Drop-In READ-A-THON July 3 - 5

picture from Brimful Curiosities

Hello everyone, and Happy Fourth of July to all you Americans! I hope you can join us for a very casual drop-in read-a-thon over the holiday!

We'll be starting at Noon CST on Tuesday July 3 and will end on Thursday July 5 at Noon. Please feel free to jump in and out at any time, everyone is welcome!

This is the first time I'm hosting one of these babies, so I'm slightly nervous. (And a big advanced thank you to Cariola/Deb, I'm copying your format and wording from the May 11-14 'Thon you hosted - it was so good, I know I couldn't do any better!) If I'm forgetting something or if I've made a mistake, please let me know and I'll fix it ASAP! Since it is a holiday and most people probably have plans, I want to make this as casual as possible. I'll only post memes a few times, so we can spend as much time as possible with a book in hand.

Here's the template for posting updates. Feel free to change as you'd like.

I've been reading:
Books finished:
Pages / CDs read/listened to:
Reading time:
Posting time:

Total books read:
Total pages read:
Total time read:
Total time posting:

===========================================

Here's the list of who is participating and from where!

WHO'S READING?
1. LauraBrook (Laura) - Milwaukee, WI
2. majkia (Jean) - Niceville, FL
3. lilkim714 (Kimberlee) - Mount Holly, NC
4. CitizenJoyce - Western US
5. Chatterbox/Suzanne - Brooklyn, NY
6. Drachenbraut23/Bianca - Germany
7. Maggie1944/Karen - North of Seattle, WA
8. Katelisim/Katie - Minnesota
9. Calm - Wales
10. Cbl_tn/Carrie - Knoxville, TN
11. Kidzdoc/Darryl - from Atlanta, reading in San Francisco, CA
12. Cariola/Deborah - Chambersburg, PA
13. AnneDC/Anne - Washington, DC
14. Lindapanzo/Linda - near Gurnee, IL
15. crazy4reading/Monica - Boothwyn, PA

I'll be back closer to the start date to post the first meme...

I'll be there. Jean in Niceville, FL

Hi Jean! Glad to have some company!

I'll also be dropping in..Kimberlee from Mt. Holly, North Carolina

Yahooo! :)

I'll be here reading in the western US.

I'm in -- Suzanne in Brooklyn, NY

I would be interested but I always get a bit confused with the time difference. I am in Germany at that time so if I calculated right then 12.00 Noon will be equivalent to 18.00 European Time. Is that correct?

I am intending to join in as much as I can, while I keep my dogs company during the noises! And for more excitement I'll be able to report on a George R.R. Martin book reading in Seattle on Tuesday, July 3. Just found out about it yesterday! Woo hoo!

Karen, north of Seattle, Washington, US of A

Hallo!
I won't be here on the 3rd or the 5th, but will be able to do a bit of reading on the 4th!
Katie from Minnesota

#8: Drachenbraut23: This site says that it will be 7pm in Berlin. . . if that's the same time zone that you're in. But if you're an hour or two off, I don't mind!

I think that is 6pm British Summer Time, so I'll be here:)

calm in Wales

10# Yes, it is 7pm :) we are 1 hour ahead from the British Summer Time. So I can be there as well.

Bianca in Germany

I'll drop in for a while on the 4th. I'll be reading across America since I'll be en route from Denver back home to East Tennessee.

Carrie from Knoxville

I'll spend a lot of next week reading, although I'll probably only show up a couple of times per day to post my progress, since I'm on vacation until next Saturday.

Darryl, from Atlanta but in San Francisco

Count me in, Laura! I'm hoping to finish an ARC I'm reviewing for Book Browse and to get a start on an academic book I'm reviewing for a journal.

Deborah--Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

I'll join in! Anne, Washington DC

Thanks for hosting, Laura.

Great to see so many faces already!

I will be there. Monica from Boothwyn, Pennsylvania! Laura you did a great job in setting this up.

Aw, thanks! I'll slip you a 5-er later. ;)

Dang! I'll be away with no computer for the next week. Oh, well, I will join you in spirit.
Cathy

Hello,
I just wandered if it would be okay to start a couple of hours earlier in Germany, because of the 7 hours time difference?
:)

Absolutely, Bianca, start as early as you'd like! There aren't any hard and fast rules here. Will get the opening meme up later today. :)

That's great but I did not mean wandered - but - wondered . So I will check out the opening theme later. Thanks

Opening Meme

1. Where are you reading from today?
2. How is the weather where you are?
3. Any goals for this read-a-thon?
4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not.
5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend?

I should be here right on time tomorrow, but just in case anyone wants to start early, or I get caught up running errands, here's the opening set of questions. Since it's mid-week and people probably have plans for parades and picnics and things on the 4th, I'll only do three sets of questions total.

Here are my answers -

1. I'm reading from my house just outside of Milwaukee, WI. Most of my reading will probably be done either on the couch or from my Lay-Z-Boy (if the cats will let me sit there).
2. The weather here is gross summer weather - mid to high 90's, 70+% humidity, barely any clouds, it's like breathing through a wet sponge when you go outside - so I'm very happy to stay in my air conditioned house!
3. I'd like to get a chunk read for my Friday bookclub book (Romola by George Eliot), and I've got 2 outstanding ERs to review. Other than that, whatever tickles my fancy!
4. The summer that I graduated from high school my BFF had a great 4th of July party! Her parents were out of town, so we grilled hot dogs and burgers, swam in the pool, and hung out all day and all night, talking and joking around. Once it was really dark, we lit sparklers and ran around her yard like a bunch of crazy people. (And no, not a drop of alcohol!) It was a great way to close the book on our senior year before we all went off to college, and when I run into people that I haven't seen since then, we always talk fondly about that day. *sigh* Oh, to be young and have virtually no responsibilities!
5. Nope! I'll be home all day. The only thing that might happen is giving my neighbor a massage. Otherwise it'll be reading, taking care of the plants and animals outside, a nap, and maybe a load of laundry or two.

Have fun reading, everyone! Let's get some titles crossed off of our TBR heaps!

Hello,
I probably will start a few hours earlier, because of the time difference. So here my answers.

1. Where are you reading from today?
I will be reading from our house in Voerde (a small town in Germany), hoping that the weather will stay nice so that I can read in the garden. If not I will read in my room.
2. How is the weather where you are?
Unfortunately we have had not that much of summer yet, the weather only started to pick up a few days ago with temperatures ranging from 21 - 28 C. - Fingers crossed -
3. Any goals for this read-a-thon?
I like to tackle a couple of books for the TIOLI challenge and foremost of all I want to have fun with my reading :)
4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not.
Obviously, we don't celebrate the 4th July in Europe, but I can remember a few years back. One of my collegues is from the US and she brought in lovely cakes with tiny flags on them, lots of food, and decorated our staff room very festive, so that we could celebrate her special day with her. :) This was really fun.
5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend?
My son is breaking up school on Friday for his 6 weeks summer holliday, so we hope that we can start doing some more fun stuff.

HAPPY READING TO EVERYONE

1. Where are you reading from today?

Well, I'll be reading some at work today, but mainly at my lunch hour. I brought lunch in today so I can sit and read for an hour. Then I'll be reading tonight when I get home from work. I usually read for anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on how sleepy I get.

2. How is the weather where you are?

Hot, Hot and Hotter. The humidity makes the heat so much worse. Sometimes I hate living in the South just because of the humidity in summer.

3. Any goals for this read-a-thon??

Nope. Just have fun and read of course.

4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not.

I remember going downtown to watch the fireworks one year right after 9/11 and I was freaking out because the fireworks were echoing off the buildings so bad it sounded like a terrorist attack. Then I realized oh yeah it's just the fireworks, chill.

5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend?

Gotta take my dog to the groomer's in the morning. Yeah they're open. Weird. But going to take him and my mom and sister are trying to drag me to see "Magic Mike" at the movie theaters and I'm really not feeling it so I'll probably pass on that. Other than that I'm going to read and relax and enjoy my day off from work. Then it's back to work again on Thursday. Boo.

Opening Meme

1. Where are you reading from today?

At home, Niceville, Florida, on the Emerald Coast, the panhandle of Florida. Inside. In the air conditioning.

2. How is the weather where you are?

Horrible. Hot, hazy. I'm hiding inside. Outside only fit for the tourists.

3. Any goals for this read-a-thon?

Just to make some progress on Wolf Hall - a library book - which I find a bit hard to read, mainly because of weirdness with pronouns. Often I'm not sure who is who. And The Winter King which is on my e-reader. That one I'm enjoying far more.

4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not.

My oddest 4th of July was when I was about 20. Had graduated from college and was on a 3 month tour of Europe, mostly staying in hostels and such. My friend and I were in Austria. We were staying at a ski resort, that you had to take a ski lift to get up to. It was freezing! So we snuggled in under the feather bed, and ate fresh bread, and toasted the US with a bottle of local wine.

5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend?

No plans. Our daughter works in the tourist industry so she is always super busy on holidays. And one grandkid is a cop so she's always busy too. Hopefully we'll see them next week when the tourists go home.

1. Where are you reading from today?
I'll be at home, sitting in my comfy blue chair, but if I get inspired to go to the gym, I'll be listening to an audiobook while working out.

2. How is the weather where you are?
Hot, but it was worse a few days ago. The high today will be 93, and thunderstorms are expected later this evening.

3. Any goals for this read-a-thon?
I'll get started on an Amazon Vine book for which a review is overdue: The Enchantments by Katherine Harrison. I just hope to make some progress; no definiitive goals.

4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not.
I was in London for the 4th in 1985--my first visit there. I don't remember doing anything special to celebrate--but hey, it was my first visit to London!

5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend?
Nope, no plans, just reading and doing the usual house cleaning and yard work.

Opening Meme

1. Where are you reading from today?

I'll be reading from various locations in San Francisco, off and on during the day. I'll check in once or twice today, but probably not on an hourly basis.

2. How is the weather where you are?

Typical summer weather in San Francisco, foggy and cool mornings and evenings, with comfortable sunny afternoons. It's 53 degrees at 7 am, and it's supposed to reach a maximum of 67 degrees, which will be the warmest day since I arrived here last Monday.

3. Any goals for this read-a-thon?

I'd like to finish at least the three books that I'm currently reading, Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, The Making of Modern Medicine by Michael Bliss, and The Earth in the Attic by Fady Joudah.

4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not.

I can't think of anything unusually memorable offhand, although I've had plenty of pleasurable July 4th holidays with friends and family.

5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend?

The city will likely be very crowded, so I'll probably spend the day in the less populated areas of the city, such as the Sunset District or the Presidio, or possibly escape SF altogether and head to Berkeley or the South Bay.

ETA: I haven't been to a baseball game in a couple of years. The San Francisco Giants are out of town, but the Oakland A's are playing the Boston Red Sox tomorrow afternoon at the Coliseum, an easy trip from SF on BART.

1. Where are you reading from today?

Today, I'll be reading at lunch at work, as usual, and then again in the evening. I have to work today and Thurs but I am off on the 4th. I'm in Chicagoland.

2. How is the weather where you are?

HOT. It's supposed to be near 100 today. However, there's a strong breeze and so, to me, it didn't feel as bad as it has.

3. Any goals for this read-a-thon?

I'm hoping to finish my current book about a woman Marine officer in the Iraqi war. Then, I'd like to read something lighter, like a cozy mystery, and hopefully finish that.

4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not.

In the late 1990s, I was visiting a friend who'd move to New Jersey. I always thought of NJ as looking like Newark but it's actually spectacularly beautiful. On the 4th that year, we drove the backroads from northern NJ down to Philadelphia. The Princeton University area was especially gorgeous. Then we went to a Cubs/Phillies game at the old Veterans Stadium.

5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend?

I'm going to my sister's house, about an hour away, for a cook-out on the 4th. Then, this Sunday, celebrating my father's 76th birthday.

Opening Meme

1. Where are you reading from today?

At home - I'm in the living room at the moment, hoping the cat will let me read:)

2. How is the weather where you are?

Cool and wet - perfect for staying in:)

3. Any goals for this read-a-thon?

I would like to finish the novel I am reading; get a fair bit of the non-fiction read and see what else I can manage to read. But generally to just enjoy whatever happens.

4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not.

I think swimming in the Thames during a visit to the Reading Festival is one of my favourite summer memories.

5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend?

No plans for this week. Trying to stay dry would be a good plan though:)

Opening Meme

1. Where are you reading from today?

My house, though I may have to relocate if it gets too hot. The AC is broken and I'm hoping someone shows up to fix it.

2. How is the weather where you are?

Hot and muggy, though not as hot as it was last week. 96 versus 103.

3. Any goals for this read-a-thon?

I'd like to move along in River of Smoke and Our Mutual Friend and maybe start something new (something shorter).

4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not.

I remember Fourth of July cookouts we had when I was growing up, when grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins all came over and we were allowed to light sparklers.

5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend?

I think we may actually go down to the National Mall for the concert and fireworks. It's been a very long time since we bothered, and the kids have never done it. Most years we watch the fireworks from the top of our roof, but the trees keep getting taller and now our view is mostly obstructed.

The kids' swim team traditionally makes a showing in a neighborhood 4th of July parade, so we will probably also do that.

Hello! I'm finally done with errands, the groceries are put away, the sprinkler is on the honeysuckle, work emails and phone calls are taken care of and I can finally sit down with a book! I really enjoyed all of the answers, and I look forward to what everyone is reading. Stay cool (or warm, depending on where you are)!

I've been reading: The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt and The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny
Books finished: none
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 30 (Swerve) and 38 (Madness and Cures) Total 68
Reading time: sorry I'm not counting
Posting time: nor this:)

Total books read from: 2 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt and The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny
Total pages read: 68
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

It's 8pm here now and I've been reading on and off for the last two hours. Think I'll take a short break but I'll be back to update on what I have managed to read before bedtime here.

