We made it to the end of the year! And what a speedy fast year this was, right? Typically in December, I will set aside the month to play catch up, and go back and read some review books that slipped through the cracks. This year, I’m going to try something different. I actually have a handful of December titles to review (which is a little unusual), and for the rest of the month, I’m going to start my January review books in order to get ahead. Gasp! I know, that’s something I’ve never been very successful at, but I’ve been so stressed and busy lately, and I feel bad when I can’t read all my review books, that I’m going to try to start the new year ahead of the blogging game.
So you won’t see everything I’m going to be reading below, because any January titles I read will be saved for posting in January. Here is some of what I’d like to read this month (a few of these are stragglers from last month):
Dragon and Thief by Timothy Zahn. I’m reading this middle grade (?) novel right now, and should be finished soon. It’s short and sweet, so look for my review soon.
Haven, Kansas by Alethea Kontis. I’m really looking forward to this horror novel, one with a beautiful cover, I might add!
Dark Shadows: Heiress of Collinwood by Lara Parker. This came out in October, I think, so this will be a catch-up book for sure.
Last Year by Robert Charles Wilson. A surprise arrival from Tor, but one I’m intrigued by. I hope to squeeze this in!
Congress of Secrets by Stephanie Burgis. Totally couldn’t get to this last month, so it’s back on December’s plate.
The Face-Faker’s Game by Chandler J. Birch. Another November title that has been getting some very good reviews.
Slipping by Lauren Beukes. I’ve also read some great reviews for Beukes’ collection, which includes a few non-fiction pieces as well.
Other stuff this month:
No Book Review Giveaway this month, but I’m actually running another giveaway right now that is almost a BRG. So check it out, there is so much to choose from!
Also, look for the start of a long run of “Top Ten” lists: the best books of 2016 are coming your way, along with some other fun lists for Top Ten Tuesdays!
And that’s my month! I hope to have a relaxed blogging month and not put too much pressure on myself. Don’t be surprised if I don’t post as many reviews, but rest assured I will be reading a lot:-)
What are your plans for December?
I’m not typically a horror fan, but the cover for Haven, Kansas is gorgeous. And I’m definitely looking forward to your thoughts on Congress of Secrets, since I enjoyed Masks & Shadows earlier this year. 🙂
Sara L. recently posted…My 10 Favorite Reads of Fall 2016 (+ Win Your Choice in a Giveaway!)
I’m very excited to start Haven, Kansas, especially since December isn’t the “normal” time of year to read horror, lol:-)
I need to hit the books hard this month, trying to catch up on three series plus a pile of ebooks. It’ll be hard work but I need to get the tbr down this month!
I agree, December always feels like all those books I wanted to read throughout the year are waiting for me in a big pile. But I don’t want this month to be more stressful than it already is, so I’m going to give myself a break if I can’t get to everything:-)
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on The Face-Faker’s Game and Haven, Kansas! I tried coming up with a definitive plan for December reading but it’s so hard trying to figure out how best to end the year with a bang. 🙂
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words recently posted…Monthly Rundown: November 2016
I always seem to panic in December, so many unread books! But I do want to take it easy this month. The stress just isn’t worth it:-D
You’re quite right. Important words to remember. 🙂 (I’ll do my best, but no guarantees hahaha)
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words recently posted…Something To Look Forward To – Week of December 5th, 2016
I got to figure out what’s on this month’s agenda. I’m sort of doing some lighter reads, but also have Krampus on the agenda and it might take a while. It will be my first book by Brom. I just added The Face-Fakers Game and Haven, Kansas to my wishlist so I am anxious to read your reviews.
Barb (boxermommyreads) recently posted…Moon Chosen Review (Or Why I Didn’t Read More Books in November!!!)
I’ve never read Brom but I do have a copy of The Child Thief staring at me right now, and making me feel guilty because I haven’t read it, lol. I’ll be curious to read your review of Krampus:-D
I know what you mean about review books, I am so behind. I didn’t realize how many Jan. books I got till I started writing them down…I might have to start my Jan. now and try and fit some december ones in between I really don’t want to get that far behind at the beginning of the year…I want to try and keep up this year….yeah right…lol. 🙂 Enjoy your books!
Stormi
My goal next year is to go easy on review books, and really try to read EVERYTHING I get. But that’s my goal every year, so we’ll see:-)
I really want to get to Congress of Secrets as well. And yes, this year was amazingly fast.
Lisa @TenaciousReader recently posted…Monthly Musings – November, 2016
Wasn’t it fast? I think having kids makes time go faster. I can’t believe the school year is half over! I feel like summer just ended:-/
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of After Atlas from tor.com not long after you reviewed it, so I plan on reading that this month. And, of course, also looking forward to whichever reviews you post. 🙂
I hope you love After Atlas! It’s going to make my top ten this year for sure:-)
Congress of Secrets! I hope to get to this book as well in December, I’ve put it off long enough 🙂
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Audiobook Review: Star Wars: Catalyst by James Luceno
I’m glad I’m not the only one! It’s crazy because I’m dying to read it, and it’s super short. I hope we both knock it out!
Yay, top ten posts! Can’t wait to read them 🙂
I love doing my end of the year top tens!
Sounds like a good plan. I am focusing on getting all of my Netgalley titles read in the next few weeks. I need that weight off my back and then I may actually delve into the long neglected tbr pile(s).
That’s a great idea. I have so many unread NetGalley books:-( I hope to get that under control next year.
Lauren Beukes also launched a graphic novel recently – I think she co-wrote it.
My plans for December just involve a whole lot of catching up – and hopefully hitting my Goodreads challenge total!
Hannah recently posted…Review: A Closed and Common Orbit (Wayfarers#2) – Becky Chambers
I did see that Lauren Beukes graphic novel, I definitely want to check that out!
Last Year sounds awesome, I look forward to your thoughts! 🙂 I don’t really have plan for December, I want to read a ton of books before the end of the year but it’s probably not going to happen so I don’t want to pressure myself too much! 🙂
I agree, no one should be pressured too much in December, there’s just too much fun stuff to do!
My plans for December are finally being able to pleasure read again!!! 😀 Lol I have 5 novels, and 3 graphic novels on my TBR that I want to get through – and anything after that is a bonus. Also, I still have to post my 2015 best of list (yes, never did get around to finishing all of them) before I put together my 2016 lists, and then I also have a number of book collection updates that I haven’t had to the time to put together.
TL;DR My blog will actually consist of more than just interviews from December to March 😛
Sounds like you have a busy month! I look forward too your “best of” lists if you blog about them:-)
I’m also trying to catch up so I’ve virtually stopped requesting books (which makes me feel anxious!) but I do want to catch up. I had the same idea about trying to read some of my January books in December – I hope it works but we’ll see.
Lynn 😀
I’m reading Gemina right now, which isn’t even a review book (yay Tammy!) and then I’m going to read a January book, probably Caraval. It’s weird for me because if I read January books, I probably won’t want to post the reviews until closer to January, so that’s why I feel like my blogging is going to be spotty this month. We’ll see…
I’m reading Congress of Secrets this month, too! Weirdly enough, I’m actually more worried about writing a bunch of reviews for books that I’ve already read and haven’t reviewed yet than I am about reading books before 2016. I don’t want to forget what my opinions were of those books! Ha!
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Review: Masks and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis