the coven’s witchy october readathon

It’s October, which means it’s time for the coven’s witchy october readathon! I rarely ever participate in readathons as I’m a) a mood reader and b) often feel like I won’t meet the required expectations one has for a readathon. But this year I felt like I needed more witchy books in my life and what better time to tackle this than the spooky month of October? How fitting that four absolutely amazing bookstagrammers brought back their readathon which they started last year!

I originally planned to post this on October 1st – as it would have been the best possible date – but as I’m horribly unorganized at the moment I simply wasn’t ready to post it yesterday. Still this amazing readathon needs some spotlight and I also wanted to take the chance and share my picks of books I want to read! But first, let me introduce the amazing ladies of the coven that are responsible for the coven’s witchy october readathon: Lana (@immortalwitchling), Ana (@libraryofamoonchild), Barbara (@libraryofpeculiar) and Martina (@the.book.monster).

the coven’s witchy october readathon

I’ve been following all of them for quite some time now (if you aren’t you should most definitely do it. Their content is amazing and you’re missing out!) and after seeing their announcement to bring back their readathon I almost couldn’t contain myself. Though I have to admit that I was hesistant at first as my reading year of 2020 hasn’t been that good so far.

But the rules are pretty simple: read books that include witches in any way (whether that be fiction, non-fiction, history, spell books, tarot books, poetry …). As long as it has a witch in it or it’s written for a witch, it counts. and honestly, that is something I can manage! On top of the reading fun, the four ladies also created the hashtag #tcwitchyoctober20, that you can use in all posts related to the readathon (books you read, characters, atmosphere, post reviews, comments on covers, discussing genres …). There will also be weekly challenges, in which you can (but don’t have to) take part. The crowning glory of the readathon will be the announcement of two winners from all participants, who will get to spend 20€ on Book Depository. So all in all – an amazing reading experience with very cool goodies on top.

© Lana (@immortalwitchling).

my bookish picks

» Rebel Angels by Libba Bray «
I have to admit that Rebel Angels might not be a typical witchy read, but as there are both lots of magic and women casting it (sometimes also named witches in the first book), I’d say that the book definitely counts as witchy book. Also one of the magic-casting women named herself Circe based on the famous sorceress of Greek mythology, soooo. Yes. Witchy read. It also works perfectly since I finished the first book of the series not long ago and can’t wait to know what happens next with my magical girl squad.

» The Graces by Laure Eve «
To be honest I’m not a hundred percent sure, what will await me in The Graces, but it was recommened to me more than once (by good friends I trust with choosing wonderful books) and after reading the synopsis I wanted to give it a chance. I mainly bought it for the readathon and was also somehow intrigued by the beautiful cover, but I cannot wait to jump into the story and get to know the witches in it! Apparently it also features LGBTQ+, mental health and disability rep, so that’s a bonus point from me!

» The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden «
I’ve been meaning to read The Bear and the Nightingale since it released in 2017, but I’ve never gotten around to it until now. So I saw the readathon as a chance to finally pull it out of my evergrowing wishlist of books and read it. If my feelings turn out to be correct, I’ll probably want to devour the trilogy all at once. I’m also a sucker for books with slavic settings, so I hope I’ll end up loving it! I know that it is set in winter and thus gives off a winter-y atmosphere. But magic. And witches. I need it right now so it goes on the list!

Since the first day of October is already over, I’ve jumped into my first read by now and I can’t wait to read the other books. If everything goes particularly well, I might add some other witchy reads to the pile, but my main goal is to finish these three and participate in the upcoming challenges. I guess I’ll also find some other amazing recommendations throughout the month and definitely discover new bookstagrammers to follow.

Are you taking part in the readathon as well? If so, which book(s) will you be reading?