Hello Readers! Happy New Year! Before we say goodbye to 2022, it’s nice to look back on our reading year and see what worked and what didn’t, what goals we met, what new bookish things we discovered, and what maybe we decided to let go. Sometimes it’s only while working on my year-end wrap-ups that I discover what new things I want to focus on for the next year.

Once again, I’m using the amazing spreadsheet created by Kal @ Reader Voracious to track my bookish and blog stats. As someone who is mathematically and logistically challenged, this extensively thorough spreadsheet makes everything simple. And Kal makes it available for free! Be sure to check out her spreadsheet and her blog. She just released an updated spreadsheet for 2023, as well. If you decide to use her spreadsheet, leave her a tip, if you can. 🙂

The last few years, I’ve used Kal’s spreadsheet, my Goodreads Stats, the Reading Survey shared by Merline @ Merline Reads (originally shared by Gabby @ Gabby Reads), and I’ll also be taking a look back at my blogging and bookish year with the survey prompts shared by Jamie @ Perpetual Page Turner.

Previous wrap-ups: 2019 | 2020 | 2021

Let’s wander in!

Reading Stats

Source: 59 ARCs (including 8 short stories), 16 bought new or used, 11 owned, 9 borrowed (Libby or Kindle Unlimited), 6 gifted, and 3 won in giveaways

Genre: 56 Romance, 11 Historical Fiction, 8 Contemporary, 6 Fantasy, 6 Literary Fiction, 4 Mystery, 3 Thriller, 3 Sci-Fi, 2 Graphic Novels, 2 Memoirs, and 2 Nonfiction

Audience: 83 Adult, 19 Young Adult, 1 New Adult, 1 Middle Grade, and 0 Children

Format: 73 Ebooks, 23 Paperbacks, 7 Hardcovers, and 1 Audiobook (although I did switch between listening and reading several additional books)

Reading Survey

(Link to add on Goodreads through the book title.)

How many books did you read? Did you meet your goal?

I read 104 books this year! I also participated in the the Popsugar Reading Challenge for my fifth year, which I completed in November. You can take a look at My 2022 Popsugar Reading Challenge Wrap-Up to see how I did!

Most read genre?

Not surprising that the Romance genre dominated once again. I WAS hoping to branch out more this year, but I actually read more Romance than last year. 🤦‍♀️ I felt like I branched out more, though. Ha! One of the reasons is probably thanks to my Mid-Year Freak Out Tag, which brought my over-abundance-of-Romance-reading to my attention. At mid-year I’d read 67% Romance, so bringing it down to 54% by the end of the year is pretty successful in my book!

Longest and shortest books you read?

Favorite book published in 2022?

I had 3 top contenders for my favorite book of 2022, all published within the year, as well, but if I’m forced to choose one, it would be One Night on the Island by Josie Silver. I read this one in February and it’s stuck with me all year.
My Review

Favorite debut book published in 2022?

I read 17 debuts, if my count is correct! But Every Summer After by Carley Fortune was probably my favorite. It’s also one of the contenders for my favorite book of the year.

My Review

Favorite book NOT published this year?

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne! As soon as I finished this one, I wondered why I hadn’t read it sooner.

A book that lived up to the hype?

I’m so happy about this one, guys. I was nervous, but The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune was just as good as you all said it was!

A book that did NOT live up to the hype?

Unfortunately, it’s another TJR book that slides into this spot. Last year it was Daisy Jones, this year it’s Maybe in Another Life. But fear not, I loved Carrie Soto. I’m really glad I don’t have to give up on TJR. 😅

Book that felt like the biggest accomplishment?

Definitely An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, my next book in the Outlander series and the longest book I read this year.

Favorite character(s)?

Charlie and Nick from Heartstopper by Alice Oseman warmed my heart and restored my soul.

Least favorite character?

I can’t name names because of spoilers, but there are some creepy characters in the fabulous novel, Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young.

My Review

Most shocking book/moment?

I read a few books with shocking moments, but none so shocking as City of Orange by David Yoon. This book has received some low ratings, but I gave it five stars! You just have to go into it with no expectations.

My Review

Favorite couple/OTP?

This is a hard choice when you read as many romances as I do, but the couple that I just needed to end up together or ELSE was Rowan and Harry in Bend Toward the Sun by Jen Devon. It’s one of my top contenders for favorite book of the year, as well.

My Review

The best written book you read this year?

Another book I was relieved lived up to the hype for me, Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. I think it’s flawlessly done.

Book that you pushed most people to read in 2022?

The Witchery by S. Isabelle came late in the year for me, but I haven’t stopped recommending it. So very good.

My Review

Favorite book cover of the year?

Illustrated covers aren’t always my favorite, but as soon as I saw the cover for Luck & Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz, I knew I had to read the book. Happily, the inside lived up to the cover!

My Review

Favorite book adaptation?

I actually read several books that were adapted this year, but Heartstopper written by Alice Oseman was my favorite!

What book made you cry the most?

I’m not a very emotional reader, but The Key to My Heart by Lia Louis had me misty-eyed.

My Review

What book made you laugh the most?

Something Wilder by the writing duo Christina Lauren has received some mixed reviews, but I adored their latest romance. I had so much fun reading this one!

My Review

A new favorite author you discovered this year?

I discovered so many new authors this past year, but I read the most books by Mariana Zapata. If you’re a fan of slow-burn romances, she’s the queen! My favorite so far remains From Lukov With Love, the first of her books I read.

Guilty pleasure read of the year?

No guilt here, but another romance author I discovered was Elle Kennedy! My first book by her was Good Girl Complex, the first book in the Avalon Bay series, and I recently read the follow up Bad Girl Reputation. (Shout out to Deanna @ A Novel Glimpse for introducing me to Mariana Zapata and Elle Kennedy!)

My Review of Good Girl Complex
My Review of Bad Girl Reputation

Favorite book you reread this year?

Zilch. Nada. Nothing. As someone who LOVES to reread, I’m appalled that I didn’t reread anything. I am currently rereading In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren, but I know I won’t finish it before 2023. I must do better next year!

What is the best non-fiction book you read this year?

Somewhere Sisters: A Story of Adoption, Identity, and the Meaning of Family by Erika Hayasaki is intriguing and enlightening.

My Review

Were you happy with your reading year?

When I scroll through all the books I read this year, I’m happy with what I read, but I see some things I’d like to change. I read more diversely than the previous year, which is always a goal, but I stuck to the Romance genre more than I thought I did. I didn’t reread at all, and once again ARCs dominated. I’m determined to find more of a balance between ARCs and my existing bookshelves. Although, my favorite books from 2022 were ARCs I’d read, so there is that. 😉 My average rating hasn’t changed at all from 2021, so I like to think that just means I know what I like. 🤷‍♀️

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Your Blogging/Bookish Life

New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2022?

My blog hopping has been abysmal lately. It’s another area in my bookish life that needs some balance. A few blogs I feel like I (re)discovered this year: Wendy @ The Bashful Bookworm and Sam @ We Live and Breath Books

Favorite post you wrote in 2022?

In 2022 I created more posts than ever, and my memory is the worst, but I enjoyed creating the Top Ten Tuesday post: Books Set in a Place I’d Love to Visit. I’ve even visited one already!

Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events,  etc.)?

I feel like I did attend a few virtual events, but I can’t remember any at the moment. 😃

Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2022?

Honestly, each time I’m approved for an ARC from one of my favorite authors, I’m still awed and delighted. Other than that, celebrating my 3rd Blogiversary!

Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

The most challenging thing in 2022 was keeping up. I feel like so much of the year was me apologizing for being late with posts and staying on top of all my ARCs. I’m already accepting less ARCs and not adding any extra books to my Popsugar Challenge for 2023, so I’m hoping that will take off some pressure. I think maybe it’s time to finally schedule my first blog hiatus sometime this year, as well. I still love blogging, but I don’t love feeling behind. 🥰

Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

My all-time most popular post continues to be a post I created in 2020: My Chain of Gold TBR: What To (Re)Read Before Starting Cassandra Clare’s Next Novel. But I was surprised to see a review I did this year is gaining on it. My most popular post this year: ARC Review: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, even though it doesn’t have many comments. 😃

 Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Bookstores I’ve Visited. I spent way too much time searching for photos and information about each bookstore. 😉

 Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

I made two new discoveries this year that seem like they should have been obvious:

• Using speak screen for ebooks, effectively turning my ebooks into audiobooks.
• “Penciling in” ARCs I’ve been invited to read with their due date when I’m not sure if I want to read them, only accepting them if I have the time to get to them.

 Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

Looking back at My Top Ten Goals for 2022 post, I discovered I only managed to successfully complete 3 goals, which makes me wonder if setting goals works against me. 😂 I’m pretty excited about the 3 I did complete, though:

• I participated in Let’s Talk Bookish discussion posts. While I didn’t put pressure on myself to participate every week, I joined in whenever a prompt interested me, which averaged out to one a month.
• I completed my Popsugar Reading Challenge for 2022, reading 63 books—my most books for the challenge yet.
• I did my yearly digital and physical bookshelf unhaul.
• One of my goals was to complete an existing Nanowrimo project, and while I didn’t put a red bow on one, I’m so much closer than I was at the start of the year.

I have a feeling a few of my goals will reappear on this year’s list: Less ARCs, read more off my existing shelves, and reread more! One of these years, I’ll make it happen. ❤️

Whew, that was a lot!
What was your favorite read of the year? Did you reach all your goals? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Wandering & Happy 2023!