Hurricane Irene Readathon?

Well, even if the power goes off and we can't post, we can still grab our books and our flashlights, right?

Maybe the power of multiple avid readers can somehow deflect the hurricane into the Atlantic?

At any rate, why not have a 36-hour readathon to 'celebrate' the advent of Irene on the eastern seaboard? Kicking off at noon (Eastern) on Saturday, and running through to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday night, the period that the eye of the hurricane should pass through the rest of North Carolina and up through Washington, NJ, NY, New England, etc. -- let's read our way through the storm.

Sign up if you're interested in joining the party to the extent that power supplies and the Internet allow!

Chatterbox -- Suzanne -- Reading in Brooklyn NY
Majkia -- Jean -- Reading in Niceville, Fla.
Drneutron -- Jim -- Reading in Maryland
Cyderry -- Cheli -- reading in Maryland
Lindapanzo -- Linda -- reading in Chicago
Crazy4reading -- Monica -- reading in Pennsylvania
Cait86 -- Cait -- reading in PortDover, Ontario
Calm -- reading in Wales
Fourpawz2 -- Charlotte -- reading in SE Mass.
VioletBramble -- Kelly -- reading on Roosevelt Island, NYC
Thornton37814 -- Lori -- reading in Tennessee

I'm safe from this hurricane (Gulf coast of Florida) but in solidarity to those dealing with this one, of course I'll join. Jean in Niceville.

I'm in for a change. We're supposed to start seeing effects mid-day on Saturday through mid-afternoon Sunday, so I'm sure I'll get *some* reading in.

Cool. there might as well be SOME upside to this... It's going to blow right overhead, apparently. Maybe out in Queens somewhere, tho, rather than Brooklyn...

I'm in for it. Figure the only thing I will be able to do is read!

We're having the nicest weather of the year (sunny, warm, and no humidity) here in the Midwest but, if my reading will help deflect a hurricane, I'm all for it.

After last month's windstorm, which knocked power out for several days, I'm an old pro at reading with no electricity so I'll be with you in spirit.

For some strange reason, I find I have absolutely nothing whatsoever planned for Saturday. I can't remember when this last happened but intend to sit outside and read as much as possible.

I will join in for a little bit on Saturday and Sunday. I have to take my daughter to college on Saturday afternoon but I am going to try and listen to my audio book of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban while driving to her school. I am in the heart of all this Irene stuff.

Monica in Pennsylvania

I'm in! No Irene up in Ontario, but we did have quite the storm the other day, complete with tornado watches (that NEVER happens where I live).

Cait in Port Dover, Ontario

I'll join in (even though I'm nowhere hear the hurricane)

calm - in Wales

I've never done a readathon before. I might just do this one. It might keep me from running to the window every other minute to see what's going on. Hope the power stays on.

Charlotte - on the (soon to be) rain lashed, wind-tossed coast of southeastern Massachusetts

Looks like I picked the right timing! I see that as of noon tomorrow, the NYC subway system will be down. The storm will be blowing full force for about 21 hours, from late Sat until late Sun.

I'll join in - unless I get evacuated or called into work. I also hope we don't lose power - even my water runs on electricity. I was planning on reading Kristin Lavransdatter and hiding in the bath tub if necessary.

Kelly on Roosevelt Island, NYC

I'll join in as I have time, but I do have some other commitments on both days. I also don't promise to post updates hourly while I am reading because it is too disruptive to the flow of reading. I'll try to post them occasionally.

I will not be joining in - work not hurricane, thank goodness - but I will be checking in to see how everyone is doing.

Lori, I know that can be tricky to check in every hour. I'll try to, especially as I'm "hosting" and in am in the hurricane's path, and hope those who are also going to be visited by Irene will check in just to give a sign of life -- or at least, a sign of ongoing power supplies!

I hope that what I'm battling now is just a stress migraine and not a low-pressure zone/hurricane migraine special edition...

ETA -- Kelly, isn't Roosevelt Island a Zone A spot?? Wouldn't an evac center or a friend's place be better than the bathtub?? Stay safe!!

Suzanne, Roosevelt Island is Zone B, but we're surrounded by Zone A areas. We are not evacuating at this time. They've opened the community room in my building for people that are too afraid to stay alone in their apartments. It's on the first floor though. I'm planning a walk down to the tram in a little while to see what time they plan on shutting it down. Then I'll make my final decision to stay or go. Wherever I end up, I plan to be reading.
I hope your migraine has gone by now.

I'm probably going to be away from home (and my computer) all day. I am taking along two books to read (as well as my Kindle).

On the agenda:
Who Has Seen the Wind by W.O. Mitchell - less than 100 pages left to read
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Lots of choices on my Kindle after that. I'll post an update when I can.

I've never joined a readathon before, because I've never felt like I could commit to blocks of serious reading time. But this weekend could be different. I have nowhere to go after about noon today. I'm sure I'll be doing other things too (laundry, paying the bills, some housework) but what the heck, count me "in."

I'm currently reading Barbara Pym's Crampton Hodnet. It's short, so if I finish it I'll move on to The Bird Sisters.

Laura - Southeastern PA

Suzanne, thanks for starting the readathon! Not sure how much reading I'll be doing. We are at boarding school with a bunch of faculty who may want to play games during the Hurricane, but I am very excited about this readathon!

Brit - Southeastern PA

I'll be reading a lot this weekend, and I want to check in here to get eye-witness hurricane updates, so - what the heck - count me in! I'll do sporadic updates from the heart of the U.S. where we'll be experiencing a typical summer day in the low 90s with no rain or wind.

For those on the east coast - stay safe. Playing games and reading sounds like the perfect way to 'hunker down' during bad weather!

~Donna in Springfield, MO~

Count me in -- Margaret in south-central Virginia.

Brisk breezes so far in my area -- one large oak branch fell earlier this morning; wasn't too much trouble to lop up, so now I'm free to read!

I would like to participate.

I am preparing myself for the bad weather. Going shopping to get extra batteries and more non-perishable food items.

I have 4 books I wanted to complete before the end of August.

Jackie in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

I'm at the library (and then off to the grocery store). Once I get home, I'll return to Before the Machine, which is about the 1961 Cincinnati Reds. This will be my outdoor reading for today (it's a regular book).

Tonight, I intend to read a bit more of the Doris Kearns Goodwin Civil War book, Team of Rivals on my Kindle.

I figure to get about 12 hours worth of reading in today and into the wee hours of Sunday.

Just checking in here from Boothwyn Pennsylvania. So far no sign of hurricane or tropical storm except for the clouds and a light breeze. I will be reading my ER book All Cry Chaos and I will hopefully get to listen to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban on my Ipod some time today. I have been charging all my portable stuff just in case power goes out.

Yesterday I had heard that the eye of the storm is supposed to pass over Delaware County and I am right in that path. I hope to update as long as I have power and my lap top is available. My son and I share the computers and he is on the lap top right now.

If I finish either book I don't know what I will decide to pick up to read. Now I am going to continue to work on some cleaning and house work before I hunker down with my books.

Happy Reading all and everyone stay safe no matter where you are!!

I'm definitely going to be reading to take my mind off everything. As soon as the weather gets the least bit dicey (more than the rain that it's doing now) I'm unplugging my laptop and turning it off to keep the battery as charged as possible in case the power goes off, and ditto for my iPhone. So I'll post when I can.

Currently working on Borgia Betrayal---hoping to finish it today.
Do reviews count as time toward the readathon?

It's raining a little bit here in SE Massachusetts - a foretaste of the Great Bitch irene. Have been out to CVS to get me some batteries C batteries so my flashlight will function. Don't give a rat's bee-hind about D batteries as I have no interest in listening to the radio to find that - yes - it's raining - and - yes - the wind is blowing. Good thing too, because there weren't any Ds available. Went to the market and bought staples such as cherries, chocolate chip cookies, Snapple (I don't care if it's warm) and Pringles. No milk for me until Monday. Oh, yeah - and cat food too for the cat who 'is too mean to die'. It's not doctor prescribed cat food, but he loves Fancy Feast so he still gets some in addition to his 'healthy' food that he is currently turning his nose up on (to?). For starters I'll be reading George R.R. Martin's Fevre Dream and I hope to get a little done on Vilette and Aristotle's Children as well.

I'm ready to go.

>27 Fourpawz2: - I love your "staples", Charlotte!

I'm hoping to finish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows today, and make some more progress on A Cupboard Full of Coats. Hope everyone is doing alright so far, weather-wise. Happy reading :)

We've got rain drifting in and out. My migraine is v. bad indeed -- I'm not sure when it will clear so I apologize in advance if I'm a crummy host. I'm not going to be doing a lot of reading until it gets slightly better, but when I do, in the spirit of the weather, I'll be reading Rip Tide by Stella Rimington, among others.

Whoops -- since I started typing the heavens have opened.

For anyone who is interested in filling in the form, here's the version I have drafted:

HOUR(S):

Weather Report:

Number of books read from this period:
Titles:
Number of books finished this period:
Number of pages read this period:
The menu:

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon:
Any favorites?
Total books finished so far:
Total pages read so far:
Guesstimate of total time spent reading:

Biggest distraction?

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? did reading help you get through it? Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather?

OK, I've done everything I can think of to get ready. Now I just have to wait and distract myself, so I"m going to try reading and doing crossword puzzles.

HOUR(S): 0 (1:15 PM NYC time)

Weather Report: Raining

Number of books read from this period: Just starting
Titles: Will be continuing to read The Factory of Facts and will start They Were Found Wanting

HOUR(S): 1

Weather Report: Raining, cloudy and humid!

Number of books read from this period: 0
Titles: N/A
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 0
The menu: BLTA made by my wonderful wife!

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 0
Any favorites? n/a
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 0
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 0

Biggest distraction? I was setting up my class web-page and putting my kid down for a nap (which he is now up from . . .)

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? did reading help you get through it? Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather?

Hurricane Floyd my first year in college. Although, this summer's sweltering heat is right up there!

I'm also a fan of Charlotte's staples. Cherries are a definite must around here when they're on special.

I'm too far North to be in Irene's path, but still thinking of all you East Coasters and hoping no one gets hit too far. I'm just off to the movies with my dad to see Midnight in Paris, but I'll be hitting the books when I get back. Want to finish Game of Thrones (only 70 pages to go!) and make headway on The Good Earth and The Jungle Books (am at book 2). Maybe pick up another YA novel along the way.

I'm Ilana in Montreal wishing you a great read-a-thon and a safe weekend.

HOUR(S): 1 through 2

Weather Report: Intermittent rain. Super humid

Number of books read from this period: 2
Titles: Fevre Dream and Aristotle's Children
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 36 pages of FD and 12 page of AC
The menu: Buffalo Chicken wrap with mayo and horseradish, garlic dill pickle, milk and 1 chocolate chip cookie

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Any favorites? too soon to know that
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 48 pages
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 1 hour 53 minutes

Biggest distraction? too busy reading to be distracted

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? did reading help you get through it? Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather? - probably the worst was Hurricane Carol in 1954, but I was only a year and half old so that probably doesn't count. Probably the worst that I remember was a blizzard a couple of years ago when I, literally, got snowed in. Luckily I had a shovel inside the house with me so I that after I shoved the back storm door open about four inches I was able to stick that shovel outside and gradually free myself. No specific recommendations re: distracting books, but I would think that it would have to be something gripping with the ability to carry you away.

Weather Report from Panhandle of Florida: hot, 'feels like' 98, partly cloudy. we could have used some of that rain as we are back in drought again.

Reading: Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson.

I adore Anomander Rake, Knight of of House Dark, Son of Darkness and Soletaken - and a guy who truly knows how to make an entrance! Paren, honestly, give it up! Silverfox, get your crap together woman! WhiskeyJack!

Worst Weather Event: All 3 cat 4 storms barreling down on you. For us those were Opal, Ivan and Katrina. Major damage to the yard and docks, less so to the house. The worst part, well, other than the worry whilst the thing is going on, is no power for a week or more afterwards, with hot and humid weather and no hope of restful sleep. But now we have a whole house generator!

Will be taking a break in a couple of hours to go to a friend's house for a homemade taco dinner!

HOUR(S): 0 - 2 (5 - 7 pm BST)

Weather Report: muggy with some rain

Number of books read from this period: 3
Titles: The Inheritance and other Stories by Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm; The Travels of Marco Polo and A House for Mr Biswas by V.S. Naipul
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 83
The menu: Tuna pasta bake

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 3
Any favorites? Too soon to say:)
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 83
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 70 minutes

Biggest distraction? making food

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? did reading help you get through it? Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather?

probably snow - I have been snowed in several times and reading definitely helped. I'm terrible at book recommendations:(

HOUR(S): 2

Weather Report: Still raining and slightly breezing.

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 10
The menu: nothing. . .but I think will get some cucumber salad. . .

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 1
Any favorites? Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is just so much fun.
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 10
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 15 minutes

Biggest distraction? My very cranky kidd-o who apparently will not be napping this afternoon. . .

HOUR(S): 1 (2:15 NYC time)

Weather Report: Not raining at the moment. Very humid

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: They Were Found Wanting
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 37
The menu: Some pistachio nuts

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 1
Any favorites?
Total books finished so far:
Total pages read so far:
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 55 min

Biggest distraction? Checking track of Irene on the internet

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? did reading help you get through it? Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather?

Thankfully, very few. Some big snowstorms, probably.

ETA #35 I loved the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books when I was a kid -- glad they're still around.

Suzanne, I'm sorry about your migraine. Don't worry about us... this chatty group will keep on reading and posting until you feel better.

Ilana, lucky you getting to see "Midnight in Paris." Loved that movie. I just read a chapter in my Edith Wharton autobiography, A Backward Glance, about the Paris salons when she was there a bit before Hemingway, et al. Fun stuff!

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: A Backward Glance by Edith Wharton
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: Approximately 150
The menu: Sweet 'n' Salty bar; water

Guesstimate of time spent reading: 2 hours

Biggest distraction? Being tired from late-night reading session!

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? did reading help you get through it? Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather?

We experienced a major ice storm in January of '07. It shut down the city for several days. No batteries and little food could be purchased. Our power was out for 6 days, but many people went without heat for weeks! We "camped out" with the dog in the living room that had the gas fireplace. I read The Power of One by candlelight. I'm grateful that it was compelling enough (and long enough) to get me through that cold period!

Not joining in, but thinking of you all. I spent the first 21 years of my life in places in the path of this storm (NYC, NJ, Mass) so I am feeling for you.

I'm not participating, but thought I'd post an update for Lori (Thornton37814). She's visiting at my house today and didn't bring her computer. She's finished Who Has Seen the Wind and started on A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I haven't been outside today, so all I can tell about the weather here is that it is dry. We've been checking the news periodically for hurricane updates, and praying for the best for all of you in the storm's path.

HOUR(S): 3

Weather Report: Muggy and grey while at the same time, to the west, I can almost see the sun lurking behind the grey cloudiness. Weird.

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: Fevre Dream
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 30
The menu: lemonade - the frozen supermarket kind, not the good home-made kind.

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Any favorites? Really liking FD. Full of vampires on the Mississippi
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 78
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 2 hours 37 minutes

Biggest distraction? I had to wash the dishes. The thought of them sitting in the sink - all nasty and begging to be washed - was making me crazy.

Hour: 1 for me, 3 for you all
The weather report: brain boiling hot and dry (108 degrees) in the western US. No hurricanes for us. Why can't we just spread that rain around a little?

I've been reading: listening to The Lady and the Unicorn, so far it's the worst of Tracy Chevalier's books, but when she's not trying to describe the sexual feelings of a 14 year old, it's interesting. I heard his voice and felt it in my maidenhead. Need I say more?
Books finished (in the last hour):0
Pages read:4/18 of a CD
Reading time: about 20 minutes
Total books read from: 1
Total books completed 0
Total pages read:4/18 of a CD
Total time read: 20 min

The Menu: steel cut oatmeal with banana and vanilla soy milk, an orange, french roast coffee with milk
Any distractions? The usual morning stuff with dogs and birdbaths

The worst weather I've been in: we were driving through the mountains at night in Colorado during a wicked lightening storm. It was beautiful and frightening, and it didn't even occur to me to read.

