The Sunday Salon - Why I've Been MIA

I've been MIA pretty much all week this week and I apologize.  It's that time of year, and I didn't want this to happen, but I wasn't prepared.  That is a problem I'm going to remedy for the upcoming week.

This past week was a busy one for me personally, but not a very productive reading week.  Our 4th graders took the TAKS Writing test on Tuesday, so the first part of my week was spent focused on that.  I had to do all the prep work on Monday, test all day Tuesday, and then pack up and turn in tests on Wednesday.  It takes a lot of focus and the actual testing day tired me out; it's exhausting to prepare for a state test.  The students are glad it's behind us, and now we start to prepare for Math and Reading that will be given at the end of April.

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo started this past week as well.  If you've followed my blog for awhile, you know that I volunteer for this 3 week long event.  My work days are scattered throughout the show and during the week are at night, so I'm up late and don't get much sleep on these nights.  I enjoy it though.  It's so fun to see all the people coming off the buses to enjoy the show and then hear about their experiences as they load the bus to go back home.  I'm on a committee called Rodeo Express, and we are in charge of the buses that take patrons back and forth from specific park and rides to the stadium.  This is my 11th year and I'm so glad to be a part of this yearly event in Houston.  It does take a lot of my time though, so there goes my evening reading.

Oh well, the Read-A-Thon is coming up, so I will be able to catch up then.  Have you signed up yet?  You really should.  The Read-A-Thon is so much fun whether you participate as a reader or a cheerleader.  I'm anxiously awaiting this event so that I can catch up on my reading.  Won't you join us?  There are already 102 readers signed up.

So, what did I read this week?  It's sad to say that I am still working on Adventures in Nowhere.  I've been 2 weeks on this one, and I should have been finished by now.  It seems like when I finish a really good book, I have a hard time completing my next one.  It's very frustrating!  Exposed is what I read before this; you can read my review here.  My goal is to finish it this week so that I can start on the mounting TBR pile that is developing.  I'm hoping this week is better than last.

The Big Game's On Read-a-Thon Wrap Up

So, yesterday, pretty much all day, I participated in The Big Game's On Read-a-Thon hosted by Jenn's Bookshelves.  I got a lot of reading done, that I'd been needing to do.  My children's books were stacking up and if I was going to review them, I needed to read them, so that's what I did.

What did I accomplish exactly?  Well, I read a total of 28 books.  27 of those were children's picture books that I read and then made notes on so that I can get reviews written.  Then I read the 3rd installment in the Aldo Zelnick series, Cahoots.  Like Artsy-Fartsy and Bogus, it was a good read.  Look for a review in the coming weeks on this one.  My ultimate goal was to finish The Radleys, but that didn't happen.  In between reading, I was doing laundry and cleaning the bedroom, so I lost some time there.

I did watch the game, mostly the commercials because when the commercials weren't on, I was reading.  Yes, I can listen to the game and read at the same time...multi tasking at it's best!  What was your favorite commercial?  I do have to say, I liked the mini Darth Vader...how cute was he?!!

I'm so glad that Jenn decided to host this read-a-thon; I had fun and got so much accomplished!

The Big Game's On Read-a-Thon Mini Challenge #1

 

So, Jenn is kicking off The Big Game's On Read-a-Thon  with the 1st mini challenge of the day:

For this challenge, take a look at the books you plan on reading today.  Which do you predict will come out as the winner and why?  Do a post to answer this question.  It will be interesting to come back at the end of the day & see if your predictions are correct!

Well, since I've already started reading, 14 children's books so far, this is a little tough for me to answer.  My goal is to get through my children's picture books so that I can get some reviews written.  So, I will not be choosing one of those as my winner for today.  I do, however, have a couple of other books that I hope to finish and/or start today as well, after I finish the children's books.

