The Sunday Salon - Read-a-thon and Printz Project


First of all, for those who celebrate it, Happy Easter! For those who don't, I hope you have a happy Sunday anyway.
I can't believe there's less than a week to go for 24 Hour Read-a-thon. I'm not participating as a reader this time (I tried to both read and co-host last time, but I ended up stressing myself out way too much), but hey, that's no excuse not to make a list of recommended books, right? You know how much I love a good list.
So if you're still trying to decide what to read, here are some suggested short books that will (hopefully) keep you hooked. The titles link to my posts on the books, in case you want to find out more:
If you're not doing anything next weekend but don't think reading for several hours straight is for you, you should consider joining us as a cheerleader. You only need to commit to an hour or two minimum (of course, if you want to stick around for longer, that'd be great too). The community feeling and the encouragement from other readers are a big, big part of what makes the read-a-thon so special. I promise you'll have fun, and maybe you'll even make some new friends.

On a different note, if you like YA you might be interested in knowing that Jessica and Suey started the Printz Project, whose goal is to read all the winners (and if you're brave enough, honour books) of the Michael L. Printz Award.
I think I'm feeling brave and/or crazy enough to go for both. Let's see: my total of winners/honor books read is 8. Total of books I loved: 8. Total of books that made my all-time favourites list immediately: 3 (those would be Nation, Tender Morsels and Looking for Alaska).
So yeah, I'm in. And since there's no time limit, there's also no pressure.
I can't believe there's less than a week to go for 24 Hour Read-a-thon. I'm not participating as a reader this time (I tried to both read and co-host last time, but I ended up stressing myself out way too much), but hey, that's no excuse not to make a list of recommended books, right? You know how much I love a good list.
So if you're still trying to decide what to read, here are some suggested short books that will (hopefully) keep you hooked. The titles link to my posts on the books, in case you want to find out more:
- Skellig by David Almond (170 pages) - I read this recently, so of course I had to include it. This lovely little book only took me about an hour and a half to read.
- Pobby and Dingan by Ben Rice (94 pages) - another quick and very moving read.
- Pay the Piper by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple (166 pages) - a retelling of The Pied Piper of Hamelin fairy tale.
- Sweethearts by Sara Zarr (217 pages) - a bittersweet story about love, identity and loss.
- Any of the books in the Canongate Myth Series - they're all very quick reads. I especially recommend Dream Angus, Girl Meets Boy, Weight and The Penelopiad.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - 213 pages of brilliance.
- Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block (116 pages) - a lovely little verse novel retelling the myth of Cupid and Psyche.
- Green Angel by Alice Hoffman (116 pages) - a gorgeous post-apocalyptic fairy tale.
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (146 pages) - if you're looking for something creepy and disturbing to keep you awake at night, this is the book for you.
- Gossamer by Lois Lowry (154 pages) - also has its creepy moments, though in a completely different way. Most of all, a lovely story about dreams and compassion.
- Zel by Donna Jo Napoli (202 pages) - a very dark retelling of Rapunzel. I couldn't put it down.
- I Was a Rat! by Philip Pullman (179 pages) - and since we're on fairy tale retellings, I haven't plugged this lovely book in a while. No, I can't tell you which fairy tale it retells, because finding out at the end is what makes it so fun!
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (208 pages) - impossible to put down (and it made me cry).
If you're not doing anything next weekend but don't think reading for several hours straight is for you, you should consider joining us as a cheerleader. You only need to commit to an hour or two minimum (of course, if you want to stick around for longer, that'd be great too). The community feeling and the encouragement from other readers are a big, big part of what makes the read-a-thon so special. I promise you'll have fun, and maybe you'll even make some new friends.

I think I'm feeling brave and/or crazy enough to go for both. Let's see: my total of winners/honor books read is 8. Total of books I loved: 8. Total of books that made my all-time favourites list immediately: 3 (those would be Nation, Tender Morsels and Looking for Alaska).
So yeah, I'm in. And since there's no time limit, there's also no pressure.
