2016 End of Year Book Survey

HAPPY 2017 LOVELIES. I for one am not sorry to kick 2016 out the door and shut it for good!

I'm a tad late to the annual End of Year Book Survey created by Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner but it's a tradition soooo... I'm not even going to ramble like I do, let's just get into it!

Image CR: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/

2016 Reading Stats

Number of Books You Read: 76
Number of Re-Reads: 0 (I don't re-read lel)
Genre You Read The Most From: fantasy (of course!)

Best in Books

1. Best book you read in 2016?

Overall: A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas - this sequel to ACOTAR absolutely blew me away omg!

But also...
YA: The Rose and the Dagger (The Wrath and the Dawn #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Adult: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover - wow this was tumultuous and emotional but beautiful and heartbreaking. Abuse trigger warnings but a wonderful read.

2. Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn’t?

A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2) by VE Schwab - don't get me wrong I love V's books and her writing is fantastic but Lila Bard in AGOS just didn't cut it for me :(

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

A Court of Mist and Fury - I never expected the direction Sarah would take with ACOMAF and it pleased me SO. DAMN. MUCH.

4. Book you “pushed” the most people to read (and they did)?

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel - a brilliant sci-fi debut I think I pushed this on like 20 people and I know at least 7-10 went out and bought it :D

5. Best...

Series you started in 2016? Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1) by Jay Kristoff

Sequel of 2016? ACOMAF AHAHAHA (Gemina is a close second)

Series ender of 2016? The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh was THE perfect ending to The Wrath and the Dawn. Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows of #2) by Leigh Bardugo left me in tatters. Don't make me choose. DON'T.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2016?

Nicola Yoon! I finally read Everything, Everything and fell in love. The Sun is Also a Star is wonderful.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch had a horror tag on Goodreads which it sort of was but wasn't (more thriller sci-fi) but I loved it so much and I hate horror.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

Gemina (The Illuminae Files #2) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - this sequel was even better than Illuminae! I sat down with this for 5h and COULD NOT STOP. Amazing. Thrilling. All the action at every page.

9. Book you read in 2016 that you are most likely to re-read next year?

I don't re-read books but I would definitely re-read my favourite bits of ACOMAF :D

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2016?

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken - it's saaaahhhhh pretty

11. Most memorable character of 2016?

Inej Ghafa - Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom duology because THIS. GIRL. Read my post on why you should read the duology here.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2016?

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi - oh my lordy the writing is STUNNING. Intricate and detailed, very different, lovely and you should read my gushing review here.

13. Most thought-provoking/life-changing book of 2016?

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - this book had no right and wrong. It made the reader question what it means to have choice, to really live. I cried so hard it was beautiful.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2016 to finally read?

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - as a gamer I feel ashamed I didn't pick this up until this year. It came out 5 years ago and speaks to every gamer's heart.

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2016?

“To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered.” 

- Rhys from A Court of Mist and Fury *sobs* it's so beautiful

16. Shortest and longest book you read in 2016?

Shortest: The Crown and the Arrow by Renee Ahdieh - 9 pages, The Wrath and the Dawn short story

Longest: according to Goodreads Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas - 693 pages buuuut...

The Way of Kings (part 1 and 2) by Brandon Sanderson - 1122 pages total I read the split versions

17. Book that shocked you the most

The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth #1) by NK Jemisin - this book was so intriguing (it intrigues me still, I can't wait to read the sequel), every turn a surprise!

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

FEYRHYS (ACOMAF)

19. Favorite non-romantic relationship of the year

The friendship between Emmy, Caro and Drew in Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway - SQUAD GOALS

20. Favorite book you read in 2016 from an author you’ve read previously

ACOMAF...?

21. Best book you read in 2016 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else/peer pressure:

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel - I saw Crini raving about this (and her posts on the cover). I LOVE THIS BOOK.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2016?

Amar - The Star-Touched Queen *bites lip*

23. Best 2016 debut you read?

SLEEPING GIANTS BY SYLVAIN NEUVEL OMG

24. Best worldbuilding/most vivid setting you read this year?

Ommgggggg ACOMAF because THE NIGHT COURT. A court of dreamers *sobbing*

25. Book that put a smile on your face/was the most FUN to read?

PS I Like You by Kasie West - her contemporaries are serious yet cute and so sweet.

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2016?

I fucking cried my eyes out in Crooked Kingdom

27. Hidden gem of the year?

I'm not sure you heard me the first time SLEEPING GIANTS BY SYLVAIN NEUVEL.

28. Book that crushed your soul?

Crooked Kingdom FML

29. Most unique book you read in 2016?

Gemina because there really is no other like it.

30. Book that made you the most mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury - I've never read a more pointless book in my life

There we have it folks my year in books. Basically ACOMAF flailing right hahaha. 

2014 End of Year Book Survey

Hey so how is it the last day of 2014 already? How has 2014 gone by so quickly? At times this year seemed to go on forever nek minnit it’s New Year’s Eve. How will you be celebrating? Me? With champagne, a book and watching Sydney’s NYE fireworks on TV :D

These past 365 days (I checked, it wasn’t a leap year) have been intense for me personally and eventful in terms of the book world! I somehow made it through my Honours thesis, finished my 4 years of uni and my blog managed to survive by a thread! There were soooo many amazing releases this year, most of which I got my hands on, the majority of which I didn’t get a chance to read *sadface* But let us not despair (well just me really) because I did read some fantastic books this year and I’ll be concentrating this post on books released this year (I’ll try my best anyway).

The End of Year Book Survey is hosted by Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner and if you haven't heard of her I don't know what you're doing with your life.

1. Best Book You Read In 2014? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2014 release vs. backlist)

It’s going to be a genre breakdown again!

Contemporary – Just One Night by Gayle Forman. I know it’s just a novella so… Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour. But JON was the much needed continuation of Just One Day and Just One Year!

Paranormal – White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout. JLA writes the hottest books srs.

Science Fiction/Dystopian — Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi. Warnette :3 But This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner was a really, really close 2nd!

Fantasy – Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor. AKIVA AND KAROU and that world and Prague it's beautiful and heart wrenching!

Adult – The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon. One word: pretty. It's a really pretty book inside and out :D

And my ABSOLUTE favourite book of 2014 is obviously:

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

JUST EVERYTHING. HEIR OF FIRE IS LIFE. THRONE OF GLASS IS LIFE.

(Hey do you see a pattern here? 2013 was Crown of Midnight. I ain’t even mad.)

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski. The hype around this one was phenomenal and that cover is gorg. Jaz gets tricked again by pretty covers. This one fell so flat for me.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2014?

Kiss the Sky by Krista and Becca Ritchie. It’s one of the rare “new adult” books that I picked up and ended up loving!

4. Book you read in 2014 that you recommended to people most in 2014?

Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas so Throne of Glass! I PUSH THIS SERIES SO MUCH.

5. Best series you discovered in 2014?

Derp it’s an old one but The Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy by Rae Carson was wao! I love me my high fantasy.

6. Favourite new author you discovered in 2014?

Brandon Sanderson. Okay so he's not new but he's new to me! His high fantasy wao. I got totally sucked into the Mistborn trilogy.

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

Um so shhh but I decided to see what real BDSM is meant to be like (wao that sounds wrong but I mean in books… oh whatever) since I know 50shades does it all wrong so I picked up The Saint by Tiffany Reisz and fell in love with Nora and Soren *hides*

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2014?

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. That. Plot. Twist.

9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Just One Night by Gayle Forman. My feels yo.

10. Favourite cover of a book you read in 2014?

I saw it and poof I was gone – needed that book in my life instantly.

11. Most memorable character in 2014?

THE DARKLING FROM RUIN AND RISING LIKE OMG LEIGH BARDUGO Y U DO DIS TO ME.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor. Ah her prose is just beautiful and makes me weep. Especially the blurb of Days of Blood and Starlight wao.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2014?

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. Pls.

And All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven which just snuck in last night!

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read?

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. Omgomgomg GANSEY.

15. Favourite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2014?

Longest: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson (763 pages)

Shortest (not including novellas): A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf (112 pages) it's an amazing and eye-opening book on feminism that everybody needs to get on - also it's one of the few non-fiction books I've ever read.

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!

