Reading Distractions

Hour 15

2011-04-09T23:01:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island

Number of books read since you started: Still working on #2

Pages read since last update: 57 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 437 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 57 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 8 hours, 6 minutes

Hour 14

2011-04-09T22:00:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island

Number of books read since you started: still on #2

Pages read since last update: 54 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 380 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 50 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 7 hours, 9 minutes

Hour 13

2011-04-09T21:00:00.001-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island

Number of books read since you started: Still working on #2

Pages read since last update: 18 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 326 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 18 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 6 hours, 19 minutes

Hour 12

2011-04-09T20:29:00.000-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island

Number of books read since you started: Still on #2

Pages read since last update: 20 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 308 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 30 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 6 hours, 1 minute

Hour 11

2011-04-09T19:01:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island

Number of books read since you started: Still on #2

Pages read since last update: 23 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 288 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 27 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 5 hours, 31 minutes

Mid-Event Survey: 1. What are you reading right now? Shutter Island 2. How many books have you read so far? Still on 2nd adult-sized book, read one kid book. 3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? If I ever finish Shutter Island, I might get into I am Ozzy, Water for Elephants, or A Slice of Murder. 4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Not really, but I wish I had taken the night off from work tomorrow. I'm not going to be able to stay up for the whole read-a-thon since I have to work tomorrow night. 5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Constantly. A lot of griping and complaining with a little whining thrown in for good measure. Next year I am going to make sure the house is empty. Or at least try too. 6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? Shocked that I am sticking with one book and not skipping around a lot like I usually do. 7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? I miss being sent to other's blogs to leave messages. Haven't been touring around much this year. 8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Try to get the house to myself! 9. Are you getting tired yet? A little. Just ordered a pizza and snacks and going to read a bit while eating and hope that perks me up, but will probably lead to a quick nap. :-) 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? Nope, I don't think I'm doing as well as I could this year with all the distractions I am having.

Hour 10

2011-04-09T18:02:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island Number of books read since you started: Still on #2 Pages read since last update: 21 pages Running total of pages read since you started: 265 pages Amount of time spent reading since last update: 27 minutes Running total of time spent reading since you started: 5 hours, 4 minutes

Hour 9

2011-04-09T17:08:00.001-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island

Number of books read since you started: Still working on book #2

Pages read since last update: 37 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 244 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 40 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 4 hours, 37 minutes

Hour 8

2011-04-09T15:28:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island & Bunnicula... and friends... Creepy-Crawly Birthday

Number of books read since you started: Still working on #2 and finished #3

Pages read since last update: 42 (Bunnicula) 5 (Shutter Island)

Running total of pages read since you started: 207 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 29 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 3 hours, 57 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: none

Other participants you’ve visited: none

Hour 6 & 7

2011-04-09T13:18:00.003-04:00

HOUR 6

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island

Number of books read since you started: Still working on #2

Pages read since last update: 21 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 138 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 33 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2 hours, 59 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: None this hour.

Other participants you’ve visited: None this hour.

Prize you’ve won: None.

HOUR 7

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island

Number of books read since you started: Still working on #2

Pages read since last update: 22 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 160 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 29 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 3 hours, 28 minutes

Hour 5

2011-04-09T13:02:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Shutter Island

Number of books read since you started: Working on #2

Pages read since last update: 17 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 117 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 25 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2 hours, 26 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: None this hour.

Other participants you've visited: None

Prizes you've won: None

Hour 4

2011-04-09T12:02:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Glazed Murder, Shutter Island

Number of books read since you started: Just starting book #2

Pages read since last update: 28 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 100 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 42 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2 hours, 1 minute

Mini-challenges completed: none this hour

Other participants you’ve visited: none this hour

Prize you’ve won: none this hour

Hour 3

2011-04-09T11:01:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Glazed Murder

Number of books read since you started: working on #1

Pages read since last update: 10 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 72 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 15 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 1 hour, 19 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: None this hour.

Other participants you’ve visited: None this hour.

Prize you’ve won: None.

Had a lot of distractions this hour, unfortunately, but hopefully I will be able to get more reading done next hour. Looking forward to finishing my current book and starting a new one.

Hour 2

2011-04-09T10:02:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Glazed Murder

Number of books read since you started: still working on #1

Pages read since last update: 29 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 62 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 27 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 1 hour, 4 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: None this hour

Other participants you’ve visited: None this hour.

Prize you’ve won: None this hour

Hour 1

2011-04-09T09:18:00.005-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Glazed Murder

Number of books read since you started: working on #1

Pages read since last update: 33 pages

Running total of pages read since you started: 33 pages

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 37 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 37 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: Where in the World Are You Reading?, Introduction Meme

Other participants you’ve visited: None yet.

Prize you’ve won: None yet.

A Little About Myself

2011-04-09T08:21:00.002-04:00

1. Where are you reading from today? Queensbury, NY 2. Three random facts about me... I have a new Chihuahua puppy to keep me company during the readathon, I have a new laptop to update my blog from and I totally can't figure out how to do copy/paste on blogger.com. How frustrating! 3. How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? About 15. 4. Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (ie: number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? I'm going to set a goal of 400 pages this year. If I could finish 2 books, that would be great. 5. If you're a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time? Have lots of snacks on hand the day before. I just had to make an emergency run to the store at 7:30 this morning and made it back with 2 minutes to spare! Also have lots of books on hand, lots of variety, in case you get bored with what you are reading. Have fun, everyone!

Almost Time!!!

2011-04-09T07:22:00.002-04:00

I'm getting more excited as the time is getting closer. Woke up way earlier than normal this morning, and realized I didn't go buy any snacky foods. Trying to decide whether to run to the market real quick or not. Ugh!

A - Z Challenge 2011 (1/1-12/31/11)

2011-04-02T21:30:00.004-04:00

A-Z TITLE

A - Agatha Raisin & the Case of the Curious Curate - M.C. Beaton

B - Birthday Party Murder - Leslie Meier

C - Christmas With Tucker - Greg Kincaid

D -

E -

F -

G - Gingerbread Cookie Murder - Joanne Fluke, Leslie Meier, Laura Levine

H - Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling

I -

J -

K -

L -

M -

N -

O -

P - Parrot Training - Bonnie Munro Doane

Q -

R -

S - Smitten - Janet Evanovich

T -

U -

V - Veganist - Kathy Freston

W - Wicked Appetite - Janet Evanovich

X -

Y -

Z -

A-Z AUTHOR

A -

B - Beck, Jessica - Glazed Murder

C -

D -

E -

F -

G -

H - Halpern, Justin - Shit My Dad Says

I -

J - Jackson, Michael - Moonwalk

K - Kincaid, Greg - A Dog Named Christmas

L - Lehane, Dennis - Shutter Island

M -

N -

O -

P -

Q -

R -

S -

T -

U -

V -

W - Winkler, Henry & Lin Oliver - Hank Zipzer: The Life of Me

X -

Y -

Z -

2011 Support Your Local Library (1/1-12/31/11)

2011-04-02T21:17:00.002-04:00

(51 or more required)

1. Agatha Raisin & the Case of the Curious Curate - M.C. Beaton

2. Moonwalk - Michael Jackson

3. Wicked Appetite - Janet Evanovich

4. Smitten - Janet Evanovich

5. Birthday Party Murder - Leslie Meier

6. Hank Zipzer: The Life of Me - Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver

7. Gingerbread Cookie Murder - Joanne Fluke, Leslie Meier & Laura Levine

8. Christmas With Tucker - Greg Kincaid

9. A Dog Named Christmas - Greg Kincaid

10. Shit My Dad Says - Justin Halpern

11.

A-Z Mystery Author Challenge (1/1-12/31/11)

2011-04-02T20:58:00.003-04:00

A -

B - Beaton, M.C. - Agatha Raisin & the Case of the Curious Curate

C -

D -

E -

F -

G -

H -

I -

J -

K -

L -

M - Meier, Leslie - Birthday Party Murder

N -

O -

P -

Q -

R -

S -

T -

U -

V -

W -

X -

Y -

Z -

Crusin' thru the Cozies (1/1-12/31/11)

2011-04-01T11:36:00.005-04:00

Level 3 (13 books)

1. Agatha Raisin & the Case of the Curious Curate - M.C. Beaton

2. Birthday Party Murder - Leslie Meier

3. Gingerbread Cookie Murder - Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine & Leslie Meier

4. Glazed Murder - Jessica Beck

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon

2011-03-16T15:07:00.013-04:00

Looking forward to Dewey's 24 hour Read-a-thon coming up on April 9th, 2011 at 8am. All signed up. Got a new laptop so I can update from the comfort of my living room sofa this year instead of cramped up at my computer desk.

Some of the books I will have on hand for the Read-a-thon are:

I Am Ozzy - Ozzy Osbourne

Glazed Murder - Jessica Beck

Dandelion Fire: Book 2 of the 100 Cupboards - N.D. Wilson

A Slice of Murder - Chris Cavender

Chili Con Corpses - J.B. Stanley

Agatha Raisin & the Haunted House - M.C. Beaton

The Secret - Beverly Lewis

Thinner - Stephen King

Shopaholic and Baby - Sophie Kinsella

Love, Lust & Faking It - Jenny McCarthy

Ruby's Diary - Ruby Gettinger

At least I will have a lot to choose from!

2011 YA Reading Challenge (1/1 - 12/31/11)

2011-01-01T13:43:00.004-05:00

I am signing up for the mini challenge which is to read 12 books by Young Adult Authors.

1. Hank Zipzer: The Life of Me - Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver

10.

11.

12.

2011 TBR Challenge (1/1 - 12/31/11)

2011-01-01T13:22:00.003-05:00

To Choose From:

1. Dead to the World - Charlaine Harris
2. Bake Sale Murder - Leslie Meier
3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling
4. The Host - Stephenie Meyer
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
6. Shopaholic and Baby - Sophie Kinsella
7. G'Day to Die - Maddy Hunter
8. Princess Diaries 8: Princess on the Brink - Meg Cabot
9. Blue Boy - Rakesh Satyal
10. 311 Pelican Court - Debbie Macomber
11. Princess Diaries 9: Princess Mia - Meg Cabot
12. Princess Diaries 10: Forever Princess - Meg Cabot
13. What's a Ghoul to Do? - Victoria Laurie
14. Full House - Janet Evanovich & Charlotte Hughes
15. On What Grounds - Cleo Coyle
16. Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
17. Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling
18. Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling
19. One Night at the Call Center - Chetan Bhagat
20. Story of Edgar Sawtelle - David Wroblewski
21. Unaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahiri
22. Catering to Nobody - Diane Mott Davidson
23. Mrs. Miracle - Debbie Macomber
24. Home for the Holidays - Debbie Macomber

Looking Toward 2011

2010-12-30T14:17:00.002-05:00

A recent move managed to tear up my reading challenges for 2010, I finished practically nothing and now, almost 6 months after my move, I still haven't unfinished packing all of my books yet.

So, that said, I am going to try just a few challenges for 2011 and see how I do. I've missed keeping up with the challenges and hope there will be a few I can complete this upcoming year.

So far I am planning on signing up for:

100+ Reading Challenge 2011
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2011
A - Z Mystery Author Challenge
A - Z Challenge 2011
TBR Challenge 2011
2011 Support Your Local Library
2011 YA Reading Challenge

Hour 15 (10pm - 11pm)

2010-04-10T22:02:00.004-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Just After Sunset - Stephen King
Number of books read since you started: 3 - The Meanest Doll in the World; Garfield and the Wicked Wizard; The Runaway Dolls
Pages read since last update: 24 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 554 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 37 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 6 hours, 48 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: none this hour
Other participants you’ve visited: none this hour
Prize you’ve won: none

Unfortunately, this is about the end for me. I have to be up early in the morning and although I know I have at least another 4-5 hours left in me, I'm going to have to call it an early night. :-(

Thanks everyone for making this possible and so much fun. Good luck to all participating! Hope everyone makes it through the wee hours of the morning with no problems!

Hour 14 (9pm - 10pm)

2010-04-10T21:11:00.002-04:00

Hour 13 (8pm - 9pm)

2010-04-10T20:06:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Runaway Dolls
Number of books read since you started: 3 - The Meanest Doll in the World & Garfield and the Wicked Wizard & The Runaway Dolls
Pages read since last update: 29 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 512 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 18 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 5 hours, 51 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: none this hour
Other participants you’ve visited: none this hour
Prize you’ve won: none

Ran into some distractions this past hour but managed to finish The Runaway Dolls. That was an excellent series. Not sure what to get into for the next hour.

Hour 12 (7pm - 8pm)

2010-04-10T19:01:00.004-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Runaway Dolls
Number of books read since you started: 2 - The Meanest Doll in the World & Garfield and the Wicked Wizard
Pages read since last update: 40 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 483 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 29 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 5 hours, 33 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Mid-Event Survey
Other participants you’ve visited: Manda (Draw a Blank)
Prize you’ve won: none

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? Still working on The Runaway Dolls by Ann M. Martin & Laura Godwin. Really enjoyed this whole series and wish there were more.
2. How many books have you read so far? 2
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? This Time Together by Carol Burnette
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Not really.
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I have a five year old, so, uh... yeah. Lots. I've just tried to stay patient, plus read her an entire Garfield book.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? I'm surprised that I constantly find myself unprepared in the snack department for each readathon, even vowing during the last one to be more prepared and still not be. lol Someone send me some snacks, please!!!!!
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? No, I think you guys do a great job.
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Try to remember the snacks next year and hopefully be more organized.
9. Are you getting tired yet? I had a tired moment a few hours back, but I'm doing well for the moment. Can't believe we have been doing this almost 12 hours.
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? Can't think of any right now.

Hour 11 (6pm - 7pm)

2010-04-10T18:04:00.001-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Runaway Dolls
Number of books read since you started: 2 - The Meanest Doll in the World & Garfield and the Wicked Wizard
Pages read since last update: 15 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 443
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 14 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 5 hours, 4 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: none
Other participants you’ve visited: none
Prize you’ve won: none

Hour 10 (5pm - 6pm)

2010-04-10T17:02:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Runaway Dolls & Garfield and the Wicked Wizard
Number of books read since you started: 2 - The Meanest Doll in the World & Garfield and the Wicked Wizard
Pages read since last update: 57 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 428 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 36 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 4 hours, 50 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: none this hour
Other participants you’ve visited: none
Prize you’ve won: none

Hour 9 (4pm - 5pm)

2010-04-10T16:13:00.003-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Runaway Dolls & Garfield and the Wicked Wizard
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 56 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 371 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 36 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 4 hours, 14 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: none
Other participants you’ve visited: none
Prize you’ve won: none

Hour 8 (3pm - 4pm)

2010-04-10T14:58:00.001-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Runaway Dolls
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 62 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 315 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 49 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 3 hours 38 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: none this hour
Other participants you’ve visited: none this hour
Prize you’ve won: none

Hour 7 (2pm - 3pm)

2010-04-10T14:04:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Runaway Dolls & Garfield and the Wicked Wizard
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 41 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 253 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 29 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2 hours, 49 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: none
Other participants you’ve visited: none
Prize you’ve won: none

Hour 6 (1pm - 2pm)

2010-04-10T13:04:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Runaway Dolls & Garfield and the Wicked Wizard
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 26 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 212 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 20 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: It's Your Story... So Write it Challenge
Other participants you’ve visited: none
Prize you’ve won: none

Hour 5 (12pm - 1pm)

2010-04-10T12:12:00.001-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Runaway Dolls - Ann M. Martin & Laura Godwin; Garfield and the Wicked Wizard
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 54 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 186 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 32 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2 hours
Mini-challenges completed: none this hour
Other participants you’ve visited: none yet
Prize you’ve won: none

Hour 4 (11am - 12pm)

2010-04-10T11:07:00.003-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Meanest Doll in the World
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 38 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 132 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 20 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 1 hour, 28 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: none this hour
Other participants you’ve visited: none yet
Prize you’ve won: none

Hour 3 (10am - 11am)

2010-04-10T10:16:00.007-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Meanest Doll in the World & Garfield and the Wicked Wizard
Number of books read since you started: 0
Pages read since last update: 34 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 94 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 24 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 1 hour, 8 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: And the Nominees Are
Other participants you’ve visited: none yet
Prize you’ve won: none

And The Nominees Are:

Favorite Female Character in a book: Hermione Granger from Harry Potter
Favorite Male Character in a book: Stu Redman from The Stand
Favorite Side Kick in a book: Ron Weasley from Harry Potter
Favorite Couple in a Book: Edward and Bella from Twilight
Favorite Book Series: Harry Potter
Favorite Author: Stephen King
Favorite Book Cover: Under the Dome - Stephen King
Favorite Book of 2009: Under the Dome - Stephen King

Hour 2

2010-04-10T09:05:00.006-04:00

End of Hour 2:

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Meanest Doll in the World
Number of books read since you started: 0
Pages read since last update: 40 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 60 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 31 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 44 minutes
Mini challenges completed:
Other participants you've visited: none yet
Prizes you've won: none

End of Hour 1:

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Meanest Doll in the World - Ann M. Martin & Laura Godwin
Number of books read since you started: 0
Pages read since last update: 20 pages
Running total of pages read since you started: 20 pages
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 13 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 13 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Hour 1 meme, The Kick Off of Champions
Other participants you’ve visited: none yet
Prizes you’ve won: none

The Kick Off of Champions
Miss Remmers' is hosting the Kick Off of Champions. She would like to know what we have surrounded ourselves with for the early hours of the challenge besides books!

I'm going to be spending most of the read-a-thon at my computer desk - I read a little, blog a little, surf the blogs a little so it makes sense to stay put here rather than jumping up and down constantly. On my computer desk I have my big jug of plain water, a Sobe Lifewater, an extra-large iced coffee (gotta have it to get my blood working this early in the morning), a stack of index cards which I use as bookmarks during the readathon so I can jot down notes, pages read, length of time reading to make it easier to update the blog and of course a drawer of junk food to munch on.

Thanks for a great challenge idea!

Dewey's Read-a-Thon Hour 1

2010-04-10T08:18:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited to be doing the Read-a-Thon yet again. I've lost track of how many I have participated in. I'm thinking this is 4th or 5th! (I'll have to look back through my blogs and try to figure it out!)

The first mini-challenge is the Hour 1 meme from Darcy.

Where are you reading from today? For easy reading, I am reading from the Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler, the Doll People series by Ann M. Martin & Laura Godwin, and I have a handful of other books from the Juvenile section at the library. I also have my Kindle stocked up with lots of other books, a mixture of short stories, mysteries, Chunksters, etc., so I will have lots to choose from.

3 facts about me: I'm currently purchasing a new home and supposed to be moving in 3 weeks. I should be spending every spare minute packing, but can you say UGHHHHH! I HATE packing!

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? Looks like about 20 to choose from.

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (ie: number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? Nah, I'm just glad to be able to carve out some time to participate. No pressure this time!

If you're a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time? I should follow my own advice, but plan ahead! You should have lots of books, drinks and snacks available. Nothing worse than having Hour 1 start and realizing you forgot to stop at the store and grab some easy, quick to prepare snacks. Which is exactly what I just did!

Dewey's April 10th Readathon

2010-04-05T21:48:00.004-04:00

It's almost time once again!

Unfortunately, due to time constraints (I'm in the middle of purchasing a new house and selling my old one! What a nightmare!)... I won't be able to participate in the Readathon as much as I normally do, but I'm going to be in it as much as possible.

Richard Simmons Exercise Challenge 2010

2010-01-01T19:31:00.010-05:00

Are you as sick and tired of being sick and tired as I am? Have you tried repeatedly to lose weight only to fail time after time? Or have you succeeded in losing weight only to watch the weight creep back on slowly?

