Reflections on 2016 Readathon

Yesterday I participated in Dewey's 24-hour Readathon for the first time since 2010.

It was a last minute decision. Less than 24 hours before the official start time, I reviewed my Saturday agenda and realized I was free most of the day. I've talked for months about reading more fiction, but fail to follow through. This seemed the perfect opportunity to jump-start a new reading routine.

I originally selected eight possible books, a combination of Halloween and Christmas, short stories and full-length novels. Obviously I was in the mood for thematic literature, just uncertain as to which holiday.

I set my alarm for 6:00am, but indulged myself another ninety minutes sleep. I began reading at 8:15 ... about an hour after the official start time. I decided to begin with a collection of Victorian Ghost Stories and focused on that genre for the entire day.

In Honor of the Read-athon: Part 3

My final post in homage to the read-athon is to summarize my thoughts on the re-read of No Plot, No Problem by Chris Baty (I wrote a more in-depth review here).  The author is the founder of NaNoWriMo and I wanted to read this book again as motivation for my debut in this upcoming event.

While I know that I will have lots of obstacles to overcome in my attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days, I think I know that my greatest enemy is my own inner critic.  I can already hear her telling me that this story is totally boring and no one has any interest in the subject.  I know that she is planting the seed of doubt even now as I write this blog post - and it is a good three weeks until November 1.  I know that she will constantly remind me that I am an English teacher - but now that the rubber meets the road, I will be proven a fraud.  I know that I will want to spend countless hours perfecting one sentence - rather than moving on to the story's climax (which is yet undetermined).  And yet....No Plot, No Problem has assured me that I am not the only one who feels this way.  That all writers, at some point in time, must confront their inner critic during the rough draft phase and tell him or her to take a hike and not return until it is time for revision.

I also know that my perfectionist ways will want to take over and prevent me from completing my goal.  That side of the brain has a difficult time with lowering standards and allowing creativity freedom.  The Left Side of the brain likes to retain constant control - but if I want to make any kind of break-through, I must be willing to relinquish my usual "high expectations" so that the weaker Right-Side can begin to flex its muscles.  I know that the month of November will be filled with far more inner conflict than outer distractions:  my children are grown, my husband travels, and I relish the thought of being alone for hours on end.  But my critical inner voice never takes a break and I anticipate that this kind of solitary activity is fertile breeding ground for it to blossom into a destructive monster.

I hope to work a bit more on character sketches and possible story climaxes between now and the first of the month.  While I don't want to over-plan and box myself into a corner too early in the game - I also know myself well enough to know that I need to have a general idea of where I want to start - and how I want to end - before I put pencil to page (or cursor to document, as the case may be).  I am nervous - I am doubtful - but I am ready to challenge myself as well.

Final stats for this unusual read-athon weekend:

3 books read/skimmed

665 pages

6.5 hours reading

While this was not my typical read-athon routine, it suited me today and I am glad that I was able to participate on at least a small scale.  I hope that all of you had a wonderful weekend - whether it be literary or otherwise.

In Honor of the Read-athon: Part 2

Another book that I have quickly skimmed/read during the read-athon is Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher.  The subtitle for the book is a revolutionary program for doing everything that you love.  I was introduced to this author by my sister-in-law who referenced the book on her blog not too long ago.

In this book the author refers to "Scanners" as those who are interested in so many different pursuits, that they find it difficult, sometimes impossible, to actually participate in any of them.  In the introduction she describes her freshman year of college when all of her friends were trying to decide on a manageable class schedule, and she was mesmerized by all the different courses of study.  She simply could not make up her mind, for they all sounded so interesting:  The History of Western Music, Ancient Trade Routes of Central Asia, The Geology of History.  While none of these particular courses are of interest to me, I have always quipped that my ideal job would be a professional student --- if only it paid well rather than cost a fortune.  I have learned to be content being a life-long learner instead, using the internet as my personal classroom to pursue whatever interests me at the moment.

I found much of the information in this book to be common sense - but when you are a scanner, common sense is the proverbial forest and the only thing we notice are the trees.  For example, I know that everyone in life has the same 24 hours a day.  I know that no matter how busy I am, there is always some free time in every day.  It is a matter of making conscious decisions to fill that time rather than allowing the routine of life to subconsciously dictate my schedule.   Barbara Sher is a strong advocate of the calendar -- a nice pretty one to hang on the wall in full view - and to actually schedule time for the activities that you WANT to do, rather than putting off that time to "some day" that never seems to arrive.

