Bout of Books 3.0 Starting line and updates

I have once again signed up for the Bout of Books readathon, which starts on Monday. I will update daily on this post, since I will have access to a computer and not use the phone to post, apart from Twitter that is.

Time committed to:Definitely Monday and Tuesday for most of the day. Wednesday - Friday I will be back at work, so not as much time. But then, will be back on the weekend.

Goals:
I would like to read a minimum of 3 books, but will be thrilled with 5 or more. My ideal is to get a bit ahead in my goal to reach 120 books this year. I have quite a few long books on my TBR pile, so will count pages as well.

Books to be read:
I have about 15 books on my TBR pile, and 3 boxes of books in my house belonging to my bookclub, so I wont run out. I won't specify right now what I will read, since typically I specify and then read something totally different!

1/9
I didnt get as much chance to read as I liked, but did get some done. Going to bed now, so whatever I read in bed, will be added to tomorrows total.
Number of books I’ve finished today:  a half (Kiss the Girls)
Total number of books I’ve finished: a half (kiss the girls)
Total number of pages read: 351 (Kiss the Girls 312; Start Somewhere 14; Duncton Tales 25)
Today #insixwords: Tired because I woke early today
Things I learned on Twitter: Twitter not working on my phone today :-(
Books: Kiss the girls, Start somewhere, Duncton Tales

1/10

Number of books I’ve finished today: 0
Total number of books I’ve finished: half
Pages read today: 257 (It's now or never)

Total number of pages read: 608
Today #insixwords: Too much excitement here to read
Things I learned on Twitter: Once again no time to tweet!
Books: It's now or never

1/11
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1/12
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1/13
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1/14
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1/15
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If you would like to join in,  click on the picture above, or go here

Bout of books reading pile.

This is my reading pile for the Bout of Books readathon. It is basically just my to be read pile. However, I have a confession to make: There is another pile hiding behind that one, but this is really where I want to start. I also have all the books from my book club, so it is quite possible that I will read something from that if I get bored! What isnt in this pile is the book I am currently reading which is Duncton Wood by William Horwood.

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Is a weekly meme where we all get together and share what we have  been reading and will be reading. It is a great way to build up your reading list.

Last week I managed to read quite a bit. I wanted to get ahead on my reading challenge, so that I have room to play when I go back to work this week. I mainly read James Patterson, since I was staying with my sister who has just about all his books.

This is what I read last week:

• Swimsuit by James Patterson
• Don't blink by James Patterson
• Run for your life by James Patterson
• Step on a crack by James Patterson
• Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs
• Not that kind of girl by Catherine Alliot
• Leaving by Karen Kingsbury

Reviews done last week:

• Swimsuit by James Patterson

What I am currently reading:

• Kiss the girls by James Patterson - for some reason this book seems familiar but I have gone back and checked repeatedly and definitely have not read it. I am enjoying it though
• Start somewhere by Calvin Nowell - a motivational weight loss book which I am definitely enjoying and identifying with. Will take this one slowly though.

Next on my list:

• Not sure, but am doing the Bout of books readathon, so will definitely be reading!

For more reading inspiration, click on the picture above

2011 Challenge Round up

Since we are a week into 2012, I thought I had better do a round up of 2011 challenges. I will try to be better this year about doing this as we go along.

100+ reading challenge
Goal: 100 books
Read: 108

Birth year reading challenge
Goal: 7
Read: 0
Oh dear, my main problem was since they were old books, I couldnt get them in my local library and needed to go into the main library in town, which I never got a chance to do. I may try and do this one this year.

Bronte sisters reading challenge:
Goal: 3
Read: 2
Oh dear.

Chunkster reading challenge
Goal: 6
Read: 20!

Lord of The Rings Readalong
Goal: 3 + 1 other Tolkien book
Read: 3 + The Hobbit

Mystery and Suspense challenge
Goal: 12
Read: 40!!!

Narnia Read a long
Goal: 7
Read: 7

New Author Challenge:
Goal: 15
Read: 32

Read me baby 1 more time
Goal:  13-20
Read: 18

Support your local library challenge:
Goal: 30
Read: 47

All in all, although I failed at 2 I think I did quite well. What I didnt do too well at is reviewing, I hope to be better this year!

Review: Swimsuit by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

I have had a bit of a James Patterson readathon the last week, since I was staying with my sister and she has LOADS of them.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
A strikingly attractive swimsuit model, Kim McDaniels, goes missing at a photoshoot with the backdrop of an upscale hotel in Hawaii. Shortly after she vanishes, her distressed parents receive a shocking phone call – one that forces them to take the next available flight to Hawaii in a frantic effort to find their missing daughter. LA Times reporter Ben Hawkins is assigned to the case, and finds himself drawing on his experience as an ex-cop – particularly as the futile efforts of the local police are proving distinctly underwhelming. Ben may have his biggest scoop – but will it be at the expense of a young woman's life?

My review:
At the time I read this, I had only read one other non-Alex Cross book by James Patterson, and I felt that that book was a bit flat. However, this really did not dissapoint. It gripped me from the start, I started reading it at about 4pm on New Years day and finished that night, The short, punchy chapters make it easy to read, and easy to catch up if you need to leave it for a bit. That is if you can bear to leave it. He builds up the suspense slowly from the start of the book, and there are so many little clues throughout the book.. I liked the hero, Ben Hawkins, since I felt he was a normal sort of guy, that one could relate to. Although he had been a cop, he didnt have access to loads of fancy gadgets and backup, was just him on his own trying to solve the mystery.  Although he is a reporter and obviously out to get a story, you do get the impression that he really cares about the victims and the outcome of the case. One thing that surprised me though, is that the story is told, in a round about way, from the killers perspective, which makes for a different read. There are so many twists and turns in this book, with lots of violence and action.

The only thing I didn't really like, and it may sound a bit strange considering the rest of my review, is that sometimes I felt the book lost its direction a  bit. There was some unnecessary killing, and sometimes it seemed to go a bit in circles. However, overall it was an awesome read and perfect for a holiday or a long lazy day at the pool.

Rating: I gave it 5/5 on Goodreads

Support your local library challenge 2012

I thought this challenge had dissappeared, but found it today. I am still trying to save money and get rid of books, so going to join in again. I will go for 37+ books from my library.

Rules:

Anyone can join.

You don't need a blog to participate. If you are a Non-blogger please leave a comment with a link (if you review elsewhere) to your review or with the book(s) you read.

Audio, ebooks (some libraries allow ebooks to be checked out), bound books are ok.

No re-reads

Go here to sign up

Challenge goes from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Levels:

Level 1 - Read 12 library books

Level 2 - Read 24 library books

Level 3 - Read 36 library books

Level 4 - Read 37+ library books

1. Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs

2. Not that kind of girl by Catherine Allison

3. Atlantis by David Gibbins

4. Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs
5. Spring by William Horwoodp
6. Shopaholic ties the knot by Sophie Kinsella
7.

Read me baby one more time 2012

I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge last year, it was so nice to rediscover old favourites. So, when I saw it was up again this year, I couldn't resist joining in again. I will once again go for Groundhog day reader, which means I must reread 13-20 books. Click on the picture if you would like to join the challenge.

1. Duncton Tales by William Horwood

2. The great hunt by Robert Jordan

3. Atlantis by David Gibbins

4. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

5. Wilt on High by Tom Sharpe

6. The Dragon  Reborn by Robert Jordan

7. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

8. The shadow rising by Robert Jordan

9. Sarum by Edward Rutherford

10. The fires of heaven by Robert Jordan

11. Atlantis by David Gibbins

12. Lord of chaos by Robert Jordan

13. Digital Fortress by Dan Brown

14. Duncton Rising by William Horwood

15. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

16. A crown of swords by Robert Jordan