24 Hour Read-A-Thon

I am hopelessly addicted to YouTube and recently I’ve been watching jessethereader and PeruseProject. They both did a 24 Hour Read-A-Thon which sparked an idea. Basically they chose some books they wanted to read over a 24 hour period to see what they could accomplish. Now they did NOT read for 24 hours straight, that’s not the point. Rather it’s setting a goal, spending time reading and enjoying yourself. They did record their read-a-thon for YouTube, obviously, but I decided to do it via my blog so we’ll see how this goes.

So, here’s the plan. 

I’m going to start my read-a-thon on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 2:00pm EST. The books I plan to read are “The Darker Side of Magic,  “A Gathering of Shadows” and “A Conjuring of Light” all by V.E. Schwab. These are books in a trilogy that I checked out of the library this past Tuesday. I’m already reading “The Darker Side of Magic” so I’ll be starting on page 71. Just being honest. I’m also going to listen to “A Curse So Dark and Lonely” by Brigid Kemmerer via audiobook which I started a couple days ago. I have 9 hours and 44 minutes left. Again, being honest. 

Now, I DO plan on sleeping, eating and walking my dog so the audiobook will come in handy during meals and walks. Sleeping..no I will not be reading. I’m going to shoot for finishing the first two books in the trilogy, the audiobook and see how far I can get in the third. It depends on how much attention Libby, my dog, wants during that 24 hours. Priorities.

Let’s Begin

It’s Saturday 2:00pm I’m all settled into my favorite chair, comfy blanket in place, Libby is sleeping on the couch and I’m going to start reading. I’ll check in throughout the next 24 hours. 

Here we go.

Hi! It’s Saturday at 5:30pm and I’ve been reading “A Darker Shade of Magic” this afternoon. At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like the book. I had read a little yesterday before I decided to do this read-a-thon and thought it was interesting but now I know it is really a great story. So different from what I thought it was going to be. Basically there are multiple Londons and the main male character, Kell, has magic to travel between them. One London has magic, another does not, a third has magic but has warped it so that they are basically evil and the last one the magic has destroyed so it’s dead. He meets Lila who is human and is from the London that doesn’t have any magic. Things get very intense when they meet and that’s where I am right now. So good! I’m on page 177 of 400 so almost half way. I still have a few more hours to read tonight. I will check in before bed. Back to the story! What will happen? Exciting!

Well it’s bedtime. Things got pretty intense in the book. I wondered about Kell’s future. I was actually so engrossed in the story I didn’t hear Libby whining to go outside. Oops. I’m at the halfway point now. I was hoping to finish tonight but that just didn’t happen. I usually listen to audiobooks because when I read on my Kindle my eyes blur but I’ve recently discovered that paper books don’t do that so I can actually read again. It feels so good! I think I’m out of practice and read a little slower but I’m hoping with time I’ll read a little faster. Ok, off to bed I go. I’ll pick things up tomorrow morning. Night!

Good Morning! I’ve been up for a few hours, had coffee, set up my planner (paper) for the day while listening to my audiobook and have been reading for a couple hours. So much has happened. Basically Kell and Lila are now together on the run from someone who is trying to kill them. I don’t want to give away a lot of the book but magic is used, blood is spilled and lines have been crossed. Such a good story and I can’t quite figure out how this will all end. Right now I’m going to have some cereal and then walk Libby while I continue with my audiobook. It’s also getting pretty good. It’s a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but from a much darker perspective. I’ve listened to about two hours since I started and am using that as reading time when I’m not physically reading a book. All in all I’m really enjoying myself. I’ll check in at lunch time. 

Good afternoon! I just finished “A Darker Shade of Magic” and it is a great book. Lots of action, magic and wit. The characters of Kell, Lila and Rhy are so interesting and the story was so intense. Lila is a strong female character who accepts herself for who she is and doesn’t make any excuses or apologies. I’m so glad I chose this as my first book to read. I’m also making good progress on the audiobook “A Curse So Dark and Lonely”. I have a little under 3 hours left and things just got interesting.  The beast has just appeared! 

So onto the next book in the series, “A Gathering of Shadows” (509 pages) but first I have to take Libby out. She’s been so patient and I think she likes the fireplace app on my cable box. It’s been quiet and cozy. I’ll check in after the read-a-thon is done for a final update. Time to read! 

