End of the Year Book Survey: 2013

It's my first year participating in Jamie's end of the year book survey! Yay! If you want to participate or find out more about what this is all about visit her blog. 

The Books: 2013

1.   Best Book You Read in 2013?

Dystopian: Champion by Marie Lu

Fantasy: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Paranormal: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (I read the whole series this year and this was by far my favorite book in the series. Can’t wait to see how it’s all going to end!)

Science Fiction: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

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

Allegiant by Veronica Roth. This book was so disappointing for me and not just the ending that everybody was freaking out about. The whole thing really.

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

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Wow, I did not expect to like this one that much and it truly made me want to expand into the contemporary genre.

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

Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight. I can’t express how much I love this series and I will shove it down every single person’s throat until the whole world has read it.

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Oops. Sorry for repeating. Actually, I'm not sorry. LOVE LOVE LOVE this series!

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?

Sarah J. Maas, Rainbow Rowell, Marissa Meyer. I’m going to stop now. I discovered some amazing authors this year!

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

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I never read contemporary but this book makes me want to read more.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

Champion by Marie Lu. Best series ender ever. Amazing.

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

Crown of Midnight. Last time? Probably not.

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

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. So beautiful. And the book was amazing! 

11.      Most memorable character in 2013? 

Elisa from the Fire and Thorns series by Rae Carson. I just absolutely adore her character. She’s strong (physically and mentally) and beautiful. I even wrote a letter to her.

12.        Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi. This book has the most beautiful prose I’ve ever read.

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

Fangirl. This book taught me so much and was such an insightful look at the college experience. Cath was an amazing main character and I loved reading about her struggle to get out of her comfort zone.

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

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. How did I not read this book sooner???  

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

16.        Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2013?

Longest: Ransom by Michele Poague (596 pages)

Shortest: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi (103 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!

Allegiant. If you’ve read it, you know.

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

Romance: June and Day from Legend. Best couple ever.

Friendship: Sydney and Knox from Proxy by Alex London

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

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia. I previously read her Beautiful Creatures series and really enjoyed it, but Unbreakable really surprised me (in a good way). I didn’t expect to like a book about ghosts as much as I did. I liked it better than Beautiful Creatures actually.

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

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers. My sister recommended this book to me. I was super hesitant, but oh my gosh, I loved it so much. Thanks Megan!

21.        Genre You Read The Most From in 2013?

Probably dystopian or paranormal. You know how I love my dystopians and my vampires.

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

Chaol Westfall. I love this man so much it’s ridiculous.

23.       Best 2013 debut you read?

Proxy by Alex London.

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

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson or These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

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

Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I loved Iko and Cinder and Prince Kai. The characters in this book were so great and it made it super fun to read.

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

Champion by Marie Lu. This book made me cry in the best way. I sobbed at the end, but it was because it was so perfect and beautiful.

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

Cracked by Eliza Crewe. This came out pretty recently and I absolutely loved it. It was published by a smaller publishing house so I think people kind of didn’t hear about it, but it’s well worth the read. The main character is so freaking hilarious. I loved this book.

The Blogging: 2013

1.  New favorite book blog you discovered in 2013? 

I just started blogging this year so every single one! A few that I really love include The Perpetual Page-Turner, Book Rock Betty, Books with Cass, Belle of the Literati, (YA)Escapes Reality, Nosegraze, Book Addict’s Guide. I could go on. There are some seriously amazing people in this book blogging community!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2013? 

This was really tough, but I think I’m going to go with my review of Antigoddess by Kendare Blake.

3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

How do you decide which blogs to follow and Should I get a Kindle both were really interesting. I got a lot of great input from people on both.

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

Jamie’s post If We Were Having Coffee was one of my favorites all year. It was great to let out a breath and discuss things in our real lives.

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

Unfortunately I didn’t get to go to any real events since I lived in the middle of nowhere for most of the year (next year for sure!). But I did participate in my first #bookishparty on Twitter hosted by Paper Riot and Books with Cass and absolutely loved it. It was so fun and I met so many great bloggers from attending.

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

The first author that contacted me to ask me to review their book was pretty special. And also just anytime that an author interacts with me on Twitter. It will never get old for me.

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

One of my Waiting on Wednesday posts got a crazy amount of page views. The book was Soulbroken by Heather Brewer and I think everyone was trying to figure out when it was being published.

Runner-up: 100 Random Facts About Me (This totally surprised me!)

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Any of my reviews. They get the least views out of all my posts which makes me sad. The whole reason I started this blog was to review books! But I also love my discussion posts and other random fun posts that I do.

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

Goodreads. Believe it or not, I actually discovered Goodreads after I started my blog. Once I joined I was in heaven. I don’t know what I did without Goodreads.

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

I didn’t set any reading goals this year, but will be doing the Goodreads one for 2014.

The Future

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

The Book Thief. I really want to read this book and was pretty mad at myself for not getting it read before the movie came out.

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

Yeah right, there’s no way I can pick just one. Here’s my list of 2014 releases I’m dying for. And trust me, there’s way more than the ones on that list.

3. 2014 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman. This is a historical fiction set during WWII from the perspective of Hitler’s niece. If that doesn’t pull you in, I don’t know what will. I’m very excited for this one.

4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2014?

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi.

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

I would absolutely love to go to BEA. I’ve heard so many great things. So…who wants to go with me?

Do we share any book love? Are there any books that you loved that I should know about?