Monthly Archives: April 2011

April 10, 2011 · 4:35 PM

READATHON: Ze End, with Mini-Reviews

END OF EVENT SURVEY

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Around hour 16, when I finished my book and could NOT find another book I wanted to read. So I went to bed.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? It seems to me I need some suggestions myself!
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Not that I can think of right now!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? The ability to get the word out was amazing–so many participants!
5. How many books did you read? 5
6. What were the names of the books you read?

  1. The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans by Rick Geary
  2. I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black (audio)
  3. Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
  4. Rape New York by Jana Leo
  5. Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S. Choi

7. Which book did you enjoy most? Hello Kitty Must Die, definitely. It’s a very amusing book, which made it a perfect readathon book.
8. Which did you enjoy least? Okay, so Rape New York wasn’t really a great readathon book based on the subject matter alone, but the book itself didn’t really work for me.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? More Jill– but in checking that link I see that she won’t be around for the October readathon either, so ummm… BOO.
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I’m not quite sure what I’d like to do next time; this year I was VERY involved and ended up burning out early.

SOME MINI-REVIEWS

The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans
by Rick Geary
Format: Graphic (in the cartoon sense) Non-Fiction
Good for the Readathon? Great for the readathon, thanks to the format, and a book I probably wouldn’t have picked up otherwise. Nothing like a good book about a mysterious serial killer to kick off the read-a-thon.

I’m Dreaming Of a Black Christmas
by Lewis Black
Narrated by the author
Format: Audio book, 5 hours (Non-fiction/comedy)
Good for the Readathon? I love Lewis Black, and this book is quite entertaining thanks to his narration. Even though it is, at least in name, a book about Christmas, Black (who is Jewish) goes off on tangents that are very funny and keep it relevant even in April

Sleeping Murder (A Miss Marple Mystery)
by Agatha Christie
Format: Mass-market paperback (Mystery)
Good for the Readathon? I’ve read several Christie novels before, but this was my first Miss Marple mystery. She’s rather endearing (and the obvious influence she had on the creation of Murder, She Wrote is evident). A quick, entertaining read.

Rape New York
by Jana Leo
Format: Paperback (Non-Fiction/Memoir)
Good for the Readathon? Not particularly, as I don’t think books about rape are generally considered A+ for a readathon, but I really wanted to finally finish this book.

Hello Kitty Must Die
by Angela S. Choi
Format: Hardcover (adult fiction)
Good for the Readathon? Absolutely hilarious and with a body count that Ms. Christie would never dream of.

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April 9, 2011 · 10:30 PM

READATHON Update: Hours 13-16

What I’m Reading Now: Nothing, because I can’t for the life of me decide what to read!

Title of book(s) read since last update: Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S. Choi
Number of books read since you started:

  1. The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans by Rick Geary
  2. I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black (audio)
  3. Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
  4. Rape New York by Jana Leo
  5. Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S. Choi

Pages read since last update: 133
Running total of pages read since you started: 638

Hours listened since last update: 0
Running total of hours listened since you started: 5 hours

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 2 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 10 hours

Etc.

  • I made BROWNIES, people. I can’t eat them yet but when they COOL DOWN I will eat them and they will be delicious.
  • Why can’t I figure out what to read now? I read way more than I thought I would and all the books I have are way too longggg. Can’t decide what to read!


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· 6:22 PM

READATHON: Hours 9-12 & Mid-Event Survey!

What I’m Reading Now:
Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S. Choi

Title of book(s) read since last update: None!
Number of books read since you started:

  1. The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans by Rick Geary
  2. I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black (audio)
  3. Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
  4. Rape New York by Jana Leo

Pages read since last update: 117
Running total of pages read since you started: 505

Hours listened since last update: 0
Running total of hours listened since you started: 5 hours

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1.5 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 8 hours

Etc.

  • I’m currently waiting for some dinner via dilevery–chicken vindaloo and naan and other delicious type things. Nom nom. Too lazy to cook!
  • I started embarking on my cheerleading duties this hour, but it’s taking me a while. I’ll visit you soon, readers!

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S. Choi — so much fun! It reminds me of Heathers, but with grown-ups and no mean girls.
2. How many books have you read so far? Four, which is beyond my goal and VERY EXCITING. Take that, evil goodreads overloads.
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Dinner! BROWNIES! Oh, wait. Books, not food. Umm, I have no idea what I’ve going to read next, but I sure am excited about it! (Also snacks.)
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? I had to get some fancy cat treats so the monsters would stay happy. ;)
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Wellllllll luckily I have not had to worry to much about interruptions.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? NOT ENOUGH COFFEE. Drink more coffee, folks.
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Unicorns.
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Charts and maps.
9. Are you getting tired yet? A wee bit. BUT! Coffee! Also dinner. They will help.
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? I like to have tv on while I read, so I’ve been watching some episodes of Roseanne. It doesn’t quite go with my book, though. Theme your television/music with your book!

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· 3:01 PM

READATHON: Hours 5-8, WITH BONUS CAT PHOTO

What I’m Reading Now:
I’m not sure yet! I just finished a book and haven’t decided what to pick up next.

Title of book(s) read since last update: I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black (audio)

Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie

Rape New York by Jana Leo
Number of books read since you started:

  1. The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans by Rick Geary
  2. I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black (audio)
  3. Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
  4. Rape New York by Jana Leo

Pages read since last update: 301
Running total of pages read since you started: 388

Hours listened since last update: 2.5 hours
Running total of hours listened since you started: 5 hours

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 3.5 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 6.5 hours

Etc.

  • I made delicious egg sandwiches with cheddar cheese, onion, tomatoes, and hot sauce. They were delightful.
  • I have no idea what to read next!
  • My cats have finally settled down for their afternoon cat nap.

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· 11:06 AM

READATHON: Hours 1-4

What I’m Reading Now:
I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black (audio)
Sleeping Murder (A Miss Marple Mystery) by Agatha Christie

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans by Rick Geary
Number of books read since you started:

  1. The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans by Rick Geary

Pages read since last update: 87
Running total of pages read since you started: 87

Hours listened since last update: 2.5 hours
Running total of hours listened since you started: 2.5 hours

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 3 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 3 hours

Etc.

  • I have had two (kind of giant) cups of coffee. It is delicious.
  • I’ve been watching the readathon Facebook page! You should too.
  • My cats have been mewing and climbing over me like crazy. The kitten likes to be held in your arms and carried around the house– fine when she weighed about three pounds, but now she’s like 8 and SHE GETS HEAVY. In other news, I am never having children.
  • Listening to this Lewis Black book makes me want to TALK IN ALL CAPS. Like SO.

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· 8:33 AM

READ-A-THON Introduction, etc.

Well hello folks! It’s time once again for the always fantastic readathon, and I could not be more excited, especially now that I have a huge mug of coffee sitting here being delicious and begging me to drink it. My first book of the day is actually an audio book of I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black (read by the author!). I am nothing if not able to read books at their proper seasonal time.

As always, the first event of the Read-a-thon is a little introductory meme:

  • Where are you reading from today? Christmas, I suppose. Also my living room.
  • Three random facts about me… I quite enjoy Lewis Black. I really, really love coffee. I had a dream about a book monster last night.
  • How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? I’m hoping to get through at least three, although it my dream world where everything is possible, I’d read the 10 books that goodreads says I neeed to read to stay on track for my reading goal this year.
  • 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)? Yes, I would like to drink as many cups of coffee as humanly possible. Okay not really. BUT I would like to read at least three books, which I think is totally doable.
  • If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time? Eat something delicious around hour 12. It will make you happy.

I’ll be updating the Readathon’s facebook page, so come over and say hi–you’ll be entered to win prizes!

 

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April 3, 2011 · 11:24 AM

Bookish Thoughts, April 3rd

  • Thanks a lot, Goodreads. I AM AWARE I NEED TO PICK UP THE PACE. Thanks for the pressure!
  • If you’ve found yourself feeling nostalgic after Elizabeth Taylor’s death, may I suggest reading Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century? I read it last year and it was simply MAHvelous. Also it doesn’t make fun of her for having several husbands or, you know, being Elizabeth Taylor.
  • I finally caved and bought Queer (In)justice: The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States because I had a Barnes & Noble membership coupon. But when I was getting the link for the book for this post, I noticed that online it’s 28% off. Probably should have bought the book online, huh? How depressing.
  • This weekend I watched a couple *ahem* episodes of “Murder, She Wrote” (because I am 80), Hot Tub Time Machine (because I like to torture myself), and half of the first season of “Roseanne” (because I love that show, shut up).
  • Oh, are we supposed to be talking about reading? I read a couple chapters in the new classic Curiosity Thrilled the Cat: A Magical Cats Mystery (because, like I said, I am 80).

I also stopped at the library on Saturday and picked up a bunch of books (obviously I have just been reading so much that I needed a new stash, ha).

  • The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin Nominated for the Orange Prize.
  • The Seas by Samantha Hunt Nominated for the Orange Prize.
  • hidden by Tomas Mournian This is not going to be an easy read. About a young man whose parents send him to an ex-gay camp to “fix” him of his gayness. Eligible for the Independent Literary Awards.
  • These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf It was on the Indie Next List, I believe.
  • Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger A book I’ve been meaning to read for quite a long time.
  • You Don’t Love Me Yet by Jonathan Lethem I read and loved Chronic City last month, and wanted to read something else by Lethem.
  • Under the Poppy by Kathe Koja Jodie read this book and it’s been on my radar since.
  • How to Read and Why by Harold Bloom Maybe I’ve been reading the wrong way all this time!
  • Bringing Adam Home: The Abduction that Changed America by Les Standiford with Det. Sgt. Joe Matthews “America’s Most Wanted” used to terrify me, and I’m interested to hear about the tragedy that started it all.
  • Assisination Vacation by Sarah Vowell I haven’t read this book even though I adore Vowell’s writing and I happen to find presidential history fascinating.
  • Making Slavery History: Abolitionism and the Politics of Memory in Massachusetts by Margot Minardi With a title like that, I had to pick it up.
  • Close-Up on Sunset Boulevard: Billy Wilder, Norma Desmond, and the Dark Hollywood Dream by Sam Staggs LibraryThing recommended this to me and now that I’ve finally watched the movie, I can’t wait to read this.

 

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April 2, 2011 · 3:33 PM

March Round-Up


Total Books Read: 13
Print: 8
Audio: 5

Fiction — 7

  1. Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem (audio) An absolutely ridiculous book that has nothing in common with most books I enjoy, but in the end it won me over completely. (Note: Amy should not read this book, as she will hate it and then politely tell me it was “alright.” Because she is Canadian.)
  2. For the Win by Cory Doctorow (audio) Why in the world is this book SO LONG? It’s very long. If it were shorter, it would have been more interesting. I started reading it when the Wisconsin anti-union bill was big in the news (the timing was unintentional), and because the book is about global unionizing it was fitting; also probably the only reason I listened to the whole book.
  3. Long Lost (Myron Bolitar #9) by Harlan Coben I love Myron Bolitar (also Harlan Coben, who I met last week, is a very nice, funny guy)–but the plot of this book is RIDICULOUS. Absolutely ridiculous.
  4. Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros I hardly ever read romance of any kind, but for some reason I was drawn to this book written almost entirely in tweets. It was as good as one expects a book written almost entirely in tweets to be.
  5. Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett (audio) Nazi spies, etc.
  6. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson This is a book my dear BFF has been after me to read for months, and I was finally in the mood. I read it in less than 24 hours.
  7. More Information Than You Require by John Hodgman (audio) I don’t think I would have read this in print, but there was a semi-surprise guest appearance by Rachel Maddow which made me incredibly happy. Another book that is SO LONG that it takes some of the enjoyment away, but the narration was pretty good.


Non-Fiction – 5

  1. When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present by Gail Collins I received this book for Christmas 2009 (ahem) and finally felt ready to read it in March, which is women’s history month. It was about what I expected: largely about middle-class white women, black women almost entirely discussed in relation to civil rights, third wave/modern feminists almost completely dismissed, gay women mentioned only in relation to having babies. I did not love it, clearly, but the chapters on early feminists and second-wavers were pretty good.
  2. Talking to Girls About Duran Duran: One Young Man’s Quest for True Love and a Cooler Haircut by Rob Sheffield Oh Rob Sheffield, how I adore thee. Very funny, and inspired me to listen to a huge playlist of 80s music.
  3. FUBAR: America’s Right-Wing Nightmare by Sam Seder and Stephen Sherrill (audio) Rather amusing, with great narration (authors used to host a radio show on Air America).
  4. Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty by Dorothy Roberts A classic I am overjoyed to have finally read. Excellent reading.
  5. Songbook by Nick Hornby Two books about music in one month! I do quite enjoy Mr. Hornby’s writing.

Upcoming

  • The Read-a-Thon! Oh, I am so excited for my FOURTH read-a-thon. I think I’ll be taking a trip to the main branch of the Boston Public Library to stock up on some books for the event.
  • Book Blogger Convention Is it time for this yet? I can’t wait!



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