Whatnot, just ’cause: I’m still over here waving my purple banner for Alzheimer’s – my Memory Walk is next Saturday, October 23 – but can’t forget that October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Given the abundance of pink ribbons on all sorts of products in the stores right now, I’m sure you can’t forget it either. But think before you pink – some of the companies that practice “cause marketing” this month are actually […]
Month: October 2010
Let’s talk about it…but NOT on the phone!
(..well, I sort of am, today – this is cross-posted at TheSmartlyLA.) One thing I’ve been pleased to discover as I’ve become more active online is that I’m not the only one in the world who doesn’t like using the phone. It’s been a revelation to learn that the “phone phobia” I’ve struggled with for years is more common than I’d known – and definitely more widespread than those who’ve urged me to “just get […]
Book Talk: *The Summer We Read Gatsby*, by Danielle Ganek
The Summer We Read Gatsby: A Novel Danielle Ganek Viking Adult (2010), Hardcover (ISBN 0670021784 / 9780670021789) Fiction, 304 pages Source: ARC from independent publicist (Engelman & Co.) – pub date June 2010 Reason for reading: Accepted for review Opening Lines: “Hats, like first husbands in my experience, are usually a mistake. But the invitation was specific. And demanding. A GATSBY party. Wear white. And below that, in imploring cursive: ‘Hats for the Ladies.’” Book […]
(Banned) Book Talk: *A Wrinkle in Time*, by Madeleine L’Engle
A Wrinkle in Time Madeleine L’Engle Originally published 1962 This edition: Yearling (Bantam Dell) (1973), reprint, Paperback (0440498058 / 9780440498056) Fiction (children/young adult), 211 pages Source: personal copy (borrowed from kids’ bookshelf) Reason for reading: Re-read for Banned Books Week 2010 Opening Lines: “It was a dark and stormy night.” Book Description: Meg Murry, her little brother Charles Wallace, and their mother are having a midnight snack on a dark and stormy night when an […]
Readathon Wrapup
It’s the Readathon End-of-Event Meme! 1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Probably hour 19, since I called it after that! 2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Not really – I think Readers should choose books that would interest them on any occasion. However, picking shorter, faster-moving, more plot-oriented books is a good idea; humorous essay collections that can be read […]
Readathon Update #5 – Calling it a Night (Morning?)
I’ve just finished a fourth book – The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams – but it was a tough push, and so after being up for almost 20 hours, I think my Readathon is over! I’ll do a final recap some time on Sunday with the End of Event Meme. Good night, Readathoners! Subscribe to Blog via Email Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by […]
Readathon Update #4 – Cheer Up!
My three-hour cheerleading commitment has been officially fulfilled! If a blog was on my list and had posted at least one Readathon update today, I left a comment. I’ve finished three books, although two of them were in one volume. I’m undecided about what book to tackle next, but I’ve narrowed it down to three: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead – because I just finished re-reading A Wrinkle in Time, and I’m pretty […]
Readathon Update #3: Mid-Event Meme
I missed the opening meme of Readathon, but I thought I’d take a break from my book for the traditional Mid-Event Meme. Mid-Event Survey: 1. What are you reading right now? Carney’s House Party, by Maud Hart Lovelace 2. How many books have you read so far? This is my second. I spent an hour and a half cheerleading in between books. 3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half […]
Readathon Update #2
I’ve finished a book! Folks who recommend going with relatively short, quick reads are right – they do give you a sense of accomplishment. More importantly, I loved the first book I read: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. I’m looking forward to writing up this one – it’s very clever. I’d really like Katie (my 16-year-old) to read it. I took a break after I finished reading my first book, and when I came […]
Readathon Update #1 – Let’s get it started!
The 24-Hour Readathon’s local start time is 5 AM, and I’m up. I have my contact lenses in but am still in my pajamas. I want to hit the couch reading right away; I’ll break after an hour or two to shower and get dressed, and resume reading during breakfast. My plans for the day: Reading, Cheerleading (3 hours total), Tweeting, updating the blog every few hours, and don’t expect to do any mini-challenges unless […]
Week-End Review: Links & whatnot
First the whatnot, then the links… A good conference requires plenty of planning, so it’s smart to start early. And even if you’re not sure you’ll be going to a particular conference, if they’re asking for input on the programming, you might as well give ’em your ideas! I really want to attend the 2nd Book Blogger Convention in New York next May, and their request for topic suggestions (anonymous) is still open. This year’s […]
(Banned) Book Talk: *Forever*, by Judy Blume
Forever… Judy Blume Originally published 1975 This edition: Simon Spotlight Entertainment (2007), Paperback (ISBN 1416953914 / 9781416953913) Fiction (YA), 208 pages Source: personal copy (purchased) Reason for Reading: Re-read for Banned Books Week 2010 Opening Lines: “Sybil Davison has a genius IQ and has been laid by at least six different guys. She told me so herself, the last time she was visiting her cousin, Erica, who is my good friend. Erica says this is […]