LuLu's Living Library
I am a bookaholic and I admit I have a problem, but I do not want help resolving this problem because honestly it's an amazing problem that involves an ever-expanding library with thousands of tales to be read.
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BookTube-A-Thon Day 1 Update
I'm feeling pretty good about the start of this read-a-thon even though I am already behind schedule. Since I wasn't able to complete the last Harry Potter book before the beginning of the BookTube-A-Thon, I had to finish reading the last 258 pages today. But I am still happy with my reading today.
- Books Read Today: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
- Pages Read Today: 258
- Hours Spent Reading Today: 6 hours
- Challenge(s) Completed Today: None
- Total Books Read: 1
- Total Pages Read: 258
- Total Hours Spent Reading: 6 hours
{Bout of Books} Read-A-Thon 14
I'm pumped and ready to go!
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
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BookTube-A-Thon: The Plan
I have never written up a plan for reading during a read-a-thon before, but then again I have not been very successful with previous read-a-thons. So, what could it hurt.
The following is the my daily reading plans for the week:
- Monday, August 3rd
- Tuesday, August 4th
- Wednesday-Thursday, August 5th-6th
- Friday, August 7th
- Saturday-Sunday, August 8th-9th
BookTube-A-Thon TBR
Here are the BookTube-A-Thon Challenges and the books I have chosen to accomplish these Challenges:
1. Read a book with blue on the cover.
I chose this book because I have just finished reading the Harry Potter series and felt like it would be a good choice as the front cover is almost entirely blue and it is short in length.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
CHALLENGE COMPLETED!
2. Read a book by an author who shares the same first letter of your last name.
My last name begins with SC and this author's last names begins with SC, plus I just wanted a reason to start this book.
Shadow Kin by M.J. Scott
CHALLENGE COMPLETED!
3. Read someone else's favourite book
As I have just finished the Harry Potter series, I thought it would be fitting to read J.K. Rowling's favorite books. Two books that J.K. Rowling considers her favorites are Emma by Jane Austen and The Story of the Treasure Seekers by E. Nesbit. So, I will be reading the graphic novel edition of Emma and the The Story of the Treasure Seekers on my Nook.
Jane Austen's Emma by Lee Butler & The Story of the Treasure Seekers by E. Nesbit
CHALLENGE COMPLETED!
4. Read the last book you acquired
This is one of the books in the last batch of physical books I have purchase, since most of my ebook purchase are part of ongoing series, I did not want to choose an ebook. Also, this books meet the first challenge because it has blue on the cover.
The Singular & Extraordinary Tale of Mirror & Goliath by Ishbelle Bee
5. Finish a book without letting go of it
I am choosing Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling because it looks like a quick and fun read. However, other books on my TBR could qualify for this challenge (like Jane Austen's Emma by Lee Butler or The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling).
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
CHALLENGE COMPLETED!
6. Read a book you really want to read
I am choosing the Poldark Series for this challenge. I have been obsessed since the PBS series began to air at the end of June and I really want to read the first three books...but I will be okay with just the first.
Ross Poldark & Demelza & Jeremy Poldark by Winston Graham
7. Read seven books
With all of the books listed above I will have 7 to 9 books depending on whether I am able to read the first three books of the Poldark series or just the first book. However, I do want to add Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling, so that I will have completed my Hogwarts Library set. With this book I should be able to read 8 book and my more optimistic self would like to think I can read 10 book during the week.
Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling
CHALLENGE COMPLETED!
BookTube-A-Thon
This year I will be attempting to participate in the BookTube-A-Thon. The BookTube-A-Thon will be running from August 3rd to August 9th over on YouTube. I do not have a channel on YouTube, so I will be posting my updates and challenges here.
For more information checkout the BookTube Channel on YouTube:
{Bout of Books 13} Day 7 Update
- Books Read Today:
Completed: 0
In-Progress: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
- Total Books Read: 1
- Pages Read Today: 62
- Total Pages Read This Week: 394
- Amount of Time Reading Today: 2 hours
- Total Amount of Time Reading: 8 hours
- Challenge: N/A
- How I’m Feeling Today: It was a chill day today. I watched the first Harry Potter movie and read more of the Chamber of Secrets. As usual, I did not meet any of my goals. I did read the first Harry Potter book and hope to finish the series by the end of the month.
{Bout of Books 13} Day 6 Update
- Books Read Today:
Completed: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
In-Progress: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
- Total Books Read: 1
- Pages Read Today: 118
- Total Pages Read This Week: 332
- Amount of Time Reading Today: 1.5 hours
- Total Amount of Time Reading: 6 hours
- Challenge: Favorite Read Photo Challenge hosted by Once Upon a Chapter
- How I’m Feeling Today: Happy that I finished my first book of the Read-A-Thon! I hope to finish Chamber of Secrets tomorrow.
{Bout of Books 13} Favorite Read Photo Challenge
This challenge come at the perfect time for me. I just finished my first book for the Bout of Books 13. This picture has been what my night stand has every night this week sans the Universal Orlando ticket and the Nook with the Harry Potter movie loaded and ready to watch. I add the ticket yesterday after my trip. I loved the Diagon Alley! It was so amazing! And after finishing the book tonight, I am rewarding myself by watching the movie on my Nook.
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{Bout of Books 13} Day 5 Update
- Books Read Today:
Completed: 0
In-Progress: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
- Total Books Read: 0
- Pages Read Today: 0
- Total Pages Read This Week: 214
- Amount of Time Reading Today: 0 hours
- Total Amount of Time Reading: 4.5 hours
- Challenge: Cover Color Challenge hosted by Wishful Endings
- How I’m Feeling Today: No time to read today...on a trip to Universal Studios today! I had fun, but I am even more tired today than an other day this week. I'm hoping to do a lot of reading this weekend.
{Bout of Books 13} Cover Color Challenge
Shades of Blue
Blue is my favorite color...and I tend to be drawn to books with blue covers. So, many of the books on my TBR shelf are blue. These are just a few.
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{Bout of Books 13} Day 4 Update
- Books Read Today:
Completed: 0
In-Progress: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
- Total Books Read: 0
- Pages Read Today: 0
- Total Pages Read This Week: 214
- Amount of Time Reading Today: 0 hours
- Total Amount of Time Reading: 4.5 hours
- Challenge: Modern to Classic hosted by Ranty Runt of a Reader
- How I’m Feeling Today: Still very tired and still very sick...
{Bout of Books 13} Modern to Classic Challenge
I believe that Ernest Cline's phenomenal debut novel Ready Player One will become a classic in 100 years time. This book was originally published by Random House on August 16, 2011.
According to the article Qualities of Classic Literature, the following characteristics help distinguish a piece of literature as a classic:
- A classic is timely--an expression of and influence on the times in which it was written
- A classic is timeless--deals with themes that touch all periods of history, all societies, and all cultures
- A classic presents truth
- A classic will endure the test of time
- A classic is readable in its style
- A classic connects authors and times--reveal influences from other writers and other great works of literature
The two qualities that stand out the most for me in the book Ready Player One are it being timely and it's readable in its style. Even though this book a science fiction dystopian book set in the future, its references to the 80s and video games of that decade really connect to readers during this time. As for readable, it may start off slower, but as you keep going it just hooks you and you can't seem to stop reading. This I find is my experience with most classic. It starts slow, but then I'm hooked and I will reread the book over and over again because it is just that good.
Challenge Hosted By
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{Bout of Books 13} Day 3 Update
- Books Read Today:
Completed: 0
In-Progress: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
- Total Books Read: 0
- Pages Read Today: 52
- Total Pages Read This Week: 214
- Amount of Time Reading Today: 1 hours
- Total Amount of Time Reading: 4.5 hours
- Challenge: Book Haiku hosted by Kristin Horner
- How I’m Feeling Today: Still tired and very sick...
{Bout of Books 13} Book Haiku Challenge
The bright summer sun
Shimmers on soaring owl wings
NEWS—He’s a wizard!?!
Challenge Hosted by
{Bout of Books 13} Day 2 Update
- Books Read Today:
Completed: 0
In-Progress: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
- Total Books Read: 0
- Pages Read Today: 32
- Total Pages Read This Week: 162
- Amount of Time Reading Today: .5 hours
- Total Amount of Time Reading: 3.5 hours
- Challenge: Character Face Off hosted by LuLo Fangirl
- How I’m Feeling Today: Tired...
{Bout of Books 13} Character Face Off Challenge
Opponent #1: Anne Shirley
- WHO: Orphaned girl with a vivid imagination and extensive vocabulary living in Canada
- CONS: gets lost in daydreams, accident-prone/clumsy, stubborn, prideful, melodramatic, hot-headed, vain (sometimes)
- PROS: loyal, passionate, intelligent, imaginative, kindred spirit, loves reading and writing, becomes a teacher, positive attitude about life, adventurous spirit, speaks her mind, willing to challenge status quo, persuasive, kind-hearted, caring...I could go on and on!
Opponent #2: Catherine "Cat" Crawfield
- WHO: Half-vampire badass heroine from Ohio, USA
- CONS: dangerous occupation, stubborn, withdrawn, untrusting, poor communication skills in relationships
- PROS: night owl, super strength, super hearing, super speed, never gets sick, brave, courageous, fights for what is justice and those in need, kind-hearted, great sense of humor, quick wit
Winner: Anne Shirley
Why: While I love these two characters immensely, each in their own right, and each have shaped who I am and how I read, I had to go with Anne...that's Anne with an 'e.' She was my first book best friend. I spent countless hours with her as a child and we have grown up together. Our connection is hard to explain and unbreakable. Both her and I choose careers in education and have many other similar thoughts, feelings and hobbies. She is just more relatable to me than Cat is. Even though I still love Cat and I will always choose her first when I need to escape my daily life, Anne is always with me...in my real life and in my reading life.
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