Happy (almost) 2024!
It’s time again for the annual end of year survey that Jamie @ The Perpetual Page-Turner hosts to reflect back on the books we’ve read throughout the year.
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2023 Reading Stats
Number Of Books You Read: 115
Number of Re-Reads: 9
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy
Number of Pages You Read: 34,338
Best in Books
1. Best book you read in 2023?
Messalina | A Dowry of Blood | Women of Myth
Picking just one book is way too hard so I’m going with my top three of 2023.
2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?
Hemlock Island | Gild | Kingdom of the Wicked
Quite a few ended up disappointing me and these three are the ones I wish I had loved more.
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?
Throne of Glass | The Edge of the World | Elektra
Throne of Glass is a reread through audiobook and I actually liked it a little more than the first time I read it. The first time around I have it 2 stars so now I bumped it up two 3 stars. The Edge of the World and Elektra surprised me because they ended up being extremely good. They’re both in my top ten favorite books of 2023.
4. Book you “pushed” the most people to read (and they did)?
I don’t feel like I push a lot of people to read books but I know at least one person who read Fourth Wing because of me.
5. Best first book in a series you started in 2023. Best sequel of 2023. Best series ender of 2023.
Best first book in a series: Morgan Is My Name
Best sequel: Hell Bent
Best series ender: Unleash the Storm
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2023?
Tessa Bailey | Honor Cargill-Martin | Michae Pye
7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
This book is a collection of essays that combines science with memoir, which isn’t my usual genre but it was an amazing read nontheless!
8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
This one is super easy. When I think about a book that is action-packed, thrilling and unputdownable then it’s definitely Fourth Wing!
9. Book you read in 2023 that you are most likely to re-read next year?
I reread Artemis Fowl every year and actually reread it twice in 2023 so I’m for sure reading it again in 2024.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2023?
Once Upon a Broken Heart | Elektra | Women of Myth
11. Most memorable character of 2023?
It Happened One Summer: Piper Bellinger
Morgan Is My Name: Morgan le Fay
Fourth Wing: Violet Sorrengail
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2023?
How Far the Light Reaches | A Dowry of Blood
Both of these are very different books but equally beautifully written!
13. Most thought-provoking/life-changing book of 2023?
Dader Onbekend | Doden Spreken Niet Tegen
These are both books in Dutch by Belgian authors about science and true crime.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2023 to finally read?
I’ve been meaning to read this book foreeeever so I’m glad I finally did it this year. I really enjoyed the stories!
15. Favorite quote from a book you read in 2023?
“That’s how they get you, darling. With the beauty. Never forget, Syrsee. The Devil craves beauty. Even in himself.”
16. Shortest and longest books you read in 2023?
Shortest — 44 pages: When Ilium Burns
Longest — 757 pages: A Court of Silver Flames
17. Book that shocked you the most?
Alexander the Great: His Life and His Mysterious Death
I’m not saying this book was super shocking but I was surprised by some of the things I learned in this book.
18. OTP of the year (you will go down with this ship!)
Sea of Ruin: Bennett + Priest + Ashley
Mysteries of Thorns Manor: Elisabeth + Nathaniel
Fourth Wing: Violet + Xaden
19. Favorite non-romantic relationship of the year?
It Happened One Summer | Hook, Line, and Sinker
I loved the bond the two sisters, Piper and Hannah had with each other in these books. I loved them!
20. Favorite book you read in 2023 from an author you’ve read previously?
The Stolen Heir | Signal Moon | Both Feet in the Grave
All of these are authors I’ve previously read and loved (+ will read again and again!)
21. Best book you read in 2023 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else?
It Happened One Summer | Sea of Ruin | Project Hail Mary
It Happened One Summer and Sea of Ruin were recommended by my friend Christina and Project Hail Mary was recommended by Tammy from Books, Bones & Buffy. I ended up really loving these books!
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2023?
I’ve been crushing on so many characters from this book. Violet, Xaden, Rhiannon, Liam, Mira, Garrick. Basically everyone except Dain. If you know, you know.
23. Best 2023 debut you read?
I think this is the only 2023 debut I read this year but it was a really good one!
24. Best worldbuilding/most vivid setting you read this year?
Once Upon a Broken Heart | Fourth Wing
I know I’ve mentioned these two books before already, especially Fourth Wing but they really had the best and most vivid world building!
25. Book that put a smile on your face/was the most FUN to read?
Battle Elephants & Flaming Foxes
I love ancient Rome and I love animals (especially elephants!) so this book was perfect for me.
26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2023?
I almost cried but not because this was a sad book or anything but because the publisher send me a copy. I’m a huge fan of the podcast that these authors host together (Ancient History Fangirl) so it was a big deal for me.
27. Hidden gem of the year?
Ticket Out | The Edge of the World
Both are very different books but gems, nontheless. Ticket Out is a historical mystery and The Edge of the World is a nonfiction/history book.
28. Book that crushed your soul?
Here I am with Fourth Wing again but yeah this book crushed my soul.
29. Most unique book you read in 2023?
This was by far the most unique book I’ve read in 2023 and I’m so glad I did!
39. Book that made you the maddest (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Sanda Dia: De doop die leidde tot de dood
This book is about a Belgian true crime case and the lack of real justice will never stop making me mad.
Blogging/Bookish Life
1. New favorite book blog/bookstagram/youtube channel you discovered in 2023?
MoAn Inc. is a YouTube channel about ancient history, mythology and philosophy that I discovered this year. I’ve added many many many books to my TBR thanks to Erica and hopefully that will continue in the new year!
2. Favorite post you wrote in 2023?
Probably my Nonfiction Book Tag that I created.
3. Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2023?
Any picture with my precious Gigi is a favorite of mine. She passed away less than 2 months later after I took it. I miss her so much.
4. Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)?
I’ve only participated in Nonfiction November, as I do every year.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2023?
Probably when I received Women of Myth for review. Such a beautiful book!
6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?
Finding time to probably read, blog and write reviews is something that gets harder each year and 2023 was no exception but I try!
7. Most popular post this year on your blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing During the Second Half of 2023 was my most popular post of the year.
8. Post you wished got a little more love?
As always, I don’t have one particular post in mind so any post could use more love.
9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
I don’t think I’ve discovered any new book related sites, bookstores or anything like that.
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I’ve completed my Goodreads Reading Challenge of reading 50 books, which is my go-to goal for every year.
Looking Ahead
1. One book you didn’t get to in 2023 but will be your number 1 priority in 2024?
A Light in the Flame | The Iliad | The Temple of Fortuna
As usual I can’t choose just one but these three will definitely be a priority for me in 2024.
2. Book you are most anticipating for 2024 (non-debut)?
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
I am so excited for Bettany’s new upcoming book since I really enjoyed her work in the past.
3. 2024 debut you are most anticipating?
This sounds like a really fascinating read!
4. Series ending/A sequel you are most anticipating in 2024?
The Prisoner’s Throne | Destroy the Day | House of Flame and Shadow
These are the sequels I’m looking forward the most in 2024!
5. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging life in 2024?
I hope to at least attend one bookish event in person.
And that’s it again for the end of year book survey of 2023. See you all in 2024!
I’m working on my survey post now, it’s taking forever to pull it together, lol. I love seeing that photo of Gigi🥰 I hope you have a lovely New Year’s Eve, Stephanie!
Yay for Tessa Bailey! I’ve really enjoyed her books. And Signal Moon was a great read.
You did awesome this year!!
A lot of interesting survey questions for 2023. I will have to look into some of them and see what I can come up with.
Love this survey and also yes to Fourth Wing, Hell Bent, It Happened One Summer and Hook, Line and Sinker!!
I enjoyed reading your year end survey. So much temptation here! I am glad to hear you loved Elektra. I really want to read that one (and agree that it’s a beautiful cover). I forgot about Morgan Is My Name. Another one on my TBR that I hope to read. I will definitely be reading Weyward this year since I didn’t get to it last year.
The Gigi photo is adorable. I am sorry for your loss, Stephanie.
I hope you have an amazing 2024 in life and in reading.