Saturday 25 April 2015

Dewey's 24 hour read-a-thon


Today I will be linking all my challenges and my progress about the read-a-thon here, I hope you enjoy this post and if you are joining in, good luck! Here in the U.K the read-a-thon starts at 1pm, so just over an hour. This has given me time this morning to head out and grab some snacks for the event. If there is one thing I have learnt since participating that is to make sure you stay fed and watered.


I posted my TBR a couple of days ago - you can find the link here.

I am hoping to manage to read a lot this time around. Last time I only managed to read 2 books, I have a few short ones this time to try and break them up. 

Dewey's 24 hour read-a-thon challenges!

Here I will be placing all of my challenges that I take part in. 


Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: 0
Pages read: 0
Books finished: 0

Opening Meme:

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
Hello from the UK, I am in the south of England. 

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
This is a bit of a tricky question as two of these books I already started a few weeks ago so I am really looking forward to finishing them. They are Catch me if you Cannes and Girls on Tour. 

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
To be honest I think I am most looking forward to my mango, it's so refreshing and I don't have it often as it is quite pricey for cut mango, thought I would treat myself. :)

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
OK, this is my third 24 hour read-a-thon and I love them. I didn't manage to read too much for the last one so I am really hoping that today is different and I can make a big dent in my TBR. I am a primary school teacher so don't often get that much time to read adult books. I make sure I read children's books to them, as I want to spread my love of reading.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?
This time I am going to try my hardest not to get distracted. This should be better this year as my house is quite and the hubby has gone to the football. This gives me a few solid hours alone to read as much as I can. I also want to try and complete every challenge this time around. They break up the reading for me and are a lot of fun.

Good luck if you are participating today. 

End of hour 1:

Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: probably around 35 minutes when I have taken out all the distractions!
Pages read: 31
Books finished: 0

So far I have had a few distractions, I am also getting a bit peckish so I think I am going to grab some lunch now. I have begun Girls on Tour  - Rachel does Rome and I am hoping to finish it during this next hour. 

Hour 2 challenge - Classic words of wisdom. 

This challenge is being run by aliteraryodyssey

Here is my classic quote and 'Words of Wisdom': 
“Don't waste your love on somebody, who doesn't value it.” by William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet.  

This quote I think is important to everyone. There is no point in loving someone that you either cannot have or doesn't love you back. Life is too short and when you find love that is returned  you should cherish it. I am lucky to have found that with my husband quite early in life, however whenever it comes along you should value it. 

End of hour 2:

Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: probably around 1 hour when I have taken out all the distractions!
Pages read: 63

Books finished: 1 - Rachel does Rome

Hour 3 challenge - 4 seasons, 4 books. 

This challenge is being run by bartsbookshelf

I have decided to choose my four books to represent the seasons. Starting with Spring here they are. 



I chose Ivy Lane for Spring due to the colours and the fact things are planted to grow. Too Hot to Handle for the Summer as it is set in St Lucia. A part of me again down to the cover for Autumn as the trees are becoming bare and finally The Snow Child for Winter again down to the cover.

End of hour 3:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: probably around 1 hour 30 mins when I have taken out all the distractions!
Pages read: 97 

Books finished: 1 - Rachel does Rome

I have decided that I won't be participating in challenge 4 as it will take too much of my time up and I am rubbish at coming up with clues for books. I will be back again with another update in an hour. Hopefully this hour I will finish Girls take Manhattan.  

End of hour 4:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: probably around 2 hours 15mins when I have taken out all the distractions!
Pages read: 133 

Books finished: 2 - Rachel does Rome, The Girls take Manhattan

Hour 5 challenge: The casting couch 

This challenge is run by littlepocketbooks

Here it is:
1. Book: Girls on Tour - Nicola Doherty
2. Character: Poppy
3. Actor Name: Isla Fisher
4. Why you picked that actor: To be honest I don't know, just through reading the book I could she her playing the part. In my mind this is what Poppy would look like. I also think her personality would suit.


End of hour 5:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: probably around 2 hours 45mins when I have taken out all the distractions! This hour I spent some time typing up and scheduling reviews for the books I have read. 
Pages read: 154 

Books finished: 2 - Rachel does Rome, The Girls take Manhattan


End of hour 6:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: 2.45 - this hour was my hour I needed to go pick up my husband from the station after he has been to football all day and dinner. I am however back now and ready for the next hour. 
Pages read: 154 

Books finished: 2 - Rachel does Rome, The Girls take Manhattan

Hour 7 challenge: Treasure Hunt

This challenge is run by boghunden

I needed to find a book with a tree, snow and a weapon on the front cover. Here are mine:



End of hour 7:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: 3.30
Pages read: 188 

Books finished: 2 - Rachel does Rome, The Girls take Manhattan





End of hour 8:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: 4.15
Pages read: 234

Books finished: 3 - Rachel does Rome, The Girls take Manhattan, Catch me if you Cannes Part 2



End of hour 9:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: 5
Pages read: 278

Books finished: 3 - Rachel does Rome, The Girls take Manhattan, Catch me if you Cannes Part 2

End of hour 10:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: 5.20
Pages read: 298

Books finished: 4 - Rachel does Rome, The Girls take Manhattan, Catch me if you Cannes Part 2, Catch me if you Cannes Part 3

 Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now?
In the middle of Catch me if you Cannes part 4

2. How many books have you read so far? 
4
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?
I am hoping to get onto the Happy Afterlife of Rosie Potter. 

