Stay Home Reading Rush Reading Tag + TBR

I’m so excited to be participating in the Stay Home Reading Rush this week, from April 16-19, 2020. This readathon is a shorter version of the annual Reading Rush in the summer and in response to the need to stay home during this time.

Thursday through Sunday, I’ll be reading along with the readathon prompts, participating in the Instagram challenges and have my reading tag below! Without further ado, let’s get into the reading tag.

How is your reading going while staying home?

My reading is going quite well! I’ve been doing about the same amount of reading, but I’m also really enjoying the books I’ve read so far. During this time, I think it’s important to remember that you don’t have to force yourself to read, and it’s okay if it’s difficult to concentrate on reading. After all, there’s a lot going on in the world. Just read when and what you want to read!

Where have you been reading at home?

Everywhere in my house basically. The weather has been quite nice where I am in the world, so I’ve enjoyed sitting outside reading. I’ve also continued to enjoy my classic reading spots: couch, reading chair, bed and bathtub.

Best book you’ve read during isolation?

Hm, this is a tough one. I think I want to say Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett. I’ve read a ton of good books, so it’s difficult to choose. But overall, Starry Eyes was a huge surprise for me, and I loved it so much. The story takes place in California where a group of teenagers are going on a camping trip. Our two main characters end up separated from their group and some forced backpacking ensues.

What is your ultimate feel good book?

Contemporary books are definitely my feel good books. Specifically any young adult contemporary that takes place in summer. That is the epitome of feel good for me. If I had to choose just one book, I’d probably say Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen. Really any Sarah Dessen but that one just happens to be my favorite. Her books are just so lovely and easy to read, but they also talk about important things and always have wonderful families, friends and of course.. love interests!

What is one book you wish you could buy or borrow from the library?

I have to admit: I’ve been online book shopping. So, I’ve gotten many of the books I’ve wanted recently – both from Barnes and Noble and my local independent bookstore! If I had to choose one book that I haven’t bought yet, though, it’d probably be A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir. I’d been putting off buying the third installment in the Ember in the Ashes series because I was waiting on the paperback. However, I found out it doesn’t come out until this fall, yet the fourth installment comes out this summer. So, it appears I will be purchasing the hardcover of the third book after all!

Pick an author to shout out!

There are so many authors I could shout out, but I think I’ll have to shout out Courtney Lix, who wrote a book I finished last month – No Place for the Weary Kind: Women of the Smokies. I really enjoyed this collection of biographies set close to home, and I’m so glad I read it for Women’s History Month!

What is on your Reading Rush TBR?

My list may change for this readathon, but right now here are my tentative plans for the reading prompts. I’m a mood reader, so we’ll see if I stick to this list.

Read a book with a house on the cover

For this prompt, I’m going with Dispatches from Pluto by Richard Grant. This is a nonfiction book about a writer who moves from New York City to the Mississippi Delta. Being from the South, having family from West Tennessee (who recommended this book!) and a future trip down the Blues Trail planned, I’m excited to read more about Grant’s experience with everyday life, poverty, blues and race in the Delta.

Read a book in the same room the whole time

For this prompt, I’m choosing Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. I’ll admit I partly chose this book because it is rather short, so it should be easy to read it all in the same place. However, I’ve also just heard really great things about this title. I don’t know much about it, just that Lydia, the favorite daughter in her family, is found dead in the lake, which leads to family turmoil and mystery.

Read a book set somewhere you wish you could go

For this prompt, I’m choosing Anthony Doerr’s short story collection, The Shell Collector. I know nothing about any of these individual stories, and I don’t even know generally what they’re about. However, I do know that these stories take place all over the world, and I’d like to be travelling. I read All the Light We Cannot See by Doerr last year, so I’m excited to read his beautiful writing again.

Read a book that will make you smile

For this prompt, I’m going with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. This is another book that I don’t know a ton about, just that it’s a story of two friends who bond over their similarly philosophical names. I’ve heard it’s wonderful, and I really hope that it will indeed make me smile, though I have a feeling there might be a tear or two, as well.

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Well, that’s it folks! Are participating in the Stay Home Reading Rush? Have you read any of the books on my reading list? Let me know if you are down in the comments!

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