During the month of July I’ve decided to participate in my first readathon which will be The Reading Rush which is beginning on the 20th of July to the 26th of July. The readathon consists of seven challenges which relates to book promps that you can build your TBR around. My username is worldofwords so if you want to add me on the website I would be more than happy to meet new people through the readathon.
During lockdown I have had plenty of time to read so I am hoping to manage a book for all seven challenges although I am going to be reading a range of books, manga and graphic novels. My TBR may change during the week and I do have a couple that I could double up challenges with however I am really hoping to read a book for each challenge to attempt to catch up with my Goodreads TBR which I am currently six books behind on.
Challenge One: Read A Book With A Cover That Matches The Colour Of Your Birth Stone
The first challenge is to read a book with a cover that matches the colour of my birth stone. I was born on August the 14th so I have a birthstone that is an unpleasant mid/light green which I didn’t have many books for however I do have The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp. This book has been on my shelf for around six years now and I have never had any interest in reading it but it was the only book on my shelf that I haven’t read that would fulfill this challenge.
Im not quite sure what The Spectacular Now is about but as far as I know it is a coming of age romance novel following a boy struggling with alcoholism and doesn’t see his life father than parties and doesn’t have many aspirations and a academically inclined girl who lives a sheltered life looking after her mother who would love nothing more than to go to college. I know there was a film in 2013 based on this book which I may check out if I hopefully enjoy the book.
Challenge Two: Read A Book That Starts With The Word ‘The’
Challenge two is to read a book that start with the word ‘The’. I found this challenge really challenging as I only had around three books on my TBR starting with it. Ultimately, I decided on The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant which has arrived in the post today and I am so excited to get to it as it is one of my most anticipated books of the year.
The Court of Miracles is a Les Miserables retelling set in 1828 Paris, and follows Nina and her younger sister Ettie. The book follows Nina as she struggles to protect Ettie from the Tiger, the Lord of the guild of Flesh setting off a brutal war between the guilds. It has been described as Les Miserables meets Six Of Crows which are two of my favourite things.
Challenge Three: Read a Book That Inspired A Movie You Have Already Seen
The third challenge was read a book that inspired a movie you have already seen and I again really struggled with this because there aren’t many movies I’ve seen that I haven’t read the book for but I ended up choosing One Day by David Nicholls. I loved this film when I was younger and I did attempt to read it around then but I wasn’t enjoying it probably because I was so young at the time I attempted to read it.
It follows Emma and Dexter after they meet on the night of their graduation and then follows their lives on that day every year after. I love the whole plot of this movie so I am really hoping that I enjoy this book as much as I love the film.
Challenge Four: Read The First Book You Touch
Challenge four was to read the first book I touched so I simply sat in front of my TBR shelf and then placed my hand on to it which resulted with the book Lost Boy by Christina Henry. This could also double up as a book for challenge one as this book does have green on the cover however I am hoping to read all the books on this TBR.
Lost Boy is a retelling of Peter Pan from Hooks perspective and his version of the classic story that everyone knows and loves. I have heard amazing things about Christina Henry’s retellings so hopefully I will love this one and pick up the rest of her books soon.
Challenge Five: Read A Book Outside Of Your House
The fifth challenge is to read a book out of your house and this was my favourite challenge because at the back of my garden we have been restoring a summer house and made it really cosy so I am going to take myself up there to read for this challenge. However, in traditional British weather it has been raining and cold so I have chosen quite a short book just in case it isn’t nice enough to read for too long outside. I chose Monstress Vol. 2: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu. I will probably end up re-reading volume one just to refresh myself on what’s happening.
Monstress is a graphic novel that follows a teenage girl who is struggling through war in an alternate Asia who has a link with a monster which contains a lot of power. The art style of this graphic novel is my favourite that I have come across in any graphic novel and I found the story so interesting I can’t wait to read the next volume.
Challenge Six: Read A Book In A Genre You Want To Read More Of
Challenge six is to read a book in a genre that you’ve always wanted to read more of and for this challenge I have chose Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker. I have been really getting into graphic novels lately however I still haven’t read as many as I would like to have read so Mooncakes is next on my list to read.
It follows a young girl who works at her grandmothers’ bookshop and one night she comes across her childhood best friend who also turns out to be a werewolf. After he turns to her for help, she feels compelled to help him with what he came to town to do. This book looks so wholesome with such a cute art style.
Challenge Seven: Read A Book That Takes Place On A Different Continent Than Where You Live
Finally challenge seven is to read a book that takes place on a different continent than where you live and I chose Uzumaki by Junju Ito. I live in the UK which is obviously in Europe but I didn’t want to go simple with a North American book so I went with Japan in Asia because it is my dream place to visit and I love the culture also as I said for the last challenge I want to read more manga and I have been highly recommended this book.
This is a horror manga following a town that is suddenly overrun with spirals after the protagonist father becomes obsessed with them and her and her friend attempt to figure out what is causing them obsession.
Overall this is going to be quite a challenge for me but I am hoping the shorter books balance out the longer ones and I can also double up on a few challenges which I may have to do depending on how the week works as I still have assignments and work to get on with. I cant wait to get involved with the readathon over the next week and push myself.
If youre taking part let me know below what you’re thinking about reading for the challenges!
A World of Words and Coffee 