One of the things I look forward to in December is the End of Year Book Survey, as hosted by Jamie! It's a great way too look back at a year of books and blogging, plus, it's pretty fun to see what else everyone has been reading and raving about in 2013. This is actually the survey's FOURTH year (which is pretty darn cool). [For my past posts, check out the one I did in 2011, and the one for 2012!]
It's always hard for me to make sure I mention a variety of books, so I've made a few rules for myself this year: (1) I am only allowed to repeat a book 3 times, and (2) I can break things down into genres. These rules are totally my own, but feel free to use them if you want!
And now, without further ado, here are my answers for this year's survey.
1. Best book(s) you read in 2013?
Fantasy YA: The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell (reminds me of Tamora Pierce books!)
Contemporary YA: Golden by Jessi Kirby (one of my absolute favorites this year!)
Paranormal YA: Spark by Brigid Kemmerer (second in a series, but so, so good!)
Historical Romance: Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros (reminds me of Beauty & the Beast!)
Contemporary Romance: Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas (an oldie, but a goodie!)
Historical Fiction: The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak (such a uniquely written book!)
Non-fiction: The Geek's Guide to Dating by Eric Smith (all the references are quirky!)
Middle Grade: Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan (I adored the main character!)
New Adult: Brooklyn Girls by Gemma Burgess (set in New York City, baby!)
Series Starter: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard (necromancy + steampunk!)
Middle of a Series: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas (Chaol freaking Westfall!)
Series Ender: The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (I totally cried reading this!)
2. Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn't?
While it sated my need to find out how it all ends for Tris and Four, I just didn't find Allegiant by Veronica Roth as compelling as its predecessors.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?
Hands down, the answer to this question is The Host by Stephenie Meyer. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did, but seriously, it's great! I also absolutely loved The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler. My review's not going up until next month, but suffice it to say, this book kept me reading until 3AM because it was just. that. good.
4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?
I'm fairly certain that this book is Crown of Midnight, because I basically gushed to everyone willing to listen about how amazing this book is and how incredible the series is as a whole. [P.S. I am constantly available for anyone who wants to email/chat/tweet about this series.]
5. Best series you discovered in 2013?
This is a prize that will either go to the Unearthly series (my review of book 1), which Jamie brought to my attention, or the Something Strange and Deadly series (my review of book 1). I'm pretty sure you can also count all the companion novels in the Hundred Oaks series by Miranda Kenneally (my reviews: 1, 2, 3) too.
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?
Samantha Shannon (author of The Bone Season) is one of my newest favorite authors! She's incredibly talented, and inspiring, and one of the sweetest people ever.
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
This is going to have to go to a series that I (finally) embraced last November - the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward (my mini-review of books 1-3). I never even considered picking up this series until my sister bullied me into it -- and I'm glad she did. This vampire brotherhood is kick-ass!
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?
Hands down, this goes to All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill. Once I started this book, I simply could not put it down! There was so much happening, so many twists I had to unravel and I loved it.
9. Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year?
I'm most definitely re-reading Incarnate, Asunder & Phoenix Overture by Jodi Meadows for the Incarnate Series Read-A-Thon I'm co-hosting with Bonnie! Other than that, we'll see but I'll most likely re-read some of my favorite historical romances.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?
I am seriously obsessed with the cover of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I love that they used an illustration for it, and one that goes perfectly with the contents of the book. Plus, I adored the font of the title too!
11. Most memorable character in 2013?
The one character I was familiar with but loved even more this year was Chaol Westfall (Crown of Midnight). The new characters I loved were Allyson (Just One Day by Gayle Forman) and Persis Blake (Across A Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund).
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?
The Book Thief was so wonderfully written! It might have started slow, but it just won me over as I kept turning the pages. The inclusion of illustrations and definitions and other such things was something that I completely adored.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?
It was definitely Golden. That book made me think about what I was doing with my life presently, and what I wanted to do with it in the future. It is such a beautiful, thoughtful novel!
