MIBA Booksellers take part in National Readathon Day

On Saturday, January 24, the National Book Foundation launched a nationwide campaign called “National Readathon Day.” Spurred by the hashtag #timetoread, the campaign urged readers everywhere to pledge their love of reading for devoting a four-hour block of time to reading. Many independent booksellers got behind the idea and created space in their stores for customers to perform this reading.

In a recent newsletter to customers, Watermark Books in Wichita Kansas writes, “Many thanks to Saturday readers who read during the first annual Readathon; Shelly set up a cozy reading area on Saturday with a core group sticking to the whole four hours, accompanied by numerous drop-in readers. And for those of you who donated to the National Book Foundation, THANK YOU.”

Magers & Quinn in Minneapolis Minnesota hosted a marathon reading of Beowulf, tweeting “Beowulf marathon reading #inaction! #timetoread #NationalReadathonDay @ Magers & Quinn Booksellers. National Book Award-winner William Alexander even stopped by to perform some of the classic text.

According to the National Book Foundation, “On January 24, 2015, readers across the country demonstrated their love of literature by pledging to read for four hours. With their support, we raised over $100,000 for our education programs.”

Click on the map below and zoom in on our region to see which bookstores participated.