"I can't do a reading marathon alone"
... Yes, you can.
If you're the only reader in your friend group or family, it's time to bust that myth and host a solitary reading marathon! All you need is yourself. Consider this article a small warm up to your reading marathon. If you can read this article, you can not just do your marathon, but do it well.
1. Plan it!
This step is most forgotten, and most often the reason why reading marathons don't happen. If there is not a special set aside time devoted to this activity--as special as if you RSVP-ed Yes to a wedding--then it won't happen! Even if it does, instead of feeling like a marathon, it will just feel like just another ordinary day. That's not a marathon!
Go check your wall or phone calendar and pick an empty day (even if that day is today).
Good job. Next...
2. Set a timeframe
If you don't set a timeframe for how long your reading marathon is going to be, then honey, forget the whole thing! You'll be checking your phone/clock the whole time to see how long you've been reading and asking yourself "That's been long enough, right?" (and by extension cheat yourself out of a real marathon) or if you're an extremely avid reader, you'll realize ten hours have passed and it was "WAY too long!"
Choose a timeframe. Pick one from below:
• Struggle to read a page? Try 30 minutes!
• Struggle to read more than a chapter? Try 1 hour!
• Want to read more than a few chapters? Try 2-4 hours!
• Are you an avid reader who's looking for a heavy duty reading session? Try 10 hours!
It's personal. I can't decide the time for you. But, if you want me to, then I'll remove the pressure and tell you to read for 2 hours.
Set a timer. This is a MUST! A reading marathon is supposed to be anxiety-free where you can take a break from the incessant question in your mind of "What time is it?". It's a break from all the chores, social engagements and any external pressures. Do not try to do a reading marathon without a timer!
Side note: Don't be surprised if you feel like you've found the secret to gaining minutes and hours to your day... Reading for more extended periods has a way of slowing down time for the better.
3. Pick a book (Digital or Physical)
Pick a book you are currently reading OR something brand new. That's right, it doesn't have to be a book you're on right now. It can be something completely random.
This is your chance to make it feel like you're on vacation, travelling to somewhere new or just taking a break from your hectic life. Your novel of choice might be a quick and easy read that's been staring at you for weeks, months or even years! Or, it might be the thickest novel on your shelf that you're too scared to even touch since you set it there, back when you had the nerve and inner conviction to buy it (it's time to channel that inner conviction once more!)
NOTE: If your book is digital, make sure you turn off your notifications, even if that involves switching off your internet connections. In the very least, enable your "Do Not Disturb".
P.S. I'd be interested to know in the comments if you prefer digital or physical, and why. I'm always interested to hear different viewpoints... and may be doing a piece on this topic soon.
4. Pick a spot
Now that you have your timeframe and your book, pick a spot! The requirements for this spot are:
A spot where you know you will be comfy.
A place you can stay for the whole duration.
Somewhere quiet with no distractions.
This can be in your home, on your porch, in your backyard, at a friends house while they're away, or outside at a quiet park, in your car, or on a forest trail you haven't been to in a while (bring a camping chair... unless you know a good tree)
5. Prepare your favourite beverage
Bring your A-game to make this marathon enjoyable! Nothing makes a reading marathon easier than having your favourite side-kick of a drink beside you, be it coffee, tea or juice!
Iced coffee with cream, vanilla, maple syrup or caramel?
Hot coffee with cream, sugar, whipped foam on top and cinnamon?
Iced cherry chai tea after the glass has been frozen for that extra special cold effect?
Hot london fog, from earl grey tea bag, honey and steamed milk?
Hot chocolate with marshmallows?
You pick! Whether you make it yourself, or go out to pick it up, plan to have a reliably delicious drink at your side.
Pro tip: Don't drink something that will make you sleepy. This might mean refraining from alcohol, or sleep inducing herbal teas such as chamomile. That is... if you plan to get through the marathon and make that incredible dent in your novel I know you can!
6. Get over your fears
You might be thinking, "Did I read that right?" Yes... Get over your fears. What do fears have to do with a reading marathon? Let's be real.
A reading marathon can be intimidating at first glance - epecially if it's your first one! You might think "I'm not smart enough" or "I won't be able to do it!" Let's conquer those doubts. Do you really believe them, anyways?
Reading in general might feel difficult. Perhaps your current read is feeling too advanced. Your usual reading attempts might involve reading only one paragraph, when your goal was to read one page. This doesn't mean you don't 'qualify' for a reading marathon. If you're feeling motivated to read more, then a marathon is a fantastic way to accomplish that goal and get you kick-started into a new habit! We all know we aren't going to finish a book in due time, nor remember its contents if we only read one paragraph at a time.
"But... if I don't understand when I read small amounts... what will happen when I read for longer?"
Well, let me throw that back at you... "What will happen?" Picture this:
Your planned activity has arrived. Your timer is set. Your drink is in hand. You're in your cozy perfect nook with your book. Now, imagine you read one chapter to start. You find yourself not understanding some parts of what you read.
Does this mean you failed and no longer qualify for the reading marathon? That you're not that "type" of person? Well, let me ask you this:
What would happen if you re-read the part you didn't understand?
How about going back to the page you lost focus on?
What about reading the next chapter out-loud to help with comprehension?
What would happen if you looked up the chapter summary online to double check the details you're fuzzy on?
Lastly... what if understood the majority of what you read but not all of it, and chose to keep reading?
I'm sorry, but we're not being graded. No one is going to ask you to write an essay at the end demanding you to explain the authors symbolism, coloured use of hyperboles and ask you to describe the individual details of each side character's clothing, eye colour and personality.
Reading for fun is different than reading for a school project, which, for many of us, is where our reading journey began.
See, if you set the bar so low that nothing is challenging and stay within your comfort zone, then you simply... won't be challenged! In turn, this means you won't be able to grow.
I say, set the bar higher! Believe that you can do it. To be realistic, it's not like the author of the book you're reading 'didn't write the book for you'. They wrote it for anyone and everyone, and that includes you! The author isn't beyond being understood. Sure, they might use fancy words and longer sentences... but, that just means there's more food for our brain to chew on.
Just think... Trying to understand something that is hard and succeeding:
• Improves your deep focus.
• Makes new connections and pathways in your brain once things *click*.
• Similar to lifting weights, your brain gets a healthy mental workout.
• Your memory will improve because you're practicing holding more complex thoughts together.
• Your problem solving habits (you know... the quality we put on our resume?) will improve!
