Thursday, July 8, 2010

100 Books of Summer

At the begining of the summer, I issued a challenge to my kiddos: 

Let's read 100 books this summer!!

Sissy: Yea!  That would be so cool mom! (she thinks anything I suggest is cool)

Brody: Huh?  You mean I have to read 100 books by myself????

No silly, the 3 of us are going to read 100 books!

And so we have started our summer challenge.


As it turns out, we had only gotten to 25 books before we left on vacation, which was pretty good for 3 weeks that included soccer skills and Vacation Bible School!
       
         We have some fun books on our list to read this summer too.  For Sis, we have some great reccommendations.  She also discovered the Little House series and are reading those as quickly as she can get her hands on them.  She is my reader and has spent many afternoons this summer reading in her room.
      
         Brody doesn't pick reading as his "first choice" when asked what he wants to do, but once he gets into a book, he tends to read it to the finish.  He likes a lot of non-fiction (tanks, submarines, snakes, lizards, you name it) and hard Star Wars chapter books.  For a 2nd grader, he is doing amazingly well with the hard words, but it has taken him longer to get through some of the books he has choosen.  Kudos to him for picking books based on what he wants to read!!
           For me, I wanted to read quick, fun reads this summer. I have finished 3 of the Sookie Stackhouse books (don't laugh at me!!  they are awesome!) and am also reading some of the books on Sis's list.  Some of the above "kids" books have been great reads!  I am in a book club and the 2 we have read for the summer so far have included The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell and My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster.  I read Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster in June and LOVED IT - I so related to her getting laid off and discovering a whole new person (and new life) in the process.  I also have the Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series on my list as well as The Host by Stephanie Meyer (can't believe I haven't read that one yet!) and a few others.  Quick, easy reads for me....don't come looking for serious novels here.
       
           Also, my totally cool dad got an iPad in June (can i say j-e-a-l-o-u-s?)and discovered he didn't need his Kindle anymore, so he let me use it (did you catch that Matt - ME?).  Somehow my hubby got a hold of it, downloaded a book on it, and conviently didn't have it finished by the time he had to go back to Texas..... hmmm..... looks like someone has a new toy....

       I love to read, but as a busy mom of three, I only find time to read when my head hits the pillow at night.  And I wasn't finishing many books that way.  What really worked for us was to read for atleast 30 mins right when the baby went down for his afternoon nap. Our reading time always lasted longer and sometimes went the whole naptime.  Yes, I had plently of things I needed to be doing while the baby was down, but honestly, it's summer.  Those things can wait!!

    So, as of today, we are only up to 30 books and we are deep into July!! We have lost track of our goal as we are having WAY too much fun on vacation here in Illinois (s much to tell you guys about!!).  Yesterday, we visited the town library (my in-laws live in the best little town!!) and were able to check out a few books and both got back on track today.  Will we hit our goal?  Stay tuned...  If you have been a reader of this blog for awhile, you will know that this family never backs down from a challenge!!

        Now, all this talk of books, makes me what to get off the computer and go read......

         So, leave me a great comment, then unplug and get caught up in your favorite book.  You'll thank me later.


15 comments:

Hallie said...

Have you read any Geronimo Stilton books? My daughter loves them!!!

Bonni said...

I just found your blog! I loved this post! What a great goal! Whether you read all 100 books or not....it's a win-win situation!

Surrounded-By-Boys said...

I love love love to read! It is definitely a favorite of mine! My favorite author is Karen Kingsbury! I think you should try some of her books--you'd be addicted! Start with her Redemption series....then move from there....I've got em ALL! LOVE HER!!!

Lyndsay said...

I love that your kids are getting into this challenge!! Reading is such a favorite activity of mine, I just wish I had more time to do it :) Maybe I need to issue myself a challenge!

Kelli said...

I love to read and also only really have time when I go to bed at night. I'd have more time if I could get mail tail in bed earlier. I do want to ready My Fair Lazy because it sounds like what I'm going through now, being more well-rounded. I'm getting ready to read I, Alex Cross by James Patterson...love him. I love Janet Evanovich too! Oh and I'm on reserve for The Help. Happy reading.

Anonymous said...

oo yay! What a fun summer reading challenge!!

Katie said...

I love that you are reading kids books! I teach middle school and when I started, I made myself read the books I saw them reading in class! My niece and I have a challenge of our own going right now... we both read the same books...and then we have a girls night as a reward! Its great!

Rhonda said...

What an awesome summer goal...I love it! I seem to never have time to read anymore and my books I want to read are stacking up! I have a friend that does a reading time nightly with her family. After dinner, they ALL go to their spots and read for about 30 minutes, sounds a lot like your plan. I'm going to start implementing this plan asap...so I can get some reading done too.


So glad you are enjoying your vacation!

Jen said...

I'm a bookaholic, always have been and I can't go to sleep at night without reading a few words - even if I pass out with the book in my hand :)

I tried doing the 'reading at nap' with the big kids, and it worked for a few days & then they started to fuss. And I got caught up with other things. Need to get back to that, thanks for the nudge!

Jessica said...

That is such an awesome challenge, Becca! I can't wait to see the picture of the day you guys reach 100!

Miller Racing Family said...

I am so like you,I would love to read a good book but when do I have time. I am going to start reading the power of the praying wife again. Maybe this will get me back in the habit.
Have a great day!

Diana Ferguson said...

Ok, you have kicked me in the seat--right where I needed it. I getting my books out.

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

That is awesome!!!! I remember reading the Little House books as a kid. How about the Chronicles of Narnia too?! There is also a WONDERFUL book by Julie Andrews called Mandy (Yes, THAT Julie Andrews).

You should read The Egg & I by Betty McDonald and A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith. They are 2 of my very favorites in the whole world!

I'm getting ready to start the Left Behind series. (And I am so glad you've finally discovered the sassy Ms. Lancaster!!)

He & Me + 3 said...

I am not a huge reader, but the kids have read about that many books this summer so far too. The girls really love reading.

jennykate77 said...

I WISH I was home reading right now!!! I'm deep into a couple of books and would love to finish them up this week, so that I can move on to my HUGE pile of reading beside my bed! You're going to LOVE The Host! I'm planning on re-reading it next month with a reading group. I'm reading Water For Elephants right now and I'm loving it. I'm also about half way through Eclipse...again...for the, who knows what time. I've lost track.

Great summer goal!!! If I know the Texas Darlings like I think I do, then you guys will definitely reach your goal!

Hope you're having a great week!♥

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