The Virtual Adult Summer Reading Program Challenge is coming to a close and I’ve had so much fun this summer participating. In case you missed my last VASRP Challenge post, click here. Below, the final four challenges! Here we go!

Challenge #7

Bookish Locations

Let’s get physical! So, where do I like to buy my books when I’m actually getting up to go out of my house and not buy books online? My local Barnes and Noble locations, since all of the local indies are specialty stores, none of which cater to YA books or much general fiction. I have gone to a handful of indie bookstores in the Philadelphia area but any chance where I don’t have to drive out of my home state to get something simple, I’ll take. There is an indie bookstore that opened up last year that I just found out about, Inkwood Books NJ, so I’m definitely going to check that out later this year and possibly make it a Christmas gift trip for myself. If I’m in Target, I’ll definitely check out the book section. My local library, of course. And when I’m in the city, I always make it a point to stop at either Books of Wonder or The Strand. Though, to be fair, if I’m not in the city to see a show, I’m usually in the city for a bookish event. So.

Where do I read? Well, I do most of my reading in my bedroom on my bed. Sometimes, I’ll venture out into the dining room if there are people and I’m trying to be social (rare ha ha) and I don’t mind not actually getting much reading done. I don’t read at Starbucks and cafes as much as I used to but it’s always nice when I can. I read a lot in the car as a passenger. I read a lot wherever, whenever there’s a chance on the go, since I bring a physical book and/or my iPad with the kindle app everywhere.

If I’m listening to an audiobook, I’ll put that sucker on everywhere I go. I’ll turn it on in my room when I’m getting ready in the morning, in the kitchen when I’m making breakfast and other meals, on my way to and from work, all around the house when I’m cleaning, at the gym when I’m on the treadmill, in my room when I’m winding down and sometimes I’ll even wake up early to get in some reading time, audiobook or not.

If there’s an opportunity to read, I’ll take it, no matter where it is. Where do you read?

Challenge #8

Where You Can Find Me

In case you’re interested in keeping up with me after VASRP, here are my social media links:

Goodreads – Twitter – Instagram – Tumbr – Pinterest – Facebook

Challenge #9

Gratitude

Who are the people who have influenced me as a reader? Aside from my parents, my first grade teacher, Mrs. McMonagle, my third grade teacher, Miss Kent, my fourth grade teacher, Mr. Conklin, one of my sixth grade teachers, Mrs. Woolslayer, my high school teachers Mr. Clark and Mr. Freitag, and my high school librarian, Mrs. Venuto all come to mind for varying reasons… all which lead to me being inspired to read more, embrace the unknown, think more, and challenge myself and the world more to be better.

As far as authors go, Peggy Parish (Amelia Bedelia), Jhumpa Lahiri (The Namesake), and many authors that I read between elementary school and college, a number of which I share here have influenced me as a reader and writer. Jodi Picoult (The Storyteller), Lauren Oliver (Delirium), and others I name in this post that I wrote about the books that linger I must mention as well. But you’ve heard me talk about authors before, so, yeah… teachers and librarians. The above mentioned are truly the best of the best and I cannot thank them enough for all that they’ve done and continue to do for young minds.

Challenge #10

Book vs. Movie

The book is always better. There’s no way that 2 hours in the theater can compare to the magical experience of 4+ hours within the pages of a book. This needs no further explanation.

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In closing, I’ve officially hit the Book Worm Level (Read 25 or more books this summer) so yay me!!! How many books did your read this summer?

Feel free to share your challenge answers on Twitter including the #VASRP hashtag!