Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon discussion

Leave any tips you have down below for a successful readathon!

I always have an audiobook handy. This makes it so I can spend some time cheering on other readers or getting some household chores done (dinner anyone?) or admin stuff, but still be able to read.

I also recommend not choosing those heavy, long classics. Those books are good in small bites, but if you try to get through War and Peace during the readathon, you might not enjoy the event as much. I like to have a few books from my childhood handy for a quick read - Sweet Valley, Nightmare Hall, and Babysitter's Club are a few favorites.

I try to switch books after 50pgs or an hour of reading, so I don't get bogged down in any one book. If I get into a particular book and don't want to switch, that's great and I finish that book, but otherwise I like to cycle through a stack of 5-6 books, adding in new ones as I finish books. I also definitely do audiobooks, especially for the first 4 hours or so (I HATE mornings, so I am not likely to be reading a print book at 6am. I prefer to start with an audiobook, so I can stay in bed, snuggling my cats and listening till a more sensible hour to be getting up.).

Short books are my main strategy. At most I pick one longer book, which is typically a YA novel that takes me 6-7 hours. Everything else is either a graphic novel or a short book (Fear Street, Animorphs, Roald Dahl, etc.) that takes a couple of hours. I typically read about 7 books total. That way I don't feel bogged down; I really need the satisfaction of finishing books frequently!

I like to have a selection of 4-5 books to choose from. I once tried to read a single 1,000 page book all day. That didn't go so well. If I end up not liking one of the books, I have something else to pick up right away. I usually pick books that are about 300 pages long.

I always have an audiobook pick too. I listen during meals and in between for a walk/hobby/chores/lounge hour. Taking a break from physically reading to stretch and move is important.

Finally, don't compare your reading to anyone else's. I'm a slow reader, and I also don't like short format books (children's, comics, etc). I'm never going to have the most or anywhere near the most finishes. I've decided this is about the experience, not the total pages/book read. As long as I'm immersed in the spirit of the readathon and enjoying my reading, that's what's important.

get up and move on a regular basis, even if only to a different reading spot. It keeps the muscles from falling asleep and it helps keep you awake.

Always pick more than I can actually read in 24 hours and make a list/pile. That way if something from my Dewy TBR doesn't grab me once I start reading it, i can quickly grab a different book and not waste time choosing or because I'm not enjoying my selection.

get a little exercise at least every few hours. It gets the blood pumping, even if it is only a 10 minute walk and will re-energize brain cells to keep you awake

If you like audio books, always have some handy. that way you can still read while doing other things.

if you are a crafty person, have a project or two at hand, that you can do while reading, or while listening to an audio book. engaging yourself with multiple senses keeps the brain alert.

Keep a few short stories/novellas on deck and/or some graphic novels. this way during the wee hours of night/morning, or whatever time you find yourself getting tired, you can switch to something shorter or something more visual. that helps keep you awake and isn't anything that will make you think TOO hard when you are tired.

Don't be afraid to take a reading break all together or to take a nap. Sometimes you need to do that to keep going.

most importantly - HAVE FUN WITH IT! Dewey is a social activity that celebrates our love of all things books. if you turn it into something hard or too challenging, it takes away from the fun of it

I like to use audio books and take several short walks during the day.
I can also get some laundry or cleaning done as well!

I like to take a 2-3 hour nap once the night comes. That way I can finish strong and not feel so bad the next day.

Hydrate this week. Drink a little extra water before the event. Especially if you drink coffee, soda, or energy drinks, etc.

Have a washcloth ready. 3-5 minutes with a hot or cold water compress over the eyes can re-invigorate them when they start to tire.
Also, avoid books with tiny font or in a color or style that is less comfortable on your eyes.

Don't force yourself on a particular book. If it is dragging at all or feels too much, change it up. Have a variety of books available for this, just in case. Great time to re-read a favorite too! And you don't have to always be reading. Jump on social media to chat or cheer on other readers. This is inspiring to both give and get throughout the day. Do a challenge, take a nap, play with the kids or pets, listen to a song, etc as needed.

Don't compare your reading to someone elses! There are some people who read at speeds and can knock out a stack of books that astound and amaze me. But that is not all of us. Even if all you can do is a few chapters-you still win for you!

Splurge a little on your snacks (treat this like the holiday it deserves to be) but be sure to get a good mixture of healthy foods too. Too much sugar, caffeine, or carbs will have you crashing out early. Especially if you want to participate through all or most of the readathon.

read 3 or more books at once (1 audio, 1 physical, 1 ebook) because you can switch throughout the day using whatever format works for you at the moment

listen to the audiobook while reading the actually words for getting fully into the book

dont be afraid to dnf and/or take breaks

spread short books throughout the day to feel accomplished

read books you have been meaning to read for a while

most importantly... have fun! readathons arent supposed to feel pressuring

Plan fun events to keep it interesting - I enjoy doing planned Audiobook walks, book baths with facials, sometimes going to a spot to read like lunch or a coffee shop, or a pretty park

Take audiobook breaks to give eyes a rest, especially if you feel a headache coming on

It's fun to read light series if you enjoy those as you can jump from one into another with ease and not needing breaks in between books

Mix between short and long or keep all short - or, if you don't enjoy books back to back, keep to one long interesting one

Have chocolate on hand if that's your thing!!

Have some stuff in advance if possible like cleaning, or cozy clothes picked out, or food pre-made.

I'll surely do my crochet work between it's totally fun EG!:)

I always like to reread a favorite during Readathon. The comfort of going back to a book I know I love is always enjoyable!

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Plan fun events to keep it interesting - I enjoy doing planned Audiobook walks, book baths with facials, sometimes going to a spot to read like lunch or a coffee shop, or a pretty park

Take audiob..."

Nice! I love these ideas especially the bath and facial!!

Nona wrote: "I always like to reread a favorite during Readathon. The comfort of going back to a book I know I love is always enjoyable!"

I haven't done a re-read during the readathon. I'll have to consider that for future readathons!

Lena wrote: "Nice! I love these ideas especially the bath and facial!!
"

To me the day is about self-indulgence. Comfort drinks and foods, stretching, laying in comfy clothes, pampering baths and facials :) It works out that way sometimes lol

Erin, I agree that that pre-planning is important. The clean apartment and tended garden are probably the most important things to me.

Exercise. Everyone lives in a different body. Everyone has either temporary or permanent conditions. Excercise what is safe and wise to exercise.

While some use ears only to read, many use eyes often/always. Eye exercises can be found online, from yoga instructor, from physical therapist. I used my physical therapy exercises for 3 days ahead of time, and my reading went surprisingly well. . . .The wash cloth suggestion made above helps.

While not everyone can get on and off floor, yoga can be practiced in a chair. Breathing practice is complete yoga practice. I started there for months. Also there are some good YouTube vids of whole 15 or 20-minute chair practice routines. . . . I practice geriatric yoga. I use double mats placed next to wall and with my blocks and a sturdy chair nearby. But I learned-practiced at YWCA for about 7 years. 80% effort nets results in yoga. Be thou safe. Thy life is important.

Cynda wrote: "Exercise. Everyone lives in a different body. Everyone has either temporary or permanent conditions. Excercise what is safe and wise to exercise.

While some use ears only to read, many use eyes o..."

Great advice and tips. I like how you make sure to state we all have different bodies and situations. I do try to get in some stretching yoga type during the read-a-thon but haven't done that much last few times besides some walking exercises. Maybe it will help if I specifically pre-plan and see how it goes.