One of the most popular book blogger events, Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon, is coming up on April 10. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s pretty self-explanatory – you read for 24 hours! You don’t have to participate the entire time, and are definitely allowed to sleep, so it’s very flexible. It’s a great event that really brings the community together; I’ve participated twice, and enjoyed it immensely both times.
But…
I’m not participating this time around. Why? Well, two main reasons.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know my husband works a lot. I mean A LOT. Saturdays are one of the few days we almost always get to spend together. Sure he has to work some of the time, but generally Saturday afternoon, we get to go out to lunch, run some errands, walk around – it’s the only time of the week we’re almost certainly assured uninterrupted time together. My husband’s always been supportive of my reading, and even made me snacks for the last couple of read-a-thons, but I feel like I’d rather spend time with him than spend time reading, as much as I love this event.
And also, there’s the matter of the types of books I read for the read-a-thon. I usually choose books that can keep my attention span, but also that aren’t very literary, as reading that much in one sitting creates a huge brain fog for me. My first read-a-thon, I tried to intersperse some literary fiction into my reading choices – that did NOT work very well.
The fact is that, right now, I don’t feel like reading a lot of fluff. I’ve been reading some amazing books lately – every book I’m currently reading (Origins by Neil deGrasse Tyson, The Postmistress by Sarah Blake, and Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese) is incredible, not to mention that, last week, I finished Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda, a top book of 2010 for me. I don’t feel like picking up a box of fluffy reads and spending a day reading them, especially considering I don’t read for a few days after the read-a-thon because of burnout. I do enjoy the fluff, but if I did the read-a-thon, I’d be reading a lot of those at the expense of what I really want to be reading right now, and that just doesn’t make much sense to me.
So between wanting to spend time with my husband and a lack of desire to read the “fluffy” books I usually choose for the read-a-thon over the great reads I have sitting on my shelves, I’m not participating this time around. If I find myself reading that day, I’ll likely get on Twitter and read along/cheer unofficially, but I’m sad to say, I won’t be an official participant.
If you want to learn more about the Read-A-Thon and sign up as a reader or cheerleader (which you should, if you’ve never done it, it’s really an experience!), here is the official website.
Welcome! I’m Swapna Krishna. By day, I'm an editor and book reviewer, and by night, I review books on this blog. Feel free to browse my 
This is my first year participating, so I can’t speak to the burnout, but I totally understand your reasons for not wanting to participate this time around. Saturdays are one of the few days my husband and I get to spend together, but they’re usually spent around the house playing video games or watching TV. The read-a-thon won’t really influence our Saturday habits much, so that’s why I opted in!
This is my first year participating, so I can’t speak to the burnout, but I totally understand your reasons for not wanting to participate this time around. Saturdays are one of the few days my husband and I get to spend together, but they’re usually spent around the house playing video games or watching TV. The read-a-thon won’t really influence our Saturday habits much, so that’s why I opted in!
This is my first time participating but you have a perfect reason not too. Family should always come first!
This is my first time participating but you have a perfect reason not too. Family should always come first!
Those are very valid reasons for not participating. I especially understand not wanting to waste any hubby time. If my husband worked as much as yours does, there’s no way I would give up some of that little time together. Fortunately we can hang out most evenings, so I feel okay taking a Saturday off to read.
Those are very valid reasons for not participating. I especially understand not wanting to waste any hubby time. If my husband worked as much as yours does, there’s no way I would give up some of that little time together. Fortunately we can hang out most evenings, so I feel okay taking a Saturday off to read.
We’ll miss you, but I can certainly understand why you’re sitting this one out!
We’ll miss you, but I can certainly understand why you’re sitting this one out!
YOu will never get arguments from me when it comes to priority and family. It should always come first. For me, this will be my first time participating. Family has always been the reason why I can’t join in the fun, but this time there are some different circumstances. First, because it will still be our spring break, there are no sporting events for a change. And I think my daughter is going to do it with me (at least for awhile) so I’m very excited!
