Monday, April 27, 2015

Song of the Week

I first heard this song on Pandora (my Hozier station, specifically) and really didn't notice it too much as it played while I worked.  However, I found myself singing this song throughout the day and had no idea what it was.  Luckily, it reappeared on my Pandora station again today and I officially "discovered" it!  I've not heard this group before...but after this song, I'll be checking out more songs.  This week's song is "Unsteady" by X Ambassadors.



What do you think?  Have you heard of this band before?  What is YOUR song of the week?

Thanks for reading,
-Rachael xo

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Wrap Up

For firsts.... the readathon was SO MUCH FUN! If you are interested in participating in a readathon at all, I highly suggest it! There was so much support and encouragement from everyone involved and it was so fun connecting with other readers!

 Seconds - I did ok. I was a little under the weather and found myself napping on and off throughout instead of reading for the full 24 hours like I had initially envisioned, but... I still got in plenty of reading - more than I expected! I ended up reading about 2.5 books and about 560 pages! Here is my wrap up video and some things I learned from my first readathon experience.



In closing, I think I'm officially a readathoner now!  I can't wait until the Bout of Books readathon (a weeklong readathon!!) in may and for the next Dewey's 24 hour readathon in October.  So so so much fun!

P.S. I'm also very excited to announce that I'm already 60% of the way to making my goal of 25 books this year on my Goodreads 2015 Challenge! I might have to up that challenge total a bit! ;)

Happy reading!
-Rachael xo

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon 2015 TBR List

In excited preparation for my FIRST Readathon, I'm sharing my planned TBR (to-be-read) list for my 24 hours of non-stop reading Saturday!  I'm pretty squeakin' excited!  Get updates on my progress  throughout the day Saturday on Twitter @TaylorAndKens!




Are you planning to participate in the readathon Saturday? What is on your TBR list? Feel free to share your reading adventures in the comments below or tweet me!

Monday, April 20, 2015

Song of the Week

It is going to be a stressful week at work and with several obligations outside of work, so I needed an up-beat, makes-me-smile-and-sing-and-dance kinda song to motivate me through this week.  If you listen carefully you'll be able to hear me whaling this song each morning as I start my workday!



 What song always cheers you up and makes you want to dance?

Thanks for reading!
- Rachael xo

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Book Haul #1

Of course I ended up at Half Price Books after a long day of cleaning and purging.  I went to drop off two bags of books and ended up leaving with another whole bag.  Books (and chocolate) are definitely my weaknesses!  Anywho - with all my new books, I decided to do my first book haul video! Enjoy.



What new books have you acquired this month?  Which are you looking most forward to?  Have you read any of my newly acquired books?  Any I should add to my next haul?

Thanks for watching,
-Rachael xo

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon!

I just signed up for my very first Read-a-Thon and I'm pretty pumped!!!


Image from: http://www.willowpfa.org/uncategorized/read-a-thon/


So fair warning, I won't be answering my phone on April 25 because I'll be reading up a storm.  The goal of a Read-a-thon is to get people reading, give them motivation to read maybe a little more than normal, and get people communicating!  I'll be sending out updates throughout the day via Twitter and Instagram.  I'm inviting anyone who wants to participate to join!!  You can sign up officially here.  Or, if you have commitment issues, just read along and send out your own updates or simply comment on my updates!  Stay tuned for my TBR list of books I want to read in my 24 hours!

Monday, April 13, 2015

Song of the Week

I am obsessed with Steve Winwood's version.  Now I'm also obsessed with this.  If you are a fan of Bon Iver - you are welcome for introducing you to this little ditty.  Enjoy!



What are you enjoying this week in music?

- Rachael xo

Saturday, April 11, 2015

In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

This book was very "interesting" (as I end up saying about 10 times in my video review! haha).  The story that inspired Herman Milville's Moby Dick is retold by Philbrick using several first hand accounts of the final voyage of the Essex.  Once a whale attacks the Nantucket whaleship, it is a fight for survival for the crew, now forced into the three remaining smaller whaleboats.  What would you do to stay alive?  Could you live with your choices afterword?

I gave this book 3/5 stars and you can check out my video review below:




Keep an eye out for the movie version of this book, out this year!

Thanks for reading (and viewing!),

- Rachael xo

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Book Series Status

It seems like everything has a sequel these days (if not a wholes series!).   After watching some BookTube videos on series that everyone is reading (or giving up on), I decided to take stalk of where I fall in the series I've discovered along the way.  Here goes!

Series I've Finished
Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Series by Louise Rennison
Conspiracy 365 series by Gabrielle Lord
Horatio Wilkes Mysteries duology by Alan Gratz
Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty
Queen of Babble series by Meg Cabot
Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers
Wolves of Mercy Falls (Shiver) trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater

Series I've Started
5th Wave trilogy by Rick Yancy (#1)
100 Cupboards trilogy ND Wilson (#1)
Al Capone at Alcatraz trilogy by Gennifer Choldenko   (#1)
Asylum series by Madeleine Roux   (#1 and currently #2)
Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth   (#1 and #2)
Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy by EJ Smith (#1 and #2)
Giver series by Lois Lowery (#1)
Hannibal Lecter series by Thomas Harris (#1)
Harry Potter series by JK Rowling (#1)
Heather Wells series by Meg Cabot (#1-5)
Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins   (#1 and #2)
Jenna Fox Chronicles trilogy by Mary E Person (#1 and #2)
Kinsey Milhone series by Sue Grafton (#1 and #2)
Maze Runner series by James Dashner   (#1)
Matched series by Allie Condie (#1)
Millennium series by Stieg Larsson (#1 and #2)
Missing series by Margaret Peterson Haddix (#1)
Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare  (#1)
Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix (#1 and #2)
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares (#1 and #2)
Sookie Stackhouse (TrueBlood) series by Charlaine Harris  (#1 and #2)
Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich (#1-4)
Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson (#1)

Series I Haven't Started (YET!)
Caster Chronicles series by Kami Garcia
Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver
Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray
If I Stay duology by Gayle Forman
Legend trilogy by Marie Lu
Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Mara Dyer trilogy by Michelle Hodkin
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
Shatter Me trilogy by Tahereh Mafe
Throne of Glass series by Sarah Maas

Now that you've seen my list, I'd love to hear what series you are into!  What have you finished?  What are you enjoying?  Do recommend a series not on this list?  Is there a series I should skip?

Thanks for reading!
- Rachael xo







Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Song of the Week

The song stuck in my head this week is Elastic Heart by Sia.  Sia's a little strange, but her music is amazing.  This video is strange, but pretty amazing - very fitting.  Check it out.




What is your song of the week?  Share in the comments!

-Rachael xo