Sunday, April 29, 2018

Read-a-Thon hours 23 and 24: 5:00 - 7:00

Currently reading: The Road to Ever After by Moira Young

Pages read these hours: 80

Total pages so far: 1885

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh, Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi, Kristy's Big Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club #1) by Ann M. Martin, Saga, vol. 7 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Thornhill by Pam Smy, Twin Spica, vol. 9 by Kou Yaginuma

Snacks: A pizza bun.

Current state of things: The end! Had a rather sleepy last couple hours, but managed to get 80 pages into my 225 page novel, the last book on my stack. I had a great read-a-thon!

Here are my answers to the closing survey:

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? I don't feel like I had a particularly bad hour this time. There were quite a few hours when I was drowsy but none where I was so drowsy that I hardly read any pages.

2. Tell us ALLLLL the books you read! See the list above! 8 books and part of a 9th!

3. Which books would you recommend to other Read-a-thoners? Thornhill was SO GOOD.

4. What’s a really rad thing we could do during the next Read-a-thon that would make you smile? Even though I didn't end up doing any challenges this time, I liked that they were all available all day. Keep doing that! You never know when the mood to do a challenge will strike.

5. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? Would you be interested in volunteering to help organize and prep? I participate every time!

Read-a-Thon hours 21 and 22: 3:00 - 5:00

Currently reading: Just starting The Road to Ever After by Moira Young

Pages read these hours: 420

Total pages so far: 1805

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh, Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi, Kristy's Big Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club #1) by Ann M. Martin, Saga, vol. 7 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Twin Spica, vol. 9 by Kou Yaginuma

Snacks: Continuing to sip away at my Monster.

Current state of things: Surprisingly alert! Finished the last bit of Thornhill and read a whole volume of Twin Spica in the last 2 hours! All that's left of my pile is this one short-ish middle grade novel, so we'll see how much of it I can read before 7:00.

Now, in case you need an energy boost for these last two hours, please enjoy one of my favourite pump-it-up songs, Freaks!


Read-a-Thon hours 19 and 20: 1:00 - 3:00

Currently reading: Thornhill by Pam Smy

Pages read these hours: 278

Total pages so far: 1385

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh, Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi, Kristy's Big Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club #1) by Ann M. Martin, Saga, vol. 7 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Snacks: Just sipping away at my Monster.

Current state of things: OMG Thornhill is AMAZING. Seriously, read this book. I'm glad I didn't let myself be put off by its length. It's a perfect late-hours-of-the-read-a-thon pick.

I've been so absorbed in my reading today that I haven't even included any of my customary YouTube videos in my updates! But I can't do a 3:00 am update post without 3AM by Matchbox Twenty!


Read-a-Thon hours 17 and 18: 23:00 - 1:00

Currently reading: Thornhill by Pat Smy

Pages read these hours: 256

Total pages so far: 1107

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh, Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi, Kristy's Big Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club #1) by Ann M. Martin, Saga, vol. 7 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Snacks: Celery sticks with peanut butter. Yummy. And I just started my energy drink.

Current state of things: Look at those page counts!! In the last two hours I read the last 130 pages of Saga and the first 126 pages of Thornhill. I didn't know what to expect from Thornhill, as compared to graphic novels. Some of the pages are full text and some are full pictures. As it turns out, it is VERY fast reading! Soooo satisfying. Loving the story so far too.

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Read-a-Thon hours 15 and 16: 21:00 - 23:00

Currently reading: Saga, vol. 7 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Pages read these hours: 119

Total pages so far: 851

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh, Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi, Kristy's Big Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club #1) by Ann M. Martin

Snacks: Nothing since supper.

Current state of things: Yay Saga!!

Read-a-Thon hours 13 and 14: 19:00 - 21:00

Currently reading: Kristy's Big Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club #1) by Ann M. Martin

Pages read these hours: 107

Total pages so far: 732

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh, Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi

Snacks: An actual meal! Kraft Dinner, the Spicy Cheddar variety.

Current state of things: Great! I'm very much an evening person. I'm in my peak energy hours right now! And now I'm reading total 90s nostalgia material (actually, that's mostly what I've been reading all day...), so that's good fun. (Apparently this book actually came out in 1986, which surprised me, but whatever! The series was still big in the 90s so it totally counts.)

Read-a-Thon hours 11 and 12: 17:00 - 19:00

Currently reading: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi

Pages read these hours: 116

Total pages so far: 625

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh, Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine

Snacks: Way too many popcorn twists!

Current state of things: Drowsy. Need to get up and move more. But even though there have been quite a few times when I've got myself reading the same manga page for 15 minutes, I'm happy with my progress on my reading pile!! I might get through 8 books by the end!

Now, here are my answers to the Mid-Event Survey:

1. What are you reading right now? Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi. I've never read any Sailor Moon before; my bestie lent me this one!

2. How many books have you read so far? This is my 4th and I'm almost done it!

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Volume 7 of Saga. I love that series so much!!

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? No interruptions except my own drooping eyelids.

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? Nothing surprises me anymore lol.

Read-a-Thon hours 9 and 10: 15:00 - 17:00

Currently reading: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi

Pages read these hours: 118

Total pages so far: 509

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh, Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine

Snacks: Baby carrots and hummus, and popcorn twists.

Current state of things: Apparently I've already reached the "I want to eat everything in sight" stage of the read-a-thon. :) Still going strong as I get into my 4th book of the day!

Read-a-Thon hours 7 and 8: 13:00 - 15:00

Currently reading: Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine

Pages read these hours: 90

Total pages so far: 391

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh

Snacks: A hard boiled egg, and the last of the trail mix.

Current state of things: Not too bad! I wish I had something caffeinated. (The energy drink must be saved for hour 18.) Almost done my third book!

Read-a-Thon hours 5 and 6: 11:00 - 13:00

Currently reading: Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine

Pages read these hours: 100

Total pages so far: 301

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate, Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh

Snacks: Some more trail mix.

Current state of things: I've still been drowsy on and off, but I've kept up a decent reading pace nonetheless! Already on my third book of the day!

Read-a-Thon hours 3 and 4: 9:00 - 11:00

Currently reading: Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh

Pages read these hours: 95

Total pages so far: 201

Books finished: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate

Snacks: Some trail mix.

Current state of things: Had a bit of a sleepy period while finishing up The Conspiracy, but I've gotten up and about a little bit and have been staying pretty alert for Courtney Crumrin. It's getting a little closer to a time when my brain naturally wants to be awake, so it should get easier from here, at least for a while!

Read-a-Thon hours 1 and 2: 7:00 - 9:00

Currently reading: The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate

Pages read these hours: 106

Total pages so far: 106

Books finished: None yet, but close!

Snacks: Just breakfast. Honey Nut Cheerios.

Current state of things: Off to a strong start! Feeling the morning sleepiness but no apparent risk of falling asleep.

3...2...1... Read-a-Thon!

The time has come, the walrus said, to read so many things! Because it's read-a-thon time!! Here in Winnipeg it is 7:00 in the morning. My books are stacked, my blanket fort assembled, and my snacks stocked up. Bring it on!

This time I had such a hard time picking out my books, for some reason. I didn't end up finishing my TBR pile until last night, after picking up a hold at the library (and grabbing a couple more books there while I was at it). I ended up with the following 9 books:
  • Saga, vol. 7 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (152 pages)
  • The Road to Ever After by Moira Young (225 pages)
  • Missing (Fear Street #4) by R.L. Stine (168 pages)
  • The Conspiracy (Animorphs #31) by K.A. Applegate (139 pages)
  • Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi (240 pages)
  • Courtney Crumrin and the Coven of Mystics (Courtney Crumrin #2) by Ted Naifeh (136 pages)
  • Kristy's Great Idea (The Baby-Sitters Club #1) by Ann M. Martin (153 pages)
  • Twin Spica, vol. 9 by Kou Yaginuma (285 pages)
  • Thornhill by Pam Smy (529 pages)
The total page count is 2027, quite a bit more than my average read-a-thon result of ~1100. So this should be plenty. Of the books, 4 are typical novels (middle grade or YA), 4 are graphic novels/manga, and 1 (Thornhill) is a novel with a very significant number of pictures. And yes I'm gonna count the picture pages. :)


Finally, here are my answers to the opening meme:

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

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Well I know Saga never disappoints! I've also been looking forward to reading Thornhill for quite some time.

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? I made hard boiled eggs last night, which is possibly the most forethought I've ever put into a read-a-thon snack. Yay me!

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I recently got a job as the school librarian in an elementary school (K-8). I am beyond thrilled about this!! Dream job: achieved!

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? This is my 14th read-a-thon! Last time my goal was to drink more water and I'm gonna keep working on that one!

Friday, April 13, 2018

Deadlight Jack by Mark Onspaugh

Title: Deadlight Jack
Author: Mark Onspaugh
Publication Date: January 26, 2016
Length: 288 pages (ebook)

Deadlight Jack is a follow-up to The Faceless One, but can also stand on its own.

After the events of The Faceless One, Jimmy and George have settled into a normal routine, sharing a house in Seattle. When George gets a call that his grandson has disappeared in Louisiana, the two unlikely heroes hop on a plane to join in the search. But George's past soon begins to haunt him, both in the form of an estranged family and of a long-forgotten encounter with the dark magic of Deadlight Jack.

I was super excited for this sequel, as I adored The Faceless One. Jimmy and George make great heroes; I could read a whole series about them! Deadlight Jack, however, didn't quite live up to the first one for me. It felt a bit slower in pace. Also, I felt like their slightly-offensive-banter routine got a bit tired (which Jimmy actually acknowledges within the story).

That being said, it's still good horror, and Deadlight Jack himself was terrifying. I also particularly liked the insight into George's past, since we already knew about Jimmy's childhood from The Faceless One. There's also a great sense of place. Between George's comfort in the muggy heat of the bayou and Jimmy's extreme discomfort with it (he's originally from Alaska), I could practically feel the humidity.

So, even though I liked The Faceless One more, I still recommend this sequel. And I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for future books by Mark Onspaugh, especially if they star Jimmy and George! 3 stars.

Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Title: The Graveyard Book
Author: Neil Gaiman
Length: 286 pages
Publication Date: 2008

Nobody Owens is a living boy who grows up in a graveyard. His family is murdered when he's just a toddler, and when he wanders into the graveyard he is protected and adopted by the ghosts therein. Bod has a happy childhood, playing with ghost children and being taught by ghost teachers, but the man who killed his family is still at large and looking to finish the job.

This is a wonderful reimagining of The Jungle Book. Bod spends his childhood caught between two worlds, not dead but quite out-of-touch with the living. Luckily for him, he is an intelligent and resourceful boy, getting him out of plenty of dangerous situations in both worlds.

I think the cast of characters are what really stood out for me in this book. From the mysterious Silas, Bod's guardian who can come and go from the graveyard as he pleases (I still wanna know more about him), to Scarlett, the human girl who makes a connection with Bod, to Mr. Frost, the kindly historian who studies the graveyard, every character has a personality, a voice, and adds a layer to the story.

This was an engrossing, magical read. 5 stars.

March 2018 Wrap-Up

Here's a summary of my book-related activity for March. Over spring break, I did a pre-read-a-thon activity where the goal was to read for 24 hours in a week, which I did not complete, but I did get through several of the MYRCA nominees!

Books I read (linked to the reviews)


Nnewts, vol. 1: Escape from the Lizzarks by Doug TenNapel
Small Saul by Ashley Spires
The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands
The Errand by Leo La Fleur
The Grip of It by Jac Jemc
Wild About Books by Judy Sierra
Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged by Jody Nyasha Warner
Erik the Viking Sheep by Elizabeth Creith
Flossie and the Fox by Patricia C. McKissack
A Dream of Ice (The Earthend Saga #2) by Gillian Anderson and Jeff Rovin
Look Out for the Fitzgerald-Trouts by Esta Spalding
Slide by Norah McClintock
OCDaniel by Wesley King

Books I bought


None! Look at me go!

Progress on challenges


I read 0 books for the Mount TBR Reading Challenge.

I read 4 books for the Alphabet Soup Challenge: L, O, V, W

I read 9 books written by women.

Progress on my TBR pile: I added 0 books to my to read list and removed 0, so my pile stayed the same this month.