Read-a-thon Recovery

I had forgotten how much fun Dewey's Read-a-thon is.

It's been 4 years since I last participated in a Read-a-thon. I find that hard to believe (maybe I cheered for some without blogging it?). This year I signed up to cheer others on, but I probably did read a bit more than I would have on an ordinary Saturday. If I had it to do over again I'd sign up to read as well, and do some of the mini-challenges.

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Starting at 5 a.m. was so daunting that I didn't do it. I think I started reading closer to 7. In retrospect, I wish I'd gotten up early and gotten some reading in before it was time to start cheering.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I like the idea of mixing in graphic novels with more traditional books, because they go by so quick.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? It was so well-organized and fabulous! I think I didn't sign up to cheer the right way, though because I ended up not on the list even though I emailed with one of the wonderful organizers well ahead of time. This could totally be my own fault. So I guess my only suggestion is to make that part of it more clear--with my caveat being that it might have been extraordinarily clear and I just missed something.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? The mini-challenges looked like so much fun and people seemed to really enjoy them. The cheerleading pages were really well organized, and the co-hosts were fabulous. It never fails to floor me that Dewey did this pretty much on her own. It takes an entire team to replicate it, but because of that team I think things just keep improving with every Read-a-thon.
5. How many books did you read? Um. I read like 4 chapters of one book, and listened to almost 2 chapters of another book? Oh, and a dozen pages of another book. And many blog posts!
6. What were the names of the books you read? Fairy Godmothers, Inc., The Lemon Tree, and Calling Dr. Laura.
7. Which book did you enjoy most? I was most excited about The Lemon Tree because the downloadable audio finally came in for me from the library so I could get a start on it for book club next week! I almost never listen to audiobooks, so it was a unique experience for me.
8. Which did you enjoy least? None of them stood out as being not enjoyable.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? I wish I had remembered to make a category in my feed reader of all the blogs I was responsible for cheering on. That way I could have been more on top of who was updating, without wasting time clicking on folks who ending up not participating after all (there were a lot!) or who didn't seem to be on the computer much. ALSO, don't forget to visit and cheer on your friends, even if they're not in your official group. I think I missed some!
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I hope to be able to both read and cheer next time! Can't wait for October!

Read-a-thon and a Spontaneous Wiener Roast

I'm an official cheerleader for Dewey's 24-hour Read-a-thon, which means I'll be visiting dozens of blogs, encouraging readers as they attempt to read for 24 hours straight. I didn't sign up for the Read-a-thon this year because I have a brunch to go to this morning, Ben has a sleepover guest, and Evan planned a bike ride for this afternoon. I did get some reading in this morning, though--I'm reading this:

Which definitely doesn't look like my usual choice in reading material but as a very tongue-in-cheek take-off on the Cinderella story told from the fairy godmother's point of view, it counts as a fairy tale for the Once Upon a Time Challenge.

Here are my photos for Saturday Snapshot. Evan has been wishing for a fire pit, but at this point we don't have one. Ever the resourceful boy, on Thursday when the weather was absolutely summer-like, he asked if there was any reason why we couldn't pretend our Weber grill was a fire pit and roast some hot dogs. And so that's exactly what we did.

A terrible picture of me, but these boys: I adore them

I adore him, too

We had so much fun. I have no idea why we've never thought of this before.
After the hot dogs were cooked, Evan and I made a quick run to the store for marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers, to make s'mores for dessert.

Well, I'm off to my brunch. Whether it's for 24 hours or 10 minutes, I hope you get some reading done today!

Readathon Wrap-up

Any guesses on how long I lasted after turning out the lights last night?

I woke up again at 4:30 and thought to myself, "I could turn on the computer, do the last mini-challenges, maybe read another few pages, and say I made it through the whole thing with a 4-hour nap in the middle!"

Then I thought, "Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz."

Total pages read: 689, that's $68.90 for GrowingGardens.

