End of Hours 13-16

No reading these hours as I was at my soccer games.  We wound up tying 4-4 and it was a crazy game.  Even though I really wanted the win I'm proud of how we played, with a lot of fight and passion.  I love my team!

My Happy Place

Games against Kansas are always crazy

Kick Off

Celebrating a great goal!

Mid-Event Survey

1. What are you reading right now? The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

2. How many books have you read so far? Still working on one

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Finishing Madness and trying out some of the graphic novels

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? My soccer game...but hey gotta roll with it and enjoy.

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? That I haven't finished my first book yet.  Grr.

End of Hour 12

This hour I read:

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - 7 pages

I read for 16 minutes

Total pages read: 116

Total minutes read: 342

Dessert time for the first half of the hour then we headed off to the game.

Lemon Cake

End of Hour 11

This hour I read:

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - 4 pages

I read for 33 minutes

Total pages read: 109

Total minutes read: 326

I read a wee bit during dinner.

Chicken Friand - My favorite

End of Hour 10

Off to Houston this hour to grab dinner and head to the game so no reading.

Forever Orange - I Bleed Orange

End of Hour Nine

This hour I read:

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - 13 pages

I read for 35 minutes

Total pages read: 105

Total minutes read: 293

I have 57 pages left in my book but have to get ready this hour to head into Houston for the game. Once we get there we'll stop somewhere to eat so we can get some more reading in.

Nilla, playing guard dog while we all read

End of Hour Eight

This hour I read:

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - 16 pages

I read for 48 minutes

Total pages read: 92

Total minutes read: 258

Nancy reading & Andie sleeping

End of Hour Seven

This hour I read:

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - 12 pages

I read for 42 minutes

Total pages read: 76

Total minutes read: 210

Lunch time this house and a few random conversations.  I'm down to less than 100 pages to go in my book and it's so good!

Jersey Mike's - Yum!

End of Hour Six

This hour I read:

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - 16 pages

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 64

Total minutes read: 168

I've been munching on the cookies I made.  They are so good it's dangerous to have them near.

Yummy cookies

End of Hour Five

Oh ya, I felt like those zombies before my nap.

This hour I read:

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - 5 pages

I read for 13 minutes

Total pages read: 48

Total minutes read: 130

My nap went a little over into this hour, though I managed to get some reading in at the end.  I'm much more awake now, thankfully.  Nap are our friends.

End of Hour Four

Nap Time

No reading this hour...napping

End of Hour Three

Pretty Colors

This hour I read: 

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - 18 pages

I read for 45 minutes 

Total pages read: 43

Total minutes read: 117

I'm so tired...think the next hour will be a nap.

End of Hour Two

Breakfast, courtesy of Dunkin Donuts

This hour I read:

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - 18 pages

I read for 47 minutes

Total pages read: 18

Total minutes read: 72

I'm yawning but my book is really good!

End of Hour One

Using my Dynamo blanket for the first time.

This hour I read: 

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - 7 pages

I read for 25 minutes 

Total pages read: 7

Total minutes read: 25

I did the Intro Meme last hour, drank some tea and got myself situated.  I didn't get much reading done but in just the little I read some startling information came to light.  I can't wait to see what happens!

Opening Meme

Opening Meme:

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?  The Woodlands, Texas, where it has just started to rain.

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I'm really liking The Madness Underneath so am looking forward to reading more of that.  Landline intrigues me & the whole Monument series has been so good that I'm excited to see how it all wraps up. Plus I have some really interesting graphic novels.  OK, so I'm looking forward to a lot!

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? Payday Dip, mostly because I already tried out the Salty Ritz Cracker Oatmeal Cookies so I know they're awesome.  Oh plus Nancy bought this yummy looking popcorn with caramel and cheese.  Yum!

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! This is my 15th RAT that I've taken part in, along with my husband.  (8 in Texas, 7 in NC) Originally it was just something I happened to find on the internet that seemed like fun.  Who knew how important it would become to us.  That first RAT we just kinda did it with little to no planning.  Now we have a plan for food, our schedule, everything.  Oh and I am not a morning person so me being up this early speaks volumes about how much I love the RAT.

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?  Well we have to go out tonight (We're Houston Dynamo season ticket holders and we don't miss games.) so I know I'll have time away from the RAT which I generally try and avoid.  But hey, soccer is one of the only things I love as much as reading so that can't be helped.  I do sometimes overdo it on food prep, making way more food than the three of us can eat, so I scaled that back a bit and think we have a good but not overwhelming selection. 

OK...let's get to reading!

Nilla isn't a morning puppy.

My TBR Pile for the Read-A-Thon

It's the night before Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon and I've been busy with prep work.  Between Richard, Nancy and I we've baked, cleaned and got almost everything ready.  I finally got my TBR pile together and here it is.

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson - I'm a little over 100 pages into this one.  Maureen Johnson is one of my favorite authors and this one is so good.

Down By The River by Robyn Carr - I'm only about 40 pages into this one.

Hide Yourself Away by Mary Jane Clark - I realized I hadn't gotten this one out (it's the next in the series) so luckily my husband was sweet enough to dig it out for me.

Monument 14 Savage Drift by Emmy Laybourne - The last in a trilogy I've read and loved this year.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - Checked out from the library to see what I think.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell - Checked out from the library to see what I think.

I got quite a few graphic novels from the library:

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz 

Morning Glories 1 & 2 by Nick Spencer

The Woods by James Tynion IV

Angel & Faith Vol 2 Daddy Issues by Christos Gage (Hoping it's better than the first in the series)

Y:The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan

Runaways Teenage Wasteland by Brian K. Vaughan

Lazarus 2 Vol 2 Lift by Greg Rucka

Reading My Library Update

I finished my first book for the Reading My Library Challenge.   It wasn't my favorite in this verse but there were some interesting parts and the Harmony story was fun.

Getting ready for the Read-a-Thon

Once again I'm taking part in Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon!  I don't have my booklist set yet (though I have a vague idea of what I'll be reading) because we have a book sale to attend the day before the RAT so I may just find something I have to read there.  I know for sure I'll have some graphic novels to read.  I put an inter library request in for a few and am so happy they arrived in time for the RAT!

Snackwise we have a plan.  I'm making Payday Dip to be served with graham crackers and Salty Ritz Oatmeal Cookies.  Nancy is making a Pineapple Cake and bringing popcorn from The Popcorn Bar. We're getting some Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and Jersey Mike sandwiches for lunch.  I'm sure we'll have some other yummy snacks to munch on through out the day.  Dinner is probably going to be La Madeline as we will be heading to Houston as the Dynamo have a game and that can't be missed.  So there will be soccer amidst the reading.

I just can't wait to get started!!

Reading My Library Challenge

I'm taking part in this challenge.  I already have some library books out and definitely plan on getting more this month.  I also happen to be a big fan of libraries.  Some of my favorite memories from my childhood were spent in libraries.  :)

I'm reading a Supernatural graphic novel and have two others checked out as well as a few requested. Let's get to reading!
 

Bout of Books #7 & Wrap Up

I read 12 pages in Beauty Queens.

Total Book Finished - 3
Total Pages Read - 365

The last day of BoB was a little crazy for me, as the Golden Globes were on (which I love) and I went out during the day with Richard and my mom to get new phones.  I snuck in just a few minutes of reading before we went to bed and got another chapter read.

Over all I'm really happy with what I accomplished during this week of reading.  I got a good start to the year of reading and all the check lists I'm doing.  I really enjoyed the time with Richard and loved starting the year this way.  My first Bout of Books was a success!

Bout of Books #6

I read 17 pages in Beauty Queens.
I read 12 pages in Annabel and finished it.
I read 29 pages.

Total Book Finished - 3
Total Pages Read - 353

Bout of Books #5

I read 39 pages in Beauty Queens.  This book is crazy but really smart and loads of fun.

Total Book Finished - 2
Total Pages Read - 324

Bout of Books #4

I read 31 pages in Beauty Queens today.