I've spent the last few days signing up for all the reading challenges that I enjoy doing each year and making a commitment to the books I love so much. While watching Richard Simmons on QVC today, it suddenly hit me that maybe I should be saving some time to commit to myself and my health. To making myself and my family healthier. To ensuring that I will be around for many years to come so that I can continue reading these books that are toppling my TBR pile over!

Cause the way I'm going, I'm digging myself an early grave with a fork and spoon.

So, the goal for this challenge is twofold.

First, to read 2 books in the genre of diet or exercise. Come on, that's not a lot to have to read in an entire year! Richard Simmons even has a diet book published that I read many years ago, Still Hungry After All These Years that is out of print but you can still find used online. I believe I bought mine from eBay for two bucks. Extra credit if you actually find and read Richard's book!

That's the easy part.

And now comes the hard part!

Second is to commit to exercise. (I know. Ugly word.) Any kind of exercise will do. Put the book down (I know, I know!) and go for a walk. Workout to a Sweatin' to the Oldies DVD. Rollerblade. Play tennis. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, get out there and do it!

Mr. Linky now available to leave a link to your post. Have a description of your commitment to exercise -- what type, how long, how many days per week? If you have a pedometer, you could commit to a certain amount of steps per day or per week.

If you don't have a blog, that's ok! Just leave your commitment info in the comments section.

I'm going to commit to Sweatin' to the Oldies, three days a week for as long as I can hold out! And I'm going to aim for 25,000 steps per week.

Challenge runs from January 1 through December 31, 2010.

Hope you will join with me in getting fit for 2010!!!

WWW Wednesdays

2009-11-05T16:50:00.003-05:00

What are you currently reading? Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, Hank Zipzer: A Tale of Two Tails by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell by M.C. Beaton, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume, Tigers at Twilight by Mary Pope Osborne

What did you recently finish? Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer, and The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber.

What do you think you’ll read next? Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, Club Dead by Charlaine Harris, The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee & Bikini Season by Sheila Roberts

WWW... Wednesdays!

2009-10-29T11:51:00.002-04:00

MizB17 is hosting a weekly event at her blog, Should Be Reading, called WWW... Wednesdays where you answer the following question every Wednesday. Sounds fun, so I am joining in.

What are you currently reading? I am currently reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer, Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell by M.C. Beaton & The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber.

What did you recently finish? On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts.

What do you think you’ll read next? The next Harry Potter, the final in the Twilight series, Club Dead by Charlaine Harris, and whatever else I can sneak in to try to finish up some of my challenges. For my 999 Challenge I am way low on my foreign reading, so hopefully I can try to slip some of those in as I really want to complete this challenge before the end of the year.

2009-10-29T11:39:00.002-04:00

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Hour 21 since that was when I passed out.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Janet Evanovich for sure, On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts was a really good read.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? No, I think you guys do an awesome job.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? I loved the challenges, they were a lot of fun.

5. How many books did you read? I fully completed 3 and was into my 4th.

6. What were the names of the books you read? On Strike for Christmas, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets, Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell

7. Which book did you enjoy most? On Strike for Christmas

8. Which did you enjoy least? L.T.'s Theory of Pets

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 as many blogs as I could.

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Definitely will. I look forward to the Read-a-thon every time and am planning to take the next day off from work next time to better recuperate. I'll definitely be a reader and I am trying to come up with a prize/challenge perhaps.

Hour 21 4a-5a

2009-10-25T04:09:00.001-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Agatha Raisin & the Love From Hell
Number of books read since you started: 4
Pages read since last update:
Running total of pages read since you started: 507 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 8 hours & 44 minutes
Mini-challenges completed:
Other participants you’ve visited:
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets, On Strike for Christmas

Hour 20 3a-4a

2009-10-25T03:32:00.004-04:00

Thank you all for the encouragement. It helps! I'm trying to hang in there. Hope you all are making it through the bleary eyed phase of this journey. What time does the second wind kick in? :-D

Here are the pictures for Picturrific!

The book cover.

In the first of the Agatha Raisin series, Agatha placed a pot of begonias in her kitchen window when she first moved into her cottage in the Cotswolds.

The cottage in the Cotswolds.

Agatha adopted two cats upon moving to the Cotswolds and they are forever exploring the garden.
Agatha is always sneaking off for a smoke, much to the disgust of her husband, James.

Title of book(s) read since last update: Agatha Raisin & the Love From Hell
Number of books read since you started: 4
Pages read since last update: 14
Running total of pages read since you started: 507 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 13 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 8 hours & 44 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Picturrific
Other participants you’ve visited: Stella Matutina
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets, On Strike for Christmas

HOORAY! I made 500 pages which was one of my goals way back at the beginning. I am so thrilled that I made it that far, at least.

Hour 19 2am-3am

2009-10-25T02:03:00.004-04:00

Oh, nooooooooo! My eyes are starting to glaze over!

I totally ran out of steam this hour. I had to put my book down and just surfed around the Read-a-Thon websites to try to perk myself back up. I got a bad feeling though that I may not last much longer. I made it longer than I thought I would though. I didn't think I would make it much past midnight and here it is closing in on 3am. WOO HOO!

Title of book(s) read since last update: Agatha Raisin & the Love From Hell
Number of books read since you started: 4
Pages read since last update: 24
Running total of pages read since you started: 493 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 12 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 8 hours & 31 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Turn to page...
Other participants you’ve visited: Shel & Monica
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets, On Strike for Christmas

Hour 18 1a-2a

2009-10-25T01:03:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas; Agatha Raisin & the Love From Hell
Number of books read since you started: 4
Pages read since last update: 50
Running total of pages read since you started: 469 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 40 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 8 hours & 19 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: None this hour.
Other participants you’ve visited: None this hour.
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets, On Strike for Christmas

Hour 17 12a-8a

2009-10-25T00:04:00.004-04:00

Lynn @ Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile wants to know my five favorite children's books:

Fluffy Goes Apple Picking by Kate McMullan
David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon
Me and My Little Brain by John D. Fitzgerald
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex

All but Me and My Little Brain are favorites of mine and my 5 year old daughter. We have read Goodnight Moon so many times she has it memorized and can read it to me. She also has David Gets in Trouble and parts of Fluffy Goes Apple Picking memorized. Goodnight Goon is a cute spin-off of Goodnight Moon. Me and My Little Brain was one of my favorites going up. I still have a few of the series, but unfortunately they are getting hard to find now.

