Memoirs/True Stories Mini Challenge

Mini-Challenege hosted at Rainy Day Reviews

Questionnaire:


1. Have you ever read a memoir/true story (Or book 'based on true events'?)

Yes.  Not a lot but a few.

2. If so, what was the title/author?

- Another Day in the Frontal Lobe: A Brain Surgeon Exposes Life on the Inside


Author: Katrina S. Firlik


- A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive and The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family


Author: Dave Pelzer


- Work Hard. Be Nice.: How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America

Author: Jay Matthews


3. What what it about?

- A neurosurgeon.  She discussed her training, what it actually meant to be a neurosurgeon, some stories, etc.

- Books about a young boy who was horribly abused by his mother and then his troublesome life in the foster system.

- A young man and his friend decide to make a difference in America's school system.


4. Did you like it? Would you recommend it?

- Interesting.  I took my time reading it, but it wasn't hard reading.

- I can't read this type of book now, but at the time I think I was fascinated by the first and somewhat bored by the second.

- Very interesting.  I did some Googling after I finished it to learn even more about the school program developed.

5. How many have you read?

Maybe 5ish adult ones?

6. Why or what made you want to read it?

- Looked interesting and I could buy it used for less than $1.

- I have no idea.

- Saw it at the library, the cover attracted me, and it looked interesting.


7. What was the saddest/scariest one you read?

The Dave Pelzer books were sad, especially the first.  I also read a book about a Chinese woman who was the 3rd wife of a man who moved to Canada and later the U.S. that I found very long and depressing.  All of these were read as a young teenager.  Like 13-15.

8. Did it have a 'happy ending'?

Um, I think the 2nd Dave Pelzer one does.  At the least the 3rd book by him is a happy "ending" to his story.  The Chinese one had a ending where she was satisfied w/ her life.  I don't know that I would consider it happy though.



9. When choosing a memoir/true story, do you look for a certain kind? ( i.e. historical diary, inspirational like The Freedom Writer's Diary, Christian, non Christian)


Now? I look for interesting.  I have a couple of historical diary types waiting if I ever work up the mood for them. It just depends.  I do look for happy endings now.

10. Bonus question(s-it's in parts:) for my giveaway: Have you read 3 or more memoirs/true stories? Title/Author, would you recommend them?If you were to win the giveaway prize, would you want the book, (Sizzling 16 by Janet Evanovich) and would you prefer the coffee or tea? or both?
 
Yes.
 
Another Day in the Frontal Lobe: A Brain Surgeon Exposes Life on the Inside/Katrina S. Firlik
A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive/Dave Pelzer
The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family/Dave Pelzer
Work Hard. Be Nice.: How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America/Jay Matthews

Yes!

I don't drink coffee or tea, but I would take either/both (for my family).

Pitch Your Book! Mini-Challenge

A mini-challenge hosted by i just want to sit here and read!

What it's all about:

Kate wants a book pitched to her. Not just any book but "Whatever book you are currently reading or one that you have read during the challenge, tell me why I should read it! Why do you love it or why are you loving it (if still reading)?"


Anyway, if you've read my blog before, you probably know I tend to hedge about recommendations. But I wanted to participate in at least one mini-challenge before bed, so here goes (I have completed this book, and did enjoy it... just FYI).

A murder mystery, a librarian, a big-city stranger adjusting to a small town, a prospective romance, objects that disappear (to who knows where), and a creative hobby to sew it all together... Sew Deadly by Elizabeth Lynn Casey has it all.

Get the Heck Out of Here Mini-Challenge

I've already discussed some of these questions, but I'm answering them here as well for Jennifer (@ The Literate Housewife Review)'s Get the Heck Out of Here Mini-Challenge.

1.What steps did you take to ensure you’d be able to read as much as possible today?

I sorted through clothes, carried boxes upstairs or downstairs (depending on content) as needed, etc. that had been sitting on the porch since my recent move. I made sure I had enough reading content to last the day, and made plans for how the chaos of my nephew (2yo) and niece (1yo) visiting later in the day could be used to benefit me in the Read-a-Thon.

2.Of those steps, which proved to be the most beneficial to your day?

The nephew and niece part. Reading to/with them was fun, gave me some easy quick reading, and provided a change after reading a close to 500 page book.

3.Is there anything you might do differently next time?

I would have more variety in genres available, and more importantly I would have a series I've started but have several book left to go in available. I read one book after another better when they are part of a series...Even when it's a series I'm re-reading.

Read-a-Thon ... Once Upon A Reading Mini Challenge

This mini-challenge is held by Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.

A 3-4 paragraph story including at least 10 book titles (in bold).

Deadwood Jones Books It

The Adventures of Deadwood Jones are vast.  He has done so much in his short life; even when he practically had One Foot in the Grave. 

As a boy he learned How to Wash a Cat (and we all know that's a Walk on the Wild Side).  He's accomplished a Back Spin that would have anyone else in the hospital or worse...but remained Unbroken.  Why he's even attended The Deadly Dinner Party.  (You know, the one where they serve Eggs Benedict Arnold?)

Deadwood Jones's most recent adventures have taken place in the most unlikely places and with the most innocuous objects.  For instance, he encountered the blue flower that gave off some very unnatural vibes by the Moonlight.  Before that he diplayed Standard Hero Behavior at the bookshop when he rescued a girl - by reciting a Ballad.

I suppose it's perfectly understandable why Deadwood Jones has decided that he will remain evermore offshore.  With all those adventures behind him, who wouldn't want a little R&R?

Books (in order) by:

Helen Hemphill
Jeaniene Frost
Rebecca M. Hale
Christine Warren
Harlan Coben
A.J. Matthews
Jonathan A. Edlow, M.D.
Laura Childs
Penelope Fitzgerald
Amy Kathleen Ryan
Rachel Hawthorne
John David Anderson
Penelope Fitzgerald (again)
Maggie Stiefvater
Alyson Noel
Penelope Fitzgerald (again)

Read-a-Thon Update #3 ... Mid-Event Meme

Mid-Event Survey:


1. What are you reading right now?

Skinny by Robert Burch (a MG book c1964)

2. How many books have you read so far?

1 adult book, 5 board-books w/ the nephew and niece

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

Less distractions, more reading time.  Also, more time to visit around.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

I recently moved, and I had to sort through my clothes and lug miscellaneous boxes around yesterday so I could claim today for me-time.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

Yes.  Moved away from them in some cases.  But, surprisingly, most the interruptions are my own restlessness.  I know I can read through a whole day... I've done it before just because... but my concentration isn't great today.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
How much comments from fellow readers and the cheerleaders actually help.  I'd heard that, but I didn't really realize how cool or inspiring it is.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

In general? No.  For myself?  I'm making a list once this is all over.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

Make sure may day is entirely clear.  Have books, preferablly from a series I'm into liked up and ready.  Get plenty of sleep the night before.  Blog updates and keep up with the main page and mini-challenges more regularlly.  Check out and comment other blogs more. etc.

9. Are you getting tired yet?

No, but I'm definitely restless.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?
 
No clue.  I'm just exploring at this point.

Books completed:

1. Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison
2. A Bear for Breakfast by Jennifer King (a favorite)
3. A Little Book of Baby Animals Illustrated by Yasuko Itoh
4. No No Yes Yes by Leslie Patricelli (another favorite)
5. I Spy Little Book by Jean Marzollo (Illustrated by Walter Wick)
6. This Little Piggy Illustrated by Moira Kemp

Currently reading: Skinny

Progress (total): 493 pages + 5 board books

Time spent reading (total): Approx. 8 hours