24-hour Readathon!

I had not planned on signing up for a readathon this weekend – but that was because I didn’t know about it!  The last readathon I took part in, I had exams on my plate – but for this 24-hour-readathon I have less to do and more time to devote to reading.  Not to mention my eyes kinda hurt, so no tv for me!

Dewey’s readathon just started (oh, about 2 hours ago), so there is still plenty of time to sign up!

Instead of what I did last time – a new post for every update – I am going to keep the whole readathon to this post.  Mini-challenges, updates – the whole shebang.

So, what’s on my TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 

• A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin - Yep, I am still reading this.  I don't actually expect to finish it any time soon either!
• Dark Life by Kat Falls - I have wanted to read this for SO LONG, I am almost nervous to start!
• Burned by P.C. and Kristin Cast - Why oh why do I continue to read these books?
• The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
• Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
• Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Updates!

Hour 8 - I just finished Stargazer by Claudia Gray.  Bianca is still such a disappointing character... there had just been so much damn potential!  Balthazar!  Vic!  Lucas! Raquel!  Her parents!  Such awesome character, unfortunately narrated by a dud.

I has set me off balance and means I will take a bit of a reading break... not sure what I will start next.

Hour 22 - I slept way too long!  Just I managed to nearly finish Dark Life by Kat Falls (has been OMG BRILLIANT).  Still, this was more reading than I've been able to do in weeks, so I am a happy bunny!

Mini-Challenges

Hour 1 questions

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 6

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon? To enjoy myself as much as possible.  If I sit around focussing on deadlines, I will just end up reading for speed – which is never fun!

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?  I am not exactly a veteran, but I have participated before.  Don’t go too crazy with the mini-challenges.  They such up every drop of energy and then you end up posting them AFTER the deadline.  If something is going to interrupt your reading flow, just skip it!  Also, stick to YA.  You will get through them faster and feel like you have actually accomplished something.

Hour 2 - Back-in-the-Day Children’s Book Mini-Challenge

Hosted by Miss Wisabus - What were some of your favorite children’s books when you were younger? Do you have any new favorites now that you’re an adult? Have you included any children’s or YA titles in your Read-A-Thon stack this year?

I was a huge fan of the Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate. I started reading them when they came out, and read every single one as it was published - 55 books + extra super-length special books. I was a HUGE fan. Of course, I also read the American Girl books (such a shame about that company being bought up by Matel) and - as a tween/teen - the Harry Potter books consumed my soul. I read the first four about 20 times, and was one of the types that would camp out in front a bookstore to get a copy.  Why am I speaking in past tense?  I still am that type!

Actually, the HP were the only kids books I read as a teen. YA was not big when I was a YA, but I think I am making up for it now! 4 of the books on my Readathon TBR pile are YA!

And with that answered, I am off to buy unhealthy energy drinks and healthy snacks

Hour 5 - Show me the books! Mini-Challenge

Hosted by Crystal @ My Reading Room - Oh, how I do love pictures of my shelves/  And how I love to see pics of other peoples' shelves - Enjoy!

I'm afraid that, because of my limited shelf space, I only keep TBR books on my shelves.  If I start putting them away, I forget that I own them and never read them.  So let's look first at my Genre books - YA and UF:

And a few of my non-genre books, which are so rarely appreciated here on DBD.  These are actually my favourite books - nicely shelved together for people to fawn over.  You'll notice a lot of Ann Patchett and Javier Marias.  They are two of my very favourite authors and I never get a chance to show them love... so here it is!  LOTS OF LOVE. ♥

Hour 6 - Microfiction Mini-challenge

Hosted by Iheartmonster - Fiction in under 100 words. This ended a lot darker than it started out - listening to Alanis Morissette does that to me:

I knew we would meet again. Perhaps introduced at a party, both of us eager to say “What was your name again?” As if we didn’t know.

Did that hurt? Good. Tell your mother I never liked her.

But attending your funeral is something else. People stand crying around your casket, looking at me with distaste when I check my blackberry. I guess can only fake so much.

Oh, by the way, I took the dog we got together to the sermon. He didn’t budge when your name was read. Guess he doesn’t miss you either.

And since I was inspired, here it is in image form: