Can you believe this year is over?! Tonight we will ring in 2015…seriously where does time go?!
Today I want to take a look back on all the great reads I’ve had this year and how this little ole blog got started 😉 The End of Year Book Survey was created by Jamie @ the Perpetual Page-Turner and I love her questions. It’s a great way to reflect on all that I’ve read and I love reading everyone’s posts! Now I have a few books I’ve added to my TBR because of it!
For more info on Jamie’s survey, click here. This post has also been linked with many others who are participating!
Note: The survey is for books you read throughout the year, no matter when they were published, and is not limited to just books that came out in 2014!! All covers link to Goodreads and titles link to my reviews 🙂
Number Of Books You Read:
160 books according to Goodreads which met my 125 book challenge this year 😀 I kinda read a lot!
Number of Re-Reads:
8 books…I’m a bit disappointed as I didn’t read Twilight or Hunger Games this year. Those are my go-to reads every fall and I read them like clockwork! This will be a priority in 2015!
Genre You Read The Most From:
Fantasy, Dystopian, Young Adult…was there every any doubt?! 😆
1. Best Book You Read In 2014?
Okay I have to cheat a bit on this one! Asking a bookaholic to name one book is like asking a mother to name her favorite kid!!!!
Fantasy:
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor has to be my favorite fantasy read for 2014. I had put off reading this book because angel/demon mythology has never been my thing, but I was way off base thinking of this story in that light. It’s an epic urban fantasy set in two worlds with creatures who have been at war for thousands of years. In other words if you haven’t read it yet, get it!!!!
Dystopian:
Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi…just the entire trilogy…it’s amazing!!! I stumbled across the first book in 2012 when it was first released and anxiously awaited each one. The author delivers a fantastic end to the series and the dystopian world she creates is just….OMG!!!
Young Adult:
Shock Me by Ashley C. Harris is by far my favorite YA read this year! It’s clean (thank the Lord!!!) and it combines science fiction with a superhero type feel. The multiple POVs are awesome and the main character Donna Young is a heroine girls can look up too. I love the series so far and cannot wait for more 😀
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Lucky Us by Amy Bloom was a book that I discovered on Netgalley and one of the first I was approved for, but it was a total let down for me. It was billed as a historical fiction set during the Depression in Hollywood and followed two sisters. The synopsis got that half right, however I wouldn’t call it a historical fiction as it doesn’t focus on any type of history. It’s written more as a memoir (even though it is fiction). I only read about 60% before I had to sit it down. 🙁
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014?
In a Good Way:
Futureless by K.J. Draeghan blew me away! This is a debut novel and I would never have realized this if the author hadn’t told me. There are five (really six) main characters with alternating POVs, a world entirely made up by the author, and it is pure gold! It’s an epic fantasy, sci-fi adventure that if you haven’t read you need too. I promise I’m not making this up! I wasn’t excited about reading it (remember my confession earlier in the year about being a cover snob?) and well all I can say is that about 10 pages into the story I was hooked! This author needs love and her books to get attention because I want…no I NEED to read more!
In a Bad Way:
Okay this book was not at all what I expected. I haven’t written a review yet for this book even though I read it two months ago because I don’t know how to form my thoughts to make it make sense. Astra by Naomi Foyle is about a young girl and the society she lives in. It’s set in a dystopian type world and it is way out there! I’m still not sure how I feel about it.
4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?
The Imdalind Series is by far one of my all time favorites and with the first book in the series being free on and off this year I pushed it hard with everyone I talked to. If you enjoy YA, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy with fantastic imagery and world/character-building, do yourself a favor and check out this series! It’s the best 😀
5. Best series you started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?
Best Series I started:
The Dwellers Saga by David Estes is a 7 books series and I’m a little over half way through. It’s amazing! And for my dystopian obsession it’s perfect.
Best Sequel of 2014:
The Legacy book one of this series is amazing and I didn’t think it could be topped, but Melissa Delport did it with The Legion! The sequel was action-packed, full of heart-break, and more world-building/character-building as more info is revealed about what caused the destruction in this New Adult dystopian trilogy…can’t wait for book three (only two more months!!!!).
Best Series-Ender:
Guards of the Shadowlands by Sarah Fine has to be one of the best urban fantasy, young adult books out there! I loved the series from start to finish including all the novellas. The last book did not disappoint either! The author answered all of my questions and the characters got the ending they deserved. LOVED it!
6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2014?
This one is a tie between Rebecca Ethington and Jen Wylie. I discovered Rebecca Ethington with her Through Glass serial series at the very end of 2013 (literally the 31st) and have since devoured ALL of her books. Same goes for Jen Wylie. Jen was one of the very first authors to contact me about reviewing her books which of course made this baby blogger squeal! She hooked me with Tales of Ever and I have since devoured The Broken Ones and all of her short stories. In fact, I’m not ashamed to admit that I stalk their Facebook pages waiting and hoping for teasers on their next books 😉
7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?
I do not usually enjoy nonfiction, however I Mindy Kaling! This book was just so much fun and such an easy read. By the end, I felt like I had a new best friend.
8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?
Fae by the sister team C. J. Abedi was by far a book that I read in one sitting and could not sit down…the sequel too! I’ve never cared for fairy mythology until I read this book and then I was hooked. Though it’s not action-packed, there was a lot of mystery and drama that just kept me reading. I COULD NOT sit it down!
9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
The Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole, no question about it. Book three Dead of Winter comes out in three weeks. I will be reading them before then 😀
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2014?
11. Most memorable character of 2014?
Arowyn from The Broken Ones by Jen Wylie…she’s strong, fierce and I can’t wait to see what happens next in her life!
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?
The End of Innocence by Allegra Jordan is a story about a young American woman falling in love with a German while both attending college in America at the start of WWI. It’s a heart-breaking, beautiful story that haunted me for days after I read it.
13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2014?
While not life-changing for me, A Beautiful Family by Marilyn Cohen De Villiers was thought-provoking and a page-turner. The scandal of a mother being murdered and the father on trial, all the while a reporter slowly uncovers the grisly details of the family who was thought to be a “good” family.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read?
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?
Sometimes adults surprise me with their generosity of spirit, their tender acts of kindness, but really it’s the children who touch me the most. They seem to unfold the easiest. They’re the ones who love with abandon, the ones who keep putting their hearts out there to be broken. They’re the ones who teach the rest of us what it is to love. ~from The Art of Arranging Flowers by Lynne Branard
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?
Shortest: Ring Around the Rosie by Jen Wylie at 20 pages
Longest: Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor at 613 pages
17. Book That Shocked You The Most
arbitrate by Megan Thomason left me reeling. I was screaming at my Kindle and yes I was also crying and not the pretty crying either. I was sobbing! There were so many twists and turns and deaths in this book…I need the ending….pretty please!!!!!
18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
Ilyan and Jocelyn from the Imdalind series by Rebecca Ethington….just thinking about them makes me sigh 😀
19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Aro and Kei from the Broken Ones by Jen Wylie…though if I’m being honest I really am shipping them together 😉
20. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
So many people I know have given up on this series, but Top Secret Twenty-One reminded me why I fell in love with Stephanie in the first place. I loved it and I say bring on twenty-two!
21. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:
An old friend from high school and I started talking books on Facebook earlier this year and have been swapping recommendations. So far she hasn’t steered me wrong. The Unearthly was one of the first series she recommended to me and I fell in love with the characters. The book is a short, fun read full of paranormal goodness!
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?
Jordan from the Dark Angel series by Hanna Peach…he even stopped by the blog for an interview earlier this year and oh my!!! I think my heart may have stopped when he kissed my hand 😉
23. Best 2014 debut you read?
For Better or for Worse by Ingrid Nickelsen takes this title! The whole concept was surreal. The main character is dead and the entire story takes place in the afterlife where she has no memories from when she was alive. Wonderful read full of breath-taking visuals!
24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
I know you are probably getting tired of seeing this author, but I love her! Of River & Raynn – The Catalyst takes place in an alternate world and the visuals I got while reading this book…oh my! I want to go there!!!!
25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?
