Read-a-thon Reflections

4+ hours after the finish line: Now that I’ve slept a few hours, and feel I may be able to compose a coherent sentence, I’ll dare to write a round-up.

What is Dewey’s 24-hour Read-a-thon? A most enjoyable, exhausting and invigorating event! Hundreds of readers around the world do exactly the same thing: read, blog about reading, participate in mini-challenges during breaks, and encourage each other to make it to the finish line. Reading is normally a solitary activity; how fun to share it with so many like-minded others!

Stuff I learned

1. I don’t read as fast as I thought! Four books (one which is more of a short story) in 22-hours of reading doesn’t really sound like much to me.
2. I shall choose my books with greater care, next time. I started with a relatively “dense” book, figuring I’d have the energy at the beginning to handle it. Next time, I’ll choose less heavy (emotionally draining) tomes.
3. James Clavell is brilliant. I’d forgotten. I haven’t read anything of his in ages. This read-a-thon has rewoken an old interest.
4. I’ve got great friends! Well, I knew that already, so this was just a re-confirmation. Thanks to very generous and supportive friends, I reached, and slightly surpassed, my target for my chosen charity, First Book. (donations are still welcome).
5. My DH is a great manager and leader, but he’s also great in a support role! Thank you DH for your great cooking, coffee providing, periodic cries of “Are you still awake?!”, and patience.
6. These mini-challenges, which befuddled me before, are a lot of fun!

Other random facts, thoughts, and discoveries

• Mugs of coffee: 4
• Mugs of tea: unknown. Lost count after a dozen.
• # of times going to the loo:  Also lost count.
• There are a lot of very talented book bloggers out there!
• There are a surprising number of bookish sorts just like me!
• I’m not so good at pulling all-nighters any more . Damn!
• Note to self: do NOT forget the chocolate next time.
• I won one of the challenges! I submitted my favorite book trailer (Oops, I guess my brain is not so in order) I submitted my favorite book-related video to the Bookish Humour mini-challenge and won “Contested Will,” by James Shapiro.
• A “sister” writer and blogger termed the Read-a-thon “the biggest, goofiest, literary slumber party.” That characterizes it well!

Finally, thank you to all the Dewey 24-hour Read-a-thon volunteers who make this event possible. It takes an enormous amount of organization, coordination, enthusiasm, and loss of sleep! Thank you to the organizers, mini-challenge coordinators, cheerleaders, and, of course, all the readers! See you all again in October!