Category Archives: Reading Challenges

April 27, 2013

Ready to Go! April 2013 Readathon

I’ve been so busy this week, I haven’t even had time to post what I’m reading! That’s okay, I’ll just take care of it in the opening hour post. First, the introductory meme!

Okay, here is my primary stack:

Screenshot_4_27_13_6_27_AM

 

and here’s my back up. Always need a back up.

Screenshot_4_27_13_6_27_AM 2

Introductory Questionnaire

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

I’m in sunny and weatherially confused North Carolina!

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

All of them? Okay, that’s cheating. Relish by Lucy Knisley for a start. Since I’m starting there!

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

Guacamole and chips!

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

I read The Graveyard Book at least once a year. Last year, I read it twice.

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’m not even sure how many read-a-thons I have participated in. One thing I do know, I need breaks, and I need to go outside a bit. Hopefully it will be beautiful all day long.

I’ll be updating this post through out the day, so check back for updates!

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December 26, 2012

Making Reading Plans….

It’s the time of year! When the new crop of reading challenges pop up and, even though I’ve sworn not to join any, I do it anyway! So, let’s see what I have cooking so far…

2012 TBR challenge

The TBR Pile Challenge 2013 is organized by Adam of Roof Beam Reader. The idea behind this challenge is that you read older books on your shelves, books that have been there for longer than a year. They deserve to be read, too!

The Goal: To finally read 12 books from your “to be read” pile (within 12 months).

1. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
2. Affinity by Sarah Waters
3. The Namesake by Jhumpta Lahiri
4. Saplings by Noel Streatfeild
5. Before Women Had Wings by Connie May Fowler
6. The Bells: A Novel by Richard Harvell
7. Beyond Black: A Novel by Hilary Mantel
8. The Bone People: A Novel by Keri Hulme
9. Symphony by Jude Morgan
10. The Chronicles of the Chrestomanci by Diana Wynne Jones
11. Atonement by Ian McEwan
12. The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie

2012 Back to Classics Challenge

The Required Categories:

  1. A 19th Century Classic - Bleak House by Charles Dickens
  2. A 20th Century Classic - Excellent Women by Barbara Pym  
  3. A Pre-18th or 18th Century Classic: - The Female Quixote by Charlotte Lennox
  4. A Classic that relates to the African-American Experience – Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
  5. A Classic Adventure - King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard
  6. A Classic that prominently features an Animal - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame 

Optional Categories:

A.  Re-read a Classic - Either The Scarlet Letter or Dracula by Bram Stoker
B.  A Russian Classic - Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
C.  A Classic Non-Fiction title – The Life of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell
D.  A Classic Children’s/Young Adult title – A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
E.  Classic Short Stories – Burning Your Boats: The Collected Short Stories by Angela Carter

Other goals:

Read more nonfiction
Read more classics
Read (or try to read) Dickens again. Dickens is my literary nemesis. We hate each other. He’s my Moriarty.
Try Diana Wynne Jones again. With a different book. Fire & Hemlock…it’s another nemesis.
Try Eva Ibbotson again.
Read more with the children.

Description: Description: http://theclassicsclubblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/classics-club-readathon-january-2013.jpg?w=300&h=200

At the rate I’m going, I may be wrapping up The Count of Monte Cristo this day. If (HOPEFULLY) I’m finished with the Count by then, I’ll be reading something else. Not sure what yet, though.

I also plan (hope) (wishful think) that I’ll keep better track of my challenge participation this time. I’ll have a page dedicated to all the challenges I join throughout the year and will try (no promises) to update monthly. We shall see! I hope to finish more than the RIP and the OUAT challenges this year!

What challenges have you joined? Go on, get me in more trouble. :)

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October 14, 2012

Dewey’s Read-a-thon: The End

 

Golly pete y’all. I can’t believe it’s come and gone again. This year was incredible. I got to kick of the read-a-thon with four hours of hosting, which was absolutely amazing, then, despite having to leave for my daughter’s birthday part, I still managed to read 4 fantastic books. All in all, I call that a success. Then, to top it off, I feel like we managed to do what we set out to do; to honor Dewey’s memory and create another memorable event for everyone. At least, I hope we did.I hope you had as much fun as I did!!

So, now for the final meme!

Which hour was most daunting for you?

11:00 PM EST. I gave up. I pretty much woke up at 3:00, excitement and nerves I think, and I was just beat.

Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

All the books I read this year were all very engaging. Graphic novels always work great, and short ones like The Prince of Mist, are great too.

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

I have my own ideas on THAT. lol

What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

I’ll reserve judgement on that as well. :)

How many books did you read?

Four

What were the names of the books you read?

The Good Neighbors Kin, Kith, and Kind by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh
The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Which book did you enjoy most?

All were great,  but The Prince of Mist was something very special.

Which did you enjoy least?

None of them

If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

I didn’t get to cheer. I signed up before Andi and I became co-hosts anyway, and I just didn’t have time. If I hoped to read, that is. And I hoped to read. :)

How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?

I’ll be here. Hosting again in April! Can’t wait!

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October 13, 2012

Dewey Read-a-thon: Half way there!

Wow, what a day. Busy, busy, busy. I’m finally home, settled, and getting some reading done while hosting behind the scenes. Not nearly as crazy as HOSTING hosting. Imma just watching. While watching, I’ve been reading The Good Neighbors trilogy by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh. It’s quite good! Easy reading, that’s for sure. Not sure what’s next.

Here’s the mid-point meme answers for me:

1) How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired?

A little bit. I’ve been up pretty much since 3:00. Nerves, I guess. And excitement! I hope I don’t crash too soon!

2) What have you finished reading?

The Good Neighbors #1: Kin
The Good Neighbors #2: Kith
The Good Neighbors #3: Kind

all by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh

3) What is your favorite read so far?

All, since it’s a trilogy. It’s hard to pick!

4) What about your favorite snacks?

Milk and cookies!

5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love!

Not yet, but I will I’m sure! Will explore on my next break.

++++++++++++++++

Books read:3
The Good Neighbors #1: Kin
The Good Neighbors #2: Kith
The Good Neighbors #3: Kind
Pages: 360:
Snacks consumed: Cheetos
Apple with Caramel
Peanut butter and honey toast
Milk and cookies!
Naps: 0. And kinda feeling it.
Reading now: The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. LOVE!

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October 13, 2012

Dewey’s Read-a-thon!

It’s here, it’s here! You guys, I had no idea how much prep work went into the read-a-thon. I have a new appreciation for this event like you wouldn’t believe. And I didn’t get to help out nearly as much as I wanted. Now we get to sit back, stress out enjoy it, and (hopefully) read a bit ourselves.

I have my books. I have my snacks. I have my snuggly blankets, because dude, it’s cold in here! I’m ready to go!

I’ll be over at the read-a-thon blog for the next 4 hours doing the hosting thing. Then, I’ll be back here to finish out the day. See you there! And then!

++++++++++

Well, my 4 hours of duty are over, so now I can relax. It was SO MUCH FUN and so much work! Now, I have a birthday party to do, then I’ll be back. I did manage to read one book while I was hosting, so yay me!

Books Read: 1
Pages: 114
Titles: The Good Neighbors #1: Kin by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh
Snacks: Apple with caramel dip, peanut butter and honey toast, and dark chocolate almond milk (YUM)
Cheetos (a guilty pleasure while reading) and more chocolate milk (I swear, the stuff is like a drug)

 

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August 30, 2012

R(eaders) I(mbibing) P(eril): Year Seven

The leaves are turning shades of red and orange. The air is cooler. I made my first pot of soup last night. School started weeks ago. It’s time for this young girls’ thoughts to turn to vampires, werewolves, psychological terror, and grisly horror.

RIP VII is here.

I cannot believe it’s been seven years since I first took part in this magical, mysterious, and blood-curdlingly exciting event. Without a doubt, it is the highlight of my favorite season. My plans are to do Peril the First (read up to 4 books), Peril of the Short Story (I never succeed at this, but I always keep trying!), Peril on the Screen (hopefully starting with ParaNorman!), and Peril of the Readalong. Andi and I are hosting a readalong of The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, a bloody good spooky book, over at The Estella Society. And, despite the fact I’ve already reread The Graveyard Book this year, I will probably do that one too. It is, after all, probably my most favorite book, now that The Princess Bride seems to have been knocked from that pedestal (hangs head in pitiful sadness).

Come on over and join in. It is SUCH a good book and perfect for RIP.

Contenders, since no RIP post is complete without pictures of books, am I right?

And also on my iPod:

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, read by Simon Vance
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova , read by Justine Eyre, Paul Michelle (reread, if I can get my husband to read it too)
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly, read by Steven Crossely (ditto the above)
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, read by Stefan Rudinicki (if I can’t get into the book. I’m determined to read this one this year!)
Dracula by Bram Stoker, read by Anthony Valentine (reread, since last years’ reread was so disappointing. I think this one is unabridged!)
Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, read by Simon Vance (haven’t read this since college!)
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, read by Scott Brick
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (got hubby reading listening to this now, may have to reread so we can discuss)
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (this makes me laugh. I’ve never read this book and despair that I ever will!)

eBooks:

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (It may be a stretch, but I’m putting it down anyway. Those monkeys are hella scary.)
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Two and Twenty Dark Tales: Dark Retellings of Mother Goose Rhymes ed by Georgia McBride and Michelle Zink
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Peterson
The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Ratcliffe
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

And maybe also this:

Do I get a nose?

Now I think I’ll sneak off and start reading. If you would care to join in the fun (please, you should!), head on over to Carl’s blog and sign up. Happy RIP everyone!

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March 21, 2012

Once Upon a Time VI

Okay, can we just sit back right hear and bask in the beauty that is that fox, with his golden crown, as he surveys the beauty of that magical butterfly.

*sigh*

Lovely. Just lovely.

In case you have never heard of it, every Spring, Carl of Stainless Steel Droppings hosts the Once Upon a Time challenge. OUaP celebrates the awakening of our beautiful land, our minds from the long (usually cold, but not so much this year) winter, and the magic whispering in the wind. It’s time to:

“Come away, O human child: To the waters and the wild with a fairy, hand in hand, For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand.”

~William Butler Yeats

As usual there are different quests to take part in. I plan to do Quest the First:

Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time categories. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.

And the Short Story Quest:

This quest involves the reading of one or more short stories that fit within at least one of the four genres during the course of any weekend, or weekends, during the challenge. Ideally you would post about your short story readings on Sundays or Mondays, but this is not strictly necessary.

And perhaps a bit of Quest on the Screen:

Stories are not just limited to the printed page. Many entertaining, moving, profound or simply fun stories are told in the realm of television and film. To participate in this quest simply let us know about the films and/or television shows that you feel fit into the definitions of fantasy, fairy tales, folklore or mythology that you are enjoying during the challenge.

There will also be two group reads. In April, there will be a group read of Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. Then in May, there will be a read of Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. I plan to try to read Neverwhere, as it is one of the few Gaiman’s I haven’t read yet.

I have plenty, PLENTY of books to choose from. I will track my progress in the sidebar. Want to come away with us? Join in over at Carl’s blog, right here. It’s a magical journey you don’t want to miss!

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August 29, 2011

It's Monday! What Are You Reading This Week?


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week? is a weekly event to list the books  finished last week, the books currently being read, and the books to be finish this week. It was created by J.Kaye’s Book Blog, but is now being hosted by Sheila from One Person’s Journey Through a World of  Books.

If my reading this weekend is any indication, I won’t be reading much of anything this week! I was in a brain fog, couldn’t focus on anything more complicated than magazines and television. I think I’m so excited that RIP is starting on Thursday and I know all I want to read is books for that. Plus, I know I have a copy of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern winging its way to me and I seriously can’t wait to get started on it. So I may not be reading much until Thursday.

Since I couldn’t seem to get into any books this weekend, I used the time to make my RIP pool. See:

I have:

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Daphne by Justine Picardie (group read with Debi, Chris, Ana and Kelly)
The Seance by John Harwood (only been trying to read this during RIP forever)
Will Storr vs. the Supernatural by Will Storr
The Nature of Monsters by Clare Clark
Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel
The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent
The Map of Time by Felix J Palma
Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott
In the Devil’s Snare by Mary Beth Norton
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (I’m itching to reread it for some reason) (oh, cause it’s awesome)
The Sister by Poppy Adams
The Monsters: Mary Shelly and the Curse of Frankenstein by Dorothy Hoobler
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by  Kate Summerscale
Inamorata by Joseph Gangemi

Not picture are The Night Circus, which hasn’t arrived yet, and The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson, which I haven’t bought yet, but will be reading with Carl, Kelly, and whomever signs up for the group read. To say I can’t wait for Thursday is an understatement. RIP always signifies the beginning of my most favorite season.

So, how about you? I hope your attention span is better than mine and you’re getting some reading in. What’s good? Are you reading for RIP? What’s in your pool?

Egnéus

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June 15, 2010

Everything Austen Challenge

I absolutely refuse to miss it this year.  I will not!  I’ve only read one Jane Austen (*gasp* I KNOW) and that must be remedied.  And of course I must watch Austen movies, read Austen graphic novels and other Austen yummyness must be had.

I think I will be something of a purist though and stick to “mostly” Jane Austen’s work.  No spin-offs, sequels or retellings for me! Just plain ole Jane and her works.  And movies based on said books.  I’m feeling the hankering for some of this:

Oh yeah. Hmmm…

Care to join me?  Then head over to Stephanie’s blog and sign up!  She’s giving away PRIZES including Lindsay Eland’s wonderful Scones & Sensibility, which is really just too cute.

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April 8, 2010

Smile

As soon as I saw this cover, I knew I had to read this book.  I’ve had braces.  Twice.  I’m still not over the pain of it.

And honestly, didn’t you smile as soon as you saw the cover?  Come on. Admit it.  It totally made you smile.

Raina Telgemeier just wanted to be a normal girl.  She’s in sixth grade and she worries about the usual things a sixth grader worries about.  You know, namely, BOYS.  So when she falls one night, after Girl Scouts, and severely injures her two front teeth, things get a little more…awkward…for her.  For now comes surgery, braces, headgear, braces, and *horrors* a retainer with fake teeth attached.  So not fun when you have to contend with the joys of being a teenager; boys, friends who maybe aren’t as friendly as one would think, and parents who are…well…parents!

I can’t tell you how much I identified with Raina.  Sure, I never knocked out my two front teeth, but I did have braces.  Twice.  And of course I was one of those teenage girls who worried about how boys saw those braces (along with the awkwardness, the knobby knees, and the um…lack of…growth… oh girls, you know what I mean.  Boys, you are just big meanies.  Even with the added pain of such a terrible facial injury, Raina’s story isn’t that different from what so many girls go through growing up.  We’ve all had those friends weren’t as great as we wanted them to be.  We’ve had those awkward years learning to navigate a world that changed, virtually overnight.  And through it all, Telgemeier does one thing really well…she makes you smile.   Raina is absolutely adorable.  The colorful fun pictures, the cute and so true-to-life story, and a main character whom you can’t help but love and cheer for makes Smile a must for your graphic novel collection.

Smile is one graphic novel you will want your kids to read and one you’ll want to read for yourself!  This coming-of-age  story will resonate with anyone who has ever been a teenager, and especially those who have ever had their own dental drama.  So quite possibly, you.

Smile
Author: Raina Telgemeier
Category: Nonfiction, Young Adult, Coming-of-age
Published by: GRAPHIX, 224 pages
Format: Graphic Novel
On Sale: February 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0545132060
I got it from the library dudes. Sorry!
Read for the Graphic Novels Reading Challenge.

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