National Readathon Day, Jan. 24!

National Readathon Day is only a day away! Now I know as a book blogger I do more than make time to read. Sometimes it feels like my whole live is planned around my reading time. I was very fortunate enough that my parents valued education, literacy and I had the privilege to regularly access books. As an adult I understand that not everyone has the same experience. 

NRD is sponsored by Penguin Random House and the National Book Foundation. The NBF's mission is to expand the audience for literature in America. They are probably most popular for hosting the National Book Awards.

What is National Readathon Day?

It's when we set aside 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. on January 24 to read. Much like doing walkathons, the goal is to raise money for the National Book Foundation to continue supporting literacy programs.

How can I help?

Donate. It's that simple, my goal is to raise $200 so every dollar helps! All donations are tax deductible and you're helping spread literacy in America. So win, win. 

Donate online now!

My Pledge

I will be pledging EIGHT hours, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on January 24 to make #timetoread. During this time I will start with reading Brown Girl Dreaming by National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson. After that I will continue onto my normal reading queue. Follow me on Twitter @becomingbooks for regular updates. 

Can't make a donation?

No problem! Take this opportunity to spread the word about the event, volunteer to read to youth, or cheer on other participants.  

Last but not least... Thanks you for being a reader. Thank you for stopping by Becoming Books, for supporting the book community, and your love for reading. 

[Event Recap] Marie Lu at Flyleaf Books

Okay... this is going up all kinds of late. Marie Lu came out to talk about her new release, Young Elites and her last trilogy, Legend.

She kept it short and sweet and really pumped me up to read Young Elites! Hints there are parallels between our new protag and Darth Vader which sounds soooo cool! The full audio is below although the audience questions may be hard to hear.

 Marie Lu at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC 

Author Event + Giveaway!!: Scott Westerfeld ft. Afterworlds

I stopped by Quail Ridge Books and Music after work on Wednesday to check out Scott Westerfeld and get a finished copy of Afterworlds. Sadly, I hadn't finished the book yet. Mostly because I'm a chicken and am afraid of ghosts. :p I'm loving the book though and now fear for the characters since Scott had a devious look when I made a comment. O_o

Don't forget to scroll to the bottom for the giveaway!

 

 

Scott was awesome and bought in a full house of people!!!! The chat was about an hour long and probably one of my favorite author chats! I recorded the chat for those who are interested. During the question/answer portion it might be a bit hard to hear the person asking the question. Sorry!



Scott also shared the following videos for Afterworlds including the books trailer and it's connection to the YA community.

 

I'm giving away a signed ARC of Afterworlds! 

Open to US only, check out the full policy here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[Event Recap] Jenny Han & Jenny Hubbard in Raleigh, NC

My first book signing as a blogger!

I was totally late thanks to work. :/ But that's okay because I got there just as Jenny Hubbard was getting ready to read, so really... it was perfect timing.

I didn't take many pictures/video because it was sooo quiet and I didn't want to be the crazy paparazzi lady in a local bookshop. However, I did capture a few sound bites for ya'll to listen to from the question and answer portion.

Coolest Things I Learned About Jenny Hubbard

• She worked at an all-male boarding school for 10 years and lived with the students for five years! 
• She didn't intend for Paper Covers Rock, her first novel, to be YA and didn't really know what that meant until after the fact. 

Coolest Things I Learned About Jenny Han

• She doesn't write a novel in sequential order. 
• In co-writing with Siobhan Vivian, they don't write from strictly one point-of-view, but they each write parts of every narrator versus alternation chapters, etc.

Bonus: Jenny Han was rocking some super cool nail art!

Both Jenny's are awesome and if you haven't be sure to check out their newest releases!

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard