A Little Life & On The Savage Side. I sobbed through the final 50 pages of ALL. Both took my breath away & I’ll think about these books for a long time!
Books #24 Reading Chats
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AllieBee
VIP Member
Quoting myself to add try a fantasy book to the book goals. I've never liked fantasy as a genre I think I probably go for the more logical, plot driven books like thrillers/crime but see you guys raving about fantasy and think I should try it!
@Caffeine Fiend maybe we should have a mid year check in against our goals end June?
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Mixed. There have been some really good books but they’ve been few and far between! Most things feel fairly average to be honest.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
I don’t usually rate but based on the above I guess it would be 3/5!
What was your favourite read of 2023?
I Am Pilgrim. Very late to the party with this one. It had been on my Kindle for ages but the size of it always put me off, plus I’m not really a spy thriller type person, but I loved this. Raced through it despite the size!
Any other books worth a mention?
Ask Again Yes
The Whalebone Theatre
A Lady’s Guide To Fortune Hunting
Demon Copperhead also needs a mention because although I had mixed feelings about it, it’s stayed with me.
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The Frequency of Us because of the unexpected genre shift. It became something I didn’t expect and really wasn’t interested in reading. Also a contender is A Prayer For Owen Meany which was just painful! Soooo slow and tedious!
What book exceeded your expectation?
Tomorrow & Tomorrow & Tomorrow. I probably wouldn’t have picked this up at all if it wasn’t for people talking about it here. Didn’t expect to like it as much as I did.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
A Prayer for Owen Meany. Baffled as to why this book appears on so many must read lists!
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Love From The Pink Palace. I loved the tv series It’s A Sin and this is the real life Jill’s memoir. Funny and moving in equal measure. Honorable mention to Paris Hilton’s autobiography.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
To buy less 99p deals that I’m only getting cos they’re on offer, and to spend more on books from my wishlist that are probably never going to be cheap but that I really want to read!
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Mixed. There have been some really good books but they’ve been few and far between! Most things feel fairly average to be honest.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
I don’t usually rate but based on the above I guess it would be 3/5!
What was your favourite read of 2023?
I Am Pilgrim. Very late to the party with this one. It had been on my Kindle for ages but the size of it always put me off, plus I’m not really a spy thriller type person, but I loved this. Raced through it despite the size!
Any other books worth a mention?
Ask Again Yes
The Whalebone Theatre
A Lady’s Guide To Fortune Hunting
Demon Copperhead also needs a mention because although I had mixed feelings about it, it’s stayed with me.
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The Frequency of Us because of the unexpected genre shift. It became something I didn’t expect and really wasn’t interested in reading. Also a contender is A Prayer For Owen Meany which was just painful! Soooo slow and tedious!
What book exceeded your expectation?
Tomorrow & Tomorrow & Tomorrow. I probably wouldn’t have picked this up at all if it wasn’t for people talking about it here. Didn’t expect to like it as much as I did.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
A Prayer for Owen Meany. Baffled as to why this book appears on so many must read lists!
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Love From The Pink Palace. I loved the tv series It’s A Sin and this is the real life Jill’s memoir. Funny and moving in equal measure. Honorable mention to Paris Hilton’s autobiography.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
To buy less 99p deals that I’m only getting cos they’re on offer, and to spend more on books from my wishlist that are probably never going to be cheap but that I really want to read!
Caffeine Fiend
VIP Member
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
I don't feel like I've read as many 5* this year as I did last. I think two contributing factors were; reading a ton of really average fae romantasy books in an attempt to find my new ACOTAR, and a lot of the big award nominees this year not being my sort of thing. I've found choosing from my enormous tbr really overwhelming and so set up a system where I choose from a category shortlist in rotation.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.3, which is a little lower than last year but about what i'd expected.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Almost impossible to choose, but I might go for Lonely Castle in the Mirror.
Any other books worth a mention?
The Nickel Boys
A Man Called Ove
His Bloody Project
And every morning the way home gets longer and longer
We are all completely beside ourselves
Project Hail Mary
Our Wives Under the Sea
The Bell Chime
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
The Things We Leave Unfinished
The Sun Down Motel
Six of Crows
The Ex Talk
To be taught, if fortunate
Fate of Wrath and Flame
This One Sky Day
True Crime Story
The No Show
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The Absolute Book
Behind Closed Doors
Catherine House
The Idea of You
The Family at No12!!!!!!!
What book exceeded your expectation?
A Fate of Wrath and Flame - expected a bogstandard romantasy but this was in my top 5 for the year with a great balance of plot and believable ACTUAL enemies to lovers.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Beth OLeary and Emily Henry are usually quite safe authors for me, but The Road Trip and Happy Place were imo both quite rubbish. Both were second chance romance interestingly enough, so perhaps I'll avoid that in future.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
I've not liked much non-fiction this year (and generally don't) but 'Reach for the Stars' was really fun.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
Get through the remaining Throne of Glass books and move on to the Crescent City series.
