166 - Haunted Island: True Ghost Stories from Martha's Vineyard; Holly Nadler

I've owned this book for quite a while, but I'm not a big fan of short stories so it has sat on my shelf for a while. The book features true, short, ghost stories which take place on Martha's Vineyard.  The author, Holly Nadler, known as the ghost lady of Martha's Vineyard, has won attention for her collections of ghostly accounts on the island. The island that is home to many of the the rich and famous.

Probably the story I liked best featured The Secret Staircase. Mysterious Room #8 at a haunted inn was only accessible by a cramped hidden staircase. Strange events have been reported and recorded, including the disappearance of one guest.  The Cat at the Funeral was another one that held my interest, as well as one where a spirit was reported to have prayed in French. This collection of true ghost stories might be better enjoyed by fans of YA books.

164 - Miss Smith and the Haunted Library; Michael Garland

In Miss Smith and the Haunted Library, Miss Smith takes her class on a field trip to the spooky library--strange things happen.  At the library the class meets librarian, Virginia Creeper, who has purple hair, pale skin and high pitched squeaky voice.  The class sits down to listen to a few scary tales, and the characters jump out of the book and come to life --- literally. There is a Headless Horseman, Dracula, Frankenstein, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Captain Hook, and the Wicked Witch of the West.  While the party is about to begin, Zack saves the day. While Miss Creeper is passing out snacks, Zack notices one more creature is still on the loose as one story had not been read. He finishes the story and ALL of the scary characters jump back into the books until the next time.

Very cute story, with fabulous colorful illustrations. A perfect seasonal read for teacher's to read to their classes. RECOMMENDED

163 - Runaway Mummy: A Petrifying Parody; Michael Rex

Once there was a little mummy who wanted to run away. “If you run away,” said Mother Mummy, “I will get you! For you are my rotten little mummy!"

In Runaway Mummy, a little mummy gets in trouble and he begins an imaginary game running away and being chased by his mother. The Mommy Mummy doesn't flinch when her bad boy transforms into lots of incredible creature: a serpent, a gargoyle, a huge bat, and a beast.  It is only when the little mummy threatens to turn into a little boy that that Mommy Mummy begins to scream!!! If he is a little boy, that means: karate lessons, piano lessons, Spanish lessons, and more. How would he ever have time to be rotten?  

Complete with  beautiful colorful illustrations, this is one book, I think,  that children will be asking to have read to them over and over again. If you enjoyed this author's 2008 book: Goodnight Goon, you are sure to enjoy this new book too. A perfect Halloween treat. RECOMMENDED

162 - Zen and the Art of Happiness; Chris Prentiss

"Everything that happens to me is the best possible thing that can happen to me".

The author uses this powerful statement as a foundation for overcoming stress, dealing with setbacks, and finding happiness in everyday life.

How can we change what we believe when our experience has convinced us otherwise? By creating a new experience. The author explains just how to learn to think in a new way to create more happiness in our lives, instead of gloom and depression. This book is not perfect, but it is still RECOMMENDED.

161 - Gift From the Sea; Anne Morrow Lindbergh

First written in 1955, this book was written on a brief solo vacation by the author. Amazingly the author used the imagery of shells as a symbol of the different stages in a woman's life.  The author composed some meditations for the various stages of life: youth, aging, love, marriage, solitude, peace and contentment.  Especially memorable was a section of "simplifying one's life", and to take to to reconcile our personal needs without feeling guilty about doing something for us. 

For those of you who are not familiar with this lovely book, the author was a mother, and wife to pilot Charles Lindbergh. Although the book was first written some 55 years ago, the message is still important to today's modern woman  It is important to finds personal fulfillment  in life. You must find the right balance and inner peace within yourself, before you can share those qualities with others.

This little gem of a book should be read by every woman trying who tires to do everything for everyone. This is my second time reading this book. Highly Recommended

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - End of Event meme and Summary

(Me..right now)

End of event Meme Questions

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Hour #21.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? A good audio book thriller - audio books work great for this event. I read Sworn to Silence. There was some explicit gore, but it kept my interest. Regular print books should be short!

