Pokemon Indigo League #ReadThemAllThon Read-a-thon Sign Up Post

Disclaimer: obviously I don't own Pokémon, that's all Nintendo & Niantic owns PokemonGO

Found out about this challenge from Flavia the Bibliophile's blog, and being a long time Pokémon fan who has a huge TBR pile to read if I want to finish my reading challenges for this year I thought what the hell a read-a-thon could be just what I need. So I headed over to the #readthemallthon's home at Read at Midnight to find out more about it and how to sign up.

So, what do I have to do?

Between Sunday 14 August to Sunday 4 September I have to read 8 books in specific categories to earn gym badges based on the original gyms in Kanto's Indigo League.

Sounds easy right? Well I've tried to pick books that fit into my lists for my main two reading challenges and in all but 3 cases I have been successful. But given my choices I'm going to have to read about 3557 pages in 3 weeks. Which will be challenging, especially as I'll be in the middle of a few Copyright classes. But I am *always* up for a challenge :D

Pewter Gym: The First Book In A Series
This Rock-type gym is the first gym Ash and the Pokemon player ever encounters. Finish this challenge to win a Boulder Badge.

My choice: 

Berlin Game by Len Deighton

Also fulfills: 

The Book Riot Read Harder Challenge's "read a book originally published in the decade you were born" requirement because it was originally published in 1983.

At 352 pages it offers me 35CP.

Added bonus: I have literally been eyeing this book series since I spotted it on my parents shelves at about the age of 8.

Cerulean Gym: A Book That Might Make You Cry
This Water-type gym has a badge that looks like a droplet of your tear, so read a book that will rip your heart out. Finish this challenge to win a Cascade Badge.

My choice: 

The Saga series, v1.-v.5 by Brian Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Also fulfills: 

Nothing!

At a combined 776 pages for all 5 volumes they offer me 77CP.

Added bonus: I have had these sitting on my desk at home for ages, once I finish reading them I can take them back to work.

Vermillion Gym: A Book With Thunderous Hype
Vermillion City is the home to Lt. Surge and his many Electric-type Pokemon. For this challenge, read a book that’s been hyped all over bestseller’s list and the internet.  Finish this challenge to win a Thunder Badge.

My choice: 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Also fulfills: 

The Book Riot Read Harder Challenge's "read a dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel" requirement AND the PopSugar 2016 Reading Challenge's "science-fiction novel" requirement.

At 374 pages it offers me 37CP.

Added bonus: I borrowed this from my office mate Melanie about a month and a half ago and I promised her I would read it next after I finish Career of Evil.

Celadon Gym: A Book That Focuses on Diversity
Celadon Gym is one of my favourites, because of it’s colourful Grass-type aesthetics. Read a diverse book and you will earn yourself a Rainbow Badge.

My choice: 

Just Girls by Rachel Gold

Also fulfills: 

The PopSugar 2016 Reading Challenge's "book based on a Fairy Tale" requirement because it is, quite obviously, based on Snow White.

At 168 pages it offers me 16CP.


Added bonus: None.

I'm going to go for two with this gym:

My 2nd choice: 

Just Girls by Rachel Gold

Also fulfills: 

The Book Riot Read Harder Challenge's "read a book by or about a person that identifies as transgender" requirement because there are two main characters, one who is transgender, and the other is a lesbian.

At 254 pages it offers me 25CP.

Added bonus: It's from the public library and my hold just came in today so I'd have to take it back by the end of the #readtehmallthon. Plus I actually was the one that requested they buy it for my reading challenge anyway.

Fuschia Gym: A Book With A Great Romance
I’ve always been confused by the fact that a Poison-type gym has a heart-shaped badge. Can someone explain please. Read a book that features romance prominently and earn a Soul Badge.

My choice: 

Love in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction by Judd Trichter

Also fulfills: 

The PopSugar 2016 Reading Challenge's "romance set in the future" requirement.

At 320 pages it offers me 32CP.

Added bonus: None :)

Saffron Gym: A Book With Fantasy/Supenatural Elements
Saffron City is where all the Psychic-types hang out, so for this challenge, read a bool with fantasy, magical realism, or paranormal elements. Finish this challenge to win a Marsh Badge.

My choice: 

War of the Dwarves by Markus Heitz

Also fulfills: 

The PopSugar 2016 Reading Challenge's "book translated to English" requirement because it was originally written in German.

At 743 pages it offers me 74CP.

Added bonus: I'll be able to justify buying the third book in the series.

Cinnabar Gym: A Book With A Red Cover
Cinnabar Island is famous for red earth and Fire-type Pokemon. For this challenge, read a book with a red cover. Complete this challenge to win a Volcano Badge.

My choice: 

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

Also fulfills: 

Nothing.

At 464 pages it offers me 46CP.

Added bonus: I'll have read my first OwlCrate book, hopefully before the second one arrives haha.

Viridian Gym: A Book With Post-Apocalyptic Setting
The final gym is home to a Team Rocket Leader (OK, if it’s been out 10+ years you can’t cry spoilers) and Ground-type Pokemon. For this challenge, read a book featuring a ruined, post-apocalyptic Earth. Finish this to win yourself an Earth Badge.

My choice: 

Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Also fulfills: 

Nothing.

At 360 pages it offers me 36CP.

Added bonus: I'll be able to justify buying the rest of the series and I won't have to run the risk of needing to re-read Maze Runner because I only just read it last week.

Extra Points & Fun

Figured if I'm going to jump into this, I am going to jump in with both feet even though I'm not playing PokémonGO (which is a whole other post on it's own). Because, ya know, reading 3500 pages or so in 3 weeks isn't enough of a challenge for me. I'm going to pick a pokémon to try and evolve and also aim to write reviews and tweets to earn extra CP an effort to try and become the Pokémon League Champion:

• Each participant can choose one Pokemon, and will start with i) 10CP (Combat Power) for a Pokemon that can evolve OR ii) 50CP for a Pokemon that cannot evolved e.g. Lapras.
• For each 10 pages they read during the challenge, their Pokemon will gain +1CP. That’s +10CP per 100 pages!
• For each gym badge/book completed, they will gain an extra +20CP.
• For each review you post of a book you read during the Read-a-Thon period, gain an extra +20CP.
• Each time you tweet under the hashtag #ReadThemAllThon on Twitter, gain +2CP.
• Each time you post a photo of your book + a Pokemon (via Pokemon Go camera function) under the hashtag #ReadThemAllThon on Twitter, gain +5CP.
• When you are 150CP, your Pokemon can evolve, earning you gain an extra +50CP. If your Pokemon has a third evolutionary form, it can evolve again at 400CP and gain you an extra +50CP.
• If you choose a Magikarp, you can’t evolve until you get to 450CP, but you will gain an extra +120CP when you have a Gyarados. Basically, if you think you can read loads of books, choose a Magikarp.
• Whoever owns the Pokemon with the highest CP in the end, wins the title of Pokemon League Champion and will earn a prize (to be announced), as well as bragging rights.

So who's my pokémon? Well, I'm a glutton for punishment apparently:

Yup, I went Magikarp, SHINY Magikarp of course because Red!Gyrados is freaking awesome. All the points for me?