The Classics Club 'first ever' readathon begins at 8 am EST January 5, 2013.
If I've figured out the time difference correctly that is 3 am Sunday 6, New Zealand time, and as I have no intention of losing my beauty sleep means I will be a little late to the party. Not that I could manage 24 hours anyway and will be happy to aim for 10 - 12. Hopefully it will be a nice, quiet Sunday with no unexpected distractions.
What I read will depend on how I feel at the time but I plan on beginning with a 20th century Australian classic Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay. It's a reread and at only 186p I can be confident of finishing it and then I'll choose between....
Finishing Clayhanger by Arnold Bennett
Starting a reread of Wuthering Heights or Rebecca
Starting Middlemarch
It's going to be fun and I shall add progress updates to this post as I go along.
6.45 am - Good morning, readathoners!
Name and Blog: I'm Cat and my blog is Tell Me A Story
Snacks and Beverages of Choice: It's going to be a hot summer's day so lots and lots of water and the always necessary cups of tea. Right now as I start the say it's tea and toast.
Where are you reading from today? Cambridge, New Zealand and I hope to spend a good part of the reading outside in a shady spot.
What are your goals for the Readathon? I don't really have any. I'll be happy if nothing comes along to distract me and I can spend my day reading........and reading.
What book(s) are you planning on reading? See above
Are you excited? Definitely :-)
11.30 am.......I began reading at 8am and have just finished Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay.(186p) I'd forgotten what a wonderfully eerie atmosphere it has and really enjoyed rereading it.
A short break for coffee and a muffin with Hubby before he went off on his day out. Having another now to exercise the legs , rest the eyes and visit more readathoners. Lunch is last nights leftovers waiting in the fridge for when I get hungry - prawn rice pilaf and salad.
Next up is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - I actually started this yesterday so will be reading from p200 to the end.
4pm..........I'm flagging! The heat this afternoon has been oppressive and at times it's been a struggle to stay awake. Consumed lots of a water and a banana. My eyes are also feeling the strain so I'm taking a couple of hours time out and Hubby and I will go out for a bite to eat. Have 54p of Rebecca to go.
9pm.........finished Rebecca.
Monday morning closing thoughts............Overall I don't think readathons are for me. I really enjoyed the morning and my first book but I didn't like having to rush on and read something else with no time to think about and assimilate what I'd just read.
I hadn't realized how much the continuous reading would affect my eyes and that became a real problem during the afternoon.
I did enjoy the group feeling and visiting other readathoners during the day.
Thanks to the Classics Club moderators for organising this event for us and to those who took the time to leave a comment here.
Happy to see another 'southerner' on the readathon. Like you I will miss the beginning part due to sleep (although I'm hoping to be up at midnight for the first check-in).
ReplyDeleteHappy reading :-)
Thanks Brona - It's going to be fun
DeleteI was considering rereading Rebecca too, but went for Tender is the Night in the end.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
Hope you'll enjoy your choices.
DeleteYou have a fantastic list, Rebecca and Wuthering Heights are among two of my favorite classics. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I read them so looking forward to revisiting.
DeleteIt's unseasonably warm here today so I'm reading outside, too. :) I absolutely love Wuthering Heights!
ReplyDeleteHas been many years since I read it so it's almost like a first time.
DeleteI hope you're loving Rebecca, it's one of my favorites. Like you, Persuasion is my favorite Austen novel and re-reading it has just been delightful!
ReplyDeleteI've read Rebecca more than once before - I never get tired of it. It's like comfort food! Glad you've enjoyed Persuasion again.
DeleteI really need to read Middlemarch one of these days... good luck!
ReplyDeleteIf I do get to it today it will be only a brief taste just to get me started.
DeleteCongratulations on finishing two books! Readathons don't really suit my style of reading either, though I still like to participate in them sometimes. I agree that it's difficult to move straight from one book to the next, so this time I decided just to concentrate on one longer book.
ReplyDeleteOne book is a very good idea and what I would do another time.
DeleteRebecca is one of my favourites if not my favourite. Readathons are probably not my thing, but I do lose the odd day to a book!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed another Rebecca read - always things you forget about the story.
DeleteYour choices were amazing! I love all of those books.
ReplyDeleteI think I would have had problems too with going straight to another book after finishing the first one, but fortunately my first book was Faust which couldn't be much spoilt. Oh, and I had real problems with my eyes too!
Besides, you've got a lovely blog and I hope to come back often :)
Thank you, Cassandra - I hope you will visit often. I would definitely do things differently in another readathon.
DeleteDon't say readathons aren't for you! Why not try sticking with just one book next time? I feel the same way you do: I don't like to rush from one book to another. I need some time to absorb what I've just read. I spent my readathon reading All the Pretty Horses, which I loved.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that Picnic at Hanging Rock was a book. I'd be very interested to read it. I saw the very atmospheric film version a long time ago.
The film version of Picnic was very good. I'm sure you'd enjoy the book so hope you find a copy.
DeleteIf I readathon again it will definitely be one book and a more relaxed approach.