Monday, December 30, 2019

Bout of Books 27 Schedule

It's COMING!
Psst. Tell your friends:
Bout of Books 27 is coming!

For Bout of Books 27, all challenges will be hosted on the Bout of Books blog. Here. Right here. So keep your eyes on this site to see what's what for the day!

Challenges
**This is the overall list for the challenges offered during Bout of Books 27. Make sure you check the blog each day of the read-a-thon for instructions and details on how to complete the daily challenges**

Monday 1/6
Introduce Yourself #insixwords

Tuesday 1/7
Share Your 2020 Reading Goals

Wednesday 1/8
Bookish Matchmaking

Thursday 1/9
Recreate the Scene

Friday 1/10
The One with the Books in It!

Saturday 1/11
If This, Then That

Sunday 1/12
Stretch Goal


Twitter Chats
(chats last approximately one hour)
TZC = Time Zone Conversion

Monday: 8pm CST (TZC)
Saturday: 10am CST (TZC)

Monday, December 23, 2019

Bout of Books 27 SIGN UP!

Are you ready to SIGN UP?

THIS IS WHERE YOU SIGN UP.


Here's what you have to do:

1. Post on your site, Twitter, Tumblr, Goodreads, YouTube, Instagram or Facebook account and declare your intentions to join us. It's EASY. We ask you share info to help spread the word. Please link back to us so others can find us here.

If you're posting on your blog, grab the official blurb (below) and our button (in the sidebar) and create a post. (Need an example? Check out Kelly's (incredibly simple) Bout of Books 27 post!)
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, Twitter chats, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 27 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team
Want to post on Twitter? We've written a tweet for you.
 I'm participating in Bout of Books 27!


2. Add the direct link to your sign up post to the linky in this post. You have until Tuesday, January 7th at 11:59pm CST to sign up. (If the linky is closed, you're too late.)

3. On January 6th, READ!

Monday, December 16, 2019

Call for Bout of Books 27 Experts

We need YOU.


Bout of Books has attracted more participants every time we've held it. And as it grows, we're limited as to how many people we can reach and interact with.

That's where Bout of Books experts come in.

What makes a person a Bout of Books expert, you ask?
  • You've participated in AT LEAST four Bout of Books prior to Bout of Books 27
  • You love Bout of Books and want to make sure everyone knows how awesome it is
  • You're willing to commit some of your free time to helping us
  • You love connecting with fellow book lovers and cheering them on
If you're chosen as an expert, you get to visit #boutofbooks-ers' blogs and comment on their posts--tell them how awesome they are and how well they're doing. WHO DOESN'T LOVE SPREADING LOVE?!?!?

We will be closing this form on December 29th. If you're interested in helping us, make sure you get on our list before then!


Want to help spread the Bout of Books love?
Bout of Books 27 is coming!

Monday, December 9, 2019

Call for Bout of Books 27 Challenge Ideas

Bout of Books 27 is January 6th through January 12th

Like us on Facebook
and follow us on Twitter & Instagram 
to join the social media fun.
 Bout of Books 28 is COMING!

We need YOUR help. This post is ONLY for people who want to help plan a challenge.

Please note: if you are chosen, you will be required to provide all pertinent information for your challenge idea before the beginning of the read-a-thon.

Challenges information
  • For Bout of Books 27, challenges will be hosted on the Bout of Books blog with credit/link to the site/person who provided the idea.
  • Challenges run for 24 hours and run from midnight CST to midnight CST.
  • There will be a limit of two challenges per day.
  • Challenge sign up will close December 15th at 11:59pm CST.

Things to keep in mind:

Preference will be given to challenges that are NOT genre specific. You will be turned down or asked to change your challenge so it's not genre specific. We want to include EVERYONE. For an idea on what we look at, visit Kelly's post on this topic: The Challenge of Challenges

For those applying, PLEASE keep a copy of both your challenge ideas. We won't retrieve your challenge if you're chosen as a host.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Bout of Books 26 Grand Prize Winner

Bout of Books 26 has ended but the fun doesn't stop until the Grand Prize Winner is announced!


And the Winner is...
J. Lenni Dorner
J's winning entry came from following Creative Deeds on Twitter.
Congratulations, J!
Keep your eye on your inbox, you'll be receiving an email from Bout of Books soon!

We'd like to thank everybody who signed up and participated in the read-a-thon. We're always striving to make this event the best it can be and we couldn't do that without your enthusiastic participation.

For those that are interested in helping out for the next Bout of Books, we post a call for help roughly a month prior to the start of the read-a-thon - which will be around December 9th for Bout of Books 27.

Keep an eye on this blog for that announcement. You can also follow the Bout of Books Instagram account where we countdown the weeks until the next Bout of Books or join the #boutofbooks-ers Facebook group to talk books between read-a-thons.

Once again, thank you to everyone who helped make Bout of Books 26 a success! We appreciate that you love books and how vocal you are about sharing it!

-Kelly and Amanda

Monday, August 26, 2019

Bout of Books 26 Wrap Up

Congratulations!
You have survived Bout of Books 26!


In this post, we invite you to link up to your overall progress for Bout of Books. You don't have to create a wrap-up post--it can be an update post with day 7's progress.

Whatever works for you, works for us.

Here are important informational nuggets you probably want to know:

Bout of Books 27 will be from January 6th to January 12th.

The Grand Prize winner will be announced TOMORROW.

Following this blog is the BEST way to stay up to date on EVERYTHING.

Since we can't reach out to everyone personally to remind them about upcoming events (though wouldn't that be awesome?), we do our best to keep this blog updated with the most current information. That means you're responsible for following us if you want to receive the latest news. You can also follow our the Bout of Books Instagram account where we countdown the weeks until the next Bout of Books or join the #boutofbooks-ers Facebook group to talk books between read-a-thons.

Thank you for making this event fabulous!

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Bout of Books 26 Day 7

The end is in sight.
Keep reading!

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

Stretch Goal

It's the last day of the readathon, so today's challenge is to take a look at the goals you set for the week (if you have them) and decide a) how you can stretch yourself to complete them or b) how you can revise them so you can meet them. Because yes, you can revise your goals! If you didn't set goals for the week, set a small one for yourself today!

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Bout of Books 26 Day 6

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

9:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
10am CT (TZC) Twitter Chat with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

Leave a Review

Did you know? Book reviews help other readers discover new books. For today's challenge, we encourage you to write a review of a book you've read during the readathon (or recently) and publish it where other readers make their purchasing decisions (e.g., Amazon, Goodreads, etc.). Be sure to share it with us.

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Friday, August 23, 2019

Bout of Books 26 Day 5

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

I Want This Book!

We get excited about books getting adapted into TV shows, movies or plays, but what about media that you want to see as books? Tell us about your favorite story (can be anything - play, TV show, movie, podcast, web series) that you would like to be adapted into a novel!

Thanks for the idea, Ruthsic!

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Bout of Books 26 Day 4

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks


Challenges

If This, Then That

Put your recommendations hat on, #boutofbooks-ers. For this challenge, pick a book, author, or trope (or whatever!) from your TBR and suggest similar books.

Example 1: If you like Sarah McLean, try Lenora Bell.

Example 2: If you like a modern day, romantic twist on Greek mythology, try Staci Hart's Hearts and Arrows series.

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Bout of Books 26 Day 3

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

Recreate Your Favorite Book Cover

Pick your favorite book and recreate it OR reimagine the cover either live (with yourself or a willing participant as the cover art) or drawing, sculpture, crafts, painting, etc.

Thanks for the idea, @vintagevixon94

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Bout of Books 26 Day 2

Today is the LAST DAY to GET SIGNED UP.
Are YOU signed up PROPERLY?
Only properly signed up participants
ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PRIZES.
_________________________

Congratulations!

You survived the first day of the read-a-thon!

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks



Please note: the form for the sign up will stay open through TODAY.
It closes Wednesday at midnight (TZC)

Challenge

Adaptation Aspirations

What book would you like to see adapted for another medium? What would be your preferred format? Movie? TV Show? Broadway musical? Something else? If you want to elaborate even further, who would you cast to play the characters? Who would you want to write the script/screenplay? Write the music? Direct? Are there adaptations that exist that you think could be better? Tell us all about your aspirations for the perfect adaptation!

Thanks for the idea, Emma @ Emma Reads Things

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Monday, August 19, 2019

Bout of Books 26 Day 1

Welcome to Bout of Books 26!

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CST (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CST (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks
8pm CST (TZC) Twitter Chat with @boutofbooks


Please note: the form for the sign up will stay open through TODAY and TOMORROW.
It closes Wednesday at midnight (TZC)

Challenges

Introduce Yourself #insixwords

The challenge is simple: introduce yourself on Twitter, Instagram, or on this post using six words, no more, no less. Use the hashtags #boutofbooks and #insixwords so we can learn all about you.

Example: "Needed for survival: books, dogs, coffee."

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Twitter Chat Information

TZC = Time Zone Conversion
There is a Twitter chat today at 8pm CT (TZC)
The chat will be led by Amanda using @boutofbooks



The chat will last one hour. We will use the Q1/A1 system. The host asks the question using Q1, Q2, and so on. You respond using A1, A2. EASY

Sign up

This is a re-post of the sign up linky. If you've already signed up (with direct link to sign up post/tweet/update!), you're good to go.

If you have questions, please tweet us @boutofbooks or email us (boutofbooks at gmail dot com).

Monday, August 12, 2019

Bout of Books 26 Schedule

It's COMING!
Psst. Tell your friends:
Bout of Books 26 is coming!

For Bout of Books 26, all challenges will be hosted on the Bout of Books blog. Here. Right here. So keep your eyes on this site to see what's what for the day!

Challenges
**This is the overall list for the challenges offered during Bout of Books 26. Make sure you check the blog each day of the read-a-thon for instructions and details on how to complete the daily challenges**

Monday 8/19
Introduce Yourself #insixwords

Tuesday 8/20
Adaptation Aspirations

Wednesday 8/21
Recreate Your Favorite Book Cover

Thursday 8/22
If This, Then That

Friday 8/23
I Want This Book

Saturday 8/24
Leave a Review

Sunday 8/25
Stretch Goal


Twitter Chats
(chats last approximately one hour)
TZC = Time Zone Conversion

Monday: 8pm CST (TZC)
Saturday: 10am CST (TZC)

Monday, August 5, 2019

Bout of Books 26 SIGN UP!

Are you ready to SIGN UP?

THIS IS WHERE YOU SIGN UP.


Here's what you have to do:

1. Post on your site, Twitter, Tumblr, Goodreads, YouTube, Instagram or Facebook account and declare your intentions to join us. It's EASY. We ask you share info to help spread the word. Please link back to us so others can find us here.

If you're posting on your blog, grab the official blurb (below) and our button (in the sidebar) and create a post. (Need an example? Check out Kelly's (incredibly simple) Bout of Books 26 post!)
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, Twitter chats, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 26 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team
Want to post on Twitter? We've written a tweet for you.
 I'm participating in Bout of Books 26!


2. Add the direct link to your sign up post to the linky in this post. You have until Tuesday, August 20th at 11:59pm CST to sign up. (If the linky is closed, you're too late.)

3. On August 19th, READ!

Official Sign Up

Remember: you must post a DIRECT LINK to your sign up post. 

If you're only participating on Twitter/YouTube, link up your "I'm participating in Bout of Books!" tweet/video, NOT your Twitter/YouTube profile.

