Jenn and The Cats

Happy Birthday to me and here's my word.

2012-01-17T15:25:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday to me! Today's my birthday and I love it. I have had two days of early celebrations and today is the big day. It's been great so far.

So I still hadn't picked a word for this year. I kept thinking maybe it would be trust again. And then today I was thinking about how blessed I was and started looking for a quote to share. The quote I found made it clear to me what my word needed to be. First, the quote:

"Gratitude, like faith, is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it grows, and the more power you have to use it on your behalf. If you do not practice gratefulness, its benefaction will go unnoticed, and your capacity to draw on its gifts will be diminished. To be grateful is to find blessings in everything, This is the most powerful attitude to adopt, for there are blessings in everything."

Alan Cohen

That hit so close to home for me. I think I'm a pretty grateful person. I try to look for the good in things but I do let things get to me more than they really should. I, like everyone else, have not had a perfect life. I have had struggles and dark times and suffered loss. But oh the joys I have had and continue to have. If I stop and think about it I truly feel amazed. And all those struggles and hardships got me to where I am. They molded me and shaped me. If I had a pretty uneventful life I don't think I would even halfway appreciate what I have today.

So this year my word is gratitude. I am going to work on being grateful, in looking for the blessing in everything, in not letting little things get to me so much. Because no matter what happens I have a life so full of love it takes my breath away.

My Reading Goals for the Year 2011 Recap and Reading Goals for 2012

2012-01-11T15:58:00.004-05:00

So my goals in 2011 were:

1. Read 40 books - Surpassed it by reading 43 books

2. Read mostly from my 2011 box of books (Picked out ahead of time) - For the most part, yes.

3. Finish all books carried over (I actually already completed this so yae me!)

4. Try some new authors - Yep, I read book/stories by 12 new (to me) authors in 2011.

So going forward, my reading goals for 2012 are:

1. Read 45 books

2. Read mostly from my 2012 boxes of books (Picked out ahead of time)

3. Finish all books carried over (Down to one and that one may take awhile as it's a short story/essay book which I am taking my time with).

4. Read a lot from series I have already started.

5. Try some new authors I already have books by. I actually have authors & books picked out for this. They are:

Allison Brennan - The Prey

Wendy Corsi Staub - Don't Scream

Tami Hoag - Ashes to Ashes

Robyn Carr - Virgin River

Mariah Stewart - Dead Wrong

Kay Hooper - Touching Evil

Lisa Gardner - The Perfect Husband

Lisa Jackson - Hot Blooded

Elizabeth George - A Great Deliverance

Meg Cabot - Queen of Babble

Looking forward to the year of reading ahead!

I reached my goal!

2011-12-13T13:08:00.002-05:00

Woohoo! I reached my goal of 40 books with time to spare. I have set this goal three years in a row and never reached it. Considering how this year started out with the move and all and me barely reading I didn't think I would get close. Honestly I would have been happy to get to 36 books the same as the past few years. But I have been on a bit of a consistent of role of reading since this summer and suddenly the goal didn't seem so impossible. I still have a few books I am reading I would like to finish off and I have a reading day planned with Richard and Nancy to finish the year off, but whatever I read now is gravy. :)

Words

2011-12-05T16:03:00.003-05:00

I try to have a word of the year, something to focus on.

In 2009 it was embrace. I think that had a lot to do with losing My De the year before. I really

wanted to hold onto things, to fully take part in things, to embrace moments and experiences and really take them in.

In 2010 I think it was supposed to be balance but I don't feel I really ever got it, as the year turned out to be so crazy. With all the uncertainty with Richard's job and the possible move life was just a daily guessing game.

In 2011 I didn't choose the word, the word chose me. I would have chosen something like peace, tranquility, maybe try out balance once again. But instead the word that was thrust on me was trust (For the record, I hate the damn word. Look up trust issues in the dictionary and my picture will be there.) With all the chaos of the move and nothing of that going easily I had a choice of worrying so much I made myself sick or trusting that all the people I loved were doing the best they could and God would get us through to where we needed to be. It was a battle but I think I did better than I thought I would or even could do in the situation I was in. Did I pass with a gold star? Probably not. But I passed and sometimes that's enough.

2012's word will be....I'm not sure yet. I'll keep you posted.

End of Event Meme

2011-10-23T14:44:00.002-04:00

Which hour was most daunting for you?

Hour 19 & 20..I was really fighting to read.

Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

One for the Money for Janet Evanovich, MaryJanice Davidson's Queen Betsy series

Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Nope

What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

Everything...I especially enjoyed all the cheers and comments I received. For myself, reading a book at the same time as my best friend, Nancy was a lot of fun and encouraged me to finish it.

How many books did you read?

I finished three, two I had started before and one I started and finished during the read-a-thon. I also read a small amount in a fourth.

What were the names of the books you read?

Frill Kill by Laura Childs

Undead and Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Which book did you enjoy most?

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - It was a hoot!

Which did you enjoy least?

None really. They were all really good books.

If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

This was my first time cheering and I had so much fun doing it. The only suggestion I have is to somehow keep track of where you are on the list of readers when cheering, so you know where you have been, who you still need to cheer, ect. Enjoy it, it's fun!

How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?

Definitely! I will be reading again and cheering. I enjoyed both an awful lot.

End of Hour Twenty Two

2011-10-23T05:35:00.002-04:00

I am calling this hour early and calling it a night. This hour was basically spent with some housekeeping (updating Goodreads, sorting out Nancy's Goodreads (hee hee)) and talking. I am way too tired to read anymore tonight, didn't do any more cheering which I thought I would (I was too busy finishing One for the Money) and actually stayed up much later than I thought I would. I'll do the wrap up meme tomorrow. This has been a great read-a-thon. Night all!

End of Hour Twenty One

2011-10-23T04:58:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 19 pages - Finished It!

I read for 50 minutes

Total pages read: 415

Total minutes read: 614

Books Finished - 3

One for the Money was so good! And Nancy and I finished it together...it was so much fun!

End of Hour Twenty

2011-10-23T04:01:00.002-04:00

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 17 pages

I read for 48 minutes

Total pages read: 396

Total minutes read: 614

Books Finished - 2

Oh I am struggling...but only 18 pages to go and I will be done with this book.

End of Hour Nineteen

2011-10-23T03:03:00.002-04:00

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 18 pages

2011-10-22T23:06:00.001-04:00

Dinner

No Reading this hour

Mid-Event Survey

2011-10-22T20:17:00.001-04:00

1. What are you reading right now?

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

2. How many books have you read so far?

Completed two (that I had previously started), Read part of two others

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

Finishing One for the Money and maybe starting the next MaryJanice Davidson book.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

Nope

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

A few, nothing major really. I did have an hour off when we went out for lunch and an hour off for cheering.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

That for me I am more focused on one book, where normally I am a bit scattered, reading from several different books.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Nope

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

As a reader, nothing. As a cheerleader I might like to keep a list of who I cheered for.

9. Are you getting tired yet?

I was, at around hour nine. I'm better now but could definitely use some caffeine.

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 to read One for the Money with Nancy worked really well, as we were both looking forward to it and have compared notes as we have read (though she passed me when I was cheering.)

End of Hour Twelve

2011-10-22T20:02:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 28 pages

I read for 46 minutes

Total pages read: 270

Total minutes read: 335

Books Finished - 2

End of Hour Eleven

2011-10-22T19:02:00.001-04:00

I spent this hour cheering and made it around to quite a few blogs, though not all, in my assigned letters. I will try and get around to some more later on. I love seeing what everyone is reading.

End of Hour Ten

2011-10-22T18:03:00.002-04:00

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 27 pages

I read for 46 minutes

2011-10-22T16:14:00.001-04:00

Lunch Time

No Reading this hour

End of Hour Six

2011-10-22T14:02:00.000-04:00

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 44 pages

I read for 50 minutes

Total pages read: 130

Total minutes read: 214

Books Finished - 2

This is a pretty funny book!

End of Hour Five

2011-10-22T13:02:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson - 11 pages

I read 11 pages this hour

I read for 24 minutes

Total pages read: 86

Total minutes read: 164

Books Finished - 2

Finished the first chapter in Blue Envelope. Now it's time for One for the Money....

End of Hour Four

2011-10-22T12:02:00.002-04:00

This hour I read:

Undead and Unappreciated - 10 pages - Finished It!

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson - 5 pages

I read 15 pages this hour

I read for 24 minutes

Total pages read: 75

Total minutes read: 133

Books Finished - 2

Spent some of the last hour taking care of Cafe World and then choosing a new book. I've finished both books I was reading before the read-a-thon started. Woohoo! I'll be reading Little Blue Envelope for this next hour and then once Nancy finishes her book we'll be starting One for the Money.

End of Hour Three

2011-10-22T11:02:00.002-04:00

This hour I read:

Undead and Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson- 29 pages

I read for 53 minutes

Total pages read: 60

Total minutes read: 109

Books Finished - 1

I am so enjoying Undead and Unappreciated. I love MJD!

End of Hour Two

2011-10-22T10:00:00.001-04:00

Breakfast time

No reading this hour.

Introduction Meme

2011-10-22T09:07:00.002-04:00

1)Where are you reading from today?

My House in The Woodlands, TX Will be reading at various eating places in the area as well.

2)Three random facts about me…

1. I started out this year very slowly on the reading front due to a cross country move. I am happy to say over the last few months I have got back into the swing of things on the reading front.

2. I have over a 1000 books to read. Literally.

3. One of my favorite things to do is to shop for books, especially at used book stores and thrift shops. (Thus the 1000+ books.)

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

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 want to finish the two books I had started before the read-a-thon (finished one in the first hour), give One for the Money a try and have a lot of fun.

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

I have taken part in all but the very first read-a-thon, so I a definitely a vet. The best advice I can give is to enjoy it! Don't force yourself to read more just because you think you should. If you need a break, take it. If you need a nap take that too. Enjoy the day and the read-a-thon and do it your way.

End of Hour One

2011-10-22T09:03:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Frill Kill by Laura Childs - 25 pages - Finished It!

Undead and Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson- 6 pages

I Read 31 pages this Hour

I read for 56 minutes

Book Finished - 1

Good Morning

2011-10-22T08:02:00.001-04:00

I'm up, not bright and shining (still in my jammies) but I'm up and ready to start reading. Let the read-a-thon begin!

My Read-A-Thon Book Pile

2011-10-21T16:46:00.005-04:00

Frill Kill by Laura Childs - Already reading this one

Undead and Unreturnable by MaryJanice Davidson - Already reading this one too

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - For the first time Nancy and I will be reading the same book during at least part of the read-a-thon. Everywhere we went last week people kept raving at us about this series so we decided to try it. I had the first in a box and Nancy went out and bought a copy. We'll see what we think.

Undead and Unpopular by MaryJanice Davidson - I am really into this series right now and can easily see myself wanting to just keep reading in this little world I love so much.

Death of a Gossip by M.C. Beaton - I have never read anything by this author but this one is short and looks interesting.

Heat Wave by Richard Castle - I love Castle! I thought this might be a good read.

The Good Friday Murder by Lee Harris - Again, I haven't read anything by this author but it looks good. I love mysteries.

Flight to Freedom by Ana Veciana-Suarez - This one was in my TBR box and looks interesting.

Kissing Annabel by Steven Herrick - In my TBR box and one I am not too sure about. It's all poetry so I figure I may give it a try and see what I think.

Why I Let My Hair Grow Out by Maryrose Wood - Also from my TBR box. A YA book that looks interesting and fun.

The Most Important Thing I Know - Words of wisdom from all different people. Looks interesting and quick, perfect for when I need a break from an involved story.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson - I was lucky enough to go to a signing that Maureen Johnson did in Houston a few weeks back and got this on the first day it came out and got it signed. It looks so good!

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson - I got this at the signing too. I loved the first book and can't wait to read this one.

Milk Eggs Vodka - Looks so strange, a book of grocery lists. Interesting.

For the first time ever I am not putting a book I am currently reading on this list. I started Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr on Monday and haven't gotten very far with it and am honestly not sure if I am going to keep reading it. It's an interesting topic but so far his style just hasn't grabbed me. So I'm not planning on reading it tomorrow. I think I have more than enough to read!

I'm Cheering!

2011-10-01T14:17:00.002-04:00

For the first time ever I am going to be cheering during the read-a-thon.

It's that time again...

2011-10-01T14:01:00.004-04:00

October 22 is the next read-a-thon! If you want to take part head on over to http://24hourreadathon.com and sign up. It's so much fun!

All our books

2011-04-10T13:08:00.002-04:00

All the books Richard, Nancy and myself read (some finished, some not). The newer looking books are mine, the older Richards and the romance are Nancys.

End of Event Survey

2011-04-10T12:34:00.002-04:00

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Hour Nineteen...wanted to stay up but was so tired.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Any of the Broken Heart series by Michele Bardsley.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? I think cheerleaders should spend a bit more time cheering on newbies, making sure they get a lot of comments. For myself I would pick a less emotional book. Having said that I loved the book...it just made it hard to read anything else after.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Everything
5. How many books did you read? Finished one (started before read-a-thon) and made a lot of headway in another I had started before the read-a-thon. For the first time ever I started no new books.
6. What were the names of the books you read? Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home by Michele Bardsley
7. Which book did you enjoy most? As emotional as it was Mockingjay
8. Which did you enjoy least? Neither really...Yes I enjoyed Mockingjay more than Wait but that's just a personal preference and style of book. They are both enjoyable. No duds this year.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? N/A
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Definitely a reader!

End of Hour Twenty One

2011-04-10T12:31:00.002-04:00

This hour I read:

Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home by Michele Bardslet - 18 pages

I Read This Hour - 18

I read for 32 minutes

Total pages read: 331

Total minutes read: 673

Books Finished: 1

Read in bed, last reading I'll do for this read-a-thon. Good night!

End of Hour Twenty

2011-04-10T12:26:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home by Michele Bardslet - 7 pages

I Read This Hour - 7

I read for 43 minutes

Total pages read: 313

Total minutes read: 641

Books Finished: 1

Read in the bathtub

End of Hour Nineteen

2011-04-10T03:07:00.003-04:00

Um, well I started to read some...but then Nancy and I got talking and it just didn't happen. I think I am just too tired....so I think I will go take a bath and maybe read a bit in there. If I am up to it I may read some in bed and I'll blog that tomorrow....so I think for now calling it a night.

Character Crush Mini Challenge

2011-04-10T02:05:00.002-04:00

"Every so often I’ll come across a character in a book which makes me think, I would run away with him in a heartbeat, and I’m praying I’m not the only one. That’s why I’m hosting this particular mini challenge.

I want to hear about that character (or those characters) you’d pack up your current life to run away with, and why. Tell the world why that character is so charming to you and, if you feel so inclined, where you’d go. Make us want to run away with you! (Oh, and don’t forget to mention the book and author so our TBR piles can grow.)"

There is no one I would pack up my current life for but the one character I just love and can in another life would run away with in a heartbeat would be Peeta from The Hunger Games Trilogy. He's loyal, brave and compassionate. He loves fiercely and willingly lays down his life again and again for those he loves. How more appealing could a man be?

2011-04-09T23:21:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 18 pages

I Read This Hour - 18

I read for 60 minutes

Total pages read: 255

Total minutes read: 478

Eating Dinner and reading at Jason's...

End of Hour Thirteen

2011-04-09T23:19:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 3 pages

I Read This Hour - 3

I read for 9 minutes

Total pages read: 237

Total minutes read: 418

Most of this hour was spent getting ready to leave and driving to Jason's Deli for dinner.

End of Hour 12

2011-04-09T20:02:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 13 pages

I Read This Hour - 13

I read for 36 minutes

Total pages read: 221

Total minutes read: 409

I had to take a break this hour as Mockingjay is really getting to me. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful, very well written book that just pulls you in. The down side to that is having to deal with major sorrow, seeing characters you have grown to love die and go through incredible pain and suffering. We're going out to eat in the next hour and I am torn over taking the book as I am nearing the end and know it will be emotional or taking a lighter book. Not sure I can switch to another that easily. So we'll see...

Mid-Event Survey

2011-04-09T19:03:00.002-04:00

1. What are you reading right now? Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

2. How many books have you read so far? Still on the first one I began with
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? The end of Mockingjay (getting close now)...after that I don't know. Mockingjay has be so emotionally involved it's almost painful to read, but impossible to stop reading as well. I'm so wrapped up in it right now it's hard to imagine reading anything else.
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Aside from making sure the guest room was ready for Nancy, nope.
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Just meals and a trip out to Starbucks but those were our choice.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How quickly it has flown by.
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Nothing, really. I did like the page there used to be with all the different blog feeds of the readers but that was gone this year...
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Honestly, nothing. Loving it!
9. Are you getting tired yet? I was this morning but my nap and the Starbucks trip helped.
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? Keep hydrated, drink lots of water. And coffee is your friend. (though more for caffeine than hydration.)

2011-04-09T14:01:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 23 pages

I Read This Hour - 23

I read for 44 minutes

Total pages read: 138

Total minutes read: 187

End of Hour Five

2011-04-09T13:01:00.004-04:00

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 20 pages

I Read This Hour - 20

I read for 39 minutes

Total pages read: 115

Total minutes read: 143

Back into the swing of it...reading along. Cried a bit this hour but I have cried over all of the previous books in this trilogy so why should this one be any different?

Definitely time for a snack.

End of Hour Four

2011-04-09T12:11:00.002-04:00

Took a nap and slept through this hour.

End of Hour Three

2011-04-09T12:10:00.000-04:00

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 20 pages

I Read This Hour - 20

I read for 16 minutes

Total pages read: 95

Total minutes read: 104

I fell asleep during this hour....

End of Hour Two

2011-04-09T10:02:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 20 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 20

I read for 40 minutes

Total pages read: 44

Total minutes read: 88

End of Hour One

2011-04-09T09:04:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 24 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 24

I read for 48 minutes

Total pages read: 24

Total minutes read: 48

Wow, this book is so good! I think I would get more reading done if I didn't keep getting shocked by things that happened.

Time for some breakfast, then back to reading.

Introduction Meme

2011-04-09T08:05:00.002-04:00

1)Where are you reading from today?

Our new house in The Woodlands, TX. For the first time my best friend, Nancy is joining Richard and myself.

2)Three random facts about me…

1. I am not a morning person. The fact that I a coherent this time of morning is amazing.

2. This is the first read-a-thon I have ever done from anywhere aside from Raleigh, NC.

3. I'm reading with the two people I know who read the most. So I'm not even going to try and compete, just enjoy the read-a-thon.

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

I'm currently reading three and just have my box of books to read for the year. That way I can choose from a wide selection.

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)?

Finished Mockingjay. Read and have fun.

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

It's supposed to be fun so enjoy it. If that means you take a lot of breaks and don't read as much as you planned that's ok.

Almost Time!

2011-04-08T23:27:00.003-04:00

I have my books ready to go. The three I a currently reading and my journal are there in the front. In the box behind are the books I have chose to read this year. I haven't picked any out to read for the read-a-thon as I know what I'll be reading to start (Mockingjay) and figure I can just pick as I go from the selection I have. My current reads are:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins-I am so addicted to this series and I got my husband addicted right along with me! I am loving the last book but hate to see it end. I need to finish it though before Richard steals it away!

Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home by Michelle Bardsley-Love this series too but it took a backseat once I got started with The Hunger Games

Reservations for Murder by Tim Myers-The second in the series. I loved the first one way more than I thought I would. I haven't really gotten into this book yet, but The Hunger Games has obviously been holding all my attention.

Since we have moved to Texas we'll be starting at the unGodly hour of 7 am. Yikes! Despite that I'm looking forward to it. See you in the am!

Read-A-Thon

2011-04-05T14:58:00.005-04:00

It's that time again....I can't wait! This time around I'll have both my husband and my best friend joining me. How lucky am I that they are both readaholics? I can guarantee they will both outread me. If you want to take part head on over to http://24hourreadathon.com and sign up. It's so much fun!

Reading & Moving

2011-03-04T15:00:00.003-05:00

I never did post anything at the end of the year concerning my reading or anything else for that matter. I have a good excuse though as we were right in the middle of planning our move. Jan 26 I left NC and headed to Houston with Richard following a few days behind. The trip was an adventure as it involved moving a whole lot of cats. (Thank God my best friend Nancy agreed to fly out and drive across country with me.) We're settling into life in Texas now and it is nice to be close to family and friends but I have to admit I do miss NC. I miss our friends there, the places we hung out and most of all our church. We have the greatest church there and so far have not even come close to finding a replacement. I have to admit I miss Archivers too. Yes, there is one here (though it's quite a drive) but it's not mine. I learned to scrapbook at the Archivers in Raleigh and knew all the staff and they knew me. As odd as it may sound it was my happy place and I do really miss it. We also haven't found a place for our reading dinners yet. We have tried a few places out and I'm sure eventually we'll find a place that will fit but these are the things you don't think of when you move.

Onto reading....

I read 36 books last year, no more and no less than the year before. Considering how insane the last few months of the year were with house hunting and getting ready to move I'm happy with it. In January of this year I was really struggling to read at all. There was just so much going on and I was having a hard time concentrating when I tried to read. I have slowly gotten back into the swing of things though.

