2023 End of the Year Book Tag

Hello, December, my old friend. This is a busy time of the year no matter how you look at it. For blogging, this means electively taking time to do recaps and set up new goals. One type of recap is the 2023 End of the Year Book Tag. I first did this book tag last year, so it will be fun to see how my answers changed from 2022. It’s a short and sweet tag, which always appeals more to me than a longer tag. So, let’s go!

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

Making It So by Patrick StewartTwo Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

“Need” is a self-imposed construct in the bookish world, of course. But I’ll play along. I need to finish MAKING IT SO by Patrick Stewart because it’s a library book with a holds list. By the time this post goes live, though, hopefully I’ll have finished it. I would like to finish TWO TWISTED CROWNS by Rachel Gillig, which I think is very doable. I’m partially through A TOUCH OF DARKNESS by Scarlett St. Clair, but that’s not a “need to finish” book.

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

Like I said last year, I don’t really read seasonally. Right now I’m trying to get through some backlogged ARCs.

Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?

Not particularly. This time of year seems to be relatively quiet with respect to new releases. August and October seem to be the big pushes for new releases before the holidays. Everything I’m currently looking forward to are releases for 2024.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

The Words of Kings and Prophets by Shauna LawlessHouse of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

My December TBR talks about all of the books I want to try to read before the end of the year. To recap, though, a couple of the books I hope to get to include are THE WORDS OF KINGS AND PROPHETS by Shauna Lawless and HOUSE OF SKY AND BREATH by Sarah J. Maas.

Is there a book you think that could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?

Him by Geoff Ryan

I’m not sure. HIM by Geoff Ryman has some potential. But I don’t know if I’ll have time to get to it this month. It’s more of a hopeful than priority read on my mental December TBR list.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2024?

The Tusks of Extinction by Ray NaylerThat Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly LemmingThat Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted A Love Potion At A Werewolf by Kimberly LemmingImmortal Pleasures by V. CastroHouse of Flame and Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Of course! I’m a book blogger who appreciates ARCs, so I definitely have some lined up already. They include THE TUSKS OF EXTINCTION by Ray Nayler, a couple of books by Kimberly Lemming, and IMMORTAL PLEASURES by V. Castro. I have a bunch of preorders, too. I also plan to try to finish up a bunch of series I started. Most importantly, though, I’m looking forward to HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW by Sarah J. Maas!

And that’s a wrap on this 2023 End of the Year Book Tag! If this looks fun to you, then feel free to tag yourself!

SFINCS Review: The Firetongue Heir by Elyse Thomson

Today’s review is about THE FIRETONGUE HEIR by Elyse Thomson. It’s a prequel novella to the eastern Roman Empire-inspired Mages of Oblivion series. With elemental magic, political scheming, and forbidden love, there’s something here for everyone.

SFINCS logoThis review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.). I am part of Team Behind the Musings. You can find out more about us here.

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ARC Review: The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen

Today’s review is about THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS by Erika Johansen. It’s a dark retelling of The Nutcracker, a Western Christmas-time classic. This fresh spin offers fantasy horror elements amidst a backdrop of social unrest in pre-revolutionary Russia.

Author: Erika Johansen
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Dutton
Publish Date: November 28, 2023
Print Length: 368

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of The Kingdom of Sweets on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

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December 2023 TBR List

I did really well with my priority reads last month, so I’ll try to keep this trend going with respect to my December 2023 TBR List. I do still have some backlogged ARCs that I need to get to. (In fact, I started one at the end of November.) So most of my December 2023 TBR List priority reads will be ARCs. Regardless, let me know if any of the books below are also on your TBR for December!

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Publication Day: Nameless Queen by Marie Sinadjan

Join me today to wish a happy publication day to NAMELESS QUEEN: A PROPHECIES OF RAGNAROK STORY! This is a prequel short story to The Prophecies of Ragnarok trilogy perfect for readers who enjoy urban fantasy and Norse mythology. You can purchase NAMELESS QUEEN here for $0.99! Read on to learn more about NAMELESS QUEEN.

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