Thursday 28 April 2011

The Lizard's bite by David Hewson

The Lizard's Bite
David Hewson is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. This book continues the story of Nic Costa and his friends. They have been exiled to Venice in punishment for some offence and are about to go on leave and then return to Rome. Circumstances of course, conspire to change this and they are called in to investigate a bizarre double murder. Uriel Arcangeli and his wife have been burnt to death in a glass foundry. The friends are called in to investigate but are basically told what their outcome is supposed to be. Unfortunately their investigation does not mirror what the establishment wants them to find and many feathers are ruffled. The investigation is bungled a little bit and lots of family secrets come out and possibly unnecessary results occur. Although I did enjoy this book a lot, I really dont feel that it is the best in the ones that I have read. However, lots of twists and turns in the plot kept me enthralled right until the end.
When I first started reading these books I didnt actually realise it was a series, and I have not read them in order at all. Whilst you can do it this way and still get through the books okay in retrospect I would try and read them in order. I have read more of the later books in this series and now jumped back to this one. It was a little bit difficult to work out what exactly was going on, why they were in Venice for example. It was also a bit surreal reading this book when I know so much of what is going to happen to them later for e.g. one of the main characters dying in one of the later books. All in all though, a really fast paced, fun book to read.

Wednesday 27 April 2011

The two towers by J.R.R Tolkien Chapter 1 - 7

Although I planned to spread the reading of this section out over the month, I started reading and actually couldn't stop, so it is a couple of weeks since I read this now. I haven't had a chance to do the review since then. As I said in my last reviews, I just love the way Tolkien builds his world up, his descriptive powers are so amazing that you actually feel like you are there. The scenery is also just so majestic and awe-inspiring.
At the start of the section we find Boromir mortally wounded by Orcs, Pippin and Merry abducted by Orcs and Frodo and Sam missing. After sending Boromir down the river in his boat, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli go off searching for Pippin and Merry. These two brave little hobbits actually manage to escape from the orcs when they are attacked by the Riders of Rohan. They run off into Fangorn forest where they come across Treabeard the Ent, who eventually persuades the rest of the Ents to oppose Saruman.
Meanwhile Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli come across the battle scene and find footprints leading into Fangorn. In Fangorn they meet up with Gandalf, and eventually go to Rohan. Here they rouse King Theoden from his lethargy and they all go off to fight the forces of Saruman.
Favourite parts in this section:
  • funeral of Boromir
  • the ents and the whole Fangorn scene
  • Aragorn meeting the riders of Rohan
  • the name Grima Wormtongue (King Theodrens advisor who is actually a servant of Saruman)
  • the battle between Sarumans forces and Rohan
I really cant wait to start the next section!

Spring Serenity Readathon update 1


I didn't update yesterday because quite frankly I havent had a chance to read that much. So, here is my firstt update for the readathon.
Read so far:
175 pages of Mothers Day by Kirsty Scott (book complete)
298 pages of Zambesi by Tony Park
32 pages of The silver chair by C.S Lewis
48 pages of Jane Eyre
Total pages so far = 553
Books completed 1


Tuesday 26 April 2011

Teaser Tuesday



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:




•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 
"As well as Miranda he thought of Iqbal and the divergent paths their lives had taken during the years at university. Hassan wondered if it was fear that had kept him on the safe path of pursuing the family business in idyllic, fragrant Zanzibar."
Zambesi by Tony Park 368

Monday 25 April 2011

Catching up readathon update 4

This will be my last update for this readathon. Although it continues till the end of tonight, I doubt I will read much more. What have I read since my last update:
92 pages of Starspangled bride - complete
375 pages of Mothers day by Kirsty - complete
31 pages of Jane Eyre
21 pages of Zambesi by Tony Park
Total pages: 519
Books Completed since last update: 2

Total since the start of the readathon:
Pages read: 1763
Books completed: 6
I think that was quite a good result!

Spring Serenity Read a thon starting post


The spring serenity readathon starts today and ends on the 1st. I have already finished one book today. Mothers day by Kristy Scott.
I have the following books on my reading pile and hope to make a dent in them. I will however be going into town tomorrow for something else and so plan on stopping at the main library for a couple of books. I very rarely go into town, but when I do I like to pop in there.
1. Sex and the city by Candace Bushnell (Have tried to read this before, and didnt get far)
2. Spud by John Van de Ruit (reread)
3. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
4. A Home for Rose by John Katz
5. Zambesi by Toni Park
6. The Solitude of Emperors by David Davidar
7. Too good to be true by Sheila Flanagan
8. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
9. The way we were by Marcia Willett

As I said, the final list my not resemble this list at all!

