The Read A Thon Progress Report (and Mini Challenges)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)37 Comments

Hi all!  This is the post I will use for Read A Thon updates from me as well as any Mini Challenges I partake in.  The newest info will be towards the top of this post.  😀

Also, I am reading for Camp Benedict today, a camp for people infected and affected by AIDS.  I am donating 10 cents for each page I read and $1.00 for every ten minutes of audio I listen to.  If you would like to sponsor me for this wonderful cause, I would be humbled and appreciate your support. 

Check in at 12:00 am:  (hour 18)

Hey all, I guess “Good morning” is in order here.  I have had a pretty good day, finished an audio and a half, a book, an update on my Jane Eyre read a long….  and still going.

A quick little update for the Dewey Readathon site, they asked if we had any reading companions.  I do…. Sam (left) and Bailey:

 

The other question was – about reading for charity and yes I am.  The link is above. 🙂

Check in at 10:00 Pm:  (hour 16)

Wow…. hour 16.  I kind of feel like a rock star!  I started an hour earlier than I need to so I could make up for a commitment I had today and so other than about three hours I have been with the read-a-thon one way or another (reading, commenting, mini challenging…). 

For the past two hours I have read – NOTHING.  I know that is sad.  After dinner and hubby went to bed I sat down and worked a few mini challenges, came up with a bonus giveaway for those still reada thoning, commented on all those who created posts for my mini challenge, and yeah… thats it. 

But – I have not given up and the books are calling so after this update…. really, I am going to read.  Really.  Why do you doubt me? 

Stella asked us to find a picture that somehow describes or reminds you of your current read.  Since I am currently in Jane Eyre, I think if the mansion:

When I think of the place that Jane worked and lived I imagine it big and totally "explore worthy" like this building here. From http://merchantcircle.com/ website

For Bluestockings challenge, she asked that we talk about the books that we love to re-read.  Now if you know me, blame Bluestocking because I know I gush about certain “Forever” books those I love (but hardly ever have time) to re-read.  They are:

One of my all time favorite reads and book discussions!
Not a Nora Roberts fan but this trilogy about women with magical powers.... WOW. This is paranormal before paranormal was cool
Oh what? You didn't see that coming? These are my comfort reads.

Check in at 8:00 Pm:  (hour 14)

Oh my gosh… I am so overdue for a check in!  I listened to another hour of audio, finished (FINALLY!) whole lotta life and actually left the house at 5:30 to go and help with a baptism, pick up pizza, and now I am back home.  (Yup, you read that right… how many readathoners helped with a baptism today?  LOL  I am in charge of special events at our church and that is one of my duties…. 😛 

I listened to audio while I was in the car, and took a book with me but did not get to the book. I am back now though and game from this point forward.

So here is what the peeps of the readathon are asking:

1) How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired?  I am actually good, hit a lull about 3 pm but now and ready to roll!

2) What have you finished reading?  Whole Lotta Life, and listened to an audio and a half 😀

3) What is your favorite read so far? Hmmmm… hold that thought, I do not have enough books in me today to answer that.

4) What about your favorite snacks?  I amde nachos for lunch… that was good.

5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love!  I have been going around and commenting while I listen to audio, trying to check out some newbies!

And the winner of my mini challenge using random.org is:

A Journey Through Pages

Honestly, the out pour from that challenge and all the AWESOME ideas to go with books… I am really the winner here, plus, I want to go to all your book reviews.  YOU ALL AMAZE ME!  😀

Check in at 3:00 Pm:  (hour 9)

I am cruising right along now on finishing up A Whole Latte Life.  Honestly, I have talked about the book so much I am ready to be done with it.  78 pages read since my last check in.  30 minutes of audio added to my total.

For the mini challenge, Midnight Book Girl asked us to stage a book….

The Bakers Wife (note the wedding rings in the spoon)

I am getting a bit foggy (I started at 5 am this morning).  Think I will try some ice tea – see if that wakes me up.  I thought about laying down and reading but fear that will cause me to pass out.  😛

Check in 1:00 PM and Mini Challenges:

Ok… well, I am now 4 1/2 hours into audio and have finished The Lifeboat.  (WOOT!)  $27.00 in to my charity account so far!

(I still have not cracked a book because I have been running around, doing mini challenges, made lunch and commented on blogs…. lol – I cant help it, the social girl in my tends to need to be fed. 😛  HOWEVER – I am about to go into my books this hour. )

Speaking of mini challenges…. mine is still going on until 2 pm central and here is The Book Sentence challenge for On The Wings Of Books:  LOVE THIS ONE!

The Book Thief arranged the most dangerous thing in the bag.
The Sausage Makers Daughters escape the memory of running out of the pumpkin shell.
I have spent a lot of time being "portable" today but it is time to break out the books.

Ok on to the books for awhile.  How are you all doing?

Check in 10 Am and Mini Challenges:

So far I have in 2 1/2 hours of audio in.  (I had a commitment this morning and took my IPOD with me so I could listen to audio as I could.  I am now home, going to catch up on the awesome mini challenges going on and then cracking a book.  😀

At One Librarians Book Reviews we are asked to do a book puzzle.  I LOVE this one!

Here is my contribution:

Can you guess what my book title is?  (I will update with the answer in a bit!)

for Reading Through Life’s Translation challenge… I would love to read:

I could not find a good French cover for this one…

Mini Challenge! Book Appetit!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)108 Comments

Happy Read-A-Thon April 2012!!!  How is it going out there?  Are you reading?  Are you snacking?  Are your books making you think of FOOD?

Here in Central Minnesota it is lunch time and I was thinking this would be a great time to talk about books and FOOD. 

Your mini challenge that will be available for the next two hours is a fairly easy one… it just requires a little imagination from you!

Take one of the books you are reading today.  Now lets pretend that you are going to have a book discussion with friends regarding that book.  They are all coming over to your house and you are providing food and beverage to go with said book.  That’s right, your challenge is to share with me here:

1.  Title and author of the book

2.  The menu:  the food, the beverage (if you want you can go as far plan background music, decor, whatever.  😀 )

Want to know what you are playing for?

Ok… lol, that’s just to wet your appetite… what you are playing for is a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card that will be emailed to the winner yet this afternoon after I choose the winner using random.org.

To enter:

Leave a comment here (mandatory entry) with the information I asked for above (Book and author, the menu to go with that book)

For a second entry – create a post on your own blog (if you have one) of the book, author, and the menu and then link it back here.

Here are a couple examples:  Say you are reading Chocolat by Joanne Harris…. your menu would definitely include lots of chocolates, perhaps to drink would be a delicious hot chocolate, maybe a chocolate fountain to dip strawberries in!

Or…. you may be reading ROOM by Emma Donoghue in which you may make Jack’s favorite macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meat balls, or his 6th birthday cake… (his 5th birthday cake was sponge cake with 5 m&m’s on top), the drink would be tap water.

If you do decide to do a post, I would love to see it!  Be sure to link it here:

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Morning Meanderings… RELEASE The Read-A-Thon

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)47 Comments

Good morning!  Today is going to be an AWESOME day!  The Dewey Read A Thon has begun!  In my next of the woods here in central Minnesota kick off time was at 6 am, however I have a small commitment this morning and will need to leave for about an hour so I started early, at 5 AM.  I am hoping to make HUGE progress today.

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?  Brainerd Minnesota

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?  Hmmm…. I am not sure, they all look kind of awesome

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? I think I am making baked nachos for lunch

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!  Hmmmm…. crazy enough to get up an hour earlier then requited to start this readathon to get in as many hours as I can 🙂

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?  This is probably my 4th or 5th time participating.  I am being more intentional today, if I am moving about I have audio, if I can be stationary I have books….  I have done everything I can to free up my day.

 

I am reading for Camp Benedict, a camp that is for people infected with AIDS and for those around then it has affected.  I have been to this camp and seen the power it has to bring people together in hope and compassion.  I will donate to the camp 10 cents a page, and $1.00 for ever 10 minutes of audio I listen to. If you would like to sponsor this cause with me, please let me know in the comments and I will get the information to you.

I will be doing updates throughout the day here on an update post that I will start and just keep adding on to so as not to create multiple posts.  Please feel free to stop back in and cheer me on 😀  I will take all the encouragement I can get!

In the past, I have shown pictures of the massive PILE of books I would love to get through and honestly… I never get through them… so rather than set myself for the BIG FAIL… I am going to show you the plan in baby step format….

So…. on my morning plate I have:

I have right around a hundred pages left on this read.

Then I would like to make some progress in:

I don’t want to finish this as it is a work in progress, but I would like to get 50 or so pages done this morning. 

From there, I am not sure…. plenty to choose from… we will see what way I go as the day goes on.  😀

Be sure to stop back here at noon as well for my mini challenge… it will be a whole lot of fun and may give you a few ideas as well 😀

Morning Meanderings.. Whatever Happened to SSQQQQUUUEEEEEE???

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)26 Comments

Good morning.  😀  Sipping coffee here in Minnesota at the kitchen table considered taking the 8:25 am Group Power class this morning but apparently that is not happening as I am still relaxing with COFFEE CUP surrounded by books I am dropping in the mail today, trying to clean up a few emails that require responses and thinking about my plan for tomorrows read-a-thon.

*WHEW!  Take a breath*

Anyhoo, this morning I was reading Miss Remmer’s review of Monument and while she does mention the book lacks in some areas, what she did describe… the action, the synopsis, gave me that feeling I love when I feel I need to drop everything and get that book.  I actually SSQQQQUUUUEEEEDDDD  in the comment I left her.

That is when it hit me.  Where had my SQQQQUUUEEEEE gone?  I used to SSSSQQQQQQUUUUEEEEEEE all the time for books that rocked my world, for books that came in the mail, for the mailman even who graciously carried all my books to me without complaining (that I know of 😉 )!  For books I won, for bike rides, for great life moments….

Really…. where did all that go?

SO….. briefly…. here are a few things on my plate that are SQQQQQUUUUUEEEEE worthy:

1.  It is the weekend.   SQQQQQUUUEEEEEEE!!!!

2.  My friend and I are road tripping today to Barnes and Noble.  SSSQQQQQUUUUEEEEEE!!!!!

3.  I am fully registered for BEA, hotel, room mate, and plane… all booked…. all paid.  DONE.   SSQQQQQUUUEEEEE!!!!!

4.  The sun is out.  Today will be gorgeous.   SSSQQQQQQUUUUEEEEE!!!!!

5.  I organized my book giveaway shelves.  SSSQQQQQQUUUUEEEEEE!!!!!!

6.  I will probably have lunch today at one of my favorite restaurants.   SSSQQQQQQUUUUEEEEEEE!!!!!

7.  Some exciting books have come into my home this week.  SSSQQQQQQQUUUUEEEEE!!!!!

8.  The Dewey Read-A-Thon is tomorrow and I plan to participate FULLY.  SSSQQQQQQUUUUEEEEE!!!!!

9.  The new pup in the house has been here  a little over a week ago and he is working out wonderfully.  SSSQQUUUEEEE!!!

10.  While life is always interesting.  I am at peace with it.  SSSQQQQQUUUEEEEE!!!!!

 

Ok.  I feel… caught up. 😀

Tomorrow I will be reading for the Dewey Read A Thon and I will be reading for charity again.  My charity as usual is Camp Benedict, which is a camp for people and family who are connected to AIDS.    I will talk more about this tomorrow – but I will be reading at 10 cents a page and $1.00 for every 30 minutes of audio I listen to.

You are welcome, if you feel called to do so, to sponsor me with a one time donation or a per page donation.

World Book Night Is Coming!!! World Book Night Is Coming!!!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)46 Comments

"world book night"

This coming Monday April 23rd is the first World Book Night in the US and I AM SO EXCITED to be a part of it!  Successfully launched in the UK last year, World Books Night will take place on the 23rd in the USA, UK , and Ireland.

It will be like the books heard around the world!  😀

I am thinking most of you have heard about this but in the event that you are scratching your head and saying “What is world book night, Sheila?”  I am all too happy to share with you!

World Book Night is a day when a half a million free books will be given away around the world!  Those who signed up had a chance to pick from 30 wonderful titles in which if selected, you would be given 20 copies of that book to give away on World Book Night to hopefully non readers to encourage them to READ!   I chose Hunger Games because I feel this is a book that speaks to a multitude of ages and with the recent movie release may be a great book to encourage non or light readers to pick it up and READ.

Additionally, April 23 is UNESCO’s World Book Day, chosen due to the anniversary of Cervantes’ death, as well as Shakespeare’s birth and death.

I will be picking up my books at Barnes and Noble this coming Friday.  My friend and I will road trip our way to St Cloud, about an hour drive from here, but worth it for a trip to B & N, possibly lunch at one of my favorite lunch spots (Hello Mongo’s!) and perhaps a little shopping. 

I know a lot of book bloggers all over the world are also participating in this incredible event and I would like to do two things here.

On Sunday afternoon I am going to set up a sticky post and a linky for all who participated in World Book Night to share their stories in a post.  What I am saying is if you write about your world book night experience – I would love it if you would link your posts up here on Monday or Tuesday, when ever you write them so we can all check out your experience. 

Secondly, I encourage you to send a picture in of your World Book Day experience to my email at journeythroughbooks@gmail.com.  I would like to put together a post of the pictures that come in of you and the books and where in the world you are located.  I think it would be awesome to see the books, the people handing them out… etc. 

IF you are not participating in World Book Night but stumble across someone in your area who is, you can send in a picture of that as well… cool if you can get in on the pic, but if not, a picture of the books being handed out and where in the world you are would be just fine.

This post here, is just to chat with you all about World Book Night.  The linky post will go up later on Sunday so on Monday, World Book Night, you can start linking up.  And I hope you do as this is going to be an incredible world-wide experience that I am proud to be a part of. 

Are you participating?  Are there any World Book Night celebrations around

where you live? 

Morning Meanderings… Pottermore… or less

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)30 Comments

 

Good morning!

I wasnt sure I was going to post this morning… I really had nothing to say (SHOCKER!) 😯 and I have a post going us in a bit any way about World Book Night.

However I was checking out a few of my fav blogs this morning while having my COFFEE and trying (trying!) to eat half a grapefruit because I seen on a Gilmore Girls episode it is good for me.  😀

ANYWAY while doing that I seen a couple mentions that Pottermore has gone public.  I was part of the Beta testing early entrants and had checked it out a few months back and found it interesting, informative… but within about four days I had done all you could do with it at that point and I left it.

Seeing Alyce this morning talk about her experience so far, and Amy as well, I popped back in to see if after all the feedback and testing what they may have changed. 

From my little bit of dabbling I did not see any changes from the testing period.  In fact I had ended where it stopped with book one months back and see that it still goes no further.  My favorite part of Pottermore is the fun facts you get to see with J K Rowling, how she came up with names for the characters, why she chose the Dursleys house number, etc… if you want to get your Potter geek on, you can certainly do that.  😀

I will probably check it out more now that I am knowing a few people playing.  To friend me I am Snitchrook100. 

 

Off to work, maybe a bike ride… and that is my major commitments today – I am loving this week of no evening commitments.  I feel refreshed, de-stressed and all out giddy. 😀

 

If you are on Pottermore let me know your name so I can friend you!  😀

 

The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie by Alan Bradley

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)29 Comments

It’s the summer of 1950 and twelve-year-old Flavia de Luce is tinkering away in her chemical lab inside the once great house of Buckshaw, in a sleepy English village.  The lab is an inheritance from her passed on mother and eccentric uncle.  And Flavia loves it, after all she has a gifted mind for mixing chemicals and the study of poisons. 

One morning Flavia left the comforts of the lab for a stroll around the acreage she calls home and after finding a dead bird on the doorstep with a postage stamp stuck on its beak,, to her surprise (and delight) she discovers a body among the cucumber patch.  While the police seem to be taking their own sweet time making error after error in trying to solve the crime, Flavia decided to solve the crime herself. 

Welcome to Flavia de Luce’s world. 
For Flavia, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”

"Flavia de Luce", "Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie", Alan Bradley"
Flavia makes an appearance is three more books...

Finally I find myself exploring Alan Bradleys books.  I knew nothing going in.  I did not know that The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie was the first in a series of Flavia De Luce novels… see…. out of loop…. 

I went into this one on audio and my first initial thought was I thought it sounded a bit like the Bloody Jack audio books (stories of a wild and smart tom boyish young girl), and the narration of Jayne Entwistle gave it that feel, which excited me as the Bloody Jack audio are fantastic!

The story line of our young detective Flavia, is fun.  She it witty.  She is smart beyond her years.  She has siblings that do not play strong enough parts (at least in this book) for me to even remember their names, but she being the youngest, and seemingly the smartest, has a bit of fun with them that makes their back seat roles in this read favorable and “smile worthy”.

While I found the writing rich, the narration with the strong accent delightful, I can not say I loved it.  I think for starters I could not wrap my head around Flavia being twelve and working in a chemical lab and being as smart and as able to get around the way she did …

it just didn’t mesh for me – and yeah, I know I am in the minority on this one.

So my thoughts are if you enjoy well written (and well read) books that may be a bit far-fetched but certainly fun… you will want to give the Flavia de Luce mysteries a try.  The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is the first of the books. #2 – The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag,#3- A Red Herring Without Mustard and #4, I am Half-Sick of Shadows.

See some other reviews from bloggers that I trust:

Beth Fish Reads

Rhapsody In Books

Book Lover Book Reviews

Amy Reads

I borrowed this audio from our awesome library

Morning Meanderings…Huh? What?

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

 

Morning.  *BIG sip of COFFEE*

How ya’ all doing?

Do you ever have those days where you wake up super early … like hmmmm…. 4:00 am and feel good?  Real good because you do not feel tired but actually like you could start your day?

AND then you go back to bed because 4 am is just silly and you can top it off with an hour of sleep and then wake up at 7:00?

7:00????  And you work at 8:00!

Hate that.

Now I am having my coffee, missing my relax time of the am…. one eye on my post… one eye on the clock wondering how close I can push it until I jump in the shower… and

GAH!

Any hoo…. in bookish news On audio I am with Detective Harry searching out yet another victims home and yes, there is a snow man.  Who does that???  (The Snowman by Jo Nesbo)

In other audio I am hanging out with Michael Zarkade as he juggles career and kids while Jolene has been called to active duty for a year in Iraq.  As if the marriage wasn’t bumpy enough, the children feel abandoned and Michael cant quite get a grip on anything.  (Home Front by Kristin Hannah)

In yet another audio (my IPOD, Milton Podricker) I am on a lifeboat and the ship has sunk taking hundreds if not thousands of lives with it.  No, it was not the Titanic.  There are 39 of us on the lifeboat and it is day… I don’t remember but it has been at least a week.  The weather is bad and we are discussing that is the weather continues this way the water will sink the lifeboat because there are too many in it.  Hard decisions, UNBELIEVABLY hard decisions are about to be made…  (THe Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan)

and in books, I am on the streets of New York with Sarah Beth as she has just walked out on her life… at least for a while.  She has left her best friend in a restaurant thinking she is in the bathroom, but she will soon get the note from the waiter that things are not good, have not been good for a while and this break, if that’s what it is… has to happen.  (Whole Latte Life by Joanne Demaio)

Ok that’s my time… I look at the clock and find it (and me) wanting.  😀

 

Have a super day!  I want to talk about World Book Night but that will be tomorrow!

 

 

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)22 Comments

A review by Camryn

Can there truly be love after death?

Hereafter is a book written by Tara Hudson that is about a young ghost named Amelia. Amelia drowned when she fell (or jumped, she doesn’t remember) from High Bridge, right off High Bridge Road. Amelia is having another one of her disturbing nightmares, where she re-experiences her death in a state of unconsciousness. When she wakes up, she is floating in the river, looking at a pair of glowing lights in the water. Panicking, she swims down to the lights, where she sees a boy around her age, probably eighteen years old. His eyes are closed, and he is unconscious. Dead set to make sure he survives, she screams with all of her might, hoping by some miracle he would swim to the surface of the water and survive. He does just that, and makes it to shore. As paramedics arrive, he tells her his name is Joshua.

Amelia is visited by Joshua the next day, and she tells him she is dead. Though a bit frazzled and shocked, he continues to ask questions about her past. Amelia and Joshua grow even closer together, so much to the point where Amelia finds herself falling for him. Joshua helps Amelia remember her distant past. Another ghost, Eli, is doing his best to keep them apart. Joshua’s grandmother, who also happens to see Amelia, is not fond of her, and is planning on exorcising her as soon as possible. Will Joshua and Amelia’s bond continue? Or will they be ripped apart as fast as they met?

 

I personally loved the book.I did struggle somewhat with how a ghost and a human boy could be together, but overall it was an excellent read and I greatly enjoyed reading it. 

I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read about supernatural/paranormal.  If you enjoyed Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, you will probably enjoy Hereafter.

Camryn is 12 years old, soon to be thirteen and enjoys reading YA books of the fantasy and romance genre. A few of her favorite books are “Hourglass” by Myra McEntire, “The Other Countess” by Eve Edwards, “Hush, Hush” by Becca Fitzpatrick, “The Immortals” series, the “Marked” series and the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” series.  When she’s not reading she enjoys watching Gilmore Girls or going to book sales for more books to add to her ever-growing collection.

Morning Meanderings… So Many Fun Happenings!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)17 Comments

Good morning!  Happy Tuesday!  I think today is going to be a GOOD GOOD Day!

Monday morning I woke up to this:

Yup.  SNOW.  😯  Let’s recap, Saturday, sunny, 72 degrees, GORGEOUS our!   Sunday stormy…. Monday… snow.

On the bright side… Tuesday morning.  Sunny and should be mid to high 50’s.  I’ll take it. The snow is almost gone.. just a little on the deck.

There is a lot of fun things I want to tell you about this morning so hang on to your COFFEE CUP while I spill all. 

Historical Tapestry is a blog that has been promoting all things Titanic for the last week.  They have some really interesting posts and if you are interested in Titanic topics this is a must stop.  Yesterday I did a guest post over there on Titanic memorabilia, featuring my Titanic Bears.  Yes, I have Titanic Bears.  Yes, you can see them over at Historical Tapestry.

If you know Jill at Fizzy Thoughts you know that she likes to change words to songs, something I used to do all the time in High School with my friend Barb, the only other girl in our home room.  I still can’t sing Eye Of The Tiger with  the correct words after we spoofed it….

Anyway, a couple days ago on one of her post I left her ummm…. a little challenge per se… and rumor has it (ok, she told me) that she will be changing the words to the song I gave her today over at Fizzy Thoughts.  Pop over later and see what she came up with!  I know I will!

I also updated Team Kickin It this morning with my weekly check in of my fitness goals and what is happening in that part of my world.  Stop over cheer me on…. 😀

What does this number mean to me? Click and find out!

And finally, a couple weeks ago I had a major SQQQUUUEEEE  moment when a box of YA books arrived on my door step.  While I would say most of us book lovers would agree, books on the doorstep are totally back flip worthy, I wanted to be sure these treasures were reviewed in a timely manner.  A friend of mine’s daughter Camryn is a big time book lover and I invited her over to look through the books and read and review any she wished, on the agreement that she would point out the super fabulous ones to me so I could make sure I read them soon too.  😀  The day before Easter she left here with five books, that evening she sent me two reviews and by Monday of last week she had finished and reviewed all five for me. 

I should have recruited a long time ago…  😛

So later today, Camryn’s first review is going up for Herafter by Tara Hudson.  I hope you will give her a warm welcome as I see an up and coming book blogger in this one.  😀

I work today… plan to work out after and then a wonderful evening at home…. I really like the sound of that. 🙂