Readathon begins....

I finally settled on 2 books for the Classics Club Readathon
                           - The Beautiful and Damned by F Scott Fitzgerald (1 because I love the cover and (2) because I recently finished Hemingway's A Moveable Feast and the chapters on Fitzgerald were the most fascinating).
                           - A Good School by Richard Yates (because it was slim!) 

In Sydney the start time is midnight Sunday 6th January.

I know I wont be able to stay up much past midnight...so I ran a bubble bath and started on TBAD a couple of hours ago. The intro (which I only scanned quickly in case it gave away the story) suggested that TBAD was not one of Fitzgerald's best. So my expectations are not high for Anthony or Fitzgerald.

Now I'm just waiting for midnight with a cuppa and the 2 books in hand to see what happens next!

Perhaps it will be like NYE? Waiting, waiting, waiting for nothing much to happen...or waiting with anticipation for the most spectacular fireworks display ever!

While I'm waiting I will answer the questions posted by Allie at the Starting Post.

1. Snacks and Beverages of Choice: Tea, coffee and later on tonight Bailey's on ice!
2. Where are you reading from today? I'm reading at home - multiple locations (bed, lounge, back yard, front verandah, bath tub).
3. What are your goals for the Readathon? see above
4. What book(s) are you planning on reading? see above
5. Are you excited? VERY!!!!!

UPDATE #1

8:30am Sunday 6th EST Australia (4:30 pm Saturday 5th EST USA).
I managed to stay awake for an extra hour last night to read some of your early starting posts. In bed I read another chapter before my eyes got too heavy to continue. Page 24/364

"It was a girl in a red negligé, silk surely, drying her hair by the still hot sun of late afternoon".

"The elevated, half a quiet block away, sounded a rumble of drums - and should he lean from his window he could see the train, like an angry eagle, breasting the dark curve at the corner."

I'm now ensconced in front of my computer with my muesli and a cup of Buddha's tears jasmine tea unfurling gracefully. I'm catching up on posts before heading to our local pool to do my morning laps. Today I will take The Beautiful and Damned with me to read as I dry off.

I'm looking forward to a full day of reading.

UPDATE #2

12pm EST Australia (8pm EST USA).
Lots of distractions so far, but I've been thinking about reading all day!

The pool was delicious - it's a 30°C day - the perfect summer's day in fact.

I got distracted by Instagram when I took a photo of my book at the pool...there is now a #classicsclubreadathon tag if anyone else would like to add photos of where they are reading today.

Now I'm back home; the housework is done; the house is quiet...it could be time to get serious about this book.

""Let's walk up the Plaza and have an egg-nog," suggested Anthony. "Do you good. Air'll get the rotten nicotine out of your lungs. Come on - I'll let you talk about your book all the way."'

UPDATE #3

9pm EST Australia (5am EST USA)
Chances are the only ones still awake are those of us in the Southern Hemisphere!

I finally got some solid reading time in this afternoon, but sadly the local news has grabbed my attention tonight. Horrific fires are ravaging Tasmania right now. Hundreds of homes lost, people missing, whole communities devastated. The downside of summers in Australia.

The Beautiful and Damned has been a bit hard to get into - too long in the build up to the wedding I think. But things seem to be racing along now...I may even finish it by midnight!

""A classic," suggested Anthony, "is a successful book that has survived the reaction of the next period or generation. Then it's safe, like a style in architecture or furniture. It's acquired a picturesque dignity to take the place ot its fashion..."''

"'He says unloved women have no biographies - they have histories."" (I was interested to come across this one as it is quoted in the Chanel bio I recently read).