Saturday, 12 October 2013

Readathon, Readathon, READATHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON

So...
Oh hey, remember when I was like 'so I'll go to bed now and then get up in the morning and read for the last few readathon hours'? Well. I read a bit and went to bed and then woke up at ELEVEN AM (I know) and since my mum was coming to pick me up at like 12pm I kind of had to motor and shower and eat breakfast and then leave the house without so much as a book (that last part was kind of accidental) and now it's sort of now? I failed at the readathon, basically, but I got in a whole afternoon's worth of reading, and that is no mean feat!

So, Imma do the end of event survey anyway, so there.

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Bahahahaha, um, most of them?! Clearly...

2. Could you list a few high interest books that you think could keep a reader engaged for next year?
Well, I thoroughly recommend Rosemary's Baby (it's a page turner) and always just stick to the authors you know you love- for me, it's Bill Bryson, or Stephen King.

3. Do you have any suggestions on how to improve the readathon for next year?
I have some for MYSELF, but not so much for the actual event- I think it's pretty awesome as it is.

4. What do you think worked really well in this years readathon?
NOT MY READING BRAIN! Hahaha, no, but I don't know because, you know, I wasn't all that present...

5. How many books did you read?
Well... I finished one and started another. So, one altogether? A short one, at that.

6. What were the names of the books you read?
Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin and Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King

7. Which book did you enjoy most?
They were both pretty great, actually.

8. Which did you enjoy least?
See above.

9. How likely are you to take part in the readathon again? What part would you be willing to play next time?
I will always take part in readathons, baby. Anddddd... Next time I'll play the part of someone who actually reads things? That sounds like a start.

So yeah. Next time I'll be better at reading and worse at talking to people. It seems like the way to win a readathon, really!

Pages Read: 253
Books Finished: 1
Books Read From: 2
SNACKS: I basically just ate all the food. All of it. Yummy.
Naps: I slept for about 10 hours last night. It was great.

Update the Sheepish: 12am(ish)
So, I've been gone a while, huh? I was kind of expecting this because a house pizza thing was totally planned for this evening and I DID THAT and ended up not coming back upstairs for, like, 6 hours (which is MEGA LONG when you write it in numbers like that...) so yeah, that happened. But NEVER MIND because it was fun and pizza is amaze and also Johnny Depp so yeah. Reading? PAH. (I'm sorry reading ily forever, never leave me).

So anyway! It's like midnight now, so I'm pretty much just going to go to bed because YAY bed. But I will read a bit first, obviously, and probably a bit more and then it'll be 2am anyway, so there's that. And then, MORE READING IN THE MORNING (probably). It's all good.

Pages Read: 218
Books Finished: 1
Books Read From: 2
SNACKS: A loooooot of pizza.
Naps: Actually none. And I definitely feel less tired than earlier. Which probably isn't an invitation to just stay up all night... OR IS IT?!

 Update the First: 4pm(ish)
So SOMEONE opened up their computer at about 3.30pm to read some blogs and do a few life things and somehow it was suddenly 4.10pm... I'm not sure who but I'm sure she had her reasons...

Anyway. Reading! It has happened. I'm reaaaaaally tired, possibly because I've been reading whilst fully in bed (FULLY. All that's missing is my pyjamas and no-bra. [Side brackets: I'm wearing a weirdly nice bra for this occasion for no reason and I just keep looking down and loling at myself because boobs! What are you doing?! I might have had too much caffeine already and this is why I'm telling you this story...]) But I've already finished Rosemary's Baby, and I'm reading Hearts in Atlantis which is funnnnn because this kid's all like 'OMG books are sort of magic' (only, in the way we think of them as magic, not in a different, weird Stephen King way) and it's awesome. And now I'm trying to think of the first book that made me forget where I was while I was reading it and it miiiight have been Little Women.

So. That's cool. And Imma read some more now. Also, possibly oreos.

Pages Read: 150
Books Finished: 1
Books Read From: 2
SNACKS: Hummus, with veggies and doritos, and these strawberry laces from ikea that may have been open for too long... But they've gone away now, it's all ok.
Naps: Don't even tempt me...

Before the madness
Ohhhhhh yes. It's that time again, and by 'that time' I obviously mean time to READ ALL DAY AND NIGHT AND NEVER SLEEP EVER! Or... Read for all of the afternoon and evening and go to bed at a reasonable time and maybe read a bit more in the morning because I'm being totally sensible about this because I have to work tomorrow (YES. On a Sunday. I KNOW) and that is NOT going to be happening if I read instead of sleep.

