Read-a-thon Mini Challenge #1

In this challenge we would like you to write a post on your blogs about your kick off strategy. What have you surrounded yourself with for these early hours of the challenge besides your books? Is there a coffee thermos, lucky book mark, snacks, pillow.... We want to know how you have prepared so you do not have to leave your cozy reading space (by the way - we'd like to know what is too.... (are you still in bed, a chair, the couch.....)

I have been reading for two hours sitting in the livingroom in my recliner. I have enjoyed a few cups of coffee cake coffee, a banana, and a chocolate cupcake topped with a peep! I have my tote bag with my books handy along with a pad of paper and a pen to keep track of what I accomplish. I'll be moving outside later when the temperature gets warm enough. I am reading House Rules by Jodi Picoult and it is riveting. I have snacks at the ready and lunch and dinner just need to be heated up. So far, so good!

Readathon 1st Mini Challenge

I am getting a late start as the dogs did let me sleep in a bit this morning. Coffee is made, dogs are fed, cats are fed, kids are still sleeping. I am doing this mini challenge and then starting in right away while the house is quiet.

Where are you reading from today? I am reading from various places in my home and maybe out if the backyard if it gets warm enough.

3 facts about me … I have three kids, I am a stay at home mom, I love chocolate

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 11, I know I won't read them all but I wanted to have an assortment ready to go

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)? No goals this time around, just winging it and having fun.

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time? I have only done the Read-a-thon once before but I did get caught up in being online and commenting and it really took a huge chunk of reading time. I guess my advice would be to have a set reading time and posting time.

I am off to read! Have fun everyone!

Readathon Plan

This time tomorrow I will be reading away! At least that is the plan. Tomorrow is Dewey's Read-a-thon. Go on over and check it out. There is still time to signup! I plan on starting at 7 am unless for some freakish reason my dogs decide to let me sleep in later. Fat chance! I am cleaning house today, doing laundry, making some pasta & meat sauce and a pot of soup for today and tomorrow's dinner so I will not have to cook. For snacks tomorrow I have a bag of munchos, leftover jelly beans and Russell Stover coconut nests (they changed these this year and I am not too happy with the new ones!) from Easter, and carrot and celery sticks. I also have some frozen pizzas in case of emergency! I'm hoping for some nice weather so I can read part of the time outside. If not my bed and my recliner are always cozy. For stretching, I will be reading on my treadmill. I am putting my books in a tote bag so I can move around to a new place pretty easily. I participated in the fall read-a-thon and I was achy the next day from sitting in one spot too long. I'm going to try moving my reading spot several times this time around. I doubt I will make the 24 hours either. I tend to fall asleep when I read late night. We shall see how long I make it this time.

My book list is crazy and I know I won't get to them all but I wanted to have an assortment handy. I am reading House Rules right now. It's very good. I will start the day off with finishing that. I have an audiobook in there in case my eyes get buggy! The list is as follows:

House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Sufficient Grace by Darnell Arnoult
Anne Frank The Book, The Life, The Afterlife by Francine Prose
Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman
Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
A Soft Place to Land by Susan Rebecca White
Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt
The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks (audiobook)

If I get just a few books read I will be happy. Last fall I really got into the challenges and ended up not reading near as much as I would like. I really don't have a plan of attack at this point. Any suggestions? If you are participating, what are your plans?

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees

Louisa May Alcott and her family have interested me for quite awhile. One of my very first favorite books was Little Women. When The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott was offered to me for review you can believe I was over the moon! I enjoy reading anything about Louisa. I find her very intriguing.

In The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, we are introduced to a 22 year old Louisa, who is moving to Walpole, New Hampshire with her family due to financial difficulties. While there Louisa struggles with the desire to be a writer and duty to her family. Love and marriage are not options she is willing to consider. She would like nothing more than to go to Boston, live alone and be a writer. Then she meets Joseph Singer. Louisa finds herself smitten and confused. Is there room for love, family and writing?

Kelly O'Connor McNees captures the essence of the Alcott family beautifully. I felt that the way the family was depicted was in line with things I have read or seen about the Alcott family. Louisa was just a I had imagined her to be and reminded me of Jo in Little Women. I enjoyed this book immensely! I can't recommend it enough. Just like when I read Little Women as a young girl, I didn't want this story to end! I'm looking forward to seeing what Kelly O'Connor McNees writes next.

I also saw this link to a book trailer for The Lost Summer of louisa May Alcott which I found to be hilarious! Check it out!
book trailer

I received this book courtesy of Lydia at Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam Books. I can't thank you enough Lydia for this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Mailbox Monday April 5

Mailbox Monday is a meme where you can post what books came into your home during the week. It is hosted by Marcia over at The Printed Page. Go on over and check it out. Be warned though it can lead to large TBR piles and wish lists!

My mailbox was empty last week! That is okay with me! It's nice to have a slow week or two so I can catch up on all the books I have here now. It's nice to get books but sometimes it's nice to not get books, if you know what I mean. Not so much pressure. I finished reading The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees last night and will get a review up for it this week. We have Spring Break this week so I am hoping to do a lot of reading! I'm off to see all the goodies everyone else got in their mailbox. Have a great week!

Happy Easter!

24 Hour Readathon April 10th

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon is just around the corner! April 10th at 5 a.m. Pacific time. I did this in the fall. I didn't get a lot accomplished but I had fun participating so I am going to do it again. I did not make 24 hours and that's okay. I have to sleep at night. If you would like to participate go to Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon It's alot of fun. There are mini challenges and prizes and the best part of all is we get to read for 24 hours(or in my case until I fall asleep). I will post my reading list closer to the actual date.