End of Event Survey for Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon

Sunday 10 April, 2011 By 10 Comments

 

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

The first hour as I am not a morning person.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

Each book I read was very engaging and are from a wide range of genres.  My last book was exceptional, Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Actually no, since I think it went so well and the cheerleading tweets and tips were a nice addition.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

From a reader’s perspective I think everything went very smoothly, the home site was updated hourly and the challenges were varied.

5. How many books did you read?

I read 7 books and gave up on 1 after numerous attempts.

6. What were the names of the books you read?

Field Gray by Philip Kerr 448 pages

Heart of Deception by M.L. Malcolm 352 page

A Race to Splendor by Ciji Ware 544 pages

The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry 288 pages

A Lesson In Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear 336 pages

Every Last One by Anna Quindlen 352 pages

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson 384 pages

7. Which book did you enjoy most?

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson

8. Which did you enjoy least?

The one I gave up on, which I did not list above.  Dancing With Gravity by Anene Tressler

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

Not applicable

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?

Definitely!  I enjoy being a reader. :)

Filed Under: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Tagged With: ,

Dewey’s Read-A-Thon Mid-Event Challenge

Saturday 9 April, 2011 By 8 Comments

Mid-Event Survey:

1. What are you reading right now?

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson

2. How many books have you read so far?

6

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

I am currently reading my last book.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

Not at all.

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

Of course, my family comes first.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

How much I read.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

No, it is really going smoothly.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

I would have more snacks around.

9. Are you getting tired yet?

My eyes are quite tired.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?

None that I can currently think of.

Filed Under: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Tagged With:

12 Hours left of Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon

Saturday 9 April, 2011 By 8 Comments

I have been reading and writing reviews the past 12 out of 24 hours of  Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon.  Why am I taking time to write reviews one may wonder?  Fair enough question.   I am the type of reader who must write a review upon completion of a book before beginning another.  I have never been able to read a lot then go back and write up the reviews.

Thus far I had read and queued reviews of the following:

  • Field Gray by Philip Kerr 448 pages
  • Heart of Deception by M.L. Malcolm 352 pages
  • A Race to Splendor by Ciji Ware 544 pages
  • The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry 288 pages
  • A Lesson In Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear 336 pages
  • Every Last One by Anna Quindlen 352 pages

That is a total of 2,320 pages which may not sound like a lot, however my brain is  full.  I still have two books left on my pile (I do not know if I can read 960 more pages today) that I will try to get to before movie night.

  • Cold Blood by Lynda La Plante 480 pages
  • The Thieves of Darkness by Richard Doetsch 480 pages

I Gave Up reading:

  • Dancing With Gravity by Anene Tressler
Filed Under: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Tagged With:

Dewey Read-A-Thon 6 Hour Check In

Saturday 9 April, 2011 By 8 Comments

I know I shall not be able to read all 24 hours for Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon. My time being able to pull all-nighters has long since passed. I am the type of reader who must write a review upon completion of a book. I have never been able to read a lot then go back and write up the reviews.

Thus far I had read and queued reviews of the following:

  • Field Gray by Philip Kerr 448 pages
  • Heart of Deception by M.L. Malcolm 352 pages
  • A Race to Splendor by Ciji Ware  544 pages

At which point I now need a break.  First off, I have been reading all historical fiction.  I do like historical fiction, but I am ready for a change.   Secondly, my eyes need a rest.  I am a fast reader, but my eyes still get tired.  Plus I am middle aged and require naps. ;)

Up next to read and review (mystery/suspense/thriller):

  • A Lesson In Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear 336 pages
  • Cold Blood by Lynda La Plante 480 pages
  • The Thieves of Darkness by Richard Doetsch 480 pages

Gave Up reading:

  • Dancing With Gravity by Anene Tressler
Filed Under: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Tagged With:

The Dewey Read-A-Thon Has Begun: Hour 1

Saturday 9 April, 2011 By 15 Comments

It is 8:00 AM EDT which for me means Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon officially has begun!

My Introduction, Hour 1

1)Where are you reading from today?

Cold Blood by Lynda La Plante
No Turning Back by Marcus Sakey
A Small Death In the Great Glen by A.D. Scott
The Thieves of Darkness by Richard Doetsch
A Lesson In Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear

2)Three random facts about me…

I am a stroke survivour, I an a coffee snob, and I love cake!

3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?

Way more than I will be able to read.

4)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)?

Honestly no.  Considering it is the last weekend of Spring Break I will be thrilled to finish one.

5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?

I have participated several times.  Have fun with it, eat, napping is okay.  Personally I can no longer pull all-nighters, so I sleep.  This is supposed to be fun not stressful, if you feel stressed take a break.

Wish me luck!

Filed Under: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Tagged With:

Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon T-8 Hours and Counting

Saturday 9 April, 2011 By 6 Comments

Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon officially starts for me at 8:00 EDT. First, my apologies in advance, I may be posting more often than usual today due to mini-challenges throughout the Read-A-Thon, I shall try to keep the header clear so those not interested may bypass the post. I am ready with plenty of coffee, water, snacks, migraine medicines and accouterments (ice-packs and rice bags). I learned a lot from the last Read-A-Thon and I did rather well, so I am hoping I do just as well and there is always room for improvement on my part.

The last one was held in October 2010 which happened to fall on Homecoming, this year the Read-A-Thon falls on the last weekend of Spring Break which means my reading may or may not get done, it depends on what the family decides to do.  The weather is gorgeous so hopefully the guys will be outside doing yard work and home improvement stuff so I do not feel guilty.  If not, I shall read very little.  Time will tell.

This year I have a reading plan which I hope to follow, those who know me know I am not quite prone to following a reading plan.

My book selections, in no particular order:

Cold Blood by Lynda La Plante
No Turning Back by Marcus Sakey
A Small Death In the Great Glen by A.D. Scott
The Thieves of Darkness by Richard Doetsch
A Lesson In Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear

If I happen to read through all of these I have another stack just waiting to be read.   I will be thrilled if I manage the five above.

Filed Under: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Tagged With: , ,

Dewey Read-A-Thon Final Check-In

Sunday 10 October, 2010 By 4 Comments

I managed 18 out of 24 hours of reading for the Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon.   I admit it, I am too old for to stay awake all night, but I never thought to take a nap, which would have helped me.

This year went much better for me and I look forward to next year.  I appreciate everyone who stopped by to cheer me on and leave sweet messages, each one helped me to continue.  Thank You!

I learned not to save the most anticipated book for last.  I did that assuming it would help me be motivated in the end.  Actually I was so tired I only read a little ways into it.

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Hour 16, my brain was so very tired.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I read some excellent Suspense Thrillers listed below.  They are great at keeping the adrenaline flowing.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? No, I truly enjoyed the whole event and the cheerleaders were the best!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? The cheerleaders, they were brilliant! Without them I would have given in earlier.
5. How many books did you read? I have read and reviewed 5 books totaling 2,028 pages and began my 6th book.
6. What were the names of the books you read?

  • The Taken by Inger Ash Wolfe 496 pages
  • Cold Kiss by John Rector 273 pages
  • Cold Shoulder by Lynda La Plante 467 pages
  • Perception by Julie Metz 342 pages
  • Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham 440 pages

7. Which book did you enjoy most? I really lucked out and enjoyed all 5 immensely.
8. Which did you enjoy least? I gave up twice on The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant.  I hear the ending is brilliant but it was so sad and depressing, I felt terrible and sick while reading it.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? I was not, so no help I am sorry.
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I will definitely participate as a reader again!

Filed Under: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Tagged With:

Hour 16 Read-A-Thon Check In

Sunday 10 October, 2010 By 12 Comments

I have been reading most of the 16 out of 24 hours for Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon.   My eyes and brain are tired.

I have read and reviewed 5 books totaling 2,028 pages.

  • The Taken by Inger Ash Wolfe 496 pages
  • Cold Kiss by John Rector 273 pages
  • Cold Shoulder by Lynda La Plante 467 pages
  • Perception by Julie Metz 342 pages
  • Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham 440 pages

I wanted to finish, but will only begin:

  • Desiree by Annemarie Selinko

I gave up reading:

  • The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant
Filed Under: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Tagged With:

Halfway Point Meme-Mini Challenge

Saturday 9 October, 2010 By 24 Comments

It has almost been 12 hours and it is time for the Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon Mini-Challenge.

1. What are you reading right now? I am finishing up Cold Shoulder by Lynda La Planta
2. How many books have you read so far? I have read and reviewed 5 books.
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Desiree by Annemarie Selinko
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Not really due to it being a Saturday.
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? It was Homecoming so I took a break to make certain the boys looked right.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? How much I have read.
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? No, I am thrilled with it.
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Make certain my boys did not have a major event in the house.
9. Are you getting tired yet? Not yet, I am a night owl.
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? No, this is the first year I have gotten this far. I welcome advice.

Filed Under: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Tagged With:

Check-In at Hour 6 of the Dewey Read-A-Thon

Saturday 9 October, 2010 By 20 Comments

I know I shall not be able to read all 24 hours for  Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon.  My time being able to pull all-nighters has long since passed.    I am the type of reader who must write a review upon completion of a book.  I have never been able to read a lot then go back and write up the reviews.

Thus far I had read and queued reviews of the following:

  • The Taken by Inger Ash Wolfe 496 pages
  • Cold Kiss by Jeck Rector 273 pages

Book Completed but review still needing to be written and queued:

  • Perception by Julie Metz 342 pages (which was not on my original list)

Up next to read and review:

  • Cold Shoulder by Julie Metz
  • Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham
  • Desiree by Annemarie Selinko

Gave Up reading:

  • The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant
Filed Under: Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Tagged With:
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