Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.
Showing posts with label Readathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Readathon. Show all posts

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Readathon Opening Meme and Future Update Page

Readathon started at 7:00am CST time this morning, but I had a little puppy who didn't want to come inside - so I got started around 7:30.  My husband picked my book - ZomB by Darren Shan - should've known that would  be the one that he would pick.

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? - I am reading from Illinois

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? - This is a tough one - maybe Rooms by Lauren Oliver

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? - Pretzels and Chip Dip - and Dinner out with my husband tonight!

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! - Mom of 3 (22, 20, 9) and one puppy; I work at 2 different libraries and am back in college. 

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 done a couple of other readathons; but have missed the last couple - I won't be reading review books today - I get to pick them all on my own!  

I am going to use this page to do my updates -

Started 7:30 - Reading ZomB - Drinking coffee
9:00am - page 74 of ZomB - two cups of coffee - been outside in the rain with the puppy twice.  (She was just spayed on Thursday and trying to keep her calm is RIDICULOUSLY HARD!)

10:00am - Finished Zom-B (174 pages) - another cup of coffee and a donut.  My son picked the next book - Angel Killer by Andrew Mayne.

11:20am - Been on a pseudo break - was supposed to be at a soccer game right now, but didn't go due to rain and cold.  Sister has stopped by and so that has slowed the reading down - also spent some more time outside with the puppy. . . haven't been able to get her to cooperate with me this morning.  Only 20 pages into the 2nd book. . .

1:30pm - Just finished lunch - only  70 pages into my book but getting ready to go to a Science Alliance thing at our library.  Should be back after 3.  Happy reading!





Sunday, April 10, 2011

Readathon Wrap-up

Ok - I must admit that I fell asleep reading around 1am this morning.  That would have been about hour 18 where I am.  When I woke back up at 4, it was all I could do to go up to bed. But I did keep much better statistics than in previous readathons!

I read for a total of 9.5 hours - reading 705 pages, which means I read about 1.25 pages a minute.  I spent 6.75 hours doing mini challenges and visiting other blogs and took 2 big breaks - one for our birthday celebrations and one for dinner which was the last 1.5 hours - totalling 17.75 hours that I was awake during this readathon.

I finished 2 books - Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas and Wither by Lauren DeStefano.  I am almost done with book 3 - The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh.  You can watch for my reviews early next week.

If you get a chance - take a guess at my Reading Puzzle post.  I didn't have any one guess what books the pictures were describing.  I will post the answers at the end of this one - so go ahead - go over there now and then come back and see if you were right.

Here is the final mini-challenge that was posted in hour 24

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

Ummm - the hour I fell asleep... Hour 18


2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
Not really - my interests change depending on my mood.  I really enjoyed Wither by Lauren DeStefano this year though.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
I thought the hosts did a great job this year.  The only thing I could think of, is maybe make a list of what challenges are going to be held during which hours, and how long they will be open - because I missed one that was only open one hour that I would have liked to participate in.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
Love the idea of a huge list of books read.

5. How many books did you read?
2.5

6. What were the names of the books you read?
Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
1/2 of The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
Wither by Lauren DeStefano

8. Which did you enjoy least?
N/A - they were all enjoyable!

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?
I am very likely to participate next year - probably still as only a reader though.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Readathon - Mini Challenge

For this challenge, you are to use books you have and make a sentence out of the titles. I couldn't physically take a picture of mine as the one of two cameras I can find is dead - and one of these is a pdf file sent to me by the author! But here is my sentence!





Warm bodies, cut in half, turned the hangman's daughter Texas blue.

Mini Challenge - Book Puzzle

Can you guess what book I am describing in pictures below?  To check out this mini challenge, visit Melissa @ One Librarian's Book Views.

Book 1:






Book 2:




Book 3:




This was fun!  I could go on and on with book titles.  I will post the answers in a couple of hours.  I am going to have to start playing Melissa's weekly game!



Readathon - Hour 1

Our first assignment is to answer some questions - so here we go!

1)Where are you reading from today?
I am reading from Gurnee, IL


2)Three random facts about me…
I am very close to deciding to go back to college, I bowl on a league with my sister, and of course - I love needlepoint.

3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
I made a random list of books - but am not tied to it - so it is just as many as I can get to!

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 would like to read for more hours this time than in the past - and to keep better track of my progress.

5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?
Make sure the kids are busy!  Have great snacks and don't be afraid to take breaks!

Let's go!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon is Almost Here!



Well, the read-a-thon starts in about 16 hours - Yay!  My kids are all accounted for tomorrow and my husband knows to keep himself busy. . .  I declared earlier this week that I would be on mom strike starting tomorrow morning for 24 hours.  My daughters thought that was cool (interpret - no mom to interfere with their plans. . .) and my son adores his Aunt Kim so is always very excited to spend time at her house. 

I went to the store today and bought some snacks for tomorrow - some healthy (grapes, strawberries), some not-so-much (3 Musketeers, Cadbury Eggs) and some inbetween (Pretzels and Chip Dip, Wheat Thins).  As for actual meals - I am leaving that up to my husband - hopefully he will make sure that I get some real nourishment.  I also have plenty of tea, coffee, soda and I guess I should throw some water in there as well - Maybe I will make some sweet tea.

As for list of books - I have added a list below - but I am going to keep it kind of loose this year.  These are all review books - some are past due so I am going to concentrate on those.  I plan to throw in some kids books that I am reviewing to give me a sense of accomplishment.  I also am going to be reading some books on my Nook.  Hopefully this will keep it mixed up enough.  We are finally supposed to have a nice day tomorrow so I will get to sit in my three-season room and read!  Might even sit outside if it gets nice enough, who knows?

Is anybody else participating in the Read-a-thon?  Go here for more information.  Hope to see you all reading tomorrow!

Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas (currently reading)
The Silenced by Brett Battles
Cold Wind by C.J. Box
So Close the Hands of Death by J.T. Ellison
The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh
Reading Lips by Claudia Sternbach
Alice in Zombieland
Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz
Stay by Deb Caletti
Wither by Lauren Destefano
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
Code of Justice by Liz Johnson
Fur and Feathers
Goodnight, Little Sea Otter
The Witches Lottery by Krystal McLaughlin
Turned by Morgan Rice
Uncommon Grounds by Sandra Balzo

Well, that should give me a good variety to choose from - something for whatever mood I am in - Now that I have taken the time to make this list - I see myself choosing something completely different   See you!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Readathon Title Teasers Mini Challenge

This challenge is being hosted by Write for a reader.

Here are your titles:


1.The Dark _____    The Dark Divine

2.An _____ _____ Girl  An Irish Country Girl

3.The Lost _____ of _____ May _____  The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

4.Necessary _____  Necessary Heartbreak

5.She's So _____ to _____  She's So Dead to Us

6._____ Over Toccoa  Fireworks Over Toccoa

7._____ Dead  Beautiful Dead

8.Scones & _____   Scones & Sensibility

9.All _____ Things  All Unquiet Things

10.Beautiful _____  Beautiful Creatures

11._____ to Dream  Perchance to Dream

12.The _____-_____ Waves  The Dead-Tossed Waves

13.I Kissed a _____ and I _____ It  I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It

14.Prophecy of the _____  Prophecy of the Sisters

15.Very _____  Very Valentine

16.The Girl Who _____ from the _____  The Girl Who Fell From the Sky

17.Marriage and Other _____ of _____  Marriage and Other Acts of Charity

18.Making _____  Making Toast

19._____ Cat  White Cat

20.Letters to My _____  Letters to My Father

Readathon Mini Challenge - Bookish movies

This hours challenge is to pick a book that you would like to see made into a movie and pick the stars.

I had just finished The Road last year and had mentioned to my husband that it would be a great movie, when a movie trailer came on tv - so that one is out.  Then I thought The Lovely Bones would be a good movie and sure enough, that one is out too!

So I will pick How It Ends by Laura Wiess.  You can see my review here.

This was such a great story and it had a great message.

For Hanna I would pick Dakota Fanning



and for Helen - Helen Mirren.

Readathon Mid Event Survey

IT IS THE HALFWAY POINT!  By the way, if you have no clue to what this is all about - check it out here.


1. What are you reading right now?

Still - How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly


2. How many books have you read so far?

only 1


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

Maybe A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare or Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber - or I might try an ebook - This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer


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

Yes - 2 of my children are staying with my sister - the third child is on a church retreat
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

I had laundry that I did not get done yesterday that HAD to be finished today - and I have had to give some time to my hubby.

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

That I don't read more than I do.  .. .

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

It would be nice if all the links from the read-a-thon page popped up in their own windows - so that you didn't have to keep reopening the Read-a-thon page. . Does that make sense?
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

Go to bed earlier the night before!

9. Are you getting tired yet?

Yes, I actually just closed my eyes for about 20 minutes

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?
 
No, but I am open to suggestions!

Readathon Mini Challenge - drabbles

This challenge is being hosted by Kate at Midnight Book Girl - so to learn what a drabble is - you will need to go and visit her!

I am reading How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly - and since I am not very far into it I am going to make something up based on the title.

"As Clarissa climbed the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse, she thought back to all the ships that had been saved as the light splashed out across the water in one of its neverending arcs.  The heat was intense up here, but with the coming nightfall, it would wane.  Jiggling the hatch on the glass door to the balcony, Clarissa stepped outside and felt some trepidation.  She scanned the horizon away from the water, looking for someone. Finally, she saw Peter. He appeared to be pulling his hot air balloon in a trailer behind him."




And just what did you think she was going to do?

Hour 8 Readathon Update

I took a break over hour 7 and went outside - did some more laundry - walked around and loosened up.  I also picked out my next book - How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly.  I am about 20 pages in.  I tried reading outside - but I was actually too hot!  Hard to believe that 2 days ago it was 35 degrees!

Hour 7 update

Hey folks - it is 12:15pm here and I have been at this since 7:30 am.  I just finished my first book The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister.  I am excited to be able to pick another!

Books read: 1
Pages read: 285
Mini challenges: 5
Books won: 1
Loads of laundry done: 2

Shots given to diabetic dog: 1
Swimming pool covers removed: 1


Happy reading!

Feed me Seymour: Mini Challenge

Find a passage where the characters describe what they are eating or when they are actually eating – write up a post with the book, author, your selected passage and a picture of one the dishes- leave a link to that specific post on MckLinky and that’s it.  Nicole from Linus's Blanket is hosting this one!

Passage: Trying to keep him quiet, I stuck my finger into the preserves, and then into the cream, and let him lick my finger.  By then, my own desire took over, and once again, I stuck my finger into the preserves and then the cream.  It tasted heavenly.  (The Secret Holocaust Diaries, p62)




Preserves


Cream (hahaha)


Ok - this cream.

Mini Challenge - Hour 4

I do waste a lot of time with this one - but it is so much fun!  Here are my entries:


Burn the last ember, Elynia, she's so dead to us.

Burn the fiery cross in the land of cotton.

Across the endless river, Benny and Shrimp, die for me.

The clouds roll away, when turtles fly, bending toward the sun.


I think this would be fun for an assignment for kids for like extra credit in an English class or something!

Mini Challenge - Kick Off of Champions

I don't have a lot around me right now - except for a notebook and my laptop - so that I can check in and type up these posts.  (and my books of course!)  I do have a small heater going out in the 3-season room as I hope to sit out there part of today. For now I am just on the couch under my snuggie! It is just such a relaxing atmosphere out there - and I can watch my hubby work in the yard!  

He is going to the grocery store for me later and is going to pick me up some snacks then - probably just pretzels and chip dip and maybe some soda.  Does anyone else have some good snack suggestions?  I would love to have him get more.   (:


Back to reading!

Readathon - Hour One

Good morning!  I am starting just a little late this morning as my husband and I went out to breakfast - but thought I would participate in the first meme.

We have to answer these questions:

Where are you reading from today?
My home in the sunny (but cold) Midwest.

3 facts about me …
I have a schnauzer who was just dx as diabetic - so I have to give her 2 shots every day!

I enjoy playing piano and hope to start lessons again as soon as my youngest is in school.

I hope to go back to college to get a degree in library science.


How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
I made myself a huge list of books - so that I would have a variety to pick from -
But I am not limiting myself to this list.

This World We Live In (The Last Survivors, Book 3)

The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister

Too Close to Home (Women of Justice Series #1)

Forget Me Not: A Novel (Crossroads Crisis Center)

Alexandra, Gone

How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly

A Certain Wolfish Charm

Deliver Us from Evil: A Novel

The Language of Secrets

Never Tell Our Business to Strangers: A Memoir

Lost Letter

Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure

When Turtles Fly: Secrets of Successful People Who Know How To Stick Their Necks Out

Birthmarked

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)?

My only goal is to keep better track of how much I read every hour.  I didn't do that so well the last time!

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

I wouldn't say that I am a veteran - but what I have learned for me is not to be so rigid - if I start a book and don't like it - move on or you will get bogged down (and sleepy).  Have fun.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Read-a-thon is coming!

Birthmarked

Saturday is the Read-a-thon!  Yippee!  I am looking forward to a day of reading.  It is supposed to be sunny here so I will be able to read in our new 3-season room!  We were only able to use it a few times before the weather got too cold last fall, so it still has the new room feel!

Here is a list of books that I get to choose from:



As you can see I am giving myself a pretty big list to choose from.  Last year I got bogged down in a book and I don't want that to happen this year!  Happy reading everyone!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Good night Readers

I made it 20.5 hours - which is longer than I thought I would - even though the last hour or so I was mainly reading blogs not my book! It was fun - looking forward to March - hoping to remember all the stuff that I wish I had done this time and told myself I would do better next time.

I read 2 books - Saint John of the Five Boroughs by Edward Falco and Last Breath by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins and started Night of Flames by Douglas Jacobson - for a total of 727 pages. I do believe this is better than my total for the earlier Readathon this year.

I definitely need to have my sister take my son overnight for the next readathon - and maybe I will make sure that my husband is playing cards that night. . .

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Mini Challenge for Hour 17

I am to name 5 children's books - either my favorites or my children's favorites -

1. Harold and the Purple Crayon - I remember reading this one as a kid
2. Too Many People for One Little House - Currently one of my son's favorites
3. Wally the Walking Fish - another current one that my son enjoys
4. Detective Dog and the Ghost was one of my middle daughter's favorites
5. Alice and Greta was one of my oldest daughter's favorites.
6. I had to do another one - Chicken Soup with Rice: A book of Months - I haven't thought about this book in forever!

This was a neat mini challenge as it allowed me to poll my kids!

Honouring Dewey

I had only been blogging about 2-3 months when Dewey passed away, but I had already discovered her blog and heard many wonderful things about her. It was a shock to go on her blog and read the wonderful words that her husband had posted. Her passing showed me what a great community bloggers - especially book bloggers were - and it made me want to "meet" more of you. Dewey set the bar so high and was so involved and dedicated. She is going to be missed for a long time.

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