Jenn and The Cats: 2011

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

I reached my goal!

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. :)

Monday, December 05, 2011

Words

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.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

End of Event Meme

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

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

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

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

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 18 pages

I read for 39 minutes

Total pages read: 379

Total minutes read: 566

Books Finished - 2

Wow, I am really slowing down but keeping at it. Gonna stretch my legs a bit this hour.

Mini Challenge Hour 19 Pet Love

My cats love the read-a-thon! They love all the available laps as we read. Nilla, our dog loved the chance to snuggle on the couch. Mostly they haven't been too bad of a distraction but a few times I had three cats trying to get on my lap at once. Muzzy, my 19 year old foster kitty liked to attack my bookmark!

End of Hour Eighteen

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 24 pages

I read for 50 minutes

Total pages read: 361

Total minutes read: 527

Books Finished - 2

Wow, this book has made me laugh and shocked me at times. I am definitely reading slower but still going....52 pages to go to finish this book.

End of Hour Seventeen

This hour I read:

Dinner

No Reading this hour

Mid-Event Survey

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

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

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

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 27 pages

I read for 46 minutes

Lunch Time

No Reading this hour

End of Hour Six

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

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

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

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

Breakfast time

No reading this hour.

Introduction Meme

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

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

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!

Friday, October 21, 2011

My Read-A-Thon Book Pile

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!

Saturday, October 01, 2011

I'm Cheering!

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

It's that time again...

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!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

All our books

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

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

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

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

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

"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?

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

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

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.)

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

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

Took a nap and slept through this hour.

End of Hour Three

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

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

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

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.

Friday, April 08, 2011

Almost Time!

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!

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Read-A-Thon

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!

Friday, March 04, 2011

Reading & Moving

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!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Monday, December 05, 2011

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Friday, October 21, 2011

Saturday, October 01, 2011

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Friday, April 08, 2011

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Friday, March 04, 2011

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