Bout of Books 11.0 TBR/Updates/Results

TBR/Goals:

For this week's Bout of Books 11.0, my goal is just to read 150 pages a day. This may not sound like a lot, especially compared to my normal amount of reading I do, but there is a lot going on this week, including my mom's memorial, so I'm trying not to bite off more than I can chew. I also want to update this page every day, and complete at least one challenge a day (even if I have to combine two day's challenge's in one post). As always, my TBR is very large, not because I intend to read all of those books, but because I have serious issues trying to stick to a TBR, and during a readathon, you want to be able to have plenty of choices.

8/18: Monday

Pages Read Today:

Cumulative Pages Read:

Books Read Today:

Cumulative Books Read:

Book Titles:

8/19: Tuesday

Pages Read Today:

Cumulative Pages Read:

Books Read Today:

Cumulative Books Read:

Book Titles:

8/20: Wednesday

Pages Read Today:

Cumulative Pages Read:

Books Read Today:

Cumulative Books Read:

Book Titles:

8/21: Thursday

Pages Read Today:

Cumulative Pages Read:

Books Read Today:

Cumulative Books Read:

Book Titles:

8/22: Friday

Pages Read Today:

Cumulative Pages Read:

Books Read Today:

Cumulative Books Read:

Book Titles:

8/23: Saturday

Pages Read Today:

Cumulative Pages Read:

Books Read Today:

Cumulative Books Read:

Book Titles:

8/24: Sunday

Pages Read Today:

Cumulative Pages Read:

Books Read Today:

Cumulative Books Read:

Book Titles:

August Read-a-Thons TBR/Updates/Results

So I literally scoured the blogosphere for literally EVERY read-a-thon in the month of August, and let me tell you, there are a ton of them. In the past two books, participating in the Sunathon and not officially participating in the Book Tube-a-Thon has been so helpful for my reading. I have read a lot more than usual, and I love when other people post updates on what they have been reading. I will also be doing daily Instagram and Twitter Updates on my progress as well for all the readathons.

***I know Bout of Books is also happening this month, but I am doing an entirely separate post for that particular readathon, because it's one of the only ones with daily challenges.

The two TBRs cover the first two weeks of August, and are tentative to change at literally any moment. Remember, it's Sofia we're talking about here. Both TBRs are larger than I actually intend to read because more options helps prevent me from deviating. [pictured left] July 28-August 3 TBR. [pictured right] August 4-10 TBR

July 28 - August 11: Clear Your TBR Pile hosted by Jessica @ Fly to Fiction & Klaudia @ The Observant Girl Book Reviews  #ClearYourTBRPileChallenge Goal ~ Read 10 books & Compose Reviews for 7 books

July 31- August 20: Isla is Coming A Happily Ever After Read-a-Long hosted by Jamie @ Perpetual Page Turner & Meg @ Cuddlebuggery & Lindsey @ A Bookish Sinister Kid & Judith @ Paper Riot & Andi @ Andi ABCs #IslaIsComing

August 1 - August 31: ARC August hosted by Shelly & Octavia @ Read.Sleep.Repeat. #ARCAugust Goal ~ Read & Review 5 Books

August 11 - September 1: Beat the Heat Readathon hosted by Reanna @ Phantasmic Reads & Jessi @ Novel Heartbeat. Goal ~ Read 15 books & Compose 10 reviews

(I know I'm late on this one) June 21 - September 5: Summer Vacation COYER hosted by Berl @ Fantasy is More Fun & Michelle @ Because Reading is Better Than Real Life #COYER Goal ~ Read 20 books & Compose 15 reviews

July 21-27 Read-a-Thon TBR/Updates/Results

There are THREE readathons going on during the 21st to the 27th of July, and I have the same TBR for them, so this post will technically count for all of them. Also, I count "a book" as 300 pages read, because "a book" can be 100 pages, or 800, depending on what it is. This is kind of how the #BookTubeaThon worked, which went on last week, and I vicariously participated. I will also be tweeting/instagramming an update on which books I have read that day, which I have never done before. Anyway, even if you aren't participating in any of these readathons, I hope you have a great week of reading and living! :)

Under-Hyped Reads

Sun-a-Thon

High-Summer Readathon

My TBR for the #sunathon hosted by @EmmaIsWriting a weeklong #readathon which will go fr... http://t.co/ubtknKewBc pic.twitter.com/WWaufdBt3y
— Sofia (Book Blogger) (@sslluvsbooks) July 21, 2014

Monday:

Pages Read Today: 473

Cumulative Pages Read: 473

Books Read Today: 1

Cumulative Books Read: 1

Book Titles/Miscellaneous Progress: 

80% | 227 pgs ~ Lore Anthology. 