Here's the survey requested by the wonderful folks who pulled this thing together:

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? The hour when I was trying to pull a stubborn splinter out of my son's foot. At one point I asked him, "Can I read during this?" (He said no).
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? The books I read kept me engaged but if I had it to do over I'd save The Boy in the Striped Pajamas for another day.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? No, it was great!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Twitter!
5. How many books did you read? See #6
6. What were the names of the books you read?
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (complete)
Flygirl (complete)
The Ranger's Apprentice, book 3 (last 2 chapters)
The Ranger's Apprentice, book 4 (first 5 chapters)
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (first 4 chapters)
First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria (first 6 1/2 chapters)
7. Which book did you enjoy most? I read Ranger's Apprentice out loud to the whole family so we were all snuggled on the couches laughing together--that was my favorite reading experience of the day. But Flygirl was my favorite of the books.
8. Which did you enjoy least? Probably Oscar Wao, but I did enjoy listening to it.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? Just to know how important you are to the process. The comments here were great, of course, but also, I didn't want to visit blogs yesterday because I knew it would distract me from reading, so it was good to know there were folks picking up the slack.
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I definitely want to read again!

Readathon Update, 10:00 p.m.

Well, the evening didn't go as planned. After a nice dinner break, I read a bit more and we all started choosing songs on Napster for our music night. Then my 8 year old announced that he didn't want to do family music night after all (his own tradition!) because his foot hurt too much to dance.

I took at look at the foot and found a big ole honking splinter that he's been walking on all day hoping it would go away. So, we set about taking it out.

Oh, the screams! The sobbing! The accusations of child abuse! Luckily we had the curtains wide open so that any concerned bystander could peek inside to see that, far from than beating the child, I was holding him and stroking his head while his dad gently tended to the foot. 45 minutes later, the splinter was out and the boy was unhappily eating ice cream.

Then I took him upstairs to collapse into his bed and held him some more. Funny faces and faux mind-reading games cheered him up a bit. He had a late night last night, so I'm sure he'll be asleep in moments, if he isn't already.

All this to say: I finished Flygirl (finally!!!) but I'm not going to do my page count, etc., until the next update because I really want to get back to reading. Just as soon as I check on that sweet, sad boy one more time.

P.S. I meant to say thank you! For all the comments all day, that is. I feel so . . . you know . . . cheer-led!

Readathon Update, mid-event survey

The Readathon is more than half-way done! I'll be stopping long before the end (5 a.m. my time) because I have to lead a class tomorrow morning and things go better when the teacher isn't a zombie.

1. What are you reading right now? Still working on Flygirl.

2. How many books have you read so far? One full book, pieces of several others

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? I think First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria is next for me, and I've heard it's funny so I'm looking forward to that.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Just going to bed earlier than usual.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I've been pretty lucky so far, but I'm taking a break in a few minutes for dinner with the family and a Saturday night dancing tradition started by my 8 year old a few weeks ago.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How fast it's gone by!

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Not that I can think of, it's been awesome.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Can't think of anything yet.

9. Are you getting tired yet? My brain is starting to feel a little mushy. The dinner/dancing breaks will do me good.

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? Audiobooks were a great way to start the early morning, and have been great for giving my eyes a break, though it's slower and feels a little bit like cheating. And reading aloud to my family has kept them from feeling ignored. I won't win any prizes for most books or pages read, but I don't care about that part of it.

Pages read since last update: 83
Running total of pages read: 563
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1 hour
Running total of time spent reading: 10 1/2 hours

Readathon Update, 5:00 p.m.

Well, my reading has been constant since the last update, but going slowly because my kids wanted to start the next Ranger's Apprentice book with me. I'm glad to involve them in my reading in whatever way they're interested (neither of them is excited about reading to himself today), even if it means I don't get as much read. After 5 chapters they've gone outside to skateboard and I can get some serious reading in while Chris makes dinner. I'm looking forward to getting back to Flygirl.

