Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Wrap-Up

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

This was such a fun read-a-thon! I loved participating in all of the challenges and it was a great motivator to get some reading done! I was hoping to get a lot more read than I did but I'm still pretty happy with my numbers and I did meet the goal I set! Things kept coming up the prohibited me from reading; I had tons of crocheting to do, there was babysitting, time with family and friends, and shopping. But I read whenever I could and this was the result!

Total Books Finished: 11

Total Pages Read: 2581
I have two books that I started but wasn't able to finish so I still counted the pages I'd read!

The Books I Finished

Books I Started but Didn't Finish (Yet)

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 12 Update & Day 13 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 12 Update

Books I Read Today: The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill (115 pgs)
Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis (40 pgs)
The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson (152 pgs)

Books I Finished Today: The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill
Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis
The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Pages Read Today: 307

Total Books Finished: 11

Total Pages Read: 2436

Day 13 Most Anticipated 2014 Releases Challenge
Hosted by Alex@Book Chick

So for this challenge we are supposed to list 2014 releases we are excited for! This is one of my favorite book things to talk about (just ask my siblings) once you get me started it's hard for me to stop! I just can't help getting excited about my favorite authors releasing new books or debut authors whose books look amazing! So you may be sorry you asked but here are the 2014 releases that I am most excited about!

Luminary by Krista McGee
When I Fall In Love by Susan May Warren
A Draw of Kings by Patrick W. Carr
Mindwar by Andrew Klavan
For Such A Time by Kate Breslin
Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings
Dancing With Fireflies by Denise Hunter
Storm Siren by Mary Weber
Love Comes Calling by Siri Mitchell
Season of Fire by Lisa T. Bergren
Stuck Together by Mary Connealy
Fair Play by Deeanne Gist
Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer
Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig
Revolutionary by Krista McGee
Season of Wonder by Lisa T. Bergren
Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg
Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green

Circle of Spies by Roseanna M. White

Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund

Silenced by Dani Pettrey

Fatal Exchange by Lisa Harris

In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck 

With Autumn's Return by Amanda Cabot

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander

With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden

Dating, Dining, and Desperation by Melody Carlson

Forget Me Not by Amber Stokes

Four Weddings and A Kiss by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy, & Robin Lee Hatcher

Deceived by Irene Hannon (not pictured)

Deluge by Lisa T. Bergren (not pictured)

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 11 Update & Day 12 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 11 Update

Books I Read Today: First Date by Melody Carlson (92 pgs)
The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill (14 pgs)
Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis (14 pgs)
The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson (150 pgs)

Books I Finished Today: First Date by Melody Carlson

Pages Read Today: 270

Total Books Finished: 8

Total Pages Read: 2129

Day 12 Spell It Out Challenge
Hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads

This challenge is to spell out your name, initials, birth month, or zodiac sign using the first letters of book titles! I am already doing this as one of my yearly challenges so it was pretty easy for me. I'm doing my full name!

A-Avenger by Heather Burch

B-Bon Appetit by Sandra Byrd

I-In Between by Jenny B. Jones

G-Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren

A-Anomaly by Krista McGee

I-Isle of Shadows by Tracy L. Higley

L-Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon

L-Love by the Book by Cara Lynn James

E-Entwined by Heather Dixon

E-Eyes on Him: Spring Love by Cynthia Marcano

H-Homecoming Queen by Melody Carlson

A-Afloat by Erin Healy

R-Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund

T-Take A Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 10 Update & Day 11 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 10 Update

Books I Read Today: Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon (163 pgs)
The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill (64 pgs)
Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis (22 pgs)
First Date by Melody Carlson (120 pgs)

Books I Finished Today: Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon

Pages Read Today: 369

Total Books Finished: 7

Total Pages Read: 1859

Day 11 Spine Poetry Challenge
Hosted by Tressa's Wishful Endings

For this Spine Poetry challenge the goal is to take a book (with 4 word or less in the title) and make a poem using the letters of the title. This was a little harder for me by here's my attempt!
I chose Nightmare City by Andrew Klaven

No one around

I hear no sound

Ghastly creatures

Horrible features

This can't be real

My horrible ordeal

Advice from foes and friends

Remembering is how this ends

Everything on this depends

Can I remember it all?

