While I haven’t been that active in visiting other blogs and commenting on various posts and reviews in recent months, I have noticed certain trends that have me rolling my eyes, raising my eyebrows and in general wondering about the state of book blogging. I want to take some time to address each one and hopefully start a discussion about them. As I have a lot to say, this is going to be spread out over several weeks. Think of it as a modern-day expose on the world of book blogging. This week I tackle the idea of readathons.
It used to be that there was only one readathon, Dewey’s, that occurred in the spring and again in the fall. This remains an event that draws hundreds of bloggers and readers alike, bringing together the community in a way that amazes most first-time participants. It has cheerleaders, an entire team of hosts, giveaways, mini-challenges and is so well-organized it can handle the hundreds, if not thousands, of participants each time. It remains one of the favorite annual blogging events for a reason. The support and genuine love for books that gets passed along through the event is something not to be missed.
These days however, there is literally a readathon a week. If there is some big event, there is a readathon. If there is not a big event, people create their own. Groundhog’s Day, winter, MLK, President’s Day, the Super Bowl – These are all weekends that had readathons. Don’t get me wrong. I love what the readathon signifies, that people are willing to devote a large chunk of a day to reading. Given all the press regarding the demise of print or even of reading, it is something to celebrate. Still, do we need a huge event each weekend? Does it require signing up and giving away prizes? More importantly, do all of these events dilute Dewey’s 24-hour readathon? Are people so tired of readathons that when it comes time for Dewey’s, they won’t want to participate? Does it even matter?
I can’t help but think it does matter. Events are only special when they happen occasionally, and the fact that one is occurring almost every weekend does dilute the importance of them. They become less an event than an excuse to read, and really, do we need an excuse to read? I know I don’t need one and usually try to eke out some hours out of each weekend to read no matter what is happening. I don’t need to create an event to do so, and if I were, reading would become more of a chore than a pastime. As a huge reader, I do not understand the need to declare to the world that you plan to devote a day/weekend/week to reading in honor of “X”, create a button for it and get people to participate with you.
Because these events typically involve some form of prize, to me the event becomes more about the prizes and less about community building, which remains the purpose of Dewey’s event. It is upsetting that so many newer bloggers are all about the prizes and bragging rights than networking and building up the blogging community. As a community, we can work wonders. If we appear to be in it for the prizes, then that dilutes our importance and influence in the publishing world.
Personally, I’d like to evolve away from the weekly readathons and get back to one or two unique, community-wide events that show our solidarity as a community and help build that network of bloggers and publishers that becomes important for any serious blogger. I’d like to get back to the focus on quality reviews and recommendations because, let’s face it, readathons do not make for quality reviews later. I’d like to get back to making certain events special rather than ordinary, and the best way to do so is to limit how many occurs within a given year.
What are your thoughts? Is there such a thing as too many readathons? Are they damaging to the blogging community? Let me know what you think!
I guess I like the idea of readathons as community events and not personal challenges, but that's my own preference. It's what makes us all unique!
Last year, my Fall read-a-thon was a few weeks before Dewey's in October. Most of the people who did mine also participated in Dewey's. My spring read-a-thon will be a few weeks after Dewey's so if someone is too burnt out, I guess they just won't do mine, which is perfectly fine with me. I just started my seasonal read-a-thons because people expressed interest after participating in my first. I wouldn't care if just one person signed up. As I said above, I look at read-a-thons as a way to personally challenge myself.
My recent post INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR OF THE RAVEN QUEEN- JULES WATSON
That's the beauty of my read-a-thon. You do not have to start at the first of the week. A person can join in at whatever point in the week they're ready to read. I only noticed that most people who sign up end up finishing, whether they get a lot of reading done or not. I really look at read-a-thons as a way to personally challenge ourselves.
Thanks, Michelle…that is just what I am learning to do!!!
My recent post I Hate Myself Today
I think there is a lot of ignoring going on, but obviously not enough because people still host them. Someone has to be participating if new ones keep popping up all the time.
I like anything that lets me check out new blogs 🙂 I have participated as a cheer leader in Dewey's then as a participant later. I did the Super Bowl one because I really liked the idea (I despise football) and that made it fun. Other than that I tend to ignore them. I am assuming that is what others do just ignore them.
You are right, Jenn. People are discussing what they read and not afraid to show that they love to read. That is a huge accomplishment, especially in this day and age.
Patty – The beautiful thing about blogging is that you can do what you feel comfortable doing. You will notice I have never once participated in Mailbox Monday or Wordless Wednesday. I did participate in a few of the question-and-answer memes when I first started, and it was a great way to establish my thoughts on books and what I hoped to accomplish by blogging. If it feels like a chore, then do not do it. You should blog because you think it is fun. Good luck!
