Bout of Books 9.0 Wrap up

Well I completely failed at this Bout of Books readathon. As you saw from my last post I was aiming to read a total of 13 books for Bout of Books 9.0. All I can say is that I completely FAILED as I only read 3 books during the week! I know, I know...FAIL!


Even though my Bout of Books 9.0 wrap up is a complete disappointment, I still thought I would update you all on how my week went and why I failed to complete my challenge:


Monday 6th January 2014


I started Bout of Books by completely "Chasing Spirits: The Building of the Ghost Adventures Crew" by Nick Groff. This had been a Christmas present from my bother and I started it just after Christmas but I had yet to finish it by the start of Bout of Books 9.0.


Monday started of well as I finished "Chasing Spirits" and started finishing my second current read "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro.


Number of Books completed: 1
Number of pages read: 140


Tuesday 7th January 2014


I was still reading "Never Let Me Go", but Tuesday actually turned out to be the best day I had reading wise. I completed "Never Let Me Go" and made a good start on my third book "Consequences...Don't Call Me Baby by Laurie Depp".


Number of Books completed: 1
Number of pages read: 197


Wednesday 8th January 2014


The worst and last day of my participation in Bout of Books 9.0. I completed "Consequences...Don't Call Me Baby" and then I got sick and couldn't even manage to pick up another book. Like I said I completely failed.


Number of Books completed: 1
Number of pages read: 70


Overall, I read a total of 3 books on 3 days and read a total of 300 pages.

Bout of Books 9.0

This is my blog post declaring my intention to take part in Bout if Books 9.0. What is Bout of Books? Read below:

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, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th 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 9.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I took part in and loved the last Bout of Books read-a-thon (8.0), so of course I was going to sign up for this Bout of Books. Bout of Books 9.0 starts tomorrow: Monday 6th January at Midnight and finishes on Sunday 12th January at Midnight. So basically you have a whole seven days to read as much as possible.

When I took part in Bout of Books 8.0, I didn't do as well as I hoped I would. I think this was largely due to me setting myself an unrealistic goal and picking too larger books. This time round, I'm still setting myself a large target of books to reach but I think there more achieve able this time as they are a lot smaller. 

So what am I going to read? I hear you ask. 

Well, just before Christmas, I found two series I read back when I was younger. I remember really enjoying them so I took them out of storage with the intention of re-reading them and Bout of Books seems like the perfect opportunity to get that done. I also have a book I'm currently reading that I'm hoping I can complete during the week too. 

The books are:

Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro (my current read):

Image from Google

 

The Consequences Series by Laurie Depp:
 

Image from Google

- Don't Call Me Baby (#1) 

- The Camera Never Lies (#2)

- Runaway Girl (#3)

- Secrets, Lies and Videotapes (#4)

- Holding the Front page (#5)

- I'm with the Band (#6)

The Tim Bowler Collection: 

Shadows - Tim Bowler                                                           Starseeker - Tim Bowler

 

Image from Google

Image from Google

 

 

 

 

Dragon's rock - Tim Bowler 

 

Image from Google

                                              River boy - Tim Bowler

 

Image from Google

 

Storm catchers - Tim Bowler

 

Image from Google

                                           Midget - Tim Bowler 

 

Image from Google

Total books I'm attempting to read is 13! 

As part of this read-a-thon is to also document your progress, I've decided to do daily blog posts as well as daily vlog like videos on my YouTube channel, which you can find here. I'm also hoping to tweet throughout the week with updates as well as chatting to many of the other participants too. You can follow me on Twitter by clicking the Twitter icon at the top of this blog, which will take you directly to my page.

Please leave a comment if you will be taking part in Bout of Books 9.0 and tell me what your planning to read during the week. 

If you are taking part good luck! 

