I remember hearing about the Magical Readathon last year but by the time I did, it was too late for me to take part. This year, I’ve managed to spot the sign-up prompts in time to actually pull together a pile of books to read and I am EXCITED.
I love the idea for this readathon – it’s Harry Potter inspired and you get to choose a career and then read books to pass your O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s. I don’t even know why you’d want to know anything else. There’s an amazing introductory video with all of the prompts you could want at Book Roast HERE.
It took me far, far too long to pick a career. I considered Auror, Librarian and Ministry Worker (because honestly the Ministry of Mysteries sounds awesome) but in the end I’ve gone for HOGWARTS PROFESSOR. Living at Hogwarts and getting to swish around in robes and eat in the Great Hall every day? Yes please. Also, in the real world sense, it means there’s a little bit more flexibility over which O.W.L.s are needed and ultimately the books that I’ll be reading during March…
So what do exams do you have to pass if you want to be a Hogwarts Professor? You need 7 O.W.L.s, which means I’ll need to read 7 books. That’s 1-2 books more than I would usually read in a month so it seems like a decent stretch and challenge for a month in which I’m doing a readathon. You need one in the subject you want to teach, five additional subjects and Defence Against the Dark Arts. I love to cook so I feel like I’d also love potion making and am going for being a Potions professor.
All of that means that my TBR looks like this:
Potions – Read a sequel – Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Defence Against the Dark Arts – Read a book with a title beginning with ‘R’ – Reckless by Cornelia Funke
History of Magic – Read a book published at least 10 years ago – Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Charms – Read an adult novel – The Photographer by Meike Ziervogel
Divination – Read a book set in the future – Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Herbology – Read a book with a plant on the cover – The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry
Transfiguration – Read a book with sprayed edges or a red cover – Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey
I’ll be tweeting my way through the challenge and might do a half time wrap up if I get time! I’m super excited about this readathon. Let me know if you’re joining in too and if you are, what career you’ve gone for and what books that means you’ll be picking up!