I'm so glad to hear that I am not the only one who feels this way. I was beginning to think I was reading too much into the whole thing! LOL! You are right that Dewey's is HUGE, bigger than most people can imagine, but it never feels that way. I always walk away from that weekend feeling a tremendous amount of love and respect for those who love books as much as I do.
Pam, in my heart of hearts, I feel you are right and nothing can take away the importance of Dewey's readathon. Still, shouldn't there be moderation in everything? Is it always about checking out other sites or more about celebrating reading?
I am curious about your statement that your week-long event, held within four weeks of Dewey's event, does not take away from Dewey's. You don't think that some of your participants are burnt out by the time Dewey's comes along? I ask because my own participation in Dewey's, especially as a reader, was exhausting, and the thought of doing one so soon after is daunting. That's my own thought though.
Michelle – Your week-long events did come to mind when I was thinking about various readathons. I know why you started them and continue to host them, but a week long doesn't get old after a while? Do you notice people not participating as much towards the end? Just curious.
Thanks, Dawn! My husband often turns off the TV and will read right alongside me, so I am not worried about the divorce factor. However, if I made a big to-do about it, he might question my sanity. LOL! I guess, like all things, I think even readathons should be done in moderation.
Exactly! I do the exact same thing all the time, definitely at least once a weekend.
I didn't consider the idea of people who have issues putting their own needs and interests ahead of others. I guess I assume that as book bloggers, we have no problems finding time to read no matter what is going on in our life. Maybe that's my fault for assuming this.
I haven't participated in each and every one of Dewey's either, but I haven't participated in others either. To me, I'm not in it for the prizes either. There is just a sense of community and camaraderie that doesn't exist in other events.
I jump in whenever I can to a readathon granted in my 3 years of blogging that has only been twice. I think they are all community building as it encourages you to check out the sites and the progress of other people who are doing the same readathon. I don't think anything can take away the importance of Dewey's legacy.
continued from above…
I've had quite a success with it…quite a few people have joined me each time. Not near as many as Dewey's, but I'm happy with it. Do I think that frequent read-a-thons take away from Dewey's? Not in my case. No matter how many read-a-thons I participate in, I still look forward to it because it challenges me to see how much I can read in 24 hours…and I love the community of it.
My recent post CAT THURSDAY-HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICE!
Personally, I love read-a-thons, but I can't always participate in them when people are holding them so frequently. However, I did jump on the bandwagon myself and I host week long, seasonal read-a-thons now. My first one was in the Fall (Sept) and I had my winter one in January (spring will be in April, but spaced well away from Dewey's). My read-a-thons are designed for people who may work on the weekends and can only join in during the work or vice versa. And they are laid back. While I do invite people to host mini-challenges, it's not a requirement. The last one in January we had no mini-challenges, but for both of the events, I had an author offer a giveaway of their book(s) for them. That was awesome! Really though, the aim of my read-a-thons is to focus on the reading more than the other stuff.
continued
My recent post CAT THURSDAY-HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICE!
I definitely plan to participate in the Dewey Read-a-thon this year…but, that's all. I fear if I participated in more than that my husband would divorce me. 😉 In all seriousness, though, yes, I think sometimes there CAN be too much of a good thing and it takes away the value of the original good thing.
My recent post We have a winner!!!
Interesting post and series idea Michelle. Myself I've only participated in one Dewey's readathon. It seems excessive to have so many. I mean, if I want to read all weekend then I will read all weekend. I don't need an event!
My recent post Review- Treachery in the Yard by Adimchinma Ibe
Thanks, Ceri! I think participating in Dewey's is more about the interaction than anything else, so I wouldn't say you failed at all.
Prizes, giveaways and competitions was the next on my list of trends to discuss. I know exactly what you mean about cutting back on who to follow. I've done the same thing myself.
I guess the idea of too much of a good thing was the point I was trying to make. Is this current trend going to change the face of blogging? Is it going to cause blogger burnout or something else?
I wonder what the true enjoyment behind readathons are. I participated as a reader for Dewey's last spring and enjoyed the cheering portion the most. Reading for 24-hours may sound wonderful but it does get old, and one's comprehension is absolutely shot after so many hours. Knowing this, I guess the recent spate of readathons just confuses me.
I'm just one person though. Obviously, other people enjoy them, so who am I to say anything?
Thanks, Florinda! If growth means subdividing the group, is this what we need? Does it make book bloggers less effective for the publishing industry if there are sub-segments? Is this something we should try to prevent or encourage?
I already have next week's picked out!