Spook Stock Halloween Readathon!

It is almost time for my readathon!!!

If you dont already know, I announced during the summer my plans to host my own Halloween themed readathon called Spook Stock.

The goal of Spook Stock is to celebrate Halloween, horror and all things dark and spooky. The horror section has been disappearing from bookshops in recent years so why not show it some love on Halloween month?

Horror not your thing? You can still take part, just make sure you have at least one book that is Halloween suitable. Thriller, crime, or books that are simply dark or contain monsters of any kind are perfectly fine.

The Rules are simple:

1. Read as much as you can in 1 week.

2. You can read whatever you like but there has to be at least ONE Halloween appropriate book in your To Read List.

3. Take part in daily blogging challenges that are posted throughout the week. (Not compulsory)

 

If you are taking part in Spook Spock simply write a blog post or social media status on your usual platform and link it back to this post with your TBR and I will share everyone who is taking part. We can be our own coven of spooky readers for the week.

The Readathon Dates: 23rd – 30th of October 2017

 

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Thoughts & Progress: Bout of Books Day 2

Continuing my trend of sucking at Bout of Books this August, I bring you the wrap up for Day 2.

I was off work again, and that means more distraction and wanting to do anything but read. My Tuesday was spent getting some retail therapy in and instagramming things. On the bright side though I bought some cool patches for my patch jacket. Also a small child followed me around a shop shouting “She’s a vampire!” and pointing at me, maybe that was my punishment for not reading enough. I’m not a vampire, just to clear that up.

My partner wasn’t home last night so most of my reading was done lounging on the sofa, listening to The Cure and enjoying the thunderstorm outside. Northern Ireland had a glorious storm last night. It made for perfect reading weather.

So here is my progress for Tuesday the 22nd of August:

I read 109 pages of Goth Girl and the Wuthuring Fright. That was it. At least I read something that was actually on my TBR list this time.

Reading Plans for the Day:

• Finish Goth Girl. I know I said that yesterday but I am determined to do it today.
• Get at least half way through Mist in the Mirror.
• Read some of I am Behind You because my lack of progress in this book is just getting silly by this point.
• Start Nightwing Vol 1.

 

Thoughts & Progress: Bout of Books Day 1

We have survived the first day of Bout of Books! If you want to take part but haven’t signed up yet today is the last day to do so. Check out their website to join in.

So long story short, I suck.

I was off work yesterday and so I spent the first day of Bout of Books relaxing and watching stupid internet videos. I also read a book that wasnt on my TBR list for this readathon. Aw well, at least I read something. Better than nothing I suppose.

So here is my progress for Monday the 21st of August: 

I read 168 pages of Red Hood and the Outlaws volume 1 and finished it. This graphic novel wasn’t in my TBR list but after reading Death of the Family on Sunday I was still in the mood for more DC comics so I had to read another one that I have been meaning to get to in a while. Thank you for the recommendation J.W Martin at Storeys of Stories

21 pages of Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright. 

20 page of I am Behind you. I am enjoying this book but I keep getting distracted every time I try to read it.

Not the best start to a Bout of Books but I plan to make up for it today.

Reading Plans for Today:

• Finish Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright. This book is illustrated so I should be able to get through it pretty easily.
• Finish part one of I am Behind You at the least.

Now I am off to order myself some dinner and get reading.

Are you taking part in Bout of Books this month? If so share your progress with me and tell me what you are reading.

Also, what is your favourite take out food? Tell me.

Bout of Books 20 TBR

Time to do the same thing we do every few months, Pinky. It’s time for Bout of Books.

Even though I take part in Bout of Books every time it is on I can I feel like I have to do this one because I am hosting my own readathon in October. I need to get in the mood!

Read about my own readathon Spook Stock here

If you don’t already know Bout of Books is a readathon that occurs multiple times a year. You simply have to read as much as you can during the week and there are mini challenges that you can take part in throughout the week. Here is an extract from there website for more info:

“The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 21st and runs through Sunday, August 27th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 20 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team”

Now onto what I will be reading for the next week.

I have made the grave mistake of buying lots of books and accepting a lot of books lately so I plan to use this Bout of Books as a way to clear some books off my TBR pile. This plan has made my TBR list for this readathon more than a bit challenging but lets see how far I get into it anyway.

I am Behind You by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Page count: 544

I am currently reading this book and I am only 10% of the way through it. This is an ARC copy I recieved from NetGalley that I have to get finished before the book’s release. I will let you know what I thought of it once I am finished, I promise. Spooky so far though.

The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
Page count: 461

This book has been on my TBR pile for a long time and I have mentioned it a few times on this blog. I wasn’t that interested in this book because it is about zombies but then I found out that it is written by one of my favourite comic book writers. I just had to add it to my list once I found that out.

Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright by Chris Riddell
Page count: 244

I am in love with the Goth Girl series by Chris Riddell. It is funny, beautifully drawn and the books are so easy to fly through. This is a children’s series but there are enough hidden literature references in there to keep adult book lovers happy. This is the 3rd book in the series. I have been buying them ever since my mum bought me the first book last year because she thought Goth Girl looked like me.