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi chapter 55 followed closely by the We Were Liars ending

(Last year was Unravel Me chapter 62 LEL)

18. Favourite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2014 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

Celaena and Rowan from Heir of Fire

19. Favourite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Disruption by Jessica Shirvington. Jess can really do no wrong.

20. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson recommended to me by too many people to mention.

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2014?

Somehow it ended up being contemporary again. This must be remediated ASAP with high fantasy.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?

Jem Carstairs from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare. His book Clockwork Prince is probably my fav in the series. I'm calling it his book because he's on the cover and he just dominates ok?

23. Best 2014 debut you read?

Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley. It did not feel like a debut at all, extremely well written and executed.

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2014?

Splintered by AG Howard. The colours were so vivid and the world was fantastic in this Alice in Wonderland retelling. Also, cover lust.

25. Book That Was The Most Fun To Read in 2014?

The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes. Totes cute as.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?

(All the books I read in 2014, including non-2014 releases)

• The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta
• Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick
• We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
• Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
• Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
• Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
• City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
• Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
• The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
• Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
• Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

27. Book You Read in 2014 That You Think Got Overlooked This Year Or When It Came Out?

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. Waowaowao my feels, the writing the characters. Much awesome.

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And there we have it, my year in books!

Thoughts? What books topped the list/made an impact on you in 2014?

I shall see you all in 2015!

Wishing you all a safe and happy New Year c:

2013 End of Year Book Survey

2013 is approaching its end (woah how time flies) which means I'm once again doing Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner's End of Year Book Survey. Whilst I did it at the end of last year too, I wasn't officially blogging back then and was a total noob (I still am but yeah :D)

Twenty-thirteen has been an amazing year of books and blogging for me. For one it's my first year of blogging and my first whole year of getting back into reading (I'd started getting back into YA in August 2012).

The year has introduced many great debut authors, continued many series favourites, and concluded some of my most adored series.

It was so hard picking my favourites but it had to be done!

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)

I am going to cheat and break it down by genre, but I DO have a favourite book of 2013! Which I will reveal at the very end.

Contemporary – Crash into You by Katie McGarry - The third Pushing the Limits book. Isaiah <3

Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic – Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi - book 2 in the Under the Never Sky trilogy; the FEELS in this though woah.

Paranormal – Empower by Jessica Shirvington - EPIC conclusion to the amazing Violet Eden Chapters.

Science Fiction — These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner.
Honorary mention to Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington (since Jess takes one category, I thought it was fair to give sci-fi to another book)

Fantasy – Apollyon and Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout (I consider these one as they're the same series :P). These last 2 books in the Covenant series just left me reeling. Gorgeous, gorgeous series.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Oh god The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead. I was all kinds of disappointed with this. I STILL haven't finished this - I've got 90 pages to go but I'm just like blaaaaaaaaah.

Also, Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, this one has also taken me forever to read... It's not living up to it hype :(

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill. I had never heard of this when Bloomsbury sent it to me but I was blown away. ALSO, WHAT IS THIS ABOUT FINN AND EM BEING WRONG? I CANNOT DEAL.

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?

Standalone: Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington
Series: Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

The Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu

HOLY SHIT. I've had Legend and Prodigy sitting on my shelf since February but never read them. In my sort of reading slump I picked up Legend and zomgggggggggggggg COULD NOT put in down. I finished Legend in 1 day, Prodigy in about 2-3 and Champion in 3 days when I had the money to go out and buy it. I finished the trilogy (Champion) yesterday night and was just SOBBING at the story and it's ending/epilogue. Woah just WOAH guys I am recommending this series to you if you haven't read it. I swear you will NOT regret it. Marie's writing is awesome, the characters so strong and the story never slows - so action-packed. There is also so much heart-ache, unforgivable acts and tonnes of teary moments. The power of her secondary characters is amazing - despite Metias' death in book 1 being the driver for the story and the reader only getting about a chapter or 2 with him, his memory lives on throughout the trilogy. He provides June with support, guidance and love even though he's not there. He's one of the reasons I cried so much. His memory was so powerful, Lu created him so the reader felt like they really knew him and had spent time with him rather than seeing the glimpses of him through June's memory. 

