Thankfully Reading - Wrap Up

So, I extended the last day a bit, but I managed to meet my goal of finishing my two current books: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and Snow White Red-Handed by Maia Chance.

A good weekend - Thanks, Jenn, for setting it up.
Now it's back to work :-(


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Thankfully Reading - Day Four (small business Saturday)

I missed this one. I was at a book club meeting and shopping and having dinner with friends all day. I got a few pages read in the evening. I’m hoping to have another finish this afternoon.

My local indie is a couple hours away, but I’m hoping to get there sometime later this week.

Reply



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Thankfully Reading - Day Three

Happy Black Friday! I have absolutely no intentions of going anywhere near a store today. The fridge is full of leftovers, I have my favorite sweat pants and fuzzy socks on, and I am all ready to have a beautiful reading day.

I finished The Goldfinch last night - so, SO good! Today I will work on my other current book, Snow White Red-Handed.

Now to today's discussion question: the book I am most thankful for this year. Ugh. Just one? Hmmmmmmmmmmm. . . . . . . .

Ok, I guess I will go with Stardust by Neil Gaiman. It was a very enjoyable read, recommended by my daughter. The reason I chose it is that I have been using The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter in a class for several years, and the students are not really loving it. I think Stardust may be just the right replacement to get some interest back into the curriculum.

(My second choice is Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs because it opened up the whole world of his works - I had no idea!)


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Thankfully Reading - A Finish!

I loved this book so much. I am working my way towards (eventually) reading all of the Pulitzer Prize winners for fiction. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt won in 2014, and it is really well-deserved. The story line is paced perfectly, the writing is exquisite and thought-provoking, and the characters . . . what can I say about the characters? Hobie and Boris will stay with me for a long time, as will the narrator, Theo, even if I did want to smack him more than once along the way.

https://www.amazon.com/Goldfinch-Novel-Pulitzer-Prize-Fiction/dp/0316055441/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480054954&sr=8-1&keywords=The+goldfinch


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Thankfully Reading Book Menu

Here is my ideal book “menu”:
Historical setting
Beautifully-crafted writing
Memorable characters

Preferences:
Classics
Historical fiction
High fantasy

No thank you to the following:
Overwriting
Gratuitous violence
Pure science fiction
Celebrity memoirs
Self-help books


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Thankfully Reading Weekend 2016

Kicking off Thankfully Reading Weekend 2016 hosted by jennsbookshelves.com

I have a book club meeting on Saturday, but otherwise hope to be snuggled in and reading, reading, reading for the rest of the holiday weekend (NO shopping!).

It would be wonderful if I could finish my two current books: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (108 pages to go) and Snow White Red-Handed by Maia Chance (185 pages to go). Then I can start my December reads: Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson and The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker.


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24 in 48 Readathon

Here we go! I don't know how close I can come to actually reading for 24 hours this weekend, but it will sure be fun to try!

I'm starting with Brave New World.


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Update

I haven't posted anything for a while. Never fear, I'm still here, and still working away at my challenges.

I increased my Goodreads goal for the year to 75 because I wanted to keep it as a challenge through December if possible. I had an unexpected layup in the first part of the year and got a lot of reading time.

I am down to 5 books to finish Around the Year in 52 books.

I am participating in the 24 in 48 Readathon this coming weekend (July 23-24), so watch here for my progress.


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I found this blog a couple years ago and thought how exciting it would be to try to read a book from every country in the world.
https://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/thelist/

I copied the list, cleaned it up to include only the countries, and began filling in my books. I was pleased that I had from read over thirty countries, even though there were still 130+ to go. I filled in more finished countries in the months that followed.

Tragedy struck - the app in which I kept my list hiccuped, and my list was gone. I haven't been able to find the energy to redo the entire thing, although I think of it often. :-(




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Location:Read the World Challenge

Another Reading Challenge

Here is another challenge I am working on. Again, suggestions for the blank spots would be much appreciated.

Book Riot 2016 Read Harder Challenge

1. Read a horror book: The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
2. Read a non fiction book about science: A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
3. Read a collection of essays:
4. Read a book out loud to someone else:
5. Read a middle grade novel: Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
6. Read a biography (not memoir or autobiography):
7. Read a dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel: We by Yevgeny Zamyati
8. Read a book originally published in the decade you were born: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
9. Listen to an audiobook that has won an Audie Award: Nelson Mandela's Favorite African FolkTales (2010)
10. Read a book over 500 pages long: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling
11. Read a book under 100 pages: Interview with the Vampire: Claudia's Story by Anne Rice
12. Read a book by or about a person that identifies as transgender:
13. Read a book that is set in the Middle East: The Union Haggadah by The Central Conference of American Rabbis
14. Read a book that is by an author from Southeast Asia:
15. Read a book of historical fiction set before 1900: The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami
16. Read the first book in a series by a person of color:
17. Read a non-superhero comic that debuted in the last three years: Myths of India: Ganesh by Deepak Chopkra
18. Read a book that was adapted into a movie, then watch the movie. Debate which is better: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
19. Read a non fiction book about feminism or dealing with feminist themes: We Band of Angels by Elizabeth M. Norman
20. Read a book about religion (fiction or non fiction): People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
21. Read a book about politics, in your country or another (fiction or non fiction): Remembered Prisoners of a Forgotten War by Edward L. Carlson
22. Read a food memoir:
23. Read a play:
24. Read a book with a main character that has a mental illness: Moby Dick by Herman Melville

National Readathon Day

Today is the National Readathon day sponsored by Penguin Random House and the American Library Association. Participants are encouraged to read (of course) and consider a contribution of time or resources to their local library's children's services.

Reading Challenge - Around the Year

This is my primary challenge for 2016 and my progress so far. I place the books in as I read them. Thanks to an unexpectedly long sick leave from work, I am well ahead of schedule. However, I am running out of "easy" categories to finish with books that I already want to read. Suggestions for the empty slots would be much appreciated!

Around the Year in 52 Books - Goodreads Group

1. A book you meant to read in 2015, but didn't: The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami
2. A book set in a different continent: Don Quixote de La Mancha Vol. 1 by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015 (winner or nominated): The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
4. A book by an author you discovered in 2015: The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks - IN PROGRESS
5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name: A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
6. The highest rated on your TBR: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
7. A book about books: People of the Book by Gwendolyn Brooks
8. A classic book with less than 200 pages: Myths of India: Ganesh by Deepak Chopkra
9. A book that was mentioned in another book: The Union Haggadah by The Central Conference of American Rabbis
10. A book by an author you feel you should have read by now: Persuasion by Jane Austen
11. A book from the Rory Gilmore challenge: When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka
12. A childhood classic: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
13. Reader’s Choice: The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro - IN PROGRESS
14. A book with one of the five W’s -or H in the title: The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow
15. A book set in the past (more than 100 years ago): Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
16. A book from the top 100 mystery novels: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
17. A book with a beautiful cover: After Alice by Gregory Maguire
18. A book on a summer/beach reading list:
19. A non-fiction book: Remembered Prisoners of a Forgotten War by Edward L. Carlson
20. A book with a first name in the title: Johnny Angel by Danielle Steel
21. A book from the Goodreads Recommendations page:
22. The first book in a new to you series: Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis
23. The next book in a series you are reading: Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
24. A "between the numbers" book of a series (0.5, 1,5, 2.5, etc.): The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
25. A book whose main character is in a profession that interests you (teacher): Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling
26. A book everyone is talking about:
27. A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion):
28. A biography, autobiography, or memoir:
29. A book by an author who writes under more than one name: Interview with the Vampire: Claudia's Story by Anne Rice
30. A fairytale from a culture other than your own:
31. A work of young adult fiction: Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince by Noriko Ogiwara
32. A historical fiction book: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
33. The 16th book on your TBR:
34. A book about mental illness: Room by Emma Donaghue
35. An award winning book: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
36. An identity book - a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
37. A book that you've seen the movie of but haven't read: Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
38. A book about an anti hero: The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
39. A previous suggestion that did not make it into the list (A book with a male or female pronoun in the title): Carry Her Heart by Holly Jacobs
40. A novella from your favorite genre:
41. A book about a major world event (fiction or non-fiction): We Band of Angels by Elizabeth M. Norman
42. A top 100 fantasy novel:
43. A book about a thing that goes bump in the night:
44. A book you're embarrassed to read in public: WILD CARD:
45. A book related to a hobby or passion you have:
46. A crime story:
47. A book with a type of food/drink in the title:
48. A dystopia: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin
49. A book with a great opening line: Moby Dick by Herman Melville
50. A book originally written in a language other than English: The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang
51. A short story from a well-known author: Train by Alice Munro
52. A book published in 2016:


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Update

Well, I didn't make it very far through the discussion book, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler. I peeked into the room where the discussion was being held, and it looked like there were about six people there, a good sized group. I got next month's book already, so I will have more than 40 hours to read it. :-)


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Self-Imposed Readathon

So I just found out about this event today,band the next discussion is on Thursday (40 hours away). The book is 310 pages, which is completely doable, right???

http://www.carnegielibrary.org/books/bookgroups/booksintheafternoon.html

Readathon Day 7 (The End)

I've really enjoyed this week-long Readathon, hosted by Bout of Books. I met my goal of finishing all three books that I had started before the event began (Room, We Band of Angels, and Moby Dick). I also made it 33% through a new book, Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince by Noriko Ogiwara, and participated in the mini-challenge for each day.

