10 before the end

I’ve seen a trend lately called “10 before the end.” It’s two-faceted. A reader gives 10 recommendations to read by the end of the year and then provides the 10 books they want to finish by the end of the year.

As we have a little under three months to go, I thought this would be a good time to give you my “10 before the end” lists.

Let’s start with you. Here are 10 books I recommend you pick up by the end of the year. Don’t worry, there will be a variety of genres.

“Tress of the Emerald Sea” by Brandon Sanderson

If you’ve heard of Brandon Sanderson, you know he’s an intimidating author to start. This book is a fantastic place to start. The magic system is incredibly unique, the narrator is hilariously quirky and it’s just such a fun read. The books is about Tress who goes on a dangerous journey to save her friend.

“The Hotel Nantucket” by Elin Hilderbrand

This book feels like watching reality television in the best way. I was swept away by the fun and chaotic cast of characters. It’s about a hotel renovation and its haunted past.

“Paris” by Paris Hilton

Wow. If you’re not familiar with the horrors of for-profit behavior health facilities, this autobiography will give you the raw truth. Shocking and intimate, Paris shares what happened behind closed doors.

“The Women” by Kristin Hannah

I debated even putting this on here because you definitely should have read it already! But if you haven’t just go read it. Everyone needs to. It’s a heart-wrenching story of nurses who served in Vietnam and the horrors they experienced overseas and at home.

“The Paradise Problem” by Christina Lauren

If you’re a contemporary romance fan, this book is it. It is simultaneously hilarious, glamorous and tender. It has all your favorite tropes like “marriage of convenience,” “fake dating” and “there’s only one bed.” Such a fun read to get you out of winter in Iowa and into warm weather on an island.

“House of Salt and Sorrows” by Erin A. Craig

This should be your next read! It was our October Fantasy Book Club pick at The Latest Edition, and it’s just a great balance between fantasy, light horror and mystery. It’s a gothic take on “12 Dancing Princesses,” and the sequel is even better than the first book.

“Yellowface” by RF Kuang

This book had me hooked from page one. I wanted to just read the first chapter before bed and I ended up reading more than 100 pages that night. It’s about a struggling writer who steals the manuscript of a dead Asian woman and passes it off as her own novel. It’s so crazy to read a book where you’re rooting against the main character.

“Faking Under the Mistletoe” by Ashley Shepherd

Make this your Christmas read this year; it will live up to your expectations. The merriest woman finds herself fake dating her grinchy boss to help him look good in front of his ex. It is the most wonderful example of the grumpy-sunshine trope, but has more substance than a “Hallmark” movie.

“The Prison Healer” trilogy by Lynette Noni

This was my favorite fantasy series this year. It is about Kiva, a 17-year-old, who has been working in a death prison for 10 years. She is given the opportunity to face four magical trials. Win and she is released. Lose and she dies. While the main character is young, she reads much older due to everything she’s been through.

“Red River Road” by Anna Downes

This mystery/thriller is flying under the radar this fall. Red River Road is about a woman trying to retrace her missing sister’s steps in order to find out what happened. It’s set in Australia and keeps you guessing on every page.

These weren’t necessarily my top books of the year, but rather books I think others should read due to their wide appeal and my like of them. Following are 10 I’d like to read by the end of the year.

“God of the Woods” by Liz Moore

“The Thirteenth Child” by Erin A. Craig

“Make the Season Bright” by Ashley Herring Blake

“Throne of the Fallen” by Kerri Maniscalco

“The Last Witch in Edinburgh” by Marielle Thompson

“The Happily Ever After Playlist” by Abby Jimenez

“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt

“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus

“Not in Love” by Ali Hazelwood

“The Courting of Bristol Keats” by Mary E. Pearson