End of Year Book Survey: 2022

Overview: Through the End of Year Book Survey – created by Jamie at Perpetual Page-Turner – I’ve thoroughly reflected on the 450 books I’ve read throughout 2022. 

End of Year Survey – 2022 by Sarah

Background

Once again, I’m posting the End of Year Book Survey using the questions from last year to examine the books I read in 2022 in more detail. I also decided to omit the newest fictional crush again. These questions are taken from Jamie at Perpetual Page-Turner.

If you want a compiled list of the prompts, I’ve listed them in the toggle below:

Blogging Prompts

1. New Favourite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel I discovered in 2022?

My favourite Youtube channel I discovered in 2022 was Oliviareadsalatte. Olivia reads many of the same books as me, and I love watching her hour-long reading vlogs!

2. Best bookish event I participated in?

My book club hosted a book shopping crawl (instead of a bar crawl), and it was so much fun!

3. Favourite bookish-related photo I took in 2022?

4. Favourite post I wrote in 2022?

My favourite post I wrote in 2022 was 11 Holiday Romances to Read this Winter. I love that I was able to publish a holiday-themed post in December. What makes this my favourite, though, is its layout. I fit so much information about why I recommend each book, including its synopsis, my impression of the books, and their prevalent themes/tropes.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2022?

My best bookish moment in 2022 was my trip to New York in August! I finally got to visit the Strand Bookstore and Books Are Magic!

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or my reading life this year?

The most challenging part of my blogging and reading life in 2022 was balancing schoolwork with my desire to post on my blog. But, since blogging is my hobby, it was the first thing to fall by the wayside as my schoolwork became more demanding. For instance, I only posted 25 times in 2022, whereas in 2021, I posted 80 times. I missed blogging last year, especially how it nurtured my love and appreciation of reading. Consequently, my primary goal is consistently blogging in 2023.

7. Most popular post this year on my Blog?

My most popular post in 2022 was, by far, Ice Planet Barbarians #1-10, A Series by Ruby Dixon. It got 23,532 views alone in 2022!

8. Post I wished got a little more love?

My answer is the same as last year: my monthly reviews. They take a lot of effort since I’m compiling so much data and trying to condense around thirty books into one post. One of my goals for 2023 is to recalibrate how I do my monthly wrap-ups. Please comment below if you have any thoughts on what you’re looking for when you read monthly wrap-ups!

9. Best bookish discovery?

My best bookish discovery in 2022 was the Libby app! I finally renewed my library card, which allowed me, through Libby, to access thousands of free ebooks and magazines. I loved being able to borrow books I was unsure about through the app and discovered quite a few favourites!

10. Did I complete any readings, challenges or goals I set at the beginning of 2022?

Yes! I surpassed my Goodreads Reading Challenge of 400 books by reading 450 books in 2022. It was a huge surprise to read that much last year since I’ve been reading less than typical ever since 2020. The status of my other challenges is as follows:

1. Diversify Yo’ Bookshelf | Incomplete
   • I completed 26 of the 36 prompts
2. Buzzword Reading Challenge | Complete (kinda)
   • I read a book for every month’s prompt in its designated month except for January ( A book with one of the 5 W’s in the title). However, I read When He’s Sinful by Suzanne Wright in March. Therefore, I did fulfil this prompt, just not in January.
3. TBR Knockout | Incomplete
   • I didn’t read a book for one of August’s prompts (buddy read) nor for one of October’s prompts (Black in title, series or author’s name)
4. 250 books over 200 pages | Complete

Hello, 2023!

1. One book I didn’t get to in 2022 but will be my #1 priority in 2023?

There were a lot of books I didn’t get to in 2022, but my #1 priority from this list is One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig. And I’m happy to say that I read it in early January and rated it 5 stars!

In January, I was in the mood for fantasy romance, and I loved how this book blended the gothic genre with some high-stakes magic. The romance was slow-burn, and there was a bit of a fake dating trope used. My favourite part was the character development. Even the side characters became more complex as the story continued. I can’t wait for the sequel to be released in October 2023.

2. Book I’m most anticipating for 2023 (non-debut)?

Suzanne Wright’s books are some of the few I’ll read on their release day. I know I’m always going to have a fun time with her books, and the romances are never too angsty.

When He’s Torn by Suzanne Wright is the fifth book in her The Olympus Pride series. It follows opposites Bailey and Deke, both enforcers of the pride. Bailey is the definition of a wild child, whereas Deke is more stoic. Of course, there’s ample sexual tension between them, but something stops Deke from pursuing Bailey. I’m curious about his secret, but hope it doesn’t lead to over-the-top ex-drama.

3. 2023 debut I’m most anticipating?

My most anticipated 2023 debut is Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett. The book follows a grump Cambridge professor, Emily Wilde, on her journey to creating an encyclopedia of faeries… which are real in this world. During her research, Emily discovers that her academic rival, Wendell, is also in the same village as her and sets off to investigate what he’s up to.

4. A series ending/sequel I’m most anticipating in 2023?

Haven by S.E. Wendel is the conclusion to The Broken Wings Duet. The first book in the series, Aerie, was one of my favourite fantasy romances in 2022. Even though the first book didn’t end on a cliffhanger, I couldn’t wait for the sequel. I was so excited to see the main characters in a relationship.

5. One thing I hope to accomplish or do in my reading/blogging life in 2023?

My goal for 2023 is to post on my blog once a week starting mid-February.

6. A 2023 release I’ve read and recommend.

I read The Wicked in Me by Suzanne Wright the day it came out and loved it! Originally, I was worried about whether the power of the immortals, like the Hero Cade, would come across on the page, but I wasn’t let down. Also, I loved the characterization of the Heroine; she’s sarcastic, powerful and blunt. I’m excited to see what the next books in the series reveal about her magic.

In Conclusion

I really enjoyed filling out all these prompts by Jamie at Perpetual Page-Turner. I’m definitely hoping to do more Book Tags in the future!

So far, 2023 is looking to be a great reading year with some awesome releases, and I’m hoping for some more intentional reading and blogging on my part.