I’ve been doing readathons for a loooong time now. Between Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon in the spring and fall every year and hosting this shindig for the past few years, I’ve learned – sometimes the hard way – how to build my book stack for a ‘thon.
But why should I set aside specific books, you might be asking? Can’t I just stand in front of my shelf and decide in the moment?
You certainly can, and some people do, but I’m a proponent of being more intentional about my readathon books. Not every book is going to be right for you or for a readathon. And it’s so easy to get overwhelmed by ALL the books on your shelves, rather than a small dedicated list of titles. Are you doing the #Hamalong and reading Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton? It can be part of your stack, but it’s probably a good idea to read it in bits and chucks, interspersed with lighter reads. I’m in the middle of A Little Life but I probably won’t read more than a chapter or two during the ‘thon because it’s both long and heavy (in terms of subject matter).
My suggestion is to set aside a mix of books: short books, long books, comics (if you read them), funny books, genre books, and a few serious books. This combination will give you plenty of variety during the weekend, without overwhelming you by too many choices.
(I discussed this and 8 more tips back in July if you’re looking for more help in planning your ‘thon.)
Tell me, readathon-ers – what’s on your stack?
24in48 Readathon 
I’ll be working on finalizing my stack over the next few days. I like the title of the book at the top of your stack – a lot of my reading friends are obsessed with The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up these days…
I think I’m going to do 24 short stories again (like I did in July https://bibliophilica.wordpress.com/?s=24in48 which was so much fun). I’m pretty sure I didn’t log quite 24 hours last time, but it was still “exhausting” in a good way.
I have a bunch of short stories written by Indiana Authors that “didn’t make the cut” for my 2016 annual short story project that I am going to include. If there’s time left, I may also work on Booth Tarkington’s novel, Alice Adams. Good luck with the ‘thon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right now I have Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler, After You by JoJo Moyes, The Widow by Fiona Barton, Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan and The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny. But between now and then this could change completely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I plan to read The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett, Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor, Vol 1. by Nick Abadzis, Elena Casagrande, and Arianna Florean (comic book), A Hoe Lot of Trouble by Heather Webber, and At Bertram’s Hotel by Agatha Christie.
This will be my first ever readathon and I’m excited!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
little paris bookshop by nina george; the martian by andy weir; I stand at the door and knock by corrie ten boom; hollow city by ransom riggs. im hoping i can finish these in 24 hrs. this is also my first ever readathon.
LikeLike
4 novels by Haruki Murakami that have been collecting dust for just too long. Doubt I’ll make it through all four, but it’ll be nice to scratch at least a couple of the burgeoning to-be-read list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa. That’s impressive and totally ballsy. I don’t know that I would attempt a Murakami-thon myself, but good for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m still working on my stack, but I have George in my pile as well!
LikeLike
I’m really looking forward to it!
LikeLike
Ooooo! Queen of the Night… so jealous!
I just found out I could participate after plans changed for the weekend, so I’m scrambling to build my list. I have a graphic novel and then some novellas I checked out that will accompany heavier reads. I think I’ll continue my audio of The People’s History of the United Statues during a walk around the neighborhood to get the blood pumping after sitting for so long. I can’t wait!! Looking forward to seeing all the updates from other bloggers and readers. 🙂
LikeLike
I know this sounds weird, but my selection has been chosen on font size. I will start off with small print, then larger, and finally hit the e-books where I can adjust the size…oh and the fact they have been sitting in my tbr pile for way too long. This is my first 24in48 so have approached it as a way of addressing the ever growing pile of to be read. I’m in Oz so I guess I am potentially starting before a lot of you guys…..
LikeLike
im in australia too. this is also my first readathon too. good luck and happy reading.
LikeLike
I’ve just posted my TBR for tomorrow. I’m so excited! This is my first Readathon!
LikeLike
I’ll be finishing Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan, Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (for the Little House Read-Along Bex and I are hosting–http://books-n-music.blogspot.com/p/little-house-read-along-2016.html), then on to The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear, and then The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. If I have time, H is for Hawk is next! 🙂
LikeLike