My Tips & Tricks For A Stress Free Read-A-Thon Experience

(Hi guys, just a quick note before we get into the post! If you follow me on Twitter you’ll know this already but my laptop died. I’m hoping to be able to save what’s on my hard drives [fortunately I have my music and the majority of my photos on my external]. I literally have no idea when I’m going to be able to replace it though. I’m currently using a spare laptop of my parents, but because I have literally nothing on it [I hurriedly installed Photoshop and iTunes today, haha] I might be more inconsistent than usual from blogging until I can get something more permanent!) 

Even though I rarely actually finish them I love taking part in Read-A-Thons. I think they’re such a fun way to try and knock out your TBR. They motivate me a lot too. I love the interaction aspect when Twitter discussions and sprints are involved. I just think they’re generally awesome. However, I know A LOT people don’t like participating in them or are too worried to participate in them because of the “stress factor”. I thought I’d share some of the tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way!

Don’t be Afraid of the Challenges

I LOVE reading challenges because they really help me narrow down my ridiculous TBR. It’s also like a mini scavenger hunt. feel like this is one of the main things that stops people from taking part in Read-A-Thons. I watched the live pre-show for the Biannual Bibliothon and there were endless questions about the reading challenges and the wording of them. DO NOT STRESS ABOUT THE READING CHALLENGES. You’re not breaking any laws by either ignoring or changing the challenges to whatever’s easiest for you.

I’m attempting the BookTube-A-Thon and the Biannual Bibliothon at the end of the month and there’s a bunch of challenges that I’m skipping or changing up. For example in the BookTube-A-Thon there’s a challenge where you have to read a book you bought solely for the cover and read a book outside. I changed the “Cover Buy” challenge to “Pretty Cover” and I’m not doing the read a book outside one at all.

YOU DON’T NEED TO GET ANYONE’S PERMISSION TO CHANGE OR IGNORE A CHALLENGE. The one and only exception for this might be if there’s a giveaway involved. I highly doubt the hosts are going to be SUPER STRICT though because that totally goes against the spirit of a Read-A-Thon.

It’s Okay to Change Your TBR

In the same vain as what I mentioned above if you want to change your TBR up then do it!!! I feel like some people are worried they have to stick to their TBR especially if they’ve made a post/video whatever declaring it to everyone but lmao this distracted mood reader does NOT have time for that. If you change your mind half way through the Read-A-Thon then go with it!!!!!!! You’ll have more chance of being successful if you’re reading a book that you ACTUALLY want to read.

eBooks, Audiobooks, Short Books and Graphic Novels are Your Friends

If you want to read War and Peace for a Read-A-Thon then by all means go ahead, but I think the BEST books you can choose are ones that are under 300 pages. If you have any short books on your TBR or Graphic Novels then Read-A-Thons are the PERFECT opportunity to get through them. The less intimidating your TBR is then the easier your experience is going to be. Even though I personally can not do Audiobooks I know so many people love them and I can 100% see why. Like eBooks you can take an Audiobook anywhere with you relatively easy and you can also multitask whilst reading them. This is especially helpful if, unlike me, you actually have a working/social life.

Make Your First Read-A-Thon A Lowkey One

If you’re not up for a Read-A-Thon that’s really hyped up with lots going on, maybe you’d be better with one that’s more lowkey. You could potentially try something like ARC August. There’s some year long reading challenges too that could be more your thing like Beat the Backlist. These are all Read-A-Thons that don’t really have specific challenges and have a longer time frame.

IT’S OKAY IF YOU DON’T COMPLETE THE READ-A-THON

One of the reasons why I feel NO PRESSURE when it comes to Read-A-Thons is that I literally could care less if I finish it or not. Is that bad? It’s not that I’m not motivated or excited it’s just that I don’t want that kind of stress. If I finish all the books then FANTASTIC. If I finish none? OH WELL, THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT TIME!!! It’s not like everyone’s going to surround you in a circle of shame. The books will still be there. There will be more Read-A-Thons!!!!

Not sure what Read-A-Thons or Reading Challenges are happening?

• Book Riot lists 20 Reading Challenges
• Catriona @ Little Book Owl has a Calender full of 2017 Read-A-Thons
  • Cat also has a YouTube video here but I think the link above is more up to date!
• Molly @ Molly’s Book Nook has a round up of 2017 Read-A-Thons

What’s your experience with Read-A-Thons? Do you have any Tips?

Have I maybe persuaded you to give one a go?

I hope you’re all having a fantastic day!

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