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I'm finally taking the plunge! I've enjoyed year-long challenges and occasionally month-long challenges, but I was always afraid read-a-thons would be too much pressure. It's pretty normal for me to take a week to read a book, so I wasn't exactly sure what benefit an event like this could have for me. But after reading everyone's posts for Dewey's 24-hour Read-a-Thon recently, I found myself composing lists of books in my head and itching to jump on the bandwagon. Just 24 hours still seems very intense to me, but I think a week long event might be just the thing. There is definitely more time in my days for reading if I could get myself a bit better organized and prioritized. So this week is a welcome opportunity to have an "excuse" to read whenever I am not doing essential activities such as working, sleeping, etc. So, onto my game plan...
I think there are two ways for me personally to get the most of Bout of Books and enjoy myself in the process -- a bunch of short and/or "easy" books or 1-2 really long books (think Outlander or Game of Thrones). 90% of the time I read one average length book per week -- say 300-400-ish pages. This week won't feel any different if I just stick with my usual though. So for this first Bout of Books, I'm going with graphic novels, poetry, and shorter YA (after I finish the adult thriller Dark Tide which has spilled over from last week.) I don't think I will read all of these, but it's good to have options. I've taken my bookish buddy Charleen's advice to heart and chosen books I'm really excited to read, not just excited to cross off my list. Except for the Silverstein one, these are all for my Banned Books challenge and I LOVE reading banned books.
I've also been trying to get outside in the nice weather before it gets too hot and muggy and I don't want to hole myself up inside for the entire week. So I'll listen to audiobooks when I go for walks and if it's really nice, maybe I'll even head to the park just to read at some point. I'll start with the end of Team Human which is for next month's book club meeting and then I'll see what else is available to borrow from my library's digital collection. The audiobooks will also be good for when I'm doing boring household chores like washing dishes, laundry, etc.
So, I am officially setting my goal at 7 books -- which could include finishing the two I already have started (1 audio + 1 print). Wish me luck!
Yay! I'm so excited you decided to join in! I'm going to let you in on a little secret... I really don't read THAT much more during Bout of Books than I normally do. For me, it's as much about the community and the craziness of so many readers coming together as it is about the books. I hope, no matter how many books you end up reading, that you have fun with it! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Charleen! Now that you say it, I'm not too surprised and I'd be willing to bet a lot of people feel the same way about it. Just all the excitement over it has been fun so far :)
DeleteI don't think I read remarkably more during Bout of Books either, I mean there is still the same number of hours in a day, but I find it easier to be more composed and prioritize reading. Taking part of the readathon does not necessarily mean you have to stay up 'til 3 am reading! ;) (Unless it's Dewey's I guess, but even then it might not mean that...) I hope your first experience will be a very positive one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Riv! Much good advice :) I probably will not be up until 3 am reading, since it would probably ruin the next day's reading by making me too tired. As you said, I think it is good for helping prioritize -- so long as I don't get sucked in the social media side of it too much :)
DeleteGood luck reaching your goal of 7 books :)
ReplyDeleteI've never done a 24 hour challenge either, I know they would be too much for me. I need sleep and distraction! I've done Bout of Books before though, and had a lot of fun. Hope it's the same for you.
Thanks Sam! Off to a bit of a slow start, but it's definitely fun :)
DeleteI've done Dewey's read-a-thon recently for the first time and, yes, it is very intense but also very exciting and I've loved it (I've just forgotten that reading and not tweeting was the main goal ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing in your pile 'Maus' and it seems a great choice for this week. It's easy to read and, in a same time, a great book.
Have a good week!
Thanks! Yes, the social media side of things seems a big source of potential distraction. I've just recently started reading graphic novels and Maus is on pretty much every single list of recommended titles :)
DeleteI hope you enjoy participating in bout of books! Sadly, I'm not participating this time, but I have in the past and it is so much fun! You have a great reading list ahead of you. :) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kay! I really hope I get to read at least half of it :)
DeleteGreat stack of books! I've been wanting to get to The Giver, Two Boys Kissing, and Maus for a while now, so I'll enjoy reading them vicariously through your reviews :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie! I think I will need to do a review-a-thon when this is over! I have a few others from before Bout of Book to review also, so they are piling up fast :)
DeleteI didn't participate in Bout of Books (I always mean to but then forget about it), but I DID read Outlander and two other books (YA) this week. I mean, WHAT? I'm chalking it up to all the Twitter conversations about people's progress - I think it inspired me! I love how passionate you are about banned books. It's one of the things I always associate with you :)
ReplyDeleteWow that was a lot of reading this week! I'm so excited you read Outlander, it's one of my favorite series of all time. I really must re-read them one of these days. I never expected Banned Books to become my "thing," but they have and they are so much fun to -- I guess I like being a rebel in my own nerdy way :)
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