Posted Friday December 18th 2009
by Sarah Bourn

Ever wanted to spend a whole day holed up inside with a pile of books, snacks, blankets and an obliging, warm cat? Now's your chance to indulge that fantasy guilt-free (you can tell people you're part of a worldwide movement, instantly giving you credibility beyond just being someone who likes to wear pyjamas all day). Amanda Lanyon-LeSage, a graduate student and book-crazy blogger from Wisconsin, has declared Sunday 20 December Do Nothing But Read Day.

Amanda was prompted by little more than a whim to start the event. ‘A couple of weeks ago, I said to someone on Facebook that I wish I could have a day to do nothing but read... and someone asked me, "When?" That's what sparked the idea.’

The only rules of the day are:

> you must read more than one book (short stories and audiobooks count too)

> comfy clothing (preferably pyjamas)

> no shoes (slippers are ok)

> mugs of beverages and snacks are compulsory

Sleepy cats and cuddly blankets are optional extras.

'So what?' you might be saying. 'I do that every weekend!' Ah, but up until now you were just a lone sloth. Now you're part of a global event. And there's something oddly nice about snuggling up on the couch with The Graveyard Book and a packet of biscuits and knowing that people dotted around the world are doing the same thing at the same time (give or take a few hours).

Amanda’s own reading choices for the day? ‘I hope to read Rumors by Anna Godbersen (it’s the second book in the Luxe series, and it’s utterly decadent) and The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo. I’m in the mood for some lovely books with great description and old world charm.’

If you want to take part in Do Nothing But Read Day and need some book ideas, here are Amanda’s recommendations from her favourite authors:

‘John Green is magnificent. He has written three great books: Paper Towns, An Abundance of Katherines, and Looking for Alaska. His protagonists are smart teenage boys. I love that! Stephen King will always be my favorite author. I don't think people give him enough credit regarding his writing talent. I recommend Skeleton Crew and Night Shift (both collections of short stories). Cynthia Leitich Smith is great, too. The latest book of hers I read was Tantalize, about a girl from Texas who runs a vampire-themed restaurant.’

And while the inaugural DNBRD is a relatively small-scale affair, it’s looking likely to snowball, and Amanda has plans for future events. ‘I am definitely going to expand next year's DNBRD. The response has been HUGE and unexpected, so next year's will definitely be more organised.’

My books of choice for DNBRD will be Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters and A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (I doubt I’ll make it through both of them but I’ll give it my best shot). What will you read?

in booktrust |