While my interests are varied, I do think that they are manageable.  I am fortunate enough to have a job that I actually enjoy -- not all parts of it mind you -- but overall, I derive immense pleasure and satisfaction from teaching.  Along those academic lines, I also enjoy reading and writing (and blogging).  My creative interests lie in paper crafts, most notably scrapbooking and rubber stamping.  Just recently I have developed an interest in learning more about photography than just point-and-shoot.  I would like to take the time to watch more movies - I feel left out of so many family and student conversations. I have always had a deep desire to travel and see other parts of the world, but finances as well as time hinder that pursuit.  While these interests are indeed varied, there does not seem to be so many that one would be overwhelmed at the choices.

But it was on page 38 that I stopped in my tracks for the author described me to a T:

....Time Sickness, a state of mind frequently found in Scanners in which your whole sense of time in compacted into the present moment and you actually forget that tomorrow exists.  That translates into the belief that if you put off doing anything you love, it will be lost forever.  And when you love more things than you can possibly do now, Time Sickness creates panic.

Now, logically I know that tomorrow exists.  Common Sense tells me that I have several more years to devote to personal pursuits.  Yet tunnel vision creates that inner voice that is always telling me that I have wasted too much time - that if I were younger I could (fill in the blank) - that life has passed me by.  I must say, there is comfort in knowing that I am not the only one who feels this way.  There are apparently many others out there who have such dreams, aspirations, and creative desires but are defeating themselves with inaccurate self-talk.  I have learned that I am a "dual scanner" which means that I am an either/or type of person - there is no middle ground for me.  This false way of thinking is detrimental to living the creative life that I desire.

I think this is a part of the reason why I am motivated to try NaNoWriMo this year.  There is no time like the present - as they always say -- and while I can list a hundred reasons why now is not a good time, the truth of the matter is that there will never be an ideal time.  This is my focus for now - and I hope that after November I will be motivated to purchase a new calendar for 2011 --- write down specific appointments with myself to pursue other dreams and aspirations - and allow myself the freedom to be me.  Better yet, I may do as the author suggests and purchase a 2 year calendar, so that I will always be reminded that there is indeed lots of tomorrows in my future.

In Honor of the Read-athon: Part 1

I remember the first time I heard about the Dewey 24-hour read-athon.  I had just discovered the book blogging world and the preparations were being made for the Spring read-athon, 2009.  I was SO excited that I could finally partake in a "competitive sport" and not feel like an uncoordinated failure.

When I learned the dates for this fall read-athon, I immediately rearranged my academic schedule to free up the weekend from grading or major lesson plans. My goal was to do as I have done for the past three events - read 12 hours over the course of the weekend.  I was excited and planned to make a dent in my TBR pile, while at the same time participating in Carl's RIP Challenge.

But my personal life has taken an introspective turn lately.  For some reason I have not felt like reading fiction at all.  I think it has been at least six weeks since I have read a novel, although I have started several.  I am contemplating participation in NaNoWriMo this November, and all my energy has been focused on that activity.  Of course, committing to this event is another matter (fear of failure, fear of writer's block, fear that the story isn't good enough...well, you get the picture).

But this morning I had a rather "novel" idea (sorry...couldn't resist the pun).  I could participate in the read-athon by reading books that will help me with NaNoWriMo.  I refuse to fall into my typical trap of "I Should...." For example, I should read a certain amount of time; I should post a certain number of updates; I should read a certain book.  Instead, I am going to use this free weekend to pursue interests that I want ....and so far this morning that has included the completion of one book!!

I quickly read/skimmed the book, Coaching the Artist Within by Eric Maisel.  I think it was Catherine at Words World and Wings that introduced me to this author and creativity coach.  While much of the information was either familiar to me - or slightly ahead of my own creative journey, I did enjoy the overall message.  In particular, I discovered that I need to learn to embrace my creative desires; I need to stop sabotaging myself with destructive talk and dualistic thinking; and I need to allow myself to dream.  Many of the examples from the book center on those who have already achieved a level of success in one area - only to discover that they truly desire to create in another way.  Their comfort zone is a hindrance to their creative life.  

As I was reading this book it occurred to me that even in my pursuit of finding a creative outlet, I am still putting myself in a box.  For example, I have always thought that if I am going to write, then I should have the dream of publication.  It is not valid, I told myself, to want to write just for personal reasons.   But I think that is inaccurate and there is a middle ground for me.  I think that it is ok to write just for my own pleasure - but I can also foster the dream that perhaps my writing might resonate with someone somewhere.  I do not dream of being on the New York Times Bestseller list - but I do dream of having an impact.  This is the heart of who I am, which is why I am a teacher.

Through reading this book, I have validated what I have known for a while.  The project that I should be working on is a non-fiction project.  I NEED to get this story down on paper - and NaNoWriMo is the vehicle.  I think that after the non-fiction portion is written - I will be free to revise and perhaps create a fictional tale.  This would be a logical step.  And then, once I have those under my belt, my creativity muscles will be developed enough to perhaps tackle the story that I worked on all summer.  I am not giving up on that project - I am only following my heart.

Read-athon: Best laid plans....

I had such awesome plans for the read-athon and had been planning for this event for weeks.  However last night I noticed my throat was a bit scratchy and I felt a little achy.  I thought perhaps it was because I was tired from a long week at school, so I took some NyQuil and was asleep by 9:30.  When I woke up this morning I was faced with a full-blown head cold!  My head is so stuffy that it feels like it weighs about 25 pounds, and while I am trying to read, my eyes can only focus for about 10 minutes at a time.  I am hoping maybe hubby can go buy some drugs that will help with the pressure and I can continue reading, even if it is at a rather slow pace.

Here are my stats so far:
Starting reading at 7:15AM
Finished reading at 9:45AM (with about 6 short naps in between)

Book read:  From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Books completed:  1
Number of pages read this portion of the read-athon:  approx. 125 (I had started the book last night)
Number of pages read total:  125

Next book to read:  Harriet the Spy

Read-athon: Preliminary post

Oh my word -- it is FINALLY here!  Can I share my book nerdiness with you and let you know that I have truly been counting down the days to this read-athon?  I actually organized my lesson plans so that I would have no grading or planning to do this weekend so that I could fully concentrate on reading for a minimum of 12 hours over the course of the next two days (maybe even more!)

Of course my reading list has changed since my original one posted here.  I knew that would happen.  Right now I am very excited about this novel idea that I plan to write over the summer and I want to try to read published novels that are similar.  The YA novels up for grabs include:

• From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler by E. L. Konisburg
• Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
• Chasing Vermeer by Blue Baillett
• The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Of course, a fine selection of books is not a problem.  So if my fickle mind decides to go in another direction, I will have no problem adapting to that whim.

This message was pre-recorded and scheduled to post at the starting time of 6:00AM Central Daylight Time.  At this point I should have been up for about 30 minutes, had a cup of coffee, and begun the first leg of reading for this event.  I will plan to post again later this morning.

I hope all of you who are participating a glorious read-athon adventure; and for those who are unable to join us this go-around, I hope you are enjoying some lovely spring weather!

TSS: Preparing for the Read-athon!

The weather has finally turned to Spring here in Kansas and it is (supposed to be) a lovely Easter Sunday morning!  The sun is shining, the temperature is in the high 60s, the day is filled with hope and thanksgiving, and I am looking forward to having a leisurely dinner with the family.   I hope that you too are enjoying the rejuvenation of this Easter day!

I simply cannot tell you how excited I am for this 24 hour read-athon!  This will be my third time to participate, and I think I am looking forward to this one most.  My first read-athon was last spring and I truly had no idea what to expect.  I learned that 24 hours does not necessarily translate to "I can read several books in a weekend" --- it just means that I can read several pages in a weekend.  I also realized that I hadn't adequately planned for meals (for myself or other members of the family) and that ate up (pardon the pun) a rather large chunk of my reading time.

Last fall I was a bit more realistic with my reading goals, and I communicated better with the fam (I know that I cannot stay up for a full 24 hours, so my plan for all three events has been to read for about 8 hours on Saturday and another 4 hours on Sunday for a total of 12 hours over the course of the weekend).  I selected fewer books and even included some YA titles that are no less enjoyable, although sometimes a bit less complicated.  I had a difficult time, however, coordinating the number of hours I would read vs twitter vs post on my blog.  Consequently, I still did not accomplish all that I had hoped, but had another great time.

Now I figure "third time's a charm" --- my family is well aware of my weekend plans; I will definitely have meals and snacks ready to go; I will try to post 3 times on Saturday (a start post - a middle post - and an ending post) and a summary post on Sunday; I will not try to follow all the tweets, but rather pop in and out as I need a break.  I would like to be more purposeful in my reading, that is, try to read books that I will enjoy (eg - not for teaching or summer school), but that will also fulfill a challenge obligation (I did not complete nearly as many challenges as I had hoped last year, so I want to try to do better in 2010).  While I do not have a complete list ready to post, I will tell you which books I am considering:

• Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M. C. Beaton (for the Mystery Read Cafe challenge - author's last name begins with "B")
• The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly (for the Once Upon a Time challenge that I have yet to sign up for because I am afraid I will not have a chance to read a book in time)
• Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie (also for the Mystery Read Cafe challenge - the first in a series)
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (for the Our Mutual Read challenge)  Some students in my English 1 class selected this as a book to read in literature circles.  OH MY - did this create quite the uproar with some conservative parents.  I want to read the book myself to see why it received such negative attention.
• Why My Third Husband will be a Dog by Lisa Scottoline.  This will not fulfill any challenges, but it looks like a light, hysterical, fun read that will be a welcomed diversion when my eyes become bleary.
• The Flaneur by Edmund White.  Again, this will not fulfill a reading challenge that I know of, but it is a short book with the subtitle "A Stroll through the Paradoxes of Paris." and it came highly recommended by CB (see his review here).

