It’s that time again! The time to devote an entire day to reading. If the word “again” doesn’t apply to you, that means it’s your first time. In that case: welcome! Welcome to 24 hours spent reading, snacking, reading, posting your progress, and reading some more.
Established in 2007, Dewey’s Readathon takes place twice a year (sometimes with a few extras thrown in between) and is an entire day devoted to reading with other book lovers around the world. If it’s your first time participating, here are few tried and tested tips to get you through the 24 hours.
Build a Stack
There’s no better opportunity than a readathon to get through your TBR pile. Many readers build a stack of books they’d love to read during the readathon, often compiled of titles they’ve long been wanting an excuse to start. Many of these book stacks are ambitious and we often don’t get through them all, but it’s good to have options!
Get Snacks
You’ll need plenty of fuel to get through the day (and night!), so stock up on your favourite snacks and remember your favourite drink: whether it’s tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or wine. Remember to take a break for proper meals too.
Follow the Action
One of the best things about the readathon – besides all the reading – is the support along the way. And it comes from all corners of the globe as readers from different countries dive into their books. Follow the conversation by following the hashtag #readathon, as well as these accounts on your preferred platform:
Twitter: @readathon
Instagram: @deweysreadathon
Facebook: Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon
Goodreads: Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon
Reddit: 24HourReadathon
Take photos and introduce fellow readathonners to your books, your snacks, and your furry companions. You can also participate in Twitter parties, take part in photo challenges on Instagram, chart your progress on Goodreads, and best of all: chat with fellow readers. It’s a great way to take a mini-break between chapters or books.
Take It Easy
Don’t feel pressured to finish your stack or spend every single minute of the 24 hours stuck into a book. Reading’s what you love best, so don’t let it become a chore or a bore. Dedicate however much time you want or can. Besides, many readers are still working, looking after little ones, or running errands, so it’s understandable and logical that most will be taking breaks to get life done.
If you’re worried you may miss the action online because you can only join at night, don’t worry! With readers participating all over the world and in multiple time zones, you can be sure to find someone participating when you hop online. While your part of the world may be getting ready to go to bed, another part may be waking up.
Get Moving
Taking breaks is important, especially if you’re taking part in all 24 hours, or most of them. You’ll just find yourself getting stiff and cramped if you sit around all day – or falling asleep if you lie down! One of the best ways to take a break is to get moving. Go for a walk, skip, run, dance, or do yoga. Stretch out your body and get the blood flowing again. If you want to carry on reading, switch to an audiobook.
Try Something Different
That’s another point to consider. You don’t have to stick to conventional, hardcopy books. Read your Kindle, download an audiobook, find a play or poetry. Read comic books and graphic novels. It’s your chance to try something new or different – not just in terms of how you’re reading, but what you’re reading. Always wanted to read more horror? Pick up a horror novella or short story and give the genre a try. Look for new authors, books in translation, and find ways to diversify your reading.
Catch Some Zzz’s
If you feel your eyelids fluttering and find yourself reading the same sentence over and over again, take a nap. Go to bed. Get proper sleep. Don’t skimp out on the zzz’s. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle more chapters.
Find Your Zone
This year, Dewey’s readathon takes place on Saturday 8 AM April 24, 2021 Eastern time. Check the times here to find out what your local starting time is.
Enjoy!
Make it your own. Take 50 photos. Take none. Read only one genre. Read three. Read aloud. Read quietly. Turn on music. Turn it off. Devote an hour. Devote twelve. Whatever you do, make it your own, and have fun!
Happy reading! See you on the 24th of April!
Haven’t signed up yet? Sign up here.
Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon 