The Books I Want to Read Before the End of the Year

Updated on January 24th, 2025

Occasionally, I will have books I want to read for my blog when I am working on a post. However, I normally am a mood reader. Sometimes I want to read a quick romance while other times I want to read a mystery with unexpected twists. In this post, I want to share the 8 books I want to read before the end of the year.

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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist has been recommended to me before, and it has been on my TBR for a while. The book tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who wants to travel and search for treasure. His journey leads him to riches far different and more satisfying than he imagined. The book seems to have good messages, and I am looking forward to reading it.

Available at Bookshop

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

I want to read Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine for a blog post I am working on. I have read the other books I am including in the post, and this is the last one. The book follows Eleanor Oliphant who struggles with appropriate social skills, says exactly what she is thinking, and has nothing missing in her carefully planned life. However, everything changes when she meets Raymond, the IT guy from her office. Eleanor, Raymond, and Sammy, an elderly gentleman, become the kind of friends who rescue each other from their isolated lives.

Available at Bookshop

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

When I had a free trial for Audible, I decided to use the credit on Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating, but I have not gotten around to listening to the book. The story follows Hani who is easy-going and one of the popular girls at school. However, when she comes out as bisexual, her friends invalidate her identity by saying she cannot be bi if she only dated guys. In a panic, Hani blurts out she is in a relationship with a girl her friends hate – Ishu. Ishu is the complete opposite of Hani and is an academic overachiever. Ishu agrees to help Hani if Hani will help her become more popular. Despite the pact, they begin to develop real feelings for each other.

Available at Bookshop

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

I have been wanting to read I Kissed Shara Wheeler since it was released 2 years ago, and I think now is a good time. The book follows Chloe Green who moved with her moms from California to Alabama for high school. Chloe is close to winning valedictorian, but her only rival is the prom queen and principal’s daughter, Shara Wheeler. However, a month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe and then vanishes. Chloe soon learns that she is not the only one Shara kissed. Shara has kissed Smith, her longtime sweetheart, and Rory, her neighbor. Together, Chloe, Smith, and Rory follow the cryptic notes Shara left behind in hopes of finding her before graduation.

Available at Bookshop

There There by Tommy Orange

I have seen Tommy Orange’s book recommended numerous times, and it does seem like an impactful read. There There follows 12 characters from Native American communities who are all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow in California. The book follows Jacquie Red Feather who is now sober and trying to make it back to her family and Dene Oxendene who is pulling his life together after his uncle’s death and working at the powwow. There is also Orvil, who is 14 years old and will be performing for the first time. There There explores the theme and complexity of urban Native Americans.

Available at Bookshop

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

I read They Both Die at the End a couple of years ago, and I enjoyed it. The plot of the book was unlike anything I have read before, and it made me think. The First to Die at the End is a prequel to They Both Die at the End (though it was published 5 years after They Both Die at the End). The book starts on the night before Death-Cast goes live, which is the organization that calls people on the day they are going to die.

Orion Pagan has waited years for someone to tell him that he is going to die. He has a serious heart condition and signed up for Death-Cast to know what lies ahead. Valentino Price is restarting his life in New York and he registered for Death-Cast after his twin sister almost died in a car accident. Orion and Valentino cross paths in Times Square and immediately connect, but when the first round of End Day calls go out, one of them receives a call and the other does not. However, they know that they want to spend the day together.

Available at Bookshop

When Haru Was Here by Dustin Thao

I heard about When Haru Was Here in one of Jack Edward’s YouTube videos, and I was intrigued. The book follows Eric Ly who creates imaginary scenarios in his head to deal with the grief after the death of his best friend. One of his imaginary scenarios becomes real when a boy he met last summer in Japan, Haru Tanaka, finds his way back into his life, but nobody else can see him. Eric finally has someone to connect with and feels less alone. However, the more time he spends with Haru, the more he begins to question what is real and he must confront his reality.

Available at Bookshop

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

I have read The Woman in Cabin 10, The Death of Mrs. Westaway, and In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware. I enjoy Ruth Ware’s writing and mysteries, and I would like to read more of her books. One Perfect Couple follows Lyla who is in a rut. Her post-doctoral research fizzled out, she expects her contract will not be extended, and things are not going well with her boyfriend Nico. Nico is given the opportunity to join the cast of the reality TV show, The Perfect Couple, and Lyla auditions with him. After the audition, Lyla and Nico are whisked off to a tropical paradise, Ever After Island, and the two will compete against four other couples to win a cash prize. However, not long after they arrive, things start going wrong and they find themselves cut off from the mainland.

Available at Bookshop

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Have you read any of these books? What books would you like to read before the end of the year?