Bout of Books Readathon (Wrap-up Post)

Read-a-Thon Goals

• Read at least 5 books -- Done
• Review at least 5 books -- Done
• Knock out at least one reading challenge hurdle -- Done, finished my Support Your Local Library Challenge.
• Get rid of some NetGalley and library books -- Done (1 NG and 9 library)

Books to Knock Out

• Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter (couldn't access through Net Galley, bad link or something. boo!)
• Lucky Girl by Lord
• The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble
• The Walking Dead: Book One
• Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
• Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham
• Ringworld by Larry Niven
• Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister

Other Books I’d Love to Get to

• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
• Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Nattress
• Ashes by Ilsa Blick
• Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
• Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
• Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
• Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell
• The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
• Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
• Greek Street 

How Much Time I Intend to Read

• At least 2 hours per day... -- Done!!!  I averaged reading 4 hours 40 minutes a day!

Update

Number of books I’ve read today: 2 Total number of books I’ve read: 13 Pages Read Today: 779 Total Pages Read: 3781 Hours Read Today: 6 hours 40 minutes Total Hours Read: 30 hours 50 minutes Today #insixwords: Big letdown but thankfully great romance!

Ending Comments

I am so proud of myself this readathon.  I actually stuck to my goals and completed every single one of them.  I unloaded a ton of library books and even a few from my own collection.  I finished one reading challenge and made some great progress on multiple others.  I read a ton and restricted my tv viewing, much to the dismay of J.  He really doesn't like watching tv by himself.  But that's okay, he bought himself a LEGO Millenium Falcon set and was happily engaged for about 5 hours yesterday.  I even did the usual housework and went to a few job interviews.  Overall, I read some great books: 7 five stars, 3 four stars, and 3 three stars.  I had a lot of fun... can't wait until the next one!

Bout of Books Readathon (Update #6)

Books to Knock Out

From Net Galley

• Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter
• Lucky Girl by Cate Lord

From Library

• The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble
• The Walking Dead: Book One
• Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
• Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham

From Home Library

• Ringworld by Larry Niven
• Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister

Other Books I’d Love to Get to

• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
• Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress
• Ashes by Ilsa Bick
• Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
• Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
• Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
• Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell
• The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
• Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
• Greek Street: Blood Calls for Blood

Update

Number of books I’ve read today: 1 Total number of books I’ve read: 11 Pages Read Today: 431 Total Pages Read: 3002 Hours Read Today: 3 hours 40 minutes Total Hours Read: 24 hours 10 minutes Today #insixwords: Contemporary romance... I found good one!

Bout of Books Readathon (Update #5)

Books to Knock Out

From Net Galley

• Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter
• Lucky Girl by Cate Lord

From Library

• The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble
• The Walking Dead: Book One
• Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
• Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham

From Home Library

• Ringworld by Larry Niven
• Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister

Other Books I’d Love to Get to

• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
• Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress
• Ashes by Ilsa Bick
• Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
• Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
• Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
• Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell
• The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
• Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
• Greek Street: Blood Calls for Blood

Update

Number of books I’ve read today: 0.93 Total number of books I’ve read: 10 Pages Read Today: 359 Total Pages Read: 2571 Hours Read Today: 3 hours 20 minutes Total Hours Read: 20 hours 30 minutes Today #insixwords: Lots of supernatural makes me happy!

Bout of Books Readathon (Update #4)

Books to Knock Out

From Net Galley

• Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter
• Lucky Girl by Cate Lord

From Library

• The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble
• The Walking Dead: Book One
• Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
• Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham

From Home Library

• Ringworld by Larry Niven
• Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister

Other Books I’d Love to Get to

• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
• Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress
• Ashes by Ilsa Bick
• Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
• Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
• Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
• Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell
• The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (in progress)
• Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
• Greek Street: Blood Calls for Blood

Update

Number of books I’ve read today: 2.07 Total number of books I’ve read: 9.07 Pages Read Today: 343 Total Pages Read: 2212 Hours Read Today: 2 hours 5 minutes Total Hours Read: 17 hours 10 minutes Today #insixwords: Blood, tragedy, laughs, animals, succubus, silkie...

Bout of Books Readathon (Update #3)

Books to Knock Out

From Net Galley

• Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter
• Lucky Girl by Cate Lord

From Library

• The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble
• The Walking Dead: Book One
• Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
• Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham

From Home Library

• Ringworld by Larry Niven
• Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister

Other Books I’d Love to Get to

• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
• Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress
• Ashes by Ilsa Bick
• Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
• Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
• Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
• Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell
• The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
• Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
• Greek Street

Update

Number of books I’ve read today: 2 Total number of books I’ve read: 7 Pages Read Today: 656 Total Pages Read: 1869 Hours Read Today: 4 hours 45 minutes Total Hours Read: 15 hours 5 minutes Today #insixwords: Zombies and hunky men!  Eeek!  Yummy!

Bout of Books Readathon (Update #2)

Books to Knock Out

From Net Galley

• Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter
• Lucky Girl by Cate Lord

From Library

• The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble
• The Walking Dead: Book One
• Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
• Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham

From Home Library

• Ringworld by Larry Niven
• Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister

Other Books I’d Love to Get to

• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
• Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress
• Ashes by Ilsa Bick
• Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
• Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
• Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
• Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell
• The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
• Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
• Greek Street

Update

Number of books I’ve read today: 3 Total number of books I’ve read: 5 Pages Read Today: 606 Total Pages Read: 1213 Hours Read Today: 5 hours 15 minutes Total Hours Read: 10 hours 20 minutes Today #insixwords: Two blahs and one awesome read

Bout of Books Readathon (Update #1)

Books to Knock Out

From Net Galley

• Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter
• Lucky Girl by Cate Lord

From Library

• The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble
• The Walking Dead: Book One
• Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
• Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham

From Home Library

• Ringworld by Larry Niven (in progress)
• Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister

Other Books I’d Love to Get to

• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
• Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress
• Ashes by Ilsa Bick
• Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
• Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
• Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
• Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell
• The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
• Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
• Greek Street

Update

Number of books I’ve read today: 2 Total number of books I’ve read: 2 Pages Read Today: 607 Total Pages Read: 607 Hours Read Today: 5 hours 5 minutes Total Hours Read: 5 hours 5 minutes Today #insixwords: Ringworld: much harder scifi than like

Bout of Books Readathon (Starting Line)

Read-a-Thon Goals

• Read at least 5 books
• Review at least 5 books
• Knock out at least one reading challenge hurdle
• Get rid of some NetGalley and library books
• FB ban in effect
• Only be on Google Reader (reading and commenting) for 1:30 a day

Books to Knock Out

From Net Galley

• Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter
• Lucky Girl by Cate Lord

From Library

• The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble
• The Walking Dead: Book One
• Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
• Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham

From Home Library

• Ringworld by Larry Niven
• Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister

Other Books I’d Love to Get to

• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
• Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress
• Ashes by Ilsa Bick
• Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison
• Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey
• Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
• Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell
• The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
• Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
• Greek Street

How Much Time I Intend to Read

• At least 2 hours per day...  I don't have a huge amount of things going on this week, so hopefully I can block out some time.

Really looking forward to some dedicated reading.  I have way too many unfinished reading challenges sitting on my blog.  And J has been pressuring me about reading more scifi.  This is the perfect opportunity to accomplish both goals.

