I was hoping to get this post up on the 7th, and then I was trying to post it on Midwinter's Eve but it has been a busy couple of weeks with work, concerts, dinners and all manner of Christmas errands and festivities. :)
It sounds like everyone is enjoying the reading part of the Readathon so far and it’s been great being involved in the discussions and seeing pictures of the different editions of the Sequence that you are all reading from. We also have photos of TDiR locales that readers have shared with us. Thanks for all your participation in creating a friendly, unique and purely awesome community!
I wasn't able to start reading Over Sea, Under Stone until after the 7th and although I'm still getting through it, I’m loving it! I will share my thoughts soon (Yes, I am behind!). Meanwhile, many of our readers have posted reviews and I’ve tried to share them with everyone, but if I have missed one or you have a new review to share, let me know and I’ll share it on our social media outlets.
To those who missed it, Susan Cooper endorsed the Readathon earlier in the month on her Facebook page which was a huge boost to our readership numbers. I have since been in contact with Ms. Cooper regarding the Readathon, which she called “an astonishing enterprise”. Ms. Cooper gave me a little something to share with you - a poem that she wrote for a theatrical celebration in the same year that Silver on the Tree was published. I was “scooped” by one of our Facebook members, but for the rest of you, here it is:
THE SHORTEST DAY
Written by Susan Cooper for the Christmas Revels, 1977
So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen,
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, revelling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing, behind us -- listen!
All the long echoes sing the same delight
This shortest day
As promise wakens in the sleeping land.
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends, and hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year, and every year.
Welcome Yule!
Thank you, Ms. Cooper for that lovely poem!
Now, the (not so) final reader tally!
By December 7th, we had 117 readers signed up in 13 countries! The sign ups have continued, however, and we are currently at 135! Thanks again to everyone for spreading the word!
One last thought: A number of you have mentioned you would be interested in a Readathon t-shirt or other such paraphernalia. I have permission from Susan Cooper to use the title(s) and a small portion of the poems found in the books for something like this. Finding an easy and affordable way to do this is the challenge. I’d be up for making t-shirts, etc., so let me know of any ideas you have. I have a t-shirt design idea, but I’m open to suggestions. Be aware that due to our global readership, there may be significant shipping costs involved. Anyway, think on it and let me know if you would be interested.
Last, but definitely not least, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for making the end of 2013 very exciting and satisfying. I will try to post again before 2014, but I’m not going to guarantee it.
Enjoy your reading!
