Wednesday, January 21, 2015

National Readathon Day

This Saturday, January 24th, is National Readathon Day. The idea is to read from noon to 4 PM in whatever time zone you live in and share your experience and love of reading on social media. So pick up a favorite book or any one off your TBR pile and find a comfy chair and just read. You can find more about the sponsors of NRD at Library Journal.

"The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark."
Thomas Paine

As a writer, I'm always interested in what readers like best when they're making their book selections. Some recent stats I saw on romance readers and what tropes they like best didn't really surprise me. The most popular trope is the friends to lovers plot line. And aren't the best relationships in real life the ones where the happy couple is comprised to two best friends? Among the 55+ age group, a demography who buys a lot of books, the most popular trope is the second chance at love. And don't we all hope that exists?

Other popular tropes are enemies to lovers, sibling of a friend, tortured hero and dozens of more. Mindy Klasky lists lots of examples here. You'll recognize the same tropes used in TV shows and movies. Complex relationships in a good romance book usually involves more than one trope.

I'm posting today at the A to Z Blogging Challenge Blog and hope you'll stop by and visit me. Maybe give some advice.

I've finally decided on my theme for the A to Z Challenge and will be starting my post outlines next week. Hope you're thinking about yours. Don't forget sign ups open next Monday.

"Being willing is not enough: we just do."
Leonardo da Vinci

Are you planning on reading this Saturday? Have you heard of NRD? Do you have a favorite romantic trope in books, TV or movies?



32 comments:

Heather R. Holden said...

Ooh, National Readathon Day sounds like a lot of fun! Not sure I'll be able to participate, but I'll try to remember it, regardless...

Liza said...

What a wonderful excuse to spend a Saturday afternoon reading. I am hoping to get to the library Saturday. My goal was to do some research and to write. Now, maybe I will just read!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I could read for four hours straight.
My theme is already on paper and now I'm gathering images.
And friends to lovers is the best way to go!

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Permission to read for 4 hours straight?! Heavenly! :)

I keep waffling about doing A-Z this year - so much going on! - but I so enjoy it....

Pat Hatt said...

4 hours straight I could do too. friends to lovers or the chance meeting ones are good.

Arlee Bird said...

Attempting to read for 4 straight hours would probably put me to sleep. Maybe off and on for 4 hours would work, but probably not on a Saturday.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Maria Zannini said...

I'm rather fond of adversaries to lovers trope. Enemies sounds too extremist.

Re: Readathon
A Sunday, more likely. My Saturdays are always busy especially if the weather outside is good.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

That sounds like a plan to me.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I wrote myself a note to give myself permission to just read.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Four hours are no problem for me too, Alex, though I will get up and walk around every so often.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

It is heavenly. And some hot tea and a fire....

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Yeah, it will be fun.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Reading keeps me awake. Now watching TV will put me to sleep.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I think we're cold and snowy on Saturday so it will be good reading for us.

AJ Lauer said...

Aw, I have to work this Saturday, otherwise I totally would. I pretty much spent all of last weekend reading though, so maybe that counts :)
My favorite romantic trope falls more to the 'hero saves heroine, they hate each other for a while, and then begrudgingly admit they love each other' (see: Princess Bride haha)

Tyrean Martinson said...

A good excuse to read for four hours straight? Sign me up. :)
I'm going to have to keep those tropes in mind. Thanks for the link.

Crystal Collier said...

Ooh! I think that sounds awesome, but I'm hosting a party on Saturday and will be frantically working against the tide (aka, kids) to get my house in shape. Still, any excuse to spend half the day reading...

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'll take an excuse to do nothing but read.

Julie Flanders said...

I've never heard of Readathon Day but what a great idea! I am going to participate and share about it as well. :)

Michelle Wallace said...

Readathon Day sounds great!
I try to read a little every day... but it doesn't always work out.

The Happy Whisk said...

No, no plans to read from noon to four, but good luck and enjoy.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

If only we could all write The Princess Bride, AJ

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Ha, as if we need an excuse, Tyrean.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Let me guess. There will be cheese at your party? Have fun.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

So many of us read that long on weekends anyway. This is guilt free time.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Hopefully, the day grows bigger each year.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I try to read every day too but I don't usually have 4 hours to dedicate.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I know I'll enjoy it.

Liz Blocker said...

Nope, I didn't know National Readathon Day existed - but go ahead, twist my arm and convince me to join in ;) Sit for four hours and read??? Sounds like heaven!!

LD Masterson said...

Well, pooh. I'd love the excuse to read for four hours but I've got grandkid sporting events that afternoon.

Christine Rains said...

The friends to lovers trope is my favorite too. I believe it's the one that can give a relationship the most solid foundation. I'll have to make a particular effort to find time to read this Saturday! :) Have a good weekend.

Ava Quinn said...

National Readathon Day sounds like a little slice of heaven. Love the Thomas Paine quote. Can't wait for you to reveal your A to Z theme!