The Mist in the Mirror by Susan Hill
Page count: 274

I know nothing about the book other than it is a horror novel written by Susan Hill and I currently enjoying binge reading all things Susan Hill. This is a fun twist because I used to find her books dull before but now I love them. Hopefully this book will be as good as the others.

X-men Volume 2
Page count: 136

This has been on my to read list since I bought it and three others of the same series at a convention in June. I have been an avid reader and collector of X-men comics for ten years now. This is a series focusing on the women of the X-men and their mission to protect a baby and be the general badasses they usually are.

Nightwing Volume 1
Page count: 160

I have mixed feelings on DC comics at times but I have recently discovered a new saving grace: Robins! I am currently obsessed with all things related to the various Robins that Batman has had over the years. The Batfamily are the best. I picked up this series because I want to get to know Dick Grayson a little better. Normally I prefer things more focused on Damien or Jason so this seemed like a nice change.

Also I plan to fullfill my goal of cosplaying a Robin in 2018 but that is for a different blog post.

Final Page Count Goal: 1819

Will you be taking part in Bout of Books next week? If so, what will you be reading?
There is still plenty of time to sign up if you want to join in.

If you want to keep track of my Bout of Books progress or generally want a readathon pal I will be posting throughout the readathon on GoodReads, Instagram and Twitter 

Hosting my Own Readathon? (Update: Names and Dates)

It is a sunny day in July and what am I going to do? Announce the name and dates of my Halloween readathon.

Yes the readathon that I made a post about last month is actually happening. There was so much positive feedback about the idea that I decided to actually do it. I would have made this announcement sooner but I didn’t have a name for it until today. Naming a readathon is surprisingly difficult. I now I have several sheets of paper covered in scribbled out potential names.

So without further a do:

Welcome to Spook Stock 2017!

Dates: 23rd – 30th of October 2017

Feel free to use the tile I made during the readathon. I might make a banner or two. I havent decided yet.

The Rules are simple:

1. Just read as much as you can in a week.

2. You can read whatever you like but there has to be at least ONE Halloween appropriate book in your To Read Pile, whether it be a horror novel, dark thriller or simply has monsters in it. It has to be fitting for Halloween. The horror genre is shrinking in shops due to lack of interest so why not show it some love in October.

There will also be a new blog prompt every day of the week. You don’t have to take part in these but who doesn’t like the occasional meme or prompt for blog ideas. These prompts will be based on monsters and gothic literary figures.

I will be setting up a sign up page closer to the date so if you are interested keep an eye out for the registration opening announcement. It will be at the start of October.

This is my first time organising and hosting a readathon so feel free to tell me what you think. And most importantly, will you be taking part?

Hosting my Own Readathon?

This is an idea that has been floating around in my head for a while. …What if I created my own readathon?

I have been trying to come for an idea for something to do on this blog for Halloween. I know it is currently June, but I like to plan things in advance. It also gives me time to create graphics and come up with post ideas for it. This is a horror and generally dark themed book blog, should it not have something special for Halloween?

The main reason behind writing about the idea so far in advance is to ask a simple question:

Would you take part in a Halloween themed readathon in October?

The rules would be simple

• It would last one week (Dates not yet decided but at some point in October)
• Simply read as much as you can in a week.
• You can read whatever you like but there has to be at least ONE Halloween appropriate book in your To Read Pile, whether it be a horror novel, dark thriller or simply has monsters in it. It has to be fitting for Halloween. The horror genre is shrinking in book shops due to lack of interest so why not show it some love in October.
• There will be Halloween themed post ideas pitched throughout the week for bloggers.

The only issue I have with this readathon hosting idea is that my Octobers are so bloody busy. I generally live like it is Halloween every day all year round so you can imagine how busy my life gets when October shows up. I am basically the queen of Halloween Town every year. I could spare a week though, especially if I plan things out carefully in advance. It would be possible.

Watch this space for more updates. I will be designing graphics and setting up hashtags for the readathon closer to the event.

Don’t forget to answer my question: Would you take part?

The Bout of Books Readathon (4th – 10th of January 2016)

I cant think of a better way to start the year off than with a readathon. It is time for another Bout of Books challenge and I am super excited for this one. I don’t know about you but I received far too many books for Christmas and my to-read pile is now looking a little insane, so I need a reading challenge to get some books off that pile.

Bout of Books is a reading challenge that occurs several times throughout the year. It lasts a week and your goal is just to read as much as you possibly can. There are also mini challenges throughout the week of Bout of Books hosted by various bloggers where you have chances to win fabulous prizes. You can find out more information and signup at their website.

You have until Tuesday the 5th of January to signup and I think if your New Years resolution is to read more this would be a great place to start.

An extract from their website:

“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 4th and runs through Sunday, January 10th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 15 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team”

I will be reading:

• Locke and Key volume 1 by Joe Hill
• Night Film by Marisha Pessl
• Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
• The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
• A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E Schwab

I know that is a little smaller than the 6 books in a week challenge I attempted last time but the books are a great deal fatter this time around. If you want to follow my progress throughout the challenge you can follow me on GoodReads here. I will also be Tweeting and Instagramming throughout the challenge as well. I will also keep you all updated on here.

Is anyone else doing Bout of Books this week? If so let me know, I would love to keep track of your readathon progress.