BOOKKEEPING: The Reading Status Report
Book reviews posted this week:
Goldengrove, by Francine Prose
Next reviews scheduled:
The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman (ARC from the publisher)
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova (RYOB Challenge, Clear Off Your Shelves Challenge) – still reading this weekend to coincide with the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk that my family and I did yesterday, but I plan to finish and review it before the end of this week
For review:
The Longest Trip Home: A Memoir, by John Grogan (for TLC Book Tours)
The publisher surprised me with two other books in the same package:
Now & Then, by Jacqueline Sheehan
The Hidden: A Novel, by Tobias Hill
Since both of these were unsolicited, I don’t feel obligated to read and review them, but at this point I let them hang out in TBR Purgatory for awhile – they both seem to have possibilities (despite their ratings on LibraryThing not being terribly impressive). They could end up as giveaway fodder at some point, though…
New additions to the Wishlist*:
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
The Confessions of Edward Day, by Valerie Martin
BOOKMARKS: Reading-related Reading
Book bloggers have made a difference – how will the new FTC disclosure guides make things different for them?
The Book Case is compiling a new blogroll of “Book Blogs We Love” – check out their first highlights, and share your suggestions!
Is “common reading interests” one of your couple-compatibility tests? Also, the quest to create a reader…may actually be succeeding, even if it doesn’t quite look that way
Dawn enjoyed The Lost Symbol, and I enjoyed her review of it!
Books that won’t make your TBR list, because they don’t actually exist
Book Events: Read-a-Thon Prep!
I have no illusions that I’ll actually make it through 24 hours of reading, although my husband is considering going off with the kids for part of the day to leave me with my books. Still, there will probably be a few things to do that can’t be put off, and I won’t skip sleeping entirely. There may also be periods of stir-craziness that won’t be satisfied by writing a progress update; I may need to step away from both the books and the computer now and then. Still, like many other Read-a-thon participants, I’m going through my shelves and putting aside some selections for next Saturday, looking for books that are not too long and could theoretically be fast reads. Here are my “possibles” (“(R)” signifies a book received for review):
Nothing but Ghosts, by Beth Kephart
Best Friends Forever: A Novel, by Jennifer Weiner
In the Woods, by Tana French
Crossed Wires, by Rosy Thornton (R)
Love the One You’re With, by Emily Giffin
Bitter is the New Black, by Jen Lancaster
The Longest Trip Home, by John Grogan (for the upcoming tour mentioned above) (R)
Heaven to Betsy/Betsy in Spite of Herself and Betsy Was a Junior/Betsy and Joe, by Maud Hart Lovelace (I’ve read them all before, but not for over thirty years)
After I took the photo, I went through my “2009 Book Acquisitions” list and found a couple more to add to the stacks, since I’m rather short on nonfiction:
And the thing sitting on top of the stack is my Kindle. I may start a new book on there too – most likely either The Help by Kathryn Stockett or This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.
Most of the books I’ve picked qualify for at least one of the two reading challenges I’m working on.
Now I see why people get so excited about participating in the Read-a-thon – I can’t believe how much I’m looking forward to digging in to those piles of books!
What are you reading right now, and how are you enjoying it?
Thank you for linking to me! There were a few things I didn't spot – despite being subscribed to the blogs in question, so thank you for pointing them out!
I have had a busy week, so may have skimmed a bit too much. Sorry everyone!
I like what you have lined up for the readathon. I have been doing it and I do get to sleep for 6-7 hours. I can't do without that. I kind of read for 13 hours. That works!
Sunday Salon: Post Diwali
Yep, I'm planning to join in, but I'll be doing a Readathon Lite (see my blog for more info). Hope to see you next weekend!
Great post. I haven't visited your site for a long time, because everytime I did, Internet Explorer began adding tab after tab after tab after tab with your site on it and it was unstopable. I had to shut down the comp. Now, its not just your site, other sites have done the same (and even Amazon.com did it once), but I seem to have had most of my computer probs fixed now, and am able to enjoy your great blog again.
I am still planning on participate in the readathon, but not sure if it will be as a reader, a cheerleader or both.
Hunger Games I + II are GREAT reads. I loved them both.
I so wish I was participating! I will be cheering for everyone, though! Definitely jealous. 🙂
Allison
Well-Read Reviews
Be sure to read The Help at some point. I just loved that book 🙂
I didn't think Best Friends Forever was as good as Certain Girls, but I know a lot of people really liked it.
I'm not participating in the Read-A-Thon because I feel like I do waaaay too much reading anyway and my husband thinks I'm nuts as it IS. LOL
Here's my Sunday Salon though, and I will definitely be cheering everyone on!
Lynne's Letters
After the Suzanne Collins book, I would recommend "Nothing But Ghosts" and "The Help" as your next priority books.
Obviously, I'm doing the read-a-thon! And yes, making the bookpile is SO much fun! But trust me when I say the event itself is even better. 😀
Jackie (Farm Lane Books) – You're welcome :-). I remember reading an article on that a while back, and I'll admit it's not necessarily a deal-breaker for me (although not reading AT ALL would be an issue).
Gautami – I may end up with a similar schedule for the Read-a-thon myself. It will be impossible for me to stay awake the whole time!
Debnance – I checked out your "Readathon Lite," and it sounds exactly like what I have in mind for my own participation!
Louise – Nice to see you again! And may I suggest you try Firefox as your browser instead of IE :-)?
I almost feel like I'll let everyone down if I DON'T love the Hunger Games books!
Allison – I haven't been able to do it before this, and we'll have to see how it goes before I commit to any more of them :-).
Lynne – I've read practically every one of Jennifer Weiner's books and I've liked them all, but some definitely more than others.
I'm not sure my husband is all that thrilled that I'm doing the Read-a-thon, to be honest, but he's being nice about it :-).
Jen – Nothing But Ghosts actually IS next in line in the Read-a-thon ranks. I'm not sure how much time I'll spend with the Kindle, though…we'll see what happens.
Eva – I was surprised by just how much fun it was to pick out the books, even though I doubt I'll make it through even a third of them :-). I'm looking forward to next Saturday…especially once my vacation requests for Friday and next Monday get approved, so I'll know I have prep and recovery time!
This comment came from Alisonwonderland via Facebook:
"Welcome to the Read-a-Thon! This will be my fifth, and I'm really looking forward to it.
I've got Catching Fire and Best Friends Forever on my pile too. After the first time, I decided that YA and chick lit were the way to go. I'm also planning to read a couple graphic novels."
I've gotten the impression that YA and chick-lit were good go-to's for the Read-a-thon as well, which is why they're in the stack! Thanks for the advice from a pro, Alison :-).
This is going to be my first time actually reading for the Read-a-thon, too. I've been known to do some cheerleading in the past, but this time I'm really going for it! I'm definitely not going to read for the full 24 hours, and I'm not going to be too strict with myself, or else I know I won't enjoy it. But I have set aside the whole day so that at least I *could* spend all of it reading if I *want* to, and I've set up a pile of reads that will tempt me greatly to keep up the reading. Looks like your bookpile is pretty tempting, too! =)
I've discovered that LibraryThing ratings tend to be on the harsh side more often than not–at least compared to my own views. It's a good balance though when I compare them to Amazon's ratings, which I always take with a grain of salt.
I have a few unsolicited review books I'm trying to decide what to do with. A giveaway sounds good.
Good luck with the read-a-thon!
Have a great week, Florinda!
I loved The Longest Trip Home, but make sure you have a box of tissues handy when you read it. It looks like you're more than ready for the read-a-thon.
i have plans for the weekend (and would feel too guilty to spend 24 hours reading!) but will be cheering you guys on. 🙂
the hunger games and catching fire are GREAT! they aren't really my style, but i LOVE them. i read them twice! good luck and have fun.
Megan – I'm not going to be too strict with myself either, and I really doubt that my family will give me a pass for the entire day. But I really am looking forward to digging in and doing some serious reading!
Wendy (Literary Feline) – Since I've been told that a three-star rating on Amazon.com is considered negative (???), I agree that the ratings there need a LARGE grain of salt. More like a pebble :-).
Those books were a complete surprise. I think the publisher was smart to tuck them in with a book that was requested, but it's the first time it's happened to me.
Kathy (Bermudaonion) – I remember how much you liked it, and that's one reason I've been looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the tissue warning, though. I made it through Marley & Me without them, but only because I read the book after I saw the movie (which DID make me choke up).
Nat – This is the first time I haven't had plans for the Read-a-thon weekend, so I wanted to give it a try. And it seems like the perfect time to catch up with the Hunger Games books!
I am so excited about the read-a-thon!! I can't wait! My reading list post is scheduled for tomorrow but I'm sure it will change a few times before Saturday.
Ti – Mine may change too, in that I may add more books to it – even knowing that there's no way I'll get through them all! And if I don't, I'm probably set for another few weeks of reading just from those stacks :-).
Yay, you just gave me this wonderful idea: the read-a-thon would make a great excuse to buy a sony reader! LOL. Pity I already got my stack of books together…
Gnoegnoe – Oh, don't let that stop you…you'll need a change of pace from "regular" books at some point during the weekend :-D.
You have a great group of books ready for the readathon. I though I was about the only reading blogger who hasn't read Hunger Games or is sequel! Emily Giffin is a good author for the readathon and Jennifer Weiner too. Their stories command your attention but are rather quick reads.
I am reviewing The Possibility of Everything this week, too. I haven't read Goldengrove yet but I hope too soon. I hope you liked it!
Amy – I think there are still a few of us who haven't jumped on the Hunger Games bandwagon quite yet :-). I sure hope I like them!
I don't read a lot of "chick-lit," but those two are among my favorites.
My review of The Possibility of Everything may get bumped to next week, but I'll be interested in seeing what you thought of it!
That's a great pile of books for the read-a-thon! Happy reading!
Kailana – I'm sure it's WAY more than I'll end up reading :-). See you at the Read-a-thon?
Love the forum here! Beth Kephart's book is gorgeous. Next up I would recommend Liz Rosenberg's Home Repair– serious and fun, seriously fun. Also Bel Canto is exquisite.
I'm envious of you having read the Betsy-Tacy books as a girl; I'm so glad that I've been introduced to them and can share them with my daughters!
I hope the Memory Walk was a good day for you and your family; STILL ALICE is on my wish list.
Thanks for linking to my review of THE LOST SYMBOL, Florinda. I had a lot of fun with that one; that whole "you've been to the Vatican?!?" conversation was surreal.
Anonymous – I've heard good things about Home Repair. I read Bel Canto several years ago, and I agree with you about it.
Dawn – I just started re-reading Heaven to Betsy, and am enjoying it just as much as ever, which I have to admit is a bit reassuring!
My dad loaned me his copy of The Lost Symbol, but I doubt I'll enjoy it as much as your review!