End Of The Year Book Tag (2023)
Apologies for the lateness of this End Of The Year Book tag, I’ve been unwell these last few weeks. Great start to 2024 hey?
Nonetheless, getting on with the tag…
1. Most disappointing read of the year?
For me, it was Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. I reviewed it in my “To The Book I Didn’t Want To DNF” post. It is a world classic book meant to help you find an inner peace of enlightenment. It left me confused and frustrated.
2. Underdog book of the year?
The Cloisters by Katy Hays. I feel this had a mixed bag of reviews when it hit BookTok but I found the concept unique and liked the pace of the writing style.
3. Favourite main characters(s) of the year?
My favourite character(s) was a hard one to pick. Violey Sorrengail from Fourth Wing and Iron Flame is definitely on the list. Rachel Savernake from Gallows Court, Nancy Hunter from the Dedley End Mysteries. Iris and Roman from Divine Rivals! I think in every one of my 4-star+ reviews, the characters were a big reason for that high score.
4. A book that surprised you?
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore. I expected it to be a spicy romance with a very simple subplot. It was that, but the nostalgic feeling was a surprise. Years ago, I loved to read books from The Little Black Dress Series. Authors like Rachel Gibson, Julie Cohen and Kate Lace. It was great to find an author like that again.
5. A new favourite author discovered in 2023.
SO. MANY. I think to name a few; Victoria Walters, Claire Douglas and Jenny Colgan.
6. Happiest read of the year?
My first thought reading this question was “Have I read a happy book?”. I would say the book that made me the most happy was The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer. It was just such an amazing read.
7. Most frustrating book you read in 2023?
I would say my most frustrating book was also my most disappointing book of the year. I found it such a slog to read.
8. Longest book you read this year?
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. I still cannot believe I read that all in an evening and day.
9. Shortest book you read this year?
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It is harder to read classic literature if you don’t read it often. Although the shortest book, I found this took longer to read than a contemporary fiction of the same length.
10. Favourite cover of the year?
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. I think it is 100% better than the American version of the book cover. The artwork style and colour scheme fit the narrative of the book so well.
11. A book you haven’t stopped thinking about?
The Only One Left by Riley Sager. Riley Sager is what I would describe as a marmite author. Readers can love one book and dislike the next. This book was a thriller mystery with a twist I did not see coming.
12. An unpopular book you loved?
Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown. I felt this was unpopular because Millie worked with Kathleen McGurl as a ghostwriter. I managed to complete this book in a day. That should say how much I enjoyed it.
13. What were the highest and lowest-rated books you read this year on Goodreads, do you agree?
The highest rated is Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros with an average rating of 4.61. The lowest rated is The Cloisters with an average rating of 3.43. I agree with Fourth Wing being highly rated. One of those books made me realise how much I missed fantasy as a genre. I’m afraid I have to disagree with The Cloisters being rated so low. As you can see, it was my underdog book of the year. I loved it and gave it 5 stars,
14. A book with the most unique concept?
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs. It was the first book I read with mirror magic and found the premise gripping. It’s so hard to describe without spoiling but I highly recommend it.
15. A book you read that you would reread.
There are two books I reread every year. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. If I were to add a recent release into the mix, it would be The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer.
How would you answer these questions? Comment below or find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.
As always, thanks for reading…