I'm so glad that I decided to take on MotherReader's 6th Annual 48 Hour Book Challenge this weekend. I feel like it recharged me as a reader and a blogger. I got into such a groove on the first day (when I had a babysitter during the day, and a cooperative spouse in the evening). I was just reading, reviewing, tweeting, reading, reviewing, tweeting, etc. I wanted to be able to keep that cycle up forever. Of course real life isn't going to allow that. But the take home message for me is that if I set my mind to it, I CAN find ways to fit in more reading, even with a 14-month-old Baby Bookworm in the house.
Anyway, here are my final stats:
- Reading time (print): 11 hours, 40 minutes
- Listening time (audiobooks): 1 hour, 6 minutes (exact b/c I had just started a new book on MP3)
- Reviewing time: 4 hours, 55 minutes
- Social networking time (following the #48HBC on Twitter and commenting on other blogs): 55 minutes (I plan to spend more time on that today)
- Book completed: 6 (plus part of an audiobook)
- Total time: 18 hours, 36 minutes
Considering that my goal was 12 hours and 4 books completed, I'm quite pleased. I actually started hoping to get to 20 hours on Saturday night, but my daughter chose not to cooperate with that plan. By the time I could get her down for the night, I was too tired for book 7. Still, 18 1/2 hours and 6 books read and reviewed makes me very happy. Perhaps I can shoot for 20 hours next year...
And here my six completed books:
- Gary Paulsen: Liar, Liar. Wendy Lamb Books. Completed June 3, 2011. My review.
- Carolyn Coman (ill. Rob Shepperson): The Memory Bank. Arthur A. Levine Books. Completed June 3, 2011. My review.
- Jean Little: Dancing Through the Snow. Kane Miller. Completed June 3, 2011. My review.
- Ingrid Law: Scumble. Dial / Walden Media. Completed June 3, 2011. My review.
- Patrick Ness (inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd): A Monster Calls. Candlewick. Completed June 4, 2011. My review.
- Laurel Snyder: Penny Dreadful. Random House Books for Young Readers. Completed June 4, 2011. My review.
I also listened to part of Live Wire, by Harlan Coben, and read the first couple of chapters of Oggie Cooder, Party Animal, by Sarah Weeks.
Thanks so much for hosting the 48 Hour Book Challenge again this year, MotherReader. It was a privilege to participate. I will certainly be back next year, and will try to keep my reading/reviewing/networking groove in the meantime.
Well, look at you! So much reading done with a youngster at home. Great job!
I'm so glad that it was a recharge for you. I always feel that way too, which is why I have to keep doing it! Thanks for playing and all your promotion!
Posted by: MotherReader | June 05, 2011 at 03:53 PM
Thanks, Pam! I was fortunate to have a babysitter Friday, and a cooperative spouse over the weekend. Hopefully I can do as well next year. I'm sure it will eventually get easier (this finding time for self while parenting)...
Posted by: Jen Robinson | June 05, 2011 at 04:03 PM
Looks like you did a great job and read some great books! How did you like Scumble compared to Savvy? How is the Memory Bank? I guess I should read your reviews, but at least the Scumble link wasn't working.
Posted by: Kelly | June 05, 2011 at 05:11 PM
I absolutely agree that this event recharges my reading/reviewing/blogging batteries. I am in awe of your effort with a young'un!
Posted by: BookMoot | June 05, 2011 at 05:57 PM
I'm very impressed that you could do all that with a young one in the house. Finding the balance between self time and parenting is always tricky. Parenting time will often won out but you'll find that it revives your batteries too.
Posted by: Iron Guy Carl | June 05, 2011 at 06:59 PM
you did great I never even thought of audio books next year ;)
I did ok read some great books and reread a great book
Posted by: this is me: captured moments | June 05, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Congratulations, Jen! You are truly inspiring. I wanted to read your review of THE MEMORY BANK, but it goes to the books Amazon page and I didn't see your review there.
Posted by: Carmela Martino | June 05, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Sorry, Kelly and Carmela. In my haste, I had a couple of broken links to reviews. Those are fixed now. Kelly, I can't say that I loved Scumble the same was that I loved Savvy, but I still thought it was a good read. You just have to prepare yourself for it not being about the same characters (which I know will bother some readers). The Memory Bank is a lot of fun.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | June 06, 2011 at 09:35 AM