best of 2021

Bookish Goals for the New Year (2022)

Saturday, January 01, 2022

Happy New Year! 2021 is over! It hasn’t been the best year so I am excited to say that it is behind us. I have a few goals this year that I hope to accomplish. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass some of my goals last year so I decided to try to redo them this year. Having just graduated, I am unsure how this new chapter may affect my reading. Still, I’m hoping for the best and by the end of the year, I can look back at this post and see how well I did! Here’s my bookish goals for the new year:

Read at least 50 books

This goal remains the one consistent achievement I make every year. While it used to be a challenge, I usually can make it to 50 books without any issues nowadays. During 2021, there was a point where I thought I wasn’t going to hit that number, but I am so glad I did. While I didn’t read as many books as I did in 2020, I was still able to read some good ones! I’m hoping to reach 50 books by the end of 2022 as well.

Buy less books

I have been making this a set goal for a while and without a doubt, I usually acquire more books every single year. Except in 2021! I am so glad that I was able to purchase less books last year than in 2020. Let’s hope I can continue this trend and acquire less books this year too.

Read at least 6 Epic Reads of a Lifetime

Last year, I made this goal and another goal to read several classics. I have decided to join those two goals together. Sadly, I did not finish my goal in 2021 to read more classics nor did I finish my goal to read 6 Epic Reads. Hopefully, it’ll be different this year. My brother got me this lovely scratch-off poster of 100 Epic Reads of a Lifetime for Christmas in 2019. I’ve been working on it ever since, choosing my tbr so I get to scratch off at least one per month. I still have a bunch of books to read from the poster. To keep myself accountable, I want to try to read at least 6 of the books. Here’s the 6 I hope to read this year:


Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen | The Giver by Lois Lowry | The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon


The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath | Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy | The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Read at least 8 books for the PopSugar's 2022 Reading Challenge

Every year I download PopSugar’s Reading Challenge in the hopes to follow the prompts. I never look at it after printing it out. This year, by making it a goal to read at least 10 reads that correspond to the prompts, I am hoping to challenge myself to pick up some things I might have not otherwise. Here’s 10 reads which were inspired by the challenge’s prompts that I hope to get to this year:


Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune (a book about the afterlife) | Shipped by Angie Hockman (a book set on a plane, train, or cruise ship) | Roar by Cora Carmack (a book with an onomatopoeia in its title) | See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon (a book published in 2022)


Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan (a sapphic book) | Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (a romance novel by a BIPOC author) | From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout (a #booktok recommendation) | The Ravenous by Amy Lukavics (a book with cutlery on the cover or in the title)

Finish at least 6 series

Here I went and lowered the total of number of series I wanted to complete last year and I still didn’t complete 6. I only finished 5 series in 2021. However, that is still good so I’m going to try to challenge myself and finish at least 6 book series again this year. It’s hard to finish series, because if I am liking the world, I never want to finish the last book. Here’s some series I hope to finish this year:


Sand of Arawiya by Hafsah Faizal (1 book left) | Vampirates by Justin Somper (2 books left) | The Honors by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre (1 book left)


Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez (1 book left) | Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco (2 books left) | 99 Days by Katie Cotugno (1 book left)

What are your goals for 2022?

best of 2021

Every 5 Star Book I Read This Year (2021)

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

I don’t give many 5 stars out. It’s crazy to think that I read 100 books this year and I only gave 5 stars to a few books. However, if they got full marks, they usually make it onto my favorite list and instead of giving a structured top 10 list of my favorites, I wanted to showcase each and every favorite of the year.


Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is: Top Favorite Books of the Year (2021):


10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon: I’ve adored every book in the Dimple and Rishi world so I knew I was going to love this one. 

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland: I wasn’t planning on reading this one at all. In fact, it wasn’t on my radar until I heard about all the hype it was getting. The atmosphere was so spooky and mysterious with gorgeous writing that just makes me want to reread it right this minute.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie: For a long time now, I have always loved adaptations of Christie’s work via film. The BBC version of And Then There Were None is one of my all time favorite adaptations. While I knew how it would end, I decided to finally pick up the book all the adaptations are adapted from and was pleasantly surprised by how much I still enjoyed it even with knowing how it was going to end.


We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon: This was honestly *chef’s kiss* amazing! With phenomenal writing, laugh out loud moments, and all the feels, We Can't Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a superb summer read that you'll want to return to again and again.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune: I know everyone said I was going to love this one and they were right. It wasn’t just the superb writing or the amazing characters but also the whimsical atmosphere and lovely story that made me want to never put it down.

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey: Who am I? I actually read holiday-themed reads this year and sort of loved them all. Window Shopping has to be my favorite out of the ones I consumed with a great story that had lots of depth for a book under 300 pages and great characters. I am on the look out to read more from Bailey soon.


Fangirl, Vol. 1: The Manga by Sam Maggs, Rainbow Rowell, and Gabi Nam: I adored Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell when it first released, making the novel into a graphic novel made it even better. I love the art style and am looking forward to the second volume.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds and Danica Novgorodoff: So I went on a bit of a graphic novel binge at the end of the year to try to finish my reading goal. I had several on my wishlist that I wanted to get to. This was such a fantastic graphic novel. I flew through this in one sitting; it was absolutely mind-blowing. 

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang: This was a reread for me, since I wrote a research paper on it this year. It was as magical as it was the first time around.

What were some of your favorite books of the year?

best of 2021

My Year in Books | 2021 in Review

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

 


The year is coming to a close. And all around, it really hasn’t been the best year. Again. While I read some books, but not as many as usual, I still didn’t rate that many 5 stars. I was able to read a lot of my owned tbr which is always great to see. However, I’m hoping for a better year next year (both reading-wise and in general). I do the Perpetual Page-Turner’s End of the Year Book Survey every year; it’s just a great way to close out the year. Here is my bookish year in review:

Number of Books Read:

Star Ratings of 2021:

Genre I Read the Most:

Length of Books Read:

Best Book I Read in 2021?


We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon: This was honestly *chef’s kiss* amazing! With phenomenal writing, laugh out loud moments, and all the feels, We Can't Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a superb summer read that you'll want to return to again and again.

Book(s) I was Excited About & Thought I Was Going To Love More But Didn't?


The Betrothed by Kiera Cass: I adore The Selection series and even though the last few books in the series weren’t that great, I was highly anticipating this one. Maybe I went into the book with too-high expectations, but I didn’t like this one at all. The average rating of 2.97 on Goodreads should have given me a clue of what to expect. I didn’t quite like the protagonist and found that the story did not really have a goal. I will most definitely not be continuing in the series.

Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon: Previously, I loved all of the Dimple and Rishi books and was expecting to love this one even more. It’s a retelling of Beauty and the Beast in a boarding school setting with some magic involved. And it just didn’t fulfill my expectations. It wasn’t bad, but I don’t think I’ll be continuing in this series either.

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


House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland: This one was so surprising in a good way. In fact, I was shocked that I gave this one 5 stars when all my friends were rating it quite low. There was tons of pre-publish buzz surrounding this book and I purchased it immediately as the atmosphere sounded spooky and intriguing. It was such a fast and amazing read, quickly becoming one of the few 5-star reads of the year!

Best series started in 2021? Best sequel? Best series ender?


Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan | Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry | 10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon

Favorite new author you discovered?

Best book from a genre you don't typically read:


Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable reads of the year?


They Both Die At the End by Adam Silvera | Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood

Favorite cover of a book you read in 2021?


The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino | The Book Jumper by Mechthild Glaser | Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Most beautifully written book of the year?


The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta | The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo | Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh

Most thought-provoking/life changing book of 2021?


Night by Elie Wiesel

Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2021 to read?


And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie: For a long time now, I have always loved adaptations of Christie’s work via film. The BBC version of And Then There Were None is one of my all time favorite adaptations. While I knew how it would end, I decided to finally pick up the book all the adaptations are adapted from and was pleasantly surprised by how much I still enjoyed it even with knowing the twists. 

Shortest and longest book read in 2021?

Favorite book you read in 2021 from an author you've read previously?


Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey | So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park

Best worldbuilding/most vivid setting you read this year?


The Conference of Birds by Ransom Riggs | Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

Books that put a smile on your face/was the most fun to read?


I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee | Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

Books that made you cry in 2021?


They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera | Beach Read by Emily Henry

Hidden gem of the year?

Books I didn't get to in 2021 but will be top priority in 2022?


Honor Lost by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre | All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman | Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Non-debut books I'm most anticipating in 2022?


Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel |  Nightrender by Jodi Meadows | These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall

2022 Debut I am Most Anticipating?


This May End Badly by Samantha Markum | A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy | Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2022?


House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas | One True Loves by Elise Bryant | The Iron Sword by Julie Kagawa

Happy New Year! What was your favorite book of 2021? What book are you most anticipating in 2022?

best of 2021

50 Books I'm Most Anticipating in 2022

Friday, December 17, 2021

Last year, I shared a list of 50 books I was anticipating in 2021 and I am excited to bring this post back to scream some more about the amazing books I can’t wait for in the new year. I apologize in advance, because your tbr pile is about to become mountains-high. The following list features all of my favorite genres (fantasy, contemporary, and romance)—in both YA and adult fiction—and then some. I always have some difficulty narrowing down this 50-book list. Before we begin, I also want to note that the publication dates, while accurate at the time this post goes up, are subject to change.


Get ready to add these books to your wish list! Here’s 50 books I’m most anticipating in 2022:


Nightrender by Jodi Meadows (1/4): An epic fantasy of three kingdoms that have been fighting for thousands of years immerses readers into the fold. The Nightrender is summoned to rid the world of darkness, but last time she was summoned, she murdered every royal. This one sounds so promising. While I have a few of Meadows’ books on my to-read pile, I’ve never actually read anything by her so I can’t wait to pick this one up!

Serendipity edited by Marissa Meyer (1/4): While a similar anthology just released this month (Fools in Love edited by Rebecca Podos), this anthology also tackles romance tropes. Some amazing authors collaborated on this project, including Elise Bryant, Leah Johnson, Anna-Marie McLemore, Sandhya Menon, and Julie Murphy.

One True Loves by Elise Bryant (1/4): I just finished Bryant’s debut and it was absolutely lovely. One True Loves is a companion novel to Happily Ever Afters, following Lenore as she navigates post-grad life.


Love at First Spite by Anna E. Collins (1/4): An adorable rom-com that has an interior decorator teaming up with a brooding architect to enact revenge on the decorator’s ex-fiancé. Ever since the pandemic, I have been enjoying a lot of fluffy and cute romances. I can’t wait to give this one a go.

The Storyteller by Kathryn Williams (1/11): I don’t read too many historical fiction books anymore, but when I heard this one was a retelling of Anastasia, I needed to put this on the list. When Jess finds her great-aunt’s diaries, she soon realizes that she may be related to the long-lost Russian princess.

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon (1/11): I’ve adored Solomon’s recent YA novels and I’m excited to try out her romance titles too. This one follows coworkers, teaming up to get their bosses back together.


The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder (1/11): This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a sprinkling of Indiana Jones. Vedder had me at Indiana Jones. Enough said; I’m sold.

My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen (1/11): I feel like I have been waiting for this one for so long. It was supposed to release in 2021 but kept getting moved back. After reading Cohen’s superb debut, Dangerous Alliance, I am ready to read anything from her. 

How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan (1/18): Throughout my reading this year, I realized that I adore the sunshine and grump romance trope. When I found out that this follows that specific trope, I immediately put it on this list. Grace is prepared to fix up the house, but the grumpy next door neighbor has other plans. Can’t wait!


Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson (1/18): I always adore reading books about books, writing, and publishing. Bonus points if it has all three. This one follows Nora, completely dejected about her position at a publishing house.

The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (1/25): This dynamic author duo has teamed up to write a romance that follows two estranged authors, who must face each other once again to finish their final book together. I’ve read Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka’s YA contemporaries before and loved them. I can’t wait to see what they do in this new audience space!

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi (2/1): I haven’t read anything from Mafi since the Shatter Me series, so I am excited to dive into a new world that is inspired by Persian mythology. 


Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie (2/8): A lovely contemporary debut that follows Ophelia as she navigates the end of high school, figuring out who she is. This one sounds super cute!

From Dust, A Flame by Rebecca Podos (2/8): I feel like I’ve been waiting for this forever. This book was supposed to release in 2021, but got pushed back to 2022. The book follows Hannah, when she wakes up one morning completely mutated from the girl she once knew. That event sparks Hannah’s determination to break the curse.

Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space edited by Zoraida Cordova (2/15): A fantasy and science fiction anthology takes the Latin American diaspora to places out of this world. From the voices of Sara Faring, Anna-Marie McLemore, Nina Moreno, Daniel José Older, and more will surely immerse readers in worlds they won’t forget. I can’t wait for this release!


Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson (2/15): The book follows Savannah, who is secretly writing a romance novel in a secret room that she found at work. When she returns to the secret room to find that her work has been filled with editorial notes that soon turn romantic, Savannah tries to solve the mystery of her secret editor. This one sounds completely swoon worthy!

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len (2/22): In this paranormal fantasy debut, Joan uncovers secrets about her family that she never knew, soon wrapped up in an age-old fight of monsters and monster-slayers. 

By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate (3/1): Young adult bestselling author has branched out into the romance genre and I’m excited to see how it comes out. The book follows a book editor tasked with helping a renowned author forget his writer’s block. It sounds like it could be a cute read!


The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta (3/1): Set in Mesoamerica, this YA fantasy follows seers set upon rebelling against the patriarchal society that seeks to destroy them. This debut sounds absolutely incredible!   

The Book of Living Secrets by Madeleine Roux (3/1): When a stranger tempts two best friends the power to live inside their favorite book, they never thought it would work. However, the book they once loved is spoiled with the stuff of nightmares and the two girls must find a way out before it’s too late. This one sounds so interesting!

Gallant by V. E. Schwab (3/1): A standalone novel from V. E. Schwab that is marketed as The Secret Garden meets Crimson Peak? Yes, please.


Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey (3/1): This one is the sequel to It Happened One Summer, which I hope to read before this releases in March.

Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen (3/8): While I haven’t read Yen’s previous book yet, I’m still excited to read this one. The book follows Gigi as she creates a viral friend matching app.

Being Mary Bennet by J. C. Peterson (3/15): When we think of Pride and Prejudice, most remember Lizzie Bennett and forget about Mary. After this realization, Marnie intends to reinvent herself to become the protagonist of her own story.


Sadie on a Plate by Amanda Elliot (3/15): Food and romance, how can anyone go wrong? 

Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram (3/22): After Khorram’s fantastic debut, Darius the Great is Not Okay, I will read anything he writes. This one follows a boy band star, Hunter, as he navigates life on tour.

Always Jane by Jenn Bennett (3/29): A chauffer’s daughter is thrown into a love triangle between two alluring brothers. I’ve been loving everything Bennett has been releasing lately with Serious Moonlight to Chasing Lucky. My expectations are quite high; I can’t wait!


Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li (4/5): I’m always ready for a heist story! Will vows to return priceless art to their rightful places. This mystery/thriller is certainly intriguing me.

This May End Badly by Samantha Markum (4/12): I am not one for reading about books set in high school unless it involves a fake dating scheme. This May End Badly definitely includes fake dating, so I’m excited to see how it goes. I hope it doesn’t end badly. 😉

Flirting with Fate by J. C. Cervantes (4/19): Not even the second sentence into the Goodreads synopsis and if it’s likened to Jane the Virgin, I will be reading it! 


See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon (5/3): The author that brought you the 5-star reads of Today Tonight Tomorrow and We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This comes a time loop romance. I am completely sold; can’t wait for this one!

Book Lovers by Emily Henry (5/3): I still have to read People We Meet on Vacation, but I adored Beach Read so I quickly added this one to my tbr pile. Any romance that has to do with readers or bookish professions are usually a must-read for me.

Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer (5/3): Kemmerer is back with a new series set in the Cursebreakers world. Do you know what that means? Some of my favorite characters will be making an appearance! This is going to be such a fantastic book!


A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan (5/10): This book sounds so precious. Mina wants more than anything to win a film competition. When Emmitt, a film star in disguise, enrolls in Mina’s high school, it is her perfect chance to create her film to enter in the contest.

Only on the Weekends by Dean Atta (5/12): I read Atta’s gorgeous book written in verse, The Black Flamingo, and it was the highlight of my year. This one is also written in verse, following Mack falling in love with two people! It’s going to be good!

Flip the Script by Lyla Lee (5/31): I really enjoyed I’ll Be the One this year so I have been on the lookout for Lee’s next book. Flip the Script has it all from a fake dating scenario to all the classic K-drama tropes.


A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy (5/31): A YA romance set at a theme park? Yes, please!

All Signs Point to Yes edited by Cam Mongomery, Adrianne White, and G. Haron Davis (5/31): I adore anthologies, especially those with lovely themes! Each story in this anthology is a romance for each star sign.

Breaking Time by Sasha Alsberg (6/14): I haven’t read anything from Alsberg before. The book follows Klara as she is whisked on an adventure after she meets Callum, who traveled through time to protect her. The premise sounds interesting so I can’t wait for it to release!


Fake it Till You Bake it by Jamie Wesley (6/21): If a romance includes baking, it will most likely be hundreds times better. This one includes fake dating and saving the town’s bakery. I’m already swooning!

Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert (6/28): I adored The Hazel Wood books. However, I am kind of hesitant as this one involves witches, which aren’t my favorite stories to read. The cover has me intrigued so I will be picking this one up!

Stealing Infinity by Alyson Noel (6/28): I adored The Immortals series by Noel, when I was in high school, but haven’t read much of her recent books. However, this one mentioned time travel so I must pick it up!


The Song That Moves the Sun by Anna Bright (6/28): When Rora and Claudia find that there is something unbalanced in the grand scheme of things, they must embark on a journey that only few have ever explored before. I haven’t read anything by Bright so I’m excited to see what this fantasy has in store.

A Disaster in Three Acts by Kelsey Rodkey (7/5): This book also follows a perspective film maker and I am here for these kinds of plots! This one follows Saine as she is forced to team up with her ex-best friend to make a documentary that will hopefully get her into her dream film program.

The Charmed List by Julie Abe (7/5): This lovely summer read follows Ellie checking off items on her Anti-Wallflower list. The last item on her list, “fall in love,” may be happening without her even realizing it. It sounds so cute!


Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne (7/12): This one sounds so chilling, perfect for the autumnal months. Laurel must uncover her mother’s dark legacy before everyone she loves is doomed!

These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall (8/9): This paranormal book is marketed as The Haunting of Hill House meets Knives Out, which are two of my favorite things! 

Wish of the Wicked by Danielle Paige (8/30) (no cover yet): Danielle Paige is back with a new release, about to put a dark twist on fairy godmothers. I liked the series, Dorothy Must Die, so I have high hopes for this one.

Royal Blood by Aimee Carter (10/2022) (no cover yet): I know absolutely nothing about this book except that it will be by Aimee Carter. I adored her writing with The Goddess Test trilogy. Can’t wait!

The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix (10/2022) (no cover yet): This one sounds similar to Serpent and Dove as it follows a witch tasked to murder her fiancé, a prince. As the witch’s plan unfolds, a plague is uncovered that puts a stop to everything she has ever known.

While our TBR piles are as high as mountains, I can’t help but also add some honorable mentions. Let’s be real, I couldn’t narrow the list down to 50 books. Here’s a few more:


Twin Crowns by Katherine Webber and Catherine Doyle (4/19)
Fangirl, vol. 2: The Manga by Sam Maggs, Rainbow Rowell, and Gabi Nam (5/10)
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal (11/8)
Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca (2022)
Three Kisses, One Midnight by Roshani Chokshi, Sandhya Menon, and Evelyn Skye (2022)
The Grimoire of Grave Fates edited by Hanna Alkaf and Margaret Owen (2022)

Which books are you anticipating in the new year?