Book Fiftyfive: The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson



You know, I never really thought haunted houses were that scary, and then I read this INSANELY SCARY BOOK. I suppose I'm like the characters in the story, really, who perhaps believe in the supernatural (wait, I don't really believe in the supernatural... do I?), but can't imagine anything terribly awful happening to them. At the outset. Because what's truly scary about this is the idea of losing one's own mind. Ooh, super creepy. Sure the banging on the doors and the chill by the nursery and the hand-holding in the dark, and even Mrs. Dudley are all pretty frightening, but the inner workings of Eleanor's mind as the house slowly gets inside of her is just perfectly creepy.

My most favorite part of all, though, is when Mrs. Montague and her friend Arthur show up and spread their phony supernatural hilarity through the house. (It's like when, finally, Stephen Fry's character shows up in Gosford Park, and you're thinking, yay, some comedy!) But that hilarity just makes the spookiness all the more spooky. You know, juxtaposition!

In short: good-time Halloween awesomeness.

Book Fiftyfour: The Charming Quirks of Others

The Charming Quirks of Others, Alexander McCall Smith



Sometimes it feels like Alexander McCall Smith has a window on my brain and knows exactly what I want from a book. He pours on the quaintness, sweetness, thoughtfulness, tiny human interactions, and a swig of Scottish goodness. For me this is a comfort series, but one that doesn't make me feel all icky and violated and, inevitably, feeling guilty, like a certain someone does. This is the perfect book for a long bath, a rainy day, a cup of tea, and some shortbread. Its philosophical meanderings are just right and don't go into overboard territory. And it's surprising how well-written this series is for a man who is so insanely prolific. It is also saying something that this is the only series I will buy in hardcover.

Book Fiftythree: Great Expectations

Great Expectations, Charles Dickens



Perhaps I say this all the time whilst in the middle of a really good book, but I swear I meant it this time when I declared to C the other day, "This is the best book I've ever read!" And now, having finished it I can say the feeling still remains, and even more so. Will I still feel the same after I read two or three more really good books and declare them to be the best books ever? Maybe not, but I sure hope so! I hope my memory of the fantastic writing, the beautiful characters, the crazy plot, and the insane imagery stay with me for as long as am able to read.

As I am not good at giving plot overviews, I will leave it at this: young Pip escapes his poor upbringing after a very generous--and very unknown--person bequeaths him a large amount of money in order that he become a gentleman. Pip doesn't mind leaving his former life behind because he has detested his poverty ever since meeting cruel Estella and her guardian, Miss Havisham. And, obviously, the crueler Estella is, the more he loves her, a fact that drives much of the plot.

What strikes me now is that it feels as if the book took place in an England that consisted of, let's say, 20 people. Funny how the same characters keep coming around again and again and are all connected in some crazy way. Is this a stock element of the Victorian novel? Either way, it definitely works for me. Especially when the characters are so freaking great: the escaped convict that Pip encounters on the marshes as a young lad; Pip's comically abusive older sister who watches over him along with her super-duper-loverly husband, Joe the blacksmith (can we all have a Joe in our lives?); the infamous Miss Havisham in her greying and decaying wedding dress and her stand-still life; Mr. Jaggers the lawyer; Mr. Pocket who, in his frazzledness, pulls his hair so that he seems to lift himself out of his chair; and, probably my most favorite character ever (ever!), Mr. Wemmick. Oh, Mr. Wemmick! I could write pages and pages on how much I adore you. I love your ideas on portable property, your Aged Parent (is it wrong to look forward to the day I get to take care of my own Aged P?), your drawbridge and cannon, your generosity underneath all that stinginess, your Miss Skiffins, and your post-office like face.

There is simply so much good to be had here. There is Action and Adventure! There is Romance. There is Mystery. There is Horror. There is Morality. Yes, there is definitely a lot of Morality. But dosed in such a way that one feels that, yes, I can swallow that Morality and no, sir, it's not bitter at all. Because this is essentially a story of poverty and overcoming one's own background, and it asks if that's really possible or if, perhaps, the source of one's wealth is important at all. And, really what is wealth? One of my favorite demonstrations of this whole wealth vs. poverty notion is illustrated with Pip's back-to-back dinners with Mr. Jaggers and Mr. Wemmick. Jaggers, with all the visual trappings of wealth all around him, a man who doesn't lock his doors at night because he dares anyone to try to break in and steal from him, turns out to be stingy with his food and his dinner guests. But Wemmick, with his guarded home and its moat and drawbridge and his own outward stinginess proves to be the most generous of all, not just with his food but with the sharing of his affections and the sharing of his life.

