NEWTS Magical Readathon | 2020 TBR

Here we are barreling into August with the coronavirus still hot on our tail. If you’re like me, you’re tired and depressed by the negative news cycle that seems to become more bleak each day. The Magical Readathon is one of the most fun reading events I participate in each year, so I was especially looking forward to doing the NEWTs this August.

However, this will be the end of the Magical Readathon — or, at least, the end of the readathon while it’s heavily influenced by the Harry Potter books. The host, booktuber Book Roast, has decided to discontinue the readathon for now due to negative comments J.K. Rowling made concerning the transgender community. She plans to relaunch the readathon using her own ideas instead of Harry Potter as the inspiration. The NEWTs that will be held this August will be the last of its kind, and there are a few minor changes in how it will run; so check out Book Roast’s video for more details and for the NEWTs prompts.

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Here are a few facts about the readathon, if you’re new to it and would like to participate.

• The Magical Readathon is based on the exams in the Harry Potter books.
• The first part of the readathon is called the OWLs. It took place April 1-30.
  • However, you can do your OWLs now and the NEWTs later, if you like… something like that. Visit the readathon’s website for those details.
• The second part of the readathon is called the NEWTs. It will take place August 1-31.
  • However, since this is the last iteration of this event, Book Roast has altered the rules so that you can do the readathon whenever you like and for as long as you like.
• You get to choose a wizarding career to pursue and this year extra training was introduced, which you can also partake in.

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Wrap Up: OWLs Magical Readathon | 2020

Y’all, this never happens to me: I finished a readathon early!! 😀

The OWLs Magical Readathon was a huge success for me this year. Because I couldn’t decide what career to pursue, I decided to do all the prompts for the challenge, and I completed them all! 😀 Now I can pursue whatever career I like for the NEWTs.

Weekend Reads #100: Week 4 — OWLs 2020 Progress Report

Weekend Reads is a weekly post I haven’t done much of in a very long time, but I’m jumping back into it this month to share my reading progress for the OWLs Magical Readathon, which is taking place this entire month.

I read SO much this week, I’m quite surprised at myself. I managed to complete all my OWLs except for Herbology, which I’m working on now.

Well, here’s a quick run-down of my progress so far:

Ancient Runes

Book read: The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
I read the Penguin Little Black Classics edition. I loved it.

Arithmancy

Book read: Long Bright River by Liz Moore, narr. by Allyson Ryan
I listened to the audiobook. It was pretty good.

Weekend Reads #99: Week 3 — OWLs 2020 Progress Report & Bookshelf Tour

Weekend Reads is a weekly post I haven’t done much of in a very long time, but I’m jumping back into it this month to share my reading progress for the OWLs Magical Readathon, which is taking place this entire month.

Well, my reading slowed down last week, so I didn’t complete any books. I did, however, play a lot of Sims Freeplay and completed challenges there, lol.

The subjects I’ve completed so far for the OWLs:

Ancient Runes

Book read: The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
I read the Penguin Little Black Classics edition, which contains three of Poe’s short stories all of which were great, but I liked “The Tell-Tale Heart” the most.

Weekend Reads #98: Week 2 — OWLs 2020 Progress Report

Weekend Reads is a weekly post I haven’t done much of in a very long time, but I’m jumping back into it this month to share my reading progress for the OWLs Magical Readathon, which is taking place this entire month.

I’m doing all the OWLs because I can’t decide on a career. However, when NEWTs come around, I might go for Mind Medic (requires 12 books read for NEWTs) or Trader of Magical Tomes (requires 5 books read for NEWTs).

Well, here are the subjects I’ve completed so far for the OWLs.

Ancient Runes

Book read: The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
I read the Penguin Little Black Classics edition, which contains three of Poe’s short stories all of which were great, but I liked “The Tell-Tale Heart” the most.

Weekend Reads #97: Week 1 — OWLs 2020 Progress Report

Weekend Reads is a weekly post I haven’t done much of in a very long time, but I’m jumping back into it for this month to share my reading progress for the OWLs Magical Readathon, which is taking place this entire month.

I’ve decided to do all the subjects for the OWLs because I haven’t yet settled on a wizarding career for the NEWTs. I’m torn between Mind Medic, which, thanks to this handy post on Whimsy Pages, is one of the most demanding careers requiring 12 books for the NEWTs, and Trader of Magical Tomes, which requires 5 books for the NEWTs.

Well, here are the subjects I’ve completed so far for the OWLs.

OWLs Magical Readathon | 2020 TBR

The Magical Readathon is back for another year, and I’ve decided to participate in it again! 😀 I participated in it last year and did well enough to succeed in becoming an Aurologist — someone who reads and studies auras. This time… I don’t know which career I want to reach for; so for now I’ll just do as many OWLs as I can.

If you’re new to the Magical Readathon, visit the website to find out more information or watch the Book Roast’s video. But for a quick rundown, here’s what’s up:

• The Magical Readathon is inspired by the exams in the Harry Potter books: OWLs (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) and NEWTs (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests); therefore, this readathon has two parts.
• The OWLs take place April 1-30.
  • There are no grades for individual exams. Grades are determined based on total exams completed.
• The NEWTS take place August 1-31.
  • The amount of books you read for each subject determines your grade for that subject.
• You can choose a wizarding career to pursue. Each career has a certain amount of OWL and NEWT requirements.

So like I said, I don’t know yet what career I want to pursue. Because I was an Aurologist last year, I was considering to go for Mind Medic this year. I think that’s a natural progression that makes sense. But Mind Medic requires A LOT of reading, so I’m also considering Trader of Magical Tomes because what book nerd wouldn’t want to be a bookseller.

Wrap Up: N.E.W.T.s Magical Readathon | 2019

The N.E.W.T.s Magical Readathon is done.

Well, not exactly. Today is the last day to participate in it, but I consider my exam complete because I’m done reading. I NEED a day of rest from reading so intensely… not that I read intensely for the readathon, but, gosh damn! I read a whole lot.

Anyway, in case you know nothing about this readthon, here are some quick facts:

• It was created by in Book Roast, a booktuber, and is inspired by the Harry Potter books.
• You get to choose a wizarding career to pursue. My career: aurologist — a person who studies auras.
• The first part, the O.W.L. (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) Magical Readathon, was held in April. I smashed it! I passed everything! —Well, except for DADA. 😦
• The second part, the N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests) Magical Readathon, was held in August. I smashed it too! See below for how well I did!
• You can only do NEWTs for the OWL subjects you passed, and you have to acquire the indicated NEWT grades to be considered for the career you chose.
• There are other activities, but I don’t know details about them because I didn’t intend to participate in them.

So, with the rules and such reviewed and out the way, quickly, here are the requirements for my career:

Weekend Reads #96: Week 3 — NEWTs Progress Report

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 my progress on my N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests). 

Oh man! I’ve been reading so much, I’m surprised my eyes haven’t popped out yet.

Astronomy

All done. Yeahie me! 😀

Divination

All done. Yeahie me! 😀

Additional

Reading The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair. I’m nearing the end, y’all! I’m almost there. I can see the light!

Weekend Reads #95: Week 2 — NEWTs Progress Report

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 my progress on my N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests). 

I spent a couple days last week not reading anything, so I’m a little behind but still making decent progress… I think. 🙂

Astronomy

I exceeded my own expectations with this one and earned an Outstanding.
Books read: Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Vol. 1: BFF by Brandon Montclare & Amy Reeder, illus. by Natacha Bustos; In the Night Wood by Dale Bailey; Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clark