Hour 24 and Final Meme

Since last update:

Strawberry Girl - 50 pgs

Final total:  513 pages
Final total, hours:  8hr 5min reading, 2hr 35min listening to audiobook =  10hr 40min

Books:  Where'd You Go Bernadette - 326 pages, Finished
             The Woman in White (audiobook) - 2hr 35min listening (63 pages)
             My Nest Isn't Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space - 40 pages
             Strawberry Girl - 84 pages

Final Meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?  Unfortunately, I gave in and slept for hours 21,22, and 23.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?  I always recommend mysteries, because they're engrossing.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  I'd like to be able to see the books entered into the database.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?  I especially like the hourly host/co-host updates with the funny videos, etc. Of course, the mini-challenges are always fun, too.
5. How many books did you read?  1 entire book, and part of 3 others
6. What were the names of the books you read?  See above in this post
7. Which book did you enjoy most?  I thought Where'd You Go Bernadette was very entertaining
8. Which did you enjoy least?  Strawberry Girl (a Newbery winner) - my least favorite of the bunch, but I still liked it.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?  I didn't cheer too much this time, because I wasn't on an "official" squad.  I only got one cheerleader comment myself.
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 read and also do some cheering. 

Once again, a huge thank you to my Read-a-Thon buddy, Laura @ Please Pardon the Interruption.  Your comments always keep me going!  And thanks to the organizers, mini-challengers, etc.  Great reading, everyone.  See you next time!

Hours 20, 21, 22, and 23

Since last update:

Strawberry Girl - 34 pgs

Running total, pages:  463
Running total, hours:  9hr 55min (2hr 35min listening)

O.K, I admit I've been asleep for about the last 3 hours, but I'm back for the last 50 minutes!!  Must add a bit more to that page count!

Hours 18 and 19

Since last update:

My Nest Isn't Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space - 40 pgs
The Woman in White - listened 40 min (approx. 18 pgs)

Running total, pages:  429
Running total, hours:  9hr 25min (includes 2hr 35min listening)

Trying to hang in there...

Hours 16 and 17

Since last update:

The Woman in White - Listened to audiobook 45 min (18 pgs)

Running total, pages:  371
Running total, hours:  8hr 15min (1hr 55min listening)

Oh dear - getting sleepy.  I'm going to try to last 1 more hour before breaking out my traditional post-midnight Cherry Coke Zero!

Hours 13, 14, and 15

Since last update:

Where'd You Go, Bernadette -  71 pgs, Finished

Running total, pages:  353
Running total, hours:  7hr 30min (1hr 10min listening)

Finally finished my first book!  I thought I'd be skipping around more, but I really got into the book.  It's only 9:20 p.m. my time, but I'm feeling a little weary.  Not giving up!  Will just move around for a bit and try to get a second wind. 

Best of Your Reading Year Mini-Challenge

I've read a lot of great books this year, but I'll just pick 3 categories from the mini-challenge:

Best Fiction:  Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter - This book had it all - great characters, fascinating story-line, drama, humor, etc.  I can't wait to read more by this author.

Best Non-Fiction:  Outcasts United by Warren St. John - Fascinating book about a youth soccer team in Georgia made up of refugees.

Best author:  Alexander McCall Smith - A prolific author who never disappoints me when I'm in the mood for a kind, gentle read.

Hours 11 and 12 and Mid-Event Meme

Since last update:

Where'd You Go Bernadette - 61 pgs (am finding this book highly entertaining)

Running total, pages: 282
Running total, hours:  5hr 55min (1hr 10min listening)

1) How are you doing?  OK, but wish I had more energy.  Sleepy?  Yes, a bit - time for tea! Are your eyes tired? A little - may switch to audio for a little while (but I don't want to fall asleep!)
2) What have you finished reading?  Not quite finished with Where'd You Go, Bernadette.
3) What is your favorite read so far?  Liking my current book a lot, but I'm also listening to The Woman in White, which I'm enjoying.
4) What about your favorite snacks?  My unplanned half-bag of Peanut M&M's!
5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love!  A mid-event shout-out to my faithful RAT buddy Laura@Please Pardon the Interruption! Have also visited the blogs of txlady1975, Jenn and the Cats, and Elisabeth@Books Are My Friends.

Hours 8, 9, and 10

Since last update:

Where'd You Go, Bernadette - 66 pgs
The Woman in White - 20 min. listening (approx. 8 pages)

Running total, pages:  221
Running total, hours:  4hr 45min (includes 1hr 10min listening to audiobook)

Books on Books Mini-Challenge

Camera seems to be working now. Yay!

Hours 6 and 7

Since last update:

Where'd You Go, Bernadette - 58 pgs

Running total, pages:  147
Running total, hours:  3hr 20min (includes 50min listening)

Still haven't done any mini-challenges, but hope to get to a few at some point.  I'm having trouble with my camera, so I've already missed a couple I wanted to do.  Just finished my pre-lunch snack of popcorn (it's 1:15 p.m, but my normal eating hours are a little off today).  Hope everyone is having fun! 

Hours 2, 3, 4, and 5

Ugh! After a few nights in a row of not sleeping well, I woke up headachey and feeling yucky.  After reading for a bit, I tried to go back to sleep.  That didn't work, so I took the dog for a walk (while listening to an audiobook), had a shower and ate some breakfast.  Feeling quite a bit better now, so am hoping to get some quality RAT time in the next few hours!

Since last update:

Where'd You Go, Bernadette - 12 pgs
The Woman in White - listened 50 minutes (approx. 19 pages - I have the actual book, too)

Running total, pages: 89
Running total, reading hours:  1hr 15min
                        listening:                50min

Introductory Meme and Hour 1

) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? Utah
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?  Probably the latest Sue Grafton, W is For Witness, although I'm not starting with that since it's a bit long.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?  My snacks are pretty boring:  apple slices with peanut butter, trail mix, popcorn, etc.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!  I'm a big sports fan, so will be checking on scores later today - not watching any games, however!
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?  I keep trying to get a good night's sleep the night before, but it didn't happen once again!  This time, I'm going to try to get more actual reading hours in, although it's hard not to get carried away reading everyone's blogs!


Read so far:

Where'd You Go, Bernadette - 58 pgs

Beginning of Read-a-Thon

And we're off!  Good luck, everyone.  Wishing you many happy reading hours!

RAT Book Stack

Finally got my stack together for tomorrow.  And here it is!

W is For Wasted by Sue Grafton - It's kind of a tradition for me that if Grafton has a new book out, I read it during the RAT.  The only issue with this one, though, is that it's almost 500 pages.  I may start with something shorter.  I agree with NPR when they said of this series, "It makes me wish there were more than 26 letters in the alphabet!"
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple - A friend told me this was funny.
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan - Don't know much about this one, but it looks fun.
My Nest isn't Empty, I Just Have More Closet Space by Lisa Scottoline - Short essays - in honor of my daughter away at college.
Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski and Holes by Louis Sachar - 2 Newbery winners (I'm on a quest to read them all) for something lighter.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton - Y.A fiction.  A friend recently told me she missed a day of school in junior high to finish this book, so I thought it was time for a reread.
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins - Am about halfway through the audiobook, so will listen to this (it's good!) while walking the dog or giving my eyes a rest.
And finally, a couple of mysteries because they always keep me engrossed:
Poppy Done to Death by Charlaine Harris
The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie

I'll be lucky to finish 2 books, but I like having lots to choose from (I'm also a "mood" reader).

Must think about food now.  Hope to be back later for a little pre-event cheering.  And I'm determined to get to bed early (something that normally doesn't happen for me) since my start time is 6:00 a.m.

Read-a-Thon time again!

This blog has turned into my Dewey's Read-a-Thon blog (as I don't seem to use it for anything else).  Just signed up for the next RAT on October 12.  Back in a few weeks with my stack of books!

Hours 21, 22, 23, and 24

O.K, I admit I had to take a nap, but I came back for the last hour and 15 minutes!  And I won a prize for the first time in 6 Read-a-Thons! Yay!

Since last update:

A Wrinkle in Time - 76 pgs

Final total, pages:  692 pgs
Final total, hours:  11hrs reading, 1hr listening

Final meme:

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?  Uh...Hours 21,22,23.  I slept, I'm afraid!
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I had good luck with YA this year.  The Fault in Our Stars and The Perks of Being a Wallflower
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? It was all grand!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? "
5. How many books did you read? 2 plus part of 3 others
6. What were the names of the books you read? The Fault in our Stars, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and parts of Beautiful Ruins, Murder at the Vicarage, and A Wrinkle in Time
7. Which book did you enjoy most? Beautiful Ruins and The Fault in Our Stars
8. Which did you enjoy least? A Wrinkle in Time (still entertaining, though)
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? Nope
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Oh, VERY likely.  Will most likely read, with a bit of cheering again.

What another fun Read-a-Thon! Thanks to everyone who visited.  It was great "Thonning" with you all! 

Hours 19 and 20

Slooowwing dowwn.....

Since last update:

Beautiful Ruins - 4 pgs
Murder at the Vicarage - 26 pgs (audio, but also have the paperback for page counts)

Running total, pages: 616 pgs
Running total, hours:  9hrs 45min reading, 1hr listening

Think I must have a nap.  Hope to be back...

Hours 17 and 18

Oh dear, I'm getting sleepy.  Time to break out the Cherry Coke Zero and try to get another hour or so in.  I suspect I may have to do as I've done the last couple of Read-a-Thons - that is, sleep for just a bit, then come back for the ending hour or two.  Not yet, though!

Since last update:

Beautiful Ruins - 40 pgs  (Loving this book so far)

Running total, pages:  586
Running total, hours:  9hrs 45min

Hours 15 and 16

No!! The time is going too fast!  I've been piddling around too much and losing my focus.  Must read...read like the wind!

Since last update:

Beautiful Ruins - 20 pgs (!)

Running total, pages: 546
Running total, hours: 8hrs 20min

Hours 13 and 14

Aarrgh!  My laptop decided it didn't want to charge any more.  Luckily, hubby has an extra one that should see me through the night (she said, hopefully, planning for many more happy reading hours!)  I've been fiddling around with the darn thing, so haven't gotten much done the last few hours.

Since last update:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - 43 pages, Finished

Running total, pages:  526
Running total, hours:  8hrs

Now going to start Beautiful Ruins.

I just entered the Turn the Page mini-challenge and wanted to duplicate my silly entry here (there are some really funny lines - I recommend you go to Reflections of a Bookaholic's blog and check them out, even if you don't enter the mini-challenge).  You had to insert a phrase from page 32 of your current book to complete the sentence, "I'd rather read than ________ any day!"  My entry:

I would rather read than walk into Fox and sell a movie about a restaurant that serves baked monkey balls any day! 

From Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Hours 11 and 12

Since last update:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - 84 pgs

Running total, pages:  483
Running total, hours:  7hrs 10min

I've been focusing on YA books so far this time around, so my page count is higher than normal.  I hope to break my all-time RAT page total record. 

Hours 9 and 10

Lunch, cheering, blogging, mini-challenging, fiddling with camera, etc.  Must get back to READING!!

Since last update:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - 20 pages

Running total, pages:  399
Running total, hours:  5hrs 40min

Book Sentence Mini-Challenge

Here's my book sentence.  Sorry about the blurry image.  I'm having problems with my camera.

War and peace at home in the garden of beasts

Hours 7 and 8

As usual, the time is going by much too quickly!  I can't believe we're already at the 1/3 point.

Since last update:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - 66 pgs

Running total, pages:  379
Running total, hours:  5hrs 15min

Time for lunch!  (Anyone notice I'm mentioning food a lot?!)

Hours 4, 5, and 6

Since last update:

The Fault in Our Stars - 163 pgs - Finished.  A lovely, heartbreaking story.

Running total, pages:  313
Running total, hours:  4hrs, 15min

It helped that my first book was such a quick read.  I'm sure the pace will be slowing down from here on out.  Time for my pre-lunch snack!

Hour 3 and Book Appetit Mini-Challenge

Have been perusing/commenting on blogs and eating breakfast for the last hour.  I wanted to enter the Book Spine Poetry mini-challenge, but my silly camera is not working.  Here is my entry for the Book Appetit mini-challenge:

Book:  McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy (about a pub in Ireland)
Menu:  Bangers and Mash - think I'd have to add the mushy peas as well
           Bread pudding
Drink:  Guinness (duh!)
          I've always been fascinated with Irish step dancing, so I'd try to find someone to come and give us a mini-lesson!

Off to have a quick shower and dive back into my book!

Hours 1 and 2

Got up right on time (without an alarm even) and jumped right into my first book.  Luckily, I haven't been able to put it down for the last 2 hours.  A great start!

The Fault in Our Stars - 150 pages

Running total, pages: 150
Running total, hours:  2hrs

Here's my introduction meme:

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?  Utah
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?  Hmmm...maybe Beautiful Ruins?
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?  Again, tough question...I don't have anything very exciting. Maybe Corn Nuts?  (I love them!)
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I have two daughters away at college, currently work part-time for my hubby, and LOVE to travel (getting lots of reading done on flights is a pleasant side benefit)
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? I want to take fewer breaks this time, and get more pages read!

Time for a little breakfast (as opposed to my pre-breakfast snack 2 hours ago!)

The night before Read-a-thon!

Well, I'm not going to get off to bed as early as I had hoped (I have a bright and early 6:00 a.m. start here in the Rocky Mountains), but I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.  Unlike the last few Read-a-thons, as of right now at least, I have nothing to keep me awake the night before (bailing water out of a window well last time) or anything scheduled during the day (had to attend a state political convention the time before that).  I'm hoping to devote the ENTIRE 24 hours (at least most of it) to this ridiculously fun event.  Off to get a good night's sleep and dream of books... See you all tomorrow! 

Read-a-Thon book list

I've got my books ready for Saturday (the anticipation and preparation is almost as fun as the real thing!)
Here they are:

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
My Nest isn't Empty, it Just Has More Closet Space by Lisa Scottoline
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
     and not pictured because they're on my Kindle:
Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie (I'm also borrowing this on audio to give my eyes a rest)
Well-Schooled in Murder by Elizabeth George
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

I'll be lucky to read 2 of these completely, but I like to have a wide variety as I'm a mood reader.  My stack includes a book of short essays, 4 YA books, and a couple of mysteries - all should hold my interest but not require TOO much concentration (for when the eyes get bleary and the brain gets foggy!)  Hmmm...now to plan food.  I guess I can think about that tomorrow...

Dewey's Read-a-Thon!

All signed up for my 6th Read-a-Thon!  I'm thrilled with the date (April 27), since it's the only Saturday in April I have free.  Will start thinking about my "stack" soon.