End of the Year Book Tag ’25

This was created by Ariel at Books Unbound, and according to Biblio Nerd Reflections, you can find the latest version on their podcast: https://www.booksunboundpodcast.com/. I did this tag back in 2019, 2022, and 2023, then completely forgot about it until I saw it at Biblio Nerd Reflections last week.

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

Wisdom for Life: 52 Old Testament Meditations by Michael P V Barrett	Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism by Zacharias Ursinus	Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices by Thomas Brooks

There are my three “project reads,” that I’m scheduled to finish—and then any that I start between now and then I’ve got a couple of reading challenge books, but not much. Really, it’s just finishing what I start.

(and being strategic about what I start) 😊

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

I don’t think of books seasonally—I definitely don’t have an annual book for this kind of thing. I think Callus and Crow served well that way. You’ve got creepy vampires, an autumnal atmosphere. Something Wicked This Way Comes did, too.

Callus & Crow by D. B. Rook	Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

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

	Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins

Ace Atkins’ Everybody Wants to Rule the World looks so good, and is apparently “hilarious” (according to Robert Crais, anyway). I don’t think there’s anything else I’m waiting for—I could be wrong, but I think I’m done with big ones for the year—which is good, because I’ve already started collecting them for next year.

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

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler	Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw	Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

Well, there’s the Holiday TBR from last week (I’ve read two of them). But I’ve already talked about them, so let’s go with these.

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

Probably—almost anything that I start now. The Atkins or Lewis books I mentioned above are possible. Especially a book that I end up reading in the next month or so that I haven’t thought about until now. I don’t have any I could predict—but I’m prepared to be surprised. I will say, they’d have to be fantastic, ‘cuz I’ve read some spectacular books this year.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2026?

Yes, I have started making plans. They’re very much scaled-back compared to the last couple of years. My goals are to focus on whimsy, impulse (irresponsibly so), and attacking books I own. Raven Crime Reads spent 2025 focusing on “Reading like No One’s Watching.” I think I want to try to do that, too.

Another way to think about 2026 for me is Butcher’s Twelve Months, Pierce Brown’s Red God, and a bunch of other things TBD that really don’t matter as much.

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.