Thankfully Reading 2023

It’s time for one of my favorite reading events of the year: Thankfully Reading! You can find out more at the link. This is my 13th year participating in this reading weekend. I cannot believe it has been that long. You can follow my blog to see my reading fun Weds-Sun!

Kick off time!

These are the books I am currently reading and hope to finish before Sunday.

I also have a stack of physical books I hope to get to.

I also have a ton of ARCs I really want to read. These are the ones I have picked out. But also I am a mood reader so I might read none of this planned TBR.

And of course I need audiobook options while cleaning and cooking.

I know this is an extremely long list. But also I am a mood reader so I might read none of this planned TBR. Let’s get reading!

Wednesday

It was a terrific day of reading. I had a lot of cleaning to do but other than that I spent most of the day relaxing and reading. I finished my first holiday book, A Very Merry Bromance and started the Never Whistle at Night audiobook.

Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving y’all. I had a wonderful time hosting a small lunch at my house since half my family was sick. It was such a terrific day.

I ended up finishing Everyone On This Train is a Suspect (love this series!) and Wildfire.

Friday

Exciting that I still have three days off. I plan to sit on my couch most of the day under my heated blanket and read! I am so cold! I started two new books Bright Young Women and the upcoming Kennedy Ryan book, This Could Be Us.

Dewey’s Reverse Readathon July 2023

It’s time for another Dewey’s Readathon. This one is the July Reverse Readathon. It starts at 8 pm Friday night and goes until 8 pm Saturday night. Looking forward to this one! I got a whole bunch of yummy snacks. But realized I didn’t get much real food ha ha.

I have two different TBR piles. One is the books I am already reading and the other one is books I have not started yet. This is a VERY ambitious TBR and I probably won’t get through half of them. These are the books I have already started:

These are the books I want to read if I have time or DNF another book:

1:00 am

Well my body is telling me it is time to nap so I am going to listen! I finished my first book, The Housekeepers. It was a solid three star read. I also broke into my snacks. Ironically the popcorn was also three stars 🤣

I also got through about 60 pages of Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegmund-Broka. I am loving this book. I am a sucker for books set in a theatre setting whether they be YA or adult.

Total reading time: 4 hours 21 minutes

Pages read: 324

Audiobook Time: 0

Books finished: 1

11:00 am

Well I slept all night and woke up at 8 am which I probably needed so I won’t get close to 24 hours but that’s ok! I made my traditional Readathon cinnamon rolls and they were so good! Also, I totally GET the hype about this Lucy Score book. It is fantastic so far!

I am also reading a physical and audiobook of Lisa Scottoline’s new book, Loyalty. Lately I have been really enjoying reading books this way. Especially if I can get one or both of the versions from the library. When people ask me how I read so many books in a month this is a big reason why.

Total reading time: 7 hours 13 minutes

Pages read: 146

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Books finished: 0

5:00 pm

Well I took another nap. I am just so tired today but it’s ok.

Things We Never Got Over is so good. This is one of those books I have been putting off because I was afraid that it wouldn’t live up to the hype. But I am really enjoying it. It’s funny and has found family and the romance is so good. I love, love books set in a small town with a strong cast of side characters. I also ate the most amazing sea chocolate caramels. They are Target brand and wow they are amazing!

Total reading time: 10 hours 36 minutes

Pages read: 118

Audiobook Time: 0 hour 38 minutes

Books finished: 0

8:00 pm

Another successful Dewey’s in the books. It was a lovely day to read as it rained most of the day. I enjoyed it as I also got more sleep than usual!

I finished Always Never Yours and I loved this book so much. The Shakespeare theme was excellant in this one and I enjoyed the friendships and romance in this book as well.

Total reading time: 13 hours 14 minutes

Pages read: 177

Audiobook Time: 0 hour 58 minutes

Books finished: 1

Totals

Pages read: 765

Audiobook Time: 2 hours 56 minutes

Books finished: 2

Dewey’s Readathon April 2023

I wasn’t going to participate this time because I really feel like lack of sleep isn’t good for me these days. But I have decided to participate anyway with the knowledge that I won’t complete anywhere near the reading time I usually do. My goal is to finish up the (many) books I am currently reading and then start The Fourth Wing.

You can follow my journey on this blog. Also, just a side note I deleted my Twitter account so you can no longer find me there. I am on Instagram and BookTok as ReadingSusan.

12:00 PM

Four hours in! It’s been a lovely morning of reading. I am enjoying all the books I am reading. I am listening to and reading a print copy of Not the Witch You Wed. This is a funny supernatural tale about a witch and shifter and fake dating which is may favorite!

I am also reading the upcoming Riley Sager book The Only One Left. This one is creepy and atmospheric. Really enjoying it.

Total reading time: 4 hours 0 minutes

Pages read: 100

Audiobook Time: 2 hour 45 minutes

Books finished: 0

5:00 pm

I did take a nap at some point during this block of time because I was really, really tired. It’s been a long week!

I finished my first book, Lunar Love. This was a fun rivals to lovers book. I love the juxtaposition between traditional match making and a dating app. I do wish it hadn’t wrapped up so quickly.


It has been so wonderful having a relaxing Saturday reading and snuggling with my cat!

Total reading time: 7 hours 38 minutes

Pages read: 301

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Books finished: 1

10:30 pm

What a lovely evening of reading. I listened to classical music while it rained. It feels really peaceful and relaxing!

I finished The Only One Left by Riley Sager. This book was fantastic!! The atmosphere was so tense and the house was a character on its own. The multiple twists & turns were delightful! I really loved this one. This may be my favorite of his. This book will be released on June 20th.

I also finished Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher. I LOVED this witchy and supernatural tale! I really appreciate a book where all the magic is out in the open because magical secrecy can get kind of old. Violet and Linc are a delightful couple. I look forward to reading more books in this series! I may need to start the second one tonight.

Total reading time: 12 hours 54 minutes

Pages read: 330

Audiobook Time: 29 minutes

Books finished: 2

1:00 am

I think it is time I called it a night. My dog has been sick so I am sleep deprived this week so not able to try for the 24 hours this time.

My eyes got a little tired so I went and purchased the 1619 Project audiobook so I could switch it off with the print version I am reading.

I started the Fourth Wing ARC and wow it is fantastic. It comes out on Tuesday and I didn’t realize it was so soon. May 2nd is going to be a good day for new releases!

Total reading time: 15 hours 15 minutes

Pages read: 101

Audiobook Time: 35 minutes

Books finished: 0

6:00 am

It started storming really bad so I woke up to soothe my dog. And now I have two hours to read before the Readathon is over! I will check in and do a wrap up after it’s over!

Thankfully Reading 2022

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It’s one of my favorite times of the year! Thankfully Reading with Jenn’s Bookshelves and a bunch of readers. Instead of spending the weekend shopping or watching football it’s a time to relax and read. Although this year I plan to hit some local stores and especially the new bookstore in my small town!

Kick off time!

How will/did you celebrate Thanksgiving? This year my husband and I are hosting my mother-in-law at our house and I will run over to my parents to see my Grandma. Lots of food on the horizon!

  • What’s in your TBR pile for the weekend? I have a GIANT stack per usual.

These are the books I am currently reading plus I am reding an e-ARC of Alone with You in the Ether:

These are the books on my large TBR pile but per the usual this is subject to change based on mood. Plus I have a ton of romance ARCs I should start.

  • How much time do you think you’ll have for reading?

    I think this year I will have a lot of time to read. I didn’t schedule anything after Wednesday evening besides actual Thanksgiving.

  • Are you reading print, ebooks, or audio? Maybe a bit each?

    I am reading all formats!!

  • What books will you be talking about during Thanksgiving dinner? Probably talking about mysteries with my mother-in-law. And getting a list from her to take back to the library on Monday!

Happy reading y’all!

Wednesday

I was able to get some decent reading time in today. Not as much as I would have liked but I had a lot of photos to edit and I felt distracted most of the day.

I did finish The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks. This was a heartwarming and cozy book. Small town bookshop, MC searching for her purpose for the future, handsome love interest, and a town of quirky characters? Yes, please!

Wednesday Numbers

Pages Read: 301
Audiobook time: 2 hrs 30 mins
Books Finished: 1

Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving. It was a great day full of food. My husband and I spent most of the day watching 1899 which I highly recommend.

Thursday Numbers

Pages Read: 142
Audiobook time: 2 hrs 12 mins
Books Finished: 0

Friday

Today was such a nice leisurely day! I edited photos, cleaned, ate left overs, snuggled with my fur babies, watched a movie but mostly read. It was one of those kind of days that you really need to rest and recharge.

I finished The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim. This book was SO good! It was filled with delightful characters. I really loved Zahra and her struggles between what she wanted and what her family wanted. This was a really heart tugging story but also funny!

I finally started Before I let Go by Kennedy Ryan. This is one of those books that I have been anticipating reading but didn’t want to start because I didn’t want it to be over. I read almost half the book today and it was so hard to put down. It is so good!

Friday Numbers

Pages Read: 515
Audiobook time: 2 hrs 30 mins
Books Finished: 1



Dewey's Readathon July 2022

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It’s time for another Dewey’s Readathon! This time it is the Reverse Readathon which starts Friday night at 8 PM and ends Saturday night at 8 PM. This works out so much better for me because of my job.

Here is my TBR pile!

11:50 PM

Well I am still going strong! I finished my first book, Poster Girl by Veronica Roth. I really enjoyed this dystopian thriller. It was so good. I would really like to read more set in this world.

My sweet dog is keeping me company while I read while the rest of the household sleeps.

I started an audiobook, The Couple at Number 9. And started another print book, Love & Other Disasters. Time for a cup of caffeinated tea. Earl Grey with blueberries!

Total reading time: 3 hours 50 minutes

Pages read: 300

Audiobook Time: 32 minutes 

Books finished: 1

2:30 am

I finished my second book, Love & Other Disasters. Well what a delightful book. I really enjoyed this one. Sometimes I don’t enjoy cooking show romances because they can focus too much on the boring aspects of the show instead of the romance. But this one worked really well. I enjoyed London and Dahlia’s story!

I think my dog is getting grumpy with me being downstairs when he is ready for bed. I am getting sleepy myself so I think I will try to sleep for a few hours.

Total reading time: 6 hours 29 minutes

Pages read: 196

Audiobook Time: 37 minutes

Books finished: 1

5:00 am

I slept for 2.5 hours. It was just the refreshing sleep I needed. Next up is Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin.

9:00 am

I had my traditional Readathon cinnamon rolls this morning for breakfast. Yum yum!

I am so glad I got a few hours of sleep because it has helped me concentrate today. I have enjoyed a morning of snuggling with my sweet cat.

I finished Wild is the Witch. And wow it was so good. I enjoyed Rachel Griffin’s first book but this one was even better! Definitely a five star read. I was on the edge of my seat reading Iris’ story. It was so adventurous and suspenseful.

Total reading time: 10 hours 28 minutes

Pages read: 275

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 29 minutes

Books finished: 1

2:00 pm

Having an enjoyable afternoon listening to my audiobook and reading the upcoming Jasmine Guillory book. I had a delicious charcuterie plate for lunch. Just plugging away but I sure could use a nap.

Total reading time: 15 hours 26 minutes

Pages read: 236

Audiobook Time: 2 hour 12 minutes

Books finished: 0

8:00 pm

And DONE! What a great Readathon. I had a great afternoon of snacks, animal snuggles and also my husband put together my new bookcase.

I finished Drunk on Love and it was delightful! It was 400 pages which is unusually long for a romance novel. But it really had some terrific character development. I started, but didn’t finish, Time of Our Lives by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. I also didn't get a chance to finish my audiobook The Couple at Number 9 but I made it 455 through.

