Ahh I love the StoryGraph for tracking reads, my charts all tanked when I joined substack 😂 I’ve had Gideon the Ninth on my tbr forever, maybe I should bump that up and also work on balancing my reading types a little better this year 😅
Emily, what really works here is how grounded this wrap-up is in practice rather than performance.
The stats are fun, and clearly enjoyed, but they’re never the point.
What comes through instead is a reader who knows her rhythms, protects her attention, and refuses to turn reading into a grind just to satisfy a counter.
There’s also a strong sense of community running through this: libraries, Substack authors, rereads as shared language, future projects built slowly rather than forced into existence. It echoes something I’ve noticed across other pieces I’ve been reading lately — the idea that enjoyment deepens when you stop trying to optimise it.
A genuinely fun wrap-up — and one that makes the case for reading as a long game, not a numbers race.
Oh hell yeah, some great reads in that list! Big, big fan of The Locked Tomb series after reading it last year. Doesn't seem to sit with everyone, but I loved it.
Yeah when I rec Gideon I’m always like ‘it’s different, if you hate it I won’t be offended but it’s worth the risk to try it in case you love it as much as I do’ lol
Seeeriously. I can't wait for the next book, whenever it comes. Tamsyn is one of only a few writers whose books had me looking up a coda afterwards to catch all the nuance.
Oh yeah the hours I have sunk into the locked tomb subreddit reading theories and shit 😂 and every reread I pick out more bits that are just like OH OH THATS A THING LATER lol
You’re an absolute legend. SO EXCITED to read Daughters with you next weekend!
Is this a thing that is happening? Are you Metan and Alakuz while Emily is Kivli?! Don't play games with me.
Did you not read the Shieldbreakerland New Year’s announcements? This is VERY real 🤣
You both better be sipping ayahuasca while reading. Appropriate.
All I have is beer and whiskey lol
Mixed?
Not in the same cup ew lol
83 books is insane! Fuckin eh Emily 🍾🎉🍞
Was a good year for eating great stories 💗💗
Ahh I love the StoryGraph for tracking reads, my charts all tanked when I joined substack 😂 I’ve had Gideon the Ninth on my tbr forever, maybe I should bump that up and also work on balancing my reading types a little better this year 😅
Gideon is so fuckin good 🤣 if you enjoy audiobooks the audio version is fantastic, Moira Quirk is an incredible voice actor
Thank you so much for the shout out!! I hope you enjoy the final book of the never tell trilogy - man, has it been a long road getting here!!! <3
So excited 😍😍
I’m suddenly wondering if ‘voracious reader’ might be an understatement here! Hehe.
Do they label readers on substack? #1 reader of fantasy, smut & sci-fi perhaps?
I’m totally geeking out on the book graphs!
Lmfao 😂
The graphs are fucking great tho right? The StoryGraph is a wonderful app. Goodreads ain’t got shit lol
Emily, what really works here is how grounded this wrap-up is in practice rather than performance.
The stats are fun, and clearly enjoyed, but they’re never the point.
What comes through instead is a reader who knows her rhythms, protects her attention, and refuses to turn reading into a grind just to satisfy a counter.
There’s also a strong sense of community running through this: libraries, Substack authors, rereads as shared language, future projects built slowly rather than forced into existence. It echoes something I’ve noticed across other pieces I’ve been reading lately — the idea that enjoyment deepens when you stop trying to optimise it.
A genuinely fun wrap-up — and one that makes the case for reading as a long game, not a numbers race.
Oh thank you so much for your insight 💗 The numbers are fun to look at but the experience is the best part. Glad you enjoyed! 🤘
Goddamn 83 books is a fuck ton, I’m lucky if I get through 20 hahaha
If audiobooks weren’t the soundtrack to my life this number would be far smaller haha
Oh hell yeah, some great reads in that list! Big, big fan of The Locked Tomb series after reading it last year. Doesn't seem to sit with everyone, but I loved it.
Yeah when I rec Gideon I’m always like ‘it’s different, if you hate it I won’t be offended but it’s worth the risk to try it in case you love it as much as I do’ lol
Tamsyn Muir is incredible 🤘
Seeeriously. I can't wait for the next book, whenever it comes. Tamsyn is one of only a few writers whose books had me looking up a coda afterwards to catch all the nuance.
Oh yeah the hours I have sunk into the locked tomb subreddit reading theories and shit 😂 and every reread I pick out more bits that are just like OH OH THATS A THING LATER lol