Book Challenge Blog

Final Summary

2011-06-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

As I said it's been a good challenge. We even had rainy weather all weekend, so I was able to curl up with good books while it was stormy outside. That so rarely happens and I loved it.

Anyway, on with the final summary.

Started at 5:30 p.m. on Friday June 3rd

Books:

Listened to portions of Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters while driving around doing various errands.

Completed On Hummingbird Wings by Lauraine Snelling

Read Shoapaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

Almost made it through The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick

Ended 5:30 p.m Sunday June 5th

Total amount of reading time: 14 hours 56 minutes.

Alas,the End Has Come

2011-06-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

It's been a great reading challenge this year, despite the fact I only got through one complete book. I'm currently in the final chapters of The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick.

Here's how my reading shaped up today:

5:36-6:35 a.m. - Read The Daughter's Walk (59 minutes)

8:02-8:50 a.m. - The Daughter's Walk (58 minutes)

2:25-2:47 p.m. - The Daughter's Walk (22 minutes)

2:55-5:30 p.m. - The Daughter's Walk (2 hours 35 minutes)

Jane Kirkpatrick often uses family histories as the inspiration for her books, which are historical fiction. I've been doing a smidgen of genealogical research lately, so this book was very relevant to me at the moment. I'm just a few pages from the end and I look forward to seeing how it will turn out.

Total time for today = 4 hours 54 minutes

So Ends Another Day of Reading

2011-06-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

Have to get up fairly early tomorrow, so I'm calling it a day. I plan on reading while getting ready for bed though, so will give more updates on reading times in the morning.

To all you 48 straight hourers who started at 7 a.m. Friday morning, keep up the great work! You're almost in the home stretch.

And to all a good night.

Another Book Done

2011-06-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

Book two in the 48 Book Challenge was Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

In this third book of the shopaholic series, Becky and Luke are engaged. But, as can only happen to Becky, she finds herself carried away by plans for two weddings on two different continents on the same day. How will she ever get out of this latest scrape? You'll have to read it to believe it.

Kinsella wrote another laugh-out-loud novel that I couldn't put down. I just had to know how things would turn out and I wasn't disappointed. Now looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Time updates:

12:54-3:58 read Shopaholic. (3 hours 4 minutes)
4:18-4:32 listened to my audio book while running an errand. 14 minutes
4:49-5:35 finished Shopaholic. (36 minutes)

6:17-6:56 journaling/blogging Shopaholic while eating dinner. (46 minutes)

Total time for this period - 4 hours 40 minutes

Morning errands

2011-06-04T12:33:00.000-07:00

Had a great morning running errands and am glad we can count one audio book toward our time. Following this post, I'll be settling in for a good long reading stretch.

Here's how the reading's gone so far today

6:05-6:34 a.m. read Shopaholic Ties the Knot. (29 minutes)

7:42-8:02 Audio book alternated with Shopaholic. (20 minutes)

Ran various errands during which I listened to my audio book (8:23-9:02, 10:51-11:27, 11:38-11:44, and 11:50-11:56 = 1 hour and 27 minutes)

12:35-12:45 composed this blog post. (10 minutes)

Total time so far today 2 hours 26 minutes.

So Super Sleepy

2011-06-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately I think I need to head to bed for the night, much as I would love to stay up and read more. I Had to work a late shift last night so was functioning on very little sleep today. There are a couple things going on in the morning for which I need to be well-rested, so I'm calling it a night.

Thus far I've spent from 9:06 or so until 10:40 reading Shopaholic Ties the Knotby Sophie Kinsella. It's a pretty quick read so I should finish it midday tomorrow.

To those pushing through all 48 hours non-stop, I bid you good luck and may you be blessed with lots of delicious coffee to keep you going :)

Night all.

This Evening's Reading Adventures

2011-06-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

So, I really did start at 5:30, While driving home from work I listened to a portion of the audio book I"m currently listening to The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters.

A few minutes ago, I reached the end of print book number one. It was one I started some time ago, but finished it during these first few hours of the challenge. Here's my review:

Title: On Hummingbird Wing
Author: Lauraine Snelling

When Gillian loses her high profile job she chooses to come home to help care for her ailing mother. This means moving (at least temporarily) to California from New York. There she finds a life she never expected and when it seems like she'll have an opportunity to go back to her life in New York, she has some choices to make.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story and could relate to many of the choices Gillian had to make. I also particularly liked the symbolism of the hummingbird that Snelling wove throughout the story. Overall the storyline was good, but the writing style took a bit for me to get used to. Once I did though, I was hooked. It was a beautiful and enjoyable story. I recommend this book to those who like a gentle romance, who have had to care for an ailing parent, or who have ever had to make choices in matters of the heart.

Here are my times so far:

5:30-5:56 - Listened to Deeds of the Disturber while driving to an errand I needed to run.

6:00-6:40 - Back in the car and listening to Deeds of the Disturber.

6:51-7:10 - At home, changed to cozy sweats and settled in to read On Hummingbird Wings. Stopped to put some dinner together.

7:24-9:05 - Settled back in to finish off On Hummingbird Wings and add it to various book related sites and this blog.

Now it's on to book # 2.

Update - Total reading time for Friday June 3 - 2 hours 56 minutes

Let the Reading Ship Set Sail!

2011-06-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

Just got off work and am headed home. Since one audiobook counts toward the challenge, I say let the reading begin.

My official start time will be 5:30 p.m. Pop on back throughout the weekend for updates. Happy reading everyone.

Finish Line post

2010-06-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

Sadly, the challenge has come to an end for this year. I was hoping to get a third book in, but it looks like I'm only going to get part way through before I have to stop. Here's my summary of the last 48 hours

Friday

8:00 p.m. - Posted official start time and joined the challenge on Motherreader's blog.

8:12-10:25 - read The Passion of Mary-Margaret 2 hrs 13 min

Total reading/blogging time for Friday - 2 hrs. 13 minutes

Saturday

6:10-6:17 continued with The Passion of Mary-Margaret (7 min)

Paused in the challenge to do my daily Bible Reading, take a 7 1/2 mile walk and went to buy doughnuts and coffee

10:15-12:45 continued with The Passion of Mary-Margaret (2 hrs. 30 min)

Took a nap

12:55-1:30 continued with The Passion of Mary-Margaret (35 min)

1:45-3:35 finished The Passion of Mary-Margaret and blogged it. (1 hr. 50 min)

4:25-10:15 read June Bug by Chris Fabry (5 hrs. 50 min)

Total reading/blogging time for Saturday - 10 hrs 52 min

Sunday

5:30-6:26 a.m. finished June Bug (56 min)

Long break for breakfast, church, and a farewell party for some friends who are moving in two weeks, and house cleaning.

5:20 - 8:00 - blogged June Bug, started next book The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen, and composed this finish line post. (2hrs. 40 min)

Total reading/blogging time for Sunday - 3 hrs. 36 minutes

Now it's back to the routine of the real world. It's been a great weekend and I'm already looking forward to next year's challenge.

Juli

Total reading/blogging time - 16 hrs. 41 minutes
Two books completed and 78 pages into a third one.

June Bug by Chris Fabry

2010-06-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

For my second book, I picked June Bug by Chris Fabry. This was the second title in the Christy Award category Contemporary Stand Alone Novel. I went into this book not expecting to like it because I've started a couple other titles by Fabry in the past and wasn't able to get into them. But, I thought I'd give it a shot anyway and boy am I glad I did.

June Bug and her father, John, live in an RV traveling from place to place. Or they did until the RV broke down in a Walmart parking lot. On one of her many trips into the store, June Bug sees her picture on a missing children poster with the name Natalie Ann Edwards printed underneath. As events begin to unfold in the story, June Bug learns about her past and why she and her dad don't stay in one place very long. This is a fast-paced, character driven story in which Fabry keeps you guessing until the very end.

I really came to like June Bug and found myself cheering her on to a happy ending. I came around to liking her dad, too, once certain things came out about June Bug's mother. When the story ended I found myself wondering what would happen to him next. I certainly wouldn't argue if Fabry wrote the next chapter of John's life.

All in all this was a great book. I give it four stars and am thinking about trying again on the the two books I couldn't get into.

The Passion of Mary Margaret

2010-06-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

Finally finished my first book of the challenge, The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson.

Sister Mary-Margaret lived a life dedicated to serving God, but not in ways she thought she would. The story is told from Mary-Margaret's point of view as she writes her memoirs to leave behind for the younger sisters in her order. She tells of starting out life as an orphan raised by relatives, her life as an unmarried novitiate, and then of her marriage to Jude - a rebellious youth she grew up with on the Chesapeake Bay island where they lived.

The writing style of this particular book made the story difficult for me to get into, but around page 50 or so things started coming together for me. Samson tied up all the various plot lines to create a touching and poignant story about trusting God with your life. However, some of the "tie-ups" felt a bit rushed and convenient. Outside of this as and a couple theological issues I didn't necessarily agree with, it was a moving and beautiful story. I see why it received an award nomination. Overall I give it 3 1/2 stars and will be looking for more of Samson's books in the future.

Now, on to book 2 as soon as I figure out what that one's going to be.

The first 14 hours

2010-06-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

So, I marked 8 p.m. Friday night as my start time. I didn't get around to picking up my book until 8:12, though. I'm reading "The Passion of Mary-Margaret" a contender for the Christy Award in the category of Contemporary Stand-Alone.

I read from 8:12-10:25 when I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. This morning I was up early, did my daily Bible reading, and ate breakfast. I then took a 7 and a half mile walk followed by a trip to the doughnut shop. At 10:15 I settled in with my doughnuts and coffee and am continuing to read. Nearly half-way through the book, so hopefully there'll be another update soon.

Happy Reading :)

Juli

48 Hour Book Challenge 2010

2010-06-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again...the 48 hour book challenge. I'm declaring 8 p.m. Friday my start time and will be reading (with some extended breaks due to real life) until 8 p.m. Sunday evening.

My theme this year is Christy Award Nominees. I've got a stack of about 10-12 books. Last year I read for 14 hours and got through three books. Let's see how this year goes.

Off I go to do dinner dishes and then...all aboard the reading express.

My Times

2009-06-07T19:26:00.000-07:00

Just a final note to say, down below I edited the post "I forgot to post my times" to reflect how much I read now that I'm done with the challenge. In short it was 14 hours and 57 minutes. For all the details, scroll on down.

Juli

Book Number 3

2009-06-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

My third book in the 48 Hour Book Challenge is Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.

This is probably the last book I'll complete for the challenge, but I've still got 25 minutes left, so I'll see how far I get in the next one. Meanwhile, here's my review of Diary of a Wimpy Kid

This is the journal of Greg Heffley, middle schooler. At the beginning of the school year Greg's mom suggests he keep a journal. The "highlights" of his school year include wrestling class in P.E., making a haunted house with his friend Rowley, his brief but failed campaign for class treasurer and the disastrous class play. Despite these "highlights," things are going pretty okay. That is until Rowley starts gaining popularity among their classmates. Rowley and Greg start having some differences of opinion and tensions begin to devlop. Does this spell the end of their friendship forever?

Greg was my favorite character is this book. He is funny, sarcastic, and definitely a character kids can relate to. The middle-school world provides a familiar setting for readers. Kinney's informal tone and humorous cartoon illustrations give a freshness to the story that readers will appreciate.

I recommend this to parents who wonder what middle school is like now days and to all middle-school readers who wonder if anyone knows what they're going through. Take heart, Greg Heffley does and he'll be around to tell you more in the next few books in the series.

I forgot to post my times

2009-06-06T23:06:00.000-07:00

Here's how my reading panned for the challenge

June 5th

7:10p.m.-9:45 p.m. = 2 hrs. 30 min. reading Through the Fire by Shawn Grady

June 6th

10:15-1:30 = 3 hrs. 15 min Finished Through the Fire, blogged it and started Castle by J. Robert Lennon
3:00-3:25 = 25 min Reading Castle
4:00-6:35 = 2 hrs. 35 min Reading Castle
7:25-11:10 = 3 hrs. 45 min Finished Castle and blogged it.

June 7th

7:35 a.m.-7:45 a.m. 10 minutes Started Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
4:50 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. 1 hour 55 minutes Finished Diary of a Wimpy Kid and blogged it
6:48 p.m. - 7:10 p.m. 22 minutes started The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and got to page 14. So far I'm liking it.

Alas, my time is now up. If I did the math correctly I read for 14 and 57 minutes. Not bad considering I had some unexpected yet fun things come up that took me away from reading for a bit.

Now I must catch up on laundry and get ready for a new work week. For those still finishing up, I hope you're enjoying your reading. Hope we can all get together next year at this time for a 5th annual challenge.

Signing off now, but check back. Who knows, I may decide to keep this blog going after all.

Juli

Just finished book #2

2009-06-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

For my second book of the challenge, I read Castle by J. Robert Lennon. Here's my review

Eric Loesch arrives in his former hometown in upstate New York, Gerrysburg, with the purpose of buying and fixing up a run-down house. There is an air of mystery about Loesch and the reader immediately gets a sense that there is more to Loesch than meets the eye. He is defensive with the locals and is obsessed with exploring the woods that aren't technically part of his property. As his time in the town proreses, Loesch is forced to confront the events of his past from his choldhood to time spent serving in Iraq with the United States Army. This intense and sometimes frightening novel told from Loesch's point of view will keep the reader's attention from page one to its unexpected conclusion.

The aura of mystery surrounding Loesch is what kept me reading. When it was finished I felt as though the air had been knocked out of me. It was an intense read that touched many emotions in me and truly left me speechless.

Okay, so I'm a slow reader

2009-06-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

Hi There,

I finally finished my first book of the challenge. It was an ARC of a new book coming out in July from Bethany House called Through the Fire. It's a debut book by a new author, Shawn Grady. Here's my review

idan O'Neill serves as a firefighter in Reno, Nevada. Following the deaths of his father and grandfather, Aidan turned his back on God. Fiver years on Aidan is still angry and grieving. An emergency call that goes wrong and a string of fires set by a serial arsonist in his community push Adan to make a life-changing decision. This part of the plot alone will keep you on the edge of your seat. Add in a budding romance with Julianne, a talented fire investigator working to solve the mystery of the fires and you have an appealing read for both men and woman.

Grady's experience as a former firefighter comes through in the vivid details such as what it' slike to be in a burning building and what life at the station is like between calls. Grady's narration is detailed, his dialogue original and true-to-life. I especially liked the banter between the firefighters as it helped bring the characters to life. His storytelling is fast-paced, yet he allows the reader to come up for air from time to time. All in all, this is a great first novel by a promising new author.

I'd recommend this to fans of Karen Kingsbury and also guys who are looking for good Christian Fiction.

Look for this book to hit shelves sometime in July 2009. It's a book you won't want to miss.

48 Hour Book Challenge

2009-06-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

Starting tonight at 7:00. I learned from experience last year that my eyes get really dry and sore when I read for super long stretches. Also, since I can't neglect housework this weekend (didn't do any last weekend and am very busy next weekend), my plan is to read for a bit, go do a task, read for a bit, go do a task…

Looking forward to making a dent in my to be read pile as well as adding books to my 50 Books in 2009 group at goodreads. I'm a bit behind for the year.

Good luck to all you readers out there.