For some reason, the beginning and end of a year seem more important than the rest of the year. Fresh starts? Happy endings? I know for me, the end of the year is usually bittersweet. Another year gone, and usually so many wonderful memories to keep me company.
At the same time though, I am ready to put 2012 to rest. I know you know what I mean. But does it filter over into your reading choices? While other readers work on their “best of” lists, I find myself considering what my last read of the year will be.
It could be any one of these. Click on the covers for more info:
I ended last year with a Murakami book and I may do the same this year. His work has a tendency to scrub me of the year before. If that makes ANY sense at all. My brain is numb by the end of the year so stimulating reading tends to put me in the right frame of mind for the next year.
Have you thought about this at all? If so, what book do you plan to end the year with? I have to decide so I can decide on what book to begin the year with. Of course, as fickle as I am, I could change my mind and not go with any of these. I’m just not sure. I have two books to finish right now and then maybe two more depending on how long and involved they are. First world problems!
Also, I have been thinking of hosting a read-along for The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami next year. Maybe April? Anyone want to join me? If there’s interest, I’ll get the details together.
Book Chatter 
I have also been thinking of ending the year with flight behavior, but might decide to go with a historical fiction title, since I have really neglected historical fiction over the past year. I like the idea of you ending the year with Murakami. It seems fitting for you.
I’m chuckling, because I have freaking clue of what I’ll be reading. I am reading so SLOW now it is ridiculous. Maybe once I get on vacation things will improve. And I would be interested in reading Wind-Up Bird with you. I have the book, just haven’t made the time.
Oh good. I’ll pencil you in for Wind-up.
I ‘ll probably be ending my year with a new book by Jess Riley, the author of Driving Sideways. Her new book is called All The Lonely People and It starts off around the holidays and it’s kind of a dramedy about a family. I love her sense of humor and I thought this would be a great way to end the year.
It seems fitting for you to end your year with Murakami, knowing what a fan you are!
I’ve been so focused on finishing all the books I have going now . . . I haven’t thought about what book I will finish the year off with. I am down to Lolita of the books I “must finish” before the year is out, although I did start a mystery this weekend that I’m sure I’ll knock out this week sometime. I don’t know that I’ll have time to finish another book before the New Year starts though. I’m kind of ready to just start anew.
The title of Dear Life seems a likely candidate for ending the year. I honestly don’t give end of the year reads much thought, and this year, looks like the best of list will happen in 2013.
I haven’t thought much about which book I’ll end the year with, I usually leave that to chance. I do have a few books on my shelf that I would like to read before the next year slips away though.
All the very best of luck. Read Wind-up book chronicle 2 years ago. I haven’t thought of what to read by end of the year, my reading plan this has been foiled anyway! 😦
I should probably put a little more effort into what book I will be ringing the year out and ringing the new in with….now after reading your post I believe I will have to scour my personal library for 2 great selections!
I love the metaphor of being “scrubbed” clean for the up and coming year. Admittedly, I’ve only read one HM book and that was through a readalong. Would love for another one to come my way though.
I will totally join you for a Wind-Up Bird Chronicle readalong! I was thinking that is the next one I want to try. I say end the year with Murakami … if it worked before, it should work again.
Great! I am making a note to check back with you this spring about the Wind-Up read-along.Â
Hmmm…I am a grabber puller of books on a whim…I haven’t even thought about this…yet…I most likely will just morph into the next book and I might not finish my book until 2013!
I typically pull from may stash too but for the end of the year, the last book I read tends to set the pace or rather, tone.
I am sitting in the car again reading. It’s cold!
I haven’t heard of that McEwan book! I’ve only read his Atonement but I loved it so much that I’ve been collecting others.
Wind Up Bird, huh? I don’t have any plans for April and the book is on my shelf, so I’m in. 🙂 You know I can’t resist a good readalong.
Flight Behavior would be a good one to read I do want to read end of year, but I do want to read the Munro book as well.
I haven’t really thought about ending my year with a particular book. It will just be whichever one I’m reading at the time!
2 Kids and Tired Books
All of your choices are good ones and I’d like to read them too. Just bought The Essential Rumi so I’ll be reading some poetry. Also started The Riptide Ultra-Glide, a Florida mystery by Tim Dorsey, which is irreverent, humorous, and fun, knowing it’s all fiction 🙂 Enjoy whatever book you choose!
I like Fresh starts at the beginning of each year. Get pretty busy at the end of each year. But I am curious now which book you picked to be your last read?? I needed something quick & easy so have picked The Darlings by Cristina Alger … it seems to fit the bill
I am leaning toward the Murakami book, Hard-Boiled Wonderland. I better get my butt in gear. I still have to finish The Twelve. It’s taking me forever to read it. I am 10% away from being done (Kindle).
I have some great books I want to read over the next two weeks. My question is what to do with the reviews of those books. Do I keep them as mini-reviews and focus on 2013 reads during 2013 or do I keep them in the same format regardless of when I read them? Decisions, decisions.
I know what you mean! Whatever I read in 2012, I feel needs to be reviewed in 2012 but I am already 2 reviews behind.
I think I’ve decided to make these last few books mini-reviews in 2013. When it is all said and done, I don’t want to write reviews over the next few days! 😉
I don’t really think about my last book for the year. I am usually already beginning to think about what my reading next year should be about. Any reading projects, any resolutions to take or drop, etc. I barely get any time to read around this time, so I spend most of time planning my reads.
I am interested in the Wind-up Bird readalong too! April would probably work for me. I’m going to be ending the year with an ARC of the new novel by Elizabeth Strout, The Burgess Boys, which I’m excited about. Review for Library Journal due on Jan 4th so I have to get started… Just finished The Night Circus as a holiday/vacation read and loved it!
Yay on Wind-up. I’ll post details as we get closer to the date.
The Night Circus was delightful. I really loved the imagery she created.
I’m in for a Murakami readalong! Every time you take about one of his books, I’m certain that I’ll be picking one up to read soon but then I seem to forget when I get to the bookstore. This way I’d finally make sure I get to one – which probably will mean I’ll never forget the name again when I go to the bookstore!
Yay! Info to come..