Last night I started reading The Radleys, because I have heard so much about it around the blogosphere.  I hope to finish it today because it is divided up into short little chapters and has been a quick read so far.  The other book I want to get to is Cahoots, the 3rd book in the Aldo Zelnick comic novel series.  So, to put it in football terms, the big match up is between these two titles.  Who do I think will come out on top?  Well, I'm a huge fan of Aldo and I've heard great things about The Radleys, so my choice is:

THE RADLEYS!!!

Let's hope I'm right!  Check back with me tomorrow...I'll have the answer for you.

24 Hour Read-A-Thon

It's that time again!

I am so excited to be participating in another Read-A-Thon!  I get so much reading done and have so much fun interacting with other bloggers and readers at the same time.  I have never managed to stay up the entire 24 hours, but I'm going to give it another go this time.

For all the Read-A-Thon information or to sign up yourself, head on over to Dewey's Read-a-Thon and check it out.  If you can't join us to read, then be a cheerleader or host a challenge.  Any participation is welcome and appreciated by all!

As the day gets closer, I will post my book list and other fun stuff!

So, get your books picked out, your snacks thought about, your spot settled on, and get ready to read!!

Read-A-Thon End of Event Meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?  2-3 AM; hour 20

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?  White Cat, Making Toast
 
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  no


4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?  that the mini-challenges lasted longer; helped to be able to get more done and still read a lot

5. How many books did you read?  10 and 1/4

6. What were the names of the books you read?  Making Toast, White Cat, Raindrops, The Birds and the Frogs, The Thingamabob, Pantaloon, March Mischief, Noonie's Masterpiece, Artsy-Fartsy, Hailey Twitch is not a Snitch

7. Which book did you enjoy most?  Making Toast

8. Which did you enjoy least?  The Birds and the Frogs

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

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?  very likely; I will be a reader

So, I only made it to hour 20.  At 2:15 AM, I just couldn't keep my eyes open and I had a headache.  I thought I'd just take a 30 minute nap, which turned into 45 and resulted in my just going to bed.  My goal was to get up at 6 and at least get another hour in, but I didn't, so here I am.  All in all, I am pleased with my progress.  I read a total of 1166 pages over 15 hours and 15 minutes.  That's the longest I've been able to stay up during a Read-A-Thon so far, so I'm getting better.  I had hoped to make it all the way, but not this time.  There's always October!

"Title Teasers" Mini Challenge

By now, most of you have been reading all day and into the night.  How are you holding up?  I thought I'd offer up a fun, fairly easy mini-challenge for you.  This challenge will last 3 hours, so you can do it all now, or break it up over time.  It's up to you.  I enjoy the mini-challenges and choose to do them when I need a reading break.  I know sometimes the "brain work" for these is hard, but hopefully this one won't tax you too much.

The goal of this challenge is to complete some book titles.  I am going to give you a list of 20 titles, leaving out some of the words.  Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to complete the title.  You can do this challenge as a post on your blog and leave a link in the comments, or simply copy and paste the titles into your comment and answer there.  The choice is yours.

There will be 2 winners.  1st place will go to the person who gets all the titles right.  If  that happens to be more than one person, then random.org will choose a winner out of those people.  The next winner will be again chosen by random.org, out of all the other participants.  So, even if you don't get them all right, you still have a chance to win.

Here are your titles:

1. The Dark _____
2. An _____  _____ Girl
3. The Lost _____ of _____ May _____
4. Necessary _____
5. She's So _____ to _____
6. _____ Over Toccoa
7. _____ Dead
8. Scones & _____
9. All _____ Things
10. Beautiful _____
11. _____ to Dream
12. The _____-_____ Waves
13. I Kissed a _____ and I _____ It
14. Prophecy of the _____
15. Very _____
16. The Girl Who _____ from the _____
17. Marriage and Other _____ of _____
18. Making _____
19. _____ Cat
20. Letters to My _____

These are all titles that I've read or have in my TBR pile.  So, if you follow my blog, you may be able to figure them out.  If not, I don't think they're that tricky; at least that's not my intention.  Have fun!!

Winners get their pick of some of my ARCs...1st place gets their choice of 2, and then the next person gets to choose 1.  Here are your choices:

You can put your book choices in your comment as well, in case you are a winner.  Don't forget to leave your email address so that I can contact you should you win.

Read-A-Thon Update: Mid Event Meme

It's hard to believe that I've been reading for almost 12 hours now.  I haven't read the whole time because I've been blogging updates, visiting blogs and participating in mini challenges.  I've also done some things around the house so that I am not sitting the whole time; I'm up and moving.  I've almost finished this week's laundry and I've made a pan of brownies.  In just a few minutes, I will be going outside to feed and water horses.  Not exactly work I can do as I read, but I need a break so I don't get sleepy.  Besides, hubby has gone to help a friend, so someone has to feed.

Anyway, as is tradition with the Read-A-Thon, there is a Mid Event Meme.  Here is mine:

1. What are you reading right now?  Noonie's Masterpiece by Lisa Railsback (MG book)

2. How many books have you read so far?  currently on my 4th

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?  She's So Dead to Us

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?  Just had to remind hubby that it was an "all reading" day

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?  Not many, just hubby needing me to help him out once or twice outside.  Never took more than 5 minutes, and I happily obliged as he is giving me this time.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?  That I've not gotten real sleepy or had many extended interruptions.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  No, I love it.  It just seems to get better every time.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?  nothing that I can think of right now

9. Are you getting tired yet?  not really, but I'm sure it's coming

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?  lots of little breaks to blog, visit, or just get up and move

April Read-A-Thon - Hour 1 Update

Well, we're off!  Dewey's Read-a-Thon has officially started here in CST.  I am so excited about this day b/c I just get to read, and my husband lets me b/c he knows this is important to me.  I will be posting my progress periodically throughout the day.  My goal is to stay OFF the computer and IN the books.

I have 2 stacks of books, 1 children's and 1 YA.  I find it's easier to switch back and forth so that I don't get tired.  The book I'm starting with is Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch by Lauren Barnholdt.  It is a children's chapter book.

I'd like to wish all the other Read-a-Thon participants "good luck; may you read lots and lots of books!"

Here is the First Hour Mini-Challenge

Where are you reading from today?  My chair in the living room

3 facts about me …  I am an asst. principal in an elementary school, I raise horses, 1 of my horses is ready to foal any day

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?  24...Ooh, 1 an hour, not sure that will happen though.

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?  I'd like to get through my stack  I can't do the whole 24 hours b/c we have a party tonight to attend, but I'm doing as much as I can.

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?  Read smaller books in between the longer ones.

End of Event Meme

I didn't fare so well this read-a-thon.  I've never been able to make it all night, but this time I didn't even make it past 9:30 PM; not sure why I was so tired.  I just got up as well, so I didn't get any reading in this morning.

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?  the 9 PM hour...got really sleepy

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?  It's the little books that keep me going.  I try to add in children's books.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  It was great!

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

5. How many books did you read?  27 1/2


6. What were the names of the books you read?  Too many to list...see past updates for titles

7. Which book did you enjoy most?  Princess Hyacinth

8. Which did you enjoy least?  How We Are Smart

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

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

Mid-Event Meme

1. What are you reading right now?  Getting ready to start Miss Trimble's Trapdoor


2. How many books have you read so far?  23

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?  It's Tough Growing Up

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? tried to, but it didn't work out, so I'm just going with the flow.


5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?  Yes, my husband.  He doesn't understand the whole read-a-thon, so I have to appease him every so often.


6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?  That I"ve gotten so much read in spite of the interruptions.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  no, I think it's great!


8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?  Try better to free up my day.

9. Are you getting tired yet?  I was, but we went out for dinner, so I feel better.  May need a pot of coffee soon though.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?  can't think of any right now.

