Happy 2024!
It is time to take a look back at 2023 as we ring in the new year.
My Life
2023 was an interesting year. My youngest started the year living with us while student teaching. She graduated in May with her Bachelor’s Degree and moved to Ohio in July so that she could start working on advanced degrees. One of my dogs had 2 separate surgeries after tearing the cruciate ligament (ACL) in both knees. We slept on a mattress on our living room floor for 6 months of the year and had to take her outside on a leash every time she needed to use the bathroom (even when that happened to be 4:00 am). She is doing so much better now so I think the surgery was the right decision.
In July, I realized that I needed to find a source of additional income and started to look for a second job. I only looked at jobs related to books in some way and started working at one of the local Barnes & Noble at the end of July. I mostly like the job, but juggling 2 jobs can make keeping up with the blog and other things rather difficult. I think that I finally have my schedule worked out so that I will be able to be more present online and on the blog in 2024.
As busy as my life was, my reading didn’t suffer. In fact, I read more books in 2023 than I ever have. My audiobook game was strong in 2023 which is no surprise. I almost always have my headphones on. I listen while getting ready for work, during my commute, working my day job, and when I am doing chores around the house. I started speeding things up this past year which is a big reason for the increased numbers. I don’t get a lot of time to just sit and relax so my totals for print and digital books were lower than I would have liked.
My Reading Stats
Books Read: 255
Audiobooks: 185
ebooks: 46
Print: 9
Combo Print or Digital/Audio: 14
DNF: 1
Re-reads: 8
Book Source for Books read in 2023
From Publisher/Author/Publicist: 184
Purchased: 57
Borrowed: 46
*Books may fit in more than one category
Favorite Books from 2023
Misery by Stephen King
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Magic Claimsby Ilona Andrews
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Those We Thought We Knew by David Joy
The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland
I Will Find You by Harlan Coben
Both Feet in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Challenges
End of the Year NetGalley Stats
Feedback Ratio: 97%
887 Approved | 861 Feedback Sent
End of the Year Edelweiss Stats
174 downloaded | 57 book to review
What were some of your favorite books from 2023?
I wish you all the best for 2024. It’s great that you were able to keep up with your reading despite having more work obligations. Gold star! May the pups and all the rest of your family enjoy good health and wonderful things in the upcoming year.
Happy New Year. Wishing you all the best for this year. You killed your reading challenge.
It’s amazing that your reading did not suffer even with your busy schedule in 2023. I hope there’s more of the same this year!
255 books is awesome! Especially with starting a second job and how busy you’ve been. I hope this year is a little less stressful and busy…but still filled with amazing books. Happy New Year. 😀
Such a busy year for you in 2023. I hope you find time to take care of you in 2024. I’m so glad to hear Stella is doing better. I’ve read half of your top picks. Link up to our Top 10 if you like, so everyone can see those top choices. Happy New Year Carole.
I hope you have a good year. Happy New Year.
Congrats on having such an amazing year with books! For the first time I actually completed all of my goals/challenges. Happy New Year! I look forward to your reviews in 2024.
Wow that is incredible. Audiobooks have helped me up my reading game as well. I can believe I was against them for so long.
Iron Flame was my last audio book for 2023 and it about broke me! My audio book game was strong too but you absolutely killed it! Great job! Happy New Year and have a wonderful 2024!
That sounds like a great reading year and you made it through all the challenging parts of the year. All the best for this year.
You had such a good reading year, Carole. I love how well you manage your time to fit so much reading in. I need to get better at that. I had a rare slow day at work last week and managed to listen to an entire audiobook during my shift. That will never likely be possible again because of how busy I usually am on work that needs my full attention. That was a good feeling though. I’m so glad to see Assistant to the Villain on your list of favorites. I recently purchased a copy of that one. I hope you have a wonderful 2024!
Wow, that’s a lot of reading in one year! I’m super impressed by your audiobook totals, though you’re right that listening while you do chores and other tasks really helps. Assistant to the Villain looks like a very fun book, so I’m glad to see you liked it so much! I’m hoping to read it soon, and hopefully I’ll like it, too. Happy 2024!
Fourth Wing and Magic Claims were on my lists too!
WOW. Read books, wow. I bow down