2022 Book Survey

Jamie, The Perpetual Page Turner created this EOY Book Survey. I've participated several years (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021). I enjoy the survey so much that I am here again for 2022. Oh and feel free to join in and do your own survey. Just link back to Jamie.

2022 Reading Stats

53 books read (including a few children's books)
0 book re-read
Genre Read the Most From? Adult, Historical Fiction

Books

1. Best book you read?

Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker
Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa TerKerst
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?

Crossed Lines (Love Along the Wires, # 2) by Jennifer Delamere
Meet Me in the Middle by Alex Light
Sword of Rage (Reigning Kingdoms, # 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis

3. Most surprising (in a good or bad way) book you read?

A Fate of Wrath & Flame (Fate & Flame, # 1) by KA Tucker

4. Book you read that you recommended to people the most?

Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker

5. Best series discovered? Best Sequel? Best series ender?

Series:

A Fate of Wrath & Flame (Fate & Flame, # 1) by KA Tucker
Gilded (Gilded, # 1) by Marissa Meyer

Sequel:

A Hard Day for a Hangover (Sunshine Vicram, # 3) by Darynda Jones
The War of Two Queens (Blood & Ash, # 4) by Jennifer L Armentrout
A Curse of Blood & Stone (Fate & Flame, # 2) by KA Tucker

Ender:

Holding the Line (Love Along the Wires, # 3) by Jennifer Delamere

6. Favorite new author you discovered?

Elizabeth W Watkins

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God by Diane Stortz

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book?

A Fate of Wrath & Flame (Fate & Flame, # 1) by KA Tucker
A Curse of Blood & Stone (Fate & Flame, # 2) by KA Tucker
The War of Two Queens (Blood & Ash, # 4) by Jennifer L Armentrout
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
A Hard Day for a Hangover (Sunshine Vicram, # 3) by Darynda Jones

9. Book you read that you are most likely to re-read next year?

Hardly any time for re-reads.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read?

I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God by Diane Stortz

11. Most memorable character?

Kenna - Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

12. Most beautifully written book read?

Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa TerKeurst

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you?

Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa TerKeurst

Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL this year to finally read?

Sword of Rage (Reigning Kingdoms, # 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis
Crossed Lines (Love Along the Wires, # 2) by Jennifer Delamere
The Heart's Charge (Hanger's Horsemen, # 2) by Karen Witemeyer ****

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read?

-"After all, why be accommodating when one can be difficult?” - Gilded (Gilded, # 1) by Marissa Meyer

-“Oh no. Not until you tell me what happens next.” She huffed. “I don’t know what happens next.” His expression was priceless. A little dismayed, a little horrified. “How can you not know? It’s your story.” “Not every story is willing to reveal itself right away. Some of them are bashful.” - Gilded (Gilded, # 1) by Marissa Meyer

-The man took my ardently felt monologue, gave it a polite pat on the head, and told it to go and play while the adults stayed on task. - Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

-Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, is how I feel I contribute to the world. Reminding people of what's important. Letting them escape the harsh parts of life, even if just for a few hours. Feeling happiness in watching happily-ever-afters unfold. Remembering truths. Recalling their self-worth. Loving others. Living well. Learning. I want to do that. - Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

-A gift bestowed by God couldn't be stolen by man. Or woman. It might be neglected or stifled, but never stolen. - The Heart's Charge (Hanger's Horsemen, # 2) by Karen Witemeyer

-"Lessons taught from love bring wisdom. Lessons spawned from fear and pain often come with cynicism and bitterness attached, which can cloud the truth." - The Heart's Charge (Hanger's Horsemen, # 2) by Karen Witemeyer

-"Satan uses loneliness to isolate and depress. But God uses it to build compassion." - The Heart's Charge (Hanger's Horsemen, # 2) by Karen Witemeyer

-...a man considering a commitment to one woman should not behave in a way that could lead her to believe him fickle in his affections. Nor should he give another woman reason to believe his interest lay anywhere other than where it did. - The Heart's Charge (Hanger's Horsemen, # 2) by Karen Witemeyer

-"I hardly think my independence is affecting the construction of your sentences." - Enchanting the Heiress (Hearts on the Heath, # 3) by Kristi Ann Hunter

-"Your brain doesn't speak for all brains." - Always Jane by Jenn Bennett

-“You have consumed my thoughts since the moment I met you,” he said to her. “I feel now, in your presence, entirely strange. I think I might fetch you the moon if only to spare your tears again.” - This Woven Kingdom (This Woven Kingdom, # 1) by Tahereh Mafi

