Do you dream of setting aside a full day to get lost in your TBR pile? A 24-hour readathon might be exactly what your bookish heart needs! Whether you’re participating in a community event like Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon or creating your own personal reading retreat, planning ahead will transform your experience from merely reading books to enjoying a magical literary escape.
What is a 24-Hour Readathon?
A readathon is dedicated time for marathon reading—think of it as a self-care day, but with books as the main character! It can be a solo adventure or a social event with friends (in person or virtually). The goal isn’t necessarily to read for the full 24 hours (though kudos if you can!), but to intentionally create space for uninterrupted reading joy.
Planning Your Perfect Readathon
1. Choose Your Date & Set Your Goals
First things first—block out a full 24 hours in your schedule when you won’t have other commitments. Weekends work best for most people!
Set realistic reading goals based on your reading speed:
- Number of books you hope to finish
- Pages you aim to read
- Hours you plan to actually read (remember, you’ll need breaks!)
Pro Tip: Track your normal reading speed before your readathon. Time yourself reading 20 pages of your typical book, then multiply to estimate what’s realistic for your readathon goals.
2. Create Your TBR Stack
Your To-Be-Read pile is the heart of your readathon! Consider these factors when selecting books:
- Variety in length: Mix shorter books with longer ones to maintain momentum
- Genre variety: Switch between genres to keep your brain engaged
- Format diversity: Alternate physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks to reduce eye strain
- Reading difficulty: Include some lighter reads for when fatigue sets in
Pro Tip: Have 1-2 more books than you think you’ll need. Nothing kills readathon momentum like finishing your last book with hours to spare!
3. Prepare Your Cozy Reading Spaces
Transform your reading spots into the coziest nooks imaginable:
- Primary reading nest: Your main headquarters with all essentials within reach
- Secondary spot: A change of scenery helps when focus wanes (balcony, different room, etc.)
- On-the-go option: Prep your bag for a quick coffee shop or park visit if you need fresh air
For each space, gather:
- Pillows and blankets
- Good lighting (natural light when possible, soft lamps for evening)
- Chargers for all devices
- Book stands or pillows to reduce neck strain
4. Plan Your Readathon Menu
Fuel your reading adventure with food that’s:
- Easy to eat one-handed
- Not too messy around books
- Prepped ahead so you won’t lose reading time
Suggested readathon menu:
- Breakfast: Overnight oats in a jar or muffins
- Lunch: Wraps, finger sandwiches, or bento box style snack plates
- Dinner: Pre-made casserole or order delivery
- Snacks: Cut veggies, fruit, nuts, popcorn, chocolate
- Drinks: Water bottle (stay hydrated!), tea varieties, coffee, and perhaps a special evening beverage
5. Schedule Strategic Breaks
Even the most dedicated readers need breaks! Schedule these activities to refresh your mind:
- 5-minute breaks: Stretching, looking out the window (20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds)
- 15-minute breaks: Quick walk, social media check-in, snack prep
- 30-60 minute breaks: Meal breaks, shower, longer walk, power nap
6. Create a Readathon Tracker
Documenting your readathon adds a fun layer of accomplishment! Track:
- Books started and finished
- Pages read each hour
- Snacks consumed
- Thoughts on what you’re reading
- Photos of your cozy setup
Sample Readathon Schedule
Here’s a flexible framework for your 24 hours of reading bliss:
8:00 AM: Wake up, light stretch, breakfast
8:30 AM: First reading session begins with your most anticipated book
10:30 AM: 15-minute break (stretch, refill drinks)
12:30 PM: Lunch break and short walk (30-45 minutes)
1:15 PM: Resume reading, perhaps switch books or reading spot
3:30 PM: Afternoon break (15 minutes for snack and stretch)
5:30 PM: Dinner break (45 minutes)
6:15 PM: Evening reading session, perhaps with an audiobook while coloring
8:00 PM: Self-care break (face mask, shower, or bath)
8:30 PM: Night reading session with your coziest setup
10:30 PM: Check progress toward goals, adjust as needed
12:00 AM: Middle-of-the-night snack and book switch
2:00 AM: If still awake, continue reading; if tired, sleep for a few hours
6:00 AM: Early morning reading with sunrise (if you slept)
8:00 AM: Congratulations! Readathon complete!
Social Media Elements
Make your readathon more fun by connecting with fellow readers:
- Create a hashtag if reading with friends
- Plan check-in times to share progress
- Take “shelfies” with your books
- Share mini-reviews of completed books
- Post pictures of your cozy reading nooks
Digital Tools to Enhance Your Readathon
Having the right digital tools can make your readathon experience even more enjoyable and organized:
- Our Ultimate Reading Tracker: Track books read, pages completed, and reading goals all in one beautiful interface
- Book Lover’s Digital Planner: Plan your readathon down to the hour with dedicated sections for TBR lists, reading notes, and mood trackers
- Reading Habit Tracker: Monitor your reading speed throughout the readathon to set better goals for next time
Final Tips for Readathon Success
- Be flexible: It’s okay if your plan changes or you read less than expected
- Reduce distractions: Consider a social media break or app blockers
- Take photos: Document your journey for memories and future planning
- Listen to your body: If you’re too tired to continue, sleep! Reading should be enjoyable
- Celebrate your achievement: Whether you read for 24 hours or 4 hours, you dedicated time to reading—that deserves celebration!
Ready to plan your own magical 24-hour readathon? Download our Ultimate Readathon Planner to organize every aspect of your reading adventure in one adorable, kawaii-themed digital planner!
Have you participated in a readathon before? Share your experience and tips in the comments below!
This post contains links to digital planning products from Your Digital Brain. As a reader of this blog, use code READATHON10 for 10% off any reading trackers or planners!
