Charity Reading Challenge Update - November 2016

It's been a long time since I've been able to do an update for this challenge. Luckily, this month, I can!

Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January 2016-December 2016

The Challenge:

'Read for a good cause!

Buy books at a charity shop, or, even a friends of the library book sale, or, donate a certain percentage of money for each book you read for the challenge.

You can choose your own goal of how many books to read, what charity you'll be donating money towards, how much money, etc.'

The full rules can be found on Becky's Book Reviews here.

My sign-up post can be read here.






November 2016

Number of books read so far: 3/10* (*total revised down to 10 from 20 - because I just wasn't going to make 20!)

This Month: 1





Title: Airport: Code Red by Michael White & James Patterson

Price: £0.25

Charity Helped:

The Red Cross -

The Red Cross does so much excellent work that it's hard to pin it down to one sentence -

they're there for crises big or small, providing emergency relief, aid, medical care, and tackling loneliness, protecting refugees, and training people in first aid.

Check out their website @ redcross.org.uk

They are active both within the UK and internationally

You can shop with The Red Cross on the high street, or on their online gift-shop here.

You can also donate directly (inc. to specific appeals) here.




My Thoughts on the Book:

I don't say this often. But I'd advise pretty much anyone to not read this book.

It's hugely Islamophobic from start to finish. I was hoping for something - anything - to provide some sort of counterbalance. But no.

What we have here is flimsy stereotypes and racist tropes, combined with a totally offensive scene where the Qur'an is thrown across the floor for no purpose other than antagonising a terrorist. Islam and terrorism is treated as one and the same throughout.

And we also have a good slab of sexism - just because.

The only reason I finished this book is because it's short and I'm woefully behind on this challenge. Save yourselves the pain.

I honestly can't believe a book published in 2016... strike that. It's 2016. *sigh*

I won't be buying any more James Patterson books 1st hand - charity shops only, even if I do read any of his others.

And this is going straight back to the donate pile. Maybe it can do some good there.

Total money raised for various causes: £4.49

Charities Helped: Fund for a local child, Oxfam, and The Red Cross.

Like this post? Try these:

• Charity Reading Challenge Update - August 2016
• The Charity Reading Challenge 2016

Charity Reading Challenge Update - August 2016

I can update this challenge! ;) Woo!

Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January 2016-December 2016

The Challenge:

'Read for a good cause!

Buy books at a charity shop, or, even a friends of the library book sale, or, donate a certain percentage of money for each book you read for the challenge.

You can choose your own goal of how many books to read, what charity you'll be donating money towards, how much money, etc.'

The full rules can be found on Becky's Book Reviews here.

My sign-up post can be read here.






August 2016

Number of books read so far: 2/10* (*total revised down to 10 from 20 - because I just wasn't going to make 20!)

This Month: 1





Title: Vertigo's First Offenses (UK - US)

Price: £3.99

Charity Helped:

Oxfam - an excellent charity which is dedicated to the eradication of extreme poverty, providing emergency aid to those in need, and a brighter future for all.

Check out their website @ Oxfam.org.uk

Oxfam also help with poverty in the UK.

You can shop with Oxfam on the high street, or online here.

You can also donate directly here.




My Thoughts on the Book:

This is more an anthology of single issues than a graphic novel.
It contains 5 series starters from Vertigo's versatile range of devil-may-care comics:

• The Invisibles #1
• Fables #1
• Preacher #1
• Sandman Mystery Theatre #1
• Lucifer #1

My favourites were Preacher #1 and Lucifer #1. Both are kind of based in subverted religious iconography - so I really don't know what that says about me!

They were pretty good though, all in all.


Total money raised for various causes: £4.24

Charities Helped: Fund for a local child, and Oxfam.






Like this post? Try these:

• 1/2 Year Resolutions Update
• Charity Reading Challenge 2016 Update - March

1/2 Year Resolutions Update

It's the end of June!

So I guess, given that half the year is gone already, it's time to look at where I am with those pesky bookish New Year's resolutions I made.

(Damn you attempts to improve myself!)

Reading Resolutions

• To read 200 books (Goodreads Challenge)

Well on-target for this - I've read 110 books so far, 13 books ahead of schedule, and 55% through!

via GIPHY

• To read at least 20 books for the Charity Reading Challenge 2016.

Yeah... don't think this one's gonna happen. Seeing as how I've read a grand total of... 1 book for this challenge.

I think it's because all the e-books and library books and new books keep distracting me.

So I'm revising my target down to 10 books. I can always put it back up again if I've got the chance.

• To read widely

Welp. This one seems to be going quite well if the range of genres I've read this year is anything to go by (and that's a lot of different genres - I think I have a problem.)

I also wrote a post entitled '6 Ways To Read More Widely' in order to help others - because I'm nice like that.

• To read at least 5 books in Welsh

Yeah... I haven't started this one.

I only mean to read like, really easy kids books, but I still haven't got around to it. Welsh is hard! ...So I kind of keep putting it off.

Even though I really want to learn more because hell, it's yr iaith (the language) of y gwlad (the land,) and it does mean a lot to me - but dude, it's a tough language to learn!

• To never, ever, stop reading in print

Still reading a lot in print, as well as reading on the e-reader. Love print!

Blogging Resolutions

• To blog regularly.

I blog almost every day - so this one is going well. Just have to keep it up!

via GIPHY

• To always be open, honest, and genuine in my blogging and my reviewing.

I hope you all agree that I definitely keep this in mind when blogging. To the extent where sometimes I probably tell you a little more than you wanted to know!

• To never lose sight of why I started this blog - which was to have fun, feel a bit more like a person again, enjoy reading, and encourage others to do the same.

Hopefully still doing that!

• Try to find ways to promote reading

As a Book Nerd On A Mission, I've been trying to read out in public (the big wide world!) at least once a week, even if it's only waiting for The Bestie to reach our table at the coffee shop.

People definitely seem to find this weird - particularly in Pizza Hut. I think they were about two minutes away from calling the men with the white coats.

via GIPHY

I've also been adding non-bookish blogging hashtags, and tagging non-bookish blogging accounts for retweets, on Twitter. That way it's not just the bookish who are exposed to my all-out zaniness.

BUT THERE'S STILL MORE TO DO.

I want to spread reading to the world! But for that, my dear nerdlets, I will need your help.

Any ideas of how to spread reading like a plague will be most welcome! AND GET OUT THERE AND READ IN PUBLIC!

• To not get stressed! - If I don't finish a post by a certain time, it doesn't matter! This is my blog, and I shouldn't be stressing about it.

Ha, yeah... working on this one. It's hard sometimes when you're trying to run your own business (most ninja assassin princesses are self-employed,) and sort out the normal life sh** and blog.

But blogging is definitely good for me mental-health-wise - hence the amount of posts I write on a weekly basis, and the amount of faffing about and bugging all of you that I do in general :)




Like this post? Try these:

• 6 Ways To Read More Widely
• Book Nerd On A Mission

Charity Reading Challenge 2016 Update - March

Yes! I have finally read something for this challenge!

Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January 2016-December 2016

The Challenge: 'Read for a good cause! Buy books at a charity shop, or, even a friends of the library book sale, or, donate a certain percentage of money for each book you read for the challenge. You can choose your own goal of how many books to read, what charity you'll be donating money towards, how much money, etc.'

The full rules can be found on Becky's Book Reviews here.

My sign-up post can be read here.


March 2016

Number of books read so far: 1/20
This Month: 1


Title: Born on the Fourth of July (UK Click Here - US Click Here)

Author: Ron Kovic

Price: £0.25

Charity Helped: Local cause - sale to help a local child with medical care and equipment.

My Thoughts:

This is a non-fiction book detailing Ron Kovic's experiences as a Vietnam veteran; there is also a film of the book, starring Tom Cruise, of the same name.

Born on the Fourth of July is one of those books that everyone needs to read simply because it is a snapshot of history, and a testament to the uncomfortable truths that we need to remind ourselves of, and never let the world forget.


Like this post? Try these:

• Charity Reading Challenge 2016
• 2016 Bookish Resolutions

2016 Bookish Resolutions

 Reading Resolutions

1. To read 200 books (Goodreads Challenge) - I've decided to use the same target number as my 2015 Challenge because it seems to be just right for the speed I read. I can always revise it up or down as needed. I started 2015 with a target of 50, and moved it from there.
2. To read at least 20 books for the Charity Reading Challenge 2016.
3. To read widely - neither genre, nor popularity, nor age range shall limit my reading! Huzzah! (Ok, I may have had some coffee... Reading Addicts like coffee *nods sagely, grins maniacally*)
4. To read at least 5 books in Welsh - I learn languages best by reading (not that much of a surprise) and I'm always looking for ways to improve my Welsh (it is not an easy language to learn,) so I figure reading at least five kids' books in Welsh, from beginning to end, will give me a helping hand.
5. To never, ever, stop reading in print - I have an eReader now, but that does not  mean I'm going to let myself get carried away and abandon the magic of actual, physical books. I will always prefer print and paper, and this resolution is there to remind me of that.

Blogging Resolutions

1. To blog regularly.
2. To always be open, honest, and genuine in my blogging and my reviewing.
3. To never lose sight of why I started this blog - which was to have fun, feel a bit more like a person again, enjoy reading, and encourage others to do the same.
4. Try to find ways to promote reading - sometimes I feel like blogging involves a lot of preaching to the converted, I want to make readers of non-readers.
5. To not get stressed! - If I don't finish a post by a certain time, it doesn't matter! This is my blog, and I shouldn't be stressing about it.

Like this post? Try these:

Reflecting on 2015
Charity Reading Challenge 2016
Goodreads Challenge 2015 - One Month Left

Charity Reading Challenge 2016

A little while ago I signed up to the Charity Reading Challenge over on Becky's Book Reviews. So I figured I'd write a little post explaining my plans, and my reasons for doing the challenge.

Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January 2016-December 2016

The Challenge: 'Read for a good cause! Buy books at a charity shop, or, even a friends of the library book sale, or, donate a certain percentage of money for each book you read for the challenge. You can choose your own goal of how many books to read, what charity you'll be donating money towards, how much money, etc.'

The full rules can be found on Becky's Book Reviews here.

I'm aiming to read at least 20 books for this challenge - seems doable!

The books I read will be from various charity shops, and I'm planning on giving challenge updates which include the name of the charity, the amount I spent on the book, and a bit of info on the charity (because charities can do with all the publicity they can get!)

I love helping charities - it's kind of my thing. And I figured, as I buy a lot of books from charity shops anyway, I could also help to raise some awareness of the fantastic work done by charities while I'm at it. (And it seemed fun!)