105 Ways to Give a Book

Halfway Through 48HBC Update

If you're going to host a reading marathon thing, maybe don't make it around your daughter's senior prom. Because while you might think that after she heads out the door - a sparkling princess in a gabbing group of giggly girls - you'll have the evening to relax and read as you wait for her post-midnight pick-up call, you won't. Well, there will be the time to read, if you can avoid the pictures already coming up online and if you don't drift off mid-paragraph wondering if they'll play her jam.

So while I put in five hours of reading time on Friday evening, with two middle-grade titles completed it was not my speediest reading. Reviews come later, but I'll mention the titles, Zane and the Hurricane and The Garden of My Imaan, and that I enjoyed them both.

This morning I woke up and found myself analyzing Facebook pictures with the Teen and her best friend, as we talked about the current style of prom dresses, who is really dating as opposed to who needed a date, and which couples are just the nicest people.

I can really only claim another five hours so far today, with another two books down and a little writing to show for it. (Did I mention that new pictures from my senior Girl Scouts are coming out all day? It's very distracting.) While The Servant by Fatima Sharafeddine left me a little cold, I was surprised by the depth and insight of The Counterfeit Family Tree of Vee Crawford-Wong, by L. Tam Holland. I'd expected the first title to have a literary feel, and it read rather dry. Interesting, but the third person point of view through me off. The cover of Holland's book led me to think I was in for fun, and while there was humor, there was a lot more hurt and heart within. Honestly this afternoon, I would have preferred something light and fluffy, but I can't be annoyed at a book for being too good.

I did break in the middle of today's reading to run up to my library, where one of my books I had earmarked for this weekend had come in from a hold, and because after reading Zane and the Hurricane I had a craving to revisit Ninth Ward. So after a bit of writing and dinner, that book is up next along with the library book I retrieved, The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond, by Brenda Woods. I also have some fantasy on deck.

I'm holding off on posting my reviews so I don't crowd out the official 48 Hour Book Challenge posts. Oh, and if you are just tuning in, you are welcome to play along. At this point there isn't the whole weekend to work with, but enough to carve out at least the twelve hours that officially counts you as a participant. Sign-up at the 48HBC Starting Line and get reading!

8 comments:

Ms. Yingling said...

My students have really LOVED Violet Diamond. This has been a great chance to stack the deck with diverse books and also really look for minor characters within books that I normally wouldn't mention. Did you see that there's even supposed to be a diversity themed... gathering of some sort. Details escape me. Thanks for hosting another great event!

Iron Guy Carl said...

Don't despair--a MANLY MAN like the Iron Guy got in only 5 hours of reading today. And I have daughter at the movies with her firends. (she's 5 years too young for the prom)

Unknown said...

Violet Diamond's in my stack for tomorrow! Loving the challenge so far. Here's my check-in for halfway: http://www.sproutsbookshelf.com/2014/06/48-hour-book-challenge-halfway-check-in.html

Anonymous said...

Your daughter looks beautiful, though!! I can understand being distracted. I was only able to get in 5.5 hours in today so far myself. Good luck with the reading from here on in!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for hosting us! And I say you are kind of rocking the reading...even with the distractions, lol. I'd be on FB, too. Going to check out Violet Diamond.

Andromeda Jazmon said...

I had a baseball game to attend in the middle of the day yesterday, so I feel ya with the distractions. But it was fun to hit the hammock when we got back! I am putting your books on my TBR pile - they sound great! I read a Katrina book too, that isn't on your list, so I am intrigued.

Anonymous said...

She looks very pretty! Such a sweet dress. :)

I've been meaning to check out Nightvale! Looks like I should definitely do it.

Melissa said...

She's beautiful, Pam. I'd totally take a break for that! Thanks for making time to host this in the middle of your busy schedule.