I don’t normally participate in readathons because I don’t do well with planned TBR. However, I find The Book Junkie Trials to be such a fun and creative readathon to the point where it’s a game and I want to be a part of it. The readathon runs throughout the entire month of July and is created by Rachel from Rachel marie Book Junkie, so check out her announcement video for all the details. But basically, there are 17 prompts and 5 teams. Each team has 5 specific prompts that they must complete to reach the Bookish Grail. Each team also has a specific skill and a specific weakness that contributes to the prompts. You can also try to read all 17 books. I don’t think I will read 17 books in July, but I will try to pick a book for each prompt, in case I am able to read more than my 5 team prompts.
I’ve decided to participate as part of Team Magi and there are 5 prompts for the team. The team leader is Becca from Becca and the Books, check out her announcement video for more information. I am excited about this. First, I will chose the 5 Magi prompt books. The advantage for my team is that we get 3 extra reading days, but the disadvantage is that we must choose one book that is outside our comfort zone.
1. Orc Grove: Some say there is no talking to Orcs, but a good political relationship is
needed. Learn some Orc customs by reading a book that is gruesome, gory, or gritty.
For this I want to go with Half the World by Joe Abercrombie. As much as possible, I want to focus on books that I already own, but I’ve exhausts my grimdark owned books and I recently read the first book in the series, so it’s nice to have a reason to continue with it right away. Plus, it’s not super long.
2. Ol’ Pirate Cove: Shiver me timbers. You shall be walking the plank if you don’t learn
how to sail better. Read a book that takes place, at least in part, on sea.
Viper by Bex Hogan. This is a perfect opportunity for me to read this. I already own it, but I never really feel compelled to pick it up. I do want to give it a try, but I’m not sure if I’m going to love it. But it takes place on the sea, it’s even pirate-y I believe, so perfect fit for this prompt. And once again, it isn’t too long!
3. Glimmer: This Isle is alight with gems and crystals, one of the most picturesque spots in
The High Queendom. Make sure you fit in with a beautiful or colourful book.
For this, I’m choosing Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. I was gifted this for my birthday a couple years ago and I never picked it up because it’s a bit outside my comfort zone. So I’m picking this to fulfil my weakness challenge as well as the Glimmer challenge, since it has a gorgeous cover that I just love so much. And I’m so excited to finally be reading this. I really needed that extra push. I am also a bit nervous, because it’s not short and the font is small, but I’m doing this. Uni is out, I have time.
4. Draconic Isle: Oh My! This island is swarming with wyverns and dragons.
Brush up on your draconic knowledge with a book that features dragons.
For this I’m going with Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik. I’ve been looking for an excuse to buy this book and continue with this series. And now I have it.
5. The Bookie Grail: Here you find a lost manuscript, delivered on this
forgotten island by a fallen star. Read the group book: Stardust
Obviously, for this I’ll be reading Stardust by Neil Gaiman. This honestly is what tipped the scales for me participating in this readathon. If the group book had been something I had no interest in, I may have skipped, but I want to read this. And I think I’m going to audiobook this because Neil Gaiman narrates his own books and he’s a great narrator.
These will be the 5 books I will be prioritising in July and I will be reading them in order, as that’s a requirement of the readathon. Now on to my picks for all the other prompts. I’m almost definitely not going to get through all of these and I won’t be reading them in any particular order if I do manage to read any, but I’ll give it my best effort. But I just want to have a TBR prepared. So, let’s just dive in cause this’ll take a while.
Crimson Peaks: These peaks are about to blow! Re-read a favourite to soothe them
into dormancy
I’ve been meaning to re-read The Oathbreaker’s Shadow for ages now and this is the perfect excuse to do just that.
Queendom Stone: The stone of our Royal Majesty – what are the royal customs of
other lands? Read a book featuring Royalty.
A Curse so dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer. This is a book I’m interested in reading, but I never feel like picking up. So maybe this will motivate me to do so.
The Forgotten Forests: All those open series, the forest knows and feels your
forgetfulness. It will sing a mounful lament, tormenting you until you read the next
in a series.
This is definitely a prompt I want to complete. I will be reading Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff and finally complete this series.
The Weeping Falls: To pass through the rapids unscathed, you must give to the Falls.
Read a tear-jerker.
This one is quite hard to judge for me. My bookish crying is unpredictable. But I will go with Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot since this both short and quite sad. Elizabeth’s husband and child were killed by a tribe of cannibals I think. they were missionaries and it will probably make me cry. I’m honestly so nervous about reading it because I know it will make me cry.
Dwarf Mount: You spot a fair tavern wench, however the Dwarf Mines, grimey and
dusty, didn’t evoke a very romantic feeling. Read a book with a hint of romance to get
you in the mood.
This is honestly the prompt I’m least likely to complete. But if I do get around to it, I will read Looking for Alaska by John Green.
Apothecary Towers: Where the wizards dwell. Tricksters. They have blind-folded
you and randomised all your books, choose a book at random from your bookshelf.
I used a random number generator and it picked Turtles All the Way Down by John Green. So if I get around to this challenge, I will be reading this one.
The Great Library: Ahh the great archives, find and read a book that has been on
your TBR forever.
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas. I’ve had this since it came out. It’s short. I might as well read it.
The Drowning Deep: The Whirlpool… is so…. mesmerising. Read a book with rich
world-building that will suck you into its own world, instead.
Well, it’s kind of hard to know this before reading a book. But from my owned TBR (which is where I’m picking all the non-team challenges from), just based off a gut feeling, I will say Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye.
The Elven Guard are surprised by your visit, and are immediately on the offensive:
Read a book with War, Military or Political Themes to learn how to help calm the
situation.
For this, I chose Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee. It’s got war, political and military themes in it. Plus, it’s not very long and it’s one I keep not picking up. So it kills a lot of birds with one stone.
On the Hallow Isle, lurk incorporeal monsters and the ghosts of your past: Read an
Atmospheric or Horror Book to pass this test of nerve.
for this I’m choosing Grief is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter. It’s not really horror, but it definitely sounds atmospheric.
Empty Barrel Inn, everyone deserves a swig or too, some say it even aids warming
up those vocal cords: Enjoy An Indulgent Read.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Because it’s one of the books on my TBR I’m most excited for.
Giant Squid, a fearsome fellow: Read a book that intimidates you, and this foe shall
be a doddle.
Since I’m on a Neil Gaiman roll in this TBR, I’ll go for American Gods by Neil Gaiman. This book is a big boi.
Do let me know if you’re also taking part in this, I’d love to talk about it!
A Book Nerd 