Category: Personal

2022 End of Year Book Survey

Posted December 30, 2022 by Jana in About Me, Personal / 16 Comments

I love doing Jamie’s End of Year Book Survey every year, although I’ve added a few of my own questions and removed some of hers in order to make it work a little better for me. This survey helps me look back and remember all the wonderful (and terrible) books I’ve read throughout the year! Also… buh bye 2022. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Can 2023 please be better?

2022 Reading Stats

Number of books you read: 64
Number of re-reads: 2
Number of books you DNFed: 67
Number of pages you read: 20,775 (not counting the books I DNFed)
Most read genre: Adult historical romance. I read 22 of them!
Number of new-to-you authors you discovered: 28

Firsts and Lasts

First book you read: Eighty Days to Elsewhere by K.C. Dyer
Last book you read:
The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne
First 2022 release you read: On a Night Like This by Lindsey Kelk

Best In Books

1. Best book you read in 2022:
This is REALLY hard. Because I was so willing to DNF this year, I loved so many books! So… my FAVORITE book of the year is probably Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas because it basically made me go on a huge LK reading spree and I found my new favorite author.

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t:
Doctor Dearest by R.S. Grey. I have loved nearly everything I’ve read by this author, and Hotshot Doc was my first of her books (and one of my favorites ever). I loved the doctor aspect of that book, so when I saw that there was another one I actually saved it for a long time for when I really needed a good romance and this one was a major disappointment. I gave it one star, but almost DNFed. And I can now honestly say I remember nothing about it other than that I hated it. lol.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read:
Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle. I’m not going to lie, I was surprised that Sarah Hogle could craft such a wild, zany story that both warmed my heart and confused me greatly at times. What a trip!

4. Book you “pushed” the most people to read (and they did):
Probably The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams. I got two friends to read it, and they loved it as much as I did! And my mom plans to read it soon!

5. Best first book in a series you started in 2022. Best sequel of 2022. Best series ender of 2022.
Started: Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas (I read this entire series this year and loved it so much.)
Sequel: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (re-read)
Ender: Well Traveled by Jenn DeLuca (end of the Well Met series)

6. Favorite new-to-you author you discovered in 2022:
Lisa Kleypas! Without question!

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone:
The Huntress by Kate Quinn. I’ve never been much of a historical fiction reader, but this was enthralling. I loved it and could not stop listening to it!

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year:
Eighty Days to Elsewhere by K.C. Dyer. This was action-packed not in the way most people would expect. It’s basically Around the World in Eighty Days, Amazing Race style. The characters are flitting all over the world, rushing around to various destinations and it was amazing! So thrilling and exciting and I could not turn the pages fast enough to learn where they ended up next.

9. Book you read in 2022 that you are most likely to re-read next year?
This is a super hard question because this was a great reading year for me. I will definitely listen to The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams again because it’s a hug in a book. Enemies Abroad by R.S. Grey was also amazing, and full of Italy and swoons. And I will definitely be re-reading The Ravenels series soon because I love it so so much. Oh, and Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel because it’s perfect festive goodness and I know I’ll be craving it next holiday season.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2022:
I adore the cover of Holiday With You by Claudia Burgoa and Graham Claire because it’s so cozy and festive.

11. Most memorable character of 2022:
It has to be Hall from Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle. He’s the actual Christmas spirit personified, and he’s so happy and sweet and precious and wholesome. I couldn’t help but beam when I read about him.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2022:
Honestly, my first thought is A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. Her worldbuilding and descriptions are so stunning. I never get tired of reading and re-reading her books!

13. Most thought-provoking/life-changing book of 2022:
Nothing hit me that hard this year, actually. Books taught me things, but nothing really changed my life or made me think overly deeply.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2022 to finally read:
Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas. lol.

15. Favorite quote from a book you read in 2022:
Building a generation is like building a wall—one good well-made brick at a time, one good well-made child at a time. Enough good bricks, you have a good wall. Enough good children, you have a generation that won’t start a world-enveloping war.
― Kate Quinn, The Huntress

16. Shortest and longest books you read in 2022:
Shortest: Making Merry by Erica Ridley (37 pages)
Longest: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (624 pages)

17. Book that shocked you the most:
I was shocked at how bad Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne was. I expected it to be a little strange, but this book was extremely uncomfortable and honestly pretty gross for me. Angelika creates her ideal man from body parts she steals from the morgue. She finds a handsome man’s body, but his manhood is way too small for her so she finds a big one from another corpse and sews it on. After he comes to life, he’s in excruciating pain from what she has done. And apparently the fact that she forces him into a relationship with her that he doesn’t want, objectifies him, strips away his humanity, and will not allow him to not love her is supposed to be funny and romantic. This is in no way, shape, or form romantic. It’s disgusting. This man is not a new person like in Mary Shelley’s book, which this book is very loosely inspired by. He recovers memories from his former life and mourns for that loss. The physical and emotional pain of coming back to life but to one he did not want, where he has not consented to surgical enhancements, and is not allowed to make any of his own decisions is, quite frankly, upsetting. Everything he feels for and about Angelika is quite literally against his will. I was honestly worried I was going to get to a scene where she actually forces him to consummate their relationship. I DNFed at 15%. I just never expected this from this author.

18. OTP of the year (you will go down with this ship!):
Dr. Garrett Gibson and Ethan Ransom from Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas. Garrett is the most amazing woman, and Ethan is a swoony, mysterious, kind of dangerous man. I loved them together.

19. Favorite non-romantic relationship of the year:
The friendships in Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison are amazing. I also love the strong friendships and support found in the sweet group of wallflowers from Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflowers series.

20. Favorite book you read in 2022 from an author you’ve read previously:
Enemies Abroad by R.S. Grey. I DNFed a few books by this author this year, which broke my heart because I have loved everything of hers I’ve read until now, but this was AMAZING and so so wonderful.

21. Best book you read in 2022 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else:
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen. I’d kind of been considering this one, but several of my friends pushed it on me when I was looking for adult romantic fantasy and so I did it! I read the entire collection of currently-released books back to back to back, and it was so much fun!

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2022:
Miles Taylor from Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel. He’s perfect. He’s sarcastic and sweet and adorable, and so caring and loving. The way he treats Olive, and the things he says… and the kissing… the heartwarming moments between the two of them. I have no words! I’m such a jumble of thoughts.

23. Best 2022 debut you read:
*sigh* I only read one 2022 debut this year, and I didn’t love it. A Brush With Love by Mazey Eddings. The writing was fine, and I love following this author on social media because she is a gem. But I didn’t love the characters very much.

24. Most vivid setting you read this year:
I really, really REALLY love the Night Court in A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. Like, I LOVE it so much. I would go visit right away if I could (especially if Rhys were there)! But since it’s a re-read, I felt like I needed to pick something else and well! The landscape in Something Wilder by Christina Lauren was so beautifully described, and came to life even though I live in Utah and have seen a lot of it before. lol.

25. Book that put a smile on your face/was the most FUN to read:
Well oops. lol. I try not to re-use answers, much less in back-to-back questions, but I felt like the adventure in Something Wilder by Christina Lauren was so much fun. There was some suspense and mystery, plus love and great characters. It was just what I needed, when I needed it!

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2022:
As is always my goal, I did not cry this year. lol.

27. Hidden gem of the year:
Take Me Back by Meghan March! It wasn’t released this year, but I had never heard of this book until I stumbled across it on Audible while I was looking for books read by narrators I love. This was so much fun! It’s romantic suspense and a bit of a second chance love story as well. I was very entertained, and would definitely listen to it again.

28. Most unique book you read in 2022:
Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle. I have never read a book like this, and I don’t think I will ever find another book this unique again!

39. Book that made you the maddest (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it):
LOL. I’m not sure it’s in my best interest to discuss the book that made me so mad all over again, so just refer to my answer for question number 17!.

My Blogging/Bookish Life

1. Favorite review that you wrote in 2022:
My review of Devil’s Daughter by Lisa Kleypas wasn’t anything super special, but it perfectly showcases my feelings of elation when I find a book or an author I love. I love reading about the joy I felt reading this series this year.

2. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog:
My Top Ten Tuesday post on my favorite Ukrainian-owned Etsy shops made me really happy. I loved writing it. I follow so many of these shop owners on Instagram, and their stories and updates have touched my heart so much. They are going through unimaginable pain, loss, and fear, but their hope and faith is astounding. The Ukrainian people truly inspire me, and I think about them everyday. I hope and pray for their freedom.

3. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.):
No events this year.

6. Most popular post this year on your blog (whether it be by comments or views):
My Top Ten Dynamic Duos in Literature got the most comments this year! 44!

8. Post you wished got a little more love:
All of my reviews, really. Blogs aren’t as popular as they used to be, and now that Google has officially discontinued Feedburner and I don’t have an alternative, I’ve lost traffic that came from my email subscribers.

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.):
It’s not a discovery, but I got Kindle Unlimited this year (the first time I got it for like a dollar a month for 3 months and the second time I got three free months with my new Kindle Paperwhite I got for Christmas!)!

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year:
I surpassed my Goodreads goal of 52 books by reading 64!

Looking Ahead

1. Book you are most anticipating in 2023 (non-debut):
The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren and Practice Makers Perfect by Sarah Adams! And I already have review copies of both, so yay!

2. 2023 debut you are most anticipating:
You, with a View by Jessica Joyce. Fun fact: This is the author who made me read Lisa Kleypas. So I am SO EXCITED about her book!

3. Sequel you are most anticipating in 2023:
I’m very excited for Graphic Audio to release A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas. Does that count?

4. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging life in 2023?
Post more reviews! I have not loved writing them lately. lol.

Do we have any answers in common?

Pick a question or two and answer them in the comments! Let’s discuss!


Merry Christmas 2022!

Posted December 25, 2022 by Jana in Personal / 3 Comments

Merry Christmas to all my readers! I hope today is filled with love, warmth, good food, wonderful books, and time with those who mean the most to you. And if today is hard for you, I’m sending you a big hug.

I’ve had so much fun sharing Christmas book recommendations and other festive content this month! I hope you’ve enjoyed it too.

Best wishes for a healthy and exciting New Year. See you in 2023!

Header photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash 


The Broke and the Bookish: The End of An Era

Posted January 11, 2018 by Jana in Personal / 8 Comments

So, many of you know that I’ve been writing at The Broke and the Bookish since it was born 8 years ago. Writing there actually inspired me to open up this blog about 7 years ago because I wanted to post more than I was able to over there. Book blogging has seriously changed my life. I’ve made so many new friends, I’ve found my love of reading again, I’ve found so many books I love, I’ve discovered new genres I never would have read before, I’ve gained a new sense of confidence, I’ve found a creative outlet where I can express myself, and I even went to grad school! I’ve been offered opportunities and had experiences that I never would have pictured for myself. I’ve worked with so many wonderful authors and publishers, gone to bookish events, blurbed a book, been mentioned in acknowledgments sections, and even been a content adviser for one of my favorite authors (we talked on the phone, guys!!)! Joining the bookish community all those years ago was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Today at The Broke and the Bookish we officially announced that we are closing the blog. It was a very bittersweet decision for all of us, but we’ve all gone in so many different directions that the time had come. We embarked on this adventure as college students with absolutely no blogging know-how, and we had no idea what the blog would turn into and how it would change all of us. We developed some very special friendships there, and I’m sad to turn the page on that chapter of our lives. I love my broke and bookish ladies: Jamie, Kimberly, Daisy, Lori, Bridget, Julia, and Lauren, and I wish them all the best. I know that we will all be friends for a very long time.

Don’t worry! Top Ten Tuesday is moving to my blog, and I will be hosting it here at That Artsy Reader Girl moving forward. Check the Top Ten Tuesday tab on the top menu bar for more information. I’m really excited to carry on this blogging tradition.

Make sure to head over to the blog and read our goodbye post! We all got a little sentimental and left links for where to find us.


Happy 2018!

Posted January 1, 2018 by Jana in Personal / 3 Comments

Happy New Year! I don’t know about you, but I’m super excited to start a new year. I’m ready for bigger and better things, happier and healthier days, and more smiles and laughs than ever before.

What’s your goal for 2018?


Merry Christmas 2017!

Posted December 25, 2017 by Jana in Personal / 6 Comments

I hope you have loved A Bookish Little Christmas as much as I have this year. I can’t believe it’s over already! Thank you so much for coming to celebrate with me and my friends, and thanks to all my friends who wrote up posts for this event. I can’t wait to put it on again next year!

I hope you have a very special day with your loved ones, and that it’s filled with happiness and cheer. For this last Bookish Little Christmas post I wanted to share a really amazing video that encapsulates everything I truly love about this holiday. The end is particularly inspiring, so make sure you get through the entire song! It’ll be the best 4 minutes of your day. Merry Christmas!