Whew. This was a true test of my ADD dysfunction levels. The second I decided I was going to read all day, the perverse part of my nature decided nuh-uh, there was stuff I had to do that simply couldn't be put off another second.
Like bake a lasagna.
Clean the bathroom.
Water the lawn.
REALLY?? I hate those tasks. You throw a Read-A-Thon challenge out there, and suddenly I have an all consuming desire to get all domestic goddess and make my shower fixtures sparkle with a blinding radiance. Who IS that person? I don't even know her, and I definitely don't like her.
In spite of all the (mental) challenges I faced, I did manage to get some reading done, which was the whole point.
Final Read-A-Thon Q&A
1. Which hour was most daunting for you? 1-2AM. At some point I passed out to wake up at 8AM with sunlight streaming through my windows still clutching my Kindle.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I put several re-reads in my pile. I don't think I'll do that next time. My recommendation would be to save at least 1-2 brand new books you have been dying to read to put in your Read-A-Thon TBR pile. Very, very difficult, probably next to impossible, for most book-lovers to put off reading a book you're salivating after, I know. Give them to a friend who will keep them in a safe and super-secret place until Read-A-Thon begins. At least that way you are guaranteed to plow through those books in record time. I may give The Walking Dead Compendium to my friend Bittner to hold for me with the understanding that she is not to turn it over no matter how much I may beg and threaten.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? It was my first one, and it all seemed pretty fab.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Seemed pretty smooth from my end, but I know a lot of hard work went into all of it. Props to all the hosts/hostesses, cheerleaders, prize kings/queens, and everyone else behind the scenes. You guys are UH-MAZE-ING.
5. How many books did you read? 4 completed. Another 4 started and stopped.
6. What were the names of the books you read?
Completed:
Wolf Speaker by Tamora Pierce - Read it on the Kindle and I'm not sure how many pages it was.
Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy - Started this one before the Read-A-Thon and was about 200 pages in, but the bloody book is 537 pages long, and I'm counting it.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 Vol. 7 Twilight - Graphic novel. May I just say, "Finally!"
Dojo Wisdom for Writers by Jennifer Lawler - Great stuff. Worth another read.
Started:
Stalking Ivory - 31pages. Won't be going back to this one.
If the Buddha Got Stuck - 19 pages. Despite it's fun name, small format and bright, cartoon-y cover art, there is some deep stuff in here that deserve more time and contemplation. This one is a must read, but not for Read-A-Thon.
The Lincoln Lawyer - 52 pages. Will finish it this week.
Emporer Mage - Another Kindle buy. I made it 13% of the way through before I passed out.
7. Which book did you enjoy most? Buffy
8. Which did you enjoy least? Stalking Ivory
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? I wasn't a Cheerleader.
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? Very.
What role would you be likely to take next time? Cheerleading. It was great getting all the encouragement from everyone and I would like to return the favor.
Until next time...
Yay for completing your first read-a-thon!
ReplyDeleteYou're the one that's Uh-Maze-Ing! Not many people can decide at the last minute to join a readathon that they've never even heard of before! The next one will be in October (which is always my favorite because I stock up on the scary stories- of which The Walking Dead would be perfect!).
ReplyDeleteHolly, I am here when you need me! I can keep The Walking Dead under HIGH security and lock and key so it would be in safe hands if you are not to be trusted!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you participated this year and had so much fun! It was my first one too, but I think having actual people that I know and could encourage and support made the whole thing that much more enjoyable.
P.S. Next time you should have an audio book on standby so if you feel the need to clean the bathroom again you can still be "reading" in the process!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing the read-a-thon!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing your first Read-a-Thon! I love the idea of saving two books you're salivating to read on the Read-a-Thon pile. I read only books that had been on my shelve for awhile, and that was good for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think cheerleading is a really fun way to spend part of the Read-a-Thon -- I hope you decide to try it next time!