Happy Reading everyone:)

3:00 PM (EDT)

I've been reading: Color Me English - Caryl Phillips, The Count of Monte Cristo- Alexandre Dumas (audio), Our Mutual Friend - Charles Dickens
Books finished: 1
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 16 p, 15 min. audio, 54 e-pages
Reading time: 85 min
Posting time: 5 min

Total books read:1
Total pages read: 16 p, 15 min. audio, 54 e-pages
Total time read: 85 min
Total time posting: 5 min

Opening Meme

1. Where are you reading from today? A few minutes will be spent reading in my big comfy easy chair, in my living room, a short ways north of Seattle, WA. Then, I'm leaving to pick up a friend, drive into Seattle, and go to a reading done by George R.R. Martin. Woo hoo!
2. How is the weather where you are? Cool (60sF) and breezy. Occasional spattering of raindrops. Typical Pacific Northwest until after the 4th of July.
3. Any goals for this read-a-thon? Later I will set down a list of books from which I'll be reading. I'd like to finish at least one book, and make some major progress in some of the doorstop sized books I have started.
4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not. I remember a big community picnic in the little town park in central Idaho, I attended when I was around 10 years old. It was iconic and I remember it more symbolically than specifically. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend? My plans for the 4th are basically to read my way through the day, and then go to bed early. I'll wake up, no doubt, when the neighborhood gets noisy and I'll feel badly for one dog who does get quite frightened. I may try the trick of giving her a little treat every time we get a big noise. Maybe she'll decide big noises are a good thing.

21.45 PM (GMT)

I've been reading: Fadia Faquir - The Cry of the Dove
Books finished: 1
Pages: 279
Reading time: 4 1/2 hours
Posting time: 10 min

Total books read: 1
Total pages read: 279
Total time read: 4 1/2 hours
Total time posting 10 min

I started a little bit earlier because of the time difference :) Almost sleeping time here.

Well, best laid plans and all that. We found out Avengers was playing for a cheap matinee at the local theater. Just got home. Hope to get some reading in now.

I've been reading: The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt
Books finished: none
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 29
Reading time: sorry I'm not counting
Posting time: nor this:)

Total books read from: 2 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt and The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny
Total pages read: 97
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

Well since I was last here I have managed to read one chapter of The Swerve - interesting stuff. I have also watched some television. It is nearly bedtime here so I won't be back to update until the morning. I hope everyone reads some great books:) See you all tomorrow!

Ooof. Finally dropping in. A real pig of a day. My alarm didn't go off, so I started the day tired and already behind, and it just got worse It's 5 p.m. and I'm about to have "lunch". And do a bit of reading before I have to do some more work.

Reading from home, probably. Alternating btwn downstairs sofa & upstairs sofa. (oh, and bed at night) No plans for the 4th at present; I don't like fireworks any more post 9/11, so I tend to avoid them.

Reading Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins, which is a kind of dual biography of Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Aafia al-Siddiqui, a woman who is the symbol of anti-Islamism and one who is believed to be al-Qaeda. Also a new debut novel, Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead. Want to cut down on the library books & the ARCs/galleys that are piling up!

Will report back intermittently.

1400 PDT (1700 PDT)

I've been reading: Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
Books finished: 0
Pages: 78 (pp 221-298)
Reading time: ?
Posting time: ?

Total books read: 1
Total books completed: 0
Total pages read: 78
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

Lunch: carne asada burrito from my favorite San Francisco taquería, chips and a glass of Roc de Chateauvieux Malbec wine (imported from France; the best red wine I've had in a long time!)

I'm not going to attempt to calculate my reading and posting times, since I'll be out and about for the next three days. I'll probably take a quick nap at the hotel, and then go back to one of the North Beach cafés early this evening. Barring any major distractions I should finish Bring Up the Bodies this evening, as I have a little over 110 pages to go.

Hello again,
23.10 PM - Sleeping time now :)

I've been reading: Hillary Jordan - When She Woke
Books finished: 0
Pages: 29
Reading time: 40 min
Posting time: 5 min

Total books read: 1
Total pages read: 308
Total time read: 5 hours 10 min
Total time posting 15 min

Happy reading. See you in the morning :)

I am having quite the unsatisfactory day! My internet connection went down, and I spent too much time with a tech on the phone to no avail. Left to do errands, and when I got back, all was good. But I've not felt "in the mood" so I've been wasting time, accomplishing pretty much nothing.

I guess I'll keep reading postings here in LT for a while, go to the George RR Martin reading, and deal with actually reading tomorrow.

Sorry I'm a bit of a party pooper, but some days are like that.

I've been running errands and doing yard work, but it just started to rain, so I'm about to sit down and get started on Enchantments by Katherine Harrison. The narrator is Masha, daughter of Rasputin. Her father has just been murdered, and she and her sister are being taken to live in the Romanoff palace for protection. I'll come back before I go to bed and post the template and my progress.

I've been reading: The Roald Dahl Omnibus and The Path of the Dream Healer
Books finished: 0
Pages: about 100
Reading time: ?
Posting time: ?

This is the first official check in, which maybe isn't great considering I'm supposed to be here the most - oops! I read a big chunk of the Omnibus and switched to the Path when I took a 90 minute nap. :) I've got the beginnings of a sinus headache, so I just took some allergy sinus OTC medication that usually knocks it out, and am just microwaving a very uninspiring Lean Cuisine for dinner. But, hopefully after I've eaten and watched a rerun of The Big Bang Theory I'll be back at it!

If you guys want to change the update format, feel free! I'll probably take the "posting time" part out myself.

Darryl, your lunch sounds perfect - want to trade meals? ;) Deb, Enchantments sounds great! Bianca, you're doing an excellent job - way to go! Suz, sorry you're not having a better day. Hope it improves now that you're home and have had "lunch". Calm, The Swerve sounds really interesting, I may have to add it to my TBR heap. Karen, no worries, just enjoy the George RR Martin reading tonight *envious* and we'll see you tomorrow - or not, there's no pressure here!

Well I am finally here. I have been busy today and didn't get on here till now. I got out of work at 3pm today but then I took my dog for a walk. She really wanted to go. Then I came home and did an hour of some exercising. Now I am finally getting here and I am falling asleep. Here is the opening meme:

1. Where are you reading from today? I was planning to read on my sofa but I haven't started reading. I will be heading upstairs to bed soon so I will be reading there until I fall asleep. So those are the places I will be reading.

2. How is the weather where you are? It is sunny, hot and humid. Supposed to be like that for awhile.

3. Any goals for this read-a-thon? My goal is just to get some quality reading done.

4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not. My favorite memory of summer is being invited down to the shore with my friend for a week and then coming home and finding out that my parents were taking me there the very next day for another weeks vacation. We didn't go to the shore very often.

5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend? My plans for the 4th are to spend time with my ex in-laws for a picnic and my children. My friend wants to go to the movies tomorrow morning to see The Amazing Spider Man. Other wise I hope to have a nice a restful 4th.

Well now I am going to get my books together. Oh I am reading: Desire Becomes her by Shirlee Busbee, Getting over mr. Right by Chrissie Manby and Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. I hope to be able to finish one of two of them this read-a-thon or weekend.

9:00 PM (EDT)

I've been reading: The Count of Monte Cristo- Alexandre Dumas (audio), Our Mutual Friend - Charles Dickens, A Rule Against Murder - Louise Penny
Books finished: 0
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 45 p, 39 min. audio, 81 e-pages
Reading time: 129 min


Total books read:1
Total pages read: 61 p, 54 min. audio, 135 e-pages
Total time read: 214 min

The air conditioning repairman came and it was very expensive (!) but at least now it is cool again.

Well I just finished reading Bookplate Special and getting ready to start the next one in the Booktown Mystery series with Chapter and Hearse. I really like this series. They're so good I can usually read one book a day. High recommend them for cozy mystery lovers.

I'm planning on reading for a little while, until I get sleepy and then I should be able to get a lot more reading done as the house should be empty for a little while as my mom and sister and going to the movies and my stepdad is working for a little bit in the morning. That's when I get my best reading in, when there's no one here except me and my dog and we can snuggle up and read.

I've been reading: The Roald Dahl Omnibus
Pages read: 50
Reading time: 45 min

I'm getting pretty sleepy and the headache isn't going away, so I'm going to go and read in bed for awhile. See you all tomorrow morning!

Monica, sounds like you've got some fun reading ahead!
Anne, OMG, I'm so glad to hear that your AC got fixed! It's too hot and humid to try and get by without it, I'm glad the repairman came today.
Kimberlee, I'll have to tell my Mom about that series, she LOVES mystery series, especially cozies.

12:00 (EDT)

I've been reading: River of Smoke - Amitav Ghosh, Nighbirds on Nantucket - Joan Aiken
Books finished: 0
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 52 pp
Reading time: 129 min

Total books read:1
Total pages read: 113 pp, 54 min. audio, 135 e-pages
Total time read: 214 min

I'm still reveling in my cool air and am heading to bed, possibly to read some more Dickens before I fall asleep

Wow, it's late to be getting start ed here, but I've been reading and listening a lot, just no time to get t o the computer.

I've been reading: listening to Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and Regeneration by Pat Barker; reading Yes Chef by Marcus Samuelsson and on Nook The Whip by Karen Kondazian (during which I listened to k. d. lang because that was appropriate for a book about a woman who lived a good part of her life as a man driving wagons in California during the gold rush.
Books finished (in the last hour): 1
Pages read: 1 CD of Martian Chronicles, 1 CD of Fahrenheit 451, probably won't continue with that one until later in the month, 2 CDs of Regeneration, 25 pages of Yes, Chef, 40 pages of The Whip
Reading time: about 6 hours
Total books read from: 5
Total books completed 1
Total pages read: 65 + 4 CDs
Total time read: 6 hours

The Menu: portobello mushrooms stuffed with spinach and almond cheese, roasted peppers, green salad and a glass of sangria
Comments: All my errands are done, I can read a little more of Yes Chef tonight. I don't have the guts to work with those explosive chefs, he just let it roll of his back and considered himself lucky to be learning so much from them.

Managed to get some reading done AND managed to write an article (about top-performing mutual fund managers), so I'm feeling relieved on the latter count.

I'm not going to try to count reading time; I figure I spend too much time tracking how my time has broken down!

Glad your AC is fixed, Anne; hope your headache evaporates, Laura...

I've been reading: Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins and Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
Books finished: 0
Pages: Estimate 92 in the former (it's on Kindle); 20 pages of the latter: 112 total

6 p.m. to midnight

(plus a nap, "lunch" and writing an article!)

Menu for my very late lunch: a salmon & cucumber roll from Wholefoods; pear & apple turnover, diet Pepsi.

I'm finally jumping in with the opening meme. I won't be reading much until tomorrow.

Opening Meme

1. Where are you reading from today? What little reading I did today was near Denver, CO, where I'm visiting family. While I was out and about today I read a few pages of an e-book whenever I had to wait for someone to finish shopping, etc. Tomorrow I'll be reading in the airport and on my flight home.

2. How is the weather where you are? This afternoon was overcast with a little bit - a very little bit of rain. It also turned pleasantly cool this afternoon, with temperatures in the low 70s.

3. Any goals for this read-a-thon? My main goal tomorrow is to keep myself occupied while traveling. I'd like to finish the NetGalley ebook I started this morning (The Jewels of Paradise by Donna Leon and maybe make some progress on an audiobook download from the public library that will expire this weekend.

4. Please share a favorite 4th/summer memory, book related or not. I'm old enough to remember the Bicentennial celebration in 1976. Interestingly enough, I also spent July 4 in England in 1985. I can't remember if I was in London or in the Manchester area, though.

5. Hey Americans, any plans for the 4th? Hey Rest of the World, any plans for the rest of the week or weekend? I'll be traveling for a good part of the 4th. I'm not sure what I'll do when I reach home. Maybe laundry. Our church's 4th of July party is on Saturday rather than on the 4th.

Midnight to 1 a.m. Eastern

I've been reading: Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins
Books finished: 0
Pages: Estimate 44

Total books read from: 2
Total books finished: 0
Total pages read so far: 156

Fourth of July memories: Not that many, really. I do remember one year -- I think July 1977 -- where I was at the July 4 picnic at my high school in Belgium. Had fun there, then went out for beers with some friends who had just graduated at a bar near my home. Yes, I was only 15, but that was quite normal, and getting drunk was v.v. rare! And I remember my first July 4 living in the United States, in 1994. I had just moved into my first apartment here, and the A/C hadn't yet been installed. It was hot and muggy, I was unpacking. And I was being driven slowly insane by this idiotic cycle of noise: first, someone would set off fireworkers or firecrackers in the street. They would set off the local car alarms. Which in turn, would set off all the neighborhood dogs. Once the dogs had finished, the cycle would resume...

ETA: what is really startling to realize is that fewer years separate those two memories -- only 17 -- than now separate me from that 1994 memory -- 18 years. Gah. Somebody hit the fast-forward button on me...

8.00 AM

Good morning everyone :), I just got my son ready for school. Watered the flowers - finally it's indeed getting warm here - about time.
After posting I will be off for a nice coffee and breakfast in our garden (with my book - of course)

I've been reading: Hillary Jordan - When She Woke
Books finished: 0
Pages: 22
Reading time: 20 min
Posting time: 15 min

Total books read: 1
Total pages read: 330
Total time read: 5 hours 30 min
Total time posting 30 min

And again - Happy Reading to everyone

2340 PDT (0240 EDT)

I've been reading: Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, and The Making of Modern Medicine: Turning Points in the Treatment of Disease by Michael Bliss
Books finished: 2
Pages: 216 (pp 298-411 in Bring Up the Bodies, and pp 1-94 in The Making of Modern Medicine)
Reading time: ?
Posting time: ?

Total books read: 2
Total books completed: 2
Total pages read: 284
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

I didn't eat dinner, although I did have coffee and dessert (Brasiliana cake) at Caffè Greco earlier this evening.

I'm pleased that I finished both books tonight. See all of you tomorrow!

1 a.m. to 3: 30 a.m.

Just about time for me to try to get some sleep! I have to get up at some point, see what Bob Diamond of Barclays tells British parliament about the Libor fixing scandal, write about that, and edit two pieces of incomprehensible prose. That's my Fourth of July!

I've been reading: Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins
Books finished: 0
Pages: Estimated 62

Total books read from: 2
Total books finished: 0
Total pages read so far: 218

I'll know what the final total is for this book when I wrap it up, as the table of contents tells me what page the text ends and the acknowledgments begin.

Menu: smoked salmon on plain mini-bagels, water.

Good morning from a cold and rainy morning Wales.

Reading for last night

I've been reading: The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny and The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Books finished: one
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 82 total - 54 (Madness and Cures) and 28 (Ruby)
Reading time: sorry I'm not counting
Posting time: nor this:)

Total books read from: 3 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny and The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Total pages read: 179
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

Reading for this morning

I've been reading: The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Books finished: none
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 34
Reading time: sorry I'm not counting
Posting time: nor this:)

Total books read from: 3 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny (completed) and The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Total pages read: 213
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

I managed to finish The Book of Madness and Cures last night - that was a strange (in a good way) read. I probably won't be writing any book thoughts on my thread until after the readathon though.

