Lauren's Bout of Books Goals & Updates

What is 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, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th 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 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team.

As I'm currently part way through a lot of books I decided that this week would be a good time to aim to finish these off, after listing my goals I'll show what books I'm part way through and the percentage or page read too! Apparently I became a messy reader these past few weeks! Haha. If I do take part in any challenges I will make new posts for those if needed, so this doesn't get too crowded. Good luck everyone. Don't forget my bestie, a newbie reader, is joining in too so check out Lewis' Goals and Updates post here.

Goals:

Finish off or read fully at least 6 of the following books

Visit at least 3 other blogs a day

Participate in at least one twitter chat - #BoutOfBooks

Hopefully participate in 2 or more challenges

         

Darkly Dreaming Dexter [re read]
The Fault in our Stars
Later with Myself [review book]
The Raven Boys [audio book]
Mockingjay [re read]
The Companions [review ebook]
Wizard Tales Vol III [review ebook]
Wizard Tales Vol I - III [review ebook]
Anywhere [review ebook]
Moon Child [review ebook]

Updates:

MONDAY

Wizard Tales Vol III: The Wizard Takes the Cake by Red Tash
Pages Read: 15

Wizard Tales Vol I-III: Lucian's First Trick and A Laurents County Landfill Christmas by Red Tash
Pages Read: 17

The Companions by R.A. Salvatore
Percentage Read: 8%
-
Overall Books Completed: 3
Overall Pages Read: 32 + 8%
-
Thoughts:
You're probably wondering why I've listed them separately if one is included in the other. As the Wizard Tales are published individually too, I was marking off when I had read one of them and was going to mark off the bundle as read but without a date, but it includes two other short stories that aren't published on their own so that book is basically counting for those two!
All three short stories I've read today have been great, and so were the other two I read outside of the readathon.
As for The Companions, I've decided to temporarily dnf it. I'm finding that I've enjoyed about half of what I've read and the other half I'm confused, skimming and bombarded with names and places I don't have prior knowledge too. I'm going to pick up the overall series from the start and in paperback, I feel like this is one of those series that needs to be held and pages turned.
I also wrote up my review for The Companions, hopefully I can do the one for Wizard Tales tomorrow!To see our challenge entries for today click here.

TUESDAY

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Pages Read: 90
-
Overall Books Completed: 4
Overall Pages Read: 122 + 8%
-
Thoughts:
Um that's it. That's all I read. I feel like I let myself down today but I read this out loud and man it really wrecked my voice, also it was my Dad's birthday so I was busy doing birthday stuff hooray.
I'm hoping tomorrow will be better but on the other hand whilst I haven't exactly read a lot, I'm well on my way to my goal of wanting to finish off a handful of books I was part way through!

WEDNESDAY

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Pages Read: 55
-
Overall Books Completed: 4
Overall Pages Read: 177 + 8%
-
Thoughts:
Ah man, I really wanted to do better today but I'm slacking so badly. I feel so mentally exhausted sorting stuff out for University haha.

THURSDAY

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Pages Read: 64

Anywhere by J Meyers
Percentage Read: 7%
-
Overall Books Completed: 4
Overall Pages Read: 241 + 15%
-
Thoughts:
So I decided one of my issues that might be why I'm slacking is because of the book I was reading - Dexter - sounds really bad because oh my god I love the book its just that cause its a reread I'm feeling impatient like ah I want it to be over, I want to be reading the second one but I need to read this cause I really don't remember anything but the ending haha.

FRIDAY

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Pages Read: 28

Anywhere by J Meyers
Percentage Read: 57%
-
Overall Books Completed: 4
Overall Pages Read: 269 + 72%
-
Thoughts:
I guess my theory on the book worked because oh my god I couldn't put down Anywhere. I don't even like New Adult, Contemporary Romance books but I LOVE THIS its so good. It makes me all mushy hehe.

SATURDAY

Anywhere by J Meyers
Percentage Read: 36%

Moon Child by Tracy E. Banghart
Percentage Read: 6%
-
Overall Books Completed: 5
Overall Pages Read: 269 + 114%
-
Thoughts:
Holy fraking shit, I loved Anywhere so much! Guys you really need to go and grab a copy when it comes out next week okay? haha. I decided to also pick up another review book because I'm not really feeling the other books, I'll probably read some of Dexter before the day is up but as I'm writing this Moon Child is my first choice.

SUNDAY

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Pages Read: 38
-
Overall Books Completed: 5
Overall Pages Read: 307 + 114%
-
Thoughts:
Wrap up post can be found here!

Lewis' Bout of Books Goals & Updates

What is 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, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th 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 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team.

This will be my first time taking part in a read-a-thon, and I didn't start reading as  hobby until the beginning of this year after a certain someone kept shoving books under my nose *ahem* Lauren! Anyway, I'm going to try my best to start and complete three books, and make a start on a forth if I have the time. I don't plan on taking part in a Twitter chat because I'm too shy. (Psst, lets drag him in yes?) If you're looking for Lauren's Goals and Updates they can be found here.

Goals:

Start and finish the 3 Star Wars books
Finish Mockingjay

Make a start on a 4th if I have time

Visit some blogs if I figure this out

Maybe participate in some challenges

    

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace [graphic novel]
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith [graphic novel]
Mockingjay [Lauren's reading this to me]
Star Wars: Old Republic - Revan
Epiphany [ebook]
(Please note, I highly suggested that reading series out of order is silly but someone is too stubborn to listen)

Updates:

MONDAY

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by Randy Stradley

Pages Read: 96

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Randy Stradley

Pages Read: 96

Star Wars Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn
Pages Read: 63

-

Overall Books Completed: 2

Overall Pages Read: 255

-

Thoughts:
So I've read the two graphic novels and i would say that im pretty impressed on how well the author was able to pull fit so much of a story into the book. The first one was a bit choppy, for example Qui Gon and Obi Wan would find Jaja in the forest then they would all of a sudden be at the underwater city. That scene only lasted about 10 seconds before they were back on land and at Amidala's palace!
The next book was better because he fixed the problem with the choppy parts and filled them with small details or extra parts. I enjoyed this book a lot more because of this.
Revan, this is a character i've always loved, and it takes place after he turns back to the light which is great becasue its the unheard part about his life. Im enjoying it so far but it seems that im getting more of Scourges story than Revan. Its been slow but i can tell its picking up and i cant wait to see how the author intertwines the two characters sories.
To see our challenge entries for today click here.

TUESDAY

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Pages Read: 90

Star Wars Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn

Pages Read: 54

-

Overall Books Completed: 3

Overall Pages Read: 399

-

Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading some more of Revan. Lots more detail has been shown and now Scourge is a character I'm beginning to enjoy as he really shows what the dark side is like. As for Revan he seems to not have any big parts at the moment so I'm not enjoying his story as of yet.

Mockingjay turned out to be fantastic and I'm really happy that my best friend wanted me to read it so much that she had to read it to me haha. I really enjoyed the last few chapters she read as it was exciting and lots was going on, even with all the parts that made the book seem really under detailed.

WEDNESDAY

Star Wars Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn

Pages Read: 34

-

Overall Books Completed: 3

Overall Pages Read: 433

-

Thoughts:

Revan was just as good today. Scourge is my favourite for now as he is doing lots to be a big part of the book. Revan is still great but he's not doing much as of yet, although I think the book is easing into his story so I enjoy it none of the less.

THURSDAY

Star Wars Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn

Pages Read: 31

-

Overall Books Completed: 3

Overall Pages Read: 464

-

Thoughts:

Revan has finally become a big part of the book. MAAAAAN, reading this chapter was amazing, it really was exciting.

FRIDAY

Star Wars Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn

Pages Read: 51

-

Overall Books Completed: 3

Overall Pages Read: 515

-

Thoughts:

I love how their stories have come together. It really was good but just as Revan became big, something happens to him. Damnit haha

SATurDAY

Star Wars Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn

Pages Read: 15

-

Overall Books Completed: 3

Overall Pages Read: 530

-

Thoughts:

I really didn't read much today which sucked but I'm on part 2 of the book and its super interesting. Sort of confusing though.

SUNDAY

Star Wars Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn
Pages Read: 41
-
Overall Books Completed: 4
Overall Pages Read: 571
-
Thoughts:
Wrap up post can be found here

Word and Breath by Susannah Noel - Review

Word and Breath by Susannah Noel

Published: August 7th 2012

Publisher: Susannah Noel

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal / Dystopia

Series: Wordless Chronicles #1
Page Count: 336

Synopsis: Riana has learned how to stay out of trouble. She spends her days studying written texts in the government’s Office of Readers, and she spends her nights taking care of her sick sister. She always—always—follows the rules. Despite her low profile, she has mysteriously become a target. Someone has kidnapped her sister. Someone else is trying to kill her. And someone has sent a Soul-Breather to beguile her out of her secrets.

Her help comes from the mythic leader of an underground rebel movement. A man who used to be her friend. A man who has silently loved her for years. He disappeared from her life without a word, and now he expects her to trust him again.

Then there’s the Soul-Breather, a man who can taste her spirit with only a touch. He makes her feel things she’s never experienced before, but she doesn't know if the feelings are real. Hired to deceive and betray her, he offers to help her instead.

Without both men, she can’t rescue her sister. And she can’t discover the world-changing knowledge—buried in her memory—that has made her a target in the first place.

Review: 

4 / 5 stars

I was lucky enough and very thankful to receive a copy of Word and Breath from Susannah Noel herself and boy do I have to apologise for taking so long to post this review.

I read Word and Breath during February this year and during this time I hit a reading slump for two reasons, one I was getting bogged down with college work and two, I read a lot in January and felt frazzled. So when I think back to Word and Breath I think to myself "Woah I loved this book but I have such a bad vibe from how I felt during that time that I don't know how to tackle this review". Luckily no matter how grotty I felt in February I still enjoyed this book a lot, which I guess just shows how good it is huh? It certainly allowed me to escape.

Enough excuses, moving on. Word and Breath follows Riana in a dystopia era of our world where reading is no longer common, its pretty much died out and only a few still bother to learn. Those people often end up working for the main government to cycle through any kind of writing, organise, file it and notify the authorities of any anomalies that might lead to rebel activity and their code words. Or of course they're the ones placing the secret codes for the rebels.

Riana lives a pretty normal life for someone who can read, she doesn't have friends and looks after her sister religiously, but before long her life gets turned upside down. First she gets almost mugged, then saved by a total hottie (which by the way, is really unusual in this time because people just don't help each other), her sister is kidnapped and held hostage for reasons she doesn't even know of and sooner or later she is dragged into the rebel underworld.

Though things aren't all bad, the hottie is also a Soul-Breather, which by the way the whole concept of is amazing and I can't even begin to explain how excited I am to read the next book and see the development of his character whilst he experiences all these new things! She also gets to spend time with an old friend who disappeared a few years ago, and whilst he too shines a light for her, it isn't one of those annoying love triangles, thank g-d!

What start off as a fairly slow paced book soon turned into a whirlwind of an adventure; fast paced and guns a blazing which I was struggling to put it down for college work at times! I loved finding out about the different groups fighting for power in their world, along with the real reason for why they were so interested in Riana and the fight to get her sister back unharmed. It was a thrilling tale, and I have a feeling the second book will not fall prey to the sequel suicide club!                                     

Goodreads

Amazon*

Susannah Noel: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

*When purchasing through this link, I will receive a small amount, once I have enough saved up I will put it towards a giveaway.

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry - Old Review

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry

Published: 1st May 2008

Publisher: Faber and Faber

Genre: Historical Fiction / Cultural: Ireland / Mystery

Page Count: 312

Synopsis: As a young woman, Roseanne McNulty was one of the most beautiful and beguiling girls in County Sligo, Ireland. Now, as her hundredth year draws near, she is a patient at Roscommon Regional Mental Hospital, and she decides to record the events of her life.
As Roseanne revisits her past, hiding the manuscript beneath the floorboards in her bedroom, she learns that Roscommon Hospital will be closed in a few months and that her caregiver, Dr. Grene, has been asked to evaluate the patients and decide if they can return to society. Roseanne is of particular interest to Dr. Grene, and as he researches her case he discovers a document written by a local priest that tells a very different story of Roseanne’s life than what she recalls. As doctor and patient attempt to understand each other, they begin to uncover long-buried secrets about themselves.
Set against an Ireland besieged by conflict, The Secret Scripture is an epic story of love, betrayal, and unavoidable tragedy, and a vivid reminder of the stranglehold that the Catholic Church had on individual lives for much of the twentieth century.

Review:

4 / 5 stars

I read The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry with my book club at college and I honestly didn't expect much from it. I selected this out of the two book choices we were given because I'm partial to mental hospitals as I find the history of them very interesting.

Whilst this book was set in a mental hospital, the story actually focused on the patient having flash backs of her life in Ireland, which wasn't too bad considering it wasn't reason for me picking up the book. The tale of her life was interesting and as the story progresses little things start to add up here and there.

Though I must say whilst I enjoyed the book, the ending felt forced, somewhat pushed, as there were a lot of coincidences to get all the loose ends to tie up but I guess in a way it was clever.

Please note I read this book way back in 2011 but wanted to share it here regardless of my review being on the short side and brief!

Goodreads

Amazon *

Sebastian Barry: Goodreads | Facebook

* When purchasing through this link, I will earn a small amount, once I have enough saved up I'll put it towards a giveaway.