Lena's Read-a-Thon Home (July 2025)

[Leni]

Wow, I thought I had a lot of books going. Lol
The 13th Tale is wonderful. I listened to it and the audio narration was really good. But there were places I had to pause just so I could savour a particularly well written phrase and then I wished I had a physical or ebook copy!

[Lena]

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? The Texas Panhandle

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I've already started reading it and am about halfway done, but I am most looking forward to finishing A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? My Almond M&M's. They have become a read-a-thon tradition

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I am a mom to a beautiful 9 year old girl who hates to read. Sometimes, I wonder how she can be my child. LOL! I have loved reading since I first started at 4 years old and I haven't stopped. Even in college I struggled between reading what I wanted and having to read required reading (although even my textbooks were interesting to me). I read many different genres and love a wide variety of authors. When I am not reading or working at my job I enjoy traveling as much as I can afford and I collect cookbooks.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? I want o be more organized about reading time verses online time. My best "time" has been 14 1/2 hours of reading. I wanted to originally beat that, BUT I have had to commitments arise that will take me away from my books part of the day so we shall see.

[Lena]

I tried to participate in the Vague Recollections Mini-Challenge over on Kait Plus Books, but the site wasn't allowing my post to go through for some reason. So just going to post it here for now.

"I am looking for a certain book by this really popular writer, but I can't remember her name...I seem to remember her name started with a P but I don't know it that was her first or last name. It came out not too long ago I think. Anyways, it has a really pretty cover, all colorful and stuff. And I know a couple people get shot and it's supposed to be really edge of your seat intense. Do you know which book I am talking about?"

[Maddie]

Good luck with the readathon! You got this! I know I'm struggling to stay awake XD

[Susy]

Lena wrote: "1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? The Texas Panhandle

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I've already started reading it and am about halfway don..."

Good luck Lena & happy reading!

[Lena]

I had a couple of things that kept me away from the house and away from my reading this afternoon. However, I am now back at home and ready to focus on some real reading time. Here is my progress so far:

Read-a-thon Progress Update
Total Time Read: 2 hours & 22 Minutes
Total Pages Read: 89 Pages

[Lena]

Closing Survey!

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Mentally it is probably about 10 am (hour 3 here) because I started having all these thoughts of things I needed to get done, feeling guilt about wanting to "just sit and read" etc. Physically was Midnight because I kept dozing off so I finally just gave up and went to bed.

2. Tell us ALLLLL the books you read!
- A Spark of Light (Finished)
- Too Big to Miss (Finished)
- Balzac and the Little Seamstress (Partial)
- Fly Away Home (Partial)

3. Which books would you recommend to other Read-a-thoners?
All of them were fairly easy reads that held my interest so any of them really

4. What’s a really rad thing we could do during the next Read-a-thon that would make you happy?
I love it the way things are now. I just wish my life would cooperate when it comes to making time for the event

5. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again?
Definitely!!!

[Lena]

October 2108 Read-a-Thon Wrap Up

Total Time Read: 8 hrs & 44 min
Total Pages Read: 376 Pages
Books Completed:
Books Read But Not Completed:
Naps: None, BUT I went to bed about midnight (7 hours before the end of the R-a-T ended)
Favorite Snack: Almond M&M's

[Elyse]

Great job, Lena!

[Lena]

I will be keeping this link/thread for my April 2019 read-a-thon! I so can't wait for the fun to begin!

[Elyse]

Woot welcome back!

[Lena]

Setting a Goal for This Read-a-Thon

Past read-a-thons I haven't spent as much time reading as I would like to so for this read-a-thon I hope to beat my "record" of time spent actually reading which was set in October 2016 of 15 hours & 12 minutes.

So my goal for this read-a-thon will be to actually read for at least 18 of the 24 hours!

[Kate]

Excellent goal Lena! Hope you manage to avoid any distractions!

[Lena]

I always have a huge pile of possible reads for the Read-a-Thon because I am such a mood reader. Here are the ones I've set aside for this Read-a-Thon:

[Elyse]

Lena wrote: "I always have a huge pile of possible reads for the Read-a-Thon because I am such a mood reader. Here are the ones I've set aside for this Read-a-Thon:

..."

Good choices! I love having a large stack to choose from as well. I can't go with no pre-picked TBR but I do make a big one for mood reading.

[Lena]

Elyse wrote: "Good choices! I love having a large stack to choose from as well. I can't go with no pre-picked TBR but I do make a big one for mood reading"

I am the same way. I tried to go without a TBR at all the first read-a-thon and spent too much time "browsing" my bookshelves trying to decide what to read next to suit my mood. Now I just try to pick a large variety and hope something on that pile suits my mood that day. I have been known to just finish what I was already reading before the start of the read-a-thon as well. So I may not read a single one off of my pile, but it keeps me from spending large amounts of time looking for something to read.

[Elyse]

Lena wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Good choices! I love having a large stack to choose from as well. I can't go with no pre-picked TBR but I do make a big one for mood reading"

I am the same way. I tried to go without..."

Yes exactly! I'm trying this time around to finish my current reads and start Dewey's off with a clean slate. I don't think I've been able to do that in the past. I have to read about 1000 pages between 2 books this week in order to accomplish that though. lol. So I'm hoping this pre-readathon helps me with it!

[Lena]

Hours 1-3 (7 am-10 am):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Sprint #1 Hour 4 (10-11 am):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Hours 5-7 (11 am-2 pm):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Sprint #2 Hour 8 (2-3 PM):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Hours 9-11 (3 pm-6 pm):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Sprint #3 Hour 12 (6-7 pm):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Hours 13-15 (7 pm-10 pm):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Sprint #4 Hour 16 (10-11 pm):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Hours 17-19 (11 pm-2 am):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Sprint #5 Hour 20 (2-3 am):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Hours 21-23 (3 am-6 am):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Sprint #6 Hour 24 (6-7 am):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Overall Time Read So Far:

Overall Books Finished So Far:

[Angie]

Hi Lena, just a quick question: Are there "official" reading-sprint hours (like last readathon), or did you set your own?


Lena wrote: "Hours 1-3 (7 am-10 am):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Sprint #1 Hour 4 (10-11 am):
Current Reads:
Time Read:
Pages Read:
Finished Books:

Hours 5-7 (11 am-2 pm):
Current..."

[Ann A]

Lena wrote: "I always have a huge pile of possible reads for the Read-a-Thon because I am such a mood reader. Here are the ones I've set aside for this Read-a-Thon:

[bookcover:Sisters|..."

Some excellent choices in your stack! I especially love Bill Bryson.

[Lena]

Flauscheohr wrote: "Hi Lena, just a quick question: Are there "official" reading-sprint hours (like last readathon), or did you set your own?..."

To be honest I am not sure. I just went off past years so I guess sorta made my own. Not even sure if those "times" will work for me to sprint, but I just wanted to get a "game plan" drawn up and I actually borrowed the idea from another member on here.

[Lena]

Ann A wrote: "Some excellent choices in your stack! I especially love Bill Bryson...."

I just recently discovered him and I love his writing!!!

[Angie]

Thanks, for your prompt answer! I just had a feeling I had missed some general information...but all good now. The "official" sprint hours have now been posted. Last time reading sprints worked really well for me, as I'm too easily distraced from reading by GR and social media, so I'm keen to include sprints in my readathon schedule. Good luck for later!


Lena wrote: "Flauscheohr wrote: "Hi Lena, just a quick question: Are there "official" reading-sprint hours (like last readathon), or did you set your own?..."

To be honest I am not sure. I just went off past y..."

[Lena]

1)What fine part of the world are you reading from today? The Texas Panhandle

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I don't think I have 1 I am looking forward more than the others. I kinda selected a bunch I was looking forward to in order to stay motivated throughout

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? my traditional Almond M&M's

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I am an avid reader, but also a newly single mom to a wonderful 10 year old little girl so I don't get as much reading time as I would like lately. I am hoping to get some focused reading done today!

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? Try to stay more focused on reading and interacting online and not let little life annoyances distract me. However, I am already off to a late start because I woke up late and then wanted breakfast and a shower. I am just now about to settle down to read.

[Elyse]

Is your daughter participating with you? Does she enjoy reading?

[Lena]

Elyse wrote: "Is your daughter participating with you? Does she enjoy reading?"

She is a reluctant reader. She is with her dad most of the day today so once he picks her up I should have some quiet time. However, this evening I intend to try to get her to sit and read with me. I have to "bribe" her...she earns money by reading so many minutes ($1 per 20 minutes, but can only "cash out" when she has earned $20). I wish something would catch her interest and she would start to love reading as much as I do, but so far it takes bribery to get her to read non-school books.

[Susan]

Lena, hopefully the reading bug catches your daughter soon. My kids are 13 and 16. My 16 yo goes in spurts - reading insane amounts then not picking up a book for months. My 13 yo has never been interested in reading for fun until this year. Suddenly she cannot go anywhere without her book. She loves creepy, scary books and there hasn't been many options until she reached the young adult section. I'm happy she is reading!

[Susan]

Hope you are enjoying your reading day today!

[Elyse]

Lena wrote: "Elyse wrote: "Is your daughter participating with you? Does she enjoy reading?"

She is a reluctant reader. She is with her dad most of the day today so once he picks her up I should have some quie..."

Well, bribery can be a good gateway, she just needs to find the book that sparks her into becoming a lifelong reader. :) Nightmares! trilogy is really great and fun!

[Lena]

Progress Report:

Current Time: 4:53 p.m. (CST)

Snacks Consumed: Almond M&M's, veggies & dip, coffee & Dr. Pepper

Total Time Read So Far: 4 hours & 30 minutes

Total Pages Read: 173 Pages

No Books Finished, but I've been alternating between chapters in:

&

[Vicki Willis]

I just ate my peanut M&M's!

[Lena]

Mid-Event Survey:

1. What are you reading right now? I am alternating chapters between books to keep my mind sharp. Most recently I have been reading A New Song and The Life We Bury. A New Song is starting to get to the real good part where I just want to keep reading so I will probably just read it thru from this point.

2. How many books have you read so far? I haven't finished any so far, but have made progress in 4 different books

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? I am enjoying the 4 I am reading right now so I am looking forward maybe to finishing them all.

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? YES! I am easily distracted anyways, but I am trying to be laid back about the interruptions and remember even a small amount of time spent reading is better than none.

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? no surprises although every Read-a-thon makes me super mindful of how much time I "waste" just puttering around the house not accomplishing much of anything and yet not reading either

[Lena]

Vicki Willis wrote: "I just ate my peanut M&M's!"

Last Dewey's I bought the "shareable" size bag of Almond M&M's and my daughter ate most of them. So this time I bought the biggest bag I could find at the store. I have been munching on them off and on all day, but still got some left for the overnight hours.

[Shelley]

It's amazing how much time "doing nothing" can take up. You might want to try an audiobook for those times or at least embrace them as part of you routine. Goood jib!

[Lena]

Shelley wrote: "It's amazing how much time "doing nothing" can take up. You might want to try an audiobook for those times or at least embrace them as part of you routine. Goood jib!"

I "re-read" the Harry Potter Series by listening in audio form during my commute, but I can't seem to get into audio books when doing housework, etc. around the house. I find myself either not listening close enough to the story and missing key details or I find myself so focused on what I am listening to I get nothing done.

[Lena]

Read-a-Thon Wrap Up

So I didn't do as well as I had hoped and didn't even get close to my goal of 18 hours spent reading (or even close to breaking my record of just over 15 hours)....so how did I do?

Total Time Spent Reading: 9 hours & 47 minutes
Total Pages Read: 350 Pages
Books Actual Finished:
Books Partially Read:

[Ann A]

Nearly 10 hours is awesome! I'm with you on the "puttering" time - I just don't understand how quickly it adds up.

[Elyse]

Lena wrote: "Read-a-Thon Wrap Up

So I didn't do as well as I had hoped and didn't even get close to my goal of 18 hours spent reading (or even close to breaking my record of just over 15 hours)....so how did I..."

You took time to sit down and just read so you're a winner!

[Susy]

Lena wrote: "Read-a-Thon Wrap Up

So I didn't do as well as I had hoped and didn't even get close to my goal of 18 hours spent reading (or even close to breaking my record of just over 15 hours)....so how did I..."

Well I think you did great!
This time I read more than during the last readathon, 15 hours compared to 12 hours last time. I was trying to get to 18 hours as well, but I think I'll stick to 12 hours next time. Sleep is important to me. And I really missed being on social media (despite my previous complaints about spending to much time on sociale media lol)....

[Lena]

I will be participating in the Reverse Read-a-Thon in August and will post any updates, etc. here!

[Elyse]

Woohoo!

[Lena]

I am going to keep things low key for this read-a-thon and not make a huge pile of books to choose from but will just pick something off the books I currently have from the library.

However, these are a few of the books from the library I am really looking forward to reading so I am guessing at least one of them will catch my attention the day of the read-a-thon:



BUT I have quite a few other books out right now as well from the library so who knows what will actually catch my eye once the read-a-thon starts.

[Elyse]

Lena wrote: "I am going to keep things low key for this read-a-thon and not make a huge pile of books to choose from but will just pick something off the books I currently have from the library.

However, thes..."

I always create a list and then end up picking other things. lol. But at least a list gives me some guidance if I need it!

[Ann A]

Anything with "Jane Austen" in the title grabs my attention!

[Lena]

Ann A wrote: "Anything with "Jane Austen" in the title grabs my attention!"

Me too! I am not sure how I missed reading this one in the past or it's second book Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict

[Lena]

Opening Survey:

1)What fine part of the world are you reading from today? And what time is it where you are? The Texas Panhandle and it is 7:00 p.m. right now

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? Butterfinger Ice Cream

4) Do you have a #reversereadathon plan of attack? Not really, just going to read as much as I can and have fun

5) Are you doing the readathon solo or with others? Solo

[Deb (Readerbuzz)]

Gracious. That makes four of us here from Texas! Enjoy.

[Elyse]

Hope your readathon is going well, Lena!

[Lena]

I am extremely frustrated so far. I was looking so forward to this read-a-thon because by nature I am a night owl and with the 7 p.m. start time I was looking forward to an awesome start before I got too tired or distracted by my family.

However, I also struggle with an auto immune issue that causes me extreme fatigue that sometimes comes on gradually, but often comes on quick and becomes overwhelming. So last night I signed off after writing my welcome/start post, got comfy in my chair with a book I couldn't wait to read...and within the hour I was asleep. At some point I must have moved to my bed because I woke up there just a few moments ago and realized 14 hours of the read-a-thon has already passed me by. And I am still feeling fatigued and my joints still ache.

Anyways, it is my own reality and something I am learning to manage. As of yet, my Dr. has been unable to pinpoint the "cause" and for the most part has resorted to treating the symptoms.

BUT...I can't change the past few hours. I can only move forward with the rest of the read-a-thon. My daughter has a hair appointment this morning that I will have to take her to and a little back-to-school errands, BUT then I am settling down with my books, a blanket and a refreshing drink. I will probably even have a furbaby to cuddle (or maybe two).

I hope everyone else is having a great read-a-thon!

[Lena]

Mid-Event Survey

1) What are you reading right now? Her One Mistake

2) How many books have you read so far? 0

3) What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the read-a-thon? Her One Mistake & Tempting Fate

4) Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I feel asleep pretty much right at the start and slept through until just a bit ago. However, I am awake now and after running some necessary errands I hope to be back on track by early afternoon (Central Time)

5) What surprises you most about the read-a-thon so far? How little reading I've done so far.