Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon discussion

Do you notice any patterns in your reading selection for this readathon compared to when you’re not reading for a readathon or compared to previous readathons? For example, I find myself prioritizing DNF books because they are not usually as important or relevant to what I’m doing, but I don’t have to justify it as much when it’s for the readathon. Likewise, I’m more likely to choose fiction which otherwise might seem like an unproductive use of time.

I like to read children and YA books I want to read but do not fit into my usual challenges or group reads. In this way, I am able to pick up some 21st-century fiction books I cannot fit into my classics group reads.

Cynda wrote: "I like to read children and YA books I want to read but do not fit into my usual challenges or group reads. In this way, I am able to pick up some 21st-century fiction books I cannot fit into my cl..."


That's great! You can probably make it through quite a few of those. I find it very motivating to be able to finish books during the readathon.

Like Cynda, I usually add a few children's books and try not to pick anything too "heavy". I think for my first readathon, War and Peace was in my stack!

Ann A wrote: "Like Cynda, I usually add a few children's books and try not to pick anything too "heavy". I think for my first readathon, War and Peace was in my stack!"

Oh man! That sounds like a slog. I've tried to read War & Peace a couple of times, but haven't gotten past the first parlour scene. Hopefully, you gave yourself the wiggle room to read other things in addition to that.

I try to start a new book and audio book on the day of the readathon. It makes it easier to calculate the pages. lol
I try to choose a novella length book so I feel accomplisehd.
Also, something I know I will like (familiar authors or a book from a series I like)
An audio book too.
I usually try to find a middle grade book in case my attention is waning.

Vicki Willis wrote: "I try to start a new book and audio book on the day of the readathon. It makes it easier to calculate the pages. lol
I try to choose a novella length book so I feel accomplisehd.
Also, something I..."

Sounds like you've got a good variety going!

I have done the shorter book approach in prior readathons, but this time committed to a 600 pager. I wanted to be able to read it in bigger chunks than my normal schedule allows.

Jennifer wrote: "I have done the shorter book approach in prior readathons, but this time committed to a 600 pager. I wanted to be able to read it in bigger chunks than my normal schedule allows."

Which book did you pick?

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

I don‘t usually make specific plans for this readathon, I just continue with what I am reading anyway. I tend to switch between an ebook and an audio.

However, I do understand the wish to finish something during the readathon and also mixing it up and interspersing my reads with something shorter. I didn‘t get much reading done until now, but hope to read more in the second half. I might throw in a short story and start a comic later.

I typically read Romance or Fantasy but this particular read a thon I have added in Grant by: Ron Chernow

Easier-reading books but still within the limits of my reading challenges. Romance, fantasy & murder mysteries are good.

I keep a variety of books on my readathon TBR so I can switch genres, reading difficulty, etc., and I include some I have started already so I can finish books early on, and get that sense of accomplishment.