I must say that I am not feeling very well - sore throat; stuffy feeling head; some coughing and sneezing so not sure how much reading I will manage today:(

Off to check out threads and hope to be back later with some reading done.

15.20 PM

Hello again, I have had a busy day today - but still enough time for reading. The weather remains warm. Today I went shopping with my mum - exhausting - for several hours. Finished all that , I can go and sit in our garden now :).

I've been reading: Hillary Jordan - When She Woke
Books finished: 0
Pages: 205
Reading time: 3 1/2 hours
Posting time: 15 min

Total books read: 1
Total pages read: 535
Total time read: 9 hours
Total time posting 45 min

I've been reading: The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth and The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt
Books finished: none
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 38 (13 and 25 = one chapter of each!)
Reading time: sorry I'm not counting
Posting time: nor this:)

Total books read from: 3 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny (completed) and The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Total pages read: 251
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

Not very much reading done today. I think I'm going to watch a bit of Wimbledon and see how I feel later.

Hope everyone else is having a good time reading:)

I've been reading Wolf Hall and The Winter King

Wolf Hall is slow reading, only 49 pages read during the thon. Sheesh. Seems like a lot more than that!

The Winter King is better, but then I fell asleep after only about 30 minutes last night. Sigh.

I've been reading: The Path of the Dream Healer
Pages read: 50
Reading time: 60 min

Total pages read: 200
Total reading time: 2 hrs 45 min

Well, not very many pages read before I fell asleep last night. I'll finish this book today for sure, and I hope to make some more progress in the Roald Dahl Omnibus, but it's hard to read while holding it up. It's a 600 page hardcover! The headache is still there, though it seems to have dulled a little since last night - here's hoping it keeps going away. Glad to see so much reading going on while I slept. Calm, how is The Ruby in her Navel? That's one that I keep looking at.

Laura I've not got very far into The Ruby in her Navel. I borrowed it from the library after a discussion somewhere in the 75ers last month. Unsworth is not an author I have read before but, so far, I like the writing and his scene setting/historical background for the story is good. If I can shake this fuzzy head I'll probably know more later:)

18.10 PM

Hello again,
I forgot to say HAPPY 4th of July to everyone of you who is celebrating today ***grin***. So I need a break now, had quite a bit of reading time today. Going of to enjoy the evening with a little bit of cycling. Will check in again, before I go to bed. :)

I've been reading: Hillary Jordan - When She Woke
Books finished: 1
Pages: 126
Reading time: 2 hours
Posting time: 20 min

Total books read: 2
Total pages read: 661
Total time read: 11 hours
Total time posting 65 min

Hello, everyone. I'm afraid I've gotten distracted by yard work and housework and reading applications for an adjunct instructor. I'm not keeping track of time this round, but I will report on progress in pages.

I've been reading: Enchantments by Katherine Harrison and The House on Fortune Street by Margot Livesey
Books finished: 0
Pages: 48
Reading time: ? a little over an hour?
Posting time: 10 min

Total books read from: 2
Total pages read: 48
Total time read: ? 70 min?
Total time posting: 10 min

I'm afraid The Enchantments just wasn't grabbing me, so I made the switch to The House on Fortune Street. My plan is to review a handful of applications, check email, then get back to reading for a bit.

Hope you all are having a fun 4th!

1:00 pm (EDT)

I've been reading: A Rule Against Murder - Louise Penny, Our Mutual Friend - Charles Dickens
Books finished: 0
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 152 pp, 47 e-pages
Reading time: 150 min

Total books read:1
Total pages read: 265 pp, 54 min. audio, 182 e-pages
Total time read: 364 min

The idea of counting pages is sort of meaningless for me at the moment since I'm reading one book on my iPad, one is an audiobook, and one is a large-print text that I inadvertently requested from the library. It does make the pages go faster!

Happy Fourth to all those here in the US!

I've been reading: The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Books finished: none
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 25
Reading time: sorry I'm not counting
Posting time: nor this:)

Total books read from: 3 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny (completed) and The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Total pages read: 276
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

Managed to read a bit more of the Unsworth - mainly during end change time during the match. There has been a short shower and they have covered the court ... but I am enjoying watching Murray and Ferrer play.

I'll be back to update later ... I'm sure to fit a bit more reading in before bedtime here:)

21.40 PM

I will check out for tonight. Going to have an early night :). Started to have some headache this evening - weather changes :( -
Will see you in the morning again.

I've been reading: The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
Books finished: 0
Pages: 32
Reading time: 1hour
Posting time: 5 min

Total books read: 2
Total pages read: 693
Total time read: 12 hours
Total time posting 70 min

I hope everyone is still enjoying their Happy 4th of July.

Well, last night instead of more reading, I cleaned out a closet (a bizarre occupation for me) and watched 2 episodes of Chopped on TV. Fortunately today I'm back to reading.

I've been reading: listening to Regeneration by Pat Barker; reading Yes Chef by Marcus Samuelsson
Books finished (in the last hour): 0
Pages read: 2 CDs of Regeneration, 30 pages of Yes, Chef
Reading time: about 3 hours
Total books read from: 5
Total books completed 1
Total pages read: 95 + 6 CDs
Total time read: 9 hours

The Menu: multi grain french toast with Laughing Cow swiss cheese and sliced peaches, a peppermint-mocha latte

Comments: It's fascinating to visit the food cultures of the world with Marcus Samuelsson. How I'd love to visit his restaurant in Harlem.
Suzanne, Wanted Women sounds fascinating. I'll have to see if my library system has it. I'd love to hear your take on Barklays. Damned banks!

I've finished traveling for the week and I'm back at home now. It was a perfect day for flying. I didn't get as much read on the plane as I had anticipated. I was too sleepy to read for a good part of the flight. I did manage to read about 45 pages of The Monuments Men as well as a chapter or two in The Jewels of Paradise. The day isn't over yet, and I'll be reading more this evening!

Stayed up too late last night; woke up with bit of a migraine today. Now must go and do some work. But here's my update:

I've been reading: Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins
Books finished: 1
Pages: Estimated 129

Total books read from: 2 (Now will go back to finish Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead)
Total books finished: 1
Total pages read so far: 447

I've been reading: listening to Regeneration by Pat Barker; reading Yes Chef by Marcus Samuelsson
Books finished (in the last hour): 0
Pages read: 1/2 CDs of Regeneration, 45 pages of Yes, Chef
Reading time: about 2 1/2 hours
Total books read from: 5
Total books completed 1
Total pages read: 140 + 6.5 CDs
Total time read: 11.5 hours

The Menu: almond cheese sandwich on rye with radish and horseradish mustard, coconut lifewater
Comments: Ach, the fireworks are starting up, 2 of my dogs are glued to me. The other 4 couldn't care less. I wish they could pass around some of their disinterest.

5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern

I've been reading: Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
Books finished: 0
Pages: 74

Total books read from: 2 (Completed Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins)
Total books finished: 1
Total pages read so far: 521

Menu: ham sandwiches (more yummy than it sounds: good jambon de paris, with some honey mustard).

