The Spring into Summer Readathon is here and I'm getting this party started! Over the next two days I'm going to be updating this post periodically with my status and participating in challenges and reports. Giveaways and mini-challenges run every two hours and I can't wait to dive in. You can follow all the action on Twitter via the hashtag #SiSRead or get the details at Squeaky Books. And without further ado...
What do you hope to read during the read-a-thon?
I hope to tackle some of my review books and also take the time to read some books I've been putting on the back burner while finishing school. I've gotten into the bad habit of focusing too much attention on review copies and not breaking it up with stuff I actually want to read just for fun. It's time to kick that to the curb!
What book are you starting with?
Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz. I started this on the train to work this morning and am LOVING it so far. I know it's a review copy, but I can't put this one down!
I hope to read:
At least three books, which seems doable, plus finish the two I've already started. I think it will depend on whether husband goes to work tomorrow and/or limits his intrusions.
Here are some of the titles I'm going to try to get through: SPELLBOUND by Cara Lynn Shultz; WHEN YOU DARE by Lori Foster; DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth; THE ESPRESSOLOGIST by Kristina Springer; VAMPIRE EMPIRE: THE GREYFRIAR by Clay and Susan Griffith; WILD CHILD by Mike Wells; OCTOBER GIRLS by L.C. Glazebrook; LEGACY by Cayla Kluver
Where are you going to read?
I'm reading from home. Not too exciting. I'll probably vacillate between the couch and my bed.
What will you include in your updates?
Enna (Squeaky Books) has given us a standard for our updates, which I'm going to use as well. It covers books and pages read, as well as the time spent reading. Mine will have to be modified a bit for Kindle books that don't have page counts, so for those I'll use percentages.
Update: 5:00 p.m. CDT
I'm finishing up this post and then getting down to business!
Total books read: 0
Total pages read: 0
Books read since last update: 0
Pages read since last update: 0
Total time read: 0
How I'm currently feeling: Anxious! I hope I meet my goal. THE PRESSURE! I'm scrapping this mini-challenge attempt so I can get to reading already. I'll check back in a few hours for the next challenge.
Update and Day 1 Report: 1:09 a.m. CDT
I majorly failed at day one. I was hoping to get through at least one whole book and I couldn't make it happen. We had a big stressful morning at work and I'm now too sleepy to finish. I'm really loving SPELLBOUND, but I have to call it a night.
1. First of all, give us an end-of-day status update. Books read, pages read, you know the drill!
Total books read: 0
Total pages read: around 250 (65% done)
Books read since last update: 0
Pages read since last update: around 250
Total time read: 4 hours or so
How I'm currently feeling: Disappointed! Hopefully tomorrow I can get going and not be so easily distracted by Twitter.
What is the favorite thing you have read today?
Considering I've only read one book, I'd say SPELLBOUND.
Which mini-challenge was your favorite?
I haven't participated in any, but my favorite to read was the picture puzzle challenge.
What has been your favorite thing about the read-a-thon?
Checking out the challenges and tweets. It's nice to feel like this is a community effort.
What has been your LEAST favorite thing about the read-a-thon?
My inability to read quickly. I'm so into this book that I'm savoring it. This may have been a poor choice for a readathon after all, but I don't have the strength to abandon it yet!
Are you on track to meet your goals?
Blech. No. I don't know how much I'll be able to focus/accomplish tomorrow, but I doubt very much that I'll have the patience to read 5 books in one day.
Will you be participating tomorrow? Do you have any new goals?
Yes, I'll be participating. I'll probably unplug for large chunks so I can actually read without as many distractions. I think my new goal is to finish my current read and finish DIVERGENT. If I'm feeling up to it, I'll try for one more.
DAY 2
Update: 11:30 a.m. CDT - Mini-challenge #7
Total books read: 1
Total pages read: 384
Books read since last update: 1
Pages read since last update: around 130
Total time read: 5.5 hours or so
How I'm currently feeling: I'm glad I at least got through one whole book. These are shameful times in the LET house, my friends. Seriously, could I read any slower? Doubtful.
Mini-challenge: Name one book you think should be taught in school, grade of your choice.
Shakespeare. Is that cheating? It's really hard for me to pick just one, as I consider at least a handful of them required reading: Othello, Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Merchant of Venice. Frankly, I think each of these contain life lessons worth some deep reflection. Nobody expresses the power of choice quite so poignantly as Shakespeare. Every action has a consequence, and our decisions (or indecision) impact the world in big ways.
I also happen to think that challenging students to discuss these themes while reading outside of their comfort zone is equally important. Language evolves, but the messages stay the same. Shakespeare can be understood, and this realization builds confidence in young readers. I read my first Shakespeare play in 8th grade, but I think students would be capable of better discussions in high school.
Sorry to get preachy, folks. Will's my man.
Update: 7:00 p.m. CDT - Mini-challenge #11
Total books read: 2
Total pages read: 586
Books read since last update: 1
Pages read since last update: 202
Total time read: 8.5 hours or so
How I'm currently feeling: Despite the challenge of the readathon, I have been very unmotivated to speed through books. I feel better that I finished another (albeit short) book, but I think I've reached my capacity. Hubs turned on the Tony Awards from last week and I haven't been able to really give my attention to DIVERGENT as a result. I think I might be done for the day.
Mini-challenge: If you could live in the world of one book, which would it be and why?
This is such a great question. I was going to say something historical, but I'm not sure I'd want to rough it without indoor plumbing and modern medicine. Instead, I'll go with ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS. Oh, to be young and in love in a snooty boarding school in Paris! Sign me up!
3 comments:
I'm not officially in the readathon, but I hope to critique someone's manuscript for $ and also read Chime by Franny Billingsly. Good luck with your reading!
@Catherine - I hope your critiquing and reading went better than my reading!
@T.B. - It was more fun than intense, but I consider my participation a failure since I didn't come close to meeting my goals. I'm definitely going to do more in the future though.
I never seem to have the time to participate in a read-a-thon. Kudos to you for reading as much as you did, even if you didn't meet your goal. :)
Post a Comment
I love to hear from my readers, so please don't hesitate to comment. Good or bad, inspired reflection or spontaneous babble - I love them all!