Maw Books » 48 Hour Book Challenge

48 Hour Book Challenge – It is Finished!

Natasha Maw — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:53:32 +0000

Finished! My 48 hours are up for the 48 Hour Book Challenge. I feel like it ’s still early for a Sunday night and I’m actually not all read out. Probably because I actually haven’t devoted that many hours to actual reading (my husband who rolled his eyes at me and tended to the kids while I hung out in my room would probably beg to differ). So how did I do? Of the 48 hours, I read for about 13 hours and blogged for probably an hour. I’ve visited a third of the participants and as soon as this post goes up, I’m off to see how everybody else did.

What did I read? A little bit of everything:

The Blue Notebook by James Levine
Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell
Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom by Eric Wight
The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaeffer
Miracle’s Boys by Jacqueline Woodson
That Went Well, Adventures in Caring for My Sister by Terrell Harris Dougan
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
100 out of 334 pages of Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea

(Links go over to Amazon, I haven’t review anything yet). The Blue Notebook was completely depressing, so I’m glad I read Dork Diaries in the middle to lighten things up. I really enjoyed That Went Well, which is a memoir of a woman who cares for her mentally handicapped sister. The author, Terrell Harris Dougan, lives her in Salt Lake City, so it’s always nice to read a book set in my hometown. Jacqueline Woodson never ceases to amaze me and I really liked Miracle’s Boys.

Many thanks to Pam at MotherReader for hosting this great challenge! Hmm . . . I actually want to read some more. That’s a good sign, right?

48 Hour Book Challenge – 12 Hours to Go

Natasha Maw — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:32:13 +0000

I’ve got less then 12 hours to go for the 48 Hour Book Challenge and I must admit that I feel like I’m doing terrible. I only was able to read for a few hours yesterday and had intentions to do some amazing reading. Why I decided to read in my warm, comfy bed is beyond me. Husband came in at 10:30 to find me fast asleep. I think I mumbled something about bringing me the laptop but he quietly ignored me (probably a good thing) and I feel back asleep.

So far I’ve finished The Blue Notebook by James Levine, Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell and Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom by Eric Wight, and The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaeffer. I am about 100 pages into Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea and halfway through Miracle Boys by Jacqueline Woodson.

I have church today too that will take me away from my reading but I hope to get in at least another 4-5 hours in before the last 12 hours are up. Who knows, my best intentions though are usually thwarted by my boys, ages three and two. I’ll be updating in real time on my Twitter timeline using the #48hbc hashtag.

48 Hour Book Challenge, Hour 21-ish Update

Natasha Maw — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:15:37 +0000

Well, after I went to bed late last night, slept in this morning and then headed off to a family party, I find that it’s now 5pm and I haven’t even touched a book today for the 48 Hour Book Challenge hosted by Pam at MotherReader. But I had a great time with my family! So I’m not to worried at my apparent lack of progress in my book stack.

Yesterday, I read from 7:30 pm to 1:30 am and read three books. The first book The Blue Notebook by James Levine was so depressing that I had to stop and read Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell and Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom by Eric Wight.

I think tonight I am going to finish up The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaeffer and also start Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea whom I met at BEA. I’ve got some other books in the stack but I think that’s what I’ll start with right now.

As always, I’ll be updating in real time on my Twitter timeline using the #48hbc hashtag. I think I’ll read for a few hours and then take a break and visit the other participants.

Last night I had a hard time keeping my eyes open. Let’s hope the yummy food party doesn’t put me to sleep.

The 48 Hour Book Challenge – And It Begins

Natasha Maw — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:14:25 +0000

For the next 48 hours, I’ll be participating in the 48 Hour Book Challenge hosted by Pam at MotherReader. So when I really should be writing posts about BookExpo America (because really I’m going to be the last one to write about it), I’m going to be reading instead. I feel like the books have stacked up so much that I really just want to read and check out the other participants.

I’ll update here on the blog probably at least 2-3 times during the 48 hours but I’ll be updating in real time on my Twitter timeline using the #48hbc hashtag. My official start time is 7:30 pm MDT on Friday and ending time is 7:30 pm on Sunday.

All the details for the challenge can be found on the 48 Hour Book Challenge rules post and see who’s underway with the challenge at the starting line. I’d love a little cheerleading love and I’m sure the other participants would love a visit as well.

I’ve got a huge stack of books to choose from. I think I’ll be starting with The Blue Notebook by James Levine and go from there. Wish me luck!

Reading & Blogging Review for April and May

Natasha Maw — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:13:42 +0000

My biggest apologies for what appears to be a very overwhelming post! I never did a monthly review post for April so this is a combined April and May post. I still have books that I read in March in the review pile and many a interview, both with authors and other bloggers that I need to conduct. Highlights from the past two months were definitly the 24 Hour Read-a-thon, the LA Times Festival of Books, and BookExpo America.

Here’s a recap of what happened in April and May (although it looks like a normal one month and not two) here at the Maw Books Blog. As always, I don’t intend that you read this whole post but skim through and see what you missed.

Books Reviewed in April & May

Fiction

Young Adult Fiction

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

Middle Readers

Picture Books

Non-Fiction

Author Interviews

Reader Spotlights

(Forgive me for taking a completely unintentional break from these feature. Will be coming back strong!)

Reader Spotlight: Come Meet Amy from Amy’s Haiku Haven!

Vlogs

Book Lists

Flashback: The Maw Books Blog a Year Ago

Books I reviewed a year ago April and May: Sirens and Spies by Janet Taylor Lisle, Zel by Donna Jo Napoli, The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari, The Tale of Desperaux by Shannon Hale, Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, I Am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak, Walk On: A Guide for Babies of All Ages by Marla Frazee, Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies by Laura Amy Schiltz, Farworld by J. Scott Savage, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult, Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood by Ibtisam Barakat, Mud City by Deborah Ellis, The Fiction Class by Susan Breen, Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, I Have Lived a Thousand Years by Livia Bitton-Jackson, Slave, My True Story by Mende Nazer, The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt, The Giver by Lois Lowry, Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Sky Burial by Xinran, The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy, Horns and Wrinkles by Joseph Helgerson, The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Torn Thread by Anne Isaacs.

Looking Ahead to April

Upcoming Reviews. Still have Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher waiting for me to review. Hmm . . . yes, I will get to it this month. Lots and lots more in the review pile.

Upcoming Author Interviews. I’d love to tell you if I had anything scheduled, but I put my calender in my BEA box, which is somewhere in the middle of the country right now. Let’s hope I don’t have anything until after it gets here! That said, I have at least half a dozen authors that are expecting questions from me.

Features. I’ve got the nastiest author recipe to date and will be coming back in full swing with the reader spotlights. I will be giving away a Neil Gaiman book. Not just any book, but a signed one. If that isn’t exciting for Neil Gaiman fans I don’t know what it is! Seriously, can’t wait. And I must be the last one to write anything about BEA. So look for that too.

Challenge Updates

The Jewish Literature Challenge hosted by Callista ended in April. This was one of my FAVORITE challenges last year and I was SO excited to participate again. So how many books did I read? A big fat zero! And these are the type of books that I love to read! I am really embarrassed about this challenge and very sad.

I’m finding it hard to remember to update and post my links on the challenge blogs but I’ll keep plugging away. The challenges which I’m currently doing (click to be taken to my list and then to be taken to challenge blog):

A-Z Author & Title Challenge
Dewey’s Books Reading Challenge
New Author Challenge
Read Your Own Books Challenge
Support Your Local Library Challenge
Themed Reading Challenge
War Through the Generations Challenge
Diversity Rocks! Challenge (still haven’t written up my official list yet but the challenge blog has details).
Non-Fiction Five Challenge (again, haven’t officially joined this challenge – I need to get in gear!)

Awards

Can I just say that I’m almost embarrased to post these? But I really want to acknowledge the bloggers who gave these awards. Because really, isn’t that what its really about. And just because I think it’s funny (and it’s almost midnight here and anything is funny), I pass the Sisterhood Award on to Chris and Bart. Maybe we aren’t as diversified as we thought?

Molly from My Cozy Book Nook and Shelly from Write for a Reader passed on the Your Blog is Enchanted Award which describes itself as awarding to blogs which are caring. Thanks Molly and Shelly! Can I tell you how sad I was to miss Molly at BEA?

Kristina from Kristina’s Favorites gave me the Friendly Blogger Award even though she knew I was unlikely to pass it on (I mean come on, how unfriendly of me is that!) Kristina is awesome, highly recommend you go check out her blog.

Serena from Savvy Verse & Wit passed on the Friendly Blogger Award as well. I met Serena at BEA and I loved putting a face to the name. Again, awesome blogger who I feel like enjoys a lot of the same things I do.

Lisa from Books on the Brain gave me the Proximidade Award which is described as going out of their way to build community. Considering that I don’t host a single book blogging community event, I’m thrilled anyways. I met Lisa at the LA Times Festival of Books and I can tell you that she’s simply wonderful and if you aren’t reading her blog, well, you should be.

Mel from Mel’s Reading Corner also passed on the Proximidade Award. I love Mel’s template and must admit that I even previewed it when I was thinking of starting a different blog. We’ve reviewed a lot of the same books, go check her out.

Bobbie from Bobbie’s Book Reviews and Texas Red from Texas Red Books both gave my blog the Proximidade Award. Thanks gals! Do check out their blogs.

Trish from Trish’s Reading Nook awarded the Sisterhood Award. Seriously, Trish is full of awesome. One of my life goals is to meet her. How’s that for stalk-ish?

Cathy from Kittling Books gave me the Grasshopper Award. First of all, I must say that this might be on the cutest awards, for some odd reason. Cathy’s favorite feature of mine is where she spotlights bloggers physical blogging space. I love seeing where everybody blogs. Which reminds me . . . I haven’t turned mine in yet.

Britt from Confessions of a Book Habitue passed on the Let’s Be Friends Award which is funny because we live near each other, so I’d like to become a real IRL friend. Just gotta make it happen.

Melissa from One Librarian’s Book Reviews also gave me the Let’s Be Friends Award. She’s another great Utah blogger who I hope to be able to catch up with in real life at some point. Like the title suggests Melissa is a librarian and she reads a lot of YA.

Kathrin from Secret Dreamworld of a Bookaholic awarded the Lovely Blog Award. Kathrin is hosting the Mystery Read-a-thon which will be on June 7th. If you like mysteries, it might go well with MotherReaders 48 Hour Book Challenge at the same time. Two birds with one stone?

Mrs. V from Mrs. V’s Reviews, Julie from Jule’s Book Reviews, Wendy from Wendy’s Minding Spot also all gave me the One Lovely Blog Award. Looking forward to getting to know these three bloggers better..

Desert Rose awarded the beautiful Literary Blogger Award which describes itself as acknowledging bloggers who energize and inspire reading by going the extra mile. So sweet.

Carnivals

Lots of carnivals and I didn’t submit a single review! But check out the ones who did.

Christ’s Bridge, Love Romance Passion, Literary Menagerie and Mysteries in Paradise all hosted the Book Review Blog Carnival. Get your review in before the 7th for the next carnival at The Symposium by submitting at the Book Review Blog Carnival site.

The 30th Edition of the Bookworms Carnival is being hosted by Michelle at Biblio.me which is books about books! Kristen at the Book Club Classics had the 28th Edition of the Bookworms Carnival which celebrated Pulitzters. Julia over at Book News and Reviews gave us a little taste of Murder Mysteries with the 27th edition. Michelle at 1MoreChapter hosted he 26th Edition of the Bookworms Carnival, which was book awards. The next edition will be hosted on the Bookworms Carnival blog and is paranormal fiction. Check out the Bookworms Carnival website for info.

Other Items of Note

Book Giveaways. Carey at The Tome Traveller won my Savvy by Ingrid Law giveaway. I should have brought the book to NYC because I met Carey there! Will send book as soon as I ask for an address (I swear I’m behind on everything!). Louise won a copy of The Secret Keeper by Paul Harris. Alyce from At Home With Books won a signed Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson and Mari from Mari Reads won seven signed Jodi Picoult books. I have yet to announce my The Chosen One and the BEAtwittyparty giveaway which I’ll do in the comments there in the next couple of days.

Blogging Tips Group on the Book Blogs Ning. I have lots of posting to do over at the blogging tips group but if you haven’t been go check out how to get a favicon, blog design mistakes you should avoid, how to market your blog offline (timely with BEA), and how to link with anchor text.

MotherReader’s 48 Hour Book Challenge. The 48 Hour Book Challenge is coming up THIS weekend, June 5-7th. You can find all the details on the sign up post. I’m participating. I haven’t told my husband though yet. So somebody please pray for me. He probably won’t be happy! I’ll be posting some updates, so make sure you stop by.

Book Expo America and the LA Times Festival of Books. I mention the LA Times Festival of Books because I still have one post in draft mode. Will it ever see the light of day? And of course, it was very exciting to attend Book Expo America (BEA) this past weekend. I feel still like I’m recovering. The highlight was sitting in on the Book Bloggers Panel! Details to come!

Not subscribed at all? As you can see from this recap, there is always something going on. Don’t miss any of it by receiving updates via email or through your favorite reader. Think you want to know even more about me? Follow me on Twitter.

And somebody shoot me for doing two months in a wrap up post. Never again! Why do I submit myself to this torture.

BookExpo America & the 48 Hour Book Challenge – What You Need to Know

Natasha Maw — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:00:28 +0000

This is a bit of a housekeeping post. Many of you may (or may not) know that I’m heading out to New York City to attend BookExpo America, the North American publishing premiere trade show on May 29th-31st. To say I’m excited, is an understatement! I’m also nervous. This is my first time going to New York City. So any tips or advice you have would be greatly appreciated (like how do I see the entire city in a matter of mere hours).

Here’s what I think you (bloggers, authors, publishers, etc.) should know. There is going to be a . . .

Book Bloggers Panel at BEA!

If you will be at BEA, don’t miss the book bloggers panel on Saturday at 2pm in room 1E15. I’m really excited for this panel and for good reason. Dawn from She is Too Fond of Books, Stephanie from The Written Word, Julie from Booking Mama, Beth from Beth Fish Reads, and Amy from My Friend Amy are all on it! Wait . . . and me!

The description of the panel: Book bloggers, via their blogs, Twitter, GoodReads, Facebook, and more, are leading the way in creating buzz for books, offering venues for authors to connect directly with their fans and are reviewing more books than ever in a world where traditional book review coverage is changing. Six top book bloggers, along with Harper Collins’ Jennifer Hart (and BookClubGirl blogger) will discuss how booksellers, publishers and bloggers can combine forces to bring readers and authors together.

I hope we represent book bloggers well! I think we are all a tad nervous (thank goodness I don’t get stage fright!) but excited to be having this awesome conversation together.

But what if you’re . . .

Not at BEA? You Don’t Have to Miss the Panel!

Call in to Blog TalkRadio at 347-945-614 on Saturday, May 30th at 2pm EST to listen live to the panel! My mom said she’s calling in. So you should too! Seriously, great opportunity to listen in.

But if you are there in person then . . .

I Want to Meet You!

The fine folks at the Firebrand booth have come up with a very innovative way for bloggers, publishers, and authors to meet. They are generously hosting book bloggers at their booth during the show.

I’ll be running around crazy trying to meet authors, publishers, and publicists during BEA but if you are going to be there and want to make sure that I don’t miss you then come find me at the Firebrand booth (#4077) on Friday from 11am to noon. And of course, you can find me at the panel on Saturday as well. Stop by and say hello! I really don’t want to look like a dork twiddling my thumbs.

But I’m not the only one, you can . . .

Meet Other Awesome Bloggers!

There are 40+ bloggers also signed up for time slots at the Firebrand booth! Go take a look at the schedule and make sure you don’t miss meeting your favorite blogger (or soon to be favorite blogger!).

In addition to the awesome panels, bloggers, authors, and vendors, I really, really want to go to . . .

Kidlit Drink Night

Who: Kidlit bloggers

When & Where: Friday, May 29th at 8 pm at the Houndstooth Pub at 520 8th Avenue and 37th Street in the lower bar portion of the pub. Hosted by Betsy of Fuse #8 and Cheryl at Brooklyn Arden.

Can I clone myself? Maybe I’ll be there? Maybe I won’t? Argh! Because it’s the same time as . . .

BEAtweetup

Who: Publishers, agents, PR & marketing pros, media, booksellers, librarians, reviewers, book bloggers, readers, authors, vendors who cater to the book community, and more.

When & Where: Friday, May 28th at 8pm at Greenhouse at 150 Varick St (between Vandam & Spring). Hosted by Kat Meyer and a lot of other wonderful bookish tweeps and sponsors. Check them out.

Look for me there! I’ll be the one without a drink in her hand. I hope I don’t feel out of place. But wait! How could I possibly? Lots of friends and new people to meet!

And then after I get back home, crash, and live in the afterglow of BEA, I’m going to participate in . . .

MotherReader’s 48 Hour Book Challenge!

Seriously, I really, really hope we have a lot of “adult” book bloggers sign up in what has in the past been mostly a kidlit event. Pam, our host, is ever so awesome and is eager to cross-promote our “communities.” Go check out the 48 Hour book Challenge details and sign up. The best part? Guilt free sleeping!

Need something to read during the 48 Hour Book Challenge? Don’t forget my current giveaway of The Secret Keeper by Paul Harris.

Phew! Did I get it all?