The Sunday Salon: "Alone Among Others" or Reflections on Read-a-Thon

Thoughts on my participation in Read-a-thon and some inspiration about being "Alone Among Others" from The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee.

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon is a fantastic event that brings together readers from all over the world to simultaneously read for a twenty four hour period. How does that work exactly? Well, we all agree to read for a 24 hour period and we use various social networking tools to stay connected. Most participants maintain a book blog for longer posts and comments from other readers. Many use Twitter to send short bursts of information and encouragement, and to leave links to blog posts and videos (vlogs). We use YouTube, Vimeo, or other sites to post videos giving a live action look into our doings. A central event blog is available with hosts that post helpful suggestions for staying awake, information about various prize giveaways and contests, and videos in which they cheer the readers on. There are also teams of cheerleaders that "visit" all of the participants and encourage their reading endeavors. As you can see, there is a lot going on besides reading!

Participating in this Read-a-thon for the first time, I found it a bit overwhelming to balance my reading with all of the social interaction. I expected to read a lot. After all, it is a READ-a-thon. I also wanted to stay connected to the other readers. Since we aren't all sitting in the same room, we have to find other ways to be together. In order to stay connected I had to, at the least, write blog posts and visit and comment at other participant's blogs. Posting pictures and/or videos of our book piles, snacks, reading areas, and activities (like that lovely afternoon walk to rejuvenate us for more reading) is a bonus but it is also an important way to make the event more personal and give it a sense of place.

So how did I do? I did get some reading done, but I spent a lot more time interacting socially online!

Reflecting on all of this, I was inspired by an idea in an essay by Lewis Buzbee that I read during Read-a-thon. In "Alone Among Others," Buzbee puts forth the idea that as readers we are alone with our books but by congregating with other readers we can simultaneously be amongst others. Have you ever seen a room full of people reading together? Or spent time in a bookstore or library browsing among the books? It is quiet with everyone individually focused on their reading or browsing, yet it is a gathering together of those with something in common. I love this idea of being alone among others.

Yesterday I was alone among others worldwide (that's a big room!) reading together. I spent time online making connections to other readers doing the same thing at the same time. Yes, this took away from reading time but it also allowed me to be part of an awesome community of book readers and bloggers. We were together. It allowed me to read and chat with my friend in Canada, someone I've never met but consider a friend none-the-less. I was encouraged by another friend in Texas, again someone I've never met but admire for her unending enthusiasm. I could mention others, but like I said ... it was a BIG room. And it was an AWESOME event.

Will I participate in Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon again? You bet! It was a great experience. And for those who remember Dewey, she would be proud of our ability to be alone among others.

Read-a-thon: End of Event Meme

This was my first 24 Hour Read-a-thon and I really did enjoy it! I participated for 19 hours. I knew going in that my situation would not allow me to go for 24 hours, but since that didn't seem to be an issue for those running the event I signed up anyway. So glad I did.

A big thank you to those who organized, hosted, and cheered!!!!!

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

For some reason I lost focus and struggled mid-afternoon (hour 12). I went out for a ballet class which gave me some much needed stretching. I thought this would rejuvenate me for reading, but it seemed to rejuvenate me for all sorts of other things! I did manage to pull myself back to reading around hour 15 (7pm my time).

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

Reading tastes are so individual that I really don't want to suggest specific books. Also, who knows what new titles might be out by the next read-a-thon! I did have some shorter and easier reads in my stack. Things like novellas, YA, graphic novels, essays and short stories. Definitely have things in the stack that are highly interesting to you and don't be afraid to switch to another book if your current read isn't working for you.

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

Not really.

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

This was the first time I participated in the Read-a-thon and from what I could tell it worked really well. I really enjoyed the social aspects (tweeting and visiting blogs), but that also distracted me from reading -- a lot! Next time I will have to define a structure for myself that I think will help balance out the reading and social aspects. I spent more time telling y'all what I was doing instead of reading. I also hung out on Twitter a lot and didn't visit as many blogs as I would have liked.

5. How many books did you read?

I read 1/2 of a novel, one essay, and one short story. Not a whole lot for 19 hours (I went to bed around midnight my time).

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

The Hidden Coronet by Catherine Fisher, "Alone Among Others" in The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee, and "The Captain of the Pole-Star" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

7. Which book did you enjoy most?

I really enjoyed all three and didn't have a favorite, but perhaps I enjoyed the essay and the short story more because I finished them! I really thought I’d read a lot more, but got distracted by tweeting and a football game on TV (USC vs Notre Dame).

8. Which did you enjoy least?

See question #7.

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

The Cheerleaders were great! It was so encouraging to hear from them. The reason I kept trying and made it to hour 19 was largely due to encouraging words. Much appreciated!

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

I would definitely participate again as a reader. I might sign up to cheer; I'm assuming that one can sign up to cheer for just a few hours?

Read-a-thon: Hour Nineteen

Well folks, I'm unable to keep my eyes open much longer. I'm surprised I made it this far! I shall tuck myself into bed and see if I can finish my ghost story, "The Captain of the Pole-Star" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Good night and good reading to you all!

Read-a-thon: Hour Eighteen

Back home now to read. I was able to finish reading the essay I was working on. Yay! I completed reading something! Think I'm going to switch to some ghost stories now. Let's see if "scary" keeps me awake.

Read-a-thon: Hour Fifteen

I'm having trouble staying focused on reading. Ate dinner, puttered, washed and dried hair, watched Bedlam. Sooooo ... I am going to try and change venues here and go over to my SIL's house. Hopefully I will READ and not talk.

I'm off with my books and cookies. I think I read more when I'm not trying!

Read-a-thon: Hour Twelve

I'm back from ballet class and all stretched out. It felt good! Of course, that meant there was no reading during the last hour and a half.

It's almost dinner time, so will probably take care of that before getting back to The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop.

Read-a-thon: Hour Eleven and a Break

I'm taking off now for a bit of a break. Ballet class. That should get me all nice and stretched out for more reading!

If you don't see me for a couple of hours, it is probably because I've hopped off with a friend to read at a coffee shop for awhile. I won't be taking my computer so will be unplugged for a bit.

See you when I get back!

Read-a-thon: Hour Ten

"I think that I still have it in my heart someday to paint a bookshop with the front yellow and pink in the evening ... like a light in the midst of the darkness." - Vincent van Gogh

I've picked up A Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee and am reading essay number one: Alone Among Others.

I must say I agree with Buzbee when he says, "Much of my excitement at being in a bookstore comes from the place itself, the understanding that I can stay here for as long as need be. The unspoken rules we've developed for the bookstore are quite different from the rules that govern other retail enterprises." This is only one of the reasons I'd hate to see the brick and mortar booksellers disappear. I find bookstores comforting. My husband, bless him, has been known to take me to the bookstore when he knows I'm stressed or discouraged. It always helps.

Read-a-thon: Hour Nine

The Book Fairy came to my house! How appropriate that she arrived today on Read-a-thon day.



An interesting collection don't you think? The Margrave by Catherine Fisher. I now have the fourth in the Relic Master series. That one is middle grade Fantasy/SF. Then there is Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright. That would be Theology. And The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Yes, this is the book that got slimed by a banana just two days ago (don't ask). Of course, I needed a new copy and here it is!

Read-a-thon: Hour Eight

Really? Hour eight? No wonder I'm hungry! Off to make myself a sandwich for lunch. Still reading The Hidden Coronet. For some reason I'm reading extra slowly. Of course, it doesn't help that I keep getting distracted by the Ole Miss and Razorbacks game!

I'm thinking about switching books. Perhaps an essay or two from The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop.

Read-a-thon: Hour Five

It's so quiet! I can hear my grandmother's pendulum clock ticking on my mantel and birds chirping outside. My husband read with me for a bit this morning (he's reading The Night Circus) before he went off for a late breakfast with a buddy.

Back to my book!

Read-a-thon: Hour Four

Hope everyone is having fun reading! I got up this morning and read for awhile and then went back to sleep for a bit. I had a terribly exhausting week at work and guess I really needed a bit more sleep. Like I said, I did read a bit first:

The Hidden Coronet by Catherine Fisher
Pages read = 40

The Hidden Coronet is book three in the Relic Master series. It's a middle grade/YA series. I call it middle grade/YA because I think it would appeal to both age levels. It's a fantasy (some might call it science fiction) and the premise is that Anara is a terraformed world. It was terraformed by the Makers (from Earth). The indigenous species are bipedal cat like people, the Sekoi. Apparently the Makers have all left? Died? I'm not sure yet. But they left behind those of the Order, the Keepers, probably to maintain the relics. Again, all is not clear yet. There is an evil being referred to as the Margrave. Again, not sure about this being, but he? it? appears to be a "fallen" human. The Margrave controls the Watch who are out to destroy the Order.

There are some fantastic themes and world building. I don't like tedious world building that becomes the sole focus of the book, but Fisher does an amazing job building her world of Anara. The world building is slowly revealed and is woven throughout the story.

Great adventure (some questing!) and the setting of a terraformed world either incomplete or slowly unraveling makes for some good reading.

Here is a link to the author video that I thought was quite good.

Here is a link to the book trailer.

Read-a-thon: Hour One - Good Morning!

Good morning fellow read-a-thoners! As you can see, I've got my cup of coffee (it's 5am here). I don't think my photography skills were good enough to capture the steam coming off the coffee, but it is hot. I'm using one of my Fall season mugs. I like to match my coffee/tea mugs to the season. Anyone else do that?


Click on any photo to enlarge

I've got my snacks ready. There is some loose black tea in the tea tin, and I'll be having some low cal blackberry pomegranate soda at some point. There is also some peppermint hot chocolate that is not in the picture that I night need to have towards the night hours. I picked up some chocolate dipped cookies from the British Grocer near my home. Haven't tried them yet, but they look yummy and the lady who owns the shop vouched for their yumminess. Also have some pistachios, dried cinnamon pears, and dark chocolate.



As for the books, here you can see my stack.



In case you can't see the book titles:

The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee (didn't make it into the photo)
The Victorian Chaise Longue by Marghanita Laski
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
The Bookstore Mouse by Peggy Christian
The Hidden Coronet (Relic Master) by Catherine Fisher
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
Red Bones by Ann Cleeves
The Body-Snatcher and Other Classic Ghost Stories
Fables: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham
Fables: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham
Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham

So I've got some essays, a novella, a young reader book, a middle grade/YA novel, some magical realism, a mystery, some spooky ghost stories and graphic novels. Should give me plenty to choose from. Now I need to decide where to begin!

I'll probably only blog every few hours. I do have a ballet class mid-day so watch for a photo of the ballet shoes later (no, I will not take any live footage of me trying to be graceful).

Have fun reading!

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon is coming!

Have you ever participated in Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon? I have never been an official participant, but I usually sit around reading for a good part of the day and night with all of the official participants. And I blog hop and cheer and encourage those who are participating. Hmmm. That sounds like participation ... doesn't it! Maybe I should actually commit this year!

Come and hang out with readers around the world on October 22, 2011 and do what we do best ... read and talk about what we read!

How about you? Are you participating?

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