Readathon Updates: October 2011

Already read my intro? Skip to the updates!

It’s Readathon time!! Last week I showed everyone my planned reading and blogging places. Well, my plans have changed a bit; I’m now visiting my parents, so I’ll be reading from their fabulous couch instead! There’s also a big slouchy armchair near the fireplace you can bet I plan to utilize as well. Plus, my parents have cats, so hopefully I’ll have some company throughout the day!

I’d planned to not have a stack other than the two books I have left for review, but between traveling and a couple of books coming in at the library, I’ve ended up with one anyway. It’s a great stack, and I can’t wait to dive in!

Just like with the last Readathon, I’ll be keeping one post and updating it periodically. I may get missed by some cheerleaders, but I won’t fill up anyone’s reader or inbox any more than usual. For an overview of the day as well as minichallenges, scroll down!

And with that…I’m off to READ!

Updates

8:00 am EST (my start time): I’m ready to go! I’m starting with The Revisionists by Thomas Mullen, which I’m about halfway done with going into the Readathon.

11:00 am: After taking care of some cheerleader-related administrative stuff at the beginning of the event, I spent a chunk of time reading The Revisionists. I also listened a little to The Devil in the White City. I completed the introduction meme and am off to cheer for a bit!

2:00 pm: I spent the first chunk of the last three hours cheering. I’ll be back to do some more later on in the day. I had lunch while listening to The Devil in the White City and then went back to reading The Revisionists, curled up in front of the fireplace with tea in hand. I’m getting a little sleepy, so it might be time for another round of cheering!

5:00 pm: Again, I spent the first chunk of this segment cheering before my eyes got tired of the computer screen and it was back to reading for me. Still working on The Revisionists. Perhaps I should have started with a shorter book?? I’m also not participating in the minichallenges like I usually do. I think part of it is that I’m not at home, which makes it harder to make sentences out of book titles (one of my favorites last year!) or find pictures to represent characters. Oh well. I’m still enjoying myself!

8:00 pm: I finished The Revisionists! It was good! Next up: The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton. I’ve been hearing from lots of people it’s an excellent book for the Readathon. I’m a couple of chapters in, and I have a feeling they were all correct.

11:00 pm: I’m still heeeeere! Getting sleepy. I started off this most recent three-hour chunk with dinner, which was much needed. I then continued with The Tapestry of Love, which is lovely! I’m starting to get sleepy again, so a bit more cheering might be in my near future.

1:00 am: Cheered a bit, switched to A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, and about 15 minutes ago accidentally took a nap. I’d say it’s bedtime for me. Thanks, everyone, for all your hard work and energy! If you’re still reading, go go go!

Summary

As of my most recent update:

• I’ve read 420 pages and finished 1 book
• I’ve read for 8 hours and 20 minutes
• I’ve listened for 0 hours and 30 minutes
• I’ve cheered for 3 hour and 15 minutes
• I’ve completed 0 minichallenges and 2 memes

Minichallenges & Memes

Introduction Meme:

1) Where are you reading from today?
Ohio!

2) Three random facts about me:
I majored in American Sign Language in college, I’m allergic to corn and cilantro (yeah, Mexican food is out!), and I just got a job I’m really excited about!

3) How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
Just four, but I’m very much looking forward to all of them.

4) Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?
Have a lot of fun! Get some reading done while helping Trish keep the cheerleaders going!

5) If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?
Please turn off comment verification! The cheerleaders will love you. Enjoy yourself. This isn’t a competition. Spend a little time on Twitter or visiting other participants — the community piece of the Readathon is so cool!

Mid-Event Survey:

1. What are you reading right now?
The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton

2. How many books have you read so far?
Um, just one. Really it was 3/4 of one.

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, if I get to it!

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?
Nope!

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?
Fewer than I’d expected, seeing as I’m reading at my parents’ house. My husband and my dad hung out together all day, and my mom has been reading. I had to stop a couple of times to put logs on the fire…life is hard!

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?
Hmm. I’m not really surprised by anything so far.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Maybe but my brain is far too fried to process at the moment! I did like the form sign-up. Made it much easier for those running the event, I think.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?
Oh man, another hard question! I think maybe break up cheerleading stints better. I keep getting a creeping headache when I look at the computer screen for too long. Whoever thought reading would be a break for one’s eyes??

9. Are you getting tired yet?
Maybe…I mean no! Absolutely not!!

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?
Do what you feel like you need to do at a particular moment. If you need a snack or some water, get it. If you need to walk around, take a break and do it. If your current book isn’t working for you, switch to a different one. It’s all about fun, people!