Bout of Books Update: Days 1, 2, and 3

Hey lovelies,

So you remember last week when I said I would be putting up daily updates...well that went well. NOT! I'm terribly sorry but life gets to you sometimes. :(

Anyways, this will be a collective update of days 1-3. There is not a terribly big amount to report so might as well put it all together.

MONDAY:

Monday was a big flop reading wise. I think I got like 50 pages read, if that. I picked up City of Ashes and took it to work with me with the intention of getting some reading done during my lunch break. Between getting some food, eating, and constant interruptions from co-workers, 13 pages was all I got read. Then when I got home later that night I read a bit more and then I was too tired to continue.

TUESDAY: 

Tuesday was a pretty great reading day for me. I had the day off so I woke up at around 8:30 AM and began reading at around nine. I read most of the day, taking a break to clean up a bit. I got about 400 pages read! Meaning I finished City of Ashes. It was great!! I didn't want to pick up City of Glass right away because I needed a small break. I ended up watching some Booktube videos instead. BUT I did order City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls and The Shadowhunter's Codex! I am so excited to hopefully catch up in this series before City of Heavenly Fire comes out May 27th!

WEDNESDAY: 

I haven't gotten much reading done today. I did read the bonus scene between Magnus and Alec, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also picked up City of Glass and read about 100 pages. AND then I watched the live show for TFIOS music! Which isn't reading but it is book related! :) I am not sure how much more I will read before the night is over. I am hoping to finish City of Glass tomorrow but I am not so sure seeing as I have to do some reading for Uni. Regardless I am really enjoying this read-a-thon!

Let me know how you guys have done and what you are reading now!

~Judith

So You Want To Be A #GIRLBOSS ?

Review: #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

Title: #GIRLBOSS
Author: Sophia Amoruso
Year: 2014
Pages: 256
Format: Hardcover

The founder of Nasty Gal offers a sassy and irreverent manifesto for ambitious young women

At seventeen, Sophia Amoruso decided to forgo continuing education to pursue a life of hitchhiking, dumpster diving, and petty thievery. Now, at twenty-nine, she is the Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Nasty Gal, a $100+ million e-tailer that draws A-list publicity and rabid fans for its leading-edge fashion and provocative online persona. Her story is extraordinary—and only part of the appeal of #GIRLBOSS.

This aspirational book doesn’t patronize young women the way many business experts do. Amoruso shows readers how to channel their passion and hard work, while keeping their insecurities from getting in the way. She offers straight talk about making your voice heard and doing meaningful work.

She’s proof that you can be a huge success without giving up your spirit of adventure or distinctive style. As she writes, �I have three pieces of advice I want you to remember: Don’t ever grow up. Don’t become a bore. Don’t let The Man get to you. OK? Cool. Then let’s do this.” ~ Goodreads 

Bout of Books!

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, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

HEY LOVELIES!!

It is once again time for the Bout of Books Read-a-thon and I could not be more excited! Last time when I participated I did really well reading around 6 or 7 books. This time around I am working and so I don't think I will be able to read as much. :( Regardless it is motivation to get some reading done!

This go around I am not making a TBR list at all. I have been mood reading a lot lately and I really have no clue what I am going to want to read this week. The only one I am sure I will pick up is City of Ashes since I just finished City of Bones. Everything else is up in the air and I'll find out as I go along. I am however setting myself the goal of reading 4 books. I think it might be a little high considering I have to work but if I manage my time I should be able to.

I will try to do separate daily updates with how much I read and what I am thinking about the book so far. And I will also try to do as many challenges as I can. They are so much fun!

Let me know if you are participating and what you will be reading!!! :)

~Judith

THIS IS SARAH by Ally Malinenko Cover Reveal!

I am very excited to have Ally Malinenko on the blog today, sharing the cover of her YA novel, THIS IS SARAH, and talking about writer's block. Take it away, Ally!

Writer’s block is defined by Merriam-Webster as a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece. Though I believe many writers would instead refer to it as the paranoia that cripples, maims, and destroys their once bright and shining future.

Personally I don’t believe in writer’s block. Now, that isn’t to say that I don’t have trouble. I have entire months where it’s like pulling teeth and every word – every LETTER of every word - is painful. And I have months where I write and write and write and then wake up and realize that back on page 50 I made a horrible decision and now my whole plot is a tangled hopeless mess. Or that the great story idea I had in my head turned to utter rubbish once it was put down on paper. Or my revision is useless because I can’t see past the forest of text I’ve already put down. Or I have no good ideas to begin with.

Every single one of those things has happened to me and I still don’t believe in writer’s block because of one simple notion. Discipline. And by discipline I mean creating a segment of time, every day if you can, where you write. Once you dedicate yourself to that you create discipline. You start saying things like, “it’s 8 pm. I should be writing.” Or “I need to do 500 words by the end of this hour.”

This is why NaNoWriMo is so successful and motivating for people. It sets parameters (word count and the notion of “winning”) on something that is creative and therefore considered ethereal. Once you lock it down by time or by word count, once you have parameters, you have dedicated yourself to a goal. Half the battle is already won.

I get up at 5 am to write. It wasn’t my idea, it was my husband’s. He’s a writer too. And he reasoned that if he got up every morning at 5 am he could write for two hours before he had to go to work. Two solid hours, before the day started to chip away at him. Two solids hours where the only thing that mattered was getting the word down. I watched and laughed, pulling the blanket around me. No way was I giving up sleep.

Then I saw that it worked. So I tried it. And it was horrible. And then it was slightly less horrible. I’ve been doing it for years now and like any muscle, creativity thrives on exercise. It works because I’ve created a physical space and time where the only thing that happens is writing. For those two hours, that is all I do. And the magic is that when I don’t do it, when I skip it and sleep in, I feel guilty about it. I feel like I missed an opportunity to do something creative for myself. And I hate feeling that way. Also my routine allows for preparation. I can say, “What am I going to work on tomorrow?” or “Where am I going with that short story?” and brainstorm on my commute.

That said I sometimes still stare at the screen and wonder what I’m doing. I still have doubts. I still mess up. I still realize that I derailed the whole novel back at page 50. Some mornings are absolute rubbish and I wake up the next day and delete the previous 2 hours worth of writing. Sometime I do that for a whole week until I find my way. Sometimes it’s baby steps, teeth-grinding hair-pulling baby steps, but baby steps none the less. Every step is a step forward. I’m a firm believer in forward progress. And it stops me from locking up, completely giving into the fear, and giving up for good.

Now I’m not saying that everyone has to give up sleep. That was my choice. But writing has to become a priority and parameters need to be set. Something must be sacrificed to the gods.

First you need discipline. Then you can be ethereal.

About the author:

Ally Malinenko is the author of the poetry collection, The Wanting Bone (Six Gallery Press), and the children’s novel Lizzy Speare and the Cursed Tomb (Antenna Books). This Is Sarah is her first YA book. Ally lives in Brooklyn with her husband and a very ridiculous tabby cat. She blogs at allymalinenko.com and you can follow her on twitter at @allymalinenko. 

About the book:

When Colin Leventhal leaned out his bedroom window on the night of May 12th and said goodbye to his girlfriend, he never expected it would be forever. But when Sarah Evans goes missing that night, Colin's world unravels as he is transformed from the boyfriend next door to the main police suspect. Then one year later, at her memorial service, Colin makes a phone call that could change everything. Is it possible that Sarah is still alive? And if so, what is Colin willing to do to bring her back?
And as Colin struggles with this possibility, across the street, Sarah’s little sister Claire learns how to navigate the strange new landscape that is life without her sister. Even as her parent’s fall apart, Claire is determined to keep on going. Even if it kills her.

THIS IS SARAH is a meditation on loss, love, and what it means to say goodbye.

Cover design by Anita B. Carroll at Race-Point.com

Being A Mood Reader

Hey lovely readers!

I wanted to pop in for a bit and tell you about a little struggle I sometimes have. I am a complete and utter mood reader. What do I mean by that? Well, simply put, if I'm not in the mood for it I won't read it. End of story.

Now, for the most part this isn't too big a deal. I simply never make set TBR's for that reason, and I am fine with that. But every now and then a themed read-a-thon comes along and I get all excited about joining in UNTIL I remember that I won't be able to stick to it. I might make it through one or two books in my list if I am lucky but I am sure to deviate.

