Category Archives: readathon

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Everything You Need to Know About #Readathon 2016 for Tomorrow

National Readathon Day is almost here! Get ready to post reading selfies all day long, and be sure to follow the hashtag #Readathon2016 to see authors and readers across the country do the same. Watch the video and click the stories below to get up to speed and find out everything you need to know for tomorrow. Continue reading →

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Readathon Now Includes Facebook Donate Option and Profile Picture Frame

As we near National Readathon Day, happening this Saturday, May 21, readers everywhere will now be able to contribute to #Readathon2016 through its newly launched Donate campaign on Facebook. All Facebook users will be able to make a commitment to early childhood literacy through the Donate button now available on the ALA Facebook page, which seamlessly facilitates swift and secure online contributions to National Readathon Day on the Facebook platform. Continue reading →

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Join Penguin Random House and the American Library Association for #READATHON2016

Visit our new home at ReadathonDay.com to participate in National Readathon Day on Saturday, May 21, 2016, to benefit the American Library Association.

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David Milgrim Talks About National Readathon Day

Watch and listen to the video below to enjoy what David Milgrim has to say about the power of books and reading–and be sure to join him and your fellow readers on National Readathon Day and make #TimeToRead.

Click here to learn more about David Milgrim.

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Our Authors Talk About National Readathon Day

Watch and listen to the video below to enjoy our authors talking about the power of books and their passion for reading. Join them and your fellow readers Saturday, January 24 on National Readathon Day, and make #TimeToRead!

Click the Video link in the categories list to your right to watch full-length videos from authors Khaled Hosseini, Ken Follett, Ina Garten, and more. Be sure to check back daily for new videos leading up to the Readathon on Saturday, January 24.

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You might take for granted how easy it is for you to read this sentence, but millions of Americans still struggle with basic literacy. 40% of American adults are either at or below basic reading proficiency, and 14% are fully illiterate. But the trouble doesn’t stop there. Each year, millions of Americans — especially our youth — are losing touch with the power and importance of reading books. As Malcolm X said, “People don’t realize how a whole life can be changed by one book.”

Help change lives this winter by celebrating National Readathon Day with Penguin Random House, GoodReads, Mashable, and the National Book Foundation. Together with your support, we hope to help fund their efforts to educate, tutor, create and sustain a lifelong love of reading.

You can get involved by joining readers across America in a marathon reading session on Saturday, January 24. From Noon – 4 PM in our respective time zones, we will sit and read a book in our own home, library, school or bookstore.

Get started now by creating your own Firstgiving Fundraising page, and inviting friends and family to donate, or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

If you represent a bookstore, library or school, we invite your venue to host a “reading party” during the Readathon, so your local community can gather and read together. You can also create a fundraising team (named for your bookstore or library), enabling your community to fund raise together as a group to contribute to the National Book Foundation’s efforts to promote reading in America. Visit our Readathon Resources page for supporting materials and information on how to get started.

And be sure to share your experiences and photos using the hash tag, #timetoread!

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Annabelle GurwitchTalks About National Readathon Day

Watch and listen to the video below to enjoy what Annabelle Gurwitch has to say about the power of books and reading–and be sure to join her and your fellow readers on National Readathon Day and make #TimeToRead.

Click here to learn more about Annabelle Gurwitch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fundraising target?

Each individual or team can set their own fundraising target, by creating a National Readathon fundraising page on Firstgiving: individuals can get started here and teams can build their team page here. Any dollar amount raised is immensely helpful and will benefit the National Book Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit. We’ll be announcing prizes throughout January for reaching different dollar amounts, so stay tuned for more about those incentives!

What book should I plan to read for the National Readathon?

Great question — you can read any book at all! The time commitment is four hours, so this might be a great opportunity to tackle that challenging longer book that’s been sitting on your nightstand. Or maybe you want to bring a whole pile of books, and read a bit from each. Khaled Hosseini plans to read The Children Act by Ian McEwan; novelist Emma Straub plans to read Evelyn Waugh as well as some Babar; and the National Book Foundation’s Executive Director Harold Augenbraum plans to read the Lemony Snicket’s The Bad Beginning.

Continue reading →

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Delia EphronTalks About National Readathon Day

Watch and listen to the video below to enjoy what Delia Ephron has to say about the power of books and reading–and be sure to join her and your fellow readers on National Readathon Day and make #TimeToRead.

Click here to learn more about Delia Ephron.

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How to Participate in the Readathon

How to Get Started

If you’re a reader:

Create your own Firstgiving Fundraising page to benefit The National Book Foundation.
Invite friends and family to donate to your effort.
Check back into this site to find a participating venue near you or encourage your local bookstore or library to host a reading party.
Join us for National Readathon Day on January 24th from 12noon-4pm and make #timetoread!

How to Host an Event

If you’re a bookstore, library, school, or other venue:

Tell us that you plan to host a Readathon party by emailing us at readathon@penguinrandomhouse.com
Visit our Resources section and download supporting materials. Be one of the first 200 venues to sign up and we’ll ship a Readathon Day poster to you.
Promote National Readathon Day in your store or library by displaying event signage and promoting it in your newsletter and social media efforts leading up to the day.
Join us for National Readathon Day on January 24th from 12noon-4pm and make #timetoread!

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