The 24 Hour Read-a-Thon has officially come to an end. However, Since I’m already 3/4 of the way through my final book, I’m just going to finish it before going to sleep. But as of right now, here are the various read-a-thon posts and updates:

• 24 Hr Read-a-Thon Book Pool
• First Official Update
• Title Sentence Mini Challenge
• Update #2: Sister Light, Sister Dark
• #Pantyworthy Author Mini Challenge
• Update #3: Siberia
• Hungry Readers Mini Challenge
• Most Hated Character Mini Challenge

(Yes, I’m aware I haven’t done an update post for The Search for Delicious. It will just have to wait.)

And my answers to the final event meme:

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Surprisingly, the beginning hours. For whatever reason, I just couldn’t focus. I actually just hit my stride in the last few hours.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Siberia by Ann Halam & The Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt was a cute and fast read.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Ask me again after I’ve slept.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? See the answer to question #3

5. How many books did you read? 3.75

6. What were the names of the books you read? Sister Light, Sister Dark by Jane Yolen; Siberia by Ann Halam; The Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt; The Eyes of the Amaryllis by Natalie Babbitt (in progress)

7. Which book did you enjoy most? Enjoy is an interesting word. In terms of fun-factor, I’d go with The Search for Delicious, but in terms of intensity, I’d go with Siberia.

8. Which did you enjoy least? I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the reads I had. I was lucky.

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? I wasn’t an official cheerleader, but one thing I forgot to do in my unofficial capacity was keep track of the blogs I’d visited. Maybe set up a spreadsheet for that, or keep an open post to jot the links in.

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Of course you know I will be participating again. It’s just too much fun. I might even try my hand at cheerleading (in an official capacity) or hosting a mini challenge (man, there were some fun ones!).

I’d also like to thank all the people who popped into the blog and helped cheer me on! It helped bunches and I appreciate it.

(You have my apologies for any errors or omissions in the above. I’m sleep deprived and that’s the story I’m going with.)

For this mini challenge Lindsey asks the question, who is your most hated character? Oddly, this is a tough one. There are many characters that I’ve disliked…but hated?

I want to say Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights), but as batshiznit crazy as he was, I think I felt sorry for him more than I hated him despite some of the wicked awful things he did.

Then there’s Edward Cullen (Twilight). Where to start with that one? Um…watching a girl sleep. Without her knowledge or consent. That’s just creepy, but not sure if that qualifies as hate material.

Or even Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter). Strongly dislike? Sure. Hate? Eh, well…

OK, OK. For real this time. One character that I hate…please hold a moment while I peruse my stacks to jog my bleary-eyed  memory…I’ve got it!

Ian Hunter. I actually loathe this character.

Before you read my reason, if you have not read Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville and actually want to, then you’ll not want to read further because it’s a HUGE spoiler. We good? Cool.

Cara is on a mission to deliver an amulet to the unicorn queen of Luster. Of course, bad guys want to stop her every step of the way and one in particular had been trying to kill her. Turns out it was a guy named Ian Hunter and he was her father.

At first she didn’t realize he was the one with murderous intentions until he resorted to lying through his teeth, playing the daddy card, and then trying to sacrifice her to a dragon.

I kept looking and waiting and hoping, but nope—no redeeming qualities. Not even a tiny inkling of one. When I finished reading that section, my only thought was what an evil bastard! (And this is a children’s book, mind you.) So you know it’s pretty bad.

(I’d actually do a little jig when he dies and hope it were painful.)

This mini challenge, hosted by the Hungry Readers, calls for the fuel that keeps the readers reading. In my case, it’s cherry Pop Tarts and Double Bergamot Earl Grey tea. Yes, really. I’m fairly certain that’s all I’ve drank and eaten in the past 24 hours (aside from a yummy PB&J sandwich).

Since that’s not terribly exciting, another option would be to discuss the food that crops up during reading. This just happens to be perfect considering that I’ve deviated from my outlined reading pool and am currently reading The Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt…and it happens to be about food. Sort of. (I’ve been saying “sort of” quite a bit lately.)

So far, the book is about a King, his Prime Minister, his queen, and his army general who all disagree on which food should be listed for the definition of delicious in the dictionary. The choices they’ve submitted are fried fish, apples, pudding, and beer.

In order to resolve the issue, it’s decided a poll will be taken of the various townspeople to decide on which of those items should be the accepted definition. Unfortunately, it’s not as forthright as it initially appeared.

Come to think of it, reading about food is making me kind of hungry. It might just be time for another Pop Tart run.

Gah. Now I want some chocolate ice cream. I have no idea where that craving just came from. I think the Sleepiesâ„¢ are starting to kick in. Must drink more tea.

This challenge was so cute I couldn’t pass it up. First, I should start by mentioning that I have read many, many #pantyworthy authors. And I’m going to shock a few people by not throwing my Team Jacob panties at Stephenie Meyer. (I know, gasp!)

That out of the way, I’ll say that the two authors I chose were based solely on their position within my stacks—in other words, they were the first two that I could find that made me *squee* when I touched their books. So…

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

Oh goodness, where to begin with this one? You know what, I’m not even going to try and explain, I’m just going to say: Twilight with zombies. And it’s hilarious. ‘Nuff said.

As far as the type of panty I’d throw his way? The pink argyle Vicky’s. I believe it’s only fitting.

Afraid by Jack Kilborn

Although this book is a relentless killfest with some ultra-depraved bad guys, it’s what made him #pantyworthy. This book kept the tension high and my interest piqued and my stomach turning—all good things if you write a book such as this one. Plus, he’s super funny to boot.

And for his panty selection, definitely the black boy-cut Vicky’s with the pink lace trim. No question.

(I planned to draw the panties on the books, but then I looked at the clock and decided it would be best to use actual photos as my visual aides. Maybe after the read-a-thon is finished I’ll do some for the other #pantyworthy authors.)

I couldn’t pass up this fun little challenge hosted by Bart’s Bookshelf. The idea is to take 3 or 4 books from your bookshelves and create a sentence out of the titles. My entry, pulled together in 5 minutes flat…

The Search For Delicious New Skies Shiver The Sea of Monsters.