Read-a-Thon End-of-Event Survey

The 24-Hour Read-a-Thon, hosted by Dewey, has been over for about twelve hours now, and although I've not yet recovered, I did want to post the end-of-event survey before I went to bed for the night.

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

I think the very worst was about 5:30 a.m. my time - 19:30 of elapsed time. The sun was starting to come up, and I guess I just couldn't cope with the idea that it was a new day.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

I think young adult and children's books are maybe the best choice. I read two of them (see no. 6), and they were easy-to-read and quick-moving.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

It really was fabulous this year! I think Dewey almost has it down to a science.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

The "cheerleader" concept is brilliant. The mini-challenges are a lot of fun. The best part of the Read-a-thon, I think, is trading comments with both other Readers and with Cheerleaders; it's a great feeling of "community."

5. How many books did you read?

I read three complete novels - one for adults, one for teens, and one for children. In addition, I read part of two non-fiction books I've been working on and started another children's novel.

6. What were the names of the books you read?

These books were Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss, and Flip by David Lubar, respectively.

7. Which book did you enjoy most?

I can't pick one favorite. They are all good reads - although I will say that the three I finished are better read-a-thon reads than the non-fiction.

8. Which did you enjoy least?

I am loving The Devil in the White City - but it is too mentally taxing for me to read for hours at a time. And Eat, Shoots & Leaves was definitely not a good choice for the early morning hours. I am going to finish both of these - as well as Flip - though.

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

Not applicable.

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?

If my schedule permits, I will definitely be participating as a Reader in the next read-a-thon! I'm hooked!