As has become an annual tradition on this blog, it’s time to share Part I of the End of Year Book Survey! I always enjoy doing this survey to dive a little deeper into my reading and blogging in the year that has just passed. I’ve mentioned it once and I’m gonna mention it again: 2023 was A YEAR so I’m glad that it’s over and I can only hope that 2024 is a much kinder, more peaceful and joyful year. On that note, I’m going to get straight to it. If you’d like to check my previous years’ End of Book Surveys, I’ve linked them all below! 😍
This survey was originally created by Jamie @The Perpetual Page Turner.
- 2019: Part I / Part II / Part III
- 2020: Part I / Part II & III
- 2021: Part I / Part II & III
- 2022: Part I / Part II & III
- Number of Books Read: 162
- Number of re-reads: 5
- Genre(s) you read most: Romance (57.4%) and Fantasy (31%)
Best book you read in 2023?
Even with fairly average reads last year, I find it difficult to pick out the best book out of the lot. I recently shared 11 of my favourite reads in the last TTT post. Here’s a glimpse of some of them:
Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
I thought this would unquestioningly be a 5-star read. Unfortunately, I didn’t love it as much as that!
Most surprising (in a good or bad way) book you read?
Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews
I had a feeling I might enjoy this one but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. Kate Daniels is amazing but Andrews does throw readers into the thick of things without much world-building initially (that changes the more you read) and this series is such a fun time! 😍
Book you “pushed” the most people to read (and they did)?
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
I’m not sure that I “pushed” anyone to read anything this year but I remember someone telling me they read this after it’s popped up on many of my lists.
Best series you started in 2023? Best sequel? Best series ender of 2023?
I’m going to assume that none of these have to be published in 2023, just read in 2023.
Favourite new author you discovered in 2023?
I read quite a few new-to-me authors in 2023 and there are more than a few that I can’t wait to read more of. Here are five of my favourites: Mazey Eddings, F.T. Lukens, Cathy Yardley, Sarah MacLean, Sangu Mandanna.
Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
The Seventh Bride by T. Kingfisher
This gothic horror was very outside of my comfort zone but I really enjoyed it, especially the audiobook. It wasn’t a jump-scare type of scary but a subtle, visually horrifying creepy.
Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Royal Rebel by Heather Frost
The fourth book in the Fate of Eyrinthia series was so action-packed and intense and I loved it! Frost always manages to reel me in and I’m so invested in all of these characters. I can’t wait for the next one!
Book you read in 2023 that you would be MOST likely to re-read next year?
Castles in their Bones by Laura Sebastian
I loved this but ngl, I’ll probably need a re-read before picking up the next book in the series, which I want to do this year. 😂 I do remember what happened but I need to read it again to be sure!
Favourite cover of a book you read in 2023?
I have the Illumicrate edition of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night and it’s absolutely stunning (this image doesn’t do it justice)! 😍
Most memorable character of 2023?
Okay, but this is SUCH a tough pick?! I think I’m going to have to go with…
The Saint from The Six Deaths of the Saint
This was a very short story but my gosh, did it leave an impact. The story had me by the throat and UGH, I loved it so much! 😭
Most beautifully written book read in 2023?
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
I’m gonna have to go with this one for this question. It’s beautifully written and atmospheric!
Most thought-provoking/life-changing book of 2023?
Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks
Ngl, I can’t say I read very much on the “thought-provoking” or “life-changing” front in 2023. If I had to pick for thought-provoking though, I’d go for this underrated historical fiction.
Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2023 to finally read?
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Yep, don’t know why I slept on this one for years when everyone told me I would love it. But I’m so glad that I finally read it in 2023 cos it (unsurprisingly) became one of my favourites of the year!
Favourite passage/quote from a book you read in 2023?
I tend to keep very poor track of my favourite passages/quotes from books and this year was probably the worst I kept track. 😭 I’m drawing hard blanks so I think I’m going to pass on this… 😣
Shortest & longest book you read in 2023?
- Shortest: The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow ⇢ 30 pages
- Longest: The Ashes & the Star Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent ⇢ 665 pages
Book that shocked you the most
The Burning God by R.F. Kuang
Without a doubt, this goes to Kuang’s book. Seriously though, this whole series shocked me. But this ending in particular… In both good and bad ways. I was shooketh. 😭
OTP of the year (you will go down with this ship!)
I always have a hard time picking an OTP but this year I’m going for a top 3:
- Lizzie & Rake from Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings
- Mika & Jamie from The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
- Maggie & Aiden from Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
Favourite non-romantic relationship of the year
Song of the Forever Rains by E. J. Mellow
I loved the family relationship in this one, especially the bond between the three sisters. It’s so playful, cheeky and fun! 😍
Favourite book you read in 2023 from an author you’ve read previously
Shucked by Kate Canterbary
I love Canterbary’s romances. This brother’s-best-friend grumpy/sunshine romance was messy, hilarious, awkward, adorable and steamy AF!
Best book you read in 2023 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else/peer pressure/bookstagram, etc.
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Okay, this is definitely not peer pressure but I did see this book everywhere for a while and I’m not very present on the ‘gram and nowhere near the clock app. It’s got very mixed reviews but I ended up enjoying it 🙂
Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2023?
Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
I don’t really do fictional crushes cos once the book is over… The book is over. 😂 BUT Aiden. Aiden is everything. I loved him so very, very much! 🥹
Best 2023 debut you read?
Seven Percent of Ro Devereux by Ellen O’Clover
I’m not sure that I “pushed” anyone to read anything this year but I did see someone read Seven Percent of Ro Devereux after I kept harping on about it at the start of the year. I think they enjoyed it too! 😂
Best world-building/most vivid setting you read this year?
Song of the Last Kingdom Duology by Amélie Wen Zhao
This duology has fantastic world-building and I was lucky to have an ARC of the second book so I could start it immediately after finishing book one. The world was even more developed in the conclusion and it was so good!
Book that put a smile on your face/was the most FUN to read?
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved A Demon by Kimberly Lemming
I’ve read two books in the Mead Mishaps series and they’re both HILARIOUS. This book had me cackling and giggling and in general, wearing a goofy grin at various points while reading. I’d defo recommend it for a laugh (and a super fun, super sexy paranormal romance)!
Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2023?
Hard Knocks by Ruby Lang
I wasn’t expecting this to get so emotional but this cover is deceptive because it does touch on some heavy topics related to family, mental health, illness and injuries that kind of hit hard. It was a mature and very different sports (hockey) romance that I enjoyed though!
Hidden gem of the year?
Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee
I don’t know if this is really a “hidden gem” because the author is quite well known in the fantasy circles but I also didn’t see a lot of people talking about this book and it’s one of my favourite reads of 2023!
Book that crushed your soul?
Ok, so, crushed my soul is a little dramatic but… For the second year running, a book by Kuang absolutely gutted me. This time it was The Poppy War series including the collection of stories from Nezha’s POV which, in all honesty, messed me up so badly! 😭
Most unique book you read in 2023?
The Tyrant Alpha’s Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells
Unique for me personally because this is a very specific sub-genre in paranormal romance that I’ve never read before and I didn’t think I’d enjoy it but… I did? 😂
Book that made you the most mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
This made me mad mad because I had such high expectations for it and was so let down! Ugh, thinking about it still makes me mad sad.
That’s a wrap for Part I of the 2023 End of Year Book Survey! How was your year of reading in 2023? Was it an amazing reading year or just “mid” or even worse than that? I hope 2024 will be filled with amazing reads for all of us!
dinipandareads 
This is the year I get to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches! You had so many great reads in 2023. I loved The Dragon Republic.
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YES! DO IT! I hope you love it! 😍 I think The Dragon Republic ended up being my favourite in the trilogy. I’m still not over what happens in the end. The way I CRIED, Joanna! 😂 And then I read the compilation of short stories from Nezha’s POV and BAWLED even harder, LMAO. I’m so weak.
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I loved reading this post and seeing all your favorites and thoughts. I was really impressed by your graph of star ratings. It was fun to see your reading broken down by the stars and covers.
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I’m so happy I remembered that Goodreads does that graph for you! If you want to check out your own, you go to My Books > Scroll down to Reading Stats (on the left column) and you can see all your stats for the years you’ve been on the app 🙂
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This is great info to know!
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NO BUT THE AMOUNT OF PROMPTS IN THIS IS JUST SERIOUSLY INSANE?? they cover SO MANY BOOKS it’s like revisiting all your 2023 books all over again AND I LOVE IT AND WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO BORROW ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM YOUR SURVEY AND ANSWER THEM TOO (IF I HAVE YOUR PERMISSION OBVIOUSLY)
ive never read ANYTHING like the seventh bride before but GOSH it actually sounds fascinating. I ALSO NEED TO READ THE POPPY WAR SERIES (ive only read book 1 BUT IT WAS SO GOOD OK) AND IM VERY GLAD TO KNOW THAT THEY UNAPOLOGETICALLY CRUSHED YOUR SOUL. (and that you loved them)
HAVE THE BEST 2024 DINI!!
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YEAH, NGL, IT FELT ENDLESS. LMAO 😂😭 When I was doing the wrap up this year I was like damn, does this feel longer than it did the previous years I did it cos it felt pretty endless and I was shook that there were more and more questions, HAHA. I felt super accomplished and productive by the end! 😂 The Seventh Bride was much more enjoyable than I thought it’d be cos it was so far out my comfort zone. I realise that I really enjoy the author’s writing and even if her stories tread more on the “horror” side of things, I’m going to keep reading them. Also, TPW. GOOD LUCK. You will need it!!!! It was AMAZINGLY SOUL-CRUSHINGLY GOOD. I hope you have the most fantastic 2024, Anoushka!
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Ooof TPW trilogy is devastating 😭 I made the mistake of reading book 2 and 3 back to back and I don’t think I’ve recovered yet 😭 I still haven’t picked up Babel and Yellowface yet…
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Yeeeep, I read the trilogy as a group buddy read and we took a month for each book and phew, it was something! 😭 Kuang’s books never fail to illicit all the emotions and heartache, LOL! Babel was fantastic—I really enjoyed the audiobook if those are your thing! I haven’t read Yellowface yet and tbh, I’m not sure I will because I don’t know if I can take that messiness! I hope you enjoy both books if/when you read them 😍
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Wow! This is quite a list. I am glad we share so much love for Ro, Lizzie, and the Witches. All great books indeed. I don’t think I get fictional crushes either, but I know I often find the heroes wonderful in books.
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There are so many wonderful heroes in books but I honestly don’t hang onto the fluttery feelings they give me while reading after it’s over! 😂
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There was a spurt of time when I saw Role Playing all over bookstagram & I snagged it when it was free. It seemed to have good reviews & it looks like you felt the same! Looking forward to reading it as a mood read at some point.
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It had such a cosy romance feel and I loved it. I hope you enjoy it whenever you pick it up! 😍
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I always love these posts. I love how organized it is too. I should try and do something similar at the end of the year. I totally agree about Iron Widow… soo bummed about that one. Did we buddy read that one?? Also, let me know when you re-read Castles and we will jump into the sequel!! It’s my goal to stop leaving things unfinished this year. haha. Fake Dates… ohhh… what an experience and I am actually laughing a bit right now just thinking about it! haha
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Yes, we did read Iron Widow together! I think we even said that we might try the second book and maybe possibly read it together but I’m honestly not sure about that anymore. 😂 So bummed we didn’t enjoy that one more! I’ll defo let you know when I re-read Castles but I was also wondering if we should wait for the next book to come out first before starting? My memory has been so poorly lately, lol. I retain nothing anymore! And LOL, yeah girl, same. Our experience with Fake Dates was something… Especially the author’s reaction! 🤦🏻♀️
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Oh, gosh!! I don’t remember. I’m sure we did but I’m not even sure if I want to anymore. haha. I think I put that book out of mind rather quickly. Ohh is the next one coming out soon? Let me check real quick… Yes, it comes out June 14! So maybe we read it in May or beginning of June and then roll into the last book??
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[…] the next part of the annual End of Year Survey. If you haven’t yet, you can check out Part I here—it’s a lengthy survey and it did make me lose my mind a little but I felt so accomplished […]
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Iron Widow was a DNF for me. I struggled to get into the world and stay there.
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Role Playing was so good!!
xoxo, Tree
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Great. I love those statistics. Is “Best in Books” from a different list because my Goodreads doesn’t have that.
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[…] 2023 End of Year Book Survey – Part I […]
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Oh I always love doing this Survey, it’s so much fun to reflect back on the year 🥰
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute was such a fun, adorable read! I remember reading it right in the beginning of the year ❤️ I also loved Maggie and Aiden from Role Playing!!
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I love these wrap ups, Dini. Lots more books for me to check out. I also read and loved The Society of Irregular Witches.
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I need to continue reading The Poppy War series, I only read book 1. It was soooooo good!
Role Playing; Song of Silver, Flame Like Night; The Six Deaths of the Saint; Shucked, and a few others you mentioned are on my TBR. 🙂
Great post, Dini!
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