(Image by ToniVC)
“We read to know we are not alone.”
~C.S. Lewis
The person who says that reading is a solitary activity just hasn’t met the right people. Let one reader encounter another and time can stand still while they share the pleasures of their respective literary adventures, from their earliest recollections of story to the book they just put down. Reading is an activity that allows one to go on a journey with a group of friends the world over. This is more true than ever with the advent of book blogs. But even before the internet made it possible for us to share our passion for the written word with people all over the world, we were a community. I have read novels that are over 100 years old…the same road I traveled down has been traversed by many before me, from all walks of life…we shared the same road and yet all had unique adventures on that road with the same cast of characters. The knowledge of that kind of shared experience can be staggering if you take the time to ponder it.
The ease with which we can communicate with one another today has taken this idea of community to an entirely new level, and one of the people who helped form that community was Dewey. Many of you know that Dewey passed away last year and in her honor the book blog community has continued many of the events that she was a part of, one being the 24 Hour Read-A-Thon, now renamed Dewey’s Read-a-thon. This event occurs once in April and once in October. In the past I have not been able to participate due to being out of town on each occasion. This time it will be different.
All the details of Dewey’s Read-a-thon can be found here and at the links contained therein. For me here in the midwest the event begins Saturday, April 18th at 8 a.m. The idea is to set aside this 24 hour period to revel in the written word and to communicate with each other through blog updates. It has always sounded like great fun! I know that I won’t be able to do the entire 24 hours. That is a goal for one day, this time it will have to be enough for me to be able to participate as much as I can. I have to work the final 8 hours of the event which requires me to get some sleep. I also have a few things that I just have to get done around the house. However, I am going to participate as much as I possibly can and do regular updates during the time that I am reading.
I cannot wait. I’ve been debating back and forth about participating, knowing that I cannot do the entire time, but reading so many other blogger’s posts about it makes me feel like I will be missing out on a great experience if I let the fact that I cannot do all 24 hours stop me from being involved. So I’ve decided to kick pride aside and join the fun!
Reading according to my whims has not been as strong all year as it has been these last few weeks, so committing to an actual list is unlikely. However, I would like to post some of the things that are currently on my radar as possible reads for Saturday:
(Image by Esao Andrews)
1. House of Mystery
Not long ago DC Comics, through their Vertigo line, revived the House of Mystery series. With a tenuous connection to Sandman and a nice gothic/fantasy vibe, and some really great covers, House of Mystery was a monthly comic that I knew I had to try. I have really enjoyed the first 5 issues and have several more that I have not yet read and have really been itching to get back to. Esao Andrews, a previous Friday Favorite, has been doing the covers for the last several issues and they are terrific.
2. Post-Captain
I enjoyed Master and Commander so much…I think I might have mentioned as much in my last post ( 😉 )…and I am not sure that I am going to be able to resist running out and getting book two, Post-Captain. We’ll see. Maybe I’ll get swept away by something else. But I have my doubts.
3. Pretty Monsters
I have read a few Kelly Link stories in the past and this looked really interesting when I was thumbing through it at the bookstore the other day. Thankfully my library has a copy that should be available for me to pick up on Friday, just in time for short story weekend and the read-a-thon!
4. Ladies of Grace Adieu
As Oscar Wilde said, “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” I have read this more than once, including reading it aloud to my wife, and each time I feel the magic of this collection. A couple of the stories have been on my mind lately and in the interest of the Once Upon a Time III Challenge and Dewey’s Read-a-Thon I may just have to dip back into Clarke’s world again this weekend.
5. Hi Fructose, vol 11.
I mentioned the other day how much I love this magazine. I end up reading all of the interviews, even of artists whose work doesn’t strike my fancy, because it is fascinating to get a glimpse into what makes a creative person tick. And each issue ends up featuring several artists whose work I like. This has been sitting on my desk for a week now, it is high time to read it.
Those are just a few of things that are floating near the surface of my ‘want to read now’ thoughts. I would also like to savor a bit more Bird by Bird, look through the latest issue of Elle Decor magazine (I am getting it to finish my subscription to the now defunct Home magazine), and if I haven’t finished Ex Libris and Fever Pitch, both of which I am reading right now, then I could see spending time with them as well.
My thinking right now is that I would like to sample a lot of different reading during the hours that I can participate.
I am sure that my family is going to want to spend some time watching a movie on Saturday, as this is one of the things we regularly do together, and I’m thinking that we could get in the spirit of the read-a-thon by watching one of our favorite adaptations, like An Ideal Husband, or perhaps one of the Lord of the Rings films.
I so look forward to being a part of this and certainly lament the fact that I wasn’t more involved with it when Dewey was alive. Several people use the read-a-thon to raise money for a charity of their choice. It is not necessary to participate, but I am thinking I would like to donate money to some charity. I’ll have to give it more thought.
“Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere.”
~Jean Rhys
It will be fun finding new and exciting homes this weekend.
I’m so excited that you’re participating this time Carl!!!! Seriously, that’s awesome! And you have some great reads picked out. I thought about you yesterday. I was placing an order with bookcloseouts (:/) and picked up a copy of Dark Harvest to give away soon. I read that last year during the RIP mini-challenge based on your recommendation. That book has grown on me quite a bit…I find myself thinking of it quite often.
As for this post, I love that clock picture at the top of the post…it’s fantastic! And that Kelly Link cover is great. I’ve thought of picking that one up just based on the cover. Probably will…
What a great idea. I know there is no way I will be able to read all day while watching the kiddo’s and going to soccer games but I will set aside some time to read in honor of Dewey. I think that will be to day I start The Sword Edged Blonde by Alex Bledsoe or finish The Last Colony by John Scalzi. We will see were my reading whims take me. 🙂
how about the “adopt a grandma and care for her” charity?? I know one thats up for adoption!
This saturday is the autograph show and my neighbor volunteered to take and pick me up so I am going to get to say goodby to Roger Kastel and Ken Kelly after all. I suspect it won’t be the most fun show that I’ve ever done as goodby’s suck.
But I know everyone will have a good time during the readathon! Maybe a bit woozie from lack of sleep but fun none the less… I will try to check in on everyone on Sunday… but (groan) I am haveing some computer problems too so one never knows.. again, I know no one to fix the computer if it goes down.
Deslily: That is so awesome!!! It may sound silly to everyone else, but that is one of the things I was sincerely praying would happen for you. I am so glad you get to go! Hope the computer doesn’t go down, I want a con report!
And hey, that sounds like a good charity! 😉
Jeff: Welcome back! Both sound like good choices for the weekend. I’m anxious to see what you think of the Bledsoe book. I don’t know why I hadn’t realized you never finished Last Colony.
Chris: Thanks, I’m glad to be participating too. I love going to flickr, you find the greatest pictures there, and thankfully many people allow use of their images through the creative common’s license. I prefer to take my own pics when I can, but last night it just wasn’t happening for me.
After this weekend we need to talk about mini-challenges for Once Upon a Time III. I’ve got a few ideas.
WOOHOO!!! Any idea how over-the-moon happy I am to hear that you’re going to join in?!! I have to say that I’ve always felt like there was an empty spot in the festivities, because you so should have been there.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of Pretty Monsters. I’ve almost bought that a couple different times. Mostly because I love the cover, I think. I’ve only ever read one story by her (the one in The Starry Rift), but I really enjoyed it.
YAY…Saturday’s going to be even better than I’d realized!
I’m chiming in with everyone else: so excited that you’re joining in!!
Eva: Thank you so much. Having missed every one of them I just don’t want to be left out this time. Everyone has so much fun every time and I want to play too!
Debi: Awww…thank you so much. I am as excited (actually more excited) about being online and updating and seeing other people’s updates as I am about the reading itself!!! I have to admit it was the combination of your posts and Chris’ and Eva’s, I believe, this week that finally made me wake up!
That’s great that you are doing the read-a-thon… I still haven’t made up my mind. Since it is two days away, though, I am thinking probably not. I must look into Kelly Link. I really like that cover…
Happy reading!
Oh Post Captain is good! There are ladies in this one and lots of female head games. Oh but there is still war too 😉 And you’ll learn more about Stephen’s past.
I think I’ll be an unofficial cheerleader/reader this year. (I know people always say you should just jump off into the deep end, but… I like slow and steady.)
That said, though, all the posts I’ve seen and read leading up to the Read-a-Thon sound awesome and so enthusiastic!
I’m glad to hear you’re getting a chance to participate now at least! I’m hoping you’ll have a boat load of fun with the Read-a-Thon, though I’m kind of suspecting you will too.
Enjoy the reading! ^-^
Shanra: sometimes that deep end doesn’t have any water in it, so yes, one does have to be careful! 😉 The enthusiasm is pretty infectious, I would have to say. I’m sure we’ll have fun. My wife is also going to participate with me and we are going to plan a menu, etc. Should be a riot.
Chris: I went to a bookstore that I am rarely near yesterday to pick up Post-Captain. They had every other book in the series except book 2! I was so annoyed! But maybe it was a blessing in disguise, because today I got a 15% off coupon from Barnes and Noble and my local one has it so I’ll save 25% total off it. Yay, savings! Thanks for the encouragement…I’ll be snagging it after work tonight.
Kailana: It would certainly be fun if you participated but I understand the whole last minute thing. The cover to Kelly Link’s book attracted me as well.
You’ve got a great list of possible reads, Carl! I wish I could participate this time around, but I’m going to be away from home from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon. I’ll definitely be with the readathon participants in spirit, though, and I hope it’s a great experience for you!
I’m going to have a go at reading this time around too, although I won’t be able to do all 24 hours _ impossible with a toddler. I will read as much as I can, though, and I’ve also signed on to cheerlead.
My preview/list post is here:
http://justaddbooks.blogspot.com/
Weirdness. I thought I just commented, but it seems to have been eaten. If it duplicates, I apologise. 🙂
I’m reading this year too, hopefully, although my list of books is modest. I’m aiming for “as much as I can around an active nearly 2 year old”. I’m also cheerleading. 🙂
My post is here:
http://justaddbooks.blogspot.com/2009/04/readathon.html
Maree: Not sure why, but your first comment went into the spam filter, so I’ve rescued it and left them both! 🙂 Glad you are joining in and doing what you can and am happy you are cheerleading as well.
Ruth: I’ve been exactly where you are now and was also with everyone in spirit, so I can say from having been there before that we welcome having you with us in spirit.
Carl, you always chose the most intriguing books. Of your possible choices the only one I’ve heard of is The Ladies of Grace Adieu. This is one reason I so enjoy blogging with you: you expand my horizons until indeed, I am not reading in isolation. The best to you in this challenge. While I am often considering it, I doubt very much I could get up at 8:00 on Saturday. I must get up six days a week (greeting at the early service on Sunday morning), and Saturday is so lovely to me to sleep…that isn’t enough to keep me away from it, of course. It’s all those little mundane parts of life called being a wife and mother that pull me from sustained silent reading. Perhaps one day.
Bellezza: I know the feeling. I often hit people’s blogs and wonder how I missed hearing about this book or that book. One of the joys of people constantly writing stuff! I usually think I’m going to sleep in on Sat. and then I wake up to let the dog out and everyone else is sleeping and its quiet so I get on the computer and just search the internet for fun stuff, visit blogs, etc. My wife is definitely in your camp as far as sleeping in and the reasons why. Being a wife and mother certainly isn’t mundane, though…but it does take away from reading time!!! 🙂
Oooooh! May your wife have a lot of fun with the Read-a-thon too!
I’ve read about the previous 24-hour read-a-thon and was totally planning to do this one, but sort of lost sight of when it was going to happen. And now I already have plans for the weekend. Oh well, I hope you have a great time and the books will turn out to be excellent. Have fun!
Welcome aboard, Carl! I hope you have a great time 🙂
I SO want to join in a read-a-thon one of these days. But unfortunately, I have to work this week. The October weekends are always bad because Chad’s football games are every Saturday from Sept. thru Oct.
Besides, there is no way my family would ever give me a whole day to read.
But I’m really happy you get a chance to participate this time!
LOL! I agree with Stephanie. There’s no way my family would ever give me a whole day to read either. I’m just lucky to get to read once they’ve all gone to bed. 🙂
Jeff, Stephanie: The days will come…you kids will be grown before you know it. Hopefully your eyesight will still allow you to read at that time. 😉 Just kidding!!!
Nymeth: I’m sure we will, I’m glad my wife is participating, and she had a great idea about our charity which I’ll post about during the update tomorrow.
Maria: I feel bad that I didn’t promote it earlier. Next time!
Shanra: I have no doubt that she will, thanks.
Nice to see you being able to participate Carl. I know several people in my little book blogsphere who are only able to commit to reading for part of the time–me being one of them. Your books always look so interesting!
*smiles and have fun this weekend*
Kim
Carl, I’m so glad you’re participating this year. Good luck.
I absolutely love those first two paragraphs you wrote. I never get to do the readathon (this time i visited family in atlanta) but i swear i’m going to try in the fall!
Thanks Melanie. I was actually quite surprised it worked out for me to participate this time and I am really hoping for the ability to do so again in October.
Vasilly: Me too!!!
Kim: It was a fun weekend, thanks!