This survey is hosted by Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner
2014 End of Year Book Survey
I took part in this survey for the first time last year so I was really excited to see it make a welcome return. I had a lot of fun completing this in 2013 so I knew I had to sign myself up again this year!
Number Of Books You Read: 51 to date
Number of Re-Reads: 2
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy, YA, and Contemporary
1. Best Book You Read In 2014?
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Hands down one of the best books I have ever read. Period.
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
Breakable by Tammara Webber. I loved Easy so I expected to love the companion story just as much and… I didn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy it but it didn’t really wow me like I expected it to.
3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014?
Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did – it absolutely blew me away!
4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?
I encouraged a lot of people to read The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater and those that did all thoroughly enjoyed it.
5. Best series you started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?
Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb – the long-awaited continuation of Fitz and The Fool’s story. This is the third trilogy featuring Fitz as a main character and it is a most welcome return.
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer – as good as Cinder was, the follow-up completely eclipsed the first book for me.
Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins – I loved this! It was definitely a great end to the series.
6. Favourite new author you discovered in 2014?
I would have to go with Morgan Matson. So far I have only read Second Chance Summer but I have picked up the rest of her books just on the strength of this book.
7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read / was out of your comfort zone?
I have avoided reading New Adult books this year for the most part. I read a fair few in 2013 and they all started to blur together for me, especially the ones that could be classed as ‘issues’ books. I had a lot going on in my personal life so these ‘hard-hitting’ books were something I particularly wanted to avoid.
I picked up Reclaiming the Sand by A. Meredith Walters and was expecting the usual sort of angst (main character was abused, had troubled upbringing, social problems; boy comes along with his own set of issues but together they come out stronger etc.) and on paper this book certainly seems to tick all of these boxes. However, the story is very moving and the characters are very atypical for this type of book. I was really impressed with this title (and I am in the middle of reading the sequel right now).
8. Most action-packed / thrilling / unputdownable book of the year?
Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes. I only read this book the other week but I literally could not put it down (I stayed up to 3am reading it – and I had to be up for work at 6am!) – so much happens in this book it is crazy!!
9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?
There are so many I would re-read but I would need to go with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Again.
10. Favourite cover of a book you read in 2014?
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater – this cover is just so beautiful. A stunning work of art.
11. Most memorable character of 2014?
Carswell Thorne from The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer. I just love him!
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater. I love the whole series but this one stood out because you finally get to see inside Ronan Lynch’s head – and it is a strange and wonderful place – literally!!
13. Most Thought-Provoking / Life-Changing Book of 2014?
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Starting to see a theme here!
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read?
How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by J.C. Lillis. I had heard so many good things about this book but it took me ages to finally read it – and I adored it when I did!
15. Favourite Passage / Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?
I wanted to tell them that I’d never had a friend, not ever, not a real one. Until Dante. I wanted to tell them that I never knew that people like Dante existed in the world, people who looked at the stars, and knew the mysteries of water, and knew enough to know that birds belonged to the heavens and weren’t meant to be shot down from their graceful flights by mean and stupid boys. I wanted to tell them that he had changed my life and that I would never be the same, not ever. And that somehow it felt like it was Dante who had saved my life and not the other way around. I wanted to tell them that he was the first human being aside from my mother who had ever made me want to talk about the things that scared me. I wanted to tell them so many things and yet I didn’t have the words. So I just stupidly repeated myself. “Dante’s my friend.”
―Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2014?
The longest book I read this year, according to my Goodreads shelf, is Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb which comes in at 630 pages.
The shortest was P. S. I Love You by Barbara Conklin at 133 pages (part of my goal to read/re-read YA literature from the 80’s and 90’s).
17. Book That Shocked You The Most
Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer. It kind of gives it away in the title, but it still managed to be a shocker to me what happens at the end of this book (though it was certainly telegraphed).
18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
Blue and Gansey! Blue and Gansey!! BLUE AND GANSEY!!! (Not to mention Ronan and Adam – come on Maggie – make it happen!)
19. Favourite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year
Isla and Kurt from Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. Such a wonderful friendship!
20. Favourite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater. This was definitely my favourite book of the series and tied for first place with The Scorpio Races as my favourite book by the author!
21. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:
Cinder by Marissa Meyer. So many people encouraged me to read this book – and when I did finally read it I could totally understand why!
22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2014?
Gansey from The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.
23. Best 2014 debut you read?
Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens. I couldn’t believe this was the author’s first book!
24. Best Worldbuilding / Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb. I have spent a lot of time in this world but I cannot help but be awed by the scope of this incredible fantasy series.
25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face / Was The Most FUN To Read?
How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by J.C. Lillis. I was in stitches throughout most of the book!
26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson. The subject matter hit a little too close to home.
27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?
Falling from the Sky by Nikki Godwin. I adored this book and completely fell for Micah Youngblood!
28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?
Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb. My poor Fool!
29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2014?
Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore. A love story between a mermaid and a flying boy? Definitely not the usual!
30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
The Red Sheet by Mia Kerick. I loved this book – but the subject matter was extremely difficult for me to read. Bullying is a bit of a triggering subject for me and the fact that the MC was in fact one of these bullies (despite the fact that he changed his ways) rankled me a bit.
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2014?
This is so hard to narrow down because I discovered so many awesome blogs this year. I am going to cheat a bit and list my top three (because I am having such a hard time choosing):
- Parajunkee
- Paper Fury (previously Notebook Sisters)
- Niji Feels (previously Fighting Dreamer)
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2014?
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz was my favourite read off the year and the review I was most passionate about. You can read it here.
3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?
I enjoyed writing my post on 80s and 90s Young Adult Fiction. When I was writing this I also decided to create a feature on my blog with the goal to try to read more vintage YA books. I haven’t read as much as I would like but I have had fun revisiting old favourites.
4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
LGBT Month! This event took place in April and it was a huge inspiration for me.
5. Best moment of bookish / blogging life in 2014?
My best bookish moment was getting a signed copy of Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb (my favourite author). My best blogging moment was probably reaching my one year blogoversary.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
In terms of views, my most popular post was The Book Blogger Test tag. If you look at comments though, my most popular post was OCD and me: my strange reading habits.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
My reviews don’t get as many views as my discussion, tags, or meme posts which is a little bit disappointing.
9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
I love Epic Reads! I could spend so much time just nosing about on there!
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
The less said about this the better lol. I completely failed the majority of my reading challenges. The only one I somewhat managed to keep up with was the LGBT challenge. Even my Goodreads reading challenge had to be reduced dramatically! Oh well, there is always next year!
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. I have been wanting to read this all year but just haven’t found the time yet.
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?
The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent. This looks amazing!
3. 2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
The Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury. This sounds really intriguing and the cover is just stunning!
4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?
The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead. Can’t believe the Bloodlines series is ending…
5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading / Blogging Life In 2015?
I really need to catch up with my reviewing especially with ARC’s. I have really been lagging this year and I am not going to let it happen again in 2015!
6. A 2015 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:
I’m really behind on my ARC’s so none as yet. I am really looking forward to starting The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black though.
Well, this was tons of fun!
Be sure to visit Jamie’s blog to see her selections for the best in 2014 and remember to link up your post if you have completed the survey.
I hope everyone has a good Christmas. Take care all!
bye for now!
Great post! It seems we have a similar adoration for Ari&Dante and Cinder!
Lol – I would say we both have excellent taste!! 😉
I haven’t read that Aristotle and Dante book. I’ll need to add it to my TBR list.
Definitely – you will not regret it, it is an incredible book! 🙂
The Raven Boys is such a brilliant series, I’m so glad to see it on so many lists ! I just read your post on Vintage YA…it made me all kinds of nostalgic.
It’s an incredible series – Maggie Stiefvater is a brilliant writer. 🙂
I feel the same way about a lot of books I read as a teen – I wish there had been something like Goodreads back then to keep track of them because I have forgotten so many of them.
Awww, love how this post is full with Ari and Dante love <3
To be honest, I probably could have fit it into nearly every category – I loved it that much lol. 😀
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