1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
Surprisingly, the morning. Mornings are usually my get-er-done time. While getting the kids ready and out the door at a certain time is hard, it's not impossible. But it does takes both hands. The only reading time in the morning was when I bribed the girls with picture books. And since we're staying out-of-state at someone else's house, I realized how I missed my own cluttered living room. I'm may have been in Kansas, but there's no place like home... where the VCR can keep kids occupied.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?
I enjoyed Sarah J. Maas before the Read-a-thon and during. She writes YA fantasy and blends action and romance. She has one series... what is it? (The one about the assassin; I'm going to have to hop over to Goodreads.com to figure it out.) And her newest book is A Court of Thorns and Roses which looks like the start of a new series.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
5. How many books did you read?
6. What were the names of the books you read?
Don't ask about the picture books. I read so many between home and work, I tend to blank them all out except the extraordinary ones. While I realize the importance of reading to my kids, I also cannot say each and every picture book is a jewel. Becasue, honestly, they're not. When you read 1,000 children's books a year (maybe more), many of them blur together.
8. Which did you enjoy least?
The kids' books. If I try to remember, I seem to recall that they were Disney books from the 80s? See rant in #6.
Skip! But I will take this space to reflect on two things...
What did I miss the most this year?
Since I wasn't on social media during the live Read-a-thon, I found myself longing for the mini-challenges. Even on good years, I never did each and every challenges, but this year, I'm bummed I missed out on the fun and the randomness.
What surprised me the most?
This was the first year I read late into the night! Normally I conk out at 8 p.m. but this year, after the kids got to bed, I was able to keep reading all the way to midnight! I felt like a hardcore reader.
A-ha... the Throne of Glass series! Fourth book just published. (Fifth if you count the prequels.)
Wait, what is this Starkillers Cycle? Shiny! This is looks very sci-fi and fun to delve into while hanging out online.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?
Do not travel. Or at least time the travel so that I'm driving during the Read-a-thon and take advantage of audiobooks. Do not time the travel to do the Read-a-thon during your sightseeing day.
Oh. Is this about suggestions for the Dewey folks? Umm... not sure since I only lurked a little during all the social media. I'm sorry I missed out on all the mini-challenges this year.
Just thought of some things! On Twitter, I was added to "Team Evergreen" but I never figured out what that was. Was it a cheerleader's list name? Was I suppose to use a #TeamEvergreen hashtag? Was is a way to interact with others? I still haven't figured it out.
On the book database, offer an alternative replies to "pages read." I rely on audio books and e-books which are not easy to figure out in terms of pages. Either set-up the survey with other options, like hours / discs / percentage complete (most digital files come with a bar graph of how much you've read or listened). Or simply list other ways we could type in our reply. Give us permission to write-in our progress.
On the book database, offer an alternative replies to "pages read." I rely on audio books and e-books which are not easy to figure out in terms of pages. Either set-up the survey with other options, like hours / discs / percentage complete (most digital files come with a bar graph of how much you've read or listened). Or simply list other ways we could type in our reply. Give us permission to write-in our progress.
Since Read-a-thon seems to be growing, how about an introductory video? Something to give newbies (and re-motivate us repeaters) a pump-up, adrenline rush. Or has someone already done this? I guess I should go searching around YouTube, huh?
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?
Dropping the prizes. Good on you for not wasting your time with it! Mini challenges seem to be where it's at.
5. How many books did you read?
Completed 4 pictures books and started 1 book for my pleasure.
6. What were the names of the books you read?
Don't ask about the picture books. I read so many between home and work, I tend to blank them all out except the extraordinary ones. While I realize the importance of reading to my kids, I also cannot say each and every picture book is a jewel. Becasue, honestly, they're not. When you read 1,000 children's books a year (maybe more), many of them blur together.
I had intentions of reading Best to Laugh by Lorna Landvik, but never got around to it.
7. Which book did you enjoy most?
The book I read for myself!
8. Which did you enjoy least?
The kids' books. If I try to remember, I seem to recall that they were Disney books from the 80s? See rant in #6.
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?
Skip! But I will take this space to reflect on two things...
What did I miss the most this year?
Since I wasn't on social media during the live Read-a-thon, I found myself longing for the mini-challenges. Even on good years, I never did each and every challenges, but this year, I'm bummed I missed out on the fun and the randomness.
What surprised me the most?
This was the first year I read late into the night! Normally I conk out at 8 p.m. but this year, after the kids got to bed, I was able to keep reading all the way to midnight! I felt like a hardcore reader.
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
Very likely, because it forces me to re-prioritize for the sake of reading. Reading time is such a precious commodity, that I often don't know what to do with it when I get the chance! I like Dewey's Read-a-thons because they are great for exercising my mental muscles. It keeps my thirst for grown-up literature alive. Without the Read-a-thons, I'd be swallowed by the quicksand of children's books I live and work with. Thank you, Dewey, for reminding me - twice a year - to read for my own satisfaction.
Some day, my time will come. Some day, I know I'll be able to be entirely selfish with my reading time. Some day, it will be mine (again), ALL MINE!
