End of Event Meme

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

End of Hour Ten

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 15 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 15

I read for 37 minutes

Total pages read: 76

Total minutes read: 372

Mini-challenges completed: 4

End of Hour Nine

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 11 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 11

I read for 26minutes

Total pages read: 163

Total minutes read: 335

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Off to grab some dinner and then go to a soccer game. We'll be reading during dinner so I'll update when I get back. Go Railhawks!

End of Hour Eight

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 21 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 21

I read for 41 minutes

Total pages read: 152

Total minutes read: 309

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Enjoying this story...next hour I have to start getting ready as we are going out to eat (and read) before the soccer game.

End of Hour Seven

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

Pages Read This Hour - 19

I read for 41 minutes

Total pages read: 131

Total minutes read: 268

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Still on the first story in this book but it's really good.

End of Hour Six

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 12 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 12

I read for 24 minutes

Total pages read: 112

Total minutes read: 227

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Had some lunch (Chinese leftovers from last night) and have moved downstairs to the living room.

End of Hour Five

Night's Edge by Charlaine Harris and others - 14 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 14

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 90

Total minutes read: 203

Mini-challenges completed: 4

Lots of distractions by the kitties this house. My tummy is grumbling and it is definitely time for a lunch break.

Show My The Books Mini Challenge

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

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

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

"Aw, the joy of reading, shared."

End of Hour Two

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

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

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.

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

Getting Ready

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

End of Hour Five

This hour I read:

Life on the refrigerator door by Alice Kuipers - 82 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 82

I read for 34 minutes

Total pages read: 146

Total minutes read: 202

Books Finished: 1

End of Hour Four

This hour I read:

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - 15 pages Finished it!

Doomsday Can Wait by Lori Handeland - 6 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 15

I read for 46 minutes

Total pages read: 64

Total minutes read: 168

Books Finished: 1

End of Hour Three

This hour I read:

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - 10 pages

I read for 24 minutes.

Total pages read: 49

Total minutes read: 122

Almost done with this book...

End of Hour Two

This hour I read:

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - 20 pages

I read for 40 minutes.

Total pages read: 39

Total minutes read: 98

Gonna eat some breakfast this hour.

Introduction Meme

Where are you reading from today?

At home, so far in our bedroom...am sure will migrate to the living room eventually.

3 facts about me …

I have been in a bit of a reading slump so the the read-a-thon came along at the perfect time.

My laptop is in a funky state of being right now so I am having to share with Richard.

The read-a-thon is one of the only things I would get up early for. I am totally not a morning person.


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

3 that I am reading and at least one new one. I didn't really set any aside to read this time, save for the one that will be taking the place of How I Live Now once I am done. I do have Chicken Soup for the Scrapbookers Soul from the library. The little essays in there may be a good thing when it's the wee hours.

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)?

Finish at least one of the books I am already reading and enjoy myself.

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

Read what you enjoy. If a book isn't working for you put it aside and move onto another. Have fun!

End of Hour One

This hour I read:

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - 19 pages
I am almost done with this book so am plugging away at it. Very mixed feelings about it so I'll wait till I'm done to decide how I really feel.

I read for 58 minutes.

I am going to do the Intro Meme and do a little Facebook before getting back to reading.

Ready to go

I'm up and ready to read. Tired and not totally coherent, but ready to read.

Getting ready for the read-a-thon

We have snacks bought, plans in place and are ready to read! These are the three books I am reading currently and I have plenty more as back ups. Can't wait to get started!

Read-A-Thon

Saturday is the read-a-thon. Yahoo! We have a birthday party/soccer game to go to so unfortunately won't be able to read the whole 24 hours. I still hope to be reading a whole lot though. I'll sort out a few books and post a pic before starting Saturday.

My Reading Goals for the Year 2009 Recap and Reading Goals for 2010

Coming into 2009 my reading goals were:

1. Read 36 books -Done
2. Read series books - Done
3. Finish all books carried over - Done

I came into 2010 with one book carried over (Queen of the Road). I read a lot from different series and read the entire Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris (save for the new one which I got for Xmas) so that goal worked out well. I already started and gave up on one new book (The Chocolate Cat Caper). This year I want to read mainly from one box of books. Not sure I'll get through the whole box but I definitely want to make a dent in it. I'm torn over giving myself a numerical goal. I came close to not making 36 this past year, mostly because I read in spurts...some months I devour books (6 in December) other months just not as much. Then again it's nice to have a goal even if I don't make it, as the whole reason I actually read is for enjoyment. So I will set a goal of 40, four more than my goal last year.

1. Read 40 books
2. Read mostly from one box of books
3. Finish all books carried over