Bout of Books 11, Wrap Up

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is over, and I finished my first ever read a thon. It was a lot of fun, but I didn't get to read as much as I wanted, but I'm still pleased with the amount that I got through.

The challenges I gave myself were to read:

• 3 books
• and/or at least 1000 pages

Sadly I didn't finish any of these challenges. But I still had a great time, and I got through some pages still.

First of, I did finish Blood Promise by Richelle Mead:

Pages read: 338

I had already started this book before the read-a-thon began, and that is why the pages are not more. I did enjoy the book but it wasn't my favorite in the series, and I kind of felt like it dragged out a little bit and got a bit boring at times.

The next book i started and finished was Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher:

Pages read: 288

After reading Blood Promise, I was in the mood for something totally different, so I decided to pick up this book. And I'm so glad I did. I flew through it, which is always handy in a read-a-thon. 

I loved this book, and I did a book review for it, which you can go to by clicking HERE.

The last book I started was Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead:

Pages read: 167

My goal was to finish the Vampire Academy throughout this read-a-thon. That didn't exactly happen, but I still got a lot further through it. I haven't gotten very far into this book, and to be honest after Blood Promise I haven't been very eager to pick it up.

But I am hoping and wishing this book will be a lot better, and get me really into the series again.

Pages read in total: 793

I am so glad I participated in the Bout of Books, and it definitely made me want to do more read-a-thons in the future. Hopefully next time, I might be able to finish my goals as well :)

….

Elin

Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Short Synopsis:
This book is about a girl named Hanna Baker, who have committed suicide. Before she took her life she recorded cassette tapes, which contains 13 reasons why she decided on going through with it.
Clay Jensen receives these types, and finds out that he is actually one of the thirteen reasons.

If you would like to read the Goodreads synopsis click HERE.


My thoughts on the plot:
This was such an original book. I have never read anything like it. I thought the way it was written was just brilliant. It was a thrilling story, which i flew through. The way Asher conveyed both Hanna's and Clay's feelings were amazing, and I got sucked into the story right away. I was hooked from beginning to end, and I almost couldn't put it down, cause I just had to know how and why it all happened.

My thoughts on the characters:
I really liked the two main characters Clay and Hanna. I felt so bad for both of them. What they had to go through was so tragic and sad. I could feel the desperation and the hopelessness that Hanna was feeling, and I could definitely feel the frustration and sadness Clay went through. He wanted to help her so bad, but he knew it was to late.

All in all:
This book dives into a very serious and heavy subject, suicide. It definitely made you think about how you can affect other people, small things can have huge impacts on others, it can even change their lives. The book also shows how important it is to show people that you care. Even though people doesn't ask for help, it doesn't always mean they don't want and need it.
Such a strong book, and I loved every part of it. So without a doubt this books get a solid:

….

Elin

Friday Reads #3

It is Friday, and time for another Friday Reads blog post. I am working this weekend, but I still hope to get some reading done. It is still the Bout of Books read-a-thon so I need to do my best the last days that are left.

This weekend I will be reading two books, and the first one is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher:

I am currently reading this book, and absolutely loving it. I get why it is so popular, and why it has gotten so many good reviews. I will probably finish this book tonight because I only have about 40 pages left of it.














When I finish that book I will dive into Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead:

This is the fifth book in the Vampire Academy series. I have to be honest, I am not super thrilled to start this book, because the last book was a bit boring. But it definitely ended with a cliffhanger, and therefore I need to continue on with the series to see how it will progress.
I really hope this book picks up a lot, and gets me hooked again.












….
Elin

Waiting on Wednesday #2

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. The is a way to share upcoming releases that you are eagerly anticipating. A great way to discover new books, and maybe add them to your TBR list.

This week I have chosen The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Release date: October 7th, 2014

Goodreads Synopsis:
I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

My thoughts:
This book sounds so interesting, and original. It is a dystopian, and that is one of my favorite genres. I have not read Marie Lu's other series, Legend. But that one has gotten super good reviews on goodreads, and therefore I am hoping, and believing that this one will also be great. Need to get this in my life now :)

To read others waiting on wednesday picks, click HERE.

