2012 December Goodreads Reader Challenge

0 of 10 Completed

Goodreads Challenge Thread

1. 'D' is for December: Double Danger (A-Tac, #6) by Davis, Dee 12/22
Read a book that starts with 'D' or by an author whose first or last name begins with 'D'.
2. Happy Birthday Atumn!: Bared to You (Crossfire, #1) by Day, Sylvia 12/12/12
Read a book from a December birthday celebrant's GR bookshelf whose name/nickname starts with the same letter as yours. If no one has the same letter, choose someone with the closest letter to yours alphabetically. RRRC December Birthday List
3. Geography: A Soldier's Quest by Handeland, Lori 12/28
Read a book whose author, character or setting is from Wisconsin. Wisconsin is best known for the Green Bay Packers (the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the United States), their Cheeseheads (Wisconsin is known as America's Dairyland) and all the beer they drink (Milwaukee was once home to four of the world's largest breweries). I may have stretched the truth there a bit, but for this category you can also read a sports related book or one in which food/alcohol plays a large part in the story.
4. Winter (Southern) Solstice, Dec.21: A Dixie Christmas by Hill, Sandra 12/10
The solstice brings us the shortest day of the year, so read a short book - one under 200 pages.
5. Winter (Southern) Solstice, Dec.21: Wild About You (Love at Stake, #13) by Sparks, Kerrelyn (384 pages) 12/17
The solstice also brings us the longest night, so read a book over 300 pages.
For those of you on the south side of the equator, just reverse those! =)
6. Humbug Day, Dec.21: Stop the Wedding! by Bond, Stephanie 12/4
Read a book with an unhappy, cynical or Scrooge like character.
7. Look on the Bright Side Day, Dec. 21: Slow Heat (The Bounty Hunters, #5) by O'Clare, Lorie 12/19
Read a book that features a happy, optimistic or Pollyanna like character.
8. New Year's Eve, Dec. 31: Come A Little Bit Closer (The Sullivans, #7) by Andre, Bella 12/4
Out with the old… Read a book that has been neglected on your TBR, one that gets you current in a series, or an old favorite either book, author, or series.
9. New Year's Eve, Dec. 31: Just a Cowboy and His Baby , by Carolyn Brown 12/26
And in with the new! Read something new to you - a new release, a new author or a new series.
10. Reader's Choice: I Only Have Eyes for You (The Sullivans, #4) by Andre, Bella 12/1
Read any book of your choice.

2012 November Goodreads Reader Challenge

10 of 10 Complete

Goodreads November Challenge Thread

1. “N" is for November: Nauti Temptress (Nauti Girls, #1) by Leigh, Lora 11/10
Read a book that starts with 'N' or a book whose author's first or last name starts with 'N'.
2. Happy Birthday Alathea!: Running Wild by Linda Jones 11/30
Read a book from an November birthday celebrant's GR bookshelf whose name/nickname starts with the same letter as yours. If no one has the same letter, choose someone with the closest letter to yours alphabetically.
RRRC November Birthday List
3. Geography: A Maverick for the Holidays by Banks, Leanne 11/2
Read a book whose author, character or setting is from Missouri. OR, Missouri is known for its farming industry (108,000 farms, the second-largest number in any state after Texas.) – so, read a book involving the farming industry, set on a farm/ranch, or about a cowboy.
4. Plan Your Epitaph Day (November 1) Distinguished Service: Distinguished Service\Every Move You Make by Carrington, Tori 11/11
Read a book where a character’s death plays a significant role in the story, even if that character does not. (Murder Mystery anyone?)
5. Book Lover’s Day (November 3): Rescue My Heart(Animal Magnetism, #3) by Shalvis, Jill 11/8
This is a holiday made for the members of this group! Read a book. Simple, straight forward – you love books so pick one that interests you!
6. Forget Me Not Day (November 10): Welcome To Serenity (The Sweet Magnolias #4) by Woods, Sherryl 11/14
Read a book that has been on your to-read list for a long time.
7. Young Readers Day (November 13): The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Smith, Jennifer E. 11/19
Read a Young Adult book (it must be classified as YA on the GoodReads page)
8. Shopping Reminder Day (November 26): A Cowboy for Christmas by Wilde, Lori 11/1
Naturally we are being reminded to do our Christmas shopping! To help you get into the spirit, read a book with a Christmas theme (perhaps you can pick one up while out shopping…)
9. Stay At Home Because You're Well Day (November 30): Lumberjack In Love by Penny Watson (Recommended by ♡KarLynP♡) 11/4
I LOVE this idea. What better way to spend a day at home, but curled up with a good book? Read a book that a friend has recommended to you. Tell us who recommended it (yes, it can come from the GoodReads Recommends List)
10. Reader's Choice: Babycakes (Cupcake Club, #3) by Kauffman, Donna 11/4

