Monday, December 30, 2013

2013 End of Year Survey

I randomly came across this end of year survey from The Perpetual Page-Turner blog and I thought it was such a cool idea and I wanted to give a crack. If you want to be apart of the survey also, you can check out all of the details here. Anyway, here are my answers for the survey!

Best in Books 2013


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).

While some blog readers of mine have already seen my favourite top 10 books of 2013 post from yesterday, I'm still going to repeat it again and say that the best book I read for this year was The Knife of Letting Go by Patrick Ness - including its two other sequels. It was such a brilliant book series . . . let me tell you that!

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
  
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. Honestly, I thought after all the hype the book has been receiving lately that I too would enjoy the book. Sadly, that was not the case.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?
   
Every Breath by Ellie Marney. It really surprised me this one. Didn't think I would love it as much as I did. But damn it was SO GOOD!

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?
  
Considering how much I enjoyed it, it would have to be Night Film by Marisha Pessl. It wasn't my 'usual' read but it was a very exciting read!
 
5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas. This series definitely has a lot potential!

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013? 

Shannon Messenger. I'm really looking forward to more of her books in the future - both in her YA and middle grade genres.

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

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler. I don't normally read books based on real people but this book . . . it had just really hit me with a lot of emotions and I think it's because I've always been interested in Zelda herself and her author-of-a-husband.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?
 
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black. It was a real treat!

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

Dare You To by Katie McGarry. Of course!

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013? 
  
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. Hands down!


11. Most memorable character in 2013? 

Jem Carstairs from The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare. I love him to death as many of you already know. Sorry Will, but Jem will always beat you despite your love of books.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

Again, Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. I mean, that ending was such a  little heart-breaker.

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

Again, I have to mention the brilliant book Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler. It might be fiction but the ending was still so very sad because the main character was based on the real Zelda Fitzgerald, which makes the story even more sadder to read about.

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

Definitely The Chaos Walking Series by Patrick Ness. I mean, what was I thinking? Why did I wait so long to read this series? Seriously . . . I should have read this series a long, long time ago.

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

I have a lot of favourites with this particular question. But, if I had to choose between them all, it would be this particular quote:

“Sometimes fate or life or whatever you want to call it, leaves a door a little open and you walk through it. But sometimes it locks the door and you have to find the key, or pick the lock, or knock the damn thing down. And sometimes, it doesn’t even show you the door, and you have to build it yourself. But if you keep waiting for the doors to be opened for you . . . I think you’ll have a hard time finding single happiness, let alone that double portion. -- Just One Year by Gayle Forman.

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

I'm not exactly sure with this one . . . but from what I can recall the shortest book for me was The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace (which was not a favourite book of mine sadly). As for the longest read for this year, it would have to be A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (for obvious reasons because his books will always be longer than most of my usual reads hehe).

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!
 
The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead. It had a lot of crazy moments in it - including its 'sort of' cliffhanger of an ending.

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

The relationship between Rachel Watts and James Mycroft from Ellie Marney's Every Breath book. I had great admiration for that relationship right from the very beginning of the book because it was a very cute friendship that they shared at first . . . then it became very sweet and romantic towards the end which was really sweet as well. It's my favourite types of romances!

Another mention would have to be the friendship between Todd and Viola from Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking trilogy series. While it was hinted at a small romance between these two characters (at least that's how I saw it by book 3), but what I really admired about these two was how much respect Todd and Viola had for each other and they were just so damn adorable together, especially when they had each other backs (like always). I just really loved those two crazy kids.

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

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater. I may not have liked the first book, but I quite enjoyed this sequel. More than I thought I would.

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
A couple of readers suggested for me to read Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout and the rest of that series. Turns out I was missing out on something that was really extra special! ;)


21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

Seems to be more in the fantasy genre. Yet again. Though I have been reading a few more contemporary books than I usually do in a year of reading, which is good because I'm quite enjoying the genre once again.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?
This is a strange one . . . but it would be Victor from This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel. He isn't the most stable guy around but I loved him regardless. I also kind of fell for Korbyn from Sarah Beth Durst's standalone novel Vessel. I definitely had a soft spot for that guy (or rather that god of a guy).

