High Summer Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up post

High Summer Read-A-Thon Wrap-Up post

My reading week was great although I had a few distractions, the main one was my 2007 Silver Bullet, Audi died and suffered engine damage and I took a big loss of 4000 dollars and it was rough.  I cried more than once about it.  So I had to do lots of research, talk to lots of people, fill out multiple loan applications to purchase a vehicle by the end of the week.  I'm still not super happy about the situation I was stuck in but I found a new vehicle.  I also am pretty happy with my reading progress during the High Summer readathon and the 24in48 readathon.  So while I didn't get to read as much as I planned, I still did pretty good.

So here is my reading totals.

I finished 3 books.

1. Love Flute by Paul Goble  ( a wonderful children't book)

2. Wintering by Peter Geye ( a great work of fiction)

3. American Widow by Alissa Torres ( a graphic memoir)

I read several pages from 3 other books.

1. I read a short story every day from The Red Convertible by Louse Erdrich.

7 short stories = 78 pages

2.  I read 5 chapters in Don Quixote.  Pages 642-677 or about 35 pages.

3.  I started A Wolf at Twilight by Kent Newburn on Saturday and finished 237 pages.  This book is so good.  I'm sure I will finish it today.

How was your week?  How many books did you finish??

National Readathon Day is January 24th, 2015

                    National Readathon Day is January 24th, 2015

Tomorrow is the first National Readathon Day!

The plan is to get the whole Nation reading from Noon to 4 pm.

I'm so excited to have four hours of uninterrupted reading time on a Saturday afternoon.  I never read on a Saturday afternoon.  So this is a welcome pleasure.

Have you decided what you are going to read?

I am reading The Life We Bury by Allen Eskins

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:

College student Joe Talbert has the modest goal of completing a writing assignment for an English class. His task is to interview a stranger and write a brief biography of the person. With deadlines looming, Joe heads to a nearby nursing home to find a willing subject. There he meets Carl Iverson, and soon nothing in Joe's life is ever the same.

Iverson is a dying Vietnam veteran--and a convicted murderer. With only a few months to live, he has been medically paroled to a nursing home, after spending thirty years in prison for the crimes of rape and murder.

As Joe writes about Carl's life, especially Carl's valor in Vietnam, he cannot reconcile the heroism of the soldier with the despicable acts of the convict. Joe, along with his skeptical female neighbor, throws himself into uncovering the truth, but he is hamstrung in his efforts by having to deal with his dangerously dysfunctional mother, the guilt of leaving his autistic brother vulnerable, and a haunting childhood memory. 

Thread by thread, Joe unravels the tapestry of Carl’s conviction. But as he and Lila dig deeper into the circumstances of the crime, the stakes grow higher. Will Joe discover the truth before it’s too late to escape the fallout?

So tell me, what you are going to read?

High Summer Read-a-Thon update

High Summer Read-a-Thon update

So my busy week continues as we head into the weekend.  Here is what I have accomplished so far.

1.  Finished City of Bones
2.  Finished reading 85 pages of The White Queen for a read-a-long
3.  I have read half of Moonbird or 4 chapters.  4 chapters to go and I hope to finish over the weekend.
4.  Listened to Part 5 of audio book The Raven Boys.  Planning to listen as I pack today.

I created a mini-challenge for the Read-a-Thon so if you are a participant you should check it out.

I am going on a literary field trip this weekend and am camping in Walnut Grove, MN, home of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I am super excited about this trip as I have been wanting to go for a super long time.  It is about a 3 and a half hour drive.  I plan to take lots of pictures.  Have a great weekend everyone!!

High Summer Read-a-thon

High Summer Read-a-Thon

Today marks the beginning of another read-a-thon for me.  I can't participate in any during the school year and so I try to make the most of my reading time during the summer.  Michelle at Seasons of Reading is the host and this is my 3rd year participating.  Feel free to go and sign up.  I am even hoping to host a reading challenge again this year for read-a-thon participants.

So here are my goals for the week.
1.  Finish reading City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.  I am on page 215 right now.

