How is it already July? Time goes by so fast, but that also means it’s time for a 2023 mid-year reading recap! This year was definitely a different reading year than previous ones. The first few months of the year, I was in a reading slump. Luckily, I got out of it two months ago and started reading more. Before we dive into my reading stats and book recommendations, let’s take a look at my 2023 reading goals.
My 2023 reading goals:
- Read 50 books – > I’ve currently read 21 books.
- Read 12 nonfiction books – > I’m at 4 nonfiction books at the moment
- Read at least 4 different nonfiction genres – > I’ve read 2: memoir and self-help
- Read at least one book in French
I’m also doing two reading challenges this year. And I’m making good progress on them
Midnights (3 A.M.+) – Taylor Swift Reading Challenge by Abbychandos
The 2023 Diversify Your Reading Challenge
by diversifyyourreading
Reading Stats
If you’ve read any of my previous reading recaps, you know I use both The StoryGraph and my Notion reading journal to keep track of my reading. From January to June, I read 21 books, so let’s do a deep dive into my reading stats.
Moods & Genres
My top 3 reading moods are emotional, adventurous, and reflective. They are almost the same as last year’s, with the only difference that mysterious came in second place instead of adventurous.
My top 3 genres at the moment are romance, historical fiction, and young adult. Last year, my top 3 genres were contemporary, romance, and young adult. I don’t usually read a lot of YA, but I reread the Hunger Games series this year, so that puts the YA genre in my top 3.
Format & Languages
I mostly read on my Kobo ereader, but this year my grandmother lent me all her books from The Seven Sisters series. They are all paperbacks, so that’s why I’ve read a lot more physical books this year than previous years.
I prefer reading a book in English if it’s the original language, but with my Kobo Plus subscription, I don’t always have a choice. Sometimes the book I want to read is only available in Dutch as part of the subscription. I want to have a third language in my stats by the end of the year and read at least one book in French. If you have any recommendations, let me know in the comments!
Star Ratings
Last but definitely not least of my The Storygraph stats is the star ratings graph! My average rating is 3.58 star, which is great, at least for me! I don’t give a lot of 4 or 5 stars, so my current average rating definitely means I’ve had a good reading year up until now. I also haven’t read any books under 2.5 stars yet, and I want to keep it that way!
Monthly Stats
Next up are my Notion stats! I mostly have the same kind of stats as on my The Storygraph account. The only thing somewhat different is this monthly overview. I like to know how many books and pages I read each month, but also how many of these books were e-books or physical copies, how many were rereads, and so on. Looking at the monthly overview table, I definitely picked up my reading tempo towards the summer with about 6 books per month in both May and June.
The best books I read up until now
I’ve read 21 books from January to June. Some were great and some were okay, but overall, I’ve had a good 6 months of reading. I’ve narrowed it down to a list of 5 books: the best five books I’ve read up until now. 3 fiction books, and because a goal of mine this year is to read more nonfiction, I also included two in that category. Continue reading to discover my five favorite reads so far!
But You Did Not Come Back
By Marceline Loridan-Smith
Okay, let’s start with the one and only 5-star book I’ve read up until now. This book is amazing! I read it in one go because, for one, it’s a short book, but I also just couldn’t put it down. This book is emotional and heartbreaking, and it is everything I wanted, even though I had no idea what to expect before I started reading. If you’re going to read only one book from my list of recommendations, let it be this one.
Red, White & Royal Blue
By Casey McQuiston
Why is it always the books I have the most doubts about that I end up loving the most? I wasn’t sure if this book was for me. It seemed like a cliché story of a forbidden romance, but I was wrong! I loved it! It reads so fast and easy. The story might be a bit predictable at times, but that gets made up by the funny moments and its overall lighthearted, feel-good vibe. I can’t wait for the movie that’s coming our in August!
My Body
By Emily Ratajkowski
I randomly picked it up as part of my goal to read a nonfiction book each month, and it really surprised me. Emily’s essays are well-written, powerful and emotional. It’s difficult to explain exactly how I felt reading this memoir, it was a rollercoaster, but I definitely recommend reading it.
The Bookseller of Dachau
By Shari J. Ryan
I’ve been reading a few WWII books lately, and this one was another interesting story. I liked the dual-timeline and the characters. I’ve only read books before that take place in the concentration camps, so it was interesting to read a story that takes place outside the camps, both during and years after the Holocaust. If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend it!
A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder
By Holly Jackson
Another book I was hesitant about being a YA book and all, but I liked it a lot! It’s an intriguing story that keeps you hooked. I finished it almost in one sitting, because I needed to know the ending. The book was predictable at times, but it’s an easy read. So, if you’re looking for a book to get you out of your reading slump, this is the one! I’m definitely picking up the sequel next.
What’s the best book you’ve read in 2023 so far?
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