Here we are, down to the final bit of 2018, and what a year it’s been!  Starting this blog and joining a whole new community as The Biblio Blonde has easily been my biggest accomplishment of the year… and I can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store!  So, let’s do a fun post to celebrate this fantastic year of books and look forward to the next one!

I’ve created this Happy Bookish New Year Tag for us to look ahead to 2019, and kick off our year of reading the right way!  Come play along!  Here are the rules for this tag:

• Introduce the tag, and use the square picture above somewhere in your post.
• Using the questions, tell us all about the reading you have planned for 2019.
• Link your post back to this post, and comment on my post below with your link.
• Share your post and tag additional friends!

Ready to check out my year of reading?  Let’s get this party started!!

The last book you’re finishing in 2018?

I’m finishing up with One Day in December by Josie Silver.  Yes, I know, everyone else read this book much earlier in the year.  It kept getting pushed back on my list for some reason, but really, what better time to read this delightful story than… December??

Title you’re planning to read first in 2019?

I’m planning to kick off 2019 with Anne Bogel’s I’d Rather Be Reading.  This slim volume is another book I’ve had on my list for a while.  It seems like it would be a perfect option to begin a delightful and wonderous year of a life spent reading!

Books from your 2018 TBR list that you’re pushing to your 2019 list?

Oh, I’ve got a few of these.  Apparently I got sidetracked a lot this year.  (I am, after all, easily distracted by shiny… hey, what’s that?  Ha.)  A couple at the top of this category include Orwell’s Animal Farm and Time’s Convert by Deborah Harkness.  (For the latter, I might want to first re-read the entire original All Souls Trilogy.  Talk about getting sidetracked.  Oh well.)

Genre you plan to read more of this year, or try for the first time?

I’d really like to read more classics in 2019.  Not a steady diet, as I feel like these need to be contemplated and savored.  But more.  One on my list is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I started it years ago and set it aside for some reason, so I’m trying again.

Also in the plan is to collect more beautiful classic literature editions.  I have quite of few of the Collectible Classic titles from Barnes & Noble so I’ll probably start there.  I’ve also been eyeing these rather pricey but beautiful Puffin Clothbound Classics, like this set by the Bronte sisters.  (And don’t forget the lovely Puffin Book to Table Classics I described in this post.)

Reading challenges you’re planning to complete?

I’m still mulling this one over a bit.  One that I’m definitely planning is the 2019 Challenge from Modern Mrs. Darcy, which is Anne Bogel’s blog and website.  I’ve already signed up for this challenge, which will send you information right now and occasionally throughout the year.

Also, I’m planning to join the Pingel Sisters as they kick off their new book club!  Not a reading challenge, exactly, but it’s nice to have a community of others to discuss the titles you’re reading.  They’re starting with The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, one that’s been on my TBR list for a while!

An author you’re looking forward to reading for the first time?

A few months ago, I purchased The Lying Game by Ruth Ware… and I still haven’t gotten to it.  (See: distraction, shiny objects.)  But I’ve heard so many good things about her books, and I’m determined to read at least the one sitting on my shelf!  Then I’m sure I’ll be ready for another trip to the bookstore.

If you could only read one book in the coming year, it would be…?

I’m going to go with… a book by the one and only Agatha Christie.  Mysteries are my thing, but somehow, I’ve never read anything by this legendary author, and it’s high time I experience it.  Thinking I’ll probably start with either And Then There Were None, or the beginning of the classic Miss Marple series, The Murder at the Vicarage.

Wow… I think I have a big year of reading ahead!  Which, really, is just fine by me.  I’m looking forward to immersing myself in these wonderful stories and lots of other great titles.

What about you?  I’d love to see the feast of books on your table for 2019!  Join me and post this tag for yourself… the rules and picture are back up at the top, and here’s a list of the questions to copy!  (I’ll tag some of you on Twitter!)

• The last book you’re finishing in 2018?
• Title you’re planning to read first in 2019?
• Books from your 2018 TBR list that you’re pushing to your 2019 list?
• Genre you plan to read more of this year, or try for the first time?
• Reading challenges you’re planning to complete?
• An author you’re looking forward to reading for the first time?
• If you could only read one book in the coming year, it would be…?

Thanks again for a wonderful 2018… I’m so grateful for a solid start to my blog and for the new friends I’ve made along the way.  Happy reading, friends… and happy 2019!!

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