I hope to finish Shutter Island prior to the weekend, as I have been nursing it for far too long.  This book will go towards CB James' Read the Book See the Movie challenge (or in my case....See the Movie, Read the Book challenge).  I almost feel as though I will have to see the movie again in order to do the review justice (it is my understanding that the major difference in the movie is the "last line" -- but I have now forgotten what the last line was).

This is my potential list for now --- emphasis on the word "potential"  I know myself well enough to know that if I want to have a great time and fully enjoy this coming weekend, I must be open to reading whatever strikes my fancy at that particular time.

How many of you will be able to participate?  Do you have a list of books already prepared to read?

Spring Read-athon!

Raise your hand if you can't wait for the next Dewey 24 Hour Read-athon April 10-11, 2010!

What?  Are you not aware of this most amazing event?  Oh, are you in for a treat!

Twice a year - once in the spring and once in the fall - book bloggers from all over the blogisphere reserve this time to read as much as they can/want in a 24 hour period.  There are mini-challenges, prizes, and cheerleaders. The weekend is spent with lots of good books, yummy snacks, and blogging communication (not to mention tweets around the clock).

This is a very low-key, fun way to partake in our favorite solitary activity with a large group dynamic.  Don't worry if you can't commit for the entire 24 hour time period - just join for as long as you can.  I typically strive to read 12 hours over the course of the entire weekend (minimum 6 hours each day), as I am a bit too old to pull all-nighters anymore.

I am sure there will be many more posts about this event in the upcoming weeks.  Some of us will share our reading strategies (variety is key - both in terms of genre and length), our game plans, our reading lists, and our excitement.  This will be my third read-athon and I am more excited than ever.

How about you?  Do you plan to take part?

Mystery RAT - Intro meme

So, it is finally here --- the mystery read-athon weekend, and man could I use it after the week I had! All negativity began to ease away on Thursday, however, when I somehow managed to bring home The Swan Thieves from the local library! I immediately began reading it, and am currently on page 160. I am so glad that the book counts for this weekend's reading genre.

For those of you not familiar with this particular read-athon, it is very low key. Over the course of the weekend attempt to read 12 hours. The selected genre is, obviously, mysteries - but any thriller/suspense novel will do.

Anyway, there is a fun intro questionnaire that we are asked to complete, so here are my answers:

Give us 5 fun facts about you: UGH! -- I hate these kinds of questions. I can never think of anything fun and creative to say. I figure I am an open book (so to speak) and everyone already knows everything about me. Well, here it goes ---

1. I was actually a French major (even though I teach English);
2. I played flute for several years and even debated about majoring in music (sadly, the flute has sat in the corner for about 2 decades now);
3. my one literary vice is that I LOVE reading People magazine (I figure it is a lifestyle that I will never experience myself);
4. I think the Chipotle carnitas burrito with black beans is about the most perfect food in town
5. I am a born Texan - transplanted Yankee - living in the Midwest - with dreams of traveling to Europe.

What is on your TBR stack for the next two days: Well, The Swan Thieves of course. However, I have also thought that I might like to read Agatha Christie's first Miss Marple mystery, Murder at the Vicarage, and/or Shane Peacock's Eye of the Crow, and/or Nancy Springer's The Case of the Missing Marquess. All three of these books would be enrichment material for the mystery unit that I teach in the spring.

Do you have any specific hopes and plans for this read-athon? The only hope that I have is to relax and rejuvenate from this week - in the hopes of returning to school with a renewed outlook on life. I think I can only manage that by spending some quality and quantity hours reading a good book.

Did you participate in the mystery read-athon in the past? Unfortunately no. I heard about it too late to reschedule plans for the weekend.

If you already participated, can you give new participants any tips? Well, even though I have not participated in the mystery read-athon, I have taken part in two of Dewey's 24 hour read-athons. My biggest suggestion would be to have a variety of material available to read. If you tire of one book, don't push through - just pick up another. Also, young adult novels are a great way to keep reading, but give your brain a time to relax. I know that some veterans also include an audio book in the mix so that they can continue "reading" but do not strain their eyes.

If this is your first mystery read-athon, how do you plan to go ahead? I plan to put no pressure on myself whatsoever. This weekend is all about having fun and relaxing. If I finish The Swan Thieves, great....if not, I at least enjoyed the journey.

Ok - it is time to get off blogger and start reading!

Mystery Read-athon Next Weekend!

Oh, be-still my little heart. January is certainly my literary month. Not only did I get a newly expanded nook in which to read to my heart's content, and not only did Natasha provide me with an excellent way to organize my blog to be more efficient and pretty.....but I just realized that next weekend is the mystery read-athon!

