The 24 Hour Read-a-Thon takes place on October 24th and begins at 5am Pacific time. That’s right around the corner! When I participated in April I had a blast but I made some mistakes:
- I chose a lot of lengthy books. I need to go shorter this time. Page-turners or something with a tighter plot would be good.
- I didn’t plan my food well. I had snacks but my brain ran out of steam right around 4pm and 3am.
- I need a better posting template to make posting updates a bit easier.
- I am going to carve out time every 2 hours to blog hop so that I do not feel as if I am missing out on all of the fun. Last time I hopped every hour and it was a bit distracting and broke up my reading rhythm.
I will post a proposed reading list right before the event. Are you participating this year? If you have no idea what I am talking about click here for info and click here to sign-up. The Hub will be out of town during this event so doing this with the kids will be interesting. That is the “I’m nuts!” part of my title.
By the way, I don’t know who made the button above but it sure is cute. Although I do not plan to wear my underwear while reading and cooking at the same time (that would be interesting) I find the button sort of fun.
Book Chatter 
I saw this and I have been thinking about doing it. Trying to find out what the plans are for that weekend are first. It does sound like a lot of fun. And think of the reading that can be accomplished!
Beth – you really do accomplish quite a bit during the event. I had reviews to write for a few weeks afterward.
I'm *thisclose* to signing up – I just want to run it by my husband tonight, since we'll have his kids with us that weekend. This would be my first Read-a-thon, since it's the first time I don't have a scheduling conflict.
If I do join in, I'm taking Monday off from work, though :-).
You are so brave for doing this! I wish I had the courage, but I've never been good at all-nighters!
"I do not plan to wear my underwear while reading and cooking at the same time" But why?! You don't think this would go over well with the kids?! ~LOL~
The book blog community is so racy!
I haven't decided what I'm going to do, but I wish you the best of luck!!
I wish I could participate, but my niece is being bat-mitzvahed that weekend in NJ. I don't think that my family would be too excited with me reading the whole day. 😦
Good tips for next time, though!
Well, whether you're nuts or not, you are in good company. I was firmly committed to not miss this event this year (in fact my daughter was going to do it with me), and then realized I will be on a cruise with my high school buddies. Which I am excited about, but…no read-a-thon. I am devestated. Someday. I promise.
Good for you! I don't know that I'll be in at all this time around 😦 This new job has taken its toll and I just haven't felt the reading bug lately, except for audiobooks while commuting. It's rather sad, really…
Good luck to you, though–I look forward to seeing what you decide to read!
I'm still sitting on the fence too. Although I have a four-pack of Starbucks frappuccino drinks in the refrigerator which would be perfect for just such an occasion!
I am definitely in — so we will have to encourage one another!
I haven't devised my reading strategy yet, but I am very excited.
Hello, Ti! Good luck on the 24 Hour Read-a-Thon. I admire people who join this even, since I can't even imaging myself doing it. A
nyway, I would have to agree with you (in an earlier post) that the cover of Her Fearful Symmetry doesn't make that much of an impact. It's too dull.
I'm a reader as well, and I can't wait!!! I think reading shorter books is key – makes you feel like you're accomplishing something.
This is my first time participating. I already know that I won't make it the full 24 hours, but I'm going to give it my best shot (plus I promised my husband I would take a little time off to spend with the family mid-day). I'm very excited about it though.
Yay! I'm in and so excited. I always envision myself reading piles and piles of books and end up reading like 3. 🙂
I am in–but due to work on Monday, I am not sure if I will be able to read all 24 hours. I will be giving it my best shot though. I too am thinking I need to plan food and drink better and I am also thinking I will be taking a break from my challenge books and reading some lighter choices. I have several Christmas themed books I would like to read this year, and since they tend to be shorter and lighter I think they may be perfect.
I want to change my strategy for blogging time also–I felt like I did a lot of internet participation stuff–challenges and stuff and I never did win anything–I felt like it ate up a lot of my reading time. I definitely can't be a cheerleader and a reader at the same time and get what I want out of the challenge.
*smiles*
Kim
Good luck with the Read-a-Thon. I'm still on the fence about starting…LOL
I participated in the last one with my daughter, and I'd been hoping to participate in this one, but there's a free wildlife festival in our neck of the woods that day so now I'm not so sure.
I think it's great that you've taken the time to assess your progress in the last read-a-thon to see what you can do differently this time around. If I decide to participate, I should probably do the same thing, as I had so many grand plans and only finished 1 book.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I like the strategy you've outlined for the Read-A-Thon. The April one was my first and I could have used a strategy – any kind. I'm better prepared this time and I'm really looking forward to it. Good luck to you.
I can't do it! My husband's going to be out of town on business that weekend and I just can't ignore the kids for that length of time without a revolt 🙂
Hope you get the snack thing figured out!! No reading on an empty stomach!
I'm going to do it!!! I asked my husband fully expecting a fight and he said OK!!! I'm so excited! I'm going to post about it soon! Thanks for the advice … I've never done this before so I need all the help I can get.
This sounds like so much fun but I so do not think I can stay awake for 24 hours. I do it for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life but then I'm with other people and we're walking. And then the next day is just shot too.
Are short naps allowed? Nevermind, I'm thinking if I tried a short nap, I would end up being four hours!
I might actually be able to join in this time. I'm considering.
BTW, not planning on wearing underwear while reading and cooking? You should rethink that. Cooking while naked is never a good idea. :p
You and Lisa should just lock your kids together in a sound-proof room with a supply of movies, pizza, soda and candy.
Voila, problem solved. 😀
I want to do it, but haven't signed up. It's not the OF that's so bad, it's the day AFTER when you're totally wiped out. I think I'm gonna try anyway.
This time I'll spend less time blogging, or rather more concentrated time blogging instead of randomly checking around.
I loved how you listed your mistakes from last time around, Ti. I really was wondering how people managed their time between blogging and reading. With all the challenges and such, it seemed to me like a person could spend their entire time on the computer and not get any reading done if she wasn't careful. That would probably be me. LOL
Good luck with the Read-A-Thon!
I read between the lines on softdrink's comment; I think she was volunteering to babysit all those kids (with the candy and soda and movies) so you and Lisa can read!!
I'm so disappointed to miss the readathon. The Boston Book Fest is that day, which will be great fun, too (I wish I could clone myself and do both!)
Have a great time.
You know, Dawn, I think you're right!
I love your list. I am thinking of these same things! I am choosing shorter books this time too. I read a lot of pages last time but did not finish books and that was anti-encouraging. I also like the idea of a template for easy posting.