Well it’s 2pm and the read-a-thon is done. I had to do a load of laundry and also start editing audio for a podcast I work on so I only read 48 pages into the second book and it’s really good so far.  Lila seems to be the main character in this one which is great. I also have about 2 hours left in my audiobook. I think we’re heading to the part in the story where beauty and the beast come together to save the village. I’m not sure because this is a totally different story than the Disney movie. 

The challenge has been a great experience. I read so much and taking the time away from watching tv was definitely a plus. I guess the question I’m left with is, would I do it again. And the answer is a definite yes. Spending 24 hours reading was relaxing, calming and just the escape I needed from my everyday life. Is Libby really happy with me right now? Probably not but all in all she’s been very good. She’s slept though most of it and as long as she got her beef jerky she was satisfied. 

Thanks so much for reading this far. I definitely didn’t read as much as I thought I would but that’s ok. I also didn’t intend for this post to be so long but I want to inspire some of my reader friends to give this a try. I hope you enjoyed this blog as much as I enjoyed the read-a-thon. 

Until next time!

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Book Review

Did you ever have that feeling after you’ve finished a book and, as you’re closing the cover, you feel a little sad? That is exactly how I felt after reading “Snow Like Ashes”.  Let me back up a little bit. 

This is a Young Adult Fantasy novel written by Sara Raasch, which was released in 2014. Yes, I’m late to the party. Oh and I’m definitely not a young adult. I’m not even a new adult. I’ve been around the block a few times. What makes this book so good is it is a fantasy book whose protagonist just happens to be a sixteen year old girl. At no point does the author dumb down the story or pull any punches. She puts her characters through some pretty rough stuff but not so bad that the book tips over into the category of adult fantasy. She walks that line with finesse. 

Let me start with the story. I promise, no spoilers. We open with a mock sword fight between Meira and Mather both refugees from their kingdom that was destroyed and its people taken into slavery. Meira, Mather and a small band of their people are the only refugees that have escaped and they’re trying to free their people and rebuild their kingdom. I’m not going to give you anymore than that because I really want you to meet the characters with the same expectation that I experienced.

Speaking of the characters they are well thought out and three dimensional. They’re heroic and flawed. Meira is young and questions authority, acts rashly and just wants to figure out where she fits in.  All things people both young and old feel at one time or other during their lives. I loved her and I was rooting for her throughout the whole story but, being an adult reader, at no time did she frustrate me with her actions. They made total sense given her circumstances.

The writing is crisp and tight and flows very quickly. At no time is it bogged down by a lot of flowery, unnecessary paragraphs describing the landscape or event. It is straight forward and yet you still get that picture in your head that is rich and real.

I can highly recommend this book for both young adults and older folks too. You will be transported to a world that is exquisitely built and rich in vision. And the good news? This is the first book in a trilogy. I’m deep into the second book and it’s actually better than the first. I’ll review that one once I’m done but I am taking my time because I have that great feeling where you don’t want to finish the book because you don’t want to leave the world or your friends. Read this book. You’ll thoroughly enjoy yourself.

Five Things To Know About Your New Puppy

It’s that time of year. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Family. Friends. Food. It’s also the time of year where puppies come into our lives as Christmas gifts. It’s exciting and new and the kids, if you have them, are over the moon. Sometimes it’s love at first sight. Sometimes it takes a little time for everyone to come together.

Getting a puppy from a breeder, rescue group or shelter will require a lot of patience, love and time. We can’t expect our new furry friend to be perfect right away. So here are five things you can do to make the transition easier for the both of you.

ONE

If you have children, it’s time to teach them the proper way to handle animals. When you’re introducing the child and dog to each other it’s important to give your pooch a lot of space and time to meet. It’s exciting and our first instinct is to pick up the puppy and squeeze it tight with all the love in our hearts or if it’s an older puppy to run up to it and give it a big hug. This can cause a significant amount of stress on the dog. With a young puppy have your child or children sit down, put the puppy on the floor and let him or her approach your kids. The puppy will sniff and investigate and that’s important because that is what dogs do when they meet another dog or a human. At this point a puppy will either back off or crawl up into their lap. If the puppy backs off give them their space because they might be shy. After all, there’s a lot going on. Eventually they’ll settle into the situation and approach you or your kids again. Puppies are inquisitive.

If you’ve rescued an older puppy give them plenty of space. Again, let them approach your kids on their own. Let the dog set the pace. This is a lot for a dog to take in. Hopefully when you talked to the rescue they paired your family with a dog that is good with children but it still takes plenty of time for them to get used to new people. 

In your home make a special space for the puppy. This space is off limits for kids and adults. This is a safe place where the dog can go and de-stress. Put their crate and/or bed there and if your the dog goes into its crate let them stay there until they’re ready to come out and socialize again.

I know this seems hard to do but it really is important for you to give your dog time and space to become part of the family.

TWO

You new puppy will probably be a little mouthy. What I mean is they will want to put their teeth on you. This is normal and can be handled gently and humanely. Puppies need to learn bite inhibition and if you don’t have another puppy or dog, that job falls to you. Ideally if you don’t have another dog take your puppy to a good, reputable doggie daycare. They should match up your puppy with other puppies or even an older dog who have similar temperaments not just throw all the dogs in one big room with very little supervision. In a good daycare facility there are playgroups which are closely monitored. Spray bottles are NOT used to diffuse fights. Do your research. Make this a positive experience for your puppy. The reason I recommend daycare is because in as little as a day your puppy’s mouthing will improve significantly. I’ve seen it myself time and time again. 

If daycare is not in your budget then it’s up to you to teach your puppy how much pressure is too much. The best way to do this is to play with your puppy. When they mouth continue to play until the pressure is too much. When it is, playtime is over. This is what other puppies will do as well. Wait a couple minutes and if the puppy still wants to play continue. Everytime the pressure is too much stop playing. Your puppy will learn. Trust me.

THREE

House training is necessary as puddles in the house or piles of poop on the carpet is not fun but with patience and vigilance it can be done humanely and quickly. First, buy a crate. Some people think putting a puppy in a crate is cruel. Dogs are den animals and having a place where they feel safe is super important and if your puppy learns the crate is fun they won’t mind going in and spending some time in their safe space. I don’t recommend giving your puppy free reign in your home until they are reliably going outside. Pee pads are nice tools but don’t rely on them unless you plan on having your puppy pee on them for a longer period of time. It’s worth it to spend the time teaching your dog that outside is the only place for pee and poop. 

Puppies will need to pee within 15 minutes after drinking water and poop 30 minutes after they eat. When I was house training my puppy I used a paper schedule that I hung on the refrigerator to track their fluid and food intake times. This helped a lot and we had only a few accidents all of which were my fault because I wasn’t paying attention. 

When you take your puppy out it is not playtime. It’s all business. I recommend, at first, to take your puppy out on a leash and take them to the spot in your yard where you want them to pee and poop. This will make clean up much easier. Then it’s a waiting game. Give them about 5 minutes. There will be a lot of sniffing which is normal. If after 5 minutes they don’t pee or poop take them back into the house and put them in their crate for about 10 minutes. Then try again. Repeat this until the puppy relieves themselves. Also once they do go don’t immediately run back into the house. Hang out for a couple minutes to make sure they’re done.

If you like you can train your dog to pee or poop on command. Just as they are getting ready to go say “good pee or poo”. This sounds silly but if you stick with it when they get older you can say “go pee” and they will know what needs to be done. This can really come in handy in inclement weather.

FOUR

I should have put this first because it’s so important. Sign yourself and your new puppy up for behavior training. This will not only help your puppy to become a good member of the family but will also form a wonderful bond between the two of you. There is so much to say on this topic. As a certified dog trainer myself I could write a whole separate blog post about this subject. All I’ll say right now is to do your research. I think you’ll find that experts now recommend positive reinforcement training. I personally recommend clicker training. It works and makes training much easier because the clicker acts as a communication tool between the two of you. I’ve been clicker training for over 10 years and I’ve seen the benefits even with dogs who have had a hard start in life. 

Expect to invest your time at home in the training not just in class. The trainer will show you how to train your dog and the practice at home will reinforce the training. It takes time and patience but the benefits are huge. 

That’s all I’ll say on the matter. I’ll write another post on this subject in the future.

FIVE

Finally enjoy yourself and your new furry family member. Playtime is a great way to form a lasting relationship with her or him. Tug is fun and, contrary to popular belief, does not make your dog aggressive. Fetch is also a great game and is pretty easy to teach. You can also use playtime to train your dog as well. Keep it all positive, fun and kind. Kindness goes a long way.

Patience is key and it can make the time you spend together a positive experience for the both of you. I wish you and your puppy happiness and a long and healthy life together. Happy New Year!

Therese

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