It's Monday, what are you reading?


This week I have actually managed to finish quite a few books, mainly because of the nice long weekend and Brenda being away.
Started off by finishing
Towers of Midnight (Wheel of Time, #13; Memory of Light, #2)
I absolutely loved this book. I absolutely love  this series, but the books around 8-11 did drag a bit. However, this one really picks up the pace and so much happens. One of my favourite characters is back too. I am thinking of doing another reread before the next book comes out, but will leave it for a few months.
The Lizard's Bite
David Hewson is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and I really enjoyed this book. The only thing I must admit is that I think I should have read the books in order since there are some things I am a bit in the dark about. Also, there are some things that I know that will happen in the future for eg. one of the main characters dying that make it a bit surreal reading these.
The Racist's Guide To The People Of South Africa
I pickedd up this book at the airport and read it while waiting for my daughters plane to go. Since it was delayed by nearly 2 hours I actually finished the book there. The title is really misleading since this is just a tongue in cheek look at the various people of South Africa. In parts it was so funny that I actually laughed out loud in the bookshop! It is funny, irreverent, very politically incorrect, loaded with stereotypes but quite a lot of the time it is absolutely spot on. If anyone has spent anytime in South Africa, you would definitely laugh.
Wuthering Heights
I read this for a readalong, but actually finished it way before the time because I was enjoying it so much. I have read it before as a teenager, but it is amazing how I viewed it so differently this time around. I don't remember it being as dark as it is, also last time I viewed Heathcliff as the misunderstood little poor relation. However, this time I was much more aware how fundamentally dysfunctional some of the characters are. What does that say about me that I still enjoyed it lol.
Earth and Heaven
I enjoyed this book, but felt there was too much left unsaid, and the ending didn't really work for me at all.

Lastly, I read The Star Spangled Bride by Iris Johansen, a light romance, which I needed after all the heavy books.

What am I reading this week:
Jane Eyre

The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2)

These two are for a read a long, so wont be reading the whole thing.
Mothers Day
Thoroughly enjoying this one!
For more reading inspiration pop over to Sheila's blog

Sunday 24 April 2011

Chronicles of Narnia Read along.

Whilst looking around for some challenges for 2011 I came across this one. I absolutely love the Narnia series and since they are fairly short books it should be quite achievable for me. And the best thing is that it only starts in February so I have a chance to settle in to the year first!
NB: This was published on 21/12/2010, however, it keeps getting moved when I edit it.

1. The Magicians Nephew
2. The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe
3. The Horse and his boy
4. Prince Caspian
5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
6. The silver chair
7. The Last Battle

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S Lewis

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Read-Aloud Edition (Narnia)
I have to say that this is one of my favourites in the series. In a way it reminds me a bit of Gullivers Travels.
At the start of the book we find Edmund and Lucy Pevensey staying with their cousin, Eustace. Eustace is a particularly spoiled, annoying little brat. In fact there were times when if I was Edmund or Lucy, I think I would have slapped him. The three children are admiring a forgotten panting in the guest bedroom when they are sucked into Narnia. There they meet up with Caspian who is on a voyage to discover the fate of the seven Lost Lords of Narnia. What follows is an astonishing series of adventures where the children are repeatedly in danger but eventuallly once again it all works out. I liked the format of having lots of little stories throughout the book, and there was definitely enough adventure to keep me going.
Favourite parts:
  • I loved Eustaces little comments, although he was very annoying in the beginning. I loved how he kept asking for the British Embassy
  • Reepicheep the mouse makes an appearance again and is of course a favourite
  • the scene where the governor of Lone Islands is replaced by Lord Bern
  • Eustace waking up and discovering he is a dragon
  • the Duffs Island
  • the Island of the star with the sleeping Lords
  • sailing over the merpeople
The ending is quite sad since we wont be seeing Lucy and Edmund again, but I know that there are still two books left in the series.
 

Spring readathon

Another readathon I have happened across is the Spring Readathon, which runs from the 25 April to the 1 May. Since I will be on leave at that time, I thought I would join in. I do plan on doing some studying, but should be able to take some time out. Why don't you  hop on over and take a look?

Chunkster challenge

Another challenge I found today is the Chunkster challenge. I love reading big books, so this is perfect for me. I have read quite a few this year, but will only include those that I finish after this.
I commit to the Plump primer challenge which is to read 6 books of more than 450 pages.
I could probably have gone for more, but since I have got quite a few challenges on the go, I dont want to over extend myself.
If you would like to have a go at this, just click on the picture.

1. Zambesi by Tony Park
2.The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
3. Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy
4. Empire of Gold by Andy Mc Dermott
5. Jump by Jilly Cooper
6. New York by Edward Rutherford
7. Getting home by Celia Brayfield
8. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs
9. Sepulchre by Kate Mosse
10. The black sun by James Twining
11. Duncton Found by William Horwood
12. The secret servant by Daniel Silva
13. The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen
14. The return of the King by J.R.R Tolkien
15. Hell Gate by Linda Fairstein
16. Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
17. To dream of the dead by Phil Rickman
18. The lost Throne by Chris Kuzneski
19.The eye of the world by Robert Jordan
20. The Forest by Edward Rutherford

Birth year challenge 2011

I recently came across the Birth year challenge and thought it sounded interesting. Basically, you find books that were published in the year you were born and read them. So, since my birth year was 1971 (ahem) my books are as follows:
1. Nemesis by Agatha Christie
2. The day of the Jackal by frederick Forsyth
3. Bonecrack by Dick Francis
4. The lathe of heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
5. Wheels by Arthur Hailey
6. The end of summer by Rosamunde Pilcher
7.  The Carpet People by Terry Pratchett

Those are my books for now, I may read more if I can find them. I am trying not to buy books this year until I have got rid of some, so it was dependent on what is in the library!

Catching up readathon update 3

I havent had a chance to update since yesterday, but have managed to read a fair bit. I havent dont too much today since I was out until around 1pm and then had a nap from 3 till 6.
So, since yesterday morning I have read:
102 pages of Wuthering Heights - completed
389 pages of Earth and Heaven - completed
118 pages of Star Spangle Bride
Total pages read:  609

Since the start of the readathon
Pages read: 1244
Books finished: 4

At the moment I am reading an old Loveswept book called Star Spangled Bride, not sure what I will do after that, feel like I need a couple of light books.

