I'm taking part in Bout of Books!

This will be the fifth time I've taken part on Bout of Books and I'm really looking forward to it. It's a great way to start the year off on the right note. I'll post a TBR pile later.

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, May 9th and runs through Sunday, May 15th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 16 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

End of Event Survey

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
The last hour I was awake for (Hour Eighteen).  I was so, so tired.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson
Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell (I think anything by Rainbow Rowell is excellent RAT material.)

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next season?
I missed cheerleaders on the blogs.  :(

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
The Facebook group was a lot of fun an a great idea.

5. How many books did you read?
Four

6. What were the names of the books you read?
Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell
The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson
Itchy Pig by Nicole Bruno Cox
The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher
Hawkeye, Vol. 3: L.A. Woman by Matt Fraction (Didn't finish)

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
I loved them all but Kindred Spirits and The Boy in the Smoke were both amazing.  I'd been looking forward to both and surpassed my expectations.

8. Which did you enjoy least?
None

9. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
I'll be here - Number 18 for me!  A reader and maybe a cheerleader again.  I can't wait!

All the books I, my husband and best friend read.

End of Hour Eighteen

This hour I read:

Hawkeye, Vol. 3: L.A. Woman by Matt Fraction 28 pages

I read for 38 minutes

Total pages read: 296

Total minutes read: 443

Books Finished - 4

I finished the first story in this book and like it a lot so far.  I've hit a wall though and so am calling it a night.

Andie reading Haweye with me

End of Hour Seventeen

This hour I read:

The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher 7 pages - Finished It!

I read for 12 minutes

Total pages read: 268

Total minutes read: 405

Books Finished - 4

My father in law sent me this book from England as a surprise and I really enjoyed it.  An interesting look at the Queen and her faith and how it's affected her life and all she does.

Usually I'm a night owl but tonight I am seriously flagging.  Not sure how much longer I can stay up. We'll see.

Entertaining and Informative

End of Hour Sixteen

This hour I read:

The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher 10 pages

I read for 29 minutes

Total pages read: 261

Total minutes read: 393

Books Finished - 3

Starting to feel a little tired now but I'm almost done with my next book.

Andie enjoys laptime with her Daddy during RATs

End of Hour Fifteen

This hour I read:

The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher 12 pages

I read for 41 minutes

Total pages read: 251

Total minutes read: 364

Books Finished - 3

Snack time!  The book I'm reading is really good but keeps bringing up interesting conversation topics.  

Raspberry Cheesecake Dip with Tim Tams

End of Hour Fourteen

This hour I read:

Itchy Pig by Nicole Bruno Cox 28 pages - Finished It!

The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher 6 pages

I read for 21 minutes

Total pages read: 239

Total minutes read: 323

Books Finished - 3

A friend of ours wrote a children's book and being people who loves books we were really supportive of her and she was able to publish it.  Today was the perfect chance to read it. It was as lovely as could be.

Our friend, the auhor

End of Hour Thirteen

Dinner time!

Jersey Mike's Subs, homemade potato chips and avocado ranch dip

Mid-Event Survey

1. What are you reading right now?
In between books right now.  I need to finished The Servant Queen.

2. How many books have you read so far?
Finished 2 and read a bit of 1 other

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
Lazarus, Vol. 4: Poison by Greg Rucka

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Mostly meals and meal prep.  I don't mind really as it breaks things up.

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
I'm enjoying reading more than I have in ages.

End of Hour Twelve

Back at home and getting dinner ready and watching some soccer.  Both the Dash and Dynamo have games tonight.

Nancy on dinner prep

End of Hour Eleven

This hour I read:

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - 10 pages - Finished It!

I read for 30 minutes

Total pages read: 205

Total minutes read: 302

Books Finished - 2

I loved this book.  It was so sad but absolutely beautiful and great to get a backstory.

End of Hour Ten

This hour I read:

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - 20 pages

I read for 52 minutes

Total pages read: 196

Total minutes read: 272

Books Finished - 1

On the comfy booth seats at the Starbucks by our house and really enjoying it.

Reading at Starbucks

End of Hour Nine

This hour I read:

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - 17 pages

I read for 43 minutes

Total pages read: 176

Total minutes read: 220

Books Finished - 1

At our Starbucks now

I had to add my name to his cup to make things even.

End of Hour Eight

This hour I read:

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - 23 pages

I read for 58 minutes

Total pages read: 133

Total minutes read: 203

Books Finished - 1

Lunch time

Lunch

End of Hour Seven

This hour I read:

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - 16 pages

I read for 13 minutes

Total pages read: 110

Total minutes read: 145

Books Finished - 1

Went to Panera this hour.

I love this tote.

End of Hour Six

This hour I read:

The Servant Queen and the King she serves by Mark Greene and Catherine Butcher  29 pages

I read for 41 minutes

Total pages read: 91

Total minutes read: 132

Books Finished - 1

Started a new book which I'm enjoying.  Heading out for lunch now.

Quote from my current book

End of Hour Five

This hour I read:

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell 11 pages - Finished It!

I read for 20 minutes

Total pages read: 62

Total minutes read: 91

Books Finished - 1

Finished my first book and I loved it!

"People who are jerks don't get to decide whether they are jerks.  It's left up to a jury of their peers."  I just loved this quote from it.

Love, love love

End of Hour Four

This hour I read:

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell 29 pages

I read for 45 minutes

Total pages read: 51

Total minutes read: 71

Breakfast time!

Dunkin Donuts to the rescue!

End of Hour Three

This hour I read:

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell 22 pages

I read for 26 minutes

Total pages read: 22

Total minutes read: 26

I picked a good book to start with.  Kindred Spirits has already made me laugh.  I frickin' adore Rainbow Rowell.

Opening 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 Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson
Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell is a close second.

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
Salty Ritz Cracker Oatmeal Cookies

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
Usually I'm a pretty big reader but this year I've been in a huge reading slump.  I'm hoping and praying this pulls me out of it.

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 my seventeenth RAT.  For the first time I don't have a single book on my TBR pile that I'm already reading.

End of Hours One and Two

I slept in but since I'm less awake in the morning than late at night hopefully this is a good thing.  I'm up now and getting going.  Gonna do the Intro Meme and start reading.

My TBR pile for Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon

I've got all my prep work done for Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon which is tomorrow and will be the 17th I've taken part in.  I've been in a total reading funk so am hoping this helps pull me out of it.  I've got all our snacks ready and my TBR pile is ready to go too.

My TBR Pile

I've got...

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell - A special novel from World Book Day that was a nice surprise from a friend.

The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson - A special novel from World Book Day that was a birthday present from my husband.

The Servant Queen and the King She Serves - A special present that my father in law mailed me from England as a treat.

Lazarus, Vol. 4: Poison by Greg Rucka - I love this series and am really looking forward to this one.

Hawkeye, Vol. 3: L.A. Woman by Matt Fraction - I've really enjoyed this series so far.

Scarlet, Book 1 by Brian Michael Bendis - Part of my Listopia challenge

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson - Part of my Listopia challenge

I can't wait to get to reading!