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The Fangirl Initiative Summer Reading Mission

The Fangirl Initiative Summer Reading Mission

I don’t participate in readathons. I don’t know that I ever have. Usually by the time I find out about one everyone’s already halfway through it or I don’t have the time. This morning I woke up to find out that my friends over at The Fangirl Initiative decided to start up a summer readathon that’s bound to get people out of both their comfort zones as well as clear out some of their to be read piles.

Two things I could use considering I’ve probably been stuck in the longest reading slump I’ve ever had.

So despite all logic telling me not to participate because I suck at this kind of stuff, I’m going to try to do it. The rules are simple: There are fifteen prompts, but you only have to read ten of them. Only completed books count. The rest of summer is your time limit (I think).

So feel free to join me in this “mission,” or at least offer me your support and recommendations because I’m nowhere near having a complete list to work on.

The Reading List

Read a book. . .

1.) Written by an author with your first name (or first or last initial).

I honestly had to think about this for a few minutes before I remembered that one of my favorite books of 2013 was written by a woman named Kelsey Sutton (for those of you who missed my review, Some Quiet Place was the BOMB) and I never got around to reading her 2014 release, Where Silence Gathers.

ab085-wheresilencegathers

In this companion novel to the critically acclaimed Some Quiet Place, Alex must choose between Revenge and Forgiveness.

For as long as she can remember, Alexandra Tate has been able to see personified Emotions, and she’s found a best friend in Revenge. He’s her constant companion as she waits outside Nate Foster’s house, clutching a gun. Every night since Nate’s release from prison, Alex has tried to work up the courage to exact her own justice on him for the drunk driving accident that killed her family.

But there’s one problem: Forgiveness. When he appears, Alex is faced with a choice—moving on or getting even. It’s impossible to decide with Forgiveness whispering in one ear . . . and Revenge whispering in the other.

2.) With a color in the title.

Almost everything I thought of here was something I had already read, but then I remembered a book my friend recommended me awhile back. That Ruta Sepetys book with the pretty cover, Between Shades of Grey (not to be confused with 50 Shades of Grey).

between shades of grey

Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they’ve known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin’s orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously–and at great risk–documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father’s prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives. Between Shades of Gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart

3.) That’s been sitting on your shelf for more than a year.

Or basically anything on my shelf that I have not yet read. I haven’t decided which this is going to be yet, so I guess I’ll just wing it.

4.) That is historical fiction.

THE BOOK THIEF. I’ve been wanting to sit down and read this for AGES. I started it last year, but I never had the chance to finish it because I was so busy. It’s high time I restart this beauty and finish it.

the book thief marcus zusak

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

5.) You picked for the cover.

*flails around excitedly* There are SO many books. But I’ve been trying to talk myself into reading Far From You by Tess Sharpe for ages. Kind of one of those books that had a beautiful cover and sounded so exciting that I’ve been scared to touch it, but I should just get around to reading it already.

far from you

Nine months. Two weeks. Six days.

That’s how long recovering addict Sophie’s been drug-free. Four months ago her best friend, Mina, died in what everyone believes was a drug deal gone wrong – a deal they think Sophie set up. Only Sophie knows the truth. She and Mina shared a secret, but there was no drug deal. Mina was deliberately murdered.

Forced into rehab for an addiction she’d already beaten, Sophie’s finally out and on the trail of the killer—but can she track them down before they come for her?

6.) That’s first in a series.

So, I got a Christmas gift not this past Christmas but the Christmas BEFORE last Christmas that I have yet to read. Dear fellow-book-aficionado cousin, I never got around to picking up Legend by Marie Lu. I intended to. Many times. But for some reason I never ended up reading it. So why not now? Now is a good time.

legend marie lu

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

7.) Involving time travel.

This is such a fascinating topic. I’ve really been interested in this lately since I’ve gotten really into playing Square Enix’s Life Is Strange (which, if you’re into video games is REALLY awesome). However, I can’t for the life of me come up with any. If you have any recommendations, let me know in the comments!

8.) Featuring a love triangle.

This is like. . . Every book. I’m willing to take recommendations, or else I’ll just pick up Twilight. I haven’t read that yet. Or maybe one of those other books I quit years ago. . .

9.) Set in the future.

Oh boy, now this one is easy. I actually have an ARC that needs to be read before my classes start back that’s set in the future. Any guesses?

earth flight janet edwards

(for those of you who don’t know, this is book 3 of the Earth Girl series published by Pyr. If you don’t want spoilers, you probably shouldn’t read this blurb)

Jarra never wanted to be a celebrity. All she ever wanted was to gain some respect for the people left on Earth: the unlucky few whose immune system prevents them from portaling to other planets.

Except now she’s the most famous Earth girl in the universe – but not everyone in the universe is happy about it, nor the fact that she has found love with a norm. Jarra’s actions have repercussions that spread further than she ever could have imagined, and political unrest threatens to tear apart the delicate balance of peace between humanity’s worlds.

