N.E.W.Ts 2019 TBR

Welcome again, fellow readers. This post is a little late (We had a family related issue.) but I’m here now with my N.E.W.T.s TBR.In the rare case that you don’t know, the N.E.W.T.s readathon is the second part of a Harry Potter related readathon (the first being the O.W.L.s.). Hosted by G @ Book Roast on youtube. The two readathons span a month each and the second part is set in august.I did participate enthusiastically in the O.W.L.s and completed all the challenges for my career as a ministry worker. During this readathon I have to complete twelve challenges (twelve books) in order to work in the department of mysteries. Anyway, lets just get into what I’ll be reading in the month of august.

The first set of examinations I have to take are for charms. The first challenge (for Acceptable) is to read a book that has a gorgeous cover. For this I’ve gone with Circe by Madeline Miller. I believe this is a book based on Greek Mythos?

For Excellent, you have to read a comic/graphic novel/manga (or book under 150 pages). I’m going to read Locke & key #4 key to the kingdom by Joe Hill.

The last challenge, for Outstanding, is to read a paperback.I’m going to read a book I intended to read in June, the miseducation of Cameron post by Emily M. Danforth. I believe this is a coming of age story of a teen girl forced to live with her conservative aunt and (well intended) grandmother after the death of her parents. She’s in addition coming to understand her sexuality and her love for a girl. That’s all I really know as I want to go in to it fairly blind.

Okay, my next examinations are for Defence Against the Dark Arts. For A the challenge is to read a book that is black under the dust jacket. Many books could fit this challenge, but I’ve gone with The Taking of Annie Thorn by C.J. Tudor. I don’t remember what this one is about but I loved chalk man, Tudor’s debut.

E is to read the first book you remembered just now from your TBR. Mars Room by Rachel Kushner is making it into another TBR. I’ve already talked a bit about what this one is and I’m going to attempt to read this one (again).

Next, for O, is to read a book by an english author or set in England. Im going to read Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie who is an english author. I’ve only ever read murder on the orient express by her (and loved it) so I’m looking forward to diving into this one.

For Potions, A is to read your friends Favourite book. Now, I don’t have any friends, and nobody in my family reads regularly enough to obtain a favourite book so I’m warping this challenge a bit. I asked my mum what her favourite film based on a book is and the first thing that came to her mind was Harry potter. (I probably planted that seed by telling her about this readathon.) So I’ll be reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire by J.K. Rowling. I think you know what this book is about or at least the premise of the series so I’ll leave it at that.

E is the challenge to read a book in the colour of your house colour. I’m going to read Rose Madder by Stephen King as it is yellow. I DNF’d this one a while ago but I’m going to try once more. It’s about a woman in a violent relationship who leaves, but as it’s stephen king some weird stuff goes on.

O is a book that starts with a prologue. I’ve selected Elizabeth is missing by Emma Healy. I don’t remember what this is about, and I might change my mind about reading it this month but we’ll see.

Finally, the last set of exams I’m sitting is for Transfiguration. A is to read a book with LGBTQ+ Rep. I’ll either be reading the art of being normal by Lisa Williamson (Which, I believe, is about a trans girl.) and Two boys kissing by David Levithan (About two 17-year-old boys participating in a 32-hour marathon of kissing, to break a guinness world record.). Both I also intended to read in June.

E is to read a book that isn’t a first in a series. I’ll be reading Valley of fear by Arthur Conan Doyle. I believe this is (chronologically) 7th in the Sherlock Holmes series but I haven’t read them in order.

Lastly, O is to read a book over 500 pages. I have another book I DNF’d a while ago, the book thief by Markus Zusak.You probably know what this in is as well.

And that’s it, my TBR for the month of August. Slightly ambitious but do-able. Let me know if you are joining in with the N.E.W.T.s and what you’ll be reading. And good luck!

-Tate

Ask me his name by Elle Wright.

Ask me his name is a sad but necessary memoir of Elle, a first-time mother. We follow her as she describes the ups and downs of beginning a new life with her husband when they plan to add a child into the mix. After just ‘74 hours on this earth’ Teddy died, originally of unknown circumstances. Elle and her husband, Nico, go on an emotional journey to overcome the difficulties of losing their firstborn son and let Teddy’s life be one that changes not only their own but the life of other families. Ask me his name is a truly inspiring account of loss and love in motherhood that deserves more recognition.

Elle, did a fantastic job of melting my heart with Teddy’s story, opening my eyes to a world I’ve never even begun to investigate. I praise her bravery for opening a discussion of loss after childbirth, by giving us this account which she hopes other mothers who have gone through similar events will read and find solace in.

I picked this one up, as I wanted to learn about such an experience, I, as a guy, will never truly understand, yet this book gave me an insight into what Elle and her family felt during and after the life of teddy. I hope this book does reach mothers who have also been dealt a difficult card. If you or someone you know has been through the loss of a baby, please don’t hesitate to click any of the links below, to find help and advice. I don’t want to give away too much, as I want you to read it yourself and draw your own conclusions, but I have so many positive thoughts about this book.

I admire how Teddy’s short life has positively changed the lives of others. I hope you decide to pick this one up yourself.

Helpful links:

Sands

www.sands.org.uk a UK based charity there to support anyone affected by the death of a baby. It aims to receive and promote research to reduce the loss of babies lives.

Tommy’s

www.tommys.org offers support to parents after the loss of their baby and in future pregnancies.

The Mariposa Trust

www.marioosatrust.org

www.sayinggoodbye.org there to support bereaved parents and offer them a place if peace and comfort after the loss of their baby.

Our missing peace

www.ourmissingpeace.org set up and run buy Nichole Bowles after the loss of her baby boy, Ben, in 2012, with the aim of unifying bereaved parents. They help to simplify finding support for bereaved parents, regardless of circumstances.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Setting: England
  • Publisher: Lagom
  • Publication date: 2018/2019
  • Pages: 312
  • Price: £8.99
  • ISBN: 978-1-788-701-79-2