24-hour Readathon – April 10th

Holy cow, it's already almost April 10th. We had discussed having a ReadaThing at the same time as the 24 Hour Readathon, but we'd really have to whip ourselves into shape quick.

wow. forgot all about that. i'd be down for giving it a shot, even on such short notice. i mean, who am i kidding, i'll be reading at some point that day either way!

eta: perhaps we could just wipe the names from the beta sign-up and use it, since we're in a time crunch (and i don't know how long it took Jim to do that previously).

Count me in - this year I'm unlikely to manage the 24 with a toddling monster nipping at my heels so I'd be glad to sign up for some smaller increments (although I do have audiobooks stacked up to keep me busy while I'm being domestic).

I'm game, the SO is out of the house for the weekend with little Spawn, so I've got some free time. (Although a good portion will be devoted to catching up on the past 6 weeks worth of sleep)

I'm in... again, probably in the morning before I have to "face the day"....

Me, too. I'm up for another early morning stint.

Same routine as last time? Sign up for an hour slot and post about it on a thread here? Shall we do a before thread, discussing what, where, etc we plan to read? Then have an official thread for posting during/after the actual readathon?

Tell me where to sign up. I'll either be finishing Snow Crash or diving into The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest.

I'm on! Saturday is clear.

I've started a new wiki page with the old data:
http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/ReadathonApril2010

Did we want to do a different set of time chunks? We should fix that before starting to fill in our preferred times.

Discuss!

i liked the way it ran last time, but i know some people had problems.

eta: one thing i do think we should change is the way the times are listed on the chart. i think the first one should be USEST just because that is also LT time (and it should be labeled LT/US EST).

Fair enough. I'm having lunch now, so I'll play around with the time.

I enjoy being intercontinental, and I think I can make it clearer for everyone.

The way it was is fine with me, but if someone wants a smaller chunk of time, then perhaps they can put that chunk in parentheses after their name.

skittles (8:15 to 8:45)

then we know that we need to fill the 8:00 to 8:15 & the 8:45 to 9:00 time periods, too.

I think offering both half-hour and hour-long chunks is a good idea, but they should be standardized--8:00 to 9:00 or 8:00 to 8:30, say.

And I am an enthusiastic supporter of the idea of having USEST/LT time added to the sign-up chart, although I am still using the 24-hour clock on my computer in my efforts to adapt . . . (written at 13:46, btw).

>12 skittles: The only thing that makes your plan complicated is the two time slots we have built in. What if we had just one time slot, and if you wanted to read across an hour (8:15-9:30), you mark what time you're reading in that hour slot.

With my example, I'd mark myself as reading 8:15-8:59 in the 8:00 row, and 9:00-9:30 in the 9:00 row.

#14: That sounds much better!!

Can we "grab" our timeslots now?

Sure! If we run into problems, we can always work around chosen time slots.

Hope no one minds that i picked two different times.

Nah! The more, the merrier.

I'm going to make add a note on the Home page about the readathon. I can't promise I can get it blogged in time.

Everyone forgot about it! I actually saw a mention of the 24 Hour Readathon, and that reminded me to come look here. Whee!

Ghahh. Is everyone on the US West Coast? I wanted to read either early morning or at night - and both spots are pretty well filled! Ah well, have to remember to start on time.

19>Plug yourself into a filled slot as a second reader - it's allowed :)

Just signed up for the 7PM EDT slot. I would read in the morning, but I'm working that day...

I'm new to this but it sounds like fun! I would have tried the 24 hours, but I have three young boys coming for lunch the next day and I'll need my energy!

jj, you can have either of my spots if you want it.

I'm also signed up for 2 different times, so if someone needs to take one of mine you can.

I'm new to this, but it looks like fun!
I will look for a spot in the evening, European evening that is.
I'm looking forward to it! Nice, nice, nice, an hour of required reading!

Sorry, won't be able to make it on the 10th. Have fun!

I'm signed up.

Sonya - I hope you don't mind; I added east coast to the Australian time to help us out... remove it if you do.

I'm in! So how exactly does this work? Do we come in here after and discuss what we read?

I hope to be able to participate. I have plans that night so I can try to read during the day if my hubby doesn't make me go to the Baseball Leagues Opening day. I am going to see what I can do. I missed it last time and I really don't want to miss it this time.

Yay, I got a spot. Now what to read?

I chose my spot and had to re-enter it because Deedledee and I were doing it at the same time. Only one spot was good for me so I took it. If I happen to be up really early I will try to read, but I doubt it very much. I already have my book to read.

Ooops, sorry.

#30 & 31 & everyone else....

It is ok to "double book" a time slot. We want to fill all spots but not everyone can read just anytime, especially for a set period of time & scheduled in advance.

#1: Try to choose a spot that needs a reader.

#2: If you can't do that, choose another time & put yourself in there!!

The more, the merrier!!

**I have this mental image of a round padded seating area with people lounging & reading.... and quietly entering & leaving.... sprawled all around... occasionally eyes meet & heads nod.... the soft giggle, chuckle or sob... tissues passed.... pages softly turning... cups of tea or glasses of water on a table within reach... quietly dozing cats & dogs (allergy-proof) nuzzling up against some readers...

That's what I see is happening.... so more than one reader at a time is good.... and perfectly acceptable!

Thanks skittles. I did know that I could read along with someone else. Deedledee don't worry about it. We just both happened to be doing it at the same time.

sonya, are you sure the correspondence between GMT and LT is right? I thought it should be 5 hours difference, not 4.

LT/EDT is 4 hours.... we "sprang forward" in March & now EDT is 4 hours different from GMT.

So how exactly does this work? Do we come in here after and discuss what we read?

last time we left it pretty much up to the individual. most of us checked-in (we'll start a new thread for the actual day) before we read and then came back and posted afterwards. it's good to include what you read and a few thoughts about it (not a synopsis or a review really, just something interesting- lots of people included a good quote from that days reading). also fun to include: where you read, did you have people/pets around you, if you had any particular "reading" snack ready, etc.

One slot is completely open, and, of course, plenty of space for second readers in most of the hours.

What I remember about last time was the lovely feeling of being "required" to read for that hour. It's not as though I don't read every day anyway, but sometimes I feel I ought to be doing other things instead. During the ReadaThing hour, though, there's no doubt that reading is exactly what I "should" be doing!

Thanks atlargeintheworld. I'll try to come in here before the reading and I'll definetely be coming by after.

36: Then why is it now 12:44 EDT/LT and 17:44 in London? (and 10:45 here in Denver). I know there was a mismatch for a while, but I think we're both on summer time now, yes?

Then why is it now 12:44 EDT/LT and 17:44 in London?

Because London time isn't equivalent to GMT during Summertime. GMT stays stable; it doesn't go on Summertime / Daylight Savings time.

41: Ah, OK. Something else I didn't know! Thanks.

>38 ejj1955: I agree with you ejj. I won't feel quilty that I'm not doing the laundry instead of reading because I'll be reading with a purpose.

I wiiiiiish I could do a readathon on Saturday, but I'm way too busy this weekend. Perhaps next time!

20, 23, 24> No, it's fine. I found a good slot. Thanks, though!

Last time I took a picture of me with my book in my reading spot. That worked pretty well. There were some timing issues - I started reading late because I wanted to check in to LT before and I didn't leave enough time. This time I'll get that arranged better.

OH! And the all-important tag: readathingapril2010

For when you figure out what you're reading!

My name is gone. :(

#47: just put it back!! someone just accidentally removed it when they put theirs in!!

I'm signed up! Now to pick a book ...

Isn't it just the best?

Knowing you will have a whole hour to read - and not feeling guilty because you are supposed to be doing this... deciding in advance on what wonderful book to read...and being able to share this with all you, knowing you understand completely.
*happy sigh*

add: skittles ... you're amazing! :)

Lman, you are wonderful!!

It is always easy to be nice to those who are nice!!

Fun, too!!

> 41: Exactly. But please note that - though GMT stays GMT, Europe did go to daylight saving time as well. So London time is now GMT+1, Amsterdam/Paris/Etc GMT+2,...

I hadn't realize GMT didn't update during the summer so it turns out the time slot I had signed up for wasn't the one during which I can actually read. That one's already filled by two members so I guess I won't be able to participate after all...

But I'll definetely be joining in on October's Read-a-thon.

>53 landslide:
Of course you can - three at once is just fine; well IMHO it is!
The more the merrier I say.

What say everyone else?

I don't see any problem with 3 people reading at the same time. I agree Lman!!

Why limit it to three readers? or four? or fifty?

The more the merrier!!

All we are trying to do (& succeeding, it seems) is for this group to read during some portion of this 24 hour period.... we have the sign up sheet so that all times are 'reading times' but that doesn't mean that you can't read if you aren't signed up... ... What are we going to tell the world?? If you aren't signed up, don't you dare read?? Then billions & billions & billions of people won't be allowed to read... travesty!!

Eventually, we may have to make the sign up boxes 'bigger' but multiple readers during any block is good!! Even in smaller chunks of time... or larger chunks of time!!

I plan on reading past my hour.... does that make me a bad person, since I will be reading in someone else's time slot? If so, then I plan on being really really BAD!!!

>>33 skittles:
So much the better. Now crazy4reading & I can read along together. I'm in the middle of a great but depressing book about a priest in Cape Breton. I suspect that'll be my read for tomorrow. Unless I decide I need something a little more light hearted.

Well Skittles I'm going to be a bad person right along with you. I've got a selection of like 4 books that i'm dying to start but I won't have time until Sat.

Thanks for all the replies. I've signed in for the correct time slot, which now has 3 members.

And it was never my plan to not read anyway, I just thought I could only participate if I was registered.

I'm looking forward for tomorow!

i've had to drop my morning slot (8:15-9am USEDST) because the friends that were supposed to be here yesterday and leaving this morning had to change their plans and are now coming today and leaving tomorrow. they want to be entertained, and watching me read probably won't do the trick.

if no one has picked it up before i go to bed tonight, i'll figure out a way to make it work.

> 60
Hmm maybe thats why my husband gets tired of me always reading. It's not entertaining enough. maybe I should read outloud with voices? lol anyone think this will work to keep me out of trouble with my addiction?

maybe I should read outloud with voices?

that always worked when i was a nanny- especially with young kids. you can read them Moby Dick and they'll love it so long as you read it with a funny voice.

maybe that will work on your husband, but i somehow doubt it.

atlargeintheworld, I took your slot because I can read before I go to get my nails done tomorrow and then hopefully still be able to read after I am done too.

I am glad to see that I am not the only with a husband that hates it when I read. I either have to watch what he is watching (usually not interested) or read. I will take reading over watching him flip the channels every 5 seconds.

I read outloud and it annoys them. That usually clears out the room so then I get more peace and quiet.

53 - I like the thought that somewhere in the world is another person setting aside the time to read the same time I am. It's almost like being together in the same room, both contentedly reading. It's cozy.

I'm in! I couldn't participate last time, but this weekend is free and clear, so I signed up as a second reader in a block.

I haven't a computer at home, and wouldn't be able to 'check in' just before or after reading (or until Monday morning.) May I still sign up?

(edited to correct typo)

>66 Rowntree: of course! especially since all the slots already have at least one reader. the check-in is really more so that someone can pick up holes as they appear if need be.

Well I was planning on doing this one and the Dewy 24hr readathon but I just got bad news. I have to clean the whole house before monday. We still have alot of things to unpack from when we moved in. My husband was going to clean while I read and took care of the boys but he just got told that he has to work all weekend. I've got one room about 50% done and 3 to go. I just got back from the library with a book on cd so I hope that I can obsorb some of the story. I've never been one that can really listen to a book.

All right, I've tucked myself in. :-)

Only six hours until we start! I've purposely held off starting 3-4 books I'm dying to read, to help me get through my first 3 hour session.

Is there a readathon group, or are we just posting here when we check in?

EDIT: Just checked the group this is posted in. Sorry for asking such a silly question. >,>

i went ahead and started the thread for tomorrow, which you can find here. let's try to keep discussion in this thread until the ReadaThing actually starts!

I signed up over at the 24hourreadathon.com page. (Didn't see these posts in time.) I start at 7am CDT (13 hours from now). Will be blogging about it at Lucidia's Blog. Will try to report back here too. My goal is to cut down the size of my "Currently Reading" list (currently at 15)!

72: That's what I can do! I can set up a blog to talk about the books I read tonight. Give me something to do until I can start reading.

This should be fun. I'll be busy the next couple of hours, but by midnight LT time I should be able to settle down and read. Probably one of my "currently reading" as well, but we'll see...

YAY!!! 3 more hours. Unfortuantly thats about when my husband will be getting home and I signed up for the midnight slot.

I missed this the last time so I'm glad I caught it tonight! Hopefully I figured out the time correctly...

Getting close now...

Jumpin' on the bandwagon and joining you at midnight!

Off to settle down now in my back room, with a pile of tempting books and a glass of good red wine. I think I will work on my ER book, CroMagnon.

just made an emergency trip to the library, popped a pizza in the oven, and bought some soda. I think I'm set for 24 hours now.

Alright I have my book ready! Here we go!

Good reading, folks!

Good Morning Everyone hope everyone is doing good and enjoying their books. I'm bout to start reading for the dewey marathon here in a lil while.

Good luck, everyone! I'll be using the Read-a-Thon to practice reading in Japanese. I'll see how much I can do in 24 hours (I'm very slow at reading Japanese :/)

I started reading at 7:01 & just finished because I lost track of the time.....

and I will admit to reading Highland Angel by Hannah Howell It is a bit of light historical reading..... fiction & fun, which I needed.

I recently got a reissue of the book & I liked the new cover... but the cover shows a very blonde woman & the female character is nicknamed 'Shadow' because she can disappear into a shadow and has BLACK HAIR!!! Why they put a gorgeous blonde on the cover of a book with a black-haired heroine is beyond me!! Maybe they need to read the book!!! (what a concept: Read the book before deciding what to put on the cover!!)

But it was a nice enjoyable hour & 20 minutes..... waking up & disappearing into a nice light read.

Now I need some coffee & breakfast!!

Happy Reading to All!!!

While you're having your coffee this morning, skittles, you should read this thread where LT authors discuss cover art for their own books. I think you'd enjoy it (not that you need to read anything else this morning!).

ETA: By the way, The OFFICIAL Readathing ReadaThon is actually here.

oh, blast it!! I posted in the wrong thread!!

I'll copy it over there & I'll check out the cover art thread, too!!

Thanks, SqueakyChu!!!

You're welcome!

My time is in 2 hours. I'm planning to work on several books that I need to finish. The porch swing is calling me. I think I'll be reading out there, with a welsh terrier, and a glass of sweet tea.

Readathon fantasy: a dapple-shaded hammock with a floating drink holder today for kukicha tea and a heat proof bendy-straw, a gentle breeze, and a never-mind-anything-else-great-book. Read something/do nothing, rest afterwards. mbreader

mbreader that sounds like the life.
I'm so glad this site is reliable I've been trying to comment on the dewey site and it won't let me. here within the hour I should hopefully be done with my book that i started last night.