Be honest with myself and delete kindle books I no longer fancy reading.
Catch up on some of 2023's hyped books such as Fourth Wing.
Buy fewer books and make a dent in my 350-odd tbr.
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
I don't feel like I've read as many 5* this year as I did last. I think two contributing factors were; reading a ton of really average fae romantasy books in an attempt to find my new ACOTAR, and a lot of the big award nominees this year not being my sort of thing. I've found choosing from my enormous tbr really overwhelming and so set up a system where I choose from a category shortlist in rotation.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.3, which is a little lower than last year but about what i'd expected.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Almost impossible to choose, but I might go for Lonely Castle in the Mirror.
Any other books worth a mention?
The Nickel Boys
A Man Called Ove
His Bloody Project
And every morning the way home gets longer and longer
We are all completely beside ourselves
Project Hail Mary
Our Wives Under the Sea
The Bell Chime
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
The Things We Leave Unfinished
The Sun Down Motel
Six of Crows
The Ex Talk
To be taught, if fortunate
Fate of Wrath and Flame
This One Sky Day
True Crime Story
The No Show
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The Absolute Book
Behind Closed Doors
Catherine House
The Idea of You
The Family at No12!!!!!!!
What book exceeded your expectation?
A Fate of Wrath and Flame - expected a bogstandard romantasy but this was in my top 5 for the year with a great balance of plot and believable ACTUAL enemies to lovers.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Beth OLeary and Emily Henry are usually quite safe authors for me, but The Road Trip and Happy Place were imo both quite rubbish. Both were second chance romance interestingly enough, so perhaps I'll avoid that in future.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
I've not liked much non-fiction this year (and generally don't) but 'Reach for the Stars' was really fun.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
Get through the remaining Throne of Glass books and move on to the Crescent City series.
Be honest with myself and delete kindle books I no longer fancy reading.
Catch up on some of 2023's hyped books such as Fourth Wing.
Buy fewer books and make a dent in my 350-odd tbr.
mindlessness
VIP Member
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Good! I read a lot more than 2022, and as a result was doing far less doom-scrolling and spent less time watching crap on tv. It was a good reminder also that reading before bed makes for much easier falling asleep than scrolling social media on my phone before bed.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
No ratings for me.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
I finished A Room of One's Own at the very beginning of the year, the version on audible narrated by Juliet Stevenson. She is marvelous and the book itself (and Virginia Woolf) is marvelous. Great for cold January walks.
Any other books worth a mention?
I loved Curtis Sittenfield's Romantic Comedy while also hating the Covid setting in which some of the book took place. Also read basically all of Mariana Zapata's backlist and thoroughly enjoyed. She's great at slow burn.
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
I DNF'd some really bad KU romances whose titles I have long forgotten!
What book exceeded your expectation?
Oh a two part answer here - this year I read Book Lovers, You and Me on Vacation and Happy Place in quick succession. Really enjoyed BL and HP, which alongside my very favourite Beach Read made Emily Henry a must-read author for me.
What book didn't live up to your expectation? Or just wasn't as good as you thought it would be?
Here comes part two - You and Me on Vacation. I was not a fan of the jumping back and forwards, and didn't warm to the main characters.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
I picked up the Rest is History book when it came out and have been popping in and out of it reading a chapter or two at a time. It's great fun if you're a fan of the podcast.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
This year was the first year I kept track of numbers while reading. It was fun but next year my goal is to get through some of my physical TBR - a mix of (my fav escapism genre) romances, lit fic, some classics, some non-fiction etc. Working on putting together the list on Storygraph so I get the satisfaction of changing them to 'read' as I go (I haven't really made use of the 'want to read' feature before).
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Good! I read a lot more than 2022, and as a result was doing far less doom-scrolling and spent less time watching crap on tv. It was a good reminder also that reading before bed makes for much easier falling asleep than scrolling social media on my phone before bed.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
No ratings for me.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
I finished A Room of One's Own at the very beginning of the year, the version on audible narrated by Juliet Stevenson. She is marvelous and the book itself (and Virginia Woolf) is marvelous. Great for cold January walks.
Any other books worth a mention?
I loved Curtis Sittenfield's Romantic Comedy while also hating the Covid setting in which some of the book took place. Also read basically all of Mariana Zapata's backlist and thoroughly enjoyed. She's great at slow burn.
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
I DNF'd some really bad KU romances whose titles I have long forgotten!
What book exceeded your expectation?
Oh a two part answer here - this year I read Book Lovers, You and Me on Vacation and Happy Place in quick succession. Really enjoyed BL and HP, which alongside my very favourite Beach Read made Emily Henry a must-read author for me.
What book didn't live up to your expectation? Or just wasn't as good as you thought it would be?
