Contemporary-a-Thon (updated post)

Hello everyone,

I wish you a wonderful Monday morning. I have decided to participate in the Contemporary-a-Thon that is running on YouTube this week (11. 2. - 17. 2.). I was inspired to do so because of the book that I read last week, which was Made You Up by Francesca Zappia. I listened to the audio version of it, and it was just fantastic. I loved every minute of the story. And it made me realize how much I've missed reading contemporary books. Last year, I barely read three. And so I thought this readathon would be a great opportunity to bring them back to my reading life. And since I've been neglecting my blog very much lately, I thought it could be fun to record my readathon experience here as well. So I will be updating you guys on my reading process in this very post during the whole week. And I hope we will be able to discuss some really great books together along the way...

Challenges:
1. Read your most recently purchased or acquired contemporary
2. Read a contemporary with blurple (blue or purple) on the cover
3. Read a diverse contemporary (keeping in mind that it is Black History Month!)
4. Read a dark, taboo, or emotional book
5. Read a contemporary you meant to read in 2018 but didn’t get to
6. Read a contemporary in a non-traditional format (ebook, audio, graphic novel etc.)
7. Read a contemporary with a picture on the spine (not a color or pattern but an image)

My TBR Pile:

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon - This is my most recently acquired contemporary book, so it's going to fulfil the fisrt challenge as well as the third one, for it is written by a black author. I've heard nothing but amazing things about this book, so I believe that it will be a great one to start with.

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo - I've picked this one for the blue cover, which is the second challenge. And because it is about a transgender character, I though it would be an excellent diverse book for the third challenge as well. It has also been on my TBR list for far too long, so I thought now would be a perfect time to finally read it. 

The Simple Wild by K. A. Tucker - I am going to listen to the audio version of this book in order to fulfil the sixth challenge. I have only read one book by this author in the past, and it was okay. But I've heard some really good things about this one, so I am hoping for it to be better than the previous one. If I really like it, I might consider buying a physical copy as well.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - This is a book I really wanted to read last year, so it is going to fulfil the fifth challenge of this readathon. I also feel like it's going to be a very emotional read, so I though it suitable for the forth challenge, too. And there's a picture of a match on the spine, which is going to take care of the last challenge.

Day One

10:30 - So I've had a calm morning but I noticed that it's gone more quickly than usual. It always does when you're conscious of the time and want to do more in one day than is your average. But that's okay. I still believe I could read all the books during this week. We're still at the beginning, right? So I've decided to pick up If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo as my first book. Not just because it is the shortest book in my stack, but also because I was really drawn to the story the most this morning. I am currently on page 45 and am about to start the fifth chapter. Even though I am still at the beginning, I am already invested in the story.  I feel for the main character very much and am intrigued to find out what's going to happen next...

18:00 - After doing some work related things and taking care of some other not so interesting stuff, I am now going to get back to reading. I am currently in the middle of the book, precisely on page 150. And because the story is very fast-paced, I have high hopes for finishing the book tonight. I am also planning on listening to The Simple Wild by K. A. Tucker later in the night  before going to sleep. I am one of those people who can't concentrate on multiple things at once. So I can only listen to the audio book when I lie down and do nothing except picturing the story on my closed eyelids. But I really like doing it before going to sleep, for it makes me relaxed and calm...

Day Two

9:00 - Good morning, everyone! So yesterday I finished my first book of this readathon, If I Was Your Girl. It was really good, but not my absolute favourite. I liked the over all message of the book, but the characters didn't really make their way to my heart, if you know what I mean. But I am extremely glad I picked it up, for it was definitely something different and I enjoyed the diversity of it. I haven't started the audio book of The Simple Wild yet, even though I said I would. I was very tired in the end, and so I though it wouldn't be the best time to start the book. Especially because I really want to like it. So I think I'll listen to it in the early evening while colouring in my Eragon Colouring Book. That'll be fun. Anyway, it's started snowing in the morning, so it's going to be a perfect day to read in the comfort of my room. I am still indecisive about my next book. I am in the mood for Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, but since it is the longest book, I will probably save it for last and read The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon now...

Day Three

17:00 - That was, like, a hot minute since my last update, wasn't it? Sorry about that. I actually ended up reading nothing yesterday from any physical copy, for I was just in that kind of weird mood when I couldn't concentrate. But I've started listening to The Simple Wild last night, and I really like it so far. Today I've started The Sun Is Also a Star and also really love it. So I am hoping to finish one of these books by tomorrow. You can also follow me on instagram where I post the photo challenges of the readathon every day...

20:00 - You guys, I'm terrible. Instead of reading, I've started to watch a movie, called The Bookshop, an hour ago and now I can't stop before I finish it. I've never known about this movie until I saw a picture from it on the instagram earlier today. It is based off of a book by Penelope Fitzgerald, which I haven't read. But now I definitely have to. It's such a beautiful story and it reminds me of the time I was working in a bookshop in London. Can't believe three years have passed since then. But anyway, yes, the film is wonderful and I would highly recommend it to you if you haven't seen it yet. It is very inspiring in regards of reading. It made me want to read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury very badly. Thankfully I can, for I bought it last October. And I am really intrigued by the characters. The only funny thing is that they used newly published editions of classics as props in the bookshop, even though the story line is set in the earlier days. But I don't mind it that much. It's actually nice to see books I myself own in a movie. How thrilling! Okay, I am going to finish the movie and then I will continue reading The Sun Is Also a Star...

Day 4

This day was dedicated to work only and I didn't find time or energy to read. This happens more often to me than I would like, but that's life and it's okay. Better to have a break than force yourself into reading and gain nothing from it at all, I would think...

Day 5

18:00 - Again, I have had a very busy working day, but I am now ready to read. I am almost done with The Sun Is Also a Star and I love the book so much. Definitely my new favourite. I can't wait for the movie to come out. I am also planning on reading Everything, Everything soon. Have absolutely no idea why I have waited so long to do that...

22:00 - So I have finished The Sun Is Also a Star and my heart is swelled with all the feelings. It was such a beautiful story with amazing characters. It was funny, touching and oh, so clever. I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend. Right now, I am quite exhausted and am ready to go to bed. But I will be listening to The Simple Wild until I drift asleep...

Day 6

11:00 - It's such a beautiful day outside. I can't believe that it was snowing on Thuesday. It feels like spring today, which I am super excited for. Since we have only two days left, I decided to change my reading plans and read You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan instead of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. For it is quite long book, and I really want to like it so I don't want to rush my way through it. I am going to save it for some time later...

Day 7

12:00 - I am in a complete spring mode. The air is so fresh and filled with possibilities and my soul is happy. I just love this season treansition so much. And on the note of that, I was inspired to reorganize my contemporary shelf. I absolutely love how it looks now, so hopefully I will be inspired by that to pick up more contemporary books in the near future...

15:00 - So I have finished You Know Me Well and really enjoyed it. I just love David Levithan's writing a lot. His books are immensely funny and heartwarming. It was my first introduction to Nina LaCour's writing, though, and I really enjoyed her part as well. It was very sweet book about friendship and first loves that I would recommend to everyone who loves contemporary. I promise, you will devour it like cotton candy...

In conlusion... 
I've read three books during this readathon, which I am really happy about. I have also started one audiobook, which I am really enjoying so far. And I am excited for all the future contemporary books I am going to read, which was the point of me participating in the contemporaryathon in the first place. I am also glad that the challenges made me pick up the foremention books. If it weren't for the challenges, I would've pick out completely different ones and missed out on these amazing stories. So overall,this readathon was a huge succes for me and I really enjoyed the whole week dedicated to reading. Thank you all for experiencing with me...

Bookstagram Challenges:
Day One - Share your TBR for contemporaryathon
Day Two - Show us your favourite romantic contemporary
Day Three - Show us your favourite nonfiction contemporary
Day Four - Show us your blurple book
Day Five - Show us your favourite own-voices contemporary book written by a Black author
Day Six - Show us your favourite LGBTQIAP+ contemporary book
Day Seven - Share your favourite contemporary of all-time