Once Upon a Read-a-Thon: Day 2 Update

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon is hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination, Angela at Reading Angel and Candace at Candace's Book Blog and you can find out more about it by clicking on the image.

What I Read: Heist Society and Uncommon Criminals 

Number of Pages Read: 478 

Pages Read Total: 940 

Books Read Total: 3 

Challenge: Bookish Fight! 

Reading Snacks: This time I went for a "mood food" snack, I was reading Uncommon Criminals so I matched it up with some mini muffins seems as they’re teen heists, smarties as all of the characters are incredibly witty and bright and a caffeine fix - hey! Even the *best* criminals need a pick me up now and then! - In my “I Solemnly Swear That I'm Up To No Good” Harry Potter mug. I think Fred and George would get along very nicely with these mischievous teens ;) AND it was yummy!

Non Reading Activity: Day two was pretty much a solid day of reading, after reaching my 2 book target already I started to get competitive with myself and thought "okay how about now we aim for FOUR books, double the stakes." So I really pushed myself yesterday. I did have a break over lunch though and caught up with the latest episode of Once Upon a Time again totally fitting for the readathon but this time it wasn't intentional - I watch this show every week! And I also updated on Twitter and took part in a mini challenge before finally crashing for a few hours of sleep!

Thoughts: The readathon is catching up with me now and today I'm feeling a little headachey, icky and tired PLUS I have a busy day ahead of me for day three. I can be quite self-competitive though and I'm determined to squeeze in one more book before it's all over or at least get a good chunk read, wish me luck! I feel like today I need that “you can do it!” boost!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon: Tuesday's Mini Challenge!

Kindle Fever Asks... 

Once upon a time there was a bookish fight… 

As the story teller, I now want you to tell me which two characters are fighting and WHY! If you want to, you’re also more than welcome to guess the outcome. ;) 

My Answer 

Once upon a time there was a bookish fight between Alex (Hunting Lila) and Hale (Heist Society) Jess could not decide which book boy in the two series she was reading for the readathon was hotter and whilst she was sleeping, as the books sat next to each other on her desk, they argued it out… 

Alex: So I ride a motorbike 

Hale: *snort* I'm a billionaire I have a freakin’ boat! 

Alex: I am a bad ass lieutenant 

Hale: I'm one of the best criminals in the world 

Alex: My girl has cool supernatural powers 

Hale: My girl has pulled off some crazy heists 

 *Jess wakes up for the next leg of the readathon* 

Alex: You might be winning now Hale but it's MY turn for story time next, we'll see who comes out on top after the readathon! *evil cackles* 

*Alex and Hale puff out chests and shake hands* 

END 

I'm looking forward to seeing who comes out on top after the readathon! Have you read either or both series? Who would win in YOUR fight?

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon: Day 1 Update

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon is hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination, Angela at Reading Angel and Candace at Candace's Book Blog and you can find out more about it by clicking on the image. 

I originally planned to fill in an update before bed every night but I was so tired after finally putting my book down last night that it didn’t happen so here’s what I got up to yesterday! 

What I Read: Hunting Lila and 156 pages of Heist Society 

Number of Pages Read: 462 

Pages Read Total: 462 

Books Read Total: 1 

Challenge: The Cover Challenge 

Reading Snacks: Today’s snacks of choice were cookies and popcorn which were the perfect sugar high I needed when I started to feel sleepy in the afternoon.

Non Reading Activity: Updates on twitter and generally stalking other readathoners to see how their doing, Mondays mini challenge, searching on youtube for old readathon videos for inspiration and an episode of friends over lunch the one where Joey finds Rachel’s dirty book I found a bookish episode to be fitting for the occasion ;)

Thoughts: I wish I’d taken part in a readathon sooner! They always looked like so much fun and they really are! I’m at a really nice point at the minute where I don’t feel like I’m rushing through books or forcing myself to read I’m just sailing along and enjoying every minute! I’m doing much better than I predicted and should have my second book (reading two books being my overall goal) finished today, let’s just hope I can keep it up! But overall? We’re off to a good start people!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon: Monday's Mini Challenge!