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Not really (too tired to think).

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? The cheer leaders meant a lot to me as a reader (I did some cheerleading as well)

5. How many books did you read? 6

6. What were the names of the books you read? Gift from the Sea (138 pages) ; Zen and the Art of Happiness (142 pages); Runaway Mummy (30 pages) , Miss Smith and the Haunted Library (30 pages) , and Haunted Island: True Ghost Stories from Martha's Vineyard (141 pages), and one audio book : Sworn to Silence.

7. Which book did you enjoy most? Gift from the Sea.

8. Which did you enjoy least? I actually liked all of them in their own way.

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? Your role is important, comment, comment, comment.

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?  Loved it. I'd read and cheer, just as I did this year.  It was fun visiting other blogs as well as reading.

End of Event Totals
Time Reading: about 13 hours
Pages Read: 602 plus audio book equivalent to 336 page = 938 pages total
Books Read: 6
Mini-Challenges Completed: 7
Time Blogging and cheering: about 7 hours
Total Comments: 155
$100 raised for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - Hour #24

Hour # 24 and I conked off for nearly two hours. I only managed to read another 34 pages of The Haunting of Hill House, since my update (3) hours ago (and I may have to reread those as I was really really tired. I'm happy a hot cup of tea got my motor going again. Here is what I've accomplished through hour 23.

Totals
Time Reading: about 13 hours
Pages Read: 602 plus audio book equivalent to 336 page = 938 pages total
Books Read: 6
Mini-Challenges Completed: 7
Time Blogging and cheering: about 7 hours
Total Comments: 154

• I've completed (6) books (little books): Gift from the Sea (138 pages) ; Zen and the Art of Happiness (142 pages); Runaway Mummy (30 pages) , Miss Smith and the Haunted Library (30 pages) , and Haunted Island: True Ghost Stories from Martha's Vineyard (141 pages). Listened to and completed Sworn to Silence; Castillio on my IPOD while I did a little cheer leading.
• Started and stopped: The Haunting of Hill House ( read 111 pages) it's excellent! Will finish on Sunday after getting some sleep.
  
• Had 2 cups of coffee and oatmeal, and 4 bottles of water, huge salad with cheese and croutons, apple and lemon yogurt, and yes, finally junk food (A Klondike Bar...yum), and (2) cups of hot tea.
  
• Left the house for (90) minutes --hospital run as I mentioned earlier.
• Spent (25) minutes heating chicken soup and eating it with hubby for lunch, and another (30) minutes fixing a quick dinner for us. 
  
• Dozed for about 2 hours.
  

This was great fun. Thank you all for your support.

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - Hour #20

Typing with one eye open; hour # 20 and here is what I've been up to:

(20)  hours into the Read-a-thon and I am starting to fade out. Here is what I've accomplished:

• I've completed (5) books (little books): Gift from the Sea (138 pages) ; Zen and the Art of Happiness (142 pages); Runaway Mummy (30 pages) , Miss Smith and the Haunted Library (30 pages) , and Haunted Island: True Ghost Stories from Martha's Vineyard (141 pages).
  
• Started and stopped: The Haunting of Hill House ( read 77pages) it's excellent!
• Completed (1) audio book: Sworn to Silence; Castillio on my IPOD while I do a little cheer leading.
  
• Had 2 cups of coffee and oatmeal, and 4 bottles of water, huge salad with cheese and croutons, apple and lemon yogurt, and yes, finally junk food (A Klondike Bar...yum), and a cup of hot tea.
  
• Left the house for (90) minutes --hospital run as I mentioned earlier.
• Spent (25) minutes heating chicken soup and eating it with hubby for lunch, and another (30) minutes fixing a quick dinner for us. 
  
• Spent (220) minutes blogging and cheer leading since the read-a-thon started.
• 568 pages read so far/6 books completed, which includes (1) audio book: Sworn to Silence (very gory/graphic, but good).
• Participated in (4) mini challenges.
• I feel a little doze coming up.
  

Keep up the good work everyone, and thanks for all the comments and support.

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - Mini Challenge - Wisdom of Age

 (I'm so sleepy)

Care is hosting a Wisdom of the Age Mini-Challenge .   

Your challenge is to think up and suggest your favorite books that feature an older protagonist! AND / OR  let’s also think up any of your favorite AUTHORS who are still writing incredible books when most people are…   not?

Click here (to check it out)

Some of my favorite books with an older protagonist are:

1. Every Last Cuckoo; Maloy
2. Water for Elephants; Waters
3. Book of Eve; Beresford-Howe
4. Strangers; Brookner
5. Author - Saramago
   

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - (2) Mini Challenges - Hour #17

Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile is hosting the Hour #17 mini challenge: Give Me Five:

Go to your blog and post a list of five favorite children's books.  They don't have to be THE five end-all-be-all of your favorites, because then you'll just agonize over which ones to pick, and we want this to be easy.  Just list five off the top of your head that you enjoyed as a child, or that your children enjoy. Here are mine (off the top of my head):

1. The Giving Tree
2. Love You Forever
   
3. Are You My Mother?
4. Good Night Moon
5. Nancy Drew #1 - The Secret of the Old Clock

 Fyrefly's Books is hosting a Dance-a-thon mini challenge. (I needed something like this to put a spark back in me). I chose: This One's For the Girls' Martina McBride. Feel like dancing?? CLICK HERE!

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - Hour #16

(16)  hours into the Read-a-thon and ( I came back to 56 comments since my last post 3+ hours ago~~that so helps with my motivation; thank you, thank you, thank you. Here is what I've accomplished:

• I've completed (5) books (little books): Gift from the Sea (138 pages) ; Zen and the Art of Happiness (142 pages); Runaway Mummy (30 pages) , Miss Smith and the Haunted Library (30 pages) , and Haunted Island: True Ghost Stories from Martha's Vineyard (141 pages).
  
• Started and stopped: The Haunting of Hill House ( read 33 pages and decided to save it for when I get tired. Since it is scary, it should keep me up --Peter's suggestion--thanks Peter)
• Listening to: Sworn to Silence; Castillio on my IPOD while I do a little cheer leading.
  
• Had 2 cups of coffee and oatmeal, and 3 bottles of water, huge salad with cheese and croutons, apple and lemon yogurt, and yes, finally junk food (A Klondike Bar...yum).
  
• Left the house for (90) minutes --hospital run as I mentioned earlier.
• Spent (25) minutes heating chicken soup and eating it with hubby for lunch, and another (30) minutes fixing a quick dinner for us. 
  
• Spent (150) minutes blogging and cheer leading since the read-a-thon started.
• 522 pages read so far/5 books completed/ one audio book in progress, Sworn to Silence (very gory/graphic, but good), and I'm on (disc #5).
• Participated in (2) mini challenges.
• I feel a nap coming up, but I'll try a cup of tea to see if that helps
  

Keep up the good work everyone, and thanks for all the comments and support.

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - Mid-Event Survey

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now?  I'm listening to an audio book Sworn to Silence; Linda Castillo (very good) and reading Haunted Island: True Ghost Stories from Martha's Vineyard; Nadler.

2. How many books have you read so far? (4)

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? The Haunting of Hill House; Shirley Jackson

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Tried to but had to step out for an hour.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Not too bad since it is only me and my husband, and he's been intensely involved with College football.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? Lots of encouragement--it's great!

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? This is my first year, so to me it seems great as is.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Plan to listen to more audio books as, for me it's pretty easy to blog and listen.

9. Are you getting tired yet?  Not yet

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?  I think the fact I have not had any junk food today is a help.  I chose to eat lighter so I would not get tired as easily, and it seems to be working so far.

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - Update #3

How's everyone doing ?  10 minutes short of the half way mark, and still wide awake here...a biggy for me.

11++ hours into the Read-a-thon and here  is how I've spent my time:

• I've completed (4) books: Gift from the Sea (138 pages) ; Zen and the Art of Happiness (142 pages); Runaway Mummy (30 pages) and Miss Smith and the Haunted Library (30 pages)
  
• Started and stopped: The Haunting of Hill House (read 15 pages and decided to save it for when I get tired. Since it is scary, it should keep me up --Peter's suggestion--thanks Peter)
• Listening to: Sworn to Silence; Castillio on my IPOD while I do a little cheer leading.
  
• Had 2 cups of coffee and oatmeal, and 2 bottles of water, huge salad with cheese and croutons, apple and lemon yogurt.
  
• Left the house for (90) minutes --hospital run as I mentioned earlier..
• Spent (25) minutes heating chicken soup and eating it with hubby for lunch, and another (30) minutes fixing a quick dinner for us. 
  
• Spent 105 minutes blogging and cheer leading since the read-a-thon started.
• 363 pages read so far/4 books completed/ one audio book in progress, Sworn to Silence, and I'm on (disc #3).
• Participated in (2) mini challenges.
  

Keep up the good work everyone, and thanks for all the comments and support.

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - Mini Challenge Eat to Read

Beth Fish is hosting this mini-challenge, and since we just got done eating, I thought I'd participate. (I ate light for a change, as too much food will make me snooze)!  I have not been snacking yet, I 'll save that for when I get sleepy.

Are we having fun yet?

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - Mini Challenge Collection Obsession

Wendy at Caribou's Mom is hosting this mini challenge for hours 8 through 10 of the 24 Hour Read-A-Thon. This challenge will close at the end of hour 10 (which is 3:00PM PST).

Collection Obsession

Most obsessive readers are also collectors. Besides books, what do YOU collect?

Me, except for books, I am really not a collector. I tend to be more of a minimalist when it comes to things around my house. (My husband is a different story).  So I decide to take a picture of the one thing I did start collecting in 2009.....Pandora Bracelet and Beads.  Are these popular where you are?  They are very popular here in the northeast, and I'm crazy about mine. It's very personal with initials: (D) for me (H) husband, (B) son, and (M) daughter, and well as colorful glass beads, and others with various stones.

What do you collect?

Thanks for hosting this mini-challenge Wendy.

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - Update #2

6.5 hours into the Read-a-thon and here  is how I've spent my time:

• I've completed (2) books: Gift from the Sea (138 pages) and Zen and the Art of Happiness (142 pages)
  
• Started and stopped: The Haunting of Hill House (read 15 pages and decided to save it for when I get tired. Since it is scary, it should keep me up --Peter's suggestion--thanks Peter)
• Listening to: Sworn to Silence; Castillio on my IPOD while I do a little cheer leading.
  
• Had 2 cups of coffee and oatmeal, and a bottle of water
• Spent 10 minutes on the phone (I do have to leave the house for the hospital this afternoon, but I will take my IPOD and listen to an audio book while I'm gone.
• Not dressed yet, but that will happen shortly. (Oh yeh, now I'm dressed LOL)
  
• Left the house for (90) minutes --hospital run as I mentioned earlier; back now and hopefully, no more interruptions.
• Spent (25) minutes heating chicken soup and eating it with hubby. 
  
• Spent 75 minutes blogging since the read-a-thon started.
• 295 pages read so far/2 books completed/ one audio book in progress (disc #1)

Keep up the good work everyone, and thanks for all the comments and support.

24 Hour Read-a-Thon - Update #1

3.5 hours into the read-a-thon and this is how I've spent my time:

• I've completed (1) book: Gift from the Sea (138 pages)
• Started a 2nd Book: The Haunting of Hill House
• Had 2 cups of coffee and oatmeal
• Spent 10 minutes on the phone (I do have to leave the house for the hospital this afternoon, but I will take my IPOD and listen to an audio book while I'm gone.
• Not dressed yet, but that will happen shortly
• Spent 45 minutes blogging since the read-a-thon started

Happy Reading Everyone!!!!

