Mid-Event Survey

1. What are you reading right now? Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

2. How many books have you read so far? Only 1 complete--The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Hunger Games, if I can make it!

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? No, but maybe I should have! My husband got home at around hour 11, and I've gone from 8 kids in the house to 4. I'm all set now!

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I've had a lot, but I expected that. Maybe next time I should go to a hotel!

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? Not too much. Last year I was surprised at how much time the challenges and visiting took up, but that part was really fun. So I expected it this time (but haven't been able to do so much.)

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? I think it's been awesome. Can't think of any suggestions.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? I think next year I will sign up as a cheerleader. I'm not really sure why I didn't this time. Brainlessness.

9. Are you getting tired yet? I'm way tired! I'm having some allergy problems that are making me feel even more groggy. I feel like my eyes are about to swell shut!

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? Just go with the flow. Even if I don't read as much as I would like, I'm still reading more than I would get to on an average day!

Readathon End of Hour Ten

I'm just not able to squeeze in many of the challenges because of all that's going on here. Hopefully things will look up. My youngest has been really reading a lot, which is awesome, but she likes to talk to me about everything, so I'm not getting in too much! I've lost my oldest to Smallville on DVD and Pirates of the Caribbean. Her book didn't come in the mail on time, and my attempts to get her something good at the library were futile. Here's our progress:

Mental State: I keep drifting off!!! Nooooo!!! It's so early! Typing skills starting to suffer.
Calorie consumption status: More Spinach Artichoke dip with tortilla chips. Hey, it has veggies, alright!
Distractions: Cute daughter, hungry kids, phone calls
Cumulative number of pages read by me: 257
Cumulative number of pages read by kids: 118
Cumulative read-aloud pages: 16 (When the other kids leave, hopefully we'll do more)
Pages read by guests: 43
Titles of Book(s)read:
Continuing The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Loving it!!
Kids reading: The Talented Clementine; Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy, picture books.

Readathon End of Hour Seven

I have unexpected guests (little ones)! We're counting their pages towards our charity. Mostly though, they're watching movies and playing Legos. But they did a little reading. Here's how we're doing:

Mental State: A little frustrated that I can't read as much as I want to, but I remember that from last time. It's all good.
Calorie consumption status: Jalapeno Jack with crackers, Spinach Artichoke dip with tortilla chips
Distractions: I'm watching three extra kids for a friend, had to pick up daughter from campout, hear about how the campout was, a few phone calls.
Cumulative number of pages read by me: 161
Cumulative number of pages read by kids: 75
Cumulative read-aloud pages: 16
Pages read by guests: 43
Titles of Book(s)read:
Started The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Kids reading: The Talented Clementine; Sammy Keyes and the Sisters of Mercy, a few picture books.

I haven't counted how many blogs I've visited, but maybe 50? I always say I'm only going to visit for 10 minutes an hour, but then I do more! It sounds like everyone is doing great!

Readathon End of Hour Four

Mental State: Still going strong!
Calorie consumption status: Had leftover spaghetti for breakfast
Distractions: Kids are up now, phone call
Cumulative number of pages read by me: 77
Cumulative number of pages read by kids: 27
Cumulative read-aloud pages: 16
Titles of Book(s)read:
Listened to The Eye of The World by Robert Jordan (I picked up a copy of the book to keep track of how many pages it was worth.) while making Spinach-Artichoke Dip for crockpot and did a little cleaning.
Read Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Magic out loud
Kids reading: The Talented Clementine; Little Pig, Biddle Pig

Readathon Hour 2 Report

Wow! The time is flying! Here's my progress:

Mental State: Bright-eyed and bushy tailed!!
Calorie consumption status: So far only hot chocolate.
Distractions: Random stopwatch alarm going off repeatedly (have no idea how to turn it off. Hid it in the garage.) Daughter's alarm clock going off (She's not even here.) Allergies. I think I'm allergic to the fifty-year-old book I'm reading.
Cumulative number of pages read by me: 50
Cumulative number of pages read by kids: The two who are here are still sleeping, other two will join in when they get back from campouts.
Titles of Book(s)read: Immortal Wife by Irving Stone. This is my "have-to" reading. I'm going to a book club for this book Tuesday night, and just started it last night. It's entertaining, but not a fast read.

Hour 1 Meme

Three facts about me:

I like to read (duh! Sorry but I can't think fast and I need to get back to reading!)

I love the musical Les Miserables.

I love The Office.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?11

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? No goals--just however much I get to. I would like to visit everyone, but since there are so many participants, that may not be possible!

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time? Just take it easy and have a great time!

Good Morning, Read-a-thoners!!!

It's 5 a.m. here. I got about 5 hours of sleep last night, but I'm up now with the tea kettle whistling for my hot cocoa. Time to get reading! I'll update every couple of hours.
Happy reading!