How bad is it really? Well, my boyfriend makes fun of me because I will sit in front of my bookshelf for a good 30 minutes and stare at it until a book calls out to me. Sometimes not even one does. I might be reading a great book and get a sudden urge to pick up another one and devour it in one sitting. This was the case last week when in the middle of Spell Bound (which I was totally LOVING btw) I had a sudden urge to read To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Then as soon as I was done I picked up Alienated only to put it down half way so that I could finish Spell Bound. Kooky I know!

I started thinking about this yesterday because I was REALLY excited about the AYEARATHON
read-a-long that is going on this week. The theme is finishing up or catching up on series. I thought GREAT I can pick up Prodigy and Champion by Marie Lu and finish up the series! Except I picked up Prodigy last night and couldn't get past the FIRST chapter! I had ZERO interest in it. So what was I in the mood for? City of Bones, which I have owned for THREE years and never been in the mood to pick it up! Am I the only one that does this??! 

I am still telling myself that I am participating in the read-a-thon because who knows, I might pick up something else that DOES fall into the theme later on this week. As for all you lovely readers out there who CAN stick to TBR's I commend you. Apparently the books control my will power. But I am not complaining. 95% of the time I love or really like what I read and I think that is mainly because that is what I want to be reading at that moment. I guess for me it is better this way than reading a book and not enjoying it because I wasn't in the mood for it.

What kind of reader are you?
Let me know which you prefer so maybe I won't feel like the only weird one! :)

~Judith

Judith's Cozy Reads

Hello lovely readers!

I am so sorry for our small absence! Both me and Kristy have been swamped with work, home life and school. BUT we are back and ready to rock! :)

Speaking of rocking, don't forget to check out my previous post for Heather Letto's IMPERVIOUS! Not only does the book sound amazing but there is a giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy and a gift card! Even if you don't win you can go and purchase IMPERVIOUS for only 99 cents! Please support this lovely author!

Now on to my current reads!

I actually have Friday and Sunday off this week and so I am hoping to get A LOT of reading done! I have quite a number of books that I have started but haven't gotten the chance to finish for one reason or another.

The first book I am hoping to finish is Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins. This is the third and final book in the Hex Hall trilogy. I absolutely LOVE this series! It is so action packed and the humor in it is laugh out loud funny! I am currently on page 244 out of 327. I haven't finished this not because I am not enjoying it but I tend to do this with the last book in a series. I am so afraid of it ending that it takes me so long to get through! With Allegiant I was only able to read about 50 pages a day before I was filled with anxiety about the series coming to an end!

The second book I want to finish is Alienated by Melissa Landers. I am totally in love with this book! I read most of it in one sitting and picked it up a bit today at work during lunch. I am about 150 pages from finishing and I have no idea where it is headed! I am loving the incorporation of the L'eihr language. Lately I am for all things aliens and space!

The third book I am planning on picking up but more than likely not finishing is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling. I am slowly making my way through the series again and am in no rush to finish because I want to enjoy them all over again. So if I read 300 or 50 pages this weekend I will be happy! I am currently on page 117, so not very far in.

The last two books are Susan Mallery books. I love her books because they are so fun and simply make me so happy! The first is the audio book for Just One Kiss which I am about half way through. I mostly listen to it while I am cooking or cleaning so I am not sure if I will actually finish this one this weekend. The second is the newest release in paperback for When We Met. I haven't started this one yet so this will be my treat if I finish Spell Bound and Alienated!

I know it seems like a lot to read in just one weekend BUT I think I will be able to get through most of it. I am so excited to be able to just sit and read for a couple hours! Let me know what you will be reading this weekend!

Some upcoming posts to look forward to:

*Several Book Hauls
*Kristy's Cozy Reads
*Year-a-thon TBR
*Bout-of Books TBR
*To All The Boys I've Loved Before Review
*Paper Towns Review

Blog Tour: IMPERVIOUS by Heather Letto! *Giveaway*

I am so excited to be a part of the blog tour for Heather Letto's IMPERVIOUS. This book sounds AMAZING and right up my alley! Not to mention the cover is GORGEOUS! In celebration of her debut release, Heather has a special giveaway running. Be sure to check out the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

Book Blurb:

The residents of Impervious are the remnant—survivors of the War of Annihilation. And though the city is chockfull of pleasures to tantalize and entertain, a beast lurks in its corners haunting the residents with its presence. The Beast—a mysterious and terminal illness―has killed off most of Generations One, Two and Three. And as Gen-Four prepares to take the stage a provocative, yet questionable, new method to avoid an untimely death becomes a cultural rage. 

But Fran is counter-cultural. And living off the grid in true rebel fashion, her life is far from opulent. Scurrying through dark tunnels, searching for hot meals and ditching the holographic security team encompass most of her day. However, she views it as a healthy trade-off. Unaccountability means The Council can’t steal her sliver of hope―a belief that she’ll see The Epoch arrive before the beast can pull her into its fetid embrace.

After losing her mother and then her Rebel mentor, however, she grasps painfully onto the splintered sliver, until a new hope is born. First through Pete. And then through a miraculous discovery.

But the question still haunts her…

Can she outrun The Beast?

INTERVIEW WITH FRAN:

Hi all! Heather Letto here with a funny story-- I sent Fran an email not too long ago, asking if she wouldn’t mind making an appearance for today’s blog stop. She said, sure… if I was willing to throw a few donuts and a Big Gulp into the kitty.

So, sitting with me today, fresh out of the Impervious air vents, with a box of Dunkin’s finest in her lap, would you welcome Gen-Four’s most elusive Rebel, Fran Monde.

Fran:(Waving a chocolate cake donut dipped in sprinkles) Hey.

Heather: Do you mind if I call you Fran or do you prefer Frannie?

Fran: (Stuffs donut into her mouth and rolls her eyes.)

Heather: Great. Fran it is. So let’s start with your hometown, Fran. Although it wasn’t your favorite place, I’m sure the readers would love to hear about the city. What can you tell us about the lifestyle of an Impervieite (and yours before you became a Rebel)?

Fran: Well, you might notice as you thumb through my story, food plays a pretty central role in the lives of underground dwellers.

Heather: Duly noted. Why is that?

Fran: (Shrugs) I’m not sure how to explain it. I was just always hungry underground.

Heather: And obviously still are. (chuckles)

Fran: (Snarky laugh.) Maybe it’s because there’s really not much to do. It’s kind of boring actually. I spent a lot of my free time as a kid just wandering the Agora, snacking, gaming… that’s about it.

Heather: Hmm. Fair enough. What about Pete?

Fran: (Stuffs the remainder of the donut into her mouth and licks each finger) What about him?

Heather: Like him?

Fran: Duh.

Heather: Love him?

Fran: Sheesh. No comment. (Grabs second donut.)

Heather: Okay, how about that weird name your brother called you? Some sort of worm?

Fran: Wickworm?

Heather: Yes, that’s it. What’s that all about?

Fran: Well, if you Google the word, you’d see that A Wickworm is a worm, or parasite, that
lives in the intestines of an animal. You may not be aware of this, but the air vents of impervious are kind of like the guts of the city… therefore—

Heather: Ah yes…. You’d be the worm.

Fran: Exactly. (Winks at me.)

Heather: Listen, I know you don’t have a lot of time here today, but I do have one final question that I think a lot of the readers would want to know.

Fran: (Nods her head) I’m listening.

Heather: Retter. Is there a crush happening there?

Fran: (Face blossoms into a cherry) Nah. Ret’s just a guy. Well, a very muscular guy. With tawny eyes….

Heather: (snapping fingers) Hello? You still with us, Fran?

Fran: I gotta go. (grabs box of donuts and stomps off).

Heather: (Clears throat.) Well. Thanks, Fran, for gracing us with your presence. (Sighs)

About Heather Letto:

Heather considers herself but a worker in the field with a desire to share truth through the art of good story. In real life, she’s the proud mother of two grown sons and lives part-time in Northern Illinois with her husband, but scurries off to warmer climates when the mercury takes a dive on the thermometer. As well as The Ascension Series, Heather contributes to WHOAwomen magazine, The Fit Christian, Tween Girls and God, Devotion Magazine as well as Swagga for Christ Ministry.

Impervious is available in 
e-book and paperback at:

AMAZON

Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway