Literacy Network and Borders are pairing up for a reading extravaganza. For one day, people will gather together and read to support our fellow community members who are trying to start a new chapter in their lives through improved literacy skills. All proceeds will benefit the students at Literacy Network.

A different format this year. At the request of some of last year's participants, we are trying a shorter marathon this year. For those of you who wish to participate in the full marathon but don't want to stay awake all night to do it, here's your chance! This year's event will last only half as long as in prior years. After the event, please let us know which format you prefer.

Before the event, participants gather pledges to sponsor their reading. Participants can register as individual readers or get together with others to form a reading team.

Each hour has one or more celebrity readers (an author or other notable member of our community) who will read aloud for about 10 minutes while participants relax their eyes and listen for a while before going back to their own reading. The final hours will be devoted entirely to local authors. We will feature a number of authors who will treat us to readings from their books or new, as yet unpublished works.

All reading counts! Bring a good book (or buy a new one), get caught up on that stack of magazines in your house, study for exams, or read to your children.