Weekend Reads is a weekly post in which I discuss a variety of topics and mention the books I plan to read on the weekend. However instead of a topic, I’ll instead share with you my progress on my O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels).
The O.W.L. Magical Readathon is in session. It began on April 1st, but because I’ve been so busy lately, I wasn’t able to start my reading until this week. Since it’s a month-long readathon, I’ve decided to share my progress at the end of each week so you all can see if I past my subjects to become Aurologist — someone who reads and studies auras.
Aurology is an esoteric subject, quite like divination, and so far I’ve done a great job reading books that fit it. By the way, I’ve already deviated from my TBR for this readathon. If you’re familiar with my blog, that’s probably not surprising to you. I hardly ever follow those things although I enjoy creating them.
The first book took me on a wild, stream-of-conciousness ride filled with drugs, random hookups, and many bad decisions. I didn’t like it. It was disconcerting and I couldn’t make sense of anything, though there were brief moments of clarity. It totally fucked with my aura reading, and I’m sure many straight-laced professors would disagree with dabbling in such a book. Although, if one is to be an aurologist, one can’t be too uptight and the book did show a possible, though chemical-inducing, way of transcending reality.
The book was Jesus’ Son by Denis Johnson. It’s a book of short stories about a guy who’s addicted to drugs. I read it for my History of Magic requirement.
I guess I only transcended earth (if that makes any sense) because the next book took me to a random planet, straight into the mind of an android that calls itself Murderbot who is sent to guard human scientists studying the planet but instead wants to be left alone so that it can watch hours of entertainment videos it has downloaded. I thought it would be difficult to read the aura of android, but I surprised myself. I am more skilled at the subject than I thought, or maybe I (and Murderbot) realized that the android whose mind I was stuck in wasn’t as indifferent and emotionless as I (and it) thought it would be. It was fun reading Murderbot’s thoughts.
The book was All Systems Red by Martha Wells. I read it for my Divination requirement. I guess this means there will be an android called Murderbot in my future…? Well, I certainly see myself continuing with the series, at least.
Two books (two novellas, to be precise) completed in my first week of O.W.L. exams. I’m plenty proud of myself. But these two books messed with my brain so bad, especially that disorienting Jesus’ Son, that I needed something grounded in reality to stabilize myself (and settle my aura), so picked up Michelle Obama’s Becoming for bit. I’ve been reading it off and on since February.
Soon I’ll be off on another crazy ride. See below for what I’m currently reading and what I might read next for my O.W.L.s.
What I’m currently reading:
I’m actively reading these three:
Becoming by Michelle Obama
This is Michelle Obama’s memoir. I quite like it and it’s an easy read, but parts of it makes me think of reading someone’s cover letter. It has a careful tone throughout, as if each sentence is carefully considered before it’s included in the book. I guess that’s to be expected since it is the memoir of a former First Lady, but it makes the book a teensy dull to me. Still, I appreciate the book. I’m glad that Obama has chosen to share her thoughts, experiences, and knowledge in it, and I have learned from it too (and I’m not even halfway through yet).
Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb
The first book of the last trilogy in the Realm of the Elderlings series. As usual, I’m buddy-reading this with Emily of Embuhlee liest. We’re both enjoying it and are surprised at surprising things and annoyed at the usual annoying Fitzy things.
A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay
It’s Kay’s new book that will be published on May 14. I feel guilty about this one because I got distracted and forgot I was reading it. That’s what happens to e-books.
I’ll most likely read these two next for my O.W.L.s:
Zezee with Books 
I really need to read more Hobb. Good luck with the rest of your OWLS!
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Thanks! 😀
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I still need to finish Hobb’s latest series. I am SUCH a fan of her books!
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I’m on the first Fitz and Fool book now. It’s pretty good but one of the character is SO annoying, I almost loath reading her parts. Where in the series are you?
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I really need to get back into Guy Gavriel Kay’s books! I read one of his trilogies a while ago and just through life happening haven’t got back to reading any more but loved his writing style. You always leave me inspired to read when I read your posts, thank you! Good luck for whatever comes next – hopefully they don’t break your brain as much!
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“You always leave me inspired to read when I read your posts, thank you!” << that's a great compliment. Thank you 🙂
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