Jamie from The Perpetual Page Turner is hosting her third annual end of the year survey. I've seen this around on a lot of people's blogs and it looks like fun.
Best In Books 2012
1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)
Adult fiction: When She Woke
Contemporary YA: Anna and the French Kiss
Dystopian YA: Shatter Me & Under the Never Sky
Sci-fi/supernatural/paranormal-ish (big lumping together): Obsidian
New Adult: Easy & Beautiful Disaster
Contemporary YA: Anna and the French Kiss
Dystopian YA: Shatter Me & Under the Never Sky
Sci-fi/supernatural/paranormal-ish (big lumping together): Obsidian
New Adult: Easy & Beautiful Disaster
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
The Maze Runner. I thought I was going to love this book. It had gotten such good reviews. It was actually kind of a depressing book and the slang the boys used got annoying. It was only interesting the last few chapters of the book. Very disappointing.
Anna Dressed In Blood. Again everyone raved about this, but I just didn't enjoy it. The whole romance creeped me out and it was kind of predictable.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
Sweet Evil. I got an ecopy of this book from the library for a long road trip just because I didn't know what else to get. I ended up loving it and reading it on the trip.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
Probably Obsidian again lol. I've been pushing that on everyone who will listen. Also, Divergent/Insurgent.
5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
I picked this one up from the library shelf because I thought the cover was interesting. I remember sitting down to read a bit to see if I wanted to take it out. A few hours later and I was addicted and glad I picked it up. The Unbecoming of Mara Deyer.
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
Jennifer L. Armentrout. I will read anything by this lady. Her writing has humor, romance, and adventure all in one. And she never disappoints.
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
I had never read any mermaid books before, but this one made me change my mind. Of Poseidon was hilarious and I can't wait for the next book to come out.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
Insurgent. I read it in one sitting it was that good!
9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:
I want to reread Wanderlove this summer!
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
I love her dress, the hidden skulls, the border, the off with their heads, the font. I couldn't wait for this one to come out basically because of the cover.
11. Most memorable character in 2012?
Since I don't want to answer Daemon for every question I'll say Echo and Noah from Pushing the Limits. Their story was beautiful and I loved watching them grow together and as individuals.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
Shatter Me. It was more like poetry writing than a novel. It flowed so smoothly and was so descriptive. And I loved the lines crossed out.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
I don't know why I waited to read this until 2012, but it made me think about everything in life and will definitely stay with me forever. Perks of Being A Wallflower was amazing.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
See question 13.
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
“we accept the love we think we deserve.”
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.”
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“The moon is a loyal companion.
It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human.
Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me
“In your dreams, Kitten." He smirked. "Oh wait, I'm already starring in those, aren't I?"
I rolled my eyes.
"Nightmares, Daemon. Nightmares.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, Obsidian
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.”
― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
“The moon is a loyal companion.
It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human.
Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me
“In your dreams, Kitten." He smirked. "Oh wait, I'm already starring in those, aren't I?"
I rolled my eyes.
"Nightmares, Daemon. Nightmares.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, Obsidian
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?
Longest — Daughter of Smoke and Bone went on FOREVER!!! It was beautifully written, but around page 300 I was ready to give up. I pushed through and finished it though. I hear it's going to be a movie soon.
Shortest — Hex Hall. It was so thin that I finished it in a day I think. It was funny and a quick read anyway.
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!
I'm going to agree with Jamie...The ending to Pandemonium in the Delirium series!!! I literally considered throwing my ipad at the wall when I read that ending, but decided not to haha. I can't believe she left it like that.
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
Travis and Abby's relationship in Beautiful Disaster was just so messed up and realistic. I had a friend in college whose relationship was kind of like that. It was just so dysfunctional and different than any relationship I ever read in a book.
Daemon and Katy were hilarious and their banter made me laugh out loud.
Daemon and Katy were hilarious and their banter made me laugh out loud.
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously
I read the Iron King and didn't really like it, but I'm glad my goodreads group was reading The Immortal Rules because I ended up loving it!
20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
Val over at Stuckinbooks.com suggested I read Vampire Academy because I liked Obsidian so much. I was so glad I listened to her I read all the books in the series!
Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012 (optional)
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012?
Well considering I started blogging in 2012 there are a lot lol here are a few.
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2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012?
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012?
This was the first time someone told me they were going to purchase a book based on my review and it made me so happy. And I shared a little piece of my life experiences in this review too. Anna and the French Kiss
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
I haven't done a lot of discussions yet because for the first year I focused on reviews and memes, but here are a few.
Cover Changes: Good or Bad?
Hi, My Name's Melissa and I'm a Cover Snob...Help!
The Hunger Games: Age Appropriateness
Cover Changes: Good or Bad?
Hi, My Name's Melissa and I'm a Cover Snob...Help!
The Hunger Games: Age Appropriateness
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
I love this blogger and reading her post Lets Talk: How Reading Saved My Life really made me think. She talks about how reading has pulled her through hard times. I'm sure most of us can relate. If you don't follow Danielle yet you should!
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
Before I started blogging I'd never really followed authors on twitter or anything (except Sarah Dessen...I used to stalk her blog in hopes she'd come to the tristate area for a signing lol). But now that I have twitter I was able to find out about an awesome opportunity in the city to meet some amazing authors. It was my first signing so I was the obnoxious girl that asked for pictures with all the authors haha.
Tahera Mafi is just as funny in person as she is on twitter. Veronica Rossi is sooooo nice. She wrote down my blog address and followed me on twitter that day. And she visited my blog when I tagged her on twitter in one of my posts. Lauren Oliver is just awesome and waited patiently as I had my cousin retake the picture twice since the first one was blurry. I can't wait to go to another signing.
6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?
I think this would have to be
1. When I was emailed by the publishers of Dear Teen Me to be part of the blog tour. It was the first time I'd been contacted by someone other than an independent author to review something.
2. The twitter parties I attended including the #LoveJLA one we had the other night!
3. I also started using a new rating system this year that I love and I redesigned my blog layout/background and love it...for now lol.
4. When I was interviewed =)
1. When I was emailed by the publishers of Dear Teen Me to be part of the blog tour. It was the first time I'd been contacted by someone other than an independent author to review something.
2. The twitter parties I attended including the #LoveJLA one we had the other night!
3. I also started using a new rating system this year that I love and I redesigned my blog layout/background and love it...for now lol.
4. When I was interviewed =)
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
This post had 279 views. My guest post from Susan Dennard author of Something Strange and Deadly.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
I wrote this post and then it got deleted. I was sooooo angry, but I rewrote it. Then it only got a few views lol. Book Boyfriends I'd Like To Meet Under the Mistletoe
9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
I found goodreads this year which transformed my life. I also like Netgalley and Bookblogs.ning. And of course Books Of Wonder where the signing was.
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I set my 2012 goal for 100 books and actually read 105! I think it was because for awhile I was just working part time and I was sick for a few months. I'm not sure what goal I'll make for 2013. Maybe 50? What are you guys doing?
The Bout of Books readathon was awesome and I plan on doing the next one this January. Here's the first one I did BOB #1. You basically set a goal of books you want to read that you haven't gotten to yet and there's challanges, twitter parties, update posts, etc.
The Bout of Books readathon was awesome and I plan on doing the next one this January. Here's the first one I did BOB #1. You basically set a goal of books you want to read that you haven't gotten to yet and there's challanges, twitter parties, update posts, etc.
Looking Ahead…
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?
The Evolution of Mara Deyer and Opal just came out and after waiting forever for them I didn't end up buying them right away, but those will be the first books I purchase in 2013!
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?
The obvious: Sweet Peril, Origin, Unravel Me, etc. This one is a stand alone that I can't wait to read:
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?
I want to either create a meme or new event to host on my blog. I also want to do more discussion posts and possibly if I ever have enough money a giveaway. I really want to make more friends. I talk to lots of bloggers regularly on twitter, but only have a few that actually come to my blog regularly. Kimba the Caffinated Book Reviewer is one of them who always visits and I love her for that. She also runs Sunday post which is a lot of fun.
