At this End Of The Year Survey, I will answer some questions regarding reads and books from 2023 and eventual future reads of 2024.
End Of The Year Survey
Note: The survey is for books you read throughout the year, no matter when they were published, and is not limited to just books that came out in 2023!
2023 READING STATS
Number Of Books You Read: 26
Number Of Re-Reads: 3
Number Of DNF’d Books: 2
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy/ Romantasy
Related Books And Reading Extended
The following questions are related to everything bookish and reading.
Best Book You Have Read In 2023?
Of all the releases of 2023 I read, it’s hard to go for only one favorite. I enjoyed more than one, and each in its way. Cutting it down to 6 was hard, but focusing on only 2023 releases is another way to cut it down since I loved the Folk of the Air trilogy, but they were already released some years ago.
- Serpent and the Wings of Night
- Spark of the Everflame
Book You Were Excited About And Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
I thought Glow of the Everflame was as great as the first book, but it wasn’t as great for me. I’m not through with Heat yet, but as of writing this post, I like it way more.
Fourth Wing – I slightly expected it to be great since it got so hyped up. While I enjoyed the read, it didn’t entirely meet my expectations.
Death Stranding is a game I thought would catch me; I even gave it a second chance since I put it away after starting back when it got launched. But so far, it drags itself, and I’m rather unmotivated to continue.
Book/ Game You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?
I’m unsure if they read it, but I often recommend Spark of the Everflame and The Folk Of The Air Trilogy as book series.
For a game, however, I’d say Zodiacats is one I recommend when I can.
What Is The Best Series You Started In 2023? Best Sequel? Best Series Ender of 2023?
Most of what I started to read hasn’t yet been released as a second book of the series. If I focus on 2023 releases, I’d go with Kindred’s Curse Saga.
Favorite New Author You Discovered In 2023?
Penn Cole (Kindred’s Curse Saga), but several others are included here as well, such as S.P. Woods (Mortal Queen), Holly Black (Folk of the Air), Ripley Sinclair (Fluttering Cruelty), and Kay Humphreys (Into the Skies).
What Is Your Favorite Cover Of A Book You Read In 2023?
I think that might be very much Heat of the Everflame so far. The crown on the cover kind of the Kindred’s Curse books “evolves” during the series. Heat’s cover looks just amazing so far.
The Most memorable character of 2023?
Diem (Kindred’s Curse) is amazing through the series, and I’ve read books 1-3 out of 4 so far, so I can tell.
Shortest & Longest Book/ Game/ Movie In 2023?
The longest book is most definitely Heat of the Everflame. I haven’t finished it, but I count it as a 2023 read since I read more than 50% before New Year.
The shortest book is most likely an issue from Thor’s comic.
The shortest Game, however, was surely Zodiacats so far, or even one of those House/ Building Full Of Cats games. They’re lots of fun.
Killer of the Flower Moon felt like it was dragging itself endlessly. Surely, it’s not the longest movie I’ve seen, but it felt like it.
Best Book You Read In 2023 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.:
Fourth Wing and ACOTAR are books I read because of their immense hype. Fourth Wing when it came out, and A Cort Of Thorns And Roses is pretty much hyped still after all those years.
That doesn’t mean I agree, tho. I found both a bit too overhyped, as I like, e.g., The Serpent And The Wings Of Night way more. But tastes differ, right? Which is a good thing, after all.
Hidden Gem Of The Year?
Spark Of The Everflame is an Indie and self-published book, and I almost heard nothing about it anywhere if I hadn’t specifically looked for it.
From what I know, either Glow or Heat managed to get #52 on Amazon in the fantasy category only with the hype of the ARC readers. I find that’s amazing!
Blogging/ Nerdy Life
Everything offtopic and overall blogging related, that happened in 2023.
Favorite Review You Wrote In 2023
My ARC Reviews because it’s an honor to be accepted to read the author’s work before release.
Either way, I’d say I like most of them, or I wouldn’t simply put them online.
Best Non-Review/ Discussion Post You Wrote
Maybe Are you A Bookworm Or A Reader. It was lots of fun writing, but overall, I like most of the posts I write otherwise I wouldn’t publish them.
Best event that you participated in
I participated in a few memes but no events this year that were especially focused on books or movies.
However, I did go to last year’s Gamescom and also to GameCity.
What Was Your Best Moment Of Bookish/ Blogging Life In 2023?
To publish the blog in February/ March 2023! I’m so very happy and proud I got back to blogging!
What Was The Most Challenging Thing About Blogging Or Your Reading/ Nerdy Life This Year?
To get my blog up and running, optimize SEO properly, and do the marketing. It’s challenging because it’s a lot, and I won’t ever complain about it because I love what I am doing, which is the most important thing.
To keep myself engaged in reading books, playing games, and watching stuff. Sometimes, the motivation leaves, but I realize it’s not the worst thing. Breaks are fine and important.
Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether by comments or views)?
Fate: Winx Saga S1 from the review category and Are You A Bookworm Or A Reader in the meme section.
Post You Wished You Got A Little More Love?
All of my reviews since I put lots of time, thoughts, and effort into them.
Did you complete any reading challenges or goals set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I only almost finished the ABC challenge but didn’t get to it entirely, so no. I haven’t finished one. Or, well, only my reading goal for 23 Goodreads books turned out to become 26.
Looking Ahead
It is meant for everything I’m looking forward to in 2024. Regarding blogging and whatever, I am waiting for and so on.
One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2023 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2024?
Fae Blood series, since I was accepted for the ARC reads but haven’t had a chance to read them.
What Are You Most Anticipating For 2024 (non-debut)?
Burn of the Everflame, Mortal Queen: Beast, and Book #4 of the Fae Blood series are some books I am waiting for.
I am looking forward to watching many movies, such as Venom 3, Joker: Folie á Deux, Dune Part 2, Deadpool 3, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, A Quiet Place: Day One, and Inside Out. However, Saw XI, Snow White, and Mufasa are on my maybe list.
As for the gaming part, there are no specific games I am waiting for. ARK II is on my list, but I don’t expect it to run properly within the first few weeks since ARK: Survival Ascended didn’t either. After all, it has to be really released until I believe they won’t postpone it again.
Series Ending/ A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2024?
Burn of the Everflame, I’d say. Or at least when Heat is keeping me as occupied and fills my expectations as I slightly expect it to. Burn will be a great final book.
But also book #2 of Fluttering Cruelty’s Duology.
What Is One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/ Blogging Life In 2024?
I want to improve my writing and critical thinking for various media and the world. Also, I keep my fun in reading, playing, and watching stuff as it’s the most important part and, of course, the fun in writing.