-Anger, it would seem, did not invite contentment when freed. - Edward and Amelia by Karen Thornell

-But love, unfortunately, turns bitter when not properly cared for. - Edward and Amelia by Karen Thornell

-She’d grown to admire Hades’s resilience, strength, and perseverance. He cared about his band, his mares and foals, and led them with dignity. And now he glanced in their direction. He nodded, as though communicating with them. Did he know they’d chased him only because they wanted to save his life? Did he realize the fear of the past couple of days would lead to his freedom? Maybe he’d never understand what they’d done, but she liked to think he was thanking them for their efforts anyway. Was that the way God was with His children? Did He drive them through difficulties, up steep mountains, because He cared and was leading them to better pastures? Even when they didn’t understand what He was doing, maybe He was asking them to thank Him regardless. - To Tame a Cowboy (Colorado Cowboys, # 3) by Jody Hedlund

-"I cannot resist a night's sky. Of all of God's creations, this is my favorite." Marcus let his head fall back again. "The stars are tranquil and comforting, aren't they? They see everything that happens, and while I am sure they hold the secrets of the world, they reflect only the light." - The Sleeping Beauty by Anneka Walker

-"My heart has not ceased to reach for yours." - Saving Miss Everly (Inglewood, # 3) by Sally Bitton

-"We’re sitting here in a room full of truths, and you’re still using me.” - A Curse of Blood and Stone (Fate & Flame, # 2) by KA Tucker

-"Misery seeks its own, miss," Sarah had said when Millie voiced her confusion. "People can't accept that they're the only ones unhappy. They're jealous, and waste their time trying to make others feel the same, when really they ought to put their energy into fixing their own problems." - Engaging Sir Isaac (Inglewood, # 4) by Sally Britton

-"Contentment isn't chained to a certain set of circumstances, Luke. It's portable. You can take it with you wherever you go." - In Honor's Defense (Hanger's Horsemen, # 3) by Karen Witemeyer

-"There is no liar as skilled as pain. Pain will say anything to save itself." - The Second Blind Son (Chronicles of Saylok, # 2) by Amy Harmon

-Mr. Frya would say that was evidence of how God was looking out for her. He'd once remarked that life could be messy at times, but even the prettiest gardens needed weeding. It was in putting forth that diligent effort to tend the garden that its blooms were able to flourish. - Crossed Lines (Love Along the Wires, # 2) by Jennifer Delamere

16. Shortest and longest book you read?

Longest: The War of Two Queens (Blood & Ash, # 4) by Jennifer L Armentrout (628 pages)
Shortest (not including children's books): Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker (208 pages)

17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it? (Updated to: Book that shocked you the most?)

The War of Two Queens (Blood & Ash, # 4) by Jennifer L Armentrout

18. Favorite relationship from a book you read (romantic)?

>

Brody & Savannah - To Tame a Cowboy (Colorado Cowboys, # 3) by Jody Hedlund
Hope & Alejandro - Saving Miss Everly (Inglewood, # 3) by Sally Britton
Liv & Lucas - From the Jump by Lacie Waldon
Romeria & Zander - Fate & Flame by KA Tucker
Julia & Jasper - The Belle of Belgrave Square (Belles of London, # 2) by Mimi Matthews
Kenna & Ledger - Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Nora & Charlie - Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Edward & Amelia by Karen Thornell
Sunshine & Levi - A Hard Day for a Hangover (Sunshine Vicram, # 3) by Darynda Jones

19. Favorite relationship (non-romantic) from a book you read?

Grace & Hope (Inglewood, # 2 & 3) by Sally Britton
Mac, Liv, Lucas, Simone, & Phoebe - From the Jump by Lacie Waldon
Nora & Libby - Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Sunshine & Quincy - Sunshine Vicram by Darynda Jones

20. Favorite book you read from an author you’ve read previously?

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

21. Best book you read that you read based solely on a recommendation from somebody else?

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read?

Zander - Fate & Flame by KA Tucker

23. Best debut you read?

I can't ever tell (keep up with) what's a debut and what isn't.

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read?

Fate & Flame by KA Tucker
The War of Two Queens (Blood & Ash, # 3) by Jennifer L Armentrout
Gilded (Gilded, # 1) by Marissa Meyer

25. Book that was the most fun to read?

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry?

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

27. Book you read that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?

Most of the historical fiction I've been reading is Christian fiction. I always think these are overlooked by the masses.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

29. Most Unique Book You Read?

Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

A Brush With Love by Mazey Eddings

Blogging

1. New favorite book blog you discovered?

Honestly, I haven't had the time I'd like to visit other blogs. Again, it's the stage of life that I'm in. Perhaps soon, I'll have a new favorite blog to share with you guys. *****

2. Favorite review you wrote?

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover - This one got more personal than I usually write.

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

Maybe next year I'll have a better way of figuring this out. Or I won't wait until last minute to get this post completed.

4. Best event that you participated in (author signing, festivals, virtual events, meme’s, etc)

N/A

5. Best moment of book blogging/your book life this year?

Honestly, this year was all abour survival. I used to be so good at scheduling blog posts even months in advance, but over the last two years I've been struggling week to week to get my posts out. Survival has been my goal.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

I'm not at a desk (or my computer) as frequently as I used to be and that makes writing reviews challenging. I don't enjoy creating long posts on my phone, but sitting down to type out reviews has been challenging. More and more I'm slipping into letting myself read 4 or even up to 5 books before I sit down to write my reviews of what I've read. This makes remembering what I've read challenging. I've got to do better about sticking to my 2 book max. Now that our office has been completed and setup, hopefully sitting down to my computer will be easier.

7. Most popular post this year on your blog (views or comments)?

Usually a meme post...Sunday Post, Top Ten Tuesday, or maybe a Can't Wait for Wednesday post.

8. Post you wished got a little more love?

Any of them? Reviews especially.

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, stores)?

Have I mentioned that I'm survivng?

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of the year?

Reading the Bible in a Year and 52 books read goal. I came under on my series enders goal.

Looking ahead…

1. One book you didn’t get to this year but will be your number 1 priority next year?

Falling for the Cowgirl (Colorado Cowboys, # 4) by Jody Hedlund (I've already read it by the time this post is going live.)

2. Book you are most anticipating next year (non-debut)?

A Queen of Thieves & Chaos (Fate & Flame, # 3) by KA Tucker

3. Debut from next year you are most anticipating?

No debuts are currently on my radar I don't think. Or they might be, but I really don't make note of that when I'm adding to my TBR list.

4. Series ending you are more anticipating next year? Sequel?

Sequel: A Queen of Thieves & Chaos by KA Tucker

Ender: I honestly don't even know which series I'm in the middle of that will be ending in 2023.

5. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging next year?

This has been my main goal for the last seven years...Just keep going. With dwindling time to read and blog I'm hoping to just hang tight and keep doing the best that I can until another season in life comes that will allow me more time to do both.

6. A Release from Next Year You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson

What would your answers be to the 2022 EOY Book Survey? Leave me your link so I can check out your post. Or just leave me a comment! Let me know!

2022 EOY Wrap Up

At the end of every year and the beginning of the next, I go into contemplative mode. I think about the past year. What happened? What changed in my life? What were the big things that I accomplished? What did I spend my time doing or thinking about? And then I think about the upcoming one as well. What do I want to see happen? What do I want to change in my life? What big things do I want to accomplish? What do I want to spend my time doing and thinking about? What things about last year do I really want to see change in the upcoming one?

We started 2022 off still living with my parents. I believe it was somewhere around January 2nd that we officially fired our remodeling contractors. My Dad used to work for my uncle who owned his own contracting business, and once he retired in February, he officially took over the process of finishing our project so that we could move back home. Husband and my dad worked ridiculous hours, and I began using every free moment I had to paint and help clean and do whatever I could. The big kids played spring ball (t-ball and softball) for the first time. We moved back home in April with so much unfinshed but at least we had bedrooms, bathrooms, and a mostly functional kitchen. Life was simultaneously easier with being on the road less often and more difficult with trying to keep the kids entertained and away from construction projects while also using our every free moment to make progress. The summer came. Little Girl finished her Kindergarten year in school, and I wanted to focus on some play dates with the kids. We went to a local splash pad for the first time and then went another time or two in the summer. We had two playdates at our home. I wanted to do more, but construction wasn't where I wanted it to be to feel comfortable inviting people over. Little Girl had her first lemonade stand. We served our elderly next door neighbor by visiting more frequently and various other little tasks. We also had the opportunity to serve my mother-in-law when she broke her arm in July. We battled some black algea in our pool almost all summer, but it was so rewarding to be home and able to swim. We spent nearly every day of the summer in the pool. The kids picked up where they left off with swimming like fish, and even Baby Boy was jumping into the pool before the end of the summer. School started back with Little Girl in First Grade, and Little Boy started Pre-K4. I was anxious for fall this year and so excited to do all of our traditions. We had a wonderful fall with visiting family for various birthdays. We went to the school's Harvest Festival. We did the pumpkin patch and went to a church Halloween party. Baby Boy battled a series of 4 ear infections from September through November and it seemed he pretty much stayed sick during this time. I decided to be very intentional in November with a specific focus on Thanksgiving and daily gratitude. We also added in a few service projects like filling a local food pantry (almost set up like a Little Free Library). We continued to serve our next door neighbor and Grammy (although she was mostly recovered from her shoulder break at this point). December brought all of the wonderful Christmas traditions. The kids shopped for each other. We saw Santa. We decorated gingerbread houses and made cookies for Santa. We went to Anniston for our annual family reunion and celebrated with family all around. We also adopted a nursing home resident to provide Christmas for this year. So often we hear about doing similar things for underpriveledged children, but there are many, many nursing home residents that are also all alone at Christmas and throughout the year.

On a personal note, 2022 was a much better year for me than 2021. I am happy with where we are. I'm seeing just how fast the time goes now that Little Girl is 7, Little Boy is 5, and Baby Boy is turning 2 this month. I want to soak up these days while the children are still young and the world is magical. I feel like Little Girl is already losing a little of the sense of wonder that the world holds. I just don't want to miss these days. I don't really have any set goals for 2023 as I have set goals in past years. I am considering making some big changes in our lives and family, and I just want to see how these things work out rather than try to force them. I am continueing to work on myself in the areas of calmness. I am trying to teach my children some basic skills and work on building up our family bonds.

As for reading and blogging, I'm still doing the best I can. I did a little better meeting my goals this year than last year. With my older children, the older they've gotten the more my reading time seemed to grow until I started over with the baby stage with the next child. I don't know how much, if any, my reading time will grow in 2023 considering the potential changes to our lives I'm considering. I'll of course reveal more information when the decisions are actually made. I'm not intentionally being vague, I just don't like going back on what I've said I was going to do. So I prefer not to say until the decision is 100% made. Being back home has helped us get back into a normal routine, but I've learned that with kids routines are always changing. Thankfully, our office is now set up to where I have a space I can go to get on my computer that serves me better than what I've had over the last two years. 2021 taught me to give myself grace when it comes to my reading and blogging life. 2022 was a little easier, but I still needed some allowances to remember that reading and blogging aren't what's most important in my life during this season. I'm reading when I get a chance and reviewing everything I can. I only DNF'd two books in 2022 because I'm doing a better job requesting books that are a better fit for me. Once again audiobooks weren't really in the cards for me this year. Compared to 2021, I was in the car significantly less and I can't usually tune the world out for any signifcant amount of time. Even time I spend cleaning house, I need to have an ear out for the kids. I hope to up my reading in 2023, but like last year I don't really expect it so I'll keep my Goodreads goal the same and anything extra I may read will just be bonus.

EOM Wrap Up Posts for 2022

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November ****
December

Blogging Highlights from 2022

Holly and I successfully hosted the 2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge. This was our eighth year. We are returning for 2023 also.

I celebrated my 11th Blogoversary with 4 weeks of giveaways (Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, & Week 4).

October was my 10th annual All Things Halloween event of Halloween-ish book reviews and such, but I nearly missed it this year.

I didn't review any movies this year.

I listened to 1.5 audiobooks.

I didn't re-read any books this year.

I completed my Goodreads books read challenge with 53 out of 52 books read (not including children's books).

I completed my Bible-in-a-year reading plan for the 11th year in a row.

I missed my Series Enders goal of 5-10 books with only 4 series enders read for the second year in a row.

Books Read in 2022

*These qualify for the 2022 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
Dating Dr. Dil (If Shakespeare Was an Auntie, # 1) by Nisha Sharma
The Companion (Sisters of Woodside Mysteries, # 3) by Mary Kingswood (I have no idea what happened to my review for this book. I can't find it anywhere.)
Gilded (Gilded Duology, # 1) by Marissa Meyer
Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson
The Heart's Charge (Hanger's Horsemen, # 2) by Karen Witemeyer
*The Singles Table (Marriage Game, # 3) by Sara Desai
A Brush with Love (A Brush With Love, # 1) by Mazey Eddings
My Sister's Big Fat Indian Wedding by Sajni Patel
Bargaining for the Barrister by Anneka Walker
*Enchanting the Heiress (Hearts on the Heath, # 3) by Kristi Ann Hunter
Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World: How One Family Learned That Saying No Can Lead to Life's Biggest Yes by Kristen Welch
Always Jane by Jenn Bennett
Meet Me in the Middle by Alex Light
This Woven Kingdom (This Woven Kingdom, # 1) by Tahereh Mafi
Never Rescue a Rogue (The Merriwell Sisters, # 2) by Virginia Heath
An Unfamiliar Duke (Georgian Gentlemen, # 4) by Sian Ann Bessey
Edward and Amelia by Karen Thornell
A Healer's Promise (Brides of Laurent, # 2) by Misty M Beller
Discovering Grace (Inglewood, # 2) by Sally Britton
To Tame a Cowboy (Colorado Cowboy, # 3) by Jody Hedlund
The Dreaming Beauty by Anneka Walker
Junie B Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth (Junie B Jones, # 3) by Barbara Park
Saving Miss Everly (Inglewood, # 3) by Sally Britton
FLIP The Gratitude Switch: A Simple Formula To Change The Trajectory Of Your Life by Kevin Clayson
A Tenuous Betrothal by Jen Geigle Johnson
From the Jump by Lacie Waldon
A Fate of Wrath & Flame (Fate & Flame, # 1) by KA Tucker
A Curse of Blood & Stone (Fate & Flame, # 2) by KA Tucker
Engaging Sir Isaac (Inglewood, # 4) by Sally Britton
Amelia Bedelia Means Business(Amelia Bedelia Chapter Books, # 1) by Herman Parish
The Belle of Belgrave Square (Belles of London, # 2) by Mimi Matthews
by Jentry Flint (review coming soon)
Amelia Bedelia Unleashed (Amelia Bedelia Chapter Books, # 2) by Herman Parish
Sword of Rage (Reigning Kingdoms, # 1) by Jennifer Anne Davis
The Boxcar Children (The Boxcar Children, # 1) by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker
*A Daughter's Courage (Brides of Laurent, # 3) by Misty M Beller
I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God by Diane Stortz (Review Coming Soon)
*In Honor's Defense (Hanger's Horsemen, # 3) by Karen Witemeyer
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
*Reforming Lord Niel (Inglewood, # 5) by Sally Britton (review coming soon)
Forgiving What You Can't Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That's Beautiful Again by Lysa TerKeurst (review coming soon)
Defender of Walls (Kingdom of Walls, # 1) by Tanya Bird
Book Lovers by Emily Henry (review coming soon)
The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash, # 4) by Jennifer L Armentrout (review coming All Things Halloween 2023)
The Second Blind Son (Chronicles of Saylok, # 2) by Amy Harmon
Crossed Lines (Love Along the Wires, # 2) by Jennifer Delamere
*Holding the Line (Love Along the Wires, # 3) by Jennifer Delamere
Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul by Jennifer Tucker
A Hard Day for a Hangover (Sunshine Vicram, # 3) by Darynda Jones (review coming soon)
A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker (review coming May 2023)
The Reluctant Baronet by Elizabeth W Walker (review coming March 2023)
Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson (review coming May 2023)
Gentleman Jim (Somerset Stories, # 2) by Mimi Matthews (review coming soon)

Books DNF'D

The Decoy Girlfriend by Lillie Vale (DNF @ 15%)
The Bone Crown (Charassi's Fae Queen, # 1) by Ava Richardson (DNF @ 20%)

How was your 2022? Are you exciting about moving on to 2023? Let me know!

Top Ten Summer 2022 TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Summer 2022 TBR List.

1. The Second Blind Son (Saylok Chronicles, # 2) by Amy Harmon
2. In Honor's Defense (Hanger's Horsemen, # 3) by Karen Witemeyer
3. The Valet's Secret by Josi S Kilpack
4. May His Face Shine Upon You by Susi Larson
5. A Tenuous Betrothal by Jen Geigle Johnson
6. This May End Badly by Samantha Markum
7. The Decoy Girlfriend by Lillie Vale
8. From the Jump by Lacie Waldon
9. A Wicked and Beautiful Garden (Witches of the Island, # 1) by Katie McGarry
10. A Fate of Wrath and Flame (Wrath and Flame, # 1) by KA Tucker

Which books are on your Summer 2022 to be read list? Let me know!