Dewey's 24hr Read-A-Thon

I am normally more organised than this but I am finally posting about tomorrow's readathon and I have finally decided on what books to read. It's still not too late to sign up if you want to take part. Just click on the image above and it will take you to the readathon web page. I don't see any times there so I am assuming it's the same as April which means 1pm UK time (since the clocks haven't changed).

This time I am picking all light reads. Got a couple of crime books in there, a kids book and one general fiction. I've read Anne Tyler before so I know what to expect. The two crime books have been on my tbr pile but the Skulduggery book is relatively new and the Anne Tyler is a loan from a friend. Won't make a huge inroad to my pile but it's still getting there.

Once again I am raising money. So far I have £98 raised for the Scottish Association For Mental Health. They do fantastic work and I have heard of them through all my placements. Nurses speak very highly of them and I got a great reception when I contacted them. There are a few people very dear to me who have suffered from mental health problems such as depression and anxiety so this one means a lot to me. If you want to know more about the charity then click on the image above. It might interest you that Chris Hoy is an ambassador. If you would like to kindly donate you can do so at my Just Giving page. All donations are greatly appreciated.

The last few times I have taken part I have reviewed the books I have read as I went. I don't think I will be doing that this time. I will just be giving small updates and I might take part in some of the challenges. I've also opened up my twitter account again should anyone wish to follow me there - Karencrafts.

Anyone else taking part? Have you chosen your books yet?

October Read-a-Thon

The new dates for the readathon in October has been announced on the Dewey blog. This year it will take place on 13th October. I have checked and I have no essays or exams the following week and I am not on placement either. So I have signed up again.

Last time I raised £130 for Crohns and Colitis UK. Not bad considering my target was £100 and even then I thought I was over reaching. This time I am raising money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). This one is pretty important to me as I know so many people who have some sort of mental health problem. It's a lot more common than you think and everyone at some point may come close to their mental health being under a lot of strain. This time my target is £150 because I am going to try to get a small group of friends to join in even if they can only manage a couple of hours. It could be fun I think as well as raising money for a good cause. Look up my Just Giving Page if you are interested in learning more about the charity and what it does.

I haven't decided what I am going to read but I am going to try to use it to get through my tbr pile. My goal is to have the pile just about gone by the end of the year. I am sitting at about 30 books and with the readathon it my just be manageable (depending on me not going out and buying more). Anyone else going to take part?

Dewey's 24hr Read-A-Thon

Yep, I worked it out and I will be able to take part this time. I have a bit of time in between assessments and since life can't be just about study I have decided to sign up. For those of you are unaware it's a non-stop reading event for a 24hr period. Starts on the 21st April and ends on the 22nd. Each time zone has its own starting time so that we all start at the same time. Here in the UK it's 12pm. There are usually lots of prompts and people cheering you on. You can even become one of the cheerleaders. There is also no pressure to take part for the full 24 hours. I know I napped briefly last year. If you want to know more about it head over to the blog here.

Last year I said that if I managed it I would try to get some sponsorship next time. Basically I thought it would be a good event to raise money for a charity. So I have signed up to raise money for Crohn's and Colitis UK. Crohn's is an incurable disease which effects the entire digestive system. It can be quite debilitating for sufferers. I picked this one because a friend of mine is a sufferer so I know (as much as any outsider can know) what the condition can do to people. Sadly though it doesn't get much limelight and with raised funds there is hope that a cure might eventually be found.

So I now have a page on the Just Giving site should anyone, very kindly, wish to donate anything. Even the littlest amount would be appreciated. I still plan to enjoy this event and I promise I won't go on anymore about the charity in detail (although I am sure I will put in a wee reminder with a link).

http://www.justgiving.com/Karen-Sime1
Also on facebook.

I will open my twitter account for that weekend too as I interacted with quite a few people taking part that way last time. It really is good fun. Part of that of course is choosing the books. Anyone else planning on taking part? Decided what you are going to read yet?