Task it Tuesday-A fresh start with much to do!

So I tried to clean this up and removes a few things.  For books and just for fun I removed entirely.  You can see what I read on Goodreads or my monthly wrap-ups.  Other fun activities I will just mention periodically.  Like the Wind and Art Festival I just got back from last night!  What a blast!  
This list will not have items removed until the end of the month. New tasks can be added as needed though.  New months start fresh with nothing crossed off.  Due dates will also be altered at that time as needed.  These dates are optimistically set but real life unexpectedness, new priorities, family/friends or even just a desire to do something else can change my estimated time frame.  But I will try my best to get them done in reasonable times which is why I placed dates.  Partly so I don't get overwhelmed feeling like the are all due the same week but also to have a deadline goal to try and meet for that sense of accomplishment. 
Even though this is the end of May, consider this for the first of June since I wanted a new look and didn't want to wait.  

Blue is what I have completed

Altercations or notes are in Purple. 
Neither are applicable to this post.

Blogging or Book related

1.  Write 20 reviews (post at least 1/2 of them).  Due June 28th
2.  Finish getting Archive, Genres and Guest Interview pages up to date Due June 7th
3. Catalog All my physical books.    Due Aug 30th
4.  Respond to all Blog Comments for 2016 Due June 14th
5. Responding to all comments made prior to 2016 Due June 28th
6. Write 3 discussion or topic based posts Due June 28th
7. Catch up on Challenge links Due June 7th
8.  Participate in a Giveaway Hop Due June 28th
9. Sort and Organize my Goodreads shelves Due June 28th
10.  Organize Manga bookcases Due June 7th
11.  Go back and add links to all edelweiss reviews. Due June28th
12. Participate in at least 2 Top Ten Tuesdays Due June 28th
13. Participate in at least 2 Stacking the Shelves  Due June 28th
14.  Clean up Twitter Accounts I follow Due June 28th
15. Clean if Facebook pages I follow Due June 28th
16. Clean up GFC blogs I follow Due July 30th
17. Clean up Bloglovin Accounts I follow Due July 30th
18.  Go through and properly tag all posts Due July 30th
19.  Get review posts on Pinterest Due July 15th
20. Check out Edelweiss and Netgalley for new titles I must request Due June 7th

Stacking the Shelves 104

 

It has been 4 weeks since my last post! Yikes!  I have a lot to share and there is no way I will get to it all in this post but let us see how far I can get! To save time, I am just post images.  Sorry, no links.  You'll have to actually look up the book if one catches your eye. And I hope that at least 1 does.  Few things beat the joy of discovering a new book to read.

 For Review

 

Task it Tuesday- Read, Review and freshen up!

 
So I got through a lot of my books last week!  YAY! Proud of myself there.  I even read one book not shared here.  
This week I added very little.  My focus is on reading, reviewing and trying to change this up a little bit for June.  The list is looking the same, week after week.  I am thinking of maybe setting dates I want them done or removing old goals, done or not, something.  Not sure quite how I want to play this out entirely but I want to change it a little at least. 
So next week, expect some changes! You may not even see what I did this week, I don't know.

Blue=What I have completed

Altercations or notes are in Purple.

As always, especially on reading and fun, I will often do things not listed here as well, just because I feel like it! Gotta have some spontaneity in life!

Blogging or Book related (not reading)

• Write/post 17 reviews (got 2 up and posted)
  
• Finish getting Archive, Genres and Guest Interview pages up to date
  
• Catalog 1575 books I own
  
• Catch up on comment responses for 2016
  
• Responding to all comments made prior to 2016
  

• clean up social media and other blogging follows and likes so I actually find the content for those I really have a true, regular interest in.
  
  1. Twitter
     
  2. Facebook
     
  3. Pinterest
     
  4. GFC
     
  5. Bloglovin
     

• Organize Goodreads shelves for TBR, owned books and kindle books
  
• Organize Manga bookcases
  
• Go back and add links to all edelweiss reviews.
  
•  Visit/comment of 55 posts/videos/etc from fellow bloggers/vlogger
•  Mental Health Awareness Readathon!
•  
•  
•  
• Start prepping Summer reading list
• Redesign this post for a slightly fresher look in June. Remove things that are not so practical to do at this time.
  

Reading

• Read Ashley Bell
  
• Read Rebel Nation
  
• Finish Ready Player One
  
• Finish The 5th Wave
  
• Finish Golden Son
  
• Read Eldest
  
• Finish The Gateway through which they came
  
• Finish Black
  
• Finish Steampunk
  
• Finish Inkdeath
  
• Finish Gameboard of the Gods
  
• Restart Nameless
  
• Finish Lost Tribe of the Sith collection
  
• Finish Jesus the One and Only study (progress)
  
• Finish Dungeons and Dreamers
  
• Re-(Skim) Read Viral Nation
  
• Re-read the Walking Dead Compendium 1
  
• Read Pride and Prejudice
  
• Read By fire, by moonlight
  
• Read Daylighters
  
• Read Little Women
  
• Read Black Moon
  
• Read Submissive Fairy Tales
  
• Re-Read The Book of Three
  
• Read My Heavenly Hockey Club Vol 1
  
• Read The BFG
  
• Finish Pure
  
• Read books 2-3 of the Landover books  (Read Book 2)
  
• Finish Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch
  

• Read Unhinged by AG Howard
  
• Read The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski (progress)
  
• Finish My Hero Academia Vol 4
  
• Read Finding Audrey by Sophia Kinsella
  
• Read The Dark Side of Innocence by Terri Cheney
  
• Read Stop Walking on Eggshells by Mason Kregen
  
• Read Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King
  
• Read Nisekoi Vol 15 (Progress)
  
• Read One Punch Man Vol 6
  
• Read The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch by Neil Gaiman
  
• Read A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forest (Progress)
  
• Read Faking It by Cora Carmack 
•  Read Devil in the Details by Jennifer Traig

Review: Emma's Secret by Steena Holmes

 

Finding Emma: Emma's Secret (2)

by Steena Holmes

Genre(s): Contemporary, Chick-lit

Pages: 254

Published:  June 2013

Publisher: Amazon Publishing

Official Synopsis:  "For two years, Megan, Peter, and their two older daughters, Alexis and Hannah, dream of nothing but being reunited with the family’s youngest child, Emma, who was kidnapped just before her third birthday. When Emma is miraculously found living with an elderly couple just miles from the family’s home, they are hopeful that her return will heal the wounds her disappearance created.

But Emma is vastly different from the sunny toddler they remember. She barely remembers her parents or her older sisters. She is quiet and withdrawn, and, worst of all, longs for the very people who kidnapped her.

Megan is consumed with bitterness, while Peter works later and later nights in the company of his gorgeous business partner. And in the middle of everything, Megan’s best friend has become suddenly distant and secretive.

Then a chance encounter in town leads to a secret that changes everything again for Emma. And Peter must decide between the happiness of his youngest daughter and the trust of his family."

This is book 2 of a series!  Be sure to learn more about book 1, Finding Emma, here!



Review: Bring on the feels and inner turmoil. Be prepared to drop all pretenses of what is black and white when it comes to kidnapping. This story has me sympathizing or even empathizing with every character. Well, all the major players in the book at least. Even the bit characters like Jan and Laurie are well played out though!

If you have not read Finding Emma already, I highly suggest you do so. It really adds so much to this book to understand what has happened already. 

Review: In the Shadows by Kiersten White & Jim Di Bartolo

 

 In the Shadows 

by Kiersten White & Jim Di Bartolo

Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Paranormal, Historical Fiction

Pages: 384

Published: April 2014

Publisher: Scholastic

Official Synopsis: "From the remarkable imagination of acclaimed artist Jim Di Bartolo and the exquisite pen of bestselling author Kiersten White comes a spellbinding story of love, mystery, and dark conspiracy, told in an alternating narrative of words and pictures.

Cora and Minnie are sisters living in a small, stifling town where strange and mysterious things occur. Their mother runs the local boarding house. Their father is gone. The woman up the hill may or may not be a witch.

Thomas and Charles are brothers who’ve been exiled to the boarding house so Thomas can tame his ways and Charles can fight an illness that is killing him with increasing speed. Their family history is one of sorrow and guilt. They think they can escape from it . . . but they can’t."

Review: This was such a different read. Part novel, part (picture only) graphic novel. It flips periodically, back and forth. It is not a straight forward story. Imagination, the ability to follow multiple times lines and the capability to draw conclusions are all needed to truly appreciate this story.

Task it Tuesday-Reading to Insanity

 

 As expected, last week was busy.  This week too!  With back-to-back readathons and several group/buddies reads scheduled for this week (and the books don't mix!) I will be reading a LOT this week.  That is my main focus.  Especially on reading the books I just added!  I am otherwise mostly focused on working on things I have already started otherwise.  Not much new besides reading tasks this week.  I have WAY over-commited myself to others so we shall see how much I can handle!  

***Okay, for some reason, things are not all color coding correctly.  I am not going to stress it this week. 

As always, especially on reading and fun, I will often do things not listed here as well, just because I feel like it!  Gotta have some spontaneity in life!

Blogging or Book related (not reading)

• Write/post 17 reviews
• 2 Discussion/other Post  
• Finish getting Archive, Genres and Guest Interview pages up to date
• Catalog 1575 books I own
• Catch up on comment responses for 2016
• Responding to all comments made prior to 2016

• clean up social media and other blogging follows and likes so I actually find the content for those I really have a true, regular interest in.
1. Twitter
2. Facebook
3. Pinterest
4. GFC
5. Bloglovin

• Organize Goodreads shelves for TBR, owned books and kindle books
• Organize Manga bookcases
• Go back and add links to all edelweiss reviews. 
•  Visit/comment of 125 posts/videos/etc from fellow bloggers/vloggers ( Got around to about 70)
• Keep up with Bout of Books updates
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Mental Health Awareness Readathon!
• STS post

Reading

• Read Ashley Bell 
• Read Rebel Nation
• Finish Ready Player One
• Finish The 5th Wave
• Finish Golden Son
• Read Eldest
• Finish The Gateway through which they came
• Finish Black
• Finish Steampunk
• Finish Inkdeath
• Finish Gameboard of the Gods
• Restart Nameless
• Finish Lost Tribe of the Sith collection
• Finish Jesus the One and Only study (progress)
• Finish Dungeons and Dreamers
• Re-(Skim) Read Viral Nation
• Re-read the Walking Dead Compendium 1 (progress)
• Read Pride and Prejudice
• Read By fire, by moonlight
• Read Daylighters
• Read Little Women
• Read Black Moon
• Read Submissive Fairy Tales
• Re-Read The Book of Three
• Read My Heavenly Hockey Club Vol 1
• Read The BFG  
• Finish Pure
• Read books 2-3 of the Landover books  (progress)
•  Finish Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead
• Finish Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch

• Read Emma's Secret by Steena Holmes
• Read The Crown by Kiera Cass
• Read Unhinged by AG Howard (progress)
• Read The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski 
• Finish Chainmail Bikini graphic novel 
• Finish My Hero Academia Vol 4 (previously was just to start.  About 1/2 way through)

Bout of Books,Wrap Up

 

So overall, I feel like I did a fantastic job.  With family visits, work, Armchair BEA and projects underway, I read a lot!  It was a fun week.  I loved the variety of twitter parties. I finally made it to one after all these times of participating. Lots of fun!  I am eager for the next one!

 

 

Total Readathon Stats:

Completed:

• 2 Novellas
• 3 Novels
• 1 graphic novel

Also made progress in:

• 1 Non-fic
•  2 novels
• 2 graphic novels

Total pages read: 1358

+

Audio listened to: 45 minutes

Bout of Books, End of Day 6

 

Isn't it a great feeling to read an entire book in a day!!  I did Started and finished:

 
  Also I made progress in

 

  Total pages read this day:291

Better than I thought.  I am not expecting too much in these last couple days.  My grandmother is in town starting tomorrow and my attention will be on spending good quality time with her!

 

 

Total Readathon Stats:

Completed:

• 2 Novellas
• 3 Novels
• 1 graphic novel

 
In progress: 

• 1 Non-fic
•  2 novels
• 2 graphic novels

Total pages read: 1170

+

Audio listened to: 45 minutes

Armchair BEA- Surviving Fictional Worlds

Which fictional worlds would you want to live in? Which worlds do you never want to dive into? Which worlds are you content to stay behind the glass, so to speak, rather than wishing to dive through the page?

Well, let us start with the obvious.  Harry Potter!  Oh yes please I would love to live in this magical world!!! Even if I was a muggle or squib I would love to be here so long as I can witness the magic, creatures, etc firsthand.  Of course, being a witch would be HIGHLY preferred in this world! :)

Narnia-I could live here.  Or even being able to visit often would be alright.  Talking animals! 

Panem from the Hunger Games.- SO would NOT want to live here.  But I have a twisted wish to see what Capitol life is like on a regular basis, in between the games.  Do they always dress so outrageously.  Are they always so gluttonous?  What else do the do? Jobs? Other entertainment, etc.  Just 1 day as an ethereal, ghost-like person that can spy, sit in on others personal lives to see what happens.  Just a weird curiosity I have. 

Anything with ZOMBIES-keep me far away from.  I will read about them, I will watch them in shows/movies.  But that is close enough! 

Star Wars Expanded Universe- Live or lots of long visits.  I want to visit the Hapes system and other planets.  To meet the creatures/aliens.  To try the drinks, etc.  To use a REAL lightsaber, lol.  Just not during the Vong invasion...  

Bout of Books, End of Day 5

 

Not a lot of reading today, but that was expected with my favorite visitor! 

 
I made progress in

 

  Total pages read this day: 101

Better than I thought.  I am not expecting too much in these last couple days.  My grandmother is in town starting tomorrow and my attention will be on spending good quality time with her!

 

 

Total Readathon Stats:

Completed:

• 2 Novellas
• 2 Novels
• 1 graphic novel

 
In progress: 

• 1 Non-fic
•  2 novels
• 2 graphic novels

Total pages read: 979

+

Audio listened to: 45 minutes

Armchair BEA- Beyond the Books & Blog

Beyond the traditional form of the novel, what are your favorite alternative forms (graphic novels, audiobooks, webcomics, etc)? Do you have any favorite works within these alternate forms? How do you think the changing format affects the reading experience? 


I love graphic novels, especially manga!  
Audio books are not my thing overall but once in awhile I will have one for when I am cleaning, driving, yard work, etc.  I am very picky about the narrators though.  So not a go-to choice ever but handy.  Especially as a recap.  If I don't want to sit an re-read a book and I want to remember details more clearly (such as before reading a new released sequel) these are perfect.  However, I do love AudioTheater books.
I am also not a big fan of ebooks.  While I do have some, mostly my kindle is only for eArcs or Freebies.  There is something about the weight, feel and even smell of a physical book.  Something about turning the pages, seeing your progress (not some number percentage) that adds to the experience.  So unless I can only get a book in ebook format, I will always pay the extra for a print copy.

 





Our secondary topic, beyond the blog could focus on the ways you engage in talking about books outside of your blog. Do you participate in book clubs, take classes, meticulously maintain your goodreads profile? Let the world know!

I am a part of several reading groups on Goodreads. Very active on that site.  Daily updates, and reviews actually go up here before even my blog (sometimes by a few minutes, other times by several weeks.
 
 Also general chat on social media. 
 I am a volunteer at my local library as well so I can help organize, promote and talk books.  I have been doing this for years and LOVE it.  
I have a couple family members/friends to talk books with in depth but not too many in my personal circle.  I have to be careful though.  I recently learned my involvement in reading has burnt our my husband.  He now feels like I read enough for us book *gasp*...I did not know such a thing was possible.  So stepping back on the book talk at home.   

Bout of Books, End of Day 4

 

I Finished

 
Plus made progress in

 

Armchair BEA- Aesthetic Concerns

 



The Books: How often do you judge a book by its cover? How often are you surprised by what you find? Do you strategize and make sure every book in your series has the same cover design (as far as you are able to) and type? How important is it for the visual art on the outside of the book to match or coordinate with the literature art on the inside? 

While a cover can sucker me in to looking at a book, the synopsis (or trusted author) is the clincher.  Titles can get me just as easily as an interesting cover.  

I do love books with embossed covers though.  Texture adds a lot!  

Books do not have to match.  I even have some series' with a hardback/paperback mix.  WHile it is nice to get them to match (and on some I do work on it over time), it is far from required.  They content and story is what is important to me.  

I dont; like when the art has nothing to do with the story (like showing a city when the book takes place in a desert). Or the characters look WAY off from the description (character is 27 but the guy on the cover looks 50!). While it is a nice touch to pull it all together, it is not necessarily.