End of Hour Four

This hour I read:

The Chick and The Dead by Casey Daniels - 14 pages

I read for 32 minutes

Total pages read: 63

Total minutes read: 149

Heading out to meet my mom this next hour so I won't be doing any reading.  I'll be back though.

Grafton wondered why on earth I had to move when she was comfy?

End of Hour Three

This hour I read:

The Chick and The Dead by Casey Daniels - 14 pages

I read for 40 minutes

Total pages read: 49

Total minutes read: 117

Hmmm, not getting an awful lot of reading done.  The kiddos have gotten a lot of lap time though.

End of Hour Two

This hour I read:

The Chick and The Dead by Casey Daniels - 14 pages

I read for 25 minutes

Total pages read: 35

Total minutes read: 77

Ate some breakfast and did my morning check into Cafe World this hour.

Introduction 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 Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
Cheese and crackers

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
Books are one of my very favorite things.  They are a comfort, a challenge and a necessary ingredient to my happiness.

I'm reading with my husband and best friend.

I love cats.

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?
I have participated in every read-a-thon except the very first one.  I have had one of the worst weeks of my life.  I am hoping this read-a-thon will be a good distraction,  but also know my concentration level may be a bit off.  As there is so much going on I am really not putting any expectations on myself, just looking forward to a distraction.  I'm also going out to lunch with my mom today, something I don't normally do during read-a-thons.

End of Hour One

This hour I read:

The Chick and The Dead by Casey Daniels - 21 pages

I read for 52 minutes

Total pages read: 21

Total minutes read: 52

I am going to try and take a pic every hour.  This one features Grafton enjoying some lap top and Muzzy's bowl in the background.  Time to grab some breakfast.

My Read-A-Thon Book Pile

As always I have way more books than I will ever get through but I like to have choice.

False Prophet by Faye Kellerman - Already Reading, not sure I will read any of this in the read-a-thon as it's pretty dark.  I am in the mood for much lighter books right now.

The Chick and The Dead by Casey Daniels - Already Reading this one.  Light and funny.

Furthur Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes - Already Reading this one.  It's lots of little essays and short stories.

What I Know Now Letters to My Younger Self - Looks interesting and not too long.

The Most Important Thing I Know - Shared wisdom from others.  Short.

The Dead & The Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer - Just read the first in the series and loved it.

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer - 3rd in the series.  Don't think I'll get to it but you never know.

The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo - I love this series so much and desperately wanted the third.  My sweetheart took me out and got it for me.

Secrets Volume 6 - Short stories, including one my Mary-Janice Davidson that's in her Betsy series

Austenland by Shannon Hale - Short, looks funny

Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot - Meg Cabot is on my list to try this year.

What Happens Here by Tara Altebrando - Short and interesting

The Third Day, The Frost by John Marsden - I love this series but haven't read a book in it for a few years. I have been wanting to start up again.

Death of a Gossip by M.C. Beaton - Short and a new author for me

Not Pictured is Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich  Last read-a-thon Nancy and I both read One for the Money.  Not sure we will read it but it's there if we want to.

Getting ready for the read-a-thon

April 21 is the next read-a-thon! I am still working on what I want to read.

Pics of my book pile to come soon.

Why not sign up and give it a try? It's so much fun!

March Reads

March was a crazy month! The Houston Livestock and Rodeo was going on and we wound up going to it on five different nights. We saw Alabama, Blake Shelton, Reba, The Band Perry and Brad Paisley in concert and enjoyed them all. Add in the fact that we have been at the vets for one of the kids every week for 4 weeks straight and you kind of see the insanity of March. It was a fun, tiring, stressful month. So having said all that I read three books in February.

I read.....

Undead and Undermined by MaryJanice Davidson - 3 stars - I really got into this series last year and was reading the books back to back. I think I kind of burnt myself out on them. I took a break and enjoyed this book after having had some time away. The one complaint I have is for me these books are light and fluffy and as the books have gone on they have gotten less and less so. I still enjoy them but they are a lot less fluffy now.

Must Love Lycans by Michele Bardsley - 2 stars - Ugh. I loved this series until this book. It annoyed me to no end. I get that these are Paranormal Romance but there was way more romance in this one than paranormal and it annoyed me to no end. I felt like it went from love scene to love scene with a little supernatural happenings in between. So not my style.

Every Little Thing in the World by Nina de Gramont - 4 stars - I read a recomendation for this a few years ago and got this book because of it. I am so glad I did as it was such a good read. I loved the descriptions of nature in the book and how being in a different environment changed how the main character, Sydney felt about so many things. I, who do not camp, was sorely tempted to spend a night outdoors (I resisted the urge.) One warning I should add is that this book does deal with some controversial issues, namely abortion.

