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    • Archive for June 8th, 2008

    Sunday, June 8th, 2008

    48 Hour Reading Challenge - Wrap Up Post

    I completed this challenge, stopping 30 minutes shy of the actual end time. I didn’t do nearly as well as I thought I would…but I learned a few things about myself and my reading. First the stats:

    My unofficial goals for this challenge were to read a minimum of 3 books along with a couple of short stories and essays; and to spend at least 20 hours reading.

    What I learned:

    1. Reading for 20 hours over 2 days is HARD to do! I found my mind wandering and it was hard to concentrate.
    2. Serious fiction is even harder to read all in one sitting. I liked Bridge of Sighs, but it was a slow read for me and I wanted to take my time with it. Takeover, on the other hand, was fast paced and easy to blow through. I managed to get through 1/2 of The Wednesday Sisters which falls somewhere between serious and fun reading.
    3. I don’t read as fast as I thought I did. I used to think I was a pretty fast reader, but I came to realize that I am more of a persistent reader - someone who can read 8 books a month because I read for short, focused periods each day…not someone who races through the pages in a few hours all at once.
    4. I didn’t enjoy this challenge as much as I thought I would! I missed doing other things I enjoy - like puttering around my house, blogging or surfing the Internet, thumbing through magazines, sitting lazily on my porch talking with my husband, etc… What this means is that although I love reading, I love other things too!
    5. I need to mix up my reading and make sure it is light stuff for the 24 hour Read-A-Thon coming up at the end of the month.

    Thanks Mother Reader for hosting this one!

    Sunday, June 8th, 2008

    Reading Plan - 48 Hour Reading Challenge

    I am starting this challenge at 5:00pm PCT. It is a gorgeous day and my porch is calling to me! I’ve decided to select some books from which I plan to read over the next 48 hours (subject to change per my whim!). They are:

    1. Bridge of Sighs, by Richard Russo (I am planning to finish this one … previous reading brought me up to page 244) - COMPLETED 3:30PM June 7, 2008; rated 4/5; read my review)
    2. Takeover, by Lisa Black -COMPLETED 11:00AM June 8, 2008; rated 4/5; read my review)
    3. The Wednesday Sisters, by Meg Waite Clayton - READ 120 pages
    4. Home of the Gentry, by Ivan Turgenov
    5. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
    6. A Russian Journal, by John Steinbeck

    I’ll also be reading some short stories from The Essential Tales of Chekhov, and some essays from The Essays of E.B. White.

    I’m planning to post throughout the challenge to give you updates on my progress!

    ***************

    3:30PM - Saturday June 7, 2008 UPDATE

    I have gotten interrupted from my reading quite often - and the book I was reading was a very slow read for me (although I liked it). I’ll be picking up a quicker read now with Takeover, by Lisa Black.

    12:30PM - Sunday June 8, 2008 UPDATE

    4:30PM - Sunday June 8, 2008 UPDATE

    I’m stopping 30 minutes before the end of this challenge because I’m tired!

    Sunday, June 8th, 2008

    Takeover - Book Review

    Lisa Black’s first novel - Takover - takes place in Cleveland and opens with the grisly murder of a man found outside of his home. Forensic scientist Theresa MacLean doesn’t have any reason to believe this will be different from any other murder she has investigated until she gets word that a hostile takeover of the Federal Reserve has occurred. To make matters worse, Theresa’s fiance Paul is one of the hostages being held. From this moment forward, the book is nonstop suspense and thrills.

    Black develops her characters with a sharp eye to detail, and Theresa MacLean is a worthy heroine who uses her intelligence and courage to help uncover the secrets of the case.

    Black’s professional background as a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences with a certification by the American Board of Criminalistics adds authenticity to her writing which is in the tradition of Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell.

    I liked this book for its tension and fast-paced plot. It is a quick read which kept my attention. Black left the ending open for a sequel…so I hope she is working on her second novel.

    Recommended.