In the face of global crisis, and in the knowledge I may be socially isolated for the next two or three weeks, I decided that I would challenge myself to join BookRoast’s 2020 ‘O.W.Ls’ Readathon.
Previously I thought I would be too busy with social plans and day to day activities, as well as my studies, to be able to participate. As the COVID-19 epidemic has meant that the UK shall be going into a phase of social distancing, and because my university will be closed, I will now have much more time to read than I originally thought. Though times are hard for many people right now, I am choosing to view this time as an opportunity to read many books I’ve had on my TBR for some time now!
For more information on the O.W.L Readathon, and how to get involved, please watch Book Roast’s video, which explains the logistics of the readathon here.
THE CAREER SHORTLIST
MIND MEDIC (Charms, DADA, Potions, Transfiguration, Herbology, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies)
HOGWARTS PROFESSOR (7 OWLS, including DADA and the subject you wish to teach)
SPELLMAKER (Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Astronomy, Charms, Divination, History of Magic, Transfiguration)
I can’t quite make my mind up about which of the wizarding careers I’d like to follow; I’ve decided to start with the most difficult of the ones I was interested in, Mind Medic which has nine O.W.Ls needed, and complete those ‘classes’ first. If I decide when the readathon rolls around that I want to pick an easier career (either Spellmaker or Hogwarts Professor, which both have seven O.W.Ls needed) then I can switch.
Since I want to make sure I have an option for each prompt, I decided to make a list of the 12 books I may or may not read during the readathon. Here they are:
Ancient Runes
Heart rune: Read a book with ‘heart’ in the title.
Somebody Give This Heart a Pen, by Sophia Thakur
This is a poetry collection I picked up a couple of months ago, because it had been so positively reviewed by Angie Thomas, but have yet to get around to reading. I'm aiming to cut down on a large chunk of my physical TBR (to be read) pile this week, so this seemed the perfect fit.
Arithmancy
Magical qualities of the number ‘2’: Balance opposites, read a book outside of your favourite genre.
About a Boy, by Nick Hornby
Since this is an adult novel, and I don't often read adult novels, I decided this would be a good pick as for something 'out of my comfort zone' read. I love the movie, so hopefully, I'll love the book.
Astronomy
Night classes: Read the majority of the book whilst it’s dark outside.
Birthday, by Meredith Russo
There's no real reason I chose this one, other than it's one of the shorter books on my TBR. I loved Russo's debut, 'If I Was Your Girl', so I'm sure I'll enjoy her next just as much.
Care of Magical Creatures
Hippogriffs: Read a book that has a creature with a beak on the cover.
Poems to Live Your Life By, by Chris Riddell
This prompt was so, so hard to fill! After half an hour of rifling around on my bookcase I saw the tiny bird on the cover (top left) and it's tiny beak... So it counts!
Charms
Lumos Maxima: Read something with a mostly white cover.
Subsong, by Holly Corfield Carr
As you can see, a mostly white cover. This book was produced in collaboration with some students from my university; it'll be nice to see what they managed to produce.
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Grindylows: Read a book set at the sea/ by the coast.
We Were Liars, by E. Lockheart
As you can tell from the cover, this book is set by the sea. I read it way back in 2012 so I can hardly remember what happens, but I remember enjoying it. It'll be interesting to see if I still enjoy it as much as an adult as I did as a pre-teen!
Divination
Third eye: Assign numbers to your TBR and use a random number generator to pick your next read.
TranScripts, by the Writing on the Wall Collective
I bought this book an embarrassingly long time ago, back in July, when I visited my friend in Liverpool. I bought it from 'News From Nowhere', a left-leaning, LGBTQ+ inclusive bookstore on Bold Street. It was written by a group of young trans and non-binary people - I am so excited to finally pick it up, even though I know it'll be an emotional read for me.
Herbology
Mimbulus Mimbletonia: Read a book which title starts with an ‘M’
The Miseducation of Cameron Post, by Emily M. Danforth
Another TBR veteran, this one has been on my list for *embarrassed sigh* three years... I've promised myself, and my friend Grace who loves this book, that I will finally read it during this readathon.
History of Magic
Witch hunts: Read a book featuring witches and wizards.
Quidditch Through the Ages, by Kennilworthy Whisp
I reread the Harry Potter series on loop, however, I read a few chapters here and there usually before bed. As I don't want to rush myself through one of the books for the sake of a readathon, I though a nice way to include a book from the series would be to reread one of the novelty books. Quidditch Through the Ages enticed me with it's pretty blue cover, and definitely features witches and wizards, so it'll make a nice quick read during the 'thon.
Muggle Studies
Read a book from the perspective of a muggle/ a contemporary.
With the Fire on High, by Elizabeth Acevedo
Similarly to my choosing 'Birthday', I loved Acevedo's debut novel 'Poet X' and have had 'With the Fire on High' calling out to me for months. Now is as good as time as any!
Potions
Shrinking Solution: Read a book that’s under 150 pages long.
England Your England, by George Orwell
Lately, I've been working my way through all of Orwell's essays, because I feel he was a fascinating man ahead of his time. They're only short (this one is A6 and 24 pages) so 'England Your England' perfectly fit the shrinking potion prompt!
Transfiguration
Animagus: Read a book that contains shape-shifting
Clockwork Prince, by Cassandra Clare
A wildly popular series that has sat half-finished on my bookshelf for far too long. My friends Mae and Sam (BookDragon) are both huge fans of the Shadowhunter world, so it's time I took a second chance at finishing this series! I remember there being shapeshifting in the first book, so I can only assume it'll feature in the second of the series.
As you can see, there are quite a range of books on this list. There’s some poetry anthologies, non-fiction pieces, fantasy and contemporary. Perhaps I will read at random and let that decide which career I end up with! Of course, it would be wonderful if I managed to read all of the books here, but I do have to be realistic as despite university being closed I still have deadlines I’m expected to meet. My plan is to write weekly reading updates as I partake in the readathon. So… I’ll see you on April 7th, for the week one update!
Ahhh! I'm so excited to do the OWLS Readathon and even more excited that you're reading The Infernal Devices! :)