While I usually do a monthly and yearly wrap-up at the beginning of January, I’ve decided to change things up this year. We’ll have the regular wrap-up for December now, then the rest of the week will be dedicated to various rankings and looking at 2022 in review as well as what’s ahead on the blog. Seen as I’m heading towards my 10th blogging anniversary fast, there are some things I’m starting to consider for the future of Life and Other Disasters.
First things first though, I’m happy to report that I somehow managed to achieve my reading goal for 2022 and finished 45 books! It’s five less than I managed to read in the previous year, but I was far busier, so I’m happy with the result. Here are the reads that accompanied me in the final month of the year:
- Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake (3.5 stars)
- Stella by Takis Würger (2 stars)
- Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins, Volume I by Matthew Mercer/Matthew Colville/Olivia Samson/Chris Northrop (5 stars)
Massive shout out to my mate, Lois, who gifted this comic book to me for Christmas, because she knows my love for Critical Role knows no bounds. This was such a well-paced volume and a great backstory on top of things. I was beyond happy! - Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (5 stars)
According to StoryGraph, I started this book 233 days ago, but I couldn’t have read it sooner. It was hitting way too close to home, but I did it. I finished it before the end of the year and I’m proud of that.
As per usual, click on the covers to get re-directed to Goodreads, where you are always welcome to add me as a reading buddy! OR find me on StoryGraph, where I have become more active this year. My own reviews you’re able to find by clicking on the titles in the list above, if there are posts for them.
As I’ve mentioned in many posts, I’ve been sick for quite a large chunk of December. On top of that, Christmas with my family had to be cancelled due to other health issues. This was the first Christmas ever that I didn’t spend with my family, despite my many years of traveling and living abroad. It was kind of sad, but then I had to work anyway, so at least I had something to do …
Binging TV is my coping mechanism
Whenever I feel down or just plain don’t have the energy for anything, I start getting REALLY into a show. This is mostly the time when I pick a show that has several seasons or spin-off shows already, so that I can just fixate on it like there’s no tomorrow. Momentarily, that is the Yellowstone universe for me. Yellowstone, 1883, 1923 and the upcoming 6666 show have my brain thoroughly occupied. These shows are brutal and definitely don’t just show history’s pretty side. As much as I appreciate that Taylor Sheridan doesn’t sweettalk what was done to indigenous people, he is still just a white man? So, what these shows have really done is whet my appetite to check out content (movies, shows, books) by actual indigenous creators in 2023.
I will continue to watch these shows though. They have me in their grasp now …
My Weightloss Journey
Again, feel free to skip this portion of the wrap-up. I know it’s a difficult topic for many and I get it, put yourself first!
I always use this portion of the post for accountability, but my journey has come to a halt and I’ve even taken a couple steps back. With me getting sick and the holidays, I’ve not been able to work out at all and have gained back some of the weight that I had already lost. As frustrating a setback as this is, I also know that my body needed that time. I was not well and there was no point in going on a diet while sick just because I couldn’t do my regular workouts. Things like this happen and I try not to be too hard on myself, instead I want to get back into things as soon as I get rid of this persistent cough. (No, it’s not the ‘rona.)
Still, I couldn’t deprive you of another fun dance workout. It’s just one song, but oh so timely considering last month’s release of Wednesday.
MOST POPULAR POSTS OF DECEMBER 2022
This list is literally identical, except that the first and last spot have swapped. Wild!
- Does The Atlas Paradox Suffer From Second Book Syndrome?
(originally posted November 2022)
Love that this post is gaining traction. I put a lot of thought into the review. - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (Book Review)
(originally posted in December 2020)
This is the staple review post of my blog by now. - Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily by Rachel Cohn/David Levithan (Book Review)
(originally posted November 2020)
I still attribute the popularity of this post to the holidays. - Something Different: Duskwood (Game Review)
(originally posted June 2020)
Curious that this game is still sparking new interest almost daily. - Should YOU Read “The Atlas Six”? (What I learned from my reread!)
(originally posted March 2022)
Well, if they read about the sequel, they probably also want to read about the first book.
MY OTHER POSTS
TV SHOW/MOVIE RELATED
- Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #46
- Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #47
- Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #48
- Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #49
- TV Shows That Got Cancelled Too Soon
Life and Other Disasters 
Ahh glad you passed your Goodreads goal! What’s your goal for this year?? Oh my gosh 10 years blogging, that’s incredible! I’d love to read a post about how you think blogging as evolved?! And the best and worst parts!
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Thank you, Zainab!! Since I struggled with the 45 books last year, I just stuck with it again. And despite not reaching my goal of 15,000 pages, I also set that one as the target again too.
Also thanks for the suggestion. I might just make a blog post about that a bit closer to the blogging anniversary.
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Hope you’re feeling better, and a huge KUDOS! for making your Goodreads goal. (So jealous!) My own health issues prevented me from making mine last year, so like you, I’m hopeful and planning for better health and productivity this year.
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Thank you so much! I’m feeling much better now, even though my cough is relentless.
I’m sorry to hear you weren’t able to reach your own goal, but whatever amount of books you were able to read (and hopefully enjoy) is still amazing. It’s just numbers in the end 😊 I’m wishing you all the best for 2023!
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Now that I’ve actually started Wednesday and have seen this infamous dance, I’m going to have to watch some of these tributes videos to her dance. Hope January and 2023 is good for you, Kat. I’m sorry to hear you were sick for most of December. That’s never fun.
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Wednesday is such a fun show! I hope you’re enjoying it.
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Finished it yesterday and am already looking forward to season 2 (though I hope they don’t move it to Amazon Prime).
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With the current mess that is going on, it might just do that. Netflix is in such big trouble if they loose the show. They’re already on my bad side because they cancelled 1899 yesterday.
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At least they still have Stranger Things and plenty of true crime docs (for me).
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But Season 5 of Stranger Things is the final one. What do they have after that???
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Adapt one of my stories?
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I need to try more dance workouts! The workout channel I was following (blogilates) has descended it Tik Toks and product schilling only so I need to find something new. I’m also on a weight loss journey.
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I used to follow blogilates as well, but it’s not for me anymore either. I can really recommend Kyra Pro, Grow with Jo and MadFit. They have stuff for beginners as well as more challenging options. Best of luck with your journey!
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Not me being nervous about you, talking about the future of Life & Other Disasters ahhhh 🙈
So glad you made your goodreads goal, yay and two 5 star-reads to end the year, that’s not too bad!
I hope you’ll feel way better soon and that you can get back to your regular work out routine, I always love seeing how motivated you get with these and your videos are always fun! Makes me motivated to try more regularly as well.
I hope your year started in a great way! Sending you lots of love ❤ ❤
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Don’t be nervous! I haven’t settled on anything yet, because logistics (should I actually quit) are a nightmare. I don’t want the page to just disappear, but if I keep paying for the domain, I might as well keep blogging, you know?
My cough is still not entirely gone, but much much better. I’ve just been doing a lot of walking haha no work outs still.
Thank you for all the well wishes and kind messages. Sending you love right back! ❤
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I get that. I think it might switch back to the wordpress com if you stop paying the domain, though? Not certain but yeah, it’s annoying to pay if you’re not blogging! ❤ I know you’ll figure things out, whatever you’re happiest with ❤
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I have no idea and I just don’t want to jeopardize anything I’ve created, unless I’m sure. So, for now, nothing will change haha
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Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that you have been sick, I hope you’re feeling better now ❤️ Crying H Mart sounds interesting, I’ll have to pick it up, as I’m always searching for new memoirs to read!
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Thank you, Caro! I’m much better now, the end of 2022 just lowkey sucked haha
Oh, definitely let me know if you end up reading Crying in H Mart and want to talk about it!!
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