Reading Goal 100 Books This Year Part 1

So my goal for 2016 is to read 100 books, I don't know why but I just want to challenge myself and see if I can do it. It will be a huge accomplishment for me if I complete this challenge this year and read all the books I need to.

This will be a record of the first 5 months of books I have read and in December Part Two will come out, the books are from a wide range of genres and hopefully I will have Classics, YA,  New Adult, Sc-Fi, Historical Fiction and more genres involved with this years reading list.

So the past 5 months I have managed a grand total of 47 books and my Goodreads challenge says I am 8 books ahead of schedule which I am thrilled about, the best month for me was March for some reason I managed 12 books and the second best month was May. And the worst months where I got 8 books read was Jan, Feb and April.

The month goals for the next 5 months will be 10 or if I can more than 10 books a month, this also depends on what is going on in these months as I have just started a job so will obviously have less reading time.

     January

1. Four by Veronica Roth
2. Playlist For The Dead by Michelle Falkolf
3. Seed by Lisa Hathfield 
4. Denai Touch by Tiffany Shand 
5. Switched by Amanda Hocking
6. Carry on by Rainbow Rowell
7. Dangerous Lies by Becca Fitzpatrick
8. L.A. Candy by Lauren Conard

     Feburary

1. Darkmere by Helen Maslin
2. Crow Mountain by Lucy Inglis
3. Simon vs the HomoSapien Agenda by Becky Allbertini
4. Denai Bound by Tiffany Shand 
5. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
6. The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
7. Half Blood by Sally Green
8. Half Wild by Sally Green

     March

1. The World Of Odysseys by M.I Finley 
2. Finding Audrey by Sophie Mckenzie
3. Real Murders by Charlaine Harris
4. Looking for Alaska by John Green
5. Stolen by Lucy Christopher 
6. How Hard Can Love Be by Holly Bourne 
7. Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater 
8. The Scorpion Races by Maggie Stiefvater 
9. Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad 
10. Beautiful Dead, Phoenix by Eden Maguire
11. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
12. Torn Amanda Hocking

    April

1. Faceless by Alyssa Sheinmel 
2. My Sister Lives On the Mantlepiece by Annabel Pitcher
3. Landline by Rainbow Rowell
4. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
5. Hate List by Jennifer Brown 
6. Angelfall by Susan Ee
7. World After by Susan Ee
8. End Of Days by Susan Ee

    May

1. Storm Born by Amy Braun 
2. Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
3. How To Be A Wild Flower by Katie Daisy
4. Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley
5. Half Lost by Sally Green
6. Demons Daughter by Amy Braun 
7. The List by Siobhan Vivian 
8. (Graphic Novel) Angel Fire by Chris Blythe
9. Dark Divinity by Amy Braun 
10. Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch 
11. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Dark Divinity by Amy Braun

Dark Divinity is the second in the amazing trilogy Cursed by Amy Braun. To catch the book review of the first in the trilogy Demon Daughter click on this link: https://anastasiarobsonwolfe.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/demons-daughter-by-amy-braun.html

My thoughts on Dark Divinity:
Overall I really enjoyed the book, the writing was really efficient, vivid and just capturing. I really enjoyed the flashbacks throughout the entirety of the book it helped weave the history more than the first book making it like a dot to dot with all the history.

There was a few times in the book where the vividness of the book made me shudder, feel queasy
and outright shiver leaving goosebumps up and down my arms. They scenes were so very well detailed at parts it was so hard to read without getting a full mental image of the incidents it was just amazing.

The effortless way Amy writes pulled me in and trapped me, I love the fact that she has completely created a new untold way for Angles vs Demons to be in the same book without it being cliché which happens so much with many books now.

The amount of information and detail that has been poured into Dark Divinity is just outstanding, I feel there is more detail in Dark Divinity compared to Demons Daughter but the action was more in Demons Daughter compared to Dark Divinity.

I feel the transition between Demons Daughter and Dark Divinity is really smooth making it so much easier to jump from Demons Daughter to Dark Divinity without having to scrabble aground to remember everything that had happened no matter how long the gap was between both the books.


About Dark Divinity:
The gates to Hell and Heaven are open bringing chaos and destruction down to earth. Lucifer the most dangerous, most powerful person from hell used his daughter Andromeda (Dro), to open both the gates. The underground place where they found Lucifer, the creatures from hell and the with a witch called Isobel who was a neighbour to the sisters Constance and Andromeda when they lived with their parents.

They escaped with two angels who where helping them Sephiel and Rorikel, John Warrick a Demondhunter that knew Max and Manny (Max is physic amongst other abilities and Manny a Demonologist). Constance and Dro found Max and Manny out of desperation and has stayed with them since protecting each others families. They where safe until Drake Bounty Hunter for the Blood Thorns a Mexican Drug cartel that Constance once worked at to keep her and her sister safe. 

Dro becomes more and more powerful the more she uses her powers both the Hellfire and Anglefire, the hell powers taking a pull on Dro the more she uses the powers.

Constance and Dro escaped from the Blood Thorns clasps when Isobel turned up asking for Dro. 

It's a race against time to shut the Gates of Heaven and Hell, making sure the Demons don't create chaos and for Angels to stop trying to irradiate the Human race.

 

A Reading Update/ TBR Meltdown

So last month (23/4/2016). I had just over 70 physical books that I owned in Paperback/Hardbacks that needed to be read. Somehow I have mated to get that total up to 84 books this month not including 1 Graphic Novel, 3 Comic Samples, 6 Arcs, 1 Old Comic and 5 Short Stories!

I don't know where I went wrong really, This months (May 25th) I have read 9 books so far and in April I read 8 books. Not including my good reads TBR which is over 100 books. I just love buying books, where I live there is so many places to get second hand, cheap books and that just widens my book reading genres. It makes me so happy because I could have £10 and buy over 10 books with that money, unlike the bookstores where books are priced £7.99 or over per book unless you get the By One Get One Free deals but even then it's still pricey

I just love the experience of walking in to a shop and going to the secondhand book section, taking a second to breathe in the beautiful smell of old must books, I love the fact that someone else has read the same book, someone cherished it and enjoyed the books, for me that just adds to the book experience and high tens my interest in the book.

Currently I am reading 3 books 2 are Arcs for Authors and the other is rather slow process. I do like the books but I have to admit I am liking the 2 Arcs more than Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch. They just seem more out there and different, they break more boundaries, connections to the plot itself and I just personally like them more.

Anastasia x

My Opinion on Goodreads

For anyone that doesn't know what Goodreads is, it is a book media where you can rate and review all the books you have read, set up personal book challenges for the year plus update them, find new books to read, start up a TBR with Goodreads, add book enthusiasts and talk about books with them or join groups related to books.

So I will start wit the positive things:

I love adding over people who love books as much as me, it makes me feel that I'm not alone in this book world, I love having an account of what books I have read and also what books I want to read all in one place. Since being on Goodreads I have so many great books that I want to read that are slightly different from what I normally read which is great since I can broaden my horizons.

Friendly people. I have met some really lovely people since starting on the site, I've talked to a good few people and started on some amazing groups! So far I have had a positive experience on Goodreads and I really am enjoying it. Also I'm really enjoying reading books and also posting what I'm feeling about the book or how far I am coming along with the book it makes the reading experience so much more fun.

Lets go on to Cons.
I would count this as a con, wanting too many books. There are so many books I have wanted to read since starting out on there and then of course I made it worse buy asking for recommendations... probably shouldn't of done that, plus you get to see pictures of books and some where just so pretty or beautiful I just had to click Want To Read I just had to.

