Category: About Me

Discussion: Favorite Books to Read During the Holidays

Posted December 24, 2015 by Jana in About Me, Discussion / 4 Comments

 

It has been snowing up a storm over here in my neck of the woods, and now that I’m all ready for Christmas and Santa will be on his way soon tonight, I finally have time for some relaxing! I immediately knew I wanted to read Winter by Marissa Meyer. I have been so excited for this book, but with my Christmas event on the horizon I was busy reading Christmas books to post about this month! Now I’m done with those, so I finally have time! I always gravitate towards fantasy or dystopian books this time of year. My TBR for the rest of December and all of January is fantasy, actually. I don’t know what it is, but I think fantasy novels are so cozy! I love a book I can curl up on the couch with and spend my day all snuggly under a blanket while drinking hot chocolate. I’m planning to finish my very first Harry Potter read-through this winter as well! The first one was very magical and cozy, and I’m excited to continue.

Anyway, this all got me wondering what kinds of books you enjoy reading this time of year. What are you going to be reading tonight? Do you have a favorite genre or book that you read during the holidays? I’ve heard some people always read Pride and Prejudice or Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia. Then there are some friends of mine who love to read summery books to escape the cold weather. What’s your preference?

I Can’t Handle Scary Things!

Posted August 28, 2015 by Jana in About Me, Discussion / 21 Comments

I can’t read scary books at night because I’m a wimp! For example: Shadowlands by Kate Brian. I read this book over the summer, and it was SCARY. I chose to read it when I did because I was on a road trip with my mom and sister, and I knew I would be sleeping in the same hotel room, driving in the same car, and basically not being alone ever. I read all my mysteries on a cruise ship for the same reason. I’m never alone. I’m this way with a lot of books, hence the reason I pretty much never even touch the horror genre. I was a wimp reading Rebecca last October, and it wasn’t even that scary! Same with The Caged Graves! I’m a total baby. Once upon a time I watched a scary movie and slept with my bedroom door locked. To be extra safe, I made my boyfriend at the time sleep on the couch downstairs by the front door. I love scary, but I can’t do it!

October is coming soon. I love the idea of reading eerie, atmospheric, slightly creepy books during October because it’s getting cold and it’s fall and Halloween is coming. This is why I read Rebecca during this time last year. But I just. Can’t. Handle it! What do I do!? I just finished Daughter of Deep Silence last night and was scared to walk down my dark hall to go to the bathroom. So I didn’t. I just went to sleep buried under all my blankets. COME ON JANA. Suck it up!

What’s the scariest book you’ve ever read? And how do you HANDLE them? Teach me your ways! Not Being a Chicken 101 begins now.

Happy 4th of July!

Posted July 4, 2015 by Jana in About Me / 7 Comments

 

I love living where I do, and I love the beauty of the United States. I just got home from my second road trip of the summer on Thursday night, and combining my two trips I’ve pretty much driven across the entire country this summer. I’ve been all through the Rocky Mountains, the Nevada desert, farmland, the Appalachian Mountains, ocean roads, beautiful fields, and rolling hills this summer. I’ve driven along the banks of the Mississippi River after sailing down it on a cruise in May. The United States is beautiful, and has so many different landscapes and natural wonders. I really love living here.

I don’t do much on the 4th of July because I enjoy just staying home with my family and eating yummy food. We’re having a barbecue with hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, chips, and strawberry pie. And then we’ll probably lay around in our air conditioning and watch a fun movie or play games. My bad lungs keep me from setting off fireworks in the street, but I know lots will be going on around me, so I’ll keep an eye out.

If you celebrate, what are your plans for the 4th? What kinds of things do you like to do to celebrate? I hope you have a lovely day! 

So… I’m Barely Staying Afloat

Posted March 12, 2015 by Jana in About Me / 26 Comments

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, things have been a little sparse over here at That Artsy Reader Girl. It’s not for lack of trying, I assure you! I am unbelievably busy this semester, plus I’ve had some health issues so things are really stressful right now. Many of you probably remember my post with all the titles for my YA literature class this semester. I’m a really slow reader, so all my non-paper-writing time is spent frantically reading as fast as I can. I’m seriously drowning!

So, I’m making my official “things will be a little slow for a little while” announcement. The Debut Author Challenge is not changing at all. The link-ups, Debut Dish posts, and giveaways will go on as scheduled. You just might see fewer reviews, discussions, and Top Ten Tuesday posts until May when the semester ends. I’m all over Twitter, so come see me there if you’re just not getting enough Jana in your life. :)

Wish me luck!

2014 Reading Challenges – How Did I Do?

Posted December 31, 2014 by Jana in About Me / 3 Comments

I participated in several challenges this year, and thought I’d write up how I did before I jump in to 2015’s challenges! So, here we go!

2014 Reading Challenge

2014 Reading Challenge
Jana (That Artsy Reader Girl) has
read 24 books toward her goal of 60 books.
hide

☆ 2014 Debut Author Challenge (That Artsy Reader Girl)

The goal: To read twelve YA books by authors who published their first YA book between Jan. 1, 2014 and Jan. 31, 2015. Here is my TBR list of all 2014 debuts.

1. Captivate by Vanessa Garden
2. Nil by Lynne Matson
3. Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae
4. What is Hidden by Lauren Skidmore
5. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
6. Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper

☆ 2014 YA Contemporary Challenge (Katie’s Book Blog)

The goal: I want to read 10+ contemporary YA novels published between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014. Here is my TBR list of 2014 YA contemporaries.

1. A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall
2. Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
3. Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae
4. Just One Night by Gayle Forman
5. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
6. Don’t Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
7. The Body in the Woods by April Henry
8. Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn
9. The Body in the Woods by April Henry
10. Just Like the Movies by Kelly Fiore
11. Just One Night by Gayle Forman
12. My True Love Gave to Me by Various Authors

☆ 2014 Review Pile Challenge (Fiktshun and Phantamic Reads)

The goal: To review as many of my ARCs, galleys, and egalleys as I can this year! I’m shooting for Grand Master status, which is 31-40 books. This should not be hard! Here is my list of books received for review. As I review them, I will add them to the list below with a link to the review.

1. Cress by Marissa Meyer
2. Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
3. Uninvited by Sophie Jordan
4. Captivate by Vanessa Garden
5. Also Known As by Robin Benway
6. Infinite by Jodi Meadows
7. Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
8. Nil by Lynne Matson
9. The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
10. Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae
11. Carrier by Vanessa Garden
12. What is Hidden by Lauren Skidmore
13. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
14. Don’t Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
15. Taken With You by Shannon Stacey
16. Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
17. The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
18. The Body in the Woods by April Henry
19. The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die by April Henry
20. Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn
21. Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
22. Just Like the Movies by Kelly Fiore
23. Suddenly Last Summer by Sarah Morgan
24. Boomerang by Noelle August
25. Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper
26. Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
27. A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall
28. Forbidden by Kimberly Griffiths Little
29. Atlantia by Ally Condie
30. Every Time I Think of You by Tracey Garvis-Graves
31. Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Lyla Payne
32. The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak
33. Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan
34. My True Love Gave to Me by Various Authors

☆ 2014 Standalone Challenge (Dizneee’s World of Books and Iceybooks)

The goal: To read 15 standalone YA/MG novels released in 2014.

1. Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
2. Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
3. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
4. Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae
5. Carrier by Vanessa Garden
6. My True Love Gave to Me by Various Authors
7. Don’t Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
8. The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die by April Henry
9. Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
10. Just Like the Movies by Kelly Fiore
11. Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
12. Atlantia by Ally Condie
13. A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall
14. Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper

☆ 2014 Prequel & Sequel Challenge (Novel Heartbeat & Writer Grrl Reads)

The goal: To read as many prequels and sequels as I can. (1 point for each prequel or sequel novella, 2 points for each full-length sequel, 10 points for completing and reviewing a full series.)

1. The Prince (The Selection #.5) by Kiera Cass (1 point)
2. Into the Still Blue (Under the Never sky #3) by Veronica Rossi (12 points)
3. Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer (2 points)
4. Infinite (Newsoul #3) by Jodi Meadows (12 points)
5. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia #2) by C.S. Lewis (2 points)
6. What I Did for a Duke (Pennyroyal Green #5) by Julie Anne Long (2 points)
7. Just One Night (Just One Day #2.5) by Gayle Forman (1 point)
8. Suddenly Last Summer (O’Neil Brothers #2) by Sarah Morgan (2 points)
9. Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo (12 points)
10. Maybe this Christmas (O’Neil Brothers #3) by Sarah Morgan (12 points)
11. Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2) (2 points)

I think I did pretty good! I only finished half of the DAC, which is a bit embarrassing since I hosted it for the second half of the year… but 201 will be so much better! I completed the Review Pile Challenge, which I am super excited about because my review pile is huge. I finished the Stadalone Challenge, and did great with the prequels and sequels! All in all, it was a good year! And I blew my Goodreads reading goal out of the water, which I am the most proud of! How did you do this year?