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon -- Wrap-Up Post

Total Books Read: 2

Pages read since last post: 49

Total pages read: 595

Time read since last post: 30 minutes

Total time read: 6 hours 15 minutes

Here are my goals:

• Read at least 5 books. -- Only finished 2, on my 3rd
• Post once a day. -- Completed
• Review all books read. -- Reviewed the two finished books
• Check in on and comment on at least 5 other participants. -- Read a lot, but didn't comment

Tentative reading list:

• Have Spacesuit Will Travel -- Robert Heinlein (Science Fiction)
• Ringworld -- Larry Niven (Science Fiction, 2011 With a  Twist)
• A Matter of Class - Mary Balogh (Summer Romance Historical)
• Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card (Science Fiction, 2011 With a Twist) -- In progress
• Brave New World - Aldous Huxley (2011 Back in the Day, A to Z Author X)

So I didn't complete my goals.  And really my hours reading were fairly low.  But compared to the last week, I got a lot accomplished.  Moving and adjusting to a new schedule, city, way of life has been a bit of a challenge.  I have been motivated to do things for the house and find a job, not to read.  Hopefully this challenge encourages my reading patterns.  I am enjoying Ender's Game and hope to finish in the next two days. I did have fun doing the mini challenges and reading everyone else's update posts.  A partial success in my book.  Now back to my regularly scheduled posting...

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon -- Update #3

Current read: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Pages read since last post: 0

Total pages read: 546

Time read since last post: 0

Total time read: 5 hours 45 minutes

Books completed: 2

I've haven't read at all tonight.  Crazy I know.  But today has just been uber lazy and distracting.  So I have cracked one open yet.  Hopefully tonight, I'll actually do some reading.

I participated in YA Bliss's Mini Challenge on Love Triangle.  And one from The Bookish Type on blurbs. And one from Books from Bled to Basically Amazing on recommendations.

Here are my goals:

• Read at least 5 books. Two done
• Post once a day. In progress
• Review all books read. Two done
• Check in on and comment on at least 5 other participant

Tentative reading list:

• Have Spacesuit Will Travel -- Robert Heinlein (Science Fiction)
• Ringworld -- Larry Niven (Science Fiction, 2011 With a  Twist)
• A Matter of Class - Mary Balogh (Summer Romance Historical)
• Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card (Science Fiction, 2011 With a Twist)
• Brave New World - Aldous Huxley (2011 Back in the Day, A to Z Author X)

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon -- Mini Challenge #5

From

Books from Bled to Basically Amazing

: 

Anyone who talks to me on Twitter knows that I simply live for book recommendations and getting someone to read a book I recommend is awesome. Even better though, is having that someone turn around and tell me how much they loved it. :)

Because I'm such a fan of book recommendations, I want you to recommend books to me. I want you to recommend 2 books to me.

The first is any book of your choice. Pick any book you want and tell me and the world why it should be read and loved.

The second is what you would pick as your favorite of the read-a-thon. You can chose to answer this question now, during the third day, or I'll give you one extra day to give that book just waiting to be picked up a chance. :)

#1 Recommendation: The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff

I read this book a few months ago and it just blew me away.  Most YA novels that I've read have been fun, but didn't really touch me.  This one did.  Groff paints us a landscape featuring a town, a lost girl, a monster, history, and some quirky towns members.  We are taken on a journey of emotions.  We feel pain, joy, confusion, clarity.  I cried, I laughed, I smiled, I raged.  This book took me everywhere.  And yet when it ended, I was satisfied.  Satisfied by the characters, the ending, the final emotions.  A definite must read.

#2 Recommendation:

A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

I've only read two books so far (I know, bad me.  But there's been a lot of household things going on.)  But most definitely, A Matter of Class has been my favorite.  I like historical romances, but I often tire of the clichéd characters and plot lines.  This one avoids all those clichés.  The main characters Reginald and Annabelle are thoroughly likable.  They each hide a secret.  I won't spoil the secrets, but they're good.  Very unexpected.  Definitely a fun read.

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon -- Mini Challenge #4

From The Bookish Type: Today I'm hosting a mini-challenge and giveaway as part of the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon! I got this idea from a contest Kiersten White hosted a few weeks ago that I thought was a lot of fun.