Title of book(s) read since last update: Flygirl and Ranger's Apprentice, book 4
Total number of books read so far: Still have only finished the one!
Pages read since last update: 131
Running total of pages read: 480
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 3 1/2 hours
Running total of time spent reading: 9 1/2 hours. Wow, really?
Mini-challenges completed: Not completed yet, but I'm heading over right now to join Bookcrossing for Debbie's mini-challenge. I'm really excited to see this challenge because I've been meaning to join Bookcrossing for a while. So, here I go!

Readathon Update, 1:30 p.m.

My kids came home from their sleepover, happy but tired, so after they'd satisfied themselves that there was nothing compelling on TV, we sat down together and finished the last two chapters of Ranger's Apprentice Book Three: The Icebound Land. We have Book 4 all ready to start, maybe later this afternoon, but for now I'm switching back to Flygirl.

Title of book(s) read since last update:Portions of The Icebound Land, Oscar Wao, and Flygirl
Total number of books read so far:1
Pages read since last update:36 (reading aloud goes much more slowly!)
Running total of pages read:349
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1 1/2 hours, most of it audio or reading aloud
Running total of time spent reading: 6 hours
Mini-challenges completed:Love Your Library mini-challenge, below.


Love Your Library mini-challenge:

1. What is the name of your local library? What city is it located in?
Multnomah County Library in Portland, Oregon.
2. How often do you go to the library? If you're a regular, do the staff know you?
We go about once a week, sometimes twice. My husband works at the downtown branch (not the one we usually go to) so some of the staff know me from that.

3. Do you browse while you're there or just pick up items you have placed on reserve?
Gotta browse!
4. What is your favorite thing about your local library?
It's hard to choose one favorite thing, because we're lucky enough to have a large, active well-supported library system. If I had to pick one thing, though, I'd probably pick the amazing selection of books, DVDs, etc. I can get almost anything there, or if they don't have a book I can get it on inter-library loan.

Readathon Update, noon

Went for a walk, listening to Oscar Wao along the way. I didn't feel like bringing a camera for the mini-challenge, but it's a gorgeous day out and everybody and their dog is outside. It felt great to let my eyes do some distance-focusing for a change!

Title of book(s) read since last update:Oscar Wao
Total number of books read so far: 1 and several pieces
Pages read since last update: 57
Running total of pages read: 313
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1 1/2 hours
Running total of time spent reading: 4 1/2 hours
Mini-challenges completed: Kind of completed the hour 7 challenge, although I didn't take pictures.

I'm going to listen to a little more Oscar Wao while fixing lunch, then I need to charge my mp3 player so I'll switch back to Flygirl. Also: the kids are on their way home.

Readathon Update, 10:30 a.m.

Title of book(s) read since last update:The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Total number of books read so far:1
Pages read since last update:152
Running total of pages read:256 (Thanks to Nymeth and Wordlily's help, I found out I started on page 30 of Oscar Wao and stopped at page 134)
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1 1/2 hours
Running total of time spent reading: 3 hours
Mini-challenges completed:Jodie's and Bart's (but I only got 3 of the covers for Bart's) and for Sarah's funnies you-tube challenge I'm currently watching the Brotherhood 2.0 Vlog posted by Drea, and I posted this one that makes my kids crack up every time they see it:

Readathon Update, 8:55

For Jodie's mini-challenge, I attempted to recreate the character from Flygirl, by Sherrie S. Smith. I'm hoping to get to this book later today. It's about a girl who serves with the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War Two.




I've been doing mini-challenges and taking a shower this past hour. Have only read 12 pages of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Back to my book!

Readathon Update, 7:30

OK, I might have fallen asleep a little bit in the middle of Chapter 3, because that last hour zipped by pretty fast and I found myself suddenly thinking "Who the heck is Belly?" (The chapter is about Oscar's mom as a girl)

Title of book(s) read since last update: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Total number of books read so far:
Pages read since last update: Just finished chapter 3. Still looking for someone to help me with page numbers, since I'm listening to an audiobook.
Running total of pages read:
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 1 1/2 hours, minus about 2 minutes.
Running total of time spent reading:
Mini-challenges completed: Going to attempt one right now.