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman. Of course!

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

Not too sure on this one. But I did quite enjoy the world of The Elites by Natasha Ngan.

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

Probably Allegiant by Veronica Roth since it's the last book of the trilogy and all, and it was also the book that have everyone talking this year. You know? With the ending? Another couple of fun reads were also For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund and Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger.

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

I'm going to cheat here. It would have to be between four books that I read this year: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler, Catherine by April Lindner and Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness.

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

Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger. I haven't heard a terrible lot from readers about this book (or maybe that's just me thinking that). But seriously this book is just insanely awesome! I would highly recommend it to anyone!

Book Blogging/Reading Life 2013


1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2013?

I know I followed a few new blogs this year but I don't think I can choose between let alone name them all on here. So I'll get back to you with that question.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013?

Probably my review of Clockwork Princess. There was a lot of rambling in it . . .

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

Can't really remember. At least not right now.

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

I quite liked this post titled  'The Bullies of Goodreads'. It was definitely a topic that needed to be addressed as some people can be really terrible on Goodreads. There's not liking book to really not liking that book. There is a difference between the two and voicing your opinions in a favourable manner (you know, without being too nasty).

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

Due to university studies, I haven't had much time for well . . . anything event and author related. Plus a lot of events don't usually take place in Brisbane, Australia. Sadly. This is why I need to move to the likes of Sydney and Melbourne or even overseas.

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

Is it wrong to say just being really committed to blogging and reviewing this year? I really tried my hardest this year to write a lot of reviews and read a lot of books for all of you guys, and I think I succeeded on that one. I 'think'.

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

Not entirely sure on this one (there were A LOT of views on my blog for this year), but from what I can see at the moment, my review for The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain seems to be very popular with the blog readers.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love? 

My book reviews in general. Haha. There was more viewing than commenting on my blog for 2013 but I'm totally cool with that. :)

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

Better World Books. They are pretty cool and I would recommend them if you're looking for 'sometimes' cheap and  secondhand books.

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

I did! I manage to complete my reading challenge on Goodreads. 228 books right on the dot. I'm looking forward to seeing if I can beat that reading goal next year . . . though I probably won't due to uni studies next year. Hehe. I'm surprised I read as much as I did for this year considering how busy I was with assignments and exams.


Looking Ahead


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

I want to read A LOT OF BOOKS next year. But come to think of it, I would like to eventually read the book Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh since I really enjoyed the first book of that series. Like very much.

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

Gosh, how do I choose between them all? But I am definitely looking forward to reading Up From the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (as it's the last book of one of my favourite series), Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen (as I adored the first book so, so much), and Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead (because hey it's another Mead book to read).

3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating? 

Probably The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings. Sounds good that one! And I'm totally digging its blood red book cover.

4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014? 

Some book series endings have really disappointed me in the past (including this year) . . . but I am looking forward to seeing what will happen in the last book in The Mortal Instrument series - City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare. Mostly because that series should have ended a long, long time ago . . . though I am still hoping for the best with this last book (even though Clare herself hinted a few characters are going to be killed off) so fingers crossed on that one.

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

Read more of course! But I would also like to read more books outside my usual genre. Maybe some more contemporary books or adult fiction in the mystery/thriller side of things instead of it always being in the young adult and/or fantasy genre which is always on my to-read and wishlist pile of books.

Well, there you have it with my End of Year Survey.

3 comments:

  1. So I have once again read NONE of these books and I have only heard of five of them. Clearly, I am doing well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hehe. Well, now you have plenty of recommendations from me because all of them were pretty awesome books. ;)

      Delete
  2. So I have once . again read NONE . of these books and I have only . heard of five of them. Clearly, I am doing well.
    key :nạp tiền điện thoại - khuyến mãi vinaphone - nap the zing

    ReplyDelete

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