*Read-a-thon updates will appear as links on the bottom of this post*

I’m excited to be participating in Dewey’s 24-hr read-a-thon this weekend, starting tomorrow morning.  This is probably the fourth read-a-thon I’ve participated in, and I’m really excited to be doing it again. I won’t be reading for 24 hours straight; with two young, active boys, that won’t be possible.  I do plan on reading as much as I can though, hopefully my boys will join me as well.

Unlike in years past, I will not be making frequent updates on my progress here on the blog. Instead, I will make the updates via my Tumblr page. That said, I will post the links to those updates below so you only need to check one spot for those updates.

Here’s my ambitious and uber-creepy stack of books I plan on reading:

Kick off (8:00 AM)
Update 1, Hour 4 (12:00 PM)
Update 2, Hour 8 (4:00 PM) 
Update 3, Hour 12 (8:00 PM)
Update 4, Hour 16 (12:00 AM)

Good luck to all those others who are participating!! Do you have your books picked out yet?

Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon! October 2011 is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

So….I decided to take a nap at midnight, waking up at 7:15 am.  I never planned on staying up the entire 24 hrs.  I have to be awake and perky today! So, here are my final stats:

• Currently reading: THE BELL WITCH
• Books finished:ROT & RUIN, HOLY GHOSTS, I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER, FLU
• Running total of pages read: 712
• Running total of time spent reading: ~12 hrs.

My boys are up, cinnamon rolls have been made.  I’m going to finish the last 70 pages of THE BELL WITCH then get to writing some reviews.  I hoped everyone enjoyed the readathon; I found it to be much more relaxing this time around!

24-Hour Readathon: The End is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

• Currently reading: THE BELL WITCH
• Books finished: ROT & RUIN, HOLY GHOSTS, I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER, FLU
• Pages read:32
• Running total of pages read:612
• Amount of time spent reading:3.5 hours
• Running total of time spent reading: 11.5 hrs
• Mini-challenges completed: 1
• Other participants I’ve visited: 10
• Snacks: salami & cheese wrap, baby carrots

24-Hour Readathon: Hour Sixteen is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

It’s the start of hour twelve here! After a lovely dinner of chili and homemade cookies, I’m quite content!  I’m happy with my progress, I’ve finished three books, starting on my fourth!

Progress so far:

• Currently reading: FLU by Wayne Simmons
• Books finished: ROT & RUIN, HOLY GHOSTS, I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER
• Pages read:63
• Running total of pages read:349
• Amount of time spent reading: 3.5 hrs
• Running total of time spent reading: ~9hrs
• Mini-challenges completed:
• Other participants I’ve visited:
• Food: chili & cookies

24-Hour Readathon: Hour 12 is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

• Currently reading: I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER
• Books finished: ROT & RUIN, HOLY GHOSTS
• Pages read: 29
• Running total of pages read: 286
• Amount of time spent reading:
• Running total of time spent reading: ~5 hrs
• Mini-challenges completed:
• Other participants I’ve visited:
• Snacks: Mustard pretzels

Still going strong.  The break to attend my son’s black belt ceremony helped; I’m on a roll once again!

24-Hour Readathon: Hour 8 is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

It’s the start of hour four (noon here!) and shortly I’ll be taking a break to take my son to his black belt ceremony.  Since I have to take a break anyway I thought this would be a good time to update you on my stats!

Progress so far:

• Currently reading: Holy Ghosts by Gary Jansen
• Books finished: Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
• Pages read: 82
• Running total of pages read: 247
• Amount of time spent reading:3 hours 15 minutes
• Running total of time spent reading:
• Mini-challenges completed:
• Other participants I’ve visited:
• Food: Had a banana nut muffin for breakfast, then a blueberry cake donut for snack.  Lunch was leftover Italian.  YUM!

Ok, my next update will be around 4 pm!  Thanks for all the cheering, it’s really helped!

24-Hour Readathon: Hour 4 Update is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

I’m awake!  I have on my comfortable lounge clothes (essential), banana nut muffins are in the oven, and I have my coffee in hand!

As I mentioned, I’ll only be updating every 3-4 hours or so.  In years past, I spent so much time doing update posts that I lost valuable reading time.  I will be doing hourly updates on Twitter (@jennsbookshelf) so feel free to follow my progress there as well.

Following is the format of my update posts:

Progress so far:

• Currently reading:
• Books finished:
• Pages read:
• Running total of pages read:
• Amount of time spent reading:
• Running total of time spent reading:
• Mini-challenges completed:
• Other participants I’ve visited:

I’m starting off with Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry. I’ve technically already started this book and had hoped to finish it before the read-a-thon started, but that didn’t happen.

Anyway, good luck to all who are participating.  See you in 3-4 hrs!

24-Hour Readathon: The Beginning! is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

I have my snacks ready (cookies, fruit, cheese, more cookies, brownies & chips) and will come up with the stack of books I plan to read tonight.  Since Fright Fest is in full force, I’ll probably be reading a great deal of horror/thriller books, throwing in some picture books that I’ll read with my boys to lighten things up.  Here are a few pictures of some of my potential reads:

Since I’m a mom, there is no way I can spend an entire 24 hours reading.  I will be taking one long break Saturday afternoon to attend my oldest son’s black belt ceremony (whohoo!) but will otherwise read when I can.

To prevent all of your feed readers from exploding, I will only be updating every 4 hours but will be doing more frequent updates on Twitter (@jennsbookshelf).

Ok, with that said, back to your regularly scheduled Fright Fest programming!

Gearing Up For the Readathon! is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

Ok, so apparently my relaxed approach to the read-a-thon was a bit too relaxed.  Decided to take a nap at 8 pm for a little while. Didn’t wake up til 7 am this morning!  With my son’s field trip to Jamestown on Thursday and wine night on Friday, I was just so exhausted.  Oh well…I’m not too down about it. I still had a great time!

Progress so far:

• Currently reading:The Mark by Jen Nadol
• Books finished: Veracity by Laura Bynum & Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain
• Pages read: 125
• Running total of pages read:
• Amount of time spent reading: 740
• Running total of time spent reading: Your guess is as good as mine!
• Mini-challenges completed: 0
• Other participants I’ve visited: 80
• Snacks: Cinnamon rolls for breakfast

24-Hour Readathon: Post Game Wrap Up is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

We’re getting pretty close to halfway through the readathon!  I have to say, my relaxed outlook on the entire thing has made the experience much more enjoyable!  After each book read, I take an hour break to watch tv, spend time with my boys, refuel, etc.  I don’t feel the pressure to keep reading non-stop.  Taking breaks are good!

Progress so far:

• Currently reading: The Mark by Jen Nadol
• Books finished: 2 (Veracity by Laura Bynum & Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain)
• Total Pages read: 615
• Amount of time spent reading: 6 hours (give or take!)
• Mini-challenges completed: 0
• Other participants I’ve visited: 60
• Snacks: Half a donut (breakfast), grapes, pretzel rods, grilled cheese for lunch. Jellybeans for afternoon snack.  Hamburger for dinner.

Ok! Back to reading!  I won’t be posting again til the end of the readathon, so check back to see my final totals!

24-Hour Readathon: Half Time Report is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.