Friends, despite 2022 being the year I’ve broken monthly reading records, I have to admit that it’s been a pretty weird reading year. I’ve read a lot of great books—I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone for some, dove deeper into romance which brings me much joy and I’ve continued reading my fantasies. All that said, I still feel like I haven’t found the books that’ve wowed me so much that they’ll be in my Top 3 of the year. I mean, maybe I have but I don’t know. I guess this is me trying to say that I’ve been a little underwhelmed with the quality of books I’ve read this year but I know we still have half a year to go so I’m not giving up hope yet!
On that note, let’s kick this off by taking a look at my Goodreads Reading Challenge. This year I’ve aimed to read 150 books and I’ve now read 131/150. If I surpass my reading goal before the year ends, which might be likely, then I think I’m gonna increase it in increments of 25 books (so 175, 200) until the year ends or I complete the challenge again!
Best book you’ve read so far in 2022?
Despite having read so many books this year I’m actually struggling to pick a “best” so far. Since I’ve been reading a lot of romance and still read my share of fantasies, so I thought I’d try to pick one from each genre. Spoiler alert, I couldn’t! So here are my top six titles so far in 2022. In romance we have: The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary, Everything for You by Chloe Liese, and The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O’Roark. In fantasy we have Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and Malice by John Gwynne.
Best sequel so far of 2020?
The first book in this series had quite a rough start for our buddy read trio but we ended up really enjoying this series. We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal was a swoontastic and action-packed ending to the duology and I loved it!
new release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
There are so many new releases that I haven’t read yet but that I can’t wait to read. At the top of that list is probably The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh. I’ve heard so many amazing things about it and I can’t wait
Most anticipated release for the second half of 2020?
There are way too many releases I’m looking forward to! Here are a few that I’m especially excited for:
biggest disappointment?
There was so much hype around Malice by Heather Walter so it was the biggest disappointment when I read it with Leslie and we were both underwhelmed by it. Just thinking about it honestly has me feeling disappointed all over again!
biggest surprise?
This definitely goes to the Mindf*ck series. I really judged this series (at least the first one) by its cover and I was so wrong (thankfully)! This is such a good series and the best (and biggest) surprise to me.
Favourite new author (Debut or new to you)?
I’ve read a few new-to-me authors this year and they’re definitely ones that I can’t wait to read more from. Becky Chambers, Laekan Zea Kemp, Elizabeth O’Roark, Nghi Vo, Travis Baldree, John Gwynne, and Ilona Andrews just to name a few!
newest fictional crush?
I have binged so many romances this year and there are a few heroes who sent me swooning so hard including Stremmel (The Worst Guy), Josh (The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea), Linden (The Belle and the Beard), Pacey (Kiss and Don’t Tell), Nasir (We Free the Stars), and Rhodes (Blind Pass)… I was definitely crushing in the moment of reading!
newest favourite character?
Ooh, this is a bit of a toughie! Off the top of my head, these are the new characters I’ve met this year who I love so much:
- Cassiopea (Gods of Jade and Shadow)
- Ning (Magic Steeped in Poison)
- Monk & Robot (A Psalm for the Wild-Built)
- Corban (Malice)
- Kathleen (These Violent Delights)
- Nick & Charlie (Heartstopper)
Book that made you cry
This should literally surprise no one but Jade Legacy had me bawling. I mean, this series quickly became one of my all-time favourite fantasies ever. What an incredible series ender this was!
Book that made you happy?
I’ve gone on about this book a fair bit now but Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree made me a happy little panda. It’s so heartwarming, tender and cosy and I want more!
favourite book to movie/tv adaptation that you saw this year?
Uhm… I think the only book adaptation that I’ve watched this year is Spy x Family? I could be wrong but that’s the only title popping up in my memory right now and I absolutely *love* it.
favourite review you’ve written this year?
I really enjoyed writing reviews for these books this year:
- Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
- Malice by John Gwynne
- Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
- The Deep by Rivers Solomon
most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)?
I’ve managed to snag a few beauties this year and most of them are special editions, but I think the most gorgeous one is the Illumicrate Exclusive for A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin. It has stunning foil details and a cut out on the front cover (the fan) and those sprayed edges! I love it 😍
what books do you need to read by the end of the year?
What books don’t I need to read by the end of the year? LOLZ. No but seriously, there are loads of books that I need and want to read before 2022 ends. I wouldn’t even know where to begin to list them all out! Here’s a tiny taste of ten titles I hope to get to:
And that’s it for this mid-year check-in! This post always takes me so much longer than I anticipate. So what about you? What’s making your top list so far in 2022? Favourite new authors? Books to read before the year ends? New fictional crushes? I’d love to know what has made your 2022 reading great so far!
dinipandareads 
You’ve read HOW MANY BOOKS so far this year, Dini!? I am IMPRESSED. I’m also really surprised Psalm for the Wild-Built didn’t make your best list, you seemed to really, really enjoy that one! (Maybe I’m misremembering?) I can’t wait for you to pick up The Drowned Woods, because that one really wowed me!
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Thanks, Jordyn! And you weren’t wrong—I really really enjoyed Psalm for the Wild-Built and it was SO FREAKING HARD to choose favourites because there were so many that I loved and would’ve loved to include. 🙈 I’m very excited for The Drowned Woods and I think I’m gonna love it 😍
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Omg that Illumicrate version for A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting!!! I just finished my ARC for it (right before it comes up! So excited!) and I love the story so much. That cover and edges are so beautiful 😍😍
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Omg, I KNOW! How gorgeous is it?! I’m so glad that I splurged on it 😍 The die cut out of the fan on the cover is also AMAZING! I love love love it. and I’m so glad to hear you loved the story! It’s still on my TBR and I can’t wait to read it ASAP!
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SO MANY BOOKS!!! I think I’m at like 102, you are killing it!! I’m sad that you haven’t had WOW books yet. I am glad to see that Malice made it as one of the top though! I have Gwynne but his new series. Hahaha, yes… Malice by Weatherly was such a disappointment for both of us! I hope that you get some AMAZING books to really impress you the second half. Legend and Lattes will be one on so many lists bc it’s just perfect! To a great second half!!😍💜
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It was that first month with all the novellas, Leslie! I will never see such a great reading month like that ever again in my lifetime, I don’t think, haha… 😂 But you’re definitely killing it as well—100+ books in 6 months is amazing and you should def be proud of your reading progress! 😍 Gwynne’s Malice was amazing and I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the books and also his new series that everyone and their mum seems to be loving! Here’s to a great second half and even more amazing reads for the both of us! 💜
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OMG.. that first month.. what a freaking beautiful month.. It just went downhill form there. hahaha! I’m hoping to have AT LEAST one month of greatness before the end of the year?!?! Maybe.. haha. I hope we both finish strong!! 🙂
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Hahaha, it was definitely a beautiful month that we’ll hopefully get to see again at some point this year or maybe even next year?! It’s so great when you start the year off so strong. BUT regardless, I do believe we’ll both finish strong! For sure 💜
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haha! I know, it’s been so slow lately but I have a feeling that I’ll just go crazy and read like 20 books. The dream.. haha!! I do think that Nov/Dec will be good because Chris will have more time off work for the holidays. Then I can try and read a lot more! lol
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Hello!! Look at all the good books on this post!! Please read Jade Setter of Janloon! I am excited for you ❤
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Hehehe, I can’t wait to read it! My Sub Press copy arrived in Jakarta a couple weeks ago but I’m in India now and won’t be back until September so I’m kind of sad that I can’t get my hands on it asap! I’m lowkey tempted to buy the digital copy just so I can read it already! 😂
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I was real sad that the Fortune-Hunting illumicrate was sold out by the time I realized it existed. I’ve been treating myself to more expensive, prettier books since I don’t buy many physical copies. I loved that book, but really hate the regular cover for it. xD
I probably would have shied away from the mindf**k series as well without your disclaimer haha! I love that part of the Goodreads blurb includes: **F**ked up moral compass; read at your own risk.
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Aw, no! I’m sorry you missed out! 🥺 The only reason I heard about it was because I’m on their mailing list! They do such gorgeous editions and I never want to miss out, lol (the fomo is real)! Hahaha, I didn’t realise that’s what the blurb says on GR for Mindf*ck but seriously, it was such a fun and slightly messed up (also gory) series. These covers betray the book so badly and don’t do them half the justice they deserve! 🥲
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Oh better believe I’m on the mailing list now xD I don’t often go for them, but I did get an edition of Lore Olympus recently (pretty sure it was from them?)
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Ooh, I love Lore Olympus so much. I can’t wait for Vol 2 😍 But I’m impatient for like all the volumes cos I’ve read the webcomic already lol
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YEEEEEEEEEP. And I’m impatient for the webcomic, too. 😐 I’m usually good at resisting but daaang am I buying those summer sale coins for fast passes!
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Haha, omg, I haven’t done fast pass for Lore Olympus yet because I KNOW I’ll end up frustrating myself for reading too quickly and then having to wait *even longer* for more episodes cos I’ve read them all. There are only a few I’ve done fast pass for and felt this regret very quickly 😂😂😂
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It definitely builds to a loooong wait.😅 I do better when I read a lot at once, then don’t read any for like six months, then come back and read a bunch again. Sometimes I’ll deliberately stop in the middle of an episode at some calm moment so I’m not left hanging 😁
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That’s interesting about Legends and Lattes. I keep getting that one recommended to me! I love that cover of Girl who Fell, too. Beautiful!
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Yes! Legends and Lattes is amazing and I would highly recommend it, Greg! Such a cosy read 💜
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I had a hard time picking a favorite for this, too. I understand why both The Worst Guy and Everything for You are on your list. They would have been on mine too. I don’t know. The Worst Guy might be the top at this point for me. IT’S SO HARD TO CHOOSE! Anyways. Loved reading this tag,
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It’s so hard to choose favourites, Deanna! I struggled with these three picks 🙈 But The Worst Guy is definitely top tier for me! Stremmel is just *swoon sigh* 😂
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WOW that’s an incredible amount of books you’ve read through the first 6 MONTHS of the year! I’m very impressed. And now I feel like a very slow reader haha. MALICE has been on my TBR since last year, and I’ll probably still read it, but I’m sorry to see it didn’t quite live up to your expectations! I think I saw a sequel (?) is coming out soon.
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Aw, no, that’s okay! Reading quickly definitely has its downsides to it too but I’ve also never read as much any other year as I have this year. My January really kicked off my reading in a *big* way 😂 I feel like I’m definitely in the minority with my feelings about Malice since a lot of people I know have loved it. I think it was just different (slower paced) than I expected. I think the second book is already out too! I hope you enjoy both of them 😊
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I cannot believe I haven’t read any of you best books given how contemporary romance heavy the list is. I need to fix that. You are crushing your Goodreads challenge too.
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I love these romances so much, Sam! Chloe Liese has been an auto buy/read author for me ever since I read her first Bergman Brothers book but Canterbary and O’Roark have now also made the list. I just love their romances so much 😍
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That Illumicrate edition of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune hunting is gorgeous!!! Sounds like a great read too. I just added it to my TBR. And I’ve heard a lot of people raving about Legends and Lattes – definitely need to read that soon!
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It’s STUNNING and I’m so glad that I bought it even before reading the book. A little risky cos there’s still a chance it won’t be my jam BUT I don’t think it’ll be a problem. It sounds so good! And YES! Legends and Lattes 😍 The most comforting cosy read ever. I hope you love them, Julie!
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That is a lot of books Dini, go you! I think it’s funny how there are still so many more books to be read this year…😅. You will definitely surpass your goal! This year had some amazing book covers right? I loved reading this post and good luck to reading the rest of your books on your TBR. 😘
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Hehe, it’s definitely been a reading year unlike any before it. I don’t expect another year like this to happen for me again tbh! 😂 But there are ALWAYS more books to be read—it’s never ending, Yolanda! And yes, every year I feel like the book covers become even more amazing and it makes me want to buy them all, LOL! I hope you have an amazing second half of the year as well. Happy reading! 💜
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I’m so glad to see someone else was disappointed with Malice – I had such high hopes for it, but it was so lacklustre 😔
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Oh, I buddy read that with Leslie and we struggled hard! We had high hopes for it too. Leslie even DNF’d the second book cos it just wasn’t it 🙈 So disappointing!
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Great. I did a Mid Year Book Freakout Tag with almost the same questions. I always love doing these. I might incorporate those questions that I didn’t have next year. Thanks.
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This tag is definitely one of my favourites to do every year! I love to see how much progress I’ve made 😂
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A lot of those tags are great to see how far you’ve come. I wish that would have been available when I was your age.
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Congrats on reading so much this year!! I’m also sos so excite for babel and Strike the Zither! and omg yes legends and lattes was so cute and happy and I really loved it too!
Spy x family is such a great show and I’m having so much fun catching up with it rn!
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Legends and Lattes was one of the best and most comforting reads 🥰 It’s so good and I recommend it to everyone! Spy x Family is SO good and I’m so glad that I discovered it and the manga as well. 😍 I hope you love Babel and Strike the Zither, too!
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Love your lists!! My faves this year have been Book Lovers and Carnal Urges. Those are the only two that had the wow factor for me.
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Ooh, haven’t heard of Carnal Urges but Book Lovers is high up on my TBR. I actually still haven’t read an Emily Henry book yet and I don’t know why I keep putting her books off 🙈 I can’t wait to pick up Book Lovers!
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You definitely need to give Henry a try!
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I know! I don’t know why I keep putting off her books because I have a feeling I’ll definitely be a big fan. 🙈
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You’re doing GREAT! I can’t even imagine reading over 100 books. If only I could read faster. 😂 I hope you read a ton of great books the second half of the year. ❤
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Thanks, Dedra! Sometimes reading fast has its downfalls too but I’ve definitely read faster and more this year compared to any other year before. I hope you have an amazing second half of the year as well 💜
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Ahhh you’ve read SO MANY books so far! The girl who fell beneath the sea and the drowned woods are both on my TBR as well, hope you enjoy them !
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Thanks! It’s definitely been one of my best reading years 😊 I hope you enjoy both those books as well and happy reading!
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Oh my gosh, Dini. How you read so many books?! 😮 Teach me your ways! Yay, Amari! Did I tell you I got an eARC of it?! I’m so excited to read it. I also definitely need to read Malice. I loved the one John Gwynne series I’ve read so far, and I’ve seen you and, like, three other bloggers talking about reading it recently and loving it. So I’m pretty sure that’s a sign. xD
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Hahaha, this year really started off with a bang for me 😂 I think I read 40 books in January alone? It was thanks to a lot of novellas. I was obsessed 🙈 I don’t think I’ll ever have so amazing a year as this one again! And OMG, you got an eARC for Amari!? I’m more than a little jealous cos I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy. I hope you love it and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it, Sammie! John Gwynne is an author I definitely want to read more of this year. I definitely want to check out his Bloodsworn series cos I keep seeing people talking about it and highlighting it as top fave so far this year so… High expectations, my friend! 😍
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That’s fair. If I actually followed through with my goal of reading more graphic novels and manga, I think my numbers would be way higher, too, but I just haven’t had a chance to yet haha.
I diiiiid. And I absolutely cannot wait! (But I will, because . . . well, I have other books releasing THIS month that I need to read lol).
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SO MANY BOOKS! SO LITTLE TIME, SAMMIE!!! Aaaaah 🙈
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RIGHT?! Someone needs to invent some time manipulation devices, like, yesterday, please.
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[…] The 2022 Mid-Year Check-In Tag […]
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It’s so hard to pick favorites! 🙈 You’re doing great, Dini!
John Gwynne! YAY! I’m loving his Bloodsworn saga, I still need to read Malice though.
Can’t wait to read Legends & Lattes!
Nick and Charlie! ❤️
I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about Spy x Family. I’m very curious about it.
Great post, Dini!
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LOOK AT ALL THE BOOKS YOU’VE READ! That’s amazing! I’ve heard such wonderful things about Legends & Lattes, I really should pick it up sometime soon.
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