other works at night.

4. Read a diverse book - Written In The Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

This is another one that could change if I can get some recommendations of good LGBTQIA+ Christmas stories to add to my TBR. This one is a f/f fake dating romance following an astrologer and an actuary who pretend to date over the holiday period.

5. Read a book with lights on the cover - One New York Christmas by Mandy Baggot

Yet another Christmas romance, but this one takes place in New York. Two friends decide to spend the Christmas season in New York after one has a bad break up and I think there is a romance involving a famous actor. Christmas and New York are two of my favourite things, so I'm excited for this one.

6. A cozy read - 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

Any of the books I am hoping to read for this readathon could probably count for this prompt, but for me nothing is more cozy than a YA contemporary. This follows a girl who's boyfriend breaks up with her just before Christmas and her family decide to set her up on blind dates to help her get over him.

Those are the books I am hoping to get to for each of the readathon challenges. I expect I will probably need to double up on some of these challenges, especially as I am wanting to fit in some novellas to meet some of the bingo board challenges. To be honest though, I'm really not bothered if I don't read all of the books and complete all of the challenges, I'll just be happy to start my December and holiday season off with a week of Christmas themed reading.

I am just in the mood to read all of the Christmas books at the moment and definitely need some recommendations. What are your favourite Christmas books?

Sophie :)

My 2020 Reading Rush TBR

It's that time of year again! The Reading Rush 2020 starts tomorrow (20th-26th July) so I'm late as usual sharing my TBR. I am historically pretty bad at sticking to TBRs, and more often than not fail miserably at readathons. However, I am still going to try and take part in this year's Reading Rush. I am going to pick a book for each challenge, but will probably end up doubling up on some of the challenges as there is very little chance of me reading 7 books next week.

1. Read a book with a cover that matches your birth stone

I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter. The cover I have of this books is a beautiful blue that matches Blue Topaz pretty well.

2. Read a book that starts with the word 'The'

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. It really is about time I finally get around to reading this book! I have a physical copy but may also listen to the audiobook on Scribd.

3. Read a book that inspired a movie you've already seen

After by Anna Todd. This is the only book I can think of for this challenge. I have very little desire to read this book, even though I enjoyed the movie, so this will be pretty low on my priority list.

4. Read the first book you touch

I haven't got a book for this challenge yet. I'm not at home at the moment but as soon as I get home and in front of my bookshelves I will pick one.

5. Read a book completely outside of your house

Giant Days Volume 6. I'm hoping I can knock this one out before I head home tomorrow.

6. Read a book in a genre that you've always wanted to read more of

This is another I don't have a specific book for. I'm planning to read a romance novella for this challenge, I just need to pick which one.

7. Read a book that takes place on a different continent that where you live

I could choose any of the books on my TBR other than Giant Days for this one so will probably end up doubling up for this challenge. However, if I have time to read a whole other book, I would like to get to Maybe This Time by Kasie West.

That is my Reading Rush TBR. I'm hoping I can do better with this readathon that I have with any others I have taken part in recently. 

Are you taking part in The Reading Rush? What are you planning to read?

Sophie :)

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Bout Of Books | Wrap Up

Bout Of Books ended a few days ago now and I have yet to share quite how drastically I failed. I had such high hopes for this readathon but in the end it turned out to be such a crazy busy week that I didn't get a whole lot of reading done at all. I didn't meet any of my goals and only read 1 book.

Day 1 - Mon May 8th

I had uni for a few hours but still managed to fit in a bit of reading before and after. This was a much better reading day than I anticipated and actually a good start to the readathon.

Pages Read: 147

Day 2 - Tue May 9th

I knew this would be a busy day. I had lunch and a catch up with my best friend and then a theatre trip at night but still managed to get a bit of reading done on the train.

Pages Read: 70

Day 3 - Wed May 10th

Another pretty decent reading day. I did nothing other than finish one book and start another.

Pages Read: 102

Day 4 - Thu May 11th

I thought this would be a day with nothing to do but read. However, I ended up taking my gran out for the day and then went out for dinner, which meant very little reading time after all.

Pages Read: 22

Day 5 - Fri May 12th

This was also meant to be a day for reading but I ended up having to babysit my nephew, who definitely isn't old enough to let me have some time to read.

Pages Read: 0

Day 5 & 6 - Sat May 13th & Sun May 14th

So I ended up going to London for the weekend. This wasn't planned but a super busy last minute trip meant no reading for the last couple of days of the readathon either.

Pages Read: 0

Total Pages Read: 341

Total Books Read: 1

One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M McManus - 305 Pages

Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout - 36 Pages

I didn't do as well as I had hoped but there's always next time. Did you take part in Bout Of Books this past week? How did you do?

Sophie :)

Bout Of Books | Updates

Day 1 - May 8th
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M McManus - 147 pages
Total Books Read: 0
Running Total: 147 pages

Day 2 - May 9th

One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M McManus - 70 pages

Total Books Read: 0

Running Total: 217 pages

Day 3 - May 10th
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M McManus - 88 pages
Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout - 14 pages
Total Books Read: 1
Running Total: 319

Readathon | Bout Of Books 19

It Bout Of Books time again! I participated in this readathon this time last year and really enjoyed it so I decided to join in again. I'm officially on holiday from university for the summer from Tuesday and a readathon is such a great way to kick off my summer.

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, May 8th and runs through Sunday, May 14th 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 19 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I don't have a definite TBR for the week. I've just been reading whatever I'm in the mood for recently so I plan to choose the books as I go since this readathon doesn't have specific challenges to complete. However, I do have some goals I would like to accomplish.

Goals:

- Read every day.

- Read over 1000 pages.

- Read at least three books.

- Read mostly books from my Around The Year In 52 Books challenge TBR.

- Participate in some of the challenges.

I'm hoping this week can get me back on track with my Around The Year In 52 Books challenge. I am way behind though so I'm doubtful but I might make some progress at least. We'll see how I do.

Are you taking part in Bout Of Books 19?

Sophie :)

TBR | Forgotten Shelves Readathon

Now that March is coming to an end, so is my crazy busy time. I have placements as part of my university course and my current one has taken so much of my time but now that it is coming to an end, I can finally start reading again. To celebrate the fact that I'll be having time to read again, I decided to take part in a readathon I discovered on Instagram.

Lavidaenquotes and Alyaofwinterfell  are hosting the Forgotten Shelves readathon from April 3rd-9th. This readathon focuses on the neglected books on our shelves that have been sat there for an eternity just waiting to be read. I have plenty of them so this readathon seemed like a perfect one for me. There are four challenges, which is great as I love challenges within readathons. I am hoping to complete all four but I am very doubtful about one in particular.

Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout -

Challenge: Out of your comfort zone

The Lux: Beginnings bind up of the first two books in this series has been on my shelves since I picked it up in New York in January 2015! I has been so excited to read this series for the longest time but for some reason I have never picked it up. This is out of my comfort zone as I very rarely read paranormal romance, I think maybe the Twilight series is the only similar thing I have read. I definitely don't read about aliens so I'm not sure how I'll feel about that aspect. 

The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald -

Challenge: A Classic

This is the one challenge I am doubtful that I will complete. I know I should read more classics but I never have the desire to pick them up. The Great Gatsby is the only classic I currently own and as it is one of the books I plan to read for the Around The Year In 52 Books challenge this year, I need to get to it eventually. Hopefully I can get to it during the readathon.

The Heart Of The Matter by Emily Giffin -

Challenge: A Benchwarmer

The 'benchwarmer' challenge is a book that has been on your shelves for over a year. The Heart Of The Matter has been on mine for at least 5 years! I know I want to read it, and have wanted to for all the years I have owned it, but there's always been something I want to read before it. I will read this book soon so why not during the readathon.

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven -

Challenge: TBR Runaway

For this challenge, you choose a book that has previously been on a monthly TBR but you never got around to reading. I have so many options for this so I may change my mind but this is the one I'm most interested in at the moment. Although I have stopped posting TBR's on my blog, I do have a list of a few books each month that I would like to get to and this has been on that list several times recently. All of the other books on my TBR could count for this challenge so if I run out of time I can combine challenges.

As well as the four book that meet the challenges, I have some other books I plan to read during the week of the readathon that do not fit the challenges. The other books I hope to read are Flawed and Perfect by Cecelia Ahern. Flawed is a re-read and I will definitely be reading Perfect as soon as my pre-order comes through my door. 

Are you taking part in this readathon or any other readathons in April?

Sophie :)

Bout Of Books | Updates

Day 1 - May 9th
Forever by Judy Blume - 178 Pages
City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare - 25 Pages
Total Books Read: 1
Running Total: 203 Pages

Day 2 - May 10th
City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare - 139 Pages
The New Girl by Tracie Puckett - 76 Pages
Total Books Read: 2
Running Total: 418 Pages

Day 3 Challenge - 5 Favorites

Day 3 - May 11th
City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare - 136 Pages
Summer Sky by Lisa Swallow - 9 Pages
Total Books Read: 2
Running Total: 563 Pages

Day 4 - May 12th
City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare - 211 Pages
Total Books Read: 3
Running Total: 774 Pages

Day 5 - May 13th
I was so busy I hardly had time to eat never mind read!
Total Books Read: 3
Running Total: 774 Pages

Day 6 - May 14th
Summer Sky by Lisa Swallow - 23 Pages
Total Books Read: 3
Running Total: 797 Pages

Day 7 - May 15th
Summer Sky by Lisa Swallow - 6 Pages
Total Books Read: 3
Total Pages Read: 803 Pages

Sophie :)

Bout Of Books | Challenge Day 3

One of my goals for this readathon was to complete at least one challenge, so that's what I'm doing. Today's challenge is '5 Favorites'. I decided I wanted to spread the love for 5 of my all time favourite contemporary novels (/love stories/relationships/books in general). I adore all 5 of these books but I have managed to put them into some kind of order.

1. Where Rainbows End (Love, Rosie) by Cecelia Ahern - Goodreads/Review

2. Isla And The Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - Goodreads/Review

3. Ignite by Lily Paradis - Goodreads/Review

4. Where She Went by Gayle Forman - Goodreads

5. How To Fall In Love by Cecelia Ahern - Goodreads/Review

Sophie :)

Bout Of Books | Goals & TBR

My Goals:

- Read every day.
- Read over 1000 pages.
- Participate in at least one challenge.

TBR:

(this is very likely to change)
- Forever by Judy Blume
- City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare
- Flawed by Cecelia Ahern
- Summer Sky by Lisa Swallow

Sophie :)

Readathon | Bout Of Books 16

So i'm a little late to the party with this post. I had intended to unofficially participate in the readathon as I usually find that's a bit less pressure, but instead I decided to go ahead and make it official. Why not join in the fun properly right? So Bout Of Books...

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'll be sharing my TBR and progress so far very soon.

Sophie :)

Summer Biannual Bibliothon | TBR

I have never officially taken part in a readathon before, as they seem to always take place when I have exams, but since my last exams is tomorrow (Saturday), I'm going to make this my first. The Summer Biannual Bibliothon runs from Sunday 21st June to Saturday 27th June and all the information can be found here. This readathon has set challenges, which I really enjoy, so I am going to share my TBR for completing those challenges.

Paper Towns by John Green -

Challenge: Group Book and Book Involving A Social Issue

Paper Towns is on my TBR for the month of June so I was excited when I saw that it is the group book for this readathon. I want to read this book before the movie comes out, which is also the reason why it has been chosen as the group book. I decided to double up on challenges for this book as I believe it features mental illness, primarily depression, which is a social issue I am passionate about.

The Naughtiest Girl In The School by Enid Blyton -

Challenge: Reread A Book From Your Childhood

I struggled to think of a book for this challenge as I don't remember much of what I read as a child. I do remember having a book including the first three books in the Naughtiest Girl series, and I remember quite enjoying them, so I decided to reread a book from this series. I managed to find the first book in the series on iBooks so I will be rereading that for the challenge.

Free Four by Veronica Roth -

Challenge: Companion/Novella/Prequel

This is the last of the Divergent novellas that I own so it's about time that I read it. I believe this novella features the knife throwing scene from Divergent but from the point of view of Four. This is only around 40 pages so should be an easy one to get through.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban by JK Rowling -

Challenge: Book From The Genre You've Read Least This Year

I have only read one fantasy book so far this year and that was the second Harry Potter book. It's really about time I read this series and since the third book is on my Summer TBR, this seems like the perfect choice for this challenge.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner -

Challenge: A DNF Book

I started this book last year but put it down after about 50 pages as I wasn't enjoying it. I think I just wasn't in the mood for it but I am a little nervous to try again. I am going to give it a go during the readathon, if I get to it, but I am still a bit unsure about whether I will like it.

The Geography Of You And Me by Jennifer E Smith -

Challenge: Book Set In A Foreign Country

Living in Scotland, I had a lot of choices for this challenge since very few books I read are set here. I decided to go for this one partly because I really want to read it but also because it is set in various countries around the world, including my own actually. I thought this would be a good choice as I think the various countries are actually important to the story, as it is about a long-distance relationship.

Those are the 5 books and 1 novella that I am hoping to read for the Summer Biannual Bibliothon. I feel that this is a little ambitious but I will give it my best shot. It seems like a great way to start off my summer so I am looking forward to it.

Will you be participating?

Sophie :)