End of Readathon Meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? The last 3 - I had to go to sleep!
   
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I think mysteries work well. Like last time, I read one by Sue Grafton.
   
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? List the readers earlier.
   
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? It was all great.
   
5. How many books did you read? 1 finished, 1 almost finished, and another 1/4 done
   
6. What were the names of the books you read? 'U' is For Undertow, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, and The Hidden Staircase
   
7. Which book did you enjoy most? Liked both of my first two a lot
   
8. Which did you enjoy least? The Nancy Drew book - but it's still fun
   
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? I wasn't an official cheerleader, but I tried to visit a few blogs every time I posted to mine. I would encourage all participants to do the same.
   
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Very likely. I'll be a Reader, with a bit of cheering on the side.
    

Hours 21, 22, 23, 24 and Final Totals

Was only able to read 14 pages and listen to 17 after Hour 20 (2:00 a.m.). I did manage to stay up for 21 hours - that is one hour more than last time. As usual, however, I didn't seem to get as many actual reading hours in as I wanted to (the breaks were too long). Still, I'm happy I read an entire 400 page book and came REALLY close to finishing another.

Final numbers:

Pages: 643
(darn, wanted to beat my 684 total from April - will do it next time!)

Hours: 11hr 30min reading, 1hr 45min listening

Books read: 'U' is for Undertow by Sue Grafton - Finished
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon - 186 pages (almost done)
The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene - 54 pages

Thanks to everybody! See you next time!

Hours 19 and 20

The last 1 1/2 hours has been sllooowww reading because I keep drifting off, and then have to read the same half page again. Have still made some progress, however:

Since last update: 72 pages, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
(I'm really enjoying the book, so that does help)

Running total, pages: 612
Running total, hours: 11hr 15min reading, 1hr 15min listening
Running total, books finished: 1

I really want to finish one more book, but don't know if I'm going to make it. Last R-A-T, I fell asleep for awhile then came back for the last hour, so that may happen again. In any case, the next post will probably be my final wrap-up. Great job, everyone!

Hours 17 and 18

Resorted to listening to Nancy Drew on CD to give my eyes a rest.

Since last update: 37 pages - The Hidden Staircase (I have both the book and CDs so I can keep track of the pages)

Running total, pages: 540
Running total, hours: 9hr 45min reading, 1hr 15min listening
Running total, books finished: 1

It's past midnight and I have not turned into a pumpkin, so I am not giving up!

Hours 14, 15, 16

Oh dear, I must be getting tired. I lost an hour somewhere, as I thought this was the beginning of hour 16, not 17 (had the hours wrong on my last blog post). It's only 10:00 p.m, so I know I've still got some good hours left in me! I just washed my face (a tip from my R-A-T pal, Wendy, I believe) and broke out the Cherry Coke Zero to give me a boost.

Since last update: 100 pages, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"

Running total, pages: 503
Running total, hours: 9hr 45 min reading, 30 min listening
Running total, books finished: 1

Mid-Event Meme

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? I just finished my first book! I think I'll start The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time next
2. How many books have you read so far? Sigh...just 1
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? The one I mentioned in #1
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Extra housecleaning, shopping, and laundry so I wouldn't feel guilty!
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Not too many - mostly from the dog.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? No surprises, really. It's fun, as always.
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Publish the participants list a little earlier, so we can visit blogs beforehand.
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Read faster! (Just kidding - I accept that I am stuck at my reading speed.)
9. Are you getting tired yet? Nope
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? Not really.

Hours 11,12, 13

Finally finished my first book!

Since last update: 121 pages, Finished 'U' is for Undertow

Running total, pages: 403
Running total, hours: 8hr, 15min reading, 30min listening
Running total, # of books: 1

Just had a quick dinner, am going to read a couple of blogs and get right back at it!
Stop by and say hi!

Hours 9 and 10

Can't believe it's been 10 hours already. My, how time flies when you're having fun! My breaks have been too long, but I get caught up looking at blogs. I've only participated in 1 mini-challenge, but am still only up to 5 1/2 hours of reading time. Must get back to it!

Since last update:

46 pages, Still on 'U' is For Undertow

Running total, pages: 282
Running total, hours: 5hr 30 min reading, 30min listening

Hour 9 Book Sentence Mini-Challenge

Hours 7 and 8

Since last update: 62 pages, Still on 'U' is For Undertow

Running total, pages: 236
Running total, hours: 4hr 30min reading, 30min listening

Off to do a mini-challenge and have some overdue lunch!

Hours 5 and 6

Really into my book! Must grab a quick snack and get back to it!

Since last update:

77 pages, 'U' is for Undertow

Running total, pages: 174
Running total, hours: 3hr 15min reading, 30min listening

Hours 3 and 4

The time is going too fast! Not much progress the last 2 hours because of breakfast, blogging, dog walking, etc. However, I did get my current book from the library on CD so I could listen while I walked the dog. Good advance planning or what?!

