Winter Break #Bookaday Event

Walking through my school’s lobby–escorting students back from our perfect attendance assembly–I noticed a long line of parents signing in for winter holiday parties. The line stretched through the office and out into the foyer. In that moment I realized that we don’t pay our office staff enough.

If you need evidence that teachers and school staff are underpaid, mission-driven saints, visit any school campus the week before a major school break. The blurr of exams, final projects, and school-wide assemblies wreak havoc on schedules–the linchpin of campus management. Students coil tighter each day closer to vacation–springs of excitement or anxiety (or both). Each day drains energy from adults in equal measure. There are fewer adults at a school than kids. You do the math.

I haven’t read a bit this week.

I haven’t written a bit this week.

I used my book as a pillow this week.

I know you understand.

As I picked glitter out of my hair this afternoon and scrubbed icing from desks, all I could think about was how much I wanted to spend a few hours reading. When I don’t read for a few days, I get weird. I don’t think well. I’m edgier. I need the headspace. I need to power down.

After a super-sized week at school, I feel the need to read.

I realized on the way home that I didn’t announce my usual winter break #bookaday event this year. Then, I remembered, “I have a BLOG now! I can fix this!” Sending an exploratory tweet this afternoon to gauge interest, it’s clear I’m not the only one who needs some reading time.

My annual #bookaday challenge takes place each summer, but we’ve celebrated smaller #bookaday events during winter and spring break vacations. If you’re not familiar with #bookaday, here are the guidelines:

Read one book per day for each day of winter break. This is an average, so if you read three books in one day and none the next two, it still counts.

You set your own start date and end date.

Any book qualifies including picture books, nonfiction, professional books, audio books, poetry anthologies, or fiction—children’s, youth, or adult titles.

Keep a list of the books you read and share them often via a social networking site like goodreads or Twitter (post using the #bookaday hashtag), a blog, or Facebook page. You do not have to post reviews, but you can if you wish. Titles will do.

I will not be getting any books for Christmas this year. You know why? I have so many unread books piled around that you couldn’t squeeze another book into our house. I cannot get any new books until I read some.

Whether or not I read a book a day doesn’t matter. I know grand adventures and new friends lie ahead in the pages. And maybe a little shelf space.

**While you’re making reading plans for the break, take a moment to reflect and celebrate the great books you read in 2013. Don’t forget to cast your vote for the 2013 Nerdy Book Club Awards, the Nerdies. Voting ends tomorrow night, December 21, 2013 at 11:59 pm Central Time.