2012 Goodread October Readers Challenge

10 of 10 Completed

Nothing like taking it down to the wire

October Challenge Thread

1. “O" is for October: One Final Step by Doyle, Stephanie 10/28
Read a book that starts with 'O' or a book whose author's first or last name starts with 'O'.
2. Happy Birthday Anna and Anne Mikusinsi!: Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips 10/8
Read a book from an October birthday celebrant's GR bookshelf whose name/nickname starts with the same letter as yours. If no one has the same letter, choose someone with the closest letter to yours alphabetically. RRRC October Birthday List
3. Geography: Barefoot in the Rain (Barefoot Bay, #2) by Claire, Roxanne St. 10/31
Read a book whose author, character or setting is from Maine. OR, Maine is known for its fishing industry and picturesque fishing villages and also for its vast wilderness areas – so, read a book involving the fishing/seafood industry, or a book set in a small coastal town, on the ocean, or in a wilderness area.
4. Mad Hatter Day (October 6) Austin: Second Chance Cowboy by Galloway, Shelley 10/13
Read a book with a character that might be considered to be crazy, or a book with a hat on the cover.
5. National Angel Food Cake Day (October 10): The Accidental Bride by Skye, Christina 10/9
Read a book with a character that is an angel, or a book where food or the food industry somehow plays an important part in the plot, or has food on the cover.
6. Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day (October 11): The Doctor's Not-So-Little Secret by Cindy Kirk 10/13
Read a book where a character’s job or occupation plays an important part in the storyline, or a book with a toy on the cover.
7. White Cane Safety Day (October 15): Longing For Love (The McCarthys of Gansett Island, #7) by Force, Marie 10/14
Read a book with a character that has a disability or injury, or a book where a character is involved in public safety (police officer, firefighter, etc.)
8. Wear Something Gaudy Day (October 17): Kiss the Girl by Sey, Susan 10/29
Read a book with a character who is obsessed with (or at least very interested in) clothing or fashion, or a book with a brightly colored cover.
9. Halloween (October 31): The Devil in the Woods by Graham, Heather 10/30
Read a paranormal romance, or a book with a character that is hiding something, or is not as he/she appears to be.
10. Reader's Choice: Rev It Up (Black Knights, Inc., #3) by Walker, Julie Ann 10/8

#Dewey #Readathon The Final Post

First, I’m really LATE in posting this. Maybe I am getting too old for 24 hours of reading even though I enjoy it so much.

As I hope you know, I do this for charity. I donate two ways: (1) $25 per book for the books that I read; and (2) $0.10 per book read for anyone who registered with me (there were 481 people signed up and 209 participated in the introductory meme). Unfortunately, only Shaunesay registered again this time. This surprises me…a participant doesn’t have to do anything but register on my page then report how many books that you read. Shaunesay finished 3 books and since she was the only one registered, I will donate $25 each for the books she finished.  I will be donating $175 to both Project Read and to Room to Read for a total donation this time of $350 bringing my total Dewey’s Readathon Donations to $1405. Before April 2013, I will have to find a way to get more people engaged! If you participated in Dewey’s Readathon and didn’t register, please comment and let me know why.

One other highlight from this readathon is that I completed the Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge. Last year my goal was 350 books and I missed it, so I set my goal this year a little lower. Some day I would like to read 365 books in a year. 

2012 Reading Challenge

Ann (Noumena12) has completed her goal of reading 300 books in 2012!

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306 of 300 (102%)

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End of Event Mem

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
   After 4:30am is the hardest.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
   The Chocolate Lover series by Tara Sivec are laugh out loud funny!
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
   Some how incorporating doing it for charity. I’d love to help with that.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
   I post/interact between books only. This allows me to focus on reading but provides a nice distraction between books.
5. How many books did you read?
   Completed 5 books
6. What were the names of the books you read?
   See below in this blog post.
7. Which book did you enjoy most?
   Futures and Frosting(Chocolate Lovers, #2) and Longing For Love (The McCarthys of Gansett Island, #7)
8. Which did you enjoy least?
   Don't Cry for Me (Rebel Ridge #2) probably because it was the last, longest, and I was reading it in the wee hours of the morning.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
   No real advice.
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
    I will definitely participate although the recovery takes longer every time. I’d love to get people engaged in doing the event for charity.

Readathon Summary

Books Read	Pages Read
5	1490

 

Title	Author	Start Hour	Finish Hour	Completed	Pages
The Doctor's Not-So-Little Secret	Cindy Kirk	8:00	10:58	Hour 3	292
Austin: Second Chance Cowboy	Shelley Galloway	11:16	14:27	Hour 7	219
Futures and Frosting (Chocolate Lovers, #2)	Sivec, Tara	14:53	20:22	Hour 13	212
Longing For Love (The McCarthys of Gansett Island, #7)	Force, Marie	20:55	1:29	Hour 18	368
Don't Cry for Me (Rebel Ridge #2)	Sharon Sala	1:48	7:33	Hour 24	399

Book 5 Completed

Title: Don't Cry for Me (Rebel Ridge #2)		Author: Sala, Sharon
Start:  01:48	End:07:33	Pages: 399
Description: A soldier's  homecoming   Mariah Conrad has come home. Badly wounded on active duty in Afghanistan and finally released Stateside, she has no family to call on and nowhere to go-until Quinn Walker arrives at her bedside. Quinn...her brother-in-arms, ex-lover and now maybe her future. Quinn brings Mariah to his log cabin in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky to rest and recuperate both physically and emotionally. While she's incredibly grateful, Mariah is also confused and frustrated. She's always stood on her own two feet, but now even that can literally be torture. She's having flashbacks and blackouts, hearing helicopter noises in the night. She wants to push Quinn away-and hold him closer than ever.   But will she get the chance? Those helicopters are more than just post-traumatic stress; they're real-and dangerous. Bad things are happening on the mountain. Suddenly there's a battle to be fought on the home front, and no guarantee of survival.
Comments:  This was so not the book to end the readathon with because it is usually helpful to read light fun books from in the wee hours of a readathon.

#Dewey #Readathon Hour 13

Since I last checked in I’ve had a 20 minute nap and went to dinner with hubby. Oh and I’ve eaten some of that Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cashew Brittle. YUM!

Just completed the mid-event survey! It is halfway over! It goes so fast.

Readathon Summary

Books Read	Pages Read
3	723

 

Title	Author	Start Hour	Finish Hour	Completed	Pages
The Doctor's Not-So-Little Secret	Cindy Kirk	8:00	10:58	Hour 3	292
Austin: Second Chance Cowboy	Shelley Galloway	11:16	14:27	Hour 7	219
Futures and Frosting (Chocolate Lovers, #2)	Sivec, Tara	14:53	20:22	Hour 13	212

Mid-Event Survey

1) How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired?

My eyes have been a little tired but I took a 20 minute nap and am feeling refreshed.

2) What have you finished reading?

See summary above

3) What is your favorite read so far?

Tough call. But Futures and Frosting(Chocolate Lovers, #2) is laugh out loud funny.

4) What about your favorite snacks?

Delicious. How can you go wrong with Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cashew Brittle?

5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love!

I’ve mostly been following my online reading friends. I Heart Monster and Shaunsey’s The Space Between are always good reads.

Book 3 Completed

Title: Futures and Frosting(Chocolate Lovers, #2)		Author: Sivec, Tara
Start:  14:53	End:20:22	Pages: 212
Description: Carter, Claire and Gavin have formed the perfect little family. Their friends are getting married and everyone is growing up, maturing and ready to face the future. Or are they?   From bachelorette party hell, porn addictions, dinner roll baseball and botched wedding proposals to finding out everyone's extended family is chock full of crazy, Carter and Claire begin to question the strength of the ties that bind them. Unfortunately, these ties have nothing to do with fuzzy handcuffs and everything to do with the mounting differences between them.   Will their friends make a mess of things with their inappropriate comments and need to know everything, or will they convince the couple that happily-ever-after sometimes really can start with beer pong?
Comments:  This is the second Sivec book that I have read. These are laugh out loud funny!

#Dewey #Readathon Hour 7 Update

I saw this posted on the official Readathon blog and had to share it! I hope it posts correctly.

Readathon Summary

Books Read	Pages Read
2	511

 

Title	Author	Start Hour	Finish Hour	Completed	Pages
The Doctor's Not-So-Little Secret	Cindy Kirk	8:00	10:58	Hour 3	292
Austin: Second Chance Cowboy	Shelley Galloway	11:16	14:27	Hour 7	219

Time for another Mini Challenge – Blogger Bingo

B - A blogger you’ve never come across before: Little Miss Drama Queen
http://lmdqueen.blogspot.com/2012/10/deweys-read-thon.html

I  - A blogger whose  blog name has the word ‘book’ in it: Azuki’s Book Cafe

N - A blogger who lives in Europe: Cathepsut

G - A male blogger: Darren – Bart’s Bookshelf

O - A blogger whose read-a-thon pile has more than 5 books: Shaunesay

Book 2 Completed

Title: Austin: Second Chance Cowboy		Author: Galloway, Shelley
Start:  11:16	End:10: 58	Pages: 219
Description: No man should look as good as Austin Wright. Especially when that man is a suspect in a string of burglaries. And, Sheriff Dinah Hart can't afford the distraction. Roundup's thieves are growing bolder and Thunder Ranch's prize stallion, Midnight, is still missing, putting the Harts' entire livelihood at risk. Dinah needs to focus, because she's worked too hard to earn the town's respect just to throw it away on a fling. Austin knows he's got a bad reputation. He's been following his father's self-destructive footsteps for far too long. Now he's finally ready to take the first step toward fixing his life, and convincing people, especially Dinah, that he's changed.   But when Austin discovers an unexpected connection to Midnight's disappearance, will Dinah see him for the man he was, or the one he's trying to become?
Comments:  I’ve really been enjoying this series of books.  And I was lucky that this fit in the Goodreads October Challenge Thread Mad Hatter Day (October 6) - Read a book with a character that might be considered to be crazy, or a book with a hat on the cover.