Tag Archives: Bookish Chatter

Chatter about books, reading and anything related to either one.

Bookish Talk, Challenges

48 Hour Read-a-Thon (Fun x 2)

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48 Hour Read-a-Thon Button

Isn’t this the cutest button?

Wallace over at Unputdownables is hosting a 48 Hour Read-a-Thon. You heard that right. 48 hours of fun. That’s double what we’re used to and it starts this Friday, July 30, 2010.

I know that I won’t be able to participate for the entire 48 hours but I will be reading as much as I can and posting a few updates as time permits. I need this badly because my vacation was supposed to include a lot of reading and with the rowdy campers and monstrous mosquitoes and the last-minute switch in plans, I never got to read! I’ve been reading all week but I am still behind.

So… what do I plan to read? Here is a short list:

  • The Stand by Stephen King (gotta finish it!)
  • Coming Up For Air by George Orwell
  • The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (for book club which meets very soon)
  • One Day by David Nicholls

As you can see, nothing earth shattering as I have mentioned all of these within the past week. If I can finish a couple of these and start the others, I’ll be really happy.

If you have a pile that you need to get through, why not join us? Details can be found here. It’s always more fun to read together.

Bookish Talk

Reading Quirks

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Do you have any reading quirks?

I do.

Mine doesn’t really have anything to do with the environment. I can read in noisy places without any issues and I have been known to read with very little lighting. No, for me the quirkiness comes from the story itself and if the author has done his or her job, then the characters speak to me and I will typically have something to say in reply.

Yep. I talk to the characters when they are really well drawn. I am usually not aware that I am doing it but my kids and sometimes The Hub (when not taken hostage by the TV) have been known to bring it to my attention.

This happened recently with Labor Day by Joyce Maynard. The story revolves around a questionable character and all throughout the book, I kept hearing him say, “Hey Ti, I’m a good guy.” His actions spoke volumes. Another blogger mentioned to me that she didn’t care for the book because of its creep factor. I get what she is saying. In a normal situation I’d feel the same way, but that character was so well written (in my opinion) that he spoke to me. And everything that out of his mouth was good.

I think there are probably a lot of readers that do this while reading a book. Am I right? But do you do it afterward too? I finished the book a couple of days ago and I am still talking to Frank. The same can be said for King’s The Stand. I’ve been talking to Trashcan Man quite a bit lately and I’m sure I’ll talk to him a bit once I’m done.

Does the ability to hear a character automatically equal success? No. Lots of things have to come together for me to love a book, but I am always amused by the idea of a character coming to life on the page.

I’m sort of like that kid from the movie The Sixth Sense, only he sees dead people and I see (and talk) to people who don’t exist in real life. Could be worse. Heck, I could even call it a “talent” if I stretch the imagination a bit.

What’s your reading quirk?