Monday's Minutes

“Monday’s Minutes” is a weekly post in which I track my bookish life.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

Currently Reading:

  • A Free Man of Color by Barbara Hambly
  • The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien – for #FanspeakTheRing
  • The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley

free towers haunted
shelf
DNF:

  • The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

exorcist
Finished:

  • The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

winter

Challenges:

Total pages read: 499

Total # of books for the year: 74.  The Exorcist is good.  However, it’s just not scary.  Maybe it’s the narrator, or maybe it’s that I was listening to it rather than reading it, but I suspect it’s because I don’t believe in demonic possession.  The Winter People, on the other hand, had me freaked out enough that I didn’t want to go into my closet for any reason, or upstairs without the light on.  Ghosts, the dead coming back to life, the girl from “The Ring”…there is a small part of me that believes in all of that and is, therefore, terrifying.  I’m not saying any of those things, or anything similar, are in The Winter People, but before I got to the part of the story where I knew for sure what was going on, the possibilities of what “it” was had me creeped out.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

What are you reading this week?

#FitReaders Check-In

FitReaders2016
  • This check-in is for October 21st – 27th.
  • I’m still working mandatory overtime, but starting next week that should be ending *fingers crossed*
  • I removed the Monthly 1 mile and 5K goals since there’s no way I’ll be able to get a total of 10 of either before the end of the year.
  • I got a new FitBit, thanks to the Boyfriend 🙂 It’s the Blaze, and I LOVE IT!
  • The Boyfriend has started school and has to get up at 5am every morning.  I’ve adjusted my schedule to better fit his and since I now have more time in the morning than I do in the evening, I’m planning on exercising before I go to work.  I’ve got to write up a plan this weekend so I know what I’ll do on the days that I’m not doing cardio, but I already know I’m going to concentrate on my core strength and keeping my ITBS in check.  So, I’ll probably have some new goals listed below for the next check-in.
  • If you have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Steps: 31,900/49,000
  • Miles: 12.36/17.5
  • Active Minutes: 176/150
  • Days I Tracked My Food: 0/7
  • Days I Drank 64 ounces of Water: 0/7
  • Total Money Donated: $23.64/$25.00

Monday's Minutes

“Monday’s Minutes” is a weekly post in which I track my bookish life.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

Currently Reading:

  • A Free Man of Color by Barbara Hambly
  • The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien – for #FanspeakTheRing
  • The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley
  • The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
  • Demons ed. by John Skipp

free towers haunted
exorcist demons
Finished:

  • In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
  • The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
  • Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio
  • The Sandman, Vol. 2 by Neil Gaiman

wood graveyard warren
sandman2

Challenges:

Total pages read: 1037

Total # of books for the year: 73.  I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish most of this week’s reading if it wasn’t for Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon.  I’m pretty sure I appreciate the readathon more than before thanks to the overtime I’ve been working along with all the other things that have been taking up my time.  Before, it was just another excuse to read.  Now, it’s the only way I’m able to relax and truly enjoy a book without interruption or having to put it down to get back to work or go to sleep just when I get to the really good part.  I can’t wait until April 29th!

What are you reading this week?

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon – Final Update

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I’ve survived another Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon!

  • Total Pages Read: 856
  • Mini-Challenges Completed: Beverage and a Book
  • Snacks Consumed: pumpkin scones with Earl Grey tea
  1. Which hour was most daunting for you? 2 am when the book I was reading stopped making any sense and the page kept blurring.  I stopped reading at that point and got on Twitter for a bit before taking a nap with my cat on the couch.
  2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
  3. Do you have any suggestions on how to improve the Readathon next year?  Nope, the readathon keeps getting better and better!
  4. What do you think worked well in this year’s Readathon? I like the new way of cheerleading.
  5. How many books did you read? 3, but I also listened to part of The Exorcist by Anne Rice, and read a bit of The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley.
  6. What were the names of the books you read? The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, Warren the 13th and the All Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio, and The Sandman, Vol. 2 by Neil Gaiman.
  7. Which book did you enjoy most? The Graveyard Book.
  8. Which did you enjoy least? The Sandman, Vol. 2
  9. How likely are you to participate in the Readathon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?  I will definitely be participating again, and I will probably be a cheerleader again as well.

I’m going to bed now…

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon – Second Update

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I’ve survived 16 hours of Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon!

I think I’ve done more of the mini-challenges during this readathon than any other readathon so far.  I was really looking forward to reading Amphigorey until I realized I’ve already read it!  As much as I would be ok with re-reading it, I’m trying to knock as many of my never read books off my TBR.
Until my final update and wrap up, at 7 am, I’ll continue reading the remaining books on my list:

  • The October Country by Ray Bradbury
  • The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley
  • The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton
  • Amphigorey Too by Edward Gorey
  • The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket

Whether you’re participating in the readathon or not, what book(s) are you currently reading?

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon Mid-Event Survey

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It’s time for Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon Mid-Event Survey!

1. What are you reading right now? Warren the 13th and the All Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio.
2. How many books have you read so far? 1, but I’m about halfway through my 2nd book, and I’ve listened to a bit of The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty and read the first chapter of The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley.
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Readathon?  I was really excited about The Haunted Bookshop since Parnassus on Wheels was so good, but now I think I’m looking forward to reading Amphigorey by Edward Gorey more.
4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Dresden, my extremely needy cat, has surprisingly only interrupted me once.  The Boyfriend has been gone visiting with friends since lunch, but he hasn’t been as disruptive as in the past either.  He even got up with me this morning and read with me for awhile.
5. What surprises you most about the Readathon, so far?  I’ve been more tired this afternoon than I’ve ever been during past readathons around this time.  I’m not sure why, since I’ve had enough caffeine, food, and light to keep me awake.  I usually don’t get tired until well after midnight.

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon – First Update

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I’ve survived the first 8 hours of Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon!

  • Pages Read: 322
  • Books Read: I finished The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, and I started The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty.
  • Mini-Challenges Completed: A Book and a Snack and Happy Birthday Poem.
  • Yummy in my Tummy: I had toasted cinnamon bread with butter and a cherry yogurt for breakfast, pumpkin scones, Colby cheese, and peanut butter dark chocolate candies as snacks, and fishless filets and oven fries for lunch.

Until my 2nd update, at 11 pm, I’ll continue reading the remaining books on my list:

  • The October Country by Ray Bradbury
  • Warren the 13th and the All Seeing Eye by Tania Del Rio
  • The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley
  • The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton
  • Amphigorey by Edward Gorey
  • Amphigorey Too by Edward Gorey
  • The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket

Whether you’re participating in the readathon or not, what book(s) are you currently reading?

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon – Clown-Free Horror Fun!

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Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon has officially started!  I prepped my tea kettle last night, so all I had to do when I got up at 6:30 am was turn it on, make my breakfast (yogurt and toasted cinnamon bread with butter), and get my browser ready to go with all my readathon related sites.  I’ve been running off a readathon excitement high most of the week, and I’m also excited at using my reading “nook” for the first time:
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  • What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I’m in Austin, TX, which is finally seeing temperatures that feel like early Fall.
  • Which book in your stack are you looking forward to the most? The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley.
  • Which snack are you looking forward to the most? Pumpkin scones.
  • Tell us a little something about yourself!  Here are 20 somethings about myself.  Also, the Boyfriend nicknamed me Hobbit because I’m short and obsessed with all things from the Shire.
  • If you participated in the last readathon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today?  I’m returning to cheering.  I didn’t socialize much during the last readathon, and it wasn’t nearly as fun as the readathons I participated in before.

Here’s my Halloween-themed book list:

  • The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
  • The October Country by Ray Bradbury
  • Warren the 13th and the All Seeing Eye by Tania Del Rio
  • The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley
  • The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton
  • Amphigorey by Edward Gorey
  • Amphigorey Too by Edward Gorey
  • The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket

My first update will be at 3 pm.  I’ll be tracking how many pages I read and any books I finish.  I’ll also include mini-challenges I’ve accepted, snacks I’ve nommed, and any musical earworms that have gotten into my head.
Whether you’re participating in the readathon or not, what book(s) are you currently reading? 

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon

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Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon begins tomorrow, at 7 am CST, but I wanted to share with all of you what I’ll be doing.
First off, the books.  Since I’m also participating in the #ShelfLove reading challenge, all my books are off of my own bookshelves.  Since it’s also RIP XI, everything I read will be Gothic or Horror.  Since I attempted to not socialize much during the last readathon and didn’t have nearly as much fun as a result, I’m going to do a lot of cheering this time.  Due to that, all but two of the books I’ll be reading will be shorter, easier reads.  I’ll switch back and forth between books on the list as needed, but I am going to try to finish as many books as possible:

  • The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
  • The October Country by Ray Bradbury
  • Warren the 13th and the All Seeing Eye by Tania Del Rio
  • The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley
  • The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton
  • Amphigorey by Edward Gorey
  • Amphigorey Too by Edward Gorey
  • The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket

2016-10-21-18-08-41
Yes, my TBR list is a bit long, and it doesn’t include any of the audiobooks or ebooks that I might decide to listen to or read instead, but I want plenty of choices.
My updates will be every 8 hours after my kick-off post.  Along with the books I finish and the number of pages I read, I’ll include any mini-challenges I participate in, along with other tidbits such as music or snacks.
Speaking of snacks, this is a taste of what I brought home to keep my tummy happy during the readathon:

  • Pumpkin scones
  • Cinnamon bread
  • Shortbread cookies
  • Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries
  • Caramel Truffle tea
  • Chocolate Mocha tea (it has whole coffee beans in it along with chocolate chips!)

I also got pizza and some other non-snack foods, but let’s face it, I mostly graze during readathon.
Are you participating in Dewey’s Readathon?  If so, what books do you have planned to read?  Leave a comment, and include your link if you have a “goals” post!
See you tomorrow morning! 🙂

#FitReaders Check-In

FitReaders2016
  • This check-in is for October 14th – 20th.
  • The Boyfriend had eye surgery this week and his Mom was in town to help out.  So, of course, tracking my food and water went out the window for most of the week.
  • If you do have a FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Steps: 36,564/49,000
  • Miles: 15.02/17.5
  • Active Minutes: 168/150
  • Days I Tracked My Food: 4/7
  • Days I Drank 64 ounces of Water: 3/7
  • Monthly 5K Races Completed: 3/10
  • Monthly 1 Mile Fun “Runs” Completed: 2/10
  • Total Money Donated: $23.40/$25.00