August 3rd-9th

Challenges:

1. Read a book with a blue cover.

2. Read a book by an author who shares the same first letter of your last name.

3. Read someone else's favorite book.

4. Read the last book you acquired.

5. Finish a book without letting go of it.

6. Read a book you really want to read.

7. Read seven books.

So I went into this planing to read at least 5 of the books on my list, but work got in the way. Even with fifteen hours of over time I managed to read three books, however. Not bad.

Books Read:

1. Look Me In the Eye by John Elder Robinson

2. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

3. Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void by Tim Lebbon

BookTube-A-Thon 2015 is over and I had a fantastic time! I love the BookTube community and I'm so grateful I got to take part. Although I had a busy week, I managed to get through a ton of reading and complete all of the challenges. I have to say I'm very proud of myself, although the books I read differed to what was originally on my TBR. You'll probably be seeing some full reviews soon. Here's the when, what & how I read over the 7 days.

DAY 1: 

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

Challenge Completed: Read the last book you acquired

Pages read: 140

I actually started this the night before, and I found myself getting sucked in. This is not the kind of book I would usually read but I gave it a go and while I had a lot of problems with it, I actually enjoyed it. The writing flowed very nicely and the main character was a great narrator. The story was a bit underwhelming but I wouldn't expect much more from it. Overall I flew through it, and I would recommend if you like contemporary high school romances. (Although, If someone had said that to me, I never would have picked this up. I'm not really sure how to describe it. Perhaps I'll try to get my thoughts together for a full review.)

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor, Vol. 1 by Robbie Morrison, Dave Taylor, Alice X. Zhang

Challenge Completed: Read a book by an author who shares the same first letter of your last name

Pages Read: 128

I enjoyed the artwork, and I found they really captured Capaldi's Doctor quite well. However I found the two stories here to be somewhat underwhelming and unmemorable. Plus, the inclusion of Clara Oswald - who is my least favourite companion on the show, and I'm sorry but quite possibly one of my most disliked fictional characters of all time.

My Rating: 2.5 stars

DAY 2:

Variant by Robison Wells

Challenge Completed: Read a book with blue on the cover

Pages Read: 373

This was a reread for me, yet I found I didn't remember most of the details. I enjoyed it but I think if I had read this for the first time now, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. I realized how bland the characters, how unsatisfying the ending is. Still, I had a lot of fun reading it.

Rating: 4 stars

DAY 3:

Claymore, Vol. 11: Kindred of Paradise by Norihiro Yagi

Challenge Completed: nothing! oh well.

Pages Read: 200

On day 3 I got sick. It was awful, but I managed to get through this volume of Claymore, which was good, but I definitely would have liked it better if my head hadn't been spinning and my eyes blurring.

My Rating: 4 stars

DAY 4:

Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore, Brian Bolland, Tim Sale 

Challenge Completed: Finish a book without letting go of it

Pages Read: 48

The artwork in this was absolutely superb, so beautiful and captivating. I found the story lacking in substance however, which was very disappointing. I would definitely recommend this to any DC fan, even if only for the artwork.

Rating: 3 stars

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Challenge Completed: Read someone else's favourite book

Pages Read: 254

I read the first half of this novel months ago, but because I read an eBook on my phone, I read bits and pieces at different times. I never got into the story. And,f or some reason, I was very doubtful that I would like it. I think because of the hype - especially on BookTube - I was worried I wouldn't enjoy it. But Sarah J. Maas is a fantastic author, and she really proved that to me in A Court of Thorns and Roses. I was up reading until 4:30am! (Note: I actually had a lot of problems with this book, despite my love for it. But you can definitely expect a review of this coming soon.)

Rating: 5 stars

DAY 5:

Star Wars: Darth Bane: Rule of Two by Drew Karpyshyn

Challenge Completed: nope. 

Pages Read: 218

Listened on audio. This was not only a fantastic sequel, but a fantastic novel overall. I loved Zannah, and once again the narrator did an excellent job. The Star Wars music and sound effects just really add to it and make it feel very much like it's set in the Star Wars universe. Highly Recommend. 

My Rating: 4 stars

DAY 6:

Claymore, Vol. 12: The Souls of the Fallen by Norihiro Yagi

Challenge Completed: nothing.

Pages Read: 200

Another strong volume.

My Rating: 4 stars

Claymore, Vol. 13: The Defiant Ones by Norihiro Yagi

Challenge Completed: nah

Pages Read: 192

This series is going really well. 

My Rating: 4 stars

DAY 7:

Check Mate by Malorie Blackman

Challenge Completed: Read a book you really want to read

Pages Read: 528

This is the third book in the Noughts & Crosses series and it continues to be fantastic, although my least favourite so far. The only thing is, how did I ever think it was a good idea to read 500 page book on the last day! *face palm* At least I succeeded! 

My Rating: 4 stars

So, in total, I read 10 books. 10 BOOKS!!! And now to add up the pages I read...

2,281 total pages

Hey, that's pretty good considering how short most of the books were! I had the best experience, and I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who made it happen, and to everyone who participated alongside me. I can't wait to see what next year will bring!

Happy reading!

Even though I didn't complete seven books, I think I did not bad overall.

I was kind of still in a readers slump so I didn't want to rush read anything and just take my time. Plus a lot of adult responsibility and a new baby coming soon, there wasn't a lot of time to read.

So without further ado I'll let you know what books I've read and what challenges I completed.

Cinderella by Elizabeth Rudnick

Finish A Book Without Letting Go Of It

Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde

A Book By An Author Who Shares The Same First Letter Of Your Last Name

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

A Book With Blue On The Cover

Overall I read three books with a total of 949 pages.

Why is it that every book I pick up that contains a vampire, their main characteristic trait is over protectiveness of a female character, that it becomes borderline stalker/possessive?

I'm half way through, and even though this is the second time I'm reading it, I'm still annoyed by authors who think it's okay to cast your females love interest as an over bearing vampire. Who thinks because she is a woman she not only needs a man in her life to save her, but a strong vampire is just a bonus. 

I mean, he's lived for hundreds of years, he has an abundance of life experience. Obviously not when it comes to the modern woman. 

For once I would love to read a male vampire character who doesn't think that the female needs him 24/7, but instead actually ask her if she needs help. I'm sure she is more than capable on putting on her shoes....just saying.

At the moment Diana is showing her independent side, not letting Matthew take over her life. But like every other vampire novel I've read (except Dracula by Bram Stoker), it will probably all change soon and she'll be yet another weak female character.

Other than that, I'm actually enjoying the book. Being a history nerd this book is definitely up my alley.

Synopsis

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without.

Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Review

Let the rant begin....

This won't be a long review for a number of reasons, mainly because I really didn't like it.

Is it just me, or is it really disappointing when a beautiful book turns out to be the most poorly written thing you have read?

That's what it was like for Shiver. The cover was beautiful with or without the dust jacket, the writing was even in blue ink for crying out loud. But unfortunately all that beauty was wasted on the rubbish that was written in it.

To be honest, I hate slandering books that I don't like, that's why this is going to be a short review. This is just my honest opinion on a book I read. Sorry to offend anyone.

The only thing I hated the most from this was the two teenage protagonist characters, Grace and Sam. More so Grace, as yet again a Young Adult novel that has a weak female character. She is definitely not a good role model for young girls, there is more to life than boys.

And what is with this "love at first sight"? She even invites him to sleep in her room when they first meet....there is so many things wrong with this book I really don't know where to begin.

I'm just going to put this away and pretend I didn't pay for it, and I will also not admit that I bought the next two books in the trilogy......okay I just did.

Rant over.