April Wrap-Up

I had an extremely busy month in April, which included volunteering at two weekend free clinics (I’m an optometrist) in other parts of my state. I was determined not to let my reading slide despite my weekends being much more packed than usual, and I ended up reading 3 short pieces (2 short stories and 1 essay) to be able to participate in Dewey’s 24-hour readathon during a busy clinic day. I did find a new 5-star standout, but also read many great 4-star picks.

Stats

Total books read: 9

#readmyowndamnbooks: 3

Short fiction/nonfiction: 3

2024 releases: 5

 

Reviews

All the Hidden Paths by Foz Meadows (5 stars) – Sometimes it takes me a really long time to finish a book I love, and All the Hidden Paths by Foz Meadows, which I started about a month ago, was no exception. Its predecessor A Strange & Stubborn Endurance was one of my favorite books of last year, and you never know how a sequel will live up, but this one was just as intricately written, heart-wrenching, and full of action as the first. It delves more into court politics, which I love in fantasy books, and the central arranged-marriage romance continued to develop in a way that makes sense for each character’s history of trauma. I also felt that the ending was potentially setting up a spinoff featuring several prominent side characters we met in book 2, which I wouldn’t be at all mad about

At First Spite by Olivia Dade (4 stars) -I’ve loved every Olivia Dade book I’ve read so far, and At First Spite was no exception. It’s a difficult premise for an author to make work–our heroine is engaged until her fiance’s brother talks him out of going through with the wedding, ostensibly because he doesn’t approve of her, but also because he finds himself extremely attracted to her. She begins to fall for him as well in the aftermath, but our protagonists also have to deal with depression, burnout, and the aftereffects of family tragedy on their way to an HEA. Despite these darker themes, At First Spite still has plenty of funny and sweet moments, and I loved the dynamic between the two main characters and how much they loved one another. I received an eARC of At First Spite from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dominoes by Phoebe McIntosh (4 stars) – This contemporary fiction was kind of a random pick for me, and I ended up finding it really interesting. I listened to the audio and the narrator was GREAT, I’d definitely recommend consuming it that way, and I’ll definitely be looking for more from this debut author.

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun (4 stars) – This was my third contemporary romance from Cochrun, and definitely my favorite. It features a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance between two English teachers who are taking their mentor on a road trip as his dying wish, and who learn about each other and themselves along the way. It has great discussion on the importance and impact that great teachers can have on our lives, so I was recommending it to my English teacher friend within the first few chapters. There is sadness but it’s well-balanced with humor and romance, along with mental health discussion.

Two Women Walk Into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed (4 stars) – This was the essay I listened to during Dewey’s; I previously really enjoyed both Wild and Dear Sugar by Strayed and found this essay about the author’s relationship with her mother-in-law to be very well-told.

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne (4 stars) – A very cute short story with Thorne’s signature addictive writing style that involves a rescue from a sensory deprivation chamber.

Graceful Burdens by Roxane Gay (4 stars) – My second short story for the month was from a past favorite author, and the thing is that I love Roxane Gay so much that anything less than a 5 star is almost a disappointment. I just think this concept needed more room to grow and develop, although I did enjoy the read.

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake (4 stars) – I would say that I enjoyed this Sapphic contemporary romance second-best in the Bright Falls trilogy; I liked the depiction of anxiety and also that prickly Iris finally got her own love story.

Billion Dollar Loser by Reeves Wiedeman (3.5 stars) – This is the second book I’ve read about the downfall of Adam Neumann and WeWork, and it helped with my reading mood for a nonfiction book that feels like a podcast but wasn’t necessarily a very strong read.

March Reading Wrap-Up

I’m a bit late, but determined to still make my March wrap-up happen! I finished several books that were very high on my TBR stack and I’m happy with how the reading month went.

Stats

Total books read: 6

Nonfiction: 3

#readmyowndamnbooks: 3

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (4.5 stars) – I found this memoir to be both powerful and beautifully written, as well as skillfully narrated by the author. I suggested it as this month’s pick for my in-person book club, however, and the other members didn’t seem to enjoy it nearly as much as I did.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (4 stars) – I’ve heard so much hype about this book, but due to the subject matter, it took me awhile to actually pick it up. It was a very difficult read emotionally, but very well-written, and I thought the audiobook was narrated very well by the author.

The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi (4 stars) – This fabulist novel about a mysterious language education center that purports to be able to make a person fluent in a new-to-them language after only a week sounded right up my alley. I liked the main character’s inner narration and the slowly-building mystery, and although it did feel in ways like a debut novel, I definitely would recommend it.

The Unbroken by C. L. Clark (4 stars) – There’s always a point in the year where I suddenly get a powerful urge to read epic fantasy, and I kicked off that reading mood in 2024 with The Unbroken. I enjoyed the dual perspective, fast pace, and mixture of action and politics, and look forward to picking up its sequel, The Faithless.

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily R. Austin (4 stars) – I’ve had Austin’s debut novel on my TBR for approximately 5,000 years, but I ended up picking up her sophomore title first since it was a BOTM pick. It definitely moved at a slower pace and was very character-driven, with a solid payoff at the end. I’m looking forward to picking up her debut soon too.

The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev and G. Weston DeWalt (3.5 stars) – My Mount Everest/Jon Krakauer continued with this read, which is somewhat of a refutation to several of Krakauer’s claims. It was an interesting read, but not nearly as well-written as Into Thin Air, and I found Krakauer’s essay in response to the book more credible than this book itself. I don’t regret the read, but I definitely don’t think it’s a necessary book to pick up after Into Thin Air.

Feb Reading Wrap-Up

I really struggled with a reading slump throughout most of Feb; I’m not sure if it was because of my extremely productive reading month in January, winter malaise, or general stress, but I had a hard time focusing on most of the books I attempted to pick up. Nonfiction audiobooks were what worked for me the best (and continue to comprise a large portion of my 2024 reading in general), supplemented by next-in-series books from past favorite authors. I still enjoyed the books that I did manage to engross myself in, with one 5-star standout. Let’s get into it.

Stats

Total books read: 5

Nonfiction: 3

How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith (5 stars) – I’ve been talking this book up and recommending it frequently ever since I started it. It has a really interesting premise where the author tours historical sites and then discusses the accuracy or inaccuracy of the information given regarding the history of racism; he does so in an extremely engaging and informative way. I also thought the audio narration was really well done.

The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America by Carol Anderson (4.25 stars) – This is my third nonfiction read from this author, and for some reason I haven’t heard nearly as much about this one as her previous two. It explores the second amendment from the perspective that it has never equally applied to Black Americans and how it has caused and allowed for a great deal of racist violence. I’ve read about gun violence and gun violence prevention previously, but this was from a very different viewpoint, and I found it very interesting, if a bit clinically written.

Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews (4 stars) – I love that we’re continuing to get bonus, post-series Kate Daniels books, and I enjoyed the heck out of this one. I never get tired of these characters and this world, and can only hope for still more installments in the future.

Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar (3.75 stars) – I’ve previously listened to podcasts about this historical tragedy, but was interested in getting more information through a book. The writing wasn’t consistently engaging for me, nor was the narrative, but parts were quite interesting. I just wish that certain aspects and theories had been explored more thoroughly and that the quality of the writing had been a bit better.

All the Dead Shall Weep by Charlaine Harris (3 stars) – This isn’t my favorite series of Harris’s, but I enjoyed the dual narratives and sister team-up adventure in this one and will continue on to see how things go down in the next book, which sounds like it will feature a dramatic, deadly magical ball.

January Reading Wrap-Up

I kicked off my 2024 reading year with a bang! Not only did I read 3 books in the 5-star range, but I also got a great start on several of my reading goals (picking up more nonfiction, romantasy, and Book of the Month titles). Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 11

#readmyowndamnbooks: 6

Nonfiction: 4

Romantasy: 2

Book of the Month: 1

How Far the Light Reaches by Sabrina Imbler (5 stars) – This was a gorgeously written nonfiction book that manages to combine memoir and science writing seamlessly through apt metaphor, and the audiobook was gorgeously narrated as well. I had a strong feeling I’d enjoy it, but I hadn’t predicted it to evoke so much emotion in me. If you enjoy learning about sea creatures and/or queer narratives, this is a must-read.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer (5 stars) – This book spawned an entire obsession for me, and after posting about it and hearing from other readers, I know I’m not alone. I not only became obsessed with this tragic expedition, but with Everest and Jon Krakauer as well. His writing is gripping, as is this story, to the point that I was yelling out loud in reaction to what I was hearing (I listened to the audiobook, which I do recommend). I instantly added Krakauer’s other books to my TBR, as well as Anatoli Boukreev’s The Climb, which provides a differing perspective on the expedition. I’m late to the party on this one, and if you are too, do yourself a favor and READ THIS IMMEDIATELY.

Check and Mate by Ali Hazelwood (4.5 stars) – I don’t know if I was expecting Ali Hazelwood’s YA debut to become one of my favorites of her books, but it absolutely did. It’s very Ali Hazelwood, with a Gen Z spin, and chess-centric while still romance-focused. I found both storylines equally interesting, and I loved the side characters just as much as the main couple. Finishing this made me extremely glad that there will be 2 new Ali Hazelwood releases in 2024, or I’d be quite bereft right now.

The Lord Sorcier by Olivia Atwater (4 stars) – This one is actually a prequel novella that was included at the end of Half a Soul and featuring its two male main characters during their meeting and developing friendship. I debating including this as part of Half a Soul or giving it its own review, but because it really has a different feel to Half a Soul (and its own entry on Goodreads), I felt it could stand on its own. It’s a really concise and interesting story about disillusionment with one’s ideals and discovering how to make a difference in a more practical way, as well as a fish-out-of-water story of a young man from Faerie adapting to Regency England during its war with the French.

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater (4 stars) – This was a really delightful and easy-to-read romantasy set in Regency England and featuring a young woman whose soul was half-stolen by a faerie when she was young, and her unexpectedly befriending the intimidating Lord Sorcier leading to a mission and adventure. I really enjoyed the read and am looking forward to continuing in the Regency Faerie Tales series.

Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist (4 stars) – It’s hard to classify this book in terms of genre; it’s sort of a Gothic eat-the-rich plot involving drugs, poison, nepo babies, and betrayal. I enjoyed it, although I could tell it was a debut, and I’m interested to see what this author comes out with next.

Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer (4 stars) – This nonfiction book focuses on the history of Mormonism and its fundamentalist sects using two horrific contemporary murders as a gateway. Its focus is much more on historical events rather than the police investigation, in contrast to the miniseries that shares its name, and it’s extremely informative and well-written. I started this soon after finishing Into Thin Air, my first Krakauer book, and although it didn’t quite live up to his monumental take on Everest exploration and tragedy, I felt I learned a lot and continue to be impressed with his writing.

A Novel Obsession by Caitlin Barasch (4 stars) – This was an absorbing debut novel featuring an “unlikable” main character that makes mistakes from minute one, but whose story is still completely addicting. I really enjoyed it.

All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung (4 stars) – This was a moving and emotional memoir about trans-racial adoption, a topic I knew very little about before reading it. I became very emotionally invested in the author’s journey to find her birth family and their subsequent meeting and relationship development.

Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh by Rachael Lippincott (3.5 stars) – This was a cute YA time-travel romance that I didn’t find quite as impactful as I was hoping. She Gets The Girl, which was co-authored by Rachael Lippincott, was one of my favorite YA reads a few years ago, so this may have been a case of my expectations being too high.

The High Mountain Court by A. K. Mulford (3.5 stars) – I’m trying to read more romantasy in 2024, and this first-in-series novel has been on my radar for awhile. I overall enjoyed the plot and characters, but wished the writing had been stronger; I’m undecided as to whether I’ll continue in this series, because I am interested in the main couple featured in book 2.

 

Reading Year in Review: 2023 Stats & Superlatives

Welcome to my wrap-up for the entirety of my 2023 reading, which I’m posting well before the end of 2024. We’ve got lots of stats as well as lots of favorites, so let’s get into it.

Stats

Total books read: 111

Total pages read: 35,850

Longest book: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros – 640p

Shortest book: The Lover by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – 43p

Average book length: 322p

Most popular (on Goodreads): The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood (re-read) – shelved 2,563,172 times

Least popular (on Goodreads): The Veil by Rachel Harrison (short story) – shelved 1,596 times

Average Goodreads rating: 4.0 stars

Highest rated book on Goodreads: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (4.60 stars on average)

 

Top 10 Favorite books of 2023:

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett (historical fantasy); Babel by R. F. Kuang (historical fantasy); Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell (science fiction romance); Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (satirical contemporary/literary fiction).

Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke (nonfiction); Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond (nonfiction); The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake (fantasy); Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrision (horror).

And I Do Not Forgive You by Amber Sparks (fabulist short story collection); Delphi by Clare Pollard (contemporary literary fiction).

Runner-Up Favorites of 2023

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows (fantasy romance); Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross (YA fantasy romance); La Petite Mort by Olivie Blake (contemporary fantasy); The Last Tale of the Flower Bride (fabulism).

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli (YA contemporary romance); Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood (contemporary romance); Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey (holiday romance); I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (mystery).

Magic Tides by Ilona Andrews (urban fantasy/paranormal romance); Bad Dolls by Rachel Harrison (horror short story collection).

 

Longest books I read in 2023

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows – 544p

Babel by R. F. Kuang – 544p

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros – 528p

Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell – 480p

The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten – 480p

The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy by Megan Bannen – 448p

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai –  438p

 

Best sequels

Favorite romance

Favorite YA

Favorite nonfiction

Short stories read in 2023

New-to-Me Authors Whose 2024 Releases I’m Excited For

Most disappointing

Jane Austen retellings

Fairytale retellings

December Reading Wrap-Up

I finished 2023 with a surprisingly excellent reading month, featuring 3 books in the 5-star range, several holiday-themed reads, and an unintentional theme of books involving Hollywood/moviemaking/TV shows. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 9

2023 releases: 4

#readmyowndamnbooks: 4

Holiday romances: 3

Books featuringHollywood/moviemaking/TV shows: 5

And I Do Not Forgive You by Amber Sparks (5 stars) – An endlessly creative and at times goosebump-inducing short story collection that came in clutch for me in December and also reminded me why short stories are one of my favorite things to read.

Delphi by Clare Pollard (5 stars) – This was my last read of 2023, and a surprise five-star read. It’s a short novel told in brief vignettes about a classics professor navigating the pandemic with her husband and young asthmatic son while connecting the anxiety she’s facing about an uncertain future with ancient Greek methods of divining fate. It’s succinct and addictive to read, with precise and skillful prrose and a huge emotional wallop at the end.

Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey (4.5 stars) – I really wasn’t expecting Wreck the Halls to become one of my favorite romances of the year, but I was pleasantly surprised! This book is sweet, big-hearted, and involves reality TV shenanigans, rocker moms, long-term crushes, and a crap ton of chemistry. Even though I’m Jewish, I do enjoy a good Christmas romance, and this one perfectly hit the spot.

I was sent a free copy of Wreck the Halls from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

American Mermaid by Julia Langbein (4 stars) – My love of mermaids prompted me to buy this book, and the acerbic writing kept me hooked. I had an unintentional pattern of books featuring Hollywood this month, and this one features an author moving to L.A. to help adapt her book into a movie, while trying (and failing) to avoid losing the manuscript’s integrity along the way.

Notes From a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi (4 stars) – I heard of this author from his appearance on Top Chef (I’m obsessed) and found his memoir to be hard-hitting, well-written, and impressive.

How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow (4 stars) – This was a really enjoyable YA contemporary holiday romance audiobook that features two young Jewish women falling for each other over Christmas while one of them is in D.C. for a paleo-ichthyology internship.

Sizzle Reel by Carlyn Greenwald (4 stars) – This is sort of a new adult contemporary romance set in L.A. that focuses just as much as friendship as it does love. It’s a debut and wasn’t perfect, but I enjoyed many aspects of it and will be picking up more from this author. I think its Goodreads ratings are way too harsh.

The Lover by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (3 stars) – I was underwhelmed by this fairytale-inspired short story; I’ve read a lot of short stories in this vein, and while I had high hopes, it just didn’t stand out to me.

Most-Read Authors of 2023

The authors I read the most books from over the course of a year have become one of my favorite stats to track and predict, and 2023 is no exception.

1. Rachel Harrison – 5 books

2023 really became the year of Rachel Harrison! I read 3 books from her in the first month of the year, and that just made me want to keep reading her. Unfortunately, I’ve now exhausted her backlist.

2. Olivie Blake – 4 books

I believe Olivie Blake was one of my predictions for my most-read author of the year, and she came so close! I absolutely love her books and writing style, and luckily have plenty more to read from her in 2024.

3. Chloe Liese – 3 books

3. Tessa Bailey – 3 books

There was a point at which I’d given up on Tessa Bailey, and then I changed my mind. Which was lucky, because Wreck the Halls became one of my favorite romances of the year.

3. Alexis Hall – 3 books

4. Ali Hazelwood – 2 books (one was a re-read)

4. R.F. Kuang – 2 books, and a new-to-me author

4. Gwendolyn Kiste – 2 books, and a new-to-me author

4. Rebecca Yarros – 2 books, in a series, and a new-to-me author

4. T. Kingfisher – 2 books

4. Ilona Andrews – 2 books, and a past favorite author

4. C.L. Polk – 2 books, and a new-to-me author

 

 

Most-read authors of 2024 predictions:

Olivie Blake. She came in second in 2023, and is one of my current favorite authors. The amazing thing is that she has 2 new releases in 2024 on my radar, and also a deep backlist of books that sound incredible.

Ali Hazelwood. I feel lucky that not only are 2 new Ali Hazelwood books coming out in 2024, but I also have a 2023 release still to pick up.

 

2024 Reading Goals and Top 10 TBR

2024 has already started, and I’m technically 6 books deep in the new reading year, so I wanted to get this post done ASAP before I actually read any of the books I’m listing here. As usual, I have a priority TBR of 10 books for the year, which I’ve had varying success of actually accomplishing in the past. I’ve also been reflecting a bit on my reading last year and thinking about what kinds of things I want to prioritize in 2024.

Top 10 TBR for 2024:

Rouge by Mona Awad (fabulism/horror); Masters of Death by Olivie Blake (contemporary fantasy); Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou (literary fiction); Land of Milk and Honey by C. Pam Zhang (science fiction)

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez (YA historical fantasy); The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon (fantasy/romantasy); Better Hate Than Never (contemporary romance); We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry (contemporary fantasy)

Chlorine by Jade Song (contemporary fantasy); One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (fantasy)

Reading Goals for 2024:

Read more short story collections. This is sort of always a goal for me, since short story collections are one of my favorite categories of books, but I only read 3 in 2023. I want AT LEAST 4 in 2024.

Read an anthology. I’ve been purchasing anthologies for years, and I only ever seem to read the nonfiction ones. I want to actually read a short fiction anthology in 2024.

Read more romantasy. This is definitely a current genre buzzword, and it’s helped me mentally categorize fantasy reads better. I realized that I’ve been adding a ton of romantasy to my TBR shelf, but rarely actually picking them up, so let’s change that.

Continue in one or more fantasy series. Lately I seem to be much better at starting new fantasy series than continuing in them, let alone finishing them. In 2024, I’d like to make sure I read some sequels.

Complete the Book of the Month reading challenge. I wasn’t even close to completing the 2023 BOTM challenge, but I’m determined for 2024. I need to read 15 BOTM titles, including at least three from each of 6 different categories, such as  400+ pages, debut novel, and differing genres. I have a lot of backlist titles that came out last year that will qualify for this year’s challenge, so I’m much more optimistic.

Discover new-to-me nonfiction writers. I love learning and getting obsessed with nonfiction books, but I’m not always very good at finding new titles and authors compared to fiction. I want to try out some books I’ve been hearing about, and get better at building out my nonfiction TBR.

Read more diversely. This is always a goal for me, but I feel like I didn’t do as well in 2023 as I have in past years, so in 2024 I need to make up for that.

 

 

What are some of your reading goals for 2024?

November Reading Wrap-Up

That’s a wrap on the second-to-last reading month of the year! I managed to read 2 ARCs and 2 books in the 5-star range this month, as well as what I’m pretty sure will be the longest book I’ve read in 2023. Let’s get into it.

Stats

Total books read: 9

#readmyowndamnbooks: 6

ARCs: 2

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi (4.5 stars) – The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is the perfect book for fans of fairytale retellings, lyrical writing, and settings heavy with atmosphere. Dual POVs center around Indigo, a mysterious woman with familial wealth, a house filled with treasures, and a penchant for the fantastical. Through the perspectives of her new husband struggling with his promises not to investigate her secrets in the present timeline, and her best friend from childhood being drawn into Indigo’s world in the past, we delve into the intrigue surrounding this almost mythical figure. It has aspects of mystery, fabulism, and a coming-of-age story. I didn’t expect to love this one as much as I did, and I look forward to Roshani Chokshi’s next foray into adult lit.

La Petite Mort by Olivie Blake (4.5 stars) -I enjoyed the heck out of La Petite Mort, a short novel by Olivie Blake. It would have been difficult for someone with my reading taste to dislike it, since it features:
-The history and local mythology of a New Orleans setting
-A fish-out-of-water but nevertheless badass bi protagonist
-A variety of supernatural creatures, notably vampires
-A love triangle that’s really more of a manipulation triangle, and/or an enemies triangle
Anyways, if you enjoy Olivie Blake and/or if any of the above appeals to you, this is a great one-sitting read (which I did not read in one sitting, I just think that would be fun).

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (4 stars) – I had a lot of fun reading this sequel to Fourth Wing (making so I did sure quickly to avoid spoilers), although I didn’t feel that the pacing was on par with its predecessor. I still really enjoyed the climactic ending and abundance of action.

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall (4 stars) (ALC) – I think the cover of this contemporary romance could be better served by adding even a few Christmas lights, as it’s very much a holiday romance and this wasn’t really depicted at all. It’s extremely grumpy/sunshine and features the manager of a Bed, Bath, & Beyond-esque store faking amnesia in an attempt to keep his boss from firing him and his entire store’s staff. The conceit is silly, but the emotional development that both the protagonist and his love interest go through is heartfelt, especially with regard to the boss’s strained relationships with his family and the protagonist’s loneliness. There’s also the great humor you expect from Alexis Hall, with absurd moments and witty dialogue. I received an advanced listener copy of the audiobook of 10 Things That Never Happened from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (3.5 stars) – I’ve had mixed results with Harrow’s books in the past; I was disappointed by The Ten Thousand Doors of January but enjoyed her fairytale retelling novellas. Starling House felt quite different than either of those, and I thought that many aspects of it were really strong. I loved the “unlikable” main character, off-the-beaten-path setting, and mysterious folklore aspects, although I really could have done without the romance.

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg (3.5 stars) – This historical fantasy was a bit of a spontaneous choice for me to pick up this month, and I found it to be an overall cozy and enjoyable audiobook experience. I could have done without the romance, which I didn’t realize would be such a large part of the novel, but I enjoyed the unconventionally haunted house and found family aspects.

The Long Game by Elena Armas (3.5 stars) (eARC) – I found Armas’s third contemporary romance to be my least favorite of hers so far, and also the least fun to read. It’s heavier in subject matter, which I don’t usually mind, but the two main characters were both pretty joyless people and that made reading about their romance less entertaining. It was pitched as grumpy/grumpy rather than grumpy/sunshine, but the two came across as more rude and immature than anything else, so much so that I wasn’t sure I was rooting for them to get together. There are moments of cuteness and levity; I liked the parts about the girls’ soccer team, and the small town’s mayor seems like she could be an interesting main character in a spinoff novel, but it was overall a bit too solemn for what I was looking for in a romance. I received an eARC of The Long Game from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-Hee (3.5 stars) – I wished this nonfiction book, which features transcripts between the author and her therapist, had been longer and more fully realized; it had some really strong moments but in my opinion needed more development.

Number Go Up: Inside Crypto’s Wild Rise and Staggering Fall by Zeke Faux (3 stars) – Parts of this were interesting, but if you’re looking to read a great book about the scams inherent in the crypto world, I’d instead recommend Easy Money by Ben McKenzie and Jacob Silverman. I just didn’t find Number Go Up to be as compelling or interestingly written as that one.

2022 Reading Year in Review: Stats & Faves (very late!)

I don’t even know how this happened, but I somehow completely forgot to do my 2022 wrap-up post. I can only promise myself that my 2023 post will be a lot more timely, and also a lot more in-depth; I just didn’t want to let the entire year go by without making this!

Stats

Total books read: 128

Total pages read: 40,372

Longest book: 805 pages (House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas)

Shortest book: 28 pages (Bloody Summer by Carmen Maria Machado)

Average book length: 315 pages

Most popular (on Goodreads): The Guest List by Lucy Foley, shelved 2,503,72 times

Least popular (on Goodreads): Check Your Work by Skye Kilaen, shelved 377 times

Average rating: 3.9 stars

Highest rated book on Goodreads: The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee, 4.64 average rating

 

 

Top 10 favorite books of 2022:

Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly (contemporary romance); My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson (short story collection); Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (science fiction/fantasy); All’s Well by Mona Awad (fabulism)

Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap (short story collection); Book Lovers by Emily Henry (contemporary romance); Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda (fantasy); How to Be Eaten by Maria Adelmann (fairytale retelling)

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson (nonfiction); Oranges are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson (literary fiction)

 

Top 10 runner-up favorite books of 2022:

The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee (nonfiction); Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? by Kathleen Collins (short story collection); The Past is Red by Catherynne M. Valente (science fiction); The Mask of Mirrors by M. A. Carrick (fantasy)

Bloody Summer by Carmen Maria Machado (short story); Jade City by Fonda Lee (fantasy); Bliss Montage by Ling Ma (short story collection); Cackle by Rachel Harrison (horror)

The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik (fantasy); Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood (contemporary romance)

 

Longest books I read in 2022:

House of Sky and Breath (805 pages)

Mask of Mirrors (630 pages)

Jade City (560 pages)

Firekeeper’s Daughter (496 pages)

Caste (496 pages)

The Spanish Love Deception (482 pages)