Here comes part two - You and Me on Vacation. I was not a fan of the jumping back and forwards, and didn't warm to the main characters.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
I picked up the Rest is History book when it came out and have been popping in and out of it reading a chapter or two at a time. It's great fun if you're a fan of the podcast.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
This year was the first year I kept track of numbers while reading. It was fun but next year my goal is to get through some of my physical TBR - a mix of (my fav escapism genre) romances, lit fic, some classics, some non-fiction etc. Working on putting together the list on Storygraph so I get the satisfaction of changing them to 'read' as I go (I haven't really made use of the 'want to read' feature before).
BWGossip
Chatty Member
Foster and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan made me cry like a baby (I was PMSing but still
)My fav non-fiction this year was Vera (Mrs Vladimir Nabokov) by Stacy Schiff. Read it back in February and it stayed with me ever since. Fascinating biography about an, almost, unknown fascinating woman (imo much more than her husband, who wouldn't be as famous without her).
LydiaDeetzHat
VIP Member
me. Quite fun especially if you are my age or similar you can relate to some of the crap he found in his loft
ordinaryjelly
VIP Member
I love reading these, thanks for posting it @Caffeine Fiend
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Pretty good year, I never set myself targets, just go with whatever. I am hoping to squeeze in a few quick rewards to round off the year at 300 but not sure I will be able to manage.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
4 I have a strict dnf policy if I reach 60 pages and I am not enjoying it I move on.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
In Memoriam by Alice Winn. What a book. I have bought a copy for so many people this year.
Any other books worth a mention?
Other Women by Emma Flint
Loved and Missed by Susie Flint
Weyward by Emilia Hart
A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
MY dhf policy means I don't really have one.
What book exceeded your expectation?
Loved and Missed by Susie Flint. It was so much more than the initial premise, such warmth.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Again my dnf policy helps me evade this.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Talking With Serial Killers, by Christopher Berry Dee. I plan to re-read this next year.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
I am going to do the A-Z challenge. I went down the actual physical books I have here and am just missing 4 letters ao it isn't like I feel pressure. These are all books I planned to read anyway.
---
You win!
I have seen them live 64 times. Obsessed.
I have read his book, so vivid and engaging. So interesting to see the things he found in a clear out.
If you like Jarvis it is well worth a read.
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Pretty good year, I never set myself targets, just go with whatever. I am hoping to squeeze in a few quick rewards to round off the year at 300 but not sure I will be able to manage.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
4 I have a strict dnf policy if I reach 60 pages and I am not enjoying it I move on.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
In Memoriam by Alice Winn. What a book. I have bought a copy for so many people this year.
Any other books worth a mention?
Other Women by Emma Flint
Loved and Missed by Susie Flint
Weyward by Emilia Hart
A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
MY dhf policy means I don't really have one.
What book exceeded your expectation?
Loved and Missed by Susie Flint. It was so much more than the initial premise, such warmth.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Again my dnf policy helps me evade this.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Talking With Serial Killers, by Christopher Berry Dee. I plan to re-read this next year.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
I am going to do the A-Z challenge. I went down the actual physical books I have here and am just missing 4 letters ao it isn't like I feel pressure. These are all books I planned to read anyway.
---
You win!
I have seen them live 64 times. Obsessed.
I have read his book, so vivid and engaging. So interesting to see the things he found in a clear out.
If you like Jarvis it is well worth a read.
Last edited:
LaBlonde
VIP Member
thanks for this @Caffeine Fiend 
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
pretty good! i read way more romances than i usually do and enjoyed a fair few of them - read a few genres i wouldn’t usually too.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
according to goodreads, 3.1
️
What was your favourite read of 2023?
between cleopatra and frankenstein and the marriage portrait.
Any other books worth a mention?
honourable mentions to the whalebone theatre, leigh bardugo and tomorrow x3. and we all want impossible things!
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
the dead romantics and the (absolutely godawful) happy ever after playlist
What book exceeded your expectation?
a fair few romances tbh - the secret lives of country gentleman and a witch’s guide to fake dating a demon in particular.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
sadly happy place, which i wanted to love but just did not.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
i read no non-fiction
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
prepare for devastation and read in memoriam. and try and aim for 100 books but we will see!
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
pretty good! i read way more romances than i usually do and enjoyed a fair few of them - read a few genres i wouldn’t usually too.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
according to goodreads, 3.1
️ What was your favourite read of 2023?
between cleopatra and frankenstein and the marriage portrait.
Any other books worth a mention?
honourable mentions to the whalebone theatre, leigh bardugo and tomorrow x3. and we all want impossible things!
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
the dead romantics and the (absolutely godawful) happy ever after playlist
What book exceeded your expectation?
a fair few romances tbh - the secret lives of country gentleman and a witch’s guide to fake dating a demon in particular.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
sadly happy place, which i wanted to love but just did not.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
i read no non-fiction
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
prepare for devastation and read in memoriam. and try and aim for 100 books but we will see!
Caffeine Fiend
VIP Member
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
● Meh sums it up tbh. Managed about 90 books but barely any stand outs and even looking back the books I gave 5 stars to, Im now looking and in hindsight they just dont feel like 5 star reads? I think I probably read them after some poor books so I rated them higher? However one thing I am over the moon about is my physical books read. Lots more than last year. I got myself a proper reading light and it makes such a difference. Im old now and cant read a physical book in poor light
What was your favourite read of 2023?
● Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. There is nothing outstanding about this novel but it gave me all the feel good inside. It is well written and so cosy. Its not one Id have said at the start of the year would be number 1 for me, but it was. For reference my favourite books in 2022 and 2021 were A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum and Beartown by Fredrik Backman so its a really different direction for me.
Any other books worth a mention?
● Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan this was stark and bleak and I think I described it as 'if concrete was a book'
Closer to Home by Michael Magee, Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney,
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
● Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney. Plot done to death and the twist was crap imo. What Happens in Dubai by Sophie Gravia. Dont even know why I read this as I didnt much like Glasgow Kiss. Will definitely not be reading the third.
What book exceeded your expectation?
● Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors. Adored it, cant wait for her new book. Special shout out to Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
● I hate to say this but Juno Loves Legs by Karl Geary, the book was great but Id built it up in my head so much that I thought it would be brilliant and it wasnt.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
● I enjoyed Pamela Andersons auto biography. It was really quite interesting and she comes across like such a sweet lovely woman. I also liked Sedated: How Modern Capitalism Created our Mental Health Crisis.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
● Not really, get another book case to store my physical books, be more intentional with my reading and as always try and buy less. I always joke about worrying I'll die suddenly and have so many books on my TBR that I havent read. I wouldnt mind reading less next year if the books I did read were excellent. I do read alot of romances though which will never be excellent but I enjoy them.
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
● Meh sums it up tbh. Managed about 90 books but barely any stand outs and even looking back the books I gave 5 stars to, Im now looking and in hindsight they just dont feel like 5 star reads? I think I probably read them after some poor books so I rated them higher? However one thing I am over the moon about is my physical books read. Lots more than last year. I got myself a proper reading light and it makes such a difference. Im old now and cant read a physical book in poor light
What was your favourite read of 2023?
● Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. There is nothing outstanding about this novel but it gave me all the feel good inside. It is well written and so cosy. Its not one Id have said at the start of the year would be number 1 for me, but it was. For reference my favourite books in 2022 and 2021 were A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum and Beartown by Fredrik Backman so its a really different direction for me.
Any other books worth a mention?
● Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan this was stark and bleak and I think I described it as 'if concrete was a book'
Closer to Home by Michael Magee, Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney, What was your least favourite read of 2023?
● Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney. Plot done to death and the twist was crap imo. What Happens in Dubai by Sophie Gravia. Dont even know why I read this as I didnt much like Glasgow Kiss. Will definitely not be reading the third.
What book exceeded your expectation?
● Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors. Adored it, cant wait for her new book. Special shout out to Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
● I hate to say this but Juno Loves Legs by Karl Geary, the book was great but Id built it up in my head so much that I thought it would be brilliant and it wasnt.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
● I enjoyed Pamela Andersons auto biography. It was really quite interesting and she comes across like such a sweet lovely woman. I also liked Sedated: How Modern Capitalism Created our Mental Health Crisis.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
● Not really, get another book case to store my physical books, be more intentional with my reading and as always try and buy less. I always joke about worrying I'll die suddenly and have so many books on my TBR that I havent read. I wouldnt mind reading less next year if the books I did read were excellent. I do read alot of romances though which will never be excellent
but I enjoy them.
Crumpet41
VIP Member
Can i join in please? 
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Pleased as i set myself a reading goal of 20 books and i have surpassed this goal ( currently on book 21).This is the best reading year i have had in many years.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.5 is an average rating across the books i have read this year.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Black Valley Farm - Sheila Bugler
Any other books worth a mention?
The Satsuma Complex - Bob Mortimer
The Housemaid - Frieda McFadden
The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
Do No Harm - Jack Jordan
The Mirror Man - Lars Keplar
The Herd - Emily Edwards
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The Mad Women's Ball - Victoria Mas ( i am unsure if this is due to the book being translated from French to English or if it is just poorly written).
What book exceeded your expectation?
The Satsuma Complex - really funny in several places. I found it to be written in a dead pan style which i really enjoyed.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Klara and the Sun - Kazuo Ishiguro. Started off really well but then tailed off mid way through the book.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Only read the Britney Spears book - wouldn't call it a favourite read though.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
Stop buying books . I have a massive TBR pile of physical books and kindle books to be read. I visit a book store and boom... i am picking up more books because it piques my interest.
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Pleased as i set myself a reading goal of 20 books and i have surpassed this goal ( currently on book 21).This is the best reading year i have had in many years.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.5 is an average rating across the books i have read this year.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Black Valley Farm - Sheila Bugler
Any other books worth a mention?
The Satsuma Complex - Bob Mortimer
The Housemaid - Frieda McFadden
The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
Do No Harm - Jack Jordan
The Mirror Man - Lars Keplar
The Herd - Emily Edwards
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The Mad Women's Ball - Victoria Mas ( i am unsure if this is due to the book being translated from French to English or if it is just poorly written).
What book exceeded your expectation?
The Satsuma Complex - really funny in several places. I found it to be written in a dead pan style which i really enjoyed.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Klara and the Sun - Kazuo Ishiguro. Started off really well but then tailed off mid way through the book.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Only read the Britney Spears book - wouldn't call it a favourite read though.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
Stop buying books . I have a massive TBR pile of physical books and kindle books to be read. I visit a book store and boom... i am picking up more books because it piques my interest.
Hannahebee
VIP Member
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Haven't read as many books as last year due to various commitments but whilst I have read some really good books I have also read some really bad ones that left me feeling massively disappointed.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
Most of my books were between 2* and 5* reads.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Before You by Kathryn Freeman as I just loved the Formula 1 setting, I went through every emotion when Aiden is driving in each race as I was rooting for him to win, I got to find out what happens behind the scenes when no race is taking place, I felt like I understood both main characters view points and it was a well written book that kept me wanting to read on to see what was going to happen next.
Any other books worth a mention?
Last Breath by Robert Bryndza
Blind Beauty by K.M. Payton
In It for the Long Run: The Mike Snow Trilogy by AV Turner
Don't Make a Sound by David Jackson
Marcie Steele Moving On
Christmas on the Little Cornish Isles The Driftwood Inn by Phillipa Ashley
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The Christmas Party by Mikayla Davids as there was a lot of repetitive elements to it, the story was totally unrealistic, the characters were all similar to one another and I knew who the killer was very early on.
What book exceeded your expectation?
Don't Make a Sound by David Jackson
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
True Colours: My Autobiography by Barry Geragthy
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
Buy less books than I have this year
Read more books than I have this year
Read books that are part of a series as I have a number of books on my shelf that consist of this i.e. The Cosy Teashop series by Caroline Roberts, The Miss Underhay Series by Helena Dixon, The CockleBerry Bay Series by Nicola May and The Harpers Emporium Series by Rosie Clarke
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Haven't read as many books as last year due to various commitments but whilst I have read some really good books I have also read some really bad ones that left me feeling massively disappointed.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
Most of my books were between 2* and 5* reads.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Before You by Kathryn Freeman as I just loved the Formula 1 setting, I went through every emotion when Aiden is driving in each race as I was rooting for him to win, I got to find out what happens behind the scenes when no race is taking place, I felt like I understood both main characters view points and it was a well written book that kept me wanting to read on to see what was going to happen next.
Any other books worth a mention?
Last Breath by Robert Bryndza
Blind Beauty by K.M. Payton
In It for the Long Run: The Mike Snow Trilogy by AV Turner
Don't Make a Sound by David Jackson
Marcie Steele Moving On
Christmas on the Little Cornish Isles The Driftwood Inn by Phillipa Ashley
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The Christmas Party by Mikayla Davids as there was a lot of repetitive elements to it, the story was totally unrealistic, the characters were all similar to one another and I knew who the killer was very early on.
What book exceeded your expectation?
Don't Make a Sound by David Jackson
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
True Colours: My Autobiography by Barry Geragthy
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
Buy less books than I have this year
Read more books than I have this year
Read books that are part of a series as I have a number of books on my shelf that consist of this i.e. The Cosy Teashop series by Caroline Roberts, The Miss Underhay Series by Helena Dixon, The CockleBerry Bay Series by Nicola May and The Harpers Emporium Series by Rosie Clarke
smellsofbiscuits
VIP Member
My favourite are
Marcereads
Coolgalreading
Bookswithmitch (but she isnt posting regularly)
Ellereadsomebook
Rachelturnsthepage
I think it depends what you like reading though
Would also add scottiesandbooks to this list too. Second coolgalreading who does read *tonnes* but isn't smug about it if you know what I mean.
Thatgirl22
VIP Member
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Good! Really made an effort to read more. Discovered booktok and really got into fantasy. Read some amazing books and tried to prioritise reading over other things like doom scrolling. Also got very into audiobooks for my commute.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
Probably either 4 or 5/5!
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Crescent City book 1 lives rent free in my head along with the Shepherd King duology.
Any other books worth a mention?
The Priory of the Orange Tree
Caraval series
ACOTAR
TOG
Fourth Wing & Iron Flame
Divine Rivals
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The Hunting Party, it was just so meh. I’m over Lisa Foley, I thought the same about the Paris Apartment.
What book exceeded your expectation?
The Priory of the Orange Tree. It’s such a time and the first couple of chapters I wasn’t sure about but wow that is a great book! Looking forward to the paperback of book two at the end of Jan!
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
The Cruel Prince series. I liked it but I expected more.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Britney Spears’ Woman in Me. I found it so fascinating.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
To read my physical TBR pile (cupboard!) before buying any more new books!!
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Good! Really made an effort to read more. Discovered booktok and really got into fantasy. Read some amazing books and tried to prioritise reading over other things like doom scrolling. Also got very into audiobooks for my commute.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
Probably either 4 or 5/5!
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Crescent City book 1 lives rent free in my head along with the Shepherd King duology.
Any other books worth a mention?
The Priory of the Orange Tree
Caraval series
ACOTAR
TOG
Fourth Wing & Iron Flame
Divine Rivals
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The Hunting Party, it was just so meh. I’m over Lisa Foley, I thought the same about the Paris Apartment.
What book exceeded your expectation?
The Priory of the Orange Tree. It’s such a time and the first couple of chapters I wasn’t sure about but wow that is a great book! Looking forward to the paperback of book two at the end of Jan!
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
The Cruel Prince series. I liked it but I expected more.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Britney Spears’ Woman in Me. I found it so fascinating.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
To read my physical TBR pile (cupboard!) before buying any more new books!!
vanilla cupcakes
VIP Member
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
I feel like I’ve had such a good reading year. I’ve read more books than I have in years and read every day this year for the first year in I don’t even know how long. I also started listening to more audiobooks and now really enjoy them!
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.69
What was your favourite read of 2023?
This is so hard to choose only one. Probably Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
Any other books worth a mention?
A man called Ove - Fredrik Backman
The most fun we ever had - Claire Lombardo Before my actual heart breaks - Tish Delaney
After I Do - Taylor Jenkins Reid
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The last one at the party by Bethany Clift. Thought it was so overrated and full of plot holes
What book exceeded your expectation?
Excuse me while I ugly cry by Joya Goffney and The seven year slip by Ashley Poston. I never usually read ya/romance and if I do it’s for a quick read but I loved them both, felt they went deeper than your average romance
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasn’t as good as you thought it would be?
The list by Yomi Adegoke. I was so looking forward to this and it fell flat for me
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Know my name by Chanel Miller. Loved it, I never usually rate memoirs but that was a 5 star
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
I want to read and actually finish series. I have about 3 or 4 series that I started and haven’t finished. Also the usual of buying less books for the sake of it and actually getting through my tbr. I would quite like to do a reading challenge too, I think I’ll have a couple of months where I do a reading prompt generator to choose my reads as I really enjoyed that the month I done it this year! I think I’ll up my number goal to 75 but I won’t feel pressured to hit it
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
I feel like I’ve had such a good reading year. I’ve read more books than I have in years and read every day this year for the first year in I don’t even know how long. I also started listening to more audiobooks and now really enjoy them!
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.69
What was your favourite read of 2023?
This is so hard to choose only one. Probably Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
Any other books worth a mention?
A man called Ove - Fredrik Backman
The most fun we ever had - Claire Lombardo Before my actual heart breaks - Tish Delaney
After I Do - Taylor Jenkins Reid
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
The last one at the party by Bethany Clift. Thought it was so overrated and full of plot holes
What book exceeded your expectation?
Excuse me while I ugly cry by Joya Goffney and The seven year slip by Ashley Poston. I never usually read ya/romance and if I do it’s for a quick read but I loved them both, felt they went deeper than your average romance
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasn’t as good as you thought it would be?
The list by Yomi Adegoke. I was so looking forward to this and it fell flat for me
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Know my name by Chanel Miller. Loved it, I never usually rate memoirs but that was a 5 star
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
I want to read and actually finish series. I have about 3 or 4 series that I started and haven’t finished. Also the usual of buying less books for the sake of it and actually getting through my tbr. I would quite like to do a reading challenge too, I think I’ll have a couple of months where I do a reading prompt generator to choose my reads as I really enjoyed that the month I done it this year! I think I’ll up my number goal to 75 but I won’t feel pressured to hit it
Rachel the reader
Well-known member
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
#Whilst I have read less this year I do think it has been a Goodyear as I am starting to realise my tastes a bit more after this year. I no longer want to read YA unless it really interests me as they have all been crap this year. I also am moving slightly away from Romance with a few exceptions for authors I love and books I really want to read.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.5 according to Goodreads
What was your favourite read of 2023?
I think it will be Fourth Wing but having only just started this its to early to say it's my favourite as there is time for this to go downhill.
So I'm going to have to say Happy Place -Emily Henry (lol after saying I'm moving away from romance)
Any other books worth a mention?
A man called Ove
I'm glad my mom died
Love Pamela
Romantic Comedy
The Thursday murder club
The appeal
The twelve dates of Christmas
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
Window shopping - just bad, laughably bad
What book exceeded your expectation?
The Thursday Murder club series who knew books about pensioners would be so good.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Her majesty's Royal Coven so hyped but felt like it was trying to hard to fit for a woke audience (if that makes sense)
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Counting the cost - used to be a big duggar fan back in the day before the scandals so is amazing to see someone grow so much and figure out who they are and what they believe. Nice to see someone setting positive boundarys and realise they grew up in a cult essentially and how it is not normal.
Do you have any book goals for 2024
Less so numbers but more want to figure out my tastes more and just pick up books I think will make me happy and that I want to read. Also want to do. Challenge but not sure which one.
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
#Whilst I have read less this year I do think it has been a Goodyear as I am starting to realise my tastes a bit more after this year. I no longer want to read YA unless it really interests me as they have all been crap this year. I also am moving slightly away from Romance with a few exceptions for authors I love and books I really want to read.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.5 according to Goodreads
What was your favourite read of 2023?
I think it will be Fourth Wing but having only just started this its to early to say it's my favourite as there is time for this to go downhill.
So I'm going to have to say Happy Place -Emily Henry (lol after saying I'm moving away from romance)
Any other books worth a mention?
A man called Ove
I'm glad my mom died
Love Pamela
Romantic Comedy
The Thursday murder club
The appeal
The twelve dates of Christmas
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
Window shopping - just bad, laughably bad
What book exceeded your expectation?
The Thursday Murder club series who knew books about pensioners would be so good.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Her majesty's Royal Coven so hyped but felt like it was trying to hard to fit for a woke audience (if that makes sense)
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Counting the cost - used to be a big duggar fan back in the day before the scandals so is amazing to see someone grow so much and figure out who they are and what they believe. Nice to see someone setting positive boundarys and realise they grew up in a cult essentially and how it is not normal.
Do you have any book goals for 2024
Less so numbers but more want to figure out my tastes more and just pick up books I think will make me happy and that I want to read. Also want to do. Challenge but not sure which one.
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Elle
VIP Member
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
I surpassed my target so pleased about that. Disappointed that I ran out of steam towards the end of the year and was unable to keep the momentum going in November and December. I've read some absolute bangers but fewer 5*s than I'd like. I'm also disappointed that I didn't check off a fair few books that I fully intended to read this year.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.6.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
The Most Fun We Ever Had.
Any other books worth a mention?
On the Savage Side
You Be Mother
Beartown and Us Against You
Before My Actual Heart Breaks
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Simply no for me.
What book exceeded your expectation?
Beartown!
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Bunny! I was expecting it to be right up my street. It was a little bit up there but just a disappointment tbh.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Know My Name - Chanel Miller
I'm Glad My Mum Died - Jennette McCurdy
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
Read more big fat juicy ones - don't be intimidated by the size.
I'd like to add an additional question:
What 2024 release are you most excited about?
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. Omg omg omg I absolutely CANNOT CONTAIN MYSELF.
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
I surpassed my target so pleased about that. Disappointed that I ran out of steam towards the end of the year and was unable to keep the momentum going in November and December. I've read some absolute bangers but fewer 5*s than I'd like. I'm also disappointed that I didn't check off a fair few books that I fully intended to read this year.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.6.
What was your favourite read of 2023?
The Most Fun We Ever Had.
Any other books worth a mention?
On the Savage Side
You Be Mother
Beartown and Us Against You
Before My Actual Heart Breaks
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Simply no for me.
What book exceeded your expectation?
Beartown!
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Bunny! I was expecting it to be right up my street. It was a little bit up there but just a disappointment tbh.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
Know My Name - Chanel Miller
I'm Glad My Mum Died - Jennette McCurdy
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
Read more big fat juicy ones - don't be intimidated by the size.
I'd like to add an additional question:
What 2024 release are you most excited about?
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. Omg omg omg I absolutely CANNOT CONTAIN MYSELF.
Gem_woody
Chatty Member
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Good, I read 69 this year and 44 last year. Like I mentioned previously, it never feels enough though!
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.2 - i read a lot of average 'meh' books and I never dnf!
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Zodiac academy 3, 4 or 5
Any other books worth a mention?
Heir of fire
Fire and Blood
The family upstairs
Before and after
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
All the Colleen Hoover books I read (November 9, Ugly love, It ends with us)
Birthday Girl
What book exceeded your expectation?
Yellowface
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Fourth wing and Iron flame
The atlas six
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
The fear bubble
Into the uncanny
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
Read a song of ice and fire (got the boxset last year for Christmas!)
Carry on my Kindle daily streak (I'm at over 200 days currently)
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
Good, I read 69 this year and 44 last year. Like I mentioned previously, it never feels enough though!
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
3.2 - i read a lot of average 'meh' books and I never dnf!
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Zodiac academy 3, 4 or 5
Any other books worth a mention?
Heir of fire
Fire and Blood
The family upstairs
Before and after
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
All the Colleen Hoover books I read (November 9, Ugly love, It ends with us)
Birthday Girl
What book exceeded your expectation?
Yellowface
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
Fourth wing and Iron flame
The atlas six
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
The fear bubble
Into the uncanny
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
Read a song of ice and fire (got the boxset last year for Christmas!)
Carry on my Kindle daily streak (I'm at over 200 days currently)
StephenTJackson
VIP Member
2023 Recap
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
2022 was the year I got back into reading, 2023 was the year I was fairly consistent with reading, but could still be better. Overall, I'm happy with my reading year.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
I don't rate
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Jules Verne
Any other books worth a mention?
THe Choice - S.J. Ford (I enjoyed it, even if when book club thread read it largely hated it)
The Couple at No. 9 - Claire Douglas
Firewatching - Russ Thomas
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
Non-Fiction: Behind the Enigma - The Authorised History of GCHQ - John Ferris, what should have been a book about quite an interesting subject was unbelievably dry and dull, very hard to read and just ultimately not worth my time I felt.
Fiction: New Pompeii - Daniel Godfrey, could've been brilliant, an intriguing concept, but badly executed and didn't really have enough of plot resolution, it felt half finished in ways and just left me feeling like it was a slog to get through by the end.
What book exceeded your expectation?
The Marlow Murder Club, was expecting it to be similar to TMC, but was actually much better and I really enjoyed it compared to the Osman books.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
The People on Platform 5 - Clare Pooley, was well reviewed, but just fell a bit flat for me. Kind of reminded me of the Sky Christmas film This is Christmas, which was so good, this just didn't land in the same way even though it had that similar concept of commuting strangers becoming friends and their lives connecting etc.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
its a book I'm still reading actually, and won't finish this year I don't think. The Earth Transformed - Peter Frankopan. Really interesting and engaging, the role of climate change and climate events on the development of the planet, humanity, society etc and structures in society like government and religion etc. So engaging and I'm really enjoying it.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
keep reading, read more, get the TBR smaller, buy less, buy smarter. I don't do number goals, but just to keep reading and keep having the joy of reading.
Probably being more willing to DNF books should be a goal, a book needs to be worth my time and effort.
My DNF's for 2023:
Writers & Lovers - Lily King
Then We Came to the End - Joshua Ferris
The Locals - Jonathan Dee
Probably should've and could've been more.
How do you feel about your reading year? Good? Bad? Better than last year? Worse than last year? Spill all.
2022 was the year I got back into reading, 2023 was the year I was fairly consistent with reading, but could still be better. Overall, I'm happy with my reading year.
What was your average rating this year? (If you rate)
I don't rate
What was your favourite read of 2023?
Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Jules Verne
Any other books worth a mention?
THe Choice - S.J. Ford (I enjoyed it, even if when book club thread read it largely hated it)
The Couple at No. 9 - Claire Douglas
Firewatching - Russ Thomas
What was your least favourite read of 2023?
Non-Fiction: Behind the Enigma - The Authorised History of GCHQ - John Ferris, what should have been a book about quite an interesting subject was unbelievably dry and dull, very hard to read and just ultimately not worth my time I felt.
Fiction: New Pompeii - Daniel Godfrey, could've been brilliant, an intriguing concept, but badly executed and didn't really have enough of plot resolution, it felt half finished in ways and just left me feeling like it was a slog to get through by the end.
What book exceeded your expectation?
The Marlow Murder Club, was expecting it to be similar to TMC, but was actually much better and I really enjoyed it compared to the Osman books.
What book didnt live up to your expectation? Or just wasnt as good as you thought it would be?
The People on Platform 5 - Clare Pooley, was well reviewed, but just fell a bit flat for me. Kind of reminded me of the Sky Christmas film This is Christmas, which was so good, this just didn't land in the same way even though it had that similar concept of commuting strangers becoming friends and their lives connecting etc.
Favourite non fiction book of the year?
its a book I'm still reading actually, and won't finish this year I don't think. The Earth Transformed - Peter Frankopan. Really interesting and engaging, the role of climate change and climate events on the development of the planet, humanity, society etc and structures in society like government and religion etc. So engaging and I'm really enjoying it.
Do you have any book goals for 2024?
keep reading, read more, get the TBR smaller, buy less, buy smarter. I don't do number goals, but just to keep reading and keep having the joy of reading.
Probably being more willing to DNF books should be a goal, a book needs to be worth my time and effort.
My DNF's for 2023:
Writers & Lovers - Lily King
Then We Came to the End - Joshua Ferris
The Locals - Jonathan Dee
Probably should've and could've been more.
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