2.  Read 80-90 pages in The White Queen by Phillippa Gregory.  This is for a read-a-long.

3.  Read all of Moonbird by Phillip Hoose.  Try to read a chapter or two a day.

4.  Finish listening to audio book The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. I am half done with this audio book.  On Part 5 of ten parts.

5.  Start another book??  Not sure which one yet.

Note:  I have a busy week.  My son is getting his braces off and he has a baseball playoff game.  I am getting a massage and packing for a weekend camping trip.  Packing seems to take forever.  Oh and I have a ton of laundry to do.  Hoping I can accomplish these goals but not sure.  Wish me luck!!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up

The read-a-thon has come to an end and I met and exceeded my goals this year.  Oh yeah! So here is what I accomplished.

I read two books and parts of three others.
1.  The Year of the Gadfly by Jennifer Miller - Finished
2.  The Magician's nephew by C.S. Lewis - Finished
3.  The White Queen by Phillippa Gregory - 85 pages
4.  Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder -3 chapters about 30 pages.
(read aloud to daughter)
5.  The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriquez - 96 pages
Total pages read:  733 pages read.

Wow.  I have done better this year than in the last two read-a-thons.  I am so proud of myself.  So happy to get some good reading done.  Doing the happy dance.

Max:  Read a total of an hour for the three days.  It is disappointing but I know he has other priorities right now.

Georgia:  She listened to three chapters in Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder and read for a total of 3 hours.  She is almost finished with her book The One and Only Ivan.  She has about 20 pages left.

Thanks so much to the hosts of this read-a-thon. This read-a-thon is hosted by Pure Imagination, Candace's Book blog and Reading Angels.

Can't wait for next years Read-a-Thon!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Update and mini challenge

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Update and mini challenge

So far I have been accomplishing my reading goals and I am so happy.  My kids on the other hand are not doing as well.  Oh well, I guess I expected that.  Friends, video games and TV are more important to them than reading right now and that is fine.

So far I have completed one book,The Year of the Gadfly by Jennifer Miller.  I have read 525 pages total in two days and I finished reading my pages in The White Queen by Phillippa Gregory for my read-a-long.  Yesterday I started The Magician's nephew by C.S. Lewis and read about 100 pages.  I plan to finish this book today and start a new one.  Not sure which one yet.  I also read one chapter in Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder to my daughter which equals about 10 pages.

Max:  Did not read at all yesterday and doubt he will read today.

Georgia:  Read 20 minutes in The One and Only Ivan and listened to one chapter of Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder.


Mini-Challenge
This mini-challenge is brought to you by Dizneee's World of Book blog.


For my little challenge, I would like for you to tell me your favorite genre, favorite book within that genre, and your favorite character from the same genre.

My absolute favorite genre is Historical Fiction.  I love reading a book that takes place in history and makes that history come alive for me.  I love imagining what life was like in a certain time period and I love learning about actual people and events from a period in history.  

My hands down favorite book is Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.  

My favorite character is:  I have no idea.  Scarlet is definitely the most memorable character I have read about but I don't think she is my favorite.  So here are some of my favorites.  Kunta Kinte from Roots.  Ahab's wife by Sena Jeter Naslund, Ishmael from Moby Dick.  Rebecca from Rebecca.

Who are your favorites?

                       

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Update and Mini-challenge

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Update and Mini-challenge

Today is day two of the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon.  It will be a busy day for me so I probably won't get much reading done but I will read when I can.

Yesterday I finished The Year of the Gadfly by Jennifer Miller.  I read about 320 pages total yesterday and stayed up late to finish the book and it was well worth it.  Excellent book and good writing.  I really liked it.

Today I plan to read about 85-90 pages in The White Queen by Phillippa Gregory for a read-a-long I'm participating in.  If I finish this I will probably start a new book.  Hmmm, I keep debating about what book I should start as I have so many good books to choose from.

Georgia:  She read about 40 pages in The One and Only Ivan and together we read one chapter in Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Max:  Read How to Build a Time Machine by Hazel Richardson.  He read for an hour and is almost finished with the book.


Mini-Challenge
This mini-challenge is brought to you by Better Read than Dead blog.


