The OWLs readathon is my all time favourite readathon! It was created by the amazing @book_roast and it is very complicated, so I suggest that you check out her Youtube video to find out more. But essentially, this is a Harry Potter inspired readathon where you complete certain challenges in order to pass your OWLs! (Which is just so cool, right?) You have to read one book for each prompt It is lasting the whole of April – and this happened last year as well, so this is my second time participating! There are also NEWTs in August as well, but I won’t overcomplicate things by going into that right now. This readathon is incredible though, and I really do suggest that if you are looking for a longer readathon with lots of options and challenges which is really creative and cool (whether you love Harry Potter or not) you need to get involved in this one!
This year you can actually aspire to a profession, so long as you complete the necessary subjects. I thought long and hard over this (eventually I was stuck between two) but I finally decided for the sake of this TBR that I want to try and become a Wandmaker (mainly because I want to see all the eleven year olds getting their own wands!), but I was torn between that, a metal charmer (cooler than it sounds, I promise) and a potioneer. But for this career I will need to pass my OWLs in: Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms and Herbology. However, I am going to be trying to complete my OWLs in nearly every subject in case I change my mind later on.The reading challenges are as follows:
- Ancient Runes: read a retelling
- Arithmancy: read a book written by more than one author
- Astronomy: read a book with the word ‘star’ in the title
- Care of Magical Creatures: read a book with a land animal on the cover
- Charms: read an adult book
- Defence Against The Dark Arts: read a book with a title beginning with ‘r’
- Herbology: read a book with a plant on the cover
- History of Magic: read a book published at least 10 years ago
- Muggle Studies: read a contemporary
- Potions: read a sequel
- Transfiguration: read a book with sprayed edges/a red cover
Here is what I have chosen to read for these challenges (bearing in mind this is a tentative TBR and is likely to change according to my mood!). I have marked the ones that I definitely need to complete with a * :
*Ancient Runes ~ A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that I received in the February Fairyloot box, and I am really excited about it. This one is more of an urban fantasy retelling, following two main characters, one of which has cerebral palsy (yes for representation!). I have never read a book by this author before, but I do really really love retellings so hopefully I will love this one a lot!
*Arithmancy ~ It’s Not About The Burqa (edited) by Mariam Khan
I bought this one the other day. This is a collection of essays by Muslim women about a variety of different subjects, including feminism, sexuality and race. I think this is going to be SUCH an important read. I am not Muslim myself, but I always hope that I am tolerant and respectful of and kind to other people, no matter what. Books are such an important part of this and I am so excited to read this.
(I really struggled to find something to fit the challenge for Astronomy, so I think I might leave this one, mainly because I don’t really need it for the profession(s) that I am interested in)
*Care of Magical Creatures ~ Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff
Now this…this scares me, because I have been putting off this book for so freaking long and I have no idea why! I read Nevernight for the last OWLs readathon and I adored it – so why haven’t I read this yet? I know I am going to love it, so I should be jumping right in, but I have put this on so many TBRs and never actually read it. Who am I?
*Charms ~ Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by the same author was like everyone’s favourite book last year, and it was huge. I….have not read that book. I fully intend to! But I bought this one, because it was appealing to me most at the time, and if this is anything like people say this author’s books are, I guarantee this is going to be spectacular. It has a beautiful cover (and my copy is signed!) so I really hope that I love it.
Defence Against the Dark Arts ~ Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
This is another book that has been sat on my shelves for a really long time. I did actually start reading it once, and I was liking it, but I put it aside and never finished it. There was actually a period of time where I thought that I would never read this, but a lot of people raved about this series, and with the release of books 2 and 3, I am ever more eager to try again.
*Herbology ~ The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
I am SO excited to read this! It sounds like a new version of Six of Crows and if there is a cast of characters just as lovable as in its comparison, I think I am going to love it. There have been some mixed reviews, and I think the general consensus is that people either love it or hate it. I really hope I am one of those who love it! The cover is gorgeous and I have heard good things about this, despite varying opinions.
History of Magic ~ The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
I didn’t realise that this was written so long ago! Even so, from the reviews it has, I still think that this will hold up today, and so I am excited (I know, I am very repetitive) for this epic fantasy. I don’t know too much about it, but I did love Elantris, which was Brandon Sanderson’s debut, so it can only get better from there, right?
Muggle Studies ~ Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
I don’t actually own many contemporaries, and this is the only one I have that I haven’t read yet, so I figured that this was my only option. But I think a lot of people really love this book, so I hope that I do as well. Even though it isn’t my favourite genre, some contemporaries can really touch me, so this one has so much potential to be a favourite.
Potions ~ Imprison the Sky by A C Gaughen
I really loved Reign the Earth last year (the prequel to this) but then I read another of this author’s books and I really really hated it. So I am actually super nervous about this, because what if it doesn’t live up to my expectations? I really really really hope it does, because the first book was really good. These are darkly feminist fantasies that do have a lot of trigger warnings but if you are okay with the kind of things they entail, then I recommend the first book!
Transfiguration ~ Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
I might have to read a couple of recaps of the previous books before I read this, but I have a feeling this is going to be a new favourite. I loved the first two books a lot, but I think this is going to be even better. The cover is vaguely red? Meh, I am going to squeeze this anyway.
I am beyond excited for this readathon and I hope I can get to all of these books. Are you going to be participating? What kind of books are you hoping to read, and what profession are you aiming for?
I wish you all amazing reading!
The Bookish Courtier 