2017 End of Year Book Survey

Posted December 31, 2017 by Brin in Discussion Posts / 2 Comments

Hosted by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner

This will be my fifth (fifth!? holy heck!) year completing the End of Year Book Survey (see my 2016 post here). I wanted to do this earlier in the month but life kinda got in the way. However, I think it’s quite fitting that I am completing it on Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve). It’s a good way to celebrate the year (such as it was) and a nice little note to end the year on.

End of Year Survey: 2017 reading stats

Number Of Books You Read: 44
Number of Re-Reads: 20
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy

It’s no surprise that my most read genre is fantasy but contemporary was, for once, giving it a bit of a challenge this year. I actually closed off my Goodreads challenge a little early this year because it was giving me too much stress trying to get to the number of books I had originally challenged myself with (50).

I decided to close it off at 40 instead but I have read a couple more than that which I am pleased with. I’m not going to count them towards my Goodreads challenge for 2017 but for the purpose of the End of Year survey they will be included.

End of Year: Best in Books

1. Best Book You Read In 2017?

This is a really tough one because there are two books which are fighting for the top spot in my favourites so I am going to cheat a little and split it between favourite adult book and young adult book!

Best Book (Adult): Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb – this was perhaps my singular most anticipated read of the year and it didn’t disappoint. I may have longed for a different ending for my all-time favourite series and characters but I did feel the one I got was fitting.

Best Book (Young Adult): Carry On by Rainbow Rowell – this book took me by complete surprise. I had it on my shelves since it was released in 2015 and only just picked it up a couple of days ago but I have never felt so attached to book characters so quickly. I cannot get enough of Simon and Baz and all their friends.

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

The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker – I’ve heard so many good things about this book and the first chapter was really engrossing but after that it kinda fizzled out for me. Yes, there a lot of important information in this book but I kinda felt that I already knew most of it? I was disappointed I didn’t get more from it.

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

Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat – I wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy this book or not as slavery and dubious consent are topics which make me very uncomfortable. However, I ended up being really intrigued by this book and I loved books 2 and 3 so much.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee – I may have ‘encouraged’ a few people to read this book! #SorryNotSorry

5. Best series you started in 2017? The Best Sequel of 2017? Best Series Ender of 2017?

Series started: Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat – without a shadow of a doubt, the first book is good but the rest of the series blew me away!

Sequel of 2017: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas – I really didn’t think I would end up loving this more than the first book but I was so very wrong.

Series ender of 2017: Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb – I cried ugly tears. I love Fitz and the Fool so much and I was beyond sad to get to the end of their journey.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2017?

Mackenzi Lee – I had a total blast reading The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. I really loved the characters and I cannot wait to read the sequel (and anything else Mackenzi Lee has written/writes).

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

I not a huge lover of romance novels (although there are some exceptions) but I really loved Fast Connection by Megan Erickson and Santino Hassell. This was the sequel to Strong Signal (which I also really enjoyed).

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

I’m going to have to go with Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb again. I lapped this book up and devoured it in a matter of hours. Considering it is a huge slab of a book that is testament to how ‘unputdownable’ it was!

9. Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell – I’ve already read it three times in the last couple of days and already want to dive back into this world.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017?

This wee stunner is definitely my favourite cover. The above picture really does not do it justice. I love the cover of Assasin’s Fate so much I even got it made into a necklace by the supremely talented From New Leaf.

11. Most memorable character of 2017?

Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch from Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On – I love that melodramatic, melancholy boy so much!

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2017?

I’m going to sound like a broken record here, but it’s got to be Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb. I have always loved her writing but she outdid herself here.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017?

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell – I am utterly obsessed with this book. I really didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. I really, really, really, hope there will be a sequel someday – I’m not ready to let these characters go!

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read?

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell – I’m kicking myself for not having read it sooner. I can’t believe it sat on my shelf for almost three years!

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2017?

“He’s still looking in my eyes. Staring me down like he did that dragon, chin tilted and locked. “I’m not the Chosen One,” he says.
I meet his gaze and sneer. My arm is a steel band around his waist. “I choose you,” I say. “Simon Snow, I choose you.”

Egads, I love Baz (and Simon, of course) so much. These two are likely going to be the end of me! Carry On is such a great read and so eminently quotable.

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017?

Shortest: So This is Christmas by Josh Lanyon – no surprise here since this is technically a novella. Apart from short stories, this is my shortest read at 127 pages.

Longest: Assasin’s Fate by Robin Hobb – coming in at a whopping 853 pages, this is my longest read by a rather wide margin this year!