Seems as I'm currently in between reads (one book down, yay!) I decided I'd reward myself with some internet time whilst I'm absorbing my last read and then after dinner I'll be cracking on to book two! But seems as I'm online I thought I'd do todays mini challenge hosted over on http://ibbookblogging.net/

Question 1: What is your favorite cover that has been revealed this summer and why? Post a link or picture of the cover if you want.

Oh so many gorgeous covers! But I'd have to say my recent favourite is Everbound (Everneath #2) by Brodi Ashton. I just love everything about it! I have some serious hair envy going on with the model - such big, glossy, bouncy, curls! I love how her dress swirls off into a smoke-like mist and the dark smoke gathering around her gives this book such a dark and sultry feel. I loved the first book Everneath and I can't wait to see what happens next in Everbound!

Question 2: Do you rely on the cover to help you choose whether you want to read a book or not? A lot of factors go into me deciding on whether I want to read the book before the cover like reviews from blogger friends, online hype, whether it sounds like something I'd enjoy, the synopsis etc. But if I’m in a bookshop browsing does a pretty cover catch my eye? Certainly! If the covers a bit naff and the e-books way cheaper then I'll end up buying the e-book, if the covers gorgeous and will look amazing on my bookshelf then I'm willing to pay the extra money for it! 

Are you taking part in the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon? How’s it going so far? Stay tuned for more updates and bookish fun from me and if you’re not taking part but want to let me know what you think of the cover for Everbound or your favourite cover reveal so far this summer feel free to leave a comment!

Come Cheer Me On, For The Once Upon A Read A Thon!

Like what I did there? I'm such a poet! So some of you may know that I’ve signed up to take part in my first ever read a thon! Once Upon a Read-a-Thon is hosted by Lori at Pure Imagination, Angela at Reading Angel and Candace at Candace's Book Blog and you can find out more about it by clicking on the image.

The books I want to read over the three days are…

Hunting Lila and Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson
Heist Society and Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
Kindle Books

Hunting Lila and Heist Society are both books that I *had* to have as soon as they came out but got pushed aside for review copies. Since I recently got both books sequels for review I wanted to take the read a thon as an opportunity to read these fab books! I’m a fairly average reader neither fast nor slow so I in no way think I’ll read all of these in three days. On an average week I’d probably read one book in three days so my goal is to read two books or more if I can manage it! I’ve added my Kindle as an option as I find reading on it less strenuous on my eyes and it may be ideal if the books I’ve chosen aren’t grabbing my attention as much as I need them to, or if my eyes get tired and I want to switch over to an e-book.

Ideally I’d like to do an update post every day on how much I’ve read, how I’m feeling, what I’ve been eating (because no read a thon is complete without snacks right?) and all that good stuff. And I’ll also be updating on Goodreads and Twitter so if you want more updates you know where I’ll be! There should be some fun challenges that I’d like to take part in as well!

My overall plan of action is to read, read, read! But I also have some activities prepared for times when I need a pick me up. The first obvious choice is blogging, updating, and generally seeing how everybody else taking part is getting on. These will be the times when I need cheerleading so if you see me around the web a quick morale boost would be lovely! I also plan to break off from reading at meal times, to sleep (although I do plan to cut down my sleeping hours to fit in more reading!) and when I have to get on with y’know normal day to day stuff. And for times when I really need a break from books I have some short and fun Youtube videos to watch and Friends episodes which are usually only around 20 something minutes long and never fail to perk me up!

What I want to get out of this mainly is to read some fantastic books, find some lovely new bookish people to follow, and have loads of geeky awesome fun!

If you’re taking part good luck and have fun! And if you’re not then, well, I’ll see you on the other side…hopefully ;)