My dog with my new bookcase. All TBR books.

Total reading time: 20 hours 11 minutes

Pages read: 348

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 16 minutes

Books finished: 1

Wrap-Up

I really love the Reverse Readathon because it gets the night time hours which are the hardest for me out of the way early on. It’s much easier for me to stay up at the beginning. Plus it gives me Saturday night and all day Sunday to recover. Dewey’s was much easier when I was self employed and could make my own hours. I am happy that I managed to read for a little over 20 hours. I am glad I took my two naps. It was a good balance. I read four total books and read parts of two other books. All in all a very successful readathon. I am photographing my beloved cousins wedding in October so this is my last Readathon event of 2022! See you in 2023!

Total reading time: 20 hours 11 minutes

Pages read: 1,355

Audiobook Time: 4 hours 50 minutes

Books finished: 4

Bout of Books 32

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Bout of Books is almost here! What is Bout of Books?

The Bout of Books readathon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It’s a weeklong readathon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 16th and runs through Sunday, August 22nd in YOUR time zone. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are reading sprints, Twitter chats, and exclusive Instagram challenges, but they’re all completely optional. For all Bout of Books 32 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

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I am in the middle of a bunch of books so I hope to get a lot of good reading time in. I need it after this truly difficult past week. I will check back in on Monday!

Monday

Good first day of reading! Mondays are usually depressing so it was nice to have something to be excited about. Of course I had to work but I read on my lunch break and when I got home.

I finished Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty. It was so good. It was probably my favorite of her books so far.. I stayed up too late to finish it but I could not put it down. A tropical storm is headed this way so it’s supposed to pour tomorrow so I will be at work sad that I am not at home reading ha ha.

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Monday Numbers

Pages Read: 257

Audiobook Time: 3 hours 52 minutes

Books Finished: 1

Tuesday

What a day! I woke up at 3:30 to my phone saying there was a tornado watch and never went back to sleep. I drove to work in a monsoon tropical storm so it was quite an exhausting day.

I did get a little reading in even though I was pretty tired. I am listening to the an awesome podcast called Phoebe Reads a Mystery. She reads a chapter of a classic book per day. I am currently listening to The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. I haven’t read this one before and I am really enjoying the mystery. Phoebe Judge has the best voice!

I am also reading When Night Breaks by Janella Angeles This is the sequel to where Dreams Descend which I really loved last year. This one comes out in October. I am not really enjoying it as much as the first one as it’s a little confusing but I suppose by the end it will all come together.

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Also, I just had to share a bookish purchase I received today. I am obsessed with tea of course and I get this monthly tea box called Communitea. You have one tea per day to open and enjoy. It’s a terrific way to try new teas but there is also a fun community aspect where you talk about tea and post photos of tea. So they had a pride and prejudice tea the other day that I enjoyed and I had to order a tin of it and look how gorgeous it is!!

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So altogether not a great reading day but hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Tuesday Numbers

Pages Read: 47

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 21 minutes

Books Finished: 0

Wednesday

Wow this has been quite a week. There is SO much going on and I feel so helpless to control any of it. I just can’t believe we are back in this mess. It feels like it is March 2020 all over again. Will it ever end? At least I have books to escape in. The only thing keeping me sane.

I am reading too many depressing books so I put them aside when I got home from work and started and finished Out of Left Field. It was a fun, light read.

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I just feel super discouraged and feel like life will never be the same again. My parents refuse to get vaccinated and I wonder what the future holds. My sweet dog snuggled with me tonight and I don't know how people who don’t have pets are functioning right now.

Wednesday Numbers

Pages Read: 412

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 33 minutes

Books Finished: 1

Thursday

Again I put all my other books aside and started reading what I thought would be a romance book. It Only Happens in the Movies was not a romance and it was sad in parts but I really enjoyed it.

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Thursday Numbers

Pages Read: 420

Audiobook Time: 2 hours 50 minutes

Books Finished: 1

Friday

Today was a tiring day. It was busy at work and I had to go out and get lunch so I didn’t have as much time to read. And when I got home I had to get ready for the wedding that I am photographing tomorrow so I mostly was able to get audiobook time in. I started a new book The Meet-Cute Project which I have been excited about reading. I also finally finished The Woman in White audiobook. Which I really enjoyed! I didn’t take any book photos today but here is a cute photo of my kitty. I probably won’t get very much reading done tomorrow because of the wedding but hopefully Sunday I will have more time.

Friday Numbers

Pages Read: 137

Audiobook Time: 3 hours 38 minutes

Books Finished: 1

Saturday

Just checking in really quick because it’s 11 pm and I am trying to recover from the wedding today. It was absolutely fabulous and I enjoyed it so much but I am exhausted! I didn’t have much of a chance to read since I was at the wedding most of the day but it was such spectacular day.

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Saturday Numbers

Pages Read: 85

Audiobook Time: 46 minutes

Books Finished: 0

Dewey's Reverse Readathon August 2021

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It’s time for the Dewey’s Reverse Readathon! With my job now this one is much easier to do this one than the regular one so I am super excited! I will be checking in throughout the evening. I did not pick out a TBR. I will go wherever the wind takes me!

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11:45 pm

It’s been a lovely day of reading. I just finished my first book, Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda. This was a wonderful thriller that kept me on my toes. I also enjoyed some delicious cookies & cream muddy buddies. Yum yum. Nice sugar rush!

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I also have had some good reading snuggles with my cat and dog. It’s a little cooler today so my dog actually laid in my lap while I read and petted him. I took my cat to the vet yesterday which was super dramatic so I will thrilled when she came out and cuddled with me.

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It’s nearing midnight and I am still pretty awake so I am going to start another book. I will check in later. I hope everyone is enjoying their readathon!

Total reading time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Pages read: 333

Audiobook Time: 23 minutes 

Books finished: 1

3:30 a.m.

I just finished Well Matched by Jen DeLuca. I really love this series and the acknowledgments made me tear up. It’s really emotional to read books that were written during 2020. I am hungry but I didn’t do a good job stocking snacks so I think I am going to head to bed. I had a nice cup of black tea at 1 a.m. but I don’t think that is going to keep me awake. I have also been listening to The Royal Correspondent audiobook and so I am going to let that send me to sleep.

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Total reading time: 7 hours 26 minutes

Total Pages read: 669

Total Audiobook Time: 41 minutes 

Books finished: 2

10:20 a.m

Well I woke back up at 7 after a nice nights sleep. I am sad that I forgot to get my traditional readathon cinnamon rolls so I had a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch instead.

I have had an enjoyable morning lazing around and reading. My bones were a little achy after reading all night so I had a nice long soak in the tub. I have a hair appointment this morning and then I am home for the rest of the day! Hopefully I will get more kitty snuggles!

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Total reading time: 10 hours 47 minutes

Total Pages read: 832

Total Audiobook Time: 2 hours 16 minutes 

Books finished: 2

4:30 p.m.

It’s been a terrific Saturday! I have to say the Reverse Readathon is so much more convenient to participate in. I went and got my hair done. I really wanted to read while she did my hair but I knew that would be rude ha ha. But I did read while my color was setting. I then walked around the Saturday market on the town square listening to my audiobook. It was lovely.

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I grabbed some sushi for lunch on the way home. It was so good.

So I finished The Woods Are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins. Wow I hated this book. It was boring for 50% and then really ratcheted up and went into a very violent place. It left me with a really icky feeling. Luckily I have a very cute doggie to snuggle with.

Total reading time: 15 hours 23 minutes

Total Pages read: 1,032

Total Audiobook Time: 3 hours 4 minutes 

Books finished: 3

Wrap-Up

Well it was another great Readathon! The last four hours of my day were perfection. I actually went outside and read in the sun which was so nice as it has cooled down a little. I didn’t finish another book but I am almost done with The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley which I am really enjoying. I am happy with the amount of time I got to read! Already looking forward to the October readathon!

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Total reading time: 18 hours 46 minutes

Total Pages read: 1,207

Total Audiobook Time: 4 hours 48 minutes 

Books finished: 3

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon October 2020

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So excited it is time for Dewey’s Readathon again! There are over 640 people signed up so far! I am excited to read, eat and have an enjoyable Saturday/Sunday. I specifically blocked off this weekend months ago just so I wouldn’t plan anything else. HA HA HA just kidding we are in the middle of a pandemic and I am going only to work and home. Work and home. Work and home. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

What exactly is a 24 hour readathon you ask? Well basically I (because I am in the Eastern time zone) start reading at 8 am Saturday morning and finish at 8 am Sunday morning. You don’t actually have to read all 24 hours. You just read as much as you can. This is (I think) my ninth time participating in Dewey’s Readathon. To view all my other posts just click on the Dewey’s tag at the bottom of my post.

My goal during the readathon is to read as many hours as possible. I have a hard time staying up past 10 these days so it should be interesting. I have a ton of digital ARCs to read. I will probably have one print book, one Kindle book, and one audiobook going. This is such a stressful time right before the election. I have been spending my weekends text banking for Joe Biden so it was a real decision to make whether to give this time to Readathon. But I decided I needed it for self care.

So it’s the night before Readathon and I finally have my TBR picked out. Usually my TBR is ridiculously big and I pick and choose stuff in the moment. But it’s always too much. So this year I just picked a few different books and hope to finish at least one. The physical books are Dairy Queen, Anxious People, and Plain Bad Heroines. I am excited for all three books as they have been highly anticipated reads. I will be listening to The Ten Thousand Doors of January audiobook and my Kindle book is The Searcher. Hopefully all those will keep me occupied.

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I also got all my yummy snacks. I bought way too much per the usual but it’s nice to have options the day of! I am going to listen to some podcasts and then go to bed early. Talk to you all tomorrow!!

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7:50 a.m.

Almost time! I can’t wait! I am going to start off reading with Anxious People.

Opening Survey!

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? The Dirty South!
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Dairy Queen. It’s an older book but I have heard so many good things about it so I have been anticipating reading it for months.
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? Really all of them but the garlic stuffed olives are really good!
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I am a librarian, photographer and I live with my husband, cats and dogs in a very red part of the South which has been super difficult this year.
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? I am planning on attempting to stay up all 24 hours this year. Usually I try to go for at least 21 but this year I will try for the whole thing.

I am also going to do the bingo board this year which I have never done before. Let’s go!

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11:30 a.m.

It’s been a good morning so far! I am little tired because I had a restless nights sleep and had weird nightmares.

So I am reading Anxious People by Fredrick Backman first. I am loving it so far. It’s funny, moving and I am enjoying all the different points of view and connecting threads.

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I made my traditional cinnamon rolls this morning. They were quite delicious even though I cooked them a little too long.

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I am also listening to the audiobook of Thousand Doors of January. This is an absolutely gorgeous book. The cover is stunning. When I am making breakfast and doing laundry I switch from my physical book to the audiobook so I can keep reading.

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I am currently reading in my cozy chair in our media room. It had the best lighting this morning. And I was so happy when my cat, Gherig came in and sat in my lap. He so very rarely sits in my lap anymore so it was a really special treat. It’s a little cool here today so I am just snuggled in my blanket reading. Very cozy!

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All right it’s time for lunch! I will check in later.

Total reading time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Pages read: 159

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes 

Books finished: 0

4:00 p.m.

My husband surprised me with sushi and cake for lunch! It was so delicious! I am reading The Searcher by Tana French. I love, love her books. I am enjoying this one so far.

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I finally finished my first book. Anxious People was so good! It was so beautifully written and a nice mesmerizing story.

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Are you able to read and listen to music at the same time? I have started doing that over the past seven months. I didn’t used to be able to do so. Today’s music is Eliot Bronson’s record, Empty Spaces.

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I am already deviating from my planned TBR. I have decided to read On the Come Up by Angie Thomas. I have had this book on my TBR pile for ages and I am already completely sucked in less than 100 pages in. I also am enjoying these amazing chocolate blueberries. They are so good!

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My little Trixie cat decided to join me for this portion of the readathon. She was being super cute so it was hard to concentrate on reading.

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Rawlings also wanted to get in some mommy time today. He doesn’t like readathons much because he really likes attention.

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Total reading time: 8 hours 0 minutes

Total pages read: 461

Total audiobook Time: 2 hours 54 minutes 

Books finished: 1

8:00 p.m.

Mid-Event Survey: 1. What are you reading right now? Listening to The Ten Thousand Doors of January, reading The Searcher and On the Come Up. 2. How many books have you read so far? 1. Anxious People. 3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Dairy Queen 4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? No, my husband knows not to bother me today. He is watching movies while I read. 5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? Not really anything.

10:00 p.m.

Well I am past the halfway point and still going strong. This is my normal bedtime so it may get rough soon but I have had three Cokes today :-)

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Still reading the same three books. On the Come Up is so enraging, I am fired up. It’s so good but also making me mad and frustrated. I am eating some Andes candies which are the perfect refreshing candy.

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I am almost at Bingo! I am realizing if you want to do the Bingo board you really have to plan out ahead of time. I guess I will have to find a non fiction book to read.

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Total reading time: 14 hours 0 minutes

Total pages read: 858

Total audiobook Time: 5 hours 32 minutes 

Books finished: 1

12:30 p.m.

I finished my second book, On the Come Up. Wow this is a must read book. Angie Thomas is such an amazing author and she always tugs at the heartstrings. Well, I am afraid that I am not going to be able to make it all 24 hours. I am so tired so I think I am going to have to go to bed/take a nap. Next Readathon I will take Monday off and then be able to stay up all 24 hours. Good night all!

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Total reading time: 16 hours 30 minutes

Total pages read: 1,014

Total audiobook Time: 6 hours 31 minutes 

Books finished: 2

6:20 a.m.

I had a wonderful nap/sleep from 12:30-4:00 a.m. I just couldn’t stay up all night and still enjoy my Sunday. All part of self care!

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I did take a long and relaxing lavender bath when I got up. I always enjoy my Readathon bath. It’s nice to soak after reading for hours. It helps keep away the stiffness. This readathon I tried to made sure I moved around a lot. I started Dairy Queen, which I have been looking forward to. I am having a little bit of trouble getting into it but with less than two hours left in Readathon looks like I won’t finish another book so I may start Plain Bad Heroines.

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Off to read some more. I will check in after Readathon ends. Happy reading!

Total reading time: 18 hours 57 minutes

Total pages read: 1,140

Total audiobook Time: 7 hours 20 minutes 

Books finished: 2

Wrap-Up

Well I didn’t quite make it to 24 hours but I am happy with my time and amount of reading and now my Sunday won’t be spent sleeping.

I didn’t finish another book but I did start reading Plan Bad Heroines. It is so good and I can’t wait to read more of it.

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I didn’t complete my Bingo Card but almost.

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All in all it was a great Pandemic Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon. Probably the best part about it was being surrounded by bookish people on social media. I loved seeing other stuff getting pushed off for just one day. Now back to it!

Total reading time: 20 hours 37 minutes

Total pages read: 1,241

Total audiobook Time: 7 hours 39 minutes 

Books finished: 2

24in48: The Social Distancing Edition

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Well things are just bizarre and out of body right now but honestly books are what will keep me sane. Thank goodness the crew at 24in48 Readathon have decided to remerge and host a Readathon this weekend. Read more here. I will also be posting on Listy and Instagram (Twitter is deleted from my phone so no updates there). My goal is to stay away from depressing and scary stuff and just tackle my TBR pile. I hope everyone is safe and socially distancing. I look forward to participating in this readathon.

Saturday

It has been a weird few weeks and so hard to concentrate on reading. So as a result I am a little behind in all my ARCs so my goal during this weekend is to catch up on all my ARCs that have already come out and get a week ahead. It really depends on how much I can read tomorrow. I didn’t get in as much reading today as I had planned but that’s because it is hard for me to concentrate. Other things keep grabbing my attention. That’s just the way of the world right now.

I am listening to Sense & Sensibilty on Auble. It is read by Rosamund Pike and I am really enjoying this version. I hadn’t realized how long it had been since I had read this book. I read Pride & Prejudice all the time.

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I am also listening to Take Me On by Katie McGarry. I have been working my way through the Pushing the Limits series on Audible Escape during my two month free trial. I am usually not the biggest fan of straight romance books but they are YA and usually have an interesting other element thrown in. She certainly likes her bad boys who have a secret soft side though. I do love that in fiction but not real life.

I finished The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian. It was a really good book. It dragged a little in the middle. Based on the synopsis you couldn’t really tell what it would end up being about and no spoilers but what unfortunate timing for it to be released last week. The cover is so gorgeous on this one.

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And then I finally started The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel. So let me tell you how much I loved Station Eleven. Until the end. Oh my god I was so upset when I got to the end. There was not the proper amount of closure, and she didn’t focus enough on the characters stories I loved. That book was on track to my favorite and the ending ruined it. So I went into this one clear eyed. I am really loving it. I love how she is able to write in so many different voices. I am truly sucked in. Let’s hope this one has a better ending.

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Saturday Totals

Pages read: 445

Audiobook Time: 2 hours 13 minutes

Books finished: 1

Hours read: 10 hours 40 minutes

Sunday

It was another good day for reading! I continued on listening to my two audiobook.

I finished The Glass Hotel. This book was so, so good. It was beautifully written. I could see all of this in my head as I read. She did such a wonderful job switching between all the characters. This was a book that swept me up in its world and made me forget it was a book. 

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Then I started and finished If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane. Never judge a book by its cover they say. Well I must admit I did judge this book by its cover. There has been a recent glut of these nicely illustrated romance books and I assumed that’s what I was getting. Which is fine. I enjoy those books and find them entertaining. But this book was so much more. It was heart wrenching and 20% in before you really even got to know one of the main love interests. I loved it. I love Laurie. I feel like I really emotionally suffered through this with her. I loved the feminism and diversity. This was a terrific book and I couldn’t put it down.

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Then I started When Panic Attacks: The New Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life. My therapist recommended I read this book. The subtitle made me a little skeptical. I am usually wary of people who say drug-free or dismiss the use of medication. However, within the introduction he made it clear that education was a good thing and there are people who need it. So far I am reading and being like wow that’s me right there. It helps you feel less alone to know others feel the same way as you do.

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This was a wonderful reading day and a great end to the social distancing readathon.

Sunday Totals

Pages read: 581

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 24 minutes

Books finished: 2

Hours read: 9 hours 36 minutes

Wrap Up

This was a great little readathon. I couldn’t concentrate as much as I would have liked to. But I still read a lot of great books and enjoyed myself. I am looking forward to the next readathon hopefully in better circumstances.

Totals

Total Pages read: 1,026

Audiobook Time: 3 hours 37 minutes

Books finished: 3

Hours read: 20 hours 16 minutes

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon October 2019

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Yay it is time for Dewey’s Readathon again! I am excited to read, eat and have an enjoyable Saturday/Sunday. It’s supposed to rain all day Saturday which could be good or bad! We will see. I might be sleepy.

What exactly is a 24 hour readathon you ask? Well basically I (because I am in the Eastern time zone) start reading at 8 am Saturday morning and finish at 8 am Sunday morning. You don’t actually have to read all 24 hours. You just read as much as you can. I don’t think I have ever hit the 24 hours but one day I will take the Monday off and try to do it. This is my seventh time participating in Dewey’s Readathon. To view all my other posts just click on the Dewey’s tag at the bottom of my post. This year I was determined not to schedule a photo session. But Sunday afternoon I am taking my cousins to the pumpkin patch for you guessed it a photo session. I just can’t help it in the fall! I put this in my calendar in April after the last Readathon.

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So this time I have a delightful stack of YA books that I have been meaning to read. I am most excited about Wicked Saints. I have heard so many things about this book that I have it really built up in my head. I am also listening to the audiobook of She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey. I also am trying to finish up a couple of ARCs so if I don’t finish them in the next couple of days I will dip into them.

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I also really, really stocked up on snacks. Like an embarrassing amount. I have my annual bloodwork tomorrow and it’s good thing I won’t get my results back before I eat all this food ha ha.

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What are you most excited to read for Readathon? I will be posting on this post, Twitter, Instagram and Litsy. I am @ReadingSusan on all platforms.

7:59 am

It’s almost time!

Opening Survey!

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? The US South

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Wicked Saints! I have been saving it.

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? Olives 😃 I have three kinds.

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I can’t stick to a book buying ban.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? This is my 7th readathon and I think this time I will participate more on social media. #deweyoct

2:15 p.m.

Well I finally just finished my first book. It took me awhile. Sisters of Shadow and Light was excellent. I loved the world building and the alternate points of view. The main characters are really well done and distinctive and I really enjoy that. And I adore Raidyn and Naomi. This book comes out on November 5th and I am already ready to read the next book.

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I am also listening to the audiobook of She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey. I finished Ronan Farrow’s book, Catch and Kill last week and it was so shocking that I knew I had to check out this book as well. I am so glad the three of them exposed that horrible man getting away with wielding his power.

I had delicious cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then a perfect grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch. Yum yum!

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My cat has finally hopped up on the bed to snuggle with me so I am off to start my next book.

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Total reading time: 6 hours 23 minutes

Pages read: 284

Audiobook Time: 2 hours 28 minutes 

Books finished: 1

6:00 p.m.

I just finished my second book. I am reading a little slower than usual today but that’s fine. Just trying to enjoy a relaxing readathon. I also haven’t been eating that many snacks because I am not hungry. It has been raining all day which has been really nice. I will check back in later!

Total reading time: 10 hours 0 minutes

Total pages read: 610

Total audiobook Time: 3 hours 9 minutes 

Books finished: 2

10:45 p.m.

Well it has been a lovely evening of reading and eating. I am currently reading Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan. I have been saving this book to read for a special occasion. It is really good so far but I forgot when I picked it what a long book it is so I probably won’t finish it by the end of Readathon.

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She Said is getting pretty depressing so I have switched to the Anne of Green Gables Collection audiobook. I am currently listening to the second book, Anne of Avonlea. I love listening to old and familar books that I have read in print so many times.

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I have been at this for 14 hours so I think I need to take a nap. I accidentally made multiple plans tomorrow afternoon so no way I can stay up all night and still function on Monday.

Total reading time: 14 hours 45 minutes

Total pages read: 758

Total audiobook Time: 5 hours 9 minutes 

Books finished: 2

5:30 a.m.

I took a 3/12 hour nap before getting back to reading. I am up to 17 hours 40 minutes of reading. I was hoping to get to at least 20 hours and I am on track with that. I am really loving Wicked Saints. I can’t wait to see what will happen with this book. I have the ARC of the second book so if there is a cliff hanger it won’t be so tragic.

Around 4 I was wanting to go back to sleep so I switched books and went off my Readathon stack to read a Kasie West book. It’s about a girl who is trapped in a library. And I have major issues with the fact that she HAS NOT READ ONE BOOK. Who gets trapped in a library and doesn’t read books?

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I will probably not check in again before the end since I won’t be starting any new books.

Total reading time: 17 hours 40 minutes

Total pages read: 927

Total audiobook time: 7 hours 15 minutes 

Books finished: 2

Dewey’s Wrap Up

This was a great Readathon! I really enjoyed it. I think the nap was key and at the correct time. I finished reading By Your Side about 20 minutes before 8. I took an enjoyable bath for the last hour. I am happy with how my reading went and I enjoyed spending a little more time on social media this time around.

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Total reading time: 20 hours 10 minutes

Total pages read: 1,163

Total audiobook time: 8 hours 7 minutes 

Books finished: 3

Bout of Books 26

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Yay! It is Bout of Books time. I love this readathon because it lasts a whole week and it is zero pressure. What exactly is Bout of Books?

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, Twitter chats, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 26 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I started working full time at the library in the middle of May so I no longer have my mornings free to read during the week. So I definitely won’t get as much reading done this week as I have in prior years. My goal is just to take the time to read more when I get home from work. I have been so tired that I have not always had the energy to read. So I am looking forward to that. As always I will keep this post updated as I go.

This is what I plan to read this week. I doubt I will finish all of them even though I am halfway through A Dream So Dark and I have already started Journey to the Center of the Earth. I am looking forward to reading Wicked Saints. I have heard so many good things about it and I bought it on Independent Bookstore Day in Nashville earlier this year and it’s one I have been saving. I am looking forward to reading the second Belles book too. I didn’t love the first one but the world building was so good so hoping this second one works better for me.

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Monday

Today was a good reading day. I was able to listen to my audiobook a little bit throughout the day. During lunch I had to edit some theatre photos so I listened to it while editing. Jules Verne is one of my favorite authors. I grew up loving his stories. I am really enjoying listening to this version of Journey to the Center of the Earth which is narrated by Tim Curry. It is excellent!

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I finished my first book: A Dream So Dark by L.L. McKinney. I was lukewarm about the first book in this series. But this one hit the ball out of the park. It had everything I love in a fantasy: Adventure, intrigue, imposters, magic, darkness, lightness, magical lands, kick ass women, magical food, healing and magical creatures. Loved it!

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Headed to bed now and hoping I can get more reading in tomorrow even though it is super busy day.

Monday Numbers

Pages read: 224

Audiobook Time: 4 hours 11 minutes

Books finished: 1 

Tuesday

Today was a super busy day at work and I had a headache so I didn’t have much chance to read a physical book but I had some good audiobook time. I finished Journey to the Center of the Earth. I highly recommend that Audible book. It was really good! After I finished that I started the Treasure Island audiobook.

I am also reading the second Belles book, Everlasting Rose. I am really detesting one of the characters and it is ruining the book a little bit.

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Tuesday Numbers

Pages read: 108

Audiobook Time: 6 hours 32 minutes

Books finished: 1 

Wednesday

Well today was an interesting day. I worked until 12 and then had to come home because I felt so terrible. I slept for a few hours and then had to photograph a show at the theatre tonight. I am exhausted. I am still trying to get used to my new schedule three months in. I need more sleep.

I finished the Treasure Island Audible book. It was very good. It was more of a drama than a reading of the book. It was so good.

I also finished The Everlasting Rose. I really don’t like any of the characters in that book and I don’t think I will read any more of them. It was hard to get through.

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I started the audiobook of Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America’s Heartland by Jonathan M. Metzl. It is depressing and enraging but I highly suggest people reading it.

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That one is a pretty heavy book so I also started my favorite new Audible book, The Anne of Green Gables Collection. It was only one credit and it’s all the Anne book! What a deal. I am enjoying listening to the first book and it’s a good book to fall asleep to.

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Wednesday Numbers

Pages read: 174

Audiobook Time: 5 hours 38 minutes

Books finished: 2

Thursday

Today was a busy day! I worked all day and now I must go to bed early because I am so tired. Thank goodness for audiobooks!

I was so excited to get an advanced copy of The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. I can’t believe it has been eight years since The Night Circus came out. I love that book so much. I am only 50 or so pages in to this new one and it is so good. I am hoping it holds up all the way though.

Pages read: 55

Audiobook Time: 4 hours 48 minutes

Books finished: 0

Friday

Today was another busy day at work but tonight I was able to get a little reading in after dinner with my husband. I still have a lingering headache so it was mostly audio today. I didn’t finish or start any books today. Looking forward to having all day Saturday and Sunday to relax and read.

Pages read: 50

Audiobook Time: 3 hours 55 minutes

Books finished: 0

Saturday

Well today was a glorious, relaxing day! It was exactly what I needed. I read and hung out with my dog and edited photos while listening to audiobooks. It was great.

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I also watched a rom com movie with Scott Michael Foster who I adore. But it was about a wedding photographer and I kept yelling at the TV you are missing the shot. Seriously this photographer missed so many important shots. That’s why you can’t watch media about the job you have. All you see are the inaccuracies. I didn’t finish any books but I did start a new book, Maybe This Time by Kasie West that I impulsively bought. I almost finished the whole thing in a few hours. Such a delightful YA book. I can always justify my book purchases now by saying I will donate them to my library collection after I am done. I swear I have improved our YA collection so much by doing this. I finally finished editing a big photo session I have been working on for awhile and I am so happy. I also took a book break and watched some Jane the Virgin. I can’t believe I only have ten episodes of this show left. So sad. I am looking forward to tomorrow as I have nothing planned!


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Pages read: 301

Audiobook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Books finished: 0




Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon April 2019

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It is time for one of my favorite readathons! I didn’t plan to do it this year because I have a photo session for a large part of the day but I decided last minute I would just participate as much as I could. The Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon runs for 24 hours and you try to stay awake for 24 hours and read as much as you can. In my time zone it will run from 8 am Saturday morning to 8 am Sunday morning.

My stack this year is much smaller than usual! I plan to finish an ARC I am reading, The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I want to finally read The Cruel Prince by Holly Black and maybe get started on the sequel, Wicked King. I also will be listening to Where the Crawdads Sing on Audible and I hope to get started on Shortest Way Home by Pete Buttigieg. I am looking forward to this readathon. Let me know in the comments what you will be reading! I will be updating on Litsy, Goodreads and Twitter.

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6:30 p.m.

Well it’s been a busy day. I didn’t sleep enough last night so I am afraid I will not be able to stay up all night. But we shall see.

I woke up right before eight and started reading. I was already 50% done with The Lovely and the Lost. This book was very good! I definitely recommend it especially if you love Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Also, if you haven’t checked out her The Naturals series do so. It’s a great YA series.

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I then started reading Shortest Way Home by Mayor Pete. I like the writing style of this so far. It’s very interesting to read about the start of his life and I am looking forward to finding out more about him especially when I found out he was born the same year as me. It made me pause and question my accomplishments :-) I had delicious leftover Pad Thai for lunch and that was it for the food I have in the house. Which of course is totally against everything the Readathon stands for.

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I had to go to my photo session after lunch. I listened to my audiobook, Where the Crawdads Sing on the way there. Three hours later I headed to the grocery store to get my snacks. I might have overdone it a bit considering it was 4 pm. I don’t think I will have time to eat all this!

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I am finally settling in for an evening of reading so I will check in later. Although the series finale of Crazy Ex Girlfriend is calling my name especially since I am enjoying some delicious pretzels. So afraid that I will see spoilers that I haven’t been checking Instagram or Twitter.

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Reading time: 7 hours 33 minutes

Pages read: 211

Audiobook Time: 5 hours 14 minutes 

Books finished: 1

2:30 a.m.

Well still awake but I am getting pretty sleepy so I might have to nap soon.

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I haven’t been able to finish another book. I have just been switching between my audiobook and Mayor Pete’s book. I did start The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. I have been looking forward to this one. I am liking it so far! I have eaten way too many snacks tonight. And I can’t believe the Cherry Coke I drank at dinner isn’t keeping me awake.

I started flagging a little before one but then bad storms started and my dog is terrified of storms so I had to go downstairs and keep him company.

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Total Reading time: 13 hours 16 minutes

Total Pages read: 433

Total Audiobook Time: 6 hours 53 minutes 

Total Books finished: 1

Wrap Up

Well this wasn’t my most successful Readathon but pretty good for deciding to do it the night before. I am determined not to schedule a photo session during the October Readathon.

Total Reading time: 15 hours 11 minutes

Total Pages read: 481

Total Audiobook Time: 7 hours 29 minutes 

Total Books finished: 1

Bout of Books 23

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Hooray it is time again for Bout of Books! What is Bout of Books you ask?

"The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 20th and runs through Sunday, August 26th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 23 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team."

It will be a great week full of extra excuses to read (as if I need any). It will be a busy week work wise but hoping to get some good reading in. I have a small physical stack of books to read, a couple of eARCs and an audiobook. Happy reading y'all!

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Monday

Today was a really busy day. I worked at the library and had a city meeting tonight so I mostly got reading in at lunch and when I got home I took a nice long bath. I did get to finish a book that I had started prior to Bout of Books, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. This was my second time reading it but after watching the Netflix movie twice over the weekend I had to read it again! Love that series. I hope Netflix makes all the other books into movies too! 

Monday Numbers:

Pages read: 325

Audiobook Time: 2 hours 9 minutes

Books finished: 1

Tuesday  

Another busy day. I didn’t get much of a chance to read today. Tomorrow is even busier so it may be the weekend before I get any good reading in.

Tuesday Numbers: 

Pages read: 163

Audiobook Time: 2 hours 34 minutes

Books finished: 0 

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Wednesday  

Today was a super busy day working until 10 pm so reading was a bust for today.  

Wednesday Numbers:

Pages read: 58

Audiobook Time: 1 hour

Books finished: 0

Thursday 

Today was a very rough and sad day as a family dog died. I got home from work and just didn’t feel like reading so I watched tv instead.  

Thursday Numbers

Pages read: 121

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 29 minutes

Books finished: 0

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Friday 

It was another busy day but when I got home from work I tucked myself away with my books and had a glorious evening reading. My husband was at a football game until late so I had no one to interrupt my reading. It was a good way to cap off a long week.

I finally finished The World As It Is audiobook. I have been reading it for about a month. It was painful to get through at times. It was an unflinching look at what is was like working in the Obama White House. I liked the honesty but a lot made me made. So many obstructions. Maddening.

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I also finished The Proposal. I adored Jasmine Guillorys first book. It was delightful but this one lacked the same magic for me. 

I also finished P.S. I Still Love You. I forgot how unlikable Peter Kavinsky was in this book. I hope they change that if they make the second movie. 

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Friday Numbers 

Pages read: 191

Audiobook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Books finished: 3

Saturday 

My depression and tiredness kind of overwhelmed me today so I stayed in bed most of the day. I slept and read The Kiss Quotient. I also am listening to the first Maisie Dobbs audiobook. I have read the book before but never moved on in the series so starting it again!I also started How Fascism Works which was probably a bad idea considering how I feel. I hope tomorrow is a better day.

Saturday Numbers 

Pages read: 326

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 23 minutes

Books finished: 1

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Sunday

I felt so much better today that I ended up spending most of the day working on photography things. So I really didn't get much of a chance to read.

I finally started Dread Nation by Justina Ireland! It has been on my TBR list for awhile so I was excited to finally read it. 

I am sad it's the last day of Bout of Books. 

Sunday Numbers 

Pages read: 80

Audiobook Time: 1 hour 9 minutes

Books finished: 0

Warp Up

Well this Bout of Books ended up being different from others I have done. It was a weird emotional week and it was also busy at the library. I didn't have as much time to read as I would have liked. But it was always nice to be able to sink into a book when I was feeling bad. 

Bout of Books 23 Totals

Total pages read: 1,264

Total audiobook Time:  12 hours

Total books finished: 5