, ,

Evaluating My 2022 Goals

Can you believe 2022 ends tonight? I feel like this year flew by! Anyway, I thought I’d evaluate my 2022 reading goals. Last December, I made four bookish goals. They are:

  • Read at least 24 books.
  • Read at least 50% of my IRL book club books.
  • Read a book for 50% of the monthly tags hosted by my Goodreads group: Play Book Tag (PBT).
  • Read every Book of the Month book I selected before the end of the year.

I also made two challenge-related goals. They are:

I’ve kept track of my reading on my 2022 Reads page. (You can read my review of each book below by clicking the cover. I don’t have a review yet for THE HUNDREDTH QUEEN. I’ll be posting that next week.)

Yearly Goal

My goal for the year was to read 24 books and I read 32.

I’ll share my favorite books of the year on Tuesday for Top Ten Tuesday. My least favorite book was KEEP MOVING: NOTES ON LOSS, CREATIVITY, AND CHANGE by Maggie Smith. I didn’t hate it; I just didn’t love it either.

Reading Stats

New Reads: 21

Rereads: 11

Pages Read: 11,447

Source

Own: 10

Library: 22

Format

Hard Cover: 12

Paperback: 4

Kindle: 12

Audio: 4

Age Group

Adult: 13

Young Adult: 9

Middle Grade: 7

N/A: 3

Pages

0 – 99: 0

100 – 249: 6

250 – 499: 22

500 – 999: 4

1000+: 0

Primary Reason Read

Book Club: 7

Book of the Month: 3

Personal Interest: 8

PBT: 4

Read-alongs: 7

Unofficial Trim: 3

Primary Genre

Contemporary: 1

Fantasy: 11

Historical Fiction: 3

LGBTQ+: 1

Mystery/Thriller: 4

Non-Fiction: 3

Romance: 8

Science Fiction: 1

IRL Book Club

I made a goal to read at least 50% of my IRL book club books this year. I read seven out of 12. Here are the books I read:

Play Book Tag

Each month my Goodreads group votes on a “tag” (theme) and share, discuss, and review books that fit the tag. I wanted to read one book for at least 50% of the tags. I read books for six of the 12 tags. Here are the books I read:

Book of the Month

I joined Book of the Month in January and I made a goal to read every book I selected by the end of the year. Unfortunately, I only read three out of 12 books. Here are the books I read:

Unofficial Trim Challenge

Each of us created a list of 24 books on our TBR. Each month, a participating member randomly picked a remaining number between 1 through 24 and we’d read the book associated with that number from our lists. Because there are 24 books, this challenge will continue into 2023. I read six out of 12 books. (I read two as book club books, but they still count because they’re not on my TBR anymore.) I’m counting this as a win because I read half of what I set out to do. Here are the books I read:

Narniathon

The Narniathon started in December 2021 and technically ran until July so participants could read an extra book if they wanted to. My goal was to read all seven books of the Narniad and I did.

Conclusion and 2023 Goals

I’m really happy with my reading this year despite it slowing down in the latter half. I read more in 2022 than I have for the last seven years. I’m excited that my reading mojo seems to better. It’s been a lot of fun to discover so many great books and authors. I can’t wait to discover more next year.

Next year, I have similar goals. While I want to make reading a priority, I’ll be in school again and I need to make it a priority as well. Because of school, some of my reading goals are lower than they’d normally be after such a fantastic year of reading. Hopefully, I’ll be able to exceed my expectations. My goals for 2023 are:

  1. Read at least 24 books.
  2. Read at least 50% of my IRL book club books.
  3. Read a book for 50% of the monthly tags hosted by Play Book Tag (PBT).
  4. Read every Book of the Month book I select before the end of the year.
  5. Read the backlog of my Book of the Month picks from 2022.
  6. Read the backlog for the Unofficial Trim Challenge hosted by PBT from 2022.

I also have one challenge-related goal:

  1. Participate in the Unofficial Trim Challenge.

I’ll keep track of my progress over on my 2023 Reads page.

How did you do on your goals this year? What are your goals for 2023?

/12 Comments/by
, ,

2022 Reflection

At the end of each year, I like to reflect on what has happened, how I’ve grown, and what’s to come.

I graduated from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in May. DBT changed my life. Because of the skills I learned, I can navigate my emotions rather than fall apart and shutdown. I can now cope instead of wanting to get out of hard situations and feelings.

I started Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE) in August. PE focused on helping me heal from my past trauma and resultant PTSD. I graduated in November. It was the most difficult work I’ve ever had to do AND my trauma no longer controls me thanks to the time and effort I put in to heal.

I was interviewed by a Huffington Post writer about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and the stigma surrounding it in May. It was such a rewarding opportunity to talk about my experience with BPD and to help others learn that perpetuating myths are harmful to everyone.

In June, Corey and I sold our townhome of 13.5 years and moved in to a rental property. I really like our new digs despite it being a rental. The floor plan’s laid out logically with wide halls and stairs, 10-foot ceilings, big walk-in closets in each bedroom, and our first garage. We’re extremely blessed to live where we do.

Sadly, we said goodbye to our beautiful Dax in August. She was almost 19 years old and her kidneys decided they’d functioned long enough. Her passing was bittersweet as Izzy, Corey, and I miss her dearly and we’re happy she’s no longer suffering.

We adopted Luci, a four-month-old kitten, in November. She’s very energetic, friendly, and cuddly. Corey and I are smitten and Izzy’s still making up her mind.

My health took a ride on the proverbial roller coaster, having lots of ups and downs:

  • a bacterial infection in January;
  • suspected C. difficile in March which turned out to be a chronic case of acid reflux;
  • COVID in June;
  • injured shoulder, arm, and ankle from October until December;
  • and chronic hives that started in November.

I had LASIK done on both my eyes in August. Sometimes I have buyer’s remorse and wish I’d only had one eye done so I’d be able to see both near and far. Most of the time, however, I’m just glad I had LASIK because I only need glasses for reading when I’m extremely tired. I love being able to wear real sunglasses instead of my old transition lenses. I’m especially looking forward to being able to see when I go swimming in the summer.

I had a lot of great opportunities to make new friends and strengthen my relationship with old ones. I befriended so many wonderful bloggers who I always look forward to connecting with. I went outside of my usual group of friends to make new relationships with people I wouldn’t have in the past. I also learned to weather difficult situations and changes in some of my established friendships, helping strengthen them rather than dissolve them.

I learned to accept my family’s strengths and weaknesses, and create healthy boundaries. For the first time in more than a decade, I look forward to spending time with those who aren’t toxic.

School was hard due to my health and I nearly gave up, thinking I was going for the wrong reasons. I learned, however, that school helps me regulate my emotions more easily and boosts my self-efficacy. When I’m productive, learning, and not isolating, my depression and anhedonia are only memories.

I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished in 2022 and how much I’ve grown. I’ve improved so much and I’m no longer the same person I was in March 2021. I feel hopeful, content, and I’m looking forward to the new year and its opportunities. I’m glad I’ve been able to weather life’s hardships and I know I can cope with whatever’s thrown at me. I’m grateful to everyone who helped me become a stronger person, and I’m looking forward to continuing to connect with this amazing online community and the people I love IRL.

Here’s to many wonderful possibilities! May your 2023 be merry and bright!

Are you looking forward to 2023? Do you have any resolutions?

/14 Comments/by
,

Bout of Books 36 Signup

I’ve decided to join the Bout of Books readathon from January 2nd to 8th. Since I start school on the 9th, I decided that Bout of Books would be a great way to jump start my reading for 2023.

For those of you who don’t know what Bout of Books is, here’s the official blurb from the Bout of Books blog:

The Bout of Books readathon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It’s a weeklong readathon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 2nd and runs through Sunday, January 8th in YOUR time zone. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are reading sprints, Twitter chats, and exclusive Instagram challenges, but they’re all completely optional. For all Bout of Books 36 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 

From the Bout of Books team

I’m hoping that I’ll be able to read my Unofficial Trim Challenge book, MISTBORN by Brandon Sanderson, and start my IRL book club book, MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE’S SORRY by Frederik Backman. I may read some of my January PBT book as well, TASTE: MY LIFE THROUGH FOOD by Stanley Tucci.

Are you going to join in the fun?

/14 Comments/by

December Book Club

Due to my recent health issues, this is the first time I’ve read my IRL book club’s book and attended the discussion since September. I’m glad I was able to go because not only do I love my book club, I look forward to December’s meeting all year.

