B&DERM Read-a-Thon Wrap Up

This past weekend was the B&DERM read-a-thon, and while I had a pretty busy weekend, I still managed to get a bit more reading than usual done.

First of all, I finished Jesus on Mars! I actually finished that on Friday evening, which is when I spent the most time reading this weekend. Then, I was supposed to start The Mummy, but I actually ended up getting a new book on NetGalley called Running in Bed, which comes out tomorrow, so I wanted to read it before (or at least close to) the release date. I've read 71 out of 245 pages of that one.

So overall, I think it was a pretty successful weekend! I read over 200 pages, and I've got an ok chance of reaching my goal for the month.

B&DERM Second Wrap Up and Read-a-Thon Kickoff

I haven't been quite as successful as I would like so far in the Epic Review Month. But at least I'm making progress!

In the last week, I did finish The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (which was one of my April books), and I've read a good chunk of Jesus on Mars. This book's been kind of slow going. I'm enjoying it, but for some reason I fall asleep every time I pick it up. It's rather strange. But I still have another 6 books I'm hoping to read this month! So I'd better pick up the pace!

So on that note... it's time for the read-a-thon! The read-a-thon lasts all weekend (including today, Friday, but I'm at work for most of the day). My partner actually has a rare weekend off, so there will be bike riding and other fun things, but I'll make sure to fit some reading in there! He's a big reader too, so we often read together (but I annoy him because I interrupt his reading to tell him exciting things).

My goal for the read-a-thon is to finish Jesus on Mars, and read as much as possible of The Mummy. I know it doesn't seem like a very impressive goal, but The Mummy is big! Anne Rice books usually take me weeks to finish (though I'm really hoping to cut that time down so I can actually get to my review copies), so there's no way I could read one in a weekend. If I could read half of it, I'd be thrilled. So wish me luck!

I may also pop in on Twitter occasionally. The read-a-thon is using the #ERMreadathon tag if you want to join in!

B&DERM Q&A 1 and 2

I missed Q&A #1, because at the time I was only following Daph and not Bella, and Bella posted that one. Whoops! I am now following both, so I should be on top of any further posts in this challenge. :)

Last week's question was this: How do you tackle your TBR pile? Do you try to read everything before release date (if it’s a proof) or do you just read whatever takes your fancy?

This has definitely changed since started The Towering Pile! I used to just read whatever I felt like. Now I sometimes have review copies, and I'm in a lot of challenges, so that changes things! In any given month, I have one book for the Read Your OWN Library! Challenge and one book for the Random Reads meme. So each month, those two books along with any review copies I have (unless they aren't coming out for a long time) are my priority. If I finish all those, then I can read whatever. I try really hard to get my review copies read before they come out, but a lot of the ones I get on NetGalley don't give you much time, so I don't always make it. (Eg. The Immortal Rules. The review is coming soon, I promise!)

This week's question is: Do you find it difficult to find the time to read and review? Any tips for anyone who's struggling to find time?

When I was in university I didn't have time to read. Now that I'm done, I have no trouble finding time! I have a book with me at all times, so I read on the bus, while waiting in line, on the beach, etc., and of course I read before bed, plus sometimes just in the middle of the day if I have a quiet weekend. Finding time to review is another thing. Actually, I don't know that I really have trouble finding the time; it's more that I get writer's block and then fall behind. And the further I fall behind, the harder it is to write the reviews, because it's been awhile since I read the book... It's a vicious cycle! But my advice for finding the time to review is to have post templates (just a document with your usual html that you can copy), and to schedule posts.

B&DERM First Wrap Up

It's time for the first weekly wrap-up for Bella and Daph's Epic Review Month. Be sure to check out the wrap up post to enter a great giveaway!

I haven't actually even started on my pile that I have planned for this month! I was still reading two of my April books at the beginning of May, and I've already finished one of them. I'll probably finish The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest either today or tomorrow, and then I can get started on those challenge books and review copies.

To finish my pile, I'd have to average about 2 books a week, and with some long ones in there, it could be tough! But one week from today is the weekend-long read-a-thon, and I'm hoping that will get me ahead and give me a chance. :)

Bella & Daph's Epic Review Month begins!

It's time to start B&DERM (Bella and Daph's Epic Review Month)! I was hoping to have finished the books I was reading at the end of April by now, so I could start right away on the big pile I've got planned for May, but alas, I have not. So, for the next few days I'll still be finishing up The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson.

After that, I'll be getting through as much of this pile as possible, which includes my challenge books for the month, and all the review copies I have right now:

1. Jesus on Mars by Philip José Farmer (my Random Read for May)
2. The Mummy by Anne Rice (my Read Your Own Library! Challenge book for May)
3. Bandwidth by Angus Morrison (NetGalley)
4. Final Crossing by Carter Wilson (NetGalley)
5. The Marrying Kind by Ken O'Neill (NetGalley)
6. Auraria by Tim Westover (NetGalley)
7. Xoc by Matt Dembicki (NetGalley)

If I could get through that whole pile, I'd be pretty pumped! But some of these are pretty long, so we'll see. I'll also be on vacation for a week later this month (more on that later!), and it's always hard to know how a vacation will affect my reading!

I'll probably post some kind of update every week or so, so you know how I'm doing on my pile. Also, there's a read-a-thon the weekend of May 11th - 13th, which I'll try to participate in, so I'll update a bit more frequently during that time.

Wish me luck! And good luck to everyone else who's participating!

Bella & Daph's Epic Review Month

I just found out that Bella from Cheezyfeet Books and Daph from Loving Books are hosting a month-long event, during which participants will try extra hard to get through their piles of review copies (or other books, if you don't have a pile of review copies).

It just so happens that I recently went a little bit crazy on NetGalley (seriously, I don't even browse the catalogue anymore, because I find so many just from the emails they send me!), so I suddenly find myself with a pile of review copies that should be read fairly soon! Therefore, this challenge is perfect for me right now.

There's going to be a read-a-thon (one of those weekend-long ones, that I never really know what to make of), and giveaways, and other fun things!

It starts on May 1, so I'll post then with my list of review copies that I hope to get through.