I will probably say this at least a dozen more times this month but.. is it really December? Is it really the end of the year? Is it really time for this survey? I feel like this entire year flew by! I read even more books than I anticipated which made filling this out extra hard. A lot of amazing books came out and I didn't want to forget mentioning a single one. (I probably did anyway but I tried my best!)
And as always, thanks to Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner for hosting this every year. It's always fun to look back on what I've read and try to choose favorites. Of course I cheat and usually name 2-3 books per question but I know I'm not alone in that. (Right?!)
Now onto the survey!
Best Books of 2013
1. Best Book You Read In 2013?
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Champion by Marie Lu
How To Love by Katie Cotugno
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
I could not pick one! Could. Not.
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?
Winger by Andrew Smith
4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
How to Love by Katie Cotugno
5. Best series you discovered in 2013?
Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Something Strange and Deadly series by Susan Dennard
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?
Susan Dennard.
Not only are her books great, but I met her in person and she was so incredibly nice. I adore her (and her writing).
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Tell The Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Champion by Marie Lu
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
9. Book You Read In 2013 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
Jennifer L. Armentrout books, in general. I find myself re-reading parts of her books an embarrassing number of times. It's hard not to with guys like Daemon Black, Aiden St. Delphi and Cameron Hamilton.
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?
Fingerprints of You by Kristen-Paige by Madonia
11. Most memorable character in 2013?
Guys - Daemon Black, Ryan Dean West, Tohrment, Daniel Sheridan, Day
Gals - Celaena Sardothien, June, Allyson Healy
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?
This is so, so hard. But I'm going to say that it's a toss-up between Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and Just One Day by Gayle Forman.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?
How to Love by Katie Cotugno
Even though a lot of books impacted me this year (emotionally and in a thrilling OMG I need to know what happens next kind of way), something about this really got under my skin.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?
Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2013?
"Sometimes people think they know you. They know a few facts about you, and they piece you together in a way that makes sense to them. And if you don't know yourself very well, you might even believe that they are right. But the truth is, that isn't you. That isn't you at all." Leila Sales, This Song Will Save Your Life.
"I think sometimes when we find love we pretend it away, or ignore it, or tell ourselves we're imagining it. Because it is the most painful kind of hope there is." Rae Carson, The Bitter Kingdom
"Happiness is the most natural things in the world when you have it, and the slowest, strangest, most impossible thing when you don't." Dan Wells, Partials
16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?
Shortest: The Rules of Thirds by Chanel Guertin, 196 pp
Longest: Lover at Last by JR Ward, 696 pp (didn't expect that one!)
17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It?
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (if you read it, you know what I'm talking about!)
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (that epilogue!)
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2013
Hah! As if I could possibly name one (and of course, my mind is all about the romances):
Alex/Aiden, Katy/Daemon, Celaena/Chaol, Elisa/Hector, June/Day, Reena/Sawyer, Lou/Will, Perry/Aria. I could probably keeping going but I'll stop here.
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2013 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
Champion by Marie Lu
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
Winger by Andrew Smith
21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?
Young Adult (obviously!). Otherwise, it's been a very diverse year!
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?
Cameron Hamilton from Wait For You.
Everyone else I'd want to name I technically "met" in 2012. Cam is the new guy!
23. Best 2013 debut you read?
How To Love by Katie Cotugno
24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo.
Runner Up: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2013?
The Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
This was really fun because I was reading it with Alexa and Kelly. Plus I love binge-reading a series.
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2013?
It's almost embarrassing just how many books have made me cry or nearly cry this year:
Me Before You, How To Love, Lover Reborn, Tell the Wolves I'm Home, The Book of Broken Hearts, If I Lie, Champion, Clockwork Princess. What can I say? When my emotions are invested, I can't help the tears!
27. Book You Read in 2013 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?
Winger by Andrew Smith.
I can think of only two other blogs who have reviewed it (that I follow) and it's such an amazing book.
Book Blogging / Reading Life
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2013?So Obsessed With, which is run by Hannah. I really enjoy her thoughtful, eloquent and honest reviews. Her selection of books is so diverse + the site design is absolutely lovely. And she's so nice!
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013?
My review for Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally. This was tough because it was evoked so many thoughts and feelings that I wanted to clearly convey in my review.
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
- What do I want to do?
I don't know if this is my best discussion per se. But I get personal about my professional life and what I want for myself and I think it's something a lot of people can relate to.
- What the Mortal Instruments Did Wrong
I know I had fun discussing this!
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
Estelle's post, On A Personal Note: The Internet + 1.
I have to say BEA 2013. Even though it was my second time attending, this time I got to attend all three days. I got pretty much all the books I wanted, met fellow bloggers and met authors like Susan Dennard, Sarah J. Mass and Kat Zhang. (Nothing like standing around the Javitz Center and having one of them approach you to say hi - amazing!)
6. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2013?
Doing the Something Strange and Deadly Celebration with Alexa. It was an idea we had to celebrate these books and when we reached out to Susan Dennard, it was more of a hey we're just letting you know we're fangirling over your books on these dates. Not only did she contribute some swag but we also got to interview her. Definitely my most memorable book blogging experience.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Views: Fire Blog Tour: Review + Guest Post
Comments: Birthday Celebration + Giveaway
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
My review for Champion by Marie Lu only because I wanted to discuss the book so badly with someone!
9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
Edelweiss (I'm pretty sure I only started using it this year) and more recently, BookBlogging - a community for book bloggers.
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge: I surpassed my goal of reading 165 books!
Debut Author Challenge: My goal was 20 which I reached (and I think surpassed too!)
Looking Ahead
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows. (It helps that Alexa is planning a read-a-thon in January!)
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2014 (non-debut)?
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (plus all the books listed for #4).
3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira
4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014?
Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Lux series)
Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard (Something Strange & Deadly series)
Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke & Bone series)
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me series)
5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2014?
Keep trying new books outside my comfort zone, try to be more creative with my blog, be more proactive (in other words, don't be shy about emailing/tweeting publicists and authors!). But mostly, just keep on having fun. I love books and sharing that love with other people. That's what this blog comes down to and I want to always keep sight of that.
Now that I'm reading your survey I kind of wish I had put How to Love in mine more. I think, a few months later, I still can't get over how good it was and how much it took me by surprise. And I've promised myself I'll finally read Me Before You this winter and all your mentions of that one is giving me more motivation!
ReplyDeleteOh, I still need to read Champion, but I'm getting it for Christmas and I loved the rest of the series so I can't wait to dive into that one. Just One Day was awesome, as per Gayle's style. Still need to read CoM, lol. Everyone keeps saying how disappointing Allegiant was, sigh. So happy you love Lux and I still need to read Susan's book, even though I have it. She's def great in person, too. CP2 made my list too! I am OVERLY excited that JLA's books are what you would most likely re-read. Yay! That makes my heart smile, haha. You know how crazy I am about JLA. Alea & Aiden is #1! I'm so excited for Opposition, too!
ReplyDeleteVi
AKA Vi3tBabe
Deity Island
YAY for another awesome year of books + blogging! It sounds like your year has been full of amazing things, and I love the fact that I was pretty much a part of the whole journey with a lot of the books you've read. It's been really cool to co-host events and celebrations with you, and I certainly look forward to more in 2014 ;)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I LOVED Just One Day and Crown of Midnight. I will be starting Legend series at the end of January and I'm so pumped for it.
ReplyDeleteI'm scared to read Allegiant but before that, I'm even scared to read Insurgent. I will finish the series this year, though. Soon.
I read Onyx and Opal but I wasn't too impressed with it. Still, a little excited for Origin.
Daniel Sheridan is gah, so good! I only read Something Strange and Deadly last year but I enjoyed it a lot.
Hell yeah, Celaena Sardothien. OMG, I want Book 3 of Throne of Glass and The Raven Cycle sooo bad.
Allyson Healy will always stay with me. LOVE her.
I'm also looking forward to reading We Were Liars and Love Letters to the Dead. Yay for 2014 books!
Also, I think I need to read How to Love...