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

End of Event meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

Hour 20, I was really struggling but managed to keep going. This is the first time I have made it all the way through. I'm really happy about that fact.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs-Great, quick read

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Nope

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

Everything. For me personally being away from home with a lot less distractions worked really well.

5. How many books did you read?

I finished three. Two I had been reading already, one I started and finished today.

6. What were the names of the books you read?

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - Finished
Carpe Demon by Julie Kemmer - Started
Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs - Started & Finished
Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton - Finished

7. Which book did you enjoy most?

Surprisingly, Twilight

8. Which did you enjoy least?

Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton I'm just glad I finished it as I have been struggling through it since last 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 Will! As a reader and maybe a cheerleader.

End of Hour 24

This hour I read:

Carpe Demon by Julie Kemmer - 15 pages

I read for 44 minutes

Total pages read: 512 pages

Total minutes read: 853

Books Finished: 3

End of Hour 23

This hour I read:

Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs - 83 pages Finished It!

I read for 45 minutes

Total pages read: 497 pages

Total minutes read: 809

Books Finished: 3

I started this book today and finished it today. It was a neat book, some silly statements, some thoughtful. One hour to go!

End of Hour 22

This hour I read:

Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs - 51 pages

I read for 27 minutes

Total pages read: 414 pages

Total minutes read: 764

Books Finished: 2

I took a bath at the start of the hour, just to wake me up a bit. It was enough to keep me going.

End of Hour 22

This hour I read:

Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs - 51

I read for 27 minutes

Total pages read: 414 pages

Total minutes read: 764

Books Finished: 2

I took a bath at the start of the hour, just to wake me up a bit. It was enough to keep me going.

End of Hour 21

This hour I read:

Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton - 12 pages Finished It!

I read for 49 minutes

Total pages read: 363 pages

Total minutes read: 737

Books Finished: 2

I finished Eating My Words! Woohoo! This book was one I carried over from last year. It wasn't a long book, just one I struggled to get into so I kept setting it aside. I am so, so glad it's done with. I started it after reading Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl, which I adored. This didn't even come close to matching up to G&S. But now it's done and I couldn't be happier!

End of Hour 20

This hour I read:

Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton - 11 pages

I read for 40 minutes

Total pages read: 351 pages

Total minutes read: 688

Books Finished: 1

13 pages to go and I'll be done...gotta keep on going. Sweet Tea and Chocolate are getting me through!

End of Hour 19

This hour I read:

Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton - 12 pages

Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs - 39 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 51

I read for 51 minutes

Total pages read: 340 pages

Total minutes read: 648

Books Finished: 1

Really struggling now. 25 pages left in Words but getting through each page is a struggle....I'm trying.

End of Hour 18

This hour I read:

Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton - 8 pages

I read for 26 minutes

Total pages read: 289 pages

Total minutes read: 597

Books Finished: 1

Took a walk around the hotel at the first part of the hour to wake me up a bit. The reading is slow now but I'm still going.

End of Hour 17

This hour I read:

Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton - 8 pages

Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs - 19 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 27

I read for 39 minutes

Total pages read: 289 pages

Total minutes read: 571

Books Finished: 1

Getting harder to concentrate now....think a little walk is called for. And definitely some more caffeine!

End of Hour 16

This hour I read:

Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton - 17 pages

I read for 45 minutes

Total pages read: 262 pages

Total minutes read: 532

Books Finished: 1

I have a little less than 60 pages left in Eating My Words so think I will stick with it for now. If I get really stuck I'll read a few pages of Not Quite What I Was Planning. But I'm definitely gonna try to get some more of Words read....

End of Hour 15

This hour I read:

Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs - 19 pages

Carpe Demon by Julie Kemmer - 7 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 26

I read for 30 minutes

Total pages read: 245 pages

Total minutes read: 487

Books Finished: 1

End of Hour 14

This hour I read:

Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton - 6

I read for 35 minutes

Total pages read: 219 pages

Total minutes read: 457

Books Finished: 1

Hour 13 was spent running back to the house and taking care of the kiddos (cats). Hour 14 was dinner, so I got a little bit of reading done while at Steak & Shake.

I am going to attempt to read as much as I can of Eating My Words. This is the last book I carried over from last year. It's just not an easy read and I even lost the book at point this year. I have really struggled to finish it. Maybe if I split it up between reading this and Carpe Demon I can actually struggle through it!

Mid-Event Survey

1. What are you reading right now?

Carpe Demon by Julie Kemmer

Eating My Words by Mimi Sheraton (Will be the next hour)

2. How many books have you read so far?

Finished 1, read from two others

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

Carpe Demon, as I just started it and it's quite funny.

Might see how much I can get done in Eating My Words, as it's been hanging around for quite some time now.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

We spent last night and tonight in a hotel.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

Dog Barking...that's about it. Tried to go downstairs but it was noisier down there. Came back up to our room and just tuned the dog out.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

How much more focused I have felt this time in comparison to read-a-thons past. I think being away from home helps.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Nothing, it rocks!

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

Nada

9. Are you getting tired yet?

Hmmm, a bit but we're going out to dinner and I think the refueling will help.

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?

Lots of Sweet Tea (My source of caffeine), snacks and changing position a lot.

End of Hour 12

This hour I read:

Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs - 27 pages

Carpe Demon by Julie Kemmer - 19 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 27

I read for 48 minutes

Total pages read: 213 pages

Total minutes read: 422

Books Finished: 1

I wasn't really feeling Not Quite What I Was Planning so I moved onto Carpe Demon. So far it's quite funny.

End of Hour 11

This hour I read:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 18 pages Finished It!

I read for 37 minutes

Total pages read: 186 pages

Total minutes read: 374

Books Finished: 1

I finished Twilight. Woohoo! That was a big goal for this read-a-thon for me. I tend to skip around with what I'm reading but I have stuck with this book all day.
Not sure what I'm reading next.....

End of Hour 10

This hour I read:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 18 pages

I read for 37 minutes

Total pages read: 186 pages

Total minutes read: 374

Books Finished: 0

End of Hour 9

This hour I read:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 17 pages

I read for 46 minutes

Total pages read: 168 pages

Total minutes read: 337

Books Finished: 0

There is an annoying dog next door to our room who is barking his head off and really distracting me. Grrrrr.

End of Hour 8

This hour I read:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 20 pages
It's really unusual for me to read one book for so long. I really wasn't that into this book at the midway point but now I am really interested to see how things turn out.

I read for 44 minutes

Total pages read: 151 pages

Total minutes read: 291

Books Finished: 0

End of Hour 7

Nothing new read.....Lunch Break..Now back to reading!

End of Hour 6

This hour I read:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 21 pages
I wasn't planning on sticking with the same book so long, but it's kept me interested so I have stuck with it. Who knows? I may wind up finishing it!

I read for 40 minutes

Total pages read: 131 pages

Total minutes read: 274

Books Finished: 0

Taking a break now to go get some lunch from the food court at the local mall.

End of Hour 5

This hour I read:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 24 pages
Some slight interruptions by Nilla this hour.

I read for 49 minutes

Total pages read: 110 pages

Total minutes read: 234

Books Finished: 0

End of Hour 4

This hour I read:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 22 pages

I read for 43 minutes

Total pages read: 86 pages

Total minutes read: 185

Books Finished: 0

End of Hour 3

This hour I read:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 24 pages

I read for 49 minutes

Total pages read: 64 pages

Total minutes read: 142

Books Finished: 0

End of Hour 2

This hour I read:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 11 pages

I read for 30 minutes

Total pages read: 40 pages

Total minutes read: 93

Books Finished: 0

Introduction Meme

Where are you reading from today?
La Quinta Hotel in Raleigh, NC

3 facts about me …
*Every 24 hour read-a-thon I have participated in, my husband has as well, so we have always done this together. We look forward to it.

*This is the first time I haven't done the read-a-thon from home. We had free nights we needed to use up so decided to use them for this.

*I don't usually eat breakfast. But when I am up early and doing things I am really hungry. So I have prob eaten more for breakfast today than I have in months.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
20, 4 of which I was already reading before the read-a-thon started. I like 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)?
Just to read an awful lot and enjoy the break from the real world. I would like to either finish Twilight or get a huge portion of it read.

Any advice for people doing this for the first time?
Take breaks and read what you like, not what you think you should read. Have fun!

End of Hour 1

This hour I read:

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer - 29 pages
I am a little over half way through Twilight and it's slowly getting better. As I'm enjoying it I'll prob. read it for the next hour as well. If I get bored I have plenty of other books to try out.

I read for 63 minutes

It's sunny out and is just started pouring rain. Love the crazy weather.

Ready to Read

For the first time ever I am up and awake, ready for the read-a-thon! I'm still eating breakfast, but am ready to go. I'm going to start out with one of the books I am already reading, probably Twilight. Let the reading begin!

My Read-A-Thon Book Pile

The read-a-thon is Saturday and I am working on getting my pile of books together. Richard and I are going to a local hotel for the read-a-thon (We have free nights to use up and figure the change of scenery will be nice.) so I have quite a few books to go with me, so I have plenty to choose from. Aside from my pile I also will be taking the books I am already reading:
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, Eating My Words:An Appetite For Life by Mimi Sheraton, Fast Track by Fern Michaels & Dear Exile by Hilary Liftin & Kate Montgomery.

So in my pile I have:

Carpe Demon by Julie Kemmer-I have wanted to read this for awhile now.
Meg & the Disappearing Diamonds by Holly Beth Walker-This is an old childs book. I read some of this series when I was a little girl and found this at a used booksale.
Abigail Adams A Girl of Colonial Days by Jean Brown Wagoner-Another old childs book.
Real Murders by Charlaine Harris-I have read all by the newest Sookie Stackhouse series and love those. I liked her Grave series as well so am moving onto this one.
Derik's Bane by MaryJanice Davidson-I read a short story by this author in Bite and liked it so figured I would give this a go.
Death Waxed Over by Tim Myers-The first two in this series were quick and easy reads that I liked.
I'm the Vampire, That's Why by Michele Bardsley-This was recommended to me and fits into my supernatural kick at the moment.
I Am A Star by Inge Auerbacher-A serious but short read I had sitting around, waiting to be read.
There Was A Little Girl by Susan Rogers Cooper-One of my favorite mystery series of all time. I am taking my time working through this series.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke-Looked fun and light.
Number The Stars by Lois Lowry-Short book that others have raved about.
Dead End Dating by Kimberly Raye-Looks fun and light. (And with vamps, which I love.)
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney-A YA book that looked different than my other choices.
Motherhood is Murder by Mult. Authors-I have enjoyed the short story books I have read this year so thought this might be fun. I haven't read any of these authors so should be interesting.
Not Quite What I Was Planning Six Word Memoirs-I waited for this book for over a year on Paperback Swap. Most of the pages are really short and it looks really interesting.

Amazingly, I didn't go out and buy any of these books for the read-a-thon. They were all here at my house, just waiting to be read. Theres no way I'll get through all of these but I like to have options...I can't wait to start!

What a weird week

I started off the week still reeling from being hit with the most horrible stomach flu ever early Sunday morning. (Of course it has to hit that day, when I was looking forward to the sermon at church, when we had an adoptathon.) Even though by Monday I was no longer retching my guts out it still took me a few days to really feel better and to not be scared to eat.

We got PB and Jay back this week, two cats we adopted out as kittens over two years ago. The reasons are stupid and not even worth mentioning. But it's been a week of juggling cat issues, between getting them back and trying to help them settle in, to moving the Snow Cats into my office, trying to work in a new kitten (who ended up not coming in after all, though the woman didn't bother to call and tell us she had found a home for her. No, we had to call her.), finding out there is another kitten we might need to take in, talking to a new kitten foster home (Thank You God! They have fostered for us before, just never kittens so I think they'll be able to handle it.), worrying over Muzzy (Is she losing weight? Do we need to get her back to the vet? She's 17, what can they do?), listing several cats for adoption on Petfinder and finally having a talk with a friend about the loss of Katrina, which I really needed to have.

It rarely discuss cats we have lost from our own foster home on here. It's not deliberate, just something that hurts and so I don't write about it. I'm not going to change that too much now except to say that I know the way I'm feeling right now has to do with losing Katrina.

How am I feeling? In a funk, our of sorts, at loose ends. Everything just feels a bit off. Things that usually make me really happy just kind of do. I can't settle on a new book to read. I don't really want to do much of anything right now.

Summary of the Read-A-Thon

Over all I read:

I read 285 pages in 4 different books. (That's the most I have read yet at a read-a-thon.)
I read for 466 minutes.
I finished one and have a hundred or so pages left in another.
I took part in three or four mini-challenges.
I won no prizes.

By book I read:
Hokus Pokus-123
Chosen Prey-36
Eating My Words : An Appetite For Life-13
The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Guide-113

End of the Event Meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Hour 10 or 11, as I was really feeling tired. (I thought it was just because I had two early starts. Now I think it was because I was coming down with the stomach flu.)

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? If you like action then The Sisterhood books from Fern Michaels are great. They have suspense, a little romance and some great revenge.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Naa, it's great!

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Everything! The Cheerleaders and hosts were awesome.

5. How many books did you read? I finished one, read from four different books.

6. What were the names of the books you read?
Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels
Chosen Prey by Cheyenne Mccray
Eating My Words : An Appetite For Life by Mimi Sheraton
The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Guide by Laurie Notaro

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels though The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Guide by Laurie Notaro did have me laughing till I cried with one paticular story.

8. Which did you enjoy least?
Chosen Prey by Cheyenne Mccray

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?
Defintiely will! A reader.

End of Hour 18

This hour I read:

Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels - 25 pages

Pages Read This Hour -25

I read for 48 minutes

Total pages read: 285 pages

Total minutes read: 466

Books Finished: 1

This reading was done in bed, with my book light. It's the last reading I'll do for this read-a-thon.

End of Hour 17

This hour I read:

Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels - 7 pages

Chosen Prey by Cheyenne Mccray - 1 page

Pages Read This Hour -8

I read for 12 minutes

Total pages read: 260 pages

Total minutes read: 418

Books Finished: 1

I decided to give up on Chosen Prey. In reading just one more page I realized I am not going to enjoy the book and all it was doing was upsetting me. So it's out of here. A year ago I would have made myself finish the book, since I have read over a hundred pages. Now I just figure those hundred pages helped me see this author is not for me.

(All these posts are being made a day late as I was hit with a horrible stomach flu on Sunday.)

End of Hour 15

This hour I read:

Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels - 3 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 3

I read for 11 minutes

Total pages read: 252 pages

Total minutes read: 406

Books Finished: 1

This hour is cut short as a soccer game I have to watch is starting in three minutes. I will definitely be reading before I go to bed but will most likely post that in the morning. So this may well be Good Night for me. Thanks all you Cheerleaders and Fellow Readers who have payed me a visit. Good Reading everyone!

End of Hour 14

This hour I read:

Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels - 21 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 21

I read for 48 minutes

Total pages read: 249 pages

Total minutes read: 395

Books Finished: 1

End of Hour 13

This hour I read:

Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels - 16 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 16

I read for 28 minutes

Total pages read: 228 pages

Total minutes read: 374

Books Finished: 1

Mid-Event Survey

1. What are you reading right now? Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels

2. How many books have you read so far? Finished One, Read parts of three others

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Hokus Pokus. This is a good one in the Sisterhood Series!

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Aside from not watching as many soccer games as we normally would, no.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? The kiddos (Grafton especially) but they really haven't been too bad. I'm easily distracted though so will never be as focused as I would like to be.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? It's gone really quick!

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Just keep it up. I was so happy to know it would still go on in Dewey's honor. It's something Richard and I look forward to.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Usually I pick some good back up books to have ready, in case I need a change of pace. I wasn't well planned out this time around so that didn't happen. Luckily Hokus Pokus is a good book that has kept me interested. And starting off with a book of short stories worked out well.

9. Are you getting tired yet? I was. The break for dinner really 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? Nothing earth shattering. Just do this because you enjoy it and don't put any restrictions or rules on yourself.

End of Hour 12

This hour I read:

Eating My Words : An Appetite For Life by Mimi Sheraton - 13 pages

Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels - 2 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 15

I read for 48 minutes (while eating).

Total pages read: 212 pages

Total minutes read: 346

Books Finished: 1

The Strawberry Smoothies at Panera are yummy!

End of Hour 11

This hour I read:

Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels - 3 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 3

I read for 9 minutes.

Total pages read: 197 pages

Total minutes read: 331

Books Finished: 1


Didn't get much reading done as we were on the way to Panera and service was slow due to computer problems.

End of Hour 10

This hour I read:

Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels - 22 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 22

I read for 35 minutes.

Total pages read: 194 pages

Total minutes read: 322

Books Finished: 1

It's time for dinner so we'll be heading off to Panera. A change of scenery will do me some good as I am really fighting not to fall asleep! Will update when we get back.

End of Hour 9

This hour I read:

Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels - 24 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 24

I read for 39 minutes.

Total pages read: 172 pages

Total minutes read: 287

Books Finished: 1

Some distractions this hour (in kitten form) and I am fighting the urge to take a nap.

End of Hour 8

This hour I read:

Chosen Prey by Cheyenne Mccray - 22 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 22

I read for 38 minutes.

Total pages read: 148 pages

Total minutes read: 248

Books Finished: 1

I'm not really enjoying this book too much. It's romance/suspense and I was hoping for more suspense and less romance (which in this book is closer to smut IMO). If I wasn't a third of the way into the book I would be tempted to give up on it. I definitely will be reading a different book for the next hour.

End of Hour 7

This hour I read:

The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Guide by Laurie Notaro - 5 pages Finished It!

Chosen Prey by Cheyenne Mccray - 13 pages

Pages Read This Hour - 18

I read for 29 minutes.

Total pages read: 126 pages

Total minutes read: 210

Books Finished: 1

I debated starting a new book but decided to stick with ones I have going already. If I get bored or just need a change I have plenty I can start.

End of Hour 6

This hour I read:

The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Guide by Laurie Notaro - 18 pages

I read for 31 minutes.

Total pages read: 108 pages

Total minutes read: 181

End of Hour 5

This hour I read:

The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Guide by Laurie Notaro - 19 pages

I read for 36 minutes.

Total pages read: 90 pages

Total minutes read: 150

Time for some lunch now.

End of Hour 4

This hour I read:

The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Guide by Laurie Notaro - 24 pages

I read for 40 minutes.

Total pages read: 71 pages

Total minutes read: 114

End of Hour 3

This hour I read:

The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Guide by Laurie Notaro - 31 pages

I read for 48 minutes.

Total pages read: 47 pages

Total minutes read: 74

I need some caffeine here. I spent all day scrapbooking till 11 o'clock last night and I am tired! Good thing this book is funny so it's keeping me interested.

End of Hour 2

(End of my first hour reading, though most of it was spent eating breakfast (a yummy blueberry muffin) and doing the intro. meme.)

This hour I read:

The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Guide by Laurie Notaro - 16 pages

I read for 26 minutes.

Introduction Meme

I got up at 9 so am getting a little of a late start (but early for me!)

Where are you reading from today? My home, mostly on the couch next to my husband who is reading too.

3 facts about me …
*All our kids (9 cats and 1 dog) are all excited that mommy and daddy are both home and downstairs reading. They make for quite the distraction.

*I am so not a morning person. So the fact that I am up this time on a Saturday morning tells you how much I love to read.

*I realized last night that I am still reading one of the same books I was last read-a-thon. I seemed to hit a wall with it. Hope I can get some read in it today.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
Well I'm reading 5 books (my norm) but not sure I will read from all of them. If I get bored I will most likely pick something light and easy from my huge TBR pile.

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 have going.
Enjoy it!

Any advice for people doing this for the first time?
Have fun with it! Don't get too bogged down with goals, just enjoy a day of reading with others all over the world.

24-Hour Read-A-Thon!

Yae! I am so ready for this!

My Reading Goals for the Year 2009

Last year I had a goal to read 24 books. I surpassed that and finished 32. This year I am making my goal 36 books, three a month. I finished one in January already so I'm off to a good start. I want to work on reading some of the series books I have. I have a lot of books that are parts of series that I haven't read one of. It would be nice to know which series I truly want to read and which ones aren't really my style. Since a lot of the series books I have are mysteries it looks like I'll be reading a lot of mysteries. I also want to finish The Cold Moon, the books that seems to have taken me forever to read! I actually have three books I carried over from 2008 and want to finish all three.

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

Summary of the Read-A-Thon (a very late post)

Over all I read:
I read 254 pages in 5 different books.
I read for 677 minutes.
I finished two books and almost finished another one.
I took part in three mini-challenges.
I won no prizes.

By book I read:
The Devil's Arithmetic-134
Dead Until Dark-32
Any Given Doomsday-62
Under the Duvet-22
Eating My Words-4

This wrap up is very late, as life got pretty complicated for me right after the read-a-thon, so somehow this just never got done. Better late than never!

Embrace

My word for the following year will be embrace. I looked up the definition and it is:
1. "to take or clasp in the arms"
2. "to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly"

I plan on doing both, to hold those I love close to me and make sure they know I love them. And I plan on being open to new things and to be truly open to the feelings of whats happening around me, of what I'm involved in. Life is full of so many moments we should enjoy and we don't take the time. This year, I am going to.

Grieving and Soap Operas

I lost My De the first of this month. It wasn't a shock, as she had been ill a long time. But theres really no way to be prepared for the loss of someone you love. You think your ready. Your a sensible person, you know theres no cure, but still it stuns you when it happens. The idea of our parents dieing just seems unthinkable. And yes, De was my parent. The world would view her as my grandmother, but she helped raise me and was a mother to me as much as my mom is. My mom is the more free spirited one, who taught me to be independent. My De was the over protective mother. She worried about me, fussed over me, did all those things that make you crazy but make you feel loved just the same. I was My De's first grandchild and I spent a good portion of my life living with her. That parent who thinks their child is perfect? That was how My De was with me.

For the past few weeks I have been back and forth to Texas, spent the last week of her life with My De and been through a memorial service in a town I hoped never to go back to. The whole thing has been a bit surreal. I have felt like I have been cast in a play or TV show that someone forgot to give me the script to. I've just felt a bit out of step, a bit off. Things that would normally worry me haven't really upset me as much as they normally would and the things that would usually make me ecstatic just haven't affected me as much. I was able to speak at her memorial and I will always be glad I did. To say I love My De doesn't cover it. I adore her. She was my best friend and my confidant. She was someone I could call up and tell her anything and know that she would still love me. That's a precious and rare thing and I know how blessed I am to have had that. I was glad I spoke about De as I knew her, not some person other people made her out to be. My De was spunky and full of fire. She was a pistol and hard to handle and proud of it. She was far from the stereotypical grandmother and that's part of what made her so special.

So now I am back to my "normal life". Things are going along, I'm working with my foster cats, working on bringing others in, doing all the things I'm supposed to. I keep thinking about grieving. Have I done it? Am I doing it? I'm honestly not sure. In some ways I feel like I have been grieving off and on for years, since she first became sick. I had times of being so angry this illness was happening to her and times where I would cry so hard blood vessels would break in my face. Maybe that's why I haven't cried as much as I thought I would after the fact. Maybe it's because I'm not ready to mourn and will do it when I am. I'm not sure.

Since being back home I have found comfort in an odd place: Soap Operas. Well, one soap opera precisely. When I was 12 I was home schooled for a year. I can't say that year did much for my academic life but it did give me and De a chance to start watching Soap Operas. There were three we liked, two of which have gone off the air, but our true love was one in particular: Guiding Light. Over the years I got busy and stopped watching, though I always had a soft spot for it. Last week I found myself watching it again and thinking about De. The funny thing is the couple we watched all those years ago who was in such romantic turmoil is the same one I am watching now. Josh and Reva are still star crossed lovers who we all know belong together but there are obstacles in their way. De thought Josh was so handsome (Eh, not really my type.) and she always liked Reva (She rocks in my book.) Alan's still there causing problems and I read today that Philip will be back next year. For an hour a day I watch GL and that time when De and I would lay on the bed in her room and watch the show together doesn't seem that far away or that long ago. Maybe it's because it struck me this year that there are shows I'll never get to watch with her that she would have loved. (She would have loved to laugh at Bones and would have thought David Boreanaz was good looking. And One Tree Hill would have drawn her in. I know she would have been a Nathan fan just like me.) It may seem silly to mourn over shows you can't share but it's not the shows so much as the sharing. It's something we always did and sadly can't do anymore. But with GL we can in a way. Soaps really don't change much over the years and theres a comfort in that, especially now. I feel closer to My De when I'm watching GL and it makes me feel better. That's priceless for me. So for now and the foreseeable future, I'll be getting my daily dose of soap. It's an hour out of the day that's just about De and me, just like old times.