2020 O.W.Ls - Magical Readathon

The Magical Readthon O.W.Ls are usually done in April and the Magical Readathon N.E.W.Ts are in August. But it's ultimately up to you if/when you do them as everyone's different and everyone has different things happening I their life.

If anyone else would like to, then feel free to join in with me!


UPDATE:

While I didn't have any specific career in mind when I started my O.W.Ls and just wanted to see how much I could read following the prompts, I managed to finish O.W.Ls for three magical careers -- Astronomer, Graphic Designer, and Trader of Magical Tomes.

For my N.E.W.Ts in August I'll choose one of those three magical careers and try and finish the magical reading exams for them and see how I go. I'm proud of myself for reading as much as I did though and audiobooks were definitely my friend this month!



How It Works:

This month-long magical readathon was started by G from Book Roast (go check out her YouTube and Instagram if you haven't already! She's such an amazing human being!) This readathon is based on the exams that the Hogwarts students take in the Harry Potter books and movies - their O.W.Ls (Ordinay Wizarding Levels) and their N.E.W.Ts (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests).

All the extra documents, like the invitation letter (which includes reading prompts) and the careers guidebook are linked in the description section of the announcement video on G's YouTube channel and are also available on the website too. They are absolutely free to download and check out!

After you select a career (although you don't have to if you don't want to), you can check out the prompt list which details the type of book you need to read to "pass" the subject. If you want to know more just check out G's YouTube channel!



Important FAQs:

I copied these from one of the extra documents from G's website (magicalreadathon.com) just in case anyone else wanted to join in! I still recommend going and watching her YouTube video though where it's all explained much better than I could ever explain it, plus there's other FAQs on the website you can read if you want too!

Are the prompts the same each time?
No! The prompts change each year to give us some variety.

Are rereads allowed?
Absolutely! Especially of the Harry Potter books ;)

Can I carry on reading a book I've already started?
Unless specified as one of our special prompts all reads must be started and finished within the readathon time frame.

Can I read one book for multiple prompts?
Unfortunately not, it's one exam per book.



Magical Careers:

There are many different magical careers you could choose from and G has even included some new ones which were suggested by subscribers in her YouTube comments!

The different careers (old and new) are:

- Alchemist
- Astronomer
- Aurologist
- Auror
- Broom Maker
- Care of Magical Children
- Culinary Sorcerer
- Curse Breaker
- Graphic Designer
- Healer
- Herbology
- Hogwarts Professor
- Journalist/Writer
- Librarian
- Mage of Visual Arts
- Magizoologist
- Metal Charmer
- Mind Medic
- Ministry Worker
- Potioneer
- Quidditch Referee
- Seer
- Spellmaker
- Trader of Magical Tomes
- Wandmaker



Courses, Seminars and Training:

This is a new little section which is basically adding on to your TBR for your chosen career. If you want to do a little something extra but don't want to pick a second career or if you want to follow the rules (I'm looking at you, Slytherins!) then why not check out the prompts for these (hopefully I've summed these up correctly, but check out G's website or YouTube channel to read them in full):

- Animagus Training
          (Arithmany, Potions & Transfiguration)

- Dragon Tamer Training
          (Become a Magizoologist & then read a book with dragons)

- Learn to Operate Locomotive Trains
          (Defence Against the Dark Arts & Muggle Studies)

- Magical Shop Management
          (Arithmancy)

- Merpeople Linguistics
          (Herbology)

- Legal Defence of Fantastic Beats Seminar
          (Care of Magical Creatures & History of Magic)



The Subjects:

Ancient Runes ------- Heart Rune: Heart on the cover or in the title

Arithmancy ------- Magical qualities of number 2: Read something outside your favourite genre

Astronomy ------- Night classes: Read majority of this book when it's dark outside

Care of Magical Creatures ------- Hippogriffs: Creature with a beak on the cover

Charms ------- Lumos Maxima: White cover

Defense Against the Dark Arts ------- Grindylows: Book set at the sea/coast

Divination ------- Third eye: Assign numbers to your TBR and use a generator to pick your read

Herbology ------- Mimbulus Mimbletonia: Title starts with an "M"

History of Magic ------- Witch hunts: Book featuring witches/wizards

Muggle Studies ------- Book from a perspective of a muggle (contemporary)

Potions ------- Shrinking Solution: Book under 150 pages

Transfiguration ------- Animagus Lecture: Book/series that includes shapeshifting



My Finished Exams:

Ancient Runes ------- On the Other Side - by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Arithmancy ------- You Need a Budget - by Jesse Mecham

Astronomy ------- Tokyo Ghoul, Vol. 5 - by Sui Ishida

Care of Magical Creatures ------- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - by J.K. Rowling

Charms ------- To All the Boys I've Loved Before - by Jenny Han

Defense Against the Dark Arts ------- N/A

Divination ------- N/A

Herbology ------- N/A

History of Magic ------- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - by J.K. Rowling

Muggle Studies ------- N/A

Potions ------- Winter's Snow - by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Transfiguration ------- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - by J.K. Rowling



Finished Exam Total: 8/12

Finished Seminar Total: 0/6

2019 N.E.W.Ts - Magical Readathon

Normally the Magical Readthon O.W.Ls would be done in April and the Magical Readathon N.E.W.Ts done in August. But I'm behind, like usual, and I really want to do them this year instead of waiting for April 2020. I want to stick to the rules as much as possible - so I've decided I'd do my O.W.Ls in August and my N.E.W.Ts in September!

As we have finally hit September, so it begins!

If anyone else is in the same boat as me then feel free to join in with me!

Advanced warning: this post is going to be quite long as I'm not going with any specific career this year so I'm mainly just seeing what I do and don't complete therefore everything will be listed below.

Get comfy...



How It Works:

This month-long magical readathon was started by G from Book Roast (go check out her YouTube and Instagram if you haven't already!) This readathon is based on the exams that the Hogwarts students take in the Harry Potter books and movies - their O.W.Ls (Ordinay Wizarding Levels) and their N.E.W.Ts (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests).

All the extra documents, like the invitation letter (which includes reading prompts) and the careers guidebook are linked in the description section of the announcement video on G's YouTube channel too. They are absolutely free to download and check out!

After you select a career (although you don't have to if you don't want to), you can check out the prompt list which details the type of book you need to read to "pass" the subject. If you want to know more just check out G's YouTube channel!

In the O.W.Ls you only need to finish one book per subject, however in the N.E.W.Ts you may be required to read multiple books per subject to prove your skill.

Each subject in the N.E.W.Ts will contain three prompts -- each for a specified grade. If you check your career guide, under the N.E.W.Ts section of your chosen profession you will find your required subjects and also a required grade. Check the N.E.W.Ts study guide and find your required subject. Next to the subject it will have three prompts, one for each grade.

To get an Outstanding you have to complete the two prompts before it. This means you have to read three books, completing the prompt for Acceptable, Exceeded Expectations and Outstanding.

Important FAQs:

I copied these from one of the extra documents from the description in G's YouTube video just in case anyone else wanted to join in! I still recommend going and watching her YouTube video though where it's all explained much better than I could ever explain it, plus there's other FAQs you can read if you want too!

Are the prompts the same each time?
No! The prompts change each year to give us some variety.

Are rereads allowed?
Absolutely! Especially of the Harry Potter books ;)

Can I carry on reading a book I've already started?
Unless specified as one of our special prompts all reads must be started and finished within the readathon time frame.

Can I read one book for multiple prompts?
Unfortunately not, it's one exam per book.



Magical Careers:

I listed the 18 different magical careers you could choose from in my O.W.Ls post too, but here they are in case you missed it:

- Alchemist
- Astronomer
- Aurologist
- Auror
- Broom Maker
- Curse Breaker
- Healer
- Herbology
- Hogwarts Professor
- Journalist/Writer
- Librarian
- Magizoologist
- Metal Charmer
- Mind Witch/Wizard
- Ministry Worker
- Potioneer
- Seer
- Wandmaker



The Subjects:

ANCIENT RUNES
A: Ehwaz (partnership) - Read a book recommended by a friend
E: Book written in past tense
O: Book that has been on your TBR for ages

ARITHMANCY
A: Book that ends on an even page number
E: Read a standalone
O: Book that's longer than 350 pages

ASTRONOMY
A: Moon on the cover or anywhere in the title
E: Word "night" in the book title or series name
O: Read a sci-fi book (or book with stars on the cover)

CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES
A: Follow the spiders! Why couldn't it be follow the butterflies! - Book title that starts with the letter A for Aragog!
E: Book under 300 pages
O: Grab onto Fawkes' tail - Read a book with a bird on the cover

CHARMS
A: Read a book that you think has a gorgeous cover
E: Read a comic/graphic novel/manga (or read a book under 150 pages)
O: Spongify (softening charm) - Read a paperback book

DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
A: Book that's black under the dust jacket
E: Gilderoy's memory charm (grab a pen!) - First book that you remembered just now from your TBR
O: Cornish pixie! - Swat it away with a book written by an English author or set in England

DIVINATION
A: Read a white book
E: Read a short story or collection of short stories
O: Read the last book you bought/took from the library

HERBOLOGY
A: Mandrake! Quick, put on your headphones! - Listen to an audiobook (if not, green cover)
E: Read a book between 350 - 390 pages
O: Read a book with a flower on the cover

HISTORY OF MAGIC
A: Read a fantasy
E: Read a book that includes a map
O: Tom Riddle's diary: fond memory - Reread a favourite (or a classic)

MUGGLE STUDIES
A: Cover that includes an actual photo element (person, item, place, etc.)
E: Book set in our real world
O: Book written by a person of colour

POTIONS
A: Polyjuice potion - Read your friend's favourite book
E: House ingredient - Book with a cover in your Hogwarts house colour
O: Book that starts with a prologue

TRANSFIGURATION
A: Read a book with LGBTA+ representation
E: Read a book that's not a first in the series
O: Mcgonagall does not mess around!- Read a book over 500 pages


My TBR:

ANCIENT RUNES
A: Cinder
E: Eleanor and Park
O: The Alpha Drive

ARITHMANCY
A: A Thousand Perfect Notes
E: Small Spaces
O: Emergency Contact

ASTRONOMY
A: Darkdawn
E: The Night Circus
O: Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science

CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES
A: An Abundance of Katherines
E: Super Lexi
O: The Last Falcon

CHARMS
A: Strange the Dreamer
E: Winter's Snow
O: Muse of Nightmares

DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
A: Four Dead Queens
E: Red Queen
O: When the Curtain Falls

DIVINATION
A: I Was Here
E: The Past and Other Lies
O: Fawkes

HERBOLOGY
A: A Court of Frost and Stralight
E: Off the Page
O: Frostblood

HISTORY OF MAGIC
A: A Court of Thorns and Roses
E: A Court of Mist and Fury
O: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

MUGGLE STUDIES
A: The Notebook
E: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
O: The Hate U Give

POTIONS
A: Daisy Jones and the Six
E: Glass Sword
O: Initiate

TRANSFIGURATION
A: They Both Die At The End
E: A Court of Wings and Ruin
O: The Priory of the Orange Tree



My Finished Exams:

ANCIENT RUNES
A: -
E: -
O: -

ARITHMANCY
A: The Quintland Sisters
E: Dare to Dream
O: The Little Paris Bookshop

ASTRONOMY
A: -
E: -
O: -

CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES
A: Animal Farm
E: Super Lexi
O: -

CHARMS
A: Strange the Dreamer
E: Winter's Snow
O: Muse of Nightmares

DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
A: -
E: -
O: -

DIVINATION
A: The Near Witch
E: -
O: -

HERBOLOGY
A: A Court of Frost and Starlight
E: -
O: -

HISTORY OF MAGIC
A: A Court of Thorns and Roses
E: A Court of Mist and Fury
O: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

MUGGLE STUDIES
A: -
E: -
O: -

POTIONS
A: -
E: -
O: -

TRANSFIGURATION
A: They Both Die at the End
E: A Court of Wings and Ruin
O: -



Finished Exam Total:
A: 7/12
E: 5/12
O: 3/12

2019 O.W.Ls - Magical Readathon

I feel like I'm normally one of the last to find things out - this readathon being no exception. Unfortunately as I was already participating in two readathons in July I was already up to my eyeballs in my TBR pile!

Normally the Magical Readthon O.W.Ls would be done in April and the Magical Readathon N.E.W.Ts done in August. But as I'm behind, I really want to do them this year instead of waiting for April 2020 and I want to stick to the rules as much as possible - so I've decided to do my O.W.Ls in August and my N.E.W.Ts in September!

If anyone else is in the same boat as me then feel free to join in with me!



How It Works:

This month-long magical readathon was started by G from Book Roast (go check out her YouTube and Instagram if you haven't already!) This readathon is based on the exams that the Hogwarts students take in the Harry Potter books and movies - their O.W.Ls (Ordinay Wizarding Levels) and their N.E.W.Ts (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests).

All the extra documents, like the invitation letter (which includes reading prompts) and the careers guidebook are linked in the description section of the announcement video on G's YouTube channel too. They are absolutely free to download and check out!

After you select a career (although you don't have to if you don't want to), you can check out the prompt list which details the type of book you need to read to "pass" the subject. If you want to know more just check out G's YouTube channel!

If you don't wish to select any career, the following are the grades:

A: Acceptable = 2 exams complete
E: Exceeded Expectations = 6 exams complete
O: Outstanding = 9 exams complete




Important FAQs:

I copied these from one of the extra documents from the description in G's YouTube video just in case anyone else wanted to join in! I still recommend going and watching her YouTube video though where it's all explained much better than I could ever explain it, plus there's other FAQs you can read if you want too!

Are the prompts the same each time?
No! The prompts change each year to give us some variety.

Are rereads allowed?
Absolutely! Especially of the Harry Potter books ;)

Can I carry on reading a book I've already started?
Unless specified as one of our special prompts all reads must be started and finished within the readathon time frame.

Can I read one book for multiple prompts?
Unfortunately not, it's one exam per book.



Magical Careers:

I'm not sure what career I want to choose yet, so I thought up a TBR just in case and I figured I'd read what takes my fancy next and see how I go from there!

However the 18 different magical careers you could choose from are:

- Alchemist
- Astronomer
- Aurologist
- Auror
- Broom Maker
- Curse Breaker
- Healer
- Herbology
- Hogwarts Professor
- Journalist/Writer
- Librarian
- Magizoologist
- Metal Charmer
- Mind Witch/Wizard
- Ministry Worker
- Potioneer
- Seer
- Wandmaker



The Subjects:

Ancient Runes ------- Retelling

Arithmancy ------- Book written by more than one author

Astronomy ------- "Star" in the title

Care of Magical Creatures ------- Land animal on the cover

Charms ------- Age-line: Read an adult work

Defense Against the Dark Arts ------- Reducto: Title starts with an "R"

Divination ------- Set in the future

Herbology ------- Plant on the cover

History of Magic ------- Published at least 10 years ago

Muggle Studies ------- Contemporary

Potions ------- Next ingredient: Sequel

Transfiguration ------- Sprayed edges or red cover



My TBR:

Ancient Runes ------- The Looking Glass House - by Vanessa Tait

Arithmancy ------- Memento - by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Astronomy ------- The Fault in Our Stars - by John Green

Care of Magical Creatures ------- The Alpha Drive - by Kristen Martin

Charms ------- Godsgrave - by Jay Kristoff

Defense Against the Dark Arts ------- Red Queen - by Victoria Aveyard

Divination ------- Dev1at3 - by Jay Kristoff

Herbology ------- Frostblood - by Elly Blake

History of Magic ------- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - by J.K. Rowling

Muggle Studies ------- A Thousand Perfect Notes - by C.G. Drews

Potions ------- Heartstopper Vol. 2 - by Alice Oseman

Transfiguration ------- The Smoke Thieves - by Sally Green



My Finished Exams:

I swapped books for a few of the subjects so this list doesn't quite match my TBR above. But plans can easily be changed - nothing's set in stone.

Ancient Runes ------- N/A

Arithmancy ------- Memento - by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Astronomy ------- N/A

Care of Magical Creatures ------- It's Not What It Looks Like - by Molly Burke

Charms ------- Godsgrave - by Jay Kristoff

Defense Against the Dark Arts ------- Reign the Earth - by A.C. Gaughen

Divination ------- N/A

Herbology ------- In an Absent Dream - by Seanan McGuire

History of Magic ------- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - by J.K. Rowling

Muggle Studies ------- N/A

Potions ------- Heartstopper, Vol. 2 - by Alice Oseman

Transfiguration ------- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - by J.K. Rowling



Finished Exam Total: 8/12

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - by Newt Scamander (J.K. Rowling)

Title: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Author: Newt Scamander (J.K. Rowling)
Published: 8 Nov 2012
Series: -
Rating: 4 stars
Synopsis:
An approved textbook at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since publication, Newt Scamander's masterpiece has entertained wizarding families through the generations. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an indispensable introduction to the magical beasts of the Wizarding World. Scamander's years of travel and research have created a tome of unparalleled importance. Some of the beasts will be familiar to readers of the Harry Potter books - the Hippogriff, the Basilisk, the Hungarian Horntail ... Others will surprise even the most ardent amateur Magizoologist. This is an essential companion to the Harry Potter stories, and includes a new foreword from J.K. Rowling (writing as Newt Scamander) and six new beasts!

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure Muggle purchasers that the amusing creatures described hereafter are fictional and cannot hurt you. To wizards, I say merely: Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus.

I listened to this as an audiobook and followed along in my physical copy (The Hogwarts Library Edition). This audiobook is so awesome! It's read by Eddie Redmayne (who plays Newt Scamander in the movie) and there are sound effects of the animals he's describing too. 

The sound effects in the audiobook include the sounds that the beasts themselves make, but also when Newt Scamander beats back a beast or two with his travel teakettle. There's eggs cracking, leaves rustling, wings flapping, feet stomping...

Eddie Redmayne also reads the foreward from the book that Dumbledore has written - including telling you about a wonderful charity called Comic Relief. As he reads the book, it sounds like someone is explaining their own findings to you - not just like someone reading aloud from a book. You can hear the amazement and concern in his voice.

The 'About the Author' section is also read out as it tells you about Newt Scamander himself - his history, plus his wife and their pet Kneazles.

The physical book also has spaces where Harry, Ron and Hermione have written in the book and the cover of the book is quite lovely.

The illustrations are really good too. Unfortunately there isn't a picture for every beast, but the ones that are there are done well.

Worrying means you suffer twice.

__________________________________________________

All books in this series:

    -  Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
    -  Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp
    -  The Tales of Beedle the Bard

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay - by J.K. Rowling

Title: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay
Author: J.K. Rowling
Published: 19 Nov 2016
Series: -
Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis:
Explorer and Magizoologist Newt Scamander has just completed a round-the-globe trip in search of the most rare and unusual magical creatures. Arriving in New York, he intends his stay to be just a brief stopover. However, when Newt's case is misplaced and some of Newt's fantastic beasts escape into the city, it spells trouble for everyone…




"My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice."

There are a few things that tie this book into the world from the Harry Potter series. The Lestrange family name, the fact the Newt Scamander wrote Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them which we were told about in the Harry Potter series, along with the mention of Hogwarts and Albus Dumbledore.

The front cover design of this book is stunning and the illustrations within are just as beautiful, both of which are done by MinaLima.

Mary Lou: "Are you a seeker? A seeker after truth?"
Newt: " I'm more of a chaser, really."

I'd like to think that after the end of the book, Tina and Newt would be great friends and together would begin to educate the Wizarding World of the curious and wonderful creatures that lived within it.

The way that Newt cares about his creatures is similar to the way a mother loves every one of her children, no matter how naughty they may be.

" Please don't hurt my creatures - they are not dangerous."

__________________________________________________

All books in this series:

    1 | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay

    2 | Fantastic Beasts - The Crimes of Grindelwald: The Original Screenplay

Harry Potter: The Prequel - by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter: The Prequel
Author: J.K. Rowling
Published: 11 June 2008
Series: Harry Potter #0.5
Rating: 4 stars
Synopsis:
The Harry Potter prequel is an 800-word story written by J. K. Rowling, and was published online on 11 June 2008. Set about three years before the birth of Harry Potter, the story recounts an adventure experienced by Sirius Black and James Potter.
At the bottom of the card, JKR wrote: "From the prequel I am NOT working on - but that was fun!"
There is no official 'cover' for this short story, seeing as it was penned (By JKR) on an A5 card for the auction by bookseller Waterstone's, in aid of two reading charities, Dyslexia Action and English Pen. It was auctioned off for £25,000.



I read this online on Goodreads. This was only a short story so I can only give it a short review.

It was good to see what James and Sirius would have gotten up to together before James was killed though.

In the beginning I imagined a young Sirius and James on Hagrid's motorcycle, but it turned out that I was only half right.

However it would have been nice in the end to find out what they were doing with magic in the Muggle world and also who the three others were. Plus where Lilly was and if she and James were together.

So many questions!

__________________________________________________

All books in this series:

0.5 | Harry Potter: The Prequel

    1 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

    2 | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

    3 | Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

    4 | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

    5 | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

    6 | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

    7 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

    8 | Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One & Two