You know what a good day sounds like? A day where I can spend all my time reading. Maybe finish a good book or two. Drink some hot chocolate while I’m at it. Just me, with my book and the fictional characters in the story I’m reading.
Last Saturday, I did just that. I joined the 24 hr Readathon, where I did nothing but read all day. Well, mostly. I’ve only heard about it the day before I decided to do it and I couldn’t help but be excited. The thought of a readathon just sounded awesome. I didn’t really care for the mini challenges that happened during the event, I only cared to read as much as I can.
And what do you know- I totally conquered my readathon. (Photo above are the four books I finished within 24 hours.) I’ve got a few tips for you, if you’re interested in doing a readathon of your own.
Set aside an entire day
Make sure you have no commitments or anything else you need to accomplish on the day you want to do your readathon. You need to have a whole day to read. I, thankfully, was already done with my exams at the time so I didn’t have anything important to do except read.
Determine how many books you want to read
I know, I know. You want to read ALL the books. You want to read as many books as you possibly can. But you need to have a quantifiable number of books to read. It’s a goal of sorts- so you have something to conquer. It’s your objective not only to reach that number but to surpass it. For me, I originally picked only three books to read but I managed to read four.
Figure out what you’re in the mood for
It’s hard to read a lot of books if you’re not in the mood to read them. To make your readathon go as smoothly as possible, you should figure out what you’re in the mood to read. Not only that- you should be in the mood to read. If you’re in a slump, know beforehand if a readathon can help you out of it or if your readathon will suffer because you’re in a reading rut. If you don’t know what you’re specifically in the mood for, rely on your favourite genre.
Pick books accordingly
Once you know what you’re in the mood to read, choose which books you’ll be reading for your readathon. This doesn’t have to be set in stone, but it’s better if you pick with a determination to read these. I recommend reading the first page of the book before you pick just to see if you’ll find yourself easily getting into it.
Remove distractions and focus on reading
What gets you easily distracted? If it’s Twitter, turn your notifications off. If it’s TV, unplug it. If it’s music, find a quiet place to read. If it’s people, go somewhere you can read alone. When you’re on a readathon, you need to concentrate on what you’re reading and devote yourself to finishing the books on your readathon pile.
Take breaks
Breaks are fine. Sometimes your book is getting depressing and you need five minutes to find a happy place so you won’t get sucked into a miserable black hole. Or sometimes you’re just craving for chocolate because it was mentioned in this particular chapter you’re on. Go on, have a break. Just make sure that when you take one, you don’t find yourself suddenly distracted because you decided to check on Twitter for a minute and the next thing you know it’s been an hour. These things happen. Beware.
Check the time
It’s good to keep track of the time when you’re reading. You don’t have to check every few minutes, just maybe after several chapters or so. I recommend noting what time you start reading and what time you finish so that you know how fast you’re reading. I knew after finishing my second book that I was gonna conquer my goal because I was only on hour six then. I still had so much time that I lost track of it and procrastinated for a while. Probably could have finished a fifth book, if I didn’t.
Finish all the books
Read, read, read, read, read! Turn to last page of last book. Finish.
Give yourself a pat on the back
You did it, you awesome reader you! Tweet about your accomplishment or update your Goodreads reading challenge and feel wonderful about the fact you’re now ahead of your goal. Or go to the bookstore and buy more books to read. Whatever floats your boat.
Have you done a readathon before? If not, do you plan on doing one sometime? Do you have any readathon tips? Share them!
41 Responses
I’ve never tried joining a readathon ever but it sounds fun, maybe I’ll join one after this semester ends. But another problem is I get distracted easily, especially by tv shows haha! I know you know what I mean lol Thanks for sharing your tips Hazel! :)
It’s totally fun, Ella! I hope you’ll do one sometime! The semester is actually already over for me that’s why I joined the readathon. I do know what you mean. Especially can’t help it when there are cute guys on TV LOL ;)
I’ve never participated in a readathon before but well, it sounds interesting … I just don’t know if I’d be able to even finish ONE book. Let alone 4, like you. That’s amazing?! Like how fast do you even read? Wow! I hope you enjoyed all those book – I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts on them! :)
Trust me, if you clear out your day and focus on reading- you’ll be able to finish more than one! I’m not such a fast reader but I can probably finish an average length YA book in 3-5 hours. I did enjoy most of my reads during my readathon and will definitely share my thoughts on here soon!
I did the readathon this time for the very first time ever and I can agree with all your tips. I read 3.5 books because unfortunately I had some commitments pre-booked. The only things I would add are – pick a short and fun book for your frist choice as you’ll feel a great sense of achievement when you finish it and be encouraged to carry on. Secondly, Get up and stretch regularly – I had a really stiff back the next day (I have arthritis) from staying in the same position for so long.
I fully intend to join in again on 23rd April
Same- it was my first time as well! I love your additional tips and totally agree! I’m looking forward to next year’s readathon!
I love all your tips! I hope I can participate next year – make it a staycation and just read, read, read!
Thank you, Tanya! I hope you’re able to! Readathons are wonderfully enjoyable!
My first readathon was the BookTubeAthon this past September and I think I only read three out of the seven books. Finding a WHOLE DAY to set aside where I have nothing else to do is difficult. I feel that I need to put more planning and select my books more carefully next time.
