As an avid reader, I always have a long list of books that I intend to read in a year. However, despite my best intentions, there are always a few books that seem to slip through the cracks. As 2023 comes to a close, I find myself looking back at the top ten books that I had meant to read this year but haven’t gotten to yet.

1. “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern
This book has been on my radar for years, but I just haven’t found the time to dive into its enchanting world of magic and mystery.

2. “Educated” by Tara Westover
I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about this memoir, and I know it’s a must-read. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get to it soon.

3. “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel has been on my bookshelf for far too long. I’m determined to finally make time for it in the coming year.

4. “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides
I love a good psychological thriller, and this book has been recommended to me numerous times. It’s high on my list for 2024.

5. “Normal People” by Sally Rooney
I enjoyed Rooney’s debut novel, “Conversations with Friends,” and have been eager to read her follow-up. Here’s hoping I can get to it in the new year.

6. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
This novel has been a bestseller for years, and I can’t believe I still haven’t read it. It’s definitely a priority for 2024.

7. “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara
I’ve been told that this book is a heartbreaking masterpiece, but its length has intimidated me. Nevertheless, I’m determined to tackle it in the upcoming year.

8. “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and this novel about Thomas Cromwell has been on my TBR list for too long. I’m hoping to finally check it off in 2024.

9. “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
I admire Coates’s work as a journalist and essayist, so I’m eager to read his debut novel. It’s definitely on my radar for the new year.

10. “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee
This multigenerational saga set in Korea and Japan has received widespread acclaim, and I know I need to read it. It’s at the top of my list for 2024.

While it’s disappointing that I didn’t get to these books in 2023, I’m optimistic that I will finally make time for them in the coming year. After all, there’s nothing quite like diving into a new book and getting lost in its pages. Here’s to a more successful reading year in 2024!