And there you have my English 101 reading of Great Expectations. You're welcome.

Sidenote: this book features the best wedding ever. "Halloa! Here's a church!" "Halloa! Here's a couple of pair of gloves!" "Halloa! Here's a ring!"

Sigh. I'd like to marry you, Great Expectations.

NYRB Reading Week

Ooh, look! The Literary Stew and Coffeespoons are hosting an NYRB Reading Week. This is like all my dreams come true!



I am so excited... but what to read? I have a few in my NYRB TBR stack that I've been looking forward to:
Cassandra at the Wedding
A High Wind in Jamaica
Wish Her Safe at Home
Madame de Pompadour

But, I've also been meaning to pick up The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne. So many choices! And now, the secret is to wait patiently until November 7, then let the NYRB madness begin!

Books Fortyseven to Fiftytwo

Um, how did I miss that I reached my fifty-two-books-in-a-year goal? Oh yeah, it was 4am and I was delirious after reading continuously for 23 hours. Anyhow, here's a belated, "Yay me!" And now for some quickie reviews that go beyond, "Me like book. Me want tea. Me tired."

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins



Do you need me to tell you this is a good book? Because I can. But I must be, like, the caboose of The Hunger Games rah-rah train. Seriously, I bought into the story so quickly and I was totally on the Katniss bandwagon... and then the Games! And it's all super post-apocalyptic craziness! Because you know all these kids are going to die and the part of you that has embraced the book and the story and rules of the Games is thinking, "You go, Katniss." But the part of you that is a normal, thinking, feeling human being is like, "Noooooooooooo! How can they kill off 23 of these kids?!" My only regret is that I did not have books two and three of the trilogy on hand to read immediately after.

Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3, Los Bros Hernandez



If you asked me to choose which Hernandez brother is my favorite, if you really twisted my arm, then I would be forced to tell you that it's Jaime. Because Maggie truly has my heart. And also because of the new Hoppers story in this issue with young Maggie/Perla. Oh boy howdy, I wasn't lying when I said that it broke my heart a little. And Ray makes an appearance! Swoon.

Austenland, Shannon Hale



Perhaps I wouldn't have chosen this book outside of a Read-a-Thon, but inside of a Read-a-Thon it's too dark to read! Wait, what?

Ok, so I liked this book because of its simple premise: a 30-something woman obsessed with Jane Austen, who has yet to find love, instead finds herself the recipient of a gift from her late great aunt. And that gift is three weeks at Pembrook Park in England, where guests dress up and pretend they're in Regency times. It's such a simple device and makes for great chick lit action. Is Mr. Darcy really that great in real life? Do you really want your fantasy or is reality better? Maybe the Wickhams of the world are more fun? In retrospect, however, I'm realizing some issues with the plot, that being the issue of what is essentially male prostitution. Yipes! Still, a terrific Read-a-Thon book.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Winifred Watson



Sure, I'd already seen the movie (which I liked a whole lot), but I really loved the book. There's some minor plot differences in the movie, which made reading this feel like a whole new experience. So funny! So fast paced! And pictures!

When You Reach Me, Rebecca Stead



(Wow, writing these reviews is tiring! I will try to make them more succinct.)

1979. Time travel. The $20,000 Pyramid. 12 year olds. A Wrinkle in Time. Friendship. Mystery. Sadness. Secret notes. 100% absolute goodness.

I should read this again because it was that good.

Y: The Last Man, Vol. 3: One Small Step, Brian K. Vaughn



I've been slowly working my way through this series, trying to enjoy it rather than bingeing all at once. Probably because there are so few graphic novels or comics that I read nowadays, so I want something to cling to. What I really like about this, especially where I'm at right now, is that it's not doing at all what I thought the story would be doing. There's much more action and intrigue, and while there's a strong odor of feminism, it's only part of a more complex bouquet.

