Spring's Serenity Read-a-thon - 1st update

Like I said in my opening post, I am going to keep you guys updated with what I read each day.  Today (Monday) I read Pride & Prejudice.  Got most of the third section done for TuesBookTalk (#tuesbooktalk on twitter), but still have about an hour's worth of reading to do before I am finished that section.  I just hope the nerves don't get to me so that I can't complete it for the chat later that night (I am planning on not watching the game on CBC and only get updates through a score box that I have on my igoogle page) or that I am not too drunk to complete the chat (may have a couple of drinks to make sure that I am not too nervous, but one isn't always guaranteed of that).  I found it enjoyable and fairly light to read. 

I don't know what I am going to read on my bus ride tomorrow, but I hope to read The Last Queen and get as much as I can get done before Wednesday, when I have access to a vehicle.  So basically I will probably be burying myself in that particular book for as long as I can tomorrow.  Anyways, I am really tired and needing to get to bed and some sleep.

Spring's Serenity Read-a-thon - Opening post

I am participating in Spring's Serenity read-a-thon hosted by The True Book Addict. It runs from April 25 (today) until May 1.  You can sign up here and post your opening post here.  

As for my reads this week, I plan on reading Pride and Prejudice, Outlander, The Last Queen, War & Peace and probably a couple others which are much lighter than those reads.  I will post another one at the end of the day to mention what I read, which hopefully will pretty much everything that I have said I will read.

Happy reading.

Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs

Title: Deja Dead
Author: Kathy Reichs
Published: 1997
Pages: 411
Genre: Fiction, Suspense
Rating: 4/5

Dr. Temperance "Tempe" Brennan spends her days in the autopsy suite, the courtroom, the crime lab, with cops, and at exhumation sites. Often her long days turn into harrowing nights.

It's June in Montreal, and Tempe, who has left a shaky marriage back home in North Carolina to take on the challenging assignment of director of forensic anthropology for the province of Quebec, looks forward to a relaxing weekend.

First, though, she must stop at a newly uncovered burial site in the heart of the city. One look at the decomposed and decapitated corpse, stored neatly in plastic bags, tells her she'll spend the weekend in the crime lab. This is homicide of the worst kind. To begin to find some answers, Tempe must first identify the victim. Who is this person with the reddish hair and a small bone structure? (via Goodreads)

Thoughts: I read this book a few years ago because I had started to watch the show Bones and found out that there were a series of books that had the same female character and was intrigued.  I read it and enjoyed it immensely, not only because it was a good story, but that it was set in a city that I was somewhat familiar with.  And when I picked it up again this time around, I wasn't disappointed.  In fact, I probably enjoyed the book more this time because I was able to catch details that I hadn't caught before.  If you enjoy suspense type books and if you like the TV series Bones, you probably will enjoy the book.  It should be noted that the book doesn't at all resemble the show.

6174 / 15000 pages. 41% done!

Blood, Bones, and Butter - Gabrielle Hamilton

Title: Blood, Bones and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef
Author: Gabrielle Hamilton
Published: 2011
Pages: 304
Genre: Memoir, Non-fiction
Rating: 4/5

In a sense, Blood, Bones & Butter is a memoir set in kitchens and dining rooms. Gabrielle Hamilton grew up in the food business (her father still owns a restaurant in Lambertville, New Jersey) and many of her memories waft back to her family's grand parties and elaborate food preparations. A professional dishwasher at twelve, Gabrielle graduated to catering and cooking; now she owns her own restaurant, the critically acclaimed East Village Prune. By every evidence, she can write as well as she can cook; her memoir earned designation as a "Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Books" selection for Summer 2011. (via Goodreads)


Thoughts:  I really liked this book, with the exception of a few spots where the writing was iffy, it was a really written book and I really enjoyed it.  It was one of the few memoirs that you could tell that the person who had decided on doing the memoir had actually written it and wasn't written by a professional writer, but instead by somebody who really cared about getting their story out in a way that they understood.    I haven't read a lot of food memoirs, but this one I felt like I was actually tasting the food and smelling and seeing Italy during July.  Highly recommended.

5763 / 15000 pages. 38% done!

A Promise to Believe In - Tracie Peterson

Title: A Promise to Believe In
Author: Tracie Peterson
Pages: 384
Published: 2008
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction
Rating: 4.5/5

Gwen, Beth, and Lacy Gallatin fashion a life for themselves in the Montana wilds, operating a roadhouse that is located at the crossroads of two major stage lines. When their father is accidentally killed, the oldest sister, Gwen, reasons that she's cursed. After all, death seems to haunt her: her mother, now her father...and she was married for a mere ten days before her husband died from a bout of measles.
As Gwen and her sisters struggle to maintain the inn on their own, an unexpected visitor adds to the mayhem. Hank Bishop claims to be searching for something in the possession of Gwen's late husband. But mayhem of another sort builds in Gwen's heart as she finds a growing attraction to this man. Can she dare to hope that love might again be hers? (via Goodreads)

Thoughts: I really liked this, except for a moment near the end of the book which had one moment which was very cheesy and threw off the remaining 10 or so pages.  It was nice easy read and the story was going along very smoothly until the moment near the end of the book, which seemed to be rushed and hurried along.  I really enjoy Peterson's books, and she is one of the few Christian writers that I will read, and can only hope that the remaining 2 books in the series don't have the same rushed ending that is cheesy.

5459 / 15000 pages. 36% done!

The Swan Maiden - Jules Watson

Title: The Swan Maiden
Author: Jules Watson
Pages: 540
Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Rating: 3/5

In this lush, romantic retelling of one of the most enduring Irish legends, acclaimed Celtic historical author Jules Watson reignites the tale of Deirdre—the Irish Helen of Troy—in a story that is at once magical, beautiful, and tragic.

She was born with a blessing and a curse: that she would grow into a woman of extraordinary beauty—and bring ruin to the kingdom of Ulster and its ruler, the wily Conor. Ignoring the pleadings of his druid to expel the infant, King Conor secrets the girl child with a poor couple in his province, where no man can covet her. There, under the tutelage of a shamaness, Deirdre comes of age in nature and magic…. And in the season of her awakening, the king is inexorably drawn to her impossible beauty.

But for Deirdre, her fate as a man’s possession is worse than death. And soon the green-eyed girl, at home in waterfall and woods, finds herself at the side of three rebellious young warriors. Among them is the handsome Naisi. His heart charged with bitterness toward the aging king, and growing in love for the defiant girl, Naisi will lead Deirdre far from Ulster—and into a war of wits, swords, and spirit that will take a lifetime to wage. (via Goodreads)


Thoughts: I read this book for challenge on Goodreads and it took me awhile to finish the book.  IT was slow and seemed to not move the story quickly enough for my liking, but partly the reason I felt the way I did was due to the fact that I wasn't reading the book exclusively and once I did, I was able to get into the book more quickly.  But that being said, it did feel like it took a long time to get to the crux of the book and to have any sort of significant action.  Overall, it was a pretty good book, but not something that I would read again.

5075 / 15000 pages. 34% done!

24 Hour Readathon Final Update

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 24
Final total of pages read since you started: 423
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1
Final total of time spent reading since you started: 17 hrs

I am exhausted.  I am going to bed and get some sleep, but before I do, one last mini-challenge:

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Hour 23
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Pride & Prejudice.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? There should be more cheerleaders and that they should really take the time to visit the blogs that are participating
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Waking up early and reading a really light book for the first few hours.
5. How many books did you read? 3
6. What were the names of the books you read? Pride and Prejudice; Blood, bones, and butter; Deja Dead
7. Which book did you enjoy most? Blood, bones and butter
8. Which did you enjoy least? Deja Dead (mainly because it took me a while for me to get into the story)
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?  Likely; depends on what is happening during that time of year.  Probably as a reader.

Will hopefully post a wrap up post in the next 12 hours or so.

24 Hour Readathon Update 16

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 39
Running total of pages read since you started: 399
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 16 hrs


I have reached the final hour.  True there have been times I have rested my eyes for a bit or done something else in order to reach this point, but for the most part I have read.  I am so exhausted and I just want to sleep, but I want to make it to the bitter end.  And somehow I will get myself to that point.  Onwards and upwards....

24 Hour Readathon Update 15

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 39
Running total of pages read since you started: 360
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 15 hrs

Last hour was my best hour in a long time; seems I got a rush and got into the book again.  I suppose it doesn't help that the book is getting close to being finished.  Definitely an interesting read, once one gets past all the technical stuff.  2 hours left and then I can get some sleep.  Onwards and upwards....

24 Hour Readathon Update 14

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 14
Running total of pages read since you started: 321
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 15 hrs

Fell asleep for about 30 min, but still managed to do some reading.  I am really struggling to finish this off.  I am going to try to just read one chapter for the remaining hours in the readathon.  Can't wait to get some sleep.  Onwards and upwards....

24 Hour Readathon Update 14

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 28
Running total of pages read since you started: 307
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 14 hrs

I can't believe I have made it this far!  Its now hour 21 and I am still feeling fairly good, despite having a few moments of feeling as thought I could fall asleep.  For those of you who are still at it, if you can do something that will keep you up and reading, you will be amazed that you will likely make it.  Think of this: the end is now in sight.  You can do it!  Continue with the awesome work and onwards and upwards....

24 Hour Readathon Update 13

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 13
Running total of pages read since you started: 279
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 13 hrs


Even though it took me about 15-20 minutes to get into my reading again, I managed to read a little bit.  Judging from what I can listen to between 1 and 4 am pacific, I believe I can make it to the bitter end.  And I can't believe I just said that!  And that is despite a 6 hour absence!  I suppose that 6 hour hiatus helped, but I think that even if I hadn't taken the 6 hour break, I probably would have been able to do it. And makes me think that I can do it the next time I participate, depending on what is going on during the Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada (ours is in early October).  If not, I will probably try to do the feat next April.  This readathon is so addictive!  Anyways, onwards and upwards....

24 Hour Readathon Update 12

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 0
Running total of pages read since you started: 266
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 0
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 12 hrs


I am finally back and am ready to get going again.  It really didn't matter as to what the outcome of the game was going to be, I was going to read either way.  Anyways,  I am back and am ready to get back at it.

24 Hour Readathon Update 11

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 18
Running total of pages read since you started: 266
Amount of time spent reading since last update: about 1 hour
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 12 hrs


This will be either my last post for this readathon or the last one for a bit; I really don't know which, all depends on how I feel after the Canucks game.  If the Canucks win, I will probably be riding a high and will want to go until ending time.  If they lose,  I may still want to go; it just depends on bad the loss is.  But I guess it all depends on how I tired I am by the time I get home.  So for now,  good-bye and the best of luck.  Keep reading those books :)

24 Hour Readathon Update 10

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 22
Running total of pages read since you started: 248
Amount of time spent reading since last update: about 1 hour
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 11 hrs


I can't believe that I have made it to the half-way point!   And my energy is about zapped and I can't wait to take a nice long break and enjoy myself this evening.  I am going to do one more hour for sure, but I am really getting at the end of my rope and I can hardly concentrate.  On more hour.....

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? Deja Dead
2. How many books have you read so far? Two
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? I'm ending at the end of hour 12
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? it worked out
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I had one; knew it was coming; just dealt with it and continued reading
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? how much one gets into a rhythm reading a book
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Maybe start it a little earlier; 5 am on the West Coast is a little too early for my liking.
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Not schedule as many books to read
9. Are you getting tired yet? A little
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? Getting outside, even for a few minutes, and seeing something different helps quite a bit.  Drinking coffee may help keep one awake, but it does make one pee.  Also, if you read a lighter book at the start of the day, it helps with the readaing rhythm.

24 Hour Readathon Update 9

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 14
Running total of pages read since you started: 236
Amount of time spent reading since last update: about 1 hour
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 10 hrs

It seems that when I start a new book, the flow and the rhythm that I gained is lost.  I am starting to get it back again, but it sometimes it is difficult due to the content of the book, especially if it is rather dense.  2 more hours and then I need to get ready.  Food helped; feel much better and have a bit more energy than last hour.  Onwards and upwards.....

24 Hour Readathon Update 8

Currently reading: Deja Dead
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 29
Running total of pages read since you started: 222
Amount of time spent reading since last update: about 1 hour
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 9 hrs

Got some food from Wendy's; hopefully it will be a pick-up for the next 3 hours before I need to go and get ready for a party tonight.  Onwards and upwards....

24 Hour Readathon Update 7

Currently reading: Blood, Bones & Blood
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 32
Running total of pages read since you started: 193
Amount of time spent reading since last update: about 1 hour
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 8 hrs


Seems I really want to finish this book and am really engaged in it.  I read more than I expected due to making lunch, etc.   I starting to feel a little tired and like I need a nap!  But I probably need a decent lunch; soup was watered down too much and threw out the last of it.  I will likely make some eggs in the next hour in order to get some decent food in my system.  I feel like I am running on fumes at the moment.  Onwards and upwards....

24 Hour Readathon Update 6

Currently reading: Blood, Bones & Blood
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update:20
Running total of pages read since you started: 161
Amount of time spent reading since last update: about 1 hour
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 7 hrs

Am starting to feel the effects of the 8th hour.  I am slowing down with the reading and am starting to concentrate on other things, despite the book being so deliciously good; the author's descriptions are amazing and is making my mouth water with all the food she is describing.  Its amazing how a good/excellent writer can make a book speed by at break neck pace that you don't really recognize that the book is coming to an end.  For those that are wondering what the 1 book read means, it just means that I have completed the section of the book that I need to read, not necessarily that I have read the book.  For my sake, I am saying that I have completed the book.  Anyways,  onwards and upwards....

24 Hour Readathon Update 5

Currently reading: Blood, Bones & Blood
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 29
Running total of pages read since you started: 141
Amount of time spent reading since last update: about 1 hour
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 6 hrs

Can't believe I am on Hour 7!  The hours are just flying as I read and listen to podcasts.  While it hasn't been a straight read, its been pretty close.  I am surprised at how much I am able to concentrate and focus on the book that I am currently reading.  There might just be a chance that once I get back from my party, that I will continue with the readathon (chances are very likely it will happen).   I think in part it has to do with the fact that I have had a few days in the weeks leading up to the readathon where I did nothing but read, basically building up my reading stamina so that I can do this.  I feel really good, at the moment and feel as though if I weren't going to the party tonight, I really could do it for 24 hours straight, with some coffee pit stops in the wee hours of the morning.  Upwards and onwards....

24 Hour Readathon Update 4

Currently reading: Blood, Bones & Blood
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 22
Running total of pages read since you started: 112
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1 hour
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 5 hrs

Rolling, rolling, rolling...keep those books rolling....  I am starting to get a tad tired after being up for 5 hours and doing nothing but the same thing; think its time to break out the snacks.  I am hoping to finish my current read sometime during the readathon.  Then again I hope to read W & P sometime before 5 pm....

24 Hour Readathon Update 3

Currently reading: Blood, Bones & Blood
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 50
Running total of pages read since you started: 90
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 2 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 4 hrs

Starting to get into the rhythm of the readathon.  Had some breakfast; will continue drinking coffee and probably have some snacks in about a hour or so.   Onwards and upwards....

24 Hour Readathon Update 2

Currently reading: Pride & Prejudice
Number of books read since you started: 0
Pages read since last update: 12
Running total of pages read since you started: 40
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 45 min
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2 hrs

Eyes are starting to get a little buggy, but the coffee is helping.  Should get some breakfast, but want to finish my section for the #tuesbookclub before going onto another book for a couple of hours.  Onwards and upwards.

24 Hour Readathon Update 1

Currently reading: Pride & Prejudice
Number of books read since you started: 0
Pages read since last update: 28
Running total of pages read since you started: 28
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 30 min
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 1 hr

I plan on updating every hour so as to keep you updated with what is going on.  I have seemed to get the facebook stuff out of the way, at least for the next 45 min or so.  While I would like to not be on facebook all day, I just can't; the apps are too darn addictive, although I have made sure that most of the stuff that I am doing doesn't have be attended to for the next 12 hours or so, so as not to interrupt my reading too much.  Onto the next hour and see you in about 45 min.

1)Where are you reading from today? Abbotsford, BC
2)Three random facts about me… Lived in Brazil for 2 years, have a degree in history, younger sister was born in Brazil
3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 7 or 8
4)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)? My goal is 12; 11 to go.
5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time? do if for fun.

24 Hour Readathon Opening post

Good morning.  I realize that this is a little late, but whatever.  Its really early out here on the west coast (about 5:30 am).  I started at 5 am, but have been caught up with facebook stuff.  ugh.  I need to get off for the day, but somehow can't.  LOL! I am starting off the day with P&P, at least for the first two hours.  After that I have no clue, but I will probably read something off of the list that I posted last night.  Good luck all!

24 Hour Readathon

In about 7 hours the 24 readathon will commence (5 am Pacific).  This is one time I wouldn't mind being out east for the start.  I am planning only doing it for about 12 hours, as I am going to a party in the evening and I will be very tired once I get home.

I am planning on reading:
• Harry Potter #3
• Bones, Blood, & Butter
• War & Peace (the P&V translation)
• Deja Dead
• A Vision in White
• Pride & Prejudice

I got some food (mostly easy foods that are in jars and packages and I have Coke in the fridge for a pick me up in the afternoon) and I have lunch that can be microwaved or just thrown into a bowl.  Breakfast will likely be something like Cherrios, toast and coffee, as I don't want to be spending time making something like eggs, which require one to be at the stove watching them.  I will get my dishes done while I sleep.  Anything else will have to wait.  I have music/podcasts to help me with reading and maybe I will have the Masters on as I read to help with the noise.

I also plan to work on Facebook stuff as I read to keep my mind sharp, when I might need it.

I will be going to bed as soon as my movie is over or as soon as I can get the dishes into the dishwasher.