Summer Reads – 2021

Summer is almost officially here! I hope to read some fun books off my bookshelf and continue with my Reading the Classics Challenge and other challenges that I am trying to do in 2021. I am doing terrible with my reading challenges for the year, so hopefully I will start tackling that What are y’all reading this summer? Any reads you are most looking forward to? Here is my list:

BOOK CLUB READS

• A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood √
• Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh √
• There There by Tommy Orange √
• A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o √
• Paradise of the Blind by Duong Thu Huong √

BUDDY READALONG

• The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins √

NETGALLEY

• Two Spies in Caracus by Moisés Naim
• The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones
• Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

2021 READING CHALLENGES

• Sherlock: The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Sherlock: The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Bible Old Testament: Genesis – Deuteronomy 
• Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck

BOOK JAR PICKS

• Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
• Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand

OTHER

• The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Susan McBride
• The Home Edit Life by Clea Shearer, Joanna Teplin √
• The Third Rainbow Girl by Emma Copley Eisenberg
• Badass Habits by Jen Sincero
• The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston √
• The Billion Dollar Spy by David E. Hoffman √
• The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale √
• D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton √
• E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton √
• F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton √
• The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan

Feel free to leave a comment about any of the books I’ll be reading or the ones y’all will be reading.

HAPPY SUMMER READING!!!

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Winter Reads – 2020

Winter is almost officially here! I hope to read some fun books off my bookshelf and continue with my Reading the Classics Challenge and other challenges that I am thinking about doing in 2021. What are y’all reading this winter? Any reads you are most looking forward to? Here is my list:

BOOK CLUB READS

• We by Yevgeny Zamyatin √
• Passing by Nella Larsen √
• Quicksand by Nella Larsen √
• The Invoice by Jonas Karlsson √
• Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez √
• The Twenty Days of Turin by Giorgio de Maria

BUDDY READALONG

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville

2021 READING CHALLENGES

• Sherlock: A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle √
• Sherlock: The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Sherlock: The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Bible Old Testament: Genesis – Deuteronomy 
• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
• Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

NETGALLEY 

• The Center of Everything by Jamie Harrison
• The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

BOOK JARS

• Radio Free Vermont by Bill McKibben
• The Club Dumas by Arturo Pérez-Reverte

OTHER

• One Day in December by Josie Silver
• The Snowman by Jo Nesbø
• Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron
• Christmas Camp by Karen Schaler √
• The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
• Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
• The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune √
• A Promised Land by Barack Obama
• Christmas in Silver Springs by Brenda Novak √

Feel free to leave a comment about any of the books I’ll be reading or the reads y’all will be reading.

HAPPY WINTER READING!!!

Completed 24-hour Readathon – October 2020

I made it! I read for 24 hours! It was fantastic! Here is my closing survey:

1. How would you assess your reading overall? I did as well as expected and am always a bit shocked when I make it the full 24 hours.
2. Did you have a stategy, and if so, did you stick to it? I read in all formats. I think audiobooks are really important as they allow you to continue to digest literature while moving around. 
3. What was your favorite snack? candy corn 
4. Wanna volunteer for our next event? Stay tuned for the recap post! Maybe. I’ll look forward to future posts.

Here is how I did on my goals and reading:

Goals

• Complete 5 books – Completed 5 books
• Read 800 pages – Read 1,200 pages
• Read at least 18 hours – though it would be great to make it the full 24 hours – Read for 24 hours
• Post at least 10 times to social media – Posted to social media 22 times
• Get Bingo – Got bingo

Books Completed

• The Theban Plays by Sophocles – print book
• The Beast is an Animal by Peternelle van Arsdale – print book
• The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene – audiobook
• Black Dahlia, Red Rose by Piu Eatwell – audiobook
• The Radium Girls by Kate Moore – audiobook

Books Started

• Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump – print book
• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb – ebook

I am a bit sad that this readathon is over. I always get a bit sad and wish to keep reading even though I really need to get some sleep. I had such a great time. I am especially happy that I managed to hit my yearly goodreads goal during the readathon too.

If you participated, how did you do? Feel free to comment with links to blog posts.

WWW Wednesdays – August 28, 2019

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Time for another WWW Wednesdays, which is brought to you by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. If you too want to participate, answer the above questions and post that link on Sam’s page.

I got back into my reading groove this last week. This is mostly thanks to the Bout of Books readathon. It helped me focus my free time on reading. I managed to make progress on both my Focus on Authors and my Reading the Classics challenges.

Currently Reading

Finished Reading

IRL Readalong: East of Eden by John Steinbeck – book = ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ½
Focus on Authors: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell – audiobook = ♦ ♦ ♦
The Home Edit by Clea Shearer – audiobook = ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Reading Next

What are y’all reading? Tell me what you are reading or post your WWW link in the comments!

HAPPY READING!!!

Completed 24in48 Readathon – July 2019

Congratulations to all those who participated in the 24in48 Readathon over this past weekend! How did y’all do?  I actually managed to clock 24 hours of reading, which was far behind my goal for the weekend. Here are my readathon stats:

Finished Reads:

• The Road to Dribbling by Bill Bryson – audiobook
• East of Eden by John Steinbeck (Part 3 only for a IRL readalong) – book
• Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama – audiobook

Reads Started but not Finished during Readathon:

• The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins – book/ebook
• Ireland by Frank Delaney – audiobook

Pages Read:

I read a total of exactly 900 pages.

Reading Time:

Social Media Updates:

I posted many updates on social media regarding this readathon:

• Litsy – @Morr_Books = 6 posts
• Twitter – @Morr_Books = 8 posts (includes 5 challenges)
• Goodreads – @Morr_Books = 3 reading status updates
• My Blog – The Great Morrison Migration = 2 posts

Thank you so much to the lovely 24in48 Readathon hosts! You all are amazing! I had such a fun weekend and can’t wait until the next one!

WWW Wednesdays – July 17, 2019

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Time for another WWW Wednesdays, which is brought to you by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. If you too want to participate, answer the above questions and post that link on Sam’s page.

I’ve been a bit MIA the last few weeks. I had a busy time at work and then got to go on vacation to visit my folks in my hometown of Milwaukee. This was a busy vacation, so I didn’t get to read too much, but since I am playing catch-up, it looks like I read a lot. I’m back on track with reading for book clubs and starting my Bill Bryson’s reads for my monthly reading challenge (A Focus on Authors Reading Challenge). I hope to read lots this weekend for the 24in48 Readathon. Anyone else participating?

Currently Reading

Finished Reading

IRL Book Club: The Power by Naomi Alderman – audiobook/ebook = ♦ ♦ ♦ ½
Focus on Authors Challenge: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie – audiobook = ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Focus on Authors Challenge: Murder is Easy by Agatha Christie – book = ♦ ♦ ♦ 
HP Litsy Buddy Read: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling – audiobook = ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Mount TBR: The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin – book = ♦ ♦ ♦ ½

*Click on book title for my full review.*

Reading Next

Hope y’all are having a wonderful summer! Feel free to post your WWW links below or tell me what you are currently reading!

HAPPY READING!!!

Spring Reading – 2019

Spring is almost here! I will be continuing to read for my Reading the Classics Challenge and my 2019 Focus on Authors Challenge. Titles may be added based on giveaways, book club picks, etc.

Book Club Reads

• The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
• A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow √
• In the Woods by Tana French √
• The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham √
• Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett √

NetGalley Reads

• The Last Stone by Mark Bowden √
• The Castle on Sunset by Shawn Levy
• The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson √
• Maybe This Time by Jill Mansell
• Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson √
• The Dark Bones by Loreth Anne White
• Summer Hours by Amy Mason Doan

Readalongs

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling √
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling √
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling √
• East of Eden by John Steinbeck

2019 Focus on Authors

• Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood √
• Stone Mattress by Margaret Atwood √
• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut √
• Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut √
• The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie √
• Murder is Easy by Agatha Christie √
• The Greater Journey by David McCullough √

Reading the Classics

• The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
• The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Other

• Off the Clock by Laura Vanderkam – audiobook √
• The Children by David Halberstam – audiobook
• The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg – audiobook √
• Becoming by Michelle Obama – audiobook/book
• Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain – audiobook √
• Made to Stick by Chip Heath – audiobook √
• Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin – book √
• The Nannie Diaries by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus – book √
• The Library at the Edge of the World by Felicity Hayes-McCoy – ebook

What is on your Spring TBR? Any recommendations?