Okay, sorry. I just like the series. You should read it if you like words and pictures and stories. That is all.

So, I guess that's it for me for the year! No more books until 2011.

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;-)

Read-a-Thon: End of Event Meme

Yay for the Read-a-Thon! And the end of event meme!

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Well, the last hour nearly drove me crazy, but I think somewhere around hour twelve was when I first realized that this might be really difficult.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
Yes! I particularly loved The Hunger Games (duh), but would also recommend Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day for folks who want something lighter and sweeter and super fast paced.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
No, this was perfect!

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
I still can't get over how nice it was having cheerleaders.

5. How many books did you read?
Six, plus about 30 pages of my last book.

6. What were the names of the books you read?
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collines
Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3, by Los Bros Hernandez
Austenland, by Shannon Hale
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day, by Winifred Watson
When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead
Y: The Last Man, Vol. 3, by Brian Vaughn
And I just dipped my toes into Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
This is tough, I loved all my children books equally!

8. Which did you enjoy least?
I didn't enjoy anything "the least" but I was surprised by how sad Love and Rockets made me, which kind of threw me off my game. I think maybe I should have read that on a day when I could savor it instead.

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?
Super likely! I want to be an eternal reader, but maybe next year I'll also sign up to be a cheerleader, too, to help break up the day a bit.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Twentyfour (more or less)

That's it for me. I feel like one of those marathoners who makes it to within 10 yards of the finish line and then collapses and can't move, no matter how hard everyone is yelling for the to get up or how much they want it. I am seriously so tired I am starting to see things. As of 4:30 my body has been up for 24 hours and that's good enough for me. I managed 5 more pages of Interview With the Vampire, making my total page count 1294. Holy guacamole!

My sweet, soft bed beckons and I feel terribly satisfied. Sleep well, dear readers.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Twentythree

Currently reading: Interview With the Vampire

Pages read last hour: 24

Time spent reading this hour: Let's just say 30 minutes

Consumed this hour: Cold coffee

Reading location this hour: Sofa

Pages read so far: 1289

Total time spent reading: 959 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   
4. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
   
5. When You Reach Me
   
6. Y: The Last Man, Vol. 3
   

Mind grapes: Oh noooooes! I am so tired and want to throw in the towel now, but there's just an hour left and that would be the saddest thing in the world. The vampire story is good, but no match for my sleepy bobble-head act. I will try to at least stay awake until 4:30, which is when I woke this morning to get the scones going. That's 24 hours of something, right?

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Twentytwo

Currently reading: Finished Y: The Last Man, Vol. 3, starting Interview With the Vampire

Pages read last hour: 67

Time spent reading this hour: 35 minutes (though really, it's so hard to tell what with the continual nodding off)

Consumed this hour: Coffee? Some cake?

Reading location this hour: Sofa

Pages read so far: 1265

Total time spent reading: 929 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   
4. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
   
5. When You Reach Me
   
6. Y: The Last Man, Vol. 3
   

Mind grapes: Being awake and reading for 22 straight hours makes for stupid typos that I, even in my insane sleep deprived stupor, am still unable to forgive myself for. So yeah. Sorry for the slop here. But I'm sure you understand. And when I say "you," I mean the future, unforgiving, me who will be reading this tomorrow.

I love Y: The Last Man, by the way. Such a great graphic novel/comic. Essential premise is that a plague wipes out every single man on earth except for one guy (and his monkey) and what happens to him as a result. Lots of action, pretty pictures, good story. Great Read-a-Thon pick. Thanks to my pal JenB for recommending it.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Twentyone

Currently reading: Y: The Last Man, Vol. 3

Pages read last hour: 100

Time spent reading this hour: 40 minutes

Consumed this hour: Coffee!

Reading location this hour: Home again and on the sofa

Pages read so far: 1198

Total time spent reading: 894 minutes

Books completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   
4. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
   
5. When You Reach Me
   

Mind grapes: This last hour I started strong, but I've been dozing off for the past 10 minutes or so. I'm doing my level best to stay up, but this might be it for me. I'll try to finish this graphic novel, I'll put my all into it, but I can't make any promises. This little reader is sooooo tired!

