Racing to Read Book Tag

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And since I have recently participated in The Reading Rush, I thought I'd do the Racing to Read Book Tag! (Just for the fun of it.) 

Enjoy!

Warm Up~ A book that stretches your mind.

Listening to Michelle Obama talk about her life, her childhood, was a time I never knew. It opened my eyes to what it was like 30+ years ago, and I was allowed to get an insight into the world of politics, when Barack and Michelle resided in the White-house. Becoming was the definition of a book that stretched my mind. 

Start line ~ What's a book that you started but never finished?

I don't start many books that I don't finish eventually (like even with Queen of Air and Darkness, which I was reading for three months, I eventually finished.) So I'm going to change it up, and choose a series I didn't finish. 

The Snow Like Ashes trilogy. I remember little to nothing about this series and the reason why I feel no urge to pick this series back up: I bought the first book purely for the cover, and it took me so long to finish it, I lost all interest in the characters, the story, even the world, which was by far the most interesting part of the book. 

Sprint ~ A book you read really quickly?

There are a number of books I've read really quickly- like in one day. But the first one that springs to mind is a book that I read a long time ago:

Boys Don't Cry, by Malorie Blackman

Boys Don't Cry is like every other YA Malorie Blackman book I've read- amazingly written, and I've had to pull my eyes away from the page to get some sleep. But I don't know whether this was a bit easier to get into or what, but I read it in about 3 hours the first time I picked this up. 

Marathon ~ What's your favourite long book?

What counts as a long book? I'm going to say 500 pages. 

I'll say The Final Empire, the first book in the Mistborn trilogy. (It's one of my favourites at least.) I read the Mistborn trilogy just over two years ago, and I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Starsight (paperback edition) so I can devour another Brandon Sanderson book. (It's out 2nd October.) 

Hurdles ~ What's a book that had ups and downs?

Even though I know that this book has a lot of fans, there was a book in a series (that I loved the rest of) that I had some ups and downs in. After an amazing first book, I had high expectations, for this, which never ends well. I did decide to continue on with the rest of the series, but there was just something that didn't sit well with me. That book was One Dark Throne, by Kendare Blake. 

Finish line ~ A book you were proud to finish?

THIS. IT is the largest book I have currently finished, and I was so happy that I managed to complete it. It's a whopping 1166 pages, and it solidified the want to read more Stephen King novels. Since then I've read a couple more Stephen King books, but there are still more that I want to pick up (I'm planning on adding at least two during October this year- so that urge is still going strong.) 

Gold medal ~ Best book you've read during a readathon?

I read this in one sitting- during last year's Reading Rush. Heartstopper is one of my favourite series so far, and I'm so bummed I have to wait until 2021 for the next volume, but I can always re-read this series! I highly recommend this series if you haven't picked it up, it's so cute, I nearly start crying sweets every time I pick up the newest volume. 

Participation ribbon ~ An underrated book you wish got more attention?

Honestly, I have no idea about what to put for this. 

So, I'm looking for recommendations!

What book do you think is underrated! 

Because I'm seeking out the underrated books!

Okay! That's the Racing to Read Book Tag! As always, anyone that wants to do this tag- can! You're all tagged! 

Okay! I hope you have a wonderful night, and I'll see you all soon- with my July Wrap Up (2020)! 

Byeee! 

-Abi xxxx

A Review on the First Half of the Year

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And today I will be talking about all the things that I've done so far this year- and everything I want to accomplish in the rest of the year.

This includes series I've finished, TBR jar challenges, series I want to start/finish, and what I'll be focusing on for the remainder of the year.

Enjoy!

January-June 2020

1. Series' completed

(I will be including The Illuminae Files, even though I only technically only finished the final book at the start of July- because it counts as a series' completed!)

1. The "This Mortal Coil" trilogy, by Emily Suvada

If you like Teri Terry's books, this trilogy is next in line. I've read the new This Mortal Coil books three years in a row (except This Vicious Cure because that book came out the following January, instead of the September before, like the first two) and I loved every new instalment. This Mortal Coil starts with a virus, which is spread by pigeons, and Catarina, who is lying in wait for her father to return after being taken by the Government. It may be a dystopian novel, but it's also amazing- due to it's crazy and unpredictable chapter endings, which makes you want to keep reading- even if it's 3am and you have to get up in 2 hours. These books are all as good as each-other, none of them are any worse, and they're all wonderful. If you like books about uncontrollable viruses, secrets and DNA- this is the trilogy for you.

2. The "Darker Shade of Magic" trilogy, by V.E. Schwab

I love this trilogy. It totally deserves the hype it's built up over the years. As much as I wish I'd joined the train earlier, as the books were released, I'm glad I was able to read them all at once. My only critique is that I wish there were more books in this world, because I want to read about these characters more! I have to keep hold of the hope that V.E Schwab will release another book with Kell, with Lila, Rhys and everyone else because they I love reading about them. If you haven't read this trilogy yet, please do.

3. "The Call" duology, by Peadar O' Guilin

I read The Call a few years back, and even though I enjoyed it, because it was different to anything I'd ever read before, with the strange description of where the children go when they get "Called" unlikely to survive, it wasn't my favourite book I've ever read. I heard that there was a sequel a few years later, but I didn't feel motivated to pick it up... until I saw it in Waterstones last month, and I decided, why not finish the full story? After reading both of them, I'll say that all in all, it's a decent duology. I liked the direction The Invasion took, I think it added a lot to the first book. If you have a week spare, and you like horror/ magical realism, I recommend this duology. A fast and solid duology.

4. "The Illuminae Files" trilogy, by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

The Illuminae Files will definitely make my favourites list at the end of the year. There, I said it. I loved everything to do with this trilogy, the characters, the plot, the need I felt to read more, to savour, yet race because something crazy was happening basically every page, and more than any of that- the way it was created- with reports and text messages- was the icing on the cake. The first word I would use to describe this series is explosive. And I'm waiting until next year, but there's no doubt that this will be a series that I'm going to re-read many, many times.

2. Goodreads Reading Challenge

So far I've read a total of 42/60 books (60 is my reading goal), but because of the incredibly successful reading month I had last month (I read 9 books!) I'm now 9 books of ahead of schedule.

So, I guess it's pretty much a given that I'll finish this Goodreads Challenge before December (I always try and finish it with at least a month left.)


3. TBR Jar Challenges Completed

1. The Shades of Magic trilogy, by V.E. Schwab
It was embarrassing how long it took me to get to this series, because the whole of the Booktube community absolutely loves this trilogy. But I loved it, it absolutely deserves the hype. (I do however wish there would be more books because I love the characters so much. Like it's been months since I finished the trilogy, but I still miss them.)

2. Alice Oseman books (Solitaire, Radio Silence & Heartstopper Volume Three)
I finished this challenge back in February/ March I think, and as an answer for how much I loved these books- Loveless is now on my Anticipated Releases post- and my TBR for August. Alice Oseman is now one of my favourite YA contemporary authors.

3. Twin Ambitions, by Mo Farah
Inspired by Paula Radcliffe's autobiography that I read at the end of last year, I decided to include this on my TBR Jar Challenges for 2020. Unfortunately, it's out of print, so I had to listen to the audiobook instead. Surprisingly, although it's not recorded by Mo Farah, it was a very good listen. A solid four stars. Although I haven't read an athlete's autobiography in a few months, I'm still excited to read more at some point.

4. Daisy Jones and the Six, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This was the first one I completed out of all of them, and again, it's just as good as everyone says it is. If you're going to give it a try, I highly suggest listening to the audiobook because each character has a different voice actor, and it's just so well done. I can't fault it, hence why I gave it 5 stars.

5. This Vicious Cure (This Mortal Coil #3), by Emily Suvada
I think I put this as a TBR Jar Challenge so I wouldn't let myself skip over it. This Vicious Cure is the third and final novel in the This Mortal Coil trilogy, and it's crazy, and explosive, and it has to do with DNA and tech, and it's absolutely amazing- so you should check it out if you're interested in tech savvy sci-fi novels.


For the Rest of the Year
1. Series' I Want to Start/ Finish
-The Chronicles of Alice duology, by Christina Henry

This is my remaining TBR Jar Challenge and I'm hoping I'll be able to read both in October. I know I'll get to this at some point this year, so I'm looking forward to picking up a book as dark as Alice is. (I've heard it's dark and creepy and I'm living for it.)

-The Nevernight trilogy, by Jay Kristoff

At the moment I'm working through my Series TBR from last year, because somehow I didn't manage to get to any of those series last year, but I think Nevernight will be the next series I reach for, after finishing The Toll this week. I don't know a whole lot about this trilogy, but the hype for Nevernight is huge in the book community, and I've heard it's different to other series'.

- The "Saga", series by Brian K. Vaughan

I don't know why, because it's been years since I first heard about this graphic novel series, but for some reason I've yet to pick even the first volume up yet. But I'm going to, because out of the series' TBR I posted at the start of last year, Saga and Nevernight are the only series left, so I definitely want to get to this by the end of the year.

So those are the three main series that I want to try and get to by the end of the year, but there are certainly a lot more that I want to pick up (which will be on my new series' TBR for 2021!)


2. Standalones That Stand Out
-Loveless, by Alice Oseman
Loveless came out in stores just last week, and it's going smack bang at the top of my TBR for August. I fell in love with Oseman's storytelling with Heartstopper, and my love for her writing has only grown when I picked up Solitaire and Radio Silence. Oseman's stories have so much representation included in her books, if I were to list them, I would be here all night. If you want more detail into what Loveless is about, check out my anticipated releases post from last month.




-Grown, by Tiffany D. Jackson
The same with Loveless, you can check out the in-depth details of what this book is about in my anticipated releases post. But to cut it short, this is about the allegations against R. Kelly. There are a number of trigger warnings: rape, abuse (mental, physical, and emotional), child endangerment, drug use, sexual assault, mental health, suicide, so if any of those are triggers for you, then this might not be the book for you. But ever since I heard about it, I haven't been able to get it out of my head.
Grown is released 15/9/20.



