Dumbledore’s Army Readathon Sign UP #DAReadAThon

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to Pottermore and J. K. Rowling, please don’t sue me.

Dumbledore’s Army once strived to keep Hogwarts a safe space for all students, despite the odds which were stacked against them. For the upcoming new year, I wanted to take a leaf from their book, and to remember to keep fighting -especially to keep the voices of everyone visible in my reading experience. Come join me and declare your allegiance for Dumbledore’s Army, we’ll take it one page at a time.

What: #DAReadAThon is a Harry Potter themed readathon, focusing on diverse (especially #ownvoices) books.

When: The readathon will begin Sunday 1st January and conclude Sunday 15th January, midnight to midnight – wherever in the world you’re based.

Who: Anyone can join, although it would be easier for you to write up your reviews and sign up posts if you had a platform such as a blog or a booktube. If you have a twitter or instagram account, please join in on the #DAReadAThon hashtag! You don’t have to be familiar with Harry Potter to join, but the prompts will make more sense to you.

How: You can sign up in this post right here, and start planning your TBR from today. Sign up will remain open for the duration of December.

The prompts of #DAReadAThon are inspired by the spells Harry and co. practised and used during their meetings in the Room of Requirements. We’ll be doing magic of our own by reading and promoting diverse titles using the incantations below. There are seven prompts, since we all know that’s the magic number.

The Patronus charm is deeply personal and is fuelled by your love and positive experiences. For this prompt, read a diverse book highlighting a topic of personal significance to you or a loved one.

This Disarming spell became one of Harry’s signature move. I ask you to disarm your own prejudices and step out of your comfort zone for this prompt. Go read a diverse book featuring a marginalised group you either have not read about, or don’t read enough about.

I hope that everyone will strive to pick #OwnVoices books for these prompts anyway, but here’s a category that demands you to cast that Shield Charm and protect #OwnVoices story by reading one!

Feminism is important, but it means nothing if it’s not intersectional feminism. Use this Reductor Curse to smash the patriarchy and read a book, either non-fictional or fictional, that highlight feminism which is inclusive to all women.

Rouse yourself from that Impediment Hex and go read a diverse book that’s been languishing on your TBR for far too long. 

For this prompt, find a book that’s taken over the Internet with a Stunning Spell and causing hype everywhere – then read it.

Lumos will illuminate your way in the darkness. If you’re struggling to find diverse books to read, go and find one of your most trusted bloggers and ask them for a recommendation, let them light your way to the read for this prompt.

Keeping scores is completely optional, but since you guys enjoyed doing it so much for my Pokemon Indigo League #ReadThemAllThon, I thought I would bring it back for this challenge. Instead of individual glory, you will be fighting together with your Hogwarts Houses!

• Each 10 pages you read will earn you 1 House Point.
• Each book you complete will earn you 5 House Points.
• Each book you review specifically for the #DAReadAThon will earn you 5 House Points.
• Crosspost your review to Amazon for 1 House Point. 
• Post an image of your #DAReadAThon ID on Twitter for 1 House Point, and it allows other members of your House to find you!
• Tweeting on the #DAReadAThon hashtag (with meaningful tweets about your current reads, recommendations of #OwnVoices) will earn you 1 House Point each. You can have a maximum of 20 House Points from Social Media interactions.
• Photos of your #DAReadAThon books or TBR pile will earn you 1 House Point each. This contributes towards the maximum of 20 House Points from Social Media interactions mentioned above.
• We will catalogue the points at the end via a masterpost, and find out who the Hogwarts House Champion for Diversity is!
• For funsies, you can make yourself a House ID card like the one below:I have provided some template images below (click on the preview for the full image). You can add your own text via your favourite image editor (or use a free web one like Canva, my tutorial for Canva is here).

  

  

  

  

  

Here’s some curly questions I usually get asked when I organise one of these.

1. Do I have to read the books in order of the listed prompts?
Not at all! Go at your own pace.

2. Can I use the same book for two or more of the listed spell?
You can, but you can only earn the house points ONCE. Read as much as you can to win honour for your team!

3. I am participating in another reading challenge, can I use the same books for both?
Of course, as long as it matches the prompts listed. Check with me if you are unsure.

4. What do you count as a diverse book?
Any book that features a diverse experience such as LGBTQIA, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender diversity, indigenous, neurodiversity, people with disabilities. If you are unsure, ask me!

5. What is an #OwnVoices book?
A book featuring a marginalised perspective, written by an author who shares the same marginalised characteristics. Again, if you are unsure, ask me!

6. I am afraid that all book bloggers will sign up as Ravenclaw, does my House stand a chance?
Of course it does! You have an entire month to campaign for people to join your House instead for this challenge. If all else fails, you and your team mates can huddle together for some intensive reading in January.

7. If I finish all the prompts ahead of time, can I read other diverse books and have it included towards the House Points count?
Yes. They will only count for page points (1 pt per 10 pages), not the completion bonus.

If you have any other questions, please comment or contact me via twitter

There are no forms actually. Please just add your links to your sign up post/TBR for the #DAReadaThon to the link aggregate below, and you’ll automatically be eligible!

---

I look forward to seeing you all join! Which Hogwarts House are you in? Which books do you intend to read?