Ordinary Wizarding Levels – #OWLSReadathon2018 by @Book_Roast
I saw this on #bookstagram earlier in the year and didn’t sign up. My mate Jay signed up for the catch-up month this week and I said, “No, I have too many reading challenges on”.
But.
I took a look at my July TBR, and the challenge prompts, and they mostly fit so here I am.
Based on the Harry Potter classes for the Ordinary Wizarding Level Exams this is a reading challenge to sit and pass your OWLs. There are 12 categories. You can only move onto NEWTs in August for categories whose OWL you have passed. You only need to pass 5 for an outstanding grade. I’ve done one already. 😋
Here’s the video by booktuber @Book_Roast announcing the original challenge.
I’ve been following her on Instagram for a while and even bought her Nevernight Mia and Mr Kindly candle duo from her Etsy shop Burning Fiction. They smell divine.
Here’s what I’ve chosen – and they are all proper print books so you can have some pictures too 😘.
Ancient Runes
Book with a symbol on the cover – Eve of Man by Tom and Giovanna Fletcher (Also a YALC read)
I’ve really enjoyed Tom’s other books and am looking forward to seeing what the Fletchers can do together other than create gorgeous small humans and adorable YouTube videos.
Arithmancy
Book with a number on the cover or in the title – The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams
I’m reading this one for … reasons. 🤫
Astronomy
A Science Fiction novel – The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (Also a YALC read)
This has been on my TBR for ages. I’ve heard fantastic things about it. Becky is at YALC and the third book comes out the end of the month. What a perfect time to read it.
Care of Magical Creatures
Book including magical creatures or featuring one on the cover – White Rabbit, Red Wolf by Tom Pollock (Also a YALC read)
Now officially I have an ARC with ‘This Story is a Lie’ written on the front but the actual cover features a white rabbit which often pops out of a magician’s hat and wolves are pretty magical so although this is a contemporary read it totally fits the prompt. Ok 👌 This one features bingeing which may be a little triggering for me but it has had amazing reviews.
Charms
A fantasy book – The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green (Also a YALC book).
Received a stunning purple sprayed edged ARC in an illumicrate and I feel bad that I haven’t read Sally’s other series yet so I’m going to start with this as currently there’s only one out.
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Book featuring secret societies or clubs – Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Also a YALC read)
Jay had this for this category on her list so I’m going with the fact that there are clans and secret magic doings, Dumbledore’s Army style. This has also been chosen for Jimmy Fallon’s book club for the summer.
Divination
Book featuring prophecies – The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross.
I have been urged my one of my groups of booky friends to read this and they confirmed it fits the prophecy trope so yay.
Herbology
Book with a nature related word in the title – Sunflowers in February by Phyllida Shrimpton (Also a YALC read).
Sunflowers are very naturey and my friend Cath read and loved this. I believe tissues will be required.
History of Magic
Historical Fiction – Arabella of Mars by David D Levine.
I started reading this for book group and am halfway through. This is Historical/Steampunk Fantasy and I’m enjoying the Victorian era-ness of it.
Muggle Studies
A muggle non-fiction Book – How to be a Craftivist by Sarah Corbett.
This is on my list for this weekend and I’ll be sharing a blog post on my YALC craftivist activity next week so that those who are only coming on Sunday can join in. Then I’ll be taking a visit to my local Scrapstore and making packs up.
Potions
Book about or with Alchemy – Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffen (Also a YALC read).
I’m using this definition of alchemy – A seemingly magical process of transformation, creation or combination. In this book main character Nell aims to build her own companion.
Transfiguration
Book that deals with transfiguration/shapeshifting or a similar theme or has a cat on the cover – Theatrical by Maggie Harcourt.
This is the one I’ve already read and adored. It’s set in a theatre and there are some acting scenes described that totally epitomise transfiguring from one being into another.
Which of the 5 OWLs categories are you most likely to complete successfully this month?
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Writing Retreat – Guest Post
Have you ever wanted to be whisked away somewhere remote to get that book inside you written? And do you wish that you had expert guidance and support to help you while you did it?
If you answered yes to the above questions then you should definitely continue reading this post which is going to tell you all about the Atelier des Ecrivains (Writers’ Workshop) retreat.
Becky and Sarah who are co-hosting the writing retreat, and are both writers themselves, know that there are lots of people who harbour a desire to write a book but may either lack the confidence, the skills or the headspace to actually do it. They also know from experience that removing yourself from your daily life, with all of its pressures and interruptions, and coming together with like-minded people can be a great way to overcome those barriers. Where better to do that than in a beautiful 18thcentury manor house outside one of France’s prettiest villages, Aubeterre?
Helen Cross, author of My Summer of Love, which was turned into a Hollywood film starring Emily Blunt and whose other novels, screen and radio plays entertain people all over the world will be leading the workshop. She is an experienced teacher of creative writing and currently teaches on the MFA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, UK. The combination of skills and experience offered by Helen, Becky and Sarah will be invaluable to authors at all stages of their writing journey.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS
Getting started – Thursday 20 to Monday 24 September, 2018
For people at the beginning of their writing journey, this workshop will help you develop your writing skills, find your creative voice, thematic material and literary style: create credible characters and reveal them through dialogue and active, dramatic scenes: and build your world – structure, point-of-view, and narrative voice. With a small group of up to 10 writers, we are promoting an environment of creativity and support with one-to-one feedback sessions and time for questions and answers.
Keeping going – May, 2019
For people who have already started their writing journey, this workshop will enhance your skills even further, help you overcome barriers and enable you to shape your words into the brilliant piece of work you know it has the potential to be.
Getting published – September 2019
For people reaching the conclusion of a writing project, this workshop is designed to support the final stages of writing and editing, and will contain lots of useful information about how to get published and successfully market your book.
You can find out more information about the hosts, venue and workshops here. To book your place or to contact the hosts, you can visit the website here.
I don’t know about you but I would very much like to go on this writing retreat. Maybe I should start doing the lottery.
Have you ever been on a retreat of any kind? How was it?
@fayerogersuk
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Mid year reading review 2018 #40yrs40bks
Oops I forgot to update you on my bookish challenges each month and here we are with 6 months of the year down. By the end of today I will have read at least 108 out of my Goodreads Challenge to read 150 books.
That will take me up to 20/40 on my friends and my #40bks40yrs challenge and I have highlighted what I’m planning to read for each category except from two. What I’m going to start on my birthday – as I will go with what I fancy picking up on the day.
And as July 4th is approaching I’m wondering if anyone knows of any books set to a background of Independence Day celebrations. Although I did just read the Hamiltome so I’m wondering if that will count.
See the pictures below to see what I’ve read/plan to read.
I am doing less well 8/23 for the #betterworldsbooks2018 challenge, but again I have now highlighted what I plan to read.
Some of the books I highlighted at the beginning of the year that I wanted to read in 2018 overlap with the two challenges above.
I listed 40 books I’d like to read this year and have read 16 of those. Unfortunately two of those books have had their release dates delayed to 2019.
And out of the 2018 anticipated releases I’d jotted down 12/21
Are there books set for release in the second half of this year that you think I should add to my TBR?
My TBR for July appears to have reached 21 books?! 😬📚📚📚📚📚📚📚. YALC is suddenly later this month, when did that happen. I’m loving organising myself in the Fairyloot Reading Journal we got in June’s Box.
How are you doing with your reading goals for the year?
kirstyes 