Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

A booktuber I follow did this tag and I immediately wanted to see what this group's answers would be! Here's the questions:

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

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

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

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

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

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?

My responses:

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
Yes, I'm still working on my big French read of the year: Notre-Dame de Paris which is exhausting to say the least.

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
I've definitely picked up some spookier books for October, but I'm not necessarily reading anything specifically set in fall.

Is there a new release you're still waiting for?
The one that comes to mind is The Hunting Party which came out in February that I still haven't gotten around to.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
Notre-Dame de Paris for sure, but beyond that I think I mostly want to just read whatever calls out to me.

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?
I think it's possible for a book to do that, but there's some tough competition and I'm honestly not sure what could pull it off. Of the books I currently have checked out from the library I think Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery has the best chance.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?
Oh yeah! I just can't help myself lol.

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
Obviously the book I'm reading now (Zwrotnice dziejów. Alternatywne historie Polski). I don't intend to continue the books I dropped throughout the year - life is too short to read books I don't enjoy ;)

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
Not really.

Is there a new release you're still waiting for?
I really wanted to get Po piśmie by my favorite author in 2019, but it's not fiction I loved him for, but essays and they got mixed reviews, so I'm still waiting for sale. Next one I'm thinking of getting is nonfiction Czy psychodeliki uratują świat? ("Will psychedelics save the world?"), but here too I'm waiting for good enough sale. Another book, this time fiction, that piqued my curiosity is Karolina Fedyk's debut novel Skrzydła ("Wings"), I read a lot of favorable reviews, but I'm waiting for sale, because when I'm unfamiliar with author, I try to get the book cheapest I can, so later I won't lament much if it turns out I didn't like it. I liked Freshwater, so I'm thinking of picking up Pet, but I'm allergic to YA, so I don't know if I will in the end. Oh, and I got The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays, so I might read that if I will have time left after I tackle with ATY.
In regards to books upcoming in 2020 I'm impatiently waiting for English translation of Püha ja õudne lõhn, book by lead writer of game Disco Elysium, which I'm playing now, and being amazed how good writing is in that game.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
I want to finish up ATY Challenge so most likely those three:
Golden Calf
Memoirs of Hadrian
The Republic

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?
The book I'm reading right now is very interesting, and will probably be one of my favs, but definitely not enough to be number one. And I don't think the books I'm planning to read before year ends have capacity to become my book of the year, but I only have hard set plans in regards to ATY, so who knows what will happen.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?
Of course! Making plans is so exciting that I can't help myself, even though it's taking time away from actually reading.

Oh this is so fun!

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

Nope. I'm pretty good about spending a month grinding out one book rather than letting it linger over months.

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

I tend to reread a lot of books in September and October, just because life is busier at that point. I'm currently rereading Rebecca, which I think is a great autumn book. I also usually reread some of the Harry Potter series.

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

Yesssss I'm so looking forward to The Starless Sea!

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

Well, I still need to finish my ATY challenge... so all of the books I have slotted in for that. Coming up next are Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything, Brooklyn, and The Couple Next Door.

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

No, I cannot see anything beating out Becoming for the top spot.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?

Absolutely. I've spent more time this week planning than reading!

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

No. I start a book and I finish it. (I don't really understand the question?)

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

I usually try to read a few spooky/witchy books in October. I recently read (and really enjoyed) The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters and The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman.

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

Dead Astronauts by Jeff VanderMeer. It's a sequel to (or set in the same world as?) Borne, which I read in Jan '18 and loved and still remember so vividly.

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

I've got all my reading planned for Nov. and Dec. but there aren't any books that I'm super excited about.

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

I will be really surprised if anything takes the place of any of my current Top Three of 2019 - The Great Believers, The Secret History, and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?

Started and finished! I'll probably make a few edits but it's pretty much all set and ready to go on Jan. 1!

Emily, I’m crossing my fingers that The Starless Sea will be a book of the month choice for November. 🤞🏻

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

I didn't finish a couple books this year (oh no!) but don't plan on going back to them.

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

This year I don't. I often read some short horror stories (Poe) or a gothic novel but didn't get to it this year.

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

No. I've been reading classics lately.

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

David Copperfield, Just Kids by Patti Smith, and Transcription by Kate Atkinson

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

Possibly David Copperfield, but I really liked The Goldfinch. Stoner, and Becoming, among others this year.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?
Yes. I'm still adding options.

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
Yes, my hold ran out on The Dragon Republic so I'm waiting for it to come back to me so I can finish it.

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
I'm not entirely sure what this is asking, but I've just been reading what I have on my 2019 list.

Is there a new release you're still waiting for?
All the books I was waiting for this year have been published now, but a couple were very recent.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
The three priority books I want to get through are The Butterfly Girl, The Hod King, and Ancillary Mercy

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?
I'm anticipating that all three of the books listed above will be very high quality reads, but I don't expect any of them to top the books from the Red Rising Saga. It's one of my favourite series and I read all of the books this year.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?
Already have my list and even have holds on the higher demand books (the wait list is into March or April for some of them!!)

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish? Yes, I'd like to finish Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

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

Is there a new release you're still waiting for? Starsight by Brandon Sanderson

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year? I have no idea. I have a few challenges that are almost done that I need to find books for still.

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

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020? A little bit.

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
Mere Christianity I left it at my parents' house in August; they'll bring it to me to finish in December.

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
I don't normally read horror, but I've recently read World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War and The Madman’s Daughter.

Is there a new release you're still waiting for?
Loki: Where Mischief Lies. I know it's out, but I'm still on hold at the library waiting for it to arrive.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
Space Opera to finish ATY, The Lost World just because, and Elvis Olive: Super Detectives for the Autumn / Fall reading challenge (NANOWRIMO).

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?
Probably not, because I just read Turning Darkness Into Light. Twice.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?
Not really. Too busy figuring out how to get through the Autumn/Fall challenge a third time, and then fun stuff to round out 2019.

Liz wrote: "Emily, I’m crossing my fingers that The Starless Sea will be a book of the month choice for November. 🤞🏻"

Liz, according to the spoilers I've seen on Facebook, it doesn't look like it will be. 😭 I was so bummed about it, but I have a gift card to Barnes and Noble so I'll be preordering it.

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
Maybe A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year? no.

Is there a new release you're still waiting for? No.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year? After I finish the 3 books I need to read to complete the ATY challenge, I want to read: Enchantress of Numbers. The Secret Agent, and Dom Casmurro for a different challenge.

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year? Possibly but not likely!

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020? My plan is done!

Emily, I didn’t even know there were spoilers. Dang!

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish? Yes. A Little History of the World has been sitting on my night stand since March or April. I should be reading it now instead of filling this out...

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year? I really enjoy reading by the season, but I've done most of my autumnal reading in September and October.

Is there a new release you're still waiting for? No, all the new books I was really looking forward to have already been released.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year? The Goldfinch, Three Women, and Recursion.

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year? Maybe The Goldfinch?

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020? Definitely!

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
I am currently reading There There for a college alum book read and am enjoying so it won't be difficult. There are a couple of DNFs and they will remain that way.

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
No, I don't usually read by season.

Is there a new release you're still waiting for?
I don't think so. I read a couple of new releases this year, some intentionally and some not, so I don't have any plans to read a specific one.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
I still want to read The Princess Bride, The Immortalists, and I still need to read a Shakespeare or Shakespeare inspired book. I have a lot more on my TBR list but have already allotted most of them into next year's challenge already.

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?
I don't think so. Where the Crawdads Sing has that spot and that was a pretty special book.....

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?
Absolutely! I've got several options for the ATY challenges but am also anxiously awaiting to see what the Popsugar Reading challenge will entail!

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, Red, White & Royal BlueThe Chain

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year? I don't. I pretty much let my challenges dictate what I read.

Is there a new release you're still waiting for? none that are due to come out. I do have a couple that recently came out I want to read. The Beautiful Ninth House

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?Serpent & Dove, The Beautiful and Wayward Son

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year?The Beautiful

Have you already started making reading plans for 2020? OH YEAH!!!

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish? No.. I am halfway through Dracula which will finish up my ATY challenge

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year? Dracula with its vampire vibe feels autumnal to me.

Is there a new release you're still waiting for? Looking forward to getting Patchett's The Dutch House off hold from the library. I seem to be moving up the list quickly.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year? For now I am focusing on books that will help me finish challenges. Next up are The Round House and Under the Udala Tree

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favourite book of the year? I doubt it. Where the Crawdads Sing is going to be hard to beat.


Have you already started making reading plans for 2020?
Nope. I have 12 books to go to finish up the 4 challenges I am doing, plus another couple books for the Fall ATY challenge. I have 3 books in progress and 2 waiting in the wings. Once I get closer to finishing I will start looking at my TBR list to see what fits for 2020.