Total Books Finished - 2
Total Pages Read - 285

Bout of Books #3

I read 58 pages in Beauty Queens today.  The book is quite funny and has me laughing quite a lot.

Total Books Finished - 2
Total Pages Read - 254

Bout of Books #2

I started and finished The Walking Dead Vol. 5 The Best Defense.  My least favorite in the series so far.  I started Beauty Queens by Libba Bray.  We spent part of the day at a park in Houston that has an outdoor reading space then a new tea room we tried out.  With some added reading time at home we had a good day of reading.
Read 147 pages for the day & finished 1 book.

Total Books Finished - 2
Total Pages Read - 196

Bout of Books Update #1

So I had a nice little time getting some reading done today.  I read for over two hours and finished my book I was reading, The Next Always by Nora Roberts.  This is the first book by Nora Roberts I have read and I really liked it.  It's always wonderful to find a new author you like.

So over all I've read 49 pages so far, finished one book and read over my goal time wise.  Yae!

Next up for me is The Walking Dead - The Best Defense.

I'm taking part in Bout of Books!

I'm ready!  This will be my first time taking part in Bout of Books and I'm excited!

For those that don't know what Bout of Books is... here you go:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 5th and runs through Sunday, January 11th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 12 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I want to read at least two hours everyday.  My husband chose to take his Christmas time off work during the first week of January so this is great timing for BoB.  I know I'll be reading the next graphic novel in The Walking Dead series that I have but aside from that I'm not sure what I'll read. Mostly I just want to spend some time reading.

2014 Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

I'll be doing the Mistletoe Level (2-4 Books) as well as the Fa La LA La Films.  My potential list (Subject to change):

Shakespeare's Christmas by Charlaine Harris

Christmas After All by Kathryn Lasky

Icing on the Lake by Catherine Clark

The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber

'Tis The Season To Be Murdered by Valerie Wolzien

White Christmas Pie by Wanda E. Brunstetter

End of Event Meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Well I slept through the first two hours so probably those.  Other than that it was probably Hour 23.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
The Walking Dead or any really good graphic novel is wonderful.  I think having a series (Aunt Dimity, Virgin River) you know you love that's a go-to for you is always a good choice.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Not really.  I think we can always use more cheerleaders.  I do think the GoodReads group was a great addition.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
The GoodReads group and also the warm up posts on Facebook were awesome.

5. How many books did you read?
4 and I finished three of those.  One I had started before the RAT began.

6. What were the names of the books you read?
Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea (Started before hand)
The Walking Dead Vol 3 Safety Behind Bars
The Walking Dead Vol 3 The Heart's Desire
50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James  (Not finished)

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea.  It's part of one of my all-time favorite series.

8. Which did you enjoy least?
50 Shades of Grey, though considering I was expecting to hate it and I don't so far it's ok.

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
I wasn't though I have been in the past and may cheer next time.  I definitely think we just need more as we're getting so many more readers (which is awesome!)

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
As sure as anything can be!  We (my husband, best friend and I) plan for this every year and it goes on our calendars as soon as the dates come out.  I'll be a reader and may cheer too.

All Our Books

End of Hour Twenty-Four

This hour I read:

50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James- 5 pages

I read for 11 minutes

Total pages read: 407

Total minutes read: 561

Books Finished - 3

I managed a few more pages before I collapsed into bed.

Just a few more words....

End of Hour Twenty-Three

This hour I read:

The Walking Dead Vol 3 The Heart's Desire - 18 pages - Finished It!

I read for 21 minutes

Total pages read: 402

Total minutes read: 550

Books Finished - 3

Woohoo!  I finished my book!  I think I'm going to call it a night...

Last reader standing at my house...I finished my book!

End of Hour Twenty-Two

This hour I read:

The Walking Dead Vol 3 The Heart's Desire - 36 pages

I read for 40 minutes

Total pages read: 384

Total minutes read: 529

Books Finished - 2

Really getting tired now...but trying to finish my book.

My special Carrot Cake Cookie Bars (For My Bunny)

End of Hour Twenty-One

This hour I read:

The Walking Dead Vol 3 The Heart's Desire - 40 pages

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 348

Total minutes read: 489

Books Finished - 2

The famous foot picture - Nancy, Jenn, Coal & Grafton!

End of Hour Twenty

This hour I read:

The Walking Dead Vol 3 The Heart's Desire - 8 pages

I read for 15 minutes

Total pages read: 308

Total minutes read: 451

Books Finished - 2

Tired but still reading.  Drinking and snacking to keep going.

Snack Time!  Rice Krispie, Popcorn, M&M's Trail Mix

End of Hour Nineteen

This hour I read:

The Walking Dead Vol 3 The Heart's Desire- 32 pages

I read for 24 minutes

Total pages read: 300

Total minutes read: 436

Books Finished - 2

Nilla enjoying her treat from her Aunt Nancy

Mini Challenge

Promote That Genre


Mysteries are where it's at!  They keep you guessing, keep you interested and there are all different kinds.  Cozy ones where the gore is to a minimum and really creepy ones that can give you nightmares.  There are mysteries set all over the world, so whether you want to read a book set in your local area or one set on the farthest corner of the world you can find one.  I read all different genres but mysteries will always be my true love.  Give one a go.  You may just find yourself looking for clues in real life.  ;)

End of Hour Eighteen

This hour I read:

50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James- 12 pages

I read for 25 minutes

Total pages read: 268

Total minutes read: 412

Books Finished - 2

Inspired by Courtney's post on the RAT blog I went and took a fabulous bubble bath using a LUSH Dorothy Bubble Bar while reading my book.  It was heavenly.

LUSH makes the best bubble bars. 

End of Hour Seventeen

This hour I read:

50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James- 8 pages

I read for 21 minutes

Total pages read: 256

Total minutes read: 387

Books Finished - 2

Watched the end of the soccer game (A draw, bye-bye Buckshaw.  You gave me one of my favorite memories.) and read a little.

My answer to the blog question this hour - My mom was an avid reader when I was growing up and I always loved going to the library.  I devoured books my entire childhood.  My mom would read a lot of what I read as a teenager and we would discuss them.  Now days I'm married to a man who reads even more than I do so it's something we share.  I can't imagine not reading.

Hmmm, not loving or hating it right now

Mini Challenge

Estella's Revenge Mini Challenge : The Pet Parade

Coal Logan

Vanilla Bean with Andie in the background

End of Hour Sixteen

This hour I read:

50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James - 3 pages

I read for 5 minutes

Total pages read: 248

Total minutes read: 366

Books Finished - 2

Soccer is way too distracting....hard to read when it's on.

Distracted by the Quakes

End of Hour Fifteen

No reading, spent the hour driving home and getting settled in.  There's a Quakes game on now (last one at Buckshaw stadium) so not sure how much reading I'll get done this next hour but I'll try to get some in.

Home Again, Home Again

End of Hour Fourteen

This hour I read:

50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James - 23 pages

I read for 34 minutes

Total pages read: 245

Total minutes read: 361

Books Finished - 2

Went to Corner Bakery Cafe for dinner and started 50 Shades of Grey.  So far it's just eh.

Dinner Time

End of Hour Thirteen

This hour I read:

The Walking Dead Vol 3 Safety Behind Bars - 56 pages - Finished It!

I read for 50 minutes

Total pages read: 221

Total minutes read: 327

Books Finished - 2

Watching Richard laugh his way through his book was awesome.

End of Hour Twelve

No Reading...in the car on the way to Starbucks

Starbucks

Mid-Event Survey

1. What are you reading right now?
The Walking Dead Vol 3 Safety Behind Bars

2. How many books have you read so far?
This is my second.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
More TWD books and also trying out 50 Shades of Grey.

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Not really, just got up later than I planned.

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
How dang quick it goes!

End of Hour Eleven

This hour I read:

The Walking Dead Vol 3 Safety Behind Bars - 44 pages

I read for 39 minutes

Total pages read: 165

Total minutes read: 277

Books Finished - 1

I Ate - Carrot Cake Cookie Bars.  They were so good I forgot to take a picture of one.  This next hour we're heading out to Starbucks and to grab some dinner.

Tolstoy likes the cuddling opportunities the RAT supplies.

End of Hour Ten

This hour I read:

The Walking Dead Vol 3 Safety Behind Bars - 33 pages

I read for 36 minutes

Total pages read: 121

Total minutes read: 238

Books Finished - 1

"Hopefully it's just full of flesh eating monsters and out baked beans are still intact in there."
- The Walking Dead Vol 3 Safety Behind Bars

Chocolate & Zombies

End of Hour Nine

This hour I read:

Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - 21 pages - Finished It!

I read for 40 minutes

Total pages read: 88

Total minutes read: 202

Books Finished - 1

Quote I really liked from my book I just finished -

"It's pointless to fight evil by destroying life.
How do we fight it then?
We kiss our children.  We make sticky lemon cake for our husband.  We cherish our friends.  We leave the great hedge standing tall, to server as a haven for birds and mice and spiders.  We defeat evil every time we commit an act of kindness."
-Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea

Finished!

End of Hour Eight

This hour I read:

Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - 14 pages

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 67

Total minutes read: 162

I ate - Chicken salad for lunch along with 3 ingredient chip dip and deviled eggs.

Lunch Time

End of Hour Seven

No reading this hour.  I made the mistake of starting to fuss with my blog and time got away from me.

I fell down the rabbit hole of blog updates.

End of Hour Six

This hour I read:

Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - 22 pages

I read for 43 minutes

Total pages read: 53

Total minutes read: 124

I'm so sleepy...about 30 pages or so to go in my book but my fellow readers are telling me it's lunch time now.

Sleepy Grafton keeping track of my bookmark

End of Hour Five

This hour I read:

Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - 15 pages

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 31

Total minutes read: 81

I Ate - Oatmeal Scotchies, my favorite cookies made by Nancy

Mini Challenge Entered - Name your Read-A-Thon My entry was 50 Shades of Deep Blue Speeching

Cookie Time!

End of Hour Four

This hour I read:

Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue See by Nancy Atherton - 16 pages

I read for 43 minutes

Total pages read: 16

Total minutes read: 43

I Ate - Shipley's Devil's Food Donut & Hot Tea

Chatted with Nancy this hour about how awesome Robyn Carr is.  It's always fun when you share the love of an author.

Aunt Dimity & Tea, Two of my favorites

End of Hour Three

I'm posting my Reading Pile since I haven't actually gotten any reading done yet.  Ack!  No worries...I have my tea now (hopefully to be in my system soon) and my eyes are open.  Reading is sure to follow.

My TBR Pile

Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea by Nancy Atherton - Already reading and about 100 pages to go.
Coral and Bone - An e-book I'm already reading that I have about 100 pages to go.
Here Speeching American by Ross Petras - Another one I've already started (I'm such a multi book reader) that is light (Which oops, got left out of my picture...)
Death of a Prankster by M.C. Beaton - Love this series
Down by the River by Robyn Carr - Last in the opening trilogy of her Virgin River series
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James - Nancy and I are both going to give this a go.
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson - Started this online but haven't read any since
The next three in The Walking Dead series - The Heart's Desire, The Best Defense and Safety Behind Bars - I love this series and I had so much fun reading it last RAT
The next two in The Stand series - Soul Survivors and Hardcases - The original book is my all time favorite and I've really enjoyed the graphic novels.

The one I forgot to add to my pile

Introduction Meme

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
The Woodlands, TX

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
The Walking Dead graphic novels.  I loved the ones I read last time.

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
Lime fruit did that Nancy made and the Carrot Cake Cookie Bars I made (for Clara). Honestly the snacking is a super fun part of the RAT.  :)

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
I love to read, scrapbook and watch horror movies.

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 is the 14th RAT I've taken part in.  I let myself sleep in this morning as I was dead tired so I'm hoping once I'm fully awake I'll be able to have more energy the rest of the day.

End of Hours One and Two

I'm taking part in Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon but I slept in.  I got way too busy yesterday getting ready for today and kind of over did it.  Oh well, I'm here now.