10 Books I Need to Read Before the End of 2019

HELLO. JUST A CASUAL REMINDER THAT IT’S ALMOST 2020. NO NEED TO START PANICKING YET. *screaming into the voice* Ahaha yep, I might be slightly worried about that fact. Not only are there a ton of things I still need to do before the end of the year, but there are also a MASSIVE STACK OF BOOKS still to read! And do you think I’m anywhere near close to completing my Goodreads goal for the year?! (Let me just go cry in a dark cupboard for an hour or so.)

But because I’m currently freaking out about all these books that I should have already read, I’m going to be making a post about 10 books that I really, REALLY need to read before the end of 2019. This is a life or death situation. I’m not even kidding. And what better way to procrastinate actually sitting down and reading all these books than writing about them on my blog? *softly cries*

SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, let me introduce the 10 books that I’m going to aim—wait no, SUCCEED—in reading this year! Let’s do this.

Serpent & Dove

I have been meaning to read this book ever since it was released! I heard amazing things from my friend Bianca, and she told me it was all about witches and creepy kinds of magic, and I was like: SOLD! But then another friend of mine wasn’t so keen… and that kind of made me push it down my TBR a little! But I’m still really hoping to read it before the end of the year and make up my own mind. I mean, witches! Come on! How can it not be epic? *crosses fingers*

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Tarnished Are the Stars

Oh man, this book sounds absolutely incredible! I saw some people tweeting about it a little while ago, but I never really investigated to see what it was about. Sometimes sci-fi books can be a little hit-or-miss for me, so I’m always tentative about buying them. HOWEVER, I just watched Katytastics’s booktube video where she talked a little bit about this book in a haul and it sounds SO GOOD! Why did I wait this long to add it to my TBR? Apparently it’s like a more queer version of The Lunar Chronicles with an enemies-to-lovers sapphic romance, so I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY LIFE. DUH.

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The Magnolia Sword

I received an ARC of this book a little while ago from work, and it just looks super cool! THAT. COVER. Ahh, I’m in love! I heard this one is kind of a Mulan retelling? So obviously I’m here for that! But if I’m being perfectly honest, I’m just super keen on reading this book as soon as possible so I can post a ton of cute photos of that cover. I haven’t heard too many people talking about this one, so I hope it’s good!

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American Royals

I feel like literally EVERYONE has read this book. Yep, I am the last person on this entire planet to actually read it. I think what drew me to this book in the first place was that I had recently read Red, White & Royal Blue, so of course I was craving more royal-type stories. And then this one was released! I did try reading it a few weeks ago, but I don’t think my head was in the right place because I kept getting a bit confused with the amount of characters there were and who everyone was. I’m definitely hoping to reread the beginning and finish it real soon though!

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Permanent Record

This is another book that I feel like I’ve been seeing everywhere on bookstagram at the moment! I absolutely loved this author’s previous book, Emergency Contact, so I was so stoked to receive an ARC of this gem. However, I’m not too sure if this one is actually YA? I think the characters are a little older and the cover looks more NA or Adult to me. I’m not sure! I could be wrong! Again, I did try to start this one a little while ago but never got past the first couple of chapters because other books got in the way, but I am hoping to finish it before the end of the year. I hope I love it as much as Emergency Contact!

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Everywhere, Everything, Everyone

I went to the book launch of this exciting new #LoveOzYA novel months back, and I had such an amazing time! I got to hear the author read out the first chapter, get my hands on this gorgeous novel, and even eat a colour-coordinated cupcake. It was the best! I’ve been meaning to clear a bit of time in my reading schedule to squeeze this book in, but I just haven’t had the time yet. And that’s devastating! However, I’m determined to bump it up to the top of my TBR so I can read it before the end of the year. I just love supporting #LoveOzYA!

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A Heart So Fierce and Broken

UNPOPULAR OPINION TIME: A Curse So Dark and Lonely wasn’t… my favourite. I mean, it was okay, but it was definitely not a best read of the year or anything. Which is disappointing because so many people absolutely ADORED it! Alas, I was not one of them. I even debated whether I would go ahead and read the second book, but when I received an ARC of it in the mail, I knew my answer had already been decided. THIS IS THE UNIVERSE’S WAY OF TELLING ME TO READ THE DAMN THING. So that’s what I’m going to do! And seeing as it comes out in January, I want to get a bit of a head start on my 2020 TBR. Oh god. It’s terrifying to type those four numbers together. #HELP.

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Verity

This is the book that the whole of booktube has been screaming about ever since it was released! I know, I know, I still haven’t read it. BUT! Now I have a copy in my possession! I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this book, but seeing as I’d only read one of Colleen Hoover’s books (November 9), I was a little hesitant to pick up this one. However, the hype finally got to me and I totally caved. I heard this one is more of a thriller (as I was under the impression a lot of her work is romance), so I’m down for this! HERE’S HOPING I HAVEN’T LET THE HYPE RUIN MY READING EXPERIENCE.

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Oasis

HELLOOOO, NEW KATYA DE BECERRA BOOK! I’m so excited to have you in my possession! I absolutely loved Katya’s debut novel, What the Woods Keep, so ever since then I’ve been bugging her to sneakily send me an early copy of her next release. And finally, my wishes have been granted! If this book is anywhere near as creepy as her first, I know I’m going to absolutely love it. Plus, that cover is absolutely STUNNING! I’m so excited to sit on the couch with a big mug of tea and dive into this thrilling upcoming release. It’s out next year!

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To Best the Boys

And finally, the last book on my READ BEFORE 2020 pile is To Best the Boys! This is another book that I’ve been meaning to read ever since it was released. I heard a ton of reviewers raving about this book, and it sounds absolutely phenomenal, so I feel like I need it in my life. I have the audio of this book so I’m planning on listening to it on the plane to Korea during my upcoming trip! I’ve heard it’s about a girl disguising herself for some kind of contest, and honestly, that’s all I need to know to have me sold. Eep! I can’t wait!

What books are you hoping to read before the end of the year? Have you read any of these ones? Did I add any books to your TBR? I’d love to know!