2022 was a great reading year for me. I read a total of 104 books, single-issue comics, graphic novels, and manga. 104!? I can’t believe I hit the triple digits. Since I started tracking my reading on Goodreads, I have gotten into a good rhythm in making time to read, along with figuring out the types of books and genres that interest me the most. Every year, I participate in Perpetual Page Turner‘s End of Year Book Survey. It’s one of the most detailed book surveys that I have found. I always look forward to writing each post as it helps me review the books I read and pick the books that stood out to me the most.

2022 Reading Stats

Number of Books Read: 104

Number of Re-Reads: Two. I re-read Columbine by Dave Cullen and Dracula by Bram Stoker. I read both of these books in high school, so it was time for a re-read. I typically re-read books when it’s been at least five years since I originally read the book, or if I pick up the book from my shelf and I don’t remember the plot of the book.

Genre You Read the Most From: Doing a quick scan through my Goodreads, I felt that I read more fantasy and non-fiction this year.

Best in Books

Best Book in 2022

I read a lot of good books this year. As I scanned through my list, I had at least five books that I rated five stars throughout the year. I had to ponder on this one for a while, but in the end, I chose The Guest List by Lucy Foley. The Guest List is a wedding thriller where the guests travel to an island off the coast of Ireland. The groom is found murdered, and secrets are revealed leading up to his demise. I liked the build-up, the setting, and reading how everything was so interconnected. The Guest List kept me invested throughout and reminded me why mysteries and thrillers are one of my favorite genres to read.

Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

One To Watch by Kate Stayman-London had such a good premise. It was a romance centered on Bea, a plus-size woman going on a Bachelorette show to find love. I didn’t buy into the end romance, and there was a cheating side plot, which I wasn’t a big fan of. There was also a side plot where one of the producers slept with a contestant on the show, which I found completely unprofessional. I wanted to like this, but I felt the book went in a completely different direction than what I was looking for.

Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2022?

Ashley Winstead, who wrote In My Dreams I Hold A Knife, is an author on my radar. This book was so good. In My Dreams, I Hold A Knife is centered on a group of college friends who met up at a college reunion. They are confronted with their past as one of their friends was murdered during their tenure at their university. Ashley Winstead did write a book this year titled The Last Housewife, which is centered around a cult. I didn’t read it this year because I didn’t see a paperback copy, and I’m not a fan of hardcover. I could see myself picking up The Last Housewife sometime next year.

Favorite Cover Of A Book You Read in 2022?

The Lost Apothecary was a book I purchased late last year solely on the cover. Out of all the books I read this year, this cover is gorgeous.

Most Thought-Provoking Book / Life-Changing Book of 2022

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy was a heartbreaking book to read. I grew up with the Nickelodeon shows, and I remember watching iCarly when it aired. It came as a shock to me to read this book and hear what Jennette endured from her mom. I couldn’t imagine my mom forcing me into acting at a young age. There were a lot of graphic descriptions in this coming from Jennette, especially when she detailed her eating disorder. Child actors have to endure so much at a young age, and I think this book illustrates why child actors need more protection in the industry.

OTP (One True Pairing) Of The Year

Vivienne and Rhys in The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling are my OTP. They belonged together.

Newest Fictional Crush From A Book You Read in 2022?

The first person I thought of was Simon from Well Met by Jen DeLuca. Simon’s family runs this Renaissance Faire every year and is running around the Faire in costume. Simon seems so sweet and a little nerdy, which makes him easy to have a crush on.

Book That Was The Most Fun To Read?

The Killing Code by Ellie Marney was another great book that I read this year. It was fun to read about the code breakers and learn more about this particular time in history. I’m not usually a historical fiction type of reader, but this was an exception.

Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby is the book that sat with me long after I finished reading it. The book centers on two dads who find out that their sons were murdered. Their sons had been in a relationship together, which neither of them supported because of their beliefs about homosexuality. The dads team up to find out who killed their sons and get revenge. I think what hurt the most for me was that these dads couldn’t accept their sons when they were alive, and ended up completely changing their views by the end of the book. It sucks that it happened after their sons died. This book reminded me that this type of environment and hatred are still alive in certain parts of the US.

Your Blogging and Bookish Life

Favorite Post You Wrote in 2022?

My favorite book-related post was Writing Tropes That Aren’t For Me. I wrote this post in July as I was contemplating different books I read and why I liked or disliked reading them. It helped me recognize some tropes I see pop up in books and my feelings towards those tropes when I come across them.

Best Moment of Bookish/Blogging Life in 2022?

I think the moments that I keep coming back to are all the books I picked up while traveling. I stopped in several bookstores and museum gift shops. I have several non-fiction books on my TBR that I hope to read in 2023. I love purchasing books as souvenirs. It helps me learn about other areas outside of where I live, along with parts of history that I haven’t read about in a while.

Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges Or Goals That You Had Set For Yourself At The Beginning Of The Year?

I don’t necessarily set reading goals; however, I’m still in awe that I made it past 100 books. This is the most I have ever read, and I’m so proud of myself for making the time to read.

Looking Ahead

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2022 But Will Be Your Number #1 Priority In 2023?

Honestly, I ended up reading everything that I wanted to this year. My in-laws bought me a few books for Christmas that I plan on reading in January, which will be a good way to start the year. I may write a post about my post-Christmas TBR, so I can share all the books I received on Christmas.

One Thing You Hope To Accomplish In Your Reading / Blogging Life in 2023?

The only goal that I have is to read 100 books in 2023. I’m impressed that I was able to get there this year, so I want to see if I can do it again next year.

Happy Reading! Let me know in the comments what your favorite book was that you read this year.

I’m finally out of my reading slump! I have been slowly finishing the multiple books I have started. As my reading habits have changed, I realized I can’t read more than one book at once. It ends up slowing me down. If I end up not liking a book or not getting into the book right away, I need to be better at putting it away and reading something else. With that being said, I credit Wolf Gone Wild as one of the books that helped me move out of my slump. Wolf Gone Wild is a fantasy romance centered on a witch trying to break a hex placed on a stubborn werewolf.

Evie Savoie is a hex breaker. Evie is one of the older sisters in her witch’s coven. Based in New Orleans, Evie and her family run a variety of businesses, including a storefront and a bar. During a shift, she’s sought out by Mateo Cruz, a werewolf who’s been unable to change into his wolf, and it’s causing him stress. Mateo has to constantly fight off his wolf persona daily, which is interfering with his art commissions. Evie agrees to help Mateo, which leads to them getting closer, along with uncovering the mystery of who placed the hex on Mateo.

While Wolf Gone Wild is technically a romance, I felt that there were enough fantasy world-building elements within the story. Wolf Gone Wild introduces Evie’s family, along with each of Evie’s sisters and their magical abilities. I liked that while the romance is the center of the story, many other interesting aspects kept my attention throughout the book. As far as the characters themselves, I liked Evie. She’s independent, she doesn’t take any bullshit from anyone, and she has her own hobbies that keep her busy. She’s a comic fan, and it’s shown through several scenes that she’s trying to make her own comic. I thought Mateo was an interesting character, too, but I felt I didn’t know as much about him as I did about Evie.

I liked Wolf Gone Wild. It wasn’t my favorite book this year, but I’m glad I read it. I think Wolf Gone Wild sets up the series as the future romance books focus on Evie’s siblings. I want to read Jules’s story as she is the oldest sister, and it’s hinted that she has a fling with a vampire. I rated Wolf Gone Wild four stars on Goodreads.