Summer Surge Read-A-Thon: Spell It Out Challenge

I have been enjoying this read-a-thon so far. This week it is following along with the Booktubeathon, which I have not been as successful with that TBR list as I had hoped. Still, so far this week I have finished five books, and I feel like that is pretty good so far! Today is the first challenge for the Summer Surge Read-A-Thon, and I decided to participate. 

Spell It Out Challenge: 

Use the first letter of any book read so far this year to spell out a Summer themed word that is 5 letters or more. If the title begins with The, A or An, move into the following word. Letters Q, V, X, Z can be anywhere in the title. 

S - She is Not Invisible
U - Unbreakable
N - New Moon: The Graphic Novel
S - (the) Screaming Divas
H - Heart Shaped Rock
I - If I Stay
N - Naturals
E - Ex-Factor

*Edited: Didn't read carefully enough to see they were supposed to be books I've read this year, oops! It's been fixed now :] 

Summer Surge Read-A-Thon Goals

Yesterday I shared that I was going to participate in the Summer Surge Read-A-Thon through the blog Book Badger. Today I am going to talk about the goals I hope to achieve during this read-a-thon. As it takes place during the end of my summer break, right before the next school year starts and I go back to teaching, I have very high hopes for this read-a-thon. I have a high number of books I would like to get through, and I hope to be successful with it!

My Goals: 

Challenges:

I decided to take part in quite a few challenges this year. Perhaps I got a little carried away, but I could not help myself. I have focused my attention on some much more than others, though. I completed my Goodreads goal of 50 books early in the year, and have since bumped it up to 150. I am currently at 107 read, and I would like to get close to finishing this new goal by the end of this read-a-thon. It's a tough task, but I'm up for the challenge. Along with that, I completed the New Author Challenge by reading books by 50 new-to-me readers, so I am going to focus on the 2014 YA Contemporary Challenge and the Lucky No. 14 Reading Challenge during this time.

2014 YA Contemporary Challenge:

Challenge Amount: 25

Read so Far: 5

# to Read During Read-A-Thon: 6

Books I intend to read for this challenge:

 1. The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

2. The Last Forever by Deb Caletti 

3. Great by Sara Benincasa

4. Life by Committee by Corey Ann Haydu

5. Panic by Lauren Oliver

6. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Lucky No. 14 Reading Challenge:

1. Visit the Country - Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (August for Buddy Read)

2. Cover Lust - Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

3. Blame it on Bloggers - The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

4. Bargain All the Way - Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

5. (Not So) Fresh From the Over - Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

6. First Letter's Rule - Tease by Amanda Maciel

7. Once Upon a Time - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

8. Chunky Brick - Gone by Michael Grant

9. Favorite Author - What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

10. It's Been There Forever - The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

11. Movies VS. Books - Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin

12. Freebies Time - Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

13. Not My Cup of Tea - Shovel Ready by Adam Sternbergh

14. Walking Down Memory Lane - Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Readalongs:

While some readalongs are being held during this read-a-thon, I have never been very good with them. I do not think that I am going to try any of them just because I know I will not be successful. I may change my mind, but this is my decision for now.

Book Club Reads:

 1. The Selection by Kiera Cass

2. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Page

3. The Giver by Lois Lowry 

4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

5. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

6. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Series I Hope to Read/Finish: 

1. The Selection by Kiera Cass

2. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

3. Matched by Ally Condie

4. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (re-reads/Summer of Spells)

I am sure I will add in additional books as I go depending on what mood I'm in and what I feel like reading (or if I pick up anything new. There are a couple July releases that I would read right away if I picked them up). For now, this is what my TBR for the read-a-thon looks like. It's at about almost 40 books at this point, which probably will not happen, but I am going to do my best! Wish me luck! :] 

Summer Surge Read-A-Thon

Hey all, and happy Sunday! :] I have decided to take part in the Summer Surge Read-A-Thon that is happening over at Book Badger. The blog is run by the lovely Amanda, and it is one of my favorite blogs to read/follow. If you have not checked it out, now would be the perfect time to do so! I actually meant to get this post up sooner since the read-a-thon starts tomorrow, but better late than never! I will post my goals for the read-a-thon tomorrow as I'm still figuring them out, but for now here are the rules and how to sign up in case you're interested as well!

Read-a-thon Details

1) The read-a-thon will run from 14th July 2014 - 17th August 2014.

2) The sign-up linky will close on the 10th August, so sign up before then.

3) You don't need a blog to participate.

4) Any genre, format or length of book can be read for this read-a-thon. (Novels, Novellas, Anthologies, Extra Material etc.)
5) There will be a international giveaway for up to £15 worth of books from TBD.
6) There will be five read-a-longs you can participate in worth 5 entries each.
7) There will be five challenges you can participate in worth 3-5 entries each.

8) On 18th August, a wrap-up post of the read-a-thon will be posted on Book Badger.

This is where you can leave your wrap-up post links if you have one.

Read-a-longs

Most read-a-thons have read-a-longs that you can participate in and the Summer Surge Read-a-thon isn't any different. There is one read-a-long a week that you can take part in and at the end of each week, there will be a section in my In Bed With Badger post that will feature my thoughts on the book in question. For each read-a-long you take part in you will receive 5 entries towards the giveaway but you must have read the book during it's coinciding week otherwise points will be deducted. If you've already read any of the books listed below, you can change it for a book written by the same author instead.

The read-a-longs are as follows:

1) 14th July - 20th July: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick (Goodreads)

2) 21st July - 27th July: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (Goodreads)

3) 28th July - 3rd August: Defiance by C.J. Dougherty (Goodreads)

4) 4th August - 10th August: Doll Bones by Holly Black (Goodreads)

5) 11th August - 17th August: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith (Goodreads)

There will also be some challenges along the way, you can read more about those HERE at the information/sign up page.

How do you join in?

1) Create a sign-up post, video or update on your platform of choice before 14th July to let people know you're taking part and what your personal challenges are if any. You must link back to Book Badger and include the read-a-thon button if possible. You can then add the url of this 'update' to Mr Linky down below and you're signed up! If at any point you want to remove yourself from the read-a-thon, just find yourself on the list of participants and edit or delete your entry.

2) The giveaway widget will be posted on the 21st July and will be open until 23rd August. This is where taking part in those challenges will give you a better chance of winning. You will have to provide proof of taking part in the read-a-thon to take part in the giveaway. The giveaway is International, as long as The Book Depository ships to your country.

3) If you have questions, don't be afraid to leave them in the comments, tweet me at @BookBadger_ or email at merwholockianhead@gmail.com

4) Get reading and enjoy the read-a-thon!

 If you're interested, head on over and sign up as well. As I said, my goals will be up tomorrow. I'm super excited about this read-a-thon!