WEEKLY WANDERINGS: Reading Check-In

My summer is flying by, and it's time to check in on the latest reading news in my neck of the woods.  Reading is going slowly these days.  I had planned to participate fully in the #24in48 readathon, but I ended up working all weekend long on estate tasks.  I got in a little reading via audiobook, but no where near the 24 hours that I was hoping for.

Can I just stop here for a moment and so how thankful I am for audiobooks these days?  If it weren't for audio, I am not sure I would get anything read these days.  I rarely have a moment to sit down and actually read these days.  But, I can listen to a book while I work on all those cleaning tasks, transporting the kids, working out, going for walks, and more. 

Now, the reverse readathon hosted by Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon is quickly approaching this weekend, and I have every intention of participating.  I plan to sit down and read an actual book or two!  I haven't decided which books to read yet, but I will share on Instagram and Twitter as soon as I do.  Because afterall, with all the work that I've been doing these last few weeks, I have every intention of rewarding myself with a little relaxation and time to myself!

In the meantime, I leave you with the list of books that I am currently reading:

• Bold School by Weston Kieschnick (a book for work that I hope to finish within the next 24 hours!)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling (reading with my kids, very slowly as time allows)
• Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger (my current audiobook that I can't get enough of).

Alright, that's it for me!  

YOUR TURN:  Are you participating this weekend in the reverse readathon?  What are you currently reading?  What will you be reading this weekend?

WEEKLY WANDERINGS: Readathons Galore

Once again, it's been a while!  Where in the world does the time go?!?  Since the last time I posted, I have been on lots of adventures.  That's the only thing I can think of ... my time has been going to adventures!  I will share more of that with you later, but in the meantime, I have to tell you about all the readathons coming up.  Because I plan on participating in all of them!

The High Summer Readathon began at the beginning of the month, and will run all month long.  No real requirements for this one except to have fun and read a novel at some point. 

Then, there is the 24in48 Readathon, coming up the weekend of July 21-22.  With this readathon, you want to try to read 24 hours within a full 48 hour weekend.  Though, it is not absolutely required for participation, it's fun to try to reach the number.

Lastly, there is the NEW Dewey's Reverse Readathon during the last weekend of the month.  Instead of starting in the morning, we will be reading for 24 hours starting at night.

I currently do not have stacks of books to choose from.  I will be sharing those updates via Instagram and Twitter.  My one goal this month with all these readathons is to catch up on my reading for the year.  I am currently 16 books behind schedule to reach my goal of 75 books for the year.  I hope to narrow that margin significantly in the next few weeks.  Wish me luck!

YOUR TURN:  Will you be participating in any of these readathons?  

WEEKLY WANDERINGS: Did I Have A Productive Weekend? #Bloggiesta

Jumping in for a quick check in to let you know how that long list of Bloggiesta tasks went this weekend.  Here is the list with updates and comments . . .

• Back-up Blog -- DONE!
• Back-up Template -- DONE! 
• Update Books Read in 2018 -- DONE!  (Check it out here.) 
• Update A-Z Review Index  -- DONE!  (Check it out here.)
• Clean Out FB Saves (currently at 99+) -- Didn't touch this one.
• Catch Up on Blog Reading/Commenting -- Feedly was at 142; now at 32.
• Write May 2018 in Review -- Nope.
• Write An Eye on Authors Spotlight -- Nope.
• Write a Discussion Post on Libraries -- Nope.
• Catch Up on Reviews (too many to count!) -- Nope.
• Clean Out Email -- Was at 17; now at 5.

In addition to this list, I was hoping to unpack and alpha at least 5 boxes of books for my library.  I finished at least 2.  I still have a long ways to go on this one!

In other news, I'm hoping to work more on the list this week.  I ended up writing a quick freelance piece this weekend and traveling to a little family gathering, which means that I didn't have as much time as I thought I originally would.  However, I'm going to sit down at least four days this week to work on writing and blogging, so I'm hoping to have more coming your way soon. 

YOUR TURN:  How was your Bloggiesta weekend?  Did you get a lot done?

WEEKLY WANDERINGS: Check-In & #Bloggiesta Weekend

Well, it appears that I've been away for a while.  Where in the world did the time go, especially considering that I've been on summer break?!?  Well, I did do a little traveling, and I have been running my kids to and from camps, and we did have an evacuation scare for potential flooding (don't worry, we are safe and clear!).  I have been busy, but there really is no good excuse as to why I have been away from blogging.  And, it's time to change that.  What better timing than a weekend of Bloggiesta.

Not sure what Bloggiesta is?  It's a time for bloggers to get together to clean up their blogs and perform some much needed maintenance (at least in my case!).  So, I'm jumping in and hoping to get back on track.  Actually, I'm really hoping that it sticks this time!!  Here is my current list of things I plan to work on . . .

• Back-up Blog 
• Back-up Template 
• Update Books Read in 2018 
• Update A-Z Review Index 
• Clean Out FB Saves (currently at 99+) 
• Catch Up on Blog Reading/Commenting (Feedly currently at 142) 
• Write May 2018 in Review
• Write An Eye on Authors Spotlight
• Write a Discussion Post on Libraries
• Catch Up on Reviews (too many to count!) 
• Clean Out Email (currently at 17)

In addition to this list, I am currently working to finally get my books on my new shelves!  Therefore, I'm going to add to my list one more item . . . unpack at least 5 boxes of books and get them organized on my shelf.

This is a really long list for just a couple of days, but keeping my fingers crossed for a productive weekend!

YOUR TURN:  Are you joining in Bloggiesta?  What are your priorities for the weekend?

WEEKLY WANDERINGS: School's Out!

School's out for summer!!  I cannot tell you enough how much I am in need of this break.  Life has been so chaotic, and though it will remain so, it will also slow down just a bit for me to catch my breath.  But not yet!!  I have been helping out with a Girl Scout camp this week, and will be heading to an Usborne Books and More Convention for the weekend.  I will then head into a couple days of training for work before that little breather can take place. 

In the meantime, I will be attempting to get caught up on reading.  According to my Goodreads goal for the year, I am currently 14 books behind schedule.  Yikes!  So, along my adventures over the next week, here is a peek on what I will be working on . . .

I have started the first two, the first in physical form and the second in audio.  I hope to finish those, especially with my time spent in airports.  The third will be my next audiobook.  I have plans for reading other books, but these will be my priorities for now.  I will be taking the rest of the week off here on the blog, but will be back next week to share my adventures and then get back to posting here on a regular basis again.  I really do miss writing here on a regular basis and hope to get back into a good routine during these summer hours.

YOUR TURN:  How is your reading going so far this year?  Any great reads you would recommend?

BOOK CHAT: April 2018 in Review

It's my final monthly review to get myself all caught up ... at least in this area!  Let's take a look at the month, and then I can mark one more thing off of my to-do list!

As I mentioned yesterday, APRIL proved to be another month of chaos.  We had track and piano and Girl Scouts and meetings and more.  It had me begin counting down the days of how much of school remained, and anxiously awaiting a break to get in a little rest and relaxation.  This weekend is finally the weekend that I get to do just that, and I only have four more days left of work.  Well, sort of!  I do have some workshops and meetings scattered throughout the summer, but that's not too bad.  But, now I'm getting ahead of myself.  Let's move to the usual wrap-up . . .

The TOP PIC for the month was actually the TOP PICS for the month.  The first one was the latest progress on my library bookshelves.  Aren't they gorgeous?!  The second is from the library book sale that I was helping to set up.  Nothing beats being surrounded by books!

The number of BOOKS READ for the month improved over last month, but not by much.  I had three total this time, compared to the previous month's two.

1. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
2. Dragons at Crumbling Castle by Terry Pratchett
3. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

My FAVE BOOK of those read was probably Dragons at Crumbling Castle by Terry Pratchett.  The book was an audiobook collection of short stories.  I didn't enjoy all of them, but there were some really great imaginative treasures within.

MAY will pretty much be my final month of work before my summer break.  I am greatly looking forward to a break, and will power through this month the best I can!

YOUR TURN:  How was your month of April in reading?

BOOK CHAT: March 2018 in Review

I am finally back to getting caught up.  I'm only at March, but I'm determined to have these monthly reviews completed before the end of the weekend!  Let's get to it!

MARCH was a crazy month, but ended with a bang.  We took a long weekend away, hitting some hot springs and Yellowstone National Park.  Even better, I finally got to meet my niece in person.  Best weekend ever!!  Who knew being an aunt could be so great?!!

The TOP PIC for the month was one of my highlights mentioned above ... Yellowstone National Park.  The picture was particularly of Mammoth Hot Springs.  There was still so much snow over that weekend, and it just seemed to make the colors pop even more than usual.  It was so gorgeous!

Though March proved to be an unforgettable month, it did not prove to be a very good one when it came to reading.  The BOOKS READ only amounted to two, and both of them were audiobooks.

1. China Dolls by Lisa See
2. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

My FAVE BOOK of those two reads was probably The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare.  I am sure I read this book as a kid, but I enjoyed it so much more as a re-read.  It has actually inspired me to read even more about the Salem Witch Trials.

APRIL started out on a positive note, but it proved to be yet another month of chaos.  I never imagined that my schedule would get crazier as my kids got older, but I was wrong.  Despite the craziness, I wouldn't change my schedule for a second.  It is busy and exhausting, but it is also so much fun, filled with pride and happiness.

YOUR TURN:  Do you remember what your March was like?