Yes, I'm already doing a one week long read-a-thon for Bout of Books, but the themes are completely different and they're only overlapping in the middle. Rainbow-a-Thon has a Goodreads group which details the set schedule (blogging challenge, instagram challenge, and reading themed challenges daily). The Twitter tag is #RainbowAThon and their slogan tag is #WeNeedMoreDiverseBooks
This read-a-thon is based on color. I'll read some of each chosen book by color per day (but won't be able to finish each book every day).
August 25, 2017
Books read:
Day 1 - Color: White
- 10 pages of Shane by Jack Schaefer
- 54 pages of Beautiful Demons by Sarra Cannon
- 60 pages of The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
- 65 Pages of Batman Begins by Craig Shaw Gardne
Blog Challenge: Book Tag1. Which book are you most excited to read as part of the readathon?
Probably starting the first book in the J.D. Robb series, Naked in Death. I didn't care for a book in the series much year ago (Book 12), but it was read out of order, so this makes sense. The series has such a reputation that I hope I'll enjoy it, despite not being a big Nora Roberts fan.
2. Which colour was the most difficult for you to find a book for?
Pink actually, which is why I thought of the J.D. Robb book in the first place.
3. What's your favourite colour on books and why?
I never had a favorite color on books. If I had to go for drama and serious impact, I would choose black. There's something drawing about it. Overall I prefer covers with different colors blended in.
4. Which fictional world would you go to if you had the choice?
We all speak of how fun the Harry Potter world would be, but it's really only be fun if you weren't a muggle and the "war" was over. If I could choose those options, that's definitely the world I'd choose - as long as I could be accepted in Hogwarts! Narnia would be epic too, especially with the ability to shift between worlds in the wardrobe. The main thing would be that time doesn't pass in one world while it does the other. Think of how many times you could have free, lengthy vacations without missing work? Think of all the extra sleep and time you could get without anyone noticing?
5. Which book cover do you like the most out of the books you're reading for the readathon?Probably this one because it has a boat AND its purple 0-0
Deadlock by Tim Curran
6. Who is your favorite fictional character?
Impossible to decide. There are way too many lives I have lived through books.
7. What is your favorite place to read in summer?
Indoors!! Florida is too hot and muggy. If I could choose outdoors, I'd pick a porch when it was raining with a small windstorm outside (heavenly). Also a nice breeze and overcast day by the beach or lake would work.
8. Do you think characters should always have a specified sexuality?
Not sure on what this question means. I do like to actually get to know the characters and have them seem realistic, so not sure why the reader wouldn't eventually become aware of this.
9. What book made you cry the most?
I cry easily with books. I can't remember which made me cry the most, but Cujo by Stephen King was ridiculously sad. I sobbed and sobbed. I didn't expect that ending and had a small son at the time so it really got to me. I was also devastated by an unexpected death of a favorite character in The Hollows by Kim Harrison. I had to go to work the next day and was a little weepy throughout the day.
10. What is your favorite LGBT+ book?
Impossible to name, I mainly read romances with this. Among the time favorites are The Necromancer's Dance by SJ Himes, Magpie Lord series by KJ Charles, and Spectr by Jordan L Hawk for the paranormal choices. For non-paranormal it's Think of England by KJ Charles.
11. What book have you read this year about a character of a different nationality to you?
I've read the two excellent children's classics this year that have made a lasting impression: Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery (Canada) and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (England). Re-reading the Fever books by Karen Marie Moning reminds me again how much I want to visit Ireland, especially Dublin. I've read Kidnapped by RL Stephenson (Set in Scotland), Salt to the Sea set in East Prussia, etc.
Instagram Challenge 1 - Book Rainbow
August 26, 2017
Books read: (started but not very far at all - had to pick next on the list that was green!)
Day 2 - Color: Harry Potter House ColorsBooks:
- 126 pages of Beautiful Demons by Sarra Cannon (Finished)
- 10 pages of Shane by Jack Schaefer
- 50 pages of Terms of Endearment by Larry McMurtry
- 90 pages of War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (Finished)
Okay, some random reader rambling coming up -I didn't care much for the Divergent series and found the factions irritating, but for Harry Potter house I chose Slytherin for this challenge.
If I could choose a favorite animal companion in general from a book series, I'd eye Harry's owl (sniff), Dewey the Library Cat, the Dragons from A Song of Ice and Fire, the little demon pet creature from The Beacon Hill Sorcerer Series by SJ Himes, and Aslan the lion from Narnia.
I don't like Shakespeare much, yech
Instagram Challenge 2 - Hogwarts House
August 27, 2017
Books read:
Read some of:
- 20 pages of The Martian Chronicles
- 380 pages of Terms of Endearment by Larry McMurtry (Finished)
- 50 pages of Shane by Jack Schaefer
Blog Challenge: Reading Habits
On Day 3, write about your reading habits. This includes things like where you like to read, whether you like to listen to music while you read or not, your favourite genres and more.
I usually put on Youtube ambience videos when reading - see a recommendation list I did here.
I have a TV with Roku connected in both the living room and bedroom. I
usually put on Rainymood.com through youtube but there are other
favorites I have. Sometimes I light a candle, sometimes I click on my
fake (but strangely fascinating) virtual fireplace if I'm in the living
room. My cat always ends up plopped on me.
Otherwise I
read a ridiculous amount of time in the bathtub. I have bubble bath, a
bath pillow that's supposed to be mold resistant (fine so far).Sometimes
I read in my bedroom. It's not my favorite place to lounge but there's a
benefit to laying down and reading when you aren't in the mood for the
couch.I do like reading outdoors and in pretty places,
but during Florida summer I'm usually too miserable with the heat to
crawl outside much. Exception is overcast weather and rainy days where
the humidity is temporarily hiding.
I love music but am
not crazy about listening to something other than ambience or soft
instrumental if I'm reading. I read a variety of genres - Urban Fantasy,
Fantasy, Drama, Horror, Mysteries, Young Adult, Nonfiction, etc.
Instagram Challenge 3 - "Brown" Photo
This challenge may sound a little odd until you consider that a photo including brown doesn't have to have a brown book in it - something as simple as a wooden background or a cup of coffee could count! Be as creative as possible.
August 28, 2017
Books read:
- 60 pages of Shane (Finished)
- 391 Pages of Wildfire by Ilona Andrews (Finished)
Day 4 - Color: Green
Blog Challenge: Cliches in Books
This challenge is all about clichés in books! Feel free to write whatever you want on the subject, but here are some ideas to get you started - What do you think of clichés in books? Do you completely disapprove or are there some you secretly love? Are there any you've noticed yourself?
This challenge is all about clichés in books! Feel free to write
whatever you want on the subject, but here are some ideas to get you
started - What do you think of clichés in books? Do you completely
disapprove or are there some you secretly love? Are there any you've
noticed yourself?
Instagram Challenge 4 - Photo with Nature
Take a photo including nature! That could be outdoors or an indoor photo with some flowers or plants...or any other ideas you have!
Books read:
Day 5 - Color: Pink
Blog Challenge 5: Fantasy
I dislike the cliche
that so many romance books have to end with a pregnancy. What is wrong
withe the couple finding each other and then being happy together for
awhile before jumping into parenthood? Having children is wonderful but
so many books rush it.
I don't
like the love triangles. Either I fall for the wrong person that's not
chosen, or feel bad for one of the characters not chosen. It also tends
to drag out in books.
One plot
trope I like in Urban Fantasy is when the main character has something
very unique about her/him. I also love the cliche of fated-to-be-mated
stories when it comes to paranormal romance.
Instagram Challenge 4 - Photo with Nature
Take a photo including nature! That could be outdoors or an indoor photo with some flowers or plants...or any other ideas you have!
.
August 29, 2017
Books read:
- 130 pages of Batman Returns (Finished)
Day 5 - Color: Pink
Blog Challenge 5: Fantasy
Day 5's topic is fantasy! Even if you don't read the genre much yourself, there's plenty to talk about, like why you do or don't read it much, what books you have read and any you'd recommend to others.
Fantasy is a very broad genre. I didn't try high fantasy until a few years ago so am not the best source for this. I mainly read Urban Fantasy. Here is a blog post I wrote about why.
August 30, 2017
Books read:
- 120 pages of The Martian Chronicles (Finished)
Day 6 - Color: Black
Blog Challenge: Diverse Books this Year
For this challenge, we'd like you to write about diverse books this year, that you've either read already or are looking forward to reading! This can include diversity in any way you can think of, such as race, mental illness, disability and sexuality of characters.
For this challenge, we'd like you to write about diverse books this
year, that you've either read already or are looking forward to reading!
This can include diversity in any way you can think of, such as race,
mental illness, disability and sexuality of characters.
I've read several m/m romances since those are my favorites of this type the past few years. I highly recommend the urban fantasy/romance Beacon Hill Sorcerer's by SJ Himes. The Spectr Series by Jordan L Hawk blew me away and addicted me this year. Hexbreaker by Jordan Hawk was hilarious and charming. The Finder by J.E. Lorin was moving and a beautiful relationship.
With race, I read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Salt to the Sea and The Orphan's Tale were set during World War II with the holocaust. Sula by Toni Morrison was a beautifully written, dramatically tragic book I highly recommend. I rated The Color Purple three stars due to inconsistency. The Mothers by Bait Bennett is an incredible debut novel that everyone should read!
Instagram Challenge 6 - Black or White Photo
It's your choice for this one - pick either black or white and use it as the theme for your photo. Both of these are included as reading challenges, so try to include one of the books you're reading for the readathon.
Books read:
Day 7 - Color: Purple
Blog Challenge: September TBR
Instagram Challenge 7 - Colored Pages
You have plenty of freedom here as long as you find a way to include a book with coloured pages in your photo, or if that's not possible, one with colorful illustrations!
Total Books Finished/Thoughts/Notes:
I've read several m/m romances since those are my favorites of this type the past few years. I highly recommend the urban fantasy/romance Beacon Hill Sorcerer's by SJ Himes. The Spectr Series by Jordan L Hawk blew me away and addicted me this year. Hexbreaker by Jordan Hawk was hilarious and charming. The Finder by J.E. Lorin was moving and a beautiful relationship.
With race, I read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Salt to the Sea and The Orphan's Tale were set during World War II with the holocaust. Sula by Toni Morrison was a beautifully written, dramatically tragic book I highly recommend. I rated The Color Purple three stars due to inconsistency. The Mothers by Bait Bennett is an incredible debut novel that everyone should read!
Instagram Challenge 6 - Black or White Photo
It's your choice for this one - pick either black or white and use it as the theme for your photo. Both of these are included as reading challenges, so try to include one of the books you're reading for the readathon.
August 31, 2017
Books read:
Day 7 - Color: Purple
Blog Challenge: September TBR
Since the challenges end on the last day of August, we thought it would be fitting for the last challenge to be a September TBR, so share your upcoming reads and your thoughts on them with us!I'm planning to read a lot of Mystery, Suspense and Thriller for the month of September because it fits a book group challenge.
Instagram Challenge 7 - Colored Pages
You have plenty of freedom here as long as you find a way to include a book with coloured pages in your photo, or if that's not possible, one with colorful illustrations!
Total Books Finished/Thoughts/Notes:
