Hai Potterheads!

I know you all stan Harry Potter. Don’t lie to me.

For the past two years, I’ve seen this thing called the O.W.Ls Readathon or Magical Readathon floating around on the world of Bookish Social Media and I was always super confused but also really intrigued by it.

Last year, I was so close to joining in on the fun but I got really busy over April with uni and had so little time to read that I didn’t. Instead, I watched from afar – as I do with all internet trends – until now.

Now, due to physical/social-distancing and quarantine laws, I like many others, have a whole lot of time on my hands to do what we usually consider time-consuming things as a way to keep us from getting cabin fever.

This is why I’ve decided to participate in the Magical Readathon 2020. I am working on personal goals and will not be a part of the buddy reading program or on any tracking documents, as it is my first time doing this.

If you haven’t heard of the Magical Readathon, you’re probably wondering the same thing I had; what is it?

What is the O.W.Ls Magical Readathon??

The Readathon was created by @BookRoast on social media. There is a Twitter account for the Readathon; @MagicalReadthn and an introductory video for this year’s event on the Book Roast YouTube channel (as linked).

Essentially, the readathon is a huge event that is well, more than just a readathon. There are events and points and trackers to participate in that I am not participating in, although I know many people really enjoy that kind of stuff.

A basic explanation of the Magical Readathon:
– You choose a career in the guidebook and look at what O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts are required for you to pass your exams and progress onto that career. Much like students at Hogwarts would do!
– Consult the subject guide sheet and see what prompt corresponds to which subject and choose your TBR accordingly. I like this part as it often forces you out of your reading comfort zone and people can’t always pass easily by just reading small novels.
– Once you’ve created your TBR, you’re all set! Share it with the community and check out what other people are reading 🙂

A Magical Readathon Website has been set up for easy access to all this year’s resources. You can find the letter of acceptance, the list of subjects and career paths. IF you’d like to share anything relating to the Readathon there is a hashtag on Twitter #OWLsreadathon2020 which many people are using to share their content.

What’s My Career Path and TBR?

**I want to start by saying that I am in no way going full out on this readathon and participating in every aspect of it. I am just dipping my feet in the metaphorical waters and therefore not really the person to come to for questions related to the readathon as I am still learning about it myself.**

I chose the Journalist or Writer career for two reasons. 1) I liked the sound of it and 2) it had only three (3) O.W.Ls which meant a smaller TBR and I am all for that because as you all know by now, I am the slowest reader ever.

This career has the following O.W.L requirements:

History of Magic
Muggle Studies
1 Other Subject (of my choosing)

Each subject has a prompt associated with it. These are on a separate sheet. I haven’t listed them in this post, but you can watch my video (link at the bottom of this post) if you’d like to hear more about how I chose my TBR.

My TBR for O.W.Ls Magical Readathon:

History of Magic: Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
Muggle Studies: Solitaire by Alice Oseman
Divination (subject of choice): A Map of Days by Ransom Riggs

What career path and books have you chosen to read in April? Even if you’re not doing the Magical Readathon, let me know your TBR down in the comments below!

Why Participate In The Magical Readathon (Or Any Readathon)?

I may have mentioned it before, but my original plan for my April TBR was to speed read Alice Oseman’s novels Radio Silence and Solitaire because they’re the only two I haven’t read. My friends and I were planning to go to the Sydney Writer’s Festival in May – which has since been cancelled – to meet Alice Oseman.

Due to the cancellation of the event, I was looking for another way to spruce up my TBR and posts from @MagicalReadthn popped up on my Twitter Timeline. I knew instantly that I had to join in.

When I have the confidence and time to do readathons, I find that they really are a way to bring a community of people together, in the same way, creating hashtags and monthly Instagram photo challenges bring a community together. I’ve seen many a video of people giving book recommendations for each house and subject. It’s so much fun to see people creating content and united on a certain topic. Much like a fandom, but more involved.

If you want to see my process of picking out my TBR for the O.W.Ls Magical Readathon, you can click the link to the video on my YouTube channel below xx

YouTube Video!

One final question: What house are you in? I’m a Hufflepuff (of course) and I love it!

Leave your opinions in the comments or alternatively on my social media channels!
Instagram // Goodreads // Twitter // YouTube .

See you back here on Monday’s (book reviews), Wednesday’s (storytime/ writing updates) and Saturday’s (other bookish content).