No direct link = no Grand Prize


A direct link is...

http://yoururl.com/your-sign-up-post
http://twitter.com/YOURHANDLE/status/thenumberofyourstatus

etc.
(And if you have questions on how to find a direct link, we have a post for that!)

Monday, July 29, 2019

Call for Bout of Books 26 Experts

We need YOU.


Bout of Books has attracted more participants every time we've held it. And as it grows, we're limited as to how many people we can reach and interact with.

That's where Bout of Books experts come in.

What makes a person a Bout of Books expert, you ask?
  • You've participated in AT LEAST four Bout of Books prior to Bout of Books 26
  • You love Bout of Books and want to make sure everyone knows how awesome it is
  • You're willing to commit some of your free time to helping us
  • You love connecting with fellow book lovers and cheering them on
If you're chosen as an expert, you get to visit #boutofbooks-ers' blogs and comment on their posts--tell them how awesome they are and how well they're doing. WHO DOESN'T LOVE SPREADING LOVE?!?!?

We will be closing this form on August 11th. If you're interested in helping us, make sure you get on our list before then!


Want to help spread the Bout of Books love?
Bout of Books 26 is coming!

Monday, July 22, 2019

Call for Bout of Books 26 Challenge Ideas

Bout of Books 26 is August 19th through August 25th

Like us on Facebook
and follow us on Twitter & Instagram 
to join the social media fun.
 Bout of Books 26 is COMING!

We need YOUR help. This post is ONLY for people who want to help plan a challenge.

Please note: if you are chosen, you will be required to provide all pertinent information for your challenge idea before the beginning of the read-a-thon.

Challenges information
  • For Bout of Books 26, challenges will be hosted on the Bout of Books blog with credit/link to the site/person who provided the idea.
  • Challenges run for 24 hours and run from midnight CST to midnight CST.
  • There will be a limit of two challenges per day.
  • Challenge sign up will close July 28th at 11:59pm CST.

Things to keep in mind:

Preference will be given to challenges that are NOT genre specific. You will be turned down or asked to change your challenge so it's not genre specific. We want to include EVERYONE. For an idea on what we look at, visit Kelly's post on this topic: The Challenge of Challenges

For those applying, PLEASE keep a copy of both your challenge ideas. We won't retrieve your challenge if you're chosen as a host.

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Bout of Books 25 Grand Prize Winner

Bout of Books 25 has ended but the fun doesn't stop until the Grand Prize Winner is announced!


And the Winner is...
Jen Greenlees @ reader44ever
Jen's winning entry came from following Creative Deeds on Twitter.
Congratulations, JEN!
Keep your eye on your inbox, you'll be receiving an email from Bout of Books soon!

We'd like to thank everybody who signed up and participated in the read-a-thon. We're always striving to make this event the best it can be and we couldn't do that without your enthusiastic participation.

For those that are interested in helping out for the next Bout of Books, we post a call for help roughly a month prior to the start of the read-a-thon - which will be around July 22nd for Bout of Books 26.

Keep an eye on this blog for that announcement. You can also follow the Bout of Books Instagram account where we countdown the weeks until the next Bout of Books or join the #boutofbooks-ers Facebook group to talk books between read-a-thons.

Once again, thank you to everyone who helped make Bout of Books 25 a success! We appreciate that you love books and how vocal you are about sharing it!

-Kelly and Amanda

Monday, May 20, 2019

Bout of Books 25 Wrap Up

Congratulations!
You have survived Bout of Books 25!


In this post, we invite you to link up to your overall progress for Bout of Books. You don't have to create a wrap-up post--it can be an update post with day 7's progress.

Whatever works for you, works for us.

Here are important informational nuggets you probably want to know:

Bout of Books 26 will be from August 19th to August 25th.

The Grand Prize winner will be announced TOMORROW.

Following this blog is the BEST way to stay up to date on EVERYTHING.

Since we can't reach out to everyone personally to remind them about upcoming events (though wouldn't that be awesome?), we do our best to keep this blog updated with the most current information. That means you're responsible for following us if you want to receive the latest news. You can also follow our the Bout of Books Instagram account where we countdown the weeks until the next Bout of Books or join the #boutofbooks-ers Facebook group to talk books between read-a-thons.

Thank you for making this event fabulous!

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Bout of Books 25 Day 7

The end is in sight.
Keep reading!

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

Stretch Goal

It's the last day of the readathon, so today's challenge is to take a look at the goals you set for the week (if you have them) and decide a) how you can stretch yourself to complete them or b) how you can revise them so you can meet them. Because yes, you can revise your goals! If you didn't set goals for the week, set a small one for yourself today!

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Bout of Books 25 Day 6

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

9:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
10am CT (TZC) Twitter Chat with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

Share the love!

Share the books, websites, etc., you've discovered this readathon.

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Friday, May 17, 2019

Bout of Books 25 Day 5

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

Favorite hero/favorite villain

You got this. Who's your favorite hero? Favorite villain? Share each for today's challenge.

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Bout of Books 25 Day 4

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks


Challenges

If you like this, try that.

Put your recommendations hat on, #boutofbooks-ers. For this challenge, pick a book, author, or trope (or whatever!) from your TBR and suggest similar books.

Example 1: If you like Sarah McLean, try Lenora Bell.


Example 2: If you like a modern day, romantic twist on Greek mythology, try Staci Hart's Hearts and Arrows series.

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Bout of Books 25 Day 3

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

Book plot emoji

Tell the plot of a book (recent read, favorite, whatever) with emojis. If you need a little emoji help, try emojipedia.org.

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Bout of Books 25 Day 2

Today is the LAST DAY to GET SIGNED UP.
Are YOU signed up PROPERLY?
Only properly signed up participants
ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PRIZES.
_________________________

Congratulations!

You survived the first day of the read-a-thon!

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks



Please note: the form for the sign up will stay open through TODAY.
It closes Wednesday at midnight (TZC)

Monday, May 13, 2019

Bout of Books 25 Day 1

Welcome to Bout of Books 25!

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CST (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CST (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks
8pm CST (TZC) Twitter Chat with @boutofbooks


Please note: the form for the sign up will stay open through TODAY and TOMORROW.
It closes Wednesday at midnight (TZC)

Challenges

Introduce Yourself #insixwords

The challenge is simple: introduce yourself on Twitter, Instagram, or on this post using six words, no more, no less. Use the hashtags #boutofbooks and #insixwords so we can learn all about you.

Example: "Needed for survival: books, dogs, coffee."

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Twitter Chat Information

TZC = Time Zone Conversion
There is a Twitter chat today at 8pm CT (TZC)
The chat will be led by Amanda using @boutofbooks



The chat will last one hour. We will use the Q1/A1 system. The host asks the question using Q1, Q2, and so on. You respond using A1, A2. EASY

Monday, May 6, 2019

Bout of Books 25 Schedule

It's COMING!
Psst. Tell your friends:
Bout of Books 25 is coming!

For Bout of Books 25, all challenges will be hosted on the Bout of Books blog. Here. Right here. So keep your eyes on this site to see what's what for the day!

Challenges
**This is the overall list for the challenges offered during Bout of Books 25. Make sure you check the blog each day of the read-a-thon for instructions and details on how to complete the daily challenges**

Monday 5/13
Introduce yourself #insixwords

Tuesday 5/14
Bookish favorites

Wednesday 5/15
Book plot emoji

Thursday 5/16
If this, then that

Friday 5/17
Favorite hero/favorite villain

Saturday 5/18
Share the love

Sunday 5/19
Stretch goal


Twitter Chats
(chats last approximately one hour)
TZC = Time Zone Conversion

Monday: 8pm CST (TZC)
Saturday: 10am CST (TZC)

Monday, April 29, 2019

Bout of Books 25 SIGN UP!

Are you ready to SIGN UP?