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Twenty

Currently reading: Just finished When You Reach Me, starting on Y: The Last Man, Vol. 3

Pages read last two hours: 65

Time spent reading last two hours: 45 minutes or so

Consumed lately: Coffee!

Reading location this hour: Jenn's house

Pages read so far: 1098

Total time spent reading: 854 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   
4. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
   
5. When You Reach Me
   

Mind grapes: Change of location! Jenn made a nice cozy fire, so C and I went down the street to partake in her reading-conducive environs (hence the lack of an hour nineteen update). Which ended up being just a little more conducive to talking, but at least I stayed awake. And I did get a bit more reading done. I just love having reading pals. So hello to anyone still up and out there! You are not alone!

Though, honestly, I am struggling to stay awake and trying to convince myself that it would totally okay to allow myself to go to bed after 20 HOURS OF CONTINUOUS READING. That wouldn't make me a failure at all. But I am going to try for a bit more. Bring on the words and pictures!

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Eighteen

Currently reading: When You Reach Me

Pages read this hour: 48

Time spent reading this hour: 30 minutes

Consumed this hour: Mmmmmm... cake!

Reading location this hour: Sofa

Pages read so far: 1033

Total time spent reading: 809 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   
4. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
   

Mind grapes: Uh oh, now I'm tired. My head feels like an enormous weight and my eyes feel like they have sandbags attached. Super awesome Jenn brought over slices of both of the cakes that we made for the Earth Corps auction tonight. Can I really be sugar crashing so soon?

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Seventeen

Currently reading: When You Reach Me

Pages read this hour: 84 (hello, large print!)

Time spent reading this hour: 54 minutes

Consumed this hour: Nothing :-(

Reading location this hour: Sofa

Pages read so far: 985

Total time spent reading: 779 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   
4. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
   

Mind grapes: So if When You Reach Me can't keep me awake, nothing can. This book is the bee's knees, people. I love the simple and perfect writing. I love the strange mystery of the plot. I love the simple, everyday details.

Now strategerizing on when the best time is to brew up some coffee. Don't want any too early, but I am starting to feel sleepy again. Fantasizing about bed and how great it will feel to close my eyes. And IT'S ONLY 10:00! I usually don't even go to bed until at least midnight. Considering doing some old-school calisthenics in order to perk up again.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Sixteen

Currently reading: Just finished Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day, about to start When You Reach Me

Pages read this hour: 52

Time spent reading this hour: 44 minutes

Consumed this hour: Water

Reading location this hour: Sofa

Pages read so far: 901

Total time spent reading: 725 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   
4. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
   

Wow, sixteen hours of reading! I am giving myself a pat on the back, for reals. I just looked at my stack of books and almost felt sad knowing that I wouldn't be able to read them all. 48-hour Read-a-Thon anyone?

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Fifteen

Currently reading: Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day

Pages read this hour: 48

Time spent reading this hour: 42 minutes

Consumed this hour: Pizza! And water.

Reading location this hour: Sofa

Pages read so far: 849

Total time spent reading: 681 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   

Ah, pizza. Such a good, good thing. Realized I've mostly been snacking on sweets all day, so this pile of cheesy, bready goodness was just what I needed.



Unfortunately, photos of pizza can never quite convey how delicious they are. But trust me... yum.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Fourteen

Currently reading: Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day

Pages read this hour: 50

Time spent reading this hour: 45 minutes

Consumed this hour: Chinese herbs

Reading location this hour: Sofa

Pages read so far: 801

Total time spent reading: 639 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   

Thoughtsicles: Ooh, I feel like I've caught my second wind. Probably the Chinese herbs I drank this hour. My body is in desperate need of some yang and some blood. Also, my spirit may have been bolstered by the prospect of pizza being delivered very soon. The sun has set, the sky is gorgeous and black and the rain is really coming down. I feel a dark and stormy night coming on...

And have I mentioned how delighted I am with Miss Pettigrew? I have? Well, let me just tell you again how terrific this book is. It's terrific!

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Thirteen

Currently reading: Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day

Pages read this hour: 40

Time spent reading this hour: 35 minutes

Consumed this hour: Water

Reading location this hour: Bathtub!