I legit just had tears pouring down my face after closing Champion. It's a beautiful trilogy about a girl born into wealth, a boy born into poverty and how the different circumstances have made these two extremely strong characters who they are. It's about power, a totalitarian government versus extreme capitalism, vengeance, retribution, and forgiveness. 

Honorary mention to:

The Summer series by CJ Duggan – contemporary Aussie YA at it's finest. Beaches and sun; laid back, HOT Aussie guys who are sweet and funny; and a 90s vibe makes it the perfect summer read.

The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning - it's adult paranormal romance at it's best. The protagonist/heroine is the most amazing female I've ever read. She doesn't take shit, listens to instructions when she knows what's good for her and has this fire about her that never goes out.

6. Favourite new author you discovered in 2013?

Kasie West.

I’ve read all 3 of her books this year and love them all! (Pivot Point, Split Second and The Distance Between Us). Her paranormal duology Pivot Point/Split Second was one of the most unique I've ever read and her contemporary TDBU is so sweet and lovely. Her writing is stunning!

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

All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry (Historical Fiction)

The writing style was very different and the subject matter wasn’t light. Definitely would recommend.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

Empower by Jessica Shrivinton

The conclusion to The Violet Eden Chapters! Mein Gott. Let me put this in perspective. I got this book on November 1. On November 8 I had a 50% weighted assessment due, a research proposal with a 5000 word count and I hadn't started. I needed to do extensive research and propose a conceptual framework, provide theoretical grounding etc. for this paper. I was MEANT to start on the 1st. I read a chapter of Empower on the train home. I told myself I'd stop when I got off the train. I finished it at 3am when I finished the whole book, not having put it down at all. Jess' books always do this to me.

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

Apollyon and Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout or Marie Lu's Legend trilogy.

10. Favourite cover of a book you read in 2013?

11. Most memorable character in 2013?

From a book released in 2013:
Evan Walker from The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. The premise of his character was amazing.

From a book I read in 2013:

Day from the Legend trilogy by Marie Lu - especially in Champion.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Honorary mentions to These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner and The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe, both of which were very eloquent and lyrical in nature.

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

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

THAT. ENDING. ZOMG.

Honorary mention to Champion by Marie Lu with that ending/epilogue.

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

Definitely Angelfall by Susan Ee hands down WOW!

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

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

Longest: Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning (671 pages)

Shortest (not including novellas): Something Like Normal by Trish Doller (224 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. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
Chapter 62. Seriously. Chapter FREAKING 62. I will take UM out JUST to read this chapter sweet baby Jesus this chapter ;jsdf;lsdkfljsfsdfasdkfdfa.

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

Romantic: Alexandria Andros and Aiden St. Delphi in Apollyon/Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Friendship: Addie and Laila in Split Second by Kasie West

Familial: June and Metias; Day and Eden from Champion by Marie Lu

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

Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington

20. Best Book You Read In 2013 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

The Boys of Summer by CJ Duggan recommended to me by Shirley and Hannah

21. Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

It's a tie between paranormal and contemporary!

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Garrick Taylor from Losing It by Cora Carmack. *Grabby hands* can haz hot English boy plez?

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

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

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi. The Aether never ceases to amaze me.

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

Losing It by Cora Carmack

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

AHAHAHA here’s ALL the books that made me cry this year:

1. Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
2. Boundless by Cynthia Hand
3. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
4. Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout
5. The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe
6. Flawed by Kate Avelynn
7. Between the Lives by Jessica Shirvington
8. This Girl by Colleen Hoover
9. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
10. All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
11. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
12. Kinslayer by Jay Kristoff
13. Crash into You by Katie McGarry
14. Antigoddess by Kendare Blake (I cried a bit at the end, nothing compared to the rest though)
15. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
16. Empower by Jessica Shirvington
17. Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout
18. Prodigy by Marie Lu
19. Champion by Marie Lu

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

Angelfall by Susan Ee

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So there we have it. My books of 2013. Now let's pick the Best of the Best. Regardless of how many categories an author will take.

The Best:

Crown of Midnight just topped everything - it was EVERYTHING I wanted in a YA book and sequel - amazing romance, the most swoon-worthy male love interest, an intense and thrilling plot, elegant writing, and an independent, strong and killer heroine.