I'm ready to move on to something else, so after the mini-challenge I think I'm going to read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

Readathon begins...

I'm up.

I've been listening to The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Diaz since 5 a.m. Audio books make it hard to keep track of pages! If anyone has a paper copy of this book, can you tell me what page it is where Oscar goes to Santa Domingo to stay with his abuela, near the beginning? That's where I started, near the end of the first hour of audio.

Going to lie down and listen with my eyes closed a little longer. I promise not to go back to sleep.

Edit: Mph, just noticed I'm supposed to do an introductory thing.

Where are you reading from today?So far, my bed.

3 facts about me …
1. My husband and I learned to salsa dance last night.
2. Learned that after 15 wonderful years of marriage and 10 years together before that, we still can't read each other's minds on the dance floor.
3. My 2 kids slept at a friend's house last night. I didn't plan this for the Readathon but it's nice not to worry about waking them up right now.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 14

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)? Well, I'd like to finish The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, since it's overdue at the library. Other than that, not really. Just to keep reading.

Ready....set.....read-a-thon!

On Saturday, I'll be reading for as much of 24 hours as I can, for the 24-hour Read-a-Thon. (It'll probably be more like 18 hours). I'm reading for charity, donating 10 cents to GrowingGardens for every page my family reads. Here's some info about them:

GROWINGGARDENS gets at the root of hunger in Portland, Oregon. We organize hundreds of volunteers to build organic, raised bed vegetable gardens in backyards, front yards, side yards and even on balconies. We support low income households for three years with seeds, plants, classes, mentors and more. Our Youth Grow after school garden clubs grow the next generation of veggie eaters and growers! Through Learn & Grow workshops and work parties, we teach gardeners all about growing, preparing and preserving healthful food while respecting the health of the environment.

I don't have much of a garden myself, because we don't have the sun or the patience to grow much here, but it's my goal to find some shade-tolerant veggies (lettuce, maybe? berries?) to grow this summer. I love this idea, though, of teaching people to grow their own food and/or helping them with the resources to get started. Imagine the empowerment of going from not having enough to eat, to having enough veggies to share with the neighbors!

If anyone else wants to pledge with me, I'd be happy to pass along donations to GrowingGardens or you can donate on their website. If you're local, they also accept volunteer help. I know for a fact they don't want my help, unless they're looking for an example of What Not to Do. So, I'll give them my money instead!

Now, as to what I'll be reading, I was going to take a picture of my book stack, but I can't find the cord that connects my camera to the USB port of my computer! I'm hoping my husband knows where it is so I can post the picture on Read-a-Thon day, at least. For now, I'm just going to post a list.

Downloaded audiobooks:
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri's

One of those will start me off at 5 a.m on Saturday. Once I'm ready to open my eyes, I'll be choosing from the following books:

From My Review Pile:
First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria (which I keep wanting to call Love in the Time of Malaria so please somebody correct me if I do that in the review!) by Eve Brown-Waite
Sweet Mandarin by Helen Tse

Graphic Novels:
Janes In Love by Cecil Castelucci
Aya by Marguerite Abouet
Freddy and Me by Mike Dawson

From My Library Shelf:
Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Flygirl by Sherrie Smith
ADHD and Me by Blake Taylor
I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
My Life As a Rhombus by Varian Johnson

Think I can get them all read in 24 hours? Ha! But at least I have a lot to choose from!

Or I may just toss them all to the wind and pick up the copy of John Green's Looking for Alaska that I won from Fizzy Thoughts a few weeks ago. I'll be posting updates throughout the day on Saturday to let you know what I'm reading, how many pages I've read, and what distractions have kept me from actually reading during the read-a-thon.

And if you're interested in signing up, head on over to the Read-a-Thon site for more info!