Books I Must Read Before The End of the Year // exposing myself for not reading your favorites

Hello, friends. 😌 It’s been a while. Have you figured out your TBR for the rest of the year? 

That’s a really strange thing to say. The rest of the year? We’re almost at the end of 2020? Impossible.  

But alas. We are here in the middle of October. 

I’m not entirely sure if I will have time to read all of these by December, but I can certainly dream. 

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Okay, I’m starting off strong. 

It’s true. I haven’t read SoC and it absolutely haunts my nightmares. I’m sorry, okay! I just have to read the Grisha series first! More on that later. 

If you asked me about Six of Crows, all I could tell you is a) Kaz is mean and well-dressed, in a good way b) there is a character named Inej. That’s it. 

(Also, one of my irl non-reader friends is currently reading it, and I simply cannot handle the shame any longer.)

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Everyone tells me I need to read this series, and I definitely agree with them. However, I know there are also a lot of trigger warnings for it, so I’m not sure if I’m quite ready to read it at this moment in time. 

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

I have been “reading” this book since March! And by “reading”, I mean I’ve been listening to the audiobook in 15 minute increments once a month until I have to return it to the library again.

I really started reading The Bone Witch at the wrong time. I mostly enjoyed it, but having to move off campus in March and then falling into a huge reading slump took me away from it, and now I just don’t have the motivation (or memory) to pick it up again. But I will!

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Vicious by V.E. Schwab

How long have I owned this book? It may or may not be 6 months. 

I’m going to read this as a buddy read with Ruby, but neither of us ever have time so 😅 we’ll see when this actually happens. And it will happen! Just not yet. Eventually, though. 

Incendiary by Zoraida Córdova

I bought this a few months ago and I have been dying to read it! 

And that’s it, that’s the only explanation. 😌 I’m actually on page 40 right now, so I should probably continue it soon. 

Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman

I have this book now and, I mostly want to read it to get away from all of these fantasy books. I love fantasy, but sometimes you just need a relatable contemporary, you know? 

I’ve been interested in this one for a while, and I think I might be able to relate to the main character a lot. I also got it for my birthday, and the cover is even more pretty in person!

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Darius The Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

I know so many people who have listed this as one of their favorite books, and I have to say, that sounds really good to me. 

For this one, I’m not very sure if I’ll actually read it this year, since I already have so many physical books on my TBR and I don’t own this one already, but a girl can try. 

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

I have owned this book for almost two years! And I have only read the first chapter! 

Also, there is a sequel out now! I swear, nothing makes me want to read a book more than finding out it’s part of a series. 

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Again, this book is part of a series! I’ve heard nothing but praise for the wording building and characters! It’s inspired by West African mythology! What else could I possibly ask for? 

I own this one, too, and I am ready to be swept away. 

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Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Okay. Hear me out. 

Everyone I know, here and in real life, tells me that I don’t need to read this series before I read Six of Crows. Yes, I know! I don’t need to finish the Grisha series! 

But I must read it because I bought it like two years ago. If I don’t read this series, it will just stay in the corner of my room, staring at me, inducing more book-buyer’s guilt than I ever asked for.  

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

I’ve heard so many good things about this one, lately! I’m really excited to get to it soon. I also got this one for my birthday, and the whole book is indeed beautiful.

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black

Listen. 

Last year, when The Queen of Nothing was released, I absolutely devoured it in under 48 hours. This is extremely rare for me, and I heavily associate that kind of binge-reading with the warm memories of my bygone youth.
(i’m not old, i just like to pretend that i am)

Does this mean I loved The Queen of Nothing? Not really. It had its flaws, but mostly, I just had an insane amount of fun while reading it. *shrug* And that’s the kind of feeling I want for when I read this novella. 

Have you read any of these books? What books are still on your 2020 TBR? Are there any end-of-the-year releases you’re waiting for?  

Chat with me about it!

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Happy reading! Have a lovely day! Please stay safe!