THIS IS A STICKY POST

DAILY POSTS BELOW

HOSTED BY MICHELLE AT THE TRUE BOOK ADDICT 
AND SEASONS OF READING

I signed up to participate in this Read-A-Thon during the summer and am hoping it will get me back on track, since I have been in a slump, reading only 1 book during September.  

My goal is to set some time aside each day to read and get away from my computer.  However, I am also behind in my blog to-dos being extremely busy with Partners In Crime Tours and Providence Book Promotions.

My daily progress will be posted here:
MONDAY:
    Pages read:  0
    Book:
TUESDAY:
    Pages read: 0
    Book:
Unfortunately I have not been able to open a book because of work.  However, on Tuesday night, I got to meet, face to face  an author, that a friendship developed after being a Guest Author on my blog.  She flew in to attend a conference and we had dinner.  More details to come in Sunday’s Salon.  I will tell you that she is absolutely beautiful, inside and out!!!
WEDNESDAY:
    Pages read:  0
    Book:
THURSDAY:
What better way to end my reading slump, but to read a new novel by a favorite author. And it did the trick!!!
    Pages read:  16%  (Kindle)
    Book:  The Disappearance of Grace by Vincent Zandri
FRIDAY:
    Pages read:  50%  (Kindle)
    Book:  The Disappearance of Grace by Vincent Zandri
SATURDAY:
    Pages read:  24% Kindle
    Book:  The Disappearance of Grace by Vincent Zandri
SUNDAY:
    Pages read:
    Book:
WRAP UP:  This is exactly what I needed.  After being in a reading slump for approximately a month,  I feel that this week was successful.  Thank you Michelle for hosting!!!
TOTAL PAGES READ  100% Kindle +20 pages
BOOK(S):  Finished The Disappearance of Grace by Vincent Zandri and picked up Low Pressure by Sandra Brown

This is a sticky post.
Scroll down for daily postings!!!

Hosted by Bout of Books

Goals:
To read a minimum of 2 hours a day
To start and complete current read and next book on deck.

Daily Progress Report:

08/13 Monday:
Challenge/Giveaway Sites:
Literary BFFs:  Auggie Talk
Passing Books:   Reading in Texas and The Space Between
****tell us what happens to your books after you have read them
I host personal giveaways.
Pages Read:  105
Book:  Started and Finished Cabernet Sauvignon by Sara J. Fasolino, CS, CSW, AM (wrote review)
Started The Serpent’s Bite by William Adler
08/14   Tuesday
Pages Read:  81
Book:  The Serpent’s Bite by William Adler
Pages read to date:  186

08/15  Wednesday:
Challenge/Giveaway Sites:
Book Word Search: The Musings of ALMYBNENR:
Match the Zombie Book Cover: The Busy Bibliophile:
Pages Read:  30 (not a good reading day…work interfered)
Book:  The Serpent’s Bite by William Adler
Pages read to date:  216

08/16  Thursday
Challenge/Giveaway Sites:
A Book for Every Season: Reading in Winter:
Candy Challenge: BookSmartie:
Contemporary: Books with Cass:
Pages Read:  -0- (so busy didn’t even have time to open a book  🙁
Book:
Pages read to date:  216

08/17  Friday
Challenge/Giveaway Sites:
Book Spine Poetry: bookgoonie
Most Looking Forward To: Pages of Forbidden Love
Pages Read:  76
Book:  The Serpent’s Bite by William Adler
Pages read to date:  292

08/18  Saturday
Challenge/Giveaway Sites:
Music: My Not So Real Life
Page 99 Test: My Seryniti
Virtual Travels: Ex Libris
 Pages Read:  40
Book:  The Serpent’s Bite by William Adler  (finished). Wrote and posted review.
Pages read to date:  330

08/18  Sunday
Challenge/Giveaway Sites:
Giveaway: Kelsey’s Cluttered Bookshelf
Movie Cast: Pretty Deadly Reviews
 Pages Read:  ?  Kindle  18%
Book:  Leaves By Michael Baron
Pages read to date:  330 pages and 18% Kindle

08/20 Monday WRAP UP
Total Pages Read:  330 print pages   18% Kindle
Book(s):  
Finished Cabernet Sauvignon by Sara J. Fasolino, CS, CSW, AM 
Finished The Serpent’s Bite by William Adler
Started Leaves by Michael Baron
WRAP UP:  Goals/Thoughts
I did meet my initial goals, however, since it never fails when I sign up for a Read-A-Thon, RL interferes,  I set my goals at a minimum.  I was hoping that this would  be an incentive for me to read more and spend less time in front of the computer.  It did, except I was also hoping that I would spend much more time reading than I did.  But due to work associated with Partners In Crime Tours, I had to put work before pleasure.

I want to thank everyone who organized and hosted the Read-A-Thon, the daily challenges and giveaways.  Kudos!!  It was well done and I am looking forward to the next one!!!!!

Hosted by Bout of Books

I SO need this.  I am embarrassed to say, that I have been so busy, plus the fact that my reading schedule has been interrupted due to medical issues, that I have read only one…yes ONE…book in July.  That is down right SAD!!

When I received the email yesterday announcing the sign up, I ran right on over and filled out the form.  My game plan is that to get all my computer, blog, PICT to-dos done in the next 2 weeks so that I can allow for more reading time.  I do have some personal appointments that week, but will read around them.  I will have a sticky post to keep record of my progress.

Want to join me?  Click the link above.  Here are the rules and daily schedule:

Standard info:

• Bout of Books is a week long read-a-thon, run from 12:01am on Monday, August 13th through 11:59pm Sunday, August 19th in whatever time zone you are in.
• Bout of Books is low pressure, meaning participants are only asked to push themselves to read more than they normally would during any given week. There is no competition between readers.
• How much time a reader wants, and can commit, to read, tweet, or network with fellow bloggers is left to individual preference. All challenges and giveaways are optional.
• Networking with fellow bloggers is actively encouraged, though never required. Co-hosts are there to facilitate blog hopping and interaction between participants.
• Use Twitter to post updates throughout the read-a-thon. Everyone will be tweeting with the #boutofbooks hashtag.

BOUT OF BOOKS 5.0 SCHEDULE

Challenges/Giveaways

DAILY POSTINGS BELOW.

This is a STICKY POST  Progress Report for Bout of Books Read-A-Thon.  

Hosted by bout of books

My Goals:
Complete current read, Far and Away by Meg Mitchell Moore
Start and finish 2 other books not chosen as of yet

Books To Read:
Far and Away by Meg Mitchell Moore
The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark
Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

Updates:
Monday  5/14
Today’s topic/question:
“What do you like best about readathons? Do you have any readathon traditions or rituals? If this is your first readathon, what do you like so far? Discuss away!”
Read-A-Thons give me the incentive to read more and not spend as much time at the computer, especially during the day.
Number of pages I’ve read today:  74 (RL had other plans for me and it wasn’t reading.
Book:  So Far Away by Meg Mitchell Moore

Tuesday  5/15
Today’s Challenge:
Physical book or eBook?  Print
Paperback or Hardcover?  Paperback  (TPB)
Reality or Make-believe?  Fiction
Adult or Young-Adult?  Adult
Dog ears or Bookmarks?  Bookmark
Breaking the spine or Barely open the book?  Barely opening the book
Tea or Coffee?  Coffee (both hot (am) and Iced (pm)
Reading in bed or On the couch?  Both
Series or Standalone?  Stand alone
Original or TV Adaptation?  Original
Defy motion sickness or Audiobooks?  ?
Author crushes or Who-was-that-guy-again?  Author crushes
Interview or Guest post?  Interview
Number of pages I’ve read today:  89  (another not so good day of reading due to not feeling well)
Book:  Finished So Far Away by Meg Mitchell Moore
Next Book:  The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark

Wednesday  5/16
Number of pages I’ve read today:  68 (unfortunately I can’t put in the time to read as I had planned to due to RL..Maybe Thursday will be different)
Book:   The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark

Thursday  5/17
Number of pages I’ve read today:  129 (a little better..RL really interfered this week)
Book:  The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark

Friday  5/18
Number of pages I’ve read today:  154
Book:  Finished The Lost Years by May Higgins Clark
              Started Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

Saturday  5/19
Number of pages I’ve read today:  94
Book:  Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

5/20
Number of pages I’ve read today:  74
Book:  Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

WRAP UP:
Total number of pages read during Read-A-Thon:  682
Books:
Finished: So Far Away by Meg Mitchell Moore (review written)
Finished: The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark (review written)
1/2 Done: Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand
I didn’t make my goals but came close.  I was hoping to put in more reading time and to finish 3 books this week, but only read 2 1/2.  As usual, RL had other plans for me.  But I enjoyed participating as it did give me the incentive to get away from the computer and pick up my book.  I want to thank Bout of Books for hosting and am looking forward to the next Read-A-Thon.

I just saw this in my Google Reader and am signing up.  Want to join me?  Here are the details:

Hosted by bout of books

 Standard info:

• Bout of Books is a week long read-a-thon, run from 12:01am on Monday, May 14th through 11:59pm Sunday, May 20st in whatever time zone you are in.
• Bout of Books is low pressure, meaning participants are only asked to push themselves to read more than they normally would during any given week. There is no competition between readers.
• How much time a reader wants, and can commit, to read, tweet, or network with fellow bloggers is left to individual preference. All challenges and giveaways are optional.
• Networking with fellow bloggers is actively encouraged, though never required. Co-hosts are there to facilitate blog hopping and interaction between participants.
• Use Twitter to post updates throughout the read-a-thon. Everyone will be tweeting with the #boutofbooks hashtag.

My Goals are:
*Finish current read of Far and Away by Meg Mitchell Moore
*Start and hopefully finish 1-2 other books which I haven’t chosen yet

Progress (which will be a sticky post during time frame of Read-A-Thon:
*I will be tracking my progress of # of pages read daily
*List books finished
*Wrap Up post

http://24hourreadathon.com/

This is my first year participating in Dewey’s 24 Read-A-Thon so am not sure what to expect.  In the past, I have seen and read about this wonderful blogger, who is no longer with us but it is done in her memory (if I am right, she hosted and created  it when book blogs were just starting…if I am wrong..I apologize).  

Not sure how well I am going to do, and probably shouldn’t have entered because of  RL issues that need to be done this weekend, but didn’t want to miss our on another year.    Because of that, I am going to track my progress by the number of pages/% on Kindle (wish it had page numbers) on this post and update when my I need a short break from reading.

Good Luck to all that are participating!!!

My Plan:
*Getting up at my usual time (5-6 am)
*Try to complete my daily computer tasks before 8am, which when it starts here in New England.
*Have plenty of coffee on hand with maybe some toothpicks to keep the eyes opened lol.
*Read-I will be starting with my current read, an ARC from The Story Plant–Spread The Word Initiative,  Betty’s (Little Basement) Garden by Laurel Dewey (450 pages).

Updates:
06 am:  Murphy’s Law–Never fails..I sign up for a read-a-thon and RL interferes.  Woke up 30 min late and with one of those annoyng situations where an eyelash is stuck inside your eyelid causing pain and interference with reading.  Hopefully it will work it’s way out with the  application of eye drops.  Plus my spin cycle on washing machine is not working so have reapirman coming at 11am.

10:30am:  Still haven’t been able to start reading due to an above.  Have been putting in drops to flush it out and can’t.   HELP!!   Any suggestions?

