General Books / Yearly Wrap Up

2021 End of Year Book Survey: Part II & III

Dini @ dinipandareads40 Comments

It’s time for parts 2 & 3 of the End of Year Book Survey! This part of the survey looks more at blogging and future planning but you can check out part one for my 2021 Stats & ‘Best in Books’!

The End of Year Book Survey was originally created by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner.

New favourite book blog/bookstagram/youtube channel you discovered in 2021?

I didn’t do half as much blog hopping this year as I had planned so there were only a few new bloggers that I discovered but I’m so glad that I discovered them! They produce great content and write great reviews, so you should definitely check them out: Nick @ Infinite Limits of Love, Deanna @ A Novel Glimpse, Kerri @ Kerri McBookNerd , Lia @ An Ode to Fiction, Maria @ The Character Study, Georgia @ Lost in Neverland, Hasini @ Bibliosini, Sam @ We Live and Breathe Books, and Lori @ Fifty-two!

I also have to give a special shout out to my favourites on here because they’ve made this reading year even more incredible with buddy reads and great chats: Leslie @ Books Are the New Black, Julie @ One Book More, Jess @ Jessticulates, Becky @ Becky’s Book Blog and Sammie @ The Bookwyrm’s Den!

I also started watching my fair share of booktube this year and these three were my favourites:

Jess

Gavin

Jack

Favourite post you wrote in 2021?

I’m not usually good at boosting my own stuff? But there were a few posts that I really enjoyed making and two reviews that I’m particularly proud of, even though they’re a bit lot on the long, I couldn’t help gushing about the books because I loved them *so much*!

Favourite bookish-related photo you took in 2021?

I didn’t take a lot of bookish-related photos this year but I did do a book look for my stop on the Cast in Firelight blog tour, a photo of my newly reorganised bookshelf (that didn’t last long lol) and another photo of one of the (very) few hauls I did this year!

Best bookish event that you participated in
(author signings, festivals, virtual events,  etc.)?

There were none this year (but are there ever any events? no… lol) 🥲

Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2021?

I don’t know if I can really say whether I had a “best” moment because my blogging and reading life felt pretty low-key in 2021. I guess one of the best moments I felt was when I came back from my extended hiatus to find that there were still people following my blog? 😂 I still feel the imposter syndrome pretty often, especially when things felt really tough this year, but yeah… I’m just thankful for all of you who engage with this weird third-culture kid across the sea! ❤️

Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Oof, I’ve said it a million times already but this year was a weird one and I felt it on both the blogging and reading front. I planned to take a short break early on in the year which then turned into a several-month-long hiatus which I apparently really needed! It wasn’t a smooth journey diving back into blogging but I found my groove again after a while. I still question why I’m producing anything at times because my engagements weren’t what they were before, but I love this community and I’m still glad to be here. In terms of reading, I was stuck with a weird reading mood that didn’t disappear until… well, it didn’t really disappear all year! 😂 While I’d normally read a pretty balanced mix of fantasies and romances, I could hardly focus on anything except the latter all year and without them, I probably would’ve read next to nothing in 2021. 🙈 I’m planning to try reintroducing more fantasy into my life this year but if not, I’m totally okay with mainly reading romances!

Most popular post this year on your blog (whether it be by comments or views?)

The most liked post on my blog this year was my Top Ten Tuesday: Goals & Hopes for 2021! The post with the most comments was also a Top Ten Tuesday: Re-reading 5-star Books Like It Was the First Time.

Post you wished got a little more love?

As with every year so far, my reviews always get the lowest views out of all the posts on my blog. I’m also sure that because I took an extended hiatus this year, my stats dropped considerably but again, I’m just glad that anyone stuck around. ❤️

Best bookish discovery (book-related sites, bookstores, etc.)?

I gotta be honest, I didn’t really discover any new book-related sites or bookstores this year because I didn’t really do much retail therapy (surprisingly!) and outside of work, I spent very little time online and engaging. 🙈 Boring, I know!

Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

Well, I can say with certainty that I didn’t reach many of the reading/blogging goals I set for myself this year. Some of the reasons for why were out of my control and the others… Well, it just didn’t happen and that’s fine! The one goal that I did surpass was my Goodreads Reading Challenge. I set my goal for 150 books in 2021 and I ended up reading 199 (welp, that one to 200 😂). I’m happy I at least did that!

One book you didn’t get to in 2021 but will be your number 1 priority in 2022?

I’ve technically been reading She Who Became the Sun for… A long time now. It’s been on my “currently reading” list since I picked it up mid-year and I’m disappointed that I haven’t finished it yet but as I’ve mentioned, I really struggled with fantasy last year. I’m definitely going to prioritise it this year and I do hope I love it as much as everyone else seemed to!

Book you are most anticipating for 2022 (non-debut)?

Ooh, there’s not just one book I’m highly anticipating! I’ve just made a list of ten but here are ten more that I’m really looking forward to this year:

2022 debut you are most anticipating?

A Magic Steeped in Poison isn’t my most anticipated debut because it has the most gorgeous cover but it definitely doesn’t hurt! 😂

Series ending/a sequel you are most anticipating in 2022?

I’m really looking forward to reading Bound by Firelight, the second and final book in the Wickery duology.

One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging life in 2022?

I wrote last year that I wanted to spend more time engaging in the book community and sadly, I didn’t do as much as I’d like. So I think I’m going to keep this goal the same! I hope to be more active in the book community and engage with more amazing book lovers!

A 2022 release you’ve already read & recommend to everyone (if applicable)

I’ve only read two 2022 releases (I’m so behind please don’t judge) and one I didn’t quite enjoy and the other I absolutely loved but haven’t gushed much about yet.

If you’re looking for a sweet and adorable graphic novel to read this year I’d highly recommend Chef’s Kiss! It’s got great friendships, realistic and relatable adulting situations post-uni life, and a very sweet MM romance. Not to mention all the food!

And that’s a wrap on 2021, folks!

So, that’s the last bit of the End of Year Survey. I actually feel like there are maybe some things that I haven’t reflected on yet in this wrap-up—mostly to do with my 2021 goals—but that’s OK. Maybe I’ll do a separate post for that. I can’t believe 2021 is already over and we’ve started another new year, sadly with the same circumstances. That said, I hope 2022 gets better and is kinder to all of us!

How was your year of reading and blogging in 2021? What was your best blogging or book-related moment? Is there anything that you’re really looking forward to or something you really want to achieve in 2022?

40 thoughts on “2021 End of Year Book Survey: Part II & III”

  1. Thank you so much for the shout out!!! Definitely, loved our buddy reads and chats all year. I can’t wait for more this year! I really do hope that 2022 is even better for all of us. I’m also trying hard to do more blog hopping and such bc I majorly sucked at it last year! ❤️❤️❤️

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    • I’m so thankful for your friendship, Leslie! ❤️ I’ve been pretty shoddy at blog hopping last year too and I’m hoping to improve it this year too! Here’s to a more amazing and bookish 2022 for all of us 🥰

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      • I’m so thankful for your friendship too, Dini!! ❤ I love blogging because we would have missed out on being in each others lives! How crazy! lol. I am hoping we can be much better this coming year. I'm trying! 🙂

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  2. I really need to do more buddy reads, lol. I did have someone to do them with but she hasn’t been on bookstagram as much so it’s hard to get them going. Plus I’m an introvert and I don’t like reaching out to people even on the internet. 😂 I do need to spend more time engaging and keeping up with bookstagram. It’s honestly where I lack. I also want to add more adult fantasy to my life this year!

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    • I totally get what you mean though. Haha, I’ve only ver tentatively reached out to a few people to do buddy reads but I always have to work myself up to ask 😂 I’m always open to doing buddy reads though so if you want to do one for a book, let me know! 😃 You do so well with bookstagram and it takes so much time! 🙈 I think after we spend so much time preparing content it’s always a little draining to then engage with everyone we want to. But you totally got this! Here’s to a more amazing and bookish 2022!

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      • Haha, I will keep that in mind. 😊 It really is taxing to take a photo, write a caption, and then have to engage as well. It’s just a lot of time! I’m hoping to find a schedule that works this year.

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  5. Wait! I’m drying my tears. I am honored to be mentioned by you. 😘
    I want to read so many of your anticipating books. So far, I only have Love From Scratch, but Nick liked it, so I think I will too. I second wanting 2022 to be kinder to us.

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    • Aw, I’m very glad that I found your blog this year (can’t believe I didn’t see it sooner)! I love reading your reviews and lists! 😊 Haha, I gauge what I’ll like based on a lot of Nick’s reviews so I’m looking forward to Love From Scratch even more. I hope we both enjoy it! 😃 Here’s to a more amazing and bookish 2022!

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  6. Aw! Thanks for the shout out. I enjoy reading your blog so much!
    I just finished The Best Man a day or so ago. It was really good! I hope you love it. I also am excited for Blind Pass. Don’t worry about missing your goal this past year. It was a weird year. Happy 2022!

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    • I enjoy your blog too! I find lots of new romances to read whenever I stop by 😂 My TBR weeps but I love it! I can’t wait to read Best Men—eek! 😍 2021 was definitely a weird year but let’s hope that 2022 is more amazing and bookish for us all!

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  7. Kak Dini! Thank you so much for the shoutout ❤ I love your blog and look up to you so much. Happy new year and wish you all the best. To more good books in 2022! I'm rooting for you to finish She Who Became the Sun !! YOU CAN DO IT !!!

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    • I find it kinda funny, maybe a little ironic, that we blog to share reviews but our review are usually the least viewed! 😅 I needed that blogging break more than I realised but I missed the community so much while I was away—it feels great to be back!

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    • I definitely want to keep finding more new bloggers in 2022! I hope you have an amazing reading year in 2022 as well, Dedra. Maybe we’ll also have more books in common this year too! Hehe ❤️

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    • Hahaha, I think Dune would definitely be the same for me, too. I’m kinda disappointed that I haven’t really gotten into SWBTS as I’d hoped to… But maybe 2022 will be the year I restart it and actually finish it!

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    • Aah, I’m SO excited for you to pick it up because it’s AMAZING! It deserves so much more love and attention than it gets… But I really hope that you love it! I also hope whatever we decide to buddy read next will be a hit for both of us! 😃

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    • 2021 was defo a weird year. I really hope 2022 is better, kinder, just a little bit more on the good side than the previous two years! Chef’s Kiss was absolutely adorable. I hope you have an amazing year ahead, Andie ❤️

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  16. Thanks so much for the shoutout, Dini! I really enjoyed buddy reading with you too and hope we can do more this year! I can’t wait to hear what you think of Bound by Firelight – I really enjoyed that one. And I just added a bunch of your anticipated releases to my TBR. So m any sound so good & that cover for A Magic Steeped in Poison is gorgeous!! I need it ASAP! lol

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    • I’m so glad that we did buddy reads and I can’t wait to do more with you this year too 😃 I’m very excited to read Bound by Firelight and I’m glad that you enjoyed it! And yeeess, Magic Steeped in Poison is probs one of my favourite covers this year? SO gorgeous and the sequel has a cover just as gorgeous too 😍 I hope you have an amazing and bookish year ahead!

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  18. There are so many amazing books in this post that I need to get to. Sorry to hear that your stats were low in 2021 but I hope it changes for the better this year. Tbh, I suck at engaging online. I haven’t found a way to balance everything yet. Wishing that you reach your reading and blogging goals this year.

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