Read, Set, Go - and - We're Off Reading

Okay, I'm feeling a bit stressed and it is just beginning. This is my first try at a read-a-thon. I know I will have to take a few time outs during the day or night, in fact I may even have to go to make a hospital run for a while, but I will take a book with me (that's another story-I'm not sick). I figure this is all in good fun and I'm not trying to set any records.

My Worthy Cause:

I will be donating to a cause that is near and dear to our family: Pancreatic Cancer.  (My mom died of this (11 weeks after it was diagnosed), and now my oldest brother has be battling PC for (1) year. I will be donating $1.00 for each comment left on my blog during the 24-hour period of the read-a-thon, and an additional $5.00 for each NEW follower on my blog during the same period.


(Maximum donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will be $100.00).

The Books:

Miss Smith's Haunted Library, Runaway Mummy, Gift from the Sea, The Tao of Beach Glass, Driving With Dead People, A Graveyard for Lunatics, Haunted Island, Half Broke Horses, Nancy Drew (1 and 2), and The Haunting of Hill House) -- If I run out of things to read (like that will happen), I know just where to go in my house to grab more books

The reading chaise that the books are on faces the fireplace, and it's suppose to be damp and rainy, so I may have to have a fire as well.

I know not too much caffeine, but there is decaff coffee and teas and hot chocolate here as well, and water of course.  As for food, there is yogurt, fruit, I've pre-made salad and chicken salad, and we'll probably have pizza delivered for dinner to make it easy.

Good luck everyone, and even more important today --  have fun! Thanks to all the cheerleader, organizers, and any one else who helped in coordinating this event. I'll be stopping by to cheer you on a bit myself.

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about the read-a-thon…

Are you planning on participating in the upcoming 24 Hour Read-a-thon (either as a reader or cheerleader)? Have you made any preparations for the event? And, veterans out there, any tips you’d like to share with the newbies?

This is my first 24 Hour Read-a-Thon, and I am really looking forward to it.  I also plan to spend some time doing a little cheer leading, and I know I'll need a nap as well.

Here are some of the books that I hope to read during the 24 hours. The best part is that they all reside on my bookshelf.  I figure if I run out of books from this pile, then I give myself a medal and call it a day...LOL

• Half Broke Horses; Jeanette Walls (n/f) - ARC
  
• Driving With Dead People; Monica Holloway (n/f)
  
• Every Dead Thing; John Connolly
• Nancy Drew's Book 1 and Book 2 (loved these as a kid) - Secret of the Old Clock and The Hidden Staircase
  
• Stones for Ibarra; Harriet Doerr
  
• The Haunting of Hill House; Shirley Jackson
• A Map of Home; Randa Jarrar - ARC
  

My First 24 Hour Read-a-Thon

I never knew Dewey nor did I frequent her blog. I believe she passed away before my blogging became an obsession.  I do know, from everything I've heard, that she was someone special, who is deeply missed.

I also, never participated in a 24-hour Read-a-Thon, but I figured why not join in the fun. It's only sleep I'll be losing!  I signed up today, and I'm now thinking about what to read. I KNOW for sure it will be MOSTLY  mystery related --especially since it's the weekend before Halloween--, and perhaps I'll throw in just (1) review book.

Are you planning to participate?  Have you made a list?

Details: The October 2009 Read-a-thon is just 15 days away. The Read-a-Thon will start: October 24th at 5am Pacific (1pm GMT). You can click over to the start times page to check the starting time in your timezone. Remember that if it’s more convenient to you, you could  start either earlier or later, as well as participate for only part of the 24 hours. Very few people make it through the entire 24-hour period without sleeping, so don’t let that discourage you! Sleep is definitely allowed

So don't hesitate another minute. If I can lose a little sleep, so can you LOL.

Sign up here!