Friday Finds

Due to my participation in the ReadAThon, I found lots of suggestions for reads and re-reads. Here's what I'd added to my "to be read" pile.

Throwback Thursday

For this week's Throwback Thursday, I'm reviewing a book that I reread and a short story that I discovered.

Sunday Salon: ReadAThon Wrap Up

I have participated in my first 24 hour read-a-thon. I didn't catch up on nearly as much reading as I wanted. But I had a good time. I was awake until hour 21, but I stepped away for several hours because of various commitments.

I managed to complete a book from my in progress list, complete 2.5 short stories, and start a book in my to be read pile. I participated in 5 challenges, and I hosted one of my own. I also visited some blogs along the way. I guess that's pretty decent for a rookie.

ReadAThon Update: Hours 18, 19 & 20

At hour 18 I decided to switch to short stories. I had a few queued up electronically at DailyLit. I completed A Doctor's Visit by Anton Chekhov but fell asleep shortly thereafter (shame on me!). I woke up towards the end of hour 19 and decided to dive into another short story, The Lady With the Dog.

I was too tired to do any challenges this time. I'm about to start one more short story, but I think I'm going to sleep soon. I know I should force myself to get through these last 4 hours, but I just don't think I can. We'll see.

ReadAThon Update: Hours 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17

I was at a banquet the past few hours, so no reading occurred. I'll likely be sleep soon, but we'll see if I can squeeze anymore reading in before the end.

Since my last update, I've read:
NOTHING !
I participated in these mini-challenges:

Nicki’s Mini-Challenge
Lynn’s Mini-Challenge

And I visited a few blogs.

ReadAThon Give Me Five Challenge

Lynn asked us to name five favorite children's books.

Here's my list:

Harold and the Purple Crayon

The Sneetches

Where the Wild Things Are

The Monster at the End of this Book

Chronicles of Narnia

ReadAThon pdate: Hours 9, 10, 11 & 12

Since my last update, I've read:
NOTHING! So sorry, but I took children to a carnival and am now off to a church banquet. Maybe this wasn't the best weekend. But I got to host a mini challenge, so that was cool! Hopefully I'll tune back in in the wee hours of the morning.

Readathon Mini Challenge

UPDATE: The randomly selected winner is Emily . You will recieve one set of Katrina's booksmarks and 2 books of your choice. Please email your book choices (you get to pick TWO books!) and address info to deweyreadathon(at)gmail. You can find your book choices on the Prizes page.

Generally, I’m not the type of person who watches movies for grown-ups more than once or reads a fiction book more than once. I have been known to watch Disney movies ad nausea because I have children. I only buy sewing, crafting or education books, since they serve as references that I can return to. I love children’s books and will read them night after night to my children. But I get my fiction from the library.

That being said, I do have one fiction book that I reread from time to time. But before I tell you about it, I’d like to know about you.

What book or books do you return to read again and again and why?

You can leave your answer or a link to your short post in the comments. This is a 2-hour challenge, so you have until 6pm CST, which I believe is hour 12. One winner will be chosen at random, but you must answer the question to be eligible.

And now for my answer. I just love The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker. It is so rich in plot, that I’m able to get lost in it every time. Admittedly, I space my reading out about once every 18 months or so. That’s about long enough for me to only have a vague recollection of all of the interrelatedness of the characters. They are like old friends whom I haven’t seen since that last class reunion. I’m always excited to hear about what they’ve been up to. Maybe I’m a little weird, but I love me!

ReadAThon Update: Hours 5, 6, 7, & 8

I had to leave to run a girl scout meeting, so I read nothing during hours 5, 6, or 7.

Since my last update, I've read:
Chapters 2 - 3 from Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. (pitiful, I know)
I participated in the Collection Obsession mini-challenge and visited a couple of blogs.

ReadAThon Collection Obsession Challenge

Wendy asks that we share what we collect besides books. Books are by far #1 for me. But I guess that there have been other collections along the way.

I used to collect Christmas angel ornaments. They are currently packed away, so I can't share a picture of those. I collect hobbies like sewing and jewelry making. The only related picture I could come up with is my fabric collection in my small sewing space. I apologize for the quality. I had to use my phone since I can't find my camera at the moment.

I'm behind on my reading, so I need to get back to it.

ReadAThon Update: Hours 3 & 4

I didn't do as well as I had hoped during this stretch. The kids woke up and wanted me to be a mommy! And I visited other blogs, so I got distracted.

Since my last update, I've read:
Chapter 1 of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.
I participated in Hey Lady's mini-challenge.

I have to go be a Girl Scout Leader for the next two hours, so there won't be reading during that time period. See you at hour 7 or so.

ReadAThon: Update for hours 1 & 2

Since my last update, I've read:

63 pages from I know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. This was a read in progress, and I've now finished it. I plan to read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin next.

I participated in Wordlily's mini-challenge.

I don't have a definitive list of books, so I can't give you a count. Also, I'll be reading some in electronic form since I subscribe to DailyLit.

ReadAThon: Twitter mini challenge

This first challenge is hosted by WorldLilly and is to take a screen shot when the #readathon hastag starts to trend. For full details on how to enter click here.

Start your engines!

The read-a-thon has begun! I've got some electronic and "real" books to read, and I'm ready. I'll have to take breaks to attend to other matters, but I'm excited and raring to go. My goal is to update every 2 hours or so.

Don't forget to look for my mini challenge later today!

Ready to read?

The 24 Hour Read-a-Thon is this weekend! I already know that I won't be able to hang for the full 24 because I have to lead a girl scout meeting and my kids have a school carnival. But I'm going to give it my best.

I also get to be a cheerleader! Please look for my mini challenge from Hour 10 through Hour 11, which is 4pm until 6pm Central time.

And go sign up if you haven't done so already.

Sunday Salon

My life is a bit hectic right now with midterms underway. But I've tried to pick up a couple of books to read for fun.

I'm rereading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. It's been years since I've read this book. I'm enjoying the stories of people who seem all too familiar. I love the colorful language and imagery.

I also picked up Beezus and Ramona as part of the childhood challenge. I'm reading it as a bedtime reading for my children. So far, they haven't been as excited by it as I have, but I'm sure that they'll find it funny.

Friday Finds

I know that Friday Finds is supposed to be about books you've newly discovered, but I'm being different today. Since I'm relatively new to this, I'm listing my discoveries in the book blogosphere.

My biggest discovery was Novel Challenges. This blog lists the reading challenges that are going on in the book blog world. I've already joined a couple of challenges as a result. I can already tell that I'm going to be in trouble if I'm not careful.

I also discovered memes, many of which are listed on the Book Blogger Appreciation site.

(Much thanks to Jackie at Farm Lane books for pointing me in the right direction.)

Beyond the Bayou by Kate Chopin

I chose a short story for today’s Throwback Thursday. Beyond the Bayou is from the book Kate Chopin: Complete Novels and Stories (Hardcover: 1075 pages 1931082219).
This is a short story written near the turn of the 20th century. Apparently set in the time of slavery in Louisiana, it is the story of overcoming fear.

The main character, Jacqueline, experienced a fearful moment in her childhood. As a result, she has reached the age of 35 without leaving the small plot of land around her cabin. But when emergency strikes her favorite of the slave owner’s children, she must overcome this fear.

The author artfully illustrated the appearance of the bayou as well as what I suppose was the dialect of the time.

I think that I liked this story because I enjoy the feeling of combating fears and coming out triumphant. I love to see people who realize that they are more than they’ve given themselves credit for. It was a quick read, and one you might enjoy. (I read it via DailyLit.)

Childhood challenge

I can tell I'm headed in a dangerous direction. I added Novel Challenge to my feed reader, and I keep finding tempting challenges. Perhaps I can combine some challenges. (Notice that I didn't suggest quitting.)

Anyway, I found the childhood favorites challenge, and I can't resist. But I can pick short books, and they can be bedtime reading for me and my girls, right? And I have a year to read five books. No problem!

24 hour read-a-thon

I think that I'm going to give it a try! October 24-25, 2009. More info at http://24hourreadathon.com/

Welcome readers

My name is Erika. I'm a wife and mom living in central Texas. My career is in education, but I'm always looking for creative outlets.

This is a blog is a spin-off of my craft blog. I started that blog to talk about things I was making for my children and challenges that I participated in. But I found myself doing book reviews as well. I first reviewed books about making things. But I found challenges that led me to review other types of books. So I decided to separate the two.

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