Reading Stats for 2022 | Goodreads & Storygraph

Hey guys!
Today I’m going to be sharing my stats for 2022.
Wouldn’t say it was an amazing year for reading but it certainly wasn’t bad.

I use Goodreads to track my reading. I’m so terrible at using Storygraph throughout the year. Goodreads is just second nature. I ended just adding all my reads from 2022 in one go at the end of the year. (Terrible I know) Maybe 2023 is the year I finally get into Storygraph.

Starting off with the goals:

Original goal: 70 Books
Revised goal: 50 Books
Books read: 51

Moods – Not something I’m particularly concerned about in terms of my reading habit and goals. I don’t really consider this when I’m reading. It’s always interesting to know though, at the end of the year.

Genre – No surprise there my top two are YA and Fantasy, they’re my faves.
I’m happy to see a variety of genres here, 27 different genres! I’m quite surprised by this. I do like to try and branch out of my comfort genres (SF/F) and I managed to do that in 2022. Hoping to do the same in 2023 too.

Pace – Unsurprising my ratio here. I despise slow pace books, so not at all shocked they made up 6% of my reading. I tend to prefer a fast pace but medium pace has taken the cake this year!

Page number – I was very slumpy for a lot of 2022 and also just busy so I definitely favoured shorter reads. Still managed to read a few big books which I’m happy with!

Non-Fiction/Fiction – Very happy to have actually read some non-fiction in 2022. In 2021 I managed to read a whopping 0 non-fiction books. 18% for 2022 is pretty good going for me, I’m happy with that.

Shortest/Longest Books – For the second year in a row a Stormlight Archive book is my longest read. Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson was bloody enormous but bloody brilliant. Well worth the long read.

How was your reading in 2022?

NaNoWriMo Update: Week 2 & 3 | Ahead of Schedule

Hello everyone.
Another NaNoWriMo update, though this one is a 2-in-1. I was too busy to write a 2-week update on the 14th. You can check out my first update here – I talked about my WIP and there’s a mood board/aesthetic for the story, if you are interested in that!

Week 2 word counts:

Day 8 – 2000
Day 9 – 1701
Day 10 – 1712
Day 11 – 1705
Day 12 – 2200
Day 13 – 1709
Day 14 – 1667

Week 2 total: 24712

This week was quite hard for me as I came down with a flu-like virus. I felt really unwell and had terrible brain fog! Despite this, I managed to stay on track with my daily word count and had my best writing days so far.

Week 3 word counts:

Day 15 – 1714
Day 16 – 454
Day 17 – 1716
Day 18 – 1704
Day 19 – 1763
Day 20 – 2202
Day 21 – 1735

Week 3 total word count: 36000

My worst week, as you can see on the 16th I had my worst writing day of the month. I usually work from home but on the 16th I had to go into the office for the day and it took it out of me. It was such a long, busy day, I was too tired to write when I got in. I forced myself to write a few hundred words then gave up.

It’s definitely getting harder as the days go on. Fair play to anyone doing NaNoWriMo with full-time jobs/kids/commitments. It has taken over my life! I’m happy I’m doing it and will be finishing it but I will be relieved when it’s over.

That’s my update for now, I’m ahead of schedule (somehow) and very happy so far! I cannot believe it’s the 22nd today. 8 days left!

If you’re doing NaNoWriMo let me know how it’s going for you!

The Perfect Autumn Read | Book Review: Sadie by Courtney Summers (audiobook)

Goodreads synopsis:

A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial-like podcast following the clues she’s left behind. And an ending you won’t be able to stop talking about.

Sadie hasn’t had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she’s been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie’s entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister’s killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.

When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie’s story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie’s journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it’s too late.

My thoughts:

It’s an ugly tale, told so amazingly.
It gives the harsh reality of girls that go missing, and the book’s ending reflects that.

This is not an easy read at all. It’s very graphic and violent and definitely not for everyone. I will list triggers at the end of my review, there is a lot! It’s gritty, dark and devastating – It will really move you. It’s a book I will never forget reading, will likely reread it in the future.

This book can only be described as heart-wrenching.
The characters and the story feel so real, it was like listening to a documentary. I felt so deeply invested in Sadie’s story. This is the kind of book you cannot get out of your mind while reading it. I just needed to know more, I was both horrified and hooked throughout. It’s a hard listen but also I couldn’t stop.

The podcast element really shines in the audiobook.
Had I read this physically, I’m not sure I’d feel the same. The story lends itself to being heard rather than read.
The narrators were great! It has an excellent cast of voices, it all felt so real.
Rebecca Soler does Sadie’s chapters – She’s one of my favourite narrators having listened to a good few books she’s narrated.

I appreciate the representation in this story, I have never read/listened to anything with the main character having a stutter before. I can’t comment on the accuracy side as I don’t have one. From what I can tell it was well portrayed.

Trigger/Content warnings: Pedophilia, ableism, grief, death, murder, abandonment, assault, sexual assault, substance abuse, explicit violence + more (basically very very dark and all the triggers you can imagine)

Rating: 5 Stars

If you’re looking for a dark, mystery book to read this Autumn/Winter – I highly recommend this.

July Wrap Up | 2022

Happy August!
Here’s hoping I have a better reading month this month. July was pretty bad. I was in a massive slump. I barely touched a book. I only managed a few graphic novels.

Lore Olympus Vol 2 by Rachael Smythe

I was in such a slump, I knew I needed something fun and easy to get me back in the mood. So I picked up this, highly anticipated after Vol 1. I loved it!! Just what I needed. Now in need of Vol 3… which is out in October!
Rating: 4.5 Stars

---

Paper Girls Vol 1
Paper Girls Vol 2 by Brian K. Vaughan.

I decided to pick up more graphic novels. I decided to give Paper Girls a go. I love Saga by Brian K. Vaughan. I’m enjoying it so far! The whole story is out (6 volumes) which I will be binging! Look out for those reviews coming soon.
Vol 1 rating: 4 Stars
Vol 2 rating: 4 Stars

What did you read in July?

May Wrap Up | 2022

Hello everyone!
I’m so inconsistent with blogging lately. I need to get back into the swing of things.
Happy June! We’re now in the best month of the year. (I’m biased, it’s my birthday month AND I’m going on holiday!)

*You Still Look the Same by Farzana Doctor

*This was gifted to me by Libro.fm

No matter how hard to try, poetry is not something I can get into.
This was a quick listen, I don’t remember it being bad at all but now I don’t remember much. Poetry doesn’t stick with me much.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

I really enjoyed this one! It was super fun and cute. The perfect quick read. Would be a perfect holiday/beach read!
Rating: 4.5 Stars

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson (reread)

I started by reread of Mistborn! I decided to read the physical alongside listening to the audiobook. It had been years since I first read this series and I loved being back in this world! It destroyed me again, just like the first time. I was surprised at how much I’d forgotten!

Rating: 5 Stars

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson (reread)

Then moving on to rereading book 2. Audiobook/physical again.
Also really enjoyed this. It does have a little bit of middle book syndrome but it’s still interesting. I cannot wait to read the last book in this trilogy! It will likely destroy me because the ending is unreal.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

What did you read in May?

February Wrap Up | 2022

Happy March 1st!
Which is also St David’s Day here in Wales + It’s Pancake Day/Shrove Tuesday!

I started off the month well but then my reading went downhill…
I did manage to read 5 books though, which I’m happy with.

The Whole Picture by Alice Procter

I started off the month by finishing off my first non-fiction read. It took me a while to read but it was very interesting and eye-opening! I highly recommend anyone who loves museums and such to give this a read.
Rating: 4 Stars

*Sweethand by N.G. Peltier (audiobook)

After reading such a heavy book, I needed something light. This was on my Libro.fm as one of the gift ALCs. It was just what I needed! A fun romance between a baker and a music producer. Enemies to lovers trope, need I say more?
Rating: 3.5 Stars

Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe

I was then in the mood for romance. I picked this up the same day as finishing Sweethand and finished it in one go. I binged it in one sitting. It was too good! I NEED volume 2!!
Rating: 5 Stars

*Chef’s Kiss by Jarrett Melendez

Continuing the food theme apparently, I read this graphic novel which I had as an eARC from Netgalley. Another romance, this one is LGBT+ with an equal focus on friendship. It was a lovely read!
Rating: 4 Stars

*Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson

Finally, I read another Netgalley ARC. I managed to just squeeze this into Feb, finished at like 9pm last night!
I am loving the Stormlight Archive and I loved seeing the side characters get their own little adventure! I’m so ready (but terrified) to pick up Rhythm of War!

What did you read in February? Any new faves?

The Disappointment is REAL | Blogmas Day 11 – Book Review: Cytonic by Brandon Sanderson

Warning this review may spoil Skyward + Starsight
You can click the titles for my reviews of those!

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Spensa’s life as a Defiant Defense Force pilot has been far from ordinary. She proved herself one of the best starfighters in the human enclave of Detritus and she saved her people from extermination at the hands of the Krell—the enigmatic alien species that has been holding them captive for decades. What’s more, she travelled light-years from home as an undercover spy to infiltrate the Superiority, where she learned of the galaxy beyond her small, desolate planet home.

Now, the Superiority—the governing galactic alliance bent on dominating all human life—has started a galaxy-wide war. And Spensa’s seen the weapons they plan to use to end it: the Delvers. Ancient, mysterious alien forces that can wipe out entire planetary systems in an instant. Spensa knows that no matter how many pilots the DDF has, there is no defeating this predator.

Except that Spensa is Cytonic. She faced down a Delver and saw something eerily familiar about it. And maybe, if she’s able to figure out what she is, she could be more than just another pilot in this unfolding war. She could save the galaxy.

The only way she can discover what she really is, though, is to leave behind all she knows and enter the Nowhere. A place from which few ever return.

To have courage means facing fear. And this mission is terrifying.

---

My thoughts:

Where to begin…

This was probably my most anticipated read of the year and it is now my biggest disappointment of the year. It pains me to say it but wow, this was not it.

Firstly, this did not feel like a Brandon Sanderson novel?? It was boring. It felt so much like filler and fluff. Were there some important reveals? Yes. But they were at the very end.

This is a YA series but this felt really childish/ridiculous. The tone and writing felt so different to the previous two. Everything was so off. It didn’t seem to fit with the other novels. Starsight took a bit of a different direction from Skyward but this just went crazy off. After the cliffhanger of Starsight, I expected an amazing sequel and i eagerly awaiting forever for this.

The whole Nowhere was interesting enough but spending the whole book there was a bit of a bore. I found I was dragging myself through this novel. I didn’t want to pick it up and I rarely reached for it. It took over 2 weeks for me to finish and that is so unusual for me. If it hadn’t been a Sanderson, I’d have DNF’d. But I do want to complete the series when the final book comes out, so I persevered.

I even switched to the audiobook to get through the last 150 pages, which helped me read quicker but also kind of ruined it further. Did not like the narrator’s voice for MBOT – a Scottish woman?? It just didn’t seem to fit to me. Definitely not how I had previously imagined the voice. The narrator wasn’t bad at anything else, just wasn’t my personal preference. I definitely will not be reading the next one on audiobook.

The redeeming qualities were the characters, Spensa’s character development is one of the best things about the series. I know a lot of people find Spensa unlikeable – I don’t and never have. She’s a bit odd and quirky but she’s entertaining!

The last 100, maybe 75 pages were definitely the best part. There were some good, Sandersons style twists – which I didn’t see coming. Things did begin to add up towards the end.

Rating: 2.5 Stars

(it physical pains me to give my favourite author less than 4 stars)

Blogmas Day 10: Anticipated Book Releases 2022

Welcome to Day 10 of Blogmas!
This month is flying by!
Today I’m sharing my most anticipated releases for 2022.
(Click on the title of each book for the Goodreads page)

Contemporary/Romance:

Talia Hibbert Books:
Highly Suspicious, Unfairly Cute & Untitled (Skybriar #1) – No dates but says expected 2022
I don’t know too much about these and Goodreads has failed me. Talia Hibbert writes the most addictive romances ever. I know one of these is her YA debut (I think) and I know she’s writing and Pride and Prejudice retelling, so I assume that’s one of these too. Either way, I’m excited for more from this author!

Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney
May 3rd

Having really loved her previous novel, Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry, I am super excited to read this. I’m lucky enough to have a NetGalley ARC! There’s no cover yet, I can’t wait for the reveal!

Book Lovers by Emily Henry
May 3rd

Loved Beach Read, need to read more of this author! This sounds SO GOOD. Plus what book lover doesn’t want to read a romance about book lovers?! I’m sold.

Fantasy:

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
February 22nd

I read and enjoyed XOXO, this one just sounds so good! AND THAT COVER! Gorgeous. Also super lucky enough to have a NetGalley ARC. Cannot wait to pick this up soon.

Gallant by V.E. Schwab
March 1st

Of course, I’m excited about the new V.E. Schwab novel! This is described as The Secret Garden x Crimson Peak – which just sounds incredible!

Untitled (The Dreamer Trilogy #3) by Maggie Stiefvater
Autumn 2022
No title, no release date as of yet. I think she said it would come out next autumn. Fingers crossed! Cannot wait to read the conclusion to this amazing trilogy. Even though I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to this world and its characters. *Single tear*

Cursed by Marissa Meyer
November 8th
I loved Gilded, it was so dark and atmospheric! I went in thinking it was a standalone then it ended on a cliffhanger. I need this sequel like now. Waiting a year might actually kill me!

A Duel with the Vampire Lord by Elise Kova
August 18th

The third book in the Married to Magic series, I’m loving these books! I’m not usually a fan of vampires (unpopular opinion) but I’m interested to see Elise Kova’s take.

What are some of your anticipated releases for 2022?

Blogmas Day 6: Books I DNF’d in 2021

Welcome to Day 6 of Blogmas!
Today I’m talking about the few books I couldn’t finish in 2021.
I’m not a huge DNF-er but I’m starting to just stop forcing myself through books I’m not enjoying. I’m usually pretty good at picking books I’ll enjoy or at least can finish.

Let’s jump in:

The Book of the Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor

I want to enjoy Nnedi Okorafor but I just don’t vibe with her stuff.
I read Binti last year, I think – didn’t really like it. I couldn’t even finish this because it was just too slow. I think this author is the perfect example of great ideas and concepts but the execution just didn’t work for me. Unfortunately.

*Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

This was a bit of a surprise DNF. I enjoyed The Deep by the same author and was excited to read more. The writing is great in this. It just wasn’t what I expected and I just couldn’t pick it up. I felt no desire to read this or know what happens. I found I was forcing myself through this, so ultimately DNF’d.
This was also gifted to me for a bookstagram tour, so I felt pretty bad giving up on it.

Winter by Ali Smith

This is probably the saddest DNF. I love Ali Smith’s writing – she has such an amazing poetic and pretty writing style. I’m usually captivated by her work. I loved the previous book in this series, Autumn. DNFing this was a huge surprise. I expected to fall in love with this book and for it to be my perfect winter read. Yet I just couldn’t get into it… maybe it just wasn’t the right time. This is probably the only one I’d give a second chance to.

DNF but on hold:

*Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

So this one I’m not officially DNFing but it’s on hold for now. This was definitely a case of not the right time for me. I was sent this by the publisher, so I feel a bit bad not reviewing it on time but alas I will eventually get around to it. I was in the mood for fantasy and this is not fantasy. I’m sorry – but does that cover not scream fantasy??? Turns out it’s a contemporary thriller, which is not at all represented in the cover.

Did you DNF any books this year?

Blogmas Day 4: Books to Read While it’s Cold Out (Wintery Book Recs)

Hello and welcome to Day 4 of Blogmas!
Today I’m going to be recommending some books I think would make perfect winter reads! I’m not much of a seasonal read, I’m especially not a Christmas book reader, so there’s no Christmas themed books I can really recommend.

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
(also known as The Golden Compass)

This is the book that got me into reading. It’s a wonderful series – this book especially would make an amazing winter read. It’s set in winter, it has a polar bear (armoured bear actually.) It’s pretty dark in places but it’s a great story!

*Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Another snowy tale.
This one is very folklore/fairytale-esque.
The writing is beautiful and it’s a very enchanting. Perfect for reading around Christmas if you’re not into Christmas themed books.

A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova

If you’re looking for a cosy romance, this one is lovely!
Enemies to lovers. Elves. Fantasy romance.
It’s everything I love in one book. It’s such a happy read, it really brought me joy when I read it last November. A warming read for the winter!

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

If you’re looking for a moodier read. This is a fantasy/dystopian. The world is pretty grey and ashen – it’s not a depressing story, however.

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

The token non-SFF rec
I really enjoyed this confusing and complex mystery thriller/ historical fiction novel. It’s really not my usual thing but this won me over! I don’t remember what season it’s actually set in but I think it’d be a good one to read during winter. I think mystery/thrillers are good for the ‘darker’ months.

Ice by Anna Kavan

This is probably a wildcard rec.
It is by far the weirdest book I’ve ever read but truly unforgettable.
This was a required read for uni, I’d have never picked it up otherwise. It’s fairly obscure and I’ve never heard anyone talk about it. It’s definitely perfect for winter – an ice age is sweeping the world. It’s very unsettling and creepy and odd. But fascinating and interesting to analyse and discuss.
I can’t really say if I loved this book or hated it? It’s definitely one I will never forget.

I’ve come to the end of this post and realised it’s mostly SFF books, whoops!

Leave some wintery book recs below! (especially contemporary or romance would love to read some wintery ones!)