-The Lightness of Hands, by Jeff Garvin
The Lightness of Hands came out in the last couple of months, and even though it's quite a wait to get here, I can't believe I haven't ordered it yet. It's got Bipolar II representative, which I don't think I've seen in a book ever, a road-trip, and a chance to redeem a magic trick that went wrong. I don't know what it is about this book, but I just love the premise. And I know I'll get to this in 2020.

Okay! That took a while, but I definitely had fun writing this!
That's going to be it for now, but I hope you enjoyed reading it!
I do love writing wrap ups and making plans!
Let me know in the comments what your favourite reads have been so far, and what you're looking forward to reading in the remainder of the year!

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I'll see you all soon!
Byeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

The Reading Rush TBR (2020)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And today I'm writing about my Reading Rush TBR!

The Reading Rush is one of the few readathons that I participate in every year- in fact it's probably the only one I do every year!

There are challenges, and I'm so excited for this readathon that I'm writing this introduction a week and a half early!

If you don't know about The Reading Rush, it's a week long readathon with video challenges, for Booktubers, and there are reading challenges too! (There might also be Instagram challenges too, but I'm not sure.)

Here's my TBR.

Enjoy!

Challenge 1: Read a book with a cover that matches the colour of your birthstone.

If this book doesn't match my birthstone, I don't know what will. My birthstone is Sapphire, because I'm a September baby. Dark Blue Rising is the new Teri Terry book, and for anyone who didn't know, I have loved Teri Terry's books since she released Slated back in 2012, and I've only fallen more in love with her books with each new release. Dark Blue Rising came out on 9/7/20 and the second I heard about the challenge, I knew this had to be the book. I don't know too much about this, but then I don't have to, because I know I'm going to love it. I just know that it's about a girl called Tabby, who finds out that the lady she's been calling her mother is in fact, anything but. As she adjusts to her new life, she's immediately drawn to the ocean, and she enrols in a swimming summer school. There's also this symbol that seems to be everywhere, and there's apparently a lot more going on under the surface (haha), and I'm just really looking forward to seeing where the first book in this trilogy leads.

Challenge 2: Read a book that starts with the word "The".

I've just finished reading Scythe and even though I'm not fully invested yet, I'm aiming to have the last 100 pages of The Toll left for the 20th. I have no idea what this is about because I'm only on book 1, but I'm interested to see how this trilogy plays out honestly, because it is most certainly one of the uniquest stories I've picked up, probably ever. What I will ask is, if you've read this trilogy, which one was your favourite? Let me know in the comments.

Challenge 3: Read a book that inspired a movie you've already seen.

Challenge 6: Read a book in a genre you've always wanted to read more of.

I was debating whether to pick this one up or, whether to go with Carrie, by Stephen King, because I've watched and loved both adaptations for Carrie. But, I decided to go with this because even though I'm not exactly well read in the Horror or the Classics genre, Jane Austen is an author I have yet to pick up, at all, when Horror is a genre that I'm slowly making my way through (whereas Classics is a genre I'm not at all well read in, and I figured now would be a good time to start.) I watched Sense and Sensibilities little over a month ago, and I'm looking forward to picking this one up. (And it's 294 pages so I definitely think it's something I can fly through.)

Challenge 4: Read the first book you touch.

With this one, I could literally do what I like, especially as I owned no unread books at the time when the challenges were announced. So, I decided to buy three books, close my eyes, and just pick one. Of course I picked the largest one, (the other options were White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism, by Robin Diangelo & The Last Children of Tokyo, by Yoko Tawada) but I think I can manage it. 19 Love Songs is a mixture of short stories, and even though I've never read a David Levithan book, I'm excited to start this one. (Because they're short stories, I can fly through this quickly and efficiently.) For all I know, I could just read a number of short stories over the course of the week! (And I'll be picking the other two up after The Reading Rush is finished, rest assured.

Challenge 5: Read a book completely outside of your house.

Challenge 7: Read a book that takes place on a different continent than where you live.

After listening to the audiobooks for the past few months, I just had to find a way to fit this into my Reading Rush TBR. I'm not too sure where this series takes place, but it sure isn't the UK, so I'm counting it. And also, because these audiobooks are so short, Come Tumbling Down is just perfect for a readathon, because I'll be able to fly through it in a matter of hours. As much as I wish it wasn't the last book in the series that's currently out, I'm excited to see what's going to happen next. I really hope it's good, cos it's the last impression I'm going to get on this series until January.

Okay! This is what I'm planning on reading next week (though I doubt I'll get them all read, honestly).

But, I just want to mention that you can make yourself a profile on the Reading Rush website: You can track how much you've read over the course of the week, there are forums you can comment on, it looks like a really interesting way to get involved!

Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful day, and I'll see you soon (if I don't finish another post for Friday it'll be next week.)

Byeeeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx