The RAHM Report for 8/28/17

Last week, I participated in Bout of Books. Today's post rounds up everything I read during the 7-day read-a-thon, plus what I'll be reading next!

Finished Reading: 

• Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package by Kate DiCamillo (ARC)
  This series never disappoints. This one struck me as especially funny.
• Just Dance by Patricia MacLachlan (ARC)
  This is another of those introspective and descriptive short novels of which MacLachlan has written so many. It was well-written, but not my favorite of hers.
• Best Buds Under Frogs by Leslie Patricelli (ARC)
  I was really curious about this first novel by board book and picture book author/illustrator Leslie Patricelli. I was pleasantly surprised by how refreshing and different it was.
• Swing it, Sunny by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (ARC)
  I enjoyed this graphic novel as much as the first one, but it felt short to me. I could have read 100 pages more at least.
• Dear Fahrenheit 451: A Librarian's Love Letters and Break-Up Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence (ARC)
  This was a fun diversion for a former librarian. I liked the letters, but not so much the book lists in the second half of the book.
• Patina by Jason Reynolds (ARC)
  The voice in this one is not as strong as that of the main character in Ghost, but otherwise it was everything I wanted the second book of the series to be.
• Did You Carry the Flag Today, Charley? by Rebecca Caudill
  I am reading ahead a little bit for the Old School Kidlit Reading Challenge, which will focus on school stories in September. This was a sweet story about a mischievous Appalachian boy's first experience with school. I loved the writing style.
• Here Comes the Bus by Carolyn Haywood
  I also read this for the Old School Kidlit Challenge. I would have loved it as a kid because I didn't ride the bus and was always curious about what it was like.
• The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser (ARC)
  This heartwarming family story set over Christmas is reminiscent of kids' novels of the 50s and 60s as well as the Penderwicks series. This one's not even out yet and I'm already eager for the sequel, which is due out in 2018. 
• A Picturesque Tale of Progress: Beginnings II by Olive Beaupre Miller
  I told myself I was going to read all 8 volumes of this set, and I'm regretting that decision a little bit. There were a lot of names in this, and I found it hard to retain any information. I did like the treatment of Biblical history, however.
• Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
  I enjoyed this book differently this time than I did as a teenager. I'll have a lot to say in my review.
• Beware the Fish! by Gordon Korman
  I ended the read-a-thon with this quick read. I'm hoping to finish the series and review it for the Old School Kidlit Reading Challenge as well. 

Currently Reading: 

• Raising Demons by Shirley Jackson
  I made some good progress on this book this week, but since I save it to read at night, it's always going to be a slower read than the others. I may try to finish it this week, but I make no guarantees.
• Butternut Summer by Mary McNear
  I barely touched this all week. It's on my phone so I can sneak in a chapter here and there, but it's quicker and more satisfying to read kids' books, especially during a read-a-thon.
• The Ghosts of Greenglass House by Kate Milford (ARC)
  I am loving this, but it's a long one. I'm about a third of the way through.
• The War with Mr. Wizzle by Gordon Korman
  I just borrowed this from Open Library since it comes right after Beware the Fish and I'm trying to get through the rest of the series. I've only read the first page so far. 

I'll be linking up today with Bout of Books to report on my progress for the last time, and with Unleashing Readers/Teach Mentor Texts and Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Bout of Books Progress, Day 6

On day 6, I finished two books:

• A Picturesque Tale of Progress: Beginnings II by Olive Beaupre Miller
• Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

It feels like I've been reading both of these forever, so I'm glad to finally be done!

I also read:

• 16 pages of Raising Demons by Shirley Jackson
• 47 pages of my digital ARC of The Ghosts of Greenglass House by Kate Milford

Bout of Books Progress, Day 5

On day 5, I finished reading:

• Here Comes the Bus by Carolyn Haywood 
• Did You Carry the Flag Today, Charley? by Rebecca Caudill 
• The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser 

That's a total of 9 books finished for the read-a-thon so far - hoping to make it 12 (or more!) by the end of the weekend!

Bout of Books Progress, Day 4

I didn't finish any books on day 4, but I made some progress on several of my current reads.

I read:

• 17 pages of Raising Demons by Shirley Jackson 
• 38 pages of Picturesque Tale of Progress: Beginnings II by Olive Beaupre Miller
• 2% of the Kindle edition of Butternut Summer by Mary McNear 
• 60 pages of Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury 
• 64 pages of my digital ARC of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser 

I feel accomplished and I'm determined to finish at least a couple of these before the week is over! 

Bout of Books Progress, Day 3

Appointments and phone calls kept me away from reading as much on day 3 as I wanted to, but I did read a few pages in Raising Demons by Shirley Jackson and Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury (both of which I've been reading slowly over the past few weeks) and I read my digital ARC of Patina by Jason Reynolds cover to cover in about 90 minutes. Hoping to get through a few more ARCs before the week is out...

Bout of Books Progress, Day 2

On day two, I didn't make any progress on the books I really should be reading, but I did finish four ARCs:

• Best Buds Under Frogs by Leslie Patricelli
• Swing it, Sunny by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
• Dear Fahrenheit 451: A Librarian's Love Letters and Break-Up Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence
• Just Dance by Patricia MacLachlan

Wednesday is a busy day so I probably won't have progress like this again until later in the week, but I should have something to report tomorrow, even if it's only a beginning chapter book!

Bout of Books Progress, Day 1

The first day of Bout of Books was a busy and stressful day, and I didn't read a single word until after 10pm! Still, I managed to finish one ARC (Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package by Kate DiCamillo) and made good progress on a second one (Best Buds Under Frogs by Leslie Patricelli).

I hope to make some more substantial progress on Tuesday!

Bout of Books 20

The last Bout of Books of 2017 begins on Monday! If you're not familiar with this wonderful read-a-thon, here is the official blurb:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 21st and runs through Sunday, August 27th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 20 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

This is my sixth time participating, and I'm hoping to use the week to get ahead for the Old School Kidlit Reading Challenge and to read through some of the digital ARCs that have been accumulating in my NetGalley and Edelweiss accounts. Sign up here to join the fun!

Bout of Books Progress, Day 7

To finish out the read-a-thon I read two cozy mysteries: Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy and Better Late Than Never by Jenn McKinlay. I read a total of 12 books during the week, which considering all the interruptions and distractions I had, is pretty good. I can't wait until Bout of Books 20 in August! 

Bout of Books Progress, Day 6

I read two books on day 6: It's an Aardvark-Eat-Turtle World and Everyone Else's Parents Said Yes, both by Paula Danziger. 

I'm really hoping to finish strong by plowing through several paperbacks on the final day, but if not, there's always the next Bout of Books...

Bout of Books Progress, Day 5

I finished four books on Friday:

• Bingo Brown and the Language of Love by Betsy Byars 
• Best Friends (Sweet Valley Twins, #1) by Francine Pascal 
• Bingo Brown, Gypsy Lover by Betsy Byars
• The Divorce Express by Paula Danziger

I am still 40-something books behind on Goodreads, so I won't be meeting my goal of reducing that number, but I should still have another few books finished by the end of the read-a-thon - hopefully.

Bout of Books Progress, Day 4

This is probably going to be my least successful Bout of Books ever, but I'm still plodding along. On day 4, I finished This Can't Be Happening at MacDonald Hall! by Gordon Korman and almost finished Bingo Brown and the Language of Love by Betsy Byars and Sweet Valley Twins #1: Best Friends by Francine Pascal. (That Sweet Valley Twins book was pretty terrible, but I enjoyed the trip down memory lane!)

Bout of Books Progress, Day 3

On day 3, I finished A Likely Story by Jenn McKinlay and then read half of This Can't Be Happening at MacDonald Hall! by Gordon Korman. It seems that I'm actually getting less reading done during this read-a-thon than I would in a normal week...

Bout of Books Progress, Day 2

Day 2 was slightly better than Day 1. I read two books cover to cover: A Cricket in Times Square by George Selden (which is one of my picks for the Old School Kidlit Reading Challenge this month) and The Burning Questions of Bingo Brown, which I borrowed from Open Library just for fun because I love Betsy Byars and I eventually want to read all of her books. I will probably get through the rest of that series this week.

I still haven't finished A Likely Story by Jenn McKinlay, but I'm getting close. Day 3 has been a little tricky so far, but the night is young...

Bout of Books Progress, Day 1

I had my last CCD class of the year last night, and then I participated in the #boutofbooks chat as soon as I got home, so my evening reading time was limited, and I got off to a slow start. I finished a book I had been reading for a couple of weeks - First Class Murder by Robin Stevens - and made a little bit of progress on A Likely Story by Jenn McKinlay. I also read about 30 pages of Murder on the Orient Express, but that's a long one, and I don't really plan to make it a priority this week. 

My goal for the week is to catch up on my Goodreads challenge. I have been perpetually 40-ish books behind for over a month, and though I can make some of it up with picture books, I also want to get a few longer books done. I'm hoping for at least a slightly more productive Day 2! 

Bout of Books 19

Bout of Books 19 starts Monday! This is my fifth time participating overall, and my second time since starting this blog.

If you're not familiar with Bout of Books, here is the official blurb:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 8th and runs through Sunday, May 14th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 19 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I've had too much going on to really think about what I am going to read just yet, but I'm hoping to have a reading list put together by Monday. I usually get a lot of reading done, and I don't want to waste the week! 

Bout of Books Progress for 1/7/17 (Day 6)

It took me all day to get around to updating yesterday's progress because there really wasn't any. I read less than two chapters of Love Walks In by Samantha Chase, and that's it. At this rate, all I hope to accomplish for the rest of day 7 is to finish that book!

Bout of Books Progress for 1/6/17 (Day 5)

This has been a disappointing Bout of Books so far because I have been mostly too sick to enjoy it and too busy to participate in the challenges, but I am continuing to make moderate reading progress. Here's my tally for day 5:

• read Ramshackle Roost by Jane Flory
• read The Lost Umbrella of Kim Chu by Eleanor Estes
• read With a Name Like Lulu, Who Needs More Trouble? by Tricia Springstubb 
• read A Grandmother for the Orphelines by Natalie Savage Carlson

Bout of Books Progress for 1/5/17 (Day 4)

I still have a sore throat, but my children both actually napped after lunch so I was able to sneak in some reading for day four. Here's what I ended up accomplishing:

• finished The One Hundredth Thing About Caroline by Lois Lowry
• read Switcharound by Lois Lowry
• read Your Move, J.P.! by Lois Lowry 

Bout of Books Progress for 1/4/17 (Day 3)

Day 3 was not quite as productive as day 2, in part because I am still fighting a cold. Here's how I did:

• finished Over the Hills and Far Away by Lavinia Russ
• finished The Windy Hill by Cornelia Meigs
• started The One Hundredth Thing About Caroline by Lois Lowry