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.