THIS IS WHERE YOU SIGN UP.


Here's what you have to do:

1. Post on your site, Twitter, Tumblr, Goodreads, YouTube, Instagram or Facebook account and declare your intentions to join us. It's EASY. We ask you share info to help spread the word. Please link back to us so others can find us here.

If you're posting on your blog, grab the official blurb (below) and our button (in the sidebar) and create a post. (Need an example? Check out Kelly's (incredibly simple) Bout of Books 25 post!)
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, Twitter chats, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 25 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team
Want to post on Twitter? We've written a tweet for you.
 I'm participating in Bout of Books 25!


2. Add the direct link to your sign up post to the linky in this post. You have until Tuesday, May 14th at 11:59pm CST to sign up. (If the linky is closed, you're too late.)

3. On May 13th, READ!

Monday, April 22, 2019

Call for Bout of Books 25 Experts

We need YOU.


Bout of Books has attracted more participants every time we've held it. And as it grows, we're limited as to how many people we can reach and interact with.

That's where Bout of Books experts come in.

What makes a person a Bout of Books expert, you ask?
  • You've participated in AT LEAST four Bout of Books prior to Bout of Books 25
  • You love Bout of Books and want to make sure everyone knows how awesome it is
  • You're willing to commit some of your free time to helping us
  • You love connecting with fellow book lovers and cheering them on
If you're chosen as an expert, you get to visit #boutofbooks-ers' blogs and comment on their posts--tell them how awesome they are and how well they're doing. WHO DOESN'T LOVE SPREADING LOVE?!?!?

We will be closing this form on May 5th. If you're interested in helping us, make sure you get on our list before then!

Monday, April 15, 2019

Call for Bout of Books 25 Challenge Ideas

Bout of Books 25 is May 13th through May 19th

Like us on Facebook
and follow us on Twitter & Instagram 
to join the social media fun.
 Bout of Books 25 is COMING!

We need YOUR help. This post is ONLY for people who want to help plan a challenge.

Please note: if you are chosen, you will be required to provide all pertinent information for your challenge idea before the beginning of the read-a-thon.

Challenges information
  • For Bout of Books 25, challenges will be hosted on the Bout of Books blog with credit/link to the site/person who provided the idea.
  • Challenges run for 24 hours and run from midnight CST to midnight CST.
  • There will be a limit of two challenges per day.
  • Challenge sign up will close April 21st at 11:59pm CST.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Bout of Books 24 Grand Prize Winner

Bout of Books 24 has ended but the fun doesn't stop until the Grand Prize Winner is announced!


And the Winner is...
Stephanie @ classicssonnets
Stephanie's winning entry came from following Amanda Shofner on Twitter.
Congratulations, STEPHANIE!
Keep your eye on your inbox, you'll be receiving an email from Bout of Books soon!

We'd like to thank everybody who signed up and participated in the read-a-thon. We're always striving to make this event the best it can be and we couldn't do that without your enthusiastic participation.

For those that are interested in helping out for the next Bout of Books, we post a call for help roughly a month prior to the start of the read-a-thon - which will be around April 15th for Bout of Books 25.

Keep an eye on this blog for that announcement. You can also follow the Bout of Books Instagram account where we countdown the weeks until the next Bout of Books or join the #boutofbooks-ers Facebook group to talk books between read-a-thons.

Once again, thank you to everyone who helped make Bout of Books 24 a success! We appreciate that you love books and how vocal you are about sharing it!

-Kelly and Amanda

Monday, January 14, 2019

Bout of Books 24 Wrap Up

Congratulations!
You have survived Bout of Books 24!


In this post, we invite you to link up to your overall progress for Bout of Books. You don't have to create a wrap-up post--it can be an update post with day 7's progress.

Whatever works for you, works for us.

Here are important informational nuggets you probably want to know:

Bout of Books 25 will be from May 13th to May 19th.

The Grand Prize winner will be announced TOMORROW.