Reviews, some of the reviews have been rather horrid. I have seen some before when I was not a member and some where just really harsh, more like having a rant than actually putting a review with formed sentences and explanations of the books. I think as a review you have to try and say positives with the negatives to show that you can put Pros and Cons to make it a level review with your opinion in there. I don't see the point in just hating a book and then sending a shitty review without  real reason for hating the book.

Personally I like to try and keep the good and the bad in a book review I don't want to be harsh simply because that is just not how I am.

So that's my opinion on Goodreads.
Anastasia x

My Sad Book Lending Story

So many moons ago ( about 4+ years) I had a book friend who shan't be named for obvious reasons, so one day we decided to swap some books so we can enjoy some books we each love. The person gave me a few books to read including The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins amongst rough 5 books she lent me.

The conditions were that the books were not meant to be kept and that we would give the books back after we finished them. I gave the person who shan't be named a whole bunch of books including books that actually meant something to me and ones I had fell in love with.

So a few weeks pass and the person who shan't be named asked for The Hunger Games back which I said sure too since at that point I wasn't interested in reading the trilogy at all. Months went on and the person who shan't be named hadn't read any of the books I lent to them nor did they seem that interested to anyway.

A few years had past and we had both gone separate ways, moved house and other things. In 2014 I was so upset with what had happened as I was willing to give back the few books I had left from the person who shan't be named had lent me but they hadn't even contacted me about giving back the books I had left to them. Anyway in 2014 I sent them a message basically saying how appalled I was with them not exchanging the books back or trying to do anything to resolve the situation. Especially since they were a book person too who was meant to cherish books and reading.

To this message I get a reply where I have to do all the running about and collecting of the books because she was at Uni, this was sort of fair enough but the fact that they never once apologised for this nor when they were clearing out to moved to Uni did they think that maybe they should get in contact regarding the books that they knew were mine and should of been given back.

This was such a bad experience and I am so careful now with lending out books which I have to say i haven't done since as I don't want this to happen again not only did they keep books that meant a great deal to me but also these book cost money which I choses to spend on books because why shouldn't I.

So the lesson of this story is be really careful when lending or borrowing because if they lend you a book it does not mean it is automatically yours and you should look after the book and make sure not to ruin it.

Anastasia x

My Reading Cycle

I guess I never really realised that I had a sort of reading rhythm or anything. I just read I guess...

But yeah I am going to break it down into a few parts and explain how I read and other things and stuff.

My Personal Favourite Format. Paperbacks and Hardbacks. Though I do read PDF books and digital books for ARCS I don't really enjoy the formatting, for me I can't really concentrate on looking at a screen for long periods of time plus I get distracted by Youtube, Goodreads and physical books. I prefer Physical books because you can hold them and too me they are comforting and inviting.

My Reading Pace. I think for me it depends on how much I am icing the book or how determined I am to finish a book. If I have a whole day to read I can read a book that is about 300-400 pages in a day and also start another book. If I am as busy as I have been recently 400-500 pages takes sadly 2-3 days which I am trying to stop as I really miss not being able to complete a book in 2 days. Sad Face.

Reading In The Day. I read mostly in the day, the only day where I hardly get to read is a Sunday but sadly that can't be helped. Normally I start reading about 10 or later or sometimes when I wake up which is around 6:30-7:00. I will read on and off through they day and manage around 50 -100+ pages on a average sort of busy day.

Reading At Night. This is the least reading time I have as I tend to just sit and watch Booktubers and forget I intended to read or I will be reading and somehow a booktuber will somehow come on so then of course I watch them oblivious to my calling book. Sometimes I can get in a hour os so of reading sometimes more it does depend on what is happening in the book and my mood though.

 What Genres Do I Read. Starting to get into Graphic Novels but my favourites are: Fiction, Fantasy, YA, Chick-lit, Classics, Contemporary, Crime, Romance and Sc-Fi. Some of these genres I have loved for quite some time and some are fairly new to me, it has been great exploring more genres and I love knowing that theres books in all different genres that are there for me to love.