We met in-person last Thursday evening to discuss December’s book, IN A HOLIDAZE by Christina Lauren. There were eleven of us who met together and only two people didn’t read the book. Here are some highlights of our discussion:

  • A couple of us really enjoyed the story, especially the romance part of it.
  • Most of the group thought it was fun but nothing to write home about. One of them didn’t think the big reveal was big enough. View Spoiler »
  • A few people really disliked the book. Interestingly, two of them don’t like the movie GROUNDHOG DAY either. The other person was just sick of implausible romances.
  • A couple of people wished there had been more GROUNDHOG DAY scenarios. I was okay with how that part happened. Although, I would’ve been okay with more as well.
  • Some of us liked the underlying message of seizing the day and taking life by the horns.
  • Most of us, if not all of us, loved that it’s set in Park City, Utah (about an hour from where we all live). This lead to a discussion about the authors. Most of us had no idea that Christina Hobbs (the Christina part of the duo) is local.
  • Some of us liked reading about the Christmas traditions Maelyn and her family/friends participate in each year. We liked that the story explored remembering why each tradition is important and not just going through the motions because that’s what’s always been done.

Even though IN A HOLIDAZE is mostly fluffy romance, we had a pretty good discussion. Next year, we want to find a Christmas murder mystery to read for the ones in the group that aren’t big romance fans. If you have any suggestions, let me know in the comments.

The rest of our book club was our annual Christmas party. For the party, we each bring a treat to share if we can. This year we had a wide variety–one of our member’s homemade shortbread cookies which are everyone’s favorites, peppermint Oreo ice cream pie, gingerbread cookies, apples with dip, and chips with homemade seven-layer bean dip. It was all really yummy.

We also have a book exchange. We each bring a wrapped book, one of our favorite reads from the year, and then we play a white elephant type swapping game using dice. Once each book is unwrapped, which took about 35 minutes for that to happen, we each roll the dice once more until ending on the last person who unwrapped a book. (If someone rolls “unwrap” during that last round, we let them roll again, steal someone’s book, or keep the one they have.)

For those interested in the dice game, here it is:

  • 2: Steal or stay the same
  • 3: Trade with someone wearing red
  • 4: Trade with the person on your right
  • 5: Pass once to the left
  • 6: Pass twice to the right
  • 7: Unwrap
  • 8: Pass twice to the left
  • 9: Pass once to the right
  • 10: Unwrap
  • 11: Trade with someone wearing green
  • 12: Steal or stay the same

We had quite a few awesome books up for grabs. I would’ve been happy with any of them. I brought A RIVER ENCHANTED by Rebecca Ross and I ended up with PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION by Emily Henry, which I’m very excited to read. The other books up for grabs were:

  • THE MEASURE by Nikki Erlick
  • RESCUE by Jennifer A. Nielsen
  • THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET by Catriona Ward
  • I MUST BETRAY YOU by Ruta Sepetys
  • THE STORIED LIFE OF AJ FIKRY by Gabrielle Zevin
  • CRAVE by Tracy Wolff
  • BETTER THAN THE MOVIES by Lynn Painter
  • THE PASSION OF DOLSSA by Julie Berry
  • THE DARK DESCENT OF ELIZABETH FRANKENSTEIN by Kiersten White

Next month, we’re reading MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE’S SORRY by Frederik Backman. I’m excited to read another book by him since I adored ANXIOUS PEOPLE earlier this year.

Anyway, have you read IN A HOLIDAZE? If so, what do you think about my book club’s discussion about it?

/10 Comments/by

Top Ten Tuesday #40

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Books on My Winter 2023 TBR

I honestly love the original prompt for today. However, I only got two books for Christmas this year. This is completely fine because I have enough of a backlog as there is, lol. For those who are curious, I received a beautiful new edition of DUNE by Frank Herbert and PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION by Emily Henry, and I’m excited about both of them!

Because I missed the prompt, I’ve decided to go back a couple of weeks and do the yearly “Books on My Winter 2022-2023 TBR.” (I changed it to Winter 2023, though, since we have less than a week left this year.) As always, I may plan to read specific books during the next few months because they fit a challenge, they’re for book club, or whatever. Whether I stick to my plan is all dependent on my mood as I can’t force myself to read something I’m not in the mood for. Here are ten books I might read this winter, mood permitting:

I’m most excited to read A FIRE ENDLESS by Rebecca Ross because I adored A RIVER ENCHANTED earlier this year.

What about you? Which books are on your winter TBR? Do we have any in common?

/46 Comments/by