Journey Through the Bible Readathon 3.0 ~ October 2024

I recently discovered a wonderful youtuber, Katie at Paperbacks and Ponytails.  I was so excited when she announced "Journey Through the Bible Readathon 3.0" that will take place during the entire month of October 2024! 

Here's the super fun announcement:

I haven't participated in a readathon in YEARS but I just can't help myself from joining in this one :)  After all, it is a TREASURE HUNT with lots of different prompts!

I spent some time this afternoon, looking at the prompts and looking through my TBR books and here is what I came up with:

Where Are You Going?

Babylon = A book with flowers on the cover

I didn't have to look far on my Kindle to see a book with flowers and what makes it even better for the prompt is that the "Blooms" is in the title :)

What Are You Searching For?

Temple of Jerusalem = Book with a building on the cover

I've had this on my TBR list for a while and have been meaning to read it.  I love the structures that are on this cover.

Who Are You Going To Meet?

Tomb Raiders = Murder/Cozy Mystery

The only "Cozy Mystery" I had on my Kindle was "Apple Pile and Trouble" so no brainer there :)

Booby Traps

Spears = Blind Pick

I wasn't sure how to "Blind Pick" so I just closed my eyes and pointed to a book!  I've never done that before so it should be fun :)

How Do You Escape?

A Book = Ask A Friend to Pick Your Book

We're going to be doing a "Buddy Read" during the readathon and voting is open now.  You can check out the Community tab on Paperbacks and Ponytails.  I asked to make sure this would count as "a friend pick" and Katie said yes.  Right now, "Brave" by Mesu Andrews is winning.  If one of the other books on the poll end up coming out on top, I'll update the post.

So what do you think?  What do you think of my prompt choices and book choices?  Have I enticed you to join in?  Be sure to watch Katie's announcement video and I bet you'll be tempted!

Bookishly yours,

Colletta

HoHoHo Read-a-Thon ~ November 19-30

 

Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer is once again hosting the Ho-Ho-Ho Read-a-Thon!

After much deliberation, I decided to join in.  I don't usually do very well with challenges but this seems like one I could get into.

I've already done some searching and downloaded a bunch of Christmas reads on my Kindle.  All for free!!!

 

Here's a look at some of them:

I'm excited to join in the fun and get in the Holiday Spirit!!!

If this sounds like something you'd enjoyed, head over and sign up!

Colletta

Bout of Books 13 ~ Progress Post

 

Bout of Books is here!!!!

 

I'm really excited about this read-a-thon.  I'm hoping to do the following this week:

 

Goals:

~Not stress
~Read for 60 minutes each day
~Finish 1-2 books
~Again, not stress!

I'll be updating this post all week with my progress.

MONDAY:

Once Upon a Read-A-Thon 2013 ~ 7/8-7/10

This Readathon is hosted by Angela & Loretta at Reading Angels, Candace at Candace’s Book Blog and Pure Imagination. It runs from 12:01 am on July 8th to 11:59 on July 10th.  Click above to go sign up.

My Goals:

1.  Read every day.

2.  Participate in the mini-challenges

3.  Complete 3 books

My Books:

1.  Eye of the Storm by Hannah Alexander

2.  An Accidental Mom by Loree Lough

3.  Anna Meets Her Match by Arlene James

Wish me luck!

DAY ONE CHALLENGES:

Mini Challenge

For my mini challenge I would like to know...

1. Which book you are most excited to read in the coming year? It can be already released or coming soon.

2. Which book would you re-read if you had the time and weren't so busy reading ALL of the other good thing?

3. and lastly, If you could meet any fictional character who would it be and why?

Mr. Darcy and it should be self-explanatory :)

Summer Lovin' Read-a-Thon ~ 7/1-7/7

The Summer Lovin’ Readathon is a week-long readathon event hosted by seven independent bloggers! (Oh, Chrys!, Tumbling Books, Effortlessly Reading, Love Life Read, Shelf Addiction, Read Sleep Repeat, and Reviewing Wonderland) 

Spend the week reading at your own pace, when and how you want too. There will be daily challenges for awesome prizes and opportunities to get points toward the Grand Prize Packs. 

As if that weren’t enough – the week will end with a 24-hr marathon readathon! Twitter parties, mini-challenges, games, prizes given EVERY HOUR, and more chances to get points toward the Grand Prize Packs. 

Sign-ups will be open through July 6th. I’m in, are you?!

MY GOALS:

1.  Read every day.

2.  Participate in the daily challenges.

3.  Finish 5 books.

MY BOOKS:

1.  Keeping Guard by Christy Barritt ~ 7/4/13

2.  Seaside Reunion by Irene Hannon ~ 7/1/13

3.  Seaside Blessings by Irene Hannon ~ 7/1/13

4.  The Runaway Bride by Noelle Marchand ~ 7/3/13

5.  The Baby Quilt by Joyce Livingston~ 7/4/13 
Extra:  Pursuit of Justice by DiAnn Mills ~ 7/7/13

(I picked fairly short books to read as my husband is on vacation this week and I don't know how much time I'll have to read each day.)

DAY ONE CHALLENGES

About me:

I'm from Southern Pennsylvania and live in my hometown.  I am a SAHM with two daughters, ages 12 and 6.  I have been married to my husband for almost 13 years.  I enjoy a variety of genres but read mostly Christian/Inspirational books with a few mainstream thrown in upon occasion.  My love of reading started when I was fairly young and lived in the country.  Summers were spent reading book after book and making trip after trip to the library.

Teaser Tidbit

I'm currently reading Seaside Blessings by Irene Hannon



"Kristen Andrews eyed the laden skies over the gray Pacific Ocean as she maneuvered her rental car around yet another curve on cliff-hugging Highway 101.  Wasn't California supposed to be sunny and warm?"

Page 7

DAY TWO CHALLENGES

What is a summer must-read?



This book was AMAZING!


DAY THREE CHALLENGES

Who is my absolute favorite fictional character?



I absolutely loved Belle Tanner in "The Husband Tree" by Mary Connealy.  She is a tough, take-no-crap, kinda lady.  This book was so fun to read :)


DAY FOUR CHALLENGES

Share a book that really pulled on your heart strings:



Once again, I have to go with "My Stubborn Heart".  This book was amazing in so many ways.  The leading man has so much angst and pain.  The author describes his hurt and I can just picture the pain in his eyes.  The leading lady is determined to befriend him no matter how many times he pushes her away.  Wonderful, awesome, amazing book!


DAY FIVE CHALLENGES

Share your progress.  What are you plans for the rest of the RAT.

I finished ALL of my goal books!  You can see above that I've added on an "Extra" and will see if I can get that one read as well.  It is "Pursuit of Justice" by DiAnn Mills and is a longer, full length novel.  Wish me luck!

Book Review: "Abbie Ann" by Sharlene MacLaren

Title:  "Abbie Ann"

Series:  Daughters of Jacob Kane Book 3

Author:  Sharlene MacLaren

Publisher:  Whitaker House

Publication Date:  4/6/2010

Pages:  501
Buy From Amazon:  HERE

Book Description (PBS):

Abbie Ann Kane, the youngest of Jacob Kane's three daughters, is a busy woman. Between running the Whatnot, the family's general store, being active in the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and assisting the elderly citizens of Sandy Shores, Michigan, she has little time for frivolous matters. And those include matters of the heart.

When the recently divorced Noah Carson comes to town with son Toby in tow to pursue a shipbuilding business, Abbie Ann tries to keep her distance - especially when his flagrant ex-wife shows up. But God has other plans in mind!


My Overall Feeling of the Book:

This was the third book of the "Daughters of Jacob Kane" series.  I read it as part of the "All Series, All Summer 2012" and also the "Once Upon a Read-a-Thon.  Another series finished :)

I read this book immediately after "Maggie Rose", the second book of the series.  The setting is once again Sandy Shores, Michigan.  I loved the description of the town and streets and also the surrounding beaches and lake.  I think it would be a place I wouldn't mind living.

This book was very long.  I missed finishing it for the RAT by 200 pages.  I just couldn't stay awake any longer.


My Favorite Character:

Noah Carson was my favorite character.  Yum, yum, yum!  He had been through a lot.  His mother dying at a young age, his father being a drunk, his wife cheating on him, losing his business.  While all these took a toll on him, he still seemed to have kept his sense of humor and playfullness.  What a man!  lol

My Favorite Scene:

I loved the scene where Abbie Ann makes up an excuse to go see Noah by saying she had to give Toby, his son, a memory verse to learn.  As she's waiting for Noah to answer the door she slips on the icy porch and lands flat on her butt just as Noah opens the door!  So embarassing!


My Favorite Sentence/Paragraph:

"Oh, the scandal.  Can't you see the headlines now?  'Woman's Christian Temperance Union Leader Caught in Questionable Position under Wagon with Local Shipbuilder."

"Oh, my."  In spite of herself, she laughered, and he joined in.  "It would be completely incorrect, of course, sinse there is no 'questionable' activitiy involved."

"Want to bet?"

Just like that, he lowered his face, which didn't have far to go and planted a warm, moist, toe-curling kiss on her mouth.

Abbie Ann and Noah pages 272-273

It Would Have Been Better If:

I thought it was a bit drawn out at times.  I didn't think I was ever going to get to the end of the 501 pages.

I Would Recommend This Book To:

Small town dwellers, youngest children, women's rights history buffs, those who have had to deal with the unpleasant effects of alcohol in loved ones, single parents, sailors, those who live by a lake :)


Rating

4/5

On to the next book,

Book Review: "Maggie Rose" by Sharlene MacLaren

Title:  "Maggie Rose"

Series:  Daughters of Jacob Kane Book 2

Author:  Sharlene MacLaren

Publisher:  Whitaker House

Publication Date:  6/8/2009

Pages:  416
Buy From Amazon:  HERE

Book Description (PBS):

The year is 1904, and Maggie Rose, the spunky, friendly, twenty-year-old middle daughter of Michigan resident Jacob Kane, feels compelled to leave her beloved hometown of Sandy Shores to pursue what she feels in her heart are God's plans for her life - in New York City. Maggie Rose adjusts to her new life at Sheltering Arms Refuge, an orphan... more »age that also transports homeless children to towns across the United States to match them with compatible families.

Most of the children have painful pasts that make Maggie aghast, but she marvels at their resiliency. As she gets to know each child, her heart blossoms with new depths of love and compassion. When a newspaper reporter comes to stay at the orphanage in order to gather research for an article, Maggie is struck by his handsome face-and concerned by his lack of faith. She can't deny their mutual affections, though. Will she win the struggle to maintain her focus on God and remain attuned to His guidance?


My Overall Feeling of the Book:

This was the second book of the "Daughters of Jacob Kane" series.  I read it as part of the "All Series, All Summer 2012" and also the "Once Upon a Read-a-Thon.

It has been quite a while since I read Book 1 of this series but I remember really enjoying it.  This book takes places almost entirely in a different location.  From Sandy Shores, Michigan to New York City.  I enjoyed the variation.

I loved learning more about the "orphan trains" and how the book was based around taking care of children with no parents or homes.  I really connected with this as my Grandmother was raised in an orphanage after her parents passed away.

My Favorite Character:

I have a soft-spot for grandmotherly characters in books.  Maybe because I miss my own so much or maybe because the orphange theme of the book reminded me or her.  So Mrs. Virginia Bingham, aka Ginny (my Mom's name, btw), the proprietor of the orphange was my favorite character.  She was wonderful.  Picture a perfect grandmother figure and she was it.


My Favorite Scene:

My favorite scene is when Maggie Rose and Luke rescue Clara from an unspeakable situation for a 12 year-old to be in.  I don't want to give too many details but it was very suspenseful!

My Favorite Sentence/Paragraph:

The reverend made a careful study of each solemn, youthful face.  "You are about to embark on a great adventure, my dear, young friends," he told the orphans.  "May the Lord go with each of you was you depart for places unknown."

Reverend Miles page 257 (as the orphans are getting on the train to head west.)

It Would Have Been Better If:

It was heartbreaking to read about the children who weren't picked to be adopted.  But, I wouldn't have changed that about the book.  It made it all the more sweet in the ending :)

Maggie almost seemed a little too perfect.  Other than that I can't really think of anything I would change. 


I Would Recommend This Book To:

Parents, teenagers, I Love NYC'ers, turn of the century history buffs, teachers, childcare workers, reporters, writers, those living away from home.

Rating

4/5

On to the next book,

WWW Wednesday ~ 7/11/12

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• What are you currently reading?

I'm reading this book as part of the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon that ends today.  I still have approx. 400 pages to read.  This is a long one!  It might take me all day to get it finished in between all my household duties.  It will also finish out the "Daughter of Jacob Kane" series for the All Series, All Summer 2012.  Wish me luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• What did you recently finish reading?

I read 3 books since last weeks post.

RATING:  4/5

REVIEW

RATING:  4/5

REVIEW

4/5

REVIEW TO COME SOON

~~~~~

• What do you think you’ll read next?

Next, I'll probably read "Dead Men Don't Crochet" Book 2 in the Tarzana Hookers series.  After these last two very lengthy books, I need a quick fun read.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a great Wednesday!

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon ~ 7/9-7/11

This RAT is being hosted my Pure Imagination, Reading Angel, and Candace's Book Blog.

~~~~~~~

I'm really excited to participate in my 3rd bloggy RAT (read-a-thon).  I'm so glad I discovered them.  They are so much fun.

Since this is a 3 day RAT, I would normally pick out 3 books to read, pushing myself to read 1 book a day.  However, the books I want to read during this RAT are pretty long and so I decided to set my goal at 2.  If I get more done, yay for me!

Without further ado, here are my goal books:

#1.  Maggie Rose by Sharlene MacLaren (Daughters of Jacob Kane Book 2)

#2.  Abbie Ann by Sharlene MacLaren (Daughters of Jacob Kane Book 3)

Reading these books will finish out the Daughters of Jacob Kane series for the All Series, All Summer 2012 challenge.

I'll be using this post for all updates and RAT challenges.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IB Book Blogging Mini-Challenge

Question 1:


What is your favorite cover that has been revealed this summer and why? Post a link or picture of the cover if you want.

Answer:  I think this cover is absolutely gorgeous!

Question 2:

Do you rely on the cover to help you choose whether you want to read a book or not?

Answer:  I don't rely completely on the cover.  I usually combine the cover with the description of the book.  I do have to say that the cover is what captures my attention first and draws me in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ready, Set, Go!

WWW Wednesday ~ 6/27/12

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• What are you currently reading?

 

I am just getting ready to start "Off Balance" and can't wait to dig into it.  I watched an interview with Dominique telling about the book and I ordered it right away.  I'll be counting this book as 2/10 non-fiction books that I set as a goal for my "35 X 35".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• What did you recently finish reading?

I read 5 books this week!

REVIEW

REVIEW

REVIEW

REVIEW

REVIEW

~~~~~

• What do you think you’ll read next?

I'll most likely read "Scattered Petals" next as part of "All Series, All Summer 2012."  I still have 7 books to read to finish out this challenge but I'm alternating genres to keep my interest peaked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a great Wednesday!