Pages 225-300 | 75 pgs ~ The 5th Wave: Rick Yancey. 

171 pgs ~ Unite Me: Tahereh Mafi

Tuesday:

Pages Read Today: 239

Cumulative Pages Read: 712

Books Read Today: 2

Cumulative Books Read: 3

Book Titles/Miscellaneous Progress: 

20% | 57 pgs ~ Lore Anthology

182 pgs ~ What Happens to Men When They Move to Manhattan?: Jill Knapp

Wednesday:

Pages Read Today: 25

Cumulative Pages Read: 737

Books Read Today: 0

Cumulative Books Read: 3

Book Titles/Miscellaneous Progress:  

25 pgs ~ Prisoner of Night and Fog: Anne Blankman

Thursday:

Pages Read Today: 125

Cumulative Pages Read: 862

Books Read Today: 0

Cumulative Books Read: 3

Book Titles/Miscellaneous Progress: 

125 pgs ~ We Were Liars: E. Lockhart

Friday:

Pages Read Today: 280

Cumulative Pages Read: 1,142

Books Read Today: 1

Cumulative Books Read: 4

Book Titles:

Pages 125-225 | 100 pgs ~ We Were Liars: E. Lockhart

Pages 1-180 | 180 pgs ~ The Madman's Daughter: Megan Shepherd 

Saturday:

Pages Read Today: 265

Cumulative Pages Read: 1,407

Books Read Today: 1

Cumulative Books Read: 5

Book Titles:

Pages 180-420 | 240 pgs ~ The Madman's Daughter: Megan Shepherd

Pages 1-25 | 25 pgs ~ Audacious: Gabrielle Pendergrast

Sunday:

Pages Read Today:

Cumulative Pages Read:

Books Read Today: 

Cumulative Books Read:

Book Titles:

Last Minute Read-a-Thon: Wrap Up Post

Last Minute Read-a-Thon: Wrap Up Post

I want to send out my appreciation to Vonnie @ Vonnie's Reading Corner & Maria @ A Night's Dream of Book for this organizing this readathon because it was so much fun.

I sadly didn't reach my goal because I was so much more busy than I thought I would be when I wrote my lofty goal post. That means I might actually have a life...shocking.

What I did finish was:
Skin and Bones: Sherry Shahan
All Our Yesterdays: Cristin Terril
and this one was very unexpected because I was confirmed for the book tour~ Butterman (Time) Travel Inc: PK Hrezo  

Basically I set the goal way to high for this Readathon that only lasted 5 days, so I think finishing 3 books was actually pretty good on my part, despite not reaching my goal. 

I hope everyone has a safe, happy new year full of blogging, books, and of course reading. I love you so much and my blogging time in 2013 has been a blast and I can't wait to see what 2014 brings. 

Last Minute Read-a-Thon: Remembering 2013

Last Minute Readathon: Remembering 2013

 

Dec. 29th- Remembering 2013: Answer the following...

1. Best Book of 2013

2. Worst Book of 2013

3. Favorite New Author

4. Book that surprised you

5. Book that disappointed you

*All of this information will probably be found in the "End of the Year Book Survey" so if it's repeated, I'm sorry, this is the challenge*

The best book of 2013 had to be Prodigy by Marie Lu. It exceeded all of my expectations and topped the near-perfect Legend. If you have any doubts check out Meeting Marvelous Marie Lu

The worst book of 2013 had to be The Kill Order by James Dashner because it very well almost killed me. I don't have a review anywhere, but three words: 15 days to read. The most painful 15 of my life.

I think we all know by now who my favorite author of 2013 is: Marie Lu. That's all I can say about it except for read this post: Meeting Marvelous Marie Lu and everything will be explained young children

The book that surprised me the most this year (different from survey) was Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock. The answer is also in Best of 2013 for the Readiculous Reads End of Year Celebration. 

"My friend from school had lent it to me, and at first I was shocked at the blurb, but it had sounded so interesting that I read it and don't regret that choice. This book isn't for everyone, but if you're looking for a book dealing with "tough issues" from a teenage male's perspective this definitely is the one to read." 

The book that disappointed me in 2013 was The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. All I can say was said in my Best of 2013 for the Readiculous Reads End of Year Celebration. 

"So I jumped on the bandawagon and read the book after everyone in my school was simply raving about it for weeks. Even though this book is on my list, my feelings are still very mixed (Joyce and Aurora don't kill me). I liked the book and everything, great storyline, but I was disssapointed. Hazel and Gus might be the cutest couple I've ever read about, and their love story is one of the  sweetest, but I still didn't love the book."

Last Minute Read-a-Thon: Love it or Hate it

Last Minute Read-a-Thon: Love it or Hate it

Dec. 28th- Love it or Hate it: Post up book covers that you love and hate explaining why.

I'm going to do what A Night's Dream of Books did, I'm not trying to copy her idea, but I loved it so much when I read her post.

What she did was compare two covers of the same book. 
 
Love it: I personally think this paints a perfect picture for the story. The sleeping figure of a girl on the wooden porch slats, with ivy streaming down from the ceiling. It sounds like a total cliche love story, but that was what I think fit the story, and in my mind it's visually beautiful. The girl could be sleeping, or crying, or even be dead, and all three of those would have fit the story. 

Hate it: A huge red heart in the middle of an ombre blue sky. How original *sarcastic expression and hand on hip*  I sort of understand the symbolism, how it is essentially a love story, then the sky because of the whole "The Sky is Everywhere" thing, but I think the designers could have been more original. I know that's just the certain cover, but I still think it could have been a lot better.

Love It: The sword with the eye is very symbolic and powerful for Graceling. There is also a set of eyes at the back of the book (not depicted) that seems creepy at first, but is a Gracelings identification in the Seven Kingdoms. The background is also pretty, and for the record, Graceling was first with the sword on the cover, not Defy by Sara B. Larson.

Hate It: The silhouette of girl with a sword, how original. The cover has nothing to do with being a Graceling, or the story itself besides the fact that it's a girl and she uses a sword.

Love It: The blue ombre cover, although plain and simple with nothing but a tree and a single red flower is very symbolic in my mind to the story. The lone flower that stayed, when the rest already fell down (Mia stayed when her family left). It sort of gave me the Mulan-ish vibe when her father shows her the smallest late bloom would have been the most beautiful.

Hate It: I'm actually sort of scared of this cover.
It's a picture.
Of a girl's face.
On the bottom of the page.
Looking up.
Ok....
That's basically all I see, no symbolism or meaning to the story whatsoever unless you're including the fact that looking up could be conceived as Mia looking up into heaven at her family.

Last Minute Read-a-Thon: Rainbow Book Spine

Last Minute Read-a-Thon: Rainbow Book Spine

Dec. 27th- Rainbow Book Spine....grab books from your shelf that have the following spine colors to make a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, & violet.

Red~ Inkheart: Cornelia Funke

Orange~ Sabotaged: Margaret Peterson Haddix

Yellow~ The Red Pyramid: Rick Riordan

Green~ The Maze Runner: James Dashner

Blue: The SOn of Neptune: Rick Riordan

Violet~ The Subtle Knife: Phillip Pullman

I hope you enjoyed my rainbow :)

Last Minute Read-a-Thon: Goals

Last Minute Read-a-Thon Goals 

For read-a-thons or anything of the sort where I have to choose which books to read, I never actually end up reading those particular books. What I do know is that I want to read 3 books and finish the 2 I'm currently reading which are an ARC of "Skin and Bones" and "All Our Yesterdays" by Cristin Terrill. 

This is the list of books I'm probably going to choose from for this read-a-thon, most of them being from my most recent "Stacking the Shelves" post.

