BookTube-A-Thon Wrap-Up

With all the BookTubers that I am subscribed to, I couldn’t NOT be aware of the BookTube-A-Thon that ran from July 15-July 21.  I have never taken place in a Read-A-Thon before, and being that I am not on YouTube, I wasn’t really sure if I was allowed to participate in this event.  Therefore, I did not plan for it, compile a To-Be Read list, or strategize for any of the 7 challenges.  As the BookTube-A-Thon crept closer and more TBR videos popped up, I started getting really excited and thinking that maybe I could just participate for the fun of it and read as much as I could!  Considering I am working this summer, finishing any books would be great!  So here is a wrap-up of the event from my perspective and what I accomplished! :)

Daily Updates:

 

Day 1 – As day 1 began, I wasn’t too prepared.  I had just finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone before the Read-A-Thon started (I am re-reading this series for fun!), but I wanted a contemporary read before I started Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.  So I picked up Jennifer Echols’s Going Too Far!  I have read only one of her other books, Forget You, and loved it, so I wanted to check out another one of her books!  I absolutely loved this book, AND I ended up (after starting it in the afternoon) staying up late to finish it!  It was a great book, and a review will be coming shortly!

Daily Page Count: 245 (Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols)

Day 2 – So this is where I started slacking.  Although I didn’t meet the 300 pages a day on Day 1, I still felt like I was off to a good start.  However, I had to work today and didn’t get to reading until late in the evening.  I picked up Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and read maybe about 70 pages of it before deciding to sleep.

Daily Page Count: 65 (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling)

Day 3 – After a mid-morning appointment, I came home, had lunch, and headed out onto my back deck for a nice afternoon reading in the sun!  It was a really warm day out (about 90 degrees), but I really just wanted to be outside and reading!  I got a good amount accomplished and read, and then headed out to dinner with some family friends.  I did end up reading a little more before bed.

Daily Page Count: 140 (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling)

Day 4 – Another day at work, so it was be difficult to squeeze in a good amount of reading time.  And then when I got home, I had every intention of reading, but the distractions got the best of me!  I decided that I would try to stay up late, finishing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, but read about 50 pages before rolling over to go to sleep. :/

Daily Page Count: 50 (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling)

Day 5 – No work today!  I was so excited to be able to spend the day reading for BookTube-A-Thon!  I decided to sleep in a bit to catch up on some sleep, but then finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets before lunchtime.  After lunch, I picked up a lighter, summery read:  I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk.  I really am enjoyed reading it on my back deck in the warm sunshine.  Overall, I felt pretty accomplished today!

76 pages – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

97 pages – I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

Daily Page Count: 173

Day 6 – So I had every intention of getting my work done early in the morning, so that I could spend the afternoon reading outside.  This, unfortunately, didn’t happen.  I did get my work done (cleaning around the house, errands, grocery shopping), and then sat outside on the back deck with my book, ready to read for a good couple of hours.  Then, I was joined by my mom and brother, who decided to chat with me … for a good couple of hours.  :/  Therefore, the only reading I got done today was what I read right before bed.  Boo.

Daily Page Count: 49 (I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk)

Day 7 – Last day of BookTube-A-Thon!  I can’t even believe that it’s over already!  It seems like it was just beginning!  I really wanted to finish up the book that I was right in the middle of before the BookTube-A-Thon actually ended.  And I did!  At about 11:20PM on Sunday night, I finished I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk!  I was so excited to complete this book and add it to my “Books Read for BookTube-A-Thon” list!

Daily Page Count: 161 (I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk)

Final Page Count: 883

Books Completed: 

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

My main goals were to complete the challenges of reading 300 pages a day and re-reading a book – aside from those, I didn’t plan to read any books that would complete the other challenges.  I was really just wanting to participate for fun, read as much as possible, and read whatever book I wanted to pick up next!

The Challenges:

1.  Read 300 pages per day.


This may be one of the only challenges (aside from the re-read) that I really did try to do.  After deciding that I was going to partake in the Read-A-Thon, I knew I would just want to pick up whatever book that I wanted to read at the time; however, I thought that I would be able to get through a few more than usual by reading 300 pages a day.  With work and other distractions, this didn’t happen.  But I did make an attempt!  That has to count for something … right?

2. Read a book with over 500 pages.

I don’t believe that I have any books over 500 pages that I was dying to read.  If I did, it probably would have been the only book that I would have read during the BookTube-A-Thon.  Didn’t think that this challenge was possible for me.

3. Re-read a book.

CHALLENGE COMPLETED!  This is the one challenge that I did complete!  LOL.  I decided, before I said that I would participate in the BookTube-A-Thon, that I wanted to re-read the Harry Potter series.  During this week, I completed Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

4. Finish a series or trilogy.

In order to limit my TBR pile so that it is somewhat manageable, I try not to get involved in too many series or trilogies at once.  Therefore, there wasn’t one or even two books that I could have finished to complete either a series or trilogy.

5. Read the book that’s been on your bookshelf the longest.

I really strive to not have a HUGE TBR pile.  Every book that I buy, I try to read before I buy more books.  Granted, this doesn’t always happen, but I don’t really have a book that has been on my shelf more than a few months.

6. Listen to an audiobook.

I have never listened to an audiobook before.  For me, there is something that I absolutely love about having the book right in front of me.  Also, I am more of a visual learner, so listening to something and not getting distracted is kinda difficult for me.  I didn’t plan on completing this challenge, as I don’t have any audiobooks.

7. Read a classic.

I also didn’t plan on reading a classic during the BookTube-A-Thon.  I really like to take my time with classics, and the next one I want to read is Pride and Prejudice.  I don’t think I could have managed that one during this week-long period.

I REALLY enjoyed this BookTube-A-Thon, even though I am not on YouTube.  It was so fun to see all the BookTubers, their TBRs, and the constant video updates as they struggled with distractions and succeed in their page counts.  I know that I didn’t complete all the optional challenges or finish an enormous pile of books, but I had fun and enjoyed being part of the first BookTube-A-Thon!  Going into it, I kinda knew this would happen because of work and other obligations, but it was still so fun to try!

Did you participate in the BookTube-A-Thon?  How many books and challenges did you complete?  Did you have fun??  I can’t wait for the next BookTube Read-A-Thon! :)

FTC Disclaimer:

All items mentioned were purchased by me.  This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  No affiliate links were used.