Dewey’s 24-hour Read-a-thon took place on Sunday, Australian time. For those who have somehow managed to miss my incessant posting about it, the event is basically a chance for book geeks across the world to get together and read as much as possible. It is also held in honour of its founder, a book blogger who went by the name Dewey, who passed away several years ago. I participated in my very first read-a-thon in April 2011 and haven’t looked back since.
As usual, things kicked off just as I was winding down.
One hour until #readathon begins… so it’s time for me to go to bed.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
But I was up bright and early, around 6 AM.
Good morning! I’m rather short of sleep, but ready to dive into the #readathon after some breakfast.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
I figured I’d use the read-a-thon as a chance to catch up on some of my reading for the Aurealis Awards.
Getting my #readathon underway. pic.twitter.com/mWT78f8TfW
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
Okay, time to focus and get some proper reading done. #readathon
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
On page 62 of 320 of Waer, by Meg Caddy: #readathon Hour 10 begins. https://t.co/Xg8Ow9sxKI
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
The first of my reading buddies has joined me for the #readathon. (Ping @TheBookWheel) pic.twitter.com/1awAsDWH6k
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
Chippa seemed to enjoy the attention.
On page 101 of 320 of Waer, by Meg Caddy: #readathon Hour 11 begins. https://t.co/2vEu2t7GKw
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
Time for toast and tea. #readathon
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
On page 130 of 320 of Waer, by Meg Caddy: #readathon Hour 12 begins. https://t.co/Ld24UYSVb8
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
Since my human #readathon buddy is due to arrive in 30 minutes, I should probably get out of my pyjamas.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
My human #readathon buddy @Nicky__Rowlands has arrived for our first ever read-in.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 22, 2016
I wasn’t sure what having a reading buddy would be like. I was half expecting I wouldn’t get much reading done. However, it turned out that having Nicky around actually helped me to keep focused. It also meant that I took proper breaks and moved around a bit.
On page 155 of 320 of Waer, by Meg Caddy: #readathon Hour 13 begins. https://t.co/ztcVj1rZF6
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
On page 208 of 320 of Waer, by Meg Caddy: #readathon Hour 14 begins. https://t.co/ONjUGYndnC
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
Pausing for #readathon lunch.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
Lunch was a large mushroom strudel. Tasty as it was, I rather regretted eating so much afterwards. But read-a-thons are almost as much about the food as they are about the books. (Right?)
On page 243 of 320 of Waer, by Meg Caddy: #readathon Hour 15 begins. https://t.co/hx3QMJddN7
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
Hang in there #Readathon peeps! You’re doing great.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
There was some extra support from fellow Australian and New Zealand readers, thanks to the organisation of Brona of Brona’s Books.
I’ve got post-lunch fatigue, but am pushing on. #Readathon How’s the rest of #TeamOz & #TeamANZ?
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
#Readathon Hour 16 begins and I have just finished my first book. Now comes the difficult choice of what to read next….
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
#Readathon snacks have arrived. pic.twitter.com/xefUjuc3h9
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
#Readathon Hour 17 begins and I just bounced hard off my second book. Still figuring out what to move on to.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
Fortunately, I had other things to distract myself with.
Hour 17 of Dewey’s #readathon is about to get underway and I’m holding a mini challenge! There’s a prize on offer. https://t.co/qMhOpQFwv3 pic.twitter.com/nyifKlZEgP
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
So many comments! Thanks to everyone who stopped by. There were some great photos, and I definitely ended up with some book- and beverage-envy.
Finally settled on finishing off the Earthsea Quartet by recent birthday girl Ursula Le Guin #readathon
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
I’d already read the first three books of the quartet, leaving me with the last, Tehanu, for the read-a-thon.
On page 488 of 691 of The Earthsea Quartet, by Ursula K. Le Guin: #Readathon Hour 18 begins https://t.co/9fO79RvXBg
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
On page 520 of 691 of The Earthsea Quartet, by Ursula K. Le Guin: #Readathon Hour 19 beg… https://t.co/eZWv5fNCGC
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
Pausing my #Readathon efforts to feast on Tayberry pie with @Nicky__Rowlands .
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
A Tayberry is apparently a raspberry/blackberry hybrid and was super tasty! I was very grateful to my saintly sweetheart for bringing the pie back from the markets. I think Nicky was, too.
On page 542 of 691 of The Earthsea Quartet, by Ursula K. Le Guin: #Readathon Hour 20 beg… https://t.co/uEA0p06KZk
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
My human #Readathon buddy @Nicky__Rowlands has headed home for the evening. Only canine companions now.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
Well, and my aforementioned sweetheart. But he likes to leave me to it while I’m doing a read-a-thon.
Not much #Readathon progress over the last hour between farewelling @Nicky__Rowlands & eating dinner. Time to regather.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
On page 592 of 691 of The Earthsea Quartet, by Ursula K. Le Guin: #Readathon Hour 22 beg… https://t.co/Mo6VJ8I0ai
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
I should be able to finish the rest of the book before the #Readathon ends.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
#Readathon Hour 24 is just getting started but I have just finished my second book. Think I’ll call it a night.
— 📚 Elizabeth 📚 (@elizabeth_fitz) October 23, 2016
I finished with two books read and one DNF knocked off Mt TBR. Not as much progress as I’d like, but nevertheless I’m satisfied.
Before I sign off, there’s one more important thing I need to do.
The winner is…
The winner of the Books and Beverages mini challenge is Jerrika H! I’ve contacted Jerrika regarding her prize.
Thank you again to everyone who participated.
Also, a big thank-you to Andi of Estella’s Revenge and Heather of Capricious Reader for all the hard work they put into organising and running the event. Truly, these ladies are amazing. Wrangling thousands of readers is a huge task. Yet, Andi and Heather kept everything going smoothly.
The next read-a-thon will be taking place on 29-30 April 2016. Don’t forget to mark it on your calendar. It has a great sense of community that keeps me coming back. I do hope you’ll join us next April.
Looks like you had a lot of fun!
I did! And I was very glad to get a few more books of Mt TBR.