The End of Year Book Survey

The End of Year Book Survey is a meme hosted over at The Perpetual Page Turner, which I'm SO excited to participate in. I've been looking for some way to summarize my reads in 2012, and this is it. I feel like it's the perfect way to recognize all of the books I read and loved over the year.

 

 

We made it! We really really made it! I survived another year, as improbable as that seems considering the amount of algebra I had to do. Now it's time to summarize my reading by using a book survey.

 

Best In Books 2012

1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)

Ahh the dreaded question. Sorry but I can never answer this one. I've read too many good books and most of them are good in their own way. It's hard to compare them to each other.


Paranormal:  Endlessly by Kiersten White This was an epic finish to an epic trilogy. Plus, who can resist Evie? She's just hilarious.
Fantasy: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo: This book was uni
Sci- Fi: Goliath by Scott Westerfeld: I loved all the action in this book and the unique sci-fi aspect to it.
Dystopian: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver: This book not only got me thinking but left off with a mind-blowing cliffhanger. And unlike many 2nd books in a trilogy, it wasn't a filler book.
Steampunk: The Girl In The Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross:  Steampunk novels weren't a big thing for me until this series. Now, I couldn't live without them.
Contemporary: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson: This was a cute contemporary that made me realize how much I love this genre.
Vampire: I know, I know. But I had to.  The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead was just an all around   good vampire book.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
 The Forsaken by Lissa M. Stasse The plot of this book was just one of those plots that I felt was written specifically with me in mind. It's a dystopian (I like) about a nice girl (I love- I hate reading about mean girls) who was sent to an island of potential criminals (intruiging!). This book didn't live up to my standards at all and I had to force myself to finish it.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012? 

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han: Before this book I hadn't read much in the contemporary genre. The contemporary books I'd read were just bad choices that kind of turned me off of the genre. Then I decided to give this book a chance and fell in love. It is a book about summer and changes and is stupendously good.

 4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?

Soulbound by Heather Brewer This book had one of the strongest main characters I've ever read about. She was strong mentally and emotionally and took it into her own hands to become strong physically too. Also, the story wasn't lacking in the plot department.

 5. Best series you discovered in 2012?

The Mara Dyer Series

by Michelle Hodkin: If you've ever seen The Sixth Sense, then you know

 how these books made me feel. The ending of the first book was like the ending of The Sixth Sense. It messed with my mind and made me question everything I read. I can't wait for the next book.

 

 6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?

 

Katie Alender: I hadn't heard much about Katie Alender before this year. Then lists of spooky books popped up along with her name. I haven't read many spooky books lately but hers top the list. They're about being haunted by ghosts and chillingly good.

 Morgan Matson: She wrote two standalones, both of which I loved. They were both novels that took place during the summer and they both dealt with heartbreak.

 Gayle Forman: Gayle Forman is on this list because her books made me cry. They dealt with death and were both so touching that I couldn't help but like them.

Becca Fitzpatric: I'd been putting off her series for a long time because I thought it was just another series about fallen angels. It was that and more. It was an addicting series that was both cliché and unique at the same time. I wish I could time travel and reread her books.

Richelle Mead: I'd had enough of vampire stories for a while, so I put of reading Richelle. But I eventually read her books and was amazing. They were unique, had a tough heroine, and most importantly kept me on the edge of my seat in excitement.

 Maggie Stiefvater: I didn't enjoy her Shiver trilogy all that much. Then I read The Scorpio Races and I was hooked. What I like most about Maggie Stiefvater is her writing. She's one of the best writers I've ever had the pleasure of reading. 

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

 I'm going to have to mention Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson yet again. This book is the reason I was turned on to contemporary novels.

 8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick: This book was intense. It was about the end of the world and I literally was sucked into the story from the first page.

 9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:

I don't reread books. Period. The only books I do that with are the Harry Potter books because they're childhood staples for me and just comforting to reread.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman This book just has such a stunning cover. You can tell just by looking at it that it's a fantasy. It has a dragon and a castle and I'm in love with the black and white background. It's unique and lovely. I need a copy for my book shelf. Like, now.

11. Most memorable character in 2012? 

Araby from Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin. She had a privileged life, especially compared to other people. But she eventually realized that it wasn't right that she was going to parties, while people were dropping dead around her. I like how she had everything but still became a heroine.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?

 Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs: This book was written with just enough descriptions to captivate me but nothing was overly described.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012? 

 If I Stay By Gayle Forman: This book was heartbreakingly beautiful. It dealt with choices and life and death. This could also answer #14.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read? 

 The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson: It's nonsense that I didn't read this book before now. Total nonsense!

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012? 

 “I mean, really. Who sends their kid to boarding school? It's so Hogwarts. Only mine doesn't have cute boy wizards or magic candy or flying lessons.”  - Anna and the French Kiss

A quote referencing Harry Potter? I like.

 16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012? 

 I didn't join Goodreads until a few months ago, so I'm not certain. I'm guessing my reread of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows was my longest book at 759 pages. My shortest book was probably Oath of Servitude by C. E. Wilson which is an ebook at 159 pages.

 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!

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver: Cliffhanger times 10! That's all I'm going to say.

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater: The Raven Boys, although they had their problems, were a tightly knit group of friends and basically a family.

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously

 The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead: This series is a definite favorite of mine. It takes vampires to a whole new level.

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

Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I am ashamed to say the main reason I hadn't read this book before was because of the cover/ title. It just didn't seem like it had a plot but a friend finally convinced me to read it. I'm so glad I did. It was so much more than the cover implies. It was about moving and friendships and more!

 Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012

 

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012? 

I honestly didn't know there was such a thing as book blogs until this year. I discovered Katie's Book Blog when I was looking up a book I'd recently read. I was astounded! Here was someone with the same taste in books as me reviewing her books and people actually listened! I began checking her blog several times a day just to see if she'd posted anything new. Her blog was my inspiration for blogging . I can't praise Katie's Book Blog enough. If you've never been there I highly suggest checking it out.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012? 

My favorite review would have to be Crossed by Allie Condie simply because it was the first book review I ever posted. It made me realize that I could actually do this. I could actually review the books I read and maybe other people would discover new books because of me.

 

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

Like I said, my blog is new. But  I'm still ashamed to admit that I've only posted one discussion. However, next year I hope to post way more discussions. The one discussion I did post was about Sequelitis because I'd been seeing so many things about how there are too many sequels. I feel the opposite way, so I wanted to post something to show why I like sequels so much.

 

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

I read a discussion over at Katie's Book Blog recently and it made me think. A lot. It was about why bloggers post more positive than negative reviews and it actually made a lot of sense. You can read about it here.

 

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

The best event I participated in so far would probably have to be the meme Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted over at The Broke and Bookish . I feel like it's a good way to get your ideas out there on different bookish topics. I've had a lot of fun participating in it.

 

6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?

The best moment for me was when I got my first follower. It was such a beautiful feeling to know that someone was actually following my blog and reading my posts.

 

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

That would be my post about the giveaway I'm currently hosting. I don't blame people for viewing it so much because it's a great giveaway. You can enter here.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Once again, I would have liked the post about my giveaway to get more entries. It's ending in three days and I'd love it if more people entered. I want everyone to have a chance at winning!

 

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

My best bookish discover would have to be white hot chocolate. It's not entirely book related but it makes reading, especially in the winter, more pleasurable. White hot chocolate is delicious and surprisingly just as good as hot chocolate. If you've never had it, I would advise you to try it.

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

An unwritten goal I had with myself was to read as much as possible. I feel like I've completed this goal. I don't know how many books I read but it was a lot and I hope to read even more next year!

Looking Ahead…

My Excitement For Next Year!!!

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?

That would have to be Beautiful Creatures , a book I've been "Currently Reading" on Goodreads for a couple months now. I just can't seem to get into it but I want to read it before the movie comes out.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?

Splintered by A. G. Howard comes out on January 1, so I don't have to wait long but I've been waiting for this book for such a long time. It's just one of those books that I feel like was written specifically for me.

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?

Oh! There are so many things! I'm probably going to end up making a list on a New Year's Resolution post.

One thing in particular I would like to do is get more involved in the blogging community. I'm new to this so I don't have very many blogger friends but I would love to make some. I want to try and comment on blogs and read more posts. I just want to talk books with people.

That's the end of the survey! What are your favorite reads of the year? What do you think of mine?