2pm:  WooHoo…finally started reading at 11am.  Straining, still painful and a little blurry but I AM reading!!!  Had to get up and do something so I wouldn’t doze off.   Hubby is running errands so he is on a Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee run for me!!  Making progress with the book I am reading, slower than usual due to the eye, but making progress.  Starting point was 36% (Kindle…why can’t they have made page numbers?).  Since I have time to make up…going back to the recliner to read.  TTYS!!   GL all.

5:30pm:  Still at it.  Had to take a couple of walks around the house though.  The eyes are getting heavy, but then they didn’t start off that great.  Plus the weather seems to be changing here in New England, well at least that is what my back is telling me.  So the past 1/2 hour or so, am having trouble getting comfortable due to pain.  Been munching on grapes. pretzels, grapefruit fruit cup and a few twizzlers.  Still reading Betty’s (Little Basment) Garden.  Not sure what page (Kindle) but am at 72%.   I am determined to finish this!!!  I just hope my eyes heard that  lol.

9pm:  Had to take an hour breather.  On phone, taking care of some Partners In Crime Tours business but am headed back to read.  Ohhhhh…how I remember those all nighters while in college, the problem is, that was a long, long time ago  lol.  Not sure when age is going to kick in tonight lol.

Thank you to those that have stopped by and left encouraging comments and being cheerleaders!!

3:00am:  Finished reading or should I say had to stop.   Fell asleep. Almost, but not quite made it.  However did finish reading Betty’s (Little Basement) Garden by Laurel Dewey and started Permanence by Vincent Zandri.

7:30am:  Wrap Up Post
**Which hour was most daunting for you?
My tough periods were around 4-5pm yesterday and then around 2:am.

**Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
Since I only completed 1 book, I will have to say the one I finished.  I am sure there were bloggers that finished multiple books, but I only finished one.  Either due to that I am a slow reader, it was a large book, or the eye incident slowed me down.

**Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Since this was my first time participating in this Read-A-Thon, I have nothing to compare it to for improvements.  Personally,  I will need to start on time, plan better for snacking, stadegy and being able to do the mini challenges.  I only did one since I didn’t know the procedure. 

**What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
Nothing to compare to so will say everything.  I really appreciated those that stopped by with encouraging comments.  Thanks for cheering me on!!!!

**How many books did you read?
Finished one and began another.

**What were the names of the books you read?
Betty’s (Little Basement) Garden by Laurel Dewey and Permanence by Vincent Zandri (started)

**Which book did you enjoy most?
Since I only finished one, it would have to be that one.

**How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
100%.  Sign me up!!  Since this was was my first time participating, I do have a question.  Is this a Read-A-Thon annually or biannually?  It was fun knowing that so many people were reading all over the world at the same time in an organized manner.  Awesome!!  

Great job from the hosts and cheerleaders!!  Thank you for all your hard work!!

Its Day 2 of The Mystery Read-A-Thon.  I didn’t make the goal yesterday but am hoping I come close to the 6 hours today.
We are now about to start the second day of our Read-a-Thon, and I felt it’s probably about time for an update.

How are you getting on?
  Unfortunately I read only for 3 hours yesterday…and that was a struggle.  My eyes and body were craving sleep, after being up so early due to the situation, and I finally gave in.
Are you getting as much reading done as you were hoping?
  The answer is no. Was disappointed since this was the 1st ever weekend challenge I signed up for.  But family is always my priority above all
Do you feel you will read a total of 12 hours or is that going to be a struggle?
  Don’t think I will make the 12 hours but will try to get more reading in today.
Or maybe you’ll end up reading for more than 12 hours?
  Don’t think so.
Write a bit about your reading experience so far, and share it with us by posting your link in the comment box.
  I was very much looking forward to this Read-A-Thon and had goals in mind.  However, due to the events of yestereday that did not happen.  It would have been fun but family should always be a priority.  And because of my family dynamics’, I had to spend that many hours in the ER.  I am just thankful that my Mom had no serious injuries from her fall.  Hoping there will be more Mystery Read-A-Thons this year.

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading !!