2025 Book Statistics

😺2025 is finished and another list of books too. 😺

And, just like the previous years, here is my yearly post about it!


I love to start writing down titles before the year is over, so I can start planning things to read, often so some titles don't get forgotten and for me it's an incredible joy all my time dedicated to books, whether it's buying, reading, writing about them or just doing plans!

Some Statistics!

😺In 2025 I've read 214 books, more in November (20) and less in June (15).

All these books mean 62618 pages. 

Of all the books read, 114 were by known authors to me and 100 by new authors, which is an interesting balance, kind of.

The first book of the year was A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber, in the middle was Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kristen Miller, and the last one was The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami.

Of all the books I read, I loved only 2, liked 120, thought 76 were so-so, I didn't enjoy much of 15 and 1 were no god at all. This year I didn't DNF any book.

The genres I've read:
Contemporary (59)
Historical (45)
Fiction (19)
PNR (12)
LGBT (36)
Thrillers (28)
Non-fiction (5)
Fantasy/SciFi (3)

Classics (4)
Other (1)
Historical Romance (20)

This year, the number of PNR books has decreased quite a lot in comparison with previous years. This happens because it's not only a genre I haven't been as into lately, but also because I've gotten to read some forgotten paperbacks and this year there weren't many of those anymore.

😺I've purchased 57 books, spending around 557,39€. 
Books are more expensive, that is a fact! Not having much choice of where to buy doesn't help either. There are some authors and/or books that I still want to own in paperback format, but.... perhaps the future will really have to be an even more selection of these, and more investment in ebooks...

Books Read!

😺I gave 5 stars to only two books in 2025.

I think I'm becoming even pickier, and as you all know, probably from your experience too, we change and our tastes too, and if one of my annual reading goals is to read books that still appeal but which have been in the pile for a long time... well, that certainly might reduce the chances of them being as enjoyable as I want. Hope is on for this next year, though!


😺Favorites

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

The Appeal by Janice Hallett


Disappointments

Well, kind of a disappointment because, to be fair, I didn't have that high expectations, but it was still still sad these didn't win me over.

The Lover by Robin Schone

Off the Map by Trish Doller

Greatest Love Story of All Time by Lucy Robinson



...And this is it. Let us all hope for an even greater 2026 reading year!

2024 Book Statistics

Hello! 

😺2024 is finished and another list of books too. 😺

I love to start writing down titles before the year is over, so I can start planning things to read, often so some titles don't get forgotten and for me it's an incredible joy all my time dedicated to books, whether it's buying, reading, writing about them or just doing plans!

Therefore, as I've done in previous years, here is my already traditional post of statistics and favorite books. Most of them aren't books published in 2024, though. 

Apparently, according to a register I've done in a GR group, I've read 146 books which were published before 2021. Having read 218 total, this means I've only read 72 "recent" books and published in 2024 even less than that...

Statistics!

😺In 2024 I've read 218 books, more in October (22) and less in February (15).

All these books mean 76214 pages. The more and less months match the ones I've mentioned above.

Of all the books read, 97 were by known authors to me and 121 by new authors, which is a novelty this year, I think I don't have many years where the new authors is higher than the known ones.

The first book of the year was Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte, in the middle was The Prince's Poisoned Vow by Hailey Turner, and the last one was Lover Arisen by JR Ward.

Of all the books I read, I loved only 3, liked 119, thought 89 were so-so, I didn't enjoy much of 13 and 3 were no god at all. I've also started to DNF more conscientiously and this year I've DNF'd 5.

The genres I've read:

Contemporary (56)
Historical (18)
Fiction (24)
PNR (28)
LGBT (36)
Thrillers (12)
Non-fiction (4)
Fantasy/SciFi (14)
YA (4)
Other (2)
Historical Romance (20)

Some of the PNR books were chosen because they were paperbacks that had been long in the pile. I wonder if my genre choices, with this in mind, will change next year...

😺I've purchased 58 books, spending around 549,18€. I spent more in November and less in May, when I didn't buy books at all.

Books are more expensive, that is a fact! Not having much choice of where to buy doesn't help either. There are some authors and/or books that I still want to own in paperback format, but.... perhaps the future will really have to be an even more selection of these, and more investment in ebooks...

Books Read!

😺I gave 5 stars to only three books in 2024. 

I think I'm becoming even pickier, and as you all know, probably from your experience too, we change and our tastes too, and if one of my annual reading goals is to read books that still appeal but which have been in the pile for a long time... well, that certainly might reduce the chances of them being as enjoyable as I want. Hope is on, though!

With big TBRs, it's a challenge to read books with apparently great premises and blurbs right away...

😺Favorites 

The Queen's Starfire Throne by Hailey Turner
The Name the City Forgot by João Tordo
A Modern Witch by Debora Geary

Disappointments

Wolf's Nanny by Layla Silver
Firethorn by Sarah Micklem
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

Best in general:

The Queen's Starfire Throne by Hailey Turner.

It was quite the adventure, with a mix of steampunk and fantasy and romance. I suppose many would label it "romantasy", but to me it was the third installment of an epic trilogy which proves not only the author's skill but her wonderful imagination. The world building is vast and complex and the romance that made me interested in this so rewarding and captivating. This one will stay with me, even if I forget details.

Worst in general:

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller.

Really disliked this one, mostly because no character was likable, and I simply couldn't stand their behavior and choices. If not for a buddy read, I'd have DNF'd it.

😺This is a brief summary of my year.

I've accomplished my main goals, surpassed the number of books I had planned on reading and I've read several things I got at the library too. In 2025 I'm hoping to read many more books which have in the pile the longest, let's see...

😺Happy new year and happy new reading to go along with it! 😺

2023 Book Statistics

Hello, everyone!

💛One more year is finished... 💛

2023 is over and, as always, I've done a summary of a few statistics, which I like to share. I also like to see these types of posts in other blogs or sites.

2023 was a good enough reading year, one of the best considering my averages in the past decade. I'm glad I've read several paperback books which had been languishing in the pile and I'm planning on doing the same this year.

This said, here are some of my numbers:

Statistics!

➤ In 2023 I've read 226 books, more in August (21), and less in December (16).

- All these books mean 70183 pages. I've read more pages in August and less in December, which in par with the number of books read in those months.

- Of all the books read, 94 were by known authors to me and 132 by new authors, which is always interesting...

- The first book of the year was Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, in the middle was Legacy by Nora Roberts and the last one was The One by John Marrs.

- Of all the books I read, I loved 7, liked 112, thought 87 were so-so, I didn't enjoy much of 18 and 2 weren't to my liking, both being DNFs for me.

- The genres I've read:

Contemporary (55)

Historial (12)

Fiction (23)

PNR (28)

LGBT (37)

Thrillers (17)

Historical Romance (29)

Non-fiction (10)

Fantasy/SciFi (15)

- I've purchased 42 books, spending around 391,40€. I spent more in June - there was a book fair to bear in mind -  and less in December, when I didn't buy books at all.

What has not increased in price in the last years? Books are definitely more expensive, there are less options and I see myself getting more ebooks, checking deals even more and the physical books I get are mostly paperbacks I find somehow with discount or that I buy at a later time. I've stopped getting hardcovers unless it's some deal.

Books Read!

➤ I gave 7 stars to five books in 2023. 

Well, technically it was 6 because I've read Les Miserables in Portuguese and the publisher divided them into two volumes.

Each book is unique somehow and it calls up to readers in different ways. I've loved these 7 books but who knows if I would ten years from now?

- Favorites - in no order

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Bold Fortune by M.M. Crane

The Strangers on Montagu Street by Karen White

The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen

The Kindred Spirits of Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert

I DNF'd two books:

Abstract Love by Sara Dobie Bauer

First Step Forward by Liora Blake

These I didn't finish but there were others I did and didn't like much, 18 to be exact, and I'll probably remember those better in terms of why I liked them less.

- Best in general:

At this moment, reading the titles again and thinking about them... 

I'd go with Book Lovers by Emily Henry.