This is the only time I'll be able to stop in. I read the last 50 pages of Musui's Story. An oddly charming autobiography of a Tokugawa samurai.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the read-a-thon, and for those celebrating, the fourth of July :)

I've been reading: I Am Half-Sick of Shadows
Books finished: 3 The Path of the Dream Healer, The West Wing, and Werewolves of Wisconsin
Pages: 341
Time reading: approx 2.5 hrs

Total books finished: 3
Total pages: 541
Total time reading: 5 hrs 15 min

Well, the temp reached 105F/40C at my house, and I'm very glad to say that I didn't go outside at all! Been doing lots of catch-up laundry in between reading, and changed my sheets/duvet/mattress pad without any "help" from my cats. It's a miracle! My plan for the rest of the evening is to polish off the rest of Shadows and then (finally) start on Romola for bookclub. In the meantime, I've got chicken taco dip in the oven (I know, I'm nuts for having it on today, but it's easy to make and it's not a heavy meal), will shortly have a Corona in my hand, and will keep trying to call my parents until they figure out the phone isn't hung up correctly. It's been almost 5 hours, and if the line is still beeping by the time I eat dinner and my last load of laundry is out of the dryer, I'll have to face the heat and drive over there to make sure they're okay. *sigh* I know they were fine a half hour before that, my Uncle called to tell me he'd just talked to them, and usually my Mom would have called me by now. Oh well, will just wait and see what happens.

Glad to see the great progress everyone is making!

6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern

Listening to NPR's classical station and lots of American music, from Copland to marches from the Marine Band now. Oh yeah, and writing a column about Bob Diamond, Barclays, and "Liborgate".

I've been reading: Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
Books finished: 0
Pages: 30

Total books read from: 2 (Completed Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins)
Total books finished: 1
Total pages read so far: 551

Menu: nada

I've been gone all day, enjoying the holiday at my sister's house. It was HOT. 104 degrees, last I looked. Anyway, I am home now. I have the Cubs on but intend to pull out a book as well.

Late last night, I finished Hesitation Kills: A Female Marine Officer's Combat Experience in Iraq by Jane Blair. Outstanding book, probably a top 10 read for me this year.

Next up will probably be something lighter, such as a cozy mystery.

8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern

I've been reading: Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
Books finished: 1
Pages: 59

Total books read from: 2 (Completed Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins)
Total books finished: 2
Total pages read so far: 610

Ended up quite underwhelmed by this novel; may have to go and read something that is quite predictable just to get past that and the intensity of my other read.

I've been reading Chapter & Hearse off and on all day today. Got about 90 pages left or so. Hoping to finish before midnight.

I'm a little over halfway through The Jewels of Paradise and I'm going to call it a night. Although I'll be going to work in the morning, I'll squeeze in a bit more reading time before work and at lunchtime before the readathon ends.

Trying in vain to find a book I can really get into...

I've been reading: The Cranes Dance by Meg Howrey; Queen Elizabeth in the Garden by Trea Martyn and A Darker Shade of Blue by John Harvey
Books finished: 0
Pages: 62 of Howrey; 37 of Harvey; 28 of Martyn: 127 total

Total books read from: 5 (Completed Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins & Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead)
Total books finished: 2
Total pages read so far: 737 pages

I think I'll finish the story I'm reading in the Harvey collection, but it's bleak/intense and I need something lighter or more straightforward. Perhaps back to the Howrey novel, or something else. Sigh. I hate this stage, when I've been through a stretch of just OK books, for the most part, and really want something GOOD; a thumping good read.

On the other hand, NPR just began playing Dawn Upshaw's recording of Barber's "Knoxville: Summer of 1915", so I may just have to give in to auditory bliss instead...

Hmm, am I the only one still reading??

11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

I've been reading: The Cranes Dance by Meg Howrey; A Darker Shade of Blue by John Harvey
Books finished: 0
Pages: 84 of Howrey; 37 of Harvey: total 121

Total books read from: 5 (Completed Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins & Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead)
Total books finished: 2
Total pages read so far: 858 pages

1:00 am (EDT)

I've been reading: A Rule Against Murder - Louise Penny, The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas (audio)
Books finished: 1
Pages read: 269 pp, 71 min. audio
Reading time: 270 min

Total books read:2 (Color Me English, A Rule Against Murder)
Total pages read: 534 pp, 125 min. audio, 182 e-pages
Total time read: 634 min

Just about the only thing I did today was sit in the house and read. We did go out for dinner downtown and made a very hot trek over to watch the fireworks. When we came home I still had to finish my book! Which I've done, and will now be heading for bed. I may read a bit more, but I sense not.

I'm back:)

Last night I read

I've been reading: The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Books finished: none
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 63
Reading time: sorry I'm not counting
Posting time: nor this:)

Total books read from: 3 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny (completed) and The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Total pages read: 339
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

So far this morning

I've been reading: The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth and The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt
Books finished: none
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 45 (25 and 20)
Reading time: sorry I'm not counting
Posting time: nor this:)

Total books read from: 3 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny (completed) and The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Total pages read: 384
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

Well it is another day here in Wales and I hope I can read a bit more than I did yesterday:) Time to do some catching up on threads and get some breakfast. I'll be back when I have done some reading.
See you later.

11.00 PM

Good morning I am back as well.
I still listened last night and this morning to The Windup Girl - Paolo Bacigalupi

Alltogether about 2 1/2 hours.

Still have got some cleaning to do today, so I will carry on listening to the book.
Will update later on my progress. :)

Good morning all.

So far I've read 142 pages in Wolf Hall and about 25 pages in The Winter King.

Currently sipping on my pot of English Breakfast tea, and trying to wake up. Hope everyone has a great day!

Since I was last here

I've been reading: The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth and The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt
Books finished: none
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 77 (50 and 22)
Reading time: sorry I'm not counting
Posting time: nor this:)

Total books read from: 3 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny (completed) and The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Total pages read: 461
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

Not a bad morning of reading, lunch time here now and the tennis has started so we''ll have to wait and see how much reading I manage this afternoon:)

Hope everyone has some happy reading time!

Good morning! I'm just heading out to run errands before it's 100 outside, so I'll post my stats and my answers to the 2nd and final meme once I'm home again. Here it is!

Final Meme

1. What are your plans for the rest of the day?
2. How many books did you read over the course of the read-a-thon? List the titles.
3. Which book was your favorite? Your least favorite?
4. Did you meet the goals you had set?
5. Has anyone else mentioned a book here that you plan to add to your Wish List?
6. Do you have any suggestions for improving future read-a-thons?

0615 PDT (0915 EDT)

I forgot to check in yesterday, so this update is for the entire day.

I've been reading: (The Earth in the Attic by Fady Joudah, and Pure by Timothy Mo)
Books finished: 1 (The Earth in the Attic)
Pages: 106 (pp 1-77 in The Earth in the Attic and pp 1-29 in Pure)
Reading time: ?
Posting time: ?

Total books completed: 3 (Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, The Making of Modern Medicine: Turning Points in the Treatment of Disease by Michael Bliss, and The Earth in the Attic by Fady Joudah)
Total pages read: 390
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

I will do some reading today, but not a significant amount by 9 am, so I'm done with the read-a-thon.

Final Meme

1. What are your plans for the rest of the day?

I'm still in San Francisco, so I'll go shopping for music CDs, attend an exhibit at the SF Museum of Modern Art, and mix some reading in between.

2. How many books did you read over the course of the read-a-thon? List the titles.

Three; Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, The Making of Modern Medicine: Turning Points in the Treatment of Disease by Michael Bliss, and The Earth in the Attic by Fady Joudah

3. Which book was your favorite? Your least favorite?

My favorite was Bring Up the Bodies, and the one I liked the least was The Making of Modern Medicine, although it was still a good read.

4. Did you meet the goals you had set?

Yes; my goal was to finish those three books.

5. Has anyone else mentioned a book here that you plan to add to your Wish List?

Actually, no; The Swerve and Yes, Chef are already on my wish list.

6. Do you have any suggestions for improving future read-a-thons?

No.

Thanks for hosting this read-a-thon, Laura!

I haven't done any reading yet today, but I read another 35 pages in The House on Fortune Street last night. I've gotten sidetracked by yard work, laundry, reading adjunct applications, and two cats begging for attention.

Final Meme

1. What are your plans for the rest of the day? I have to run out to pick up a prescription, finish bagging up yard debris, and read more applications.

2. How many books did you read over the course of the read-a-thon? List the titles.
I didn't finish any but read from Enchantments and The House on Fortune Street.

3. Which book was your favorite? Your least favorite?
I gave up for now on Enchantments, so the answer would have to be The House on Fortune Street.

4. Did you meet the goals you had set?
I had a feeling that I would get distracted and would not finish Enchantments.

5. Has anyone else mentioned a book here that you plan to add to your Wish List?
I will probably download the audiobook of Yes, Chef

6. Do you have any suggestions for improving future read-a-thons?
Nope! Thanks for hosting, Laura.

Since I last dropped in....

I've been reading: The Cranes Dance by Meg Howrey; The Pigeon Pie Mystery by Julia Stuart
Books finished: 0
Pages: 61 of the former; 40 of the latter: total of 101

Total books read from: 6 (Completed Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins & Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead)
Total books finished: 2
Total pages read so far: 959 pages

Did I meet my goals? Not really. I had hoped to finish one or more books from my stack of ARCs from Amazon, although I will probably finish The Cranes Dance later this afternoon. I did get one library book read. Library & galley reads are my priorities for the next few weeks...

Nothing terribly memorable, although Wanted Women was very good. John Harvey's short stories are underwhelming me right now, and the Maggie Shipstead novel was an odd combination of very elegant writing and underwhelming content.

Read from:
Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins
Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
A Darker Shade of Blue by John Harvey
Queen Elizabeth in the Garden by Trea Martyn
The Cranes Dance by Meg Howrey
The Pigeon Pie Mystery by Julia Stuart

Reminded that I have The Ruby in Her Navel on my TBR list and that it may fit into a 12 in 12 challenge category for me this year!

Rest of the day? Work, work, work. Clean, organize. Call friend to see if he has results of medical tests yet. Oh, and hope to read some more.

Since I was last here

I've been reading: The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth
Books finished: one
Pages / CDs read/listened to: 90
Reading time: sorry I'm not counting
Posting time: nor this:)

Total books read from: 3 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny (completed) and The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth (completed)
Total pages read: 591
Total time read: ?
Total time posting: ?

I think I'm calling it an end here:) Just finished a book and want to let it sit for awhile before reading anything else:)

Final Meme

1. What are your plans for the rest of the day? Maybe read another chapter or two of The Swerve and decide which novel to start next

2. How many books did you read over the course of the read-a-thon? List the titles. 3 - The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, The Book of Madness and Cures by Regina O'Melveny (completed) and The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth (completed)

3. Which book was your favorite? Your least favorite? No least favourite. They are all good books - I did want to kick Thurstan in The Ruby in her Navel a couple of times but I think that is a sign of a good book:) The Swerve is very interesting but I'm taking it a chapter of a time and The Book of Madness and Cures was strange in a good way.

4. Did you meet the goals you had set? Well I didn't set any goals but, as always, I am pleased to have read a whole book during a readthon.A combination of not feeling very well yeterday and watching Wimbledon meant that maybe I didn't do quite as much reading as I would have liked but any reading is good:)

5. Has anyone else mentioned a book here that you plan to add to your Wish List? Well nothing new - I know I want to read Bring Up the Bodies sometime (there is a very long wait list at the library and I don't buy new hardbacks) and also The Windup Girl is on my radar.

6. Do you have any suggestions for improving future read-a-thons? No suggestions, I just like the opportunity to see what other people are reading:) Thanks for hosting Laura

12:00 noon (EDT)

I've been reading: The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas (audio), Our Mutual Friend - Charles Dickens
Books finished: 0
Pages read: 191 min. audio, 100 e-pages
Reading time: 245 min

Total books read:2 (Color Me English, A Rule Against Murder)
Total pages read: 534 pp, 416 min. audio, 282 e-pages
Total time read: 879 min 14 h 39 min

I got very caught up in The Count of Monte Cristo this morning and spent a lot of time doing household tasks while listening. Kitchen is very clean, laundry is folded, dog is walked, plants are watered.

Final Meme

1. What are your plans for the rest of the day?
Work. I have a deadline to meet and I've procrastinated long enough.

2. How many books did you read over the course of the read-a-thon? List the titles.
Color Me English, A Rule Against Murder, River of Smoke, Our Mutual Friend, The Count of Monte Cristo, Nightbirds on Nantucket

3. Which book was your favorite? Your least favorite?
Hmm--I'm enjoying all of these books but I guess the ones that most grabbed me over the past 48 hours are A Rule Against Murder, which I read more or less start to finish, and The Count of Monte Cristo. Color Me English was great but I only had about 20 pages left to read.

4. Did you meet the goals you had set?
Yes, in fact I exceeded them.

5. Has anyone else mentioned a book here that you plan to add to your Wish List?
Not really, although there are quite a few being read that are already on my wish list, or on my bookshelf.

6. Do you have any suggestions for improving future read-a-thons?
None at all, thank you for hosting, Laura!

Final Meme

1. What are your plans for the rest of the day?

Probably a bit more reading, and putting away groceries we bought a bit earlier. Too hot to go out again.

2. How many books did you read over the course of the read-a-thon? List the titles.

I've been reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel and The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell.

3. Which book was your favorite? Your least favorite?

I prefer The Winter King but not by a lot.

4. Did you meet the goals you had set?

Yes. I just want to set aside some time to read and managed that fine. Although reading in bed was a failure. I kept nodding off after not that many pages!

5. Has anyone else mentioned a book here that you plan to add to your Wish List?

Yes a couple of books sound interesting. I need to look into them before i decide though.

6. Do you have any suggestions for improving future read-a-thons?

I thought this one was excellent. Thanks for hosting it!

I'm back just in time to end this Thon. I ran into a friend at the UPS store, of all places, and we decided to have breakfast together and catch up. This took 2 1/2 hours. :/ It was great to see her, especially after months of us juggling schedules, but I had hoped to come home and make some more progress in a book. Oh well - I'll still be reading for the rest of today and probably tomorrow too!

I've been reading: I Am Half-Sick of Shadows (last night)
Books finished: 1
Pages: 194
Time reading: approx 2.5 hrs

Total books finished: 4
Total pages: 735
Total time reading: 7 hrs 45 min

1. What are your plans for the rest of the day?
Read, water plants, general household picking up, read. Nada mucho!

2. How many books did you read over the course of the read-a-thon? List the titles.
Four. I finished The Path of the Dream Healer, The West Wing (love Gorey!), and 2 ER books, Werewolves of Wisconsin and I Am Half-Sick of Shadows.

3. Which book was your favorite? Your least favorite?
Favorite was Half-Sick and my least favorite, though I still liked it, was Werewolves.

4. Did you meet the goals you had set?
Sort of. I did finish both ER books, though I didn't have a chance to start Romola for bookclub tomorrow night. But that's okay, I've got the time the rest of the day.

5. Has anyone else mentioned a book here that you plan to add to your Wish List?
Yes, Chef was a new one, and I already had these on my TBR list: The Ruby in her Navel, Seating Arrangements (though maybe not so much after Suz's comments), A Rule Against Murder, The Swerve, Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies, and The Making of Modern Medicine.

6. Do you have any suggestions for improving future read-a-thons?
Well - I guess that I stick around more at the beginning and end.

Thanks SO MUCH for participating in this mid-week holiday read-a-thon! I'll see you guys on the threads!

Well I am finally checking in here. I wish I could say that I have been reading nonstop during this read a thon but now such luck. Real life has interrupted a lot of my reading plans.

I went to a BBQ yesterday and I did get some reading done there at one point. Only about 1 1/2 pages. I did read a chapter last night. My son's friend also moved in on Tuesday so I have had company at night which I usually don't have so I have been chatting or just doing things around the house. This morning I read a chapter in bed then went for a walk with a friend. Since then I have been reading off and on this morning. Taking breaks to either watch tv, clean, eat or check on my sick puppy. That is the other thing that has kept me busy. My puppy woke up on Wed. morning with a limp leg. She couldn't put it down and when we tried to touch her she will yelp. I am taking her to the vet at 4 pm today. They think it could be a tick/lyme disease. She already had her test and it came back fine so they are going to do another one since this is one of the first symptoms.

So all in all I have read about 10 chapters in Getting over mr. right and I am enjoying it. It has been making me laugh because this woman is obsessed about an ex who has dumped her. I know that many times us women can become obsessive but reading about what she is doing is making me realize I have never been that bad.

Final Meme

1. What are your plans for the rest of the day? I plan to read after typing this and getting something to eat.
2. How many books did you read over the course of the read-a-thon? List the titles. Just the one book Getting over Mr. Right by Chrissie Manby
3. Which book was your favorite? Your least favorite? Since I have only read the one book I really only have a favorite.
4. Did you meet the goals you had set? I reached my goals of getting exercise in and eating right at the BBQ but for reading not yet.
5. Has anyone else mentioned a book here that you plan to add to your Wish List? I haven't really had a chance to read the other posts and find any other books. I am also trying to avoid adding books to the hundreds I already have piled around the house.
6. Do you have any suggestions for improving future read-a-thons? My only improvement is for me to make time to read.

Happy Reading!!

19.50 PM
Since I was here last

I've been reading: The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini, The Windup Girl - Paolo Bacigalupi
Books finished: 0
Pages: 20 + listening to my ipod (equivalent to 96 pages in my book)
Reading time: 1hour
Posting time: 30

Total books read: 2
Total pages read: 809
Total time read: 13 hours + listening to the ipod
Total time posting 100 min

Final Meme

1. What are your plans for the rest of the day?
In Germany it's evening now. I carry on reading with my son The Hunger Games and then I am going to have an early night. :)
2. How many books did you read over the course of the read-a-thon? List the titles.
I read The Cry of the Dove and When She Woke
3. Which book was your favorite? Your least favorite?
I liked both of them. Both were very good books in different ways.
4. Did you meet the goals you had set?
I did not really set any goals, but was pleased that I read 2 complete books from my TIOLI Challenge and was able to start a 3rd one. I enjoyed the reading.
5. Has anyone else mentioned a book here that you plan to add to your Wish List?
Yes, The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell
6. Do you have any suggestions for improving future read-a-thons?

No, thank you very much for hosting it :)

Have a lovely day everyone !!!!!!

I was out and about a good deal of the day yesterday. Was surprised to find that the Wednesday Farmer's Market was open as usual so I bought way to many fruits and veggies and spent a good part of the evening slicing, dicing and blending. Audiobooks were a great accompaniment.
I've been reading: listening to Regeneration by Pat Barker; reading Yes Chef by Marcus Samuelsson
Books finished (in the last hour): 0
Pages read: 3 1/2 CDs of Regeneration, 43 pages of Yes, Chef
Reading time: about 4 hours
Total books read from: 5
Total books completed 1
Total pages read: 138 + 9.5 CDs
Total time read: 13 hours

The Menu: strawberry, peach, apricot, jalapeno smoothie (you haven't smoothied until you done it with jalapenos), rye toast with bruschetta, coffee with milk

Final Meme

1. What are your plans for the rest of the day? go to the gym then to a movie (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, I really liked the book but fear the movie will be so much less) and dinner

2. How many books did you read over the course of the read-a-thon? List the titles. 3 audiobooks Martian Chronicles, Fahrenheit 451 (abandoned for now), Regeneration; 1 book on Nook The Whip, 1 paper book Yes, Chef.

3. Which book was your favorite? Your least favorite? I'm loving Regeneration, Yes, Chef and The Whip - of all the professions listed, I think I'd have to go with wagon driver. There's too much torment in both soldering and restaurant work.

4. Did you meet the goals you had set? I hadn't really set any goals but was hoping to finish Yes, Chef which I didn't do. However I did discover Regeneration which was a great find. I'll probably finish both tomorrow.

5. Has anyone else mentioned a book here that you plan to add to your Wish List? Wanted Women looks very good; however, I'm worried that the author trashes Ayan Hirsi Ali. If so, I might not be able to finish it.

6. Do you have any suggestions for improving future read-a-thons? No.

Thanks so much for hosting, Laura. Even though I didn't post as often as usual, I did enjoy our time together.

I havent been doing too much reading today. There is a snake in the toilet at work and that has been occupying the majority of my day. Yes I said a snake in the toilet..its been one hell of a day.

Oh my gosh - a SNAKE in the toilet! Ack! Hope he got out of there okay and no one got hurt...

I've been a very bad participant. For some odd reason (I am a reader) I just did not want to get on the computer and report in. I just wanted to read, so I finished the book the movie "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" is based on. Loved it. Must see movie.

If you've seen the movie, and liked it, read the book, too. It is very good.

Wow, I thought snakes in toilets were urban legends... Gulp.

Laura, belated thanks for hosting this...

(running off to check toilets)

Snake in a toilet? No, no, tell me it isn't true. Where's Samuel Jackson when you need him?

>105 Citizenjoyce:..oh it's very true...If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would be skeptical too, but alas there is a snake in the toilet and he doesn't want to come out.

I was going to post my update last night after work but the power went out before I had a chance to do it. It's still out at home thanks to a strong storm that went through around 6 p.m. There's a utility pole down between my house and the next one down the street. We may not get our power back today.

I think I'd rather deal with a power outage like this than a snake in the toilet, even with today's 100 degree weather. A snake in the toilet sounds like my worst nightmare come to life!