Blog Comeback: Books I Want To Read Before 2020 Ends (December TBR)

I am back!

It’s been a very long time since I posted something in this blog. Long story short, I’ve taken a year off from medical school because of the pandemic where I know I won’t be able to fully achieve a well-rounded practical hands-on hospital experience. So while I’m taking a well-earned break, I resorted back to my love for books, became active again on my bookstagram a few months ago, and now finally opening up my blog to the world! I did a 180-degree revamp on this blog, but still keeping a few personal touches. Hopefully, I could come up with more unique themed post ideas to make this blog pop even further.

To kick things of for this month, I have this very short but ambitious list of books that I really want to finish before the dreadful 2020 ends. Normally, I don’t really set a specific tbr list because I’m one heck of a mood reader. But times change, and the clock is ticking very fast. Now presenting the books I want to finish this month!

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

This is actually a carry-over book from my November reading list, and I’m currently 60% done with this behemoth of a book. I’m loving the whole thing so far – everything from the story, the characters, and most especially the gorgeous world-building. It started off really slow, but once you get around the middle of the part 1 you can finally get the hang of it, and the story just flows so beautifully in your head. I could already tell why previous readers couldn’t really form a definite summary of its plot, because each individual part of the book will eventually come together and intertwine with each other.

I’m a huge fan of Samantha Shannon’s The Bone Season series, so I know I wouldn’t be disappointed with this. Plus, it has a lot of magic and dragons!

Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson

It wouldn’t be a successful reading month for me if I don’t have at least one Brandon Sanderson book in my repertoire. This is the third book in the Stormlight Archive series – his most massive and well-thought-of epic fantasy series that has become a part of my most favorite series of all time! I can never stop gushing about this series, and I can’t wait to dip my toes and face plant into this third installment. I already have my emotions and tissues in check, because I know this one will definitely wreck me inside and out along the process. I’m not rushing into this story, even though the newest book just came out last month. I want to take my time and immerse myself deeply in this world.

The Burning God by R.F. Kuang

This is another highly anticipated release that I know will crush me to my very core in so many different ways. The Poppy War is an epic Chinese-inspired fantasy that has earned a lot of amazing praise, and it definitely deserved it, and this is also going to be part of my most favorite series of all time. What I did not expect when I started this series last August was that it will leave me emotionally and mentally unstable afterwards – both in a good and bad ways. I’ve actually been putting off reading this final book since its release by reading a lot of fluffy and happy books before starting it because I will be a trainwreck once again when I flip open the first page.

Some tips if you plan on starting this series: Don’t ever get attached to anyone, and expect a lot of gruesome things to happen because this series is very grimdark.

Jade City by Fonda Lee

I first heard about Jade City after watching Peruse Project and Daniel Greene (my two most trusted fantasy book vloggers) talk endless about it and give it high praises. Their book recommendations have never failed me before over the years, and I know this one will also not disappoint. My bookstagram friend Jewel – who I share the same tastes in epic fantasy novels – also encouraged me to read this one. The premise alone of it being like a Chinese The Godfather with a jade centered magic system was also more than enough to draw me into it.

While the hype around it all over bookstagram and book twitter is surreal, I still want to not get caught into the the hype and discover and experience the beauty of it all by myself.

What books are you planning to read before the year ends?