Sunday, October 25, 2009

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon

So, my Read-a-Thon ended...with a fizzle.  I learned a lot from this new experience.  #1--next year I will be getting a hotel room with wifi (my family will not cooperate with anything) #2--I will not take a break and go to a book sale...don't I have enough books?! (not)

I only read a total of a little over 10 hours and only finished the end of one book (a third of it) and one other whole book.  I must be a excruciatingly slow reader.  I really had no idea!

Oh well...it was a fun experience! I will definitely be doing it next year!


Hour Twenty-One through Twenty-Four

Well, I managed to get to page 31 (of 241) of The Road...and promptly fell asleep in hour twenty-one! Didn't wake up until 12:15 pm! UGH!

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones, Arch Enemy
Number of books read since you started: 2

Pages read since last update: 15
Running total of pages read since you started: 433
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 40 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 10 hours, 10 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 0
Other participants you’ve visited: 0
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Twenty

Although it's not the end of the event for me (I have four more hours), I'm going to do the end of event meme now so I can enter the contest!

*Read-a-Thon updates appear below the meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? This last hour--hour twenty--kept dozing off!


2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs kept my interest.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
maybe more time to enter challenges.  Oh, I don't know...I'm tired...don't listen to me!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
It all seemed to work great!

5. How many books did you read?
so far just 2 *hangs head in shame*
6. What were the names of the books you read? so far, 206 Bones and Arch Enemy

7. Which book did you enjoy most? both

8. Which did you enjoy least? N/A

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? N/A

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?  I will definitely participate as a reader again.  I would be a cheerleader too, but I had a hard enough time keeping up as a reader.  As this takes place close to my birthday, next year I will treat myself to a birthday present and get myself a hotel room with wifi! That's the only way I am left alone...LOL! Next year I will also plan ahead and read for my chosen charity, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.


Update
Finished (finally) Arch Enemy!!!
Started The Road by Cormac McCarthy--on page 16 of 241 pages

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones, Arch Enemy

Number of books read since you started: 2
Pages read since last update: 47
Running total of pages read since you started: 418
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 50 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 9 hours, 30 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 0
Other participants you’ve visited: 0
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Nineteen

On page 339 of 370 of Arch Enemy

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 51
Running total of pages read since you started: 371
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 45 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 8 hours, 40 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 0
Other participants you’ve visited: 0
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Eighteen

On page 288 of 370 of Arch Enemy

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 40
Running total of pages read since you started: 320
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 30 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 7 hours, 55 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 0
Other participants you’ve visited: 0
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Seventeen

Late update...darn mini-challenge...LOL!
On page 248 of 370 of Arch Enemy

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 44
Running total of pages read since you started: 280
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 45 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 7 hours, 25 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 1
Other participants you’ve visited: 5
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Sixteen

On page 204 of 370 of Arch Enemy

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 23
Running total of pages read since you started: 236
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 35 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 6 hours, 40 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 0
Other participants you’ve visited: 3
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Fifteen

On page 171 of 370 of Arch Enemy

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 51
Running total of pages read since you started: 213
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 45 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 6 hours, 5 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 1
Other participants you’ve visited: 0
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Fourteen

On page 120 of 370 of Arch Enemy

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 39

Running total of pages read since you started: 162
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 45 minutes

Running total of time spent reading since you started: 5 hours, 20 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 0

Other participants you’ve visited: 0
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Thirteen

STILL on page 81 of 370 of Arch Enemy

Kids are up later because it's the weekend and, of course, I'm getting zero cooperation from the
husband =o(

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones
Number of books read since you started: 1

Pages read since last update: 24
Running total of pages read since you started: 123

Amount of time spent reading since last update: 40 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 4 hours, 35 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: 1
Other participants you’ve visited: 0

Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Twelve

On page 81 of 370 of Arch Enemy

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 24
Running total of pages read since you started: 123
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 40 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 4 hours, 35 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 1
Other participants you’ve visited: 0
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Eleven

On page 57 of 370 of Arch Enemy

started to get really sleepy! Time for some trail mix...yum!

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 22
Running total of pages read since you started: 99
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 30 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 3 hours, 55 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 0
Other participants you’ve visited: 1
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Ten

On page 35 of 370 of Arch Enemy

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 23
Running total of pages read since you started: 87
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 40 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 3 hours, 25 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 1
Other participants you’ve visited: 5
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Nine

I'm not quite to the Mid-Event as I started a few hours late, but in order to participate before time's up, I'm doing it now.  My updates are below the survey!

Mid-Event Survey:



1. What are you reading right now?  Arch Enemy by Frank Beddor


2. How many books have you read so far? one (really 1/3 since I had already started it)


3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? The Road by Cormac McCarthy


4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? yeah, right =o)


5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? my sons...and my sons...and a used book sale--hee hee!


6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?  all the challenges and giveaways...wow!


7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  I think it's just fine!


8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?  Go to a hotel with wifi!


9. Are you getting tired yet?  nope...but just wait!


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?  I wouldn't want anyone to take my advice at this point...LOL!



On page 13 of 370 of Arch Enemy.

Title of book(s) read since last update: still finishing 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 12
Running total of pages read since you started: 64
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 35 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 2.5
Other participants you’ve visited: 7
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Eight

I made it back for hour eight.  I took longer than I thought I would, but the book sale turned out to be worth it.  I have some great finds (and deals) for my Mailbox Monday Post and mom and I ate at Red Lobster...yum!

So, finished 206 Bones and will start Arch Enemy by Frank Beddor this hour.

Title of book(s) read since last update: 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 24
Running total of pages read since you started: 76
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 30 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 2.5
Other participants you’ve visited: 6
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Five, Six, Seven

mini break with mom to used book sale and late lunch

Hour Four

A little late on the update! I had to get ready to take my break to go to the used book sale & late lunch with mom! I'll be back in 2-3 hours!

on page 283 of 307 Bones (Hopefully, my momentum will kick in when I get back!)

Title of book(s) read since last update: still finishing 206 Bones
Number of books read since you started: 0
Pages read since last update: 9 =o(
Running total of pages read since you started: 52
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 30 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 2.5 (couldn't guess one answer!)
Other participants you’ve visited: 3
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Three

on page 274 of 206 Bones

Title of book(s) read since last update: still finishing 206 Bones

Number of books read since you started: 0
Pages read since last update:  20
Running total of pages read since you started:  43
Amount of time spent reading since last update:  40 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 2
Other participants you’ve visited: 3
Prize you’ve won: 0

Hour Two

on page 254 of 206 Bones

Title of book(s) read since last update: working on finishing 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs

Number of books read since you started: 0
Pages read since last update:  23
Running total of pages read since you started:  23
Amount of time spent reading since last update:  one hour...give or take...was eating breakfast too!
Running total of time spent reading since you started: (keep track of this one to be eligible for a prize!)
one hour
Mini-challenges completed:  1
Other participants you’ve visited:  1
Prize you’ve won:  0

Hour one:
Okay so it starts and I'm already one hour past the time I said I would start so...

10:00 am CST start time.

Hour one meme:

Where are you reading from today?  at home...I'll be in my living room or my library alternately.


3 facts about me … 1.  Books are my life second only to my kids@
2.  I'm a singer  3.  I'm in college (yes, at age 41) majoring in history and English

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?  1 book to finish + 7 more

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)?  Finish 206 bones and read at least 3-4 books. plan to do about 22 hours.

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first timers?  First timer here!





This will be my first time participating in this seemingly sacred event and I'm ultra excited about it! I've never read books for 24 hours.  I did participate in Rock-A-Thons (rocking in a rocking chair for 24 hours as a fundraiser) when I was a cheerleader in high school so I do have a history of stamina for a 24 hour haul.  However, that was over 20 years ago!

I'm thrilled that I'm able to include books that I need to complete for the RIP Challenge.  I'm so behind on my reading! I'm not sure how many books I can read in 24 hours, but here is my list so far:

Addendum:  Finish reading 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs (I only lack about 100 pages, for pete's sake!

  • Arch Enemy--Frank Beddor
  • The Road--Cormac McCarthy
  • The Prophecy of the Sisters--Michelle Zink
  • Elsewhere--William Peter Blatty
  • Winter's End--Jean-Claude Mourlevat
  • Creeping Shadows: Three Dark Tales--Alan Draven, Brandon Ford, Jessica Lynne Gardner
  • Family Business--Brett Williams
I may add a couple more as I will be receiving some books from giveaways I have won, but the top 5 on the list will be priority! I'm really looking forward to this exciting event =o)

Are you joining in?

