24 Hour Read-a-Thon: Movie Version

I'm watching movies based on books once again this year. That doesn't mean I don't like to read because I LOVE to read, but I had so much fun the last time I did this, that I wanted to watch movies again!!

Let's start today off with the Introductory Meme shall we??

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? 
   I'm reading from the Thumb area of Michigan! The weather is a bit dreary today but that's perfectly fine because it makes me feel better about staying inside and watching movies.

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
I'm really looking forward to watching the movie Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. This book broke my heart.

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
Nachos!

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
I love to read, blog, and share my thoughts with fellow bibliophiles!

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've been participating for a while now and the only thing I've done different is watch movies instead of reading!


I'm 4 hours into this fall's 24 Hour RAT: Movie Version.

Here's what I've watched so far:

Water for Elephants (read the book)- I absolutely loved this book and the cruelty to the elephants nearly killed me. I have to admit that I liked this movie for the most part. It's been quite some time since I read the story and maybe that was a good thing?? Overall, not a bad way to start off my movie-a-thon.

Rating: a good movie, not stellar but not terrible either.

Let Me In (want to read the book)- I recorded this one over a year ago on my DVR and was just waiting for a good time to watch it.  In my opinion viewing in full sunlight it best for those that scare easy (like myself!). This was creepy, gruesome, and now I must read the book!!!!

Rating: Worth watching but there's lots of blood!!! The two kids in the movie absolutely gave me the willies!!!

Tale of Despereaux (read the book)- I thought this movie was completely adorable and it had me wanting a little pet mouse that looked just like Despereaux!! The only thing that I really didn't care for what how the humans were drawn. It was hard to really like their faces because they were either too slim and sharp, or too round and fat. I understand that Miggery Sow needed to look a little pig-like but come on! Overall this was a cute movie that made me laugh!

Rating: Great book to read with the kiddies and then follow up with family movie night!

The Shunning (read the book by Beverly Lewis)- I really enjoyed this movie adaptation of Lewis' novel, The Shunning. The Amish characters really came to life and I loved that they even had the actors using the right accents of the Lancaster area Amish. This was a gentle movie and I wanted to know how Katie's story would end!!

Rating: A good movie that shows a side of the Amish they would rather keep hidden.

The Lincoln Lawyer (want to read the book)- Matthew McConaughey was simply wonderful in this movie! This movie had all sorts of twists and turns, the characters were incredibly well-drawn and executed by the actors, and the pacing was wonderful! I loved this movie and hope that we see Matthew reprising the role of Mick Haller very very soon!

Rating: Awesome movie that has made me want to run out and get this book!!

24 Hour Read-a-Thon is here!! My plans.....

Hello Friends!

Can you believe it's that time again? Time for Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon!! I have decided once again to do a movie watch-a-thon instead of reading. It really worked well for me last time and I have a list of movies (based on books that I've read or want to read) to watch on Saturday.

Here is the list of the movies that I will be viewing:

• Water for Elephants - read the book and loved it. Wondering what I will think of the movie version???
• Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close- thought the book was amazing. Hope the movie is too!
• Let Me In- I have the book and want to read it. Will watch this one while it's light out!!
• The Lincoln Lawyer- want to read the book and Matthew is easy on the eyes!
• The Shunning- Amish fiction by Beverly Lewis. I loved the book!
• Miss Marple- haven't met her yet in my Agatha Christie journey but think the shows would be a fun way to get acquainted!
• The Tale of Despereaux- I LOVED this book and think the animated movie looks adorable.

I hope everyone who participates has a great time !!

Read on!

Staci

24 Hour Read-aThon: Movie Version

Normally, I always read or cheer during the 24 RAT, but this year found me not much in the mood for reading. So, I decided that the next best thing would be to watch movies that were based on books. These are either books that I've read or want to read. I have been having a really enjoyable day watching movies and no stress about how many books I can get through during this time period.

Here's what I've watched so far:

Reservation Road (read the book)- this movie brought the book home in such a forceful way that I had tears in my eyes from time to time. I found it strange that there were some significan deviations from the novel mainly because the author wrote the screenplay.

Rating: Worth Watching

Secretariat (haven't read the book)- I really enjoyed this movie a lot. I'm a huge fan of Diane Lane and think she's fantastic. I love the story of the horse that won the Triple Crown. I did some research on my own and from the pictures I found, he was a magnificent beast! Horses are one of my all-time favorite animals and this one tugged at my heart. Great heartwarming story and one that the whole family could enjoy.