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it:  Pick any book from your readathon pile and write a fake synopsis based solely on the cover. The synopsis does not have to be related to the actual book at all, just the pretty, pretty cover.

My entry: A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh  

The lady was lost.  She had wandered too far away from her country home and found hereself in a barren land.  There were a few trees, but nothing to really give her cover.  Her white muslin gown wouldn't last much longer in their wasteland.  Her only hope was that her magic parasol would send an SOS beacon to her knight.  He would figure out a way to rescue her.  Until then she was stuck!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon -- Mini Challenge #3

From YA Bliss: I am hosting a mini-challenge for this awesome read-a-thon. So, for this one you will have to post on your blogs (I will accept posts on twitter if you dont have blog, just include @YABliss in your tweet!) your top 3 LOVE TRIANGLES. 

In my opinion, a well done love triangle should be one where the choice is not clear, where you can't help but being torn yourself between both characters and you are uncertain as to which will end up being 'the one'. So if you were, lets say Team Mr. Obvious from book 1, and he ended up getting the girl and you were stoked about it because you hated Mr. Wrong all along, that is NOT a good love-triangle. That is merely A love-triangle. Got it? Tough decisions...  I had a heck of time thinking up some good love triangles. Oh sure, I thought of love triangles, but many times it really is obvious who should be with whom...  So I finally came up with these (caution: Spoilers!)

• Mary and Henry and Travis from The Forest of Hands and Teeth -- I was really torn on this one.  Mary loves Travis.  He seems to love Cassandra.  Henry loves Mary.  Mary loves Henry (but more of a best friend way).  However, Henry would have been really good for Mary.  Such a hard choice.  Ultimately I was okay with Mary choosing Travis even for the short time they had.
• Sookie and Bill and Eric and Alcide from Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris --  (I never liked Quinn, so I'm not including him) Each one of these men offers something unique for Sookie.  If I had to choose, I'd pick Alcide, but only because he's the closest to human.  Bill is a pansy.  And Eric is way too unpredictable.
• Rachel and Darcy and Dex from Something Borrowed -- As much as I wanted to hate Darcy, I couldn't.  She's entitled to a chance at love also.  And Rachel could be just so whiny.  But it was a well done triangle.

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon -- Update #2

Current read: Starting Ender's Game

Pages read since last post: 277

Total pages read: 546

Time read since last post: 2 hours 35 minutes

Total time read: 5 hours 45 minutes

Books completed: 2

Since my last update, I completed two books (Have Spacesuit-Will Travel and A Matter of Class) and wrote the reviews.  I also participated in Monday's two mini challenges.  Challenge #1 from IB Book Blogging was an opinion question on mythology.  Challenge #2 from The Musings of ALMYBNENR was a cover picture hunt.  Very fun to do!  Looking forward to today's challenges and more reading...

Here are my goals:

• Read at least 5 books. Two done
• Post once a day. In progress
• Review all books read. Two done
• Check in on and comment on at least 5 other participants.

Tentative reading list:

• Have Spacesuit Will Travel -- Robert Heinlein (Science Fiction)
• Ringworld -- Larry Niven (Science Fiction, 2011 With a  Twist)
• A Matter of Class - Mary Balogh (Summer Romance Historical)
• Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card (Science Fiction, 2011 With a Twist)
• Brave New World - Aldous Huxley (2011 Back in the Day, A to Z Author X)

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon -- Mini Challenge #1

From IB Book Blogging:

There will be two winners today. The winners will each get to choose from four mythology books that I have in my giveaway pile. They include an ARC of Die for Me by Amy Plum, an ARC of Wildefire by Karsten Knight, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton. That sounds awesome, right?? You can post your response to the questions on your blog, twitter, or facebook. Winners will be selected at random from each linky after the read-a-thon ends on July 13th at 11:59 p.m. Make sure to answer both questions and put your link to the answers in the linky below Question 2.

What is your favorite type of myth (Greek, Roman, Egyptian etc)?