Happy (24 Hour) Reading!

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37 comments:

Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. It means so much.

I apologize for word verification, but as soon as I changed the settings from only users with Google accounts, I started receiving a ton of spam comments...within one hour of changing the settings. The bots are on high alert apparently.

  1. Is this for pleasure or for a fund-raiser? I will be very impressed if you can get through 7 books in 24 hours!

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  2. I am doing this too. I haven't nailed down my list yet. I will probably need to switch them out a lot as I will get tired I am sure. I will have chick-lit available for when my brain is tired

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  3. I am very much looking forward to next week! I am curious to know how you'll feel about reading The Road during the read-a-thon... it might be a bit too much?

    My book pile is here.

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  4. Right the girl on the cover of ‘Random Magic’ is the very imagine of Nicole Kidman. Love your blog. I enjoyed visiting and will return often now I’ve found it. Thanks for sharing.
    All the very best,
    Simone

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  5. Good luck with this one. I joined in on your Christmas Reading Challenge and tagged your photo for my blog.!

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  6. Good luck with this! I still haven't decided if I should do it. My husband thinks I'm being ridiculous even to consider it!

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  7. Good luck with the read-a-thon! I'll stop by every now & then to cheer you on, but can't take part as I have to work on Sundays. Have fun!

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  8. Hey, good luck! This sounds like fun :)

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  9. I'm participating! This will be my first one. Good luck!

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  10. Good luck! I think you've got a great varied pile of books there, so hopefully it will keep your attention :-)

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  11. Taking a break from reading to say – have a great day and have fun!

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  12. You're doing a great job! Sounds like you'll have a nice total of books read at the end of the readathon!

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  13. Oooh! Creepy list! best of luck today!

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  14. Keep on reading! You are doing great!;)

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  15. Great work. Good luck today! Happy reading!

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  16. You're done with the first third of the read-a-thon!! I hope you're still enjoying yourself! Keep it up! :D

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  17. Used Book Sale...sounds like it's totally in the spirit of the Read-a-thon. When you get back (hopefully with something that is a must-read), you'll be ready to read again!

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  18. 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!

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  19. This first part of the readathon I have been terrible, but I am more of a night person, so I hope to get more reading in. I hope you read Prophecy of the Sisters- we can compare notes

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  20. Happy Read-a-Thon day! Can you believe we're already more than a third done? Have fun today and enjoy the wonderful books you have lined up :)

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  21. I'm popping by again to offer some more cheering! Give me an R! Give me an E! Give me an A! Give me a D! What does that spell?! Read! Read! Read!

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  22. Everyone needs a break at some point in time. Almost halfway through, and you're doing great!

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  23. Glad you made out at book sale and that you finished 206 Bones!!

    I'm glad it's evening, perfect for us night owls!

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  24. Go Michelle!!!! I am inspired by you!

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  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  26. I'm rooting you on! I hope you are having a blast with this!

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  27. Now that it's past midnight and our eyes are drooping lower, it's time for us night owls to get our second wind! So here is a big HOOT from Alabama. Keep on Reading!!!! Just a few more hours to go!!!!

    Go Reading,Go Reading,Go Reading!!!
    Rebecca
    the Transcendentalists team!

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  28. Good luck in the last quarter! You are doing awesome.

    Almost to the end.

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  29. Oh, and I wanted to say I love your music. Sometimes I come here just to listen to tunes. LOL! Listening to The Blower's Daughter right now, I hope you don't mind if I stay until it's over.

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  30. We're almost there! Keep reading!

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  31. Melissa--so glad you like it! Stay as long as you like...that's what it's there for!

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  32. Looks like you enjoyed a fun readathon! If you're still up, pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

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  33. Don't be ashamed of the books you read: you did wonderfully, and hold your head up high! :D

    I think read-a-thon-ing at a hotel would be great fun. :)

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  34. Good job! This is just amazing congrats on making it all the way! I couldn't have done it :)

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  35. Wow, you stayed awake far longer than I. I crashed at 2:30 which is weird be/c I am a night owl. Congrats on doing so well

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