2023 Penn State Marathon Reading
Arrivals: Borders and Belongings
Marathon Read returns to Pattee Mall! Join us for the 11th straight year of this community read event on September 21st!
The School of Global Languages, Literatures, and Cultures invites you to participate in the annual Marathon Read, which will take place on Thursday, September 21, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., in a tent on the Mall in front of Pattee Library. As in previous years, the Marathon Read is a public event that aims to promote the shared pleasure and value of reading by inviting people of all ages to read aloud, in English or another spoken language, for about 5 minutes. This year the event celebrates the theme “Arrivals,” with topics including immigration journeys, arriving at new horizons in actual or imaginary journeys, cultural assimilation and acculturation (or resistance), language learning, and community identity through different types of literary works — graphic novels, speculative fiction, children’s books, poems, plays, memoirs, novels, (auto)biographies. If you don’t have a work on this theme at hand, we’ll gladly supply a brief reading for you. No preparation needed! Instructors, if you’re planning a Fall syllabus that might have room for a work of world literature that deals with Arrivals, we’d be glad to share a list of possibilities that we plan to include in the Marathon Read (you’d be welcome to bring your class).
When: September 21, 2023 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m Where: Pattee Mall (in between Sparks/Burrowes building)
Sign up to read here.
Marathon Read is free and open to the public. Participants are invited to read out loud for 5-minute intervals. Special guests will also join the reading throughout the day. Food will be provided during the morning, around midday, and after the sun goes down.
Questions? Email: marathonread@psu.edu
2022 Penn State Marathon Reading
“The Pursuit of Sustainability”
When: September 15, 2022 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Where: Pattee/Paterno Lawn (in front of Sparks/Burrowes building)
Marathon Read returns to Pattee Mall! Join us for the 10th straight year of this community read event on September 15, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The theme is “The Pursuit of Sustainability” and will include Rachel Carson’s foundational Silent Spring, as well as writing from Wendell Berry, Ross Gay, Dina Gilio -Whitaker, Pitchaya Sudbanthad , Diego Enrique Osorno , and Central Pennsylvanian poet, K. A. Hays.
The readings explore the complex challenges of climate change and its effects on environments, economies, and cultures. The list also aims to illustrate the joys that can arise from pursuing sustainability through individual action.
Marathon Read is free and open to the public. Participants are invited to read out loud for 5-minute intervals. Special guests will also join the reading throughout the day. Food will be provided during the morning, around midday , and after the sun goes down.
More information here: Penn State Marathon Read – (psu.edu)
2022 Penn State Marathon Reading
“The Pursuit of Sustainability”
When: September 15, 2022 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Where: Pattee/Paterno Lawn (in front of Sparks/Burrowes building)
Marathon Read returns to Pattee Mall! Join us for the 10th straight year of this community read event on September 15, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The theme is “The Pursuit of Sustainability” and will include Rachel Carson’s foundational Silent Spring, as well as writing from Wendell Berry, Ross Gay, Dina Gilio -Whitaker, Pitchaya Sudbanthad , Diego Enrique Osorno , and Central Pennsylvanian poet, K. A. Hays.
The readings explore the complex challenges of climate change and its effects on environments, economies, and cultures. The list also aims to illustrate the joys that can arise from pursuing sustainability through individual action.
Marathon Read is free and open to the public. Participants are invited to read out loud for 5-minute intervals. Special guests will also join the reading throughout the day. Food will be provided during the morning, around midday , and after the sun goes down.
More information here: Penn State Marathon Read – (psu.edu)
2021 Penn State Marathon Reading
“Escape it All”
When: September 9, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where: Pattee/Paterno Lawn (in front of Sparks/Burrowes building)
Email marathonread@psu.edu to sign up to read!
Our theme for this year’s Marathon read is Escape It All. The concept is a universal theme that can be found in literature through the ages. Globally, people are escaping from situations that are either difficult or mundane. The “Escape” gives the readers freedom or allows them to gain a new perspective on their everyday lives.
BOOK LIST FOR THE 2021 MARATHON READ: ESCAPE IT ALL
- Soredemo 3 gatsu wa, mata [March was made of yarn] (ed. by E. Luke and D. Karashima. Original language: Japanese
- Stitching A Whirlwind: An Anthology of Southern African Poems and Translations. (ed. by Antjie Krog and Megan Hall). Various languages
- Humus by Fabienne Kanor. Original language: French
- Le petit prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Original language: French
- Tschick [Why we took the car] by Wolfgang Herrndorf. Original language: German
- La invención de Morel [The invention of Morel] by Adolfo Bioy Casares. Original language: Spanish
- Marcovaldo by Italo Calvino. Original language: Italian
- 北京折叠 [“Folding Beijing”] by Hao Jingfang. Original language: Chinese
We will have copies of each book in its original language and English translations. You are welcome to read from this list or bring your own text in any language about escapes, including but not limited to:
- Escape from reality/into alternative realities
- Escape from isolation
- Escape from boredom
- Escape from prison
- Escape from everyday life (either good, as in routine, or bad, as in dangerous/violent situations)
- Escaping social injustice
- Perilous escape of refugees and migrants
- Escape from imminent danger and diseas
2021 Penn State Marathon Reading
“Escape it All”
When: September 9, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where: Pattee/Paterno Lawn (in front of Sparks/Burrowes building)
Email marathonread@psu.edu to sign up to read!
Our theme for this year’s Marathon read is Escape It All. The concept is a universal theme that can be found in literature through the ages. Globally, people are escaping from situations that are either difficult or mundane. The “Escape” gives the readers freedom or allows them to gain a new perspective on their everyday lives.
BOOK LIST FOR THE 2021 MARATHON READ: ESCAPE IT ALL
- Soredemo 3 gatsu wa, mata [March was made of yarn] (ed. by E. Luke and D. Karashima. Original language: Japanese
- Stitching A Whirlwind: An Anthology of Southern African Poems and Translations. (ed. by Antjie Krog and Megan Hall). Various languages
- Humus by Fabienne Kanor. Original language: French
- Le petit prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Original language: French
- Tschick [Why we took the car] by Wolfgang Herrndorf. Original language: German
- La invención de Morel [The invention of Morel] by Adolfo Bioy Casares. Original language: Spanish
- Marcovaldo by Italo Calvino. Original language: Italian
- 北京折叠 [“Folding Beijing”] by Hao Jingfang. Original language: Chinese
We will have copies of each book in its original language and English translations. You are welcome to read from this list or bring your own text in any language about escapes, including but not limited to:
- Escape from reality/into alternative realities
- Escape from isolation
- Escape from boredom
- Escape from prison
- Escape from everyday life (either good, as in routine, or bad, as in dangerous/violent situations)
- Escaping social injustice
- Perilous escape of refugees and migrants
- Escape from imminent danger and diseas
"Voices of Power in Women’s Activism"
This year’s Marathon Read will celebrate the work of female writers and activists to expand political, social, and economic equality for women. The theme is “Voices of Power in Women’s Activism” and joins the College of the Liberal Arts in marking the 100-year anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Featured readings will include the work of Kate Chopin, Joy Harjo, Rebecca Solnit, Audre Lorde, Julie Otsuka, Sojourner Truth, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and others.
The 2020 edition of Marathon Read will be held virtually on Zoom with guest readers calling in from various Penn Stategroups. The event will begin at 10:00 AM and conclude at 10:00 PM on October 22, 2020.
"Voices of Power in Women’s Activism"
This year’s Marathon Read will celebrate the work of female writers and activists to expand political, social, and economic equality for women. The theme is “Voices of Power in Women’s Activism” and joins the College of the Liberal Arts in marking the 100-year anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Featured readings will include the work of Kate Chopin, Joy Harjo, Rebecca Solnit, Audre Lorde, Julie Otsuka, Sojourner Truth, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and others.
The 2020 edition of Marathon Read will be held virtually on Zoom with guest readers calling in from various Penn Stategroups. The event will begin at 10:00 AM and conclude at 10:00 PM on October 22, 2020.
When: Thursday, September 19 @ 10:00am – 10:00pm
Where: The lawn in front of the Pattee/Paterno Library
During this annual event, volunteers take turns reading over a 12-hour period. This year's event, Myths, Legends, and Songs from around the World. Selected short stories and songs from a number of languages taught and spoken on (our) campus at Penn State!
Anyone may volunteer for two to five minutes of reading. Groups -- classes, teams, social organizations -- are encouraged to participate by volunteering for larger blocks of time.
There will be pizza, t-shirts, and other surprises.
Questions? Want to sign up to read in advance? Want to read in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian? EMAIL us at marathonread@psu.edu.
To view the Collegian clip that captures images of several of our faculty and students, as well as conveying the collaborative spirit of this project, please click here.
When: Thursday, September 19 @ 10:00am – 10:00pm
Where: The lawn in front of the Pattee/Paterno Library
During this annual event, volunteers take turns reading over a 12-hour period. This year's event, Myths, Legends, and Songs from around the World. Selected short stories and songs from a number of languages taught and spoken on (our) campus at Penn State!
Anyone may volunteer for two to five minutes of reading. Groups -- classes, teams, social organizations -- are encouraged to participate by volunteering for larger blocks of time.
There will be pizza, t-shirts, and other surprises.
Questions? Want to sign up to read in advance? Want to read in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian? EMAIL us at marathonread@psu.edu.
To view the Collegian clip that captures images of several of our faculty and students, as well as conveying the collaborative spirit of this project, please click here.
"Pages from 1968"
The 2018 Marathon Read joined in the commemoration of 50 years since the watershed year of 1968. The Marathon Read featured texts written or published in 1968, including Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Andriods Dream of Electric Sheep? and works from Joan Didion, Gwendolyn Brooks, Alice Munro, Jorge Luis Borges, Susan Sontag, Galway Kinnell, and others.
The 2018 Marathon Read occurred on September 13 from 10am to 10pm on the Pattee Mall.
Check out a recap from Emily Morrison, intern with the Center for American Literary Studies, and coverage from the Daily Collegian.
"Pages from 1968"
The 2018 Marathon Read joined in the commemoration of 50 years since the watershed year of 1968. The Marathon Read featured texts written or published in 1968, including Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Andriods Dream of Electric Sheep? and works from Joan Didion, Gwendolyn Brooks, Alice Munro, Jorge Luis Borges, Susan Sontag, Galway Kinnell, and others.
The 2018 Marathon Read occurred on September 13 from 10am to 10pm on the Pattee Mall.
Check out a recap from Emily Morrison, intern with the Center for American Literary Studies, and coverage from the Daily Collegian.
During this annual event, volunteers take turns reading over a 24-hour period. This year's event, First Books, focuses on Author's first books that they published or their first book in a series, by authors from all around the world. Each title will be available in English and the original language in which it was published.
Anyone may volunteer for two to five minutes of reading. Groups -- classes, teams, social organizations -- are encouraged to participate by volunteering for larger blocks of time. Remember, it gets really fun in the wee hours of the morning.
There will be pizza, t-shirts, and other surprises.
Questions? Want to sign up to read in advance? Want to read in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian? EMAIL us at marathonread@psu.edu.
2017 Book List:
- JD Salinger, Catcher in the Rye - English, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic
- Lyriae Van Clief-Stefanon, Black Swan - English
- Ernset Kline, Ready Player One - English, Spanish, and German
- Cesar Vallejo, Black Heralds - English and Spanish
- Eileen Chang, Love in a Fallen City - English
During this annual event, volunteers take turns reading over a 24-hour period. This year's event, First Books, focuses on Author's first books that they published or their first book in a series, by authors from all around the world. Each title will be available in English and the original language in which it was published.
Anyone may volunteer for two to five minutes of reading. Groups -- classes, teams, social organizations -- are encouraged to participate by volunteering for larger blocks of time. Remember, it gets really fun in the wee hours of the morning.
There will be pizza, t-shirts, and other surprises.
Questions? Want to sign up to read in advance? Want to read in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian? EMAIL us at marathonread@psu.edu.
2017 Book List:
- JD Salinger, Catcher in the Rye - English, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic
- Lyriae Van Clief-Stefanon, Black Swan - English
- Ernset Kline, Ready Player One - English, Spanish, and German
- Cesar Vallejo, Black Heralds - English and Spanish
- Eileen Chang, Love in a Fallen City - English
2016 Penn State Marathon Reading
The Political Imagination
When: Thursday, September 15 @ 1:00pm – Friday, September 16 @ 1:00pm
Where: The lawn in front of the Pattee/Paterno Library
During this annual event, volunteers take turns reading over a 24-hour period. This year's event, The Political Imagination, focuses on literature surrounding various political themes, by authors from around the world. Each title will be available in English and the original language in which it was published.
Anyone may volunteer for two to five minutes of reading. Groups -- classes, teams, social organizations -- are encouraged to participate by volunteering for larger blocks of time. Remember, it gets really fun in the wee hours of the morning.
There will be pizza, t-shirts, and other surprises.
Questions? Want to sign up to read in advance? Want to read in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian? EMAIL us at marathonread@psu.edu.
Book list:
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of the Rights of Man
Seneca Declaration
Univeral Declaration of Human Rights
Letter from Birmingham Jail
The Hunger Games
The Hour of the Star
Selections from Whitman
2016 Penn State Marathon Reading
The Political Imagination
When: Thursday, September 15 @ 1:00pm – Friday, September 16 @ 1:00pm
Where: The lawn in front of the Pattee/Paterno Library
During this annual event, volunteers take turns reading over a 24-hour period. This year's event, The Political Imagination, focuses on literature surrounding various political themes, by authors from around the world. Each title will be available in English and the original language in which it was published.
Anyone may volunteer for two to five minutes of reading. Groups -- classes, teams, social organizations -- are encouraged to participate by volunteering for larger blocks of time. Remember, it gets really fun in the wee hours of the morning.
There will be pizza, t-shirts, and other surprises.
Questions? Want to sign up to read in advance? Want to read in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian? EMAIL us at marathonread@psu.edu.
Book list:
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of the Rights of Man
Seneca Declaration
Univeral Declaration of Human Rights
Letter from Birmingham Jail
The Hunger Games
The Hour of the Star
Selections from Whitman
Marathon of Madness
During this annual event, volunteers take turns reading over a 24-hour period. This year's event, Marathon of Madness, focuses on literature surrounding madness and psychological themes, by authors from around the world. Each title will be available in English and the original language in which it was published.
Questions? Want to sign up to read in advance?
Want to read in Want to read in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian?
We’ve got you covered. Email marathonread@psu.edu.
Thursday, Sept 24 at 12pm
Continuing overnight (Sleeping bags and downy-soft pillows recommended for overnighters) and finishing Friday afternoon
Pizza at 7pm on Thursday
Donuts, coffee and orange juice at 8am on Friday
To read or listen, just show up. Alums welcome!
Marathon of Madness
During this annual event, volunteers take turns reading over a 24-hour period. This year's event, Marathon of Madness, focuses on literature surrounding madness and psychological themes, by authors from around the world. Each title will be available in English and the original language in which it was published.
Questions? Want to sign up to read in advance?
Want to read in Want to read in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian?
We’ve got you covered. Email marathonread@psu.edu.
Thursday, Sept 24 at 12pm
Continuing overnight (Sleeping bags and downy-soft pillows recommended for overnighters) and finishing Friday afternoon
Pizza at 7pm on Thursday
Donuts, coffee and orange juice at 8am on Friday
To read or listen, just show up. Alums welcome!
Join us during BANNED BOOKS WEEK for readings of Fahrenheit 451, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Brave New World!
Questions? Want to sign up to read in advance?
Want to read in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Italian, Arabic or Russian?
We’ve got you covered. Email marathonread@psu.edu.
Thursday, Sept 25 at 12pm
Continuing overnight (Sleeping bags and downy-soft pillows recommended for overnighters) and finishing Friday afternoon
Pizza at 7pm on Thursday
Donuts, coffee and orange juice at 8am on Friday
To read or listen, just show up. Alums welcome!
Sponsored by the College of the Liberal Arts, School of Languages and Literatures, Department of English, Department of Comparative Literature, Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, Department of French and Francophone Studies, Department of Asian Studies, Department of German and Slavic Languages and Literatures, Department of Women’s Studies, Paterno Fellows Program, Center for Democratic Deliberation, Center for American Literary Studies, and Alpha Phi Omega.
Join us during BANNED BOOKS WEEK for readings of Fahrenheit 451, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Brave New World!
Questions? Want to sign up to read in advance?
Want to read in Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, Italian, Arabic or Russian?
We’ve got you covered. Email marathonread@psu.edu.
Thursday, Sept 25 at 12pm
Continuing overnight (Sleeping bags and downy-soft pillows recommended for overnighters) and finishing Friday afternoon
Pizza at 7pm on Thursday
Donuts, coffee and orange juice at 8am on Friday
To read or listen, just show up. Alums welcome!
Sponsored by the College of the Liberal Arts, School of Languages and Literatures, Department of English, Department of Comparative Literature, Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, Department of French and Francophone Studies, Department of Asian Studies, Department of German and Slavic Languages and Literatures, Department of Women’s Studies, Paterno Fellows Program, Center for Democratic Deliberation, Center for American Literary Studies, and Alpha Phi Omega.