Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Mini Posts

Okay, since I am now officially REALLY behind on my reviews, I'm going to make these short and sweet. I have read 11 books since my last post (this does include a few from the read-a-thon), so here goes:


Title: Absolute Power
Author: David Baldacci
Pages: 480

Can the most powerful man in the United States, the President, get away with murder? As this story unfolds you being to wonder where the lines are drawn with the man who has everything at his fingertips.

This was Baldacci's first novel, and although I can tell a difference in his later writings, this book is still action packed, suspenseful, and character driven. It's kind of crazy to find yourself rooting for a thief, but compared to what he's up against it just feels right. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good page turner.

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Title: Miles From Nowhere
Author: Nami Mun
Pages: 304

This was the original pick for our March Book Club, but after the hostess read the book, she felt awful and picked something different. I had already made it through this book but it was definitely not an easy or uplifting read.

The story is about a young Korean girl whose family has moved to the United States. Her father is very unhappy about being in New York and is often running off to be with the flavor of the week. Her mother, always in tears is begging Joon (the daughter) to go after him and bring him back. At the young age of 12, Joon, tired of all the fighting and craziness of her household, decides to run away. While on the streets, she meets up with an older girl named Knowledge and a young man, Wink who is a male prostitute.

I kept hoping this book would have some uplifting ending or that the story would just get better but sadly enough it did not happen. Although there were several very dark spots in this book that I had a hard time getting through, I can see where it would be a good pick for a book club, since there are definitely several things there to discuss.

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Title: In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis & the Extraordinary Story of It's Survivors
Author: Doug Stanton
Pages: 320

I happened upon this book in the library and have to say I was totally captured by the cover. I can honestly say I do not remember ever hearing this story and am shocked and appalled that it is not more known. I can see why the Navy would want to keep this under wraps, but I think it is more important that they learn from this mistakes in hopes that it never happens again.

The story is told through the eyes of 3 survivors, Captain McVay, Lewis Haynes (the ship's doctor) and Private Giles McCoy. After setting out from Guam on their way through unknown hazardous waters (since those in command did not feel the Captain was important enough to know what really lay ahead of him and his men) to join up with another unit in Okinawa. During the middle of the night, their ship was hit with a Japanese submarine's torpedo, killing 300 men instantly and sinking the ship within a matter of minutes. Those who survived, totalling 1,196 jumped into the water on the morning of July 30, 1945 and were left to fend for themselves for 5 days. During this time, hundreds of men were attacked and eaten by sharks, others developed symptoms from being in salt water for so long, which were quite gruesome.

After finally being spotted 5 days later only 321 men were still alive, 4 of whom died shortly after being rescued. To cover up their mistakes, the Navy blamed everything on the Captain and had him court martialed. Several of the men that survived fought long and hard to have Captain McVay's record expunged. At the time of the printing, they had made some significant steps in the court system, but sadly enough not before McVay took his own life after living for years with nightmares of what happened to him and his men that one awful night.

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Title: My Father's Secret War
Author: Lucinda Franks
Pages: 320

This book has gotten several bad reviews, and although I did find it interesting, it was definitely not one of my favorite memoirs. After believing for years that her father was a secret agent for the OSS she begins not only pushing her father to spill his secrets, but also begins snooping through his things to find proof. She does find a Nazi cap with the insignia and some other documents that do prove he was in Germany during the war. As the story progressed, I began to feel very badly for her father. Here was a person who proudly served his country and whatever the work he did may have been, he was strictly asked to never repeat any of it. As he gets older he developed dementia only to have his daughter who is a reporter for the New York Times interrogating him constantly and trying to pull from him secrets that he long ago buried.

Some things should just be kept in the past where they belong. Pulling whatever knowledge she did out of her father did nothing for him, but only served her own purposes. What does this teach the children of today??

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Hours 19 & 20

Well, it's almost 3:00 a.m. here and I'm starting to get a headache. I'm in the middle of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and I'm really enjoying it, so I'm trying to stick it out. I'm also getting really close to my goal of reading 1,000 pages, I only have 51 more to go!!!

So, my updated page count at this time is: 949!!!!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Hours 16-18


Well, I finished my third book and I'm getting ready to start Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (I absolutely LOVE the movie), and since I usually read books before watching the movie I'm curious as to how this will go. I can't believe that it's already 1:30 in the morning here. I'm starting to fade a little, but getting up and moving around does seem to help. I may even take another little nap, we'll see how it goes. I'm not ready to give in and actually go to bed, but my eyes would probably really love me if I gave them a small rest!

Here are my stats so far:
Pages: 1 - Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Time: 1:34 a.m.

Totals so far:
867 pages read
835 minutes reading
135 minutes blogging
3 books finished - Matrimony, Sunday's at Tiffany's, A Cut Above
2 1/2 carbonated beverages
2 mini-challenges
1 trip to IHOP

How is everyone else out there doing? Are people hanging in and having a good time???

Hours 14 & 15

Took some time out to meet up with some friends at IHOP, yes pictures are included. Thanks to Krystal for coming to cheer us along tonight and for all your comments.

I didn't get as much accomplished in the past 2 hours, but now I'm back home, armed with a large drink from Sonic and ready to get back to reading. Hope everyone is having a great time and reading some great books.

Stats so far:
Pages: 59 of A Cut Above
Time: 7:42 p.m.

Totals so far:
659 pages read
610 minutes reading
115 minutes blogging
2 books finished - Matrimony, Sunday's at Tiffany's
2 1/2 carbonated beverages
2 mini-challenges
1 trip to IHOP

There is nothing like having a good breakfast for dinner :)

Mid-Event Survey

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? A Cut Above by Ginny Aiken (first book by her, we'll see how it goes)

2. How many books have you read so far? 2 (Matrimony and Sunday's at Tiffany's)

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
Either Wishful Drinking, The Shack or Happiness Sold Separately

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
Nope, free as can be.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
A few. Just had to stop and handle some things, and then I was ready to jump back in with my reading bells on :)

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
How amazing and encouraging everyone has been. There are so many people out there, I just love it!

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Nope, I think everyone has done a wonderful job putting this together! You guys are GREAT!

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
Nothing I can think of.

9. Are you getting tired yet?

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 commenting on as many people as possible. Something I need to be doing even more of. So many wonderful blogs out there to discover! Way to go everyone!

Hours 11-13


Well, I'm finished with book 2 and already into book 3 - A Cut Above. I've never read anything by Ginny Aiken before so we'll see how it goes. I'm getting ready to join some friends and other R-A-T's at IHOP for dinner, so I'll be MIA for a little while. Hope everyone is having a great time! I am definitely enjoying my first experience.

Here is my count so far:
Pages: 38 of A Cut Above
Time: 7:42 p.m.

Totals so far:
638 pages read
580 minutes reading
105 minutes blogging
2 books finished - Matrimony, Sunday's at Tiffany's
2 1/2 carbonated beverages
2 mini-challenges

Bought some baseball ticket's for my Dad's upcoming birthday... he's going to be super excited!!! Hopefully the weather will be nice, I hate going in August when it's like 110 (YUCK).

Hours 9 & 10



All those dark clouds, but no rain yet. I love rainy weather it's perfect for curling up with a good book and just getting lost in the story. I'm almost finished with Sunday's at Tiffany's and loving it!!! James Patterson is a wonderful author and very easy to read.

Here are my updates so far. Everyone keep up the great work and HAPPY READING!!!

Pages: 236 of Sunday's at Tiffany's
Time: 6:04 p.m.

Totals so far:
527 pages read
520 minutes reading
95 minutes blogging
1 books finished - Matrimony….almost 2!!!!
2 carbonated beverages
2 mini-challenges


I'm almost 1/2 way to my goal... gotta keep it up!!! Maybe I'll run a few laps and then it will be time to focus focus focus. I've enclosed a picture of me... and one of the clouds clearing up.

Hours 7-8


I can't believe it's already been 8 hours. Oh how I would love to just spend my days lounging around reading :) But since I can't (work pays the bills), I am so happy that there are things like this out there to participate in and meet other people who are as excited about books as I am!!

Well, I'm about half way through my latest book and really enjoying it. Did a few things around the house so that I'm not trying to play catch up tomorrow when I'm sure I'll be needing some sleep! Looks like it could start pouring here any minute, which would be great!!

Hope everyone is having a great time and keep up the great reading!!!!

Stats so far:
Pages: 141 of Sunday's at Tiffany's
Time: 4:21 p.m.

Totals so far:
431 pages read
400 minutes reading
75 minutes blogging
1 books finished - Matrimony
2 caffeinated beverages
2 mini-challenges

Update






Decided to sit on my bed for a while with turned out not to be such a great idea, since I ended up taking a little nap, but I did finish my first book... Matrimony! I really enjoyed it and found the writing so flowing and easy to read. It took me a little longer than I thought, but no fear, it's only just now hour 8! Plenty more time to read.

So here are my stats so far, and of course I've added a couple of pictures finally! One of my cat, Gizmo, upset for being disturbed from his window watching and a picture from this morning of all my books :)


Hours 5-7
Pages: About to start page 1 of Sunday's at Tiffany's
Time: 2:06 p.m.

Totals so far:
291 pages read
360 minutes reading
65 minutes blogging
1 books finished
1 carbonated beverage
2 mini-challenges

Hope everyone is having a wonderful time so far!!!

Hour 5


Here we are at hour five and I am still going strong! Sat outside and listened to the soft rain for a little while. I'm one of those people that needs it to be pretty quite when I read, but listening to the rain was so soothing and I just got lost in the story.

Here are my stats so far:
Pages: 85 more pages from Matrimony
Time: 11:03 a.m.

145 pages read
210 minutes reading
30 minutes blogging
0 books finished
1 caffeinated beverage
2 mini-challenges

Hour 1 Questions

Good Morning Everyone!!! I have now been reading for about an hour and a half, and since I was at a good stopping point, I decided to head on over and see what our wonderful hosts and cheerleader had for us to do for Hour 1. Below are some questions that are being used to help us all get to know each other.

So here goes....

Where are you reading from today? I am reading at home today, in a town right outside Dallas, Texas.

3 facts about me …
- I of course LOVE to read and have ever since I was little.
- I was a wedding planner for 3 years, but now work for a small insurance company in Dallas as a Jr. Account Manager.
- I am a native Texas (except for my 5 year stint in Oklahoma for college and work)!!

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
I have 11 books in my pile! There is no way I will read them all, but I wanted to have options if I picked up a book that just wasn't working for me. Instead of having to scrounge around to find something else, I can just go back to my pile and try again.

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)? I am an optimist, so I'm hoping to last the full 24 hours, but we'll see! My page # goal is 1,000 and I'm hoping to comment as much as possible! When I first started blogging, I was (and still tend to be) shy about posting comments on other blogs. I read several of them, but don't always leave anything. My goal today is to overcome that and really encourage other people on and get involved!!

Stats from hours 1&2
Pages: 60 pages (from Matrimony by Joshua Henkin)
Time: 8:45 a.m.

Totals so far:
60 pages read
90 minutes reading
20 minutes blogging


HAPPY READING TO ALL!!!

Read-A-Thon


For some reason this year, I just cannot seem to keep up with my blogging. There are still several books that I have read and would love to talk about that I have not yet gotten to. Well, all of those wonderful books will just have to wait a bit.

I am participating in my first ever Read-A-Thon today and am really looking forward to it. I have listened to Trish and Laura talk about this for a little while now and they made it sound so wonderful that I just had to check it out myself!

So wish me luck, because it is now 7:00 a.m. and I am off to read!!!!