I read the Newbery books last year, and I need a new challenge for next year. I will remember this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very tempted to add some of these books to my list of things to read for next week's read-a-thon, but I'm promised to read only what I already had on my TBR shelf. No new books! = (
ReplyDeleteBut you know I am keeping these on my mental TBR list. There's always the read-a-thon later in the year! =)
Happy Easter! :-)
ReplyDeleteI read Green Angel last summer and it's so very gorgeous! I see that also read a Jane Yolen book. I haven't read that one yet, but am curious if you've ever picked up Briar Rose? It's a retelling (of sorts) of Snow White. It's told in parallel with World War II.
ReplyDelete(Oh and Perks is one of my all time favorite books!)
Have a happy Sunday!
Good luck with the Readathon Nymeth. I have too much on to take part, but I'll be thinking of those who are
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter!
ReplyDeleteSo looking forward to the read-a-thon next week, they are always such a lot of fun to take part in,
ReplyDeleteI saw the Prinz challenge the other day and I could be sorely tempted, but I am going to be good and complete some of the other challenges I'm signed up to first.
Probably. ;o)
what a great list of books! I have heard wonderful things about The Perks of Being a Wallflower - and I was a Rat sounds absolutely fascinating. I think I may need to add these to my "possibility" list for Saturday.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a very blessed Easter!
Reading shorter books is going to be my strategy. I have a ton of YA books I bought just for this purpose. :) I just ordered the Shirley Jackson book from the library. I hope it comes in on time!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you're not going to get to read :( I certainly understand though...I just can't even imagine how hard it must be to try to do both! It was the one thing that always made me sad during the read-a-thons...how hard Dewey worked to give everyone else a fun day and she didn't get to read herself. That's why it was so wonderful that you all helped her out with the last one...though I think you then all still worked so hard that the "reading" part just wasn't too rewarding for any of you. :(
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw the Printz Project, I knew I was going to join, too. Because, well, I think that award has the best lists of books. :) But also because, and even more importantly, the Printz Award reminds me soooooo much of Dewey...and I think she would be so thrilled to know we read them all. (And maybe I'm wrong, but I'm guessing that you had those thoughts as well.)
Love you, Ana! Have a wonderful Easter!
Happy Easter!! I'll be cheering on the read-a-thon readers.
ReplyDeleteThank you soo much for hosting the Read-a-thon. I'm so sorry you can't read then but everything you've done is well appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWe have a bunch of YA books at home, but I won't include them in the read-a-thon unless I'm reading them with the kids.
I'm also reading just books from my TBR. Don't know how it'll go but so excited. Happy Sunday! :D
It is SO SWEET of you read-a-thon hosts to give up your reading to create the experience for everyone else! I hope there ends up being a kind of host-rotation, so that you can read as well. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Nymeth! I plan on reading only short books! You've just added several books to my list for Saturday. Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteDebnance: I've been toying with the idea of joining the Newbery project also, but I can only handle so much :P
ReplyDeleteJ.S. Peyton: Using the read-a-thon as an opportunity to make a dent in your tbr pile is definitely a smart idea. And yes, there's always next time :D
Marie: Thank you :)
Christina: Yes! I read it in my pre-blogging days and it's one of my favourite books. I should read it again, actually, as it's been a while. Happy Sunday for you too!
Kerrie, thank you. I confess I'm a little nervous, but we'll do our very best do host it as well as we can. I just hope everyone has fun :)
Bermudaonion, thanks!
Bart: But it's perpetual! You can join now and only start in months! Or even YEARS! Come on, you know you want to :P
Molly: Thank you and likewise! I look forward to seeing what you'll read on Saturday :)
Laza: I hope it does too! Last time I ended up buying a bunch of books as well :P
Debi, it's okay! Co-hosting is definitely fun too. I plan on cheerleading unofficially during my "off duty" shifts, and I know I'll have lots of fun checking in on everyone. The Printz Project reminds me of Dewey too. She hosted the Printz Challenge (which was how I first heard of the award, actually), so it's sort of a continuation of that. I hope you have a wonderful Easter too!
Bonnie: yay! Happy Easter for you too :)
Claire: It's really okay! I'm glad you're excited about it! It's a pleasure to have you join us :D
Eva: I definitely didn't mean my comment in a "woe is me, look at my huge sacrifice" sort of way. Co-hosting is a lot fun too. And there's nothing that actually stops us from reading, it's just that I can't handle too much at once. I really admire the way you can both read and cheerlead :) But yes, an eventual rotation was the direction in which Dewey planned to take it anyway.
Vasilly: Happy Easter for you too! Short books is definitely what I think works best.
I'm really looking forward to next weekend. It's going to be so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to prepare my pile of Read-A-Thon books this week. Thanks for the list of recommended reads - they are probably already on my TBR somewhere considering your reviews are always pure temptation evil ;)
ReplyDeleteJust a few minutes ago I saw Kailana's post about the Printz challenge and I'm very seriously considering joining in - so many good looking books for this challenge.
Happy Easter!
Still on the fence about the Read-a-thon but if don't read for it, I might very well be a cheerleader of some sort.
ReplyDeleteThe Printz challenge sounds intriguing. I'm not sure if I've ever read any of them but I do give the years' award winner (as well as the Newbery and Caldecott winners) to special new babies in my life, which reminds me, I need to go buy another two collections next week as gifts!
Nymeth - I am excited to be a cheerleader for the Read-a-Thon.
ReplyDeleteI am going to add a bit about the Printz Project to my Sunday post. Hope you don't mind. Have a great week!
Happy Easter Nymeth!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the Spring readathon :O)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Nymeth, this is my first read-a-thon and I'm excited, but also a bit scared... Still, I'm shooting for 24 hours, but won't be too sad if I don't quite make it.
ReplyDeleteI think your list of book suggestions is wonderful.
Kathrin
Hurray for the read-a-thon! I'm glad you made a list of books, even if you aren't participating in the reading aspect. I also have liked making my list of snacks :)
ReplyDeleteNice book list there! I'll be joining the readathon as a cheerleader--didn't think I could pull off the 24 hours of reading, but I'm planning to try that next time around. (Or perhaps a half-readathon like Molly).
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
Dammit! I thought I had my list finished for the read-a-thon and then read this and realized that I wanted to add Perks of Being a Wallflower and Sweethearts to the list! Too. Many. Books.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to end up joining the Printz Project...those books are just so amazing and I've loved every one of them that I've read...literally.
Nymeth, I'm trying to steel up my nerves for this readathon! I'm so nervous. Even as a teenager I never made it 24 hours without sleep! I'm going to try my best, though. I'm getting together a huge pile of books (mostly YA) for the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI loved Gossamer, btw. :)
I wish I'm able to join! It sounds lots of fun! I'd love to be a cheerleader but then, I find it tough getting onto the PC with my little girls screaming for my attention! But just to let you all know I'm there supporting in spirit! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to my first Read-a-thon! Thanks so much for helping make it happen.
ReplyDeleteThank you in advance for working so hard to organize the read-a-thon. It's too bad you won't be able to read, but I can understand how it would be hard to shut off the behind the scenes stuff to concentrate on, or enjoy, reading. :(
ReplyDeleteIt's been years since I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I really should reread it sometime. And thanks for the reminder of I Was a Rat. That's the only other one on your list that I have, and I'll add it to my pile of books for the read-a-thon.
I'm not joining the Read a thon officially, but I'm going to try to read as much as possible that day. I love the idea of ignoring everything else for 24 hours and reading, but it just isn't possible for me. Thanks for this list -- there are some great reading ideas here.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a wonderful Easter celebration, Ana!
ReplyDeleteI've never participated in a read-a-thon before but it sure sounds like great fun. :)
Thanks for the Printz Project publicity! We're so excited about it. Also, I'm really excited about the read-a-thon. I can't participate this time, but I think I'll be checking in and unofficially cheerleading!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited about the Read-a-thon next week! I am supposed to be going to dinner at my mother-in-laws but I am definitely getting out of it! I have the first three books planned (The Good Fairies of New York, The Indigo King (James A Owen) and Castle Waiting. Other than that maybe some Fables and Manga. Green Angel is one you recommend and Mariel got me a copy a while ago so that may be added to my list as well.
ReplyDeleteWill definitely check out the Printz Project thanks :)
Would you believe me if I told you I've been jumping up and down, screaming like a kid, yelling out "Read-a-thon!" randomly? I seriously could not be more excited. Thank you so much for hosting, Nymeth, and keeping the spirit alive. We all appreciate yours and the other ladies hard work. On a sadder note--I don't have any of those books on my shelf. :( Have you read Second Nature by Hoffman? I've got it in my stack but know nothing about it. Ice Queen was PERFECT last time, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to have you be part of our Printz Project! It's going to be a blast going through all those wonderful books.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could do the Read-a-thon too, but I'm just not sure where I'll be on Saturday! My life is up in the air at the moment! Maybe next time....which is what I keep saying every time.
I would love to be a part of the Read-a-thon one of these days....but I have to work!! Sucks to me, I know!!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely have to check out the Printzj Project!! I heart YA books!
I am desperate to read and watch Skellig. I sky+ it the other night. If I was able to do the read a thon I would definitely go with short books too. I think I need to look into this Printz project - it sounds just my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteMemory: It is!
ReplyDeleteJoanne: Can't wait to see your pile! And you should totally join the Printz Project. Come on...you know you wanna :P
Kristen: It'd be awesome if you joined us a cheerleader! Cheerleaders are hugely important, and the more, the merrier! And it's awesome that you give the Printz, Newbery and Caldecott award winners as gifts :)
Gavin: I don't mind at all! I'm really glad you're joining.
Naida, I hope you had a great Easter yourself :)
Kathrin: Don't be scared! It doesn't matter for how long you stay up as long as you're having fun.
Laura: oooh, snacks! I'll have to go shopping later this week :)
Melissa: Cheerleaders are awesome! Glad to have you join us :)
Chris: lol :P You'll thank me for that, you'll see. No such thing as too many books!
Amanda: It's all good as long as you have fun. And I think you will!
Melody: I know...read-a-thons and young children don't go well together. Maybe in a few years, when they're older!
Ali: I hope you have a wonderful time :D
tanabata: For me it would be hard... I'm bad at dividing my attention like that. But being online all through it and keeping up with everyone else is honestly a lot of fun. I'm excited to hear you're adding I Was a Rat to the pile!
ReplyDeleteLisa: Sometimes it just can't be done, but the idea of a whole day spent reading is just awesome, isn't it?
Alice, I hope you did too! The read-a-thon is a blast :)
Jessica: I can't thank you and Suey enough for hosting it. It's such an excellent idea.
Rhinoa: yay, so glad you're in for the read-a-thon! The books you're thinking of reading are just perfect! And you should add Looking for Alaska to the pile :P
Trish: lol! I definitely would. I haven't read Second Nature yet, but Alice Hoffman does seem good at writing captivating stories, so hopefully that one will be no exception.
Suey: It is! And I hope you can join the read-a-thon sometime :)
Stephanie: I'm so sorry you can't make it :( We'll miss you!
Scrap Girl: Short books are just more satisfying for things like this. Can't wait to read your thoughts on Skellig!
i don't know how well I'll do this year because my attention span has gotten so bad lately...But this time I want to try to read a longer book, or at least finish what I'm reading now. I will keep some back up stuff on hand just in case.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering,what's the official starting time? Last year it was 12 am for me, in Ireland, but I was thinking I might cheat and start reading earlier:P
Good luck with both the challenge and the read-a-thon, Nymeth. I'll be an unofficial cheerleader again this year for the read-a-thon and will try to encourage when and if I can. It's always exciting to see everyone preparing and taking part in the event even if I'm not directly involved myself. :-)
ReplyDeleteValentina, it starts at 1pm this time, but it's totally okay to start early! I look forward to seeing what you read :)
ReplyDeleteLiterary Feline: thanks! I'm a wee bit nervous, I confess. But hopefully everyone will have fun. Your encouragement will be very much appreciated!