It’s definitely difficult to set aside a whole day but I think if you’re able to somehow find one, that’s the best time to have a readathon. And yes the book selection is an important process!
This look so so fun, but also daunting…Well done though for reading as much as you did ;D I always find it’s so hard to find a WHOLE day just for reading but definitely planning to do it in the holidays. Great tips!
I can understand why it would seem daunting but I think it’s why readers need to learn that they can own and conquer a readathon. :D
I’ve never done a readathon before… I’ve never devoted a day to read mainly because I can’t.. or maybe I can try that once my vacation starts.. I’d like that :) another thing that stops me from doing a readathon is how much of a slow reader I am… thanks for the tips, I’d really try to do a readathon once my vacation starts (maybe just for a day or two, realistically speaking).
Czai, you definitely have to do a readathon sometime! Devoting a day to reading is ideal but if you have enough time for it, you can still do it. Vacations are great for doing readathons so you’re on the right track.
Loved checking out your tips for conquering a read-a-thon, Hazel! My favorite is about picking reads that you’re in the mood for. I do that whenever I’m in the mood to read a lot of books, and that’s often the reason I end up actually reading so many when I do official/unofficial read-a-thons!
Thank you, Alexa! <3 So glad you agree! Official readathon or not, knowing what you're in the mood for to read always helps the reading flow!
This sounds like a great idea! I’d love to hear your opinion on the books you read :)
Best,
https://www.theliterarycove.wordpress.com
Happy to hear you think so, Casey! I’ll definitely share my reviews on here sometime!
I always do the week long Bout of Books read-a-thon and I love it! I have never been able to participate in the Dewey 24 hour read-a-thon because I work every Saturday. Funnily enough though I have this coming Saturday off and your post has inspired me to hold my own read-a-thon! My husband will be at work most of the day and the only thing I had planned is to sign for a package that is getting delivered! OMG, I so pumped right now to do this. I am thinking from like 9 am to 2 am (because I work late the day before and work the next day). Okay, done rambling. I’m so glad you had fun with your read-a-thon! Congrats! :D
I always miss Bout of Books readathons because they always seem to happen when I’m most busy. Doing the Dewey 24 hour one made me want to hold personal readathons more often when I have free days and I’m so delighted to hear this post inspired you to do so as well! :)
I also joined this read-a-thon and it was the first time I attempted such a thing. I had a sleep-over with my friends from the book club, so we could cheer for each other whenever we needed it. It gave also enough distraction to keep us going :) I finished a total of 3 books. I didn’t have a real goal, because I had no idea what I could achieve.
Yay, Mel! Congrats on finishing! That’s SO cool you had a sleepover and had your book club friends to cheer you on! Having a goal isn’t necessary, but it’s much more motivating to read on when you have a goal, at least for me. :)
I SUCK at readathons. This will come in handy when I join another one. 😊
I hope this does help you to do better then, Angelica! And if you ever need someone to cheer you on for readathons, I’d be happy to do so!
Wow 4 books in a day!!! That’s awesome! I don’t think I’ve ever read more than one book in a day ever. Actually I know I haven’t. I wish I could read that fast!
I definitely feel proud. :D I’m sure you could do it too, if you tried, Michelle!
Hi, Hazel! It’s a great achievement that you read 4 books in a day. Well, I’m curious… Do you take time to sleep in your readathon? You know, it’s a 24-hour-readathon! I wanna be a part of the next readathon, but should we stay up 24 hours? :D
Hi Mpur! I did sleep during the readathon, actually. It’s really up to you if you want to take the 24 hour readathon literally and read non-stop. For me, as long as I read as much as I can within a whole day, I’m all good. So basically, you don’t have to stay up for 24 hours. :D
I did one when I was in middle school and it was amazing. We brought sleeping bags and I read a bunch of YA books.
That is so awesome, Krysten! I wish I did that in middle school!
I’ve never done one because I never have time! Between school and work and adult chores humans that I love, I can never justify just reading for a whole day. I so wish I could, though, that sounds amazing! Maybe I’ll get around to it some day. And yes please to adding in some hot chocolate (:
Well, readathons don’t always have to be a 24 hr one- some people do it over a course of a week. Maybe that’ll work for you, Jordyn! :)
Wow!! Wow 4 books in a day? That`s AMAZING!!! :)
I’m so impressed with how many books you finished! I managed 3, all of which I just loved. I think my biggest advice for readathon-ers is to wait until the day of to pick your books — I had a whole stack of scary, spooky books ready to chomp through, and then the day of the readathon I wasn’t in the MOOD for scary and spooky; I wanted to read something really sweet and happy! You never know how your mood might abruptly change, better bring backups!
Well, we’re not that far off from each other! You did a great job too, Christina. :D
And I love that advice! Mood is such a tricky thing isn’t it?
I haven’t done a readathon before and I don’t think I will do one in the near future. I am kind of sure I would try first to cheat like picking really short books, then feel bad for kind of cheating :D . But it is interesting to see other people can do this.
I’ve never participated in a Readathon. But I’ve always loved the idea of it. I’m just waiting for my exams to finish.
P.S. I love your blog💟
I’ve never full on participated in a readathon, but after reading this post, I would really like to! I’ll definitely follow these tips when I do!! :)
There’ll be another 24hr readathon this coming April, if you’re interested! :)