-Smoke: Ellen Hopkins

-Anna and the French Kiss: Stephanie Perkins

-Hate List: Jennifer Brown

-Wintergirls: Laurie Halse Anderson

-Chains: Seeds of America: Laurie Halse Anderson

-The Coldest Girl in Coldtown: Holly Black

-Just One Day: Gayle Forman

-The Summer I Found You: Jolene Perry

-The Seers: Julianna Scott

Last Minute Read-A-Thon Sign-Up

Last Minute Read-a-Thon- Hosted by Vonnie's Reading Corner & A Night's Dream of Books~ Sign-up Post

Vonnie @ Vonnie's Reading Corner & Maria @ A Night's Dream of Books are hosting the 2nd annual "Last Minute Read-a-Thon" for people that want to finish up the year well by checking off just a few more books from their TBR lists.

The Requirements are:

• You must post a Sign Up Post and put your link in the Linky widget below.
• You may put up your post on your blog or Facebook.
• You must have our button with links to the hosts' blogs.
• Once the read-a-thon begins, you must post your launch post, on Dec. 26th, with your reading plans/goals.  This will count as 2 entries in my giveaway.
• Publish your wrap-up post on Dec. 30th, anytime that day or the next day.  This will count as 2 entries in my giveaway. 
• Have fun!

There will also be a prize for not one, but two winners!Along with posting the launch post and wrap-up post, eachmini-challenge completed will count for 2 entries into the Rafflecopter.

Here are the (optional) mini-challenges:

(Each one will count as 2 entries

in the Rafflecopter.)

Dec. 27th- Rainbow Book Spine....grab books from your shelf that have the following spine colors to make a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, & violet.

Dec. 28th- Love it or Hate it: Post up book covers that you love and hate explaining why.

Dec. 29th- Remembering 2013: Answer the following...

1. Best Book of 2013

2. Worst Book of 2013

3. Favorite New Author

4. Book that surprised you

5. Book that disappointed you

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/16/13: Movie Cast

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/16/13: Movie Cast 

 

Dec. 16 Movie cast challenge--pick any book read in 2013, and create a real life cast of characters--post links. Hosted by Alex @ BookChick

Can I just tell people how much I cheated on this challenge? I had to go to YouTube to figure out my thoughts, which is doubly bad because it's supposed to be my dream cast, which I suppose means my own, but I do admit that my dream could have been influenced by other peoples. Anyway onto my cast of the "Legend" movie by Marie Lu. Check out "Meeting Marvelous Marie Lu" to read about the current news for the upcoming actual "Legend" Movie.

June Iparis: I saw Hailee Steinfeld in "Ender's Game" and was immediately hooked with the idea of her being June. Her physical appearance is quite similar to June's and overall acting quality seems good. On the other hand I fell in love with Isabelle Furman when she was Clove in "The Hunger Games", and loved how she was small yet extremely tough, just as I imagine June to be. The shape and look of her face is also a lot like how I imagined it. Both actresses are around the correct age, and could pass for an adequate June Iparis. Wow, I'm talking about face shapes, I'm not weird at all. Weirdness aside, what do you think?  

'Day' Daniel Altan Wing: Everyone in the dream cast had older guys like Alex Pettyfer. So this is actually an original; Asa Butterfield. His eyes are to die for, and although I don't know what he would look like with long blonde hair, I think that his eyes and acting talent clearly shown in "Hugo" and "Ender's Game" state how he would be a good Day.

Anden Stavropolous: Marie Lu posted a picture of him on her Pinterest. I've never seen him in any movies and his acting could be a complete disaster but he's...just...Thomas Beaudoin.

Tess: I really don't know of any good actresses that are relatively young and look like Tess, so
G. Hannelius will just have to do.

Eden Bataar Wing: I have to admit I stole this idea, but once I saw it I was like "What the hec! He's perfect" Jared Gilmore, I watch him every single Sunday on Once Upon a Time. He's cute, sweet, little (enough) and plain perfect for Eden.

Commander Thomas Alexander Bryant: Don't we all love him and his very long title?
Joshua Bowman is handsome, but I'm pretty sure he could pull off slimy-little-over hairgreased-scumball-that-killed-his-best-friend-for-the-sake-of-obeying-the-state-of-California.

