readathons

The Marvel Readathon 2.0 Wrap-Up

~ Natalie Cotterill ~ 2 Comments

I’m so proud of myself because I’ve actually managed to complete every challenge for this readathon – which is a first for me! I did change one of the books (Bridge of Clay to Matilda) purely because of my plans for the week, but I still completed six books and I’m so proud.

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The One Memory of Flora Banks – Emily Barr

I enjoyed this, it kept me hooked throughout, even though something didn’t quite work for me. I can’t say what specifically, but I just didn’t fall head over heels for it and at times found it a little irritating? It was a fun, unique read though. I’m glad I picked it up, and I enjoyed Flora’s perspective and the repetitiveness of the narrative as it made it feel a little more ‘real’ I guess. 3.5🌟

From a Low and Quiet Sea – Donal Ryan

Oh my goodness, this book was a little gem. I wondered what linked to what as the different parts seemed so unrelated, but they also all slightly linked in small ways and I loved it. In a way, it reminded me a little of NW by Zadie Smith in its execution. Honestly, it was a wonderful read and I flew through it, though I had absolutely no idea what it was about when I went into it. 4.5🌟

The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy – Kate Hattemer

I feel quite conflicted about certain aspects of this book. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I loved the characters, the humour, and the plot too. It kept me laughing, especially during the second half of the book. The only issue I had was that some of the comments / humour wasn’t to my taste, but that’s such a personal thing, it’s unfair to judge a book purely because of that, as someone else may adore it! 4🌟

The Bookshop – Penelope Fitzgerald

This was such an adorable little book. I flew through it, and the first half especially I was completely immersed in. However, the second half and ending let it down for me. I did enjoy reading it though, and I am kind of curious about the film so I may check that out at some point. I enjoyed the characters and the fact that it was set in a bookshop, but everything felt a little flat and as though there could have been a bit more, I suppose. 3.5🌟

Matilda – Roald Dahl

This is one of my all-time favourite books. I swapped to this because I desperately wanted to reread it before I went to see the musical (which was phenomenal), and I’ve been wanting to revisit it for a while anyway. I love it. Roald Dahl is amazing. I wanted Matilda to be my best friend. As a kid with few friends who enjoyed reading, Matilda was the dream book. Everyone should read it. 5🌟

Throne of Glass – Sarah J. Maas

I actually really enjoyed this and I’m looking forward to picking up the sequel. It hasn’t become my new favourite ever book or anything, and there were certainly a lot of tropes and cliches that I found irritating or predictable. Overall however, it was a fun and readable book that definitely kept me hooked throughout. 4🌟

Thank you so much to Hannah for all of her hard work on this readathon. Go and check out her book blog at Sprinkledwithwords.wordpress.com! ❤️

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The Marvel Readathon 2.0 TBR

~ Natalie Cotterill ~ 2 Comments

I’m not really a fan of Marvel, but I love readathons (and the host of this one just happens to be my bestie so🤷‍♀️) so I’m taking part in it! It lasts from the 6th-12th August and you can read all about it here.

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  1. Ant-Man: A book below 150 pages
    • My choice: The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald
    • I mean, it’s 155 pages but I don’t have anything shorter that I particularly want to get to soon.
  2. Wasp: A book set in summertime
    • My choice: The One Memory of Flora Banks – Emily Barr
    • I think, judging by what she said at a panel event I was at, this takes place in the summer months as it’s in Scandinavia with endless days – so summer. I may be very, very wrong.
  3. Ghost: A book featuring technology – bonus points if it’s cool tech
    • My choice: The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer
    • This probably shouldn’t count, but it’s about a reality TV show, and one of the kids is into technology (stage lighting, gaming, computers/hacking etc) so I’m going for it. I have nothing else I can think of.😂
  4. Hank Pym: A book with a rehashed plot that feels new (eg friends-to-lovers, chosen-one, etc.)
    • My choice: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
    • Does this count? I’m not sure. I’m not even sure whether I should read TOG or The Assassin’s Blade first, so any advice would be welcome!
  5. Giant–Man: A book that you don’t know anything about
    • My choice: From a Low and Quiet Sea by Donal Ryan
    • I’m trying to work my way through my Netgalley list – I’m sure I knew what this book was about when I requested it, but I’ve definitely forgotten now.
  6. Scott Lang: A book that features family
    • My choice: Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
    • I got this on Netgalley recently and I am so excited to get to it as soon as I can!

BookTubeAThon Wrap-Up 2016

~ Natalie Cotterill ~ Leave a comment

Okay, so I admit now that I didn’t read as many as I’d hoped, but I was busier than I expected to be. I was on holiday so anticipated a lot of reading time but that time was spent doing other things, so I don’t mind too much! I finished three books and 60% of a fourth, which I’m pretty pleased with, if I’m honest. Here are the books I read and the challenges they completed.

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Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov

I read this one first in the readathon, which was probably my downfall as it took me five days as I didn’t want to read it when I was tired. It was a fantastic book, but it required a little more dedication than I could give whilst half asleep, as the writing begs for your attention. It’s weird, but it’s good. 4/5 stars.

Challenges it completed: Read a book older than you.

Broken Dolls – Tyrolin Puxty

I read this as an ebook as I was sent it back in January for review. It was pretty good, though I did have some problems with it (a review should come fairly soon, but I’ve been pretty awful with review writing recently so who knows). 3/5 stars.

Challenges it completed: Read a book after sunset, read a book you found through booktube (from watching Benjaminoftomes).

One – Sarah Crossan

This was so good, and a very quick read. I managed to get it in on the sunday to complete another book, even though it brought me to tears. 4.5/5 stars.

Challenges it completed: Read a book with yellow on the cover.

60% of Breakfast of Champions – Kurt Vonnegut

Vonnegut is definitely one of my all-time favourite authors. He’s just such a skilled writer and his work is so satirical and ironic. I highly recommend anything by him (though I’ve only read Slaughterhouse 5 and Breakfast of Champions so far – I finished BOC today on Tuesday). 5/5 stars.

Challenge it went towards: Read a book by your favourite author.

I pretty happy with the amount that I managed to read. I would have loved to have read more, but I’m not too fussed as I’m now back on track with my goodreads goal (finally!). Did you participate? How many did you read?