Now back to my "regular" reading. I still have my ongoing book clubs and book challenges to report. Stay tuned!


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Readathon Day 6

At the end of Day 6, here is my progress:

Moby Dick from 87% to 100%

Goal met!!!

Readathon Day 5

At the end of Day 5, here is my progress:

Moby Dick from 85% to 87%

Not much reading today, obviously. With two days to go, I still have a fighting chance of making my goal. Two of my three books are finished, and I am coming down the home stretch with this one. It is just very (very!) slow going.

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Freaky Friday Photo Challenge - Readathon

Today's challenge (in honor of Friday the 13th) is to post a photo of myself or my books in a creepy setting. This is the stuff of nightmares!

"If You Like This, Try This" Challenge - Readathon

If you like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, try The Belgariad by David Eddings.
If you like Dracula, try The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.
If you like to be frightened, try The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.


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Readathon Day 4

At the end of Day 4, here is my progress:

Moby Dick from 80% to 85%
We Band of Angels from 68% to 100%




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Readathon Day 3

At the end of Day 3, here is my progress:

Moby Dick from 78% to 80%
We Band of Angels from 55% to 68%

Borrowed Mirror Sword and Shadow Prince by Noriko Ogiwara from my daughter.



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Five Favorites Challenge - Readathon

Today's challenge is to list my five favorites of anything book-related. I decided to go with my five favorite classics.

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Tolkien
2. Cry, the Beloved Country, Paton
3. The Good Earth, Buck
4. Dracula, Stoker
5. The Sea Wolf, London

Alternates, in case of injury ;)
1. A Tree Grows on Brooklyn, Smith
2. For Whom the Bell Tolls, Hemingway


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Readathon Day 2

At the end of day 2, here is my progress:

Room from 56% to 100%
Moby Dick from 75% to 78%
We Band of Angels from 47% to 55%

I think I need to add something light in here somewhere. All three of these are rough going! :-)

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Book Shelf Challenge - Readathon

Today's challenge is to post a picture of my bookshelf. That is more of a challenge than it seems! I have books EVERYWHERE (in the basement in boxes, in the closet, on shelves in the living room, in the office, just to name a few). I have also been reading quite a bit from the eLibrary subscription feature, Overdrive. I finally decided to just post two pictures, my Kindle cloud page (297 books currently) and my "bedside" stack, which I had to pick up from the floor to get a picture.

Readathon Day 1

At the end of day 1, here is my progress:

Moby Dick from 69% to 75%

Room from 26% to 56%

We Band of Angels 33% to 47%

Reading Challenges

As I mentioned in my introduction, I love a reading challenge, and I have four in progress for 2016, and two that are ongoing (read that as "hope to finishe before I die). It is not quite as daunting as it looks, since I allow myself to count a book on multiple challenges. I am doing quite well so far on the 2016 challenges, since I had some serious complications following surgery in February and have found myself with lots of extra reading time as I have convalesced. Here are the links to the challenges. They are really tempting - you have been warned!


To Finish in 2016

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/17596189-the-52-topics-for-2016

http://www.popsugar.com/love/Reading-Challenge-2016-39126431

http://bookriot.com/2015/12/15/2016-book-riot-read-harder-challenge/

http://modernmrsdarcy.com/2016-reading-challenge/


To Finish Someday

https://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/thelist/
(one per country)

http://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/219
AND
http://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/261

Bout of Books 16

EVENT!

The last readathon that I attempted didn't go all that well. I fell miserably short of my goal both in time and pages read (more about that in a future post). I did, however, get to enjoy the social part and the challenges. I'm ready to give it another shot, and I love the longer time frame of this one. Come join us - it will be fun!

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 9th and runs through Sunday, May 15th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 16 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I have two goals for this event:

1. Finish the three books that I have currently in progress

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville (69% finished)
• Room by Emma Donaghue (26% finished)
• We Band of Angels by Elizabeth Norman (33% finished)

2. HAVE FUN!

Introduction

I am a huge sucker for book clubs (I currently moderate one and am a member of one), book challenges (I have four going for 2016 and two that are not on a time limit), and book events. This blog is a place for me to share these crazy book adventures. In the following days, I will be posting information about each of the above-mentioned clubs and challenges. As events arise, I will post information about them.

Come on in, grab a cup of coffee, and let's chat about books!