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 22
Running total of pages read since you started: 419 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 27 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 7 hours & 39 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Give me Five mini-challenge, Dance-a-thon
Other participants you’ve visited: Lynn, Nicki
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 16 11p-12a

2009-10-24T23:17:00.003-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 37
Running total of pages read since you started: 397 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 38 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 7 hours & 12 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Wisdom of the Age Challenge
Other participants you’ve visited: Care
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 15 10p-11p

2009-10-24T22:06:00.004-04:00

I never met Dewey, but I was lucky enough to be able to participate in several of her Read-a-thons. She inspired me to read more and to take one or two days a year just for myself, to enjoy reading for the love of reading, and not worry about all the things that need doing for just one day. I greatly look forward to those days as a mini-staycation from daily life. I want to thank her for giving me the gift of reading one day at a time, and being able to enjoy a ME day once in a while. Thank you, Dewey. You are greatly missed and I know Heaven has a well-stocked library just for you.

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 24
Running total of pages read since you started: 360 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 29 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 6 hours & 34 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Dewey's mini-challenge
Other participants you’ve visited: Eva
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 14 9p-10p

2009-10-24T21:03:00.004-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 20
Running total of pages read since you started: 336 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 25 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 6 hours & 5 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Music to Read by Challenge
Other participants you’ve visited: Schatzi, Suey, Diane, Icedream, Mari
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 13 8p-9p

2009-10-24T20:04:00.005-04:00

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? Still reading On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts
2. How many books have you read so far? This is my 3rd.
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Agatha Raisin & the Love From Hell by M.C. Beaton
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Other than ordering out Pizza for dinner, not really.
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Not too many this year. I'm very pleased with the amount of reading I've got done so far. I have a little timer that I keep track of all my reading with, and whenever I've had an interruption, I've simply paused the timer, dealt with whatever it is and got right back to reading.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How much reading I've managed this year. Last years read-a-thon was a disaster for me and I ended up giving up and going to bed.
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? None! I think you all do a wonderful job and I look forward to being able to participate every time.
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Definitely make better food arrangements. I had to make a quick run to the store this morning, but I was out running errands anyhow, so no biggie. Next time I will definitely stock up on the snacks beforehand.
9. Are you getting tired yet? Nope, still running strong here.
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? Making sure the rest of the family have activities to keep them busy while I am busy reading is key. I have a five year old, so I stock up on the videos and the coloring books.

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 22
Running total of pages read since you started: 316 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 28 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 5 hours & 40 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Mid Event Survey
Other participants you’ve visited: None this hour
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 12 7p-8p

2009-10-24T19:10:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 16
Running total of pages read since you started: 294 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 16 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 5 hours & 12 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Books That Bite, Re-reading the Classics
Other participants you’ve visited: Tara, Trisha Ping
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 11 6p-7p

2009-10-24T18:04:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 32
Running total of pages read since you started: 278 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 47
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 4 hours & 56 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: None this hour.
Other participants you’ve visited: None this hour.
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 10 5p-6p

2009-10-24T17:05:00.003-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 28
Running total of pages read since you started: 246
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 29 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 4 hours & 9 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Re-reading
Other participants you’ve visited: Erika @ Reading With Momma
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 9 4p-5p

2009-10-24T16:04:00.004-04:00

Nicole at Linus's Blanket has posted the Feed Me Seymour! mini-challenge, so here is my entry. Or should that be entree'? :-D

The book I am currently reading is On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts.

Still, a woman only got to eat pumpkin pie once a year. And now that she was Menopause Mama, coping with hot flashes and mood swings, she ought to be allowed a few small pleasures. Anyway, she didn't look all that bad naked. So that meant it had to be the clothes that were making her look fat. Note to self: Find some non-bulky winter sweaters.

She picked up the plate again. "One more bite for the road," she decided and forked up another mouthful.

"Why not?" Lonnie agreed. "You've got a designated driver."

The designated driver gave his wife another pleading look.

Joy took one last quick bite. Rushing through pumpkin pie-it was a crime. She set down the plate, then brushed past Bob and went downstairs to the split-level's lower floor, dubbed the party room.

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 28
Running total of pages read since you started: 218 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 30 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 3 hours & 40 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Feed Me Seymour!
Other participants you’ve visited: Nicole @ Linus's Blanket
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 8 3p-4p

2009-10-24T15:04:00.006-04:00

Nise @ Under The Boardwalk has posted the Who Keeps You Company mini-challenge. The challenge is to post a picture or tell who or what is keeping you company as you are reading today. So here are a couple pics of my faithful companions. Thanks for the great challenge idea, Nise.

First up is my faithful dog, Farley. He is 12 years old and I just love him to death. He follows me everywhere I go, always changing rooms when I do, even following me to sit in front of the bathroom door. He can't climb stairs anymore (back problems), so he will sit at the bottom of the stairs and wait for me to come back down. I can't imagine my life without him.

Next up, is my daughter, Avery. She is five years old and has been hanging out with me quite a bit today. Since I am mostly sitting in my computer room to blog and read, she has chosen to make herself a little nest on the floor near me. She has a portable DVD player so she can watch movies, her own stack of books and has been playing with several small plush toys, off and on while eating way too much junk food for her own good. She was very excited to have her picture taken for the mini-challenge and gave a wave to all the other readers.

I got so busy taking pics and blogging (and having fun) that I forgot to READ this hour! LOL

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike For Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 9
Running total of pages read since you started: 190 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 8 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 3 hours and 10 minutes Mini-challenges completed: Who Keeps You Company
Other participants you’ve visited: Nise @ Under The Boardwalk, Amanda @ A Patchwork of Books

Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 7 2p-3p

2009-10-24T14:03:00.003-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: On Strike for Christmas
Number of books read since you started: 3
Pages read since last update: 27
Running total of pages read since you started: 181 pages & 319 Kindle
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 29 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 182 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Eat to Read Challenge
Other participants you’ve visited: Beth Fish Reads
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Beth Fish Read's Eat to Read challenge wants to know what we have in our snack pile, so I'm chiming in with mine. Nothing creative going on here whatsoever. I've been dieting FOREVER, so today I am letting all that go by the wayside, and I am treating myself to snacks that actually taste GOOD but are not so good for you!

So far, I've been snacking on a bag of Nacho Cheese flavored Bugles and some mini Milky Way and Butterfinger candy bars. Being bad tastes soooooo good! Maybe later on I'll get someone to run out to get me an iced coffee or a hot coffee depending on my mood.

And for supper tonight, we are definitely ordering a pizza. Yummm!!! No cooking for me today!

Hour 6 1p-2p

2009-10-24T13:09:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: L.T.'s Theory of Pets
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 84% Kindle
Running total of pages read since you started: 154 & 319 Kindle segments
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 33 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 153 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 0
Other participants you’ve visited: None this hour.
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great; L.T.'s Theory of Pets

Hour 5 12p-1p

2009-10-24T12:13:00.003-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 49
Running total of pages read since you started: 154 +16% audio/Kindle
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 37 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 120 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: None this hour
Other participants you’ve visited: None this hour
Books finished: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

Hour 4 (11am - 12p)

2009-10-24T12:08:00.003-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 19
Running total of pages read since you started: 105 + 16% audio/Kindle
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 13 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 83 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 0
Other participants you’ve visited: 0

Hour 3

2009-10-24T10:14:00.003-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 47
Running total of pages read since you started: 86 + 16% audio/Kindle
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 32 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 70 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Where in the World is the Read-a-Thon, who has participated two or more,
Other participants you’ve visited: Trish at Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'? , Karen, Just One More Thing, Aphazia
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour 2

2009-10-24T10:01:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great & L.T.'s Theory of Pets
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 27 + 16% audio/Kindle
Running total of pages read since you started: 39 + 16% audio/Kindle
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 27 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 38 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 1
Other participants you’ve visited: 0
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour 1

2009-10-24T08:41:00.005-04:00

Woo Hoo! I'm so excited to be able to participate today. Thank you to everyone that helps to make this happen every year. I'm sure Dewey is smiling wherever she is.

Where are you reading from today? Probably a mishmash of things. My attention span doesn't last long these days! I have my Kindle loaded up with lots of books, and can switch to audio when I have to take a trip out of the house today. I also have a stack of library books that I am planning to work on. Mostly small YA books, Judy Blume, Sharon Creech, Pseudonymous Bosch. Hoping to get a few of those finished at least.

3 facts about me … I get my feelings hurt way too easily. I don't go anywhere without my Kindle, it's my new appendage. I love Autumn.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? Looks like about 12.

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)? My goal is to not gripe too much when my family keep interrupting me, which I know they will! :-D Seriously, though, I'm hoping to finish a couple of the smaller YA type books I have in front of me and to maybe finish one of my larger books that I am already into. Other than that I will just be pleased if I can actually get some uninterrupted reading done today. Number of pages, maybe 500?

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time? Definitely have snacks and drinks pre-purchased and ready to go, which didn't stop me from forgetting yet again this year! Looks like I'm ordering pizza for supper tonight! And have a good stack of books to give you plenty to choose from.

Good luck and have fun everyone!

Title of book(s) read since last update: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 12
Running total of pages read since you started: 12
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 11 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 11 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 1
Other participants you’ve visited: 0
Prize you’ve won: 0

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon

2009-10-21T15:03:00.005-04:00

I'm so excited for the next read-a-thon which takes place this Saturday, October 24th starting at 8am est. I look forward to it every year and am hoping the family will cooperate this year to let me get more reading done!

My reading pool includes:

This Book is Not Good For You - Pseudonymous Bosch

The Wanderer - Sharon Creech

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great - Judy Blume

Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer

On Strike for Christmas - Sheila Roberts

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling

Club Dead - Charlaine Harris

L. T.'s Theory of Pets - Stephen King

Walk of Shame 2009

2009-09-26T18:26:00.004-04:00

Well, it's happened again. Granted, it doesn't happen very often, but I hate, hate, hate when it does. I just can not finish a particular book.

This year's Walk of Shame book is Scent of Danger by Doranna Durgin.

I tried. I really did. I made it to page 80, but for some reason I just cannot get "into" this book. So, I have given up for now. Perhaps the reason is that it is second in a series. If the mood strikes me, I may look up her first book and give this series a try again at a later date.

R.I.P. Challenge (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2009) COMPLETE

2009-08-28T13:00:00.016-04:00

I've wanted to do this challenge the last few years and never manage to get any books read for it. So, I'm doing pretty well this year with my other challenges, and thought I would give it another try. I have chosen Peril the Second, which requires reading two books of any length from any subgenre of scary stories. I put in a request at my library for Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. I enjoyed her Time Traveler's Wife, so thought I might like this one as well. Other than that, I have no idea what else I would like to read.

Okay, so I lied. After looking through my future reading lists, I managed to come up with quite a few that would fit into this challenge.

Who knows? Maybe I'll actually get it completed this year!!!

My reading pool includes:

1. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger 10/19/09

2. Ghosts of Kerfol by Deborah Noyes

3. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris 9/29/09

4. Ghost Road Blues by Jonathan Maberry

5. Coraline by Neil Gaiman 9/14/09

6. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

7. Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton

8. In the Dark of the Night by John Saul

I really enjoyed Coraline. Was a nice quick read (although it still took me a week to get it read!) I also watched the movie for the first time this week with my 5 year old daughter. She enjoyed the first half of the movie, but once things started to get scary, she would hide her eyes.

I just finished Dead Until Dark, the first in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and just recently had begun watching True Blood on HBO. I absolutely loved both of them and am looking forward to starting the second book.

And with that, I finished this challenge! Holy Cow! My first year actually completing it. Now, that wasn't so hard! I'll be ready for next year.

I also managed to complete Her Fearful Symmetry, which I really enjoyed. The ending was a bit lacking somewhat, but overall I enjoyed the read. The secrets in the story were really good. I managed to guess them before they were revealed, but that didn't keep me from reading as quickly as I could to find out if I was right. I'll be looking forward to reading more from this author. Hope others enjoyed this one as much as I did.

Looking Ahead to 2009

2008-12-16T20:56:00.065-05:00

Looking ahead for 2009 Challenges, I know I want to try to keep it simple this year, but I am also kicking myself for not trying the 888 Challenge. I "know" I am going to want to try a 10, 10 in 2010 Challenge, so I am thinking the 999 Challenge would be great practice. Since I only managed 59 books this year, I know 81 will be a bit out of reach, but ya never know. My main goal is just to read as many books as I can, and it doesn't upset me a bit if I don't manage to complete any goals. I am just thrilled to be inspired to READ!

Some possible categories for 999: (I think these WILL be my categories actually)

1. Holiday
2. Anything from a Series
3. Kindle books
4. Children's Picture Books
5. Juvenile/Young Adult
6. Cozy Mystery
7. Agatha Raisin
8. Foreign
9. Library

Okay, I am so wanting to do this 999 Challenge that I even made the recommended Ticker! Looks like I'm going to go for it! Even if I don't manage the 999, reading a total of 81 books for the year would be AWESOME!

I am also planning on 2009 TBR. I didn't complete this one for '08 either, but 4 books off the TBR is better than NO books off the TBR. LOL

2008 Challenge Results

2008-12-16T19:38:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately, I did not meet very many goals for 2008. I only completed the Amateur Sleuth Challenge. (6/6)

Results for the other Challenge were:

100+ Reading Challenge: 59/100
2008 TBR Challenge: 4/12
A Well-Rounded Challenge: 2/6
A-Z Reading Challenge: 29/52
Chunkster Challenge 2008: 2/4
Diana Gabaldon Challenge: 2/6
Every Month is a Holiday Challenge: 6/12
Romance Reading Challenge: 4/5
Series Challenge: 6/11

However, I read a total of 59 books for 2008, compared to 35 for 2007, and only 10 for 2006. So, I am greatly improved over previous years and hope to continue getting more reading in for 2009. I am going to sign up for less challenges for 2009, but am hoping to get more reading in.