Asylum by Madeleine Roux

About the Book:

 

Image from Google

Rating: Really Good

Pages: 310

Released: 2013

Published by: Harper Collins

 

-information from Goodreads

 

 

Synopsis:

Dan Crawford gets chosen to attend a summer program for gifted students. When he arrives he discovers the summer housing is closed and the students have to stay in the Brookline dorm, which was formally a psychiatric hospital. As Dan forms new friendships in Abbey and Jordan and they start exploring Brookline they start uncovering disturbing secrets about what really happened there and links that connect Dan and his friends to the asylums dark past.

 

First Line:

"The built it out of stone - dark grey stone, pried loose from the unforgiving mountains."  

 

Review:

I loved the first two thirds of this book. The storyline was intriguing and grew increasingly suspenseful as the story went on. It definitely had that spooky paranormal feeling to it that was only enhanced by the creepy (and in some cases disturbing) photographs that were placed throughout the book. But as the book reached its climax I couldn't help but feel like it fell flat slightly. The ending had that rushed feeling so it was disappointing as the two thirds of this book beautifully built up the story. However, it was still an enjoyable read.

 

Review:

Anyone who enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Anna Dressed in Blood.

 



Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

About the book:

Book One in the Miss Peregrine Series

Image form Google

 

Rating: Good

Pages: 348

Released: 2011

Published by: Quirk Books

 

-information from Goodreads

 

Synopsis:

A family tragedy sets 16 year old Jacob on a journey to Wales in search for answers. When he discovers Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and explores the crumpling building he begins to find out more about Miss Peregrine's children. That their not just peculiar but that they may be dangerous too. As he uncovers more secrets, he finds that Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children may still be alive. But how is that possible?

 

First Line:

"I had just come to accept that my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things began to happen."

 

Review:

The beginning of this book was fantastic. The created storyline was mysterious and compelling and immediately grabbed my attention. But as the story progressed and the secrets were revealed I began to like the story less and less. I know a lot of people have loved this book but I found the story a bit to far fetched and unbelievable. I actually thought the story became a bit ridiculous as it drew to its conclusion. Having said that though it wasn't a bad read and I would like to continue the series, although I can't say I'll rush out to buy it. The photographs intertwined with the story was a great addition to the story as it enhanced it by giving you a clear image to the characters, as well as more insight to the main character Jacob as you were discovering things as he did.

 

Recommended Audience:

Fans of paranormal fiction, or young adult enthusiasts.   

 

 

 



This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

 

About the Book:

 

Image from Google

Rating: Great

Pages: 345

Released: 2002

Published by: Penguin Books

 

-information from Goodreads

 

Synopsis:

Having been abandoned by her father before she was born and having a mother that's about to embark on marriage number five, Remy firmly believes that all men just let you down. So why should she waste time on them? But then Dexter comes crashing into her life and Remy struggles to find reasons to keep him at arms length?

First Line:

"The name of the song is 'This Lullaby'."

Review:

This Lullaby taught me a valuable lesson. The undeniable message in this novel is to not give up on love. A fact I think many of us have indulged in. Let's face it, it's easier to give up and close yourself off then it is to take that gut wrenching leap of faith when it comes to love. And that's exactly what Remy has done. After witnessing her mother's four marriages break down she couldn't help but give up on love. But then Dexter walks into her life and makes her question all she thought she knew. Dexter is the complete opposite of Remy. His easy going and fun loving personality makes him an easy character to like. He has this firm believe that love is real and that everyone will find it. He is also very in touch with himself  - knowing his flaws and embracing them with fervour. His whole attitude is one of: this is me take me or leave me. Which is rather refreshing to read. I loved Remy and Dexter together they are complete opposites but they somehow work which makes them fun to read about. A charming read with a very important message to not give up on love.   

 

Recommended Audience:

Anyone who is a fan of contemporary novels and/or a fan of Sarah Dessen's work.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

 

About the book:

 

Image from Google

Book One in the Anna Series

Rating: Amazing

Pages: 316

Released: August 30th 2011

Published by: Tor Teen

 

Synopsis:

Cas Lowood is no ordinary guy - he hunts dead people. He destroys ghosts. His most intriguing ghost is Anna. Anna Dressed in Blood. A ghost whose beautiful, and murderous. Cas knows he must kill her, but as her tragic past is revealed, he starts to understand why Anna has killed anyone who enters her old house. Everyone, except Cas...

 

First Line:

"The grease-slicked hair is a dead giveaway - no pun intended."

 

Review:

This book is not to be read by the faint hearted or those with a weak stomach. The occasional swear words and the graphically violent themes in this book make it unsuitable for younger readers. But despite the occasional gruesome scenes I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This book is the only Young Adult book I've read (so far) that's actually scared me in places! You definitely get caught up in this book. This is also one of the few books I can honestly say I wouldn't change anything about! It's a perfect read for a Halloween night - if your after the thrill of being scared! A brilliantly unique read!   

 

Recommended Audience:

Anyone whose after a good paranormal read but do read with caution if you are a younger reader or if your someone who dislikes the use of swears and graphic violence then this book is probably not for you.  

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

About the book:

 

Image from Google

Rating: Amazing

Pages: 313

Released: 2012

Published by: Penguin Books

 

Synopsis:

Hazel has terminal cancer. Even the miracle tumour-shrinking medicine can't cure her, it's only brought her a few years. Her parents force her to attend Cancer Kid Support in a attempt to help her come to terms with her fate. It's there that she meets new member Augustus Waters and her life completely changes...

 

First Line:

"Late in the winter of my seventeenth year, my mother decided I was depressed, presumably because I rarely left the house, spent quite a lot of time in bed. read the same book over and over, ate infrequently, and devoted quite a bit of my abundant free time to thinking about death."

 

Review:

I don't know exactly how I'm going to be able to describe how incredible this book is. It took my breath away, left my mind whirling and tears slowly trickling down my face. John Green's writing was flawless - he managed to capture every facet of human nature and incredibly honest while doing so. He manifests the perfect cocktail of heartbreakingly tragic moments with heart lifting good humour, showcasing the rollercoaster of emotions us humans go through when faced with adversities. Augustus and Hazel really drive the message of this book deep into your heart and mind so that your left feeling nothing but admiration for them. Learning to cope with and understand the fact that there are some things you just can not change was the message throughout. The sheer fear and helplessness felt when faced with the reality that they have no control over what's happening to them, but that they're determined to have some sort of control over their lives, was the reason why this book struck a cord with me. It's just a phenomenal read.     

 

Recommended Audience:

Anyone! But be careful, if you are not in the mood for such an emotional book, don't read it. Not until your ready. 

 



Book Review: Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

 

About the book:

Image from Google

Book One in the Hush Hush Series

Rating: Great

Pages: 391

Released: October 13th 2009

Published by: Simon and Schuster

 

 

-information from Goodreads

 

 

Synopsis:

Nora Grey has never been that interested in romance or boys. That was until new boy Patch came along and Nora finds herself drawn to him against her better judgement. But after some terrifying encounters, Nora doesn't know who to trust. Patch seems to know everything about her and seems to be everywhere, and she doesn't know whether to run into his arms or hide. But when she seeks answers she discovers more then she bargained for... 

 

First Line:

"Chauncey was with a farmer's daughter on a grassy banks of the Loire River when the storm rolled in, and having let his gelding wander in the meadow, was left to his own to feet to carry him back to the chateau."

 

Review:

Hush Hush was a great book. I loved the characterisation especially, Patch. He is the ultimate sexy, seductive bad boy. Where can I find one of him?! The dynamic between Nora and Patch was beautifully written. Their relationship had a nicely paced build up to it that made it believable. If you like a bit of romance in your YA reads this book will certainly float your boat. The storyline was intriguing having a nice suspenseful build up to it. The only thing that slightly annoyed me about this book was some of the secondary characters. Their actions frustrated me at times. But having said that I will be definitely be continuing this series.

  

 

 

Recommended Audience:

Any YA lovers. In particular, those who are fans of Angel/fallen Angel stories.