Read-a-Thon Intro Meme

Good morning! I didn't think I was going to be able to participate in the Read-a-Thon this time, but things worked themselves out so that I could and I couldn't be more excited! I have so many books around here just waiting to be read. I'm starting late, but I've already read a few books. My goal is to get through some of the children's books I have so that I can focus on some YA later. Now, for the introduction meme.

Where are you reading from today?
I am in my living room in my favorite oversized chair and ottoman.  This is where I do most of my reading.


3 facts about me …

I am an elementary school assistant principal

I just had a new grandbaby born on Tuesday - she makes 5 for us

My reading love is children's and YA


How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
Too many.   I don't usually have a set pile...I just pick up whatever strikes me.  My pile has become overgrown since school started, so I'm hoping to make a little dent in it so it doesn't seem so overwhelming.


Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?
No set goal, just to read as much as I can.  I wasn't going to be able to participate, so I didn't really prepare, but I'm going to tackle as much as I can.


If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?
Pace yourself.  Have short books to read in between the long ones; it will make you feel successful and break up your reading.

Read-a-Thon: End of Event update

Well, I did it! 

Currently Reading:  Going Too Far - almost finished @30 pgs. left


Pages read this hour:  66


Books read this hour:  almost finished #9


Minutes read this hour:  50


Total pages read:  925


Total books read:  almost 9



Total minutes read:  788


Time spent blogging/commenting:  10 min


Contests entered:  7


Prizes won:  1

Thanks to everyone for all your support and comments!

Read-a-Thon: End of Event Meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?  The 2 AM hour.  That was when I finally had to sleep.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Not going to give titles, but when I started to get tired, I switched to YA which are faster reads.  That really helped.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  This is only my 2, so I'm still learning about everything myself.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?  Using Twitter.  It helped us get a lot of exposure and keep up w/everyone easier.
5. How many books did you read? 9
6. What were the names of the books you read? Maybelle Bunny of the North; The Light, The Dark & Ember Between; Chicken Butt; A Book; Going Too Far; Everything is Fine; Rita & Whatsit; Rita & Whatsit at the Beach; Milo and Jazz-Case of the Stinky Socks.  I started Private Midnight and Follow Me, but did not finish them.
7. Which book did you enjoy most?  Everything is Fine
8. Which did you enjoy least?  Private Midnight, which is why I put it down early on.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? n/a
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?  I will definitely participate, as a reader.

Read-a-Thon: Hour 1 Meme

Where are you reading from today?  My chair in the living room.  My computer is next to me on the left, the dog on my right.

3 facts about me …1. I am an elementary reading teacher.  2.  My husband and I raise paint horses.  3.  I can't smell.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?  Right now, there are 14 in my stack; mixture of adult fiction, YA, and children's books.

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?  I would love to get through my TBR stack, but I'll just be thankful to make a huge dent in it!

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?  This is only my second read-a-thon, so my only advice is just do the best you can.  You may not be able to make the whole time, do all the challenges, etc and that's okay. 

Read-a-Thon

Tomorrow, bright and early, is the 24 hour Read-a-Thon.  I will be reading all day, much to my husband's chagrin.  No, I haven't got a list of books, but I'm working on putting a stack together of must reads for blog tours, want to reads, filler books, etc.  You will not see my regular Saturday Snapshot tomorrow, but I will be blogging periodically during the Read-a-Thon so that you can see what's going on, progress, books read, pages read, etc.  If you follow me on Twitter, I will be tweeting with the #readathon hash tag so that other readers can follow.  My goal for tomorrow is to get well into my TBR pile because I have alot of books waiting to be reviewed and I NEED to get them done!  I'll be a review queen after this!  So, it will be everything Read-a-Thon around here until Sunday.

Here are some books I MUST read for blog tours:

Secret to Happiness

The Light, The Dark, & Ember Between

Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life

Gift of Grace

Private Midnight

Noticer Project

I'm off to make my stacks!