Join us for the fourteenth edition of a live community reading event: Marathon Read! Twelve hours of literature, relaxation, and community.

Marathon Read 2026 will be Thursday, October 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Burrowes Lawn (the green space between the back of the Burrowes Building and Pond Laboratory). This year’s theme is Well-Versed: Music and Literature. Texts for the 12-hour reading will include A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan, essays by Hanif Abdurraqib, Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back) by Jeff Tweedy, sonnets by Petrarch and William Shakespeare, Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and other writing.

We need readers! Everyone is welcome to read for 5 minutes—sign up. No need to bring anything to read. Volunteers will facilitate the handoff of books after 5 minutes have passed. Readers receive a free t-shirt!

We also need volunteers! Volunteers will time and help readers find their spot in the book when it’s their turn to read. Help is also required for signing in readers and handing out t-shirts. Email Joe Bueter at jbueter@psu.edu to sign up. Volunteers also receive a free t-shirt.

The Marathon Read website has more information and the link to book a time to read.