BUT ANYWAY. Let's ignore my lameness (I consider not reading for a full 24 hours lame, apparently) and look at some BOOKS:
There they are, in all their glory. SO. Of COURSE I'm not going to read all of these (as always) but I don't even want to read all of The Corrections so THERE. These are what they are, from bottom to top:

  • Maddaddam by Margaret Atwood
  • Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King
  • The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
  • Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
  • Affinity by Sarah Waters
  • South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami
  • Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
  • The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
To be honest, if I finish Rosemary's Baby, and the parts of The Corrections I'm reading this week for the readalong, and maybe one of the other (short) books, I'll be pretty happy. Also this was supposed to be posted this morning so I'm totally late and now it's all STARTING and ooh, isn't it exciting?! (I am so unprepared. But I have snacks!) Sooooo, here's the starting questionnaire:

1. What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
I'm in LONDON (sort of) which is the first time I've done a readathon in a house that isn't my parents'. This is pretty awesome.

2. What book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
Even though I'm halfway through Rosemary's Baby, I'm actually really looking forward to finishing it! Other than that, I'm quite excited to read some of the GIANT King book because I haven't read any Stephen King for a little while now!

3. Which snack are you most looking forward to?
Something wonderful has happened, and I have a tub of hummus that has to be eaten by Monday. A full tub. I'm pretty excited about it. Also, double stuff oreos.

4. Tell us a little something about yourself
I'm woefully unprepared for this readathon, and a little sleepy. It should be interesting! *sleeps all day*

5. If you participated in the last readathon, what's one thing you'll do different today?
Hmmm... I usually do better in the October rather than April readathons, I think because BED SNUGGLING, but realistically I'll probably be reading less today because of reasons. But, my ADVICE (not that anyone asked for it) is to go easy on the caffeine if you don't want to feel like you might be dying at 5am. That's English time, though... So... Midnight in the US?

I won't be seeing 5am though. Not this time.

That's it! I'm going to reeeeeeead. This is awesome.
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32 comments:

  1. Red12 October 2013 at 14:02

    Yay for readathon even though I totally didn't start on time. (I had plans to. Boyfriend+ messed with the alarm clock.)

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    1. Laura12 October 2013 at 14:39

      I think it's fine to not get up at 8am on a Saturday. You've been working all week, just treat yoself! It'll make up for all the hours I am asleep in the middle of this thing.

      Delete
  2. Ellie12 October 2013 at 14:28

    Haha, I stuck to the not-too-much-caffeine rule last time I pulled a 24-hourer and STILL felt like I was dying at 5am. The muffin and coffee I had an hour later really pulled me out of it though. Always an excuse for eating muffins... :P

    That is a BIG ASS PILE OF BOOKS for a few hours, very adventurous. I want to read some Thomas Harris but inconveniently don't have any. Yay Atwood, I saw that one in Waterstones the other day and thought of you! And I just reviewed The Stepford Wives (and linked back to yours, THANK YOU FOR SWOOPING IN FIRST AND SAYING ALL THE THINGS) but I haven't started Rosemary's Baby yet. I actually just wrote 'The Stepford Mice' instead - I WOULD TOTALLY READ THAT BOOK. :D

    Sooo, have fun, I'll be back later so how you're doing! Hopefully by the next Dewey I'll have my weekends back and be able to do it too. This time we have ALL THE WORK and also HOUSE GUESTS and A BIRTHDAY MEAL, which basically adds up to me reading exactly three pages then watching House and falling asleep. I SHALL CHEER YOU ON THOUGH! *rah rah rah, go Laura go, etc etc*

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    1. Laura12 October 2013 at 14:42

      Have you done a WHOLE 24 hours?! I am so impressed. ONE DAY THAT WILL BE MEEEEEEEEE. (Possibly. But also maybe not. It is HARD staying awake.)

      I'm clearly not going to read all the books because that would be insane, but I'm going to have a good go at it! Have just finished Rosemary's Baby and it's EPIC. Fucking ridiculously messed up and I love it. More than The Stepford Wives, which I liked fine. (SORRY I STOLE ALL THE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT IT, IT'S A TINY BOOK, MAN!)

      Work and house guests and also going out to places? What the fuck, dude? That's just not cool. (Except the food part. That bit is fine.) NEXT TIME WE WILL DO IT TOGETHER (grooooooss) AND IT WILL BE AMAZING!

      Delete
    2. Ellie13 October 2013 at 12:28

      I think I've managed about 17 hours, and a 20 hours, and I THINK maybe I once managed a 24-hourer except I fell asleep for about three hours in the middle. Basically I feel like I've 'done it' if I haven't had a decent night's sleep and have actually read to the end instead of giving up and crawling away to lie in front of the telly for the rest of the day. :)

      Rosemary's Baby has just been pushed a little higher up the pile, THANK YOU. And yeah, Stepford's such a little book. I have the Nicole Kidman DVD to rewatch (though not for R.I.P. cos it's not really as scary) but I have ALSO found out that then 1975 scarier proper adaptation is on YouTube IN ITS ENTIRETY IN ONE VIDEO. Which is awesome and probably means that's my day off filled.

      I KNOW RIGHT?! Now we're back off holidays we're getting ready to sell the shop (doing things like Counting Every Book In Stock and fielding questions from people who are technically meant to do that via the agent anyway) and I have a shitload of appointments for physio and the dentist and other fun stuff, and my stepbrother and his girlfriend stayed last night and there was dinner even though I only hate half because MAN that was a lot of food, and I ONLY READ FIVE PAGES ALL DAY. Which made me very glad I didn't sign up for Dewey because the humiliation would have probably meant I couldn't show my face around a readathon ever again. NEXT TIME, LAURA. NEXT TIME.

      Delete
    3. Ellie13 October 2013 at 12:32

      Note to self: PROOF READ. THE 1975 adaptation is on YouTube, and I didn't hate half my dinner because that would be weird.

      Delete
  3. Lit Addicted Brit12 October 2013 at 14:49

    YAY READ-A-THON! I only decided at about 1.05pm that I'd be joining in too so I'm also massively underprepared. Still, I am always prepared for reading so how bad can it really be? Not bad at all is my guess.

    The only downside to my unforeseen participation is that I have no snacks and have HUGE hummus envy right now. Snack run it is!

    Also, you are planning on reading The Silence of the Lambs? Are you INSANE, woman?! Just no. No, thank you.

    GO, LAURAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Laura12 October 2013 at 16:31

      Yeah, I thought I might start The Silence of the Lambs at about 11pm tonight when all the cannibals are scratching at my door? That's not a BAD idea, is it?

      I hope you got hummus. Hummus is really important, Charlotte. MORE important than reading, I'd probably say.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous12 October 2013 at 15:50

    I have read Rosemary's Baby and also Hearts in Atlantis (a less horror, more psychological tale). I think you will enjoy both! Go girl!! Enjoy this fun day.

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    1. Laura12 October 2013 at 16:31

      Oh yaaaaay, they were my first two choices! I really enjoyed RB and HiA is awesome so far.

      Delete
  5. Linda12 October 2013 at 16:17

    I liked Sharp Objects. Hope you do too. I see lots of naps in my future too. A little sleepy right now. Need coffee.

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    1. Laura12 October 2013 at 16:32

      I'm definitely ready for another diet coke, I don't understand why my butler hasn't brought it yet...

      Delete
  6. Vasilly12 October 2013 at 16:34

    You have me cracking up over the bra story! LOL! I really enjoyed Hearts in Atlantis when I read it years ago. Happy reading!

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    1. Laura13 October 2013 at 00:19

      I'm enjoying Hearts in Atlantis waaaaaaay more than I thought I would (I don't even know why I thought I wouldn't...) so that's definitely good! And, you know, apparently I dress my boobs up for readathons so that's going to be a thing now!

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  7. Anonymous12 October 2013 at 16:44

    Read, read, read that book,
    Whether on paper or a nook.
    We all know you can do it,
    Your determination will get you though it!
    Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeppppppp reading. :)

    (Ok so you’ve probably gathered I’m terrible at making rhymes, so I will make up for it with my enthusiastic pom pom waving!)

    Your bra comments made me lol so much, I hear ya! Highly impressive book stack, I hope you manage to read a few of them during the readathon and that you thoroughly enjoy them. :) I've never read a Stephen King book and I kind of feel like a bad bookworm for not doing so yet. Happy reading.

    Team Bear

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    1. Laura13 October 2013 at 00:19

      Thaaaaaanks! And yeah, read some Stephen King! He is kind of the best.

      Delete
  8. Hanna @ Booking in Heels12 October 2013 at 19:22

    Are you reading in bed because IT'S SO DAMN COLD!? Because I'm huddled up in a little ball whilst trying to cover as much of my feet with my bum as possible. My hands have kind of frozen into book-holding-shape claws also :/

    Ohhh Rosemary's Baby. I bought this went I went shopping with Ellie and Charlotte :) This edition too. I haven't read it yet though, although maybe I should have added it to my read-a-thon list.... Ah well, I have enough to be getting on with!

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    1. Laura13 October 2013 at 00:22

      I was reading in bed mainly because I loooooove my bed! But yeah, it's been COLDDDDDDDDDDDD. And I live in an attic now, so there's that.

      Rosemary's Baby is reaaaaally good. SO CREEPY. I recommend reading it on halloween, except OMG that might actually be too much!

      Delete
  9. Kayleigh vW12 October 2013 at 19:46

    Hahahaha, "boobs! What are you doing?!" I love you.

    NO WORK TOMORROW. Don't do it. Just say you went in and then, when they ask you about it, act really insulted that they didn't notice you. Yes. Foolproof plan.

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    1. Laura13 October 2013 at 00:23

      Oh! I must try that! Because then I'd get paid for not being there and yesssssssss!

      I honestly don't even know what my boobs are doing half the time, the crazy things. They just loooove to be dressy for readathons, apparently!

      Delete
  10. Etudesque12 October 2013 at 19:50

    Sharp objects!! YES. Love your list and your solid dedication to waking up at a ridiculous hour for the readathon. Happy reading!

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    1. Laura13 October 2013 at 00:25

      Ahhhh, but I didn't have to wake up at a ridiculous hour! UK perks. I just have to bail out earlier than US people, which :(

      It's looking unlikely that I'm going to get to Sharp Objects (trans.-I'm definitely not going to get to it) but it's WELL on my radar now so I shall be reading it soonest!

      Delete
  11. Megs12 October 2013 at 20:22

    Props to your boobs for taking this occasion seriously. Show up or go home, is what *I* say! I threw Sharp Objects on my stack at the last minute yesterday...because of its length, mainly. MAYBE WE'LL BOTH READ IT AT THE SAME TIME.

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    1. Laura13 October 2013 at 00:27

      OR- you could just read it for both of us cause I am totally going to bed aaaand this Stephen King I'm reading is both good and looooong. But but but maybe neither of us will read it for the readathon and then we'll both read it another day at the same time LIKE MAGIC.

      My boobs always show up. Just sayin.

      Delete
  12. Buried In Print12 October 2013 at 20:49

    Heheh. Obviously you're in total read-a-thon spirit-ness. Great stuff! and, hey, you've got some fantastic reading in there. Love Affinity. Love Maddaddam. Love King (but I haven't read that one). Enjoy! Happy read-a-thon-ing!

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  13. Reading Rambo12 October 2013 at 21:07

    HERE'S THE DILLY-O — Affinity is a way better movie than book. The book's still good. But the movie's better. SO WATCH IT AFTER YOU'RE DONE.

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    1. Laura13 October 2013 at 00:28

      Or I could just watch the movie? SWEET. But... Imma read the book first. Obviously. Since it's right next to me and all. Kinda makes sense.

      Delete
    2. Reading Rambo14 October 2013 at 16:12

      TBH I would kind of recommend just watching the movie, NOT TO SAY THAT THE BOOK IS BAD; it's just kind of...eh. Especially compared to Tipping the Velvet + Fingersmith.

      Delete
  14. Sarah13 October 2013 at 00:37

    Man that's a giant pile of books. Pizza sounds amazing. And I'm really full from eating two gigantic chicken tacos, but it still sounds really good.

    Aaaand I'm off to take a nap. Cause seriously, this readathoning stuff is exhausting!

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  15. Ellie13 October 2013 at 12:38

    BAHAHAHA, I hope you're enjoying yourself. That's the very definition of readathonning, didn't you know? 'Reading, eating ancient sweets from a Swedish furniture shop and laughing at your own boobs'. :P

    Also, yay pizza!

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  16. Unknown14 October 2013 at 18:06

    Thank you for being with us! And awesome! See ya in April. --Andi

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