So my goals in 2010 were:

1. Read 40 books - Nope, but I read 36 and am happy with that.
2. Read mostly from one box of books - Yep, did OK with this one.
3. Finish all books carried over - Completed this as well

I also found two new authors I really like (Faye Kellerman and Michele Bardsley) and that's always a good thing.

I am struggling on my goals for this year as I have read half of what I had read at this time last year. But I do like to have a goal so....

1. Read 40 books

2. Read mostly from my 2011 box of books (Picked out ahead of time)

3. Finish all books carried over (I actually already completed this so yae me!)

4. Try some new authors

Heres to reading in 2011!

End of Event Meme

2010-10-10T18:27:00.000-04:00

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

Hour 20

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

I think I struggled with that this year, as I didn't read any short books. Night's Edge was good but not a quick read.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Nope Though for me personally it would work better if I didn't have other committments that day. For me the read-a-thon was the year we stayed at a hotel and I had very few distractions. I would love to be able to do that next time.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

Cheerleaders were great!

5. How many books did you read?

I read from two different ones. I didn't finish any but I made a good dent in both.

6. What were the names of the books you read?

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others

Motif for Murder by Laura Childs

7. Which book did you enjoy most?

Night's Edge

8. Which did you enjoy least?

Motif for Murder

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

N/A but the cheerleaders rocked!

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! A reader for sure and I keep toying with the idea of being a cheerleader. We'll see next time around.

End of Hour Twenty

2010-10-10T03:50:00.002-04:00

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 10 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 10

I read for 39 minutes

Total pages read: 261

Total minutes read: 600

Mini-challenges completed: 5

I finished the chapter and even read a few pages into the next one. It took me way longer than it should have, a clear sign I am tired. So that's it for me. There is a slight chance I may get an hour more done in the am but I doubt it. I never get as much read as I think I will but I had fun and that's what this is all about.

And thanks Mister for all the cheering...you really kept me going these last few hours.

Good Night...will wrap things up tomorrow.

End of Hour Nineteen

2010-10-10T02:53:00.002-04:00

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 10 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 10

I read for 28 minutes

Total pages read: 251

Total minutes read: 561

Mini-challenges completed: 5

I called this hour a little early as I was having trouble concentrating. I did take a trip downstairs in order to get some junk food in hopes that it would keep me going. I think it helped get me through this hour but not sure how much longer I can keep going. I may try for another hour. I would like to finish at least one more chapter in the book I'm reading so I'm going to aim for that.

End of Hour Eighteen

2010-10-10T02:02:00.002-04:00

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 19 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 19

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 241

Total minutes read: 533

Mini-challenges completed: 5

Gonna visit a few blogs before getting back to reading.

End of Hour Seventeen

2010-10-10T01:02:00.002-04:00

Motif for Murder by Laura Childs - 4 pages

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 13 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 17

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 222

Total minutes read: 495

Mini-challenges completed: 4

I looked at some other books but nothing was grabbing me. So I went onto the next story in Night's Edge and am enjoying it so far. Will keep going with that for a bit.

End of Hour Sixteen

2010-10-10T00:04:00.003-04:00

Motif for Murder by Laura Childs - 12 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 12

I read for 42 minutes

Total pages read: 205

Total minutes read: 459

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Trying to decide if I want to stay with this book or start a new one. I'm kind of chugging along with this one, not disinterested but not hugely inspired either. Decisions...decisions...

End of Hour 15

2010-10-09T23:03:00.001-04:00

Motif for Murder by Laura Childs - 10 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 10

I read for 33 minutes

Total pages read: 193

Total minutes read: 417

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Mid-Event Survey

2010-10-09T22:17:00.001-04:00

Mid-Event Survey:

1. What are you reading right now?

Motif for Murder

2. How many books have you read so far?

Read from 2, finished one short story

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

Not sure...may have to start something new. I do have The Hunger Games and thought about starting that.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

Couldn't free it up as our local soccer team is in the playoffs

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

A few...just tried to come back to reading

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

Hmmm, not getting as much read as I hoped

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Nope

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

Try to have the whole day free

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?

Not really...changing scenery works pretty well and I enjoy reading while eating dinner out but that's just me.

End of Hour Twelve, Thirteen & Fourteen

2010-10-09T22:02:00.000-04:00

No reading done, was at a soccer game. Railhawks won 4-0 and we continue on in the playoffs. Woohoo! Back home now with yummy milkshakes and ready to start reading again.

End of Hour Eleven

2010-10-09T21:59:00.003-04:00

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 5 pages - Finished the short story

Pages Read This Hour - 5

I read for 12 minutes

Total pages read: 183

Total minutes read: 384

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Dinner done, now off to the soccer game

2010-10-09T12:09:00.003-04:00

A pile of books by my bed. Some (Fever 1793, The End of the Alphabet) have been read, others are TBR (Good Omens, Wake) and one (Bright-Sided) is to be posted on Paperback Swap. No shortage of books in our house!

End of Hour Four

2010-10-09T12:04:00.002-04:00

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 18 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 18

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 76

Total minutes read: 165

Mini-challenges completed: 3

Had a few interruptions this hour with my phone and what not. (The phone call was from my best friend saying she found some books I have been looking for so well worth the interruption.) Enjoying the short story I am reading though. It's not a fast read for me, but a rich, sumptuous tale you want to savor. Yummy.

End of Hour Three

2010-10-09T11:03:00.000-04:00

Motif for Murder by Laura Childs - 22 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 22

I read for 44 minutes

Total pages read: 58

Total minutes read: 127

Mini-challenges completed: 3

I was getting a bit sleepy this hour. May be time to switch books for a bit.

Read-a-thon Mini Challenge

2010-10-09T10:07:00.000-04:00

"Aw, the joy of reading, shared."

End of Hour Two

2010-10-09T10:02:00.001-04:00

Motif for Murder by Laura Childs - 12 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 12

I read for 23 minutes

Total pages read: 36

Total minutes read: 83

Had breakfast this hour, visited a few blogs and did the Back in the Day Childrens Books challenge. Hope to have a bit more time to read this next hour.

Introduction Meme

2010-10-09T09:06:00.002-04:00

Where are you reading from today?

Home...currently in our bedroom.

3 facts about me …

I love to read but get distracted from the book I am reading by the book I want to read next.

This will most likely be the last read-a-thon I will do from Raleigh, NC. By the next read-a-thon we should be moved to Houston, TX.

I'm a huge soccer fan and I'm excited by the fact that our local soccer team The Railhawks are in the playoffs. I am annoyed though that they are playing tonight so we'll be taking a break from the read-a-thon to attend the game.

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

3 I'm currently reading and at least 25 as backups. I like to be prepared and have lots of choices.

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)?

Not really. Would like to finish one of the books I am currently reading but most of all I want to enjoy myself.

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

Find what works for you and stick with it. Don't let the way someone else is doing this influence you into making you feel you are doing it wrong. There is no right or wrong, just whatever works for you.

End of Hour One

2010-10-09T09:03:00.001-04:00

Motif for Murder by Laura Childs - 24 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 24

I read for 60 minutes

Total pages read: 24

Total minutes read: 60

Wow, it's early.

2010-10-09T07:57:00.001-04:00

I'm awake and if not raring to go my eyes are at least open. Let the reading begin.

Getting Ready

2010-10-08T22:57:00.006-04:00

Got my books ready to go! The three on the left I am currently reading (more about those below), the three on the right are possible backups, as they are all by authors I know I love. That's a new journal underneath (no idea where my usual one is) and the box in the back is full of books. I have plenty to choose from! We made a stop by the store tonight to get stocked up on snacks so we are good to go in that aspect.

Right now I am reading:

At Home in Mitford-A good book that I am surprised how much I am enjoying.

Motif for Murder-Nice, cozy mystery.

Night's Edge-Three supernatural short stories that I have yet to really get into. The first one is by Charlaine Harris who I adore so I hope if I can just spend a little time in the book I will like it.

I am off to bed fairly soon so I can be somewhat awake at the crazy hour of 8 a.m. Can't wait to start reading!

Almost time for the read-a-thon!

2010-09-30T20:24:00.003-04:00

I just signed up and I can't wait! This will be the 6th one I have taken part in. I am so looking forward to it!

End of Event Meme

2010-04-11T19:27:00.002-04:00

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

Hour 17 & 18

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

There seemed to be a lot more people cheering at the end than at the beginning. I was reading and posting for sevral hours before I ever got a comment. That was kind of weird. Every other read-a-thon the comments have been consistent through out.

Also knowing the dates farther ahead of time would be helpful.

I also seemed to get two very emotional, sad books back to back by mistake. Not a great idea!

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

Everything else-Great job to all the hard work that went into this!

5. How many books did you read?

2 total, one I had started before the read-a-thon, the other I started and finished during. I also read from four other books.

6. What were the names of the books you read?

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - Finished

Life on the refrigerator door by Alice Kuipers - Started and Finished

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

Doomsday Can Wait by Lori Handeland

Autobiography of a Fat Bride by Laurie Notaro - Started

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella - Started

7. Which book did you enjoy most?

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

8. Which did you enjoy least?

Doomsday Can Wait by Lori Handeland

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

N/A

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?

Totally A reader...maybe as a cheerleader

My fifth read-a-thon was great. Wish I had been able to spend the whole 24 hours reading but life does get in the way sometimes. Till next time.....

End of Hour Eighteen

2010-04-11T02:03:00.002-04:00

This hour I read:

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris - 15 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 15

I read for 29 minutes

Total pages read: 361

Total minutes read: 456

Books Finished: 2

I think I may have to call it a night. I am really, really tired and want this to be fun, not torture. I am actually surprised how much I did read, considering how much less time I had to read this time than in October. I will of course, have my book light by my bed and a paperback on my bedside table. So if I do end up reading anymore after I am in bed I will post tomorrow. It's been fun!

End of Hour Seventeen

2010-04-11T01:13:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Doomsday Can Wait by Lori Handeland - 11 pages

Autobiography of a Fat Bride by Laurie Notaro - 4 pages

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella - 3 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 18

I read for 33 minutes

Total pages read: 346

Total minutes read: 427

Books Finished: 2

I made it to the 100 page mark in Doomsday, finished the first essay in Fat Bride and Finished the First Chapter in Secret. I think I am going to try for one more hour...

End of Hour 16

2010-04-11T00:09:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Doomsday Can Wait by Lori Handeland - 12 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 12

I read for 43 minutes

Total pages read: 328

Total minutes read: 394

Books Finished: 2

I am tired (with a capital T) and this book is going slowly....

Mid-Event Survey

2010-04-10T23:11:00.002-04:00

1. What are you reading right now?
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
Autobiography of a Fat Bride by Laurie Notaro

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?
Making it to the 100 page mark in Doomsday can Wait. Laughing some more at the other two books listed above.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
We had a party to attend today (which was loads of fun) so the day didn't really stay free.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Aside from the party, nope.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
Hmmm, well that the two books I finished were so upsetting,

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Nope

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
Nothing

9. Are you getting tired yet?
Yes!

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

End of Hour Fourteen & Fifteen

2010-04-10T23:06:00.002-04:00

This hour(s) I read:

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella - 14 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 14

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 316

Total minutes read: 351

Books Finished: 2

Had a fun time at the soccer game/birthday party. Stopped on the way home at Steak and Shake and got some cheese fries and a milkshake and did some reading there. Got all the kiddos taken care of when we got home. Now back to the regular schedule.

End of Hour Nine

2010-04-10T17:05:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Life on the refrigerator door by Alice Kuipers - 9 pages Finished It!

Autobiography of a Fat Bride by Laurie Notaro - 5

Pages Read This Hour - 14

I read for 25 minutes

Total pages read: 302

Total minutes read: 313

Books Finished: 2

I have somehow managed to read two of the most sad/depressing books to start the read-a-thon. Life on the refrigerator door had me crying, something I rarely do while reading. (I enjoyed the book much more than How I Live.) I purposely went and chose two lighter books and have already been laughing at Fat Bride. We are off to a soccer game/birthday party this house so unfortunately will have to miss a few hours of reading and posting.

End of Hour Eight

2010-04-10T16:06:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Life on the refrigerator door by Alice Kuipers - 56 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 56

I read for 24 minutes

Total pages read: 288

Total minutes read: 288

Books Finished: 1

End of Hour Seven

2010-04-10T15:03:00.005-04:00

This hour I read:

Life on the refrigerator door by Alice Kuipers - 70 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 70

I read for 36 minutes

Total pages read: 232

Total minutes read: 264

Books Finished: 1

This book is a quick read, but really good. I am so tired at the moment...really fighting to stay awake.

End of Hour Six

2010-04-10T13:11:00.001-04:00

This hour I read:

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris - 16 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 16

I read for 26 minutes

Total pages read: 162

Total minutes read: 228

Books Finished: 1

Lunchtime...ate some lunch while reading this hour.