O.W.Ls Readathon | Sign Up, TBR, and Updates

It’s that time of year when students buckle down and start revising for their examinations, so I decided to join in with The Magical Readathon and sit my O.W.Ls. For the muggles amongst you, O.W.Ls (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) are the examinations taken by 5th year Hogwarts students as they prepare to go down their magical career path and select their N.E.W.T subjects. I loved the later books, when students were cramming and sparks were flying, so I thought it was a perfect time to involve myself with a fun readathon.

The lovely Gintare, of Book Roast fame, is hosting this wizarding event, and has invited us all to take part. Officially, it started on April 2nd, but I only found out about it yesterday so I am a little late to the party, but oh well. There are 12 subjects to choose from, completing 5 of them earns you Outstanding in your O.W.Ls. I received my letter today (the themed rules that can be found here) and I’m ready to begin.

Before I start on my TBR, there is an extra level for those so inclined to take the readathon a little too far (y’know, people like me). Gintare also laid out some career paths, listing O.W.Ls you have to take to complete the relevant exams in order to follow your chosen career. I’m not quite sure what career I’ve always wanted: Auror, Hogwarts Professor, Curse Breaker, so I’ve decided to try and come up with a book for each challenge and as I go narrow down my job options. The thoughtful host compiled a thread for said paths, so have a look and see what you would have to read:

I do have to confess that I am backdating my reading efforts to try and pass my O.W.Ls. I started reading The Watchmaker of Filigree Street on April 2nd so have made the executive decision that this counts, but that all other reads I’m indulging in that I started reading before the readathon began don’t count. I think that’s fair. Now as the sign up is done, let’s get revising and reading:

Ancient Runes

Read a book with a symbol on the cover

Shadowblack by Sebastian de Castell

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Arithmancy

Read a book with a number on the cover or in the title

TwoSpells by Mark Morrison

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Astronomy

Read a science fiction read

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

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Care of Magical Creatures

Read a book that includes magical creatures OR features a magical creature on the cover

The Horse and His Boy by C S Lewis

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Charms – PASSED

Read a fantasy book

The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

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Defence Against the Dark Arts

Read a book featuring/about secret societies/clubs

Moonraker by Ian Fleming

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Divination

Read a book featuring prophecies

The Alchemist Paolo Coehlo

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Herbology

Read a book with a nature related word in the title

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

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History of Magic – PASSED

Read a historical fiction

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue Mackenzi Lee

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Muggle Studies – PASSED

Read a muggle non-fiction book

Very Good Lives by J K Rowling

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Potions

Read a book about/with alchemy

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Illustrated) by J K Rowling

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Transfiguration

Read a book that deals with transfiguration/shapeshifting or similar theme OR a book with a cat on the cover

Spellslinger by Sebastian de Castell

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I’m not sure how well I will be able to complete this readathon, but I really would like to try and pass my O.W.Ls without bending too much, so we’ll see what happens. It would be nice if I could complete the required subjects for a good career too, but I don’t want to get too carried away or caught up with the wrong book. I hope to update this post as I go and complete the exams as I finish the books, so do keep your eye out!

Are you taking part? What career path have you chosen?

What will you be reading?