Dewey's Reverse Readathon - Reading Plans/Updates

Frankly, I love the reverse readathon because it starts at night. I'm a night owl by nature. Definitely not a morning person. 

My reading plans...books in the image below. The writing group I'm a member of (Heart Breathings) is having an online writing retreat this weekend so I may join in on some sprints. 

Stealing an update template (idea) from Melissa at Must Read Faster, but I'm terrible at updating. We'll see how it goes.

All my progress below and here's the...

Closing Survey

1. How many books did you read during this readathon? Did you have any favorites?

Less than one 😒
2. How many books did you finish?

Big. Fat. Zero.
3. Did you accomplish your goals for this readathon?

Nope. This is a promising survey...
4. How did your snacks and meals work out? Are there things you would change about the food and beverages side of your readathon for next time?

I just ate what I usually do. I'm boring.
5. Did you enjoy this readathon? What was the most successful part of your readathon? What would you change for next time?

Even though my performance is usually less than stellar, I always enjoy the readathons. Of course, I would change not reading a lot. lol
6. Will you be continuing your readathon reading past the end of our official readathon?

I want to at least finish Dracul tonight, and then get started on the others. 

Block 1 8pm-10pm

Book:
Pages:
Notes: family crisis so no reading was done. 😟

Block 2 10pm-12am

Book: Dracul by Dacre Stoker
Pages: 30
Notes: I'm a slow reader.

Block 3 12am-2am

Book:

Pages:

Notes: Had to work

Block 4 2am-4am

Book: Dracul

Pages: 49

Notes: Probably going to go to bed during the next block. Will pick up again in the morning.

Block 5 4am-6am

Book: Dracul    

Pages: 14

Notes: I made it less than 30 minutes in. Had to go to bed.

Block 6 6am-8am

Book:

Pages:

Notes:

Block 7 8am-10am

Book:

Pages:

Notes:

Block 8 10am-12pm

Book: Dracul

Pages: 18

Notes: only read from 11-12

Block 9 12pm-2pm

Book: Dracul

Pages: 9

Notes: took a nap. My readathon game is weak. lol

Block 10 2pm-4pm

Book: Dracul

Pages: 36

Notes: another nap. I really wish I could stop falling asleep when I'm reading.

Block 11 4pm-6pm

Book: Dracul

Pages: 25

Notes: I only read between 5-6

Final Block 12 6pm-8pm

Book: Dracul

Pages: 32

Notes: like I said earlier, my readathon game is weak. lol

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

Dewey's 24-Hour Readathon - October 2022

My reading stack...

Closing Survey

How would you assess your reading overall? Not too bad. I actually read more than I have on previous readathons.
Did you have a strategy, and if so, did you stick to it?  Nope, and nope. 
What was your favorite snack?  Oatmeal cranberry white chocolate cookies and Lofthouse sugar cookies

Full update below. Scroll down.

Mid-Event Survey

What are you reading right now?  Once by James Herbert
How many books have you read so far? One
What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the readathon? 

Hoping I will get to Snow by Ronald Malfi, but just starting the book I was most looking forward to in the opening survey. lol
Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?  

Interruptions happen. I've grown to accept this. Plus, I'm famous for getting distracted and frittering time away so interruptions never surprise me.

Opening Survey

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?  Mt Pleasant, Michigan
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?  Once by James Herbert
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?  Cranberry white chocolate cookies
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!  Mom, Avid Reader, Writer, Cat Lover, Witch, FREETHINKER, Owner of a massive library  ☽〇☾

Updating here and on Instagram (@truebookaddict) and possibly Facebook.

Updates

Currently reading: 

In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt (finished before mid-event)

Reading a bit of this (one or two chapters) 

and then...

I had to concede defeat before 7:00 am. Dashing this off, and going to sleep...until the Lions game comes on at 1:00 pm. lol

I read In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt (218 pages)

Once by James Herbert (200 of 382 pages)

I'll take it! I plan to continue reading later today, while the game is on, and beyond. 

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon - Spring 2022

I'm a bit late to the party. What else is new? Hoping to get to three books today to finish out April with a bang. Oh, that could be possibly four if I finish my audiobook as well.

What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

Mt Pleasant, Michigan

Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
Hoping to get to Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Which snack are you most looking forward to?

Deep fried Oreos (but not really deep fried) in the air fryer

Tell us a little something about yourself!

I'm a witch, a cat lover, champion procrastinator, a writer, and my home library numbers in the thousands (I'm talking around 5,000 or so).

If you participated in the last readathon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first readathon, what are you most looking forward to?

I always say read more, but I never seem to accomplish that. Maybe this will be the one!

What I'm reading/plan to read:

All Things Cease to Appear by Elizabeth Brundage

Mastering Witchcraft by Paul Huson

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham (audio)

 

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

24-Hour Readathon October 2021

UPDATES

Opening Event Survey

Yes, I'm doing this at 12:30 pm. I got up late today. Go figure!

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? Mt Pleasant, Michigan, USA
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I'm really enjoying Mexican Gothic, but I would love to get to Tomb of Gods and Those Who Came Before.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? I have a Cadbury Caramello bar stashed for later. Right now, I'm drinking Dunkin' pumpkin spice coffee...yum!
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I always bite off more than I can chew, but that's just my unending enthusiasm. I'm a baby witch. I LOVE cats. I have a home library with over 4000 books.
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? I never do anything differently for readathon. lol

*************

Here it is again...and I'm diving in. Don't know if I'll start at 8:00 am, and I do have to work a few hours, but still going to make an attempt. 

Reading plans

Finish Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Catch up on Blood Countess for the Something Wicked Fall read-along

Tomb of Gods by Brian Moreland

Those Who Came Before by J.H. Moncrief

(hoping to read both of the books above...yeah, overly ambitious)

Going to listen to Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian while I'm working (maybe) It's 14 hours long so I realize I won't finish it.

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon - April 2021

This is the year! I have completely cleared my schedule this time. No work. No movie theater or going out to eat. Staying home and getting my read on! I have a nice batch of unhealthy snacks (yes, I'm indulging myself) and a fantastic reading stack. I just wish I wasn't such a slow reader. I know I have no hope of getting through them all, but one can dream. Right? Oh, and I'm also limiting time on social media big time. I'll be updating mostly on Instagram (or Facebook). May not even open my computer...just use my phone. 

So, here's my stack...

And here's my snacks...

Are you participating this year? If so, good luck to you. May the reading gods look on us favorably.

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon - Fall 2020

I don't think I'm getting up at 8:00 am to start...but you never know. 

My reading has been less than stellar of late because of moving in August and STILL unpacking and shelving BOOKS. Don't get me wrong. I love my books, but this has been a lot. Incidentally, I'm never planning to move again. 

Here's what I'm planning to read...

...while trying to catch up on this...

If you're joining in as well, good luck...and happy reading!

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

Dewey’s 24-Hour #Readathon - Tomorrow!

Get all the readathon details here

I have cleared my schedule this year for the readathon. Plus, with social distancing, I'll not be going anywhere so this just might be a success. That being said, I'm not getting overly ambitious with my reading goals. My main focus will be to finish this book...

If I finish that one, I'll start on this one...

I'll be updating on Instagram. Also, on Goodreads in my Seasons of Reading group. My Spring into Horror Readathon is going on right now through April 30th.

I'll post my wrap-up here on the blog...if I don't flake. You never know with me.

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon

Once again, the 24 hour readathon is upon us. I'm not going to make any solid plans, as I know I won't be reading the entire 24 hours. We shall see how it goes. I'm going to see Countdown today. When I get back, reading time!

Here's my stack. I also have some eBooks and I might listen to some of an audio book I've been listening to...

Here's the opening survey, even though I won't be reading until later.

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? USA, Nashville, Tennessee
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Full Dark, No Stars, Stephen King
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? I'll be getting my snacks while I'm out today. I've been watching my eating (down 22 pounds in 5 weeks) so I won't be indulging too much. 
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I'm a mom of two boys 17 and 16 years old, cat lover, writer, virtual assistant, owner of a massive home library (3000+ books).
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? Not really sure. I can't remember what I did last time. lol

Happy Reading!

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

A Reading Life (52) - April #reading plans, #readathons and short #reviews

April already and it's readathon time! My Spring into Horror Readathon (at Seasons of Reading) is in full swing, going on the whole month of April, and today it's time for Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon. Last time I participated in October, I didn't have any plans on Saturday so I was able to do the whole 24 hours (well, I stayed home anyway...I didn't manage to read for 24 hours). This time is a different story because I'm going to see Pet Sematary. So excited! I still should be able to get some good reading time in though.

Before I get to my readathon reading plans, let me share what I read in March. I managed to read three full books! Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith, Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (audio), and The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. I'm still working on Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars and Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake.

My brief thoughts on my March reads...

Joy in the Morning

My mom told me many years ago I needed to read this. Can't believe I waited so long. Wonderful book. Annie was such a great character. A lot of her traits reminded me of myself. The way her mind worked; her sense of optimism, and she was a book lover and writer. This book was just a comfort to read, and though it wasn't a "can't put down" thriller type of book, I still found myself wanting to keep reading each time I picked it up.

Challenges read for:

Book Challenge by Erin 10.0

Northanger Abbey

Not my favorite Austen, but definitely worth a read for any Austen fan. Austen had a knack for writing duplicitous characters. Isabella Thorpe, I'm looking at you. I loved all the references to the Gothic novels of the time.

Challenges read for:

Book Challenge by Erin 10.0

The Classics Club

The Miniaturist

If you're a reader who often finds yourself unable to read the book before the movie (or series) is released, take my advice. Never ever let yourself be satisfied with just watching the movie (or series), as excellent as it may be. There's a chance you will miss out if you do. I'm sure many already know this, but it bears repeating. The BBC limited series based on this book was indeed excellent. Yet the book was so much more. The writing brought vividly to mind the scenes, and the characters had so much depth. Based on the real Petronella Oortman (Brandt), the story was fictional, but the large cabinet/doll's house portrayed in the story was one the real Petronella possessed, and one she lavished much money and attention upon. The dollhouse has been on display in the Rijksmuseum Museum in Amsterdam since 1875 (image below). This will always be a memorable historical fiction read for me.

Challenges Read for:

Book Challenge by Erin 10.0

April Reading/Readathon Plans

The #Bookjar and Random Reading Projects are again on hold this month because I'm in the final stretch of  Book Challenge by Erin 10.0 which ends on April 30. I have five books to read to complete the challenge. With the readathons going on, I think I can do it. I hope!

Horror/scary reads for Spring into Horror

Necroscope by Brian Lumley

Florence and Giles by John Harding

The King of Bones and Ashes by J.D. Horn (currently reading)

Good Omens by Gaiman/Pratchett (audio - currently listening)

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

Non-scary

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Scapegoat by Daphne Du Maurier (April selection for True Book Talk)

The Twelve Caesars (continue on with)

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (continue on with) 

What's going on in your reading life?

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon #FrightFall #SomethingWickedFall

This will probably be my only post here on the blog for the readathon. I will be updating mostly on Facebook (including in the Seasons of Reading group), Instagram and Twitter.

I'm keeping it scary to go along with my FrightFall Readathon, which is still going on through the end of the month, and with the R.I.P. challenge.

• First, I want to finish The Narrows (Ronald Malfi) and read the 100 page section for the Something Wicked This Way Comes (Ray Bradbury) read-along

Then I will pick and choose from this list of books:

• A Head Full of Ghosts, Paul Tremblay
• The Bank of the River, Michael Richan
• Bird Box, Josh Malerman
• The Vampire Armand, Anne Rice
• Shirley: A Novel, Susan Scarf Merrell

Also, perhaps some short stories by these authors:

• Poe
• Lovecraft
• Shirley Jackson
• Algernon Blackwood
• M.R. James 
• Ralph Adams Cram

Getting to know you survey:
1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? Nashville, Tennessee
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Not really sure...probably A Head Full of Ghosts.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?  I have to go out today so will buy my snacks then. Going to see HALLOWEEN!!! (I'm excited. Can you tell?)  I'm not sure but hoping for some nice chips.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I'm an avid reader, very active in the online book blogging/reading community, and master procrastinator. I have two teen sons and two cat daughters, and I'm working on a novel.
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? I doubt I'll do anything differently. I don't know...perhaps try not to fail miserably. lol

Good luck and happy reading to all!!!

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

Dewey’s 24-Hour #Readathon - Wrap-Up and Closing Survey

I'm pretty proud of myself this time around. As I mentioned in my reading plans post, I was able to stay home for the entire readathon. However, I still only managed to read a total of 9 hours. Still, I did some time on social media, participated in a few of the mini-challenges AND I read a whole book! 418 pages to be exact. I haven't read a whole book in a day (less than a day) in many, many years.

I read The Ritual by Adam Nevill (so good!). I also kept track of hours (minutes) read and pages read.

Closing Survey!

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? 

Definitely Hour 24!

2. Tell us ALLLLL the books you read!

Like I said above, one book, but that's pretty darn good for me in a 24 hour period (actually 9 hours total). That book was The Ritual by Adam Nevill.

3. Which books would you recommend to other Read-a-thoners?

If you like horror, I highly recommend The Ritual (see above). There is a movie adaptation on Netflix that is pretty darn good too, but as usual, the book is much better.

4. What’s a really rad thing we could do during the next Read-a-thon that would make you smile?

I can't really think of anything, but I will say that I was really pleased with the mini-challenge format this time. So nice to be able to participate in them at our leisure during the entire readathon. Thank you!

5. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? Would you be interested in volunteering to help organize and prep? 

Very likely to participate again. 

I would volunteer, but since I have my own readathon blog/group, Seasons of Reading, from which I host four month long seasonal readathons and two special two week readathons yearly, I've got my hands pretty full.


Thanks for the fun! See you next time in October!

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

Dewey’s 24-Hour #Readathon #SpringHorror

I am VERY excited this year because this will be the first year I will stay home for the ENTIRE 24 hours! Woot!

Here is everything I'm planning to read/try to read.

Since my Spring into Horror Readathon is still going on through Monday, it's all about the scary. Plus, scary books are always great at keeping the eyes open. lol

I'm not doing special snacks this time. Just normal things I usually eat like honey peanut butter, popcorn, high fiber brownies, yogurt, sugar-free lemonade and coffee. I'm also going to make this cake...

Hungry Girl

Low Calorie 2-Ingredient Pineapple Bliss Cake 

I will probably be updating on Facebook and Twitter mostly, and will wrap up here. I will also be interacting in my Seasons of Reading Readathons Facebook group. Come join us if you're on Facebook. 

Go here to learn more about Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon.

Happy Reading!

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon - Oh well...

Another one in the books. As usual, I fell short of my goal, but I still enjoyed the journey. I was gone for half the day...finally settled in with Ronald Malfi's Bone White around 12 am with a nice pot of pumpkin spice coffee. Made it until five am having read about 200 pages. I participated in a few mini-challenges and visited several blogs. I always look at it as an adventure...to see how far I can make it each time. I'm hoping one of these times I will be able to stay home for the entire readathon. Maybe next time.

Closing Survey!
1. Which hour was most daunting for you? 

5 am...couldn't stay awake no matter how much coffee I had consumed.
2. Tell us ALLLLL the books you read!

2/3 of Bone White by Ronald Malfi (6 hours of reading).
3. Which books would you recommend to other Read-a-thoners?

I can tell this is another great one by Malfi so I would recommend it.
4. What’s a really rad thing we could do during the next Read-a-thon that would make you smile?

I can't really think of anything.
5. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? Would you be interested in volunteering to help organize and prep?

I will always participate...in the hopes that some day again, as I have in the past, I will at least finish one book. 

Never miss a post!

* indicates required

Email Address *