It’s time for my annual end-of-year tradition — all the books I meant to read! Here’s a look back at all the books I purchased in 2024, but just didn’t get around to reading for one reason or another.
I do think I’m getting much better at keeping my purchased hard copy books under control. More and more, I’ve been leaning toward mainly buying either (a) new books by authors or in series that I know I want to own, or (b) buying hard copy books for my shelves after discovering (either through an ARC or the library) a book that I love.
Of course, I still do give in to temptation when I happen to walk into a brick-and-mortar bookstore, especially a used book store! Then all restraint goes out the window.
When it comes to physical books, I seem to have improved my track record during this past year! I bought fewer hard copies overall, and many of the hardcovers and paperbacks I purchased were copies of books I’d already read, loved, and then decided to add to my bookshelves.
In terms of e-books, there are many, many more of those purchased in 2024 but not yet read. I tend to grab copies of ebooks when I see a good deal, not necessarily when I have an immediate intention of reading them right away. So, you’ll see lots and lots of new Kindle books added in 2024… and most of them still to be read.
Let’s get to it. Here’s a salute to my unread books of 2024!
First, the hardcovers and paperbacks:
Note: I’m reading The Spellshop right now… so maybe I’ll actually finish before the end of the year!
As for the ebooks added to my Kindle library in 2024:
Yes, that’s a ton of e-books! Keep in mind, almost all of these were purchased when their prices dropped to a dollar or two… but still, that’s way more than I really should be adding to my library, when I still have so many books yet to read. I’ll try to do better in 2025 (but also, I acknowledge that I say this every year!)
End note:
While I’m talking about “meant to read” books, I thought I’d take a look at my quarterly Top Ten Tuesday TBR posts of 2024, to see if I actually read the books I listed as my priorities each season. And guess what? I did pretty well this year! Apparently I did a good job naming books that I was truly interested in, and ended up reading all but four of the 39 books I named! (Yes, 39 is correct — one book was listed two quarters in a row, but I did finally read it!). My unread TTT/TBR books are:
- Starling House by Alix E. Harrow: Still plan to read
- The Thorns Remain by JJA Harwood: Still plan to read
- D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins: DNFd — just not for me
- On Her Own by Lihi Lapid: Still plan to read
Have you read (and loved) any of my 2024 “meant-to-read” books? Please let me know if you see any you’d consider best of the bunch!
Onward to 2025! Happy New Year!
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I believe I currently have 30 ARCs going back to like last summer, it’s awful lazy of me.
I think you have TWO good excuses 🙂 !!
I mean….yeah?? But also haven’t been in the right reading mood all year.
Wow, only 4 unread quarterly books, that’s great! I know I have way more. And lol on all the ebooks. Luckily I don’t ever buy ebooks, otherwise I’d have the same problem! Physical books are another story, though. I don’t really keep track of the physical books I buy but I’m sure many of them went unread😬
I think I’m being more realistic with my quarterly posts, and paying more attention when I decide what to read… but yeah, I was surprised to see how I did!
I can see where it would be super easy to load up on ebooks, but then struggle to get around to reading them. I’d say 75% of your unread ebooks are on my own TBR list and are books I’m hoping to get around to reading next year. My biggest splurge on books this year has been this month because all the used books on sale at my library are only 10 cents…and I couldn’t resist such a good price. But I have to say, half of the books I bought I’ve already read, but the other half? Who knows how long it’ll take me to get around to reading them. ;D
Wow, ten cents? I wouldn’t be able to resist either!
I counted my tbr and it’s 87, I could’ve cried!
87 doesn’t sound that bad, to be honest!!
Like you I think I’ve gotten better about buying physical books but I can’t resist snapping up ebooks. They take up no space and how do you say no to a book on your TBR for 99p 🤔 or free. Last year I got two books I was pretty curious about for free. I really must read them soon though.
I think in print we probably have about the same number of unread books. I have a few preorders I didn’t get to as I got side tracked by Netgalley & TBR sort out and three or four others that I picked up secondhand. I have a few of your ebooks on my unowned TBR but it’s only Moonlight Market that I also have in that format and The Omens which I got as an ex library book. And I’ve read The Shadow In The Glass and enjoyed it. I’ve also read Starling House and utterly love that one 😍 well done on getting to most of those TBR books
Thanks! I’m so glad to hear that you loved Starling House — I know I want to read it, and just haven’t found the right time yet!
I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait whenever you pick it up 🥰