Time to Read (All.Day.Long)

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Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned I was already stocking up on books for the read-a-thon? Well last night when I sat down to collect them all in one place, I realized I had gone overboard. Way, way overboard. Counting only the print books I've amassed from the libraries and my shelves, I discovered I had 26 books. More books than hours? Seriously, Carrie.

Still, as I looked at the shelf, I really liked the variety. I have a couple of non-fiction options (one a graphic novel and one a teen photo-heavy option), a few other graphic novels, a Newbery medal book, a couple of short story collections, a plethora of novellas, a couple of mysteries, and a veritable grip of short novels. The novels are mostly literary fiction, but there's a nice mix of authors, locations and time periods. Two check in over 300 pages, but only barely (316 and 322 respectively.) And I haven't even gotten to the choices on my Kindle (Zone One, I'm staring most longingly at you...)

In perfect read-a-thon form, the only book I'm currently reading is Anna Karenina (yes, I'm still behind the readalong). I opted to refrain from reading last night and enjoy wine, steak, and brussel sprouts (yum!) with Mr. Nomadreader. What will I pick up first today? Probably Zone One, but here's what else I have on my read-a-thon shelf:

  • Flesh & Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy by Albert Martin (a recent National Book Award finalist- a teen photo-heavy non-fiction pick)
  • One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (a 2011 Newbery Medal book)
  • Radioactive Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love & Fallout by Lauren Redniss (another recent National Book Award finalist)
  • Lost at Sea by Bryan Lee O'Malley (recommended by Tasha at Truth, Beauty, Freedom & Books)
  • Superspy by Matt Kindt (graphic novel -- spied at the library)
  • Habibi by Craig Thompson (graphic novel--spied at the library)
  • Portraits of a Few of the People I've Made Cry by Christine Sneed (short stories)
  • Walks with Men by Ann Beattie (novella)
  • Train Dreams by Denis Johnson (novella)
  • The Master Key by Masako Togawa (novella)
  • The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (novella)
  • A Bitter Truth by Charles Todd (the latest Bess Crawford mystery I still haven't read--eek!)
  • The James Joyce Murders by Amanda Cross (recommended by Rose City Reader)
  • Property by Valerie Martin (2003 Orange Prize winner)
  • I Was Amelia Earhart by Jane Mendelshohn (from the 1997 Orange Prize shortlist)
  • Crawling at Night by Nani Power (from the 2002 Orange Prize longlist)
  • I Married You For Happiness by Lily Tuck
  • This Beautiful Life by Helen Schulman
  • The Disappeared by Kim Echlin (recommended by Jill at Fizzy Thoughts)
  • The Professor's Wives Club by Joanne Rendell (recommended by Swapna at S. Krishna's Books)
  • The All of It by Jeannette Haien (recommended by Ann Patchett)
  • Firmin by Sam Savage (recommended by Nancy Pearl)
  • When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
  • Cross Currents by John Shors
  • The Train of Small Mercies by David Rowell

Crazy, right?

I'll be reading (on my couch) today until about dinnertime. I may participate in a few mini-challenges and updates, but they'll be on Tumblr. I'l probably check in on Twitter throughout the day too. Check back here tomorrow for my recap of what I read and for how long. Until then, happy reading!

As an affiliate, I receive a very, very small commission when you make a purchase through any of the above links. Thank you for helping to support my book habits that bring more content to this blog!

Comments

  1. quirky girlsOctober 22, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    happy reading!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alexa S.October 22, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    I think it's quite nice to have options for the readathon. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nise' October 22, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    It is good to have a variety to choose from as you read throughout the day! Read on!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AudraOctober 22, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Enjoy!! I love the options -- can't wait to see what you end up reading and I hope you can review the ones you do (I'm esp curious to see what you think of Habibi!)

    ReplyDelete
  5. gautami tripathyOctober 22, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Have fun reading! Just chill!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. ErinOctober 22, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    I love that you picked out so many books! It's better to have the variety and not need it than to spend hours staring dazedly at your shelves, trying to pick the next book :-) Have a great time today!

    ReplyDelete
  7. BooksnycOctober 22, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Habibi seems to be on a few 'thon piles - wonder where it will rank in the books read by RAT participants.

    Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Emily RogersOctober 22, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Hope you are enjoying your day filled with books -- Happy Reading!

    ReplyDelete
  9. WendyOctober 22, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    You have a lot of choices there, Carrie! Firmin is a good, light read if you need a break from the heavier stuff :) Happy reading today!

    ReplyDelete
  10. TiOctober 22, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    That is quite a list!! Have fun today! I am not participating. Too much going on but I'm thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. BOctober 22, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Good luck and have fun! It looks like you have quite the selection :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaOctober 22, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    Crazy is Right! LOL

    Carrie, Seriously, hope you have a great time with the read-a-thon - I couldn't join in this time:(

    ReplyDelete
  13. Asheley T.October 22, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    Going overboard means you have options! I love having options!!

    Go go go!!

    ~Asheley (Into the Hall of Books)
    @BookwormAsheley

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)October 22, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    I hope you're having a good readathon -- it's better to have too many choices than not enough :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. VasillyOctober 22, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    Not crazy at all! Radioactive and Lost at Sea are two great books. Right now I'm read Habibi which is very good. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  16. KinnaOctober 22, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    An amazing list of books you have there! I'm sticking to novellas. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nise' October 22, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Cheering my way around again to see how you are doing! Hope you are hanging in there getting a lot of reading done.

    ReplyDelete
  18. GavinOctober 22, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Great list, even if you don't get to them! Happy read-a-thon.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Emily HOctober 23, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    So many options! I hope they're still fulfilling your purpose and you're enjoying yourself! Keep on reading and remember to drink water!

    *\o/*

    ReplyDelete
  20. Kate @Midnight Book GirlOctober 23, 2011 at 3:35 AM

    You're eyes are sleepy,
    but your fingers keep turning,
    I'll supply the cheer,
    to keep your readathon fire burning!

    And I think a huge, towering pile of books is essential for a successful Readathon!

    ReplyDelete

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