Backward Compatible by Sarah Daltry & Pete Clark made me laugh until I cried. In fact, there were times I woke my husband up at night because I was snorting/laughing! It’s a New Adult contemporary romance, light on the romance and heavy on the gaming geekery. As a former gamer myself, I loved it! I would love to see it as a movie. I think it would be a great romantic comedy!
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?
I really have no words! Addiction put me on an emotional roller coaster that I was too scared to get off. I devoured it staying up til like 4am to finish it and cried through a good 40% of the book. I’m eager to read the final installment to know what happens to these characters!
27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
The Scourge by A.G. Henley was one of the first books I read this year and I loved it! It’s a YA dystopian about a girl who is blind and because she is blind she is protected from the Scourge (zombies!!!). Very good, fast-paced read and with some twists that will surprise you!
28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
Melt was originally billed as a loose retelling of The Wizard of Oz….it is not and the publisher has fixed that saying that it’s concept and plot line follow the story. Ummm…basically it is about a young teen that lives in an abusive home and how he finds solace in Dorothy a new girl in town. This story ripped me to pieces!!!!
29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2014?
The serial series Spearwood Academy by A.S. Oren is by far the most unique series I’ve read and it’s fun 😉 The story is urban fantasy as it revolves around a young dragon-shifter and her friends who also turn into dragons, but the author makes it interesting by throwing in a lot of pop culture references (Harry Potter and Doctor Who to name a few). I can’t get enough of the series!
30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
Distraction by Angela McPherson was one of the most frustrating books I’ve read all year! However I loved it! The two main characters are best friends who love each other but have never crossed that line. Basically I was screaming at them the whole book.
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2014?
This is my first year blogging and I didn’t start following book blogs until late 2013. However there are two blogs that stand out in my mind as my favorites, Cait @ Paper Fury and Ashley @ Nose Graze. Cait makes me laugh and her reviews usually correlate with how I feel about the books. In other words I trust her judgment 😀 Ashley’s blog I discovered when I was designing my own and needed tips on how to do it. In fact my design comes from her! I would be lost without her blogging tips posts!
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2014?
Hands-down The Cursed was my favorite review that I wrote. It was just fun to write! I couldn’t really say much about the actual story line because it’s the third book in a series and it was one of my first gif-filled posts 😉
3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?
What’s Your Five was a discussion post I did back in June. It was question that was posed to me by a friend: what five books do you think everyone should read. It was fun and made me reflect on some of my favorite books! The post is also one of my most viewed.
4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
This is my first year blogging and I really didn’t start participating in anything bookish until this summer. My favorite feature/meme to participate in is Top Ten Tuesday. I lists 😀
5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2014?
For me it had to be my first author interview. It was so much fun connecting with the author and it was an entirely new experience! Thanks again M.A. for being my guinea pig 😉
6. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Actually it’s a post that I published earlier this week! My New Year’s Resolution post which was posted on Monday this week has had over 600 visitors, that’s a new record for me. It was fun to write and well, with so many people seeing it, it would be awfully embarrassing if I didn’t fulfill my resolutions.
7. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
One of my Top Ten Tuesday posts, the one where we stated places from books we wanted to visit. I am so proud of this post and it was one of the posts I had the most fun writing!
8. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
The TN R.E.A.D.S. (Regional Ebook and Digital System) basically it’s an online library for my state, I think it’s available in other states too. All I needed was a library card. Now I can check out up to 15 ebooks at a time and these are NEW ebooks too 😀
9. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I had only set one goal for myself this year and that was to read 100 books on Goodreads. This summer I realized I would meet my goal way before the end of the year so I upped it to 125….well I beat it with 160 books!!!!
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?
The Mortal Instruments, but thanks to my sweet hubby for my Christmas gift I will be reading them ASAP!
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?
3. 2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?
Dawn of Ash by Rebecca Ethington, the last book in the Imdalind Series…I’m not sure if I’m ready or not to let go of these characters!!!
5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2015?
I would really like to take the time this year to read books I want to read in addition to the ARCs I receive. Don’t get me wrong I love ARCs but sometimes I want to curl up with an old favorite or a book that’s been sitting on my shelf for months. Anyone else get me?
Well 2014 may be over, but 2015 is looking to be a fantastic year! What books were your favorites this year? What are you looking forward to reading next year?
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