Spring Break Read-A-Thon Announcement

Since starting my extremely busy semester, I’ve wanted to just have a break and do a bunch of reading from actual books. Since January, I have exclusively read either ebooks or audiobooks. While there is nothing wrong with either format, my favorite reading format is still physical books. And there’s been a few read-a-thons I’ve been watching my Booktubers do that I’ve wanted to do and I just haven’t had the time because I’m so busy with school.

However, this coming week is Spring Break at my school. And I have two goals this coming week: read more and spend more time with my boyfriend. While I will have to work on a bit of homework to keep up, I thought this week was a perfect time to do my own read-a-thon.

This read-a-thon is kind of based off of BookTube-a-Thon, a.k.a. The Reading Rush, which is usually held in summer. Like that one, this challenge will be seven days long and my goal is to read 7 books. I’m also adding the challenge that all the books have to be unread books that I actually own, so library books are out. This is more because I have so many books I own that I still haven’t read and I want to.

I also thought about adding more challenges, but I decided to just pick out shorter, easy books and not limit myself with challenges. The read-a-thon is starting today, and will conclude on Saturday of next week (so from Feb. 29-March 7).

So, here is a tentative book list of the 7 books I’m going to try to finish this week.

Book #1

The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side by Agatha Christie

Original Publication: 1962

Page Count: 231

This is a light murder mystery featuring Miss Marple. I choose it both because the movie is one of my favorites of the Miss Marple movies and because it’s a short book (you’ll notice that’s the theme of most of the books I picked).

Book #2

The Epic of Gilgamesh by Anonymous

Original Publication: c. 2100 BC

Page Count: 128

This is a classic tale and one of the first pieces of writing known to exist. It was written in Sumaria, over 4,000 years ago. I’ve been recommended this before as well as talked about it in my history class last semester and since then I’ve really wanted to read it. Again, it’s pretty short and about half the book is the introduction which I’ll probably skim through.

Book #3

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Original Publication: 1954

Page Count: 208

This one is probably the most serious book on my list to read this week, and one I’ve been avoiding because I’ve heard it’s a pretty horrible read. However, I do want to read it, and it’s only just over 200 pages, so like the majority of books on this list, it should be a pretty quick read.

Book #4

His Majesty’s Hope (Maggie Hope #3) by Susan Elia MacNeal

Original Publication: 2013

Page Count: 354

This is the longest book on my list, but I tend to get through mysteries very quickly, so I doubt it will take that long to read. I own the first three books of this series, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the first two so I never felt the urge to read this. However, I do want to read it, probably because I own it anyway. So this week seems like as good a time as ever.

Book #5

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard

Original Publication: 1966

Page count: 126

This is a play told from the perspective of two minor characters in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. I love Hamlet and since this book is a play (and the shortest book on my list), I figured it would be an easy read for this challenge. Also, I glanced inside and it looks like the reading is much easier than Shakespeare’s flowery language, so it should take me only an hour or two to read.

Book #6

Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict

Original Publication: Jan. 7, 2020

Page Count: 312

This book will probably take me the most time out of any this week, as it’s both longer and denser. Saying that, I have really wanted to read it and just haven’t had time. I did start it, but I only got a few chapters in and haven’t had the time to continue.

Book #7

The Adventures of Tintin: The Complete Collection by Herge

Original Publication: 1929-1983)

Page Count: 192+

So, technically, this isn’t one book, but I’m only setting myself the goal of reading one of these volumes this week, which is 192 pages. I got this comic collection for Christmas and have finished the first two volumes, but I haven’t had more time to continue. So I want to get at least one done. This is the last book I’m going to read, so if I can do a few volumes, that’s fine.

So there is my challenge. It’s a weird challenge I’m setting for myself, but I wanted to do something fun for spring break which is both relaxing and productive.

Have you read any of these books? When are your favorite times to do read-a-thon challenges? Or do you even like read-a-thons? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments, follow my blog for more musings and, as always,

Best wishes in your life full of adventure,

Madame Writer