One interesting note on my reading is usually I read the most when I am deeply engrossed in a series. I can happily live in that world and just go from one book in the series to the next until I run out of books. With the exception of Nancy Atherton and Susan Rogers Cooper (who both write series I have been reading for years) so far this year the opposite is true. Most of the books I have really, truly enjoyed this year have been stand alone books or books by authors I haven't read before.

February Reads

So in February I read 3 books. I hit a bit of a slump, reading wise. February was a crazy month, with some wonderful times and one absolutely, break your heart time so it wasn't great on the reading front. But I'm still on track for my reading goal for the year.

I read.....

The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society by Beth Pattillo - 4 stars- I just love Beth Pattillo. There is something about the way she writes that makes you feel you really know her characters. Easily my favorite book I read in February.

Death Gets a Time-Out by Ayelet Waldman - 3 stars - An interesting read and it kept me guessing. Even though it wasn't at all long it felt like it could have been shorter. No idea why that is but it felt like it went on and on. I do like Ayelet Waldmans book because I usually do learn something (in this case about repressed memories) but they just never draw me in as much as I think they will.

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson - 3 stars - I love Maureen Johnson. She's quirky and clever and her books usually just thrill me. This one did not. If this had been the first book I read by her I probably wouldn't be inclined to read any of her other books. Luckily it wasn't and I adore the other books I have read by her. This one just didn't grab me. I did like the way things worked out in the end though.

January Reads

So in January I read 5 books, the most I have read in January since I started keeping count. Go me! This was definitely a month of good books for me as you can tell by my ratings. One new author for me this month (Carolyn Parkhurst) and 4 I have read before.

I read....

Aunt Dimity's Christmas by Nancy Atherton - 4 stars - I barely started this in December. It was a great book, not just as a Christmas book but as a mystery as well. It reminded me why I love this series so much. It had been a few years since I read it and I am so glad I got back into it.

Don't Drink the Water by Susan Rogers Cooper - 5 stars - So, so good! SRC is my favorite mystery writer and this was one of her best. I have tried to space out her books as there are only a few left in the series (she doesn't just churn them out like some authors) and I am down to two left now.

Lost and Found by Carolyn Parkhurst - 5 stars - I heard a recommendation for this book a few years ago and am so glad I listened. This book just sucked me in. It was funny, heart wrenching, thought provoking and an all around great read.

2nd Chance by James Patterson - 4 stars -I read the first in The Women's Murder Club series last year and was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked it. This one was very good too. For personal reasons there was a story line in this one I didn't care for but that's just me. It was a really good book, very entertaining and kept me guessing.

Aunt Dimity Beats The Devil by Nancy Atherton - 4 stars - I started and finished the month with Ms. Atherton. This was a wonderful book that made me laugh and also was quite emotional. I figured out some bits but others just threw me for a loop. Another great addition to the series.

Happy Birthday to me and here's my word.

Happy Birthday to me! Today's my birthday and I love it. I have had two days of early celebrations and today is the big day. It's been great so far.

So I still hadn't picked a word for this year. I kept thinking maybe it would be trust again. And then today I was thinking about how blessed I was and started looking for a quote to share. The quote I found made it clear to me what my word needed to be. First, the quote:

"Gratitude, like faith, is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it grows, and the more power you have to use it on your behalf. If you do not practice gratefulness, its benefaction will go unnoticed, and your capacity to draw on its gifts will be diminished. To be grateful is to find blessings in everything, This is the most powerful attitude to adopt, for there are blessings in everything."

Alan Cohen

That hit so close to home for me. I think I'm a pretty grateful person. I try to look for the good in things but I do let things get to me more than they really should. I, like everyone else, have not had a perfect life. I have had struggles and dark times and suffered loss. But oh the joys I have had and continue to have. If I stop and think about it I truly feel amazed. And all those struggles and hardships got me to where I am. They molded me and shaped me. If I had a pretty uneventful life I don't think I would even halfway appreciate what I have today.

So this year my word is gratitude. I am going to work on being grateful, in looking for the blessing in everything, in not letting little things get to me so much. Because no matter what happens I have a life so full of love it takes my breath away.

My Reading Goals for the Year 2011 Recap and Reading Goals for 2012

So my goals in 2011 were:

1. Read 40 books - Surpassed it by reading 43 books

2. Read mostly from my 2011 box of books (Picked out ahead of time) - For the most part, yes.

3. Finish all books carried over (I actually already completed this so yae me!)

4. Try some new authors - Yep, I read book/stories by 12 new (to me) authors in 2011.

So going forward, my reading goals for 2012 are:

1. Read 45 books

2. Read mostly from my 2012 boxes of books (Picked out ahead of time)

3. Finish all books carried over (Down to one and that one may take awhile as it's a short story/essay book which I am taking my time with).

4. Read a lot from series I have already started.

5. Try some new authors I already have books by. I actually have authors & books picked out for this. They are:

Allison Brennan - The Prey

Wendy Corsi Staub - Don't Scream

Tami Hoag - Ashes to Ashes

Robyn Carr - Virgin River

Mariah Stewart - Dead Wrong

Kay Hooper - Touching Evil

Lisa Gardner - The Perfect Husband

Lisa Jackson - Hot Blooded

Elizabeth George - A Great Deliverance

Meg Cabot - Queen of Babble

Looking forward to the year of reading ahead!

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. :)

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.

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:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 19 pages

I read for 44 minutes

Total pages read: 361

Total minutes read: 477

Books Finished - 2

Slowing down but I'm still reading! We had a snack of carrots and ranch dip & some Kit Kats and I have my beloved sweet tea. Hopefully that will keep me going.

End of Hour Sixteen

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 21 pages

I read for 35 minutes

Total pages read: 342

Total minutes read: 433

Books Finished - 2

This book is so good and just keeps getting better! I love it!

End of Hour Fifteen

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 21 pages

I read for 30 minutes

Total pages read: 321

Total minutes read: 398

Books Finished - 2

Moved to Starbucks for a bit of reading and some caffeine.

End of Hour Fourteen

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 30 pages

I read for 43 minutes

Total pages read: 300

Total minutes read: 378

Books Finished - 2

Ate dinner at Panera and read while eating

End of Hour Thirteen

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

Total pages read: 242

Total minutes read: 335

Books Finished - 2

I'll be cheering this next hour so no reading for me.

Hour Five Mini Challenge

We had to tell our favorite way to share a book. This was my entry...

My favorite way to share my love of reading is to discuss book with my best friend. We shop for books together, try to find books the other needs and today for the first time will be reading the same book during the read-a-thon.

End of Hour Nine

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 18 pages

I read for 25 minutes

Total pages read: 188

Total minutes read: 289

Books Finished - 2

I did a little cheering this hour. Trying to fight off the need for a nap...

End of Hour Eight

This hour I read:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - 40 pages

I read for 50 minutes

Total pages read: 170

Total minutes read: 264

Books Finished - 2

Read at Cici's Pizza...loving One for the Money...laughing all the way through it.

End of Hour Seven

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?

14

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!

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!

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!

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?

End of Hour Eighteen

This hour I read:

Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home by Michele Bardslet - 15 pages

I Read This Hour - 15

I read for 43 minutes

Total pages read: 306

Total minutes read: 617

Books Finished: 1

End of Hour Seventeen

This hour I read:

Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home by Michele Bardslet - 14 pages

I Read This Hour - 14

I read for 41 minutes

Total pages read: 291

Total minutes read: 574

Books Finished: 1

Cookies are done and it's time for dessert. Yum!

End of Hour Sixteen

This hour I read:

Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home by Michele Bardslet - 13 pages

I Read This Hour - 13

I read for 21 minutes

Total pages read: 277

Total minutes read: 533

Books Finished: 1

I struggled with what to read this hour, after being so emotionally drained from the ending of Mockingjay. I picked some books out but ended up going back to this one, which I had been reading before the read-a-thon. I'm off to put some cookies in the oven and then get back to reading.

End of Hour Fifteen

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 9 pages - Finished It!

I Read This Hour - 9

I read for 34 minutes

Total pages read: 264

Total minutes read: 512

Books Finished: 1

Spent a large portion of this hour crying my eyes out. What an emotional ending! Now the only problem is I am so emotionally drained.

End of Hour Fourteen

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 18 pages

I Read This Hour - 18

I read for 60 minutes

Total pages read: 255

Total minutes read: 478

Eating Dinner and reading at Jason's...

End of Hour Thirteen

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.)

End of Hour Eleven

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 9 pages

I Read This Hour - 9

I read for 28 minutes

Total pages read: 221

Total minutes read: 373

End of Hour Ten

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 23 pages

I Read This Hour - 23

I read for 58 minutes

Total pages read: 212

Total minutes read: 345

Read at Starbucks

End of Hour Nine

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 5 pages

I Read This Hour - 5

I read for 18 minutes

Total pages read: 189

Total minutes read: 287

Made a trip to Starbucks for some coffee and a change of scenery. This worked out well as the few pages I read this hour were quite sad. I think if I had been home I would have been crying.

End of Hour Eight

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 21 pages

I Read This Hour - 21

I read for 41 minutes

Total pages read: 184

Total minutes read: 269

Still reading away...think we're gonna take a trip to Starbucks this hour. Change of scenery will do us good.

End of Hour Seven

This hour I read:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - 25 pages

I Read This Hour - 25

I read for 41 minutes

Total pages read: 163

Total minutes read: 228

Had some lunch this hour and still managed to get some reading done. Enjoying it!

End of Hour Six

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!