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Moody May Readathon
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Kadi, Creator
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Apr 03, 2021 12:46PM
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The first themed readathon of its kind on the group!
How It Works:
- You can recommend a book(s) for our book lists (read more about that below) OR you can just take part.
- There's no need to sign up to take part, just join in the conversation below.
- This readathon starts in May 2021 (countdown below).
- Create a Goodreads shelf for the Moody May Readathon so you can keep track of what you’ve read for it if you want!
- There will be 2 separate book lists: 1 for happy & 1 for sad.
- Recommendations for our book lists close on 20th April.
- I will feed the books from our book lists into 2 separate random pickers (1 for each mood).
- Using the links below (not yet added), access the random pickers, spin the wheels, and it’ll randomly pick a book from each of our lists for you to read.
- Read the book(s) and let us know your thoughts on it/them are below!
- Then spin the wheels of the random pickers again and it’ll choose another 2 books for you.
- Try to read what the random picker picks for you but if you don’t have access to that book yet or if it chooses a book you’ve already read for the readathon or that you've already read before or that you don't want to read/have DNF'ed/aren't interested in then spin it again and it’ll choose something different.
- Alternatively, you can just ignore the random pickers and read anything on the list that you like, but the random pickers make it more fun and spontaneous!
OUR 2 MOODS:
1. Happy.
- Think of books that made you happy when you read them.
- Can be funny, care-free, adventurous, exciting, romantic etc.
2. Sad.
- Think of books that made you sad when you read them.
- Can be heartbreaking, fearful, guilt-inducing, etc.
IF YOU WANT TO RECOMMEND A BOOK FOR THE BOOK LISTS:
The Rules on Recommending:
- Please make sure you're picking books that fit the moods!
- Preferably only recommend 1 book for each of the moods but if you can't choose then recommend 3 and I will randomly pick 1 from the 3 to add to the list.
- You can also recommend for just 1 of the moods, it doesn't have to be both.
- The book(s) you recommend can be MG, YA, Adult or New Adult and can be any genre but please make sure the book is appropriate.
- The book can be a graphic novel.
- The book must be in English or translated to English.
- The book must be more than 100 pages long.
- I would really love it if you could leave a comment here or on the respective polls explaining why the book(s) you recommended makes you happy or sad (without spoilers of course). You don't have to do this but it'd be nice!
RECOMMEND YOUR BOOK(S) FOR THE LISTS HERE:
HAPPY: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...
SAD: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...
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HAPPY random picker: https://www.classtools.net/random-nam...
SAD random picker: https://www.classtools.net/random-nam...
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Running Girl by Simon Mason - Kadi
It may seem odd to be happy about a murder but I love a good mystery and the protagonist is strangely an endearing genius. I love how it all ties together beautifully at the end!
Trouble Is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly - Lynn
The character of Philip Digby is just so quirky and the trouble that he gets Zoe into is laugh out loud hilarious. The beginning of the story puts the reader right into a crazy situation and the last few chapters are filled with twists and turns. This is one of my all time favorite books.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine - Alexis
So much better than the movie and still fun to read as an adult.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert - Marie
It can be kind of sad in parts, but overall, it is a book full of hope and healing and just gave me all the warm and fuzzy feelings.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - Robin
This book makes me happy because I love all the adventure in this one. Also, the characters are all amazing. I also want to reread this soon, so it would be a good one to recommend, so I can read it with you guys.
Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch - Ilsen
Super fun travel story and the romance is so swoon worthy
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Liam & Helen
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune - Dee Dee
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - Chapter Chat
Scrambled Eggs Super! By Dr Seuss - Sophie Crane
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser - Amy Steiner
Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn - Cheese
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling - Jessica
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers - Deaflower
Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson - Tiffany
Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories by Stephanie Perkins - Brandee
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After the Fire by Will Hill - Kadi
When I spoke to Will Hill whilst he was writing this book he said that he thought this was the best thing he’d ever written, and he’s not wrong. This is a complex and completely believable story of tragedy and religion. It hurts even more knowing it was based on a true event that ended terribly.
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan - Ilsen
It’s a book that explores grief and depression (TW: Suicide) in such a healthy way and it’s also a book about family! Highly recommend it!
Making Faces by Amy Harmon - Lynn
The synopsis labels this book as a modern day retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but it is so much more than that. There is so much loss in this story, but also an acceptance of who you are and putting emphasis on strengths vs weaknesses. This is one of the better books I've read lately and it is definitely a tearjerker.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - Robin
Just a heartbreaking story.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes - Marie
It really makes you reflect on how those with mental handicaps are treated. I cried... a lot.
Blue by Joyce Moyer Hostetter - Virginia
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys - Annie
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams - Dee Dee
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair by Amy Makechnie - Anita
My Sister Jodie by Jacqueline Wilson - Sophie Crane
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - Audrey
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter - Amy Steiner
Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman - Cheese
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab - Katerina
Pax by Sara Pennypacker - Jen
Kadi, This sounds like so much fun. I can't wait to see the list of books to choose from.
