It’s the 24th hour and I’m far from finishing the last book I started so I thought I’d start blogging already.
I realized I didn’t include an introduction of my challenge in my mid-event post, so to explain, the 24-hour read-a-thon is an event mounted in memory of Dewey, a blogger and a reader who started the event in October 2007. Dewey passed away in November 2008, and the 24-hour read-a-thon is continued by those who’ve helped Dewey organize the past read-a-thons, and hundreds of book bloggers in the world.
I never met Dewey, although she was also active on BookMooch, but I am inspired by the number of lives she touched, and how she shared her love of reading to people all over the world. I decided to join this year because I salute her efforts, and I wanted to be part of this global celebration for a fellow book blogger.
So, as you’ve read in my mid-event post, I had a lot of catching up to do since I got stuck on Silverlock last night. Here’s the story, and the answers to some memes
I realized I didn’t answer the introductory meme so here goes:
3 facts about me …
– I live in Makati City, Philippines, where it’s the peak of summer and the temperature’s over 30 degrees!
– I collect international editions of Harry Potter.
– I am scared of flying cockroaches.
How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?
I didn’t plan my reading list, other than Silverlock, which was I was in the middle of when the event started, so after that I just grabbed some books from my general TBR pile, which has nearly 300. Now they’re in disarray because I trawled through them like a madwoman, lol!
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)?
My goal was 8 books.
If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?
It’s my first time, although I’ll definitely plan better for the next one, and I want to pull a hardcore all-nighter!
1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Gosh, around hour 16, after I posted my mid-event entry.
It was sooooo hot, I was sweating like crazy so I took off for a walk to McDonald’s, which is around five blocks from our house. I finished one book, Para Kay B, and then I had to go home because I had to go to mass — it’s Sunday in the Philippines.
Downing a coke float, which didn’t have much of an effect towards the heat!2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Hmm, high-interest books in general, not necessarily ones I’ve read for this event. I’m thinking short and interesting so here are some suggestions:
Perfume by Patrick Suskind
The Arrival by Shaun Tan — wordless!
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka, ill. by Lane Smith
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
The Tattooed Map by Barbara Hodgson
Griffin and Sabine by Nick Bantock
The Little Prince by Antoine Saint Exupery
I’ve found that illustrated books work great because there’s a visual interest, and your eyes can rest from straight text.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
My suggestion is same as my mid-event suggestion — a holiday read-a-thon, because people have more time off or can clear their schedule accordingly, regardless of time zone.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
The Mr. Linky and the feed site — it’s a great way to find out what other readers are up to.
5. How many books did you read?
8 and a half
6. What were the names of the books you read?
The first four were in my mid-event post: Silverlock by John Myers Myers, D is for Dahl, and 2 Little Lit books (It was a Dark and Silly Night, and Fairy Tale Funnies).
Today’s reads included:
Para Kay B by Ricky Lee (photo above)
The Secret of the Pistoulet by Jana Kolpen and Mary Tiegreen
The Legend of Villa della Luna by Jana Kolpen and Mary Tiegreen
The Pixie Hollow Pop-up
and halfway through Miller’s Collecting Books by Catherine Porter
(and that’s my tottering TBR mountain– those that don’t fit my TBR shelves!)
7. Which book did you enjoy most?
I enjoyed the last book the most, Miller’s Collecting Books. It contains everything you need to know about collecting books and all sorts of book geekery, and I’m really loving it so I’m reading it slowly so I can savor it.
8. Which did you enjoy least?
Hmm, Silverlock was hardest for me to get through because I started it over the Easter holidays, stopped for a week when I had so much work to do and picked it up again for the read-a-thon. Hardcore fantasy (with maps and strange names) are really not my cup of tea, although the book references in Silverlock kept me going. Note to self: next time, no fantasy epics!
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
I wasn’t a cheerleader, but to the cheerleaders — good job! See you again next year!
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
I’d still want to be a reader. I really want an all-nighter, and I’ve got to plan it out. An idea would be to read with another reader (or maybe more!), for a read-a-thon party.
Heehee, one last thing, I’d like to share a photo of my dog, Macky, helping me out in the read-a-thon:
Maybe he wants me to cook this recipe for him?Thank you Dewey for starting this tradition. You live in the memory of all read-a-thoners and read-a-thon cheerleaders!