Kaede: I swear I'm crazy for having three choices for her, but they're all perfect in different ways. Abigail Breslin. Alexandra Daddario. Phoebe Tonkin. Abigail with dark hair and enough eye-liner looks totally (excuse my language) kick-ass. Alexandra Daddario has this aura around her exhibited when portraying Annabeth in "Percy Jackson" that makes her seem completely right for the part. Lastly Phoebe Tonkin has the ability to look so mysterious and a don't-mess-with-me attitude.

Captain Metias Iparis: Marie Lu has said so countless times before that she always pictured Ben Barnes as Metias in interviews and whatnot, and I could not agree more. Go Prince Caspian!

John: There's also another Narnian native I would like as a character in a "Legend" movie and that is William Mosely, otherwise known as 'Peter the Magnficent". He has the looks and hair, why not cast him?

Yesterday I was a slacker but today I fell in love with the book "Everlost" by Neal Shusterman, it is seriously one of the best plots I've read in a long time, the characters are a little lacking, but the storyline so far has been incredible.

Pages Read Today: 125
Cumulative Pages Read: 700 appx
Books Read: 2
Books Needed to Reach Goal: 5

End of Year Read-a-Thon 12/15/13: Twitter Synopsis

End of Year Read-a-Thon 12/15/13: Twitter Synopsis

Dec 15 Twitter Synopsis Challenge--pick any book read in 2013, and describe the book using only 166 characters.  May do on any social site, leave link Cindi @ Mommasez

This is my synopsis of the book 'Crank' by Ellen Hopkins: "Kristina tastes Crank when visiting her father. There she devlops an alter ego-Bree and then it's an almost unstoppable downward spiral."

Pages Read Today: 45
Cumulative Pages Read: 603
Total Books Read: 2
Books Needed to Finish Goal: 5

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/12-14/13: Spine Poetry, Book-to-MovieReleases, Seasonal Challenge

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/12-14/13: Spine Poetry, Book-to-MovieReleases, Seasonal Challenge

*I apologize for the insane highlighting in this post. I am having issues that I need to fix ASAP, but I still wanted to post this*
 

December 12, 2013: Spine Poetry--using any books you've read in 2013--leave a link of pic Hosted by Lori @ Writing My Own FairyTale 

I admit, my friend Celina (she's on instagram & tumblr) did help me on the spine poetry, which is I suppose sort of cheating. 

Anyway, here it is: 

 

Before I fall
Champions and Legends
Reckless Uprisings
of the Subtle Knife and the Golden Compass
fables of the Maze Runner's Prodigy
will turn to Cinder and dust.

December 13, 2013: Favorite Book-to-Movie Release in 2013--post on Twitter or Facebook, leave a link Hosted by Emily @ FallingForYA

I have to admit that I did not watch many of the popular Book-to-Movie releases of 2013 like 'Beautiful Creatures' and 'The Host'. So my answer is the same as about everyone else doing this challenge. Hunger Games:Catching Fire. 

December 14, 2013:  Seasonal Challenge (must be books read in 2013) post links

Recommend a book good for a snow day

Recommend a book good for a rainy day

Recommend a book good for a beach day

Recommend a book good for a spooky night
Hosted by Michelle @ Book Briefs

What better for a spooky night than a book about a society where it's acceptable to take apart teenagers bodies? Unwind: Neal Shusterman. 

What better for a rainy day than a story about a girl trying to find her lost love she only knew for one day? Just One Day: Gayle Forman. 

What better for a beach read than a story about a boy being trained to be a military commander against an alien race? Ender's Game: Orson Scott Card. 

What better for a snow day than a story about a girl and her process to begin thawing from her frozen state of sadness? Wintergirls: Laurie Halse Anderson

I have to admit, I have been a pretty big slacker this past week from the 11th on because the books I had were the dregs of my library haul which was why I'm still stuck with them. So, I am currently on page 91 of 'The Sky is Everywhere' by Jandy Nelson, it's not that good and isn't looking like it's going to get better (review coming when I finish is finally). I just today finished "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins after picking up from page 150 on 12-12-13/Thursday. I can't give you exact page numbers read today, but I can give you my stats from the 11th on.

Pages read since 12/11/13: 91 pages of "The Sky is Everywhere" 387 pages of "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins.

Cumulative Pages: 558 appx.

Books Finished: 2

Needed to Reach Goal: 5