Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Tuesday Thoughts


Well, I'm back, and am mostly recovered from Saturdays' Read-a-Thon. The cold that I hoped I wasn't getting, I now have. It's super fantastic, coughing your lungs out every 10 minutes or so. Someone called and asked me why I wasn't working today. Um, because I don't think clients would appreciate a barking cough during their massage, that's why. It's not exactly restful and relaxing, believe me.

And as promised, here's my final wrap-up of the 'Thon.

It felt indulgent and naughty to stay up and read for 24 hours, like I was skipping out of school. I kept expecting neighbors to wander over at 3AM, wondering what I was doing, but of course that didn't happen. In my over-planning for the event, I got myself too excited about updating every hour, doing mini-challenges, reading and commenting on others' blogs, wondering what snacky food to eat next... next time around, I'm going to simplify. I also thought I'd get to read (and review) two ARC copies I have, but just getting through the first one took longer than I thought. In the end, I should have picked books that I knew I wouldn't have to be intensely vigilant about paying attention to, and I should have tried to work out a better way to read the graphic novels I had as well.

For next time, I'll have a smaller pool of books (or just pick 2 or 3 I really want to read) instead of 40, I'll make more of an effort to spend more time actually reading, and I'll try to change up my reading locations. Nothing wrong with the good old couch, but that's where I spent all of my time. Also, I'll clean my house the day before, so I'm not tempted to sort through a stack of mail or do dishes instead of read. (Those of you who know me may think you mis-read that last sentence, but I assure you, my bin of dirty dishes was a real distraction. I know... I think I'm losing my mind too.)

The one thing that really surprised me (aside from how I didn't meet my personal goals - ugh!) was how many people out there have book blogs. I read so many, and had a lot of nice comments, from people all over the world! It was so much fun to read about what other people were reading! And it has been fun to go back and check out many other blogs in the aftermath of the 'Thon. I'm really looking forward to the next one in April!

Alright, back to coughing and cleaning up for me! Hope you are all doing well.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

At the end

OK, here are my final totals. I've got 17 pages left of my book, but I'm counting it as being finished.

Total pages read: 880
Total time read: 13 hours, 57 minutes
Blogs visited: 32
Books completed: 5
Mini-challenges done: 9

I'll do another post tomorrow oops I mean later today with a picture of the books read, final thoughts, etc.

Off to Bedfordshire for me! Good night everyone, and thanks for a great 'Thon!

End of Event Meme

Thought I'd complete this before I hit the book one last time...

1) Which hour was most daunting for you?
Honestly, I think the last two are hardest.

2) Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
I liked "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James
"The Little Prince" by Antoine de Sainte-Exupiry
any of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich

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

4) What do you think worked really well in this years' Read-a-thon?
I really enjoyed the mini-challenges, the cheering, and getting to read so many book blogs.

5) How many books did you read?
I'm going to predict that I'll have 5 finished, even though I'm not quite done with number 5.

6) What were the names of the books you read?
-"Come On Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All: A New Zealand Story" by Christina Thompson
-"The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop" by Lewis Buzbee
-"All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque (not too sure of spelling right now)
-"The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James
-"A Royal Pain" by Rhys Bowen

7) Which book did you enjoy most?
It's a toss-up between Turn of the Screw, Yellow-Lighted, and Royal Pain, all for different reasons.

8) Which did you enjoy last?
Without a doubt, hands down, "All Quiet...". It's a wonderful book and very affecting (effecting?), but not a good motivator, kind of gross to listen to while eating, and generally depressing. I liked the book very much, but it was NOT a good pick for me for this 'thon.

9) If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year's Cheerleaders?
I wasn't a Cheer-er this year, but I'm thinking about it for next time.

10) How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you likely take next time?
I'll read again for sure, and maybe cheer. There were lots of good mini-challenges, so I'll think about doing one too.

Now...finish that darn book!

Hour 24

This is going to be the most difficult, I fear. I've caught myself too many times to count, with the book almost falling out of my hands.

Pages read: 58
Time reading: 45 minutes

Total pages read: 815
Total time reading: 13 hrs, 21 minutes

I'm going to try and really buckle down to finish this darned book in the next hour!

Hour 23

For some reason, I'm awake more now than I was an hour ago.

Pages read: 46
Time reading: 32 minutes

Total pages read: 757
Total time reading: 12 hours, 36 minutes

I'm going to try and finish this book before the 'thon is over, and I'm just about halfway through.

Hour 22

Or, I can't believe I'm still awake. Well, mostly. And with the exception of a surprise 10 minute nap, I've been awake the whole time.

Having a grand old time reading A Royal Pain.

Pages read: 45
Minutes read: 45

Total pages: 711
Total time reading: 12 hours, 4 minutes
Blogs visited: 3
Books completed: 4

Hour 21


Currently reading the book to your left, "A Royal Pain", by Rhys Bowen. It's a light, funny little mystery so far, I'm hoping it takes me through without nodding off.

Pages read: 44
Minutes read: 31 minutes

Total pages: 666 (eek!)
Total time reading: 11 hours, 19 minutes
Blogs visited: 4
Books completed: 4

Haven't decided if I'll participate in either of the 2 mini-challenges going on currently. I'll press on, but if I find myself not-so-conscious, I'll be back for extra posts.