Hour 14 Update

2008-10-18T22:25:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Murder For Halloween
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 16
Running total of pages read since you started: 288
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 23 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 363 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Top Ten List Challenge, Short Story Challenge
Other participants you’ve visited: C.B. James, Softdrink
Prize you’ve won: None

Loved the challenges this hour.

I'm going to be moving the reading upstairs. Time for a shower and to get more comfy now that everyone has gone to sleep. Finally peace and quiet. I'm planning on reading until midnight at least before I go to sleep. It's 10:30 pm here on the East Coast. I would try for an all-nighter, but I have to work tomorrow night and I'm afraid I will end up a zombie. LOL

Keep up the great work everyone and good luck with meeting your challenges!

Top Ten List

2008-10-18T22:10:00.005-04:00

(Tapping index card on desk)

From the home office in Sioux City, Iowa, here comes Patti's Top 10 List of Things I Have Yelled At My Family today during the Read-a-thon.

Here we go.

10. Please, knock it off!
9. Alright, seriously! You gotta stop bothering me, I'm trying to read!
8. Come on! I'm not kidding! I hardly got any reading done that hour!
7. Will someone let the dogs out?!?
6. I'm running away from home!
5. If you two don't knock it off, I am going to (CENSORED)!
4. STOP YELLING!
3. YOU BETTER NOT HIT HIM!
2. WHAT'S FOR DINNER?!?

and the number one thing I have yelled at my family today:

1. CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!

Hour 13 Update

2008-10-18T21:03:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death - Laurie Notaro
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 21
Running total of pages read since you started: 272
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 24 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 340 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Dream Plate Challenge
Other participants you’ve visited: None
Prize you’ve won: None

Hour 12 Update

2008-10-18T20:31:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death - Laurie Notaro
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 21
Running total of pages read since you started: 251
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 30 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 316 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Very Mini-Library Cat Challenge
Other participants you’ve visited: Sharon
Prize you’ve won: None

Hour 11 Update

2008-10-18T19:01:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death - Laurie Notaro
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 15
Running total of pages read since you started: 230
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 17 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 286 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Mid-Event Survey
Other participants you’ve visited: None
Prize you’ve won: None

Mid-Event Survey:

1. What are you reading right now? The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death by Laurie Notaro
2. How many books have you read so far? Have completed one and read parts of 3 others.
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? G'Day to Die by Maddy Hunter
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Not really. I only had to do a little driving today. I did grab a lot of frozen foods for today to make it easier plus stockpiled a lot of books that I figured would interest me from the library.
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I've had far too many interruptions. I'm sad to say I'm not dealing well and have ended up yelling "Knock it off!" quite a bit.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? It always surprises me how well run it is. I don't know how you all coordinate and run things so smoothly, but I think you all do a great job.
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Not really. I think it's awesome and really enjoy doing them.
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? I'm already planning that supper is going to be a delivery deal. Going to get some of my fave comfort foods and spend the day relaxing and eating. lol And I think my 4 year old daughter might have to spend the day at Grandma's and her father needs to find something else to do as well. Definitely looking for more peace and quiet next time.
9. Are you getting tired yet? Surprisingly not. I wasn't planning on staying up all night, (last time I think I went to bed at 11pm) but I am toying with trying to see how long I can last. I'm thinking the sleeping hours might be more productive for me.
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 definitely think short stories and comedy type books are the way to go! Stockpile books so you have lots to choose from. And grab a lot of your favorite genres to read. Nothing worse then being stuck reading something you are really not enjoying when something else is calling out to you.

Thanks for a great day so far!

Hours 9 & 10

2008-10-18T18:25:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Are You There, Vodka? (finally finished it), I Feel Bad About My Neck - Nora Ephron & The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death - Laurie Notaro
Number of books read since you started: Finally finished ONE
Pages read since last update: 30 & 19
Running total of pages read since you started: 215
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 36 minutes & 25 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 269 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: None these hours
Other participants you’ve visited: Dewey, Kim
Prize you’ve won: None

Okay, I still think I'm screwed up on my hours, so I 'think' I just completed hours 9 & 10. I'm gonna run with it and see if this is right. I should be on hour 11 right now.

I am pretty sure my family decided to go insane today! I am having the hardest time reading. Constantly having to stop and break up arguments. Seems like something is constantly going on. Next year I am shipping everyone off and spending the day by myself. LOL Oh, well. Hopefully things will get better when I can send everyone off to bed. (Crossing my fingers that I don't fall asleep too!)

But, I finally finished a book and started two more just so I'll have plenty to choose from.

Hours 8 & 9

2008-10-18T16:07:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Murder for Halloween & Are You There, Vodka?
Number of books read since you started: still working on same
Pages read since last update: 19 & 31
Running total of pages read since you started: 166
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 27 minutes & 32 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 208 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: None these hours
Other participants you’ve visited: None these hours
Prize you’ve won: None

Well, I thought I would try reading for two hours without a break to blog to see if that would help get more reading in. I think I was on the right track until my Mom called and kept me on the phone for 20 minutes. Grrr!

I am almost finished with Are You There, Vodka? I am really enjoying it. Chelsea Handler is one funny woman. Some of the things she writes about are pretty shocking, I agree, but there are also some moments that make me laugh out loud. I'm definitely going to try out her other book one of these days.

I'll be back in two hours probably (unless I come back sooner). I'm going to finish up Chelsea and then see what else I can get into. I really really wanted to read 500 pages this time. I don't know if it's possible, but I am sure going to try!

Hour 7 Update

2008-10-18T14:04:00.003-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Murder for Halloween
Number of books read since you started: still working on same
Pages read since last update: 10
Running total of pages read since you started: 116
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 23 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 149 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: FreeRice, donated a total of 4400 grains
Other participants you’ve visited: Tammy, J.C. Montgomery
Prize you’ve won: None

Love the free rice site, but got to wonder. Who counts out these grains of rice, anyhow? ;-)

Murder for Halloween is a collection of Halloween short stories. This last story I've been working on is BOR-ING! I nodded off for about ten minutes. Sheesh! Gotta finish up the story this hour so I can get back to Chelsea.

Also, somehow my hours got messed up. What hour is this anyhow? LOL

Hour 4 Update

2008-10-18T13:04:00.002-04:00

Title of book(s) read since last update: Are you There, Vodka?
Number of books read since you started: still working on same
Pages read since last update: 35
Running total of pages read since you started: 106
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 46 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 126 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Meryl's Mini Challenge
Other participants you’ve visited: Valentina, Chris
Prize you’ve won: None

Still plugging right along. Seems a lot harder this time around! LOL Maybe cause last time the weather was nice and this time it is freezing out! Too much time wasted having to get all bundled up then jumping out of my bundles to come blog, then running back to cover up! Hope you all are keeping warm today!

Hour 3 Update

2008-10-18T11:05:00.005-04:00

Well, I got a lot of reading time in last hour, so I'm back on track. Unfortunately I have to do more driving soon so the next hour is going to be pretty crazy but then I should be good for the rest of the day!

Title of book(s) read since last update: Are you there Vodka & Murder for Halloween
Number of books read since you started: still working on same 2
Pages read since last update: 42
Running total of pages read since you started: 71
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 50 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 80 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: None this hour
Other participants you’ve visited: Lynda, Veena, Nymeth
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour 2 Update

2008-10-18T09:55:00.001-04:00

Unfortunately, I didn't even get to read this hour. Had to do some driving and don't have any audio books, so I'm spending the rest of the hour visiting blogs and working on the mini challenge Free Rice

So far I've donated 1580 grains of rice and thought I would work on it a little throughout the day. I've seen this site before but need to remember to visit it daily!

As far as the reading side of things:

Title of book(s) read since last update: Murder for Halloween & Are you There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea
Number of books read since you started: Haven't finished any, just reading a little at a time from a few.
Pages read since last update: 29
Running total of pages read since you started: 29
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 30 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 30 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: Free Rice, Introduction Meme
Other participants you’ve visited: Iliana, Jessi
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour 1 Update

2008-10-18T08:30:00.002-04:00

Where are you reading from today? A little bit of everything, June Bug; Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea; I Feel Bad About My Neck; Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death; The Tapestry; How Starbucks Saved My Life; Born Standing Up; G'Day to Die; Aunt Dimity and the Duke.

3 facts about me … 1.) I am off to a horrible start with the readathon. Way too many DISTRACTIONS! People in this house are not being helpful! LOL
2.) I just adopted 3 Lovebirds last night and am listening to them sing this morning. Very pretty.
3.) I love pizza.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? About 10 with another pile of alternatives. LOL

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)? Books I'm hoping to finish one or two, but I plan to read a mishmash throughout the day so I am going to be concentrating more on number of pages. Last year I did 410, this year I am hoping for 500.

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time? Definitely take a break when you start feeling icky! And good luck to everyone.

Almost Time!!!

2008-10-18T07:59:00.003-04:00

Here we go! I'm ready and raring to get reading! Good luck to everyone!

24 hour Read - a - Thon

2008-10-16T17:18:00.002-04:00

It's that time again! I'm so excited and have been getting ready for weeks. Requested a lot of books from the library that I had been wanting to get to and setting them aside just for this special day. Had been working on revamping my entire website just for this! And now it's finally time again. Can't wait to get started! This will be my second read-a-thon and I have WAY toned down my expectations this time around. Last time I had some pretty huge goals for what I hoped to accomplish. I picked out a total of 17 books and hoped to read 4 or 5 of them and a total of 2,000 pages. ROFL Boy, was I WAY off!

Turns out I read 3 books with a total of 410 pages. I didn't stay awake for the entire thing and I won't even attempt it this year. I NEEDS my beauty rest! I have bought frozen pizzas and microwave meals to feed the family and think I am pretty well set.

Some of the books I will be reading this go-round are:

Born Standing Up - Steve Martin
G'Day to Die - Maddy Hunter
Murder For Halloween: Tales of Suspense - Edited by Michele Slung and Roland Hartman
The Tapestry: Book 1, The Hound of Rowan - Henry H. Neff
I Feel Bad About My Neck - Nora Ephron
How Starbucks Saved My Life - Michael Gates Gill
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Barbara Kingsolver
The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death - Laurie Notaro
All I Know About Animal Behavior I Learned in Loehmann's Dressing Room - Erma Bombeck
June Bug - Jess Lourey
Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death - M.C. Beaton

As you may notice, I have lots of humor thrown in. A couple cozy mysteries which I adore, and a few odds and ends.

I would love to hit a total of 500 pages this year, so that will be my goal after 410 last year and I am planning to mix it up from several of the above books and anything else that gets in my way.

Let the reading begin!!!

Amateur Sleuth Challenge (6/14/08 - 12/31/08)

2008-09-26T10:33:00.002-04:00

Finished Challenge: 9/8/08

This was a really fun challenge. I enjoy cozy mysteries so much, so anytime one is going on, you can count on me to sign up!

I found a new author that i LOVE - M.C. Beaton. The Agatha Raisin series is awesome and I have been reading right along through the series. Have read the first 5 in the series at this point and am planning on continuing through the rest. May even try her other series as well.

I also tried a re-read of an old childhood favorite, Trixie Belden. This one did not live up to all that I remembered, though. It took me a long time to finish, and I will not be pursuing the series any further.

Read the latest in Laura Levine's series. Another great one from her. Looking forward to the next.

Started a new-to-me series by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant. Really enjoyed it and am sad to hear the authors will not be continuing the series.

Another new-to-me series was Aunt Dimity's Death. I really enjoyed this one, but have had trouble starting the 2nd book in the series. Hope to be able to get into it and continue with the series.

Also finished the next in line from Maddy Hunter. Didn't enjoy this one quite as much as some of the others in her series, but will be continuing with the next.

1. Top O' the Mournin' - Maddy Hunter (International Tour Escort)
2. Killing Bridezilla - Laura Levine (Writer-for-Hire)
3. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death - M.C. Beaton (Retired)
4. Trixie Belden: The Secret of the Mansion - Julie Campbell (Schoolgirl)
5. Simmer Down - Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant (Secretary for a Sexual Harrassment Organization)
6. Aunt Dimity's Death - Nancy Atherton (Temp Agency)

Just4thehelluvit Challenge (Ongoing)

2008-06-29T21:05:00.000-04:00

Just4thehelluvit Challenge

No time limits - No lists - No hassle - Ongoing

1. Louder than Words - Jenny McCarthy

2. The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club - Laurie Notaro

3. Belly Laughs - Jenny McCarthy

4. Tippy-toe Murder - Leslie Meier
5. An Idiot Girl's Christmas - Laurie Notaro
6. Baby Laughs - Jenny McCarthy
7. You Can Run, But You Can't Hide - Duane "Dog" Chapman
8. Trick or Treat Murder - Leslie Meier
9. Fit to Die - J.B. Stanley
10. Autobiography of a Fat Bride - Laurie Notaro
11. Steve & Me - Terri Irwin
12. Back to School Murder - Leslie Meier

13.