New Years Readathon - Social Distancing #146 - December 29 - January 2

Happy New Year!

We'll run from now through Monday.

Here are some things to track throughout the weekend, if you choose:

Books read from:
Books finished:
Time reading:
Time posting:
Snacks:
Thoughts:
Non-book activities:

Total books finished:
Total read from:
Total time reading:

Who is participating -

I’m in! I’ll be cat-sitting for New Years, and have a fairly intense sinus infection going so I’ll be taking it easy. So should have plenty of time for reading.

I'm tired up the 29th with driving and the 31st with a 12-hour stitching event that lasts from noon to midnight. I'll see if I can squeeze some in at other times. Actually I'll probably be listening to a book while driving. Not sure if I'll finish it or not. I should finish two year-long reads earlier on the 31st, so I'll try to report those on my thread before the stitching event begins.

I'm in through Sunday. I'll be back at work on Monday.

I'm in!

I'm in too!

It's already afternoon on 30 Dec here.
2.30pm Fri check-in

Books read from: Remote Sympathy by Catherine Chidgey
Books finished: 0
Time reading: 1hr

Lunch: tomato sandwich
Thoughts: must finish my current book by tomorrow
Non-book activities: morning outing for coffee and library visit

Total books finished: 0
Total read from: 1
Total time reading: 1hr

I need to setup my 2023 threads for the 75Books group & the category challenge. Plus think about my reading goals for next year.

6.30am Sat 31st Dec check-in

Books read from: Remote Sympathy by Catherine Chidgey, Red Wolf by Liza Marklund
Books finished: 1
Time reading: 3 hr

Dinner: Beef broth
Thoughts: Still processing Chidgey's book.
Non-book activities: sleeping

Total books finished: 1
Total read from: 2
Total time reading: 4hr

Happy to have finished the one book I wanted to before the end of year, I woke up early around 4.30am and read the last 50 pages. I have other books on the go but no need to finish before the New Year.

I'm in. It is raining now and will continue raining all weekend. I am reading MorgenthauPower , Privilege and the Rise of an American Dynasty by Andrew Meier. It is 1039 pages. I'll probably still be reading this book in January.

Dec 30

I finished Body on Baker Street by Vicki Delany in audiobook as I drove home today. I was able to complete it due to some traffic tie-ups going into Chattanooga and Sweetwater, Tennessee that then caused me to get caught in Knoxville rush hour traffic. I've had major delays the last two times I've come back from my brother's on the same stretch of I-24 going into Chattanooga. It begins five to ten miles after I get on at South Pittsburg. I really need to find an alternate route that bypasses Chattanooga. I'm considering taking I-65 north from Decatur, AL and then the 840 loop through Murfreesboro, TN which will put me east of Nashville to get onto I-40. I don't know if it will be better or worse, but after the last couple of trips, I've had it with Chattanooga.

Friday night update:

Books read from: Give Unto Others, Grimms' Tales for Young and Old, Harriet the Spy, Winter's Tales
Books finished: Give Unto Others, Winter's Tales
Time reading: ?
Time posting: ?
Snacks: dinner was macaroni and sausage casserole, green beans, deviled eggs, and salad
Thoughts: I'm glad it's not last Friday. Last Friday, we had a high of 15 F with a wind chill near or below zero. Today I comfortably walked outside in a long-sleeved shirt without a coat or jacket.
Non-book activities: YouTube, took trash to dump, went grocery shopping, cleaned, cooked, ate dinner and watched a movie with friends

Total books finished: 2
Total read from: 4
Total time reading: ?

Friday night:

Books read from: Rest is Resistance, Slow Birding
Books finished: none
Time reading: 2 hours
Time posting: 9:15 PM
Snacks: pizza for dinner
Thoughts: I wish this birding book author offered a few "similar species" options for people living outside North America east of the Rockies. I'm experienced enough of a birder now to work it out on my own, but it would be nice if, say, the Steller's Jay got a mention in her chapter on Blue Jays.
Non-book activities: work, laundry, wrote some letters

Total books finished: 0
Total read from: 2
Total time reading: 2 hours

6.30pm Sat 31st Dec check-in

Books read from: Escape to the River Sea by Emma Carroll & Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds (audio)
Books finished: 0
Time reading: 2 hr

Early dinner: fish n chips
Thoughts: Looking forward to a quiet NYE
Non-book activities: watched documentary on Vidal Sassoon

Total books finished: 1
Total read from: 4
Total time reading: 6hr

I read Vidal Sassoon's autobiography a few weeks ago and always intended to watch the documentary.

Late to start this weekend. Lots of family activities.

Book:
less than 100 pages to finish Things We Do In the Dark by Hillier;
If I finish before midnight, it will be the 102nd book for the year.

Next up - I'm eager to start my Santa Swap books from fuzzi. Thank you again for wonderful choices!

Breakfast: my son is making ham and eggs for brunch.

Other activity:
playing with granddaughters, planning menus for the weekend.

55 F., rain expected

New Year's Eve update

Books read from: Memory of Souls book 4 in the Chorus of Dragons series by Jenn Lyons. Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear. Give Unto Others by Donna Leon. I started listening to Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.

Books finished in this weekend's Readathon: Give Unto Others by Donna Leon

Book Thoughts: I have stalled on Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature. I read a chunk of it while waiting for my mother at the Dr.'s office, but that was on Wednesday and I haven't touched it since. Memory of Souls has captured my attention. I can't seem to put it down. I am now 220 pages into the 600 page dystopian fantasy novel. It is just as much fun to read has the previous 2 books in the 5 book series.

Non Book Activities: Baking a pecan bundt cake. I am also getting all the ingredients ready for bean soup for tomorrow.

Time reading: 1.5 hours today.
Time posting:
Food: left-overs. left over pear pie and a ham sandwich for lunch.

Total books finished since the Read-A-Thon Began: 293
Total Time Reading since the Social Distancing read-a-thon began: 779.5 since I started doing the weekend Read-A-Thon back in April of 2020.

10am Sun 01 Jan check-in

Books read from: Escape to the River Sea by Emma Carroll, The Trivia Man by Deborah O'Brien, Treasure & Dirt by Chris Hammer
Books finished: 1 The Trivia Man
Time reading: 4 hr

Evening: citrus beer
Thoughts: annoying neighbours and their loud fireworks scaring my cats
Non-book activities: talking to family

Total books finished: 2 Remote Sympathy, The Trivia Man
Total read from: 6
Total time reading: 10hr

So my first finished book for 2023 is light romance set around a trivia competition. I woke up early and finished the second half of the book. I picked this up in a library sale a few days ago.

Saturday afternoon update:

Books read from: Grimms' Tales for Young and Old, The Face of War
Books finished: Grimms' Tales for Young and Old
Time reading: ?
Time posting: ?
Snacks: lunch was leftover macaroni & sausage casserole
Thoughts: After a dreary morning, the sun has come out and it's a lovely afternoon!
Non-book activities: laundry, hair appointment, long walk with the dog

Total books finished: 3
Total read from: 5
Total time reading: ?

I had hoped to finish The Face of War today. I have about 2 hours of reading time left, according to the Kindle app. However, I've been invited to a neighbor's house this evening, so it looks like The Face of War will probably be my first 2023 completion.

Saturday night:

Books read from: Rest is Resistance, Slow Birding
Books finished: none
Time reading: 1 hour
Time posting: 10:50 PM
Snacks: Oven-fried pork chop with arugula salad for dinner
Thoughts: I'm not going to make it to midnight awake. I guess I'm getting old.
Non-book activities: Library, farmers' market, year-end donations

Total books finished: 0
Total read from: 2
Total time reading: 3 hours

>15 benitastrnad: Just put Ruin of Kings on hold. Thanks for the tip. :)
Pecan bundt cake sounds really good.

Happy New Year, dear reading friends!

Books:
Finished Things We Do in the Dark, a suspense novel, 2 hours before midnight yesterday - my last book of 2022.
Started Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

New Year's Eve dinner - pizza party with kids, grandies, nieces, nephews.
breakfast: my son made avocado eggs.

Other activity: playing with granddaughters

Sunny, 60 F. (16 C.)

8.30am Mon 02 Jan check-in

Books read from: Treasure & Dirt by Chris Hammer, The horseman on the Roof by Jean Giono, Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun vol 1 &2 by Izumi Tsubaki
Books finished: 1 Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun vol 1
Time reading: 2 hr

Evening: chicken & pasta
Thoughts: need to clear the manga off my library card
Non-book activities: outing for coffee, food prep

Total books finished: 3 Remote Sympathy, The Trivia Man, Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun vol 1
Total read from: 9
Total time reading: 12hr

I'm reading manga as my daughter is pushing it on to me as she finishes each one. I've also started a couple of my 2023 reads. I'll probably pick up a few more today and try to make it past the first chapter for each one.

Sunday afternoon update:

Books read from: The Face of War
Books finished: The Face of War
Time reading: ?
Time posting: ?
Snacks: fruitcake & tea
Thoughts: I finally feel rested at the end of my vacation days, and now I have to go back to work!
Non-book activities: church

Total books finished: 4
Total read from: 5
Total time reading: ?

New Year's Day update

Books read from: Memory of Souls book 4 in the Chorus of Dragons series by Jenn Lyons. Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear. I am listening to Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.

Books finished in this weekend's Readathon: Give Unto Others by Donna Leon

Book Thoughts: I am still stalled on Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature and haven't picked it up since last Thursday.
I have read about a hundred pages in Memory of Souls and am deep into the plot of this entry in the series. I can't seem to put it down. I am about to ditch Ninth House I just can't get into it. I will keep listening until I have finished the first disc in the CD set, but if it doesn't get better I am going to quit. I brought 5 other recorded books with me so I can listen to one that interests me rather than spending time on this book.

Non Book Activities: We decided that we wanted split pea soup instead of bean soup, so that is in the crock pot. I have a bunch of really ripe bananas so am thinking that a bake with bananas and chocolate chips would be a good idea. I can put that in the freezer and have it ready when I come back here in two months.

Time reading: 1.5 hours today.
Time posting:
Food: left-overs. left over pear pie and a ham sandwich for lunch.

Total books finished since the Read-A-Thon Began: 293
Total Time Reading since the Social Distancing read-a-thon began: 781 since I started doing the weekend Read-A-Thon back in April of 2020.

Sunday evening:

Books read from: Rest is Resistance, Slow Birding
Books finished: Rest is Resistance, Slow Birding
Time reading: 4 hours
Time posting: 5:30 PM
Snacks: Bagel
Thoughts: I'm having a nice birthday except for the part where apparently no one is getting me cake.
Non-book activities: Church, laundry, birdwatching

Total books finished: 2
Total read from: 2
Total time reading: 7 hours

I'm getting ready to go read a bit before bed--just as soon as I catch up on threads.

Sunday night:

Books read from: Saga Vol. 7
Books finished: Saga Vol. 7
Time reading: 1 hour
Time posting: 8:30 PM
Snacks: Chicken sandwich
Thoughts: The Saga series continues to be bizarre yet compelling.
Non-book activities: Writing

Total books finished: 3
Total read from: 3
Total time reading: 8 hours

Monday morning update:

Books read from on Sunday: A Birthday Lunch by Martin Walker, God Sees Her by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Morning by Morning by Charles H. Spurgeon, Evening by Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon, Bible (NASB)
Books finished: A Birthday Lunch by Martin Walker
Time reading: ??
Time posting: ??
Snacks: Just the usual New Year's Day foods and a couple pieces of Dove Dark Chocolate
Thoughts: I hope 2023 is better than 2022.
Non-book activities: Lots of cat petting, trying to catch up on LibraryThing threads, a little cross-stitching for my New Year, New Start

Total books finished: 2
Total read from: 10
Total time reading: ??

Friday finishes: Body on Baker Street by Vicki Delany, Strange New World by Carl R. Trueman
Saturday finishes: God Hears Her by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Bible (KJV), Oystercatcher by Martin Walker
Sunday finishes: A Birthday Lunch by Martin Walker

I'd already purchased God Sees Her to use this year because I liked God Hears Her so much. As our pastor quoted Spurgeon Sunday morning, I thought about seeing if the great pastor had written a devotional. I found Morning and Evening on Amazon, but discovered it was really the two volumes I listed above combined. I decided to grab them from Internet Archive rather than paying Amazon for updated versions using contemporary language. Part of the charm of reading Spurgeon is the older vocabulary!

>25 susanna.fraser: You've reminded me to dive back in, I've read the first 8 and agree weird but compelling.

Final check-in: 10.00am Tues 03 Jan

Books read from: Treasure & Dirt by Chris Hammer, The Horseman on the Roof by Jean Giono, Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun vol 2&3 by Izumi Tsubaki, Purity of Blood by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Tyger by S.F. Said
Books finished: 2 Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun vol 2&3
Time reading: 3 hr

Breakfast: tomato on toast, coffee
Thoughts: so many books to read for Jan
Non-book activities: food prep

Total books finished: 5 Remote Sympathy, The Trivia Man, Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun vol 1-3
Total read from: 12
Total time reading: 15hr

I dived into several more books on my Jan reading list and read the first chapter or prologue.

Monday night:

Books read from: Ballad & Dagger
Books finished: Ballad & Dagger
Time reading: 4 hours
Time posting: 9:30 PM
Snacks: steak with oven-baked fries & salad for dinner
Thoughts: Back to work tomorrow, sigh.
Non-book activities: Cooked dinner, wrote, went for a walk in a local woodland park

Total books finished: 4
Total read from: 4
Total time reading: 12 hours

New Year's weekend wrap-up

Books read from: Memory of Souls book 3 in the Chorus of Dragons series by Jenn Lyons. Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear. I am listening to Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo in the car as I drive back to Alabama.

Books finished in this weekend's Readathon: Give Unto Others by Donna Leon

Book Thoughts: I about quit listening to Ninth House because it was so boring. However, I kept at it and about 3 hours into the novel it began to get interesting. It is clear that the author is planning a series around this heroine, and she spent an inordinate amount of time doing the world building for a series than than paying attention to capturing the attention of the reader for the book they have in hand. I almost quit and now the book is getting to be interesting. Many readers would not have been so patient or so trapped (two days of driving qualifies as being trapped) with few options for passing the time to give this book a chance. Book two in this series is about to be published - March 2023 - and I will probably listen to it. However, I can safely say, that I would not have done so based on the first two hours of listening. Bardugo needs to thank her lucky stars for long road trips. I should finish this book today.

Non Book Activities: Driving yesterday and today. All day in the rain.

Time reading: 11 hours in the car yesterday and I will have 7 hours in the car today.
Time posting: 1 hour at the Starbucks in Hendersonville, KY.
Food: pimento cheese sandwiches.

Total books finished since the Read-A-Thon Began: 293
Total Time Reading since the Social Distancing read-a-thon began: 792 since I started doing the weekend Read-A-Thon back in April of 2020.

Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/347456