#FitReaders Check-In

FitReaders2016
  • This check-in is for April 22nd – 28th.
  • I’ve managed to keep 3 lbs. off so far this week.  Completely quitting sugar hasn’t been too difficult, except for a couple of days after Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon.  I was majorly craving all kinds of junk food.  I’m sure those cravings came from a lack of sleep, and I didn’t give in to them.
  • This week, my goal was to average 5k steps per day (I’m in week 5 of the program, but only week 4 into quitting sugar).  That was easy to meet, but I’ll have to work a little bit harder to get next week’s average of 6k steps per day.
  • If you’d like to add me as a friend on FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Steps: 35,276/35,000
  • Miles: 14.49/14
  • Flights of stairs: 93/70
  • Active Minutes: 94/210
  • Monthly 5K Races Completed: 1/10
  • Monthly 1 Mile Fun “Runs” Completed: 2/10
  • Total Money Donated: $14.82/$100.00

Thursday's Things

1001 Things
Original Image: Viktor Hertz

“Thursday’s Things” is my monthly* roundup of book related links I’ve come across while wandering down the rabbit hole that is the internet.

*I may start writing a “Thursday’s Things” post every other week in the near future, with the ultimate goal of posting a new one every week.

Thursday’s Things

1001 Things
Original Image: Viktor Hertz

“Thursday’s Things” is my monthly* roundup of book related links I’ve come across while wandering down the rabbit hole that is the internet.

*I may start writing a “Thursday’s Things” post every other week in the near future, with the ultimate goal of posting a new one every week.

#ShelfLove – Library Love

Shelf Love Challenge 2016

For this month’s #ShelfLove discussion, participants are supposed to write about their local library.  However, I’ve done that before.  A couple of different times.  I’ve also written about the important role libraries have played in my life.  Libraries have had such an enormous impact on my life that I want to be a Librarian.  Unfortunately, that’s several years away, and I haven’t set foot in a library since before I graduated.  I’ve stopped myself from checking out any books because I have so many at home that my shelves are struggling under the weight.  So, instead of writing about a library I haven’t been to in several months, I’ve decided to re-share those older posts along with a few links about libraries and librarians.

Posts I’ve written:

Other stuff:

Bout of Books 16!

Bout of Books

The Bout of Books readathon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long readathon that begins 12:01 am Monday, May 9th and runs through Sunday, May 15th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are entirely optional. For all Bout of Books 16 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

It’s that time again!  Now that I’m working full-time, I won’t be able to lounge around all week doing nothing but reading, but I’m determined not to let that stop me from reading every day instead of doing other things with my free time.  And let me tell you, as soon as I have useable vacation time, I’m using it for Bout of Books!

My Goals

  • Read for at least 2 hours each day.
  • Read my ARCs.
  • Finish at least one book, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to finish two.

Books to Read

One or two of these might already be finished by May 9th.

Updates

I will be posting an update each day with the amount of time I read, the number of pages read that day and the titles of any of the books I’ve finished.

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.

Current Reads:

Brooklyn Hobbit Inkdeath

Lestat Fairyland

Finished:

  • The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson
  • Parnassus On Wheels by Christopher Morley

Little Marvel Parnassus

DNF:

  • The Dragon Stone Trilogy by Kristian Alva

Challenges:

Total pages read: 505

Total # of books for the year: 19.  As much as I loved participating in Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon, it wasn’t quite as fun for me as previous ones, and that has nothing to do with the wonderful and amazing people who organize and run the event.  It was entirely my fault.  I was concentrating so much on trying to get back into a reading groove, thinking that’s why I’ve been feeling so meh lately, that I didn’t even consider that it was the social aspect of blogging and readathoning that I’ve been missing.  I miss sharing my experiences with and my undying love of books with all of you.  However, every time I manage to find a little bit of time to sit down and write a review, I suddenly find myself uninterested and coming up with all the million other things I need to do.  Is this a blogging slump?!  If it is, then wow, does it suck.

Last year, I took time off because I was finishing my last semester of college and freaking out.  Earlier this year, I took time off because I had finally found a full-time job and I was freaking out.  Last month and most of this month, I took time off because I was in the middle of moving and was… freaking out.  Are you sensing a pattern?  Even though I’m freaking out about this, I’m not going to take more time off.  At least, not as long as I have recently.  Also, though it will look the same to all of you wonderful readers of my blog, it will be different.  Instead of taking a break and not writing anything, I’m going to take the next week or so to get organized again, plan, and write drafts.  Instead of being inactive, I’m going to be proactive.  You just won’t see the results until I start posting all those reviews and other things that I loved writing before this slump took my blogging mojo.

My Top Commenter: Vicky @ Books and Strips

What are you reading this week?

#Readathon – Final Update

Dewey's Readathon_Pocketwatch_Bellezza

I’ve survived another Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon!

  • Total Pages Read: 478
  1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Around 2am, when I got cranky and my attention kept wavering.  I read whole pages without knowing what I was reading.  I think I’ve finally reached an age when I can’t stay up all night and expect my brain to work properly, no matter how much caffeine.
  2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Parnassus On Wheels by Christopher Morley
  3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Readathon next year? Nope, because it keeps getting better and better.
  4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Readathon? I wasn’t nearly as involved this time as I was last time, so I really don’t know.
  5. How many books did you read? 3 and almost half of a 4th.
  6. What were the names of the books you read?  The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry, Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson and Parnassus On Wheels by Christopher Morley
  7. Which book did you enjoy most? Parnassus On Wheels
  8. Which did you enjoy least? The Little Prince
  9. How likely are you to participate in the Readathon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I’ll definitely be participating in October, and I might sign up to be a cheerleader.

#Readathon – Update 2

Dewey's Readathon_Pocketwatch_Bellezza

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

  • Pages Read: 65
  • Books Read: 3 – (The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry, Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson and Parnassus On Wheels by Christopher Morley)
  • Snacks Consumed: Jalepeño Poppers
  • Music Playing: Nothing right now.

I didn’t get much reading done after my first update.  My BFF and her Husband got here, and we all ate pizza and played Cards Against Humanity.  That is also the reason why this update is late.  Now I’m back to reading for as long as I can keep my eyes open or until 7 am, whichever happens first.

Until my final update, at 7 am, I’ll continue reading the remaining books on my list:

  • The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
  • The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
  • The Hobbit Companion by David Day
  • Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
  • *The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
  • The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket
  • Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea by Diana Marcellas
  • The Sons of Macha by John Lenahan
  • The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
  • The Master Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry
  • Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio
  • Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
  • The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

*-What I’m currently reading 🙂

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

#Readathon – Update 1

Dewey's Readathon_Pocketwatch_Bellezza

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

  • Pages Read: 375
  • Books Read: 3 – (The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry, Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson and Parnassus On Wheels by Christopher Morley)
  • Snacks Consumed: Amy’s Bean and Cheese Nacho Snacks and a beer.
  • Music Playing: Nothing right now.  I need to be able to hear my phone for when my BFF arrives.

So far, I’ve surpassed my page count from the last readathon.  That may be due to me reading a graphic novel, but I think it has more to do with not allowing myself to get on any social media until I finish each of the very short books I’ve been reading.   I also haven’t done any challenges…yet.  However, I plan to do Shaina’s Literary Feast challenge.

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

  • The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
  • The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
  • The Hobbit Companion by David Day
  • Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
  • *The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
  • The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket
  • Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea by Diana Marcellas
  • The Sons of Macha by John Lenahan
  • The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
  • The Master Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry
  • Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio
  • Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
  • The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

*-What I’m currently reading 🙂

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

#Readathon – Let’s Get This Party Started!

Dewey's Readathon_Pocketwatch_Bellezza

Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon has officially started!  I ran all my errands and did all my chores last night.  I also prepped so all I had to do when I got up this morning at 6:00 am was take a shower, turn on the tea kettle, make my breakfast (cereal), and get my browser ready to go with all my readathon related sites.  I’ve got my stack of books and reading journal next to the couch, and snacks are within easy reach when I need them.  I mean business, and the only other days of the year that get me this excited to be up so darn early are my Birthday and Christmas!

The only problem is that I didn’t sleep well last night, but I made up for that by choosing the strongest tea I have, Harney & Sons “Scottish Morn.”  It’s one of my favorite teas.

  • What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I’m in Austin, TX
  • Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
  • Which snack are you most looking forward to? I quit sugar recently, so I’ve got tons of healthy snacks to keep the sugar cravings away.  I’m most looking forward to the veggie and hummus tray I picked up yesterday just for readathon.
  • Something about myself?  Here’s 20 instead.
  • If you participated in the last readathon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today?  I’m going to concentrate more on reading than socializing this time around.

Until my first update, at 3 pm, I’ll be working on knocking off the books on my goal list:

  • The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
  • The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
  • The Hobbit Companion by David Day
  • Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
  • The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
  • The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket
  • Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea by Diana Marcellas
  • The Sons of Macha by John Lenahan
  • The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
  • The Master Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry
  • Parnassus On Wheels by Christopher Morley
  • Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio
  • Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
  • The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald
  • The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry

My goal is to read as many books as I can., but I won’t force myself to get through a book if I’m not feeling it.

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