National Readathon Day: Here's what you need to know
National Readathon Day is being held for the first time on Jan. 24. It's sponsored by publisher Penguin Random House and the National Book Foundation, among others.
McCaskey High School freshman Kiara Santiago reads on a couch in one of the school's reading classrooms in Lancaster, Pa.
Kara Newhouse/LNP Media Group/AP
Are you ready for National Readathon Day?
As we previously reported, publisher Penguin Random House, the website Goodreads, and the National Book Foundation, among others, are teaming up to encourage people to read from 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24.
Participants are encouraged to raise funds for their reading, which will go to the National Book Foundation. Those joining in can take part by themselves or with a team. A leaderboard on the National Readathon website shows that some teams have raised thousands of dollars so far. Those raising funds will be eligible for various prizes, with those having raised $7,500 qualifying for two tickets to this year’s National Book Awards, including complimentary plane tickets and hotel.
Bibliophiles don’t want to raise funds through reading can make a donation on the National Readathon website.
According to industry newsletter Shelf Awareness, various bookstores, schools, and libraries are getting involved. At The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Ga., 10 percent of sales made between 12 and 4 p.m. that day will go the NBF, while the store BookPeople of Austin, Tex. is hosting National Readathon participants on its third floor.
Check out the National Readathon Day website map to see what’s happening near you.