- Worst in general:

The DNFs are obvious choices, but of the titles I gave 2 stars to on GR, I'd choose, at this moment, Destined for a King by Ashley Mcnamara.

I'll leave the same note I did last year:

- I'm planning on keeping my focus on things I own, using the library... I mean, it's difficult to not add new books to the pile, if not impossible, but I'll try to give a chance to books languishing in the pile. I like to write down monthly lists and I've chosen purposely books I had to read for a long time as well as more recent stuff, so that my readings can be eclectic.

Happy reading, everyone!💛

And happy new year!

2022 Book Statistics

💛2022 is finished and with it, another list of books. 💛

I love to start writing down titles before the year is over, so I can start planning things to read, often so some titles don't get forgotten and for me it's an incredible joy all my time dedicated to books, whether it's buying, reading, writing about them or just doing plans!

Therefore, as I've done in previous years, here is my already traditional post of statistics and favorite books. Most of them aren't books published in 2022, though. Between having other things already and preferring to wait for paperback editions, with some exceptions, most books just don't get on my list very soon...

Statistics!

-> In 2022 I've read 214 books, more in February, June and November (19) and less in December (16).

All these books mean 62627 pages. I've read more pages in February and less in December.

Of all the books read, 104 were by known authors to me and 110 by new authors, which is always fun to consider...

The first book of the year was Faye, Faraway by Helen Fisher, in the middle was Breakaway by Avon Gale and the last one was The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe.

Of all the books I read, I loved 5, liked 130, thought 59 were so-so, I didn't enjoy much of 19 and 3 weren't to my liking, all being DNFs for me.

The genres I've read:

Contemporary (65)

Historial (37)

Fiction (23)

PNR (20)

LGBT (36)

Thrillers (16)

Non-fiction (3)

Fantasy/SciFi (11)

Other (3)

I've purchased 53 books, spending around 478,75€. I spent more in September and less in April, July and December, when I didn't buy books at all. 

Books are definitely more expensive! It's necessary to be more selective, for certain.

Books Read!

->I gave 5 stars to five books in 2022. I think it was a combination of being picky, of the books not being as amazing as I'd want and even the mood going into it. I'm still making an effort to try the books, even though some no longer appeal, or if I have other titles catching my attention.

Of the 214 books, the vast majority is good, meaning I gave them four stars or a very positive rate, so those books worked for me...not perfect but worked, which leads me to think my selections and taste aren't completely wrong after all...

Favorites - in no order

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore

Beartown by Fredrick Backman

The Long Game by Rachel Reid

Shipped by Angie Hockman

Moonflower Murders by nthony Horowitz

There were also books I just couldn't relate to at all, and DNF'd

Defying the Odds by Kele Moon

Swordpoint by Ellen Kushner

For You by Kristen Ashley

Best in general:

It was a tough one this year. No title scremed at me in an obvious way. I kind of liked them equally, for whatever reason they worked for me. At this specific moment, looking at them all, I'd pick Beartown, but the choice could be any, to be fair.

Worst in general:

All of the DNFs were. With a long TBR selection must exist and letting go as well.

This is a brief summary of my year.

I'm planning on keeping my focus on things I own, using the library... I mean, it's difficult to not add new books to the pile, if not impossible, but I'll try to give a chance to books languishing in the pile. I like to write down monthly lists and I've chosen purposely books I had to read for a long time as well as more recent stuff, so that my readings can be eclectic.

Thus said, happy new year and happy new reading to go along with it! 💛

2021 Book Statistics

Time for another "end of the year" post. This is one of the posts I like seeing in other people's blogs and review sites... so fun to see a summary of the reading year!

In my case, here are some numbers and titles of 2021:

Statistics!

-> In 2021 I've read 221 books, more in October and less in July.

All these books mean 64955 pages. The numbers match my reading ability, so I've read more pages in October and less in July.

Of all the books read, 110 were by known authors to me and 111 by new authors, which is fun to consider...

The first book of the year was Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness, in the middle was Caffe Amore by Nicky Pellegrino and the last one was The Lion's Den by Katherine St John.

Of all the books I read, I loved 7, liked 121, thought 70 were so-so, I didn't enjoy much of 19 and 4 weren't to my liking, although I've resisted dnf'ing.

The genre I read the most was Contemporary (58), Historial (46), Fiction (30), PNR (26), M/M (33), Thrillers (12), some non-fiction (8), and Fantasy/SciFi and other four titles I can't decided on a genre had 4 titles each.

I've purchased 72 books, spending around 610,69€. I spent more in October and less in September. I've noticed I spend more than last year for less books. This means books are clearly more expensive and I'll have to turn my attention more to used books for certain.

My TBR says around 512 on Goodreads but I'm already past the idea I will ever manage it much less end it.

Books Read!

->I gave 5 stars to seven books but mostly because they meant something for me at the moment. I probably would change my opinion were I to read them with a different mood. They aren't all well liked by the majority of readers who tried them but, for me, they really worked.

Another interesting note: most of the books I've read were not published in 2020. I'm a "collector" so I rarely have time to dedicate myself that much to new releases. Besides, after a few months or years, the price usually can be found cheaper...

I try to have many possibilities in different genres, I still try to follow personal lists but it's inevitable some things just don't seem to go out of the bottom of the pile...

Favorites in order (by chronological read during the year)

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden

Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier

The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr

Heart of the West by Penelope Williamson

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

Favorite M/M books (no order)

The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr

In the Shadows by Hailey Turner

Role Model by Rachel Reid

Biggest disappointments

The Journey of Elizabeth Ann Rose by Brenda Ashworth Barry

Too Hot to Handle by Elizabeth Lowell

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Best in general:

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith. The story is compelling, the crime has a resolution I didn't see coming at all, and although for many it can be tiring to have the same things being mentioned, regarding the protagonists slow evolution, for me it was like spending time with friends.

Worst in general:

The Journey of Elizabeth Ann Rose by Brenda Ashworth Barry. I expected something very different from what it turned out to be, especially in terms of content and characterization. 

Another year finished, more to come at the end of this one. Fingers crossed there will be more positive/good books than disappointing ones! Wishing you the same, of course :)

Happy reading!

2020 Statistics and Favorites

Another year ended, this one a lot harsher for everyone for all the known reasons.

Still, like I said before in other posts, reading is a comfort for me, an escapism, I just can't see myself giving up on reading. I think I could compartmentalize my reading and my worries about reality and that is why I even increased my number of books read.

As in previous years, here are some numbers of 2020:

Statistics!

 

-> In 2020 I've read 225 books, more in July (22 books) and less in February (16 books). This means an average of 18.75 books/month.

All these books mean 70341 pages, an average of 312.6 per book. Curiously, I've read more pages in April (7417) and less in August (4958).

Of all the books read, 113 were by known authors to me and 112 by new authors, which puts my reading year quite balanced in this regard.

The first book of the year was Mrs McGinty's Dead by Agatha Chistie, in the middle was The Murder of Harriet Monckton by Elizabeth Haynes and the last one was The Devil's Library by Tom Pugh.

Of all the books I read, I loved 7, liked 93, thought 98 were so-so, I didn't enjoy much of 24 and 3 were totally bad for me, so I DNF'd them.

The genre I read the most was Contemporary (59), Fiction (39),  Historial (33), PNR (27), M/M (36), Fantasy/Sci-Fi (10), thrillers (9) and some non-fiction (7), while the least read genre by me was classics (5).

I've purchased 81 books, spending around 575,66€. An average of 48€/month and 6,75 books month. I spent more in June and less in February.

My TBR says around 526 on Goodreads but some of them I don't actually have yet and I have some I didn't add to the shelves. Should I confess I like having a big TBR? I think most readers are actually proud of that lol

Books Read!

->I gave 5 stars to seven books but mostly because they meant something for me at the moment. I probably would change my opinion were I to read them with a different mood. They aren't all well liked by the majority of readers who tried them but, for me, they really worked. 

Another interesting note: most of the books I've read were not published in 2020. I'm a "collector" so I rarely have time to dedicate myself that much to new releases. Besides, after a few months or years, the price usually can be found cheaper...

 

I did give 1 star to three books gave 2 stars to twenty four books which means I might have picked less than good books but also that my patience is no longer what used to be.

Favorites in order (at this time)

The Murder of Harriet Monckton by Elizabeth Haynes

The Spare by Miranda Dubner

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

The Dress by Jane L. Rosen

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

The Liar by Nora Roberts

The Last Hellion by Loretta Chase

 

Favorite M/M books (no order)

The Spare by Miranda Dubner

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Brothesong by TJ Klune

DNFs

The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin

The Group by Mary McCarthy

Manual dos Inquisidores by Manuel Lobo Antunes

Best in general: 

The Murder of Harriet Monckton because the story is compelling, the research the author did remarkable and I was always eager to turn the pages and see what would happen next. Or, should I say, how things would happen, since the mystery is a little obvious from a certain point on, but reading this was so engaging!

Worst in general:

All the DNFs were. I just didn't enjoy reading the amount I did of those books and I skimmed a lot to reach the last page... none felt like a story I could connect to well enough to enjoy.

 

💛I think I'm a bit more picky as time goes by but I have also been trying to get to books which have been in the pile for long and since we all change, that could account for less than good experiences with my current eyes/tastes. I surely hope 2021 will mean more addictive stories!

Happy reading everyone!!

2019 Statistics and Favorite Books

As many readers out there, I've summarized my reading year in some numbers too, and I have a best of as well.

I'm copying some structure I've used in previous' years statistics posts but I have to say my top 5 favorite books really was only five in 2019. I've read many good stories but I only gave a higher mark or grade to the five I'll mention.

I hope your year provided many excellent reads, more than mine! It's interesting, so many books were "almost there" but I've become picky or things just don't dazzle me as much anymore...who knows...

Statistics!

 

In 2019 I've read 213 books, more in October (21 books) and less in November (15 books). This means an average of 17.75 books/month.

All these books mean 65787 pages, an average of 308,85 per book. Curiously, I've read more pages in October and less in May.

Of all the books read, 122 were by known authors to me and 91 by new authors.

The first book of the year was Queen Margot by Dumas, in the middle was Freud's Sister by Goce Simlevsky and the last one was Into the Dark by Karen Rose.

Of all the books I read, I loved 5, liked 111, thought 79 were so-so, I didn't enjoy much of 16 and 2 were DNF's. The DNF status is something I only stated to "grade" this year... the TBR size really is prohibitive if I want to read every excruciating book.

The genres I read are distributed the following way: Contemporary (56), Historical (49), Fiction(38), PNR (23), M/M (27), Fantasy/Sci-Fi (11), and thrillers (8) and 1 YA.

I've purchased 68 books, spending around 601€. An average of 50€/month more or less.

I spent more in November and less in January, May and December because I didn't buy books in those months.

I bought less books and spent less than in 2018 but the prices overall are higher which means the savings are not that considerable. I was able to get some free books as well, which helps but, of course, I like to choose what I want and not be just dependent on what is in free offers.

My TBR says around 560 on Goodreads but there are books I have not added so the number is realistically higher than that. I know, it's huge and I can't keep up...and it will likely be too difficult to solve this issue as I keep adding more books...

Books Read!

->I gave 5 stars to 5 books but mostly because they meant something for me at the moment. I probably would change my opinion were I to read them with a different mood. They aren't all well liked by the majority of readers who tried them but, for me, they really worked. 

 

I should repeat that most of the books I've read were not published in 2019. I'm a "collector" so I rarely have time to dedicate myself that much to new releases. Besides, after a few months or years, the price usually can be found cheaper...

As mentioned, I've classified two books as DNF because they just were not being enjoyable for me. Things work in completely different ways to everyone, so those books are liked by many but really, time passes by, people do not get any younger....

Favorites in no order 

Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

The Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston

From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata

Ravensong by TJ Klune

Favorite M/M books (no order)

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston

Ravensong by TJ Klune

The Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen

Less liked books, DNF'd

Unclean Spirits by ML Hanover

American Pastoral by Philip Roth

Best in general: 

Red, White and Royal Blue because it was engaging and just so easy to want to read too.

Worst in general:

The two I've mentioned. I didn't find the writing in either appealing, the plots had potential but to be honest, I just didn't care enough.

💧Globally, I've noticed I'm not as easily pleased even if the book has a lot of positive aspects that work almost to perfection for me. But it's always difficult to offer all the necessary elements to always work for each individual reader. Still, the challenge continues!

 

Happy reading everyone, and once more, until this year's statistics!

Statistics and books of 2018

And now the summary post of the year...

 

Statistics!

 

In 2018 I've read 207 books, more in October and November (20 books) and less in July (14 books). This means an average of 17.52 books/month.

All these books mean 63468 pages, an average of 306.6 per book. Curiously, I've read more pages in November (6963) and less in July (4399).

Of all the books read, 124 were by known authors to me and 83 by new authors.

The first book of the year was The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, in the middle was Unseen by Jana DeLeon and the last one was Ripper by Isabel Allende.

Of all the books I read, I loved 13, liked 114, thought 71 were so-so, I didn't enjoy much of 9 and none was totally bad for me.

Like last year, the genre I read the most was Contemporary (55), Historical (40), Fiction(39), PNR (28), M/M (22), Fantasy/Sci-Fi (16) and thrillers (6).

I've purchased 77 books, spending around 631,18€. An average of 52,60€/month and 6,4 books month.

I spent more in June (143€) and less in December (7,50€).

I bought one more book and spent 5,61€ more than in 2017...

My TBR says around 600 on Goodreads but some of them I don't actually have yet and I have some I didn't add to the site. I know, it's huge and I can't keep up...and it hasn't improved since last year :/ I don't think it ever will unless I remove books.

Books Read!

->I gave 5 stars to 13 books but mostly because they meant something for me at the moment. I probably would change my opinion were I to read them with a different mood. They aren't all well liked by the majority of readers who tried them but, for me, they really worked. 

Of them all, one was a re-read but I noticed the genres are quite prolific.

Another intewresting note: most of the books I've rad were not oublished in 2018. I'm a "collector" so I rarely have time to dedicate myself that much to new releases. Besides, after a few months or years, the price usually can be found cheaper...

 

I didn't give 1 star to any book but gave 2 stars to nine books which, in my view, count as "negative" ones.  Of those nine, three are Urban Fantasy that nowadays has to have specific elements for me to enjoy so I probably would have DNF'd them had I started to do it sooner. Of the other six, all have some detail I disliked, so I appreciated them less for both story and execution while the UF ones weren't globally interesting enough for me.

Favorites in order (at this time)

Absent in Spring by Mary Westmacott

Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews

The Girl Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger

Hold Me by Courtney Milan

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Gospel According to Christ by Richrd Zimler

The Seventh Gate by Richard Zimler

Favorite M/M books (no order)

Sumage Solution by GL Carriger

Omega Objection by GL Carriger

Books by Lilah Pace and Lily Morton

Less liked books (from less disliked to not as disliked)

Manwhore by Katy Evans

Spellbound Falls by Janet Chapman

How to Bang a Millionaire by Alexis Hall

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Deeper by Robin York

Deliver Me by Farrah Rochon

Best in general: 

Absent in Spring because the writing is superb and the story so well told and played by the main character, I can't fault it.

Worst in general:

Manwhore because the writing felt poor, the plot isn't well thought, the characters act silly and childish and the end just a way to make readers pay more for something not that good.

💧Globally, I've noticed I'm more attentive to certain types of books now, more focused on stories that I feel were well planned and written. The fun part of reading a new book is the expectation that could be the best yet, ever. It's bad when it isn't but what wonders when it leaves you with a well spent time feeling!

Happy reading everyone, and until this year's statistics!

2017 Book Statistics

One more statistics' post and the best reads of 2017 for me! 💙

Statistics!

In 2017 I've read 204 books, more in January (22 books) and less in February, May and December (15 books). This means an average of 17 books/month.

All these books mean 62342 pages, an average of 306 per book. Curiously, I've read more pages in March (5956) and less in December (3923).

Of all the books read, 121 were by known authors to me and 83 by new authors.

The first book of the year was It Felt Like a Kiss by Sarra Manning, in the middle was The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen and the last one was Wake a Sleeping Tiger by Lora Leigh.

Of all the books I read, I loved 16, liked 106, thought 71 were so-so, I didn't enjoy much of 10 and only one was totally bad for me.

Unlike last year, the genre I read the most was Contemporary (59), then Paranormal Romance (37), Historical (34), M/M (30), and pretty much the same were the Fictional books (27), Fantasy/Sci-Fi (9) and thrillers (7).

I've purchased 76 books, spending around 625,57€. An average of 52,13€/month and 6,3 books month.

I spent more in November, 15 books and 115,50€ and less in December (0€ yay).

I bought 5 more books and spent 97,33€ more than in 2016...

My TBR says 590 on Goodreads but some of them I don't actually have yet and I have some I didn't add to the site, so I'll round up things to 600. I know, it's huge and I can't keep up...and it hasn't improved since last year :/

Books Read!

-> I must say I don't have one specific book I would say is my best but if really pressed I would say Act Like It by Lucy Parker because it was flawless to me... 

As for the negative, the worst for me this year was Jaked by Sabrina Stark.

I gave 5 stars to 16 books but I recognize they also have faults. They worked perfectly to me for some reason but they aren't books any reader could love universally. 

Yes, everyone has a different taste but when it comes to very successful books, it's general consensus that more people would like than dislike it... maybe it's my own taste that is changing or I simply didn't hit the "right" books to love to the extreme!

TOP 5 (in no specific order)

Act Like It/Pretty Face by Lucy Parker - It seems this author is a brilliant writer! I liked these two stories set in the world of London theaters and the amazing characters and their beautifully simple romances.

White Hot / Wildfire by Ilona Andrews - I don't think there's any chance of this team of authors being anything less than excellent. I really loved these two books, love, love, love all the details and perfect writing.

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes - I liked this road trip adventure and all the emotional aspects of why each of the main characters felt like being part of it. I also liked the romance, the HEA and the overall feeling of it all.

Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt - Yes, I'm late to the party but although the first book was good, I didn't exect this one to be so perfect for me. I liked the plot, the romance, the need and the obvious fact the main couple was destined to be together and show their love. Still thinking about it...

Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh - I have since read the whole saga and this is still my absolute favorite. The heroine felt like perfection to me. Lovely romance, amazing family dynamics, this is a talented author.

Other very good titles for me in 2017:

 Monster in the Closet (Karen Rose), First Star I See Tonight (SEP), Etched in Bone (Anne Bishop).

TOP 3 M/M

I liked several m/m stories this year but these were my favorites, no specific order:

Showing Him the Ropes by Christa Tomlinson -  It's a a story about wrestling and how one player helps out a newcomer. I liked the romance, the relationship's dynamic, the feelings portrayed, the interactions with other characters...can't wait for more on this world/series by the author.

Tournament of Losers by Megan Derr - What a lovely fantasy story, I loved every page and every moment spent with the main character. Maybe not the best romance ever but it was super cute and magical.

A Kind of Honesty by Lane Hayes - I also loved the first book in this series, this is #3 but I really liked how much more emotional situations I saw here. It's a great contemporary story about two different people being perfect together.

TOP 3 Disapointments

And, of course, there are the books that were a let down.

I already said which book I liked the less but I didn't have many expectations. The disappointments are books I hoped I'd really like but that didn't manage to captivate me in the way I expected.

Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsey - The premise is good and I usually like small town stories but the romance wasn't convincing and the character's decisions not easy to understand.

Finding Pride by Jill Sanders - A woman regaining her own worth and finding love in the process seemed a good start for a sweet romance novel but the reality is that I found this boring and lacking the well placed elements to make it enthralling.

Goody Two Shoes by Janet Elizabeth Henderson - This was silly, totally lacking believability and although the story's premise could have gone an interesting way, I just couldn't accept how the main characters were supposed to have been in love after days of knowing each other.

And this is it for 2017.

Obviously, there will be more next year! 💗

Statistics and Books of 2016

To conclude these first posts of the year, I'm leaving some numbers of 2016 and the books that stood out for me, both the positive and the negative ones.

Statistics!

In 2016 I've read 202 books, more in August (21 books) and less in February, March and July (14 books). This means an average of 16,83 books/month.

All these books mean 63158 pages, an average of 5263/month. Curiously, I've read more pages in April (6357) and less in March (3992).

Of all the books read, 121 were by known authors to me and 81 by new authors.

The first book of the year was The Stolen Princess by Anne Gracie, in the middle was First Lady by SEP and the last one was The Ice Child by Camilla Lackberg.

Of all the books I read, I loved 13, liked 106, thought 68 were so-so, I didn't enjoy much of 15 but thankfully didn't hate any.

The genres I read the most were Historical (46), Contemporary (44), M/M (36), Paranormal Romance (33), Fictional books (27), Fantasy/Sci-Fi (9) and thrillers (7).

I've purchased 71 books, spending around 528,24€. An average of 5,91 books and 44,02€/month.

I spent more in October, 13 books and 81,79€ and less in January (0€ yay).

My TBR says 575 on Goodreads but some of them I don't actually have yet and I have some I didn't add to the site, so I'll round up things to 590. I know, it's huge and I can't keep up...

Books Read!

I must say I don't have one specific book I loved so much I could live with it by my side all the time... I gave 5 stars to 13 books but I recognize they also have faults. They worked perfectly to me for some reason but they aren't books any reader could love universally. 

Yes, everyone has a different taste but when it comes to very successful books, it's general consensus that more people would like than dislike it... maybe it's my own taste that is changing or I simply didn't hit the "right" books to love to the extreme!

Anyway, here is a little list, but my choices aren't exclusively 2016 releases:

😸 TOP 5 Favorites (in no specific order)

Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh, a story about almost the whole cast of the previous books which made me smile so often to simply see them all all the time.

Salt Bride by Lucinda Brant, a story about a couple that was separeted by jealous people and circunstances but reunited with bad felings years later. Happiness is close, however, unless the villain acts again.

Ember's Island by Kimberly Freeman, a story about a woman who escapes her UK life and goes to Australia at a time where the country was still a little wild and in trying to have a new life, she can't help but putting it all in risk for penance and love.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Housseini, a story about a young boy in Kabul before the war and how he changed with the changes around him and how, so emotionally, he returns one day to honor a promise.

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews, a story about Kate and Curran and the challenges they now face, even after trying to separate themselves from power struggles, and how they can't let their conscience tell them to just not care...

😸 TOP 3 M/M (in no specific order)

I tend to read an m/m book with a different eye, not that the books are so different but I still like to highlight them in my lists.

Glitterland by Alexis Hall, a story of an unlikely couple who still manages to be the best part of one another and despite the odds, gets the HEA.

Him by Sarina Bowen/Elle Kennedy, a story about a friendship that ended because of a dare and now it's time to see if old wounds can mend or if there wasn't ever anything to mend...

Anything by KJ Charles, because every book I read by the author was amazing, some more than others, but all great.

😸 TOP 3 Disappointments (in no specific order)

Yes, books that didn't win one's over need room as well.

The Beast by Judith Ivory, a story about  a couple that meets in a ship, he doesn't tell her his identity and they marry later on when she thinks he isn't worthy of her because she still thinks about the unknown lover of the ship.

Love Me Back to Life by Elle G. Mraz, a story about a nurse grieving and how she tries to get back on her feet by seducing a doctor at work but their relationship isn't as easy as she thought it would be.

Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan, a story about a woman who gets involved with a strange man, who belongs to a strange family and how she is the middle of their business with yet another strange group/family but they end up together.

This concludes another reading year. I'm looking for to read some summaries of you who have blogs too.

And, for the third time in a row...happy reading!! 💛