11-04-2009
Completed: The Harry Potter Challenge!
NaNoWriMo progress report (day 4): 9,115 words to date. I’ve already had one writing session today, but I’d like to do another one, as I’d like to make it to 10,000 words by the end of today.
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Now for some wonderful news. I have completed my very first reading challenge EVER!
Yes, that’s right. I’ve completed the Harry Potter Reading Challenge!
It will actually be one of my last reading challenges completed, because I’ve sworn off signing up for more reading challenges, even very interesting ones like the Women Unbound challenge (I had to sit on my hands to avoid giving into the temptation of that one – but if you’re looking for a great reading challenge, you should definitely consider this one).
I did the entire Harry Potter challenge in audio, and even though this is a reread for me, I realized I must have read the last two books in the series in one or two gulps; listening to the last two books, I found I had forgotten (more likely, “skimmed over”) a LOT of the plot, and so it was almost like reading them for the first time.
In other words, very, very exciting. And I cried lots, too. I even get teary eyed now when I think about what Harry named his middle child (you find this out in the epilogue. I won’t mention it here, as it’s a spoiler).
And while it’s a kind of funny thing to express appreciation for, I wouldn’t have finished listening to the series in audio so soon if I hadn’t had those days in October, and most recently, the first day in November, when I wasn’t feeling well. Audiobooks are great when you’re under the weather, and these Harry Potter ones were especially enjoyable.
I’ve had Harry and his friends as my bedtime reading for the past three months now – I’m really going to miss listening to the books. I’d definitely reread them all in audio again!
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November 4th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Way to go!
Kathy´s last blog ..Wondrous Words Wednesday
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November 4th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Good luck resisting challenges. I’ve tried to resist signing up for any challenges for two years now. This year I signed up for six.
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November 4th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Awesome, on both accounts–your 9000+ words for NaNo and completing this reading challenge. I need to get on the ball regarding the challenge because I’m only up to book three. :/
And…I promise I have no forgotten about you…I have so much to tell you when I get a moment to breathe.
Ann-Kat (Today, I Read…)´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesdays: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
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November 4th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Belle! You kick BUTT! 10,000 is an amazing word count just four days in, congrats. I’m working on making up for a busy start this week … hopefully I’ll get 10,000 by the weekend. I added you as a buddy on the NaNo site. :)
Julie´s last blog ..An Award and More Rambling
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November 4th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
congrats on finishing the challenge.
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..Interview with Jane Odiwe, Author of Willoughby’s Return
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November 4th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Woo woo on all counts! Way to go! Harry has a baby?
rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..No One Was Exaggerating: Review of “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
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November 4th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Great word count. I hit 10,046 when I signed out of word today. happy with that.
I’ve never done a series challenge, though I could have with the Twilight series easily, I just booted through those books.
Eileen Astels Watson´s last blog ..What’s Your Track Record?
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November 4th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I adored this series! Good job on all fronts. :O)
Pam´s last blog ..The Time Machine ~ H. G. Wells
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November 4th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Congrats! I am also participating, but am only only book 5. Oh, Harry Potter.
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November 5th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Congrats on the word count. You are doing so well. Keep those words coming. You can do it.
Margot´s last blog ..Wondrous Words #39
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November 5th, 2009 at 7:31 am
I absolutely love Harry Potter and I have both the books as well as audio versions. Audiobooks are great company on days when ur sick. Congrats 2 u
Shona´s last blog ..Rebecca – Book And Movie
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November 5th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Congrats on finishing your first challenge! I try not to sign up for challenges because I don’t often finish and then I get frustrated. I definitely want to re-read Harry Potter though. Like you, I read through the last couple on a rush and probably missed some awesome stuff. Plus, I think re-reading the first ones knowing what is going to happen would show some interesting hints and foreshadowing.
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November 5th, 2009 at 11:09 am
AWESOME!! Congratulations on completing the challenge!
Michelle´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – November 1
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November 5th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
I’ve never participated in a reading challenge before. The challenge for me is keeping away from books to accomplish other life goals–like taking care of the kids, cleaning the house, etc…
Nice word count and thanks for the tip on audio books. I might have to try it sometime even though I am seriously auditorily challenged.
Cat Woods´s last blog ..Day Four: Munchies and Mayhem
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November 5th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Congrats on completing the challenge!
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November 5th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I LOVE HARRY POTTER on audiobook. Jim Dale is the best reader! Your NaNo word count is awesome!
Natalie´s last blog ..Quality or Quantity?
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November 5th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Congratulations on finishing your challenge!
I hope you are enjoying your NaNoWriMo! I am quite busy participating in an online writing course right now, but I will be back and see how you are doing!
Dorte H´s last blog ..The Blue Vase I
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November 5th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Congrats! I’m listening to book 1 right now. I’m loving it! It’s the first audio book I’m able to actually follow. I usually don’t do well with audio books… but these are so good! I’m hoping to listen to books 1-4 (I think I’ve read through book 4) and then read books 5-7.
Congrats again!
Nan´s last blog ..Skunked!
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November 6th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
[...] was so tired, I didn’t even listen to an audiobook before bed (now that I’m finished the Harry Potter books in audio, I’ve been sampling M.C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series. Very fun, and I’m loving the [...]
November 9th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I go out of town and you complete a loooooong challenge. I haven’t even started the first book for the HP challenge (yes, I’ve read them all but I wanted to listen to them for this challenge).
Way to go!!!!! And congrats on sticking with your writing this month.
Beth F´s last blog ..What’s in a Name 2: Wrap Up
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November 9th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Great job with the challenge! Sadly I don’t know if we’re going to finish up. Maybe reading to the kids wasn’t such a good idea :-) Perhaps over the Christmas holidays I can play catch-up.
Carrie Anne´s last blog ..We believe in Santa Clause
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November 9th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I’m looking forward to listening to the last one for that very reason. I’m pretty sure I only read it once, and that was done in one day, so I’m sure there is a lot I missed. That’s the advantage of listening to them, it forces you to slow down.
Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..Children of Dust – Book Review
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November 9th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Woo hoo! Congrats on finishing your first challenge. I think I would find rereading these books surprising too as I get everything all mixed up from book to book!
Jenners´s last blog ..A Giveaway and A Giveaway Winner
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November 11th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Wow, you finished that fast! Congratulations! :)
heidenkind´s last blog ..White Tigress
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