I absolutely must recall

This horrible reality

Yes, in it's totality 

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 9 Update & Day 10 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 9 Update

Books I Read Today: Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon (178 pgs)
The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill (53 pgs)
Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis (34 pgs)

Books I Finished Today: None

Pages Read Today: 265

Total Books Finished: 6

Total Pages Read: 1490

Day 10 Post a Review Challenge
Hosted by In Vogue With Books

This challenge is simple-just leave the link to a book you reviewed in 2013. After thinking a bit I decided to share my review of one of my favorite books that I read this year-it's one that I just can't seem to stop gushing about!

The Book: Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

My Review

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 7 Update & Day 8 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 7 Update

Books I Read Today: The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky (140 pgs)
The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill (67 pgs)

Books I Finished Today: The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

Pages Read Today: 207

Total Books Finished: 6

Total Pages Read: 1171

Day 7 Movie Cast Challenge
Hosted by Alex@Book Chick

The goal of this challenge is to pick a book that you  read in 2013 and make a movie cast for it. This challenge is always a hard one for me since I rarely actually make a mental picture of characters. I have enough of an idea to tell if someone doesn't look right but other than that I'm rather hopeless. So here's my rather pitiful attempt and I'm only doing the two main characters!

The book I picked Talon by Ronie Kendig

For Aspen I chose Emily Wickersham. She has that nice blend of sweet but tough that I think is perfect for Aspen!

And for Dane (this one was HARD) I chose Eduardo Verástegui. He's Mexican so he wouldn't actually work for Dane but I think this pic of him looks something like Dane-I don't know though!

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 6 Update & Day 7 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 6 Update

Books I Read Today: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (41 pgs)
Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis (49 pgs)
The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky (146 pgs)
The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill (24 pgs)

Books I Finished Today: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Pages Read Today: 260

Total Books Finished: 5

Total Pages Read: 964

Day 7 Twitter Synopsis Challenge
Hosted by Mommasez

The goal of this challenge is to pick a book that you  read in 2013 and describe it using 166 characters or less! I had so much fun that I did three!

Crockett Archer is kidnapped by a retired outlaw as a birthday gift for his daughter who's prayed for a pastor for their empty church. Will he find a reason to stay?
Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

When two people who've been ridiculed their entire lives discover friendship and then love through anonymous letters will they find the courage to meet face to face?
With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

When a famous marriage counselor is dumped hours before her wedding, Lucas Wright offers to marry her & save her career. Could it be that he was Mr. Wright all along?
The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 5 Update&Day 6 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 5 Update

Books I Read Today: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis

Books I Finished Today: None

Pages Read Today: 134

Total Books Finished: 4

Total Pages Read: 704

Day 6 Seasonal Reads Challenge
Hosted by Book Briefs

This challenge is to pick a book that you  read in 2013 to recommend for each of the seasons!
(Click on the titles to read my reviews!)

Recommend a book good for a snow day

Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay. This book was really good and would be the perfect book to curl up and read in front of a fire with some hot tea!

Recommend a book good for a rainy day

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin. This was one of my favorite books this year! It sucks you in and gives you an emotional rollercoaster ride but it leaves you with a happy feeling!

Recommend a book good for a beach day

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson. A lighthearted fun read that would be perfect for the beach!

Recommend a book good for a spooky night

Nightmare City by Andrew Klaven. This book is not insanely spooky but it does pull you right in and refuse to release you until the last page!

