Talk about a wild ride! 10-out-of-10, will listen again! This was amazing. The story was sad and heart-wrenching, yet hopeful. This made me cry.

Xiomara is a teenage girl trying to navigate life with so many things pulling her in different directions. It spoke to so many teenagers living similar lives. There are parents who try to live their lives through their children, parents, who think they're doing what is best for their children, but are actually putting them in cages to live the lives they want for them rather than letting their child just live, forcing instead of guiding. It was so sad and it upset me so much as a parent. The ending was hopeful, because the family as a whole sought outside help to deal with their issues, which so many families need to do, but do not. It gave me hope that while things would never be perfect, they could get better.

I am so very glad that I bought the audibook version of this book, because hearing the author's words, in her own voice made it more powerful and profound for me. This was excellent and I look forward to reading/hearing more from the author.

Whew what a rough start to everything!  Bad morning, meh day at work, very bad commute home.  I'm tired and in pain, but I'm pushing forward.  I had a glass of Stella Red and some jerky and a few pringles.  I'm currently drinking a Real Sugar Pepsi.

I finished Born A Crime  and am continuing with my "Tolkien Project" with the Silmarillion audiobook...I've realized that I've messed up the reading order, but I can't make myself care right now, because this is an audiobook, and the other is not and I don't think I can do ereader or paperback at this current moment.  I'll fix it later when I'm in better shape mentally and physically.  I'm really trying to continue with the positivity, but the negative me creeps out with little rants and offhand remarks.  I'm a sarcastic Negative Nelly at heart, but I'm also a W.I.P. and ever evolving--thus the repeated attempts at being positive.

Hubby and I have appoints with the chiropractor for massages and adjustments this morning, so that's another break from reading.  And I know I won't last much longer, but so be it!  I think I may try The Princess Bride later today when I'm "better".  I think I can use the whimsy.

This is like the worst update ever. I hope everyone is having a good readathon.

The story follows Sunny who is an American Born Nigerian.  Her parents move her and her brothers to Nigeria when Sunny was about five, but she considers herself American.  Her American accent and mannerisms make her an outcast amongst her classmates, as does her albino skin and her intelligence.  

Sunny befriends one classmate and her neighbor, who drag her into the world of magic, of which she was born to be part of.  They and another young magic user are tasked with catching a serial killer who also has magic.  It's all very exciting and dangers and a very serious pressure is placed upon the children.  For if they do not stop the serial killer, he will bring about the end of days.

It's a bit of a coming of age, as well as a discovery of self, family secrets.

I listened to the audiobook and kept up with the physical copy.  It was well narrated and and good story.  I look forward to the next book in the series.

What an amazing finish to the series.  Betrayal, secrets, new alien species, living spaceships that give birth to baby living spaceships.  There are battles, deaths...just everything you want in a fantasy/scifi series.

I very much enjoyed Binti's character arc, as well as Okwu, there is even a both of growth from Binti's family and best friend.  What I enjoyed about the ending, is that while it is an ending, it's also a beginning.  And while I would definitely read another book in this series, there is a clear ending.

Excellent, colorful, descriptive writing.  I look forward to reading more from the author!

Update #3

Took a break at 3pm to shower and go out grocery shopping; by the time I got home, there was only one hour left of the readathon and less than 30 pages left. Finished Awkward Thoughts just as the buzzer rang.  After the readathon was done, we did family game night (Munchkin). Tomorrow I will need to catch up on reviews.

Hope everyone participating reached their goals. My next readathon is BoB Cycle 26 (August 19th - 25th).

Closing Survey:

1. How would you assess your reading overall? 12 hours of reading done and that is my average; 2 books completed 

2. Did you have a strategy/did you stick with it? No, I was just going to finish up what I had already begun reading. This "non-strategy" thing worked.

3. What was your favorite snack? Seeded bagel with cream cheese lox mixture.

4. Want to volunteer? Nope.

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Update #2

I got all of five minutes of reading when I feel asleep. Woke up and started reading again at 8am, so it is now 7 hours of reading in the books. I'm at the 50% mark on Awkward Thoughts and probably get it done by the end of the readathon. 

I am waiting to roll my next turn for BL-opoly (which is looking like it would be my final book for this year's edition) until after the readathon is over. Thanks to MR and OB for another fun game. I will also write up and post day 3 of the pre-party prompt after the readathon. Trying to stay away from electronic distractions and actually get some reading done.

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Update #1

Just before 1am here and finished In Perfect Time and three loads of laundry. Pretty productive. Now I am going to make some tea, get a snack, and hunker down with The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell. 

Also had to block a spammer bot. 

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Got off to late start...kids and dog needed baths.

So opening survey, now (slightly) new and improved!

1)What fine part of the world are you reading from today? And what time is it where you are? Wichita, Kansas and almost 9pm

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin which will finish the Wings of the Nightingale trilogy

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? We had Mongolian Grill for dinner, so I am stuffed. Really don't want to think about food right now. Maybe in the wee hours of the morning I will eat a couple of Kind mini-bars. Drinking lots of ice cold water, will switch to black tea when I start getting sleepy.

4) Do you have a #reversereadathon plan of attack? Read for two hours, post updates at the 2 hour mark and try to stay awake.

5) Are you doing the readathon solo or with others? Doing the readathon with however on BL is doing it too. Introverts Unite! (In our own homes).

9pm

Currently Reading: In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin