Monthly Wrap-Up: December ’21 + Welcome 2022!

Happy New Year, friends! Here’s to hoping 2022 is a little kinder to us all ❤ You may have noticed that things around here look a little different and that’s because I decided to revamp the blog. I’ve had the same theme for several years, but decided that I wanted to shake things up a bit this year. I am still in the process of updating graphics, so please be patient. December wasn’t exactly a productive month for me, but that was kind of on purpose. I didn’t want to stress about reading or blogging too much the last month of the year. In December I finished five books (almost six, but the audiobook carried into the new year) and I barely reviewed any of it (whoops). Slowing down made me realize I am in need of a blogging break again and instead of putting it off for months like I did last time (don’t recommend), I am going to listen to myself. I’ll have a formal announcement, but I am aiming for the middle of January. The start of the new year has me contemplating how I want my reading journey to go this year. I feel like I did some good branching out last year and I want to continue this in 2022 (post forthcoming). I also want to continue to explore genres like horror which I feel I only dipped my toes in. Overall, I’m feeling optimistic about entering my eighth year of blogging.

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

I had two five-star reads in December to close out the year, so I think they are both worthy of praise. Zoe Hana Mikuta’s Gearbreakers was an incredible debut (probably my favorite of 2021), one of the most exciting novels I’ve ever picked up. Tasha Suri’s The Jasmine Throne ended up being my final read of the year and it was as wonderful as I knew it would be. Bury me with all of Tasha Suri’s stories please.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book received lower than three stars from me.

Other Books I Read This Month:

✿The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown

✿White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America by Anthea Butler

✿Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

Reviews Posted:

(Covers linked to reviews)

Notable Blog Posts:

Book Lists: Short Books to Help You Meet Your 2021 Reading Goals – Put together this list of short books for those who were looking for quick reads to reach their goals at the end of the year.

Book Lists: Holiday Gift Guide (Middle Grade Edition) – Loved putting this gift guide together for middle grade books which you can use all year long!

Book Lists: Holiday Gift Guide (Young Adult Edition) – I also did a young adult edition of my gift guide, check it out!

Top Ten Tuesday: My Five-Star 2021 Reads – Take a look at my five-star reads of 2021!

2021 End of the Year Book Survey – Always love doing this recap of my most memorable reads!

What I Watched/Am Watching:

Literally haven’t started anything new this month. If you can believe it, I am still catching up on several K-Dramas that I started in October/November.

January Releases I’m Excited For:

What was your final 2021 read? What’s your first read of 2022? Let’s talk in the comments and be sure to leave a link to your own wrap-up post, so I can visit!