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2023 Book & Life Wrap Up ❤️

 

                                                     (Picture Credit: Pinterest - Kimberly C Miller)


And with that the 2023 season comes to an end – credit the sound on TikTok I have yet to use when my year actually goes well. 

Wow. This year for me has been one of books, realisation and for finally fighting for myself. So, I went from becoming a law graduate (3 years ago lol) to finally going towards a career my heart longed for; PR & Literary Agent. It’s hard out their guys. Getting your first editorial assistant job in the fiction world is not for the faint hearted. With a lack of professional experience, trying to make it in a competitive field sometimes makes my self-doubt spike to an all time high. A lot of recognizing the bad people, cutting out the toxic ones. 2024 is definitely the year of turning over a new leaf. 

It's not easy to live in an Asian family, with judgmental extended family members who shouldn’t have a say on your life but they do regardless all whilst trying to juggle finding a job in a loved albeit competitive industry. I love books just as much as the next person. It’s not just about escaping reality but it’s also about relating to those characters who I see myself in and seeing them get their happy ending. It’s an outlet as well as a hopeful future. Funnily enough, a bad edited book made me want to become an editorial assistant and struggling indie authors who write the most phenomenal books made me want to work in public relations for fiction authors trying to make it. Recruiting them in a positive light then seeing their books on the most popular bookstore shelf is a vision I cannot get out of my head until it happens. Who knows, I might find a fictional billionaire whilst being a publicist. One small issue. Someone doesn’t have a degree in public relations HOWEVER being delulu is the solulu. Isn’t that right Tiktok? Don’t worry. I’m working on it. Not in the traditional sense but just stay with me. I’ll report back.

I love writing. I’m not saying it’s the best – definitely needs some work, experience and TLC but I love it despite all those imperfections. It’s something that’s impersonal. That no one can imitate. I started an Instagram Booktok account but this blog is what really sparks my interest. The words just keep flowing. Both modes have really helped me with the hardships in my own life whilst still keeping my passion going. If anything good has come out of 2023, it’s definitely starting these accounts to share my thoughts on the fiction book world. It took some guts but I’m here.

But now let's talk about the paper pages that made my night life so exciting.

Since everyone and their grandma are doing 2023 yearly wrap up of their favourites whether that be makeup, food, songs, movies or in my case books, I thought what better way to make my last post about what shook my book shelf this year.

We had some very anticipated reads this year. I'm sure everyone's TBR regardless of paper back, kindle or audiobooks looked like every book devotees wet dream. As it should. With the likes of billionaires, fisherman and small-town dreams. I’d also like to take a moment to talk about how many authors released playlists alongside books. What do I think about them? Let’s just put it this way. I can tell which authors actually tested their music and which ones didn’t. You take that as you will.

For me, whilst I did find some mind-blowing books this year that made me go through a roller-coaster of emotions, I discovered a lot of books that lead to me putting those authors at the top of my list. The top 5 being, Ana Huang (fangirling so hard over her!!!), Lauren Asher, Somme Sketcher, Danielle Lori and H.D. Carlton. These gals made it possible to get through this hell which was 2023. Why? Because I’m currently looking for employment in the competitive world I love. Show me what you got 2024. I’m ready to close this chapter, put it in a box and let in sink.

This year, I discovered so many new authors some which I love like I just mentioned and others that I didn’t. I was considering doing a 2023 Book No’s post but I’m still deliberating on it. Don’t want to end this year on a melancholy note. Seeing as there were MANY that didn’t live up to the hype maybe I should. I found some authors inconsistent whilst others rushed. Tiktok tried its best but I didn’t even get through half of the ‘Shatter Me’ series - no disrespect to the author - but the style of writing just is not for me to comprehend. I’m glad nothing possessed me to buy the whole series. My bank is grateful for this to. Another was Core Reilly. I liked some books but even then, I wasn’t fantasizing about them like I usually do. Yup. Keep your eyes peeled out for that post friends. What I did a lot was I read one new book from a new author then bought the older/newer ones. Whilst some lived up to their hypes like the ‘Twisted Series’ by Ana Huang alongside the ‘Dreamland Billionaire’ series by Lauren Asher, others made me wonder how they were able to get published in the first place. Not because of the plot but because the editing was so bad. Like so bad. Either way, at least they got their well-earned commission; both the authors and my local Waterstones.

Since I’m from the UK, a lot of us from this book community don’t get access to the cool events, book boxes and exclusive special limited-edition books. Barnes & Nobles. Indigo. I’m looking at you. I’m still angry about not getting to read the extra spice from King of Pride.

Since I’m getting things of my chest anyways, for the love of God not everything needs to be a movie. I privilege myself in having certain things left to my imagination. Whilst I would die to have Addie and Zade on the big screens I think I'll be fine without seeing Nico and Elena on it. The fan art is enough to get me through. Same goes for Sinners Anonymous.

Now, finally, lets get to which books books I died reading. Like they affected me so much I reconsidered my life goals for the next 5 years. First Hook, Line & Sinker put me into a melted mess on the floor, then it was The Spanish Love Deception with King of Wrath rendering me of my heart (if that’s a thing).

If I had to pick only 3 books that blew me away this year, I couldn't. But if you asked me about 5? Yeah, I could do that. Okay so.

NEW RELASES

  • King of Pride – Ana Huang
  • King of Greed – Ana Huang
  • Wildfire – Hannah Grace  
  • Love Redesigned – Lauren Asher    
  • Unfortunately, Yours – Tessa Bailey.

 

DISCOVERED RELASES – (list in brackets indicates rating of books)

  •      Twisted Series – Ana Huang (Twisted Lies; Twisted Games; Twisted Hate; Twisted Love)
  •      Made Men Series (Devil’s Dip) – Somme Sketcher (Sinners Anonymous; Sinners Condemned; Sinners Consumed)
  •      Haunting Adeline/Hunting Adeline (The Cat & Mouse Duo) – H.D. Carlton.
  •      Dreamland Billionaire Series – Lauren Asher (Final Offer; Terms & Conditions; The Fine Print)
  •      Mafia Made Men Series – Daniele Lori – (The Maddest Obsession, The Darkest Temptation, The Sweetest Oblivion)

So, in terms of reading, 2023 really slayed guys. If I had some disappointments, I also had some great books that got me through it. I hope 2024 brings you success, money and of course dozens of more paper pages. Let’s see how far I make it on my 5 year board plan that consists of landing a job in a profession I love, moving to New York and becoming a Literary Agent. I hope this blog does bring joy to those reading it whilst motivating those who are afraid to start on.

I’ll be back in the new year with some more reviews and posts about everything books.

Have a happy new year and maybe - just maybe - if we’re all delusional enough we will find our self in Rockefeller centre one day with the love of our lives. To health, wealth, money, success and billionaire men!

Vivian

Don’t forget to keep reading, because as long as you do, it’s making a struggling authors day that much better. Reach for the starts of success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




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