14. Book you can't believe you waited until 2013 to finally read?
It took prompting from the Gayle Forman Read-Along to get me to read these two, but I loved If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman. I'm pleased to say that I really loved these books, and I can't wait for the movie!
15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2013?
I have so many quotes that I loved from books I've read this year (and you can find them on Stories by Alexa). But my favorite right is this:
16. Shortest and longest book you read in 2013?
The longest book I read this year was The Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (811 pages), and the shortest was Teacher's Pest by Charles Gilman (170 pages). [I didn't count novellas, but if I did, the shortest would be Fearless by Brigid Kemmerer (44 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.) Be careful of spoilers!
Okay, seriously, this will have to go to Crown of Midnight! Anyone who knows me and has read the book will know exactly which scene/s I'm talking about. [And if you want to discuss with me, just tweet me or email me!]
18. Favorite relationship from a book you read in 2013?
[Sorry guys, I'm totally cheating on this one and posting my top choices for each section!]
Romance: Celaena & Chaol in Crown of Midnight / Beth & Ryan in Dare You To by Katie McGarry / Wanderer & Ian in The Host [There deserves to be a bonus shout-out for Warden & Paige in The Bone Season!]
Friendship: the gang in Crash Into You by Katie McGarry / the seven demigods in The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan / Ronan and Gansey in The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater [I also loved Caggie and her best friend in The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle, out in 2014!]
Family: Callie and her father & his family in Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller / the Merrick brothers in the Elemental series (my review of book 1) / the brotherhood in Black Dagger Brotherhood series (my mini-reviews of books 1-3) [I also loved Jude and her dad and sisters in The Book of Broken Hearts!]
19. Favorite book you read in 2013 from an author you've read previously?
I'm going to answer this one with Where the Stars Still Shine. I loved this sophomore novel a lot! The descriptions of the setting made me want to go there and visit immediately. I also adored the family aspect to this one, particularly because it featured a giant Greek clan!
20. Best book you read in 2013 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else?
I'm going to have to say that it was one of my sister's recommendations: The Host. That book really wasn't what I expected, and in a good way. You can tell I liked it a lot because it's already made multiple appearances on this list!
21. Genre you read the most from in 2013?
I read a lot of fantasy, which should come as no surprise to anyone.
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?
Warden from The Bone Season! Daniel from Something Strange and Deadly! Wrath from Dark Lover!
23. Best 2013 debut you read?
I've mentioned a few debuts already, so here's a new one: The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas. I liked this fantasy series starter! It might have had a bit of a slow start, but it really picked up towards the middle. I liked the whole girl-disguised-as-a-guy bit, and I really liked the idea of training in the Crucible!
24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?
I loved the descriptions that were included in Across a Star-Swept Sea. There's one part in particular, involving a star cove, that was especially lovely. I also liked the way things were described in These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner, because I really felt like I was immersed in that world!
25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2013?
I had fun reading Also Known As by Robin Benway! That book made me laugh when I read it, and I loved the story too because it has spies and it's set in New York City. My favorite characters - Roux and Angelo - are pretty much a big part of why I enjoyed this one.
26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2013?
Let's see, right off the top of my head, I remember crying or at least tearing up while reading Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally, Golden, and The Host.
27. Book you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?
I think this honor goes to the Elemental series (my review of book 1), which more people need to know about! For stand-alones, I definitely want to put it out there that The Cadet of Tildor is pretty darn awesome.
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2013?
I only started following Snuggly Oranges this year, but I love it! Debby's a pretty awesome blogger. Her blog design is super cheerful, "Debby books" exist in the world and I enjoy reading her discussion posts too. Out of my real life friends, I adore Gaby of Queen Ella Bee Reads because she has great reviews (and we share tastes in books and book boys), and fun discussion posts.
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013?
One of the reviews that was extremely hard to write, but hopefully expressed my feelings well was the one I wrote for The Book Thief. A close second and third would be the ones for Golden and Just One Day, with Crown of Midnight rounding up the group.
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
I don't actually do a lot of discussion posts on my blog, which is something I'd like to remedy in 2014. Here are three posts that I feel could fall under discussions -- and I hope you check them out!
Currently, I Have a Series-ous Problem
One or Two (or Maybe More?)
Dear Cassie (A Letter About Fantasy Novels)
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else's blog?
Two of my favorite posts were written by Magan - one about foster care and parenthood, and one announcing her pregnancy. These posts were so wonderful to read, because they were personal, thoughtful and really emotional too.
Other posts I liked: Asheley's post on reading all kinds of books, Hannah's post about reading classics, Estelle's post about the internet and friendships, and a post from Stephanie May with blogging advice
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
I loved attending BEA for the second time in 2013, and co-hosting the Book Blogger Picnic (Look out for this again in 2014!). Virtually, I loved co-hosting the Love-a-thon in February (and watch out for this again in 2014!).
6. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2013?
I adored meeting the YAGB girls! It was truly an honor, just like being the official blogger for the NY stop of the Fierce Reads tour was. I also spazzed every time an author (Tahereh Mafi! Diana Peterfreund! Jodi Meadows! Nova Ren Suma! Leigh Bardugo! Meagan Spooner! Amie Kaufman!) knew who I was, and knew my blog.
7. Most popular post this year on your blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
If we're looking at views, I'm surprised to report that my series review of Something Borrowed + Something Blue by Emily Giffin garnered the most views! I seriously wasn't expecting that at all, but I guess people really liked that book or the movie.
8. Post you wished got a little more love?
I appreciate each and every comment I get, mind you, but they can be surprisingly sporadic when it comes to the biggest part of my blog - my book reviews. Generally, I wish all my reviews got a little more love and not just the popular or most anticipated titles! Here are some reviews I feel like you should check out: Moonset by Scott Tracey, Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer and Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros.
9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, bookstores)?
I'm pretty much obsessed with the photos that Margot takes of "faux" YA book covers. She shares them on her site, The Real Fauxtographer, and it's the best. thing. ever. She's so talented that it's not even funny -- and one of the nicest people I know too!
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
The good: I completed my Goodreads reading goal of 200 books (which is so unexpected, and pretty awesome)! I also managed to catch up on the entire Elemental series, and completed my goal of reading 24 debuts this year!
The bad: I failed by 3 sets for the Companion Novels Challenge, and haven't read 4 of the books for the Song of Ice and Fire Read-Along.
1. One book you didn't get to in 2013 but will be your number 1 priority in 2014?
There are three series that I will pick as answers to this question: the Jessica Darling series, the Legend series and the Under the Never Sky series. I've been hearing nothing but really good things about all three, so it's high time I check them out. Right? [Feel free to (lovingly) yell at me about which one I should read first in the comments.]
2. Book you are most anticipating for 2014 (non-debut)?
I want to answer this question with lots of different answers, but I will try to keep it to 10:
Throne of Glass #3 by Sarah J. Maas
Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard
Infinite by Jodi Meadows
Cress by Marissa Meyer
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Isla & the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
3. 2014 debut you are most anticipating?
I'm going to go with a book that Jodi Meadows recommended to me recently - Alienated by Melissa Landers. Even though I don't read a lot of book about aliens, I trust Jodi's recommendation and really think I'll like this one!
4. Series ending you are most anticipating in 2014?
I actually listed most of them up there! I think I'm most excited for Strange and Ever After though, because I need to know what happens to Eleanor, Daniel and the Spirit Hunters. Plus, it's set in EGYPT -- one of my dream travel destinations!
5. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2014?
I would ideally love to be able to manage my reading of review books better, so that I can serve as a much better partner to all the publishers who let me read their books. This, of course, while making sure that blogging always stays fun and never feels like a chore! I'd also love to try to come up with more creative posts and discussion posts.
YOUR TURN - Have you filled out your End of Year Survey yet? (Feel free to link me in your comment so I can go and check it out!) Which of the books on my survey have you read? Which blogs do you enjoy visiting the most? Tell me what you think!