I cannot believe that there are only twenty-five days remaining in 2018! The year has flown by for me and I am really excited for a fresh start (this year has had the lowest of lows for me). But before I skip on into the new year, I wanted to do the end of the year book tag! Many thanks to Abmost Fiction and Destiny @ Howling Libraries for tagging me, we all know that I love a good reflection!
Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
This question honestly kind of makes me anxious, haha. I am currently reading four books that I would like to finish before the end of the year (soon to be five as my buddy read for Illuminae begins tonight). Here’s what I am currently reading and how far I am:
From Novice to Master: An Ongoing Lesson in the Extent of My Own Stupidity
by Soko Morinaga (re-read)
pg 31/154
Firefly: Big Damn Hero
by James Lovegrove
pg 89/384
Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars, #4)
by Sara Shepard
39% read
Once Upon a River
by Diane Setterfield [ARC]
0% read
Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1)
by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
0% read
I also have four books on my ‘Not Now’ shelf, and although I am not likely to get to all of them, it would be nice to wrap up these as well! All of these books I picked up but wasn’t in the right mood or mindset to read; with This Cruel Design and Vengeful it is actually fear based and I have an upcoming post talking about that.
Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
Not really, no.
Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?
I am anxiously awaiting my copy of Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful by Arwen Elys Dayton to arrive and it is my last 2018 release! I was really excited to see it was this month’s pick for the Mysterious Galaxy Book Subscription after seeing Justine’s review!
What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
Uhh.. I listed 9 in the first question. If I had to choose which three from that list: Illuminae, Firefly, and Vengeful.
Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?
It’s possible! I am really excited for Illuminae because it is a SQUAD Buddy read and we are reading along with the audiobook – which I have heard is full cast and incredible.
Have you already started making reading plans for 2019?
Have you met me? Of course, I have begun making plans for 2019, but I am not ready to share them yet. 😁
TAGS:
Bianca @ Ultimate Fangirl | Cassie @ Let’s Get Galactic | Avery @ Red Rocket Panda
Let’s go on another adventure together!
I have so many books to finish too! I can’t believe it’s already December. Looks like you’re making great progress on yours, though! I’m hoping to start the Illuminae Files next year. Happy reading!
Two that I really liked: Foundryside and Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful. Just doing a couple “Best Of” posts and they are both on them
Ohhhh you’re reading the Pretty Little Liars series! I read that one ages ago, but I kind of gave up after book… 11? Something like that. I loved the twists and drama, but it was getting a bit long. I hope you’re enjoying it so far? 🙂
AH! I am on the blog tour for Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful! Very excited to read it!
Great tag. I really can’t believe the year is almost over already! Where has the time gone? Looking forward to seeing your plans for next year. 🙂
I just went to my local bookstore this AM to see if they had Stronger, Faster but no dice! I’m very curious about that one as well!
you’re amazing Kaleena! I bet you already have plans for 2020 🙈🙈
Love your answers, Kaleena! I ASPIRE to have my blogging life as put together as you do. <3 I'm hoping to read Illuminae soon, and am dying to see your thoughts on it! I've heard the audiobook experience is wonderful as well, but I'm horrendous at reading audiobooks, so I'll probably just stick to the paperback I have for it. Hahaha! Happy reading, love!
Thank you so much for tagging me, Kaleena! Tbh, this tag is making me anxious since I’m such a mood reader. But nonetheless, I think this is quite a fun tag to do just to check if you still have something up your sleeve.
I love Illuminae! It was one of the best books I read in 2015 and it got me hooked on sci-fi. Kady Grant is basically my hacker mom. 💕 I hope you have a fantastic time with the audiobook.
And honestly same. I just want 2018 to get it over with. Happy reading, and I’m crossing my fingers for you in achieving these goals. 😊
WAIT FOR ME WITH THIS CRUEL DESIGN I’M STILL WAITING ON THIS MORTAL COIL. Also you need to read Six of Crows ASAP. I implore you to move it up your TBR as I have with This Mortal Coil.
Illuminae is AMAZING in audiobook form, Kal. You’re going to love it and if you don’t pay attention like me, you’re going to feel bad like me. 😀
I liked Illuminae but didn’t love it. I’m still waiting my copy of the last Throne of Glass book. Hopefully you’ll get your copy of Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful soon.
OKAY YOU HAVE TO WAIT TO READ CRUEL DESIGN. I JUST GOT MORTAL COIL YESTERDAY. AND HELL YES TO ILLUMINAE!!!! OH MY HEART IS SOARING THAT YOU ARE READING/LISTENING TO THIS. 10/10 would recommend. GOLD.
And uh….I see you got SOC up there…uh we need to figure out when that bad boy is getting demolished. lol. xD
OKAY OKAY OKAY! I suppose the good thing about my FAILING on my squad buddy read of TCD is that I can try again to read it with you when you get to it! I hope that you enjoy the book as much as I did!!!
Illuminae is INCREDIBLE. Currently on page 150 but plan on spending a good amount of today reading & listening!
Uh… yea, SoC. We need to get that albatross from our necks!
Its not failing if you squint your eyes and crane your neck to the side. So boom! you are winning! Plus now you will get the chance to experience my ever the great commentary. A time shall be had.
YESSSSSS ILUMINAE FOR EVER!!!
And uh yeah. Yeah we do. 😂😂
Being able to experience your commentary will def be worth it. tbh I am really looking forward to you reading TMC
me. toooooo.
Soph is next in line for her library copy. I hope this means SOON
mood
I’m currently reading Once Upon a River! I had every intention of reading it before its release date, but it just didn’t work out. I’m only a few pages in! What is the Firefly book you’re reading? I LOVED the series and was super bummed when they cancelled it after one season. However, they just started a new comic that picks up right after, and it’s fabulous! They’ve only published the first issue, and I’m really looking forward to the next one.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
I am strangely glad that I am not the only one that missed the release date for Once Upon a River! I feel really bad, but I know better than to try and force it when I am not in the mood. I hope you are enjoying it!
The book is called Big Damn Hero by James Lovelace and Nancy Holder, and is the first of 3 new books in the ‘verse! I also loved the show so much and still mourn its cancellation, but also live in a world where the movie does not exist. These books pick up after the show and before the movie. Happy me. I will have to check out the comic, do you have info on it?!
I love the audio for Illuminae Files. I listened to all three after reading them and enjoyed it so much.
The audio is INCREDIBLE! Honestly with the unique format of the book, I feel like reading along with the audio is how it was meant to be consumed and I freaking love it. I was on a book ban for the rest of the month, but, uh, I need Gemina and Obsidio immediately!
Gemina is my favorite, but I loved all three. It’s one of my all time favorite series.
I am honestly so excited??? Somehow I was just sleeping on this one
I can’t wait to hear what you think once you’re all done.
I can’t wait to share my thoughts! Even though I haven’t read since Friday oops.
You now have 24 days to finish all of that!! 😂 But omg, I’m guilty of that too and I have more than 4 books in my ‘currently reading’ list. And also Ms. Organized WHO???! You have a reading plan already I am so jealous!! 😭
Hahaha yea, plenty to keep me occupied this month for SURE! Thankfully I am taking the last 2 weeks of the month off of work, so hopefully I will have some extra time for reading!
I do have a plan because I am obsessively Type A, but have you seen my awesome 2019 book blogger spreadsheet template?! Because you can also be super organized if you want, for free! Here’s the link to the post!
Oh my god, what I wouldn’t do for 2 weeks off work! lol I hope you get to finish all your reading! <3
AND YESSS, I have seen it! I've already downloaded the template and tbh, it intimdates me bc I don't think I can fill that out and follow it 😂
I am really fortunate that I work for a university and we have only 3 working days between Christmas Eve and New Years Day, so I only have to use 3 vacation days to have 2 weeks off! So much reading, plus I won’t have to cook since I will be staying with my dad! (I know I am almost 35 but lol, always a kid at heart!)
There’s a lot there so I understand being intimidated! Let me know if you ever have questions or want some help.
Also also, do you have a more current blog? What is attached to your WP profile is a blog with a farewell message from 2013 as its most recent post. I’d love to comment/visit back if you have a more up to date blog.
Oh wow you’re so lucky! Do you have to go to work on summer break? And lol my mother still cooks for me on the weekends 😀
Thanks for offering! I’ll try to figure it out myself for now. If I can’t do that wtf am I even doing here 😂
And omg that’s not me! 😂😂😂 I saw that too, but I guess we have the same blog name? I don’t know abt the domain tho. But here’s the link to mine hidingbehindbooksblog.wordpress.com. Thanks for the support! <3
I do have to work during summer break as I am not an instructor (I work in philanthropic fundraising for faculty research and student support), but working for a public university (aka I technically work for the state of California), I get a bunch of public holidays. Which is nice!
That is so weird, but thanks for clarifying! You might want to update your URL in your WP profile because it currently links to the other person’s blog
Ooh, that’s still good! 🙂 I live for the holidays lol
Oh no, I just saw that it did link to that blog. I changed it already, thanks for letting me know! 🙂
This is a great tag. I have quite a few books that need reading, and things that need to get done before the year is done. Gah. Now I need to make a reading plan. You are so organized!!
So much to do and so little time, I can’t believe how fast time is flying by! I hope you are able to accomplish your goals before the new year, Beth!
Me too! But if I don’t that’s ok! On to the next year!
THE Illuminae AUDIOBOOK HAS A FULL CASTTT???? WAHAAAA? I am rushing off to my friendly neighborhood online library as we speak to reserve myself a copy.
IT DOES! I REPEAT! FULL CAST and it is INCREDIBLE!?!?!? I am about 150 pages in and honestly??? The unique format of the book with the full cast audio go so perfectly together, it is almost like this was the intended way to read it!
Welp, I’m convinced
Thanks for the tag, I already did it at the end of November though as I was clearly over eager haha! My responses are here: https://redrocketpanda.com/2018/11/23/book-tag-the-end-of-the-year/
Once Upon a River, yesss, i need to read that one too 🙂
I’m so happy to hear you are enjoying Illuminae!
I saw a review of Once Upon a River yesterday and it was glowing. Hope I enjoy it that much!
Me toooooooo, it is so good. I just ordered Gemina and Obsidio yesterday (oops book ban) because I have a mighty need to continue hehe
Hello Kaleena!
Hope that you enjoy Illuminae. It is one of my favourites when it comes to YA sci-fi 🙂 I loved Six of Crows as well. Although it is in your “not now” pile, hope that you will enjoy it when you get to it! Wishing you a wonderful December 🙂
Hi Sophie, thank you so much for your comment! I am LOVING Illuminae so far, it is fantastic! I read the first chapter of Six of Crows about 6 weeks ago and can tell I will really like the book, it just wasn’t the right time for me. Hopefully the stars will align soon. Happy reading!
That’s great to hear that you’re liking Illuminae! It’s all right that you’ve decided to not continue Six of Crows, though hope that you’ll give it another shot one of these days 🙂
I will get around to it one of these days, hehe. It’s a buddy read and Sam is equally meh about picking it up right now for some reason.
Goodness I don’t even want to think about all of the books I started this year that I didn’t finish. I hit a reading slump and couldn’t stay engaged with ANYTHING for all of summer. I had never heard of Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful until this post but I am adding it to my TBR! I’m a huge fan of Black Mirror and anything dark science fiction.
Oh no, slumps are the worst! And I don’t know about you, but I always struggle to go back to books I set aside as “not right now” reads.
I’m dying to read Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful – I got an e-ARC, but I haven’t had the time to read yet. *hides in shame* Good luck on reading all those books before the year ends.
Happy readings! 😉
Tânia @MyLovelySecret
No shame, I am behind on a couple of ARCs too… I think it happens to the best of us! I am excited to read it as well, I think my copy arrives today. Yay!