48 Hour Book Challenge--2015 Edition

Yes, reader guys everywhere, it's June once again and that means it's time for the Iron Guy's annual test of endurance and stamina, that time when he pushes his amazing MANLY MANLINESS to limits undreamed of. In other words, it's time for the 48 Hour Book Challenge, a weekend in which lots of kidlit book bloggers see how many hours they can read in a 48-hour period. The Iron Guy has done this in the past and has, of course, held the blog world in awe of his ability to sit in one spot and read. (click on the "48 hour book challenge" tab under this post to see what I've done in the past 48 Hour Challenges) This year promises to be one of the best ever, so stay tuned to this blog and see Iron Guy achieve even greater awesomeness!

What will I read this weekend? Well, I plan to finish a couple of books on my TBR ("to be read") list but there are a couple of others:


The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel--Our friend Mighty Micah recommended this one to me, so how could I refuse?










Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! : the Beatles, Beatlemania, and the Music That Changed the World by Bob Spitz--The story of the greatest rock band of all time. Gotta be a good one.








We're also allowed to listen to one audiobook, so I've got Airborn by Kenneth Oppel. Yes, that's two books by the same author in one weekend but this one is supposed to be really good, so why not?

OK, then. I'll officially start the challenge later tonight(actually started @ 11:30 pm--update from this afternoon), so watch this blog and follow the progress of the incredible--

IRON GUY!

48 Hour Book Challenge for the Iron Guy--

Once again, boys, it's that time of year--the time when the Iron Guy tests his endurance, stamina and determination to the utmost limits of his iron abilities.Yes, it's the annual 48 Hour Book Challenge, the weekend in which a lot of kidlit bloggers try to read as many hours as they can over a weekend. I've done this before in 2010, 2011,and 2013. (things were too busy in 2012) So, as in those three glorious years, I'm going to accept the challenge to read, read and read some more. The event will happen in two weeks. That means it's from Friday, June 6 through Sunday, June 8. Technically, bloggers have from 7:00 am of that Friday until 7:00 am of the following Monday morning. The requirement is--brace yourselves--12 HOURS OF READING. That's right--a full quarter of a weekend! "Amazing!" you may say. "It can't be done!" others of you may think.

HA!! It's merely a trivial test for--

The IRON GUY!

The good people who have organized the Challenge this year have picked out the theme of diversity. I've got a list of books to reflect that worthwhile theme and here they are:

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues by Patricia C. McKissaack and Frederick McKissack, Jr.
















Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze by Elizabeth Foreman Lewis (sorry if the picture isn't very clear)

The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

 

and The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

Now I know that these last three may stretch the definition of "diversity" a bit but here's how I look at it--one takes in medieval Poland (a different time in history), one has a main character who isn't even a person (pretty diverse), and the last one--well, I just wanted to read it. OK, you could say that one character is a piece of origami and that qualifies (possibly). Besides, it's part of my 2014 resolution and I'll have time to actually get to it.

Will I read ALL those books? Maybe. But I will give it a MANLY try. So come on, June 7--9. The IRON GUY is ready for you!!

BUT WAIT--THERE'S MORE!

I've got a challenge for YOU, reader guys. I want to see if you've got what it takes. Want to know more? Then read the post under this one!

Got It Done!

Yes, everyone, the Iron Guy may get tired but he does not flinch from his duty! I've come to the end the 48 Hour Book Challenge and have made not just 14 but a full FIFTEEN hours of reading, listening, and social network time. For all of you who may have worried that I would pass out from my exertions, put away your fears. I am fresh and ready to pick the next book worthy of sharing with all you guys--after a good night's sleep, of course. 

Yesterday I put in 7 1/2 hours worth of time. Today I did the same. Here is what I read:

Lunch Box Dream by Tony Abbott (haven't finished it but it's good)

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper (haven't finished this one either but it's good too)

The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer (a grownup book)

The Charlotte Observer (our newspaper)

The Idea of America: Reflections on the Birth of the United States by Gordon S. Wood (another grownup book that's good)

and I listened to some more of The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis as read by Patrick Stewart (aka Captain Jean-luc Picard) It turns out that I was able to listen to one audiobook over the weekend, not just one hour as I said yesterday. 

Some people kept detailed records of how much time they spent on each book and my hat is off to them. I didn't do it (it's hard to record time with the sweat of effort in your eyes) but today's time, as I said, amounted to 7 1/2 hours for a grand total of fifteen. Some people read 20 plus and 30 plus hours. Our good friend Ms. Yingling read 35 hours! My hat is wayyyy off to her.

My cause was the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. The rules say that I'm supposed to tell you how much money was raised but I can't do that yet because I won't know for a while. Some people have donated already (including author and great guy Alan Silberberg) but several won't donate until after the Challenge is over and I notify them of how many hours I read. So I'll let you know when I find out. If you would like to donate, go this post and find out how. 

Thanks to all you who have written and to those who have donated. Thank you, Ms. Pam of Motherreader for hosting it. This was a great experience and I look forward to next year's Challenge. And go out and find the books I've mentioned! 

The Iron Guy Gets His Challenge On!

All kidding aside, today really has been a test of my endurance and determination. I worked yesterday, so I planned on starting the 48 Hour Book Challenge today around 7:00 am. But in one of those oddball twists of fate, I just couldn't sleep last night. I lay there and couldn't sleep and couldn't sleep (or, at least, didn't sleep much), so I got up around 12:30 am and read. Then again about 2:00. Then again around 4:00. At 7:00 I took the dog outside and so started the day. It was hard being sleepy and trying to read as well as take care of obligations but, hey--I'm the IRON GUY! I got it done!

What did I read? Well, late last night I wanted to read a grownup book, so I got out The Philosophical Breakfast Club by Laura J. Snyder. I know that sounds like a highfalutin' title for a MANLY MAN like me, but the parts I read were very interesting, all about the founding of modern science. When I got up again, I finished The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan. During the day I read Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silberberg. I'll give complete reviews another time but for now I'll say that Mr. Riordan has written another winner, full of magic, full-tilt adventure, and lots of what our good friend Ms. Yingling calls "snort-through-your-nose-funny" humor. And Milo will certainly appeal to all you Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans because it has that same words-and-picture format--except that Milo is 1000 times better. OK, maybe that's an exaggeration. Milo is at least 500 times better. It's one of those rare and wonderful books that leaves you feeling good. Greg Heffley could make you laugh but didn't make me feel good afterward. Have any of you read it? Do you agree? I cannot say enough good things about Mr. Silberberg's book. Oh, yes, I forgot one more thing. We are allowed 1 hour of audiobook time. I had to run an errand way across town, so I popped in The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis as read by Patrick Stewart. Was very good.

OK. Well, the grownups will let us spend 1 hour online writing to other bloggers for every 5 hours we read, so I'm going to get right to it. By the time I'm done, I will have 7 1/2 hours for the day. That's a little over halfway to my goal of 14 hours--15 hours if I can get it done!

The Iron Guy Picks His Books for the 48 Hour Book Challenge!

Yes, indeed, guys--I have picked the books I plan to read over the weekend of June 3--5 as part of the 48 Hour Book Challenge in order to raise money for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library. And a tough choice it was, too! I had to think long and hard about it. Not just any book could make the cut--these books would have to be worthy!! No, I didn't say wordy--I said worthy! The books for this weekend had be to worth reading, worth the Iron Guy's time and worth telling you boys about. There were so many choices; how could I ever hope to pick the right ones?? But after giving my brain the equivalent of a triathalon workout, I finally chose these four (in no particular order):

Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silberberg

I'm a big fan of Mr. Silberberg. I reviewed his book Pond Scum a few years ago and gave it a big thumbs-up treatment. (See my review and interview with Mr. Silberberg here) Not only is he a terrific author, but he's also a great guy. He sent me a copy of this book to review but I've been too busy with library work to read it. So here's my chance. Besides, a lot of bloggers have raved about this one.

Lunch-Box Dream by Tony Abbott

I'm also a big fan of Mr. Abbott's books. Some of you have probably read his Secrets of Droon series. I bet none of you have read The Postcard by Mr. Abbott and that's too bad because it's one terrific book. (see my review here and an interview here) The author was good enough to send me an advance copy of his latest book called Lunch Box Dream. I'm looking forward to it. (The library hasn't ordered a copy of it yet, so I can't put up a link to it)

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

The Dark is Rising is, I've heard, a really great series. Everyone just goes on and on about how exciting those books are. Here's the chance to find out for myself. This is the first in the series.





N.E.R.D.S.: M Is for Mama's Boy by Michael Buckley

Boy, did I ever enjoy the first N.E.R.D.S. book!! (see my review here) In fact, I liked it so much that I held a boys' book club using it. All the guys liked it too. That's why I'm all excited about reading book 2. Secret agents, goofball humor, and lots of action--how could it get any better?


Will I get to read all of these?? Maybe. Maybe not. But I will do my best, my bravest, my boldest to get in as many hours as I can. My goal is 14 hours. Yes, you may gasp in amazement. "Can he really do it?" "Won't he collapse in an exhausted heap?" Fear not, fellow readers--when it comes to reading long hours for such a worthy cause as the library, I am--

THE IRON GUY!

PS--I will post all the results plus instructions on how to donate on Monday, June 6. If you want to find out more about donating, click here and read the post.

The 48 Hour Book Challenge--Again!

I'm getting in total shape!!

I'm lifting huge stacks of heavy books to prepare!!

I'm flexing my powerful muscles that enable me to sit for long periods of time without tiring!!

That can mean only one thing---I'm gearing up for the 48 Hour Book Challenge!!!

Last year I participated in the 48 Hour Book Challenge, an annual event in which kidlit bloggers try to read as many hours as they can in a 48-hour period. Last year they let us use this event as an opportunity to raise money for our favorite charities. Guess what? They're doing it again! So I'm asking all you readers guys to donate however much money you and your families would like to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library for every hour that I read. The event takes place over the weekend of June 3--5. I'll post the reuslts on Monday, June 6 as well as any reviews of books from that weekend. I'm already thinking of what to read. I've got several new books but there are some old ones that have been waiting for just such a long weekend.

Here's how you can donate:
1. Donate cash at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library branch closest to you. Please put the money in an envelope and make sure the envelope is addressed to Dick Pahle, Main Library, 310 N. Tryon. No need to put a stamp on it because you're not mailing it. In fact, you should NEVER send cash through the mail!! As long as Mr. Pahle's name is on the envelope, it will get to him. (He's in charge of all our fundraising) If your local branch has a cash donation box, you could put it in there or you could give it to the helpful, friendly librarian behind the desk.

(Here's a picture of your typical Charlotte Mecklenburg librarian)

2. Your parents could write a check. You can mail it or drop it off at your local branch. If you mail it, make sure it goes to Dick Pahle, Main Library, 310 N. Tryon, Charlotte, NC. 28202. If you drop it off, please be sure to put Mr. Pahle's name and Main Library on the envelope.

Whether you write a check or donate cash, please add a note that says it's from the 48 Hour Book Challenge.

3. Donate online. All the info for donating online is here. Online donations automatically go to Mr. Pahle. If you do this, make sure your parents know about it first!! Or your parents could make the donations, of course.

As I said, you can donate however much you'd like. You can donate on your own or this might be something you and your family/friends/school would like to do. We really appreciate it, guys! And any of you grownups too! (BTW, if you live outside the Charlotte/Mecklenburg county area, you are very welcome to donate. Just follow the simple instructions above) All right, stay tuned,everyone. The Iron Guy will need every ounce of his determination and endurance to meet this challenge but he doesn't mind. I will read until the books drop from my hand for the great cause of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library!!!