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

Prince’s Gambit by C.S. Pacat – I enjoyed Captive Prince but this book caught me hook, line, and sinker. It was so great and the plot took so many twists and turns I was totally left with my jaw on the floor a few times. Anyone who has read these books probably knows which particular plot point I am referring to.

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

I will always ship Fitz and the Fool from Robin Hobb’s massive Realm of the Elderlings series but I have another ship that totally swept me up this year – Simon Snow and Baz Pitch from Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On. I honestly can’t choose between them so I’m going to say both!

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Simon and Penny. I loved their friendship. It was so sweet and supportive. Penelope Bunce might just be my favourite side character ever!

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Again, I’m going to cheat here and pick two books. Carry On and Assassin’s Fate. I honestly cannot choose between them (please don’t make me!)

21. Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell – I have read Rowell’s previous books Fangirl and Eleanor and Park and loved them but I put off reading Carry On for ages. I only picked it up because of other blogger recommendations. I should have listened sooner.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017?

Lucien Vanserra – I really liked him in A Court of Thorns and Roses but I love him even more after finishing the trilogy by Sarah J. Maas. I’m not sure how his story is going to go but he deserves to find love (even though I probably ship his mate Elain more with Azriel).

23. Best 2017 debut you read?

I didn’t read a single debut book this year (hangs head in shame). I feel terrible about it actually – I need to do better next year.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

I would have to give this to Sarah J. Maas – her world-building for her A Court of Thorns and Roses series is phenomenal. I was left wanting even more so I’m glad she is continuing the series.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Carry On put the biggest smile on my face (oh, Baz) but I also have to give Mackenzi Lee credit here – Monty from The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue was a hoot!

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017?

Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb – I wept long and hard at this one (although I wasn’t quite as depressed at the end of it like I was with Fool’s Fate all those years ago).

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee – loved this book and was totally captivated by the plot but especially the characters.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb – I was totally expecting it though so I managed to get through the experience with only minor damage to my poor heart.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2017?

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell – this book was so meta and different but also such an homage to all the previous ‘chosen one’ stories I have read. I honestly have never read anything quite like it before.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley – I loved the book, don’t get me wrong, but the characters deserved to be hit upside the head at times (Henry, I’m looking at you kid!) 😉

End of Year: Your blogging/bookish life

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2017?

I’ve been really lax at keeping up with new (to me anyways) blogs but one I have been visiting a lot this year was Aestas Book Blog.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2017?

Confession time: I haven’t actually written any reviews this year at all. I feel like such a bad blogger.

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog

I quite like the post I did on my DS9 re watch (even though I’ve never gone back to post more like I said I would. I really need to get back to it at some point.

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

I haven’t really taken part in any events this year though I do still enjoy taking part in memes occasionally. The one I seem to have enjoyed most this year is Top 5 Wednesday.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2017?

Reading Carry On. Honestly, this book saved 2017 for me. I honestly thought it was going to go by without me truly getting excited about a book again.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

My reading was better this year but that is hardly saying much since last year never really got off the ground at all. I have found it a challenge to get motivated about my blog and have toyed with the idea of shutting it down for good.

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

My most popular post this year was Top Ten Underrated/Hidden Gem books I’ve Read.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Erm, maybe the post I about book covers here. It didn’t get a lot of views but I get it, not everyone is as fascinated by vintage covers like I am (it’s totally an obsession).

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

Thrift Books – I have found so many great vintage books on there. I have spent an absolute fortune tracking down rare and hard-to-find books.

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

Apart from my Goodreads goal (which I fudged a little at the end) I didn’t actually set any goals after failing so spectacularly last year. I wanted to just read for the joy of reading again. Finally started to enjoy reading again so I suppose that is one goal that I have achieved!

End of Year: Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2017 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2018?

I’m finally going to read the Grisha trilogy and the Six of Crows duology. I have read the first book of the Grisha trilogy (when it was called The Gathering Dark in the UK). I recently got the new editions in box set for Christmas so they are a priority.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2018 (non-debut)?

Immortal Reign by Morgan Rhodes – the last book in the Falling Kingdoms series got pushed back to next year (they usually are released in December). I’m champing at the bit for this particular release!

3. 2018 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Everless by Sarah Holland – I got an ARC and then got the gorgeous hardcover in a book box so I’m all set and ready to go with this one!

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2018?

Again, Immortal Reign. I’m so excited but also sad that it’s ending. I have been with the series since the first book was released so it has been a long time coming.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2018?

Read more and enjoy blogging again. I don’t want it to be like a chore. I really want to get my enthusiasm back.

6. A 2018 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable):

More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer – I was so chuffed to get an ARC for this and I read it a few days ago. It’s just so good and I’m going to be singing its praises for a long time!