4. Have you had many interruptions? 
Sleep! I have slept for about 6 hours!

How did you deal with those?
I just gave in...


5. What surprises you most aboutthe Read-a-thon, so far?
That I have done so well! 

Hour 19 challenge- Shelfie 



As you can see they aren't actually on a bookshelf!!! They are full! 



End of hour 20:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: 6
Pages read: 356

Books finished: 5 - Rachel does Rome, The Girls take Manhattan, Catch me if you Cannes Part 2, Catch me if you Cannes Part 3, Catch me if you Cannes Part 4



End of hour 21:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: 6.40
Pages read: 396

Books finished: 5 - Rachel does Rome, The Girls take Manhattan, Catch me if you Cannes Part 2, Catch me if you Cannes Part 3, Catch me if you Cannes Part 4


End of the Read-a-thon Meme

  1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Probably when I hit hour 12 and realised I was falling asleep! 

  1. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
Books that are a short series, by reading many novellas it really got me motivated and I was proud of myself when I finished them as I felt like I had really got somewhere with them. 

  1. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
No...

  1. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
So many people were joining in across many different social network platforms, this allowed me to connect with lots of new people. 

  1. How many books did you read?
I managed 5 novellas and currently reading a novel for my sixth, even though I didn't manage to finish it for the read-a-thon, I am hoping I do finish it today.

  1. What were the names of the books you read?
1. Rachel does Rome, 
2. The Girls Take Manhattan
3. Catch me if you Cannes Part 2
4. Catch me if you Cannes Part 3
5. Catch me if you Cannes Part 4
6. The Happy ever Afterlife of Rosie Potter 

  1. Which book did you enjoy most?
This is tricky as they were all chick lit so unfortunately I cannot choose!

  1. Which did you enjoy least?
Again I can't choose one. 

  1. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
I wasn't I'm afraid. 

  1. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
Yes! I absolutely love them and if I could have more than twice a year I would!!! I will be a reader again next time. This time I put myself forward to host a challenge, unfortunately I was unsuccessful so I am hoping next time I get the opportunity to host one. 

Final stats:
End of hour 24:
Local start time: 13:00
Hours spent reading: 7
Pages read: 411

Books finished: 5 - Rachel does Rome, The Girls take Manhattan, Catch me if you Cannes Part 2, Catch me if you Cannes Part 3, Catch me if you Cannes Part 4

24 comments:

  1. Good luck Sam, and Girls on Tour is fabulously light reading and very enjoyable!

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    1. Thank you, only have 2 of the stories left to read.

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  2. Cheering you on from Team Mr. Poppers. I just realized my husband is working today so I am going to get more done than I thought! I hope you have a great read-a-thon.

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    1. Thank you! It's great isn't it when they go out! you get so much done! Good luck today and thanks for cheering me on!

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  3. Good luck with the readathon! Mango is the best snack, but I couldn't find here yet. Hope you get lots of reading done :)

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    1. Thanks, I know! That's a shame you couldn't find any. Good Luck too x

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  4. Ha, you're not wrong with that mango: I'm very much looking forward to snacking on my (three) homegrown radishes! Good luck with the readathon; I'm sure we'll have a blast. Here in NL starting time was 2PM but I started an hour early because I have to cheer now ;)
    Gnoe (having problems logging in)

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    1. Thanks, already getting distracted though! That sounds fair enough, just finish and hour early x

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  5. Good luck with this one. I am taking the day as it comes. My kids are home today so that will make for breaks while I tend to them. Either way I am going to have fun. 24 hours of reading? Yes please!

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    1. Excellent! Having fun is the key! Good luck for whatever you manage to read.

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  6. I have trouble with distractions to and am TRYING to be more laid back about them this time around. I did the seasons challenge too, but I like your picks better :) Happy reading!!
    stacybuckeye from team Sherlock

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    1. Ha ha it never seems to work does it? I have taken a break now to write reviews up, if I don't do it when I finish a book I end up forgetting as I'm reading too many lol! Hope it is going well for you.

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  7. I love the books you picked for the seasons mini challenge. They definitely feel like spring/summer/fall/winter to me! Happy Readathon!

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    1. Aww thanks! I think they look really great together too! Hope you are enjoying it

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  8. I picked The Snow Child for my winter book for the season challenge too! You are doing awesome with your reading so far!

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    1. Wasn't it just the perfect book to pick? It also managed to double up as one of the other challenges! Hope your doing well, thanks for the comment :D

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  9. Three books already? You are doing GREAT! It looks like you are doing really great so far! I hope that you are having lots of fun while you are at it. Keep up the great work and READ, READ, READ!

    #TeamSherlock

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    1. Hi thanks, they are only short but I'm pleased. Thanks for the comment.

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  10. Wow, three books finished! Way to go! I haven't managed to finish a single one yet :)

    Don't forget to eat well, stay hydrated, and move around a bit.

    Happy reading from #TeamSherlock!

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    1. Just updated this hours, just finished book 4 but they are all novella so cheating really! Thanks again for cheering :D

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  11. Catch Me if You Cannes is such a catchy title! Hope you had a great Readathon. #teamSherlock

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    1. Hey! Thanks for the comment - ended up having a sleep but up again now and ready to continue.

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