2014 End of Year Book Survey Part 1

[Sorry, for some reason the graphics are all wonky in coloring]

 Another year has ended, which means it's time for the 2014 end of year book survey, which is hosted by Jamie at the Perpetual Page-Turner. Today will be Part One and on Sunday, check back in for Part Two. I also added a few questions of my own in the reading stats because my reading log is extensive and I thought it a shame to not use it. Organization is wonderful.

Number Of books you read: I read 53 books this year, which is really sad. I didn't even complete half of my goal, but I should've realized how many changes I'd be going through and how busy I'd be.

Number of re-reads: The number above does not reflect rereads because I didn't keep track of those. However, I estimate the number of rereads to be 3.

Genre You Read The Most From: Contemporary wins out at a total of 32 books. Fantasy came in second place at 16, sci-fi at 2, then mythology, historical, and dystopian tying at 1.

Format You Read the Most Out of: I read 20 e-galleys, 17 hardcovers, 11 physical ARCs, and 4 paperbacks.

Source You Mostly Used: 26 from the publisher, 14 from the library, 5 from Shae, and the others from various sources.

Publisher You Read the Most From: 16 from HarperCollins, 7 from Scholastic (all Harry Potter), 6 from Bloomsbury, 6 from Macmillan, 5 from Simon & Schuster, 4 from Disney Hyperion, and 2 from St. Martin's Press. Harlequin, Hachette, HMH, Random House, and Penguin all tied at 1.

I was going to list how many ratings I gave books, but it got confusing. I actually had 9 5-star reads though, which I think is a win. And mostly all my reads were published in 2014.

1. Best Book You Read In 2014?

And of course, I couldn't possibly pick only one so I'm breaking it down by...contemporary and fantasy. That's embarrassing. I realized these two dominated the game so here's the best contemporary and best fantasy!

Contemporary: Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley

Fantasy: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski with a second place tie between Crown of Embers by Rae Carson and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (and the Deathly Hallows)by J.K. Rowling

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. I DNF'd it and skimmed the ending.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014?

Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?

Technically, I pushed my beloved favorites from previous years more. But from the books I read this year, I probably pushed The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski the most and Don't Touch by Rachel M. Wilson recently.

5. Best series you started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?

Best series: Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, hands down.

Best sequel: Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes...again, hands down.

Best series ender: I actually didn't finish many series (and I read a lot of standalones), but The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson deserves this title.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2014?

SO MANY. How can I choose? Emery Lord, Rosamund Hodge, and J.K. Rowling will now forever by in my heart.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

This doesn't really apply to me, but I guess I'd have to say Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge, which was in a mythology-type of genre.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER. Specifically Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I had already started and finished a HP book that day and then decided to start and finish that one in the same day as well.

9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg and The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2014?

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski, no doubt.

11. Most memorable character of 2014?

Hermoine Granger because she kicks butt in brains and power.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?

I’m not sure. I wish I had put these kind of details in my spreadsheet! Don’t Touch or Cruel Beauty, I guess.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2014?

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson or Don’t Touch by Rachel M. Wilson

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read?

Wait for it...Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. Were you expecting anything else?

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?

There were many that stood out to me (especially in Harry Potter), but I tweeted out this one:

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?” - Dumbledore from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2014?

Shortest: 256 pages - Summer of Yesterday by Gaby Triana and Summer State of Mind by Jen Calonita

Longest: 870 pages - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

Excluding the plethora of surprises througout Harry Potter (although that in of itself is surprising since I knew so many deaths beforehand), KILLER INSTINCT BY JENNIFER LYNN BARNES! She always manages to surprise me.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Even after all this time, I instantly thought of Elisa and Hector from the Fire and Thorns series by Rae Carson.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

The great Harry Potter trio (he sought them out afterwards, which I thought incredibly important) and all the Cress friendships.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

I don’t think it’s fair if I count series in here so it’d have to be Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

21. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord. I never read the back cover until many, many people recommended it.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?

I did feel rather flushed when reading about Aelyx from Alienated.