You're in a bookstore and you've just purchased 5 books you've been dying to read, when the apocalypse hits. (Zombie, Demons, Vampires, Dean Winchester vs. Sam Winchester (yes, I'm watching Supernatural reruns) I don't care what apocalypse). You've got one chance at survival, what 2 books do you take and what 3 other items do you take?

*This is a tough question.  If I can only take two books with me, I would choose two very long books.  One that I have already read and one I haven't.  So the first book I would choose is Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell because it is my favorite book and it should be saved for humanity.  The second book I would take with me is probably a classic that I have been wanting to read but have put off year after year.  I would make a mad dash for Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.  Another book that must be saved for humanity.

Other 3 items I would take from the bookstore;  chocolate, bookmarks and a notebook to write about the apocalypse.

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon mini challenges #1

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon mini challenges.  DAY ONE

OK so every read-a-thon comes with mini challenges and so my goal is to participate in at least one per day but today I am going to do both soooo, here goes.

The first one is by Cover2Cover blog.
I need to answer these three questions.


1. Which book you are most excited to read in the coming year? It can be already released or coming soon.

Oh my gosh so many books to choose from that I can't pick just one.  I am excited to read THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO by Patrick Ness.  This is my book club pick.  I am excited to read LIFE AFTER LIFE by Kate Atkinson and I am excited to read the first installment of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENT SERIES.  Oh and I can't forget ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY by Lara Avery.

2. Which book would you re-read if you had the time and weren't so busy reading ALL of the other good things?

I would definitely reread GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell.  It is my favorite book of all time and I read it about 20 years ago.  I should probably reread it soon.

3. and lastly, If you could meet any fictional character who would it be and why?

I would choose to meet AUGUSTUS from THE FAULT IN MY STARS by John Green.  Augustus is my book boyfriend and I love him and all he represents.  He is an amazing character.  Probably one of the best male characters to hit literature in a long time.

The next challenge is from BookBFFs.

I need to talk about my book BFF.

My very best book buddy is Stephanie from Steph the Bookworm.  

I met Stephanie by following her blog and one day she had a post searching for a book buddy.  She wanted to correspond with someone who would help support each other in their reading goals and email back and forth for at least a year.  So I signed myself up and Steph and I became book buddies and we are still friends. It is amazing how book blogging is a way to not only communicate your love of books but also leads you to find like minded people as your friends.

OK, now I have to get back to reading.

See you tomorrow.

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

One Upon a Read-a-Thon

I am participating in Once Upon a Read-a-Thon for the third year in a row.  Since it is summer, I usually make this a family experience so my son and my daughter will also be participating.  It is hard to rope them in as they are getting older (15 and 12) and so many things take precedence over reading lately.  But I am getting them to commit to read at least an hour a day or to read one book over the three days.
This read-a-thon is hosted by Pure Imagination, Candace's Book blog and Reading Angels.  There is still time to sign up if you are interested.


Goals for the Read-a-Thon:

Georgia (my 12 year old)-  Her goal is to finish reading The One and Only Ivan and to read at least 3
hours over these three days.

Max (my 15 year old)- He hasn't chosen his book yet but it is narrowed down to three so I will let you know in an update.

Reward:  If my kids accomplish their reading goals in the Read-a-Thon, I promised to buy them a new book.

My Goals ( I'm forever 29) - I am going to read and finish The Year of the Gadfly by Jennifer Miller.  I will read about 100 pages in The White Queen by Phillippa Gregory for a Read-a-Long I'm doing with The True Book Addict blog.  I would also like to start another book but I haven't decided what it will
be yet.  I plan to complete at least one reading challenge a day and of course to have fun.

Yahoo. Here is to a great summer Read-a-Thon!!

Readathon Wrap-up

Readathon Wrap-up

These were my goals for Bibliophilic Book Blog's Read Your Own Books Read-A-Thon

Here are the books I planned to read:

 

Finish:   Talking to Girls about Duran Duran by Rob Sheffield

Pick a random book off my shelf and read it. TBA

Continue with both of my readalongs;  War and Peace and Waterfall

If time: start and hopefully finish Irma Voth by Miriam Toews

 

Here is what I accomplished.

