The Best Reader:
readathon

I know, I know, I'm about a day and a half late to this party. But really, I've been keeping super busy! The TV hasn't been on ALL day (but I haven't opened a book all day either). I've spent my day looking up Reading Challenges for the new year, I wrote a huge wrap up post (for all the months I forgot about), I took down the Christmas decorations and put the boxes in the trunk (despite the massive amount of ice outside), I've finally organized my bookshelves, I wrote a review, I've read through my Reader (several times), etc. I swear, I'm really trying here people.

But with this winter storm (it rained all morning/afternoon, then the temp dropped to -10 so we have sheets of ice EVERYWHERE), D won't be making it home from work. He works as a nurse in a neighboring town (9 miles) and works 12 hour shifts four days in a row this week. So, for the first time since we've moved in together, I'm here alone. And I'm sick of cleaning.

So I'm joining this party with hopes of finishing three novels before tomorrow night:

• Knightley Academy (I'm halfway through) (216 pages)
• Delirium (441 pages)
• Crescendo (427 pages)

Well, this morning I got to work and (as I have first period as a prep) I was just preparing the day's lessons when my mom called. She never calls during the school day so you can imagine all the horrifying news that played through my mind as I answered.

My dad was in a car accident early this morning but is fine. He hit black ice and went into a ravine, but we don't think he rolled. Miraculously he was able to climb out of his Expedition and up the 50 foot incline where a plow (laying sand) and pulled over. We, of course, had no knowledge of his condition when we got the call so my mom left Bemidji (a 10 hour drive to Pierre) and I left Bismarck (only 4 hours) to get to my dad. Dad moved to Pierre a few months ago and has been enjoying his retirement and patiently awaiting the end of the school year when my mom will be able to retire as well.

Needless to say, I unexpectedly am out of school for today and tomorrow. I did grab my laptop (and my few final research papers) but I figured as I have a few hours tonight, all day tomorrow, and part of Saturday until Dan is able to come for the holidays — I might as well read!

So when I stopped by Katie's Book Blog and saw that there is a readathon going on — I decided to join! I haven't heard about it in the blogosphere, but with research papers and the holiday busy-ness — I have been a bit preoccupied. I do have about 12 papers left to grade (each one takes me about 30-45 minutes) so I'm think in between every chapter (or three but no more than five) I'll grade one paper. Kind of like a reward system.

I'm going to start off with "Cinder" (a book I haven't been able to give any time to) and then "Ditched" and "Darlings in Love." I didn't have time to pack anything but my Nook, so I'm hoping I can get Dan to bring down "A Million Suns" as well!

Again, thank you for your patience these past two weeks — I know the majority of my posts have been Pinterest-Holiday related, but really — these papers are kicking my butt.

Anyone else joining the readathon last minute?

I have decided to join the 48 Hour Read-a-Thon hosted by Unputdownables starting today! Since I'm recently All By Myself, I thought this would be a great way to distract myself from my first weekend alone.

Despite having school today, it is Recreational Reading Friday so I will still be participating despite working at the same time!:) I love my life. I started this morning by listening to "Definitely Dead" on audio while showering, straightening my hair, and doing all those other necessary evils. This weekend I hope to finish:

• "Definitely Dead" (Sunday)
• "The Iron King" (Friday)
• "Uglies"
• "Across the Universe"

Just curious but if the Read-A-Thon goes from the 4th through the 6th... shouldn't it be a 72 hour read-a-thon? I'm not a mathematician.
Are you joining up? If so... comment with a link so I can cheer you on! Happy Friday everybody!

Update #1
Due to Recreational Reading day, I was able to read all day during school and finished (and LOVED) "The Iron King." After school I watched the state One Act Play competition, blog hopped, and then went to see "The Dawn Treader." So it that aspect, I did drop the ball a bit. But it is now 9:25pm and I am home at last. I'm about to shut the computer (really) and take Sam the Nook to bed. Instead of opening "Across the Universe" (like a good blogger), I'm going to read a guilty pleasure romance.
Tomorrow I am judging a speech meet at the HS and would like to watch my hometown (Timber Lake, SD) perform at the One Act as well. But I still hope to listen to at least an hour or two of "Definitely Dead" and finish "Across the Universe." I'll save "Uglies" for Sunday.

Update #2 Well it's Sunday evening and I just finished listening to "Definitely Dead." I didn't get as much reading done this weekend as I had planned. I'm not sure why, I feel like I'm just in a reading funk. But I'm home for the night (I left the Super Bowl party at half time) and have loads to grade before Conferences tomorrow and I still need to watch "The Odyssey" before I show it in class. So, sadly, this is where my read-a-thon ends. With conferences tomorrow I've got to make sure I come prepared. I guess three books this weekend was pushing it a bit; Saturday I judged a speech meet until 1pm and then my cousin came to visit before one-acts and she stayed until 5pm. But still... it could have been worse right?
Happy Reading!