WRAP UP!!!!: My own Book-A-Thon Challenge!

HI!!!!

SO I am really excited to share you results of my own Book-A-Thon Challenge!

It was actually pretty productive, out of 7 challenges I have managed successfully executed 6 of them!

Here are the books that I read (or still am currently reading):

Details as below:

* The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain - Read a Claasic (221 pages)

* The Girl who Kicked The Hornet's Nest (Millenium #3) - Read a 500+ Page Book, Read a Book That Has Been On Your Shelf the Longest Time, AND Finish a Series! (820 pages)

* Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) - Re-read a Book AND Listen to an Audiobook (equal to 391 pages)

* The Gargoyles by Andrew Davidson - just finishing this book, I was already on page 366 of 499 so I finished this book off, so basically I read 133 pages)

* Stay With Me by Elyssa Patrick - an eARC provided by NetGalley and the author (216 pages)

* Scarlet by Marissa Meyer - still currently reading it, but during the book-a-thon week, I read the first 108 pages.

the only challenge that I didn't successfully execute was read more than 300 pages a day. There were days where I didn't read 300 pages, but there were days where I read more than 300 pages, so it didn't really matter I guess.

In conclusion, during the book-a-thon week, grand total of pages I read is..

(221+820+391+216+133+108) = 1,889 pages!

Well, I am happy with the result, it has been pretty productive! :D

What's New #9: PERIPLUS BARGAIN BOOK HAUL!

ooohhh.. I looooovvveeee book haul! I am getting tired of typing and taking a picture of these books, maybe I should make a book haul vids and post them on YouTube (soooo entering BookTube Community?).. oh well I don't know, I'll rethink about it again..

Now, I would like to share you the amazing bargained book haul at Periplus Online! So for those who live in Indonesia, we are not really lucky enough like some of our friends who live in Canada or the US who can have access to BooksCloseout or other bookstores that can sell them great titles of YA or any other fiction books in such a great and cheap price! But Periplus is close enough, they have quite amazing selection of fiction books (YA or Adult) in a great bargained prices. I got all of these from their bargain section on their website, each under IDR 50,000 (under US$ 5). So I basically got 8 books for about IDR 250,000 (or around US$ 25). I could not pass this opportunity out..

All of them are new books! I am really excited for all of these titles!

- All books in the Fever's Mackayla Lane series (#1 Darkfever, #2 Bloodfever, #3 Faefever, #4 Dreamfever, and #5 Shadowfever) by Karen Marie Moning: at first I was afraid that Periplus only sells one or two books in the series in the bargained price, but turned out they have all the books in the bargain price, each for I think about US$ 2!

- Then I got Nemesis by Jo Nesbo, since Stieg Larsson, I haven't read any crime novels and I have heard many good things about Jo Nesbo, I am really curious, and thank God they have one of his novel on sell, so bought it!

- Blood Red Road by Moira Young! THIS book is I am most excited about!

- Pure by Julianna Baggott! Finally I got this book in such a cheap price! This book has been very expensive, I almost want to order it online, but I put it on hold coz I just have too many to read already, BUT! How can you pass this out when it is under US$ 5?!!!

Okay,  I think I will put myself on book buying ban for now (with some exception since I already ordered some books in July via Bookdepository but hasn't arrived yet.. Few are already arrived, maybe I will do a bookdepo haul later on when all of those books are arrived (I want my The Cuckoo's Calling!!!!).

Okay then, till the next post! :)

ARC review: Stay With Me (With Me #1) by Elyssa Patrick

Author: Elyssa Patrick

Expected Publication: August 30th 2013

Pages: 216 pages

Rating: 1 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

New Adult/Contemporary Romance - recommended for ages 17 and up.
With one look, I’m his . . .

With one touch, he’s mine . . .

With one kiss, it changes everything between us . . .

I’ve been famous since I can remember. Singing, acting, dancing—I’ve done it all. The tabloids cover my every move, but I don’t want that anymore. I want to be normal, whatever that is.

When I leave Hollywood for college in Vermont, I’m on my own for the first time in my life. This is my chance to figure out who I am and what I want in life.

But it’s a lot harder than I expected. I can’t escape my image. Classes are difficult, and I’m struggling. And then there’s Caleb Fox.

Sexy, intriguing Caleb Fox.

Caleb is the one man who doesn’t want to use me. He breaks down my walls. He challenges me. He wants me. And I just don’t know if I can give him the same—or if he’ll stick around when he finds out my shameful secret that the tabloids haven’t managed to uncover.

Dating him is risky enough, but loving him could break me.

