2017 Popsugar Reading Challenge

Joining in again this year!

2017 Mount TBR Reading Challenge

From My Reader's Block:

Pike's Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s Mount Blanc: Read 24 books from your TBR pile/s Mt. Vancouver: Read 36 books from your TBR pile/s Mt. Ararat: Read 48 books from your TBR piles/s Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 60 books from your TBR pile/s El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s Mt. Everest: Read 100 books from your TBR pile/s Mount Olympus (Mars): Read 150+ books from your TBR pile/s

And the rules: *Once you choose your challenge level, you are locked in for at least that many books. If you find that you're on a mountain-climbing roll and want to tackle a taller mountain, then you are certainly welcome to upgrade.  All books counted for lower mountains carry over towards the new peak.

*Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2017.

*You may sign up anytime from now until November 1st, 2017.

*Books must be owned by you prior to January 1, 2017. No library books.

*Rereads may count only in the following circumstances: If you did not own the book when you read it long ago and far away [based on your age, you can decide what that might mean--definitely not within the last five years...my arbitrary pick for a limit] and you bought the book pre-January 1, 2017 intending to reread it now that it's your very own.  [To clarify--the intention is to reduce the stack of books that you have bought for yourself or received as presents {birthday, Christmas, "just because," etc.}. Audiobooks and E-books may count if they are yours and they are one of your primary sources of backlogged books.]

*You may count any "currently reading" book that you begin prior to January 1--provided that you had 50% or more of the book left to finish when January 1 rolled around.  I will trust you all on that.

*You may count "Did Not Finish" books provided they meet your own standard for such things, you do not plan to ever finish it, and you move it off your mountain [give it away, sell it, etc. OR remove it from your e-resources]. For example, my personal rule (unless it's a very short book) is to give a book at least 100 pages. If I decide I just can't finish it and won't ever, then off the mountain it goes and I count it as a victory--the stack is smaller!

*Books may be used to count for other challenges as well.

*Feel free to submit your list in advance (as incentive to really get those books taken care of) or to tally them as you climb.

*There will be quarterly check-ins and prize drawings!

*A blog and reviews are not necessary to participate. If you have a blog, then please post a challenge sign up and link THAT post (not your home page) into the linky below. Non-bloggers, please leave a comment declaring your challenge level--OR, if you are a member of Goodreads, I will once again put together a group for the challenge there. Feel free to sign up HERE if that's where you want to participate. At the beginning of the year, I will update the sidebar link called Mount TBR Review Headquarters for current reviews and progress updates.

I need to move those books off my shelf! I'm going to sign up for the Mount Kilimanjaro level of 60 books.

January 2017 Life Goals

Let’s check in on December’s goals and my progress.

• Participate in The Hook on Momma Strong — Fail
• Read 1500 pages — Fail, but so close. I ended up only reading 1421 pages for December.
• Prep and send cards for December -- Success!
• Finish 30 Days of Lists — Success!
• December Bucket List — Success!

January's Goals:

• New Movie Month -- I like to start my year off with some new-to-me movies. Hoping to watch 31 movies this month.
• Daily MommaStrong/Walk -- Need to get back on the horse for this one...
• Read 1500 pages -- Hoping to kick off 2017 reading.
• Implement a grocery budget and meal plan -- I have a new plan in place to lower our grocery budget. Let's see if I can do it this month.
• Project 365: Tobe -- As part of my membership on the Awesome Ladies Project Practice Team, I want to memory plan my life this year. Less kids, more Tobe highlighted.
• Research vehicle options -- We need a vehicle to fit all four kiddos. I have a few options in mind, but need to dive into and research a bit more before making a decision.

2017 Goals and Resolutions

It’s the New Year.  Time for my yearly goals and resolutions… I’ve cut back a bit because I have so many other projects, goals, and resolutions heading into 2017.

