#SBS 2022 Wrap-Up

Crushed on by kelly, on December 30, 2022, in Blogging, Feature, It's Personal / 1 Comment

#SBS 2022 Wrap-Up

Well in grand 2022 fashion, for the first year in a while, we didn’t even make goals. I shared some reading challenges I was joining for the year on Instagram, and that was about it. Christy made some personal goals, and chose a reading goal number, and that was about it for her. Keeping it low key, because everything in 2021 seemed like too much. The multi-year pandemic really took a toll on…well everyone, right? So instead of rehashing goals we didn’t make, we are going to give you a December Wrap-Up and our year at a glance!

Kelly:

2022 Reading Challenges:

I set my yearly reading goal at 80 books, and I set a pages goal of 25,000, and apparently I chose well, I read 83 books this year, and 27,937 pages!

I am still doing the bare minimum on goodreads, like I set my reading challenge there, and mark books read, and to read, and all that jazz. And for the 12th year (yes, that is a brag, 2007 early adapter!) in a row, I have completed my challenge. I do enjoy the Year In Books summary too.

I read mostly queer contemporary stories this year, and that is delightful!

I absolutely love the reading challenges users create on Storygraph App, and I joined 10 more than just total books & pages read. I kicked ass on a few of them, A to Z challenge, Libro.FM challenge, #ReadQueerToo2022, Trans Books & Trans Authors, and a few others, that really inspired me to pick up some books to try and complete them, albeit even if they were lofty challenges. Next year I want to accurately mark my formats better, as audio, digital, hardcover, etc. because they provide those stats, and now audiobooks are also counted in hours and pages, which is what was holding me back.

December:

In December I read 10 books this month! Which technically would make it my best reading month all year. Of course I get motivated by reading a bunch of holiday romances! Speaking of holiday romances, so many queer stories this year, and I can’t explain how amazing that is, for the community, and for myself! The queers get to leave city life, and head to the tree farms, and find our chance at love! Call me smitten. Highlights:

How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow – this wintery new adult, sapphic, Jewish, enemies to lovers romance was unique and perfect.
Season of Love by Helena Greer – sapphic adult, Jewish romance set at a Christmas tree farm that faces development, with a fat butch lumberjack LI!
In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae – mature adult sapphic, 2nd chance, best friends to lovers romance, also set at tree farm that needs rescuing from corporate development, and as the kids say these days “it’s a bit spicy!”

What I Hauled:

Afterglow by Phil Stamper – Releases Feb 7th – Thank you Bloomsbury for the finished copy!
Planning Perfect by Haley Neil – Releases Feb 14th – Thank you Bloomsbury for the advance copy!
The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond by Amanda Glaze – Available Now – Thank you Union Square & Co for the finished copy!
Museum of Magic by Beth Revis – Available Now – Thank you to the author for sending a goodie box!

For a holiday gift, Christy bought me the Star Wars Everyday by Ashley Eckstein, and we might be making some content from this activities/cookbook…and maybe you’ll see it on the gram. And on Boxing Day, I bought 9 YA books from the BN hardcover 50% off sale. 5 in store and 4 online, and I’ve already read 3 of them, so that all maths out as a good deal and adds up about right!

Christy:

2022 Reading Challenges:

I’ve been a blogger since 2015 and this has been the toughest reading year for me since then. I committed to two challenges: my typical reading goal (150 books this year) and a read the backlist/read my shelves challenge (25 books). Woof…I met neither. With my job and marathon training, I just haven’t had as much time or energy. At this moment, I’m at 106 books and I think I might make it to 110? If I can get some graphic novels in the next few days. I read a few books from my backlist but not the 25 I thought I would.

December:

Got through 9 books this December, with 4 of them being Star Wars. When I get into a Star Wars mood, I just go for it!

Highlights:

Stories of Jedi & Sith by Roseanne A. Brown with Sarwat Chadda, Delilah S. Dawson, Tessa Gratton, Michael Kogge, Sam Maggs, Michael Moreci, Alex Segura, Vera Strange, Karen Strong, Jake Bartok – The latest anthologies are marketed as middle grade but are perfect for any Star Wars reader. I really loved this story and getting to see little moments in a variety of characters’ lives. I don’t even know how to pick a favorite but I loved the stories about Qui-Gon, Ventress, and Yoda.
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys – Petition to have Ruta craft history books. This story takes place in 1989 Romania, right as revolution is coming. As always, this story is told with care and examines both the politics as well as the human side. Easily on the fav list this year.
Big Bad by Lily Anderson – Alternate realities are my jam and any universe where Anya, Andrew, and Jonathan (my fav Buffy character) are the MCs is a win for me. We need more books, please.

What I Hauled:

Three Drops of Blood by Gretchen McNeil – This might be my favorite Gretchen title ever. I am intrigued. TY to Gretchen for sending me a copy!
Prince of Song & Sea by Linsey Miller – One of my picks from the BN hardcover sale!
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood – Kelly gifted me two signed editions for Christmas because she understands that while I don’t generally collect multiple editions, there are some books I would love to have multiple editions for LOL.

We hope you go into 2023 with good books and time to read! Happy New Year’s!