I Accidentally Finished My Reading Challenge For The Year in Less Than Six Months

For the past 6 years I've done a reading challenge where I try to read the number that the year ends in in books (like 22 books because its 2022). In the previous years I would usually set up specific things about the books to try and diversify what I read and also so I'd just read more in general. Going into this year however I decided to just make the goal the number and leave what I read up to what I felt like reading (and sometimes what I had to read for classes). I don't consider myself to be a fast reader and I really didn't find myself spending more time reading than usual, but something about this year! I've read about as many books as I did throughout all of last year but in just 6 months! And because I didn't want my end of the year wrap up to be a million words long, I figured I'd do a mid-year reading wrap. So here are all of the books I've read in 2023... so far.

23 I Books Read in 2023

1. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

Great idea but an unexpected disappointment.

2. Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

There is only so long reading tennis matches can be interesting for and I think this book was really walked that line.

3. Rehersals for Living by Robyn Maynard and Leanne Simpson

Probably an important read but made my climate anxiety skyrocket.

4. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

Crazy interesting concept that is a great metaphor that mirrors society effortlessly.

5. Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

First half great, amazing writing, (and maybe this is because I was super excited for the book/overhyped it for myself) but towards the end it quickly decreased in interest (should've ended much sooner).

6. The Strangers by Katherna Vermette

Not my fave but definitely a good story and execution.

7. Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman

Another great romance concept but horribly boring and annoying in fruition.

8. Making Love With The Land by Joshua Whitehead

Amazingly poetic language and great, intriguing stories.

9. The Spoon Stealer by Lesley Crewe

First half was very good, second half the protagonist was too self-righteous and it made it hard to read.

10. A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt

This book just feels so personal (in a good way), sadly just not my cup of tea.

11. Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard

Just no... and here's why.

12. Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller

Even if you don't have a particular interest in fish/taxonomy you HAVE to read this book! (The twists! The turns! The story! AH!)

13. A Heros Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

A reread post-Dungeons and Dragons movie, great vibes! and I think could actually be played as a D&D campaign?!?!

14. My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

Didn't even make it a year before I NEEDED to reread because it's just too good (and it's definately a book that you learn more about when you read it again).

15. Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

Moshfegh's first book- I enjoyed the writing style, never would've guessed the ending, but I don't think I enjoyed the story much.

16. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

An older protaginist for L.M. Montgomery, however it's still filled with wonder and exploration as always.

17. Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston

Third reread? and as always fun, imaginative, and adorable!

18. Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados

The perfect summer in the city book of pure chaos and vibes!

19. Enough Rope by Dorothy Parker

Fun, little, rhyming poetry... I guess?

20. The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Finally a romance with a crazy good concept that I felt, not only followed through but actually surpassed my expectations.

21. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

...remarkable lack of octopus.

22. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

It's a classic for a reason, and that reason is cause it's great.

23. Annie John by Jamacia Kincaid

I was reading this for a class, and at first I felt like I wasn't really understanding the book but the class discussion helped me figure it out.

Extras:

-Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

-The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd ⭐️⭐️

-Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez ⭐️⭐️

-The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Moshin Hamid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

-Homework: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years by Julie Andrews with Emma Walton Hamilton ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Last Years Reading Wrap Up: All of the Books I Read in 2022