Blog and Reading Resolutions:

• Read 35,000 pages
• Read 100 books
• Reevaluate my personal blog
• Keep posting on my craft blog MWFS
• Clear off at least one shelf of unread books

Life Resolutions:

• Cut our good budget dramatically and stick to it
• Continue with MommaStrong - losing weight, gaining strength
• Participate in SSINK Design Team
• Participate in the Awesome Ladies Project Design Team

Revisiting 2016’s goals and resolutions:

1. Focus on my Happiness Project — OLW just didn’t work for me, so I’m trying this project instead. And I have an accountability group to help me stay on track.
2. Focus on freezer meals and cutting our food budget — It’s gotten out of control. I really want to spend less money on food.
3. Read 30,00 pages — I’m going for it again this year!
4. Read 100 books — I’m excited to up my goal this year.
5. Finish at least 75% of my reading challenges — i’ve cut back on the number of challenges for the year, so I think I just might be able to attain this goal.
6. Create a weekly schedule and stick to it for all three of the blogs

Bout of Books 18 Update #1

Books Read: 2

Books Read Total: 2

Pages Read: 128 + 448

Pages Read Total: 576

Comments: Starting my year off right with two good comic volumes. Hoping to keep the momentum up today and tomorrow while traveling back home.

TBR:

• Revival Vol. 3
• Runaways Complete Collection Vol. 1
• A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
• Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
• Buffering by Hannah Hart

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, January 2nd and runs through Sunday, January 8th 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 18 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

2016 Wrap-up

Favorite Books of the Year

1. The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman
2. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
4. Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick
5. Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick
6. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
7. Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink
8. Forevermore by Kristen Calihan
9. The Lost by Sarah Beth Durst
10. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Honorable Mentions: The HM category is reserved for rereads that I really loved.

• The Magicians by Lev Grossman
• The Magician King by Lev Grossman
• Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 
• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Total Books Read – 132 books

Total Pages Read – 38,650 pages!!!!!

I averaged 3221 pages per month.  My lowest month was December with only 1421 pages.  My highest month was January with 4951 pages.  I hope to read 35,000 pages next year.

Book Rating Stats 

• 5 stars — 57 books
• 4 stars — 52 books
• 3 stars —  20 books
• 2 stars — 3 books
• 1 star —0 books
• DNFs — 2 books

Reading Challenges

Here’s the final breakdown:

• Perpetual 20/20 100%
• Read My Own Damn Books 40/40 100%
• I Love Libraries 24/24  100%
• Nonfiction 20/20 100%
• Popsugar 32/40 80%
• What's in a Name 3/6  50%
• Fairytale Retelling 7/10  70%
• Book to Movie 10/10 100%
• Finishing the Series 5/6  83.3%
• Graphic Novel 36/52  69.2%
• Women Authors 20/20  100%
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks  100%
• Picture Books 100/100  100%

Total: 8/13 challenges  61.5% done

Total:  369/400 slots  92.3% done

Overall Thoughts/Reflections/Musings/Ideas

2016 was a decent year of reading. I finished a couple of series, knocked a few books off my perpetual lists, and enjoyed some 5 star reads. Predictably, my reading pace slowed considerably after Quentin arrived at the end of September. But hopefully I can bring my reading back up to at least 30 minutes a day in 2017.

2016 Reading Challenge Round-up -- Failed

Goal: 32/40 books

1. Based on a fairy tale — Cinder by Marissa Meyer (11/16/16)
2. National Book Award winner — In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick (6/14/16)
3. YA bestseller — The House of Hades by Rick Riordan (1/15/16)
4. Haven’t read since high school — A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking (2/12/16)
5. Set in home state — Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (3/8/16)
6. Translated to English —
7. Romance set in the future — The Little Android by Marissa Meyer (12/7/16)
8. Set in Europe — Chocolat by Joanne Harris (1/7/16)
9. Under 150 pages — The Walking Dead Vol. 23 (1/9/16)
10. NYT Bestseller — Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (4/26/16)
11. Becoming a movie this year — The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (6/21/16)
12. Recommended by someone you just met — The Maze Runner by James Dashner (3/8/16)
13. Self-improvement book —
14. Can finish in day — The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom (2/1/16)
15. Written by a a celebrity —
16. Political memoir — The Residence by Kate Andersen Brower (9/4/16)
17. At least 100 years older than you —
18. More than 600 pages — Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (1/8/16)
19. Oprah’s Book Club — Wild by Cheryl Strayed (11/16/16)
20. Science fiction novel — Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke (8/12/16)
21. Recommended by a family member — Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris (12/5/16)
22. Graphic novel — Manhattan Projects Vol. 2 (1/4/16)
23. Published in 2016 — Forevermore by Kristen Callihan (6/1/16)
24. Protagonist who has your occupation —
25. Takes place during summer — Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (8/3/16)
26. Book and its prequel — Rose of Fire and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (1/24/16)
27. Murder mystery — The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio (9/13/16)
28. Written by a comedian — Bossypants by Tina Fey (12/23/16)
29. Dystopian novel — Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2/3/16)
30. Blue cover — Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick (7/7/16)
31. Poetry —
32. First book you see in a bookstore — The Lost by Sarah Beth Durst (4/20/16)
33. Classic from 20th century — The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (7/15/16)
34. From the library — American Vampire Vol. 4 (1/5/16)
35. Autobiography — An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary (8/1/16)
36. About a road trip —
37. About a unfamiliar culture –In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner (5/27/16)
38. Satirical book —
39. Takes place on an island — And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander (5/12/16)
40. Guaranteed to bring you joy — The Heart of Christmas (1/6/16)

Goal: 3/6 Books

1. Country:
2. Item of Clothing: The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig (1/18/16)
3. Item of Furniture:
4. Profession: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (7/15/16)
5. Month of the Year:
6. “Tree”: The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig (3/18/16)

Goal: 7/10 Books

1. Fairest Vol. 5 (1/4/16)
2. The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa (5/1/16)
3. Saga Vol. 5 (5/9/16)
4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer (11/16/16)
5. Glitches by Marissa Meyer (12/7/16)
6. The Little Android by Marissa Meyer (12/7/16)
7. The Queen’s Army by Marissa Meyer (12/7/16)
8. TBD
9. TBD
10. TBD

Goal: 5/6 Series

1. Iron Fey: #7 The Iron Warrior (5/1/16) √
2. Strain: #2 The Fall, #3 The Night Eternal
3. Magician: #3 The Magician’s Land (6/21/16) √
4. Heroes of Olympus: #4 The House of Hades (1/15/16), #5 The Blood of Olympus (5/8/16) √
5. Fifth Wave: #1 The 5th Wave (6/21/16), #2 The Infinite Sea (6/21/16), #3 The Last Star (7/19/16) √
6. Cemetery of Forgotten Books: #3 Prisoner of Heaven
7. Miss Peregrine: #2 Hollow City (2/1/16), #3 Library of Souls (2/27/16) √

Goal: 36/52 books (increasing my goal as of 5/10/16)

1. The Manhattan Projects Vol. 2 (1/4/16)
2. The Manhattan Projects Vol. 3 (3/9/16)
3. The Manhattan Projects Vol. 4 (3/9/16)
4. The Manhattan Projects Vol. 5 (3/9/16)
5. Fairest Vol. 5 (1/4/16)
6. American Vampire Vol. 4 (1/5/16)
7. American Vampire Vol. 5 (1/5/16)
8. American Vampire Vol. 6 (1/5/16)
9. American Vampire Vol. 7 (1/5/16)
10. The Walking Dead Vol. 23 (1/9/16)
11. The Walking Dead Vol. 24 (3/18/16)
12. Morning Glories Vol. 1 (3/1/16)
13. Morning Glories Vol. 2 (3/1/16)
14. Morning Glories Vol. 3 (3/1/16)
15. Morning Glories Vol. 4 (3/3/16)
16. Morning Glories Vol. 5 (3/3/16)
17. Morning Glories Vol. 6 (3/3/16)
18. Morning Glories Vol. 7 (3/3/16)
19. Morning Glories Vol. 8 (3/3/16)
20. Saga Vol. 5 (5/9/16)
21. Fables Vol. 22 (3/21/16)
22. Bitch Planet Vol. 1 (5/9/16)
23. Top 10 by Alan Moore (5/10/16)
24. Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Archives Vol. 1 (5/10/16)
25. Five Ghosts Vol. 1 (6/15/16)
26. East of West Vol. 1 (6/15/16)
27. East of West Vol. 2 (6/26/16)
28. East of West Vol. 3 (6/26/16)
29. East of West Vol. 4 (6/26/16)
30. Wytches Vol. 1 (6/25/16)
31. The Scorch Trials: The Graphic Novel Prelude (7/21/16)
32. Rat Queens Vol. 1 (8/5/16)
33. Rat Queens Vol. 2 (8/5/16)
34. Rat Queens Vo. 3 (10/20/16)
35. Revival Vol. 1 (11/29/16)
36. Revival Vol. 2 (11/29/16)

Runaways: Complete Collection Vol. 1

Title: Runaways: Complete Collection Vol. 1

Author: Brian K. Vaughan; Adrian Alphona; Takeshi Miyazawa

Publisher: Marvel 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 448

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; I Love Libraries

They were six normal teenagers linked only by their wealthy parents' annual business meeting...until a chance discovery revealed the shocking truth: their parents are the secret criminal society known as the Pride! For years, the Pride controlled all criminal activity in Los Angeles, ruling the city with an iron fist...and now, with their true natures exposed, the Pride will take any measures necessary to protect their organization - even if it means taking out their own children! Now on the run from their villainous parents, Nico, Chase, Karolina, Gertrude, Molly and Alex have only each other to rely on.

Picked this volume up on a whim. I love it when I pick winners and this definitely is. Another comic that takes the well-known narrative and turns it on its head. Of course we all the know the first twist on the story, but the really interesting part is the dynamic between the main characters. I think Nico was my favorite of the six, but all had a very interesting path through the volume. I think I might just pick up the second volume.

2016 Reading Challenge Round-up -- Completed

Goal: 52/52 Books DONE!!!!!

1. Fairest Vol. 5 (1/4/16)
2. The House of Hades by Rick Riordan (1/15/16)
3. The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig (1/18/16)
4. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (1/24/16)
5. Hollow City by Ransom Riggs (2/1/16)
6. The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig (2/9/16)
7. Impulse by Candace Camp (2/16/16)
8. Coffee Nerd by Ruth Brown (2/23/16)
9. Morning Glories Vol. 1 (3/1/16)
10. The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell (3/5/16)
11. The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig (3/13/16)
12. Fables Vol. 22 (3/21/16)
13. The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig (4/1/16)
14. A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin (4/12/16)
15. Ivy and Intrigue by Lauren Willig (4/13/16)
16. Failure is Impossible by Lynn Sherr (4/17/16)
17. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (4/26/16)
18. The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa (5/1/16)
19. The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan (5/8/16)
20. In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner (5/27/16)
21. The Joy of Books by Eric Burns (6/4/16)
22. The Passion of the Purple Plumeria by Lauren Willig (6/7/16)
23. The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart (6/10/16)
24. Fantastic Planets, Forbidden Zones, and Lost Continents by Douglas Brode (6/14/16)
25. The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman (6/21/16)
26. The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla by Lauren Willig (6/26/16)
27. The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig (7/1/16)
28. The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato (7/12/16)
29. The Last Star by Rick Yancey (7/19/16)
30. Thunderstruck by Erik Larson (7/26/16)
31. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (8/3/16)
32. Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger (8/12/16)
33. Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick (8/16/16)
34. Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade (8/23/16)
35. The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh (9/2/16)
36. The Residence by Kate Andersen Brower (9/4/16)
37. Founding Myths by Ray Raphael (9/13/16)
38. How to Talk About Video Games by Ian Bogost (9/23/16)
39. Circling the Sun by Paula McClain (9/28/16)
40. Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin (10/5/16)
41. Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin (10/9/16)
42. The Stranger’s Obituary by Jessica L. Randall (10/19/16)
43. The Obituary Society’s Last Stand by Jessica L. Randall (10/24/16)
44. Manners and Mutiny by Gail Carriger (10/31/16)
45. The Last Honest Seamstress by Gina Robinson (11/9/16)
46. Wild by Cheryl Strayed (11/16/16)
47. Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink (11/29/16)
48. Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris (12/5/16)
49. Glitches by Marissa Meyer (12/7/16)
50. 13 by Nathan Lachenmeyer (12/21/16)
51. The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo (12/22/16)
52. Bossypants by Tina Fey (12/23/16)

Book to Movie

Goal: 10/10 Books  DONE!!!!!!!!

1. Chcoolat (1/7/16)
2. The Maze Runner (3/8/16)
3. I, Robot (3/24/16)
4. In the Heart of the Sea (6/14/16)
5. The 5th Wave (6/21/16)
6. The Scorch Trials (7/21/16)
7. High Rise (12/24/16)
8. Childhood’s End (8/12/16)
9. Turn (George Washington’s Secret Six) (7/29/16)
10. Wild (11/16/16)

Goal: 20/20 Books  DONE!!!!!!!

1. Tasha Alexander (5/12/16)
2. Margaret Atwood (7/15/16)
3. Mary Balogh (8/24/16)
4. Kristen Callihan (6/1/16)
5. Candace Camp (2/16/16)
6. Gail Carriger (7/6/16)
7. Alyssa Cooper (10/1/16)
8. Kelly Sue DeConnick (5/9/16)
9. Sarah Beth Durst (4/20/16)
10. Marina Fiorato (7/12/16)
11. Kathleen Grissom (2/1/16)
12. Sarah Jio (9/13/16)
13. Emily St. John Mandel (2/3/16)
14. Paula McClain (9/28/16)
15. Jojo Moyes (4/19/16)
16. Celeste Ng (8/3/16)
17. Rebecca Raisin (10/5/16)
18. Jessica L Randall (10/11/16)
19. Vaddey Ratner (5/27/16)
20. Lauren Willig (2/9/16)

Goal: 40/40 Books (fiction only) DONE!!!!

1. Chocolat by Joanne Harris (1/7/16)
2. Manhattan Projects Vol. 2 (1/4/16)
3. The Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman (6/21/16)
4. The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig (1/18/16)
5. The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig (2/9/16)
6. The Heart of Christmas (1/6/16)
7. A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin (4/12/16)
8. A Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (1/8/16)
9. The House of Hades by Rick Riordan (1/15/16)
10. Impulse by Candace Camp (2/16/16)
11. The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig (2/19/16)
12. The Manhattan Projects Vol. 3 (3/9/16)
13. The Manhattan Projects Vol. 4 (3/9/16)
14. The Manhattan Projects Vol. 5 (3/9/16)
15. The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig (3/13/16)
16. The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig (3/18/16)
17. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (3/24/16)
18. Ivy and Intrigue by Lauren Willig (4/13/16)
19. The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig (4/28/16)
20. The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan (5/8/16)
21. And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander (5/12/16)
22. Forevermore by Kristen Callihan (6/1/16)
23. The Passion of the Purple Plumeria by Lauren Wilig (6/7/16)
24. The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig (7/1/16)
25. The Curious Case of the Werewolf that Wasn’t… by Gail Carriger (7/2/16)
26. Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger (7/6/16)
27. The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato (7/12/16)
28. Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger (8/12/16)
29. Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke (8/12/16)
30. Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger (8/19/16)
31. More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh (8/24/16)
32. No Man’s Mistress by Mary Balogh (8/26/16)
33. The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh (9/2/16)
34. The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio (9/13/16)
35. The Motel Room by Alyssa Cooper (10/1/16)
36. Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin (10/5/16)
37. Chocolate Dreams at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin (10/5/16)
38. Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin (10/9/16)
39. The Obituary Society by Jessica L. Randall (10/11/16)
40. The Stranger’s Obituary by Jessica L. Randall (10/19/16)

Goal: 20/20 Books  DONE!!!!!

1. The Great Influenza by John M. Barry (1/30/16)
2. You Did What edited by Bill Fawcett and Brian Thomsen (2/9/16)
3. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking (2/12/16)
4. The Map That Changed the World by Simon Winchester (2/17/16)
5. Coffee Nerd by Ruth Brown (2/23/16)
6. The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell (3/5/16)
7. Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr (3/8/16)
8. Failure is Impossible by Lynn Sherr (4/17/16)
9. The Joy of Books by Eric Burns (6/4/16)
10. Who Put the Devil in Deviled Eggs? by Ann Treistman (6/4/16)
11. The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart (6/10/16)
12. Fantastic Planets, Forbidden Zones, and Lost Continents by Douglas Brode (6/14/16)
13. In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick (6/14/16)
14. Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick (7/7/16)
15. Thunderstruck by Erik Larson (7/26/16)
16. George Washington’s Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade (7/29/16)
17. An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary (8/1/16)
18. What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Tweeted by Tevi Troy (8/6/16)
19. Bunker Hill by Nathanirl Philbrick (8/16/16)
20. Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade (8/23/16)

Perpetual Reading Challenges (from any of my current)

Goal: 20/20 books  DONE!!!!!

1. The Maze Runner by James Dashner (NPR, YA) (3/8/16)
2. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (NPR) (3/24/16)
3. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (NPR Sci/Fan) (1/8/16)
4. The Great Influenza by John M. Barry (NonAd) (1/30/16)
5. You Did What edited by Bill Fawcett and Brian Thomsen (NonAd) (2/9/16)
6. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking (NonAd) (2/12/16)
7. The Map that Changed the World by Simon Winchester (NonAd) (2/17/16)
8. Coffee Nerd by Ruth Brown (NonAd) (2/23/16)
9. The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell (NonAd) (3/5/16)
10. Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr (NonAd) (3/8/16)
11. A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin (NPR Sci/Fan) (4/12/16)
12. Failure is Impossible by Lynn Sherr (NonAd; Feminism) (4/17/16)
13. The Joy of Books by Eric Burns (NonAd) (6/4/16)
14. The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart (NonAd) (6/10/16)
15. Fantastic Planets, Forbidden Zones, and Lost Continents by Douglas Brode (NonAd) (6/14/16)
16. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (365 Days of YA) (6/21/16)
17. Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick (7/7/16)
18. The Last Star by Rick Yancey (365 Days) (7/19/16)
19. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner (NPR Teen; YA) (7/21/16)
20. Thunderstruck by Erik Larson (NonAd) (7/26/16)

Goal: 24/24 Books  DONE!!!!

1. American Vampire Vol. 4 (1/5/15)
2. American Vampire Vol. 5 (1/5/16)
3. American Vampire Vol. 6 (1/5/16)
4. American Vampire Vol. 7 (1/5/16)
5. The Walking Dead Vol. 23 (1/9/16)
6. Hollow City by Ransom Riggs (2/1/16)
7. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom (2/1/16)
8. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2/3/16)
9. Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs (2/27/16)
10. Morning Glories Vol. 1 (3/1/16)
11. Morning Glories Vol. 2 (3/1/16)
12. Morning Glories Vol. 3 (3/1/16)
13. Morning Glories Vol. 4 (3/3/16)
14. Morning Glories Vol. 5 (3/3/16)
15. Morning Glories Vol. 6 (3/3/16)
16. Morning Glories Vol. 7 (3/3/16)
17. Morning Glories Vol. 8 (3/3/16)
18. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (3/8/16)
19. The Walking Dead Vol. 24 (3/18/16)
20. Fables Vol. 22 (3/21/16)
21. The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig (4/1/16)
22. After You by Jojo Moyes (4/19/16)
23. The Lost by Sarah Beth Durst (4/20/16)
24. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (4/26/16)

Goal: 100/100 Books  DONE!!!!!

1. Little Green Peas by Keith Baker
2. Snowmen All Year by Caralyn Buehner
3. Red Light, Green Light by Yumi Heo
4. Hello Dinosaur by Dwell Studio
5. Muddy Truck by CJ Calder
6. Fast truck by CJ Calder
7. Supermarket by Simon Abbott
8. Frankenstein by Jennifer Adams
9. Snow White by Trixie Belle
10. Good Night Trucks by Brian Biggs
11. Jungle Book by Jennifer Adams
12. Little Red Riding Hood by Trixie Belle
13. Sense and Sensibility by Jennifer Adams
14. Fire Engine No. 9 by Mike Austin
15. The Bus Driver by Todd Doodler
16. Goat Goes to Playgroup by Julia Donaldson
17. Lots of Spots by Lois Ehlert
18. What Can a Crane Pick Up? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
19. No More Pacifier Duck by Michael Dahl
20. Meow! Katie’s Big Book of Animals by Liesbet Slegers
21. Two at the Zoo by Danna Smith
22. Duck’s Vacation by Gilad Soffer
23. Pirate Nap by Danna Smith
24. Pigs in Pajamas by Maggie Smith
25. Hiccupotamus by Steve Smallman
26. I’m Your Bus by Marilyn Singer
27. Let’s Go Potty Elmo by Lori Froeb
28. Dino Match by Lisa Gardiner
29. My Bus by Byron Barton
30. My Day Bathtime
31. Counting Dogs by Eric Barclay
32. Opposites by Sandra Boynton
33. Animals by Nick Ackland
34. Busy Railroad
35. American Babies
36. Spooky Pookie by Sandr Boynton
37. R is for Rocket by Tad Hills
38. Small Elephant’s Bedtime by Tatyana Feeney
39. Steve, Raised by Wolves by Jared Chapman
40. Cinderella’s Stepsister and the Big Bad Wolf by Lorraine Carey
41. Dinosaur Rocket by Penny Dale
42. Dinotrux Dig the Beach by Chris Gall
43. Peep and Ducky Rainy Day by David Martin
44. Sea Rex by Molly Idle
45. Monkey and Duck Quack Up by Jennifer Hamburg
46. George and the Dinosaur by Felix Hayes
47. Play and Learn 123
48. Pull the Tab Animals by Charlie Gardner
49. Jane Foster’s ABC by Jane Foster
50. Sally in the Snow by Stephen Huneck
51. Dig Dogs Dig by James Horvath
52. Duck Duck Moose by Dave Horowitz
53. Circus Train by Jennifer Cole Judd
54. Red Truck by Kersten Hamilton
55. ABC Animals by American Museum of Natural History
56. Pedro and George by Delphine Perret
57. What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss
58. Animals’ Vacation by Shel and Jan Haber
59. Otter in Space by Sam Garton
60. Little White Fish by Guido van Genechten
61. Troto and the Trucks by Uri Shulevitz
62. Hide and Seek Harry on the Farm by Kenny Harrison
63. Duck and Goose Let’s Dance by Tad Hills
64. The Pirate and the Penguin by Patricia Storms
65. Road Work Ahead by Anastasia Suen
66. Pete the Cate Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
67. Vincent Paints His House by Tedd Arnold
68. Splish, Splash, Splat by Rob Scotton
69. Splat Says Thank You by Rob Scotton
70. Construction by Sally Sutton
71. Chester’s Colorful Easter Eggs by Theresa Smythe
72. Hello, Arlo
73. Big Red Fire Engine by Ken Wilson-Max
74. Hoot Hoot by Sebastien Braun
75. Duck, Duck, Goose by Tad Hills
76. Duck and Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hills
77. Duck and Goose by Tad Hills
78. Hello Dinosaur by Dwell Studios
79. A Surprise for the Easter Bunny by Megan Bryant
80. Red Light, Green Light by Yumi Heo
81. Duck to the Rescue by John Himmelman
82. Food Trucks by Mark Todd
83. The Day Louis Got Eaten by John Fardell
84. Cock-a-Doodle Dudley by Bill Peet
85. Pigs to the Rescue by John Himmelman
86. Build, Dogs, Build by James Horvath
87. Go Go Go Stop by Charise Mericle Harper
88. Space Dog by Mini Grey
89. Yellow Copter by Kersten Hamilton
90. Look by Jeff Mack
91. Alphabet Trains by Samantha Vamos
92. Bad Pirate by Kari-Lynn Winters
93. Elephants Can’t Jump by Jeanne Willis
94. Noisy Animal Peekaboo by Sirwett
95. Hiccupotamus by Steve Smallman
96. Dino-Daddy by Sam Lloyd
97. How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe? by Jane Yolen
98. Ninja Bunny by Jennifer Grey Olson
99. Firebears The Rescue Team by Rhonda Gowler Greene
100. A People House by Dr. Seuss

Revival Vol. 3

Title: Revival Volume 3: A Faraway Place

Author: Tim Seeley

Publisher: Image 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

For one day in rural central Wisconsin, the dead came back to life. Now the living and the recently returned struggle to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst political and religious conflicts. Officer Dana Cypress is hot on the trail of a man she believes may have murdered her sister Em, but Em herself is on a quest through the snowy woods to find the strange glowing creature that haunts a child.

Another interesting volume of Revival. This section answered a few questions, but mostly it asked more. I'm getting deeper and deeper into the mystery of Em's murder and the Revivers. I can't wait to see what happens next...

December 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

December's TBR Pile (8/11):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
2. MVPA Book Club Selection (February): Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris √
3. Series Pick: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
4. Nonfiction Pick: 13 by Nathan Lachenmeyer √
5. Carry-over: The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo √
6. Jar Pick: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
7. Jar Pick: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
8. Added: Glitches by Marissa Meyer √
9. Added: The Queen's Army by Marissa Meyer √
10. Added: The Little Android by Marissa Meyer √
11. Added: Bossypants by Tina Fey √
12. Added: High Rise by J.G. Ballard √

Picture Book Roundup:

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 1421 pages

Pages Remaining: 735,973 pages

Current Read - Voyager by Diana Gabaldon! Still plugging through it...

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  - I finished out my 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge right at Christmas. Perfect timing... And I finished out the Book to Movie Challenge with my last book of 2016.

Books bought/received

2016 Total Spent: $21.25

Comments - Another month come and gone. December was definitely not my month when it came to lots of pages read, but I did manage to sneak in a few books here and there. Here's to starting 2017 off right with some great book picks!

January's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
2. Series Pick: The Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
3. Nonfiction Pick: Buffering by Hannah Hart
4. Carry-over: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
5. Comic Pick: Revival Vol. 3
6. Comic Pick: The Runaways Complete Collection Vol. 1

Bout of Books 18!

My favorite readathon is back and I'm ready to kick 2017 right with some great reads!

Goals:

• Read 3 books
• Review all books read
• Read at least 30 minutes a day
• Focus on my TBR pile, no deviations

TBR:

• Revival Vol. 3
• Runaways Complete Collection Vol. 1
• A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
• Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
• Buffering by Hannah Hart

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, January 2nd and runs through Sunday, January 8th 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 18 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team