we did it folks. we made it through another impossible year. i hope that you all were able to make the most of it despite the obvious state of the planet rn. reflecting back on it, i think i accomplished quite a bit. i started my first job, got accepted into northwestern for grad school, moved all the way to chicago and revamped my life a little bit. things during the last quarter of 2021 were really swell for me. i made a lot of great new friends out of my classmates, was able to reconnect with old ones, and i feel more sure of my future now than i did before. overall, a good year!!
in terms of reading, this was much better than previous years and that’s mainly because i was out of school and able to read on the job (don’t tell anyone). i think this year my taste in books has evolved a lot, as i’ve been seeking out more new adult or adult fiction. i still love a ya, but there’s a whole new world of stories to discover in na/adult and i’ve been having a hell of a time discovering that!! to recap the last year of reading i’ve had, i’m using the end of the year book survey created by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner.
wishing you all a great new year ahead of you! all book titles link to their respective goodreads page! cheers to 2022 and here’s to hoping i keep up with my reading again!! let me know if we have any picks in common or if you have any recs you think i’d enjoy!
2021 reading statsnumber of books read: 34!
number of re-reads: 1 (the deal, pls don’t look at me i re-read this like once a month)
genre you read the most from: fantasy and romance
book you were excited about & thought you’d love more but didn’t?
this one hurts cause i loved the first two in the trilogy so much, but
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang. i think going into this one i just wasn’t in the right headspace for the themes it explores, so it was tough for me to get through.
most surprising book you read?
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss! by no means was i expecting to enjoy this book as much as i did. i know how popular this series is, so i
knew it had to be good, but this by far exceeded my expectations and i’m so excited to read the sequel.
book you pushed the most people to read?
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. i truly took it upon myself to recommend this to every single person i know and i’ve gotten 3 people (pending 2 more) to read it by now. it is hands down my favorite trilogy and has turned R.F. Kuang into an author i trust with my life.
best series you started in 2021?
to not end up sounding like a broken record i will not mention The Poppy War again (whoops i mentioned it), so i choose
Jade City by Fonda Lee and
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. Jade City was my first venture into adult fantasy and it was
amazing. it truly set the tone for the rest of my reading year. Mistborn is absolutely genius and Brandon Sanderson is such a great author, i cannot wait to read The Stormlight Archive.
a book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
honestly i know it’s still romance but i decided to read
The Sweetest Oblivion cause everyone was talking about it on booktok and it was very out of my comfort zone. a whole mafia romance?? literally who would’ve thunk.
most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
book you read in 2021 that you would be most likely to re-read next year? People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry. when i say this book caused me emotional turmoil, i mean it. i love Emily Henry’s writing so much and i think she has an innate ability to create stories that everyone can relate to in one aspect or another. the way she discussed loneliness in pwmov made me rethink my whole life i’m not even exaggerating. i will definitely re-read this, the way i have all of her books, and continue to cry over alex and poppy.
most memorable character of 2021?
darlington. daniel arlington. from ninth house. i just. love him. also kieran from the Blood and Ash series by JLA — he carried that entire series on his back.
favorite non-romantic relationship of the year?
rinkitay. i have said it so many times but they are the standard for platonic soulmates and i crave so badly to have what they have.
favorite quote from a book you read in 2021?
“She’s the only divine thing he’s ever believed in. The only creature in this vast, cruel land who could kill him. And sometimes, in his loveliest dreams, he imagines she does.” screaming crying shaking vomiting. this is Nezha’s pov from The Drowning Faith by R.F. Kuang. absolutely mad luv.
book that shocked you the most?
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang LMAOOOO
book that put a smile on your face/was the most fun to read?
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert. oh my god this has everything you could ever want in a contemporary romance.
best 2021 debut?
hidden gem of the year?
i think everyone needs to read Jade City by Fonda Lee immediately. it has an incredibly refreshing concept of magic, great lore and world building, and an expansive cast of characters that bring a lil something something for everyone looking for an invigorating read. i loved it so much!!
one book you didn’t get to in 2021 but will be your number 1 priority in 2022?
Jade War by Fonda Lee — the second book in The Green Bone Saga!
book you are most anticipating for 2022 (non-debut)?
Babel by R.F. Kuang!!! dark academia! what else do i have to say!
2022 debut you are most anticipating?
i’m gonna choose two! first up,
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan! this is the start of a duology inspired by the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e. it is going to be epic, enchanting, romantic — everything i could ever want from a Chang’e retelling!! second,
Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li! a heist novel inspired by the real life disappearance of Chinese art from western museums ft a cast of Chinese American students!! all very exciting for me :)
series ending/sequel you are most anticipating in 2022?
