Tackling My TBR is a monthly post, where I share my reading plans for the upcoming month. The concept of a TBR Jar is not a new one. I’ve seen it used in various ways throughout the bookish community. My jar is a little different. The goal is to read the older books on my to-read pile. Thus, instead of putting individual book titles on a small sheet of paper to place in the jar, I wrote a month and a year on each. Each month, I intend to pull three sheets of paper from my jar which will dictate which three books I will read. The dates on the paper correspond with the date I added those books to my Goodreads account. Some months will have over 20 books to choose from, when others may have only one. From Goodreads, I’ll choose the three books from the three different monthly hauls. And if I cannot complete the book within the month, it will be unhauled (with the exception of one pass each month).

In July, I attempted to read books from my December 2013, August 2011, and May 2020 book hauls. And I am sad to report that I didn't finish a single one. I ended up unhauling A Secret Kept by Tatiana De Rosnay since historical really isn't a genre I pick up anymore. While I was so excited to dive into The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith, I just ran out of time and hope to pick it up later this year. However, I plan to read Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev this month, since I didn't get to it last month.

For this month, I picked the March 2016, June 2020, and December 2017 book hauls out of the jar. From there, I chose the following books to read:

The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan: I am super excited to read this one and complete the Kane Chronicles. I adore Egyptian mythology so I am loving this series. 

Lovely War by Julie Berry: I know I just mentioned that the historical genre really isn't something I gravitate towards anymore. While that is true, Lovely War is told through the perspective of Aphrodite and I love unique perspectives. It was what made me fall in love with the Book Thief, as that book is told through the eyes of Death.

The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo: I've had this on my shelf for a while. It's a short collection of fairytales of Bardugo's Grisha world. There's beautiful illustrations and even the cover is gorgeous. I can't wait to read this one!

The Orilium Readathon is hosted by booktuber: G at Book Roast. This readathon takes place during the entire month of August. Here is the announcement video. It’s a little complicated as participants are tasked with building their own character and then choosing a calling or career path for their character. This round of the readathon, our characters are off to magical school where we must take classes to excel in our chosen calling. The number of prompts or challenges vary depending on certain callings and on what grade you strive for in each class. My calling is to become a Moon Warden. Thus, there are 6 challenges. Here’s the books (and their challenges) I hope to get to:

Lore Olympus, volume 2 by Rachel Smythe (challenge: letter L in the title): Since I am posting this TBR a bit late, I have acutally already completed this one and I am in love. This was a great graphic novel. Now, I have to wait until the third volume comes out.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (challenge: book with archers or rangers): It is finally time to begin this series. Has everyone already this, but me? While I am entirely guessing, I am hoping that this book contains a few archers so it can fulfill this prompt.

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonoli Dev (challenge: start a book with a drink): While I could have doubled up with another prompt, I have decided to leave this one as its own prompt and choose a whole new book for it. I meant to read this last month, but I am glad that I can fit it in August. With Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau and The Charmed List by Julie Abe, I am loving all these foodie romances. This one also reimagines Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen so I know it will easily become a favorite!

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn (challenge: use color wheel and a pick a book of the same color - indigo): I have been wanting to pick this up for a while and this is the perfect time. Whenever I read the synopsis, I think of Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco. They both are historical mysteries with a hint of romance. It is going to be so good!

Three Kisses, One Midnight by Roshani Chokshi, Evelyn Skye, and Sandhya Menon (challenge: single object as focus on the cover): This book releases at the end of August and I can't wait to read this book. I am so happy that it fit into the readathon! This one follows a group of friends who decide to use magic to have the romance of their dreams. I hear there are strong autumn vibes in this, which makes me even more excited to pick it up!

Lord of the Flies by William Golding (challenge: oldest book on my TBR): This prompt can be interpreted in many different ways. I chose to go with the oldest age-wise book on my TBR, rather than the oldest-to-me book on my TBR, if that makes sense. I have been meaning to pick up Lord of the Flies for the past few months, since I am interested in reading it and I never had the pleasure of reading it while in school.