YOu will never get arguments from me when it comes to priority and family. It should always come first. For me, this will be my first time participating. Family has always been the reason why I can’t join in the fun, but this time there are some different circumstances. First, because it will still be our spring break, there are no sporting events for a change. And I think my daughter is going to do it with me (at least for awhile) so I’m very excited!
Totally understandable! Enjoy your time with your husband and keep reaind those books that are more substance than fluff (I know what you mean, sometimes fluff is good, but sometimes you want meaning in your books). Cheers!
Totally understandable! Enjoy your time with your husband and keep reaind those books that are more substance than fluff (I know what you mean, sometimes fluff is good, but sometimes you want meaning in your books). Cheers!
Enjoy your day with family! I am participating this year, but will take bigger breaks than last fall since I got the “I’ve been in one position and need fresh air” feeling big time mid-afternoon.
Enjoy your day with family! I am participating this year, but will take bigger breaks than last fall since I got the “I’ve been in one position and need fresh air” feeling big time mid-afternoon.
Totally understandable! Enjoy the day and stop on by when you can.
Totally understandable! Enjoy the day and stop on by when you can.
Understandable! I’d have a hard time with my hubby working as much as yours does, so I definitely get wanting to be able to spend the time with him. Also understandable about the reading choices. I don’t usually go with pure fluff for the Readathon, but you’re right that heavier literary books really don’t work well.
Understandable! I’d have a hard time with my hubby working as much as yours does, so I definitely get wanting to be able to spend the time with him. Also understandable about the reading choices. I don’t usually go with pure fluff for the Readathon, but you’re right that heavier literary books really don’t work well.
I have never actually participated in this event, but I do want to! I can completely understand your reasons for sitting this one out.
I have never actually participated in this event, but I do want to! I can completely understand your reasons for sitting this one out.
We’ll miss you, but that’s completely understandable. I hope your day goes well!
We’ll miss you, but that’s completely understandable. I hope your day goes well!
That all makes sense! I haven’t participated before but watching all the posts last year made me want to. But when it comes down to it, I’m one of those right now b/c of my internship that is ALWAYS working, and Saturday is my hubby’s and my only time together too. So I don’t know if it’s realistically going to work out. Plus then I have to return to work and stuff the next morning too.
That all makes sense! I haven’t participated before but watching all the posts last year made me want to. But when it comes down to it, I’m one of those right now b/c of my internship that is ALWAYS working, and Saturday is my hubby’s and my only time together too. So I don’t know if it’s realistically going to work out. Plus then I have to return to work and stuff the next morning too.
My husband and I have pretty disparate schedules because we’re both in school and working. Thankfully, this semester, we have either Friday or Saturday off together, but I’m glad it’s a Friday the weekend of the read-a-thon so I can still do both. Otherwise, I’d be sitting out like you. Enjoy your time together, and I hope the weather gives you a beautiful day!
My husband and I have pretty disparate schedules because we’re both in school and working. Thankfully, this semester, we have either Friday or Saturday off together, but I’m glad it’s a Friday the weekend of the read-a-thon so I can still do both. Otherwise, I’d be sitting out like you. Enjoy your time together, and I hope the weather gives you a beautiful day!
I understand what you mean about the read a thon As much as I’d like to participate I have to hold my weekends for family time. I’ve just been spending too much time at the office lately. However, I will most definitely be cheering all of the participants on with lots of comments!
I understand what you mean about the read a thon As much as I’d like to participate I have to hold my weekends for family time. I’ve just been spending too much time at the office lately. However, I will most definitely be cheering all of the participants on with lots of comments!
Those are completely understandable reasons why you are not going to be an official participant. Have a great time…though I know you will fit in reading somewhere.
Those are completely understandable reasons why you are not going to be an official participant. Have a great time…though I know you will fit in reading somewhere.
You’ll be missed for sure, but spending time with your hubby is a great reason for not participating. Hopefully we’ll see you out and about in an unofficial capacity.
You’ll be missed for sure, but spending time with your hubby is a great reason for not participating. Hopefully we’ll see you out and about in an unofficial capacity.
Totally understandable! I don’t think my picks are too fluffy, but they are short!
Totally understandable! I don’t think my picks are too fluffy, but they are short!