So the first two days of Bout of Books have been fairly successful (I usually read around a 100 pages a day), but they could definitely have been more successful, if there had not been plenty of small distractions. I've been taking painkillers, which have made me feel woozy and prone to random napping. There is ice hockey world championships on, and I can't ignore those, because it's like a national sports in Finland, and I live with a Finn. Then there's the computer game, which we needed to finish.
Also, in regards to my books I picked for the readathon - I finished Hyperion (5/5) already last weekend, just couldn't resist, which means I got one book done even before the start of the event. And I can't start my Classics Spin book As I Lay Dying because I didn't own a copy and have only just ordered it. I will finish Half of a Yellow Sun today (about 60 pages to go) and then I will be picking up Red Seas Under Red Skies - ohboyohboy, can't wait.
The books I read on Monday and Tuesday: Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Pages read: 92 + 115 = 207
Books finished: 0
About the book: I'm almost done with Half of a Yellow Sun and although I am enjoying it a great deal, especially towards the end it is getting very political, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but can come out a bit dry. However, I am enjoying learning about the civil war in Nigeria, I had no idea there was a small country called Biafra that attempted to exist for a small time. Some of the characters are absolutely fascinating. I think I definitely need to read more about Africa.
100 pages a day is excellent progress! I'm on multiple painkillers this week too, at least until I've seen the dentist tomorrow (something horrible involving a lone gum inflammation that LOOKS like nothing but actually keeps bleeding everywhere and hurting all the time and giving me headaches) but fortunately only one of the varieties makes me sleepy. I really want to crack on and get a better page count today!
ReplyDeleteAnd ohhhh, look at you with your oranges, being all healthy. I suck at that. I had an apple this morning, so I now feel totally justified diving headfirst into this large bag of Cadbury Misshapes that I bought from their factory shop on Sunday. :P
I really hope dentist will help, Ellie! I can read when aching or on painkillers, but I keep constantly thinking how much better it would be to read if I didn't have any pains :p It's definitely not as nice of an experience.
DeleteIf you eat only one fruit a day you are probably healthier than me because fruits are like my drug and I eat way too much of them. Too much fructose is no good :) Also I ate candy yesterday so there goes that.... :D
Off to a great start! Bout of Books is making me very aware of just how slow I read. I know it's not a race and we only "compete" against ourselves, but it's still rather eye-opening. Half of a Yellow Sun is one I definitely want to read at some point, but will probably do Americanah first since I have a copy. Good luck with the rest of the week & have fun :)
ReplyDeleteHalf of a Yellow Sun is definitely a great book, but also very rough read, and it might have been a bit too political for my taste especially towards the end. But it was so interesting to learn about this period in history in Nigeria. I had wikipedia page open at the same time, which also helped a lot in understanding the historical facts. People who have read both Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah have made me believe that Americanah might be even... how to say... more of a whole? book. Her writing is beautiful and I definitely want to try Americanah as well.
DeleteYay! Great job!=) I saw you've finished HOAYS today. So it's even better.=)
ReplyDeleteHope you'll read 2 times more on Day 3.
Thanks, Anna :) I did read lots more yesterday - fantasy is definitely a good choice for a readathon! :)
DeleteYay, Adichie! I had no idea about Biafra before reading HOAYS either.....
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope you are feeling better :)
Thanks Sam! I'm so happy I decided to read Adichie and will definitely read her other works as well :)
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