I’ve seen this on a couple of blogs like Dini Panda Reads and Biblio Nerd Reflections, and it seemed pretty fun. Also, I hadn’t done a tag in ages, and wanted to. It was created by @Roisin’s Reading.
How many books have you read so far?
81 titles on 4/8 (the day I’m composing this), which is where I was on 4/8 of last year (although this year’s number includes more picture books, so I’m behind the pace). That’s not bad at all.
Have you already found a book you think might be a 2023 favourite[sic]? If not, what was your favourite book you read that wasn’t quite five stars?
Fearless by M.W. Craven and Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto are destined to end up in my Top 10 of the year, possibly Top 3.
Any 1-star books / least favourite book of the year?
The audiobook for Triptych by Karin Slaughter is the only book that comes to mind here. It’s not a 1-Star, and is too well put together for that. But it qualifies as least favorite.
Most read genre so far?
Hold on to your hats here..you’re going to be surprised…it’s Mystery/Crime/Thriller. I’ll give you a moment to gasp while you look at the pie chart.
A book that surprised you?
That’s a good question. I guess
Magpie Murders maybe? I’d heard only good things, so I expected it to be good–just didn’t expect it to be that good. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers might also qualify that way.
Triptych also qualifies because I’m suprised that that book could lead to a 11-book long series and a TV show.
A book that’s come out in 2023 already that you want to read but haven’t yet?
Ozark Dogs by Eli Cranor is the one that jumps to mind, but by the time this posts, I should have at leasted started it. I think I’m doing pretty good at keeping up with the new releases I’m into this year…we’ll talk about the side-effects of that below.
A few others that qualify:
Know Thy Enemy by Jeffery H. Haskell
But Have You Read the Book?: 52 Literary Gems That Inspired Our Favorite Films by Kristen Lopez
Lie to Her by Melinda Leigh (my library hold just became available, so this will be taken care of soon-ish)
Everybody Knows by Jordan Harper
One goal you made that you’re succeeding at
Keeping up with New Releases? But that’s not an “official” goal. I guess it would be The 2023 Booktempter’s TBR reduction challenge and reading stuff for my Grandpappy’s Corner series.
One goal you made that you need to focus on
Every other one. I really want to focus on reading the books I’ve bought (mostly) and/or planned to buy (a few) for the Literary Locals series. These look great and I need to stop distracting myself to read and blog about these. New releases and author submissions keep distracting me and getting my off-target. I need to rein myself in.
New to you Bloggers/Booktubers/ Bookstagrammers/Booktokers for 2023 you recommend?
I’m not sure if these were new-to-me in 2023, but they’re pretty recently new-to-me (or blogs I’ve read before, but I’ve gotten more consistent about checking):
Biblio Nerd Reflections
Gina Rae Mitchell
Mike Finn’s Fiction
reader@work
Read with Me
Stephen Writes
WS_BOOKCLUB
I did something that I rarely do, and watched Magpie Murders without reading the book. It was great, but now you have me going to the library for the book…tsk, tsk.
HCNewton
I’ve been working up the courage to try the series…I just know that it’ll be a disappointment
Dini @ dinipandareads
Great answers! I recently purchased Vera Wong and now I’m extra excited to give it a read 🙂 I’ve only read Sutanto’s YA contemporary romance but I’ve heard great things about her mysteries. And 81 titles is amazing 😍 I hope you continue to have an amazing year of reading!
HCNewton
Thanks, Dini! I’m definitely jumping into more of her mysteries ASAP–and, who knows, maybe her YA stuff (as far from my typical fare as they seem). Hope you enjoy your time with Vera