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{4}

SINCE MY LAST UPDATE…
Time Spent Reading: 172 minutes (422)
Current Book: The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks
Pages Read: 100 pages (200)

I’m taking a little breather now. I’ve only got 2/3 of my book read in just over 7 hours. I know I’m a slow reader, so this is no surprise. But it’s a little disheartening, if I’m being honest. I almost dosed off a couple times within the last hour, so I’m hoping a snack and some blogging (or just any change of pace) will shake me out of it. I’m going to write a post now addressing one of the Mini-Challenges for the readathon 😊

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{4}

SINCE MY LAST UPDATE…
Time Spent Reading: 172 minutes (422)
Current Book: The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks
Pages Read: 100 pages (200)

I’m taking a little breather now. I’ve only got 2/3 of my book read in just over 7 hours. I know I’m a slow reader, so this is no surprise. But it’s a little disheartening, if I’m being honest. I almost dosed off a couple times within the last hour, so I’m hoping a snack and some blogging (or just any change of pace) will shake me out of it. I’m going to write a post now addressing one of the Mini-Challenges for the readathon 😊

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{3}

SINCE MY LAST UPDATE…
Time Spent Reading: 142 minutes (250)
Current Book: The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks
Pages Read: 70 pages (120)

I’m going to take a tiny break again now, just like the last time I updated. I’m going to eat lunch and go to the bathroom. Then I’ll get right back to it. I’m really enjoying this book so far–I don’t know if I’ll need a break from it or not, but I’m content with it for the time being.

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Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon {April 2016}

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It’s been officially 3.5 years since I last participated in any of the Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon. It might be silly to think that I’ll be able to participate tomorrow, what with the 20-month-old toddler and the husband who doesn’t understand why I’d want to read for 24 hours. But I’m going to try to do as much as I can. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get at least 12 hours among all the chaos.

I believe the start time for my time zone is 8am, but I’m going to get up at 7am and start early–that way, I’m already an hour ahead, if Madi or Nick cut into my reading time later in the day. I’ve got all caught up with my housework, but the dishes will have to go for a day without getting done 😉 Aww, shucks…

Here is my meager pile:
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  • I Want My Epidural Back by Karen Alpert
    This is my comic relief book, for if I need a break from a more serious book. I loved her I Heart My Little A-Holes a year or two ago. Hers are quick reads, for me.
  • The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks
    I’ve read all her stuff so far and I love it all. This will be my first book to start.
  • Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger
    Another authoress whose books I’ve always loved.
  • A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
    This is my current bookclub pick. Might as well use the readathon to get a jumpstart on it, right?

I’m a slow reader, so I’m sure I’ll probably only FINISH one book throughout the day, probably I Want My Epidural Back, in all honesty. But I’m hoping to finish one of the fiction by the end of the day.

I’ll try to update every hour or two, but I won’t post the actual reviews until the next few days come–unless I want a break from reading and stick with the blog for awhile. Wish me luck!!

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Blast from the Past–The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi

101384The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi
6/27/2007–229 pages–fiction (India, culture clash)
Borrowed from public library
★★★★

Priya Rao is an Indian woman visiting home for the first time in seven years from the US. She’s engaged, but not to a “nice Indian boy” like her family would have liked. In visiting home, Priya goes against her culture, full of duty and tradition, and helps lead two of her aunts along with her. Priya must break the news of her American fiance, but is torn between him and her family, who would shun her for her actions. In the end, she chooses to do what makes her feel happiest.

I can’t help but wonder if arranged marriages are really so widely used. (This book is only four years old.) If I remember correctly, Mahesh’s parents had an arranged marriage in India. I would like to say I would never want to live in the culture Priya’s trying to escape, but if it was all I knew, maybe I wouldn’t mind (because I wouldn’t know any better). Definitely a nice look at the culture clash between America and India. Might speak to Mahesh a bit about this book.

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Blast from the Past–Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

6Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
6/22/2007-6/26/2007–734 pages–fiction (fantasy, wizards, witchcraft)
Bought June 22, 2007
★★★★★

Okay, well this is the climatic book of the series because Voldemort finally returns for goo. I really like this book much more than the movie. And I like how Rowling puts in the row between Ron and Harry. I mean, a friendship of one amazingly famous and rich and one overlooked and poor person will definitely have this row in real life, and so Rowling makes the story more “real.” No one likes to be the side-kick all the time, and Ron’s character behaved as any person.

“If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” ~Sirius (p525)

“Curiosity is not a sin. But we should exercise caution with our curiosity.” ~Dumbledore (p598)

**Halloween=Goblet of Fire releases each school’s champion and Harry

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Blast from the Past–Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote

2282Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote
6/21/2007-6/22/2007–105 pages–fiction (NYC, relationships, lifestyles)
Purchased from Waldenbooks
★★★★

This is a story of a young woman named Holly Golightly living in New York City. It focuses on her life from the view of her upstairs neighbor (who is never given an actual name). Her last name really describes her character, because Holly has no care in the world. She really  lives in the moment and truly believes the only way one can be happy is by being true to yourself.

I really love this movie, with Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. While different in some things, most of the dialogue is straight from the book. And, reading this, I know Audrey was meant for the part.

“That is what Mildred Grossman had in common with Holly Golightly. They would never change because they’d been given their character too soon; which, like sudden riches, leads to a lack of proportion: the one had splurged herself into a top-heavy realist, the other a lopsided romantic.” (Fred p55)

“Everybody has to feel superior to somebody. But it’s customary to present a little proof before you take the privilege.” (Holly p59)

 

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Blast from the Past–Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

5Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
6/18/2007-6/21/2007–435 pages–fiction (fantasy, wizards, witchcraft)
Purchased sometime in 2002
★★★★★

Definitely still my favorite Harry Potter. It’s the only book in the whole series that Harry doesn’t fave Voldemort in. And I love learning about Harry’s father and all that went down before he was born. And he gets his godfather! How happy this book makes Harry 🙂

*Halloween=Sirius tries to get in Gryffindor common room and slashes Fat Lady portrait
Percy vs. Tom Riddle–> both head boys; both from poorer families (although Percy is pureblood); both want their names to be known