Oh my goodness, I pulled it off. I actually did it! I can’t believe I did. For those of you who are new or just following for the first time, I suppose, I did the NEWTs exams for August. My goal was Auror with two additional classes, because I can’t make my life easy.
Info on the Reading Challenge or my post here
This was only pretty much horrible for me for three reasons. One: I had to read an audio book (but that was a lot of fun and that review is coming tomorrow). Two: One of the series isn’t completed (thank heavens tho, because I hated The Keepers). Three: I had to pick up a series I accidentally DNFed (which I ended up loving. The Wicked series reviews will come later next month). I really pushed myself this month, to do things outside of my comfort zone. Was I rewarded? I think so. I read a lot of great books this month. I was not able to read the +3 (three books that I added because I started one series but did not finish it). Oh well no harm no foul, right?
But you aren’t here to hear me ramble. Scores for my NEWTs!
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Requirements
O: Cornish pixie! Swat it away with a book by an English Author or set in England
E: Gilderoy’s Memory Charm – first book your remembered right now from your TBR
A: Read a book that’s black under the dust jacket
Books Chosen for the Exams
O: Shadowblack by Sebastien De Castell
E: The Shadowed Sun by N.K. Jemisin
A: The Last Namsara by Kristen Cicarelli
Grade Achieved: O
Average Book Score: 4/5
Potions
Requirements
O: Book that starts with a Prologue
E: House ingredient: read a book with a cover in your house color
A: Polyjuice potion: read your friend’s favorite book
Books Chosen for the Exams
O: A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire
E: Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire
A: Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Grade Achieved: O
Average Book Score: 4/5
Charms
Requirements
O: Spongify (softening charm) – read a paperback book
E: Read a comic/graphic novel/manga (or book under 150pgs)
A: Read a book that you think has a gorgeous cover
Books Chosen for the Exams
O: Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire
E: Peach Fuzz by Lindsay Cibos and Jared Hodges
A: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Grade Achieved: O
Average Book Score: 4/5 (4.5 for Son of a Witch, but 3 for Peach Fuzz’s reread)
Herbology
Requirements
O: A book with a flower on the cover
E: Read a book between 350-390pgs
A: Mandrake! Quick put headphones on! Listen to an audiobook (or a green book)
Books Chosen for the Exams
O: Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi
E: Spindle by E.K. Johnston
A: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Grade Achieved: O
Average Book Score: 4/5 (5/5 for Evelyn Hugo, but a 3/5 for Boy, Snow, Bird)
Transfiguration
Requirements
O: McGonagall does not mess around. Read a book over 500pgs
E: Read a book that’s not first in the series
A: Read a book with LGBTQA+ representation
Books Chosen for the Exams
O: The Keepers: WWIII by Rick Friar
E: Peach Fuzz 2 by Lindsay Cibos and Jared Hodges
A: Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd
Grade Achieved: O
Average Book Score: 3/5 (Way to bring down the curve WWIII)
Astronomy
Requirements
O: Read a Sci-fi book (or book with stars on the cover)
E: Word “Night” in book title or series name
A: Moon on the cover or anywhere in the title
Books Chosen for the Exams
O: Tribulation by Rick Friar
E: A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston
A: The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin
Grade Achieved: O
Average Book Score: 3/5
Divination
Requirements
O: Read the last book you bought/took from your library
E: Read a short story or a collection of short stories
A: Read a white book
Books Chosen for the Exams
O: Spellslinger by Sebastien De Castell
E: Unfinished Tales by J.R.R. Tolkien – Only the first one
A: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Grade Achieved: O
Average Book Score: 4.5/5
Am I an Auror yet? Can I be a Hogwarts teacher now? This was a lot of fun for many a reason and I’m really happy I could join in for the fun for the event. I need to make this all pretty and put it to Instagram now. Talk to you all later.
Until next month
MM
Marlena Marie 
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