O.W.Ls - Magical Readathon Wrap-Up

Hello friends. I was completely late to the party with the #magiacalreadathn hosted by BookRoast. If you don't know what I am talking about check out this YouTube video explaining the event that was hosted in April 2018. I didn't hear about it until the middle of June and decided I would participate in order to take my N.E.W.T.S. in August with everyone else. 

That being said, I was able to sit and finish 11 of the 12 classes for the O.W.L.S. Here is my wrap-up:

Ancient Runes - A book with a symbol on the cover
     Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
Arithmacy - Read a book with a number on the cover or in the title
     I've Got Your Number - Sophie Kinsella
Astronomy - Read a science fiction book
     Thunder Head - Neal Shusterman
Care of Magical Creatures - A book that includes magical creatures
     The Keeper - David Baldacci
Charms- Read a fantasy book
     Accidental Thief - C.J. Davis
Defense Against the Dark Arts - Read a book about a club or secret society
     Beauty Queens - Libba Bray
Divination - Read a book featuring a prophecy
     Salt & Storm - Kendall Kulper
Herbology - Read a book with a nature related word in the title
     Storm - Gupreet Kaur Sidhu
History of Magic - Read a historical fiction
     Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick
Muggle Studies - Read a non-fiction book
     The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo
Potions - Read a book with/about alchemy
     Accidental Warrior (DNF as of end of July)
Transfiguration - Read a book with transfiguration/shape-shifting or a book with a cat on the cover
     Upside-Down Magic - Sarah Mylnowski

Grading Scale:
O (outstanding) = sit and read at least 5 OWLs
E (exceeds expectations) - sit and read at least 3 OWLs
A (acceptable) - sit and read at least 2 OWLs
P (poor) - sit and read 1 OWL
D (dreadful) - sit but not finish any OWLs
T (troll) - didn't show

Did you participate and are you participating in the next Magical Readathon? I can't wait to show you my TBR for my N.E.W.T.S. I'll share that closer to the beginning of August!

Adventure On, 
Amanda

#reversereadathon July 2018 Recap

Hello friends. I attempted to participate in the new readathon hosted by Dewey's Read-a-thon. I was excited to partake, but didn't have very much time to participate. I spent most of Saturday at an event out of town. However, I was still able to do some reading and some listening during the readathon that was held from 7 p.m. CT Friday to 7 p.m. CT Saturday. Here's my #reversereadathon wrap up: 

Total time: 6.5 hours
Total pages: 377
Total # books: Final Draft (3/5) and Kiss the Bride (4/5)

I had so much fun on twitter with the group of readers. I am excited to reignite my twitter account! Add me :)

Adventure On, 
Amanda

Review: The Woman in the Window

Title: The Woman in the Window
Author: A.J. Finn
Series: Stand Alone
Published: 02/02/2018
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Format: Audiobook
Length: 13 hrs 43 min (449 pages)
Rating: 5/5 stars (GR 4.01)

"Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life."

Overview

Anna Fox, a child psychologist, has lived an intense past few months. She experiences an accident and is unable to leave her home do to her agoraphobia (An anxiety disorder characterized by fear of certain places and situations that the person believes is difficult to escape from such as open spaces and public transport.) Her husband and child left, although she still speaks with them, she spends her days drinking wine and watching here neighbors through her camera or watching black and white films. She has a super attractive tenant living thin the basement and new neighbors that are moving in. One day she witnesses a crime and struggles to get people to believe her, including the police.

TW: agoraphobia, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, murder, death, grief

First Thoughts

Loved! Totally not what I was expecting.

Review

I loved this book. I was so engaged and couldn't stop until I knew what was going to happen. Are the neighbors really all they appear to be? The story kept me wondering most of the time.

Characters

Anna Fox is a child psychologist with demons of her own. At almost 40, she spends her days drinking and peeping on others. She is a complete hot mess for a lack of better terms. Is she who she thinks she is? Will she help herself while trying to help everyone else?

Ethan, the super cute neighbor boy, is so sweet and loving. He visits Anna soon after his family moved in next door and continues to try to build a relationship with her.

Moral of the Story/Take Away

My biggest takeaway from this book was taking care of yourself before you take care of others. Believe in yourself, even when others don't. And always remember, live your life before it's too late.


Adventure On,
Amanda