Just waking up now to complete this:
1. Probably the 23rd. I kept drifting off and finally had to switch from book to computer to stay awake.
2. That's such an individual thing, I found all 3 of my books interesting, but my wife certainly wouldn't.
3. No, I'd have to say from my perspective it went really well.
4. I don't know if one thing stands out as working better than anything else.
5 & 6. I finished 2 (Star Wars: Death Star by Reaves & Perry and The Abbot's Gibbet by Jecks) and started Clothar the Frank by Whyte.
7. The Abbot's Gibbet.
8. I guess Clothar the Frank because I only just started it and I was pretty tired by the time I got there (note denser material should not be saved for final hours)
9. NA
10. Very likely as a reader again.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Finis
And so I'm off to get some much needed sleep. The last hour and a half I haven't been able to read a book and keep my eyes open so I've switched to reading Order of the Stick comics on my computer. It kept me going and I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself for making it all the way. Good night all.
Hour 22
In the past hour and 1/2 I've managed 24 pages, but I've grown quite dozy. At this point I think it's sheer stubbernous that is keeping me going. At least in 25 mins the dogs will want to go for a walk, that should keep me going until 6.
Hour 20 & 21
In the last 2 hours I finished the last 51 pages of The Abbots Gibbet by Jecks. Also everyone else in the house has crashed out (not that the dogs are a surprise) but my wife has turned in as well. I'm hoping to finish the last 3 hours strong with Clothar the Frank by Jack Whyte. Last year I made it 21.5 hours so if I hold on for another 36 mins according to my computer I'm up on last year, but I want it all :)
Hour 19
5 hours to go, that sounds like a lot. It's more than 1/2 a work day. Finished another 20 pages and have another 50 to go in my book. If my average holds I should be done in 2 hours.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Hour 18
Added another 32 pages. A little late on this one because I need to do some dog care. I've got a Bichon-Shitzu and a Pug, so they both needed their nightly face cleanings and evening walks. Mostly I'm still going strong and getting close to finishing my second book, yay!
Hour 18 mini challenge
My wife and I are raising funds for the Calgary Public Library's literacy program.
Hour 17
Looked up as I finished this hour and focusing away from the page my eyes felt like I'd been reading for 17 hours. I did reach 41 pages, I went to stop at a chapter break and realized I was at 38 pages so buckled down for a few more pages. At this point I'm thinking the eyes might be my biggest problem, but I'm sure the tired's will follow.
Hour 16
Only 12 pages this hour, but a homemade milkshake and a very exciting finish to the race. I think this hour I'm going to set the goal of breaking my 38 page best today.
Hour 15
26 pages, my eyes are starting to burn a bit. Might be time to look for eye drops. Not overly tired though, keeping my caffiene and sugar levels up.
Hour 14
One more down, 10 to go :) 27 pages of The Abbot's Gibbet read, still going pretty strong so I'm happy so far.
Hour 13
Back to it, after losing some time to cars, suppers, and posts I've put in another 38 pages in my new book and NASCAR is on mute on tv so I can keep track of who's winning go Jimmie!
Hour 12 mini challenge
1. The Abbot's Gibbet by Michael Jecks
2. One
3. I'll just be happy if I get all the way through the Jecks.
4. Not really, my wife and I are both participating. But I did take Monday off to recover.
5. Except for the Census guy (and I'd already dodged him once so I had to do that,) my interuptions were of my own making so let's call them breaks instead.
6. No real surprises except that I'm less tired than last year.
7. I'm enjoying it the way it is, I can't really think of any improvements.
8. I'm not sure I'd do much differently.
9. See 6., except I'm sure it's coming.
10. I'm not sure if I have much to suggest to others. I just keep going at the same book until I'm done, my wife tends to switch between books. So I guess don't force yourself into doing it a certain way, just go with what works.
2. One
3. I'll just be happy if I get all the way through the Jecks.
4. Not really, my wife and I are both participating. But I did take Monday off to recover.
5. Except for the Census guy (and I'd already dodged him once so I had to do that,) my interuptions were of my own making so let's call them breaks instead.
6. No real surprises except that I'm less tired than last year.
7. I'm enjoying it the way it is, I can't really think of any improvements.
8. I'm not sure I'd do much differently.
9. See 6., except I'm sure it's coming.
10. I'm not sure if I have much to suggest to others. I just keep going at the same book until I'm done, my wife tends to switch between books. So I guess don't force yourself into doing it a certain way, just go with what works.
Hour 11
This hour did not go well at all. I left to get pizza and made a quick stop at the library on the way and my car died. Luckily it was just a loose battery cable, but no reading at all. I'll have to make up for it a bit in the next few hours.
Star Wars Death Star
Book: Star Wars Death Star
Authors: Michael Reaves and Steve Perry
Date Finished: April 10, 2010
First Line: The alert siren screamed, a piercing wail that couldn’t be ignored by any being on board with ears and a pulse.
Summary from inside cover: The Death Star’s name says it all, with bone-chilling accuracy. It is a virtual world unto itself – equipped with uncanny power for a singularly brutal purpose: to obliterate entire planets in the blink of an eye. Its annihilation of the planet Alderaan, at the merciless command of Grand Moff Tarkin, lives in infamy. And its own ultimate destruction, at the hands of Luke Skywalker, is the stuff of legend. But what is the whole story, and who are the players, behind the creation of this world-killing satellite of doom?
The near extermination of the Jedi Order cleared the way for Palpatine – power-hungry Senator and Sith Lord – to seize control of the Republic, declare himself Emperor, and usher in a fearsome, totalitarian regime. But even with the dreaded Darth Vader enforcing Palpatine’s sinister will, the threat of rebellion still looms. And the Emperor knows only abject fear – and the ability to punish dissent with devastating consequences – can ensure his unchallenged control of the galaxy. Enter ambitious and ruthless government official Wilhuff Tarkin, architect of the Emperor’s terrifying dream come true.
From inception to completion, construction of the unprecedented Death Star is awash in intrigues, hidden agendas, unexpected revelations, and daring gambits of those involved on every level. The brightest minds and boldest egos, the most ambitious and corrupt, the desperate and the devious, all have a stake in the Death Star – and its potential to control the fate of the galaxy.
Soldiers and slaves, loyalists and Rebels, spies and avengers, the innocent and the evil – all their paths and fates will cross and intertwine as the Death Star moves from its maiden voyage to its final showdown. And a shadowy chapter of Star Wars history is stunningly illuminated in a thrilling, unforgettable adventure.
Review: I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I find a lot of Star Wars novels are hit and miss, this one was more hit than miss. There was a good mix of characters and the story was pretty good. You follow the stories of several characters through the construction and destruction of the Death Star and with the exception of the likes of Vader, Tarkin, and Motti you are rooting or at least sympathetic for them. There were a lot of characters to keep track of. Also the timeline gets a bit wonky in places, what is a day for one character seems to be a week for another (but then again I felt that way in the movies sometimes too.) There was some pretty good humor as well, like gunners and storm troopers complaining their helmets cause them to walk into things, which happened in the movie or as the heroes attempt their escape the tower asks the pilots name and he tells them Fayk Nom (loved that one.)
Authors: Michael Reaves and Steve Perry
Date Finished: April 10, 2010
First Line: The alert siren screamed, a piercing wail that couldn’t be ignored by any being on board with ears and a pulse.
Summary from inside cover: The Death Star’s name says it all, with bone-chilling accuracy. It is a virtual world unto itself – equipped with uncanny power for a singularly brutal purpose: to obliterate entire planets in the blink of an eye. Its annihilation of the planet Alderaan, at the merciless command of Grand Moff Tarkin, lives in infamy. And its own ultimate destruction, at the hands of Luke Skywalker, is the stuff of legend. But what is the whole story, and who are the players, behind the creation of this world-killing satellite of doom?
The near extermination of the Jedi Order cleared the way for Palpatine – power-hungry Senator and Sith Lord – to seize control of the Republic, declare himself Emperor, and usher in a fearsome, totalitarian regime. But even with the dreaded Darth Vader enforcing Palpatine’s sinister will, the threat of rebellion still looms. And the Emperor knows only abject fear – and the ability to punish dissent with devastating consequences – can ensure his unchallenged control of the galaxy. Enter ambitious and ruthless government official Wilhuff Tarkin, architect of the Emperor’s terrifying dream come true.
From inception to completion, construction of the unprecedented Death Star is awash in intrigues, hidden agendas, unexpected revelations, and daring gambits of those involved on every level. The brightest minds and boldest egos, the most ambitious and corrupt, the desperate and the devious, all have a stake in the Death Star – and its potential to control the fate of the galaxy.
Soldiers and slaves, loyalists and Rebels, spies and avengers, the innocent and the evil – all their paths and fates will cross and intertwine as the Death Star moves from its maiden voyage to its final showdown. And a shadowy chapter of Star Wars history is stunningly illuminated in a thrilling, unforgettable adventure.
Review: I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I find a lot of Star Wars novels are hit and miss, this one was more hit than miss. There was a good mix of characters and the story was pretty good. You follow the stories of several characters through the construction and destruction of the Death Star and with the exception of the likes of Vader, Tarkin, and Motti you are rooting or at least sympathetic for them. There were a lot of characters to keep track of. Also the timeline gets a bit wonky in places, what is a day for one character seems to be a week for another (but then again I felt that way in the movies sometimes too.) There was some pretty good humor as well, like gunners and storm troopers complaining their helmets cause them to walk into things, which happened in the movie or as the heroes attempt their escape the tower asks the pilots name and he tells them Fayk Nom (loved that one.)
Hour 10
43 pages down, the book finished (I'll do a review post seperately.) Another solid hour, even if I didn't win anything on roll-up the rim. Next hour will be a little light as I'm making a pizza and post office run.
Hour 9
28 pages, a hot chocolate, and some timbits later and hour 9 was pretty good. I'm getting close to finishing my book and things are sure getting exciting. I'll save the details for a review when I'm finished. Later.
Hour 8 (1/3)
A good hour. Still going strong, lots of energy and focus. 37 pages read, best hour so far. I am off to get some Timmy's about 5 mins away and then back at it :o
Hour 7
24 pages this time, but I did have to deal with a city census taker as well. Soldiering on, I was hoping to finish 3 books to day, looks like I'll be lucky to finish 2.
Hour 5
Short post 13 pages down and now I'm thinking about lunch. Story is pretty good, but there are a lot of characters and for the most part a lot of them are very likable and you know they are going to get blown up at the end so there's a sense of doom.
Hour 4 a little delayed
Hour 4 is a little delayed as you can see from my last post I was putting together a mini-challenge with the help of my lovely wife who knows much more about blogging and uploading photos. 29 pages read (don't think I'll be able to keep up my average for next hour).
3rd hour
31 pages read. One of the characters in the book is a doctor and he removed someones appendix in the last section. Funny, because about a month ago I had mine out. Also you don't normally expect appendectomies in Star Wars.
Hour 2
Hour 2 done and another 29 pages in the books :). Burned off my initial energy and felt a little sleepy, but hoping to turn that around with left over Easter chocloate.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Back in the Saddle
It is read-a-thon time once again and this year I am determined to see it through. This may require more than a few glasses of coke and finding less comfy seats towards the end, but that's my goal.
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