October 22, 2011
End-Oh I had such good intentions to sleep for a just a few hours and then get up and read some more. So didn’t happen. So I didn’t make my goal, but I did have fun.
- Which hour was most daunting for you? The last one
- Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I really felt like Bunheads by Sophie Flack held my attention, but that is possibly because I love the subject (ballet) so much.
- Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Ummm, not really. I just wish I could find the magic way to stay up longer!
- What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? My favorite part is interacting with everyone else.
- How many books did you read? I read a lot of pieces of books, but not one complete book.
- What were the names of the books you read? Doom with a View by Daniel Nayeri (novella), Bunheads by Sophie Flack, The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin, “Some Fortunate Future Day” by Cassandra Clare (short story), Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet, 17 Things I’m not allowed to do any more by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter, To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn, Vixen by Jillian Larkin.
- Which book did you enjoy most? Bunheads I think.
- Which did you enjoy least? The Moving Toyshop, but I think that is because I was feeling sleepy so I wasn’t “getting” it very well.
- If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? I wasn’t a cheerleader but I liked having them stop by!
- How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I am sure I will participate again, probably as a reader.
11:44 p.m.-Read Cassandra Clare’s story from Steampunk. Have made it through several chapters of Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet. Drunk 2 large glasses of Diet Mountain Dew. And with all of that, all I feel is more and more sleepy. Every time I do a read-a-thon I say this will be time I stay up and read. And every time (at least so far) I don’t do it. I think if I can just push through I’ll get a second wind but so far I have never found out. And tonight won’t be that time either. Good night. 7 hours read.
10:18 p.m.-Got back from the party and started reading again just before 9. (I made way too much food, but we’ll just enjoy crostini for a few days.) I finished Bunheads, which I loved. Every time I read a book with ballet in it, it makes me wish for more books about ballet. I do have this post about dance titles but it could perhaps stand to be updated. I drank a couple of cups of coffee, one with chocolate syrup added (YUM!). Thinking about hitting the diet Mountain Dew. Started The Moving Toyshop, but it might not be the best choice when I am starting to feel a little sleepy. I only have about a billion other things I could read…now just to choose one. 5 hours, 55 minutes read.
5:45 p.m.-Taking an extended break for dinner and then off to a party. Finally got to sink my teeth into Bunheads. I am loving it so far. I did buy a 2 liter of Diet Mountain Dew when I was at the store earlier, so perhaps I’ll do something wild and crazy like stay up all night. Or at least until 12:00…4 hours and 35 minutes read.
4:02 p.m.-Cooking done! Chili is simmering for dinner in a few hours. Eggplant and sun-dried tomato tapenade in the fridge for party later. (Not sure why I don’t like olives but I do like tapenade.) Dear husband was a little surprised I bought pre-made toasts at the store, but I wanted a few minutes to read! I listened to more of Vixen while cooking. Up next, Bunheads! 3 hours, 15 minutes read.
2:48 p.m.-Back from errands. Picked up Death Angels by Ake Edwardson and The Moving Topyshop by Edmund Crispin at the library. Both are for discussion on 4 Mystery Addicts, a listserv I joined this week. I also picked 17 things I’m not allowed to do any more by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter. It was recommended on another listserv, and I just had to get it. I don’t read many picture books since I stopped being a children’s librarian, so this is a real treat. I managed to listen to 30 minutes of To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn and another 30 minutes of Vixen by Jillian Larkin. Then I stopped by a few blogs. Now I am back to the audio while I prepare eggplant and sun-dried tomato tapenade crostini for a party tonight and chili for dinner. 2 hours, 30 minutes read.
12:30 p.m.-Back home. Made a grocery list, frozen pizza for lunch. Stopped by a few blogs to see what others are reading and how the read-a-thon is going for them. Stopped by read-a-thon page to realize I had won a prize! Cool. I never win anything, especially if they are going for time reading on these events. Now, off to the library and perhaps craft store before hitting the grocery store. I will get in some audio book time and contemplate caffeine for later. I bet I am the only person in Publix with earbuds NOT listening to tunes.
9:30 a.m.-Just finished reading “Doom with a View,” one of the novellas in Daniel Nayeri’s new book, Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow. Nothing like a little Death, first thing in the morning. Getting ready to go to a memorial service, so perhaps that is appropriate in an odd kind of way. 1 hour, 30 minutes read.
8:00 a.m.–So excited for another read-a-thon, although this one will be a bit of a challenge because of the various activities I have going on today. Find out more about this read-a-thon by visiting Dewey’s Read-a-thon. There will be posts throughout the day including mini-challenges. And of course, prizes! It isn’t too late to sign up. You can also follow along on twitter, look for the #readathon tag.
Here is my introduction:
1)Where are you reading from today? Naples, Florida
2)Three random facts about me…
a) I love television shows that are targeted to teens but today will be all about the books.
b) I am a librarian at a university.
c) I love ballet (see 3 below).
3) My TBR pile is always huge and I always think I will read more for these read-a-thons then I do. I would like to finish Bunheads by Sophie Flack. (ballet=win!)
4) Even though I have a packed day, I want to read more than then 11 hours I read last time I participated.
5) My favorite part about read-a-thons, besides the luxury of reading, is connecting with other readers. Visit blogs, post on twitter, share what you are reading.
Feeling a little sleepy this morning. Going to start my reading off with a sampler from Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow by Daniel Nayeri…and coffee.
