Final Summary of 48HBC

Friday June 5

9am-11am-read

11am-2pm-break

2:00pm-2:30pm-blogged

2:30pm-5:30pm-read

5:30-9:30-break

9:30-10:00-blogged

10:00pm-12:30am-read

read-7 1/2 hours

blogged- 1 hour

Staurday June 6

7:30am-10:30am- read
10:30am-11:30am-breakfast/shower
11:30am-3:30pm-read
lunch
4:00pm-4:30pm-blogged
4:30pm-7:00pm-read
7:00pm-7:30pm-blogged
7:30pm-8:30pm-dinner/laundry

8:30pm-11:00pm-read

11:00pm-11:30pm-blogged

11:30pm-2:00am-read

2:00am-7:00am-slept

7:00am-9:00am-read

read- 16 1/2 hours

blogged-1 1/2 hours

Total reading- 24 hours

Total Blogging- 2 1/2 hours

Total books read- 6

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Al Capone Does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian

A big thank you to MotherReader for organizing this event. It was really fun as well as very challenging. Also a big hug goes to my better half for putting up with take-out for two days and keeping the kids busy while my nose was in a book all weekend!

Coraline

I've been dying to read Coraline by Neil Gaiman since seeing the previews for the movie. Of course I wanted to read the book before watching the movie! So I started this little book last night as part of my book selections for the 48HBC.

It was the perfect little ghost story for the dark and stormy night we were having late last night.

This is the story of Coraline, a little girl who is bored to tears with her house, her parents and her neighbors. One day she finds a door that opens to a brick wall, until she finds a magic key that makes the brick wall disappear. After walking through the door she finds a house identical to her own but everything is now wonderful and magical. New parents that want to give her their undivided attention, yummy food, and toys that want to play. Everything seems perfect...until she looks a little closer. Coraline quickly realizes that nothing is as it seems to be in this new world and her other mother wants her to stay forever and ever.

This book is CREEPY with a capital C! The wonderful descriptions call up vivid pictures for the imagination. As I was reading it last night cuddled deep in a blanket I swear I was seeing shadows in corners.

Neil Gaimen is a master storyteller. I loved his book The Graveyard Book and Coraline lived up to it.

I recommend this book to readers 10 and up. I think it's the perfect ghost story to read aloud with your kids during Halloween.

This book is available at the Salmon Public Library for check out.

Al Capone Does My Shirts

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko was published in 2004 and is a Newbery Honor Book. I chose this book for the 48HBC mostly based on title. It just begs to be read.

This is the story about 12 year old Moose Flanagan set in 1935. Moose's family has just moved from Santa Monica to Alcatraz Island where his dad has gotten a job as a prison guard at the famed prison.

This is how Moose describes his feelings on the relocation of his family "I want to be on Alcatraz like I want poison oak on my private parts"

We learn that the actual reason for the move is for his sister Natalie who is to go to the Ester P. Marinoff School for kids with special needs.

Moose struggles with the change of schools and making new friends as well as the frustration of trying to help his parents deal with his sister's undiagnosed condition(which we, the reader immediately recognize as autism). His feelings and emotions are honest and raw. I

I really liked this story. I would recommend it to readers 12 and up.

This book is available to check out at the Salmon Public Library.

Number 6

Starting book number 6-The Gospel According to Larry by Janet Tashjian
Losing steam......

Blurry Words and Blending Books

It's 11pm and I'm still buzzing from the 3 glasses of ice tea I had earlier. I'm not a night owl so this part of the 48HBC is hard for me. This evening I finished Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko and started on Coraline by Neil Gaiman. I think I'll write reviews in the morning-they will probably make more sense then.
So far I have accomplished 16 1/2 hours of reading for the 48HBC which doesn't seem like a lot in the big picture does it?
I have read 5 books that have been on my book shelf for a few months which makes me feel pretty good.
My plan for tonite is to finish Coraline and start another one before I can't keep my eyes open.
My challenge ends at 9am Sunday morning.
Sally Forth Good People!!!

My Reading Log

Today

read 7:30am-10:30

breakfast/shower

read 11:30-3:30

lunch

blogged 4:00-4:30

read 4:30-7:00

blogged/reviews 7:00-7:30

dinner/laundry

So far have read-9 1/2 hours

Blogged-1 hour

On ward...........

The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry was the third book that I read for MotherReader 48 hour book challenge. This book was recommended to me by a 15 year old boy who promised me it would be worth my time. He was without a doubt right.

This story is set in the future and is about a boy named Jonas. In his world there is no hunger, poverty or conflict. Everyone lives by a set of rules and everyone obeys without question. Every family unit receives a boy and a girl to raise. When children turn 12 years of age they are given a life assignment determined by a committee of people called Elders.

Jonas is assigned a job called the Receiver of Memories. It is explained to him that his job is special and it involves lies and and long buried secrets. His knowledge of things are not allowed to be shared with anyone, even those he loves most.

Jonas has always believed that he lived in a perfect place, but in this story learns that perfection comes at a high price.

This book was a page turner. I couldn't put it down. I had to know what would happen to Jonas.

I recommend this book to readers 12 and up.

This book is available at the Salmon Public Library to check out.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

This is book number 2 that I have read for MotherReader's 48 hour book challenge. A little bit longer than my last book but not by much-230 pages long. It's a quick easy read that I think both girls and boys would enjoy.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by is by Sherman Alexie. It's the story of Junior who is an Indian living on a Spokane, Washington Indian reservation. He was born with a condition called water on the brain. Although he has a variety of medical conditions he is an exceptional artist who loves to draw cartoons. His cartoons help him deal with the many situations he finds himself in. He is a constant target for bullies, the love/hate relationship he has with his best friend Rowdy, and his sad home life. His parents try to provide for him but have major problems of their own. A major one being the fact that his dad is an alcoholic with a gambling problem that tends to disappear for days on end.
Junior is determined to change his future by getting off the rez. His first step in this direction requires him to leave his school and best friend and attend an all white school 22 miles away.
This decision has major consequences for Junior, his family and his best friend.
The best thing about this book is it's ability to make you fill like your riding an emotional roller coaster. From one page to the next I wasn't sure if I would be laughing or crying.
One minute it's humor and wit, the next it's tragic and sad.
This story is filled with heart. I fell in love with Junior.
I would recommend this book for readers 14 and up due to language and sexual situations.
This book is available to check out at the Salmon Public Library.

Another Day-Another Book

Entering the homestretch on The Giver by Lois Lowry with just a few pages left to go. Taking a break to eat some lunch a blog a little. I was checking out a blog by Christina@Flipthepagebookreviews She has a way fun site and I really like the way she reviews books. She is also participating in MotherReaders 48HBC. So I'll finish this book and start on the next.

Still going......

Just finished The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. I'll write a review in a few hours. I need to start new book while house is quiet and family is gone. My new book was recommended by a friend of my sons. His exact words were "Dude, you have to read The Giver, it blew my mind!" Well, after that how could I not! So my next book is The Giver by Lois Lowry. Peace out peps!

Feel Like Energizer Bunny...

Okay people I am half way done with The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. I am loving the story, the character and the humor. Really needed a pick me up after last book. I have much chocolate and coke in system, I'm trying to put in two more hours before I quit. I logged about five hours total reading time today in between house cleaning, taxi driving, play dates, a trip to the chiropractor and laundry.
Happy Reading!

Get Set!

Alrighty! I have one book under my belt and now I'm moving on to the next one. I'm really hoping my next pick will be a little more light hearted cause Wallflower was a downer! Crossing my fingers and choosing The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. I talked my husband into grilling burgers and I'm hoping that he can find a good game on ESPN to keep himself occupied. My plan is to lock myself in my room with giant bag of M&Ms and read into the wee hours of the morning. Peace Out!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a heavy, moody, sad little book. The story of Charlie is only 213 pages long and is told by way of letters from him to someone he addresses as Dear Friend. It's Charlie's freshman year of high school, he's different, lonely and confused by every day high school happenings. His letters are heartbreaking and honest as he tries his best to navigate life at school and home. We slowly move with Charlie through the school year as he makes a few friends, has his first crush and deals with the death of a loved one. As the story unfolds we learn more of Charlie's history which offers somewhat of an explanation of his thoughts and feelings.

Charlie is a character that will stay with me for a long time.

Although I felt the story leading up to a big ending I wasn't prepared for the crash landing.

I was under the impression that this was a book for young adults and was puzzled as to way our public library had it in the adult section. I now think that it's exactly where it belongs. The subject matter deals with sex, homosexuality, drugs, death and suicide. Very heavy subject matter. I would caution any parent to preview this book before letting your child read it.

I think it's a great book but a reader should be old enough to handle the emotions that come with it.

On your mark........

It's officially started.....the 48 hour book challenge! I have stocked my pantry full of twizzlers, M&Ms, coke and corn chips. I started a book that been on my dresser collecting dust for a few weeks. The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I'll write a review when I'm done. Peace Out!

48 Hour Book Challenge is on!

Here we go! A chance to catch up on the pile of books on my dresser that has been collecting dust as I work on my library's summer reading program. Mother Reader has challenged anyone who would like to participate to read and blog for 48 hours-starting June 5 through June 8th. Super excited to see if I can make a dent in my pile. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping to get a cool prize out of the deal too. For more information about the challenge go to her website-motherreader.com
Stay tuned........