On top of everything, the first alien artifact ever discovered appears to be waiting for Jarra to reveal its secrets. But to do so, she must somehow find a way to leave Earth – or else the alien artifact will be lost forever. Is there a way for Jarra to travel to another planet? Or is her destiny only to look to the stars – but never to reach them?

10.) With more than 400 pages.

This makes me shudder a bit for mere length, but at over 500 pages, I’m going to have to pick up Gone by Michael Grant. This is another start to a series that has been sitting on my shelf for over a year. Once again a really old Christmas gift I never got around to reading. . .

gone michael grant

In the blink of an eye, everyone disappears. Gone. Except for the young.

There are teens, but not one single adult. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what’s happened.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. It’s a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else…

11.) Narrated by a guy.

Well here’s my excuse to pick up The Scorch Trials (which I only didn’t pick up immediately after The Maze Runner because A.) I didn’t own it and B.) it was checked out of the library).

the scorch trials james dashner

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end.

Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn’t done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch.

There are no rules. There is no help. You either make it or you die.

The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch—the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off.

There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers’ destruction—and they’re determined to survive.

12.) Retelling a fairytale.

CRESS. I GET TO READ CRESS.

Cress

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who’s only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

13.) That is a classic.

Help. I do not know what to read here. Too many to choose from. Unless I finally get around to reading Little Lord Fauntleroy or something. . .

14.) Outside of your usual favorite genres.

Easy. Romance genre. It makes me so uncomfortable usually. I think To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before looked rather tame, though. I picked it up for a friend this past Christmas and I peeked at the first page or two. It looked like it might be worth my time.

to all the boys i've loved before

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

15.) Recommended by a friend or fellow fangirl.

And this is where you all get to come into play. . .

What book do you want me to read in this readathon? Let me know in the comments below!

10 Comments


  1. // Reply

    I love this! I’m so happy you’re participating!

    For the classic, have you read The Great Gatsby or To Kill a Mockingbird? Those are two of my favorites.

    For the “recommended by a fangirl” category, hmm. I feel like you’ve read most of what I have. Maybe Black by Ted Dekker? If you don’t mind thrillers, that one’s AWESOME.


    1. // Reply

      OH. I have read To Kill a Mockingbird, but I completely forgot about The Great Gatsby! I wanted to read that ages ago and forgot!

      And, no, I haven’t read Black yet. I’ve heard it’s really good, though! I enjoy a good thriller from time to time.


  2. // Reply

    I love this! I’m so happy you’re participating!

    For the classic, have you read The Great Gatsby or To Kill a Mockingbird? Those are two of my favorites.

    For the “recommended by a fangirl” category, hmm. I feel like you’ve read most of what I have. Maybe Black by Ted Dekker? If you don’t mind thrillers, that one’s AWESOME.


    1. // Reply

      OH. I have read To Kill a Mockingbird, but I completely forgot about The Great Gatsby! I wanted to read that ages ago and forgot!

      And, no, I haven’t read Black yet. I’ve heard it’s really good, though! I enjoy a good thriller from time to time.




  3. // Reply

    CRESS, GAHHH (it is amazing, best in the series yet, hope you enjoy!) and I have a recommendation for love traingles, personally I’m not a fan of them but the complexities it creates in the Throne of Glass series by S.J Maas is really interesting (not to mention the amazing world building and writing and FEELS and EVERYTHING ABOUT IT) *coughs awkwardly* her series is really awesome. Also (in my opinion) far more worth your time than twilight although I admit I’m pretty anti-twilight for various reasons after having read the whole series. This looks like a really great challenge Kelsey, hope you get lots of books ticked off your tbr list 😉


  4. // Reply

    CRESS, GAHHH (it is amazing, best in the series yet, hope you enjoy!) and I have a recommendation for love traingles, personally I’m not a fan of them but the complexities it creates in the Throne of Glass series by S.J Maas is really interesting (not to mention the amazing world building and writing and FEELS and EVERYTHING ABOUT IT) *coughs awkwardly* her series is really awesome. Also (in my opinion) far more worth your time than twilight although I admit I’m pretty anti-twilight for various reasons after having read the whole series. This looks like a really great challenge Kelsey, hope you get lots of books ticked off your tbr list 😉


  5. // Reply

    This sounds like SUCH a good challenge!! I nearly want to join in except I’m already doing a challenge with my book club, hehe. BUT STILL. I love the questions…ahhh, I hope you enjoy Gone. that’s one of my total favourites. And, *whispers* I did read Twilight just specifically to know what everyone was whining about but it totally doesn’t have a triangle in the first book. :O I WAS SURPRISED. I’m guessing it comes in later? I probably should read on but I haven’t felt particularly motivated to. >_>


  6. // Reply

    This sounds like SUCH a good challenge!! I nearly want to join in except I’m already doing a challenge with my book club, hehe. BUT STILL. I love the questions…ahhh, I hope you enjoy Gone. that’s one of my total favourites. And, *whispers* I did read Twilight just specifically to know what everyone was whining about but it totally doesn’t have a triangle in the first book. :O I WAS SURPRISED. I’m guessing it comes in later? I probably should read on but I haven’t felt particularly motivated to. >_>

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