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    Monday, June 30th, 2008

    Tying up Loose Ends…

    Today is the last day for this challenge! I am planning to leave the links up through July 10th for people to post links to their wrap up posts and May/June reads. For those of you who forgot to post links to reviews in the early part of the challenge, you may feel free to post those links to the May/June reads link page. There were 60 people who signed up to participate. So far 15 have completed it (based on the links to wrap ups). This was a very fun challenge to host…and for those wondering, I will be hosting it again in January 2009 (with perhaps a couple of changes). Thank you to all who participated…hope you had fun!

    UPDATE on Northern California Fires

    As of today, my husband and I are no longer being directly threatened by the two fires closest to us. The Withrow fire and the Shingletown Ridge Road fire are both 100% contained. We also did not get the predicted thunderstorms over the weekend which were a huge relief. Thank you to all who commented or emailed me and who kept us in their thoughts and prayers.

    Unfortunately, although we are breathing more easily, there are still many Northern Californians who have been evacuated or who are under the threat of evacuations from fires. In Shasta and Trinity counties combined (per the CalFire Website) fires have burned 48,000 acres to the tune of $9 million. Currently 2 homes have been destroyed and 230 homes are threatened. Many of the Northern California counties (including Shasta County) have now been declared a State of Emergency, and also Federal Disaster areas.  Your continued thoughts and prayers for our communities are much appreciated.

    Sunday, June 29th, 2008

    24 Hour Read-A-Thon: The Wrap Up

    By the time I finish this post, the 24 Hour Read-A-Thon will be finished. Phew! What an amazing event. Dewey has asked us to complete post-event survey…so here goes:

    1. Which hour was most daunting for you? The 16th hour was when I finally crashed and needed to sleep. Then when I woke up during hour 20 I was really done in. This last hour has been a struggle.

    2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I was really happy with my last book: Down River, by John Hart. It is a very good, compelling read that kept my attention despite my fatigue. I also think choosing a book of short stories is good.

    3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? None what-so-ever. This was a fantastic challenge - very well organized and with enough stuff to keep participants going.

    4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? I thought the cheerleaders were amazing and also other participants who stopped by and left comments. I tried to visit people and leave comments because I know how much that was helping me.

    5. How many books did you read? I finished 2.5 books and read one individual short story.

    6. What were the names of the books you read?

    7. Which book did you enjoy most? Probably my current read - Down River.

    8. Which did you enjoy least? Mr. Bones - because it was a little deep and I think it is hard to appreciate deep reads during these kinds of events.

    9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? N/A

    10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Oh, I’d definitely do this again…and I’d be a reader again.

    My final stats for the Read-A-Thon are as follows:

    Many thanks to my one lone sponsor - the fabulous Terri who is donating $30 to Reading is Fundamental (RIF). I’ve decided to match her donation to support this worthy cause…so Team Caribousmom raised $60 to help put books into the hands of children.

    Also thanks to all the cheerleaders and other participants who visited me and left comments during the challenge…and finally a HUGE thanks to Dewey who hosts this extreme event each year!

    Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

    Man Booker Prize Challenge


    January 1 - December 31, 2008

    June 17, 2008 - CHALLENGE COMPLETED!

    I finished this challenge tonight with my completion of Atonement which was shortlisted in 2002. I enjoyed all these books - and none got a rating less than 4.0. I will most likely continue reading from the short lists for the Booker Prize in the future. Thanks Dewey for hosting this one!!

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

    Here is the perfect compliment to Laura’s Complete Booker Challenge … The Man Booker Challenge, hosted by Dewey, challenges participants to read 6 books from the short, long or winner lists for the Man Booker Prize. Readers can change their lists at any time and overlaps are fine.

    So here’s my list (subject to change):

    1. The Reluctant Fundamentalist, by Moshin Hamid - 2007 Shortlist (finished January 11, 2008; rated 4/5; read my review)
    2. The Night Watch, by Sarah Waters - 2006 Shortlist (finished February 12, 2008; rated 4.5/5; read my review)
    3. The Gathering, by Anne Enright - Winner 2007 (finished March 9, 2008; rated 4.5/5; read my review)
    4. Atonement, by Ian McEwan - 2001 Shortlist (finished June 17, 2008; rated 4/5; read my review)
    5. Cat’s Eye, by Margaret Atwood - 1989 Shortlist (finished February 29, 2008; rated 4.5/5; read my review)
    6. Life and Times of Michael K, by J.M. Coetzee - Winner 1983 (finished February 17, 2008; rated 4/5; read my review)
    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!

    Saturday, May 31st, 2008

    Book Binge

    book-binge.jpg

    May 5 - May 31, 2008

    This one seemed like a no-brainer to me. Mary at It’s Not All Mary Poppins is hosting her annual Book Binge whereby readers simply track the books they read this month and then post about them. The goal is to read as much as you can. The rules are flexible. I’ll be listing my books from May on this post with links to my reviews.

    I read 8 books in May. Below are the books I read, their ratings, and links to my reviews.

    1. Independent People, by Halldor Laxness

    Rated:
    Number of Pages: 482
    Started: April 26, 2008
    Finished: May 5, 2008
    Read my review.

    2. The Zookeeper’s Wife, by Diane Ackerman

    Rated:
    Number of Pages: 323
    Started: May 6, 2008
    Finished: May 12, 2008
    Read my review.

    3. The Bright Side Of Disaster, by Katherine Center

    Rated:
    Number of Pages: 245
    Started: May 13, 2008
    Finished: May 14, 2008
    Read my review.

    4. Laughing Without An Accent, by Firoozeh Dumas

    Rated:
    Number of Pages: 223
    Started: May 15, 2008
    Finished: May 17, 2008
    Read my review.

    5. Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Picoult

    Rated:
    Number of Pages: 455
    Started: May 17, 2008
    Finished: May 21, 2008
    Read my review.

    6. Other Voices Other Rooms, by Truman Capote

    Rated:
    Number of Pages: 231
    Started: May 22, 2008
    Finished: May 25, 2008
    Read my review.

    7. Songs For The Missing, by Stewart O’Nan

    Rated:
    Number of Pages: 287
    Started: May 25, 2008
    Finished: May 27, 2008
    Read my review.

    8. Before You Know Kindness, by Chris Bohjalian

    Rated:
    Number of Pages: 422
    Started: May 28, 2008
    Finished: May 31, 2008
    Read my review.

    Saturday, May 31st, 2008

    Themed Challenge - My Picks and Progress


    January 1 - June 30, 2008

    May 31, 2008 - CHALLENGE WRAP UP:

    I completed this challenge tonight - I ended up reading two from my primary list and two from my alternate list. My favorite read of the challenge was a toss up between Nineteen Minutes and Lost and Found. The best part of this challenge is it got me to read books from my TBR pile which have been languishing there for awhile. I am planning to host this challenge again next year!

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

    Since I’m hosting this challenge, I thought I’d better post my books. If you want to participate, go here to sign up.

    My theme is: Books Set in New England

    I’ve chosen four (4) books with four different New England settings: New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts. And I have three alternates or extras.

    1. The World Below, by Sue Miller (COMPLETED April 26, 2008; rated 3.5/5; read my review)
    2. Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Picoult (COMPLETED May 21, 2008; rated 4.5/5; read my review)
    3. Halfway House, by Katherine Noel
    4. In The Fall, by Jeffrey Lent

    Alternates/Extras:

    1. Before You Know Kindness, by Chris Bohjalian (COMPLETED May 31, 2008; rated 4/5; read my review)
    2. Lost and Found, by Jacqueline Sheehan (COMPLETED April 21, 2008; rated 4.5/5; read my review)
    3. Blaze, by Richard Bachman

    Saturday, May 31st, 2008

    48 Hour Reading Challenge


    June 6 - 8, 2008

    Mother Reader at The Heart of a Mother, The Soul of a Reader is hosting the third annual 48- hour book challenge. For those of you unfamiliar with this challenge, participants commit to 48 hours of reading, reviewing and blogging - a marathon of sorts! The rules are simple:

    • Read and blog for any 48-hour period within the Friday-to-Monday-morning window. Start no sooner than 7:00 a.m. on Friday the sixth and end no later than 7:00 a.m. Monday.
    • The books should be about fifth-grade level and up. Adult books are fine, especially if any adult book bloggers want to play.
    • For promotion/solidarity purposes, let your readers know when you are starting the challenge with a specific entry on that day. Write your final summary on Monday, and for one day, we’ll all be on the same page, so to speak.
    • Your final summary needs to clearly include the number of books read, the approximate hours you spent reading/reviewing, and any other comments you want to make on the experience.
    I’ve decided to participate this year as a warm up to Dewey’s 24 Hour Reading Challenge coming up at the end of the month. I’ll be starting the 48 hour Reading Challenge on Friday afternoon - probably around 4:00pm PCT, but will create an introductory post (or add onto this one) to give the exact time when I start.
    Saturday, May 31st, 2008

    Remembering Nattie…

    thinkingnat.jpg The world of book blogging is not as big as one might think. I have met so many wonderful people through the blogs and especially through participation in reading challenges. And that is how I met Nattie…a single mom with a passion for books and a beautiful smile. I didn’t know her for long, but she touched my heart. Sadly, Nattie left this world far too early on June 7, 2007 at the age of 33. As a tribute to Nattie and as a way to keep her memory alive through the love of books, Heather has established The Nattie Challenge blog where she hosts reading challenges dedicated to Nattie.

    This month a new challenge has been posted. The Thinking of Nat Challenge encourages readers to read a book which reminds them of Nattie; and to give away a book in her name.

    I am going to read one (or both) of the following books for this challenge:

    1. The Amateur Marriage, by Anne Tyler (which was a Nattie pick for the Something About Me Challenge)
    2. The Bright Side of Disaster, by Katherine Center (a book focused on motherhood) - COMPLETED May 14, 2008; rated 4.5/5; read my review.

    CHALLENGE WRAP UP:

    I had thought about reading both books for this challenge, but given that in the last 2 weeks ARCs have been arriving on my doorstep much faster than I can read them, I’m going to wrap up this challenge having read The Bright Side of Disaster…and having given away TWO books. This was a wonderful challenge because it was in memory of Nattie. I am always blown away by the generosity and caring of the book world. Catherine Center stepped up and donated a signed edition of her book; many comments got posted about Nattie…and I kept thinking how pleased Nattie would have been to see the beauty of the human spirit in her name.

    Saturday, May 24th, 2008

    Book Awards Reading Challenge

    Bookawards

    Through June 30, 2008

    May 24, 2008 - CHALLENGE WRAP UP

    I’ve decided to wrap up this challenge today. Michelle is hosting part 2 of the Bookawards Challenge beginning August 1st, and so I’ve decided I don’t have to read everything on my list for this one. The challenge was to read 12 award winners. I did that, and I also read 7 alternates. The ones I didn’t get to I intend to shift to Bookawards II.

    This was a great challenge - helping me to read fine literature and knock some award winning books off my perpetual challenge lists. My favorite read of the challenge is impossible to pick. Most of the books I read got a rating of 4 or more! Not bad!

    I’m looking forward to continue reading from the award lists. Thanks Michelle for hosting this one!

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

    I know, I know - I said I wasn’t going to join anymore challenges. BUT, I couldn’t pass this one up. I’m picking mostly books I either already have on my shelf, am reading for other challenges, or plan on reading for book groups.

    Here’s my FINAL list (pink highlights indicate author won Nobel only):

    1. The Bone People, by Keri Hulme, - Booker 1985 - COMPLETED July 12, 2007; read my review here.
    2. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood - Governor Generals Award (Canada) 1985 - COMPLETED November 5, 2007; read my review here.
    3. The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood - Booker 2000 - COMPLETED August 1, 2007; read my review here.
    4. The God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy - Booker 1997 - COMPLETED September 29, 2007; read my review here.
    5. The Echo Maker, by Richard Powers - National Book Award 2006 - COMPLETED September 6, 2007; read my review here.
    6. Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides - Pulitzer 2003 - COMPLETED November 1, 2007; read my review here.
    7. Disgrace, by J. M. Coetzee - Booker 1999 AND Commonwealth Writers Prize 2000 AND Nobel Prize awarded to author in 2003 - COMPLETED December 14, 2007; read my review here.
    8. East of Eden, by John Steinbeck - author won Nobel Prize in 1962 - COMPLETED October 12, 2007; read my review here.
    9. Angle of Repose, by Wallace Stegner - Pulitzer 1972 - COMPLETED April 17, 2008; read my review here.
    10. The Great Fire, by Shirley Hazzard - NBA 2003, Miles Franklin 2004 - COMPLETED August 8, 2007; read my review here.
    11. The Borrowers, by Mary Norton - Carnegie Medal 1952 - COMPLETED December 31, 2007; read my review here.
    12. The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson - Edgar (Best Fact Crime) 2004 - COMPLETED September 12, 2007; read my review here.

    Alternates (or extras):

    1. The Good Earth, by Pearl Buck - Pulitzer 1932; Nobel Prize 1938 - COMPLETED November 28, 2007; read my review here.
    2. The Bridge of San Luis Rey, by Thornton Wilder - Pulitzer Prize 1928 - COMPLETED December 23, 2007; read my review here.
    3. The Giver, by Lois Lowry - Newbery Medal 1994 - COMPLETED January 1, 2008; read my review here.
    4. So Big, by Edna Ferber - Pulitzer Prize 1925 - COMPLETED January 17, 2008; read my review here.
    5. Life and Times of Michael K, by J.M. Coetzee - Booker Prize 1983; Nobel Laureate 2003 - COMPLETED February 17, 2008; read my review here.
    6. The Gathering, by Anne Enright - Booker Prize 2007 - COMPLETED March 9, 2008; read my review here.
    7. The Tenderness of Wolves, by Stef Penney - Costa/Whitbread 2006 - COMPLETED April 5, 2008; read my review here.
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