Pages read so far: 751

Total time spent reading: 594 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   

Thoughtsicles: Taking a bath may have been a super smart move or a lethal move. It certainly kept me awake, but now that I'm out I'm in that noodley, warm, fuzzy, relaxed state, which may not be the best place to be. On the plus side, my somewhat sore lower half is feeling much better. Also, Miss Pettigrew's escapades are keeping me enthralled. So, yeah, I'll just keep on keeping on!

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Twelve

Currently reading: Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day

Pages read this hour: 43

Time spent reading this hour: 42 minutes

Consumed this hour: Tea.

Reading location this hour: Sinking further and further into the living room sofa.

Pages read so far: 711

Total time spent reading: 559 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   

Thoughtsicles: Oh no, I'm so tired! Not the fault of Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day, which is absolutely delightful and has me laughing out loud. But seriously, I am really tired.

Read-a-Thon Update: Mid-Event Survey

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now?
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
2. How many books have you read so far? Three!
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
When You Reach Me has been calling to me from the stack. But I've been saving it because I know it will be good. Also, The Haunting of Hill House because I'm looking forward to being scared.
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
I refused several invitations to make this day happen. But otherwise I'm lucky in that my life can accommodate 24 straight hours of book reading.
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Not a lot. Just a few minutes here and there. They were quite welcome, in fact.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
That the first 8 hours or so just flew by, and that I got insanely tired around hour 10.
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Nothing so far!
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
Loving being a reader, but I might sign up to be a cheerleader next time. It sure is nice having such lovely folks leave sweet comments!
9. Are you getting tired yet?
Yes, indubitably. Just had to go stand outside in the rain for a spell to wake myself up.
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?
Moving around, managing caffeine consumption, talking to other human beings every now and then: these are all good things.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Eleven

Currently reading: Just finished Austenland, starting Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day

Pages read this hour: 52

Time spent reading this hour: 45 minutes

Consumed this hour: More tea.

Reading location this hour: Still happily camped out on the living room sofa.

Pages read so far: 668

Total time spent reading: 517 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   
3. Austenland
   

Thoughtsicles: Austenland was some nice clean fun and I was happy to engage briefly with some lighter characters (by the way, real reviews to follow post Read-a-Thon). My next pick, Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day, continues my British theme, and has inspired me to have a proper tea time. Well, tea and another scone. Because it's four o'clock. Also, I just finished hour eleven, so this is kind of elevensies, right?

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Ten

Currently reading: Austenland

Pages read this hour: 47

Time spent reading this hour: 45 minutes

Consumed this hour: Tea! And chocolate!

Reading location this hour: Living room sofa. Much better.

Pages read so far: 616

Total time spent reading: 472 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   

Thoughtsicles: I'm totally digging Austenland. It's nice to read some light chick lit that is written competently. I'm happy as a clam right now, all bundled up on the sofa with my book, fueled by a snack of Theo chocolate and more tea. This is pure delight.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Nine

Currently reading: Austenland

Pages read this hour: 50

Time spent reading this hour: 47 minutes

Consumed this hour: More Pero

Reading location this hour: Upstairs in the rocking chair

Pages read so far: 569

Total time spent reading: 427 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   

Thoughtsicles: Uh oh. I feel like I just boarded the afternoon train to sleepy town. The new chair didn't do much to help with that, so I'm back downstairs in the light-filled living room. Still awake--and still very much enjoying Austenland--but also need something to perk myself back up again. C is out on the porch enjoying some fresh air, which seems pretty darn smart. I, on the other hand, can't handle the cold so I'm going for another pot of tea and, perhaps, a snack.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Eight

Currently reading: Austenland

Pages read this hour: 45

Time spent reading this hour: 48 minutes

Consumed this hour: A bowl of potato leek soup with toast

Reading location this hour: Chair (though it feels like it's time to move again)

Pages read so far: 519

Total time spent reading: 380 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   

Thoughtsicles: In some respects it hardly feels like a third of the day is gone. But 5am is also starting to feel like a long, long time ago. I'm very much enjoying Austenland... it's providing just the right amount of frivolity and levity that I need.

Also, a hot bowl of homemade soup didn't hurt either.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Seven

Currently reading: Finished Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3, starting Austenland

Pages read this hour: 100

Time spent reading this hour: 50 minutes

Consumed this hour: Steaming hot mug of Pero and some cake bits

Reading location this hour: Chair!

Pages read so far: 474

Total time spent reading: 335 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   
2. Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3
   

Thoughtsicles: Oh god. I forgot how tragic Love and Rockets can be. My heart is breaking a little right now. Time for something lighter.

Also, BRRRRRRRRR!!!! It is beyond cold in our house. I've bundled up some more and warmed up the heating pad for my toes and neck. But still enjoying the rain which has turned into a more constant shower. Sigh.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Six

Currently reading: Finished The Hunger Games and just starting Love and Rockets: New Stories No. 3

Pages read this hour: 59

Time spent reading this hour: 40 minutes

Consumed this hour: Half a cup of cold tea... didn't want to have to get up to reheat it.

Reading location this hour: Chair! This chair is being very good to me.

Pages read so far: 374

Total time spent reading: 285 minutes

Book completed so far:

1. The Hunger Games
   

Thoughtsicles: Funny how when you're nearing the end of a book time just flies by and you seem to read that much faster. Kind of now wishing that I had the next two books on hand so I can just finish the story here and now. But maybe having variety will be even better? I'm going to alternate words with words+pictures and get into some Love and Rockets. Which just happens to fall under the Indie Pride challenge! What better independent book publisher is there than Fantagraphics? (Well, okay, NYRB is equally awesome, but I'm saving them for later.)



Also, time for a snack. Some non-caffeinated Pero and extra cake bits. Yum.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Five

Currently reading: The Hunger Games

Pages read this hour: 66

Time spent reading this hour: 50 minutes

Consumed this hour: A whole lot of words.

Reading location this hour: Chair!

Pages read so far: 315

Total time spent reading: 245 minutes

Book completed so far: None!

Thoughtsicles: Time is really flying by. I honestly can't quite believe I've been at this for five hours already. I am enjoying sitting in a different chair and have decided to lay off the caffeine for a while.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Four

Currently reading: The Hunger Games

Pages read this hour: 52

Time spent reading this hour: 42 minutes

Consumed this hour: One cup of tea (and one more scone)

Reading location this hour: Living room sofa. Okay, now I'm moving to a new chair.

Pages read so far: 249

Total time spent reading: 195 minutes

Book completed so far: None!



Thoughtsicles: Just stepped outside for some fresh air after a brief visit from our neighbor, George. I guess while we were reading the sun must have come up. Sort of. It's a delightfully overcast and drizzly morning.

The book just made me cry (you know, when she gets the loaf of bread... yeah, that part). Seriously. So good. And I love that it keeps going in a different direction than I think it will.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Three

Currently reading: The Hunger Games

Pages read this hour: 70

Time spent reading this hour: 50 minutes

Consumed this hour: One cup of tea, one scone

Reading location this hour: Still (still!) on the living room sofa. I should really think about changing locations soon.

Pages read so far: 197

Total time spent reading: 153 minutes

Book completed so far: None!

Thoughtsicles: Seriously, how much do I love The Hunger Games?! Soooooooo much. And speaking of things I love, how much do I love having cheerleaders? It is maybe one of the best feelings in the world, having strangers leave such encouraging comments for me. I wish I could have cheerleaders in every part of my life. Thanks you guys!



This is C's read, not mine. Bless his heart, he is reading (or, rather, finishing) Anna Karenina. His commitment really blows my mind.

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Two

Currently reading: The Hunger Games

Pages read this hour: 61

Time spent reading this hour: 48 minutes

Consumed this hour: One cup of tea

Reading location this hour: Still on the living room sofa

Pages read so far: 127

Total time spent reading: 103 minutes

Book completed so far: None!

Thoughtsicles: C just said to me, whilst brewing up a second pot of tea, "I have an idea. Let's stop watching TV at night and get up early every morning to read!"

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour One

Currently reading: The Hunger Games

Pages read this hour: 66

Time spent reading this hour: 55 minutes

Consumed this hour: Two cups of tea, two scones

Reading location this hour: Living room sofa

Pages read so far: 66

Total time spent reading: 55 minutes

Book completed so far: None!

Thoughtsicles: So, now this feels like an adventure. The Hunger Games is terrific and captivating and, so far, everything I hoped it would be. C just joined me downstairs and my belly is full of warms scones and Welsh brew. Just 23 more happy hours to go!

Read-a-Thon Update: Hour Zero

Currently reading: The Hunger Games

Thoughtsicles: I'm not going to lie, getting out of bed was painful. I think I dreamt about the Read-a-Thon all night long and it was awful. But now that I'm awake and I've got my pot of tea and I can smell the scones in the oven, I'm perking up a bit. And I'm hoping The Hunger Games is a good first choice. Here goes!

Read-a-Thon Eve

Ok, I'm, like, so excited about tomorrow that I am now worried that I won't be able to fall asleep tonight. Making it even more impossible to read for 24 hours straight. This is like Christmas Eve. Or maybe it's more like preparing for the Sabbath, seeing as how I spent the afternoon making a giant pot o' soup, prepping my scone dough so's I can just pop them in the oven in the morning for hot fresh scones at 5am to have with my tea, tidying up the place so I'm not continually distracted by the mess around me, and procuring an emergency stash of coffee for when the going gets tough.



Obviously I have my massive stack of books at the ready with lots of options. Many of my choices came from this terrific list of good books to keep you up at night, some YA fiction I've been meaning to read, some of Raych's reads from the last Read-a-Thon that sounded appealing, and some graphic novels for when words become too much. And, rats! I just realized that some of my picks weren't in the above photographed stack since they are currently hanging out by my bed (those being Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris, and Cassandra at the Wedding).



I am happy to be joined in this endeavor by my better half, C, who, you can see by his reading choices for tomorrow, is really and truly my better (i.e. smarter) half. And also my neighbor and pal, Jenn, who is just as geekily excited about the Read-a-Thon as I am.

Now, all I need to do is hang the stockings by the chimney with care, make the Challah, get some sleep.

Book Fortysix: Dead in the Family

Dead in the Family, Charlaine Harris



I think I may have finally cracked the Charlaine Harris code. And here's how it goes:

Charlaine Harris gets a Word of the Day calendar. "Hey, let's put that in the Sookie books!" she thinks, "That way I can use all these neat words I'm learning!" Charlaine Harris has a fetish for Fabio, so suddenly all her "sexy" male characters are described as having long flowing locks. Charlaine Harris then sees Fabio wearing a brown silk t-shirt, so all the aforementioned sexy guys go around wearing silky tees. (Wait, am I obsessing over these silk t-shirts too much?! But honestly, does anyone out there actually wear silk t-shirts or find men who wear them to be sexy at all? Gah!) Charlaine Harris suddenly discovers computers and the interweb, so her characters suddenly start creating computer "programs" (aka CD-ROMs) and communicating via email, among other interwebby things. Charlaine Harris eats a Little Debbie cinnamon roll just because she thinks she deserves one and then thinks, "Hey, I think Sookie deserves a Little Debbie cinnamon roll, too!" and clickclackclickityclack, that goes in the book, too! Charlaine Harris lives at the end of a long gravel driveway and is constantly worried about its condition, and--bing, bang, bongo--Sookie is always talking about that gosh darned driveway! Charlaine Harris decides to stay in one night to work on the book, and heats up a Marie Calender's pot pie for dinner, and then... well, you don't need me to tell you that that goes in the book, too.

It's not that I don't think a writer shouldn't take details from their own life and use them in their novels, it's just that Charlaine Harris's details are SO FREAKING TEDIOUS. And also weird. Just plain weird.

But, I've said it before and I'll say it again now (and I'll probably keep on saying it until the end of time): that doesn't seem to be stopping me from reading these stupid books.

(Really, I do love you Charlaine. I'd eat a Little Debbie cinnamon roll with you anytime.)

Book Fortyfive: Blackwater

Blackwater, Kerstin Ekman



I feel like this could easily have been a book I hated. But I loved every page of it. So quiet and spare. Not quite the book I was expecting. It's a Swedish mystery and while the mystery aspect is compelling and at times frightening and riveting, it's also a lovely story about people and isolation and connection. The story feels like it tells itself, going off in all sorts of directions as needed, and coming back around to key plot points when it feels like it. While it occasionally changes point of view, it does it in such a way that feels natural and easy, not at all like a certain book I disliked for this reason so much I couldn't finish it.

Mysterary at its finest!