Winter Reading – 2018

The Winter season is almost upon us. I will be continuing to read for my Reading the Classics Challenge and my 2019 Focus on Authors Challenge. This is an ambitious list as my Fall Reading list was (too ambitious), but I am looking forward to all of these. Titles may be added based on book club picks, etc.

 

NetGalley Reads

• An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks; Sarah Pekkanen
• She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge √
• Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal √
• The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
• One Day in December by Josie Silver
• A Christmas Date by Camilla Isley √
• Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe √
• The Trial of Lizzie Borden by Cara Robertson √
• The Library Book by Susan Orlean √

Giveaways

• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides √

Book Club Reads

• The Odyssey by Homer (translated by Emily Wilson) √
• The Coroner’s Lunch by Colin Cotterill √
• The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware √
• All Systems Red by Martha Wells √

2019 Focus on Authors:

• White Teeth by Zadie Smith √
• Swing Time by Zadie Smith √
• On Beauty by Zadie Smith √
• Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie √
• We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie √
• Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough √
• The Wright Brothers by David McCullough √

Readalong

• East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Other

• As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner – book
• Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan – book
• Murder Never Takes a Holiday by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain – book √
• Skipping Christmas by John Grisham – book √
• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen – ebook
• A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie – ebook
• Green River, Running Red by Ann Rule – audiobook √
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling – audiobook √
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling – audiobook √
• The Good Neighbor by Fred Rogers – audiobook √
• The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Megan Mullally & Nick Offerman – audiobook √
• My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh – audiobook √
• The Coldest Winter by David Halberstam – audiobook √
• The Radium Girls by Kate Moore – audiobook
• Hillbily Elegy by J.D. Vance – audiobook
• Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik – audiobook √
• Missoula by Jon Krakauer – audiobook
• Hunger by Roxane Gay – audiobook √
• The Daily Show by Chris Smith & Jon Stewart – audiobook
• Lab Girl by Hope Jahren – audiobook

 

What’s on your TBR for the winter season? Any recommendations?

My Must Read Book List for 2019

What books do you want to read in 2019? Here is the list of books I would like to read in 2019:

1. There There by Tommy Orange
2. The Castle on Sunset by Shawn Levy
3. Into the Woods by Tana French √
4. The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware √
5. Becoming by Michelle Obama √
6. Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal √
7. The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
8. The Incendiaries by R.O. Kwon
9. On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
10. Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

However, these listed are not the only books I will read this year…hopefully, as I will also be continuing my progress on the Reading the Classics Challenge and a Focus on Authors Reading Challenge. Still feel free to send me recommendations of books you have loved or are looking forward to in 2019 – both old and new.

24 Hour Readathon Begins! October 2018

It’s that time!!!! Time for the semi-annual Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon!!!!  As always I’m super excited and ready to go! I’ve got my TBR pile, snacks, and clothing (see photo off to the right) all prepared. This is officially my 5th time participating in this readathon. I do not anticipate making it the full 24 hours, but I am geared up to get some quality reading time in that will help me achieve my yearly reading goals.

Readathon Goals:

• I want to read for at least 13 hours today.
• I want to complete 3 books.
• I want to read at least 500 pages.
• I want to complete at least 5 mini-challenges.
• Get Bingo.

Bingo:

TBR (soooo many to chose from):

Obviously I don’t intend to read all of the following, but I like to have a lot of options to chose from in all different types of reading tools, like physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks. I’ve learned that a variety helps utilize every moment of the readathon to accomplish all your reading goals.

Physical Books

Ebooks

Audiobook

If you have never participated in this readathon before, I would recommend that you try it! It’s so much fun!

Here is my first read of the day: