YA Buccaneers Summer Reading Challenge: Check-in #5

I managed to polish off two more reads for my YA Buccaneers Summer Reading Challenge this past week:

Read a biography or memoir

Read a non YA Book: GRAPEVINE WOODS by Bridgid Gallagher - MG CP Read

Read a classic (YA or otherwise) 

Read a book by a debut author: MORE THAN MUSIC by Elizabeth Briggs

Read a book with Summer in the title

Read a book published the year you were born

Read a book with a male protagonist 

Read a book of your choice: RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo and #SCANDAL by Sarah Ockler

Re-read a book you disliked as a kid

Re-read an old favorite: ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS by Scott O'Dell

Read a book that's been on your TBR a long time

Read a Printz Award winner: Currently Reading: GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray

Read a book set at the beach

Read a book with LGBT themes or main characters: FAR FROM YOU by Tess Sharpe

Read a book of poetry or novel in verse

 

Any recos on a good read set at the beach (I'm re-reading TWENTY BOY SUMMER for my book with Summer in the title, so I need something else that takes place at the beach!)? Or how about a good biography or memoir? 

YA Buccaneers Summer Reading Challenge: Check-in #4

I'm finally making progress on my Summer Reading Challenge! 

As of today, I've checked three books off the list and am working on my fourth:

1. Read a biography or memoir

2. Read a non YA Book: GRAPEVINE WOODS by Bridgid Gallagher - MG CP Read

3. Read a classic (YA or otherwise)

4. Read a book by a debut author

5. Read a book with Summer in the title

6. Read a book published the year you were born

7. Read a book with a male protagonist 

8. Read a book of your choice: RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo

9. Re-read a book you disliked as a kid

10. Re-read an old favorite

11. Read a book that's been on your TBR a long time

12. Read a Printz Award winner

13. Read a book set at the beach

14. Read a book with LGBT themes or main characters: FAR FROM YOU by Tess Sharpe

15. Read a book of poetry or novel in verse

       

I've already got my picks for both my debut author and male protag spots, but am still looking for a great book of poetry or novel in verse -- any recos out there?

YA Buccaneers Summer Reading Challenge: Check-in #3

Yipes! I've missed the first two check-in's for our Summer Reading Challenge -- but not because I haven't been reading, I swear!

I've been busy cranking and critiquing through a MS for a fabulous friend of mine, which definitely took priority. But now I've finished with her awesome book, sent off my comments, and started back in on all those great summer reads I have piled up!

So far I've checked ONE book off from the list and am working on my second...you could say I have some work to do this summer!

1. Read a biography or memoir

2. Read a non YA Book

3. Read a classic (YA or otherwise)

4. Read a book by a debut author

5. Read a book with Summer in the title

6. Read a book published the year you were born

7. Read a book with a male protagonist 

8. Read a book of your choice: Pending - RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo

9. Re-read a book you disliked as a kid

10. Re-read an old favorite

11. Read a book that's been on your TBR a long time

12. Read a Printz Award winner

13. Read a book set at the beach

14. Read a book with LGBT themes or main characters: FAR FROM YOU by Tess Sharpe

15. Read a book of poetry or novel in verse

What great books have you read this summer? I'll take any recos that help check off my list! And Happy 4th of July, everyone!

Happy One Year Anniversary To The YA Buccaneers!

A huge shout out to the YA Buccaneers on their One Year Anniversary!

So much awesome has happened over the past 365 days and I'm so thrilled to have started this adventure with the ever-amazing Bridgid Gallagher! But B. and I didn't do it all alone and I'm so thankful for the fantastic crew that decided to share in this crazy journey with us: Kris F. Oliver, Heidi Sinnett, Sara Biren, Kelly Loy Gilbert, Ghenet Myrthil, Rachel Searles, Caroline T. Richmond, Kathryn Holmes, and Ellen Goodlett! I love every single one of these ladies like they're my own sisters and I couldn't think of better writer peeps to have gone sailing with!

Please join me in celebrating the Buccaneers one year and stop by the YA Buccaneers all July long -- I promise there will be lots of activities to participate in and tons of swag up for grabs...which includes books from some of our very own Buccaneers! 

Happy One Year Anniversary, Buccaneers - I can't wait to see what's in store for the next year!

Blogging from A to Z Challenge: Day 5 - Letter E

Day #5 of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, with today's letter, E! And my topic?

E-Books vs. Real Books

This is a topic that can be divided into two teams and two teams only. I believe you're either a fan of e-books, or you're not. 

And me personally?

I just can't do it.

Yes, I have an iPad. I even have the Kindle app loaded on both of my phones. But even with all that, I can't seem to convert to an e-reader. There's just something about a real book - holding it in your hands, cracking it open for the very first time, and smelling the pages and ink. 

Maybe it's because I can't wait to have my own name printed on the cover of one. Or maybe it's just what I've grown up with - and well, I'm pretty darn stubborn and making the change to an e-reader just isn't going to happen. Or maybe it's because I believe in the traditional methods of printing and publishing - something that goes back hundreds of years. But I really think it's as simple as, I'm around technology all day: 2 cell phones, a desk phone, my iPad, and my MAC - then my laptop when I get home - so when I'm getting ready for bed and I pick up my book, the last thing I want is something that requires electricity to function. 

Whatever it is, I can promise you - I will always be a fan of real books. And I will always collect the hard cover editions of all my favorites - even if it means giving up a bedroom to turn it into a library. I'm a real book kind of girl - always have been, and always will be...as long as they keep printing them. Good thing I have that library of mine, just in case.

E-Books vs. Real Books - Which side are you on and why?

Here are some great blogs to check out on the A to Z journey:

My great writerly friend, Huntress, over at Spirit Called is doing a fantabulous movie quote theme - check it out!

Suzanne Lieurance and I have managed to have the same topics - we think great minds think alike!

The beautiful and talented Katy Upperman has been hitting the nail right on the head with all of her posts so far - you've gotta check out yesterday's D post for Delusions!