23. Best 2014 debut you read?

I already said I loved Rites of Passage, so not counting that, Alienated by Melissa Landers was so much better than I hoped.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Harry Potter.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Landline by Rainbow Rowell, The DUFF by Kody Keplinger,

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. ROLLER COASTER OF EMOTION.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

Alienated by Melissa Landers! And I still think Bright Before Sunrise by Tiffany Schmidt needed more recognition

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

If it made me tear up, of course Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows crushed my soul.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2014?

If by unique you mean diverse, Don’t Touch by Rachel M. Wilson and Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy because I hated the main character, but oddly still liked the book.

Don't forget I'll be having Part Two of this survey on Sunday!

2013 End of Year Book Survey - Part 2

In case you missed it, yesterday, I started the 2013 End of Year Book Survey that the fabulous Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner makes and hosts. That part of the survey consisted of the 2013 best in books. You can read it here. Today is part two so enjoy!

 

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2013? 

How can anybody do this without having a panic attack afterwards? I tried to list only one blog and then I realized that I have discovered so many wonderful and amazing and fantastic blogs and bloggers out there. I listed important ones near and dear to my heart along with blogs with great humor, but then afterwards, I panicked that I forgot somebody. So I'll just say YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. Or at least, I hope you do.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013? 

I'm not sure if it's my favorite, but I did have a lot of fun writing my review for The Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce because I was basically fangirling all around. 

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

Back in January, I discussed the groan-worthy trope of love triangles, but with a twist. Instead of having the stereotypical two guys fighting over one girl, what about if it's two girls over one guy? And wouldn't be unfair since usually that girl is the main character so we automatically hate the other girl and we have biased feelings? You all responded with great comments and I loved reading them. My post can be found here. 

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?

Once again, I can't do this. I have read so many amazing discussions this past year that made me think or laugh. Off the top of my head, I instantly think of the glorious Gillian and the lovely Lauren. 

5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

I went to my first ever author signing this year that had my favorite author, Ally Carter, so that will always be remembered. I also met fabulous authors at the Fierce Reads tour.

6. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2013?

Now this is just cruel. How can I ever remember all of them and then actually pick the best? I loved getting my first ARC, Harper whitelisting me on Edelweiss, squealing with authors, and becoming closer with bloggers. All the little things add up to make a great 2013.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

Surprisingly like REALLY surprisingly, the most pageviews were for Book Blogger Confessions #1, which is a meme I stopped doing. I don't think it happens anymore (I searched for it on the host's site and there didn't seem to be any new ones), but maybe I should do something similar?

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

I'd probably have to say any review because those always take so much time to write and when you don't receive many comments, it can be a bit deflating, although I know people do lurk (I know I do).

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

Uh, Better World Books (which offers great used book sales), maybe?

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I didn't set any goals until December, but I did mostly complete that one. I participated in a read-a-thon and finished most of the books I set out to read. I think I missed one or two, but I added in a couple that I didn't set out to read so I think that I compensated for it.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2013 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2014?

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales since everyone and their mother seems to enjoy this one.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014 (non-debut)?

I'm just going to give you all a previous list and add in that I'll completely fangirl when I have Ruin and Rising and the sequel to All Our Yesterdays 

3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Do I have to pick just one? At least I limited myself. 

 

4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014?

YES, PLEASE.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2014?

I think the most fanciful one would be attend BEA. The most important would be to not be too concerned with stats and to not let school bog my reading down.

And that's my 2013—of sorts—for you! On Tuesday, I'll be talking more about my 2014 goals.

2013 End of Year Book Survey - Part 1

The lovely Jamie over at The Perpetual Page-turner creates a survey each year and this year, I'm actually able to participate! I know that I probably forgot a better answer or repeated a book title way too many times, but it was fun to answer Jamie's questions. I think 2013 was a fantastic reading year. I'll be splitting this up into two parts with part two coming tomorrow. So be sure to check back! 

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

Contemporary – United We Spy by Ally Carter and Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic – Unravel Me by Taherah Mafi

Historical Fiction – Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, and Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anna Blankman

Paranormal — Parallel by Lauren Miller and The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Science Fiction — All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill and These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Fantasy — Graceling by Kristin Cashore and Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

Other than YA: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

It's sad that I had quite a few titles pop in my head when I read this question. The book that really wins this title though is A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan. I was expecting another beloved retelling, but ended up really annoyed. Such a disappointment.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?

 

For some reason, I was surprised by Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo and its complete awesomeness. I do not doubt Bardugo any longer.

 4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?

Probably The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I read it and went completely fangirl on it.

 5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

I take this to mean that I read more than one book in the series and if that's the case, the problem is that many series I discovered has its sequels coming out next year or my other problem is that I loved the first book and haven't been able to get to its sequel yet. I knew about it before, but I finally read The Song of the Lioness series and finally started the Graceling series and the Throne of Glass series.

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?

I have a whole list about it here. Someone who isn't on the list: Cristin Terrill because I read her afterwards and her book was AMAZING.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Nothing is ever really out of my comfort zone nowadays, but Dark Triumph was pretty bleak and uncomfortable with its, uh, familial relationships.

 8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

Hands down, All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill. I read 200 pages in one night and then woke up and read the rest in the morning.

 9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

 The Program by Suzanne Young, probably. The sequel comes out next year, woohoo!

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?

The cover of Fangirl makes me happy.

11. Most memorable character in 2013? 

This is an extremely difficult question so I'll break it up by girl, boy, antagonist, and secondary into an incomprehensive list.

Girl: Audrey from Audrey, Wait! and Celaena from Throne of Glass
Boy: Cole from Everbound and Zach from United We Spy
Antagonist: Reinhard from Prisoner of Night and Fog and d'Albert from Dark Triumph
Secondary: Thorne from Scarlet and Gabrielle from Perfect Scoundrels

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

Was there any question about it?

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013? 

This is hard for me because I feel that many books have some sort of impact on me. But Parallel made me really question things. I've always what-iffed everything to death and this made me think about it in a deeper way. What if one tiny choice can change your whole life?

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?

 

The Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce! I (audio)book binged on that and regret not starting sooner.

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013?

Chapter 62 of Unravel Me! Chapter 62! Oh, I should actually quote a passage or a quote that's non-spoilery? This may be the hardest question because I don't do well with remembering quotes. I know there are certain ones I love or laugh with or cry with or brings out some kind of emotion. So I'll just pull another quote from Unravel Me instead and then later be aggravated that I didn't think of so-and-so's quote that another blogger highlighted.

"As far as I can tell, you've got food in your mouth and clothes on your back and a place to pee in peace whenever you feel like it. Those aren't problems. That's called living like a king. And I'd really appreciate it if you'd grow the hell up and stop walking around like the world crapped on your only roll of toilet paper. Because it's stupid," he says, barely reining in his temper. "It's stupid, and it's ungrateful. You don't have a clue what everyone else in the world is going through right now. You don't have a clue, Juliette." —Kenji from Unravel Me

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

According to Goodreads, the longest was Graceling by Kristin Cashore at 471 pages. As for the shortest, possibly In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce at 262 pages because I'm not counting novellas.

 17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

It's probably tiring to see these books coming up so many times, but I can't lie...Parallel for the ending, All Our Yesterdays for the same reason (thankfully I had my sister and Lauren), These Broken Stars for THAT PART, and Illusive by Emily Lloyd-Jones for a frustrating love triangle.

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

Romance – Cath and Levi from Fangirl, Rob and Scarlet from Scarlet, and MANY more.

Friendship – Maddie and "Verity" from Code Name Verity

Familial — Penny and her family from The Lonely Hearts Club

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Unless sequels count, which is a whole different ballgame.

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

Solely? See, I take my time and weigh many people's opinions. But maybe The Naturals because of Ally Carter's recommendation or The Song of the Lioness because Gillian PRESSURES.

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

I'm taking a guess here and saying fantasy type books? 

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Levi from Fangirl, Tarver from These Broken Stars, Xander from The Distance Between Us, George from The Song of the Lioness, Sturmhond from Siege and Storm, Po from Graceling, Finn from All Our Yesterdays...can I keep going?

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill, but you probably knew that already, didn't you?

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?

Again.

25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt was super cute and really fun to read. It was also my first ARC! I smiled throughout Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Coriell as well.  

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?

I don't cry in books, but Code Name Verity was a heartbreaking read.

27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?

Six Months Later by Natalie D. Richards because personally, I barely heard about it through the blogosphere.

~*~

Check back in tomorrow for part two of the survey!

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