On this final day of 2022, it’s time for my annual Year in Review post to reflect on my reading year and set some goals for 2023. This is one of my favorite posts of the year to write as it helps prepare for a new reading year as I reflect on my year in reading and prepare for annual Best of lists. Spoiler alert: if you like charts & data, you’ll love this post.
2018 in Review 2019 in Review 2020 in Review 2021 in Review
- 2022 Reading Statistics
- Year in Review Book Tag
- How do you feel about your reading goals for the year?
- New Book Blogger you discovered this year?
- What is a new genre that you read this year?
- New Favorite Book Recommendation
- New Favorite Series (completed this year)
- What is a future re-read from this year?
- Biggest Surprise Read of the Year
- What is a book you wish you read?
- What is a book you wish you didn’t read?
- What is a book that impacted you?
- Lessons learned to apply to next year
2022 Reading Statistics
| Total Books Read | 56 |
| Total Books DNF | 4 |
| Total Pages Read | 19,628 |
I didn’t manage to read as much as in 2021, but considering I had more than one 30+ day reading slump, I’m yet again impressed at the number of books that I managed to read — particularly when looking at the balance between new releases and backlist!
As a surprise to literally no one who knows me, science fiction and fantasy are my most read genres in 2022. But I think this is the most diverse I’ve been in terms of genres that I pick up ever, and I love that for me!
2022 was full of ups and downs: I was either reading a lot or not at all. (I do nothing in half measures haha.) I’d like to build a daily consistent reading habit for 2023 and beyond, even if it is a couple of pages.
📝 Want your own reading charts without all the work? Download my free 2023 Reader Spreadsheet Template!
Year in Review Book Tag
The Year in Review Book Tag was created by Average Joe’s Library on Youtube and the questions below are adapted from Joe’s Year in Review Book Tag on Booktube.
How do you feel about your reading goals for the year?
Okay so listen: my first read of 2022 was a DNF and that could have been a portent of things to come. Arguably this is my “worst” reading year in terms of books and pages read… but I don’t really care?
I always set my book goal to 52 books as I find that’s a good balance between no stress and not too easy. I completed that goal, utilized my library more, and had a good balance between ARCs and non-ARC reading — so I feel pretty great!
New Book Blogger you discovered this year?
*This is Booktuber in the original tag
I am the literal worst book blogger because I was terrible about blog hopping in 2022 and focused on returning comments with the time I had this year. The frequent digital detoxes that I went on did wonders for my mental health, but really impacted my ability to discover new blogs.
What are your favorite new bloggers? Please let some links in my comments so I can start the year off on the right foot!
What is a new genre that you read this year?
Slowly but surely the hold that SFF has on me dwindles! I read less fantasy in the last year compared to the past and romance made a bigger showing this year. Also I didn’t read any Classics this year, which I find interesting.
New Favorite Book Recommendation
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling is an atmospheric and claustrophobic science fiction thriller that I still am thinking about six months later. 📖 Read my spoiler-free review
Reluctant Immortals by Gwendolyn Kiste is a powerful gothic reimagining that asks if we are doomed to become monsters if we come from them. 📖 Read my spoiler-free review
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey is equal parts science fiction and domestic thriller, this book is a page-turning and heartbreaking exploration of humanity, motherhood, and the roles thrust upon us by society. 📖 Read my spoiler-free review
New Favorite Series (completed this year)
*The rules on this one was that you just had to complete the series, not necessarily that it finished in 2022.
I mostly read standalones this year and most of the very few finished series that I completed this year were a little disappointing. But I cannot stop thinking about how criminally underrated Goddess in the Machine duology is. Read my spoiler-free review of the first book and add it to your TBR now!
What is a future re-read from this year?
Biggest Surprise Read of the Year
Never Coming Home by Kate Williams was a delightful retelling of And Then There Were None that I had a wonderful time reading (see below twitter thread) and thoroughly enjoyed.
What is a book you wish you read?
I feel personally attacked by this question because the limit does not exist.
What is a book you wish you didn’t read?
Eh, life’s too short to read a book I’m not enjoying… that’s why I DNF.
What is a book that impacted you?
I’m not finished reading it yet, but The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers by Eric Weiner.
Lessons learned to apply to next year
It’s okay to not read all the time, to not be chronically online, to not post on this blog every week like clockwork. That reading the hottest books isn’t always what will bring me the most satisfaction. That I am not a monolith and my interests change, and that is okay.
Going into 2023, I’m focusing on my overdue ARCs and owned TBR via the Project Backlist Reading Challenge — while also practicing acceptance and compassion for myself.
What are the lessons you’ve learned in 2022? Have you read any of the books I’ve listed here? Let’s chat in the comments!
Happy New Year, Kal! Reluctant Immortals is a book I’d love to read this year. I keep hearing great things😁
This is such a fabulous book tag! I just love it! I am glad you were still able to read some good books even though it wasn’t a steady reading for you. Slumps are honestly the worst to experience. I hope that 2023 is a much better solid win for you. Having patience with one’s self is definitely a great goal to have for the year.
Happy New Year!
Goddess in the machine is underrated. I especially loved the first book.
Happy New Year Kal! I hope 2023 will be great for you!
Happy New Year, Kal! I’m feeling your comment about “practicing acceptance and compassion for myself” in 2023. I need that, as well. There are several areas where my reading and blogging life need balance. I think my motto will be less is more in 2023. 😉 Happy reading!
yay for picking up many different genres in 2022! i also tried to expand my horizons with genres and was really happy to see good progress in 2022. sorry to hear that it wasn’t your best reading year numbers-wise, but i’m glad that you’re not letting it bother you! manifesting lots of new favorites in 2023 <3
I’ve been trying to learn that it’s okay not to read all the time. I would always feel guilty for being in a slump or preferring to play video games instead.
Happy New Year! I’m with you on the DNF mentality. I need to get better at picking up my backlist books this year, though. You did great with that in 2022!
Happy New Year! “It’s okay to not be chronically online” is a lesson I am also taking away for 2023, especially with the state of Twitter these days…
I really enjoyed reading this Kal, it feels like you really content and enjoying all of your reads in 2022!
2022 was a year xD. I’m glad it’s over. Here’s to a better 2023! Happy reading!
Loved seeing your 2022 review and all the stats! 💖 The Luminous Dead looks intriguing, especially as I’m trying to pick up more thrillers! I also still need to read Goddess in the Machine, after being a bit disappointed by Aurora Rising 😅