Deskynowsky's Review:

first, I want to thank NetGalley and the author for providing me with the ebook, really appreciate it. I really want to like this book, I forced myself reading it in couple of hours (I am challenging myself this week anw). I almost did not finish reading this book, but somehow I kept forcing myself coz I want to know the "big secret" that has been mentioned from the start.. So, the positive thing about this book is the cover. I love it! really well done! The negative things, I have to say I don't like the execution of the story plot and the writing. Is this really New-Adult? I know in simple way new adult is YA + Sex, but this book is like too many sex and less focus in the development of the story. There is development, but it is just (how to say it) not there.. It just feels flat..(I think this book can be categorized as erotica?). And it is an instant attraction (insta-love) starting from the very first sentence of the first chapter.. And I don't really feel the connection (I don't understand) the main character nor other characters in the book. Everything is just so instant. I feel nothing.. Empty is the right word to describe my feeling after reading this book.. Hah.. I am a bit disappointed, but hope other people will find more joy in reading this book than I did..

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon 8.0

So.... I know I am crazy, but I think the timing is right, so I decided to do one.. Currently I am challenging my self to do seven challenges of book-a-thon as you can see on my previous post. But then I watched a YouTube video by Catriona for LittleBookOwl and she will do a Read-a-Thon 8.0 challenge by Bout of Books next week (from August 19th to 25th 2013), it sounds exciting right? Well count me IN! I really need to get out from this reading slump and read as many as I can during the Read-a-Thon 8.0. Here for more infos:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I have prepared some list of books am going to read:
- Insurgent by Veronica Roth
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass
- Requiem by Lauren Oliver
- Terminal by Roderick Gordon & Brian Williams

Well, that be books to read during read-a-thon 8.0 (for now), we will see what happen.. Till then :)

My Own Book-a-Thon Challenges!

Hi!

So I am going to be very brief about this one.. So I realized that The Book Community has done a Book-a-Thon challenges in July? Sorry, I kinda forgot. But I saw many people from BookTube Community have already posted their Book-a-Thon Wrap Up videos, and I know that I am kinda late to jump in on the wagon xp

But hey, it was just a bit impossible for me to do one in July, so I think I should do it this August and I think I will be on my own this time.. haha.. sad, but I really want to do this :D

So What are Book-a-Thon challenges? Here they are:
1. Read a Classic (I have adventure of Huckleberry Finn in my head.. hmm..)
2. Read a 500+ Page book (The Diviners? or Game of Throne? or maybe The Name of the Wind? I don't know - a bit ambitious this one.)
3. Re-read a Book (Chasing Fire or The Vampire Academy?)
4. Read a Book That's Been On Your Shelf the Longest (This one should be easy, I have so many to choose!)
5. Finish a Series (hmm maybe Requiem or Terminal..)
6. Listen to an Audiobook (eh hey I have Chasing Fire audio book! I can do two challenges at the same time! AWESOME!)
7. Read 300 pages a day (hmmphh.. breathe.. breathe..)

Okay I am very excited to do this actually, I will start this my very own Book-a-Thon on Saturday, August 10th to 17th!

Okay then! :D! Let's DO THIS!

July Multiple Books Review: 10. Divine by Mistake (Partholon #1) by P.C. Cast

10. Divine by Mistake (Partholon #1)

Author: P.C. Cast

Published: January 15th 2010

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 571 pages

Rating: 4.25 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

The most excitement teacher Shannon Parker expected on her summer vacation was a little shopping. But then her latest purchase--a vase with the Celtic goddess Epona on it--somehow switches her into the world of Partholon, where she's treated like a goddess. A very temperamental goddess…

It seems that Shannon has stepped into another's role as the Goddess Incarnate of Epona. And while it has some very appealing moments--what woman doesn't like a little pampering now and then?--it also comes with a ritual marriage to a centaur and the threat of war against the evil Fomorians. Oh, and everyone disliking her because they think she's her double.

Somehow Shannon needs to figure out how to get back to Oklahoma without being killed, married to a horse or losing her mind….

Deskynowsky's Review:

Despite of how thick this book is (571 pages), it is a really fast-paced story.

I really enjoyed and like this book a lot!

Things that are really standing out for me are the story line. I think it has a very great story plot, world-building, and setting. And the writing is flowing easily and successfully made me not wanting to put it down. And I don't know how much reliable the myth about Celtic God(or Goddess), but I found it is really a great story to take on. Makes me want to know a bit more about the myth.

Characters, this book evolves around human and centaurs (so far..) and evil-looking-mythical-vampiric-creature called Fomorian (very sick and bad bad bad creatures), which I think a really nice touch. I like the female main character, Shannon Parker, I think she is hilarious, loyal, funny, witty, and sarcastic, then there is ClanFintan, a leader-high-shaman centaur clan (I can not help myself but imagine him to look like Khal Drogo centaur version).. and surprisingly I really love almost all other characters in this book with an exception of The Queen Bitch Rhiannon (which I believe I will see more of her in the second book and Nuada, the leader of The sick Fomorians).

Okay, that'd be all I think, I just can say that I really like and enjoy this book. If you are looking for a fast-paced story in adult fantasy with awesome story line and great world building, I think this book is your answer ;)

July Multiple Books Review: Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu

9. Prodigy (Legend #2)

Author: Marie Lu

Published: January 29th 2013

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 356 pages

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

Deskynowsky's Review:

*Sobbing in the middle of the night*

What have you done to me, Marie Lu...

I can't take this.... that ending is toooooo mucccch to bear.......

Overall, this sequel is amazing! I LOVE THE TWISTS! The unexpected turn out of events that actually changed everything about The Republic...

Day and June are just the most amazing characters ever! I love them emotionally and how they grow so much in this sequel.. Their relationship is just so believable, I just can feel that they are made for each other... I don't know what will happen in Champion, it literally gives me a nausea.. I even took a long break while reading this book coz I was just scared to know what will happen to them.. and *BAM!*, there's the surprise, *SOBBING harder here* (I don't even have the energy to put a gif to express my feeling - I don't even think a gif can express what I feel after that ending...*

July Multiple Books Reviews: 7. The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #3) and 8. The Battle of The Labyrinth (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #4) by Rick Riordan

7. The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #3)

Author: Rick Riordan

Published: April 8th 2008

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books

Pages: 312 pages

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

When Percy Jackson receives an urgent distress call from his friend Grover, he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he'll need his powerful demigod allies at his side; his trusty bronze sword, Riptide; and . . . a ride from his mom.

The demigods reace to the rescue to find that Grover has made an important discovery: two new powerful half-bloods, whose parentage is unknown. But that's not all that awaits them. The Titan lord, Kronos, has set up a devious trap, and the young heroes have just fallen prey.

Hilarious and action-packed, this third adventure in the series finds Percy faced with his most dangerous challenge yet—the chilling prophecy of the Titan's curse.

8. The Battle of The Labyrinth (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #4)

Author: Rick Riordan

Published: April 7th 2009

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books

Pages: 375 pages

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

Percy Jackson isn't expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears on campus, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to diabolical.
In this latest installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos's army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop them, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth-a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn. Full of humor and heart-pounding action, this fourth book promises to be their most thrilling adventure yet.

Deskynowsky's Review:

THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING!

AND THAT ENDING THAT FRIGGIN ENDING!!!!

IN THE NAME OF ZEUS WHAT IS THIS SORCERY!!!??

I FOUND MYSELF REALLY CONFLICTED!

I don't know how Rick Riordan managed to always and constantly make the ending more interesting, intriguing, and perfect every-time..

This series is spectacular, gripping, and amazing!

GIVE ME BOOK FIVE NOW!

July Multiple Books Review: 6. Paper Towns by John Green

6. Paper Towns

Author: John Green

Published: September 22nd 2009

Publisher: Speak

Pages: 305 pages

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

Deskynowsky's Review:

okay, I like this book obviously..

It is an amazing story filled with mysteries, puzzles/riddles, and adventures..

hmm, I am not so sure if this book gives me feels like other two John Green's books (looking for Alaska and TFIOS) do.. but this book does bring out my curiosity.. I think it is a very good read and very interesting one.. I like it in a way that it's an awesome YA adventure and mystery book.. I really love parts where John Green put some poetry references in it.. really nice touch..

What I like the best from this book is the conversation between Margo and Quentin, Quentin and his bestfriends, Quentin and his parents, Quentin and other students.. It's just obvious that I like Quentin as a character.. Tho I also have to say that Margo is definitely very unique and the way she's thinking no matter how odd that is, I somehow can understand and relate to it xp

I think that'd be all for now.. :)

July Multiple Books Review: 5. Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack

5. Faking It (Losing It #2)

Author: Cora Carmack

Published: June 4th 2013

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 352 pages

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

Mackenzie "Max" Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.

Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel.

The hot new, New Adult title from New York Times bestselling author ofLosing It, Cora Carmack.

Deskynowsky's Review:

Haha.. I tend to give all books that I read in one day which completely enchanted me from the beginning to the end and also that made me doesn't want to stop reading it, freaking 5 stars or maybe 4.5 stars..

Okay so I read Losing It in January 2013, and I didn't like it, I thought I gave it 2 stars or 1.5 stars? I forgot, the story for me was kinda meh and I don't like the girl also pretty much very typical.. Well the whole thing is just booorrinng..

BUT THE SEQUEL!!!!! Oh my goodness.. It's just as awesome as cherry candy and strawberry pie with awesome icing of rainbow chocolates and ferrero roche ice cream (okay, I don't know what I am writing abt)..

Obviously I AM IN LOVE with this story! I love the girl and the boy! Their issues are definitely more intriguing and significant.. Their relationship is sooooo touching, toes-curling-worth, rolling back and forth on the bed worth, swoon worth, fangirl worth, and other love sick puppy symptoms worth!!!

Faking It is a whole different story than Losing It, it's about Cade (if U have read Losing It, he is the male best friend of Bliss who was in love with Bliss and then get dumped for a hot british teacher) who happened to meet with this awesome fearless rocker badass tattooed girl named Max (or Mackenzie) that at first they were faking the relationship for the sake of Max's super conservative all happy parents which happened in super random universe, they came to Philly unannounced and Max was with her super irresponsible and brainless boyfriend who is everything that her parents hate.. Sooooo in a very limited time she just spotted Cade (they were at a coffee shop) who happened sitting alone with a book and also has this good boy vibe neon pointed at him. So she came to him with the proposal to be her faked boyfriend, andddddd BAM! There, I just could not stop reading the rest of the story..

Thank God I decided to buy the ebook and read it, I wasn't sure at first, but the synopsis was just tooooooo good, it just sounds like awesome opposite attract love story that I really like.. And I DO LIKE IT A LIL BIT TOO MUCH..

Okay there.. Haha.. I am happy :D 

July Multiple Books Review: 4. Gravity (The Taking #1) by Melissa West

4. Gravity (The Taking #1)

Author: Melissa West

Published: December 18th 2012

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pages: 284 pages

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

In the future, only one rule will matter:

Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

Deskynowsky's Review:

Haha.. So I started reading this on a very peaceful Sunday morning and finished reading it in the afternoon. Well, it is pretty good and addictive ;)

To generally describe pretty much a mixture of Legend and Cinder (without retelling the classic tale and no cyborgs, just alien, pretty good looking alien in my wildest imagination)..

I have a feeling that a fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout will enjoy this series so much.. Tho I haven't really read any of her book yet (but I did read few chapters of Obsidian, sadly I didn't really continue reading it, maybe later.)

Soooo I like the characters! The heroine is a very strong individual (physically and emotionally), other characters are also very interesting and well developed..

And the story line is basically like other ordinary love ya dystopian-sci fi story from two different sides with fangirling dramas and really good world building and story plot that have successfully made me addicted and could not put the book down! No pause here..

So in summary, I enjoyed this book so much!

July Multiple Books Review: 3. The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman

3. The Ocean at The End of The Lane

Author: Neil Gaiman

Published: June 18th 2013

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 181 pages

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE is a fable that reshapes modern fantasy: moving, terrifying and elegiac - as pure as a dream, as delicate as a butterfly's wing, as dangerous as a knife in the dark, from storytelling genius Neil Gaiman. 

It began for our narrator forty years ago when the family lodger stole their car and committed suicide in it, stirring up ancient powers best left undisturbed. Dark creatures from beyond the world are on the loose, and it will take everything our narrator has just to stay alive: there is primal horror here, and menace unleashed - within his family and from the forces that have gathered to destroy it.

His only defense is three women, on a farm at the end of the lane. The youngest of them claims that her duckpond is ocean. The oldest can remember the Big Bang.

Deskynowsky's Review:

Supposed to be bright solid 10 stars!

AMAZING!

MAGICAL!

DIFFERENT!

I just literally lost words on how to describe this masterpiece! This book is on the top of my most fave book of all time!

The writing is über-beautiful, the storyline made my heart pounding faster and faster everytime I turned the page, the characters are so alive and so magically-written.. Everything about this book is so elegant and for me hard to define, it is just what it is.. A Masterpiece by a genius writer, Mr. Neil Gaiman..

It got me to think about life in general (as an adult).. Haha..

If you want to read smth quick and magical, just buy and read this freakin superb masterpiece.. It is definitely a must have on your shelf! ;D

July Multiple Books Review: 2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney

2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Third Wheel (Book #7)

Author: Jeff Kinney

Published: November 13th 2012

Publisher: Amulet Books

Pages: 224 pages

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

Love is in the air - but what does that mean for Greg Heffley?

A Valentine's Day dance at Greg's middle school has turned his world upside down. As Greg scrambles to find a date, he's worried he'll be left out in the cold on the big night. His best friend, Rowley, doesn't have any prospects either, but that's a small consolation.

An unexpected twist gives Greg a partner for the dance and leaves Rowley the odd man out. But a lot can happen in one night, and in the end, you never know who's going to be lucky in love.

Deskynowsky's Review:

Well, I've been following this series, and I love and enjoy it so much.

Forever funny, hilarious, and entertaining! Love this series! Appropriate for all ages tho I personally think children under 9 years old need to be supervised by their parents when reading this, haha to be able to see which behavior is OK and which is NOT.. Haha..