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The links for the random pickers are above too but I'll repost them here:
HAPPY random picker: https://www.classtools.net/random-nam...
SAD random picker: https://www.classtools.net/random-nam...
For the recommendation lists I've put the recommender's name in italics and some people gave some thoughts on the book/why they'd recommended it so I included that below each recommendation where applicable.
I can't wait to go through the list and pick out some things to read!
Is anyone going to randomly pick their choices now or are they gonna wait till May? I don’t know. I might do it now so I can prepare what to read upcoming in May
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If you want to randomly pick some now that’d be cool. It always helps to know in advance what you’re planning to read. Definitely hype you up about them😂
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On the random picker, I spun Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories by Stephanie Perkins. I put a hold on it at my local library and will start reading it when it comes in.
I got The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue from the sad list and I was hoping to get to this one as it was a recent purchase!
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My rating on the sad-o-meter: 8.5 out of 10 aka pretty frikking sad, I did indeed cry.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm going to be rating/reviewing as many of the books from both the sad and happy list this way.
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At first I just wanted to read the shortest one which is Ella Enchanted but then I read the synopsis of Trouble Is a Friend of Mine and I realised the quirky characters speak a lot more to me and I love witty dialogue so I'm going to start it tonight.
Also guys, anyone else reading a book for this readathon? You know its dead when I'm the one doing the most reading😂 (because I'm always the one who does the least reading for events)
Oh no I’m definitely reading for this readathon! I’m halfway through Invisible Life of Addie LaRue for my sad pick but since I’m at the beach with my mom, I decided to pick up my happy pick which is Summer Days and Summer Nights! So I’m technically doing both!
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Kadi wrote: "I've been feeling kind of down lately due to my impending doom aka exams so I've decided to read a book on the happy list to try and elevate my mood.At first I just wanted to read the shortest on..."
Sorry. I'm kind of in the middle of some May reads for group reads I'm doing. I didn't really want to read sad right now and the happy books on the list just didn't click enough with me to prioritize them. Maybe a longer list next time with more to choose from? 🤔
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Rating on the happy-o-meter: 13 out of 10 I was smiling and laughing so much my face got tired from it
Man oh man I loved this book so much!!!
Check out my review here if you're interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I definitely recommend this book if you like fast-paced action, quirky humour, mystery, hints of romance and just really epic books😂👌🏻
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Hi, everyone. I'm joining this readathon a bit late, but the first book I'm going to be reading is from the happy list. It is Howl’s Moving Castle.
Finished The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue yesterday and it was incredible!! I teared up a little at the end but check out my mini review! I absolutely loved it and it’s one of my favorites of this year!
Well, instead of
, I'm reading
because it was available at my library. I'll try to get the other one later. Eve and Jacob are both very cute characters and I'm enjoying reading about them.
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@Elizabeth it's never too late to join in! To be honest I might continue using these lists even after this event is over because I love the diverse choices. And I can't wait to see what you think of Howl's Moving Castle! Have you watched the movie? I haven't read or watched it but I'd like to do either or possibly even both😂
@Ilsen wow so it really was as good as everyone says it is! I've been seeing more and more bookstagram reels and that book is one everyone lists as a book that is amazing or a book that'll make you cry. I've felt no inclination to read it but I feel like perhaps I should check it out just to see what all the fuss is about...
I think it’s a very nuanced story with a lot of different layers to it. It made me think a lot about life and the people around me. You definitely need to be in the right mindset to read it which is why I took so long XD It’s a book you savor slowly rather than binge reading.
Kadi wrote: "@Lynn were you still able to understand the story even though it wasn't the first book in the series?@Elizabeth it's never too late to join in! To be honest I might continue using these lists eve..."
doesn't require reading the others in the series first to understand it. Here is a link to my review if you are interested. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kadi wrote: "@Lynn were you still able to understand the story even though it wasn't the first book in the series?@Elizabeth it's never too late to join in! To be honest I might continue using these lists eve..."
I've never watched the movie, but I'm excited to after I finish the book.
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@Ilsen I think that's probably why I don't really have an interest in reading it. It's been a really long time since I last read a book like that that really makes you think about life because I honestly prefer the thrill and joy of reading fast paced adventures or mysteries. I mean I've added it to the TBR so maybe I'll read it but probably not any time soon!
@Elizabeth It'll be cool to see how they differ! If you want to share your thoughts on the movie here too after you watch it I'd love to see that!
Kadi wrote: "@Lynn oh that's good then! Seems like you didn't super like it though. I guess that's always the danger with these cutesy romances.@Ilsen I think that's probably why I don't really have an intere..."
I think maybe I'm getting a little tired of cutesy romances. I have so many on hold at the library that I just keep reading one after another as they come in. I've started deleting some of my holds to give myself a break.
I'm in the middle of Addie LaRue but I don't think it will get more than 3 stars from me.
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@Audrey Is it too slow or deep for your liking? Let us know your thoughts at the end too, maybe it'll have changed... or gotten worse!
Kadi wrote: "@Lynn yeah I always have to find a balance like for the past few months I hadn't read any romance books so it was really refreshing to read your recs that had romance in them. If you overdo one gen..."In the past, I've had the same problem reading too much romantic suspense, but right now, I'm kind of craving it.
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Kadi wrote: "@Lynn have you read Legend? The romance in there was great. Just Listen was great as well. The first is YA dystopia and the second is YA contemporary. I'm stumped on giv..."Yes, I really liked
and
, but I had lots of trouble with
. I haven't read anything by Sarah Dessen.
Kadi wrote: "@Lynn have you read Legend? The romance in there was great. Just Listen was great as well. The first is YA dystopia and the second is YA contemporary. I'm stumped on giv..."I picked up
and just started reading it. I'm hoping I will like it.
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That book has such a beautiful cover wow😍 I look forward to hearing what you think of it! I'm quite intrigued and I saw the inclusion of some time elements and mystery in the synopsis which I always love but I'm a little sceptical because it's also fantasy.
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Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus recommended by Jessica
Rating on the happy-o-meter: 5 out of 10, I mean it wasn't bad but it didn't really make me happy.
Here's my review if anyone wants to check it out: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Next I'll be reading: The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair recommended by Anita
Kadi wrote: "@Lynn Sarah Dessen writes some sweet YA contemporary romances. I've read quite a few: Just Listen, The Truth About Forever, Lock and Key & [book:Saint Anyth..."I remember that I had two of her books in my classroom library that I never read - I think one was Just Listen. I'm starting to think my classroom library was better than even I thought it was. Too bad I didn't realize it at the time. I'm wishing I'd brought home more of them. I can only hope that students are enjoying them now.
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My school library had a really great collection of books but the school administration didn't care about the library, only on how they could capitalise it to make it look nicer for parents or optimise space for classes to be held in the library. It really irked me because I remember at the start of my many years at the school the library was a quiet, special place and by the end of my years at the school it was a glorified hang out area occupied by people of which only 5% actually were readers.
My classroom library was huge. I would put out about 200-300 books at a time to be checked out, and I would box those up and put out another group of books at the beginning of the second, third, and the fourth nine weeks to match whatever genres we were focusing on in class that grading period. My greatest joy in teaching was helping students find something they would truly like to read.Our school library was also very good. Our media specialist did an amazing job of keeping it well stocked and current. I can't say that a large number of students in our school were readers, but I always believed that the things that we did to encourage reading in our school created more interest in reading than if we hadn't tried.
@Lynn Your classroom library sounds amazing!!
I have finished Howl's Moving Castle. It was amazing! I haven't watched the movie yet. I feel as though the movie is going to be very different, but I have heard many great things about it. I will probably watch the movie in a couple days.
Elizabeth wrote: "@Lynn Your classroom library sounds amazing!!"It was. I miss it.
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@Lynn wow 200-300 books?!? That's insane! And you changed them too. No wonder so many of the books I've mentioned you've said you had them in your classroom library! I would've loved to have been in your class just to share your love for reading.
Don't get me wrong, loved my English teacher. She taught me for 5 years and she was one of those tough love teachers and there was a lot of mutual respect and admiration. But we never shared a love for reading. Of course, we both loved to read but she preferred classics and adult books whereas I stuck with mg and ya so we never bonded talking about books which is something I really would've loved to do. My friend says she swaps books with her teacher and they discuss them (usually mg and ya books) and I'm kinda jealous of that cool experience.
So I imagine your students who loved to read really loved your classroom library Lynn!
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Rating on the sad-o-meter: 6.8 out of 10. The ending was mostly super sad and I cried (view spoiler).
Here's my review if you're interested in it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And that wraps up my Moody May Readathon experience!!
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I really really loved this readathon. There were some fantastic recommendations on our book lists for both the happy and sad ones. I'm super glad I participated. I feel like we should do this again in the future!
If you took part it'd be cool if you wanted to list the books you read below and how happy/sad you made them!
I'll go first:
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Happy books:
Trouble Is a Friend of Mine: 5 stars, review
Rating on the happy-o-meter: 13 out of 10
(recommended by Lynn)
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus: 3.5 stars, review
Rating on the happy-o-meter: 5 out of 10
(recommended by Jessica)
Sad books:
Making Faces: 5 stars, review
Rating on the sad-o-meter: 8.5 out of 10
(recommended by Lynn)
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair: 3.7 stars, review
Rating on the sad-o-meter: 6.8 out of 10
(recommended by Anita)
Middle Grade Madness!
Books mentioned in this topic
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair (other topics)Trouble Is a Friend of Mine (other topics)
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (other topics)
Making Faces (other topics)
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair (other topics)
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