Following this blog is the BEST way to stay up to date on EVERYTHING.

Since we can't reach out to everyone personally to remind them about upcoming events (though wouldn't that be awesome?), we do our best to keep this blog updated with the most current information. That means you're responsible for following us if you want to receive the latest news. You can also follow our the Bout of Books Instagram account where we countdown the weeks until the next Bout of Books or join the #boutofbooks-ers Facebook group to talk books between read-a-thons.

Thank you for making this event fabulous!

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Bout of Books 24 Day 7

The end is in sight.
Keep reading!

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

Stretch Goal

It's the last day of the readathon, so today's challenge is to take a look at the goals you set for the week (if you have them) and decide a) how you can stretch yourself to complete them or b) how you can revise them so you can meet them. Because yes, you can revise your goals! If you didn't set goals for the week, set a small one for yourself today!

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Bout of Books 24 Day 6

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

9:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
10am CT (TZC) Twitter Chat with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

Dream cast

Share your dream cast for a book that hasn't been adapted yet, e.g Six of Crows, A Darker Shade of Magic, The Cruel Prince

Thanks to Liz (Travel in Retrospect) for today's challenge.

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Twitter Chat Information

TZC = Time Zone Conversion
There is a Twitter chat today at 10am CT (TZC)
The chat will be led by Kelly using @boutofbooks

The chat will last one hour. We will use the Q1/A1 system. The host asks the questions using Q1, Q2, and so on. You respond using A1, A2. EASY!

Friday, January 11, 2019

Bout of Books 24 Day 5

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

If you like this, try that

Put your recommendations hat on, #boutofbooks-ers. For this challenge, pick a book, author, or trope (or whatever!) from your TBR and suggest similar books.

Example 1: If you like Sarah McLean, try Lenora Bell.


Example 2: If you like a modern day, romantic twist on Greek mythology, try Staci Hart's Hearts and Arrows series.

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Bout of Books 24 Day 4

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks


Challenges

Synopsis Rewrite

Take a favorite book and re-write the synopsis (book description) from the point of view of the non-main character/focus. e.g. Harry Potter from the view of Draco, The Hunger Games from the view of Peeta

Thanks to Liz (Travel in Retrospect) for today's challenge.

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Bout of Books 24 Day 3

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks

Challenges

Six degrees of separation from Bout to Books

Find an original way to connect the two words (Bout and Books) through six books

Thanks to Emma (Words and Peace) for today's challenge.

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Bout of Books 24 Day 2

Today is the LAST DAY to GET SIGNED UP.
Are YOU signed up PROPERLY?
Only properly signed up participants
ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PRIZES.
_________________________

Congratulations!

You survived the first day of the read-a-thon!

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CT (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CT (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks



Please note: the form for the sign up will stay open through TODAY.
It closes Wednesday at midnight (TZC)

Challenge

Character dinner party

You are hosting an intimate dinner party for five of your favorite characters. Who do you invite and what food do you serve?


Thanks to Emma (Emma Reads Things) for today's challenge!

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!

Monday, January 7, 2019

Bout of Books 24 Day 1

Welcome to Bout of Books 24!

Here is the schedule of events for today:

TZC = Time Zone Conversion

10:30am CST (TZC) Morning Announcements with @boutofbooks
7:30pm CST (TZC) Evening Announcements with @boutofbooks
8pm CST (TZC) Twitter Chat with @boutofbooks


Please note: the form for the sign up will stay open through TODAY and TOMORROW.
It closes Wednesday at midnight (TZC)

Challenges

Introduce Yourself #insixwords

The challenge is simple: introduce yourself on Twitter, Instagram, or on this post using six words, no more, no less. Use the hashtags #boutofbooks and #insixwords so we can learn all about you.

Example: "Needed for survival: books, dogs, coffee."

Instagram Photo a Day

For those of you who use Instagram, don't forget to post your daily Bout of Books photo. Find out more on our Bout of Books Instagram page!