HOUR(S): 2 (3:15 NYC time)

Weather Report: Not raining at the moment. Very humid

Number of books read from this period: 2
Titles: They Were Found Wanting and The Factory of Facts
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 21
The menu:

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Any favorites? Both
Total books finished so far:
Total pages read so far: 58
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 1 hour 20 minutes

Biggest distraction? Checking track of Irene on the internet and working on yesterday's NY Times crossword puzzle

HOUR: 4 (4:06pm eastern time)

Weather Report: More rain, coming down moderately heavy. Sky is beginning to darken with the clouds. Still breezy.

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 17
The menu: 3 Hershey's kisses w/ Macadamia Nuts

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 1
Any favorites? Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is just so much fun.
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 27
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 28 minutes

Biggest distraction? My very cranky kidd-o who apparently will not be napping this afternoon. . . and playing with our dog and a neighbor's new puppy.

#38 - The Power of One is my all-time favorite book!

ETA: Time

Hope you are feeling better Suzanne and that everybody on the east coast of the states is staying safe.

HOUR(S): 2 - 4 (7 - 9 pm BST)

Weather Report: haven't looked but no rain and feels warmish

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: The Inheritance and other Stories by Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 31
The menu: cider

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 3
Any favorites? Too soon to say:)
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 124
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 100 minutes

Biggest distraction? Doctor Who! - first in the new series and inability to settle back to reading after watching TV.

HOUR(S): 1-4

Weather Report: Dreary; occasional stiff breeze

Number of books read from this period: 2
Titles: Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer; A Talking Owl is Worth a Thousand Words by Jerry and Esther Hicks
Number of books finished this period: 1
Number of pages read this period: 50
The menu: Triscuit Hint of Salt; Chocolate goldfish; Food Lion brand Strawberry-Banana 100% juice

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Any favorites? meh
Total books finished so far: 1
Total pages read so far: 50
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 1 hr. 30 min.

Biggest distraction? Shopping online for digital camera -- trying to take advantage of Kindle special offer that expires soon.

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? Downdraft of 55 mph

Did reading help you get through it? Happened too fast to read during the event
Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather? Something light, entertaining, easy, or part of your favorite genre. For me, that would be YA or travel adventures: wish I had Beyond the Hundredth Meridian by Wallace Stegner, which Krakauer recommended in the tome I just finished.

Hi Suzanne and all readathoner's in and out of the path of Irene.
Can't participate in this read a thon as we're hosting a Hurricane party in of all places sunny cleveland, ohio.
You'll be in our thoughts and hope it passes quickly with little damage. Most of all, stay safe!!!!

HOUR: 4 and 5 (it's now 4: 52 PM EDT)

Weather Report: Still, grey and muggy. Getting pretty gloomy. Need to turn on another light

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: Fevre Dream
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 54
The menu: a pack of peanut butter crackers in hour 5

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Any favorites? still enjoying FD
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 170
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 4 hours and 3 minutes

Biggest distraction? Willie squalling for Fancy Feast and an automated call from my insurance company assuring me that are standing by waiting for me to call them with any claims I might have.

ETA - I am going to step away for a while, but will return.

Hour: 5
The weather report: Hot and dry, hot and dry, hot and dry, repeat ad infinitum
I've been reading: Borderline by Nevada Barr
Books finished (in the last hour):0
Pages read:37
Reading time: about 45 minutes
Total books read from: 2
Total books completed 0
Total pages read:37 + 4/18 of a CD
Total time read: about an hour

The Menu: Nothing
Any distractions? No, but today is my son's 40th birthday, so I'm off to wish him well. Will read more when I get back.

I hope you in the path of it all are doing well.

>44 weejane:: Brit, you have good taste in books. Power of One was in my Top Ten of 2006. I must have made a mistake in the year of the BIG ice storm. We had another one on a much smaller scale the following year.

I finished A Backward Glance so I'm taking a longish break before I start something else. I love reading peoples' comments here. I see that Lori has a "secretary" to report in for her. ;-) And Joyce, I feel your pain for listening to icky writing like that! ETA: Happy Birthday to your son. I felt rather old when my oldest son turned 40 - 2 years ago!

So far I haven't heard anything terrible happening with Irene, although I know from experience that it sucks to lose your power. I hope she continues to behave herself.

Taking a break from reading. Will come back here once I start reading again.

Hour: 1 (5:16 Eastern)
The weather report: light rain, steady wind
I've been reading: Hell & Gone
Books finished (in the last hour):1
Pages read: ~50
Reading time: about 30 minutes
Total books read from: 1
Total books completed 1
Total pages read: 50
Total time read: 30 minutes

The Menu: Sipping on a Dr Pepper left over from lunch

Any distractions? Went to visit a friend who had a stroke a couple of weeks ago. He's doing really well. Also semi-watching The Bone Collector and mopping up a bit of water we found in the basement.

HOUR(S): 5

Weather Report: overcast, calm, 83°, humid

Number of books read from this period: 2
Titles: Mayflower, Friday's Child
Number of books finished this period:
Number of pages read this period: 65
The menu: Saltines with various toppings, an apple (gala), water, coffee, chocolate (1 piece dark; 1 piece milk)

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Any favorites? Both - *FC* is a reread
Total books finished so far:
Total pages read so far: 65
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: an hour and a half?

Biggest distraction? nap, Weather Channel, LT, PBS

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? did reading help you get through it? Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather? The worst was when Hurricane Hazel came through when I was in the 5th grade. My mother came to school to get me during the time the eye came over. We had a hard time getting back to my grandmother's house because her street was completely blocked by chinaberry trees that had blown over. We eventually made it through other fallen trees and whipping power lines on a parallel street. Just as we walked in the back door, the wind started again and blew the neighbors' pecan tree down on their garage. I'm sure that I probably read some Nancy Drew or Sherlock Holmes.
As an adult, Hurricanes Fran and Floyd scared me badly. I certainly read and it helped.

Now I get to walk and do other stuff.

Hey Peggy--I went through Hurricane Hazel too--but in Aruba. Aruba is out of the normal Caribbean hurricane path, but Hazel brushed us. All I remember is boarding up the windows, a tree being knocked down in our yard, and going to the library afterwards, and there being lots of puddles (which were a rarety since it hardly ever rained).

My most traumatic time was when my three older children, who were still fairly young, were visiting Florida with grandma and Hurricane Andrew hit. I was at home frantically watching it all on tv. They thought it was great fun though.

Hi everyone. Here is my update for reading. I have been having trouble just settling down to read. I just keep looking out the windows and doors looking for this extreme Irene to hit. Here is everything else:

HOUR(S): 1-5 (12pm-5pm edt)

Weather Report: Just looking out my window light to heavy rain. Some wind. I guess we are still on the beginning of Irene. I have a feeling that the storm will get worse once night comes. Some areas in NJ and Delaware have tornado warnings.

Number of books read from this period: 2
Titles: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban (listening to), and All Cry Chaos by Leonard Rosen
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 18 pages from All Cry Chaos. I am not sure how many in HP since I am listening to it. I am on the Dementors chapter which I believe is chapter 10.
The menu: I have been nibbling all day. Nerves really. I have eaten, peanuts, goldfish, pretzels, oreo cookies thins and water. I just ate dinner which consisted of elbow macaroni with marinara sauce, chicken and some rolls.

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Any favorites? I love HP, Cry for Chaos has been interesting. Still too early to see if it is a favorite
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 18+
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 2hours

Biggest distraction? Just waiting for the storm to hit. I don't know what to expect and the waiting is just annoying me. Plus facebook has been keeping my attention too.

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? did reading help you get through it? Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather? I have had a few interesting weather events. I remember a blizzard on March 13, 1993. This stand out for me because it was my son's first birthday and we had to cancel his party. My dad called to complain that he had to wait 30 years before getting a blizzard on his birthday and Brandon gets one on his 1st. My dad's birthday is March 8. I am sure there are more.

Some interesting posts up above. Suzanne I hope you are feeling better. So Happy Reading everyone and will hopefully post again before going to bed, if I even go to bed tonight.

Nearly 11pm here so I'm just getting ready to read in bed. I'll back tomorrow. Hope everyone is safe, reading good books, and that the power stays on.

HOUR(S): 4 - 6 (9 - 11 pm BST)

Weather Report: no rain and feels warmish

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: A House for Mr Biswas by V. S. Naipul
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 28
The menu: cider

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 3
Any favorites?
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 152
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 130 minutes

Biggest distraction? TV, computer games, reading LT threads.