Since last update:
15 pages listened to, 'U' is For Undertow

Running total, pages: 97
Running total, hours: 1hr 45 min reading,
30 min listening (BOCD)

Hours 1 and 2

Hope everyone is well into a good book!

My first update:

82 pages, 'U' is For Undertow by Sue Grafton

Running total, pages: 82
Running total, hours: 1hr 45min

Time for my 2nd morning cup of tea.

Beginning meme

1)Where are you reading from today? Utah
2)Three random facts about me…
1. I'm not a great sleeper, and often read for an hour in the middle of the night.
2. Asparagus is my favorite vegetable.
3. I love college football, and will be checking scores during the day (no watching games, though!)
3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
15, because I'm a mood reader! (I'll be lucky to finish 3!)
4)Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? I just want to read more pages than last time - need to hit at least 800
5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?
Healthy snacks

Read-a-Thon!!!

Ready...set...go!!
Good luck, everyone!
Stop by and say hi!

R-A-T books!!

I've finally picked my stack. Had a hard time narrowing it down, so I've got 15! I'm a slow reader, but at least I'll have lots to choose from. Here's the list:

Shakespeare's Christmas by Charlaine Harris
Dead Over Heels by Charlaine Harris
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
U is For Undertow by Sue Grafton
The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene
Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie
Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris
The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
The Dark Frigate by Charles Boardman Hawes
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I may have to add a few others if I don't finish what I'm currently reading by then. Nothing too heavy here, with plenty of mysteries to hold my attention. Probably the "heaviest" one because of the old-fashioned language, is The Dark Frigate, which is part of my quest to Read the Newberry Medal Winners. Eleven more days! Can't wait to give myself permission to read for a whole 24 hours! WOO-HOO!

Read-a-Thon Sign-Up Time!

I just signed up for my 3rd Dewey's 24-hour Read-a-Thon. It's on October 22 and, as usual, I can't wait! I'm not sure why these are SO much fun, but I look forward to them all year. I'm already planning my stack of books and snack items. That makes it even MORE fun - planning ahead and anticipating it a month in advance! In the past, I've limited my stack to 10 books, but I might allow myself a few more this time. Even though I probably won't complete more than 2 or 3, I'm a real "mood" reader and like to have plenty of choices available so I can switch around. Normally, I have several books going at the same time. I currently have a list of 9 that I want to finish before the Read-a-Thon, so I can "start fresh" on that day.

I look forward to reading everyone's blogs and updates. Have fun preparing for the R.A.T!

Read-a-Thon Final Meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Probably hour 21, as that's when I fell asleep for a couple of hours!
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
The Alphabet Mystery series by Sue Grafton - I read 'T is for Trespass' and got engrossed in it
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Fewer time-consuming challenges - I prefer just short breaks from the reading
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
It was fun to read the hourly posts from the hosts with videos, suggestions, etc.
5. How many books did you read?
2 plus part of 2 others
6. What were the names of the books you read?
T is For Trespass
The House on Mango Street
The Room on the Roof (3/4)
The Secret of the Old Clock (1/2)
7. Which book did you enjoy most?
T is For Trespass, but I liked them all
8. Which did you enjoy least?
I didn't dislike anything I read
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
Even if you don't sign up to be an "official" cheerleader, you can still leave comments to encourage people. I tried to leave a few comments every time I updated my blog.
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? VERY likely. I will mainly be a reader, but will cheer a bit.

Hour 24

It's over!! I didn't stay awake for the WHOLE 24 hours, but I did better than last time.

Since last update:

40 pages - The Secret of the Old Clock
Final total, pages: 684
Final total, hours: 12hr 15 min

Back with some final thoughts after sleeping for a bit...

Hours 20, 21, 22, 23

Since last update:

20 pages - The Room on the Roof
20 pages - The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
Running total, pages: 644
Running total, hours: 11hr 45 min

O.K, admit I dropped off for awhile, but I'm back for the last 1/2 hour!

Hours 18 and 19

Oh dear, have been reading the same line several times. Time for a blog break. I am really trying to hang in there...

Since last update:

42 pages - The Room on the Roof
Running total, pages: 604
Running total, hours: 11hr

Hours 16 and 17

Since last update:

65 pages - The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond
Running total, pages: 562
Running total, hours: 10hr 15 min

Getting a bit sleepy - no! Time to walk around for a bit and break open my Cherry Coke Zero.

Hours 14 and 15

Since last update:

65 pages - The House on Mango Street - Finished!
Running total, pages: 497
Running total, hours: 9 hrs 15min

I'm definitely going to surpass my page and hours totals from the last Read-a-Thon - yay!

Am going to break for just a bit before starting my 3rd book. I think I'll be switching around now - as it gets later, I doubt I'll be able to stay with one book for too long.

Hour 12 Meme

I'm a little late posting this, because I didn't check in at hour 12.

1. What are you reading right now?
Just finished 'T' is For Trespass and am now starting The House on Mango Street
2. How many books have you read so far?
One
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
Not sure what my mood will be, but probably Tea Time For the Traditionally Built
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
I did lots of cleaning the last few days and made sure there was plenty of food in the fridge
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Hardly any interruptions!
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
Not as much cheering as last time
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Maybe fewer challenges that are dependent on having read specific books
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
Same as last time - try harder to get a good night's sleep the night before!
9. Are you getting tired yet?
My worst time was late afternoon, but my eyes are burning a bit.
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?
I planned out all my food/snacks ahead of time, and that saved me a lot of reading time.

Hours 11, 12, 13

How's everybody doing? I can't believe we're over halfway through!

Since last update:
87 pages - 'T' is For Trespass' - Finished!
45 pages - The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Running total, pages: 432
Running total, hours: 8hr 15min

Hours 9 and 10

Just had to down another cup of tea for my late-afternoon slump. Will soon be finished with my first book. Hmmmm....what to read next...

Since last update:
60 pages - 'T' is For Trespass
Running total, pages: 300
Running total, hours: 6hr

Hours 7 and 8

Yikes - I can't believe the RAT is already 1/3 over! The time is going too fast and I'm reading too slow!

Since last update:
60 pages - 'T' is For Trespass by Sue Grafton
Running total, pages: 240
Running total, hours: 4hr, 30min

Hours 5 and 6

Since last update:
40 pages - "T is for Trespass"
Running total, pages: 180
Running total, hours: 3hr 25min

Hour 6, I spent cheering, taking a shower, and grabbing a snack (am putting off lunch for awhile) - oh, and checking briefly on The Masters. I also intended to take the dog for a walk, but it's raining/snowing here so I'll have to watch for a break in the weather to get her outside for a bit

Back to my book! The pace is a little slow, but I actually like it because it's building up suspense.

Hours 3 and 4

Oh my - time sure flies when you're having fun! I took a break for breakfast and blogging, then got right back at it. I am really into my book and have no desire to pick up anything else yet.

Since last update:
50 pages - "T" is For Trespass
Running total, pages: 140
Running total, hours: 2hr, 40 min

Hours 1 and 2

Off to a pretty good start, but am getting the sleepies (got up at 5:40 a.m.), so thought I'd post to try and wake up!

90 pages - "T" is for Trespass by Sue Grafton
Running total, hours: 1 hr 40 min

I found and plugged in an external mouse for my laptop - am good to go for the day!

I'm a little late with the Introduction Meme, but here it is:

1)Where are you reading from today? Utah

2)Three random facts about me…
- I adore spectator sports, especially college basketball and tennis
- I love 1940's music
- My favorite food in the world is a warm chocolate-chip cookie

3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 10

4)Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?
I just want to exceed my results of last time

5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?
This is only my second one, but I would recommend no "heavy" reading

Off to get a bit of breakfast now...

We're off!

I'm ready to go! For some reason, the time on my posts is one hour off. It will say it's 5:00 a.m, but it's actually 6:00 - not QUITE so bad. I wish many hours of pleasurable reading to all!

Oh dear, I'm having trouble with my mouse. I hope I don't have to scrounge up someone else's computer to use..of all days for my laptop to act up!

Read-a-Thon Readiness!

O.K, here are my books. I'm not a fast reader, but I tend to read several books at once, so I have to have many choices available to fit my mood. My initial stack had several more, but I made myself reduce the stack to 10!














A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie
Tea Time For the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith
T is For Trespass by Sue Grafton
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond
The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

Nothing heavy, and plenty of YA. My husband and daughter think I'm a little weird, but they are supportive, as long as there is food in the fridge!


The dog is also supportive, as long as she gets her walk in.

Let's see - must plan snacks. I think trail mix, fruit, and lots of tea.

Looking forward to Saturday (an early 6:00 a.m. start for me). Good luck, all!

Read-a-Thon April 9, 2011

I just signed up for my second Read-a-Thon and I'm so excited! My first one was even more fun than I thought it would be. Giving myself permission to read for 24 hours (well, I made it to 20, with breaks), checking out what and how much other people were reading, cheering and being cheered, participating in mini-challenges - it was all great fun, and I can't wait to do it again. It will also be fun selecting what books I want to read. I'll probably do the same thing as last time and have a whole stack ready, so I can switch off when I want a change. I'm also going to select more easy-reading stuff, especially for when my energy starts to fade. Good luck to all participants! I look forward to checking out everyone's blogs.

Review of 'Stones Into Schools'

Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Greg Mortenson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this book. I have to say I found it even more engrossing than 'Three Cups of Tea'. Mortenson focuses more on the local people and their involvement with getting the schools built. The character and resiliency of these people is amazing. The book is well-written, well-researched, and inspirational.



View all my reviews