As we’ve wrapped up another year, you know it’s time for the annual End of Year Book Survey originally created by Jamie @The Perpetual Page Turner. I first stumbled upon this survey in 2019 and have done it every year since. If you’re keen to check out my earlier wrap-ups, you can check out the links below! Just like last time, I’ll be breaking this survey into parts with Part I today and Part II following shortly after. Let’s get to it!
2019 – Part I / Part II / Part III | 2020 – Part I / Part II & III | 2021 – Part I / Part II & III
- Number of Books Read: 212
- Number of re-reads: 0
- Genre(s) you read most: Romance and Fantasy
Best book you read in 2022?
I’m sorry, but I have to cheat because there’s no way I can pick one book from 212 books! 🫣 I’ve picked a top three but it’s struggle town, friends because there are a few others that I really want to rave about, so I’m going to share my Top 10 for January-June and my Top 10 from July-December. My top 3 would consist of Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, and Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree!
Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Unpopular opinion time! Nobody is more disappointed than I am that I didn’t love this book more. I didn’t hate it—I gave it 3½ stars—but I also didn’t get close to loving it as much as everyone else seemed to.
Most surprising (in a good or bad way) book you read?
The Mindf*ck Series by S.T. Abby
I’ve raved about this book a fair bit already but this was entirely unexpected, mainly because the covers led me to believe one thing and I got something else completely. This book was a WILD ride and I loved every minute of it. It was pure entertainment!
Book you “pushed” the most people to read (and they did)?
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
There were a few books that could’ve fit this prompt but this was the first one that came to mind and I still recommend it to everyone! I don’t know if those I recommended it to actually read it but I think this is the one I “pushed” the most on people! 😂
Best series you started in 2022? Best sequel? Best series ender of 2022?
Favourite new author you discovered in 2022?
I’m gonna cheat again and name a few. These are my top five favourite newly discovered authors this year based on how much I loved their books (I read more than one by them): Laekan Zea Kemp, Hafsah Faizal, Elizabeth O’Roark, Jaqueline Snowe and Juliette Cross!
Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
This isn’t entirely out of my comfort zone but it treads enough into creepy gothic territory that it made me feel spooked while reading! Listen, I’m a total chicken, okay, so yes, there were moments in here that I really felt were creepy AF but it was wonderful and I loved this book SO much!
Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Malice by John Gwynne
This was kind of a slow-burn action-packed read and knowing that this was his debut made me understand why everyone loves Gwynne’s books so much. He really knows how to suck you in! This was over 600 pages but I sped through it in four days cos it was unputdownable!
Book you read in 2022 that you would be MOST likely to re-read next year?
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
I’m cheating a bit here cos I am planning to re-read this before picking up the second book for my buddy read with Jess. I read this in a period when my mind was unfocused, so it didn’t stick the way I know it would’ve had I given it the proper focus. Plus, I’m finally going to review it!
Favourite cover of a book you read in 2022?
There were a lot of gorgeous covers this year but these two by artist Sija Hong are *chefs kiss!* The combination of art style, colours and details are fantastic.
Most memorable character of 2022?
This is a tough one cos I loved so many characters this year! But…
Sadie Green from Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
She’s pretty high up there for most memorable character and it isn’t because I loved her; in fact, I hated her so much! 😂 But that didn’t change how much I loved this book and what it made me feel.
[Image from video animation competition results on author’s website]
Most beautifully written book read in 2022?
Again, there were so many contenders for this… But I have to give it to
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
This novella is so beautifully written. It’s lyrical, whimsical, atmospheric and absolutely charming in an inquisitive and quirky way!
Most thought-provoking/life-changing book of 2020?
Babel by R.F. Kuang
I mean, I don’t know if I’d say life-changing but it’s definitely thought-provoking. Kuang doesn’t hold back in calling out oppressors and colonisers and a lot of people have felt butt-hurt about it (iykyk) but I loved every single minute of it. It’s harsh, it’s painful but it’s realistic and relevant and I think it spoke to a lot of peoples’ experiences. It’s not an easy book to get through but it’s 100% worth it IMHO!
Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2022 to finally read?
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
I did it. After years of saying I’m going to read this, I finally did this year and wow, I really can’t believe I waited so long. This was exquisitely written and stomp-on-my-heart-and-feelings good! I BAWLED. I loved it!
Favourite passage/quote from a book you read in 2022?
Okay, this might not be my top favourite because I’m indecisive and there are so many to choose from but I love this one a lot!
“English did not just borrow words from other languages; it was stuffed to the brim with foreign influences, a Frankenstein vernacular. And Robin found it incredible, how this country, whose citizens prided themselves so much on being better than the rest of the world, could not make it through an afternoon tea without borrowed goods.”
Babel, or the Necessity of Violence, R.F. Kuang
Shortest & longest book you read in 2022?
The shortest book I read was A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djeli Clark at 36 pages; the longest book I read was Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee at 717 pages.
Book that shocked you the most
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
I don’t know if saying this “shocked me the most” is entirely accurate but that cliffhanger ending definitely should’ve been illegal! Thankfully, the second book was released in the same year but we still had to wait a bit to find out what happens!
OTP of the year (you will go down with this ship!)
I have so many OTPs and it wouldn’t be fair to not mention at least five of them so that’s what I’m gonna do! 😏
- Hart & Mercy from The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
- Sebastian & Stella from The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary
- Oliver & Gavin from Everything for You by Chloe Liese
- Livvy & Gareth from Always Practice Safe Hex by Juliette Cross
- Ellie & Cal from Off the Ice by Jaqueline Snowe
Favourite non-romantic relationship of the year
Wolfsong by TJ Klune
I loved the pack family dynamic in this book. All the relationships between the brothers, the parents, the “kids” and the adult figures were just wonderful. So full of heart and warmth and love!
Favourite book you read in 2022 from an author you’ve read previously
The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones
This was a wonderfully fairytale-esque story featuring intriguing Welsh lore, natural and fae magic, and great characters to love; not to mention an ADORABLE corgi who will absolutely steal your heart! 😍
Best book you read in 2022 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else/peer pressure/bookstagram, etc.
Beauty and the Baller by Isla Madden-Mills
I saw this book everywhere and I picked it up solely on the recommendation of my fellow romance readers who couldn’t stop raving about this book. And I’m so glad that I did!
Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2022?
I always struggle with this prompt’s answer. I don’t really do fictional crushes? But if I had to pick it’d be from these swoonies: Seb from The Worst Guy, Hart from The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, Gareth from Always Practice Safe Hex, Ruben from Resting Witch Face, and Beckett from In the Weeds.
Best 2022 debut you read?
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
This was absolutely incredible storytelling and an amazingly heartfelt and impactful debut!
Best world-building/most vivid setting you read this year?
The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies
I keep repeating myself saying there are a lot of contenders because it’s not a lie! However, this book had some fantastic world-building! It’s vast, complex and had the potential to be overwhelming but Skies does a great job explaining everything and weaving it all together.
Book that put a smile on your face/was the most FUN to read?
Kiss and Don’t Tell by Meghan Quinn
To be fair, MQ is an author that never fails to crack me up. Her books always have me cackling but this one had me cackling the most! 😂
Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2022?
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
I was not expecting to cry while reading this but that ending threw me for a loop! All the heartstrings were pulled and oh granola, I loved Hart so much! 😭
Hidden gem of the year?
Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza by Laekan Zea Kemp
This is the author’s debut middle-grade fantasy and it was SO good! I haven’t seen many people talking about it, which is a shame, cos it’s wonderfully atmospheric, magical, and all about acceptance and forgiveness with family and in friendships!
Book that crushed your soul?
Ok, so, crushed my soul is a little dramatic but…
Babel by R.F. Kuang
I guess you could say this book got as close to crushing my soul as any book could in 2022! It was so intense and made me so sad.
Most unique book you read in 2020?
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
This story was told in such a unique way that isn’t really easy to explain except to say that it flowed in something like a pyramid structure? I really enjoyed it though!
Book that made you the most mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
This honour goes to this book that I haven’t been able to stop raving about since I finished reading it. This book made me MAD MAD MAD but I loved it so much. If it isn’t obvious yet, this book made me feel a wild range of emotions and things. 😂
Alright friends, that’s a wrap on part one of the 2022 End of Year survey! That was a long one, eh? What were some of your favourite reads of 2022? Do we have any favourites (or non-favourites) in common? I hope you had a great reading year! 💜
dinipandareads 
Wow this is a super awesome way to look at a year in review! And a lot of work! It’s totally ok to pick more than one favorite out of 200+ books, lol!! I’m glad to see you really enjoyed As Long as the Lemon Tree Grows…I really want to read that at some point. Happy New Year!
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It took me a *long* time to finish making this post, especially since I love formatting all the things and that always takes forever, but I enjoy making this post every year! I like that the different prompts let me pick from so many different books that aren’t necessarily top favourites and that I wouldn’t end up talking about as often as the others. I hope you enjoy As Long as the Lemon Tree Grows. It’s an intense read but also wonderfully hopeful. Happy New Year and happy reading, Celeste!
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I bet it did. At least one of us likes the formatting process (hint: it’s not me lol!!). I agree, though, that the prompts are fun.
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Amazing post! This is my favorite post to read every year because I get to add so many new books to my TBR. You just put The Wrong Guy, Kiss and Don’t Tell and Off the ice on my radar
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YAY! I’m so happy to add to your TBR 😂 I love and hate reading these posts every year because I find so many new titles to add to my TBR which is already ridiculously long, lol. I hope you enjoy these books you added and happy reading!
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Loved reading all your answers! I’ve been saying this for way too long, but I really need to read Fonda Lee’s series.
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YES! It’s such a fantastic series. I want to re-read it at some point because I haven’t been able to write a review for ANY of the books yet cos I Loved them SO MUCH! I would highly recommend the audiobook too 😍
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It’s such a thrill to see Hart and Mercy show up so often on your list. My daughter and I were talking about THAT part near the end. We were both sobbing. And yes, they were such a great couple. Oddly, I didn’t hate Sadie. I felt sorry for her, and I felt like Zevin gave her some really tough storylines, painful too.
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I wasn’t sure if I promoted enough but yeah, it popped up quite often on the list, didn’t it? 😂 I loved it! Oh, THAT part is absolutely when I started bawling and oof, my heart! HART! 🥹🥺 I felt sorry for Sadie too but I … I really couldn’t stand her by the end! Oddly, my irritation with her character didn’t make me dislike this book which has happened in many other books before. I was so emotionally invested!
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I love seeing Hart and Mercy on here so much. I loved that one. I also love seeing the ST Abby series and so many more great reads!
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Right?! I’m so glad I read both books last year 😍
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I don’t think I have seen this survey/tag before! It’s really cool. Belladonna was probably my favorite/surprising read in 2022. I loved it!
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It’s a long one but VERY complete which is why I enjoy doing it but it also takes a long time (especially as I like to format a lot of stuff, haha)! Belladonna was definitely up there in surprising reads for me too cos I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. I’m so glad I picked it up!
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this is such a fun tag!!! i’m hoping to read jade city this year, i’ve heard such wonderful things about it! that quote from babel is so powerful, i can’t wait to read it. great post!💜
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Ooh, I hope you enjoy Jade City, Kaya! It’s such a fantastic series but also, if you like audiobooks, I would highly recommend the audios for that series! The voice actor is SO good! 😍 And there was no shortage of amazing quotes in Babel! I hope you love it a well!
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Amazing review, Dini! I love the quote you chose from Babel. I agree, that was a really thought-provoking read. And it kind of destroyed me – ngl. lol
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Totally agree, Julie! There were so many quotes from that book to choose from but this one really popped out at me, lol. What a book that was and I’m so glad that we all read it together! 😂
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[…] just shared part one of the big End of Year Survey yesterday where I talked about a lot of my favourite reads in 2022 and I also made two top 10 posts […]
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If I had read 212 books, I wouldn’t be able to,pick a favorite either. Excellent post!
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It was for sure tough 😂
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Great year end survey Dini!
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Thanks, Yolanda! 😍
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This is a really cool survey! It’s got lots of depth, and it’s only part one. I’m curious to see what’s in the next two parts. I like that it let’s you highlight so many different books.
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YES! I love that it allows me to highlight so many different books. It takes a while to get everything done but I always really enjoy making this post at the end of every year 😃
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Great stats, Dini. I even read one of them, Cloud Atlas. I totally agree with your description.
My Statistics are here.
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Thanks, Marianne! Cloud Atlas was weird and wonderful and I’m so glad that I finally read it this year 😍
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Yes, very weird. I don’t know whether I would have chosen it but a friend sorted out her books and thought this was one for me. She was correct.
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[…] Survey originally created by Jamie @The Perpetual Page Turner! If you haven’t yet, check out Part I, which is all about the books I read and where I happily gushed about all my new favourites. This […]
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Wonderful round up Dini. There are a lot on here that are interesting me.
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Thanks, Carla! I hope you have a wonderful year of reading ahead 😊
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[…] 2022 End of Year Survey – Part I […]
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The covers for A Magic Steeped in Poison duology is truly so pretty 😍
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Ahhh, the Wolfsong pack ❤ And Hart and Mercy! Legends and Lattes, the Juliette Cross series and the Lovelight series are all on my TBR for this year so I'm happy you loved them!!
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I love that there are SO many buddy reads on here!!! Also, YES- Daughter of the Moon Goddess… we might be the only ones but sheesh! So glad to see Legend & Lattes on here too. Jade Legacy… that whole series was epic! Looks like you had an amazing 2022 and I hope 2023 is even better!! ❤
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Your answers always crack me up, Dini! 😂 I’m taking my time reading Babel. It’s truly a masterpiece. I need to read Hart and Mercy! 🤩
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