NAME IN TITLES MINI CHALLENGE

Mini challenge hosted by GeekyBloggersBookBlog.

The name is

Georgia

; ) lol

For HOUR 14

Currently reading: A Game of Thrones

Books finished: - 

Pages read: 119

Running total of pages read: 191

Amount of time spent reading: 3 hours

Running total of time spent reading: 3 hours and 40 minutes. 

Snacks: water

HOUR 13

I've been gone for a few hours now, completely and utterly engrossed in A Game of Thrones. What a book, so far my favorite point of views are Daenerys' and Eddard's. Eddard's especially when he's interacting with Robert, because you can really feel the depth of their friendship, especially with the way they occasionally joke around. Also, just want to point out that in Jon's first POV chapter, he sees kings everywhere, mentioning that Jaime looked as a king should, and a bit later, when a shadow is caste behind Tyrion Lannister, he said the shadow made him look like a king (something like that). Jon's POV chapters are also among my favorites.

Mid-Event Survey
1. What are you reading right now?

A Game of Thrones

2. How many books have you read so far?

Two: The Axion Esti, but then I put it down in favor of A Game of Thrones.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

I've been thinking about switching to Clockword Angel by Cassandra Clare. Or maybe A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Housseini. But I also really want to finish aGoT.... >..>

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

Not really, just had to turn down a couple of outings from my mom.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

Chris has been on Skype with me for a few hours now as I read, and it inspired him to start reading the pile of comics he'd been accumulating for a while.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

I really love the music videos/songs that are posted almost every hour. They actually get me pumped up. I think that's what surprises me a little bit about the read-a-thon: other people assume that reading is 100% of the time solitary, quiet, boring and uneventful, but this read-a-thon is a prime example of how reading can bring people together and get you hyped up. Being hyped up is also a double edged sword at times; you're so hyped to read as many books as possible, or to just sit and read for 24 hours that it takes a bit away from the stories and from immersing yourself. This is rare though, and my not apply to everyone but I know that it has crossed my mind occasionally.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

No, I don't think so. It's well organized. But I think of something later on, I will let you guys know :)

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again 
next year?

Definitely be in my room with my laptop and books one hour before the read-a-thon begins. I feel like a lost a big portion of the first hour or two just getting ready and trying to understand how cheering worked (it was my first time, I was nervous, didn't know what to write.) Also, just sitting there and relaxing would've probably helped ease me into the reading zone as opposed to running in from an errand, rushed and flushed at the first hour.

9. Are you getting tired yet?

I was falling asleep as I read through a chapter, so I got up and came to blog for a bit. I feel more alert now. Getting up, stretching and just taking a break really does refresh you and banishes the tiredness. For a bit though. I bet I'll feel very tired soon (it's 2:44 AM on my side of the world).

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?

Tips tips tips! Okay. Hm, all I can say is don't be afraid to read anything. Children's books, books you've already read, fanfiction, poetry. It doesn't have to be full length, printed novels. Sometimes you just need to feel like "yes! I finished a book!" even if it was a short one. And I really believe there's always something to be learned from re-reading a book. You come at it from a new perspective almost every time, and this pick up on something new.
As for cheering. I think this is more advice directed at me but DON'T BE AFRAID OF WRITING ON PEOPLE'S BLOGS/WALLS. You don't have to original so don't worry, just a nice, sweet message is thoughtful. lol And you can be funny if you want.

HAPPY READINGS!!!!

Hour 9!

I think that one of the most prevailing feelings I get around this time of the readathon is something along the lines of:

"I REALLY REALLY DON'T WANT IT TO END! NOOO! I MUST READ MORE!"

The end is coming

And I cannot stop

*whispers* nooooooooooo

READ ON!

HOUR 7!!!

I'm going to make a hot cocoa and a sandwich so I can be swiftly carried into the next 17 hours to come. 

Accidentally started cheering again. 

No

I must return to my book

A Game of Thrones NEEDS ME! 

Entering hour 5...

After knocking out for 2 and a half hours!!! Oh no! It was an accident. But now I feel refreshes, sort of... as refreshed as one can feel after an abrupt nap, which means my head is pounding a bit, my throat feels dry, and I'm mildly confused.
Refreshed in the sense that I don't feel tired anymore! Yay. So onward! I've switched books.

Currently reading: A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Books Finished: -

Pages read: 40

Running total of pages read: 72

Amount of time spent reading: 20 minutes.

Running total of time spent reading: 40 minutes

Snacks: water.

Immediate Read-a-thon goal: Finish at least one book.

WOOH! I can do this!

Cheering my way into the first two hours of Dewey's Read-a-thon

It's 3:40 PM on my side of the World (Berlin-Amsterdam-Paris time zone). 

Kicked off this April's read-a-thon with a bit of cheering on other's blogs. 

Now...I'm going to dedicate my time to reading. 

See you in the next hour. 

Currently reading: The Axiom Esti by Odysseus Elytis

Books finished: -

Pages read: 32

Running total of pages read: 32

Amount of time spent reading: 20 minutes

Running total of time spent reading: 20 minutes

Snacks: Pizza and lemonade. 

THE READ-A-THON BEGINS!

First first first off, here's my book line up : D

And here's the first hour meme: 

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

Among the cows and sheeps of Papenburg, Germany. 

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

A Game of Thrones and A Thousand Splendid Suns

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

PIZZA! and coffee and that really awesome green tea I bought yesterday. 

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

My name is Georgia, I graduated from FIU with B.A. in English Literature and certificates in both Japanese and Professional and Technical Writing. I am, on a regular day, a mess. I live in Germany with my parents and am taking German class jeden Tag. My immediate goal is to become fluent in German and, secretly, write a book in German : O I'm fluent in French, Spanish and, well, English. And I love to read. Yup. Hello :)

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

What I will do differently? I signed up to be a cheerleader so that's definitely different from last time. Just be more involved and sit down and read until the 24 hours are up. 

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE! Take breaks when you feel hazy, if you've lost interest in a book don't force yourself, just put it down, stretch and start a new one. Don't be afraid to re-read old favorites (there's always something new and exciting to notice and learn). Change positions, locations, eat when hungry, drink! And HAVE FUN!!! 

Good evening everyone! (or morning or afternoon if you're not in the same west European time zone as me).

I was tagged by A Girl That Likes Books for:

The Liebster award!




The rules of this are the following: thank the blog who nominated you, list 11 facts about yourself, answer the 11 questions that they asked you, ask 11 questions that your nominees have to answer and nominate 9 blogs with under 200 followers for the award that are not the one that nominated you. The questions for my nominees and the nominated blogs are at the end of the post.




11 Facts about me:




1. I love manga and anime and I am currently in love with Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin. My love extends to Hajime Isayama, the wonderful creator/writer/artist of this series.

2. I follow the Welcome to Night Vale podcast (religiously listen to it).

3. I was born in the U.S. but grew up in France and now live in Germany.

4. I have a B.A. in English literature, which occasionally equates to earning skills in the art of writing, bullshitting, procrastinating without failing and having knowledge of many random, unimportant (yet oh so very important) things.

5. My goal for the end of this year is to be as articulate and eloquent as I can be in German. Hopefully, in two year, I will be fluent.

6. I am fluent in 3 languages (English, Spanish and French). I learned Japanese in Uni, but I'm completely out of practice. Fun fact: I speak English with a very subtle, odd, Spanish/French accent.

7. There's something that I love and hate about every season, but Autumn always feels like coming home for me (I can hear the ... "oh she's another fall love" jokes in the distance). I hate raking leaves though: if you don't do it daily, they pile up, but you expend so much energy raking leaves one day only to have more fall the next day.

8. I am impartial to ice cream.

9. I love cakes as long as they're not overly sweet (I'm starting to sound like a stuffy old, grumpy person aren't I...?)

10. I crochet more than I knit.

11. I laugh like I have to get rid of all the air in my lungs at once.




Here are the 11 questions from A Girl That Likes Books:




1. Do you make part of any book club? If so how did you come to join it, if not is there any that tempts you?


No, I don't. To be honest, I don't of any book clubs in my area or on the internet.

2. What is your least favorite genre, the one you just can't seem to like at all?


I think there's always a book to like from every genre, so I don't have a least favorite genre.

3. Do you listen to any bookish podcasts? If so which one and why?


No, no bookish podcasts. Only "Welcome to Night Vale" and "Radiolab."

4. What is your favorite place to read?


Oh no, I don't have a favorite place to read either. I can literally read anywhere, especially when I get in "the zone." I sort of forget where I am when I'm truly enthralled by a story, so the surroundings matters naught.


5. What is your stand on Audio books?


It's recorded story telling, reminiscent of the times humans would sit together and tell stories and listen to stories. Except this is recorded: you can rewind, pause, stop and listen to it anywhere.


6. As a kid, what was your favorite book?


As a little kid? Peter Rabbit. Later on? Anything that fell under the mystery/crime/detective genre. I did have a penchant for Voltaire and Moliere. And at around 11 years of age? Harry Potter : D

7. Do you write in books? If no, how do you manage the notes for your reviews?


Oh hohohoho...no. I'm even careful not to open them too much for fear of damaging the spine. BUUUUT...uni changed that habit a bit. You can tell what books were required reading and which books I bought for pleasure. Books for school are riddled with notes and dog eared. Leisurely books have post its in them.

8. What is the book that you haven't read but everyone keeps saying you should?


A Song of Ice and Fire series. And other stuff that I can't remember right now.

9. Have you ever lied about reading (or not) a book? Why?


Yes. For class. Procrastination and the inevitable "lazy student" syndrome that would hit me square in the brain every once in a while.

10. What is the best bookish gift you have ever received?


Any book I have every received. My friend made me a few book marks once. Gift card to Barnes and Nobles. Every fancy notebook I have ever received. Can't pick one, all bookish gifts are best.


11. Do you have a goal of books per year? How do you determine it?


No goals. I used to read copious amounts of books each week prior to Uni. During uni I didn't have much time and now...now I feel like a lost puppy.





Nominating 9 blogs!




The Book Jazz


No Book Left Behind


Persuasion


My Friend Amy


The Thinker


David


Some Days There's Pie


Truth in Fiction


Joy's Book Blog



And finally, here are my 11 questions:



1) Have you ever gotten into an argument with a friend over a plot point or character or anything in a book? If yes, which book and what was the argument about?



2) Name three books: one book that you love, but have only read once; one book that you love and have read multiple times; one book that you love and have not only read multiple times but lend and suggested it to other people.



3) What book arrived in your life during a time when you really needed what was written in it? If you feel comfortable sharing: what were you going through and how did the book help?



4) Do you ever get so wrapped up by a story that reaching the end leaves you hollow and out of commission for at least a few days?



5) Have you ever fallen in love with a character from a book you've read? Which book, which character?



6) List one or two for this question: which book can you recall had you so ensnared in the plot that you couldn't put it down and when you did put it down to go to sleep, you would, first thing in the morning, resume reading it?



7) How long does it usually take you, in hours, to read a book?



8) Which book would you want to see turned into a movie?



9) Has a book ever inspired you to write a story of your own, paint, draw, write a song...anything...meaning has a book ever inspired you to create something of your own? If yes, which book and what did you create?



10) Has a book ever brought you closer to someone? Which book, to who and how?



11) Why IS a raven like a writing desk?



HAVE FUN!

Getting ready for Dewey's Read-a-Thon.

Here's a tentative plan for this month's Dewey's Read-a-thon:

-Get started on A Song of Ice and Fire

-Finish 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

-Catch up on all those xxxHolic and Shingeki no Kyojin fanfictions.

I think that in between big books, if need be, I can take breaks by reading fanfictions.

Anyways, I'm back and super excited about April's Read-a-Thon!

The books I go back to re-read time and time again . . .

Holly Black is to me what coffee is to a readaholic; a necessity in my reading life. She sparked my interest in faeries, folklore and New York (the iron city). Her novels took me to new places that felt real and close to me.
Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale was her first solo work I read (not counting Spiderwick) and I can honestly say every time I read it, I learn to appreciate Holly Black's craft and artistry. The descriptions of both places and characters are simple and to the point, but leave you with a very palpable taste. She knows how to show her audience anything without using too many fancy words whether it is through dialogue or narration.

This book came into a very strange, twisted and confusing time in my life. The character, like many of Paulo Coelho's characters, was on a journey and I felt as though for the time I was reading it, I too was on a journey to find myself. Paulo Coelho's philosophies and wisdom took me by surprise and kept me going when I thought reality was too much to bare. Honestly? An amazing read, all of its knowledge, whether you agree with it or not, is heavy and almost requires to be read a second, third, or tenth time.

I'm almost laughing and crying as I post this picture up. Of course Harry Potter would be on my list of re-reads! I just wanted to save it for last for two reasons: for one, again, OF COURSE! and two, it is one of the dearest series to me. J.K.Rowling, the Harry Potter series, the HP fandom, all of it framed my childhood. I see one or more of these books, and I am immediately taken back to the first time I came out of the movie theater after watching "The Sorcerer's Stone" (and yes, I am one of THOSE fans who was taken under the HP wing through the first movie), this is going to sound corny, but I could feel the magic, the connection, the importance this story would play in my life. Harry Potter nestled deep in my heart, and almost nothing can take its spot. It is a world I don't mind going back to over and over again.


"Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home" :)

My Book and I - mini challenge

The reader and her book

Hour 17: Mini Picture Challenge

In the midst of our 17th hour within the world of readathon, Stella has asked avid readers to take a break and post a picture up that represents the book that they're reading.

I'm reading Gone by Michael Grant, a book about a town where all the adults disappear and the children are left alone to deal and wonder what has happened. Right now I am still at the part where the parents have just vanished. It's the first night alone and they're confused, afraid but also hopeful that their parents will return. I found this image of a sad child seating by a window to show that the kids are still hoping for the return of normalcy.

Picture from xpress protection

Happy reading :)

Hour 14 of readathon

Change of pace, I'm switching to two dystopian novels: the YA book "Gone" and the classic "1984"

Change of location too, I'm at the boyfriend's house now

I will try to finish at least ONE book in the next 10 hours. I think I just haven't found a book that really captures my attention. On the bright side, I've been having quite some fun with the mini-challenges.

Happy readings :)

Hour 9? Switched books

I went from Inferno by Dante to Lolita by Nabokov

Book Staging Challenge

Midnight Book Girl's mini challenge of the hour: surround your chosen book by items that represent it. This was too much fun just because I got to involve one of my cats, Blitz, in this. Enjoy!

It's like the cat came out of the cover : O 

Can you figure out what all the objects represent? Haha, leave a comment below. In the mean time I'll be returning to my reading.

Mini challenge entry: Book Appetit!

In this sixth hour mini book challenge, Sheila asked this: pick a book and imagine that your friends are coming over to discuss it (like a book club), what drinks and food would you serve taking into account the chosen novel?

So, I am reading:


















           Here goes nothing:


Since it would be a few friends gathering together to discuss the topic of Dante's politics, emotions, and journey through the Inferno . . . and he's Italian . . . I would definitely be serving some italian food, but not dishes. I would serve mainly appetizers (with a lot of prosciutto).  Heavy topic + heavy food = not so good. Therefore:

- melon slices wrapped in thinly sliced prosciutto

Picture from The Italian Chef

-bruschetta: diced fresh tomatoes with garlic, basil, oregano, extra virgin olive oil, capers, and some mozzarella.

Picture from Kimberly's Stash of Awesome

-a platter of thin slices of prosciutto, thick chunks of mozzarella, triangular cuts of Parmesan regiano cheese, pecorino, gorgonzola. And some italian herb crackers.

Picture from Eating Made Easy

- for some warmth: mushrooms stuffed with pecorino, dried bread crumbs, fresh mint, parsley, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and some black pepper.

Picture from life's ambrosia

ALL accompanied by some red wine and sparkling water.

For dessert?

Picture from Lake's Cakes

- small, sample sized tiramisu
- small cannolis
-small fruit tarts
-cream puffs.

Accompanied by some cappuccino or cafe con leche.

My mouth is watering, back to reading now!

Read-a-thon challenge: book sentence

As I accompany Dante down into the Inferno, I took up On the Wings of Books's challenge to make a book sentence. Basically, take three or more books and create a sentence with their book titles, like so:

Hush, hush the maze runner Lolita let it rain coffee.

Happy readings.

The reading begins . . .

A bit late since the marathon started at 8 A.M., not 11:54 A.M.

Look at all them berries, and that sexy bagel half.

My power food as I plow through Danter's Inferno: blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, an apple and some bagel. It shall all get washed down by this beautiful jasmine flower tea.

I decided to fill out a questionnaire 24hourreadathon posted at the first hour: I look forward to finishing Dante's Diving Comedy.

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
The beautiful and not so sunny today Miami, Florida.
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
Oh god, Lolita by Nabakov
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
My bowl of fresh berries, and later I will be enjoying a plate full of vegetables.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
When I'm not procrastinating my life away on tumblr, writing essays, studying for Japanese, or sleeping, I try to find some time to read young adult novels.
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

I look forward to finishing Dante's Diving Comedy and interacting with other readers through the challenges! wooh!

Let the reading marathon begin.