….
Elin

Top Ten Tuesday #3

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week they choose a new topic, and they invite others to join in and share their lists. This weeks topic is:

Top Ten Books People Have Been Telling You That You MUST Read

I don't have that many people around me who reads a lot, and especially not the same type of books that I read. Therefore my list will contain some books that has been recommended directly to me, and some books that blogers, and book tubers have raved about and recommended readers/watchers to read.

1. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.

This book was recommended to me by my sister. She really enjoyed it, and I believe I will to cause it sounds really good. The last book just recently came out, and it has been a series that has been raved about a lot. It is definitely on my TBR for sure.














2. The Fault in Our Star by John Green.

This is a book I think everybody has heard about, and nearly everybody has read. I feel like everybody loved this book, and I haven't heard a bad word about it. I mentioned this book in my last top ten post HERE, where I said I probably wont pick it up because I have already watched the movie, and therefore feel like the whole book has been spoiled.












3. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

I see this series mentioned in the book community all the time. And the third book is going to be released very soon. I am super intrigued by the synopsis of this book, and it sounds super awesome. It is a bit scary because of all the hype, and I am afraid to be really disappointed. But I know I can't stay away from this series, and I hope it will live on my shelf very, very soon.












4. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.

This is the first book in the sequel series to The Mortal Instruments series, which is a super popular book series, and now also a popular movie.
Many people who have read both of these series, have this one, The Infernal Devices, as their favorite, and because of that I really want to read this series as well as The Mortal Instruments.











5. Cinder by Marissa Meyer.

Another hyped up series, which just seems so great. Three books are out so far, and the fourth one is coming out sometime next year. The synopsis sounds very good and original, and this is also a series I haven't heard any negative words about.















6. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.

I feel like this is one of the most popular contemporary YA novels out there, and so many people loves it. I am not sure I am that intrigued to read it though. I might have to give into it one day, just to see if it is as good as people say it is.














7. Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan.

I feel like I am one of the few people that has not read this series yet. I really, really need to get these soon and read them. I'm imagining them being fast pace, and a really fun read, like Harry Potter.














8. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.

This one has such an original and unique plot, and it has been on my TBR for a long time. The last book came out not that long ago, and I am dying to get the whole trilogy and just read through them all.














9. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

The last book in this series came out recently, and therefore it has been mentioned a lot in the book community. And people just seem to LOVE this series so much. Don't know to much what it is about, but I know I want to read it still.














10. The Selection by Kiera Cass.

Again, another book series that has recently been completed, and therefore has been talked about a lot. This trilogy has more mixed reviews, but I am really intrigued by the unique plot.
















Any of these I should be reading right away? :)

If you would like to read others Top Ten list, click HERE.

….
Elin

Bout of Books 11, Challenges + TBR

So, the Bout of Books read-a-thon 11 is tomorrow, and that means it is time to set some challenges, and choose some books to complete those challenges.

I have thought a lot about how much I am going to challenge myself, cause I do want to make a challenge that is obtainable but at the same time is challenging.
I am away on holiday for some of the days in the read a thon week, but I will still bring my book and hopefully be able to read a little bit. But because of that I know I won't be able to get through a ton of books.

The challenges I am giving myself is:

• to read 3 books
• and/or read at least 1000 pages

For me 3 books and 1000 pages is quite a lot for me, cause I never read that much in a week. But I feel super ready to dive into this, and really try to finish the challenge(s).

When it comes to my TBR I am not a hundred percent sure of which ones I will choose, but I think it will definitely be the last three books in the Vampire Academy series, I am currently reading the fourth one now. If I manage to finish those, I will just pick whatever I feel like at the moment.

I am stoked about this read a thon, and really hope I will be able to finish the challenges I've set :)

Anyone else ready? :)
….
Elin

Friday Reads #2

So this friday I am on vacation, driving around Norway in our car. This means that I am not reading that much, but I do get time to read a little bit before going to sleep :)

The book that I am reading this weekend is Blood Promise by Richelle Mead:

This is the fourth book in the Vampire Academy series. As I have mentioned before, I really enjoy this series a whole lot. The last book had quite a shocking ending, and I can't wait to dive into this one and find out how this will progress.










Are anyone else reading anything fun this weekend? :)

....
Elin