SiS Readathon Report #2

I had so much fun reading in the Spring Into Summer Readathon! I hope this event is repeated next year! I'd love to do it again. I thought it was just the right length for a readathon!!!

Books read for the readathon:

• The Search for Wondla by Tony Diterlizzi
• Back to School with Betsy by Carolyn Haywood
• Squish Super Amoeba by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm
• Babymouse Mad Scientist by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm
• Nemesis by Agatha Christie
• Saint Training by Elizabeth Fixmer
• Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan
• The Rumpeltstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde
• The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton
• William's Midsummer Night Dream by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Other books read from for the readathon that I did NOT complete:

• Psalms 1-50 (The Bible, NASB)
• The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon
• Joy Comes in the Morning by Betty Smith
• Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy Sayers
• Pompeii by T.L. Higley
• Possession by Elana Johnson
• Cold Lonely Courage by Soren Paul Petrek

Final Update

It is now: 9:00 PM
Total Books Read: 10
Books Read From: 17
Total Pages Read: 2427
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Pages Read Since Last Update: 38
Total Time read: 13 hrs 32 minutes

Favorite Books

If I had to pick just one book to have as a favorite, it would be The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton. It is just a WONDERFUL fantasy. Loved the writing style, the language, the world she built; loved the characters and the story. It was just a great book!

If I get two "honor" books then I'd definitely go with William's Midsummer Dreams by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. It's set in the late 1930s (1938 or 1939?) and it's about William S. Hardison and his perfect summer away from home. He LOVES Shakespeare. And he gets to be Puck in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. If you love historical fiction, if you love Shakespeare, if you love drama, then this one is a must! Speaking of historical fiction, Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan is quite the read. It's set in India in 1919. Our heroine, Rosalind, is fifteen or so, and she's getting more independent every day. Her father thinks that his daughter needs the discipline that only her aunts can provide back in England. (And truth be told, one of the aunts IS that frightening.) But her mother doesn't want to lose her daughter. Rosalind becomes interested in Gandhi and the Congress party--the movement to free India from British rule. And this one has some drama!

Mini-Challenges & More Thoughts on the Readathon

I did many mini-challenges--I think I skipped two or three? (Still, I did more of the mini-challenges for this readathon than I usually do for Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon.) I thought the mini-challenges were good. They were creative, but not overwhelming. Which is a GOOD thing.
I have enjoyed many things about this read-a-thon. I liked having updates every two hours during the day. It was just enough space in between to get some reading done. Yet they provided structure and a sense of accomplishment too.
I am pleased with what I was able to read. Ideally, I would have liked to read two or three more hours so I could have finished one more book. BUT at the same time, it was important for me to have a couple of breaks so I could relax.
I loved the updates and I love the mini-challenges being timed as they were.
I wouldn't change a thing! I loved the start time and end time. I thought everything went smoothly!
YES!!! I would love to participate in another readathon--of course, part of that would depend on the date! But still, I'd love to do this again!
Thanks for hosting!!!


© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

SiS Readathon Update #11

I finished reading The Search for Wondla by Tony Diterlizzi.  

It is now: 7:00 PM
Total Books Read: 10
Books Read From: 16
Total Pages Read: 2389
Books Read Since Last Update: 1
Pages Read Since Last Update: 174
Total Time read: 760 minutes

The Mini-challenge this time is to answer this question: If you could live in the world of one book, which would it be and why?

I'd probably go with the Anne books of L.M. Montgomery. I wouldn't want to be Anne. I would be happy just to be one of her friends.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

SiS Readathon Update #10 and Mini-Challenge

Well, I've been able to do some reading today! I was beginning to worry that I might not get my focus back. I was able to read Psalms 26-50 in the NASB--14 pages; Back To School with Betsy by Carolyn Haywood--176 pages; and 303 pages of The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi.

It is now: 5:10 PM
Total Books Read: 9
Books Read From: 16
Total Pages Read: 2,215
Books Read Since Last Update: 1
Pages Read Since Last Update: 493
Total Time read: 715 minutes

The mini-challenge is to talk about the books we've been reading.

So far I've read two graphic novels (Squish and Babymouse), four historical fiction novels (Saint Training, Small Acts of Amazing Courage, William's Midsummer Dreams, Back to School with Betsy), two fantasies (The Rumpeltstiltskin Problem and The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic), and one mystery (Nemesis).

There were some funny parts in Saint Training. Here is a quote from the book--and the back cover.

Dear Reverend Mother,
My name is Mary Clare O'Brian and I am in sixth grade. I would like to join the convent right after eighth grade before I start liking boys too much. I'm already having problems with boys liking me. Gregory in my class throws spitballs at me and told my best friend he likes me. I haven't told him that I want to be God's bride yet. Do you think I should?

As for inspiring, well, my favorite would probably be Small Acts of Amazing Courage.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

SiS Readathon Update #7 and Mini Challenge

I read two graphic novels this time. Babymouse Mad Scientist by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm (96) and Squish Super Amoeba by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm (96). Both books were short, of course, but I'm still feeling unfocused. I need a good plan for getting back into reading. But thinking about lunch may distract me!

It is now: 11:20 AM
Total Books Read: 8
Books Read From: 14
Total Pages Read: 1722
Books Read Since Last Update: 2
Pages Read Since Last Update: 192
Total Time read: 625

The mini-challenge this time is to name one book you think should be taught in school, grade of your choice.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld might make a good choice. There are so many things you could discuss about this one. You could bring in some Twilight Zone episodes, some other short stories about beauty and self-image, you could bring in magazines, etc. And you've got books like Bogus to Bubbly: An Insider's Guide to the World of Uglies and Mind Rain: Your Favorite Authors on Scott Westerfeld's Uglies Series.


© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

SiS Readathon Update #6

Since my report last night, I've finished one book. I finished Agatha Christie's Nemesis--181 pages. I also read a chapter in The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon--21 pages; and a chapter in Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy Sayers--23 pages; and the first 14 pages of Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith. You could say I was a bit restless and unsettled. I wanted to be up and reading something. But I kept going from one book to another to another before settling in and finishing the Christie.

It is now: 9:50 AM
Total Books Read: 6
Books Read From: 12
Total Pages Read: 1530
Books Read Since Last Update: 1
Pages Read Since Last Update: 239
Total Time read: 595 minutes



© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

SiS Readathon: Report #1

So it's time for the report at the end of day one of the Spring Into Summer Readathon. I'll be reading for a couple more hours tonight--at least--but I probably won't do any more updating until tomorrow morning. Since my last update, I've read in two books--not finishing either of them...yet. I've read 100 pages in Agatha Christie's Nemesis, and I've read 74 pages in Elana Johnson's Possession. 

It is now: 9:10 PM
Total Books Read: 5
Books Read From: 9
Total Pages Read: 1291
Books Read Since Last Update: 0
Pages Read Since Last Update: 174
Total Time read: 445

My favorite read of the day is The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton.
I enjoyed the book puzzle and the book-title-sentences. 
I've loved reading!
I don't have a least favorite thing. I mean I've gotten sleepy at several points of the day because I've been focused so much on reading.
Yes, I've definitely met my goals!
I plan on participating tomorrow. I think I'll take a few more breaks throughout the day. But I still plan on reading.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

SiS Readathon Update #5 and Mini Challenge

I have now read one more book. It was Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan. And it was quite a book! I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction. It's set in India and England in 1919.

It is now: 7:15
Total Books Read: 5
Books Read From: 7
Total Pages Read: 1, 117
Books Read Since Last Update: 1
Pages Read Since Last Update: 217
Total Time read: 365

The mini-challenge this time is to create a complete sentence using three book titles. My sentence is: Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain bumped our mutual friend.


© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

SiS Readathon Update #4 and Mini Challenge

It's my fourth update, and I can happily say that I've read four good books today! I read William's Midsummer Dreams by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. It is the sequel to William S. and the Great Escape.

It is now: 5:10PM
Total Books Read: 4
Books Read From: 6
Total Pages Read: 900
Books Read Since Last Update: 1
Pages Read Since Last Update: 210
Total Time read: 305 minutes

This mini-challenge is about creating a puzzle of three-or-so images that describe a book's title.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

SiS Readathon Update #3 (No mini-challenge)

Since my last update, I've finished one book. And it was a GREAT book. I absolutely loved The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton. It's a fun fantasy novel for children, and it was just a delightful read! I enjoyed the storytelling, the characters, and the characters' names! It's everything a fantasy book should be!!! 

It is now: 3:10 PM
Total Books Read: 3
Books Read From: 5
Total Pages Read: 690
Books Read Since Last Update: 1
Pages Read Since Last Update: 340
Total Time read: 245 minutes

I am not participating in the mini-challenge this time.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Sis Readathon Update #2 and Mini Challenge

So this is my second update to Enna Isilee's Spring Into Summer Readathon. In the past two hours--since my last update--I've been able to read in two books. One book, The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde, I finished. It was a collection of short stories, each story being a twist on the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin. The other book, Cold Lonely Courage by Soren Paul Petrek, I'm giving up on. It's just a not-for-me book. Which is sad, in a way, because it's set during World War II, and I tend to like books set in that era. But it's about an assassin, and it's just too graphic in violence. I just don't see myself being able to finish it. But I was able to read over fifty pages in it.

It is now: 1:20PM
Total Books Read: 2
Books Read From: 4
Total Pages Read: 350
Books Read Since Last Update: 1
Pages Read Since Last Update: 168
Total Time read: 155 minutes

The mini-challenge this time was to create a Wordle.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

SiS Readathon Update #1 and Mini-Challenge

So this is my first update post for Enna Isilee's Spring Into Summer Readathon. I read Psalms 1-25 in the New American Standard Bible. (This is the *last* book I have to complete before finishing the Bible in that translation. So I am so excited to be this close to the end.) So the first twelve pages of this challenge were in the Bible. The first book I completed was Saint Training by Elizabeth Fixmer. I'd already read 68 pages of this one--but 170 pages of it were completed today!

It is now: 11AM
Total Books Read: 1
Books Read From: 2
Total Pages Read: 182
Books Read Since Last Update: this is the first update!
Pages Read Since Last Update: this is the first update!
Total Time read: 75 minutes

The FIRST mini-challenge for this readathon is to share our favorite and least favorite move adaptations of a book.

Favorite book-movie adaptation: This one is SO hard. I just love the most recent adaptation to Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. I loved JJ Feild as Henry Tilney. It was one giddy-making film that captured the fun playfulness of the original novel quite well. While, I wouldn't say that it is my favorite, favorite, favorite movie ever, I would say that they did a great job with the adaptation.


Worst book-movie adaptation: This one isn't as hard. My choice is The Lightning Thief. The movie was almost a mess from start to finish. At least if you had read the book and actually enjoyed the story and characters. They did so many things that were just wrong!!!

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Spring Into Summer Readathon Begins Today!

I am so HAPPY to be starting the Read-a-thon. (And I'm only half an hour late! But breakfast is important.) Enna Isilee is asking participants to answer a few questions to get things started.

What do you hope to read during the read-a-thon?

Saint Training by Elizabeth Fixmer
The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde
Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan
William's Midsummer Dreams by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
Thrones, Dominations by Dorothy L. Sayers & Jill Paton Walsh
Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund: A Dixie Hemingway Mystery by Blaize Clement
Nemesis: A Miss Marple mystery by Agatha Christie
The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

What book are you starting with? I'm actually going to read my Psalms for the day before starting a book. *But* the first novel I'll be reading is Saint Training by Elizabeth Fixmer.
I hope to read: 4 to 6 books

Where are you going to read? At home.

What will you include in your update?

Total Books Read:
Books Read From:
Total Pages Read:
Books Read Since Last Update:
Pages Read Since Last Update:
Total Time read:


© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews