Read-A-Thon End of Event Meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?  2-3 AM; hour 20

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?  White Cat, Making Toast
 
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  no


4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?  that the mini-challenges lasted longer; helped to be able to get more done and still read a lot

5. How many books did you read?  10 and 1/4

6. What were the names of the books you read?  Making Toast, White Cat, Raindrops, The Birds and the Frogs, The Thingamabob, Pantaloon, March Mischief, Noonie's Masterpiece, Artsy-Fartsy, Hailey Twitch is not a Snitch

7. Which book did you enjoy most?  Making Toast

8. Which did you enjoy least?  The Birds and the Frogs

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?  very likely; I will be a reader

So, I only made it to hour 20.  At 2:15 AM, I just couldn't keep my eyes open and I had a headache.  I thought I'd just take a 30 minute nap, which turned into 45 and resulted in my just going to bed.  My goal was to get up at 6 and at least get another hour in, but I didn't, so here I am.  All in all, I am pleased with my progress.  I read a total of 1166 pages over 15 hours and 15 minutes.  That's the longest I've been able to stay up during a Read-A-Thon so far, so I'm getting better.  I had hoped to make it all the way, but not this time.  There's always October!

Read-A-Thon Update: Mid Event Meme

It's hard to believe that I've been reading for almost 12 hours now.  I haven't read the whole time because I've been blogging updates, visiting blogs and participating in mini challenges.  I've also done some things around the house so that I am not sitting the whole time; I'm up and moving.  I've almost finished this week's laundry and I've made a pan of brownies.  In just a few minutes, I will be going outside to feed and water horses.  Not exactly work I can do as I read, but I need a break so I don't get sleepy.  Besides, hubby has gone to help a friend, so someone has to feed.

Anyway, as is tradition with the Read-A-Thon, there is a Mid Event Meme.  Here is mine:

1. What are you reading right now?  Noonie's Masterpiece by Lisa Railsback (MG book)

2. How many books have you read so far?  currently on my 4th

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?  She's So Dead to Us

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?  Just had to remind hubby that it was an "all reading" day

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?  Not many, just hubby needing me to help him out once or twice outside.  Never took more than 5 minutes, and I happily obliged as he is giving me this time.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?  That I've not gotten real sleepy or had many extended interruptions.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  No, I love it.  It just seems to get better every time.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?  nothing that I can think of right now

9. Are you getting tired yet?  not really, but I'm sure it's coming

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?  lots of little breaks to blog, visit, or just get up and move

April Read-A-Thon - Hour 1 Update

Well, we're off!  Dewey's Read-a-Thon has officially started here in CST.  I am so excited about this day b/c I just get to read, and my husband lets me b/c he knows this is important to me.  I will be posting my progress periodically throughout the day.  My goal is to stay OFF the computer and IN the books.

I have 2 stacks of books, 1 children's and 1 YA.  I find it's easier to switch back and forth so that I don't get tired.  The book I'm starting with is Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch by Lauren Barnholdt.  It is a children's chapter book.

I'd like to wish all the other Read-a-Thon participants "good luck; may you read lots and lots of books!"

Here is the First Hour Mini-Challenge

Where are you reading from today?  My chair in the living room

3 facts about me …  I am an asst. principal in an elementary school, I raise horses, 1 of my horses is ready to foal any day

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?  24...Ooh, 1 an hour, not sure that will happen though.

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)?  I'd like to get through my stack  I can't do the whole 24 hours b/c we have a party tonight to attend, but I'm doing as much as I can.

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?  Read smaller books in between the longer ones.

End of Event Meme

I didn't fare so well this read-a-thon.  I've never been able to make it all night, but this time I didn't even make it past 9:30 PM; not sure why I was so tired.  I just got up as well, so I didn't get any reading in this morning.

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?  the 9 PM hour...got really sleepy

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?  It's the little books that keep me going.  I try to add in children's books.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?  It was great!

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?  The cheerleaders

5. How many books did you read?  27 1/2


6. What were the names of the books you read?  Too many to list...see past updates for titles

7. Which book did you enjoy most?  Princess Hyacinth

8. Which did you enjoy least?  How We Are Smart

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?  very likely; reader

Read-a-Thon Intro Meme

Good morning! I didn't think I was going to be able to participate in the Read-a-Thon this time, but things worked themselves out so that I could and I couldn't be more excited! I have so many books around here just waiting to be read. I'm starting late, but I've already read a few books. My goal is to get through some of the children's books I have so that I can focus on some YA later. Now, for the introduction meme.

Where are you reading from today?
I am in my living room in my favorite oversized chair and ottoman.  This is where I do most of my reading.


3 facts about me …

I am an elementary school assistant principal

I just had a new grandbaby born on Tuesday - she makes 5 for us

My reading love is children's and YA


How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
Too many.   I don't usually have a set pile...I just pick up whatever strikes me.  My pile has become overgrown since school started, so I'm hoping to make a little dent in it so it doesn't seem so overwhelming.


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)?
No set goal, just to read as much as I can.  I wasn't going to be able to participate, so I didn't really prepare, but I'm going to tackle as much as I can.


If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?
Pace yourself.  Have short books to read in between the long ones; it will make you feel successful and break up your reading.