Saturday 23 April 2011

100+ reading challenge 2011

I am going to try this again in 2011. I didnt get there this year, but definitely have read much more than I have in years, so hopefully 2011 will go better. This is being run on J.Kayes Book Blog, the same as last year and it is also being run here on My overstuffed bookshelf. I will do it differently and list all my books on this post just to clear up my sidebar a bit. I already have quite a big to be read list so this will help to get through that.
NB: This post was originally posted in December 2010, but somehow whilst editing it it became moved.
1. The Double Crown by Marie Reece
2. Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult
3. The Last Testament by Sam Bourne
4. Duncton Wood by William Horwood
5. The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
6. Wedding Bells at wandering creek by Pamela Thayer
7. Cobblestone Heroes by Ken McCoy
8. Riotous Assembly by Tom Sharpe
9. Other secrets by Farida Karodia
10. No, I don't want to join a bookclub by Virginia Ironside
11. A cat called Norton by Pete Gethers
12. Duncton Quest by William Horwood
13. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
14. A Chequered Career by Heather Chorn
15. Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard by Kiran Desai
16. Kingdom by Tom Martin
17. The Magicians Nephew by C.S Lewis
18. Fire Ice by Clive Cussler
19. I, Alex Cross by James Patterson
20. The Disposessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
21. Three Way Miracle by Karen Sandler
22. The Genesis Code by John Case
23. My fabolous divorce by Clare Dowling
24. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
25. The Fellowship of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien
26. The horse and his boy by C.S Lewis
27. An echo in the bone by Diana Gabaldon
28. Bodyguard by Suzanne Brockman
29. Ancestral vices by Tom Sharpe
30. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
31. Lessons in Heartbreak by Cathy Kelly
32. The voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
33. The Messaih Code by Michael Cordy
34. Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson
35. The Racists guide to the people of South Africa by Simon Kilpatrick
36. The Lizards bite by David Hewson
37. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
38. Star Spangled bride by Iris Johansen
39. Earth and Heaven by Sue Gee
40. Mothers Day by Kirsty Scott
41. Zambesi by Tony Park
42. Too good to be true by Sheila O'Flanagan
43. The silver chair by C.S. Lewis
44. The way we were by Marcia Willett
45. The solitude of emperors by David Davidar
46. Spud by John Van de Ruit
47. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
48. A home for Rose by Jon Katz
49. Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy
50. Empire of Gold by Andy McDermott
51. Sex and the City by Candice Bushnell
52. The double eagle by James Twining
53. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
54. Jump by Jilly Cooper
55. Dante's Numbers by David Hewson
56. City of Light by Lauren Belfer
57. The last battle by C.S Lewis
58. Absolution by Caro Ramsey
59. The two towers by J.R.R Tolkien
60. The secret island by Enid Blyton
61. Along Came a spider by James Patterson
62. Beach Road by James Patterson
63. King Solomon's mines by H.Rider Haggard
64. The fabric of sin by Phil Rickman
65. The Amber Room by Steve Berry
66. The white Queen by Phillippa Gregory
67. Polar Star by Martin Cruz Smith
68. Thirteen Hours by Deon Meyer
69. New York by Edward Rutherford
70. Getting home by Celia Brayfield
71. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs
72. Tell it to the skies by Erica James
73. Sandstone by James Rollins
74. Sepulchre by Kate Mosse
75. Fat Tuesday by Sandra  Brown
76. There are ants in my sugar by Annica Foxcroft
77. Born to run by Michael Morpugo
78. The Black sun by James Twining
79. 206 bones by Kathy Reichs
80. Duncton Found by William Horwood
81. A good dog by Jon Katz
82. Pompeii by Robert Harris
83. Times Legacy by Barbara Erskine
84. The secret servant by Daniel Silva
85. Quicksilver by Sam Osman
86. The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen
87. The Lion by Nelson De Mille
88. Break no bones by Kathy Reichs
89. Cracks by Sheila Kohler
90. The return of the king by J.R.R Tolkien
91. The Killing Place by Tess Gerritsen
92. Hell Gate by Linda Fairstein
93. Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
94. To dream of the dead by Phil Rickman
95. The last Oracle by James Rollins
96. The five greatest warriors by Matthew Reilly
97. Love Letters by Katie Fforde
98. The secret dreamworld of a shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
99. The Marshkings daughter by Elizabeth Chadwick
100. Fatal Attraction by Carol Smith
101. To the moon and back by Jill Mansell
102. The sinnery by Tess Gerritsen
103. The Gift by Cecilia Ahern
104. Theodore Boone by John Grisham
105. The lost throne by Chris Kuzneski
106. The eye of the world by Robert Jordan
107. Bare bones by Kathy Reichs
108. The forest by Edward Rutherford



Catching up readathon - day 2

Ok, so here we are at the start of day 3. I managed to get quite a bit read yesterday.
Since last update:
82 pages of The Lizards bite
150 pages of Wuthering Heights
20 pages of Heaven and Earth by Sue Gee
252 pages in total
Books finished since last update: 1

Total so far
Pages read: 635
Books finished 2

I really have to do some studying today, and also need to pop to the shops, but hope to get at least a couple of hours reading in. Hope you are all managing to get caught up.

Friday 22 April 2011

Catching up readathon

I joined this readathon in an attempt to actually get ahead in my reading, so hopefully it will do that. It started yesterday, but I didnt actually get too much time to read last night. I did manage to read 59 pages of Wuthering Heights, but that was all. This morning I read a bit of The lizards bite by David Hewson, but had to stop to take my daugher to the airport. Of course, once we got there we found out her flight was delayed by an hour. So, I popped into the bookshop there, and picked up a little book called The racists guide to the people of South Africa by Simon Kilpatrick, and ended up reading the whole thing right there. Although the title sounds terrible, it is quite misleading. The book itself is not really about racism or racist in any way, but is just a generally funny poke at the  people of South Africa. It is politically incorrect, irreverent, full of stereotypes but really spot on, so much so that at times I actually laughed out loud. I would really recomment it to any South Africans or anyone who has spent some time here.
So, at this point I have read:
59 pages of Wuthering Heights,
180 pages of The Lizards bite by David Hewson
144 pages of The Racists Guide to the people of South Africa
Books finished: 1

Tuesday 19 April 2011

Teaser Tuesday.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser is as follows:
"At first she gave him no glance of recognition: he was invisible to her abstracted gaze. The delirium was not fixed, however; having weaned her eyes from contemplating the outer darkness, by degrees she centred her attention no him, and discovered who it was that held her."

