The End of the Year Book Tag for 2024

As we approach the end of 2024, let's start talking about how I plan to wrap up this year in reading! Expand for more information. 👇

Channels Mentioned 🍿

Links 💻

Further Viewing 🎥

Prompts ✅
1.Are there any books you've started this year that you still need to finish?
2. Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
3. Is there a new release you're still waiting for?
4. What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
5. Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?
6. Have you already started making reading plans for next year?

Titles Mentioned 📚

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But wait, there's more!

[beckyliechty]

This election has me so stressed. I can’t bear to think if it goes the wrong way.i too am doing cozy reads. I usually read non fiction but now I am reading some fiction. I hope I will feel better after the election

[arlissbunny]

I’m right there with you on reading cozy right now. I thought the perfect follow up to the two Kamogawa books is We’ll Prescribe You a Cat. I found it to be soothing and quite clever. I think my favorite in this sub-sub-genre is still probably What You Are Looking For is in the Library. Personally I’m clinging to these books and the Calm app for life. I mean seriously, Nazi generals!!!! *finishes your video, opens Calm app, tries to meditate*

[bookreview]

As someone who finished Milkman and was waiting for its greatness to show, don't push yourself. I already was not in love with it and then halfway through there was a "twist" (not really, but it changed things for me immensely) and after that it was only downhill.
On stress reading cozy books. Currently mostly reading The Spice & Wolf light novels. Even the challenge in each book is so low key it doesn't stress me out. Not something for you probably. But go for cozy as much as you need. it does help.

[azu_rikka]

I love The Snow Child- beautiful nature writing, wholesome family dynamics, and a bit of a mystery❤

[pjreads]

I so want this election to be over while dreading the possible results. Living in AZ doesn't help. Like you I'm reading and rereading the cosiest books and dnfing anything else.
Hoping for the best with all my heart.

[johnbarry]

I read Martyr a little while back. I loved it. I also love Cilantro though… so 🤔. Take care of yourself Greg. Hope the election stress does not take too much of a toll. 💪

[sarahwiltshire]

I thought Milkman was a worthy Booker winner - do read if the moment comes. Thanks as always for all of your videos. Your Pulitzer vid was really interesting and you've introduced me to James McBride, Diane Oliver & now The Kamogawa Food Detectives to name just a few this year - thank you! Always enjoy Teddy appearances (of course) and your two-handers with Joel. Sorry you're so stressed with the election and I keep checking in from the UK & sending positive voting vibes for Kamala. I'm reading that there is a lot of getting the vote out going on - so hopefully it will be all okay (and in the weeks after).

[booksandbags]

I just finished The Mighty Red and loved it. It's my first by her but won't be my last. I'm reading Martyr! now. I like it so far, but I don't love it. It's definitely worth the read.

[JanetReading]

Would you consider showing us your reading places? Share your routine?

[LisaKrogman]

I can so relate to the stress of this election. I wish I was someone who could exercise and release stress. Instead, I'm a little drunk on weekends. I tend to go for humor during times of stress. The Search by Michele Huneven. I also loved a little-known Night of the Avenging Blowfish. Published by Algonquin press, which is a favorite small press of mine. The story of a softball game between the CIA and Secret Service. Time: classified, Place: classified. Very funny. It doesn't look like you're a non-fiction reader but Bookshop: A history of the American bookstore by Evan Friss. I loved it, going back to Ben Franklin. Why we love book shops, what is special etc.
I loved Year of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks, but totally pales to People of the Book, which was so interesting, creative and lovely.

[onourpath]

I think you're going to be mesmerized by The Snow Child -- it's such a quiet, gorgeous book.

As far as Milkman goes, I'd stick to your DNF. None of it gets better, imo, and it's just freaking weird (and not in a good way.)

I am so with you about this election. Odds are good that I'll likely have a stroke before I can gnaw off the rest of my arm. So maybe I'll be dead before we know the results. 🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻🙏🏻 While I have a lot of faith in our candidate, and in the new generation of voters, I'm terrified of the results. Fun fact: our wedding anniversary is November 5th, so every 2 years, and especially every 4 years, we forget our anniversary completely, lol. I guess we mostly celebrate it in our shared rabidity for politics. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Ali-AvidReader]

I love your videos so much. Am looking forward to reading The Snow Child and have put the new books by Louise Erdrich and Niall Williams on my ever growing list!

[Fangrrrll]

I can’t wait for you to read Martyr! I read it not too long ago and while it’s a bit patchy there were parts of it that just knocked me out. I’m not a big highlighter but I was highlighting like crazy. I’m anxious to hear your thoughts!

[erinh]

Were you listening to, or reading Milkman in print? If ever there was a book that you should choose audio over print on, this one is it. Absolute 5+ stars on audio, and even with that review, I realize I might have given up on it in print. (I don't even remember it having chapters, so that's why I was wondering if perhaps you were attempting it with your eyeballs...)

[mradcaqbdb]

I’m happy to say I finally knocked James off my TBR! It’s been haunting me since it came out. That was the big one. I still want to finish the new Evie Wyld that I am firmly and sadly stuck in the middle of. I want to finish a book called The Betrayal of Thomas True, historical fiction about mollies in London by AJ West (a super fun follow on socials). Mr Loverman, which keeps getting pushed aside for other books. I want to read Martyr also, plus Private Rites by Julia Armfield.

Your mention of The Snow Child (which sounds really good) reminds me that I have Smilla’s Sense of Snow here waiting to be read. It was a brilliant movie back in the day and would be a perfect winter book.

I’m working on my list of books to bring back from London in December. Try to channel Greg’s responsible buyer and not bring back a whole suitcase this time.

[JentheLibrarianreads]

Can I go totally off-topic and recommend you something cosy to distract you from the election? I don't know if you're much of a boardgame player, but hearing you talk about the election stress and how much you're leaning into cosy things really made me think about a boardgame Mary and I play all the time for its super cosiness. It's called Everdell and it allows you to play as cute woodland creature, and the point is to gather other cute creatures into your village while you prepare for the next season. You can spend hours playing if you want, such a great distraction. [If you're not into boardgames, ignore this 🤣]

[nanimaonovi]

DNF. We wouldn't blindly follow a stranger in a strange place but we feel obliged to follow authors off cliffs and down rabbit holes. I embraced the DNF after an author turned her main character into a zombie meat puppet in book 1 to sell book 2. I knew by 25% to put the book down, and now I respect my no when book and blurb don't match.

[jacquelinemcmenamin]

Both The Snow Child and Martyr! are on my TBR. I love reading Murder mystery & crime fiction from Australia this time of year. I’ve finished Broken River by Chris Hammer.

[katrianamacmillan]

Until the twist at the end, I loved Martyr! I’d still recommend reading it. Like 80% of the book is good, which is true of most of the books I read, only most of them start slow and end well. Martyr! Does the opposite, but is still very much worth a read IMO

[plikely]

I have the same’3’ want to get to before end of year. I bought Louise Erdrich book just for the cover. So that could change. 😂