I finished reading:  Talking to Girls about Duran Duran

I continued with both my readalongs.

War and Peace- I finished Volume Two, Part Two and blogged about it.

Waterfall- I finished chapters 18-22 and can't wait to finish it.

I read Irma Voth by Miriam Toews in its entirety. 

The only thing I didn't accomplish was To Pick a random book off of my shelf and read it.  OK, I did pick a random book, I just wasn't able to read it.  I picked Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons.  It has been on my shelf for something like 10 years but I just put it back, sorry Ellen Foster!

I am so glad I was able to participate!  

Here is to reading and loving great books!!!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Wrap Up

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Wrap Up

This was a family event and while I don't think any of us accomplished all of our read-a-thon goals, we did enjoy our time reading on the deck together with the dog.  I love reading on the patio swing in the summer!

So here is what we accomplished.

Georgia (10):

Read one book called Gruffin, from The Dragons of Wayward Crescent series by Chris D'Lacey.  She also read about 75 pages of Icefire by Chris D'Lacey.  D'Lacey is Georgia's favorite author.

Max (13):

Fell short of his goal of reading an hour a day.  Due to many outside distractions (friends) he read about 40 minutes a day and is now on page 104 in Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass.

Me (Booksnob):

The goal was to finish 3 books but I only finished two books.  I read and finished Sugar Changed the World and The Latte Rebellion.  I also read about 20 pages of Volume One, Part Two in War and Peace.  I participated in one reading challenge and also wrote a read-a-thon update and did a few twitter updates as well. 

All in all it was fun and I can't wait to do it again next summer.

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Update

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Update

Monday: 
I thought Monday went really well.  I read and finished Sugar Changed the World by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos.  I will review this book next week.

I participated in one challenge at IB Book Blogging.

I began reading The Latte Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson

Tuesday:
Tuesday was a busy day for me.  I spent several hours reading The Latte Rebellion but did not finish.

No challenges today.

I scheduled a hip hop workout with a friend in the evening and had big plans to finish the book when I got home however, I got a massive migraine and so I wasn't able to read because I was so sick.  Ugh, my head hurt so bad that I was extremely dizzy, pale, shaky and nauseous.

Wednesday: 
The plans for today include finishing The Latte Rebellion.  I have about 80 pages left.
Then I plan to check out the challenges to see if I like any and maybe participate in one.
I plan to read Volume One, Part Two of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy today and skip the last book I had wanted to read, They Call Themselves the K.K.K. by Bartoletti and save it for another day. 

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon mini challenge #1

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon mini challenge #1

This challenge is by IB Book Blogging

Mini Challenge Question 1:
What is your favorite type of myth (Greek, Roman, Egyptian etc)?


My favorite type of myth is Greek.  Maybe it is because I have visited Greece and have always been in love with the islands, scenery, mountains and it's history.  I hope to retire to a Greek Island someday and live out the rest of my days.  A girl can always dream.  When I was I Greece, I swear I met poseidon, a man that approached my table at an outdoor restaurant on a island.  This man was wearing sea gear and was fully bearded and he slammed an odd looking fish on my table, all us girls screamed, and then he walked away.  It was quite odd, but an experience I will never forget.  One of the girls I was with, stuck the fish in her water bottle and carried it to the next island.  Never did figure out why poseidon put the fish on our table.

Mini Challenge Question 2:
What is your favorite book with some type of mythology in it?

This is easy. Troy by Adele Geras and The Lightning Thief Series by Rick Riordan.  I also love The Odyssey by Homer  All of these books incorporate the Greek gods into the lives of mortals and mess around with their daily existence.  It is fun to imagine and so fun to read about. 

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon starts tomorrow

The Once Upon a Read-a-Thon starts tomorrow and I am so excited. This is my second year participating and it actually makes me slow down and read during the day. Last year I included my kids, Max(13) and Georgia(10)and they will be participating this year as well.

Here are my goals for the three spectacular days ahead of us:
I want to participate in one challenge a day.
I want to read an entire book each day.
The three I have picked out are:
Sugar Changed the World by Aronson and Budhos
The Latte Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson
The Called Themselves the K.K.K. by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

I also want to read Volume One, Part Two in War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
If I accomplish all of this and keep up with posting, I will be happy.

Georgia goals include: Reading two books: Gruffin and Icefire by Chris D'Lacey.
Chris D'Lacey is her favorite author and if she accomplishes her goal she will be picking out a new D'Lacey book at The Red Balloon Bookstore on Thursday after she gets her braces put on.

Max's goals include: Reading an hour each day. (Max has dyslexia and so reading is hard to do for long periods of time)  He is currently reading Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass.  If he accomplishes his goal and hopefully finishes his book, he wants to buy a copy of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins at The Red Balloon Bookstore in Saint Paul.

OMG, I am so ready, that I want to start right now!!!

Good Luck Everyone, I hope you accomplish your goals.

Read-A-Thon Wrap-Up

Read-A-Thon Wrap Up.

This was really fun, thanks to everyone who created it, hosted mini-challenges and donated prizes. I will definitely participate in more read-a-thons but I will intentionally carve out more time to read.

Here is what I completed in 3 days:

Read 75 pages in Moby Dick
Read 1 chapter in Superparenting for ADD
Finished Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Finished Athena by George O' Conner
Participated in two mini-challenges

My reviews for these books will be published in a couple of weeks. I am leaving to spend a week slapping mosquitoes in the Wisconsin woods. I have priorities you know!

My daughter kicked butt and read 4 and a half books. I am so proud of her!!
My son, who is a reluctant reader, completed one book! I am so proud of him!!
They will be going to the bookstore to pick out a new book! They are very excited.

I was lucky enough to win a prize, it is a swag pack filled with all kinds of goodies. I am going to skip to my mailbox every day until it arrives.

I hope your reading goals were accomplished easily.
Happy Reading!

Read-A-Thon Progress Report #2

Read-A-Thon Progress Report #2

Yesterday I finished reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and read about 20 pages of Moby Dick, falling a bit short of my goal.
I ended up getting a headache last night so I couldn't read Moby, he is not good for curing headaches. This morning I woke with an allergy attack so I haven't done any reading yet today, UGH! As soon as I finish this post I plan to read for a hour or so.

I participated in one mini-challenge at Confessions of a Bookaholic.

My daughter read half of a Judy Moody book yesterday and my son read half of Hate that Cat! Getting my son to read more than 40 minutes was impossible. We went out for ice cream last night to celebrate their reading progress so far.

Today's reading goals: Read 50-80 pages of Moby Dick and 1 chapter in Superparenting for ADD. Participate in one mini challenge today. Update my progress tonight before I go to bed as today is the last day of the Read-A-Thon.

Read-A-Thon Progress Report

Once Upon a Read-A-Thon Progress Report #1

Yesterday, I read Athena by George O'Conner and started Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. I have 50 pages left of Speak and will finish it today.

My daughter read two books yesterday, Love This Dog and Hate That Cat! by Sharon Creech. I am so proud of her and more importantly she is proud of herself for finishing two whole books in one day. Hopefully she will stay motivated today.

My son was busy all day at church and Boy Scouts and so he had no time to read. Hopefully he will make up for lost time today.

Today's reading goals include finishing SPEAK and reading about 50 pages of Moby Dick. I also hope to begin reading Every Last One by Anna Quindlan. I plan to participate in one of the mini-challenges and pick up two new bookshelves while packing for Scout camp. Oh my!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon reading list

The Read-a-Thon starts today!! I am excited to participate. This is a busy week for me as I am packing to go to boy heaven aka Boy Scout camp for the week with my son. So I have shopping, errands, packing, and Doc Appts. too. I have enlisted my two kids to participate in the read-a-thon and they are excited and have their books picked out. Here is my tentative reading list:

1. Athena by George O'Conner
2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
3. Read 100 pages of Moby Dick
4. Read 1 chapter in Superparenting for ADD
5. If it arrives in the mail: Away Laughing on a Fast Camel by Louise Rennison
6. Start reading Every Last One by Anna Quindlen

If I accomplish this, I will be very happy!