Did you know that Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon is my favorite book blogger event OF ALL TIME? Well, it is. I was a cheerleader and still managed to read a bunch of great books.
But what that tells me is that I didn’t carry out my cheering duties as well as I should have. I think I’m going to have to make a decision before the next read-a-thon comes around in April. I love cheering. I love reading. What’s a gal to do?
Annnnnyway, the point of this post is to give a bitty review of each of the books I read on Saturday. So, let’s do that shall we?
As usual, I make sure to pick out a stack of highly recommended SHORT reads. I like being able to read a lot of books that day and I don’t think plowing through one large book would work for me.
The Secret Life of Objects By Dawn Raffel
I’m a person who attaches a lot of meaning to objects so this book really spoke to me. I couldn’t help but think about the objects in my life that have sentimental value. It made me want to tell my own stories.
A lovely and moving tale about Denmark during WWII. The people of that country worked tirelessly to save their Jewish friends and neighbors. This is my 2nd Lowry novel in the very recent past. I don’t think you can go wrong when you read something of hers.
Graphic novels are the best for read-a-thons. These two feature heartbreaking stories and incredible illustrations. I’m definitely going to read more by Yang…and I can’t wait.
Black humor at it’s very best! Andi recommended this one and I picked it up without even reading the synopsis. I had no idea what was in store! It was funny, funny, funny! It made me think too…you can’t ask for much more. *
Oh, these kids! Their circumstances and poor decisions will make you want to tear your hair out. This one was thouroughly impressive.
Once in a while I’ll read a book that makes me angry. Angry that I’ve gone my whole life without reading it. This was a complete delight! Quirky and quite brilliant. I want to read the rest of the series!
Successful day, super great books. I feel like a very lucky reader! Did you participate in the Read-a-Thon? What were some of your favorite books that day?
*My favorite of the day!
The Relentless Reader 
I have never even considered reading Mary Poppins. I might have to correct that. Congrats on a great readathon.
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The Secret Life of Objects sounds great!I've somehow never read either of Lowry's novels – I think I started The Giver but couldn't get into it for some reason. I've heard such good things though, so I'd love to give her writing another go!
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I recommend it Nicole, it's really good! Quick and sweet and quirky 😀
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I recently read The Giver because my daughter is reading it for English. I thought it was crazy that I hadn't read it yet 😉 Maybe she's just not your bag Lucy!
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I have got to get my hands on Boxers and Saints. I love Yang!!
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Those are the only 2 of his that I've read but I'm definitely going to be getting my hands on more!
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So glad you liked my recs!!! *dances*
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I think I'll just let you pick out my books from now on 😉
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I love black humor. I'm going to check out The Suicide Shop.
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It's a GREAT read! Very black, very humorous. You can't go wrong 😉
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Looks like some good reading. I love a book that makes me want to tell my own stories, like The Secret Life of Objects did for you. Joy's Book Blog
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Very good reading indeed. I think this was my best readathon yet 😀
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I didn't get to do Deweys this time. its hard for me to do events on weekends. I really want to read Lois Lowry books and I will have to give Mary Poppins a try.
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Who doesn't love Mary Poppins? It's been ages since I read that one. Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese is excellen, too… I bet you'd love it!
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Oh Mary Poppins! When I was little I found a copy of the book at my grandma's and now have it in my possession. Love it!! Number the Stars is one of my first books I really remember reading. So good. I always find that I get sucked into cheering and forget to read! Setting a timer helps me keep on track (seriously). I'm hoping I can play along in April. I've missed the readathon!!!
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Mary Poppins is so good, in a really dark way! Lois Lowry was one of my favorite writers when I was a teen. She writes great stories.
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That's how I start off the new year with a new book goal – I read a bunch of short ones so it feels like I've really gotten a head start! Lol
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Lucky you that you had such great picks for your readathon and got so much done! I'm totally into reading Boxers & Saints!
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I was so happy with my choices this time around 🙂 Now it's time to start thinking of readathon reads for April 😉
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It can be hard to carve out that much time, especially when you have kids. I hope you'll be able to participate next time 😀 Mary Poppins is the best!
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I'm so glad I decided to give it a try! I've been trying to get to those sort of books. I read Pinocchio earlier this year too :)I'm definitely going to get my hands on American Born Chinese!
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What a great copy to have Trish! So cool 😀 A timer is a good idea! Seriously, I should really do that. Time just flies! I hope you'll be able to do it again in April too 🙂 It's the MOST fun!
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I didn't know what to expect. I thought it was so funny…and Mary was a grumpy thing, lol. Vain too!
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LOL, that is a really good idea Jennine! Ha! Never thought of that 🙂
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I cannot wait to read Boxers and Saints. I started reading Boxers at B&N the other day and thought it was really good!
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I am so bummed that I missed Dewey's! I've been cheering and reading the past couple of times and I still haven't figured out a good way to make it work. I stay awake longer if I do my cheering later but then there's hardly anyone still awake to appreciate it!
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I only finished 2.5 books but I'm going to do a mini review post for my 2 books too…great minds and all that!! you had a great event! Good job on this post too.
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I *almost* didn't click on this post just because I knew it would make me sad that I didn't get to participate. In the spirit of being supportive, however, I put aside my own shame and came to say congrats on such an amazing day! You never cease to amaze me with your reading….
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I'm so glad Poppins got the thumbs up! It's one of my favorite movies, and while I know the books will be different I expect the magic and whimsy will be there in spades.
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Oh my gosh, I've never even thought of reading Mary Poppins. It's like the book version doesn't even register. I'll have to remedy that! What a great list of books you read last weekend. 🙂
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I'm reading Boxers right now! Fantastic book!
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Did you know that Boxers and Saints was just nominated for the National Book Award? I need to read it soon. Number the Stars is a book I loved so much as a kid.
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Sadly, I missed the readathon this time around…I had out-of-town company and was sight-seeing all day. It's one of my absolute favorite days of the year, though, so spring!! I love cheering too. It's so fun to take a break and see what everyone's doing.I'm pretty sure I read Number the Stars long, long ago, but I don't remember it. Now I want to read Mary Poppins! (Wait…it's a series??) I had a book like that for my first readathon: The Phantom Tollbooth. It was so good, I couldn't believe I'd never read it. Better late than never, eh? 🙂
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Someday I am going to do a Dewey. I just think I would end up sleeping most of the time way if I dedicated myself to reading for any length of time. I am a sleepy, sleepy girl. I keep waiting to catch up on my sleep so that I can do fun things like this.
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Oh yes, you definitely want to get your hands on them 😀 So good!
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I think it would be a heck of a lot easier to cheer for people on Twitter. Does that make sense?I hope you can play along in April!
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Great minds indeed, lol. I always make sure to read little books, then I feel like I'm really accomplishing something. Also, I really don't know how I'd do reading one book ALL day long. I think I might get burned out?
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LOL Allison! I really hope you'll do the next readathon? It's in April. Start planning NOW 😉
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It was so adorable! Snarky and cute and yay! I really do want to read the rest of the series!
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Right?? It didn't register for me for a long time either. I'm very glad that I read it 😀
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Glad to hear it! Such a great book 😀
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I heard! I hope it wins..because it's the only one on the children's list that I've read, lol. I might have to make at least one of my kids read Number the Stars. I bought it for my youngest a few years ago and she's never gotten around to it. I need to fix that!
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I have only read about half o Number the Stars because I was introduced to it when I subbed for the English teacher one day. I kept hoping I could schedule to cover her again rather than go get the book from the library but she upped and retired on me this year. So Mary Poppins was awesome. I gotta get it. Sounds lovely.
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Sounds like you did great with the read-a-thon! I missed it this time around. Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers looks great. I didn't know that was a book!
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Ah, you had a good reason to miss it. But I hope you can play next time! Yea, Mary P is a series!! I neeeed to get my hands on the others 😀 I feel a crazy library request coming on
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Another is coming up in April! And there's no shame in taking a nap or two that day either 😀
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LOL, you might have to make a trip to the library to get that book! It's worth the trip, I promise!
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A lot of people didn't know it was a book! I didn't until recently myself. I'm so glad that I read it 😀
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A book called The Suicide Shop was funny? Color me intrigued…
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Ha ha, that does sound crazy now that I think about it!
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