Book Club Bash Readathon -- Finish Line

Pages read today: 434 (Suite Francaise)

Pages read total:  1661

Time read today: 4 hours 10 minutes

Time read total: 11 hours 55 minutes

Comments: Another WWII novel, but this time from someone who wrote it during the war and died in the war.

My goals:

• Read at least 5 books √
• Review all books read √
• Read at least 2 hours a day √
• Update once a day √

TBR List:

• Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
• The Magician King by Lev Grossman
• The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
• Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton
• Active Liberty by Stephen Breyer
• The White Pearl by Kate Furnivall
• The Green Book
• 350 Inspiring Ways to Decorate with Blue by Lisa Cregan
• Minigami by Gay Merrill Gross

Book Club Bash Readathon Day #4

Pages read today: 320 (The White Pearl)

Pages read total:  1227

Time read today: 2 hours 10 minutes

Time read total: 7 hours 45 minutes

Comments: Good historical fiction after tons of nonfiction.

Book Club Bash Readathon Day #3

Pages read today: 0

Pages read total:  907

Time read today: 0

Time read total: 5 hours 35 minutes

Comments: So Lazy Todaay

Book Club Bash Readathon Day #2

Pages read today: 144 (Minigami) and 204 (The Green Book)

Pages read total:  907

Time read today: 1 hour 37 minutes

Time read total: 5 hours 35 minutes

Comments: Two short nonfiction books for the day.  I got distracted with packing for vacation.  I hope to get back to some fiction tomorrow.

Book Club Bash Readathon Day #1

Pages read today: 164 (Active Liberty), 272 (Blue) and 123 (The White Pearl)

Pages read total:  559

Time read today: 3 hours 58 minutes

Time read total: 3 hours 58 minutes

Comments: I've started a readathon just after I finished another.  Crazy me!  But I am dying to finish some more of my 2012 reading challenges.  I want to knock out at least five books during this week.  I've already got one down and another started.  Great beginning!  Today's reads: Law, home decorating, then on to WWII... interesting change in reading mindset.

Book Club Bash Readathon -- Starting Line

From Bitsy Bling:

This is the place to sign up for the READ-A-THON hosted by Bitsy Bling Books...

Novel Publicity is hosting a Book Club Bash event December 10-14.  In conjunction with this event, Bitsy Bling Books will be co-hosting a READ-A-THON!!! Yipppeee!!! There are several ways to participate so why not join in the fun?  You can do as little or as much as you have time for AND of course, prizes will be offered!

WHAT IS THIS BOOK CLUB BASH and READ-A-THON all about?

The love of books! And finding other people who like to talk about them too is always a thrill. Be it online, in person or some other kind of book club, we think the chance to sit down and dig your teeth into a good book with a group of people is one of the best parts of reading.

The prizes lined up so far include:

• A custom book club guide from Novel Publicity
• Signed Paperbacks
• Gift Bags with Swag and Books
• The chance to name a character in an upcoming book
• Manuscript Feedback by one of our authors
• An Amazon Gift Card (amount to be determined)
• Skype Session with an author for a book club or interview

My goals:

• Read at least 5 books
• Review all books read
• Read at least 2 hours a day
• Update once a day

TBR List:

• Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
• The Magician King by Lev Grossman
• The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
• Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton
• Active Liberty by Stephen Breyer (already started)
• The White Pearl by Kate Furnivall
• The Green Book
• 350 Inspiring Ways to Decorate with Blue by Lisa Cregan
• Minigami by Gay Merrill Gross

Readathon -- Finish Line

Pages read today: 382 (A History of Egypt) and 14 (Active Liberty by Stephen Breyer)

Pages read total: 2816

Time read today: 3 hours 45 minutes

Time read total: 21 hours 35 minutes

Comments:  I am so excited by my progress this readathon.  I knocked out a ton of books and even read some interesting ones.  I signed up for the Book Bash Club Readathon starting on Dec. 10.  These two events should lead to great book totals for the year.  Plus I loved the no pressure nature of this readathon.  I just sat and read.  Much more enjoyable!

My goals:

• Read at least 5 books -- 9 done and 1 started! √
• Review all books read  √
• Read at least 2 hours a day √

My TBR pile (what I need to read to finish my 2012 challenges):

• Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
• The Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristin McMorris
• Arthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes
• The Magician King by Lev Grossman
• The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
• The Firemaster’s Mistress by Dickason
• Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton
• Not Quite What I was Planning edited by Smith Magazine (added)
• Chocolate by Shara Aaron and Monica Bearden (added)
• The Boys Vol. 12 (added)
• Words Words Words by David Crystal (added)
• Sprezzatura (added)
• Click (added)
• A History of Egypt by Jason Thompson (added)
• Active Liberty by Stephen Breyer (added and started)

Readathon Day #6

Pages read today: 240 (Click)

Pages read total: 2420

Time read today: 1 hour 25 minutes

Time read total: 17 hours 50 minutes

Comments: Good compilation.

Readathon Day #5

Pages read today:  216 (Words Words Words) and 396 (Sprezzatura)

Pages read total: 2020

Time read today: 1 hour 59 minutes + 3 hours 35 minutes

Time read total: 16 hours 25 minutes

Comments: Love reading about language and history.  Two good choices for today.

Readathon Day #4

Pages read today: 170 (The Boys Vol. 12)

Pages read total: 1408

Time read today: 1 hour

Time read total: 10 hours 51 minutes

Comments:

Readathon Day #3

Pages read today: 213 (Chocolate) and 259 (Social Q's)

Pages read total: 1338

Time read today: 1 hour 34 minutes

Time read total: 9 hours 51 minutes

Comments: I got a bit distracted today.  First I was greeted with the maintenance man to finally fix the water bubbles in our ceiling.  He created too much noise and nonsense to get any proper reading done.  And he was here for at least 4 hours (and he has to come back tomorrow).  After he left, the paint fumes were giving me a headache.  Finally I say down to read properly, but then I remembered that I was intending to do my Book of Lists post today.  So I scrambled around and finished that.

Hours later, I actually sat down and picked up two books: Chocolate and Social Q's.  Quick reads.  One good, the other not so much.  Tomorrow I'll probably go back to fiction for awhile.

Readathon Day #2

Pages read today: 526 (Arthurian Romances) and 243 (Not Quite What I was Planning)

Pages read total: 866

Time read today: 6 hours 40 minutes + 45 minutes

Time read total: 8 hours 17 minutes

Comments: By completing Arthurian Romances, I knocked out another 2012 Reading Challenge.  I am loving my prospects this year.  And It was even a good book...  Plus a great slim volume of life and writing.  This might have been my crazy day of reading for the week, but I am really happy with my progress so far.

Readathon Day #1

Pages read today: 97 of Bridge of Scarlet Leaves

Pages read total: 97

Time read today: 52

Time read total: 52

Comments: I had such high hopes for today.  Then J convinced me to go out last night and get Lego Lord of the Rings.  And my idea for reading most of the day just went out the window.  I finished the book I started two days ago, so that's something.  Tomorrow should be a much better day for reading.

Readathon -- Starting Line

From the Book Drunkard:

With the end of the year upon us (and coming too quickly, in my opinion!), I looked at my stack of books and decided that there is no better way to make a dent in my TBR pile than to host a read-a-thon!  I will admit, I’ve been a bit in a ‘reading funk’ lately, and I need something to jump start me.

So, it’s pretty simple.  Sign up on this post with the number of books you plan on reading during the week of December 2 – 8.  You can even leave a list of books you’re reading!  If enough people sign up, there will be a prize, so tell your friends!  Leave a link to your read-a-thon blog post (if you have one) but you don’t need one to participate.

The more the merrier!  Let’s get together, cheer each other on and try to read our reading goals before the end of 2012.

My goals:

• Read at least 5 books
• Review all books read
• Read at least 2 hours a day

My TBR pile (what I need to read to finish my 2012 challenges):

• Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
• The Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristin McMorris
• Arthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes
• The Magician King by Lev Grossman
• The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (about halfway through)
• The Firemaster's Mistress by Dickason
• Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton

FrightFall Readathon Wrap-Up

Pages read today and yesterday: 228

Pages read total:  1959

Time read today and yesterday: 2 hours 39 minutes

Time read total: 19 hours 14 minutes

Comments: I got so busy with J coming home that I forgot to update yesterday.  Oh well... I didn't read as much this weekend as during the week.  That's how it usually goes.  I did dive into Feed.  It's different type of zombie book, set 25 years after The Rising and involving viruses.  But I really like it.  Hopefully I fill finish that on Monday and jump right into the sequel, Deadline.  I'm very happy with my total page and time counts.  I knocked out almost a book a day and multiple reading challenge spots.  Plus it's always fun to read some scary zombie books.  Until next year!

My goals:

• Read at least 5 books √
• Review all books read √
• Update once a day -- so close!

TBR List:

1. Sadie Walker is Stranded by Madeleine Roux
2. The First Days by Rhiannon Frater
3. Fighting to Survive by Rhiannon Frater
4. Siege by Rhiannon Frater
5. Feed by Mira Grant -- in progress
6. Deadline by Mira Grant
7. Blackout by Mira Grant
8. ADDED -- Persuasion by Jane Austen

Siege by Rhiannon Frater

Title: Siege (As the World Dies #3)

Author: Rhiannon Frater

Publisher: Tor Books 2011

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 364

Rating:    5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombie; Mount TBR; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: I won it

The zombie illness has shattered civilization. The survivors who have found tenuous safety in Texas defend their fort against the walking dead and living bandits.  Katie has made peace with the death of her wife and is pregnant and married to Travis, who has been elected Mayor. Jenni, her stepson, Jason; and Juan—Travis’s righthand man—are a happy family, though Jenni suffers from PTSD. Both women are deadly zombie killers.  In Siege, the people of Ashley Oaks are stunned to discover that the vice president of the United States is alive and commanding the remnants of the US military. What’s left of the US government has plans for this group of determined survivors.

What a conclusion!  When I go into a zombie novel, I kinda root for a happy ending, but realize that isn't not necessary for a good book.  Without giving away details, this series has a relatively happy ending.  I am satisfied.  Throughout the series, I grieved over the loses.  And yet I rejoiced at the triumphant moments.  Overall I think the series is a story of hope.  Even in the zombie apocalypse, we must have hope.  While the religious areas got a bit cliched, the overall message of hope was nice to hear from the survivors.  The characters are real people to me now.  I see each of them in my mind.  I want to be friends with Katie and Jenni.  I want to play with Jack.  I want to help Jason build his contraptions.  I want to train with Nerit.  I want to gather in the dining all with all the residents.  I want to sit in Juan's memorial garden and reminisce about those we lost.  For me to get so deeply into the world of the series, I know it's a great one.  Check it out!

As the World Dies

• #1 The First Days
• #2 Fighting to Survive
• #3 Siege
• #4 Untold Tales Volume 1
• #5 Untold Tales Volume 2
• #6 Untold Tales Volume 3
• #6.5 Deadly Night: Jenni and Katie's Untold Tale

FrightFall Readathon Update #5

Pages read today: 208 (fighting to survive) + 364 (siege)

Pages read total: 1731

Time read today: 1 hour 59 minutes (fighting to survive) + 3 hours 21 minutes (siege)

Time read total: 16 hours 35 minutes

Comments: I wasn't planning on a marathon read today, but I couldn't help it.  I finished Fighting to Survive and jumped right into Siege.  I had to finish the series.  it was just way too good!

Fighting to Survive by Rhiannon Frater

Title: Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2)

Author: Rhiannon Frater

Publisher: Tor Books 2011

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 368

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombie; Mount TBR; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: I won it

Picking up where The First Days ends, Fighting to Survive features the further zombie-killing, civilization-saving adventures of a pair of sexy, kick butt heroines and the men who love them. A hundred or so survivors of the zombie plague have found tenuous safety in the walled off center of a small Texas town. Now the hard work of survival begins—finding enough food; creating safe, weather-resistant shelter; establishing laws; and fighting off both the undead who want to eat them and the living bandits who want to rob and kill them.

And the saga continues.  Oh my this one was a roller coaster.  I still absolutely love the characters in this series.  Katie is amazing and full of heart.  Jenni is growing on me.  She isn't as annoying as in the first book.  Nerit is just awesome and stoic and a sniper!  Travis is a great addition for the women heavy cast list.  Juan also grew on me throughout the book.  The plot is full of twists and turns.  Every time things seemed to calm down in the fort, another threat popped up.  I loved the crazy action scenes.  But I also got very connected to the quiet moments.  The deaths of the likable characters really hit me.  Overall this volume was amazing.  Can't wait to dive into the conclusion.

As the World Dies

• #1 The First Days
• #2 Fighting to Survive
• #3 Siege
• #4 Untold Tales Volume 1
• #5 Untold Tales Volume 2
• #6 Untold Tales Volume 3
• #6.5 Deadly Night: Jenni and Katie's Untold Tale

FrightFall Readathon Update #4

Pages read today: 335 (the first days) + 156 (fighting to survive)

Pages read total: 1159

Time read today: 3 hours 5 minutes (the first days) + 1 hour 32 minutes (fighting to survive)

Time read total: 11 hours 15 minutes

Comments: Late last night I started The First Days and just plowed right through to the end.  Oh my!  Such good zombie fun...  I stayed up way to late, but it was worth it.  Today I started the second book of the trilogy, Fighting to Survive. I may or may not finish it tonight, but I thought I would tally up my progress today before I got too tired.  Can't wait to see what happens!

FrightFall Readathon Update #3

Pages read today: 189 of Persuasion

Pages read total: 479

Time read today: 1 hour 40 minutes

Time read total: 6 hours 38 minutes

Comments: I finished Persuasion today, but got sidetracked with cleaning and crafting.  I attended a great meet and greet and came away with a ton of new scrap papers.  So I crafted instead of read.  Bad Tobe!  I promise to get back on track tomorrow with the start of The First Days by Rhiannon Frater.  So excited to get to this trilogy.