Books · Monthly Tags

May TBR – The TBR Raffle

may tbr reading book books goodreads review blog blogging diary of difference diaryofdifference magic owls readathon magical book roast youtube

Hello, my lovelies!

I hope everyone is safe and gliding through the new era of Coronavirus. April was as unusual as March, but I have now started getting more and more used to my free time. Let’s see what My May TBR will bring.

I have read a lot of books in April, and I will soon do a complete April TBR Wrap up post. I am happy to say that I have read all the books I planned to read for the month, completed my OWLs and I also read some extra books as well.

The TBR Raffle

I am filming my TBRs on my Instagram Stories. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, and check out the “Monthly TBR” highlight at the beginning of each month!

My TBR Raffle game is simple: I have a number of prompts that I put in small papers, into a jar. I draw a prompt, and I fit in a book that matches my prompt. Here is a list of the current prompts I have. Feel free to leave any  prompt suggestions in the comments. Once the paper is drawn, I put it back into the jar, so it has an equal chance to get drawn again. I draw a total of 8 prompts, which result in 8 books for the month. If I fail to read a book, it automatically goes into the next month.

My May TBR

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✨ 1. Giveaway

I have chosen A Throne of Swans by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr, because this was a book I received through Readers First. It is a story about a girl whose royal family transforms into swans, and when her father dies, she needs to lead. However, she hasn’t been able to become a swan since she saw her mother die, and danger is coming…

✨ 2. Boyfriend Pick

When this prompt comes up, my boyfriend needs to choose a book for me. This time, he chose The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm by Christie Golden. Chris & I have been playing World of Warcraft together for a while, and started again when the Vanilla version was launched. I have always been intrigued with the Lore, and he chose this book, because Cataclysm is his favorite expansion and he thinks it is a great beginning to dive into the Lore world. I am so excited to read it!

✨ 3. NetGalley

When this prompt comes up, I need to read a book I have requested through NetGalley. I have many titles that I need to catch up on, honestly, and this is a prompt that helps me stay on top of them. This time I chose Music From Another World by Robin Talley. A story about two girls that become penpals in the 1970s. Story about rebellion, music and finding their identities. I cannot wait to read this!

✨ 4. Sent By Author

I have chosen Ethereal Custody: Anthologies by Byron Allanvre, because this is the book that was sent to me by an author that has been on my shelf the longest. I am not too familiar with the synopsis, but I know it is a sci-fi book about a parallel universe, and our protagonist is trying to escape.

✨ 5. Lowest Rated

When the Lowest Rated prompt comes up, I have a look at my Goodreads TBR pile, and choose the book that has the lowest average rating. I tend to avoid books that have less than 10 reviews. French Kissing by Catherine Sanderson was the book that popped up on my list, and I can’t wait to read. I love the synopsis and I have been wanting to read this book for a long time, so I am a bit surprised as to why it has a low rating.

✨ 6. One Word Title

For this occasion, I chose a book that was sent to me by an author. The book I will read is Cryptofauna by Patrick Canning. It is a story of a janitor that works in an asylum. He is about to commit a suicide, but is stopped by one of the residents and is then recruited to play a game called Cryptofauna. I am quite excited to read what this game is all about!

✨ 7. Purchased

A book I recently purchased is The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski. This is the prequel to the Witcher series. I love Witcher – the game and I also loved The Witcher – the TV Show. I love Geralt of Rivia with all my heart, and this is the perfect time to dive into the book series.

✨ 8. Giveaway

We start and we end with a Giveaway. And this time, I have chosen Thorn by Intisar Khanani. This is a book about Alyrra, who is a princess and is about to get married to a price from another kingdom. But all she wants to do is be an ordinary person. When a sorceress robs her of her identity, Alyrra’s adventures begin. Thorn gives me Aladdin vibes, and I cannot wait to read it!

Extras

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Just My Luck by Adele Parks

I will be participating in the Blog Tour, organised by the HQ Team. Expect my review on 16th May. Just My Luck is a story about a couple and their friends, that play the same lottery numbers each week. One week, the friendship comes to a rift, and the couple win the lottery. And this is when the drama begins.

His & Hers by Alice Feeney

I will be participating in the Blog Tour, organised by the HQ Team. Expect my review on 28th May. This is all I will reveal to you for the synopsis:

Jack: Three words to describe my wife: Beautiful. Ambitious. Unforgiving.
Anna: I only need one word to describe my husband: Liar.

And that’s my May TBR.
Make sure to follow me on Instagram, so you can stay up to date with my current updates during the month.
What are you planning to read this month? Let me know in the comments!

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Books · Monthly Tags

April TBR – O.W.L.s Magical Readathon 2020

april tbr reading book books goodreads review blog blogging diary of difference diaryofdifference magic owls readathon magical book roast youtube

Hello, my lovelies!

I hope you are all well and safe, and are staying at home! March has been a very unusual and awkward month with the whole Corona virus all over the world.

Even though I stayed at home all the time, I realised I am reading way less than usual and my TBR is not getting any smaller. I needed some time to adapt to this new situation and now I am slowly starting to actually enjoy my time away from the world and get back to reading.

And having said that, I decided to participate in the O.W.L.s Magical Readathon for the very first time. I am a huge fan of Harry Potter and have always wanted to do this, so here we are:

About the O.W.L.s Magical Readathon

The O.W.L.s Magical Readathon is month-long readathon that starts on 1st April and ends on 31st April. It is hosted by the lovely G over at Book Roast. Click here for her YouTube Announcement Video and Click here for your Hogwarts Induction on the exams.

In summary, you choose your career from the many amazing careers available, and based on your career, you need to pass your subjects. Each subject has a unique book prompt and you pass your exam by reading books that match your subject prompts.

My April TBR

As you might already know, I have my own way of choosing my TBR books, and this includes spinning my TBR Wheel for prompts.

Also, if I don’t manage to finish a book in the previous month, I add it to my next month, having a total of 8 books for the month. For my April TBR, I will be adding the books I haven’t read last month, but knowing I will fail to read all the books I list below I will NOT have a punishment for next month. If I don’t manage to read a book, it will go in the TBR pile again, waiting to be picked up.

This time around, to fit my O.W.L.s, I needed to do something very different: find books that fit my 3 books from last month, fit my 5 spins and also fit my career subject prompts. I first got my 5 spins, and then tried to fit them all to my subjects below:

Career chosen: AUROR

Mandatory Subjects:

april tbr list read reading book books OWLS O.W.L.S Magical Readathon blog blogging diary of difference diaryofdifference harry potter

✨ Charms

Read a book with a white cover: Alfonso by Felix Calvino

✨ Defence Against the Dark Arts

Read a book that is set at sea/coast (also fits Travel spin): Daisy’s Vintage Cornish Camper Van by Ali McNamara

✨ Herbology

Book Title starts with an M (also fits Giveaway spin): Multiverse by David Winship

✨ Potions

Read a book under 150 pages: The Iron Man by Ted Hughes

✨ Transfiguration

Book/Series with shape shifting (also fits Fantasy spin): Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) by Charlaine Harris

Optional Subjects:

april tbr list read reading book books OWLS O.W.L.S Magical Readathon blog blogging diary of difference diaryofdifference harry potter

✨ Ancient Runes

Heart on cover/title (book from previous month): Eternal Love by Karimah Colden

✨ Arithmancy

Read a book outside of your favorite genre: The Last One: JFK Returns by Mary F. Carruthers

✨ Astronomy

Read this book when it’s dark outside (book from previous month): I am David by Anne Holm

april tbr list read reading book books OWLS O.W.L.S Magical Readathon blog blogging diary of difference diaryofdifference harry potter

✨ Care of Magical Creatures

Creature with a beak on the cover: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

✨ Divination

Assign numbers to your TBR and use a random number generator (also fits my TBR Jar spin): Alienated: Grounded at Groom Lake by Jeff Norton

✨ History of Magic

Book featuring witches/wizards: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) by J.K. Rowling

✨ Muggle Studies

Book from a perspective of a muggle (contemporary) (book from previous month): Wonder by R.J. Palacio

And that’s my April TBR. I am hoping I can at least get my Auror subjects done, and then some of the other subjects too!
Make sure to follow me on Instagram, so you can stay up to date with my current updates during the month.
What are you planning to read this month? Let me know in the comments!

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Books · Monthly Tags

March TBR

March tbr reading book books goodreads review blog blogging diary of difference diaryofdifference luck st Patrick's day

Hello, my lovelies!

February has gone quite fast. But that was sort of what we expected from February anyway 🙂

I didn’t do much in February. I mostly was reading my books and started knitting and crochet.

Without further delays, let’s get to the important part – what will I be reading in March?

All the books that are currently on my TBR can be found HERE. This is the list that I will choose from when spinning the wheel.

My March TBR

I always start with 8 books on my TBR, because this is what I read on average. If I happen to read all of them, I will add a few more books at the end of the month. If I don’t manage to read the books from last month, I don’t unhaul them. They go into the next month’s list automatically, which leaves me with less spins.

These are the 8 books I am planning to read this March:

March TBR 2020 (1)

1. Eternal Love by Karimah Colden

Carry-over book.

Original spin: Series

The sequel to Eternal Soul, which I rated 3-stars. I hope I will enjoy this one more, but it was a nice book for me to choose for this prompt, because I find pleasure in finishing series. Tick, tick, tick!

 2. Chroma Crossing Chronicles: Blood Moon: Part 2 by S. Yurvati

Carry-over book.

Original Spin: Boyfriend Pick

This is what Chris chose, and I have to tell you that I was quite surprised. He could choose from World of Warcraft, Witcher and Harry Potter Books. Very surprising pick, but I am glad, because I did enjoy the first part of the Chroma Crossing Chronicles.

3. The Museum of Broken Promises by Elizabeth Buchan

Spin: Beautiful Cover

This book cover captures my attention every time and I love the story it unfolds. Every item in the Museum of Broken Promises has been donated and uncovers a story behind it. The owner of the museum, Laure, has some broken promises and stories of her own as well.

4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling

Spin: TBR Vet

One of the oldest books I have on my TBR. I remember reading this book when I was younger, but I don’t have proper book reviews written for the series, so I thought I should re-read it again.

5. The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Spin: Instagram Pick

I got the Instagram pick, I asked you to vote on my stories and this was the result! Make sure to follow me on Instagram, so you can see my stories and vote on my next monthly TBRs.

6. Switched (Trylle #1) by Amanda Hocking

Spin: Sister Pick

On this prompt, my sister gets to choose any book from my TBR. She chose Switched, and I am so excited to read it!

7. Wonder (Wonder #1) by R.J. Palacio

Spin: One Word Title

I have had this book on my TBR for a while now, and haven’t watched the movie yet, because I want to read the book first. So this was a great opportunity to finally read it! I have heard amazing things!

8. I am David by Anne Holm

Spin: Short Read

This book has been on my TBR for a while. It used to be in Macedonia, but I recently brought it back with me in the UK. I want to read this one so much and cannot wait.

And that’s my March TBR ! I hope I will manage to read all of these books.
Make sure to follow me on Instagram, so you can stay up to date with my current updates during the month.
What are you planning to read this month? Let me know in the comments!

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Books · Monthly Tags

February TBR – The Month of Love

february tbr reading book books goodreads review blog blogging diary of difference diaryofdifference love valentine's day

Hello, my lovelies!

January has gone so fast for me!

I was off for a week and a half, so I missed on a lot of reading. I am carrying-over 3 books this month 🙁

I travelled back to my home country, Macedonia, during our Christmas, which is on 7th January. It was really cold this time of year, but it was beautiful!

In January, I also attended the #NewVoices event, hosted by HQ. Many new authors had their pitch for the books that will be released in 2020, and I am already excited about a few!

Without further delays, let’s get to the important part – what will I be reading in February?

As I have announced in my TBR Update, I have changed the way I am choosing my books – if you haven’t read this update yet, please go and have a look.

All the books that are currently on my TBR can be found HERE. This is the list that I will choose from when spinning the wheel.

My February TBR

I always start with 8 books on my TBR, because this is what I read on average. If I happen to read all of them, I will add a few more books at the end of the month. If I don’t manage to read the books from last month, I don’t unhaul them. They go into the next month’s list automatically, which leaves me with less spins.

These are the 8 books I am planning to read this February:

february tbr a wedding in december sarah morgan pretties scott westerfeld eternal love blood moon the house on the lake nuala ellwood the complete persepolis marjane satrapi the lon and dark joshua banker blog blogging book review diary of difference diaryofdifference

1. A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

Carry-over book

I just didn’t manage to get to this book in time, and it’s a shame, but hopefully, I’ll get to it this month.

Everything I have read so far from Sarah Morgan – I loved! And this Christmas, I was lucky enough to receive this book from the publishers, so I can read it right in time before the end of the year. A Wedding in December is already on the top of the lists across UK, and I am hyped to read it.

 2. Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld

Carry-over book

I am actually quite sad that I didn’t manage to read this book in January, but hopefully I will be able to do it this month.

I had to choose a book that had a white cover, and Pretties was the closest I had to it. Also, I really loved the first book – Uglies and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

 3. Confucius’ Social Wisdom by Pavan Choudary

Carry-over book

I received this book a while ago through a giveaway on Goodreads (I know this was a long time ago, because Goodreads is not hosting giveaways for the UK anymore). Shame, shame, shame…

Pavan talks about the social wisdom from the works of Confucius, and I am excited to find out more. It is a short read, but I am sure I will enjoy it!

4. Eternal Love by Karimah Colden

Spin: Series

The sequel to Eternal Soul, which I rated 3-stars. I hope I will enjoy this one more, but it was a nice book for me to choose for this prompt, because I find pleasure in finishing series. Tick, tick, tick!

5. Chroma Crossing Chronicles: Blood Moon: Part 2 by S. Yurvati

Spin: Boyfriend Pick

This is what Chris chose, and I have to tell you that I was quite surprised. He could choose from World of Warcraft, Witcher and Harry Potter Books. Very surprising pick, but I am glad, because I did enjoy the first part of the Chroma Crossing Chronicles.

6. The House on the Lake by Nuala Ellwood

Spin: My Pick

I am actually doing a blog tour as well as an instagram tour for this book. Also, I might have one spare copy as well, so could also do a giveaway. Let me know if you would like to see that!

7. The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Spin: Graphic Novel

I have this book on my bookshelf for quite a long time. I think this is the best time to pick it up and finally give it a go. I have heard some amazing reviews from other bloggers, so I am quite excited.

8. The Long and Dark by Joshua Banker

Spin: Travel (set in destination)

This was the first time this prompt came, and I had some fun choosing a book. I have decided to go for this one, because the main character goes on a quest in a fantasy world, and that was all it took to make me pick it up.

And that’s my February TBR ! I hope I will manage to read all of these books.
Make sure to follow me on Instagram, so you can stay up to date with my current updates during the month.
What are you planning to read this month? Let me know in the comments!

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Books · Monthly Tags

January TBR – New Beginnings

january TBR

Hello, my lovelies!

I haven’t seen you in a decade (this joke never gets old. And when you can only use it once every 10 years, I may as well spam it).

Well, here we are, at the very beginning of a new year again. New Year – new goals. New hopes and dreams.

I always liked planning my whole year in January, but this year, I will not bother so much. I have made a few changes in the way I choose books, and I am feeling pretty happy about it. My stress levels have decreased a lot, and I found pleasure in reading once again. Yes – there was actually a time when reading felt like a chore. I don’t want that for me.

My December was filled with Christmas spirit, here in the UK. But being born in Macedonia, we actually celebrate Christmas on the 7th January – so January is my Christmas month actually. During this time, I will be traveling back to Skopje, and I might not read as much, because I will be spending time with family and friends.

Without further delays, let’s get to the important part – what will I be reading in January?

As I have announced in my TBR Update, I have changed the way I am choosing my books – if you haven’t read this update yet, please go and have a look.

All the books that are currently on my TBR can be found HERE. This is the list that I will choose from when spinning the wheel.

My January TBR

I always start with 8 books on my TBR, because this is what I read on average. If I happen to read all of them, I will add a few more books at the end of the month. If I don’t manage to read the books from last month, I don’t unhaul them. They go into the next month’s list automatically, which leaves me with less spins.

These are the 8 books I am planning to read this January:

december tbr edition the toll three hours rosamund lupton virgin river pretties uglies scott westerfeld wedding in december sarah morgan neal shusterman goodreads netgalley blog blogging diary of difference

1. You, Me and The Movies by Fiona Collins

Carry-over book

I actually read this book last month, but didn’t get a chance to write a review yet, so not sure how to organize myself 🙂 I technically have it read, but it doesn’t really count until a review is up.

Two people. Ten classic films. A love story you’ll never forget.

Arden has just started university when she meets Mac – and quickly falls head over heels for the handsome, charismatic film lecturer. Their love affair is dramatic, exciting and all-consuming; the sort of thing you only see in the movies.

It couldn’t last. But thirty years later, leading a very different life, Arden is visiting a friend in hospital when she suddenly comes across the man she never forgot. Badly injured in an accident, Mac can only make brief references to the classic films they once watched together: Casablanca, A Star is Born, Pretty Woman among others… and they make Arden remember everything.

The bittersweet memories of their relationship help Arden re-connect with the world in a way she no longer thought was possible. But will a movie-worthy love ever be hers again?

2. A Darker State (Karin Müller #3) by David Young

Carry-over book

This is the third month a book has been on my TBR, but I already read this one during New Year’s Eve and these last few days, and will share the review soon. So it sort of counts, but it also doesn’t 🙂

A mystery / crime novel, where a teenage boy’s body is found and the main character of this book (and series), Karin, is investigating the mystery. I haven’t read the previous books of the series, but it one of those that you don’t have to read the in order, as they are all standalone mysteries, it is just Karin that stays the same.

   3. A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

Carry-over book

I just didn’t manage to get to this book in time, and it’s a shame, but hopefully, I’ll get to it this month.

Everything I have read so far from Sarah Morgan – I loved! And this Christmas, I was lucky enough to receive this book from the publishers, so I can read it right in time before the end of the year. A Wedding in December is already on the top of the lists across UK, and I am hyped to read it.

4. Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton

Spin: New Author

Rosamund Coppley is a new author to me and I am really excited to read Three Hours. In rural Somerset in the middle of a blizzard, the unthinkable happens: a school is under siege. With only three hours to save them and media and parents asking for updates, I am sure this will be a very unpredictable and intense book.

I am doing a blog tour for Three Hours on 12th January – so keep an eye on my post then.

5. The Toll (Arc of a Scythe #3) by Neal Shusterman

Spin: 5 Star Prediction

After reading and loving both Scythe and Thunderhead, I am certain that The Toll will be a 5 star. No doubts at all. And I mean, I have been bragging on and on about this book for ages now!

A world where people can’t die, Scythes exist, that glean them, in order to keep the population intact. Two characters are on their way to become Scythe apprentices, and they learn the whole tradition behind the gleaning ceremony.

 6. Pretties (Uglies #2) by Scott Westerfeld

Spin: Colour – white

I had to choose a book that had a white cover, and Pretties was the closest I had to it. Also, I really loved the first book – Uglies and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

  7. Confucius’ Social Wisdom by Pavan Choudary

Spin: Giveaway

I received this book a while ago through a giveaway on Goodreads (I know this was a long time ago, because Goodreads is not hosting giveaways for the UK anymore). Shame, shame, shame…

Pavan talks about the social wisdom from the works of Confucius, and I am excited to find out more. It is a short read, but I am sure I will enjoy it!

   8.  Virgin River by Robyn Carr

Spin: New Author

Robyn Carr is a new author to me, and I am also part of a blog tour on the 29th January. I haven’t watched the Netflix TV Show yet, but everyone that watched it has amazing things to say. Looking forward to this one!

And that’s my January TBR ! I hope I will manage to read all of these books, and I hope that maybe I can squeeze in one or two more, before the end of the month and end of the year?

Make sure to follow me on Instagram, so you can stay up to date with my current updates during the month.

What are you planning to read this month? Let me know in the comments!

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