I was unable to take part in the last read-athon due to school obligations, and I will probably not be able to spend as many hours reading my most favorite genre this coming weekend, but I am going to take part in as much of the literary fun as I can (there are even going to be some mini-challenges that we can join).

I haven't given a lot of thought as to what I might read during this time. I plan to teach a unit on Sherlock Holmes to my 7th graders in April, so I could be extra productive and read some of his mysteries - or perhaps one of the many spin-offs that I have been wanting to investigate, like The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King or Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock.

OR....I am at a loss for what to teach my 12th graders at the end of the year. I am giving thought to doing a mystery unit with them as well and they can choose which novel to read (either Agatha Christie or Sir Author Conan Doyle) and we can have a few informal class discussions (I wonder how feasible it would be to try to hold a "mystery lunch" - similar to the mystery dinner theater - and act out a storyline. This will probably require far more time than I can devote to the unit). Anyway...I have never read Agatha Christie (for shame!) and I just happen to have the first Miss Marple book sitting on my shelf, Murder at the Vicarage.

Then again....I have wanted to read P. D. James for quite some time, and Lorna Barrett just released her 3rd Booktown mystery book, and I have only read 1 Elizabeth George mystery, but fully enjoyed it......ah, decisions....decisions.

THESE kinds of decisions, however, I don't mind making. I am very much looking forward to next weekend's reading adventures. Thank you, Kathrin and Meen, for hosting this event.

Read-athon: 6th Post

Total hours read: 7.5 hours

Total pages read: 572 (132 since the last posting)

Total books read: 4

Total book reviews written: 2

Prizes won: 2 books (this is SO exciting!! I selected Still Alice by Lisa Genova and Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay)

Well, the evening hours were a bit slower than I anticipated. My eldest daughter stopped by with a Pumpkin Spiced Latte to help re-energize me (LOVE the fall lattes!) ....and she stayed to visit for a while. My hubby spent the entire afternoon mowing the grass and bagging the leaves, so when he finally showered and cleaned up he was too tired to go to dinner. I fixed a quick pasta meal and spent some down time with him in front of the television (we had both hoped the Yankees would be playing tonight, but I guess the game was rained out).

Anyway, I did not actually start reading again until a little after 9:00, but I did manage to finish the book Confections of a Master Baker and even wrote the review -- yippee!!

I will probably try to start one more book - but I think I will go for something a bit more serious this go around. Right now I am thinking perhaps The Ghost Writer by John Harwood or The Archivist by Martha Cooley. But you never know...something else may strike my fancy as I peruse the bookshelves.

I will probably not post again this evening --- I am getting weary and my daughter would like to use the laptop --- BUT my plan is to continue this read-athon through tomorrow. Ideally I would like to read another 6 - 8 hours tomorrow for a grand total of 16 hours for the weekend. I will probably write a Sunday Salon post that summarizes my weekend reading totals.

Read-athon: 5th Post

Total hours read: 6.0 hours

Total pages read: 440 (90 since the last posting)

Total books read: 3.5

Total book reviews written: 1

Well, I have had a few breaks here and there -- mostly time spent trying to cheer fellow read-athoners on. I think the mini-challenges this fall have been so creatively wonderful - and the periodic links to 5 other blogs (most of them new to me) have been fun to read. One challenge that would have been fun to blog about - but I was unable to do so - was the collectible challenge. My husband and I used to collect cookie jars (to the tune of over 150), but alas they are currently stored in our attic and I am unable to take their photo.

I am currently reading Confections of a Closet Master Baker (not sure why I am into these culinary narratives this weekend - but they are enjoyable) by Gesine Bullock Prado (younger sister of Sandra Bullock). The book details her journey from Hollywood executive to Vermont pastry shop owner and she includes some scrumptious sounding recipes to boot. I am about half way through the book (page 91 out of 224), so I will update the blog when I finish it.

I think the hubby and I will go out to dinner this evening (he is currently cutting the grass for hopefully the last time this season) and then will have to clean up. So it will be a late dinner, which will mean an even later update.

I hope y'all are having as much fun this literary weekend as I am :)

Read-athon: 4th Post

Well, it has been a few hours since the last post, but I have been productive!

Total hours read: 4.5 hours

Total pages read: 350 (150 since the last posting)

Total books read: 3

Total book reviews written: 1

For some reason I was led to pick up Muriel Barbery's newest book, Gourmet Rhapsody, and I managed to read the entire story in one sitting. Once I finished the book I felt inspired to immediately write the review, as I had such conflicting thoughts and I wanted to sort through them while the book was still fresh on my mind. If interested in reading the review, you can find it here.

Now, as for the next reading adventure.....I have no idea. Fortunately I have a large pile of library books to peruse, as well as several bookshelves of TBR books waiting patiently for their turn.