Snacks and Beverages. I don't really drink anything when I am reading simply because I get too sucked into my book and forget that I am a human who need food, drink and to use a bathroom. If I do remember that me a human wants a drink I will normally make a Tea or Coffee and the same with snacks I forget I get hungry but if there is biscuits about I will take them...all. 

Books I Read Per Month. Really it depends on what is going on that month the most I have read is 15 last year in one month and this year the highest is 12 so far and the lowest is 8 books per month but I am aiming to get higher than 12 within this year. My goal for May has been 13 books and so far (20th of May) I have read 9 but one is a Graphic Novel but I'm counting it as personally it takes me loner than just reading because I have to take in a picture.

How Much My Reading Has Changed Over the Years. There has been a massive improvement these last 4 years into reading. I have found so many amazing books and also found some really bad ones, I have started this blog (woooo). I have found books that made me cry, laugh maniacally in public, made me feel uncomfortable or even made me want to chuck the book agains a wall. I feel I have found my place in the world and I know it belongs besides books, I know I want a career involving book and just books why not.

Habits Whilst Reading. Hmmm... I like watching Booktubers whilst I read or music. I love to be curled up and comfortable, no one can speak to me when I am reading I won't care nor listen to anyone unless they discuss food then yeah I might pulley myself out the book if it is worth it. I normally end up having page goals so like if I am on page 10 I won't get a drink or check media until I am on page 20 or something like that, I'm not sure why I do this but somehow made it a habit.

How I Deal With My TBR. I manage through until I buy more books I need and also don't need at the same time, what I tend to do is just stand and stare at all the covers until I look at one that pulls me to it... Sometimes I can stand there a while and just completely zone out which I honestly quite like. Currently I have over 70 books to read I am pretty sure, I also am fully swear the pile will grow more and the possibility of ever having a small amount of TBR is never happening.

Hope you liked it.

Anastasia x

BOOKS I NEED *Warning There is ALOT of books on this list*

Okay yeah I admit I have a problem and I'm really okay with that...I lied. I love books so much that i tend to but way too many with money I don't really have and then wait months to read them because there is already 70+ books on my wardrobe that are waiting for me to read them as well.

And then of course I see more all over the internet that look so pretty or have been recommend and then of course I need them in my life because I can't borrow book (will explain in the next blog).

So anyway there is so many books that I want to get in the future and some of them are books from a trilogy/series.

• Abhorsen/The Creatures in the Case & Goldenhand all by Garth Nix
• Suicide Forest by Jeremy Bates
• The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David Meredith 
• The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
• Across the Universe & A Million Suns by Beth Revis
• The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
• Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chaada
• All The Feels by Danika Stone 
• Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined by Stephanie Meyer 
• Tape by Steve Camden 
• The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
• Spirit's Key by Edith Cohn
• Dumplin by Julie Murphy 
• The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon
• The Black Guard by A.J Smith
• Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
• Falling into Place by Amy Zhang
• Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
• Girl In Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
• The Princess Saves Herself In This One by Amanda Lovelace
• Unrivaled by Alyson Noel
• Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins 
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore
• Coraline by Neil Gaiman
• Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
• Ruby Red by Kerstin Geir 
• A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
• A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness 
• Passenger by Alexandra Bracken 
• After You by Jojo Moyes
• Everyone We've Been by Sarah Everett
• Firstlife by Gena Showalter
• The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
• Soundless by Richelle Mead
• Beautiful Chaos Kami Grace 
• Ready Player one Ernest Cline
• Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge 
• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Sáenz Alire
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
• Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater
• Falling Apart by Jacqueline Wilson 
• Just One Night by Gayle Forman 
• Ransom My Heart by Meg Cabot
• Sugar and Spice by Lauren Conard
• Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi
• The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
• Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
• Soulless by Gail Carriger 
• To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han 
• The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
• I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai