My Week in Reading

Wow! What a week/month in reading this is turning out to be! It’s the week before we head out to the beach for vacation. This year we rented a house on Tybee Island for a week so I can’t wait to make my vacation reading list (you know those books I have been wanting to read forever but reviewing commitments or life just kept getting in the way). Can’t wait to pack my books and head out for some relaxation in the sun and water. We’ll be on the beach and have a pool so I can’t wait for my beach reading in the sand and my floating in the pool reading as well. Vacation reading is right up there with my very favorite types of reading. Probably a nice tie between vacation reading and holiday reading if I had to choose. What’s your favorite kind of reading? I will make sure to share my vacation books in a post closer to our departure. In the meantime….

This week/month I am also participating in two great reading events. First off the Summer Wrap -Up Read-a-thon hosted by Jennifer at Some Like It Paranormal and Jude at In Between which takes place from August 4th-12th which means it will even last a day into vacation. Right now I am working on finishing up Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver for this reading event. This event also has tons of mini-challenges and giveaways on offer and a Twitter following at #SWUR. Feel free to join….even though the event has begun you can still sign up here and try to finish up some of that TBR pile. I will be keeping track of my progress here on this post along with my participation in challenges.

Summer Wrap-Up Read-a-thon Progress

Books Completed: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James

Pages Completed: 889

Mini-Challenges Completed: 4

The other great reading event going on right now is a month long reading challenge that is dear to my pure Janeite heart. It’s Austen in August: A Reading Event which you can learn more about and sign up for here. It’s being hosted by Adam at Roof Beam Reader. I can’t tell you how excited I am for this one since I love any excuse to sit back and re-read Jane Austen. I am going to start this event out by reading my new Penguin Classics fabric covered copy of Persuasion that I won awhile back from Austenprose. It’s such a lovely book…I simply can’t wait. You can follow this event on Twitter with #AustenInAugustRBR . I will be keeping track of my progress in this event on this post as well.

Austen in August Progress

Currently Reading: Persuasion by Jane Austen

Books Completed: 0

Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-thon: April 2012

     It’s that time of year again dear readers. The Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-thon. One of my absolute favorite events of the “reading” year. This will be my fifth year participating in this event. I have been tapped to co-host for a few hours later this evening ( 9pm to 2am EST) so please come and visit and I also will be cheering through-out the day so my reading may have to be quite minimal. However I encourage you to check out the site and see what the event is all about….it’ still early in the game. You could still join. There’s always time to read!

Due to my heavier working this year in the behind the scenes operations I have chosen a much smaller selection of books than I might normally. Below is what I hope to read during this read-a-thon. I am also hoping to write two reviews as well. Kind of ambitious, there may be no sleep for me! Whatever your read-a-thon goal, I wish you happy reading!

Read-a-Thon Totals 

Currently Reading: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Books Finished: 1: Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

Pages Read: 741

Hours Read: 8.5

Mini-Challenges Completed: 6

Co-Host Posts Written: 5 hours

Review Written: 1: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Snacks Consumed: Cinnamon Bread & Orange Juice, Turkey Sandwich & Arizona Green Tea, Petit Ecolier European Chocolate Biscuits

Introductory Questionnaire

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? Atlanta, GA (USA)

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? “Lone Wolf” by Jodi Picoult. It has been on my shelf for awhile and I finally get to sit down and reading it rather than just glancing at it longingly while I review other books.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? My Simply Salt Pita Chips
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I’m a librarian turned SAHM.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? This read-a-thon is definitely differently for me since it will be my first time co-hosting…wish me luck. As with every year I just try to have fun and roll with it! That’s what it’s supposed to be all about right?

Re-Reading Mini-Challenge

The Blue-Stocking Society wants to know what book I like to re-read. This is such an amazingly easy answer for me. Every year and when I am feeling down or sick I read Jane Eyre. I don’t know that I can fully describe why but there is a comfort there…a soothing peace I find when I re-read it. I know what will happen but it soothes me just the same. The relationship between Jane and Rochester both thrills and fulfills my reading imagination. I adore the book. I could never read it too much or even watch too many adaptations even for that matter. Other books I re-read are the works of Jane Austen and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier but neither not nearly as much as my Jane Eyre.

Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon

It’s that time of year again…the Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-thon. I truly look forward to this event when it comes around twice a year. It’s my time to tell my husband that he has kiddo responsibilities and to then hole myself up as much as possible with books and special snacks. This year has been an especially tough year and my reading and reviewing has really taken a hit so I am excited to be able to take a little “me” time for Read-a-thon. So…Ready…Set…Read.

Introduction Questions

1)Where are you reading from today? Atlanta, Georgia
2)Three random facts about me:

I am a librarian turned SAHM. My favorite author is Jane Austen. My favorite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 4-6

4)Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?

I simply try to do the best I can with a toddler in the house. My husband really tries to give me time to read alone…I usually hole up in my bedroom for a few hours at a time of good “snuggly bed” reading. I have a pile of books picked out and will keep track of books read, pages read and titles finished on this post as the read-a-thon progresses.

5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?

This is my fourth Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-thon. I would say just do the best you can. Don’t worry about doing too much or too little. Just do what you can and most importantly of all…enjoy the reading. That’s the point. Right?

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? Jane Austen Made Me Do It
2. How many books have you read so far? 1
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

 Not sure..I am going to go through my stack and see what appeals to me and will keep me awake!
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

My husband takes over the parenting duties for our two year old son so I can participate in read-a-thon. Still had to do some light house tasks and a run to the store but it helps to have some time to myself to focus on just the read-a-thon.
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

Like I said some small errands..etc. But you just deal with them and jump right back in!
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

This is my fourth read-a-thon but I am really excited to see so many participants and cheerleaders this year!
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? I think it’s great as is.
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

Hopefully next year I can plan a little better and have a free schedule to really devote the entire 24 hours with no interruptions (in a perfect world).
9. Are you getting tired yet? A bit.
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?

I think planning is key. Planning your time..your books…everything.

Re-Reading Mini-Challenge 

I have quite a few books that I re-read on a regular basis but the one I enjoy most would be my favorite book of all time Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It’s my feel good book which I know might seem kind of odd considering the subject matter. I usually return to it when I am sick or feeling under the weather emotionally. Something about it comforts me. Other books that I re-read on a regular basis are Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.

Pet Mini-Challenge

Zoe is a pretty laid back dog…so he really enjoys nothing more than cuddling up while I am reading…as long as he’s allowed a nice spot on the bed as you can see from the picture above.

Read-a-Thon Results

Currently Reading: Salt Bride by Lucinda Brant

Pages Read: 987

Reviews Written: 1

Mini-Challenges Participated In: 9

Books Completed: 3

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Jane Austen Made Me Do It Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress

Can You Survive: Jack London’s Call of the Wild Adapted by Ryan Jacobson

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon

It’s that time again…Read-a-thon time. I really can’t tell you how much I enjoy Read-a-thons. It’s just so enjoyable to read with other like-minded book loving people. If I am going to be reading (which of course I am) why not join in and do it with others? So this week I am joining On a Book Bender and many others in the Bout of Books Read-a-thon which runs from August 22nd-28th.

The rules are simple…just read as much as you can during the time period given. I am hoping to read at least three books and will be keeping up with my progress on this post. So why not join us? Or give me a little help and tell me which book you think I should dive into from the list below?

Books Completed for Read-a-Thon

Tout Sweet by Karen Wheeler

Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Pages Read

1,082

Once Upon a Time Read-a-thon

It’s time for another Read-a-thon for me. This one came just at the perfect time…lately I have been able to get more reading done and have been tearing through my TBR pile which is a much needed activity. So if I am going to read-why not read with over 350 other people? The Read-a-thon will be from July 11th at midnight until 11:59pm on July 13th. Want to sign up…deadline is today at noon so don’t hesitate. There are also prizes and challenges to be enjoyed.

So what am I reading? Below are two of the titles I wish to finish…know a great book I should read? I would love some suggestions. Which should I read next?

Read-a-Thon Totals

Books Read: 3

If Today Be Sweet by Thrity Umrigar

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (Re-read)

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris (Re-read)

Pages Read: 956

Hours Read: 18

Halloween Read-A-Thon

It’s Read-A-Thon time again! But this time it’s a special Halloween edition sponsored by Young Adult Books Reviewed! I am really excited about this one for a few reasons. It’s Halloween themed so I get to read some great new and old spooky stuff just in time for the Halloween season. It’s also a whole weekend so I can stretch it out for maximum reading & sleeping time! And it’s nice for those of us who have “little monsters” because it’s not on Halloween night when we have other festivities to attend to.

So what is my first book of Halloween Read-A-Thon? Well I thought I would start with Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin. I have few others planned for this Read-A-Thon as well but would love some suggestions. I want a nice mix of new releases and old classics. Also you know I love to read for all age groups!  What is your favorite Halloween/Scary book?

Read-A-Thon Reads

• Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
• The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
• The Radleys by Matt Haig
• Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
  

Read-A-Thon Mini-Challenge: My Spookiest Read

I don’t really have a book that has truly frightened me. That was why I asked for some good suggestions for this reading challenge. If I had to pick a favorite “scary” book however it would be The Monk by Matthew Lewis. I am a big classical literature fan and also a lover of gothic. This book is a classic for all gothic lovers and often overlooked.

“Ambrosio, the worthy superior of the Capuchins of Madrid, falls to the temptations of Matilda, a fiend-inspired wanton who, disguised as a boy, has entered his monastery as a novice. Ambrosio then falls in love with one of his penitents and finally kills her in order to escape detection. However, he is discovered, tortured by the Inquisition and sentenced to death. Although extravagant in its mixture of the supernatural, the terrible, and the indecent, the book contains scenes of great effect. The novel is a prime example of 18th century Gothic, written partly in response to “Walpole” and “Radcliffe” and enjoyed a considerable contemporary vogue.”

 

 

Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon

It’s that time of year again! Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon is here! Last Read-A-Thon I did really well and was one of the page count winners so this year I am really going to try and stay up and push the envelope! In the last Read-A-Thon I must admit I crashed a little early. I have my books planned and am working on my snacks…these are a must for a Read-A-Thon in my opinion. I do know I will be enjoying some Godiva Chocolate Truffle coffee to try and keep me going! I never really set goals for the Read-A-Thon, I really just put together a pile of books I want/need to read and go at it!

This year’s selection for the October 9, 2010 Read-A-Thon

As you can see I like to choose a wide variety of genres so that if I get in a rut..there are lots of options. I asked my friends yesterday what I should start reading this morning but I ended up finishing The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard and loved it. I highly recommend it and will be giving away two copies immediately after Read-A-Thon ends thanks to the publisher HarperCollins. Also keep a watch for my review.

All you need to do to enter is tell me what you are reading right now in the comments below! And make sure you leave me an e-mail address so I can contact you if you win! US and Canada address only please.

Good Luck Everyone & Happy Reading!

My Read-A-Thon Books

The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard

When the Devil Whistles by Rick Acker

The Pink Locker Society by Debra Moffitt

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Dancing with Mr. Darcy by Sarah Waters

Mr. Darcy’s Littler Sister by C. Allyn Pierson

Stork by Wendy DelSol

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove by Susan Gregg Gilmore

The Intern by Jess C. Scott

Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

End of Read-A-Thon Update

Total Number of Books Read: 6
Total of Pages Read : 2,030
Total of time Spent Reading :  15.25
Mini-challenges Completed: 12
Prize Won: 0

Well…it’s that time again to say goodbye to Read-A-thon and all my fellow readers over the past 24 hours. This year I did pretty good but I did sleep and that hurt my numbers badly. However what it most important is that I still had a blast and can’t wait to write up my reviews for those books I did read. Look for them in the coming days on Stiletto Storytime…see you all nest Read-A-Thon!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and cheered for me or visited to enter a copy of Joyce Maynard’s The Good Daughter’s. It was definitely one of my favorite books from read-a-thon this year. The big winners were:

Erin @ Crazy Comma Momma

Debbie @ Readerbuzz

Congrats to you both! I know you will love the book just as much as I did!

From Dusk till Dawn Read-a-thon

It’s dusk and that means one thing for me tonight…Book Crazy’s “From Dusk till Dawn Read-a-thon” has begun! I am really excited about this event since it is the perfect timing for us Mommies. I know most of my reading is done after little man is down for bed so this is the perfect challenge for me and a great chance to catch up on some reading! Hopefully I can dwindle down some of my TBR list.

Dates and Times: August 25^th until August 29^th from the hours of 8 PM until 8 AM each day!!!

We also have some great mini-challenges and Twitter giveaways (#Readathon) going on as well. Stiletto Storytime will be hosting a mini-challenge on August 28th and I do hope you will sign up and participate!

Books on my List for this Read-A-Thon

• Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
• Emma and the Vampires by Jane Austen & Wayne Josephson
• The Aristobrats by Jennifer Solow
• Color Blind by Precious Williams
• The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard
• Nonna’s Book of Mysteries by Mary Osborne
• The Mother Daughter Book Club: Pies & Prejudice by Heather Vogel Frederick
• The Report by Jessica Francis Kane
• Dangerous Minds by Beth Kephart

What is on your “to read” list? What is your goal? I know everyone will enjoy this great event and check back Saturday August 28, 2010 for my mini-challenge! Happy Reading!

Read-a-thon Tracking

• 8/25/10: 8:00pm-11:00pm (190 pages) Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
• 8/26/10: 8:00pm -11:00pm (53 pages) Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, (71 pages) Color Blind by Precious Williams
• 8/27/10: 8:15pm-2:00am (300 pages) Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, (24 pages) Nonna’s Book of Mysteries by Mary Osborne
• 8/28/10: 8:00pm-11:30pm (64 pages) Nonna’s Book of Mysteries by Mary Osborne, (170 pages) Color Blind by Precious Williams
• 8/29/10: 8:00pm-11:00pm, 11:30pm-2:30pm (235 pages) The Report by Jessica Francis Kane,  (105 pages) 4 Picture Books

Dusk Till Dawn Read-a-Thon Totals

• Total Hours: 16.25
  
• Total Pages: 1, 022
  
• Books Finished: 7