The Read-a-thon is Here!
Posted in Academic Pursuits and tagged with Read-a-thon, Reading on April 10, 2010
So I set my alarm for 7:45 this morning…just enough time to blast some music (through earphones…don’t want to wake the neighbors!), grab a big glass of water, and pretend that I’m a morning person. Lord willing, I’ll be ready to sit down and READ starting at 8 AM!
Here’s the deal: I’m going to try to read from 8 AM to 12 AM with breaks only to eat, blog updates, and cheer my fellow readers on. (I’d say “go to the bathroom” but you hardly need to stop reading to do that, do you? Sorry, TMI.)
I’ll be updating this post every two hours (and yes, it’ll be like clockwork, cuz that’s just who I am) letting you know what I’m reading. Thanks to your suggestions, this is my short list for what I’d like to read today (the long list is well, long):
Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers
The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine
The Line by Teri Hall
Beyond those, I’m trying to be flexible and go with the flow. That’s hard for me, y’all! But I used to be someone who wouldn’t say “y’all,” so change is possible…
First check-in will be at 10 AM!
10 AM Update
In the first 2 hours, I read 105 minutes and 83 pages, finishing up Shadow of the Giant. Though this series has made me cry before, I didn’t realize how sad this one would make me. You really do come to love the characters after reading about them in book after book. Maybe I’m just too much of a softie…
Next up, Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers.
12 PM Update
In hours 3-4, I read 137 pages in 100 minutes. I’m liking Lockdown okay, but we’ll see as I finish it in the next two hours.
2 PM Update
I’ve read for 105 minutes these past two hours I read the last 110 pages of Lockdown and the first 11 pages of How to Say Goodbye in Robot. I know, not even on my shortlist, but it’s what called out to me. I liked Lockdown alright, but I thought that his Monster was much better.
So far, How to Say Goodbye in Robot reminds me of Special Topics in Calamity Physics, but that just might be a slight similarity of moving to a new school because of a professor father. And they’re both quirky.
4 PM Update
I can’t believe it’s halfway through my 16-hour version of the Read-a-thon! Time is just flying by! In the past 2 hours, I’ve read 119 pages in 100 minutes.
I’m having a hard time putting down How to Say Goodbye in Robot even for the short amount of time it takes me to write this update. Really intrigued and curious as to where Natalie Standiford is taking it. It’s reminding me of a book I read last fall-ish, but I don’t remember what it is. The only thing I remember about that YA book is that the girl would visit the local convenience store late at night…any one know what I’m talking about? I could probably figure it out, but I don’t want to waste reading time at the moment!
(late) 6 PM Update
Couldn’t put down the last few pages of How to Say Goodbye in Robot in time for a prompt update. It was that good…and had me bawling. I need to chose my next read carefully…can’t be too carefree or I won’t like it, but I’d also not like something as melancholy!
So in the last 2 hours-ish, I read 143 pages in 120 minutes.
8 PM Update
I’ve doing well until about 30 minutes ago, when I started getting really sleepy. Pumping the music and dancing along in order to wake up!
Since my last update I read Mouseguard: Fall 1152 which is cute, but not enough for me to want to check out the sequel. Graphic novels are just such a hard sell for me, as they don’t tend to be very strong verbally (though this one had beautiful graphics). Also read the first 52 pages of Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze. No longer sticking to the short list, obviously, but I need to read this for review this week, so I thought it’d be a good next choice.
Since the last update, I’ve read for 85 minutes.
10 PM Update (last one before I finish in 2 hours!)
Got started late as I took an extra-long Twitter and cheerleading break last time. Took me about another 20 minutes before I really started to wake up again, getting a second wind. Selena Gomez and the music from Glee didn’t let me down (wow, my music interests sound like a teenager).
I ended up reading 82 pages in 85 minutes. It’s been hard to get into Forget Me Not but I’m enjoying it now. Won’t take the time to read it tonight, but it’ll be a quick finish tomorrow or Monday. Hopefully should hit the 1,000 page mark today, though!
Not quite Midnight (and final) Update
So, like every other night this week, it’s not even 11 and I’m overcome with exhaustion. Blame it on the tax season, allergies, or getting old, but that doesn’t change the fact that I can’t make it to midnight. No worries though…I’m perfectly happy with what I read today. Not only did I get a lot done, I really enjoyed it!
I’ll be back online in the morning for the last hour of the Read-a-thon and will cheer on the marathoners (I think of myself as a half-marathoner, not staying up all night) as I get ready for church.
This last little bit I read another 30 pages in 25 minutes. Didn’t make it to 1000 pages, but I got close! I may end up doing a little bit more before bed, but that’s just a bonus.
Thanks for all the comments…I can’t believe it’s over! I look forward to the next Read-a-thon in October!
Totals
12 hours and 5 minutes read
959 pages read
Books finished:
Shadow of the Giant by Orson Scott Card (started previously)
Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers
How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
Mouseguard: Fall 1152 by David Petersen
April 10th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Good luck with the readathon! Happy reading!
April 10th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Good Luck! Go Team Woodsworth! What a great selection you have there—Happy Reading!
April 10th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Traditional read-a-thon blessing:
May the bookshelf be there to greet you.
May all the books appeal.
May the fridge be full of tasty snacks;
the words fall soft upon your eyes and until the read-a-thon ends,
may you always hold a book in the palm of your hand.
Good luck today!
April 10th, 2010 at 10:15 am
You’re doing great! Keep it up!
April 10th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Go Go Go!
April 10th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Always good to be really organized! Happy reading!
April 10th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Wow, you are already doing great. Enjoy your day of reading. Rah, Rah, Rah!!!
Twitter: caitysparkles
Says:
April 10th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Happy Reading! Sounds like an awesome day! :D
April 10th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Loved reading about your progress! WTG!!
April 10th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I’m so jealous. I wish I could participate in a read-a-thon. Unfortunately, today I have to work (ugh!) and even if I didn’t, I don’t think I would want to take myself away from my family for an entire Saturday. In a couple of weeks, my husband and daughters are going out of town for a whole week, without me!, maybe I’ll do it then. I just wish I didn’t have to work that week!
April 10th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Fantastic! I enjoyed How To Say Goodbye In Robot. Keep it up.
April 10th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
I love you are doing this!!! What a fun day!!!
April 10th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
I like books
I really do.
Books with stories
And pictures, too. (author unknown)
Enjoy all the people you meet and places you go today.
April 10th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Is the book Along For the Ride? I’ve read both of those and can see what you mean. I think Robot would be a great movie!
April 10th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
The Brain Lair: Never read it, so that’s not the one I’m thinking of (though it could be similar).
April 10th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Back with another cheer for you…
Readathon! Readathon! Rah rah rah!
Readathon! Readathon! Rah rah rah!
Readers got the books
I’ve got a cheer
You get to read all day
I know you’ll persevere
YAY!
April 10th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Glad to know that you are having a wonderful read-a-thon! Your reading is quite impressive! Hope you continue to have an awesome read-a-thon!
April 10th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
I enjoyed the Mrs Pollifax series. I though the first books were better. I like A Skeleton in God’s Closet. It is long but good. I also like the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries by Dorothy L. Sayers. They are best read in order. The first book or two the character is developing but it is worth the wait.The first book is Whose Body? and then A Cloud of Witnesses.Enjoy.
Twitter: MissWisabus
Says:
April 10th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Good job! You are one devoted reader :)
April 10th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
this is so cool! Loving your reading updates! Have you ever posted on here how you feel about the Kindle/Nook device? As a fellow reader I’m curious.
April 10th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Books are awesome
Books are great
Congratulations on reading so much
You’re first rate!
April 10th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
GO GO GO
don’t stop that reading flow!
April 10th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
You are doing great! Drink some more Diet Dr. Pepper. You’ll make it to midnight then! hahaha
April 10th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Erin: Not gotten my hands on one, so I don’t have much of an opinion. Just doesn’t seem worth it, since I get most of the books I read from the library. Once they’ve figured out a way to e-books through the library, I’ll have to reconsider.
Rebecca: Don’t know if the Diet Dr Pepper would keep me alert as much as keep me from going to sleep…but the music seems to be working!
April 10th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
I like how you have everything on one post….may have to do that next time!!! I want to read the Robot book!! Sorry that you didn’t care for Mouseguard…I really enjoyed it and the next one…keep the music flowing, the eyes open (hopefully) and enjoy your reading!
Cheering you on!
April 10th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
You’re doing great! :) Twitter is such a time killer!
April 10th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
You’re amazing!! Look at all the books you’ve finished and all the pages your read in such a (relatively) short time. :D
I’m looking forward to your sum up of How to Say Goodbye in Robot. That one has been on my TBR for a while now.
April 10th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Great job today!
April 10th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
In a Story Book
At night when sunshine goes away,
And it’s too dark for me to play,
I like to come inside, and look
For new friends in a story book.
April 10th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Great job! I have a feeling that a lot of us will read more this upcoming week thanks to the read-a-thon.
April 11th, 2010 at 12:46 am
Looks like you had a great read-a-thon. Sleep well.
April 11th, 2010 at 6:41 am
You’ve done great! Congratulations on a successful read-a-thon, and sweet dreams.
April 11th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Wonderful job on the Read-a-Thon! Way to go! I’ll be looking forward to reading with you on October. Keep on rocking and reading, read-a-thoner! It’s been lots of fun! :D
April 11th, 2010 at 9:21 am
that is so awesome. I would LOVE to have a day to read. Wow. that would be amazing! You did great!!!! Good job
April 11th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
I’m amazed that you stayed awake as long as you did. Reading tends to put me to sleep, or maybe I should say I get sleepy when I read. Possibly it’s because I’m not up moving? Music would be a distraction for me if it had words, and instrumental music would not help me stay awake. I have to be extremely well-rested to read without getting tired and needing a nap along the way. You did a great job getting that much read!
April 27th, 2010 at 12:33 am
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