Looking Back on 2023

It's been a hot minute!! I'm really sorry for dropping off the face of the earth. As I mentioned in the summer, I moved to a new city to complete a new university program. The fall term went by so fast that I barely had time for any blogging at all. To be honest, this post is just to confirm that I am in fact alive, but with winter term coming up in a few days as well, I doubt that my blogging habits will become any more consistent. But, I still want to recap what went down in 2023 and insist that I am definitely not shutting down the blog, but will just need some time to get back on track. 

What I Read 

My reading was all over the place this year, but in a good way. I read a bunch of comic books and graphic novels, some YA, a whole lot of romance, and a lot of books focused on Indigenous Literatures for my program. I noticed this year that I really did branch out from my usual focus in YA and I started to read more adult fiction. I'm not surprised by this change. I am now in my mid-20's and so I find myself wanting to read about characters who I can relate to a bit more. But I definitely do still have room in my heart for whatever Rick Riordan puts out! 

It's difficult to pinpoint what my favourite book of the year was. I read 111 books and my goal was to read 100. A few special shoutouts go to Educated by Tara Westover: an AMAZING memoir, Halfbreed by Maria Campbell: also a memoir, from a Metis author, and Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich: an adult dystopia. Non-fiction may have been a standout genre for me last year, alongside my normal love for post-apocalyptic texts. 

I set my Goodreads goal this year for my usual 100, and I'll just take reading as it comes. I don't have any other real wishes for my reading other than hoping I get to read a lot of wins and that I continue to read diversely. 

What I Blogged 

In 2023 I finally changed up my blog design, implementing some new logos courtesy of Canva. This was a long time coming, but I finally feel more content with how my blog looks. 

My blogging was consistent until it wasn't. However, I am happy that I got to review a bunch of books, but also at times just talk about what was on my mind. This blog isn't really just a book blog anymore, rather a space to reflect. I hope to do more reflections in 2024. 

Special Shoutouts 

I want to take some time to shoutout some bloggers I loved reading from in 2023, including some old blog buddies and new finds: 

Cee @ Dora Reads 

Roberta @ Offbeat YA 

Lissa @ Postcards from the Bookstore 

Greg @ Greg's Book Haven 

Sofia @ Bookish Wanderess 

All of these bloggers are amazing at their craft, and if you haven't already, you should check them out in 2024. 

Life Stuff 

2023 was a life changing year. I decided I wanted to go back to school, I moved, and I got to participate in a lot of amazing opportunities in my field. But the year wasn't without challenges. I had many panic attacks along the way. I struggled with my mental illness. I questioned things a lot. I don't want to put pressure on myself to have a "better" year because I know that pressure often backfires on me. But I do want to applaud myself for making the life changes that I did make and I want to continue to do the things I enjoy doing this year. That's all that really matters. 

So, that was my 2023! I wish you all a Happy New Year and I hope to see you again soon. If you're comfortable, I'd love to know how your year went and if you have any goals (reading or otherwise) for 2024. 

Emily @ Paperback Princess