Thoughts about Dewey's 24-hour Read-a-thon

I am a relatively new blogger. I only started last January. Why? Because apart from having a set of people I could talk to books about, I wanted to write about books I'd read, both as a practice for writing and as a way to reach more people who might share my interests, too.

Book blogging, then, has turned into such an addiction for me, not so much because I get to write again, but because I get to meet people who do share the same interests--who love reading and books as much as I do and perhaps even more. Moreover, I get wonderful reading ideas and suggestion, essential for someone who so loves to promote reading among family, friends, colleagues and students.

Enter Dewey's Read-a-thon.

Being a new blogger, this is my first time to hear of and join the read-a-thon. For those not familiar with it, the 24-hour Read-a-thon is exactly what its name implies--24 hours to read any number of books. It was begun in October 2007 by Dewey of Hidden Side of a Leaf. Unfortunately, Dewey has passed away. But her legacy to the book blogging community lives on.

And a wonderful legacy it is. Though I never really met or knew Dewey, I'd say someone who thought up of this activity must have been a wonderful person. Because the operative word here is community.



As a first time participant and a full-time mother, I couldn't really devote all 24 hours to reading, which is why I ended up with only 2 1/2 books finished during the 24 hour span. And I could only run to my laptop periodically to update or keep track of everyone else's updates.

Nevertheless, the whole 24 hours, I was on a buzz, wondering what the other participants were up to, eager to read what they were reading or how they were faring, itching to read possible comments from the cheerleaders both on my blog and on others. I have never met most of the participants face to face (and most aren't from my country anyway), but I'd say that this, what I felt, was a sense of community. And even if I was very new to this community, it felt like I was on equal footing with everyone else. No one was ever made to feel new; all anyone was ever made to feel was welcome.

So, after spending 24 hours, periodically reading and updating, but constantly conscious that there is a world out there where 200-odd people are reading and cheering each other on together, be it for a greater or a personal good, I am both humbled and fulfilled. Humbled by the efforts and the goodness of this generous community of book bloggers and fulfilled by the fact that I am slowly becoming part of this community.

Finally, a big thanks to the organizers of this Read-a-thon: Trish, Hannah, and Nymeth. They planned it so well and the participants had so much fun. Thank you again, guys. Until next time!