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte pg 139


Monday 18 April 2011

Catching up Readathon

Kirsten at Bookworming in the 21st century is hosting a catching up readathon this week. Although, according to Goodreads, I am not behind in my challenge, I have decided to join in for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it encompasses the entire weekend, you can start and read when you want. My daughter will be away so I won't have her to worry about. I do need to start studying this weekend, but I am sure I can fit some reading in around that. Since this is the last weekend that I can seriously relax before I start the buildup to exams I think I could use the readathon to actually get ahead so that I dont fall behind over the exam period.
My goals at this stage are to get my readalong books up to date and to read at least 2 books.

Sunday 10 April 2011

The Messiah Code by Michael Cordy

Tom Carter is a genetic scientist working on experimental ways to cure cancer. On his proudest day his wife is killed by an assassins bullet meant for him. Shortly after that he discovers that his daughter carries a gene which makes her likely to get terminal brain cancer. While Tom attempts to find a genetic cure for brain cancer a shadowy organisation called The Brotherhood is attempting to find the Messiah who has supposedly come again. They team up together, but a sinister member of the organisation is still trying to kill Tom as she has killed many before her.
Things I liked:
  • If you like The Da Vinci code you will like this. Having said that this is nowhere near as good as The Da Vinci Code.
  • I liked all the medical information and twists
  • It was a brilliant idea for a book
  • The author really kept you guessing until the very end, although there were some indications of how things would turn out this was nowhere as clear cut as all that, and the ending was a surprise
What I didn't like:
  • Not enough action for me, there were parts that were a bit dry and long winded
  • The epilogue was  bit confusing, and I didnt really feel it served any purpose
  • He didnt really go into things enough, there were times when you were left wondering why things had happened or how things happened.
Would I read it again: No
Would I try another book by this author: Yes

Prince Caspian

Prince Caspian. Film Tie-In: The Return to Narnia
I am a little late for this review, just been really busy and I also battled to get hold of this book and actually ended up buying it. I know that I have a copy somewhere, but never managed to find it.
One thing I find a little bit annoying in C.S. Lewis books is that very often the main character actually has a supporting role if that makes sense. All the action sort of happens around them. In The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe the children were there, but didnt really cause anything to happen. Once again in this book, Prince Caspian although he appears to be the main character doesn't really do anything. He just waits for everyone else to sort his problems out. Also, in this story a lot of the action is told third hand rather than us seeing it happen. That said, I did enjoy the book, lol, although it may sound like I didnt. I like the way C.S Lewis writes as if he is telling you the story and the little side comments he puts in for the reader. I also think the books are fun, simple reads for children and adults.
Favourite parts
  • the parts where they are wondering around Cair Paravel, but dont realise what it is
  • rescuing the dwarf
  • the parts where Lucy sees Aslan and the others dont
  • the romp and feast with all the woodland creatures
  • I loved the mouse Reepicheep
  • the part where Aslan walks through Narnia picking people out to join him
  • I also felt there was quit a lot of growth in the children, particularly Lucy
Favourite quote:
"That's the worst of girls," said Edmund to Peter and the Dwarf. "They never carry a map in their heads.""That's because our heads have something inside them," said Lucy

Readathon wrap up post

Wow, I really cant believe that it is now over and that I pretty much managed to make it though, apart from a slight break in the middle.
Since last update;
Pages read since last update:


The Messiah Code: 140
The Two Towers: 16
Towers of midnight: 18
Total: 174

Minutes read: 111

Since start of readathon:
Pages read in total since start of readathon: 1014 
Total time spent reading: 912 minutes = 15 hours and 20 minutes

I am quite pleased with this since this was my first attempt. Next time I will do the following to make it easier
  • have more thinner, easier reads for when the going gets tough
  • go to sleep very late the night before so I sleep longer in the morning, and maybe have a proper nap before it starts. (I had already been up for 8 hours when it started)
  • alternatively, I will move to America for the weekend (lol)
  • have more savoury, not sweet snacks and of course by then I will be able to drink my beloved coke
  • Get spare batteries for my walkman so I can listen to audiobooks on their when my ipod battery fails
  • Next time I probably wont write up as many update posts. I found that with checking the challenges and doing hourly update posts I didnt get as much time to read. So I will probably do them every 2nd or 3rd hour or when their is a natural break in my reading.
Thanks so much to everybody who made this readathon possible - the organisers, hosts, cheerleaders, sponsors etc. It was really an amazing experince for me, I cant wait for October!

Readathon end of event survey

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Hour 13-14 which was 1-3 in the morning for me. I eventually landed up having a bit of a sleep after that.


2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
Not really sure about titles, but next time I will have some more short, easy reads on my pile. Maybe some favourite kids reads. So I dont have to concentrate too much.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Not really sure

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
I liked the challenges to break it up a bit

5. How many books did you read?
I finished two and read from 2 others

6. What were the names of the books you read?
The Messiah Code by Michael Cordy (finished)
The voyage of the dawn treader by C.S. Lewis
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan
The Two Towers by J.R.R Tolkien
7. Which book did you enjoy most?
The voyage of the Dawn Treader
8. Which did you enjoy least?
I love The two towers, but found it difficult to read it in these circumstances since it seemed to be very heavy to read. That could have been the time that I was reading it though (see above)
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
NA

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
Definitely - reader if I can. The next one is about the time of my exams though, so if it clashes with that I will cheerlead


Readathon hour 22

Progress so far: Title of book(s) read since last update:
The Messiah Code by Michael Cordy

Number of books read since you started: 4 read, 1 finished

Pages read since last update: 203
Running total of pages read since you started: 840
Amount of time spent reading since last update:122 min
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
801 minutes

Mini-challenges completed:
Where In the World Are You Reading?
Oldies but Goldies
Collabarative Fiction
Mid-event meme
Bookclub suggestions
Book habits
Character Crush
Bookish Humour
Movie Madness


Readathon hour 19

I didn't dissappear, just slept a bit longer than planned.
Progress so far:
Title of book(s) read since last update:
The Messiah Code by Michael Cordy

Number of books read since you started: 4 read, 1 finished

Pages read since last update: 125
Running total of pages read since you started: 637
Amount of time spent reading since last update:1:27
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
679 minutes

Mini-challenges completed:
Where In the World Are You Reading?
Oldies but Goldies
Collabarative Fiction
Mid-event meme
Bookclub suggestions
Book habits
Character Crush


Readathon hour 14

Progress so far:

Title of book(s) read since last update:
The Messiah Code by Michael Cordy
Number of books read since you started: 4 read, 1 finished

Pages read since last update: 72
Running total of pages read since you started: 512
Amount of time spent reading since last update:55
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
552minutes

Mini-challenges completed:
Where In the World Are You Reading?
Oldies but Goldies
Collabarative Fiction
Mid-event meme
Bookclub suggestions
Book habits



Other participants you’ve visited:
3 blogs and reading twitter

Prize you’ve won:
None so far!


And now, I will be off for a nap, since I am already falling asleep. Will be back in a couple of hours

Readathon hour 13

Progress so far:


Title of book(s) read since last update:

The Two towers by J.R.R Tolkien

Number of books read since you started: 3 read, 1 finished

Pages read since last update: 29
Running total of pages read since you started: 442
Amount of time spent reading since last update:30
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
497minutes

Mini-challenges completed:
Where In the World Are You Reading?
Oldies but Goldies
Collabarative Fiction
Mid-event meme
Bookclub suggestions

Other participants you’ve visited:

3 blogs and reading twitter

Prize you’ve won:
None so far!





Readathon hour 12 + mid-event meme

Mid-Event Survey:


1. What are you reading right now?
Lord of the Rings - The two towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

2. How many books have you read so far?
I have completed 1 book, but read bits out of 2 others.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
Well, I would have said The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (late addition to my reading pile), but my mother has abducted it. So, I will go with The Messiah Code by Michael Cordy

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
I had asked my parents to have my daughter, but at the last minute they didnt, so I persuaded her to do the readathon too. She has now gone to bed

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Apart from daughter spilling chicken all over the bed and having to change and wash all the linen, no. I did stop for dinner and fell asleep at 1 stage.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
That I am actually still here.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
No

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
I would go to bed later the night before, so that I sleep in longer in the morning. Or, have more of a nap just before the readathon starts
9. Are you getting tired yet?
Since it is now 1am here, I am a bit. I did fall asleep unintentially between 11 and 12 and may have another nap a bit later.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?
Not really


Progress so far:
Title of book(s) read since last update:

The Two towers by J.R.R Tolkien

Number of books read since you started: 3 read, 1 finished

Pages read since last update: 42
Running total of pages read since you started: 413

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 60
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)

467

Mini-challenges completed:

Where In the World Are You Reading?

Oldies but Goldies

Collabarative Fiction
Mid-event meme
Bookclub suggestions
Other participants you’ve visited:

3 blogs and reading twitter

Prize you’ve won:

None so far!


P.S The time on some of my posts has been a bit off. I have posted some from my phone so it seems to be giving the wrong time.



Saturday 9 April 2011

Readathon hour 10

Since last update:
Reading: The two towers
Pages: 42
Minutes: 80

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Readathon hour 8

Title of book(s) read since last update: Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan
Number of books read since you started: 3 read, 1 finished
Pages read since last update: 39
Running total of pages read since you started: 329

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 40 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
298 minutes

Mini-challenges completed:
Where In the World Are You Reading?
Oldies but Goldies
Collabarative Fiction

Other participants you’ve visited:
3 blogs and reading twitter
Prize you’ve won:

None so far!

Readathon Hour 7

Book read in hour 6: Towers of Midnight
Pages Read: 23
Time spent reading: 30 minutes

Readathon hour 6

Ok, I missed doing an update post since my reading companion messed her chicken on her bed and we had to end up changing all the sheets. During the 4th hour I read:
Book read: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Pages read: 68
Minutes read: 57

During the 5th hour I read:
Books Read The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (finished) The two towers
Pages Read: 42
Minutes Read: 41

Challenge so far:
Books finished: The voyage of the Dawn Treader
Pages Read so far: 267
Minutes Read so far: 228
Challenges done:
Introductory meme, Where are you reading from, Collobarative Fiction challenge.

Readathon hour 4

Book read: Voyage of the dawn treader
Number of pages: 56
Minutes read: 45
Challenges: collaborative fiction challenge
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Readathon hour 3

Two hours are over and so far so good. Brenda is reading with me and doing well too.
Book read in hour 2: The voyage of the dawn treader
Pages read: 56
Minutes: 40
Challenges: Where are you reading from challenge.

Readathon hour 1

1)Where are you reading from today?
My room at home in Durban south Africa. Will probably move around the house a bit
2)Three random facts about me…
I am scared of fire
I drive a green car
I bite my nails :-(
3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
9 but will jump around with them
4)Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?
To get up to date with my challenge reading - jane eyre, Wuthering Heights, The voyage of the Dawn Treader
5)If you're a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time? I am a newbie
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Readathon hour 2

Book read during hour 1: Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan
pages read: 45
Minutes: 58
Introductory meme done!
Just had a few minutes break for something to eat, about to start again.

Read-a-thon

Is starting now and I am starting with Towers of Midnight!

Friday 8 April 2011

Read-a-thon - reading pile.


The read-a-thon starts tomorrow and I am really excited if a little apprehensive. I am still not entirely sure what happens, but I guess I will get into it as I go along. This afternoon I popped into the library and sorted out my reading pile. It includes the following books:
  • Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson - I would like to finish this book, but since I am only a quarter of the way through it is not likely
  • The way we were by Marcia Willett
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte -on chapter 12 will go up to 23 for the read a long.
  • The two towers by J.R.R Tolkien - chapters 1-7 for Read a long
  • Sex and the city by Candace Bushnell (having a second try at this)
  • Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - will read volume 1
  • The Messiah Code by Michael Cordy
  • The voyage of the dawn treader by C.S Lewis
I do have a few more books lying around which I can turn to if I get bored of those, but I at least want to make sure I finish the read a long books.
Tomorrow morning I will stop off at the shop for some snacks and meals to keep me going and then I think that I am set.
See you tomorrow at 14:00 my time (12:00 GMT)