I am definitely going to have to go with Greek Mythology.  While Egyptian is interesting, I could never remember all the different gods and goddesses and their stories.  I have a good memory when it comes to Greek.  Maybe it has to do with all my background in history.  Maybe because of all my reading.  Maybe I watched too many Greek myth related movies as a child.  (I'm talking about you Clash of the Titans! -- definitely not the new one)  And Roman mythology is just Greek with some Etruscan influences.  Definitely Greek!!!

Mini Challenge Question 2:  

What is your favorite book with some type of mythology in it?

Since I love Greek mythology, is it any wonder that I thoroughly devoured the Percy Jackson series?  I read the series to my boys for their nighttime book, but I think I enjoyed them way more that the boys did.  I absolutely loved the series.  And we finally picked up

The Lost Hero

.  So I can now start on the new series!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon -- Update #1

Current Read: Have Spacesuit-Will Travel by Robert Heinlein (really liking it so far, getting close to the end.  It's a quick read)

Total pages read: 269

Total time read: 3 hours 10 minutes

I wished I had time to read more today.  I had to do some major grocery shopping.  And deal with the boys, make lunch and dinner, and some laundry.  After dinner the boys, J, and I are finishing our Lord of the Rings marathon with The Return of the King.  Therefore, I don't think much reading will be getting done tonight.  Hopefully tomorrow goes a bit better.

Here are my goals:

• Read at least 5 books. in progress
• Post once a day. done Day 1
• Review all books read.
• Check in on and comment on at least 5 other participants.

Tentative reading list:

• Have Spacesuit Will Travel -- Robert Heinlein (Science Fiction) in progress
• Ringworld -- Larry Niven (Science Fiction, 2011 With a  Twist)
• A Matter of Class - Mary Balogh (Summer Romance Historical)
• Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card (Science Fiction, 2011 With a Twist)
• Brave New World - Aldous Huxley (2011 Back in the Day, A to Z Author X)

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon -- Intro post

From Pure Imagination (the details):

It's time to sign up for the second annual Once Upon a Readathon! This Readathon is hosted by Angela at Reading Angel, Candace at Candace's Book Blog and Lori at Pure Imagination. It runs from 12:01 am on July 11 to 11:59 on July 13th.

What you do: To participate in the Once Upon a Readathon enter into the linky so we can visit you! Then, from 12:01 am on July 11th to 11:59 pm on July 13th you read, read, and read some more! Make sure you do at least one update post (if you don't have a blog you may do this on facebook and/or twitter) and participate in at least one challenge. Be sure to grab the button for your sidebar too!

What you get: Many participants will receive prizes. We have swag packs as well as books for giveaway. These will go to random participants and we will list the winners on our blogs when the Readathon is finished. These prizes will be shipped from us, from authors, or from publishers. We do have some goodies for international participants as well! You are only eligible if you do at least one update post and participate in at least one challenge. We will check! All winners will be picked after the readathon is over.

Here's just some of the authors that are donating prizes: Wendy Delsol Jennifer Hubbard Kelly Keaton Jessi Kirby Carolyn MacCullough Lee Nichols Leila Sales Siobhan Vivian (...and that's just the beginning of the awesome prizes)

So it's been awhile since I did a Readathon.  I thought July would be a nice time.  I did make an overall goal for myself of at least one readathon a quarter.  This one's quick, easy, and at the right time.  Here are my goals:

• Read at least 5 books.
• Post once a day.
• Review all books read.
• Check in on and comment on at least 5 other participants.

Tentative reading list:

• Have Spacesuit Will Travel -- Robert Heinlein (Science Fiction)
• Ringworld -- Larry Niven (Science Fiction, 2011 With a  Twist)
• A Matter of Class - Mary Balogh (Summer Romance Historical)
• Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card (Science Fiction, 2011 With a Twist)
• Brave New World - Aldous Huxley (2011 Back in the Day, A to Z Author X)

Notice I'm heavy on science fiction...  I really need to get moving on that reading challenge...

Sunday Readathon Recap

With Easter, we had family coming over for dinner.  I did get in a bit of reading in the morning and another bit before bed.   The driving down to get the boys took it out of me.  I wanted to read more before bed, but figured posting this and getting to sleep would be the better choice.  So, I'm officially ending my Readathon with this post. Here's what I got accomplished today:

• Finished and reviewed Death's Excellent Vacation
• Started Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon
• Time Read Today:  2 hours 45 minutes
• Pages Read Today: 306
• Total time read: 10 hours 10 minutes
• Total pages read:  1241

Overall, I'm very happy with my readathon progress this weekend.  Having twin boys, family obligations, and a sorta social life, I don't usually have time to read for hours upon hours during the day.  But I did get in some quality uninterrupted reading time throughout the weekend.  I only watched one movie and a few Doctor Who episodes.  So I cut down on my TV and movie watching and increased my reading.  Good progress.  I didn't get around to reading any science fiction, but hopefully I can add that in soon.  I really tried to hit some of the library books that are almost due.  I knocked quite a few off my piles.  Now to enforce my "no more library books until I read the ones sitting on my floor" rule.  Wish me luck with that!  I really enjoyed taking the time to focus on my reading.  I think I should do a readathon at least once a season.  I think I'll shoot for July next.

My goals this weekend:

• Finish Hungry for Your Love (that stubborn book!)
• Read at least 4 other books -- Read 3 others and started a 4th
• Include some science fiction in my reading -- Didn't get to it, but next on my list
• Write reviews for all books read 
• Blog about my progress once a day

Tentative reading list:

• Hungry for Your Love
• No Rest for the Witches by MaryJanice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray, and Christine Warren
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland by Melody Carlson DNF
• Death's Excellent Vacation edited by Charlaine Harris
• V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
• Love Finds You in Tresure Island, Florida by Debby Mayne
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Papua New Guinea by Melody Carlson Did Not Start (See Ireland)
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Mexico by Melody Carlson Did Not Start (See Ireland)
• Watchmen by Alan Moore
• Watchmen and Philosophy by Alan Moore
• The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
• Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon by Melody Carlson
• Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon by Melody Carlson  -- Current read

Saturday Readathon Recap

Happy Doctor Who Day! I've definitely not gotten a lot of reading done today due to the season 6 premiere (series 6 for those Brits) of Doctor Who.  I absolutely love that show.  Such mystery, such adventure, such creepiness (looking at you Weeping Angels), such fun!  I had to take time out of my reading to watch.  Plus I got a late start due to sleeping after a long night.  But I did make sure to dedicate some time to reading.

Really getting into the stories in Death's Excellent Vacation.  I'll definitely finish that tomorrow and post a review.

Here's what I got accomplished today:

• Finished and reviewed V for Vendetta
• Started Death's Excellent Vacation
• Time Read Today:  2 hours 25 minutes
• Pages Read Today: 368
• Total time read: 7 hours 25 minutes
• Total pages read: 935

Friday Readathon Recap

Today was another busy day.  The boys and I went to lunch, then shopping for a bit, before dropping them off for the weekend.  Then I had to drive back.  And driving makes me so tired!  It really doesn't help that it's been raining all day.  Such a blah!  day.  I got some reading done, but hoped to have more finished. I ran into a huge setback today in Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland.  I picked this and the two sequels (Mexico and Papua New Guinea) thinking they would be an interesting "See the world" type of book.  Sixty pages in, I couldn't stand it any more and had to move on.   Another DNF for the year.

Here's what I got accomplished today:

• Reviewed No Rest for the Witches
• Started Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland
• Put aside Ireland for another book
• Started V for Vendetta
• Time Read Today: 1 hour
• Pages Read Today: 103
• Total time read: 5 hours
• Total pages read: 567