Beat the Backlist - reading challenge.

Hi booklovers

I've been trying for a couple of years now to lower my TBR and I may have found the perfect challenge to help me with that: the Beat the Backlist Challenge. This challenge is created and hosted by Novelknight.

The aim of this challenge is to read books that were published before 2019. You can find the blogpost about this challenge here. 

The #OfWonderland bookclub on Goodreads is partnering with this challenge and the aim is to read 100 backlist books in total. 

I still have 160+ books on my TBR, so technically, all of these could count for this challenge. Alas, I'm not able to read 160 books in one year, so I'm going to make a selection of books that are 'highest' on my TBR. Fingers crossed that putting these books on this list doesn't have its usual effect on me: loosing interest in the books.

Without further ado, here's my very tentative list I want to choose from (I know from experience that if I pledge to read 15 backlist books and only put 15 on the list, I'm going to fail. So 'giving myself options' is the way to go for me!):

*The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombie

*The Hazelwood - Melissa Albert

*The Cruel Prince - Holly Black

*Three Dark Crowns - Kendare Blake

*The Painted Man - Peter V. Brett

*The Furies of Calderon - Jim Butcher

*The Red Knight - Miles Cameron

*Priestess of the White - Trudi Canavan

*Spellwright - Blake Charlton

*The Last Namsara - Kristen Ciccarelli

*Spellslinger - Sebastien de Castell

*Knight's Shadow - Sebastien de Castell

*Even the Darkest Star - Heather Fawcett

*Malice - John Gwynne

*The Mad Ship - Robin Hobb

*King of Thorns - Mark Lawrence

*Clariel - Garth Nix

*The Colour of Magic - Terry Pratchett

*The Alloy of Law - Brandon Sanderson

*Warbreaker - Brandon Sanderson

*The Way of Kings (pt 1) - Brandon Sanderson

*The Crown Tower - Michael J. Sullivan

*The Way of Shadows - Brent Weeks

Putting together this list has made me realise that some of these books have been on my TBR for several years now. I think it's high time I read them!

Any suggestions about which of these I should read sooner rather than later?

Will you be taking part in the challenge? Let me know in the comments.

Bye for now

Annelies

Tome Topple Readathon - round 7.

Hi booklovers

I know I keep saying that readathons aren't for me, but after taking part in the TBR-readathon earlier this year I discovered the ideal way for me personally to compile a readathon TBR.

Normally, when I put a book on a TBR I lose interest in it, but I find that when I give myself options, it works out better for me.

I know this is last-minute, but I was planning on reading some big books after the anti-bullying readathon ends, so I might as well take part in the 'Tome Topple' readathon (November 16 - November 29). This readathon is hosted by Sam from thoughtsontomes.

The idea is that you read books that are over 500 pages, i.e. a tome. 

There are 5 challenges, but I won't do them all.

1) Read more than one tome.

2) Read a graphic novel that is over 500 pages (can be a bind-up).

3) Read a tome that is part of a series.

4) Buddy-read a tome.

5) Read an adult novel.

The books I will be choosing from are:

*Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

*Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

*The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

*The Painted Man by Peter V. Brett

*The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

*The Red Knight by Miles Cameron

*The Mad Ship by Robin Hobb

*Knight's Shadow by Sebastien de Castell

*King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence (if the copy I'm getting has 500+ pages)

Except for the first two, all these books are part of a series and all books are adult novels. So that is two challenges covered.

I'm almost 100% sure that I'll pick up Elantris first. Seeing as I will be alternating between the physical book and the audiobook I'm hoping to read two books. And giving myself options leaves more room for success. 

Are you taking part in this readathon? Any suggestions on which book I should definitely try to read?

Bye for now

Annelies

 

Anti-Bullying Readathon 2018.

Hi booklovers

On Monday the annual #antibullyingreadathon starts and I'll be participating. If I'm not mistaken it's the fifth year in a row that I'm participating.

You can find all the information on the FB page for the readathon. 

As a high school teacher I know how important it is to raise awareness about bullying.

Since I don't do strict TBR's anymore, I'm going to give myself some options.

These are the ones I'm going to choose from:

Try not to breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Sell Out by Tammy L. Gray

Bully by Penelope Douglas

Asking for it by Louise O'Neill

Stealing Liberty by Jennifer Froelich

Augie & Me by R.J. Palacio

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Are you participating in this readathon? Let me know in the comments.

Bye for now

Annelies

Book hauls revisited - July 2016 - 2017.

Hi booklovers

It's been a while since I did a post like this, but today I'm taking a look at my book hauls from July 2016 and 2017.

July 2016

*Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

*The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

*The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

 *The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

*Everneath - Everbound by Brodi Ashton

*The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

*The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

*A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

 

July 2017

*Goldenhand by Garth Nix

*Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray

*The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

*The Witch's Kiss by Katharine & Elizabeth Corr

*The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles

*Frostfire by Amanda Hocking

*Frostblood by Elly Blake

*Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

From the books I bought in 2016 I've read all except Everneath, Everbound and The Name of the Wind.

Unfortunately, I haven't read any of the books I bought in 2017 *hangs head in shame*

Have you read any of these? Are there any I should move more to the top of my TBR?

Let me know in the comments.

Bye for now

Annelies
 

ABC Book Challenge - A.

Hi booklovers

It's safe to say it's been a while since I posted anything on my blog.

I saw this challenge on Thrice Read blog, you can take a look at it here. 

For this challenge you take a look at the most memorable books you've read that start with a certain letter of the alphabet and the books with that letter that are still on your TBR.

Let's start at the beginning, shall we?

My most memorable reads - A:

- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Caroll

- A Thousand Pieces of You & A Million Worlds With You - Claudia Gray

- Assassin's Apprentice - Robin Hobb 

- ACOMAF and ACOWAR - Sarah J. Maas 

- Amy & Roger's Epic Detour - Morgan Matson

- Abhorsen - Garth Nix

- The Amber Spyglass - by Philip Pulman

Books still on my TBR - A:

- Antrax - Terry Brooks 

- Angelfall - Susan Ee 

- Abraham Licoln, Vampire Hunter - Seth Grahame Smith

- A Crown of Swords - Robert Jordan 

- The Alloy of Law - Brandon Sanderson

Do you see any of your favourites? Let me know in the comments.

Next time - the letter B.

Bye for now

Annelies

O.W.Ls readathon - TBR.

Hi booklovers

Back in April the Book Roast on YouTube hosted the O.W.Ls readathon and in August she will be hosting the N.E.W.Ts readathon. 

I didn't participate back in April, but you 'need' to have sat your O.W.Ls (Ordinary Wizarding LevelS) before you can sit your N.E.W.Ts. (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding TestS). G suggested in her announcement video that you can sit your O.W.Ls in August and then choose another month to sit your N.E.W.Ts., so that's what I'm going to do. (I know this is getting complicated.)

I know I've said before that I'm not good with readathons, but I want to give this one a go because a) it's a month long readathon and b) you can choose which O.W.Ls you want to sit.

Like with the TBR readathon I'm going to give myself some options to choose from and I'm not going to push myself to complete all the challenges (that would be crazy).

Below you can see the letter G designed with all the prompts for the different subjects.

I know this is almost impossible to read, but you can find the original letter in the information bar of G's announcement video.

I've decided I'm going to choose 5 O.W.Ls, but I will probably only sit 3 of them, but that way I can give myself some manoeuvering space and not put myself into a slump.
I've also tried to find some books that also fit this month's theme for the #OWbookclub which is 'recently bought'.

Let's take a look at my tentative TBR:

Ancient Runes: Read a book with a symbol on the cover

*Clariel by Garth Nix

*Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher

Care of Magical Creatures: Read a book that includes magical creatures or Features a magical creature on the cover

*The Red Knight by Miles Cameron

I'm pretty sure I will pick this one up because I'll be buddy reading this with someone from the #OWbookclub.

 

Charms: Read a fantasy book

 

*The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington

Another one I want to read for the #OWbookclub.

 

*The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Potions: Read a book about / with alchemy in it

*The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood

*The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

Transfiguration: Read a book that deals with transfiguration / shapeshifting or similar theme

*Lake Silence by Anne Bishop

I have this on audio and I've been wanting to listen to it for some time now.

In order to get an Acceptable grade I have to sit and pass 2 O.W.Ls . For an Exceeded Expectations grade I have to sit and pass 3 O.W.Ls (which I'm aiming for). For an Outstanding grade I have to sit and pass 5 O.W.Ls, which is not very realistic since some of the books I've chosen are 500+ pages :-s Those books probably aren't the best choices for a readathon, but oh well.

Did you participate in the O.W.Ls back in April and are you participating in the N.E.W.Ts? Or are you sitting your O.W.Ls in August?

Let me know in the comments.

Bye for now

Annelies

TBR readathon - wrap up.

Hi booklovers

Yesterday, the #TBRreadathon, created by Irina from BeautifulPages, ended. I really enjoyed this two month long readathon. By giving myself a couple of options per challenge I was actually motivated to keep reading.

I managed to read 9 books and I completed 8 of the challenges. I call this a success :-)

Let's take a look at which books I read for the different challenges.

 

1. Read a book from a series you're in the middle of. 
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb.

2. Read a book you own for a while.

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence.

 3. Read a book you got recently. 
Lifel1k3 by Jay Kristoff.

 4. Read a short book. 
Quidditch through the Ages by J.K. Rowling

I listened to this on audio, but I actually had it on my physical TBR as well, so I'm counting it :-)

5. Read a long book (over 500 pages or around that).

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman. This has 504 pages.

6. Read a book you're excited about. 
 Legendary by Stephanie Garber.

7. Read a book out of your comfort zone (or a book from a genre you don't normally read). 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

8. Read a book with a beautiful cover. 
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor.

9. Read 12 books. It is preferable if you choose 9 different books for the challenges and then have other 3 books of your choice :) The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling.

I started Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb last week, but since that book has 800+ pages, I wasn't able to complete it because the story is moving along very slowly :-s 

So, like I said I reduced my TBR by 9 books, by I kind of also added 9 books to my TBR because I placed a BookDepository order three weeks ago :-s Ooops.

Oh well, at least it was evened out :-D

 

I had a lot of fun participating in this readathon, so I want to thank Irina for hosting it and hopefully she'll do it again in the future.

 

Bye for now

 

Annelies 

TBR readathon update #3

Hi booklovers

I sort of, kind of, didn't get around to keeping you up to date on my reading for the TBR readathon, created by Irina. Go check out her channel. You can find my TBR post here.

This update is for the 3rd, 4th and 5th week of the readathon.

 

I read Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb during the entire third week (it's 648 pages). This one fits the challenge of 'Read a book from a series you're in the middle of'.

I enjoyed this book very, very much and I definitely want to read the third one very soon.

After that chunker of an adult fantasy, I decided to pick up Lifel1k3 by Jay Kristoff for the challenge 'Read a book you got recently', because I had literally gotten this book the week before. This was one of my anticipated releases for 2018, but unfortunately, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. I think I'm getting a bit too old for the 'teenage slang' Kristoff uses in this one.

At the same time I started listening to Little Women which goes towards the challenge of 'Read a book out of your comfort zone'. I hardly ever read classics, but I've had this one for a while and I decided to get the audiobook as well, so I can alternate between the two formats. I'm still reading / listening to it and I'm enjoying it a lot.

The next book I picked up for the challenge to 'Read a book you're really excited about' is Legendary. I have about three chapters left, so I'm hoping to finish it tonight.

This book is making me feel all the feels.

I'm thinking about picking up Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence for the challenge of 'Read a book you've owned for a while'.

I think my reading is going pretty well. I've currently completed 5 out of the 9 challenges and there are three weeks left of the readathon. I'm not sure if I'll be able to read 12 books (challenge 9) but we'll see.

Bye for now

Annelies