The End of the Year Book Tag: Queer Books Edition

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

Fun fact: I’ve had one book on my Currently Reading shelf on Goodreads since 2016, and that’s Chloe Plus Olivia: An Anthology of Lesbian Literature from the Seventeenth Century to the Present by Lillian Faderman. I haven’t picked it up in years, but I always intend to. Technically, I didn’t start it this year, and I’m very unlikely to finish it this year, but it’s the only book I have on pause.

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

I’ve been reading so many queer horror/gothic books for October, including The Salvage by Anbara Salam, Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle, and Simplicity by Mattie Lubchansky. For November, I plan to read several fantasy sequels that I have been putting off because I want to reread the earlier books in the series first. (More on that in two questions!)

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

I’ve heard such good things about the bi4bi M/F romance Isn’t It Obvious? by Rachel Runya Katz out on October 21st. I’m also excited for new Tasha Suri sapphic fantasy The Isle in the Silver Sea out on the same day, but I have to finish The Burning Kingdoms trilogy first.

A few other upcoming 2025 releases I’m looking forward to: The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All, Vol. 3 by Sumiko Arai, translated by Ajani Oloye; Gendertrash From Hell: The First Print Collection of the Zine That Changed Everything edited by Mirha-Soleil Ross; and Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree.

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

As I mentioned earlier, I have some SFF series I want to catch up on, which will involve some rereads, too. Specifically, I’m hoping to finish the The Burning Kingdoms trilogy, The Magic of the Lost trilogy, and the Everfair duology.

What trends have you noticed in your reading this year?

It feels like it’s been all over the place. But I think the beginning of the year was the strongest. In February, I prioritized some sapphic books by Black authors that have been on my TBR, which both were five-star new favourites: The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson and Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie. I’ve had a few other five stars, but nothing that quite topped that month. Hopefully, my hold on Mia McKenzie’s new book will come in before the end of the year and it will be another five star!

How do you feel about your reading goals? Anything you want to change, adjust, or abandon?

I think the only goals I had this year were to read 100 books (I’m ahead of schedule) and to read at least one book by an Indigenous author per month. I’ve only read seven books by Indigenous authors this year, so I am a bit behind there. Still, I treat these goals as guidelines, so I’m not too worried about whether I precisely achieve them.

Have you already started making reading plans for next year?

I’ve kept those same two goals for the last few years, and I’ll carry them forward. As for anything else, I’m not sure. For secret reasons, my reading will be changing in the new year, but I don’t know how that will look yet. I am excited, though, and I’ll keep you updated once it’s no longer a secret. (Though I don’t think it’s very exciting for anyone other than me.)