Rating: Worth Watching but I'm not going to read the book

The Social Network (haven't read The Accidental Billionaires)- I'm still divided on what I really think about Mark Zuckerberg. On one hand he was a real jerk, who was very socially awkward.  But as the movie was progressing I googled the rest of the players in this big stakes game and realized that the movie left out a lot of back-stabbing events that pushed Mark into making rash decisions about cutting his closest friend out of the Facebook billions.

Rating: Totally worth watching..especially sitting here with the knowledge that many of us have been totally SUCKED into the time drain known as FACEBOOK!


EDITED: 10:00 pm

A Single Man (haven't read the book)- this movie was wonderful. I felt George's pain and even though I couldn't fully understand his isolation in his grief (he was a gay man in the 60's who lost his partner of 16 years in an accident) my heart broke with the pain he was experiencing and also that feeling he couldn't share it with anyone.

Rating: For those that loved The Hours....you will enjoy this one too. I'm going to watch it again and most certainly will be reading the book.

I am Number Four ( have the book, haven't read it)- I loved this movie...action packed and great effects with a soundtrack that I want to buy like right now! This was just a straight up fun movie and I totally see why my son and his friends really enjoyed it!!

Rating: Great action packed adventure..will make you want to read the book immediately!!

Becoming Jane- (haven't read the book but I would like to)- I really enjoy this movie and I whenever I watch this one I always hope that Jane knew love, passion, and ardent kisses!!! 

Rating: a must see movie for romantics and Jane Austen addicts!

Well, that wraps up my first movie RAT, but I'm sure it will not be my last. I still have to watch Invictus. I think I will save it for a rainy day!!!

Didn't get to this one: 

24 RAT- Have fun everyone!

Hi Everyone!!

I'm not sure that I will be reading all 24 hours today but I will be cheering each of you on in my own way! My son is coming home from Spring Break and chaos will reign in the house. Plus...the sun is shining (FINALLY!) here in Michigan and I may take a walk with the dogs later today. When and if I read more than one book I will update on this post so that for the day I only have one post going!
So with all of that being said here's what my plans are for today:


1)Where are you reading from today?
I'm going to read from my cozy mystery stash today!

2)Three random facts about me…
I'm very OCD about things, I love M&M's in my popcorn, and I like to get up in the wee hours of morning for the solitude!!

3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
3

4)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)?
No goals...no nothing! I will try to visit blogs as the day allows.

5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?
Just enjoy the day and don't put any pressure on yourself!!

24 Hour RAT- Hours 12-24 Update

Spartan Celebration went well into the wee hours of the morning while I did the following:

• started book 2 but somewhere around 11:15 or so I fell asleep on the couch with my book.
• Woke up around 2 am, rolled over and went back to sleep!!
• Got up at 6:30 am, made a pot of coffee, and finished book 2.
• As soon as I post this I'm going for an early morning walk with Bruce.
• Mowing the lawn (hopefully for the last time) later today.
• Laundry
• Being outside to enjoy the day. According to our weather guy it is supposed to be around 80 degrees today!!!!!!!!!

Whatever you do today, enjoy it, embrace life and keep that smile on your face!!!!

RAT Hours 5-12 Update

        
What I've been up to during these hours:

• watching MSU play like the winners they are!
• eating soup
• running my son to his dinner party before the dance
• running another child to the dance 
• finally sitting down to watch the DVRd' version of the football game
• Books completed: 1
• Up next to read: Death of a Glutton by M.C. Beaton

HOMECOMING DANCE PICTURES

The boys posing as male models

Marc and Shelby

Marc and Collin- brothers from other mothers

BOWL OF SOUP- Recipe from JoAnn's blog

Do yourself a favor and click on the above link- this soup is delicious!

RAT Hours 1-4 Update

What I've done so far today:

• Completed 1 book ~ Mr. Darcy's Diary
• went for a ride with my son on the RZR...what a gorgeous day outside!!!
• Getting ready to start making my soup because in less than 2 hours the GAME will be starting!
• Haven't decided yet what I will read next. 

Hope everyone is having fun so far!!!

Let the 24 Hour Read-a-Thon begin!!

Plans for today:

• Start my morning off right with some coffee, blueberry muffins, and a little Darcy on the side!
• Running to the greenhouse to pick up a corsage and then to the library
• Make Tuscan Bean soup and get in some more reading
• Watch the Michigan vs. Michigan State game- Go Spartans!
• Take my son to a friend's house where all the boys and girls are meeting up before the Homecoming Dance tonight. They're having dinner. I will take lots of photos!!
• See my husband off to work and get back to reading.
• Popping in every once in a while to see how my buddies are doing!!

HAVE FUN TODAY!!

Read-a-Thon Wrap Up!

  
1. Which hour was most daunting for you? I'm sure that I would've been able to stay up later than 2:00 am if my power wouldn't have gone out. It's 2:22 pm and it still is not back on!!! I'm using my computer at my hubby's job. Had to have a hot shower and electricity to juice up my phone and computer!

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
I can only speak for the ones that I read and enjoyed.
* Hunger Games
* I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This
* Out of My Mind

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Are you kidding?? I'm always blown away by how great it runs!! Excellent job this year!

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Everything!!! I really thought it was a class act!

5. How many books did you read? 3

6. What were the names of the books you read? see #2

7. Which book did you enjoy most? The Hunger Games

8. Which did you enjoy least? liked them all

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? Have fun! My advice is to participants: if you live journal...make it so that Anon. people can post. Twitter accounts to post a comment on a blog??? Make commenting as easy as possible for the cheerleaders!! I came across many blogs that were just not user friendly...makes it hard to cheer!!!

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Oh yes, I'll be back cheering and reading!!!

Power Outage

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no wind, no storms....but the power just went out!! So I think that for now...I'm out!!

all of our neighbors are without power too.........go figure!

UPDATE: I'm running on my battery reserves...DTE said an animal has caused the power outage!!

Nise you were right!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mid-Way Mini Challenge

Mid-Event Survey:

1. What are you reading right now? Out of My Mind- Sharon Draper

2. How many books have you read so far? 2

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? I don't have a fave

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Nope, I just told the family that I was reading all day today....they know the drill!!

5. Have you had many interruptions?  I'm doing laundry and of course I had to stop a few times to eat.

How did you deal with those? I welcome them!!!

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? Nothing...

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? As always, I think you guys do a great job!!!

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Not a thing...plan on doing both next time too!!

9. Are you getting tired yet? Not yet, I have big dreams that I'm going to make it all the way through this time. I have to leave around 11:30 pm to pick my son up from the train station and I'm so excited to see him that I'm hoping the adrenaline will keep me going past the 2 am hour!!!

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 relax and have fun!!!

Hours 1-11 update

 Title of book(s) read since last update:
The Hunger Games-Suzanne Collins
I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This- Jacqueline Woodson
Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update:225
Running total of pages read since you started: 488
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 6 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 6 hurs
Mini-challenges completed: 3
Other participants you’ve visited: haven't been keeping track!
Prize you’ve won: 0

Book 2 Finished

Book 2: I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This
Started: 4:30
Finished: 6:50
Pages: 115
Quick Thoughts:
Woodson has written another great novel about the precarious relationship between a black girl and a white girl. Against her father's wishes Marie makes friends with the poor white girl Lena and together they learn how to trust each other.

Book 1 Finished!

Book 1:The Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins
Started: 8:00 am
Finished:3:45 pm
Pages: 373
Quick Thoughts:
Wow...this one blew me away....loved every moment spent reading. Don't know why I waited so long to read it, but so glad that I finally did!!

Hours 1-3 Update

 Title of book(s) read since last update: still working on first book
Number of books read since you started: still on one
Pages read since last update:225
Running total of pages read since you started:225
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 2 hours
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!) 2hrs
Mini-challenges completed: 3
Other participants you’ve visited: haven't been keeping track!
Prize you’ve won: 0

Mini Challenge #3

  From: 'Til We Read Again

 And The Nominees Are....

*** This challenge is for the participants in Deweys 24 Hour Read A Thon Only***

Welcome to Hour 3 Mini Challenge. I will be your host:) This challenge is just for fun.  Listed below is a series of questions. Please put your nominees for the following categories.

Please list the books in which the characters reside;)

Favorite Female Character in a book: Elizabeth Bennett Pride and Prejudice
Favorite Male Character in a book: Quentin Jacobsen Paper Towns
Favorite Side Kick in a book: Grandma - Stephanie Plum Series
Favorite Couple in a Book: Jamie and Clair Fraser- Outlander Series
Favorite Book Series: Harry Potter
Favorite Author: Jane Austen
Favorite Book Cover: The Grand Sophy
Favorite Book of 2009: The Road

Mini Challenge 2: Miss Remmer's

TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM MISS REMMER'S BLOG POST:
Hey Readathoners!  Look at you early birds coming in on the first Mini Challenge of the Dewey Readathon.  You have probably been up and reading for while now and need a little mini challenge break to get the blood flowing again. 

In this challenge we would like you to write a post on your blogs about your kick off strategy.  What have you surrounded yourself with for these early hours of the challenge besides your books?  Is there a coffee thermos, lucky book mark, snacks, pillow....  We want to know how you have prepared so you do not have to leave your cozy reading space (by the way - we'd like to know what is too.... (are you still in bed, a chair, the couch.....)

Have fun with this - you can take pictures... add a video - whatever you want for your kick off post!  I am excited to go and see what each of you come up with!  :)

Write your post on your blog and then come back and link to your post here using McKLinky.  This challenge is 3 hours long and after it ends at 11am, a winner will be chosen by using Random.org and they will be sent by email a $15 Amazon Gift Card.


I'm boring....I had my morning coffee, and then my delicious breakfast of peanut butter and jelly on toast. Now I'm chugging on my Diet Coke and thinking about lunch...which I think may consist of tomato soup and garlic cheese bread...yum!  I just have my laptop, book, pen, paper, and of course my cell phone surrounding my cozy spot on the couch!!! I am doing laundry while I'm reading...gives me chances to get away from the couch and stretch!!

Hour 1: Mini Challenge

Where are you reading from today? I grabbed a bunch of YA books that I've been wanting to make time for!!

3 facts about me … I will pick books over clothes any day, I love to scrapbook, I wanted to be a medical examiner at one time in my life!

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 15 I think????

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)? Just to have fun, visit as many blogs possible while cheering!!

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time? PACE YOURSELF!! take breaks, walk around, nap, eat...and enjoy!

And we're off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

24 HOUR READ-A-THON

I'm ready...have my coffee, my notebook, my reading glasses, and my first book The Hunger Games. Let's have fun everyone and remember it's not a race to see who can read the most, but rather a day to unite around the world in honor of Dewey!!! So, relax and just go with the flow!!! Thanks to all of the people behind the scenes that make this happen every year....You're Awesome!!!

Making my plans for the Dewey Read-a-Thon!

I love the 24 hour Read-a-Thon...this will be my 3rd year and it's so cool knowing that all over the world there are crazy people just like me who are reading, blogging, cheering, sleeping, eating, making lists, crossing things off their lists, rubbing their eyes, and doing all of this with big cheesy grins on our faces!!

Here is the picture of my stack of anticipated reads...yes, I always start out very optimistic....
 

 Top of the pile to the bottom:
Before I Fall
Darklight (book 2 in the series)
Tree Girl
Hush
I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This
Feather
FableHaven
Out of My Mind
The Hunger Games
Uglies
Amaranth Enchantment

I believe that I will start the day with The Hunger Games because I feel like I'm the last person on Planet Earth that hasn't read it...after that I would like to read Before I Fall and Darklight as they are due back to my public library very soon!!! My pile is once again all YA. I find them to be fast, gripping, and fun reads most of the time. Up next for me today, is to visit my library...have several to return and 4 to pick up!!! And then I will get my groceries for the week and fun stuff for tomorrow!! I have purposefully not used my extra WW points for the week so that I can eat whatever I want tomorrow and just enjoy my day. This will be the first time though that I will have to stay inside and read. The weather forecast is dismal...cold, no sun, high winds, and temps maybe reaching 63 degrees!!  I'll be cheering again and this year will be so much better for me as I now have high speed and I feel positive that I can visit so many more people during my appointed time!! I might even be able to make it through the whole 24-hours....I have to pick up my son from the Amtrak station around 12:45 am Sunday morning which will help keep me awake during the times that I so just want to sleep. I always bring a book while I'm waiting for the train so I'll still be able to get some reading in!!!

Are you participating this year???

What is your game plan?