BookTube-A-Thon 2015 TBR List

BookTube-A-Thon. It's that time again! If you've not heard of BookTube-A-Thon before it's basically a yearly reading marathon which takes place over the course of one week where there are seven bookish challenges to be completed. You can complete as many or as little of the challenges as you like - it's basically just a fun week of reading! If you've not seen this year's challenge video you can watch it here where all of the challenges and rules are explained.

Last year was the first year I attempted BookTube-A-Thon and I managed to complete three books. This year however, I've been a bit more savvy with my book choices (thin books FTW) as I'm hoping to complete all seven challenges and read all seven books despite not having that much free time next week! I have to admit I did do a last minute Amazon haul for most of these books as I didn't have many small books left on my TBR shelf... Sorry bank account.

Here are the books I'm hoping to read for each challenge:

Challenge 1: Read a book with blue on the cover

Book: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess 

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

Book: Woman Much Missed by Thomas Hardy

Challenge 3: Read someone else's favourite book

Book: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Challenge 4: Read the last book you acquired

Book: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them by J.K. Rowling

Challenge 5: Finish a book without letting go of it

Book: Very Good Lives by J.K. Rowling

Challenge 6: Read a book you really want to read

Book: Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Challenge 7: Read seven books

Book: The Beautifull Cassandra by Jane Austen

It starts tomorrow - Monday - so if you haven't chosen your books yet you still have time. And if you are taking part - good luck!

Currently reading: Jane Austen Cover To Cover by Margaret C. Sullivan

Currently drinking: Pineapple and Vanilla Tea by Charbrew

Currently listening to: I'm A Hotshot by Hotshot

The Books On My Holiday TBR List

Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee

I'm going away for two weeks tomorrow to visit my boyfriend, then stay with my sister and finally spend a week with my family in the countryside,* so I've gathered together a collection of books to read whilst I'm away. I don't expect to get through all of these but I'm not sure what I'll fancy reading so I've packed a range of choices!

Of these books, I'd definitely like to finish City of Ashes. I started it a couple of weeks ago for the second month of the #tmireadathon on twitter but I haven't got round to finishing it yet. I also jumped right on the Go Set A Watchman bandwagon this month even though I've never read To Kill A Mockingbird so I picked up this beautiful clothbound edition of To Kill A Mockingbird so I can read them both together.

I also recently started reading Meant To Be and A Court of Thorns and Roses so I've bought them along to finish. I have to admit I didn't really have any expectations of Meant To Be but it's made me laugh so much so far! The main character is also a huge book nerd and there are lots of relatable bookish quotes in it so I'm looking forward to finishing it!

Finally, I'm also bringing along The Lord of the Rings. One of my bookish resolutions for 2015 is to finish LOTR and for some reason I tend to have an urge to read fantasy books when we're on holiday in the countryside (perhaps I feel like I'm having my own Hobbit-y adventure?!). Hopefully it'll satisfy that craving!

Have you read any of these books? Which ones would you recommend?

Currently reading: Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill

Currently listening to: Video Game by Boys Republic

*Although holidaying in the countryside sounds very posh, we essentially camp out in an old army cabin in the middle of a field for a few weeks over the year! Oh so glamorous dahhhling ;)

The Top Ten Books On My Summer Reading List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme by The Broke and the Bookish. To learn more about this meme click here and you can view their post on this week's theme here.

Summer! Freedom from exams, coursework and stupid amounts of stress for four whole months! This summer I mainly want to stick to contemporary/young adult books as they're my favourite kind of easy-reading books which will be perfect for reading curled up in the sunshine! Also as one of my bookish resolutions this year was to finish off some of the series I've started, I've included a few books to work towards this goal.

In no particular order:
1. A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall
I've just started reading this and it seems like a really cute and fluffy read - perfect for the summer!

2. The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
The film adaptation comes of The Longest Ride comes out in the UK this week so hopefully I'll get the chance to read this before I see the film. The storyline looks so adorable/heartbreaking from the film's trailer!

3. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
I know next-to-nothing about this book (I didn't even read the description before ordering it!) I've just seen it raved about everywhere so I thought I'd give it a go. Plus as it's a fairly slim book, I'm hoping I can save it to use for BookTube-A-Thon later this summer.

4. The 100 by Kass Morgan
I absolutely devoured the first two seasons of The 100 TV show so I'm hoping I'll love the books too. So many kickass female characters! Plus Bellamy Blake *swoons*.

5. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen & 6. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Another two books I don't know much about but I've seen being mentioned a lot! They both look like they'll be cute, quick reads though which I'm looking forward to breezing through.

7. The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
There's currently a TMI readathon going on on Twitter in the lead-up to the new television adaptation where you read one book of the series per month, starting in June. I haven't read the last book in the series yet as I need to re-read the rest of the series beforehand, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to finish this series without having to attempt to re-read all the previous books in one go!

8. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
This book sounds so cute! I'm looking forward to catching up with Mia and Adam's stories again and as this book is the second of a duology, that'll be another series checked off my list.

9. All I Know Now by Carrie Hope Fletcher
I absolutely love Carrie Fletcher for her lovely, positive personality so I had to buy her book when I saw it in Waterstones! I hope this will make a lovely, feel-good summer read!

10. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
I read Insurgent about two years ago but I still haven't read Allegiant yet. However I saw Insurgent in cinemas recently so I have no excuse not to get this one finished off this summer!

What are you planning on reading this summer? Have you read any of the books I plan to read?

Currently reading: A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

Currently drinking: Chai Tea by Twinings

Currently listening to: Love Me Right by EXO

My 2015 Bookish Resolutions

Here are the bookish resolutions that I hope to achieve in 2015:

1. Read 30 books

This has been my goal for the past two years and I've not reached it yet *shakes fist at University textbooks* but hopefully 2015 will be the year!

2. To not buy anymore books this year (other than a few exceptions)

Despite having another shelf added only a few months ago I'm already running out of storage space for my books! And as over 40 of the books on my shelf are unread I want to tackle some of them first this year before I start buying books again. However I will allow myself a few exceptions such as replacing the rest of my paperback Austens with Penguin's oh-so-gorgeous clothbound editions.

3. Finish at least 3 series that I've already started

SO. MANY. Vampire Academy, the Lux series, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Mortal Instruments, Divergent, If I Stay, The Inheritance Cycle to name a few...

4. Read more classics

I've only actually finished two classics - Pride and Prejudice and Alice in Wonderland so I would like to read a few more this year - particularly Austen, Gaskell & The Brontës.

5. Complete The Lord of the Rings

I've previously read the first half of The Fellowship of the Ring and really enjoyed it but unfortunately I had to abandon it for University. I picked up a one volume version of all three books in a vintage shop the other day so I'd like to finally finish it this year.

What are your bookish resolutions? How many books are you aiming to read in 2015?

Currently reading: My True Love Gave To Me by Stephanie Perkins

Currently drinking: Gingerbread Green Tea by Twinings

August Wrap Up & September To Be Read (2014)

Books I read in August:

The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

Rating: 3/5

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Rating: 4/5
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Rating: 5/5

Compared to the seven books I read in July this month has been a bit of a poor effort! I only managed to read two of my August TBR books as well, whoops! The first was The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen and the second, A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. This is the second Sarah Dessen book I've read (the first being 'That Summer' which I didn't like at all) and I'm sad to report that I still can't understand the hype with her books. I'm still determined to carry on reading them though so if I come across more of her books in a charity shop I'll give them a go. I did however really enjoy A Game of Thrones and I plan to post a review of it soon.

The other book I read this month was If I Stay by Gayle Forman in preparation for the film that has recently come out. Even though it wasn't the kind of book I'd usually enjoy (I usually avoid books with sad topics such as this one like the plague), I found that I did like it. I especially loved Mia and Adam's relationship. I think this book will work very well as a film so I'm looking forward to seeing it soon.

Books I intend to read in September:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

I'm starting my second year of university in September (at a new university, eek!) so I'm only going to put the bare essentials on my reading list as I don't know if I'll get that much time for reading. As I didn't manage to read my August book jar book, The Host, I've carried it over to this month's TBR. In addition my September book jar read is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. I'm really excited to read this one as I've always enjoyed the TV and film adaptations so I'm hoping I'll fall in love with the actual book too. I'd also like to carry on with the A Song of Ice and Fire series by reading the second book, A Clash of Kings.

What did you read in August?

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Book cover images from Goodreads

July Wrap Up & August To Be Read (2014)

Books I read in July:

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

Rating: 4/5

Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Mass

Rating: 4/5

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Rating: 5/5

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Rating: 3/5

Blue by Lisa Glass

Rating: 1/5

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Rating: 5/5
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Rating: 4/5

It was BookTube-A-Thon this month so I read the first three books above to complete some challenges. Although I only read three books for BookTube-A-Thon in the end, it's not bad for my first one (or so I keep telling myself!). I enjoyed all three books I read but I especially loved Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. It was one of those books that I literally could not put down. I can't wait to read her other books!

After BookTube-A-Thon I also read Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Blue by Lisa Glass and both Anna and Lola books by Stephanie Perkins. I quite liked Shadow and Bone although I think it'll be one of those books for me where the next book in the series will either make or break the series for me so I'll have to get round to reading the next book soon. I also fell in love with the two Stephanie Perkins books I read. Both were brilliant but I think Anna and the French Kiss will easily be one of the best books I've read this year. I sadly did not like Blue by Lisa Glass though, as much as I did try to. I did a review on this book which you can read here if you wish.

Books I intend to read in August:

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
The Host by Stephenie Meyer

For August, the first two books on my TBR list are carried over from July. I started GoT at the beginning of July and I have been reading it incredibly slowly so I'd like to finally get it finished this month, along with The Truth About Forever which I started on holiday but have been neglecting since I got back home. I'd also like to carry on with the Throne of Glass series by reading the second book, Crown of Midnight. And finally my book jar pick for August was The Host. I've been put off from reading this in the past by it's size but I loved the film adaptation so hopefully I'll enjoy this one!

What books are you planning on reading in August?

Book covers from Goodreads

July Wrap Up & August To Be Read (2013)

Sorry this post is so late! I had actually typed up most of this post before the end of July but I ended up going away twice within the space of a couple of days which is why I haven't had chance to get this up until now. Eeek!

Books that I read in July:

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Rating: 2/5

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5/5
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Rating: 3/5

My July TBR was composed of Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess, Hush, Hush and Under The Dome. While I did start all four books, I just couldn't get on with Under The Dome and ended up reading The Selection instead. I'm sorry! I like the idea of Under The Dome but I just can't get on with how graphic the book is. Such a sissy.

I really enjoyed reading Clockwork Prince and Clockwork Princess though, even if they did tear out my heart and rip it to shreds! I think I might even prefer this trilogy to Cassandra Clare's other series, The Mortal Instruments, as the characters were all so lovely. I even found myself liking Magnus Bane who I wasn't very keen on in TMI but after reading more about him in TID, I warmed to him a lot.

I also started The Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick. I'd already downloaded the other three books in the series as I really liked the idea of the books from the synopsis, however I ended up being disappointed with the first book so I don't think I'll read the other three.

I also read The Selection by Kiera Cass which I'm on the fence about so I think the next book will either make or break the trilogy for me.

Books I intend to read in August:

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
The Elite by Kiera Cass
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (re-read)

I only chose four books again for August as I know I will be spending a lot of time away from home, going on holiday and visiting the boyfriend. I've already read Hex Hall and The Elite and I'm currently about halfway through both Unspoken and City of Bones but I'll save my thoughts for my August wrap-up post.

Book cover images from goodreads.com

June Wrap Up & July To Be Read (2013)

Books that I read in June:

Book cover images from goodreads.com

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Rating: 4 / 5

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Rating: 5 / 5

Angelfall by Susan Ee
Rating: 3 / 5

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Rating: 5 / 5

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Rating: 5 / 5

June was quite a good month for reading despite having my horrible college deadlines in the middle of it. I finished off the fifth book in Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series and started the first book in her other Shadowhuner series, Clockwork Angel from The Infernal Devices. I also read the first two books in the Divergent trilogy, the third of which is due to be released in October.

In June I also read Angelfall by Susan Ee. There is a lot of hype over this book online, which was partially why I downloaded it in the first place, but I did not get on with the first half of the book at all and found myself struggling to continue with the book at certain points. However I'm glad I did persevere as I ended up really enjoying the second half as the plot quickened and new characters and locations were introduced.

Books I intend to read in July:

Book cover images from goodreads.com

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Under The Dome by Stephen King

Although college has finished now I have a feeling I might end up being quite busy in July with the boyfriend moving out of his university flat in July so I've only set myself four books to read. I'd like to finish off The Infernal Devices trilogy with Clockwork Prince and Clockwork Princess and start the Hush, Hush series which I've heard lots of good things about.

Additionally My July book chosen at random from my book jar is Under The Dome by Stephen King. I am honestly a bit nervous about reading this book as it is absolutely massive but as its a dystopian novel, I'm hoping that I will enjoy it.

What books do you want to read in July?