Preparing for Deweys 24 readathon-Tips, plans and advice!

 

In just 11 days is one of the biggest events of the year I participate in.  Dewey's 24 hour Readathon!

Now some of you may wonder why I am posting about preparation now.  I got a week and a half and it is only a 1 day event right?  Well, to me, there is more to it.

First off, I am sharing this in the hopes that maybe some of you will join my in the readathon.  It is a huge internet event with over 1500 participants!  All around the world, at the same time, readers put aside the next 24 hours to reading.  Can't do that much?  It is okay, everything is your pace.  Blogs, twitter, facebook and goodreads are all very active with updates, fun challenges, cheering and more!

How much a reader participates in any of the events or reading is up to them. Be it just an hour of reading or go all out like I am and trying for all 24 hours.   I will be reading, cheering and possibly host a mini-challenge!  So it will be a busy, exciting day!

This leads me to early preparation.  

• Clear your day.  For me, I actually take the day off work.  I let me family and close friends know.  That way they know I am not available to talk.  so starting around this point, leading up to the readathon, I get all my calls and visits in with everyone so that I can read that day and rest/recoup the next.  For me having an unexpected phone call or doorbell ring can really throw me off when I am delving deep into a good book.
• Clean your space.  If I am trying to relax, it is not easy to do if there is a mess nearby.  Sometimes I can be almost mildly OCD about it.  About 2 weeks before this particular readathon I like to make a task list for cleaning, laundry, etc that needs to be done.  Then make sure it is done about 2 days before the read-a-thon starts.  Those last couple days I have other focuses.  But if my place is clean, it leaves my mind free to focus on the books.  No unwanted task thoughts or looking up to dirty coffee tables, etc.
•  Prepare your food.  About a week before the read-a-thon I like to figure out what I will eat that day.  I like a good variety of healthy snacks (carrot sticks, apples, etc) to sugary energy (red vines, sour gummies, skittles, etc).  Then drinks and meals.  I don't drink coffee much so tea is a huge go-to for me.  So I make a large  pitcher for iced tea plus have a hot tea mix in case it is chilly.  Then meals.  to keep energy high and avoid any major snacking, meals are still important but I don't want to take away from my reading for cooking.  So the 2 days before the read-a-thon I do any last minute shopping, prepping and cooking.  When the readathon starts, food is laid out on the counter or at the front of the fridge, ready to go.  Simply dishing/pouting or heating is required. 
• Rest.  The day or so before the readathon, get plenty of rest if you plan to try to push through most of (or all of) the 24 hours.  You will feel drained at the end but if you get even and extra 30 minutes sleep the couple nights before, it helps balance it.  Also, I back off on reading.  I eyes will be strained and tired enough after several hours of reading that day.  I want them to be well rested too.  I also advise eye drops to use during the readathon, if you go more than 12 hours especially.  I promise it helps. 
• Choose your books.  I always have a huge stack ready to go a few days before the readathon.  I start picking out possibilities about a week before it starts.  Then slowly weed it down some as I figure out my mood.  For this, I really advise getting books you WANT to read.  This is not the best time for obligation books for school, book reviewing, etc.  If the book does not excite you, leave it alone.   

Have a variety of books.  Different genres and types. I always have more books than I can read, not as a pressure, but for variety.  Sometimes a book sounds good but when it is go time, it just doesn;t strike my fancy at the moment.  Or I start and then find I don't care for it so much.  I also usually have a few graphic novels and even kids books for the start and end of the readathon.   For me, the readathon starts a 5 AM.  I am not a morning person, so light reading is what I do until I am awake.  Then by the time hour 20 draws around, I am about done, so switching back to light reading is best.  Also, easier on the eyes

Another tip is larger font.  Again, save eye strain.  Even if you have good vision.  When you read for long hours, it takes it's toll.  Avoid books with tiny print.  Or even wear reading glasses, even if you normally don't.  It make a big difference for the readathon and the next day. 

 I can keep going on tips, but to sum things up I actually found a fellow blogger that created a video I think covers the rest perfectly.  Hopefully she doesn't mind my sharing it here but I think it is the best to see!

 

Well, I hope some  of this helps and I hope to see you around for the Dewey's 24 hour readathon!   If you have any other tips to share, I'd love to hear them!