HOUR(S):6

Weather Report: looking out the window I can't tell if it's raining very lightly or not at all. There are people without umbrellas and cars with their wipers off. Very humid. Grey skies. The East River is calm at 71st Street.

Number of books read from this period: 3
Titles: Kristin Lavransdatter - 20 pgs including introduction and translation notes
The Little Book of Hindu Deities - 17 pages
Poetry Speaks Expanded - 6 pages Comes with 3 CDs of poets reading their poetry. I am saving these for later when I may want something to cover the noise from the wind
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 43
The menu: earlier, for lunch - pizza, pepsi, twizzlers soon, for dinner- leftover lemony quinoa with toasted sunflower seeds.

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 3
Any favorites? the Hindu Deities book is funny with cute illustrations
Total books finished so far:0
Total pages read so far:43
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 45 mins

Biggest distraction? calling and facebooking friends and family to make sure everyone is okay, playing Gardens of Time when I'm on facebook, repacking my go-bag (third time), and setting up a sleeping area on the floor behind my bed, utilizing a mini trampoline as a barrier of protection between me and any flying glass should my bedroom window break. Plus cooking, eating and a 40 min nap on the couch.

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? did reading help you get through it? Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather?
The blizzard of Jan 1995. I got stuck at work. Worked the night shift with only 3 nurses for 4 days straight. My legs were like noodles, I couldn't stand by the end of the last night. There was no reading.

ETA: - #45 Calm - I've been watching the Doctor Who marathon off and on all day. Less than 2 hours to go until the new episode. I hope the electricity behaves until the show is over.

I just noticed this thread, but I have been inadvertently participating for about 2 hours, in Alexandria, VA. I'm reading Watchmen by Alan Moore and The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. When I finish the former I will begin A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin.

I've hardly read at all. I did laundry and some other housework, and made chili. I sat down to read and about 10 pages in my daughter challenged hubby and I to a game of Scrabble. That was fun. Now hubby wants to watch a movie but I want to read!!!!

Another Lori update (Thornton37814): She's read a few chapters of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and says she is liking it better than Who Has Seen the Wind. Biggest distractions: we watched a couple of episodes of Pie in the Sky with my father, who is recuperating from a fall and trip to the ER yesterday. The menu: Ruby Tuesday's take-out.

Hope it's not too late to jump in! I'm mostly planning on participating tomorrow. I'm planning my own "Do Nothing But Read Day." :)

Just a quick wave -- and a mini challenge for anyone who is wondering what to read next. Go to your TBR stacks and shelves and pick out a book that ties into storms and hurricane like weather -- in the title or the subject!

If I stay really still, don't move at ALL, and pack my head with ice packs, I can cope with the migraine. That's an improvement, actually.

ETA: I'm going to try to eat soon, and poss. after than the head will improve enough that I can read.

Weather report: steady rain, only a very little wind so far. It's eerily quiet; almost no cars on the street.

Suzanne, I'm sorry your migraine isn't better. Does sleeping help? I just saw about three dozen emergency vehicles, with lights flashing, heading down the FDR. I hope they're just getting into place for the night and that nothing that major has happened.

No reading happening here. Watching Doctor Who.

Sleeping does help. About the only thing that helps this magnitude of migraine is a good night's sleep -- or sheer bloody luck. Food will help, so I'm going to make some pasta, or mebbe some soup.

Just checking in. I have done some reading. I am extremely tired and it is only going on to 9pm. I don't know if I want to sleep in my bed or down stairs with the puppy and my son. We have rain and some wind. and not much else is happening. I did hear the whistles for the firehouse go off but I don't know what it was for. It could just be a car accident or downed wires.

I still have electric and hoping it stays on. Someone posted on facebook that over 2 million have lost power from Virginia to NJ. And I heard it could be up to 10 days to a week for us to get power back if we do lose it.

Hope everyone is staying safe and getting some reading or movie watching in. Or even watching Dr. Who..

Happy reading all!!

Monica

Just checking in. I will post more later about reading. Hurricane update - winds beginning to pick up. Been raining for hours. We'll see how it gets. Supposed to get worse all night. . .

Hour 10:

Just thought I'd join you now! Better late than never.

I'm Madeline reading in Maryland. The book I just finished and reviewed this afternoon was The Accusation by Curt Finch. Read the review as there I tell a bit more about why I read the book in the first place.

The book I then started was In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami. This is a book that made my daughter so nauseous when she read it at the beach a week and a half ago that she couldn't finish it. Her fiance then read the whole book with no problem. Thought I'd give it a try as well.

Weather here in Rockville is rainy (Duh!) with chance of flash flooding. We have a tropical storm warning in effect. I haven't seen anything yet that is out of the ordinary, although our rainfall is supposed to be 2 to 4 inches.

Now I'll go back and read the whole thread. :D

More later...

Hour: 4 (9:11 Eastern)
The weather report: rain and wind picking up in central Maryland

I've been reading: Nights of Villjamur
Books finished (in the last hour):o
Pages read: ~45
Reading time: about 45 minutes
Total books read from: 2
Total books completed 1
Total pages read: 95
Total time read: 1.5 hours

The Menu: leftover Mac n cheese with a Dogfish Head brown ale a couple of hours ago.

Any distractions? Helped the wife move her quilting studio into the former bedroom of the son now that he's moved out.

Oooh quilting studio...

Head is better enuf that after I devour pasta (spaghetti with marinara sauce; carbs good for migraines, apparently) I will try some reading. Book of choice will be Rip Tide by Stella Rimington.

Weather report: just rain, not too much wind. REALLY hoping we don't lose power. In Union Sq earlier today, saw a whole battalion of Con Ed emergency vehicles, all ready to kick into action. Happily, our power lines are buried, although I'm close to flood zones, so...

HOUR(S): 5-8

Weather Report: Dark; quiet

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: A Talking Owl is Worth a Thousand Words by Jerry and Esther Hicks
Number of books finished this period: 1
Number of pages read this period: 53
The menu: Toast
Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Any favorites? meh
Total books finished so far: 2
Total pages read so far: 103
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 2 hrs. 45 min.

Biggest distraction? Hungry! (and worried about adult children who live closer to the coast)

Weather Report: We had a warm, sunny day with another one predicted for tomorrow. I'd love to have some rain from Irene but we're too far inland.

The menu: One-half Asiago roast beef sandwich and small Greek salad from Panera's. We also bought a brownie to split, but it looks like we'll be having that tomorrow.

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Total books finished so far: 1
Total pages read so far: Approx. 350
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 6 hours.

Biggest distraction? Checking on hurricane updates. I was very sorry to hear that there are 8 confirmed deaths from the hurricane. Stay safe, People!

I finished A Backward Glance by Edith Wharton. It wasn't required reading but it will be very good background for the Major American Authors class I'm auditing at Missouri State. EW is our author. I'll be reading my assigned 5 chapters from The House of Mirth tomorrow.

The second book I read from is One Hundred Years of Solitude which I'm rereading so I can discuss it at a face-to-face book group Thursday night. I'm having the same problem I had with it years ago... too many Aurelianos and Arcadios in this book!

Well we now have a tornado warning for our area along with the hurricane.

Have read off and on for the past couple of hours. I think I am getting a sinus headache or something.

I'm back. Decided to watch the Patriots/Lions game for a little bit. It was so humid I had to close all the windows which meant that it got very stuffy and kind of warm which led to me corking off for a while. It's the second half now, Brady is done for the night and it's time to get back to reading.

Has been raining off and on, but nothing is falling right now. Can hear the late summer bugs carrying on very distinctly even though all the windows are closed. Seems like a pretty ordinary, rainy night. There isn't that pre-hurricane feel in the air here. You know the one I mean - you feel the undercurrent of anticipation. The sure and certain knowledge that something is up out there somewhere. Am not so sure that Irene's impact will be all that huge here.

I'll be starting just now. Don't know how often I'll check in either, because as soon as I get on the computer I end up not getting any reading done... but I'm with you all in spirit.

Of to finish Game of Thrones. Maybe alternate with The Jungle Books and The Good Earth.

Hope everyone is well and that you migraine is more tolerable, if not completely gone, Suzanne.

Monica -- sinus headaches can be a form of migraines, and also are triggered by low pressure zones.

Just heard the first thunder here; it's supposed to really pick up in the next hour. May try to get a bit more sleep while I can.

Did do some reading: 55 pages in Rip Tide, the newest thriller by Stella Rimington. On standby are Silver Girl by Erin Hildebrand, Spring Tides by Jacques Poulin, a book about Lisbon during WW2 and a whole bunch of others.

I want to thank Carrie (cbl_tn) for posting my updates today. She posted the last one while I drove to the airport to pick up her brother. I'm back at home now and plan to read as many pages in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn as I can before my eyes refuse to be propped open any longer. I may get a few pages read before church tomorrow, but it will likely be tomorrow afternoon before I make any more substantial progress on reading. Weather is quite nice here in East Tennessee, and it had cooled down to about 72 degrees by the time I got home.

HOUR 11

Weather Report: It's raining, but there's no wind. Doesn't seem like hurricane weather to me. That's okay, though.

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: In the Miso Soup
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 50
The menu: 2 pieces of toast with butter and cherry jelly

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 1
Any favorites? The Accusation
Total books finished so far: 1
Total pages read so far: 22 + 50 = 72

Biggest distraction? no distractions this hour

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? an ice storm in which we had a power outage for 5 days

did reading help you get through it? Probably, but I don't remember what I did for distraction at the time.

Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather? Beach Music - Pat Conroy

lucky you, Madeleine! It's super windy down here in NoVA. Perhaps it's headed your way.

No! No! Keep it in Virginia!! :)

Hour: 11
The weather report:It's still 100 degrees but we did get a little bit of a sprinkle of rain - must have been a birthday present for my son from Mother Nature.
I've been reading: Borderline by Nevada Barr (I'm loving it, why have I been so resistant to reading Barr?) and listening to The Lady and the Unicorn which is much better now that Chevalier is discussing the art of the tapestries and has let the 14 year old's maidenhead alone.
Books finished (in the last hour):0
Pages read:50 + 1CD
Reading time: about 2 hr
Total books read from: 2
Total books completed 0
Total pages read:87 + 1 & 4/18 of a CD
Total time read: about 3

The Menu: pasta primavera with tofu and mushrooms, green salad, bruschetta, red wine
Any distractions? a trip to my daughter's to take care of her cats, the son is off on an adventure

Well, my power just went out. So it's candlelight reading for me for the rest of the night.

Hour: 11

Weather Report: Not raining. No wind.

The menu: another glass of lemonade
Number of pages read this period: 30
Total time spent reading this period: 61 minutes
Titles: Fevre Dream
Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 200
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 5 hours 4 minutes

Biggest distraction? None

Going to bed now. Willie is an early riser and so, therefore, am I. See you all tomorrow.

HOUR 12:

> 80

Well, my power just went out.

So sorry about that, Nora. I told you I didn't want the wind. There's a generator available for our use should our power go out. Over the years, we've learned not to trust PEPCO, our electric utility.

Total pages read so far: 72 + 32 = 104

Weather Report: Rainier, windier. Still have power, thank heavens.

No more reading done as yet; I'm going to nosh on some bits of pineapple and then get some sleep, at least as long as I can.

It is hour 11 1/2. . .

Weather Report: Just came upstairs from a tornado warning. It is beginning to get really windy and rain is coming down in sheets.

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Number of books finished this period: 1
Number of pages read this period: 32
The menu: Dinner (eggplant parmigiana and monkey bread)

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 1
Any favorites? Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is just so much fun.
Total books finished so far: 1
Total pages read so far: 59
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 50 minutes

Biggest distraction? Hurricane craziness. . .

Hour 13:

Weather Report: Heavy showers. Tropical Storm warning still in effect in Rockville, Maryland. Winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: In the Miso Soup
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 8
The menu: Grapes

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Total books finished so far: 1
Total pages read so far: 112 (though page 90 of book #2)

Biggest distraction? Looking out the door at the rain. I'm guessing we've had about 3 inches of rain so far today. I use our outdoor cat dish to meaure the rainfall! :)

That's it for tonight. I'll check in with all of you tomorrow. Stay safe and dry.

Nothing to report weather-wise here in Montreal. Hope everyone's ok.

I finished A Game of Thrones maybe 20 minutes ago and off to bed with The Good Earth. I'm hoping to either finish that or The Jungle Books tomorrow, but we'll see. Either way, I'll probably start on The Sisters Brothers sometime tomorrow or Monday at the latest.

Just checking in to see how the Readathon is going. I hope everyone is staying safe!

Hour: 13
The weather report: 94 I guess that little sprinkle was the best we could get
I've been reading: Borderline by Nevada Barr
Books finished (in the last hour):0
Pages read: 30
Reading time: about 1/2 hr
Total books read from: 2
Total books completed 0
Total pages read:117 + 1 & 4/18 of a CD
Total time read: about 3.5 hr

The Menu: a Fudgesicle and water
Any distractions? Getting sleepy. I guess that's it for me. I'll watch Pit Boss then off to bed

Like Stasia - I'm just checking in to say hi and I hope everyone in the path of Irene are fine. I haven't been able to join the readathon this time round.

Power outages are creeping closer. I'm pondering getting some sleep before the A/C cuts out.

Sounds like a good idea, Suz.

HOUR(S): 6 - 7 (11- 12 pm BST)

Weather Report:

Number of books read from this period: 2
Titles: A House for Mr Biswas by V. S. Naipul and The Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 46
The menu: hot chocolate

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 4
Any favorites?
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 198
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 180 minutes

Biggest distraction? - none this hour apart from getting ready for bed

HOUR(S): 7 - 15 (12pm - 8am BST) - SLEEP

HOUR(S): 15 - 17 (8 - 10am BST)

Weather Report: Heavy rain

Number of books read from this period: 2
Titles: A House for Mr Biswas by V. S. Naipul and The Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 56
The menu: coffee, granola bar, banana, yoghurt, nettle and mint tea

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 4
Any favorites?
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 254
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 250 minutes

Biggest distraction? morning stuff, feeding cats, reading this thread

Sorry to hear that the migraine is continuing Suzanne - hope you feel better soon.

I hope that everybody is staying safe and that those of you who have lost power are reconnected soon.

The good news: the migraine is still improving.

The bad news: the storm is getting closer. Thankfully, still have power (though 250k in NY & suburbs don't). Still, tornado watch extended until 11 a.m.; storm is about five hours away; waiting to see how bad surge will be. Am going to try to get another coupla hours.

ETA: Remember that this is a 36 hour marathon - we go right through to midnight Sunday night!!

Woot for the good news!

Stay battened down, Suz.

HOUR(S): 17 - 19 (10am - 12 pm BST)

Weather Report: rain stopped, some sunshine

Number of books read from this period: 2
Titles: The Inheritance and other stories by Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm and The Travels of Marco Polo
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 62
The menu:nettle and mint tea

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 4
Any favorites? loving the short stories, perfect readathon reading.
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 316
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 300 minutes

Biggest distraction? time spent checking e-mail; reading LT threads.

Suzanne - Pleased to hear that the migraine is improving, hope your power stays on and that you stay safe.

I also hope that everyone else in the storm's path is well.

Hope all in Irene's path are well and safe.

Here in the panhandle of Florida it was boiling hot yesterday despite lower humidity. Supposed to be same today.

Reading Memories of Ice and am in the middle of the battle for Capustan. So far this readathon read about 100 pages (I'm terrible at keeping track)

Lots of distractions, including dinner with friends, and catching up on some TV shows we've had recorded for several days.

Menu at the moment: a pot of chocolate tea. Prying open eyes.

Update. No real reading since I last posted. Worked on crossword puzzles, ate dinner, talked on the phone, went to sleep, and now watching Law & Order reruns. Rained hard all night and now the wind is picking up. Will get back to reading eventually.

We lost power at 10pm so we went to bed. Thankfully I got all my "needs electricity" stuff done yesterday, including working the New York Times Sunday Crossword online. Also thankful we have a way to brew coffee. Those are my current priorities :). Of course as the power outage continues my attitude will change.

Daughter is still asleep, hubby went back to bed. I need to conserve power on my iPad so I won't be checking in much. But I will be reading!

Just checking in.

Suzanne, that is what I figured it was from. Just as the winds picked up and tornado watches issued my head just started to ache. I didn't get much reading done after my last post.

Once I take my medicine and eat breakfast I am going to pick up my book and read. I still have power. Irene has passed us at least the eye of the storm and they are saying it is still a cat 1 hurricane. It is now headed to New York so my thoughts and prayers are with everyone.

There may still be winds and rain as Irene continues up the coastline. I hear wind every so often. I don't see too much of debris right now in my yard. I saw last night on facebook that there was either a fire or a downed power line on the main street that goes by my development. Some of my neighbors took pictures from their back windows. It looked like a fire yet at the same time it could just have been a live wire that was down. Everyone was speculating that it was the historical farmhouse that was burning. I haven't ventured out to see what it was.

Well going upstairs to my room to get my pills and then eating breakfast.

Happy Reading all.

As long as I have power I will post updates and to see how everyone is doing.

Just checking in on everyone - I was reading on and off yesterday, and a bit this morning, and hopefully will finish HP 7 today. Hope everyone is ok!

HOUR(S): 20 (8 to 9 EDST)

Weather Report: rain minimal (and hasn't rained much overall, nor is it expected to), Strong gusts of wind - said to be in the 30 to 50 mph range)

Number of books read from this period:
Titles: still reading Fevre Dream which is moving along just fine
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 24
The menu:cup of coffee

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Any favorites? FD
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 224
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 5 hours 52 minutes

Biggest distraction? stupid local TV coverage. Have been up since 6-ish (thanks, Willie) and in that time have had breakfast - 1/2 of an english muffin with apricot jam, OJ and coffee - and then squatted in front of the TV expecting to learn something. Did not learn anything. Have heard a couple branches (not big ones) from the Sword of Damocles tree out back hit the roof, but otherwise have not seen anything else - flying debris wise. Have removed myself to the bedroom which is at the other end of the house so that I can read without a window right in front of me which is better. For one thing it is away from the SofD tree and what with having a window at my back instead of in front me, I can't see trees whipping around. Willie is sitting next to me right now waiting for the moment when he can start carrying on about getting fed again (puked up his first portion of Fancy Feast at 6:30 because he gobbled it down. He never learns.) Anyway in this new location, with the window at my back cracked a little bit for some air, I am making progress.

Cheli, here... I've been reading and sleeping so this is my first update.

HOUR(S):11½ - 13

Weather Report: heavy rain and very windy

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: The Borgia Betrayal
Number of books finished this period: 1
Number of pages read this period: 159
The menu: none

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 1
Any favorites? no
Total books finished so far: 1
Total pages read so far: 159
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 2½ hrs

Biggest distraction? wind

So what's the worst weather event you've ever encountered? did reading help you get through it? Any recommendations for books that will distract us all from this weather? thunderstorms are the worst because of the noise

Good morning. I hope everyone is safe. I managed to sleep 6 hours --- through the worst of the rain. Still have electricity, although can not get the kitchen light to turn on due to the high humidity (happens all the time).

HOUR(S): 22

Weather Report: It is not raining here now, still grey and cloudy with occ wind gusts. East River at 71st Street higher than normal, but no flooding. Can see dozens of my neighbors down at the sea wall checking out the situation. All appears calm.

Number of books read from this period: 3
Titles: Back and White, When You Are Engulfed in Flames and The Little Book of Hindu Deities
Number of books finished this period: 1
Number of pages read this period:96
The menu: cereal, Moroccan pomegranate red tea, morning medications

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 5
Any favorites? The Hindu Deities book
Total books finished so far: 1 Black and White- David McCauley - children's picture book
Total pages read so far: 139
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 2 hrs 10 mins

Biggest distraction? weather reports on tv and radio, anxiety about the weather, facebook

HOUR(S): 19 - 23 (12 - 4 pm BST)

Weather Report: some sunshine

Number of books read from this period: 3
Titles: The Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong The Inheritance and other stories by Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm and The Travels of Marco Polo
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 107
The menu:nettle and mint tea. scrambled egg, mushrooms and toast, apple, coffee

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 4
Any favorites? loving the short stories, perfect readathon reading.
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 423
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 400 minutes

Biggest distraction? when I made lunch I put on the TV and ended up watching a film - so that took a couple of hours away from reading:)

What Violet said re weather. The worst is definitely over. Thankfully, it seems for most of us that it was overpreparing. There is still a flooding risk, but I have power, I have no water in my home, so that's good. I've got the scary migraine back.

For the whole readathon, I've read about 95 pages of Rip Tide by Stella Rimington, about 45 pages of Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory and about 10 of On the Road to Babadag by Andrzej Stasiuk.

Having some crumpets then back to bed with icepacks and drugs.

Suzanne how your migraine goes soon. I haven't done much reading with getting phone calls and checking in on family and friends to make sure they are all okay. Now I am going to hunker down and get some reading done.

I am still reading All Cry Chaos which started to get good last night when the wind started to pick up and I just couldn't concentrate because I was so scared that a tree was going to fall on the house.

Sorry you're in so much pain Suz. Came in to check up on everyone as far as Irene goes. I'm glad to see no one was hit too hard, so far at least. Better that they over prepared than the other way round I guess.

We're having heavy rain here, but nothing unusual.

I'm really loving The Good Earth. Will visit a few threads, walk Coco (a short and sweet one—he's not so keen on getting drenched) and then settle down with the aforementioned... or something else.

It is very windy here now, but I think I've about overdosed on TV coverage and once I eat lunch may get back to reading. I do wish the wind would die down so I could open some windows -- it's very stuffy in here.

HOUR(S): 20-23

Weather Report: Very hot and sunny
Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: Encounters with the Archdruid by John McPhee
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 12
The menu: McDonald's Sausage Gravy biscuits; coffee; juice
Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 3
Any favorites? The McPhee for sure
Total books finished so far: 2
Total pages read so far: 125
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 3 hours

Biggest distraction? Back-to-school church service; extra-long (but wonderful music)

Hour 26:

Weather Report: The sun's out!

Number of books read from this period: 1
Title: In the Miso Soup
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 30
Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 2
Any favorites? It's still The Accusation.
Total books finished so far: 1
Total pages read so far: 112 + 30 = 142 (through page 120 of book #2)

The menu: Homemade peach pancakes with maple syrup and fresh coffee (Mayorga - medium roast - Mexican - from Chiapas)

Biggest distraction: (1) Setting up the September TIOLI challenges (2) Watching the hummingbirds and woodpeckers on the feeders outside my living room window

Sorry you're not feeling well this weekend, Suz. What a bummer!

Back to my book...

Getting ready to resume reading after the distractions of sleep, checking Irene's status and damage reports, going to church, eating lunch (Buddy's BBQ), and taking a nap.

Many of you know that I was over at cbl_tn's yesterday because she posted a couple of updates for me. Her father fell again during the night (after her brother arrived). He has been admitted to the hospital. They discovered he had a deep-vein thrombosis in a leg from the earlier fall so they are making him stay in the hospital bed - no getting up. She did take her laptop to the hospital and will try to post an update later (on her thread).

I'll be reading more of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

Hour: 27
The weather report: 102 degrees and dry
I've been reading: Borderline by Nevada Barr and listening to The Lady and the Unicorn
Books finished (in the last hour):0
Pages read: 109 and 12/18 CD
Reading time: about 3 hr
Total books read from: 2
Total books completed 0
Total pages read:226 + 1 & 16/18 of a CD
Total time read: about 6.5 hr

The Menu: oatmeal with banana and vanilla soy milk, grapefruit, french roast coffee with milk
Any distractions? morning dog stuff, reading threads

Hurricanes, migraines and DVT - this is a tough weekend, my best thoughts to all

Sorry I'm not using the form but ...

- I finished Crampton Hodnet earlier this afternoon.
- We still do not have power (17.5 hrs)
- We ventured out to Starbucks for contact with the outside world, and electrical outlets to charge devices.
- Biggest distraction is wondering if I will be able to shower before work in Monday. :(
- Almost too grumpy to read so I might do some cathartic cleaning.

I didn't end up doing much reading today, but I did finish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I'm SO glad Irene wasn't as rough as everyone was predicting.

HOUR(S): 23 - 29 (4 - 10 pm BST)

Weather Report: some sunshine and torrential rain

Number of books read from this period: 2
Titles: The Inheritance and other stories by Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm and The Travels of Marco Polo
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 20
The menu: nettle and mint tea. coffee
nut cutlet, roast potato, vegetables and gravy
cider

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 4
Any favorites? loving the short stories, perfect readathon reading.
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 443
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 430 minutes

Biggest distraction? well the last few hours haven't seen much reading. Two main reasons - my carpal tunnel started playing up - making it difficult to hold a book and even more to type.

And then I discovered Madeline had posted September's TIOLI. So I've been stalking the thread and trying to find books to fit the various challenges.

There are still a few hours to go and I'll be picking up the books again when I go to bad in around an hour - I'll carry on reading as long as possible (put probably not until the 5am finish time). I'll be back tomorrow (UK time) to update what I manage to read.

Hope everyone else has managed to get some reading in with all the distractions of weather and ill health.

I'm glad this Readathon has extended hours because I haven't finished my self-imposed reading quota for today. I'm picking up The House of Mirth and will officially report in when my assigned reading is done. Too many distractions with the phone ringing all day -- and the September TIOLI challenges up!

I've been so distracted by TIOLI today that I haven't read a single line from a book today yet.

HOUR(S): 30-31

Weather Report: When I went outside it was sprinkling and very windy (40 mph as per the news). Lots of tree branches down. Good news- the tram is running so I'll be able to get to work on time tomorrow. Bad news - discovered that my home phone is not working. Also, my mother is unable to reach her home in Middlesex, NJ due to flooding. She is stuck at my sisters house.

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: The Little Book of Hindu Deities
Number of books finished this period: 1
Number of pages read this period:70
The menu: tomato cheddar omelet, moroccan pomegranate red tea, lindt chocolate

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 5
Any favorites? The Hindu Deities book
Total books finished so far: 2
Total pages read so far: 209
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 3 hrs

Biggest distraction? cooking, eating, unpacking go bag, facebook, took a walk oh yeah, almost forgot -- going through book shelves looking for TIOLI books.

Glad to see some people still reading. I have been listening to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban by J.K. Rowling. I am hoping to finish this book for the August TIOLI.

Now that I have read that the September TIOLI is up I may need to check them out while listening to the book. I am on disc 4 out of 10. I am hoping to make it to disc 5 tonight then I will be about half way done the book.

The weather is very nice now. Cool breeze and no rain.

I have been distracted with taking my son to his sister's place. He just started a new job and we only have the one car here so he goes to his sister's to ride one of there bikes to work. Now I just need to find him a car so that he can get to work. I also took the puppy for a walk because she needed to get some exercise since she hadn't had a walk since Friday morning.

Well I am going to continue listening to my book.

I picked up my book about 6am Sunday morning and have continued to read it off and on all day to show support for Lter's in the path of Hurricane Irene and I'll continue to read this evening with the exception of 2 hours to watch Ice Road Truckers.

South of Superior by Ellen Airgood
6am - 8pm
67 pages

Weather: cooler and sunny with a little sprinkle
Menu: Eggs, Sausage and toast and coffee for Breakfast
Philadelphia Cheesesteak sandwiches for Dinner

Biggest distractions: cooking, September TIOLI challenge.

Sorry for those hit by down lines and flooding. Continue to stay safe.
At the least, she was less dangerous than originally expected.

Hoping to keep reading 'til around 10:30 or so when it's bedtime for me. :) Here's my latest update:

HOUR(S): 32

Weather Report: Windy (~25-35 mph according to the weather online)

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: In the Teeth of the Evidence by Dorothy Sayers
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 39 pages
The menu: n/a

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 4
Any favorites? I'm really enjoying my current read of short stories by Dorothy Sayers
Total books finished so far: 2
Total pages read so far: 317 and nearly 2 CDs
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: ???

Biggest distraction? I've been fairly focused this hour

Hour: 32
The weather report: 109 degrees and dry
I've been reading: Borderline by Nevada Barr
Books finished (in the last hour):0
Pages read: 96
Reading time: about 2 hr
Total books read from: 2
Total books completed 0
Total pages read:322 + 1 & 16/18 of a CD
Total time read: about 8.5 hr

The Menu: sliced peaches and nectarines with lemon greek yogurt and cinnamon
Any distractions? It got up to 112 degrees today. I had to empty all the bird baths and fill them with cold water so I wouldn't boil my back yard buddies. Then of course I spent way to much time on Madeline's challenge.

Number of books read from this period: 2
Titles: One Hundred Years of Solitude and the House of Mirth
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 130 or so

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 3
Any favorites? A Backward Glance by Edith Wharton
Total books finished so far: 1
Total pages read so far: approx. 480
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 9 hrs

Biggest distraction? TIOLI!

I'm going to continue reading a bit longer. I'll begin my library book, Once Upon A River, which just happens to fit into a September TIOLI challenge: Book set in home state - in my case, it's Michigan.

Have fun if you're still reading. I hope those who lost power or were inconvenienced by Irene will get back on track soon. Thanks Suzanne for hosting through a hurricane and a migraine!

Hello Friends!

I am back. We lost internet and cable around 4:30 am this morning and got it back at some point this evening.

I am signing off for the readathon and night. I finished Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle last night and started Moneyball this morning.

Thank you for hosting Suzanne! It was a great idea! I just wish I had actually done some more reading!

Thanks, Suzanne. I hope you feel better soon. Didn't read as much as I hoped because stress intervened, not thanks to all for sharing it with me.

I think a lot of us ended up doing less reading than we had planned/hoped, for various reasons! I'm slowly reviving, and hope to read steadily on until midnight, but that depends on the bloody head.

I'm up to 300 pages (total) of Rip Tide by Stella Rimington, plus the bits of Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory and The Road to Babadag by Andrzej Stasiuk previously mentioned. When I finish the thriller, may pick up Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand.

Had some cheese sandwiches and a lemon tart. Listening to Mozart's requiem combined with the call to prayer from the mosque (v. loud; the hurricane didn't damage their loudspeakers...)

Weather: cooler than it's been in a while, and starting to clear up. I've turned off the A/C and opened the windows. Still breezy.

Welcome back, Brit! Glad you got your cable back. Joyce, hope the temps cool off for you...

I agree with everyone. The TIOLI has been my biggest distraction (besides church) today. I'm still plugging away at A Tree Grows in Brooklyn but I'm not making huge progress. Hoping that I can finish it in a couple of days. Our choir is singing in a city over an hour away tomorrow night, so I'm heading straight from work to catch the choir bus and then to sing. I have no idea when I will get home, but I have little hope of being able to read on the choir bus.

I think I'm done for the day. I'm gonna try to catch up on lost sleep. Suzanne, thank you for hosting. I have learned that I'm not good at reading in the midst of a natural disaster. Good night all.

I'm going upstairs to read till I fall asleep and I'll do a short recap in the morning. Night all and hope your headache is completely gone in the morning, Suz.

Whenever you folks feel like posting a recap:

Total Number of Books Read From:
Titles:
Favorite?
Total # of Pages:
Estimated Reading Time:
Total Number of Books Completed:

Any final thoughts/comments?

I'm on the other side of the Atlantic but hope all our East Coasters, in the readathon or not, have been ok. My times are 5 pm Saturday to 5 am Monday.

Weather Report: Changeable, with sunny spells and downpours, but the kids made it to the park yesterday and today, and even played in the "fountain" today, a water feature at one of our parks - annoyingly, parks close the paddling pools and this water feature at the end of August, even though September is almost always better weather.

Number of books read from during this 36-hour readathon: 9

Titles:

Alexander Maksik, You Deserve Nothing
Julian Barnes, The Sense of An Ending
Stella Duffy, Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore

Yvette Edwards, A Cupboard Full of Coats
Janine Di Giovanni, Ghosts by Daylight
Elizabeth Speller, The Strange Fate of Kitty Easton

D J Connell, Sherry Cracker Gets Normal
Anna Gavalda, Breaking Away (aka L'Echappee Belle)
Lucy Jago, Montacute House

Total books read from to date
Any favorites? Books by Julian Barnes, Stella Duffy and Yvette Edwards - but everything's pretty good so far and I haven't read that much of
Total books finished so far: 2 (the first two on the list)
Total pages read so far: 618
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: No idea

Biggest distraction? Going out to park, other things that have to be done

Okay I really meant to read more today and, yes, I must admit that TIOLI was somewhat distracting, but because of the storm, my husband was hanging around, and he was way more distracting than anything else. It never fails when he gets trapped in the house, he wants to reorganize my cabinets, so I have to keep a close eye on him or I won't be able to find anything!!

HOUR 35:

Weather: 63 degrees F. and clear. No more rain!

Total Number of Books Read From: 2
Titles:
(1) The Accusation - Curt Finch
(2) In the Miso Soup - Ryu Murakami
Favorite?
The Accusation - Curt Finch
Total # of Pages: 134
Estimated Reading Time: I have no idea!
Total Number of Books Completed: 1

Last snack: a class of chocolate milk

Comments:
I loved the idea of weathering (no pun intended!) the hurricane together with a group of LT readers. It was interesting to watch as the weather changed from place to place and time to time.

MY last two distractions were a visit from my younger son and my need to try a new quinoa and butternut squash recipe!

I know that the September TIOLI challenges also proved to be a distraction, but I tried to send your readers back here to this thread, Suz. I hope you're feeling better by now. Thanks for hosting!

Hour: 35
The weather report: 103 degrees and dry alas, I'll bet we have at least 2 more weeks of this
I've been reading: Borderline by Nevada Barr and listening to The Lady and the Unicorn
Books finished (in the last hour):1
Pages read: 77
Reading time: about 1 1/2 hr
Total books read from: 2
Total books completed 1 Borderline
Total pages read:399 + 1 & 16/18 of a CD
Total time read: about 10 hr

The Menu: a plum and some radishes
Any distractions? Hungry dogs, talking to my son

My goal was to finish Borderline, and I did. So thank you, Suzanne, for a very successful readathon. I so hope your head gets better soon. I saw an ad for Excedrin Migraine and they made it sound so easy to medicate all the discomfort away. If only.

So I'm off to dinner and TrueBlood. Thanks again for a good day.

Ok, this is very lame on my part, but I honestly haven't been in a reading mode, apart from the TIOLI thing. A lot of times I just read a couple of hours after going to bed, which isn't much before midnight or 1. I'll read for the next hour now. Sorry Suz for not participating more.

Joyce, I was watching TV with the friend I was looking after early last week, and an ad came on for Excedrin migraine. He asked me if it worked. I laughed so much I started to hiccup. "I guess not?" he inquired. Erm, nope. Not at all. It might work on sinus-type headaches, but not on what they call classic migraines.

Anyway... No guilt, Ilana. This was a long readathon, and we all had a lot of other stuff going on.

Here's my own final total:

Total Number of Books Read From: 3
Titles: Rip Tide by Stella Rimington, The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory, On the Road to Babadag by Andrzej Stasiuk.
Favorite? Rip Tide; the Philippa Gregory novel is her worst yet, alas and the other book has a very eccentric writing style; can't decide yet whether I like it or not.
Total # of Pages: 369 in #1; 81 in #2, 14 in #3: total: 464 pages
Estimated Reading Time: 5 hours, maybe?
Total Number of Books Completed: 1

A bad showing in normal circumstances, but this wasn't exactly a normal week! And it was nice to have something other than the bloody hurricane to think about.

I think that next week we should all reconvene for a Labor Day readathon...

Total Number of Books Read From: 5
Titles: A Game of Thrones, The Good Earth (completed), Great Expectations, Destins de Chiens (completed), The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Favorite? It's a tossup between Game of Thrones and The Good Earth. I finished the former and wanted to start on the next book immediately, always a good sign. The Pearl S. Buck books is amazing. Simple and very profound, there again I'll probably want to read on with the series. But I'm going off topic.
Total # of Pages: About 325
Estimated Reading Time: 5 hours I think, but couldn't say for sure
Total Number of Books Completed: 2

Any final thoughts/comments? Well, I actually participated more than I thought. I rarely end up with much more than 7 hours reading time within a 24-hour challenge anyway, and managed to complete 2 books, so not bad. Of course, around this time of night is when the real reading begins for me.

We've had high wind and tonnes of rain all day. Don't know if it's in any way related to Irene. All I know is poor Coco gets drenched to the bone whenever we go out, even if it's just for 5 minutes.

I'll be happy to participate next week, even if it's just chiming in once in a while.

Thanks for hosting this Suzanne, through the pain and everything else going on. You're a real trouper!

eta: re Excedrin, I don't think I've ever tried that specific medicine, but I've been taking Advil Migraine liquid gels (or whatever) since it's been on the market and it's useless for that kind of relief, but great for the monthlies, so they do have some kind of pain management capability. Sometimes I take them just to feel like I'm doing something to give my brain a bit of relief from the debilitating pain.

HOUR(S): 29 - 31 (10pm - 12 am BST)

Weather Report: didn't look - night time, curtains closed, no sound of rain.

Number of books read from this period: 1
Titles: The Inheritance and other stories by Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm
Number of books finished this period: 0
Number of pages read this period: 107
The menu: hot chocolate

Total books read from to date during this 36-hour readathon: 4
Any favorites? loving the short stories, perfect readathon reading.
Total books finished so far: 0
Total pages read so far: 550
Guesstimate of total time spent reading: 540 minutes (9 hours)

Biggest distraction? pain, TIOLI and sleep

Total Number of Books Read From: 4
Titles: A House for Mr Biswas by V. S. Naipul; The Inheritance and other Stories by Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm; The Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong and The Travels of Marco Polo
Favorite? The Inheritance and other stories by Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm
Total # of Pages: 550
Estimated Reading Time: 9 hours
Total Number of Books Completed: none

Any final thoughts/comments? Thanks to Suzanne for hosting. Pleased to see that so many people managed to weather the storm and get some reading in. I look forward to the next readathon.

Here is my final report for the read-a-thon.

Total Number of Books Read From: 2
Titles: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban (audio); All Cry Chaos
Favorite? Still HP. Listening to Dale speak is just so fascinating.
Total # of Pages: 300 (total guess because I don't have HP in front of me and not sure how many pages I have listened to.
Estimated Reading Time: 10 hours.
Total Number of Books Completed: 0

Any final thoughts/comments? I really enjoyed having a chance to do nothing but read during the hurricane, I just wished that people wouldn't have kept calling or posting about the storm because it was very distracting. And I don't mean on here. I was watching facebook so much that I just couldn't concentrate on reading.

Suzanne thanks for hosting this read a thon. I am always up for a read a thon again next weekend. I do have a community day weekend for Labor Day but I would participate in any way I could.

Have a great dry week everyone. (especially those on the East Coast) :)

Total Number of Books Read From: 1
Titles: South of Superior
Favorite? I have a favorite line from the book:
"You worry too much. Quotidie damnatur qui semper timet."
"What?"
"'The person who is always afraid is condemned every day'".
Total # of Pages: 92
Estimated Reading Time: 6 hours off and on
Total Number of Books Completed: -0-

Any final thoughts/comments? It was a good idea to set this thread up, Suz. Especially interesting to watch the path of Irene through the eyes of LTer's along the coast.

Total Number of Books Read From: 5
Titles:
Player's Ruse by Hilari Bell,
In the Teeth of the Evidence by Dorothy Sayer,
Keeping a Princess Heart in a Not-So-Fairy-Tale World by Nicole Johnson,
St. Paul's Cathedral in Wartime, 1939-1945 by W.R. Mathews,
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (audio)
Favorite? Player's Ruse is a reread, but for new-to-me books, I really enjoyed In the Teeth of the Evidence
Total # of Pages: 422 pages, 2 CDs
Estimated Reading Time: I would guess somewhere between 7-8 hours, but it's tough to tell because of the period of time the power was out - I didn't keep track at all for about 3 hr.
Total Number of Books Completed: 3

Any final thoughts/comments? This was so much fun! Thanks, Suzanne, for hosting - I think you're right that a lot of us didn't get as much reading done as we'd planned, but I liked that it was a relaxed pace and I didn't feel like I had to stay up to all hours of the night to read my "fair share." This was my first readathon, but definitely not my last. :)

Total Number of Books Read From: 2
Titles: Who Has Seen the Wind and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Favorite? A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Total # of Pages: about 225
Estimated Reading Time: 4 or 5
Total Number of Books Completed: 1

I had more distractions than reading time.

Total Number of Books Read From: 3
Titles: The Borgia Betrayal,A Great Deliverance,Murder Most Persuasive
Favorite? Murder Most Persuasive (still reading)
Total # of Pages: 220
Estimated Reading Time: 5 hours.
Total Number of Books Completed: 1

That's looks horrid, 220 pages in 5 hrs but I kept getting interrupted by my husband and would have to get back into whichever book I was reading.

I'm up for trying again next weekend.