Monday, July 13, 2015

08/11/15 - "2015 Reading Challenge" Update

It's that time again!
Reading Challenge Status time!

I haven't been reading as much as I'd like.
I use to read a lot at work but work has been very busy lately so now I actually have to WORK instead of READ! Darn it! LOL!

This time I'm doing it a bit differently:  I will provide you w/ all the new information first and then atinclude a link to the last blog post if you want to be reminded of what I've read so far.

Here we go!
Isn't it cute!
I liked the book and discovered there is a sequel so I will be reading that one too, once I finish this challenge, unless I can find a way to make it fit!
 
I'm currently working on checking off my trilogy... so I'll be reading 3 books but only getting 1 credit.
Doesn't seem fair, right?! Errr...
Well, I will still count it as 3 books for my total books read but I can only check off 1 category.
 
Total count: 20/50(53)
 
Here's the link to my last post:  Update 07/05/15
 
BTW - I include, kinda sorta, book reviews /book descriptions on my Instagram account for some of the books I read if you're interested...
The link to my IG is at the top of this blog, above my photo.
 
Okay, that's all for now!
  ...so many books so little time!




Monday, July 6, 2015

07/05/15 - "2015 Reading Challenge" Update

Since reading is my life right now, well during my free time anyway, I am back to update you on my progress.
 
As always I will share the list that is "The Reading Challenge":
 
 
 And like I did during my last update, here's a reminder of the books I already read: 
  • A book with more than 500 pages:  "Allegiant"
  • A book that became a movie:  "The Silver Linings Playbook"
  • A book published this year: "Before I Go"
  • A book with a number in the title:  "Three Wishes"
  • A funny Book:  "Seriously...I'm Kidding" 
  • A book by a female Author:  "Girls in Trouble"
  • A book of short stories:  "Four" 
  • A popular author's first book: "Still Alice" 
  • A book based on a true story: "Wild" 
  • A memoir:  "Yes, Please"
  • A book that is set in high school: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
  • A book by an Author you never read before: "The Fault In Our Stars
  • Unbearable lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain - Bonus Book/Category I Made up: "a book you've already read but liked enough to read again" 




  • And now for my updates:
  • A book by an author you love that you haven't read yet: "Paper Towns"
  • A book with a one-word title: "Triangles"
  • A book set in a different country: "Reinventing Rose"  - (Australia)
  • A book you started but never finished: "The Host"

  • I want to say a little bit about this last book... it was written by Stephenie Meyer the author who wrote the "Twilight"series... I LOVED the "Twilight" Series (Hey! Don't judge! LOL). I bought "The Host" when it first came out, in 2008, and could not get into it! To be honest, I just didn't understand it! It has a sci-fi vibe and I am not into sci-fi. So I shoved it under my bed never to see the light of day again (or so I thought). Then I watched the movie in 2013 and although the movie wasn't all that great, it gave me more of an understanding of what was going on. So when this challenge category came up, I decided to give the book another chance. I'm glad I did! Although I wouldn't place on my list of "Best Books I've Ever Read" I did enjoy reading it.  The only problem I had is it was LONG (60 chapters, 619 pages)! I felt like, despite that I enjoyed reading it,  I'd never be finished w/ it!

    This brings my total: 17 out of 51  (actually it should be 53 because one of the categories is a trilogy)

    BTW I was 'chatting' w/ a fellow blogger who is also taking on this challenge and we both agreed that some of these categories are boring so we probably wont get to them all.   
    Maybe if I had started sooner I would have made myself do it, but seeing as I started the challenge late in the year, and am therefore already behind, I plan on working on the categories that interest me first and IF I have time go back to the others.
    After all this is suppose to be a fun challenge, right?
    RIGHT! And it definitely is!

    Wednesday, July 1, 2015

    07/01/15 - Blog Changes

    I don't blog very much any more.
    I guess I got burned out...
    Or maybe it's because the reason I created my blog, my scrapbooking, doesn't exist any more...
    I haven't given up, I just haven't made time for it.
    Making time to do the things you love is important, but right now the things I love include reading and watching Netflix, LOL!
    (Of course, this is besides my husband, children, and fur-babies)
    Which isn't to say I don't love art any more.
    As a matter-of-fact I've been itching to get back into it, but w/ The Reading Challenge taking up all my free time I haven't actually gotten around to being creative.
    It's not a bad thing though, I mean, not really...
    I am enjoying The Reading Challenge! Especially since I know others who are doing it and since there is a hash tag of it on IG that I can check out whenever I want to look for inspiration or just share in the camaraderie.
     
    That brings me to this post...
    I made a few changes to my blog that may or may not help make blogging more of a desire now.
         For one I changed the name:
    It used to be  "A Day in Doreena's Life" but then I realized, ummmm... yeah, I hardly blog about "days" in my life! So, for now at least, I have changed the name to "Doreena's Place". Not very original and I don't exactly like it because it's "boring" (to me)... but until I think of something better, it will do!
        Another change, my blog description:
    Although I am still "loving life and living it to the fullest" I wanted to include something more geared to what people would be reading about on my blog. I changed it to "art, books, and randomness". Most of my posts in the past have been art related and since I've been posting a lot more about books, and plan to continue to do so, I thought it was more fitting and more precise. Especially for those who do "Google" searches for things they want to read about. The "randomness" part is just because I don't want to lock myself into only art and books!

    Minor changes but I'm hoping they help me get back into my love of blogging!
    This may continue to change over time as I try to find my niche.
    Oh, and if you have any suggestions for the title of my blog, I want to hear them!!! I would like to keep my name it though, if possible, but I'm open to anything!

    BTW - I have an upcoming post regarding my progress on The Reading Challenge...
    I just need to finish the 2 books I am currently reading before I do so!

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