Read-athon: 3rd Post

Read-athon Stats:

• Total reading time: 2 hours
• Total pages read: 100 pages (30 pages since last posting)
• Total books read: 2 (both started prior to the Read-athon

I just finished Dean Koontz's book, A Big Little Life. I have never read any this author's works before, but I am very anxious to start reading him now. Not only is this book a loving tribute to Trixie, the Koontz's faithful, compassionate, and intelligent Golden Retriever, but this book also gave me insight into this talented author. I believe you can learn a lot about a person's character through their relationship with their pets, and Dean Koontz is an amazing man of character.

While I plan to write a more in-depth review at another time, let me leave you with just one of the many memorable quotes from this book:

No matter how close we are are to another person, few human relationships are as free from strife, disagreement, and frustration as is the relationship you have with a good dog. Few human beings give of themselves to another as a dog gives of itself. I also suspect that we cherish dogs because their unblemished souls make us wish - consciously or unconsciously - that we were as innocent as they are, and make us yearn for a place where innocence is universal and where the meanness, the betrayals, and the cruelties of this world are unknown. (page 264)

I am not sure which book I will begin for the next hour of the read-athon. I think I will do some skimming and see which one entices to me to read more.

Read-athon: 2nd Post

Well, it is nearing the 3rd hour of the read-athon for me in here in the midwest. I have read a total of 90 minutes --- read 70 pages --- and finished the book, The Anthologist by Nicholson Baker. I plan to write a more detailed review of the book later this week, but for now let me just say that I thoroughly enjoy it. I first read about the book in the most recent issue of Bookmarks Magazine and immediately requested a copy from the local library. Earlier this week I posted the rather large mountain of books that I picked up from the library, and after skimming all of them, this was the one book that really hooked me to read it in its entirety. It is an easy read - but not fluff. There is a rather light-hearted plot, but what really grabbed my attention was the educational experience offered to the reader. I know precious little about poetry and for that reason alone do not appreciate it. This book has inspired me to learn more and start reading it on my own!

I am finding it a bit difficult to stay focused on just one thing this read-athon. There are so many wonderful challenges each hour, that I want to make sure that I check out the read-athon website on a regular basis --- which invariably leads me to check out a few blogs --- which then leads me to check out the chatter on Twitter. SO...I may not read as many pages as I had originally hoped -- but I am having a blast so far and that is what this challenge is truly all about (at least for me).

I am now off to get a shower - and then hopefully I will try to finish the book, A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz.

Read-athon: 1st Post

It is finally here and I am SO excited! I set my alarm this morning for 6:00 am (one hour before my official start time) so that I could have my mandatory 2 cups of coffee before attempting to read. I am now one hour into the read-athon and thoroughly enjoying The Anthologist (I am currently on page 179 --- but I started the book on Thursday night). I am now taking a break for my morning Grape Nuts breakfast, and thought I would participate in the welcome meme:

Where are you reading from today? I am reading in "my cozy book nook" in Kansas City.

3 facts about me: I have been married for 27 years --- I have 3 children (ages 23 - nearly 21 - and 16) and I have 3 adorable yellow labs.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? Well, I consider all my TBR books on the nook's shelves to be at my disposal this weekend --- so maybe 150??

Do you have any goals for the read-athon? Just to have fun doing my most favorite activity for the entire weekend. I plan to read quite a bit over the 48 hour time period - but certainly not staying up for 24 hours straight (I am too old).

If you are a veteran read-athoner, do you have any advice for those participating for the first time? Well, I have only participated in one other read-athon, so I would hardly consider myself a veteran. However, the one thing that I learned last spring was to NOT compare myself to others. I am not a fast reader - nor do I aspire to be. I enjoy savoring each and every word. My advice is to make this an enjoyable experience for YOU --- whatever that means :)

Well, I am off to try to finish The Anthologist before the next post (which, by the way is a VERY excellent book and one that I know I will want to add to my personal library for future reference).

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about the read-a-thon…

Are you planning on participating in the upcoming 24 Hour Read-a-thon (either as a reader or cheerleader)? Have you made any preparations for the event? And, veterans out there, any tips you’d like to share with the newbies?

Well, if you have read my blog at all over the past several weeks you know that I am VERY MUCH looking forward to this read-a-thon. This will be my second time to participate and while I do not consider myself a veteran marathoner, I do have a better idea of what to expect of myself this go around.

First of all, I do not plan to read for 24 hours straight. I am way too old to be doing that kind of activity anymore (who am I kidding - I never did that activity when I was young!) and I know that if I do not get some good sleep over the weekend my weekly school routine will suffer. That said, I will try to modify the read-a-thon rules to meet my particular needs. It is my goal to read at least 12 hours of the 48 hour weekend. Ideally I would like to read 6-8 hours on Saturday and then another 6-8 hours on Sunday. This will leave time for family - time to sleep - and plenty of time to accomplish lots of reading.

