Life and Read-A-Thons

As many of you know, I spent my weekend in LA begrudgingly. Jimmy’s sister was getting married and it may have been the strangest wedding I’ve ever been to. If you follow me on twitter, you understand. Having been to LA several times now, I can honestly say it’s just not a city that impresses me at all. I’m so glad to be back home on the east coast where I belong.

Because I was out-of-town, I missed out on the read-a-thon which had me super bummed. I spent most of Saturday staring at twitter longingly wishing I was reading alongside everyone else. I’ve vowed to take an active role in October’s event and I’m already counting down the months. To hold me over, I’m going to have my own little read-a-thon starting this morning and going through Wednesday. The Hubs will be in Louisiana so it’s the perfect time. Can’t wait to dive in!

On the job front, things have taken a slightly downhill turn. I didn’t receive my final paycheck because the company couldn’t afford to pay us. That puts an extreme financial strain on Jimmy and me. Hopefully, I’ll find another job very quickly so things won’t get out of control. The world is such an uncertain place. Glad to have an interview lined up for Thursday. I also spent a few hours this morning sending my resume out to more companies. (EDIT: Got my paycheck in the mail!!!)

In happier news, I have two packages arriving today. One is my very own copy of The Silver Linings Playbook film (YAY!) and Lauren Graham’s first novel – Someday, Someday, Maybe.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic week!

A Monday Hodge-Podge

Happy Monday interwebs!!

The Read-a-Thon has come and gone!  It was a complete blast even though I failed to participate for the full 24 hours.  My weekend just got much busier than I had previously expected.  I managed to read 200 pages and thoroughly enjoyed connecting with everyone, participating in mini-challenges, and flying through I Capture the Castle!  Thanks so much to everyone who made the event so successful – organizers, hosts, cheerleaders, etc!

Friday night we hosted our annual poker party which meant I didn’t get to bed until 4am!  Trying to read on no sleep was very difficult and definitely affected my total page count.  Saturday night we went with friends to dinner at Verde in Brookhaven and then on to the Netherworld Haunted House – one of the best in the country.  We actually went several years ago, so this was our second time.  They switch it up every year though so it was still a lot of fun.  I love being scared.  However, I was injured during the walk through – my poor toenail has seen much better days!  The below picture is of Josh Hutcherson (Peeta from The Hunger Games) who’s in town filming the second movie.  He visited Netherworld last week!

Afterwards, we didn’t go straight home so, yet again, I couldn’t keep reading.  Jimmy took a group of us out for Taiwanese snacks from his favorite little bakery place.  There was bubble tea, salt and pepper chicken, Asian sweet potato fries (best things EVER), and other sweet treats.  As a result, we didn’t get home until 1am.  I tried to be active in the Read-a-Thon again but fell asleep.  I didn’t wake up until after lunch today!  So. Tired.

My big news is my new Samsung Galaxy SIII phone I purchased this afternoon!  I’m so excited to finally be in the 21st century.  I’ve always owned really basic phones with no interesting features whatsoever.  Now I can take pictures, listen to music, video chat, and download apps until my heart’s content.  Plus, Best Buy had an awesome deal on this phone – we ended up paying well under $100.  Take that iPhone 5!

Lots of reviews to be posted this week since I’ve actually finished a couple of books.  Just gotta get around to writing them!

Read-a-Thon: Beginning Post!

Yay!  Happy Read-a-Thon everyone.  So excited to be participating for the first time and plan to update the blog every 3-4 hours with my progress.  I also plan to visit the social networks and visit blogs for about 10  minutes each hour!  I couldn’t narrow down my book choices to a small stack.  I really, really tried, but failed.  Instead, all unread (and even some read) books in my house have an equal opportunity to be selected at some point today!  I’m starting out with I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith!

Pretty much have the whole day to myself.  The Hubs doesn’t understand what a read-a-thon is so he’s so confused right now.  He thinks it’s some huge competition where I have to beat everyone else and read the most pages.  I would lose.  Have had about 4 hours of sleep.

Good Luck everyone!!!!

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Update #1:  Hour 3

Just past 10 am here on the east coast and I’ve managed to read for a good portion of the first two hours.  I did get a late start (8:20), have spent some time taking care of my dogs, and now have had an extended computer break so I’m almost ready to dive back in.  Really enjoying I Capture the Castle!

Pages read: 65

Update #2: Beginning Hour 5!

We’re closing in on the final few seconds of the fourth hour!!  The time has really flown by.  Wheat Thins and water have been my best friends so far.  Jimmy has finally woken up (so jealous of his sleeping in) to go have lunch with his parents while I stay here and continue reading.  About to go have some hearty potato soup to keep my strength up!  Still trying to decide whether or not I’m going to take some time off tonight and go to the haunted house with friends.  I Capture the Castle hasn’t  become boring yet – a sign of a really good book when you can barely hold your sleepy eyes open!

Pages read since last update: 45

Total Pages read: 110

Update #3:  Hour 8 – I’ve won a prize!

So, I took a 2 hour nap after lunch which was much necessary if I’m to continue reading.  And while I slept I won a prize!  Not sure what I’ve won, but will journey over to the main blog shortly to find out.  Also, a book came in the mail just now!  Have decided to have dinner with Hubs and friends at 7 and then go to the Haunted House.  Will probably get home around 11 or midnight which still leaves me plenty of hours to read!

Pages read since last update: 41

Total pages read: 151 (I’ve been asleep!!!)

Update #4:  Hour 12 is quickly approaching!

Headed out for the haunted house!  Will continue reading when I get home.  The Hubs has disrupted my reading the past hour by having friends over so I’m behind where I wanted to be, but have still had a blast!

Pages read since last update:  46

Total pages read:  197

Update #5:  It’s 1 am!!

So I’m back from my festivities and hope to get some more reading in tonight before passing out!  I probably won’t update this post again until tomorrow morning with my final tallies.  I hope everyone continues to have an awesome readathon!  I’ve enjoyed my first time out exceedingly and hope to have less distractions next go around.

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Challenges:

Introductory Questions:

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?  Atlanta, Georgia!!

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?  Um…see post above where I couldn’t narrow it down.  I love ALL THE BOOKS!

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?  My homemade potato soup.

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!  Hi!  I’m Brooke and head of this lovely blog dedicated to books and whatever wackiness is currently taking place in my life – right now I’m on a food blogging kick.

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’m looking forward most to connecting with everyone throughout the day and coming together over the awesomeness that is books.