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 4 Update&Day 5 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 4 Update

Books I Read Today: Game of Love by Denise Hunter

Books I Finished Today: Game of Love by Denise Hunter

Pages Read Today: 74

Total Books Finished: 4

Total Pages Read: 570

Day 4 Book to Movie Challenge
Hosted by Lori@Writing My Own Fairy Tale

The goal of this challenge is to simply pick your favorite book to movie adaptation of 2013. As far as I can remember the only ones I saw were the Percy Jackson ones and Catching Fire. And out of those Catching Fire was definitely the best! It was as close to the book as they could get it and so much of the dialogue was direct quotes!

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 3 Update&Day 4 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 3 Update

Books I Read Today: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Truth or Dare by Denise Hunter
The Perfect Match by Denise Hunter

Books I Finished Today: Truth or Dare by Denise Hunter
The Perfect Match by Denise Hunter

Pages Read Today: 172

Total Books Finished: 3

Total Pages Read: 496

Day 4 Book Spine Poetry Challenge
Hosted by Lori@Writing My Own Fairy Tale

Having read over 200 books this year I thought it'd be a little easier to make a book spine poem using only the ones I've read in 2013 but it actually was a little hard! Here's what I came up with!

My Heart Remembers
Glittering Promises Made to Last,
A Love Surrendered to A Noble Groom,
and A Promise to Love Beyond Heaven's Door

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 2 Update&Day3 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 2 Update

Books I Read Today: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins &
Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis

Books I Finished Today: None

Pages Read Today: 186

Total Books Finished: 1

Total Pages Read: 324

Day 3 Top Ten of 2013 Challenge
Hosted by Jessica @Let Me Tell You A Story

Picking my top ten of 2013 is one of the hardest things for me! I have read 200 books and my narrowed down list of favorites is still 48 books. I then decided to only do books released in 2013 which still left me with 33. So I'm gonna cheat a little!

Duchess, I Really Do Miss Your Smile, and Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

Shattered, and Stranded by Dani Pettrey

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

A Most Peculiar Circumstance, and A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano

Talon, and Beowulf by Ronie Kendig

Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

Vanished, and Trapped by Irene Hannon

A Noble Groom, and Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund

Ring of Secrets, Fairchild's Lady, and Whispers From the Shadows by Roseanna M. White

Love by the Letter, and A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears

Anomaly by Krista McGee

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

Reading Cram Read-a-thon: Day 1 Update&Day 2 Challenge

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Day 1 Update
I was crocheting for most of the day and only really got to reading sometime after 10pm but I still managed to finish a book that I'd already started!

Books I Read Today: Beowulf by Ronie Kendig

Books I Finished Today: Beowulf by Ronie Kendig

Pages Read Today: 138

Total Books Finished: 1

Total Pages Read: 138

Day 2 Teaser Challenge
Hosted by Book Loving Hippo
"All you have to do is open the current book you are reading to a random page and post 2 sentences on Twitter or Facebook."
I don't have Twitter or Facebook so I'm posting it here!

I'm reading The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky
From Page 3
With his long legs, he had no trouble keeping pace. " You certainly have spirit. I like that."
She gulped in a big breath and spun toward him. "You, sir, are entirely too familiar and too rude for words!"

Reading Cram Read-a-Thon Day 1 Kick-Off: TBR Goals

Hosted by Juliababyjen's Reading Room and Dana Square

The End of the Year 2013 Reading Cram will run from Dec. 9th-22nd

Today kicks off the Reading Cram Read-a-thon and I for one am very excited! Today's challenge is to simply post our TBR goals for this read-a-thon. I am hoping to read at least 10 books (hopefully more) and they will probably be some combination of the following!

Books I've Started and Want to Finish

Beowulf by Ronie Kendig (57% done)
The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky (37 pages read)
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (62 pages reread)

Books to Read

A Light in the Window by Julie Lessman
Carolina Gold by Dorothy Love
First Date by Melody Carlson
Hill Country Cattleman by Laurie Kingery
The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
The Cubicle Next Door by Siri L. Mitchell
Always Watching by Brandilyn&Amberly Collins
Truth or Dare by Denise Hunter
The Perfect Match by Denise Hunter
Game of Love by Denise Hunter
Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis
Allegiant by Veronica Roth