I know that lots of bloggers pre-select their read-a-thon book lists. While there are several books that I think I might like to read over the weekend, I know myself well enough to know that I need to be loose and flexible. I will read what I feel like reading - period. One thing that I did learn last go around is that I need to have a good selection of different length books (short stories - shorter novels, in addition to the traditional size novel). I also learned that I need a great variety of genres. For me that will include YA novels, cozy mysteries, more serious thrillers, memoirs, and perhaps a few recent releases that have peaked my interest over the past few weeks. Due to my many bookstore trips lately, as well as recent visits to the local library, I know that I do not have a shortage of literature to fit any mood.

Some bloggers lay in lots of favorite snacks, beverages, music selections, etc. I truly do not obsess about those issues. I rarely snack while reading and my normal beverages are always in plenty of supply. Thanks to my brother who heard my dilemma last read-a-thon, I have a great selection of classic and smooth jazz tunes to play softly in the background which lends a cozy, bookshop feel to my small intimate book nook.

I think the greatest lesson I learned last time - that I will try to rectify this go around - is that I need to plan my blogging time. I think every 2 hours or so is a nice pace for me. I will try to quickly update my blog to reflect my reading progression - I will quickly log onto to Twitter to catch the buzz (this was a great way to get refreshed and encouraged last time) - and I will spend about 20 minutes or so visiting fellow bloggers and commenting on their great efforts. So in essence, spend 30 minutes on the computer for every 2 hours with a book. In addition, I know that I will need to allow time to reflect on my reading so that I can write a semi-cohesive review at the end of the weekend.

I think the true key to a read-a-thon success is just to have fun -- whatever that means to you! Some bloggers will read LOTS of books very quickly - and if you spend too much time comparing yourself to others you will become discouraged. This is an opportunity to take what is typically a solitary activity and add an element of camaraderie to it. I hope you will consider joining us --- for one hour or 24 hours. You deserve to do this for you!

TSS - Preparing for the Read-a-thon

We are having a near-record cold snap here in the midwest which would normally lend itself to cozying up next to the fire with a cup of tea and a good book. Unfortunately I have yet to have the opportunity to do that this weekend. Perhaps later today........

Earlier this week I posted my (crazy) consideration of joining the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge and asked for some audio book recommendations. Many of you suggested some GREAT titles and I did request two from my local library: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. I need to transfer the CDs to my iTunes library and download them to my iPod in the hopes that I will start on the treadmill this week. I think I will start with The Historian, as that was already on my list of possible books to read for the RIP IV Challenge, and I have heard such wonderful reviews of her newest book, The Swan Thieves, due to be released in January.

Many of us in the blogosphere are anxiously counting down the days until the fall 24-hour Read-a-thon the weekend of October 24-25. Several bloggers have already published their list of books that they plan to read over the course of the weekend. I participated in my first read-a-thon last April, and while I did not read 24 hours (or even the 12 hours that I had initially pledged), I did read for several hours and learned a number of details about myself.

• First, I should plan what I think I might like to read over the weekend, but I need to allow myself to read whatever I "feel" like reading at the moment.


• Second, I have plenty of books on the TBR shelves that I will be able to find something to fit whatever mood I may find myself. There is no need for a special trip to the library or bookstore (although I may feel the need to visit both places for other "addictive" reasons).


• Third, I should have a number of fairly short books (under 300 pages) in the queue, as well as a number of books that are fairly easy reads -- meaning, they are quick to draw the reader in and full of suspense to keep the reader motivated to continue.


• Fourth, I need a game plan that allows me plenty of uninterrupted reading time, but also allows me time to visit other blogs and socialize in the community. Last time there were so many wonderful cheerleaders who kept everyone energized and motivated, and I want to be a part of that crowd.

While I will not commit to reading the following books over the weekend, these are ones that are viable possibilities:

• The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• Victorian Ghost Stories by Eminent Women Writers by Richard Dalby
• Willow by Julia Hoban
• Still Life by Louise Penny
• The Wednesday Sisters by Meg White Clayton
• The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
• Just after Sunset (collection of short stories) by Steven King
• The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
• A Big Little Little Life by Dean Koontz

As you can tell, this is quite an eclectic group of books --- some YA titles, some mysteries, some contemporary fiction, some short stories, and a couple of memoirs.

Hopefully I will be in the routine of walking on the treadmill, so I plan to take exercise breaks and continue "reading" The Historian via my iPod.

I am VERY much looking forward to this special weekend. I have totally cleared my personal calendar (and hopefully it will stay that way) and I have scheduled all student papers due AFTER the challenge (so that I won't feel guilty that I "should" be grading rather than pleasure reading). How about you? Will you be able to join the rest of us bibliophiles for an insanely fun weekend of reading pleasure?

TSS: Read-a-thon Summary

All in all - this was a GREAT event!! If you did not participate this time, please consider participating next time (I believe these happen twice a year: once in April and once in October). The organizers did an absolutely OUTSTANDING job - and deserve a huge round of applause: Nymth, Hannah, and Trish!!

This was my first time participating and I learned SO much: both tips to help me next time and insights into my own reading pleasure. The tips that I learned for me (these may not apply to anyone else out there) are:

1. Decide on a goal and select reading material to coincide with that goal. Do I want to read a lot of pages? Then pick books that are plot driven and easy to comprehend (for me - that would mysteries). Do I want to complete a lot of books? Then pick books that are short (YA novels would work great). Do I want to tackle my own TBR list? Then ignore the stats of others who are racing through reading material - and just focus on personal joy and fulfillment.
2. If possible, set aside the entire 24 hours for this event. I am NOT a multi-tasker. If I want to avoid feelings of "failure" next time - then I either need to totally clear my calendar for that time period --- or choose the cheerleader option and not focus so much on reading goals (and...by the way....the Cheerleaders were STUPENDOUS!!!! Both the "official" cheerleaders for the event most notably Beth, Dawn, Natasha and Melissa - and bloggers who cared enough to write an encouraging comment)
3. Create a comfortable reading environment. I LOVE my book nook -- it is my favorite escape place BUT.....I need to work on a temperature control device (probably an oscillating fan) as it is the dormer room of the house and can become VERY stuffy and warm (I think last night it was probably close to 80 degrees). Also....I need to diversify my instrumental music collection. I like "bookish" atmosphere of background music while reading, but I quickly realized that the 3-4 CDs I have downloaded on my iPod are not nearly enough variety. I will spending quite a bit of time on iTunes trying to remedy that situation before October.
4. And finally.....a lesson that I need to apply to my entire life, not just reading....DON'T COMPARE!! As I have mentioned before, I am very much a type-A perfectionist, which has its good points and its downfalls. On the positive side, I am always striving to do my best and to improve. On the flipside, however, I can easily be derailed when I compare my "best" with the best of others. And...when I am not "best" I have "failed" I know -- totally illogical and untrue, but such is the insight into my brain. What am I talking about? Well, there are two readers in this marathon event who I think deserve recognition: Deborah at Books, Movies, and Chinese Food, who read a staggering 5170 pages and completed 19 books!!!! AND..... S. Krishna who read 3875 pages (in 17 hours) and completed 14 books!!! At one point during the day she was reading 5.5 pages a minute!!!!

It is so incredibly easy for me to look at those stats and say "why did I even bother" (again - I know it is faulty thinking, but it is the way I am wired). But here is the insight that I learned about me: I am sure that I can take speed reading classes, and while I will never read 5.5 pages a minute, I am certain that I could increase my speed. The thing is ..... I like savoring words!! I like reading the story for the plot but also...I like reading the story to analyze how the author wrote it. I like underlining beautiful passages and making notes. I like re-reading a particularly poetic passage that begs to be savored. AND....this is a big one....I feel very guilty if I do not read every word that the author has written (well, maybe not the articles, but all the other words). I know how long it takes me to write - and revise - this little blog. I simply cannot imagine the time and effort - sweat and tears - it takes an author to write a book. I know it takes weeks, months and sometimes years to complete a manuscript, and I feel guilty if I read the entire work in only a couple of hours.

Now please - do not hear what I am NOT saying. I do not think all readers should subscribe to this way of thinking. But I have learned this about myself - and I think I need to learn to accept this in order to find peace and joy in the next read-a-thon event.

So, with that insight in mind --- I am going to extend my own personal read-a-thon into today. It is a dreary, rainy, Sunday and all my lesson plans are complete. I am thoroughly enjoying Rebecca (in fact, I already know that I will want to re-read this book and take copious notes) and perhaps I can come close to finishing the book today.

My final stats for the official 24 hour read-a-thon are as follows:

• books read: 1.5
• number of pages read: 505
• number of hours read: 9.5

I will post reviews for Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder and Rebecca later this week. For now, I am going to visit fellow bloggers and give them a note of congratulations --- and then enjoy another afternoon of blissful reading!

Read-a-thon: final post for the night

I am failing miserably. I had a feeling I would. Once I stopped the momentum and came home with a full belly, I knew it would be more difficult to focus and stay awake. Also consider the fact that my book nook is about 80 degrees (no joke!) -- I simply cannot stay awake any longer.

I am going to wash my face and perhaps try to read a bit in bed, but the eyelids are quite heavy. I will try to set the alarm in order to get in a bit more reading in final minutes of the contest, but sometimes the mattress rules.

So, the truth of the matter is --- I am not sure I read any more today than I would on a "typical" Saturday:

books completed: 1
book currently reading: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
current progress: page 120 out of 410
total number pages read: 440
total number of hours read: 7.5